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

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Battle of Kohima: Sitrep 1RWF 1 May 1944 - 2000hrs

Nothing to report of importance. The Bn spent the day improving the positions.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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

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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.

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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!

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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.

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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.