Thanks Drew, much appreciated.Quote:
Originally Posted by Drew5233
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Thanks Drew, much appreciated.Quote:
Originally Posted by Drew5233
Battle of Kohima: Sitrep 1RWF 18 Apr 1944 - 1445hrs.
Large enemy force reported to be approaching from the Khonoma Village area. 1RWF stands to!
Battle of Kohima: Sitrep 1RWF 18 Apr 1944 - 1515hrs.
A strong enemy attack launched against A Company's positions at Lone Tree Hill, the crest which they share with the enemy. During the assault 9 Platoon are overrun. The RWF survivors are quickly taken away by the Japanese. (They will almost certainly be killed later).
The Pl Commander Lt TG Callaghan assisted by the CSM, immediately launches a counter attack using the surviving members of his platoon. By utilising a covered approach on the left flank, he catches the enemy by complete surprise. Lt Callaghan and his small group of men manage to kill eighteen of the enemy and rescue their captured men!
Lt Callaghan received the Military Cross, (I urge you to read his citation. Outstanding leadership).
Cpl William Burton received the Military Medal for supporting his Platoon Commander. He personally killed five of the enemy. Sadly he was mortally wounded by a sniper during the action and died in a military hospital a week or so later.
Fusilier Sidney Vickers was one of the first men to rally to his Platoon Commander, snatching a Bren Gun from a dead comrade, he personally accounted for seven of the enemy dead. For his gallantry he was awarded the Military Medal.
This attack by the Japanese cost the battalion at least 5 x KIA(including Cpl Burton), with approximately a further 6 x WIA.
The enemy lost between 18-25 men in the failed attack.
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Battle of Kohima:
1RWF Regimental fatalities 17/18 April 1944.
Lt Douglas Lawrence, aged 31 from Tottenham. Married to Doris Lawrence.
Fus James Madden, aged 36. A former Commando, from Handsworth, Birmingham. Married to Florence Madden. He had joined the battalion in 1930.
Fus Robert Jones, aged 31. Enlisted in June 1940. Son of Robert & Jane Jones of Penygroes, Caernarfon.
Fus Richard Thomas, aged 25. Enlisted in November 1939. Son of Richard & Jane Thomas of Llangoed, Anglesey.
Fus Eric White, aged 27. Enlisted in January 1940. Son of Edward & Jane White of Caernarfon.
Fus Richard Williams, aged 24. Son of Morris & Elizabeth Williams of Holyhead.
(Belated Death Entry: Fusilier Benjamin Rees Davies, aged 25. Son of John and Martha Davies of Saron, Carmarthen).
Cpl William Burton MM, aged 30. Enlisted in June 1940. William died on the 9th May 1944 at Delhi Military Hospital.
We will remember them.
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Battle of Kohima: Sitrep 1RWF 19 Apr 1944 - 0900hrs.
All company's reported a fairly quiet night. An enemy patrol approached Deltas, but were fought off. No casualties.
Heavy British Artillery & Mortar barrage in progress, prior to the Punjab & Rajput battalions attempt to open the road into Kohima.
The battalion also receives a visit from their Brigade Commander Brig JD Shapland MC
Battle of Kohima: Sitrep 1RWF 19 Apr 1944 - 1300hrs
The road into Kohima was finally open, although still subject to enemy fire and patrol activity. Over the next few hours the wounded of the heroic 4th Royal West Kents(RWK) were evacuated by ambulance escorted by tanks. The RWK remain in position, they will not be relived for a further 36hrs. They had been under contestant enemy attack at close quarters for the last 12 days.
The road is open during the daytime, but then deemed "Closed" at nightfall. Each day over the next week, a team of infantry and tanks go forward to open the road, then close it at night.
1RWF Remain at Jotsama. This afternoon, Alpha's came under enemy LMG fire. The en position was quickly engaged by the battalions 3 inch mortar and taken out by a direct hit.
brilliant read/work al keep it up mate
Many thanks and appreciated. Quite a bit to go yet, a real eye opener.Quote:
Originally Posted by lucky
its brill al..pity alot more of the lads on facebook (rwf pals) don't come on here
I really do enjoy reading this even though my interest is more with the 1st Berks
At this stage they are currently working closely with 1 R. Berks….Indeed a month later they take a bashing at "Burma Box"
Battle of Kohima: Sitrep 1RWF 20 Apr 1944 - 0930hrs.
Overnight Deltas suffer four casualties. Two by enemy grenades, two by own artillery dropping short.
1 x OR KIA. Fusilier George Coombes aged 33. Married to Mary Coombes of Canton, Cardiff.
At first light this morning the battalion mortars opened up on "Shrewsbury" area, at Japanese shaking blankets. Believed at least 6 x enemy casualties.
Attachment 3344
I agree with Lucky, Al a very interesting and great read, I find myself waiting for the next part, keep it up ( the story, that is ) brill
Battle of Kohima: Sitrep 1RWF 21 Apr 1944 - 0700hrs.
A quiet night. This morning 4th R.West Kents will finally be relieved by 1 R. Berks on Kohima Ridge. Their nightmare is nearly over.
Battle of Kohima: Sitrep 1RWF 22 Apr 1944 - 1100hrs.
Earlier this morning D Company, led by Capt John Rostron DSO were ordered to move forward and take up a position on the ridge line at Gr 471667. They are now under enemy fire. 2 x enemy reported killed.
Battle of Kohima: Sitrep 1RWF 22 Apr 1944 - 1130hrs.
Capt John Rostron DSO killed by sniper. Lt NEH John assumes command Deltas.
Battle of Kohima: Sitrep 1RWF 22 Apr 1944 - 1140hrs.
Deltas position under heavy mortar & grenade discharger fire. Lt NEH John and Lt ECV Wells wounded. Company ordered to withdraw.
Battle of Kohima: Sitrep 1RWF 22 Apr 1944 - 1200hrs.
D Company commence the withdrawal from the crest. They have to leave the body of Capt Rostron DSO on the battle site. It's never recovered.
The Battle of Kohima: 1RWF 22 April 1944.
Capt John Norfolk Rostron DSO, aged 24yrs. He was born at Bucklow in 1920. The son of Norman & Constance Rostron, he resided at Hale, Manchester.
As a young platoon commander with 1RWF in 1943, he had been awarded the DSO at the Battle of Donbaik. Originally he was recommended for the Military Cross, however the brigade commander Brig Cavendish, upgraded it to the DSO. Cavendish himself was killed five days after he signed off Rostrons recommendation. John Rostrons body was never recovered and so he is commemorated on the Rangoon Memorial.
Attachment 3345
The Battle of Kohima: 1RWF 23 April 1944 - 0700hrs.
Durham Light Infantry(DLI) report that the Japanese have overrun their forward positions on Garrison Hill at Kohima. The enemy has now withdrawn leaving snipers. DLI have counted 100 enemy dead. The DLI have suffered 100 killed, wounded or missing!
1RWF remain dug in at Jotsama.
The Battle of Kohima: 23 April 1944.
Today 70yrs ago the young Anglesey boy holding the sign in his school photo is killed at Kohima. Fusilier Hugh Clifford Sewell-Cook was 27yrs old and from Llanddaniel Anglesey. His parents were Arthur and Mary Ellen Sewell-Cook, they owned a shop in the village. Hugh's older sister Rita is also pictured in the school photo.
http://llanddaniel.co.uk/1930_school_photo.html
Attachment 3346
The Battle of Kohima: The 1st Battalions War Diary, shows a relatively quiet period from the 23-28 April 1944.
The regiments written account of WW2(The Red Dragon) states that by this stage of the battle although the fighting had not been severe, the 1st Bn had suffered the following casualties:
KIA 3 x Officers, 9 x OR's
WIA 5 x Officers, 42 x Ors
Sickness 70 x All Ranks.
Total: 129 Men
We will now take a break from the battle as the regiment remains in defensive positions at Jotsama, a few short miles from Kohima Ridge. The 1st Bn's part in the Battle of Kohima resumes on the 29th April 1944 as they finally take up position on Garrison Hill, which is where our story will re-commence.
All comments/feedback welcome.
Battle Of Kohima: 28 Apr 1944. Update.
The 2nd Inf Division was almost ready to begin the task of recapturing Kohima Ridge and in the process totally destroy the Japanese forces to task.
The Ground:
Kohima Ridge itself was now almost totally dominated by the enemy. The British held a small piece of ground a couple of 100 metres long, that stretched from Garrison Hill, where the Durham Light Infantry clung precariously to the summit, through to the DC's Bungalow in the north east of the ridge. And that was it, the enemy held every other feature.
On Garrison Hill, the forward slope ran south onto the enemy held Kukis Piquet. The distance from those British positions to the Japanese was 20-25 metres!
The Plan:
4 Bde to push south and east from Jotsama, to re-capture GPT Ridge in the south and open up the Imphal Road.
5 Bde To Loop round from the north and re-capture Naga Village.
23 Bde To swoop in a wide arc from the north through to the east, cutting of the enemies line of communication and withdrawal route at the track at Jessami, which the enemy used originally during their advance on Kohima.
6 Bde(of which 1RWF was part). To mount a frontal assault on Kohima Ridge.
Two years previous, these type of tactics would have been unthinkable in the British mindset, neither would the units have had the skills or training in order to accomplish it. So lots of changes since Singapore 1942.
The plus points for the British:
1. Artillery, controlled by Forward Observers, which could be brought to bear on the Japanese positions.
2. Line of Communication: they now had control of the Kohima - Dimapur Rd, so that resupply and communication could be maintained.
3. Air superiority. The enemy was unable to get ammo/med/rations resupply through the thick jungle from the east.
The scene was nearly set.
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Battle of Kohima: 28 April 1944. Warning Order.
1RWF Tasked to relieve 1st Durham Light Infantry on Garrison Hill during daylight 29 Apr 1944.
Today, Garrison Hill and the enemy positions surrounding it have been extensively reccied by the RWF company command teams. In preparation for this task, the 1st Bn has been moved closer to Kohima Ridge.
The plan is at 0830 tomorrow (29th) A & C Coys +TAC will proceed to Kohima Ridge by Bren Carriers and then relieve 1DLI on Garrison Hill. The remaining RWF Companies will follow up later that day.
Battle of Kohima: Sitrep 1RWF 29 April 1944 - 1430hrs.
Relief of 1DLI complete. 1RWF now dug in on Garrison Hill. Company dispositions shown below. Area quiet.
Note: Some of B + C Coy's positions are on forward slopes, looking down(south and south west) 20 metres to the enemy below them.
Attachment 3352
Battle of Kohima: 1RWF's first impressions of Garrison Hill:
Attachment 3353
Battle of Kohima: Sitrep 1RWF 29 April 1944 - 2015hrs onwards.
During the late afternoon 2 x Curtiss Command aircraft dropped water + rations onto Garrison Hill. The Bn reported the drop as "Fair" with mists limiting visibility. The routine for the remainder of the night will be as follows:
1845-1930hrs - 100% Stand To
1930-2400hrs - 50% Stand To
2400-0545hrs - 100% Stand To
A long night ahead!
Battle of Kohima: Sitrep 1RWF 30 April 1944 - 1115hrs. Slight enemy sniping and grenading overnight.
Digging and work on improving positions now being carried out.
Battle of Kohima: 1RWF 30 April 1944
Life On Garrison Hill:
Garrison Hill was conical in shape with a small flat plateau that the battalion was clinging to. Likewise the enemy's trenches were just over the forward slopes and the surrounding high features. For those RWF companies at the edge of the British position any type of movement in the day was very difficult. Fusilier Harold Jones from Welshpool, a signaller with B Coy recalls that when the enemy was improving their positions at night, the spoil was landing on the British trenches.
Water was rationed to 1 pint per day(later 3 pints). Washing & shaving was forbidden. But there was a cup of tea 3 times per day! Space was so limited that dug-outs, latrines, cook-houses and graves were all close together. It was almost impossible to dig anywhere without uncovering either a latrine or grave.
The wounded and sick were evacuated via the British held part of the Dimapur Rd, additionally some supplies came in this way. However for most of its supplies the Battalion depended on air drops. In the late afternoon some half a dozen Dakotas, flying line ahead, would come up the valley, circle low around Garrison Hill, and release their many coloured parachutes(of supplies). Some of these would of course land in the enemy lines. Some would end up caught in trees, the fusiliers would shoot through the para cord or branches to release the precious cargo.
Certain loads were dropped without parachute. These consisted mainly of chloride of lime and were intended to discourage the plague of flies which bred in the dead bodies piled around the position.
Battle of Kohima: 1RWF 30 April 1944: Overnight.
The Battalion comes under enemy rifle, LMG and grenade fire. 1 x Phosphorus Shell dropped on C Company area. 1 x Fusilier KIA.
Fusilier David Cousins was aged 22. He was the son of Thomas and Minnie Cousins, from North Ormesby Middlesborough.
Attachment 3355
Battle of Kohima: Sitrep 1RWF 1 May 1944 - 2000hrs
Nothing to report of importance. The Bn spent the day improving the positions.
Battle of Kohima: Sitrep 1RWF 2 May 1944 - 2200hrs.
At 1800 this evening 2 x Hurribombers (Converted Hurricanes), bombed and strafed Kukis Piquet. 2 x Bombs landed on the RWF positions on Garrison Hill, additionally C Company and Bn HQ were subjected to friendly fire strafing! 1 x 250lb UXB later detonated by the Royal Engineers.
Note:
Harold Jones, a current member of Welshpool RWF Comrades Association was at the latrine when the bombing run started. I had a drink with him this evening 70yrs on, he's in good spirits and very healthy for his age. He remembers this night very clearly.
Looking through his written account of of the 2nd May 1944 he recalls that the guys had been briefed that anyone above ground after dark that evening should be considered enemy and shot. So just before dark, he visited the latrine and was making his way to his dugout when the earth in front of him started ripping up. He was spun around and thrown to the ground. Harold was wounded in the arm. The Padre helped him to the dressing station where he was bandaged up and then placed in a trench, without his weapon, his arm in a sling, to await evacuation in the morning.
During the night the enemy breached Garrison Hill by the cookhouse and although the Fusiliers managed to fight them off. Harold still recalls how scared he was, sat in the bottom of the trench, watching the enemy running past his trench. He describes it as the longest night of his life. Harold was a signaller with B Company, that wound almost certainly saved his life, over the next three days many of Harold's friends would die on Kohima Ridge.
Battle of Kohima Sitrep 1RWF 3 May 1944 - 1700hrs.
Early this morning Harold Jones and the other wounded were casevaced off Kohima Ridge. Initially walking off the hill, carrying the stretcher cases whilst under sniper fire. Eventually utilising armoured ambulances to travel along Hospital Rd. Later that day the men arrived at the military hospital at Dimapur.
1030hrs 2 x enemy shells land on the battalion position. Reported 3 x WIA.
Company Commanders now waiting for CO's O Group to commence at 1730, in relation to tomorrows planned assault on Kukis Piquet and FSD.
Attachment 3357
Battle of Kohima: Sitrep 1RWF 3 May 1944 - 2000hrs.
CO's O Group Completed. Div attack to take place tomorrow. 6 Brigade will assault Kukis Piquet and FSD.
The outline plan is 4 + 5 Bde will launch diversionary attacks on the flanks.
6 Brigade will then launch an attack on FDS using 2 DLI + Tanks approaching from the rear of the position. Once that is achieved C Coy and B Coy 1RWF will conduct a frontal attack on Kukis Piquet from the north, eventually pushing though to FSD linking up with 2DLI.
C Company will lead.
C Company are led by Maj PCR Carrington.
B Company are led by Maj CO Hilditch.
Both Company Commanders, veterans of Donbaik the previous year.
The scene is set.
Attachment 3358
Battle of Kohima Sitrep 1RWF 4 May 1944 - 0830hrs
Since 0730hrs British aircraft have been strafing and bombing Kukis Piquet, FSD and DIS areas. Additionally Kukis and FSD are being subjected to artillery and battalion 3in mortar fire.
6 x A/Tank guns have now been brought up to A Coy's defensive position and are directly engaging the Japanese bunkers below and across from them on Kukis Piquet.
The men of the RWF dug in on Garrison Hill are below ground, as in some cases they are only metres away from the enemy targets.
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Battle of Kohima Sitrep 1RWF 4 May 1944 - 0930hrs
Tanks have linked up with 2DLI at DIS. Next task Capture FSD.
C Company 1RWF stood by on Garrison Hill, ready to advance on Kukis Piquet and onto FSD
Attachment 3361
Battle of Kohima Sitrep 1RWF 4 May 1944 - 1130hrs
The battles not going well. The flanking brigades have not effectively drawn the enemies attention and assets away from the actions on Kukis and FSD.
1 x Company from 2DLI has reached FSD but were being held up by heavy enemy fire from Jail Hill. Tanks had started moving up FSD and were now engaging bunkers on Kukis and FSD, but the enemies continued to be effective and devastating. By the end of the day 2DLI would have at least 24 men killed and a large number of wounded.
1RWF remain stood by on Garrison Hill.
Battle of Kohima Sitrep 1RWF 4 May 1944 - 1230hrs
2 x Company's from 2DLI move along the road in Bren Carriers towards FSD, in order to assist their company caught below the crest of FSD. However they are forced to withdraw after coming under effective enemy fire from Jail Hill. During this action 2DLI's Commanding Officer Lt Col Brown is killed, along with several other senior DLI Officers.
Over the next 30 minutes 1 x Company of 2DLI is sent onto Garrison Hill to take over the dug ins of C Company 1RWF.
C Company 1RWF are now preparing to attack Kukis Piquet and FSD!
Battle of Kohima Sitrep 1RWF 4 May 1944 - 1335hrs.
For the last 20mins, the men of C Company 1RWF have been at the Forming Up Point waiting to begin the attack, initially on Kukis Piquet. The plan is 13 Platoon will move south along the Nullah(Ravine), towards Kukis.
Meanwhile 15 Pl will advance along the spur from Garrison Hill, which leads too the summit of Kukis from the western slope. 14 Platoon in reserve. A Coy and Bn Mortars have commenced laying a smoke screen to cover C Coy's move.
The assault has started.
Attachment 3362
Battle of Kohima Sitrep 1RWF 4 May 1944 - 1345hrs
Both attacking platoons from C Company report they are under heavy enemy machine gun fire from Kukis Piquet and are attempting to evacuate the wounded. C Company's reserve, 14 platoon is called forward to assist 15 Pl on the west of the summit, but is unable to make any headway up the slope of Kukis.
14 Platoon is then ordered to move further south and try and assault from FSD on which 2DLI has a precarious foothold..
B Company are moving to the FUP.