The Battle of Kohima April/May 1944 - 70 Years On

Battle of Kohima Sitrep 1RWF 4 May 1944 - 1430hrs

B Company commenced a frontal assault on Kukis Piquet in support of C Company at 1400hrs. Almost immediately the OC Maj Hilditch, Lt Steele and Lt Shepherd were wounded. Shepherd would die of his wounds three months later in Delhi. Capt DJO Thomas assumed command.

All three B Coy platoons met very heavy fire and grenades and were forced to withdraw.

Meanwhile 14 Platoon C Coy was holding out on the edge of FSD, along with the remnants of 15 Pl and what was left of the DLI Company.

At 1410hrs OC C Company Maj PCR Carrinton suffered a severe head wound, whilst observing from behind a tank. Lt Ogburne immediately assumed command and was promoted to Capt! He was ordered to form a tight perimeter with the DLI and tanks on FSD. They were losing men to effective sniping from Kukis Piquet.

The battalion immediatley tasks the GR Platoon(Battle Patrol) to get wire and defence stores quickly up to the C Coy Garrison on FSD. A Platoon of D Company is tasked to patrol the northern Nullah and clear it of snipers.

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Battle of Kohima: 4th May 1944

During the afternoon the 1RWF War Diary signposts a rare glimpse of the battle at platoon level. It reads:

"One Pl of B Coy reported pinned down 20yds from Jap bunker position, Kukis Piquet and under fire from snipers and grenades."

It makes no further mention of this incident in the diary.

About 15 days later a Cpl Thomas is awarded a DCM for several feats of gallantry during the Kohima/Imphal campaign. The first incident recorded in his recommendation is copied below:

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Battle of Kohima Sitrep 1RWF 4 May 1944 - 1945hrs

The situation as dusk approaches is that the remnants of C Company are garrisoned on the crest of FSD along with some members of the DLI and several tanks. They are under continual sniping and grenading from the enemy and are losing men.

During the night the Brigades Mortars put down effective defensive mortar fire, within metres of the Welsh troops in order to break up an enemy attempt to storm C Company.It is estimated at this stage that only 30% of C Company remain unwounded. That percentage will eventually be lower as only 6 x C Coy men walked off the FSD position on the 6th May, after they were relieved.

Across the battalion, by the end of this day at least 15 x men will have been killed and well in excess of 60 x men wounded. Some of injured are lying in no-mans land, beyond reach and will die during the night, others will manage to crawl back to Garrison Hill bringing vital information about the situation on FSD. Remember to move between Garrison Hill and FSD they will need to get past enemy held Kukis Piquet.

During the afternoon, GR Platoon(Battle Patrol) has been carrying defence stores to the position, so that Capt Ogburne can secure the perimeter before nightfall. Later this evening GR Platoon led by Lt AW Watkins and 11 Platoon B Coy led by Lt Dawson will move up to FSD and reinforce C Company. The surviving men of C Company have now dug in and face a long night.

Of the 15 Royal Welchmen who lost their lives following todays action, at least 6 of them have no known grave.

We will remember them.

Battle of Kohima Sitrep 1RWF 5 May 1944 - 1640hrs.

All through this morning the battalion and brigade assets have been pounding the enemy bunkers on Kohima Ridge.An assortment of troops led by C Company OC Capt Ogburne still have an isolated and very precarious foothold on FSD. The crest they share with the Japanese.

At 1530 D Company led by Maj WD Cooke are brought forward and ordered to clear the Nullah(ravine) leading alongside Kukis, then hold it, so that B Coy can attack the summit of Kukis Piquet.

D Coys task fails under an overwhelming amount of fire from the enemy MG's on Kukis and the ever present snipers. They persevere for 45mins, before the advance is brought to a halt and D Company is ordered to withdraw.

Casualties: 2 Killed. 2 x Missing. 13 x Wounded.

B Company then move forward, they will attempt to take Kukis Piquet, led by Capt DJO Thomas. They have just two platoons, 10 & 12 Platoon. 11 Platoon has been attached to C Company on FSD since yesterday evening……..

https://rwf-forum.co.uk/vBulletin/at...tid=3367&stc=1

Today at Kohima 5th May 1944, Cpl Thomas Radcliffe MM of the 1st Bn The Royal Welch Fusiliers was killed in action. During the battalions attempts to capture Kukis Piquet.

Thomas Radcliffe had been awarded his MM at the Battle of Indin in the previous year. He was married to Margaret Radcliffe, they lived at Llangwstenin near Llandudno

See aboveThomas Radcliffe's recommendation for the Military Medal:

Battle of Kohima: 5 May 1944: 1640-1830hrs

The Death of 12 Platoon B Coy 1RWF:

We will remember them.

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Battle of Kohima Sitrep 1RWF 5 May 1944 - The Fallen




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Battle of Kohima: 1RWF 6 May 1944:

The 1st Bn's War Diary states that apart from sniping and grenading it was a quiet night 5/6th and during the day of the 6th, A & B Coy spent the day improving the positions on Garrison Hill. At 1100hrs it records that 1 x Coy from the R. Berks moved to FSD to commence the relief of C Coys adhoc force, which had been on the position since the failed assault of the 4th May.

The diary entry doesn't tell the full story, possibly because the diary was being written at TAC on Garrison Hill.

The Reality: The Red Dragon notes: "Confused fighting on FSD continued throughout the day, the British and Japanese positions being closely interlocked"

Even though 1R.Berks had a company now on FSD, Capt Ogburn and his small group of men remained on FSD for a further night.

By the end of today the 6th May 1944. 1RWF had lost a further 13 Men Killed in Action. At least four of the men had no known grave:

(Belated Death Entry: Lt JAL Hunter(RRF Att). Of Darlington Co Durham). No Known Grave.

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Battle of Kohima: Sitrep 1RWF 7 May 1944:

A quiet night. Today at 1230hrs. Capt EF Ogburn returned from FSD. He brought with him 5 x men, of the original C Coy group that reached FDS on the 4th May. He was accompanied by 10Pl B Coy and the surviving members of GR Platoon(Battle Patrol). Gr Platoon had lost their Pl Commander on the 5th May, since then the unit had been led by Sgt Watson. Lt Oburn's small force had fought against overwhelming odds but managed to hold their position on FSD. 1R.Berks now had a fully equipped company on the feature, thanks to the actions of a small number of Royal Welchman.

Battle of Kohima: 1RWF Citations 4-7 May 1944

Capt EF Ogburn MC:

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Battle of Kohima: 1RWF Citations 4-7 May 1944
SGT R Watson MM:

"Sgt Watson took Command of the GR Platoon after the Platoon Commander had been killed and has shown great dash and nerve. His platoon was allotted the task of carrying wire, ammunition and supplies past enemy positions and over ground covered by enemy fire to the isolated garrison on FSD Kohima. Sgt Watson volunteered to accompany every one of these parties and himself made no less than 17 journeys.

In addition to these duties, this NCO has led his platoon in many successful recce and fighting patrols. It is entirely due to his personal example and leadership that the GR Platoon has carried out several tasks with such aggressive success."

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Battle of Kohima: 1RWF Citations 4-7 May 1944
Cpl FC Sim MM:

(Sims brother Frank; a Fusilier was awarded an MID for his actions at Kohima)

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Battle of Kohima: 1RWF Citations 4-7 May 1944
Mentioned in Dispatches:

Maj PCR Carrington
Maj WD Cooke(Then a Capt)
LCpl Lewis Dark
Fusilier Frank Sim
Fusilier Frederick Gledhill

Certificate of Gallantry:
Fusilier Stanley Westlake ( He was the soldier who treated Fusilier Harold Jones(Welshpool Comrades Branch Member) after the "Blue on Blue" strafing on the night of the 2nd May 1944. Stanley was Killed in Action in 1945.

Additionally Sgt Sydney Young was later awarded an immediate emergency commission for his fine work as Mortar Platoon Sergeant at Kohima.

Battle of Kohima: 1RWF 7 May 1944:

Killed in Action. Fusilier Albert Lane aged 29. Married to Dorothy Lane of Greenwich East London.

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Al, really good read, Steve

Battle of Kohima: 1RWF 8 May 1944:

A quiet day. In the War Diary, the diarist notes the casualties since the Kohima campaign began on the 14th April thus far as:

5 Officers Killed. 33 OR's Killed = 38
2 Officers Missing. 20 OR's Missing = 22
11 Officers wounded. 116 Wounded = 117

It's fairly safe to assume all the missing were men who's bodies had not yet been recovered, or indeed might never be found.

70yrs later, crosschecking with the CWGC Death Lists. So far we can re-estimate the Battalion had lost:

7 Officers and 58 men Killed = 65

All Ranks wounded = 127(not confirmed to be accurate) Reliant on the War Diary.

Total losses = 192 (22.7%, just under a 1/4 of the battalions strength). Based on 845 x Manning .

Final Thought: Tomorrow 70yrs ago, Cpl Burton MM lying in Military Hospital No 3 in Dimapur, finally succumbs to the wounds he received fighting alongside Lt Callaghan at Lone Tree Hill on the 17th April 1944.

thanks al..its been a fab read, hats off to you

a big thank you really good

Thanks Guys, about a week to go and I'll knock it on the head.

Battle of Kohima: 1RWF 9 May 1944 - 1530hrs.

Overnight a new draft of 26 Other Ranks joined the battalion from the Rear Detail at Ahmednagar.

During today, a vigorous anti-sniper and snipe operation against all Japanese movement on the ridge continued.

Today two Royal Welchmen lost their lives, bringing the total to 67 All Ranks KIA since the 14 April. The fallen included Cpl Bill Burton, additionally:

Fusilier John Henry Anthony aged 25. Married to Edna Anthony of Morriston, Swansea.

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Battle of Kohima: 1RWF 10 May 1944 - 1530hrs.

Today the battalion Large Packs and blankets arrived on position, later the men were issued a pint of water for washing & shaving. This was their first opportunity have a change of clothes and shave since the 28 April.

Early tomorrow a series of barrages against the high features in the south of the ridge, namely Jail Hill, DIS and Pimple will occur, the prelude to attacks by 4 Brigade.

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Battle of Kohima: 1RWF 11 May 1944:

Although the enemy would not win this battle or achieve their ultimate goals, the individual Japanese soldiers were still stubbornly hanging onto their captured ground. It was clear the only way to capture the enemy bunkers was by use of medium artillery and the 75mm tank gun, fired at point blank range!

As the battle moved into its final and bloody phase, A Coy 1RWF began to take a more active role, as they had not been directly involved in the attacks on FSD or Kukis Piquet. By night they carried out aggressive patrols against all suspected enemy movements. The intention most likely being to deny the enemy any freedom of action, or the ability to carry out resupply, no matter how minor.

Sitrep 1RWF 1830hrs.

Overnight digging heard by A Coy 30-40yrds east of 7 Platoons position.

At approx 0430, the barrage on DIS, jail Hill and Pimple commenced as 4 Bde launch their assaults on the southern high features .

At 0500hrs the Queens Royal Regiment(QRR) launched an attack on Jail Hill. It cost them 61 KIA with 112 WIA in two attacks. A Gurkha battalion also took heavy casualties. QRR managed to secure a foothold on jail Hill, only yards from the enemy's bunkers. They were about to spend an uncomfortable night on the feature.

Their(QRR) experience today, was very similar to the RWF's on FSD 4-6 May.

I x RWF - WIA(Battle Shock) caused by 3 x 25 pounders dropping short onto the battalion position.

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Battle of Kohima: 1RWF Belated Death Entry - 11 May 1944.

William John Owen aged 22yrs. Son of William and Laura May Owen, of Bushbury, Wolverhampton.

Total Deaths = 68

Not Forgotten.

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Battle of Kohima: 1RWF 12 May 1944.

1500hrs. A Coy's 2inch Mortars laid smoke on Jeep Track, as British tanks managed to get up onto Garrison Hill and began firing at enemy bunkers on Kukis Piquet and FSD from Point blank range. The enemy later shell Jeep Track with 75pounders.

At 1830 this evening, the battalion watches as 1R.Berks creep up the west slope of FSD, to launch an attack, with flamethowers in support.

By 0530 tomorrow morning(13th) 1 R.Berks will report that they have finally taken FSD and are commencing mopping up operations.

Kukis Piquet is still occupied by enemy forces..

Battle of Kohima: 1RWF 13 May 1944. This is how the day unfolded:

0830. C Coy come under comd Dorsets(possibly on Tennis Courts).

0900. Dorsets launch a 1 x Coy(with tanks) attack against DC's Bungalow.

1030. Enemy shells Jeep Track and the Nullah leading from Garrison Hill to Kukis Piquet.

1230. Recce Patrol from GR(Battle Patrol) Platoon 1RWF, move to Kukis Piquet, remainder of platoon + 1 x platoon from B Coy 1RWF follow up. Remainder of B Coy stood by ready to attack.

1300. REPORT: Jail Hill evacuated by the enemy. Part of DC's Bungalow cleared by the Dorsets.

1330. GR Platoon 1RWF report Kukis Piquet clear of enemy. B Coy on objective.

1345. A Coy 1RWF occupy enemy positions on Garrison Hill, linking up with 1R Berks and Dorsets on the flanks.

From 1400hrs onwards, consolidation takes place. Identification, documents etc collected from our own dead. Wire, tools and line sent up to Kukis, as 1RWF secure the position.

The 1RWF War Diary notes for the night of the 13th

"A notably quiet night"

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Battle of Kohima: 1RWF 14 & 15 May 1944:

The 1RWF War Diary notes that burying of the dead, general cleaning and salvage of equipment continued for both days. The men were still on the position.

Battle of Kohima: 1RWF 16 May 1944: The Final Entry!

At 1515hrs this afternoon, 70yrs ago, 1RWF handed over Garrison Hill & Kukis Piquet, after 4 weeks of gruelling operations. By 1745 the battalion was at Forest Gate Rest Camp, Dimapur. That evening they watched a free concert starring Doris & Elsie Waters!

Within 4 days they would be back in the Kohima area, dealing the enemy who occupied areas north and south of the ridge. Within 12 days, the battalion would get caught out by the enemy at "Burma Box", which resulted in the Commanding Officer Lt Col Braithwaite being replaced immediately. The battalion would quickly recover from this setback and would commence the fight to recapture Imphal.

During the 4 weeks of operations approximately 69 men had been killed, with at least a further 130 men wounded. One man would die in August 1944 of the wounds he received in early May.

Over a quarter of the battalion had suffered injury during the battle.

In November 1944, members of the battalion returned to Kohima, for an unveiling of a memorial built by the Regimental Pioneers.

Finally: On average 2-300 individual Facebook members have been reading the Kohima entries since we started the project in late March 2014. We have published the name of every Royal Welchman killed during the battle(that we're aware of) on Facebook, Twitter and the RWF Forum website.

I hope everyone enjoyed the brief glimpse into the lives of our comrades who went before us. Made all the more poignant by the very fact that some of them are still with us.

We will remember them.

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many thanks al

Excellent job, Al. My compliments.

John

Thank you John…(chuffed) :-)

Many thanks for the interesting thread

thank you

Many thanks for this very interesting project Al. It. It must have taken you and the others who contributed an awful lot of research. It is a very useful and different, perhaps even unique, way of portraying our history. Well done, I thoroughly enjoyed reading the reports which in many ways brought history alive. Diolch.