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INDIA
INDIAN
ARMY
OBSERVER
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Mani: Indian Army Observer
IATC: 7 July '45
Cuttack, July 7: Before a large gathering of local citizens and
officials in the Assembly Hall, H.E. Sir Hawthorne Lewis, K.C.S.I.,
K.C.I.E., I.C.S., today presided over the first graduation function of
Utkal University's Indian Air Training Corps. Owing to the
inclement weather the passing-out parade arranged for could not be
held.
Lady Lewis presented the certificates to
16 successful cadets of whom eight are to appear before
the Selection Board entry into the the Royal Indian Air Force.
Dr. Parija, Vice-Chancellor, presented the first report
on the I.A.T.C. in the University. His Excellency stressing the
importance of air power and explaining the post-war civil
aviation plans in tae Orissa province, appealed to the public to
take increasing interest in aviation. He also hoped that the students
of the University would join the R.I.A.F. in large numbers and
congratulated F/O S.L. Shan in charge of the training on the performance of the first batch of
trainees.
H.E. and Lady Lewis spoke individually to all the
cadets. Cadet Aditya of Ravenshaw College, Cuttack, won a silver
cup as prize for the best cadet.
ends
Mani
Capt
7/7/45
Mani: Army Observer
Fifth Indian Div.
14 Aug '45
HOLD RELEASE TILL OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENT.
Rangoon, Aug 14: Troops of the Fifth Indian Division were wild with
joy on hearing the news of the unconditional surrender of the
Japanese.
Supported by the same black-beretted Indian tankmen who
fought alongside them on the drive to Rangoon, Indian and British
troops of this senior Indian Division, went round the streets of
the city shouting and waving with joy.
Their commander, Maj-Gen. E.C. Mansergh, O.B.E., M.C., T.D.,
said: "My feeling is not one of relief but of satisfaction. I am particularly
glad that my Division has taken a full share and played a gallant
part in the victory over the Japanese".
The Fifth has the unique record in the Indian Army of having fought all
the Axis partners; they smashed the Italians in Abyssinia,
the Germans and Italians in North Africa and the Japanese in Assam,
Arakaan and Burma. Hence they rejoice doubly at the final liquidation
of the Axis.
Sub-Major Ganpat Singh, O.B.I., of village Pempura,
Jodhpur State and with 28 years service in the army said as soon as
he heard the news: "We rejoice at the news because our people at
home will get more of the necessities of life. It would also mean
that we could return to our homes and rest which we need badly."
Sub. Latif Khan, IDSM of village Kriplian, district Hazara: "First I
rejoice in the victory we have gained over the Japs. Secondly it
will mean better days at home". Of the same view and adding that
it would mean the saving of many thousands of lives was Hav. Mohd.
Akbar, MM, Bar-MM, of village Nahesar, district Rawalpindi.
Army clerks, cooks, sweepers and barbers--all those
who never are in the limelight and who rarely get honours and awards-they
were equally enthusiastic over the victory as the infantry
soldier.
ends
Mani
Capt
14/8
Mani: Army Observer
Fifth Ind. Div.
14 Aug 845
Rangoon: Aug 14: Thirty year old Lt. Col. Sarbjit Sing Kalha, D.S.O.,
of village Naunpind, district Gurdaspur, Punjab, commands a distinguished
battalion in the Indian Army-- the second battalion of the Ist. Punjab
Regiment.
His father Rai Sahib Sunder Singh, who was formerly an
Executive Engineer in the Burma Railways,
supervised the first laying of the railway
line from Maungdaw to Buthidaung little knowing at the time that his
son, years later, would win the Distinguished Service Order in battle
not very many miles to the south of this railway. It was at
Ngakyedauk Pass that Lt. Col. Kalha, in temporary command of this battalion, at
the time, displayed skilful planning and bold execution by which he
opened the Pass to the relief of the beseiged Seventh Indian Division.
After graduating from the Khalsa College, Amritsar, in
1935 he was commissioned at the Indian Military Academy. He saw
service in Wazirstan, 1936-1937 and since then has been with this
battalion in the Fifth Indian Division.
He has three brothers as officers in the
army among whom is Lt. Col R.S. Kalha who is an Assistant Director of
Survey at an Army HQ.
--------
Mani: Army Observer
Fifth Indian Div.
14 Aug '45
HOLD RELEASE TILL OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENT.
Rangoon, Aug 14: Troops of the Fifth Indian Division were wild with
joy on hearing the news of the unconditional surrender of the
Japanese.
Supported by the same black-beretted Indian tankmen who
fought alongside them on the drive to Rangoon, Indian and British
troops of this senior Indian Division, went round the streets of
the city shouting and waving with Joy.
Their commander, Maj-Gen. E.C. Mansergh, O.B.E., M.C., T.D.
said: "It is not one of relief but of satisfaction. I am particularly
glad that my Division has taken a full share and played a gallant
part in the victory over the Japanese".
The Fifth has the unique record in the Indian Army of having fought all
the Axis partners; they smashed the Italians in Abyssinia,
the Germans and Italians in North Africa and the Japanese in Assam,
Arakaan and Burma. Hence they rejoice doubly at the final liquidation
of the Axis.
Sub-Major Ganpat Singh, O.B.I., of village Pempura,
Jodhpur State and with 28 years service in the army said as soon as
he heard the news: "We rejoice at the news because our people at
home will get more of the necessities of life. It would also mean
that we could return to our homes and rest which we need badly".
Sub. Latif Khan, IDSM of village Kriplian, district Hazara:" First I
rejoice in the victory we have gained over the Japs. Secondly it
will mean better days at home". Of the same view and adding that
it would mean the saving of many thousands of lives was Hav. Mohd.
Akbar, MM, Bar-MM, of village Nahesar, district Rawalpindi.
Army clerks, cooks, sweepers and barbers--all those
who never are in the limelight and who honours and awards-they
were equally enthusiastic over the victory as the
soldiers.
ends
for PR alfsea
from mani army observer
johore september seven stop an ex prisoner of war came
to the rescue of a rajput staff car which was stuck up on the
johore trunk road with engine trouble under quite dramatic
circumstances stop sgt (13460) James baynes of sixtyseven
lons road dundee scotland was marching along with
australian ex prisoners when they came across the staff car
with several
rajput officers peeping inside the bonnet stop australians
hailed the question quote you want our best mechanic unquote
and when the reply yes came sgt baynes set the
car running within a few minutes stop he was no mechanic but
a rubber planter in malaya ho volunteered with the australian
forces stop he had been for eight years in malaya before he
volunteered during the emergency
and speaks good tamil and malay ends
Mani
Capt
7/9.
for PR alfsea
from mani army observer
johore september seven stop rajputs yesterday
hoisted the union jack on the causeway connecting singapore
island with the malayan mainland at johore bahru soon after
occupying the causeway and a large ammunition and arms
dump nearby stop they are troops of the fourth battalion of
the seventh rajput regiment who won fame at the battles
of kohima point one two four in arakan and tiddim stop about
midday they marched from singapore and were welcomed
all along the road by indian australian and british troops
who had been prisoners with the japs stop one aussie exclaimed
to me quote indian soldiers arent they smart where
are they from unquote and when eye told him they were rajputs
he jumped and shook my hands vigorously stop the rajputs
relieved a battalion of the japs who had their positions on
prominent hills covering the causeway stop thousands of
rifles a hundred automatics and large quantities of ammunition
were stocked in the dump stop
story two stop two first cousins
from fontwell sussex had a pleasant reunion after twentyfour
years when they met outside a prisoner of war
camp where (A.I.493) Major allen robinson ninth gurkha rifles
son of doctor charles robinson fontwell near arundale sussex
had been interned by the enemy stop the cousin lieutenant
kenneth robinson royal artillery coming to singapore as japanese
interpreter with our occupation forces located
the major at the changi camp stop he gave him news of his
people which he was rejoiced to hear stop quote eye saw him
when eye was five years old and so eye could not recognise
him easily stop he has just missed his brother capt michael
robinson royal army ordnance corps who left india only two
months ago on repatriation unquote he said to me stop quote
eye knew he was in malaya since we received a red cross card
from him but did not hope to meet aim so soon and it is very
difficult for me to describe how happy we are stop eye am glad
eye came to singapore stop ends
for PR alfsea
from mani indian army observer
singapore september sixth stop government house singapore was
the venue of a picturesque ceremony this afternoon then the
punjabis hoisted the union jack over it stop after searching
for an hour a local chinese school gave them one
stop the japanese guard was dismissed and taken to their camp
stop then Lt. Col Sarbjeet Singh Kalha, D.S.O., commanding
the second battalion of the first punjab regiment
marched his troops and mounted the guard stop the chinese
dragon crests on their berets were glittering in the midday
sun as they stepped smartly quite proud of the achievements of
the indian army stop it was like a peacetime guard mounting
and the punjabis enjoyed it after many yeary years of war
stop one of the punjabis broke the flag at the masthead and
they took the salute stop their olive green battledress made
them look as though they had grown on the green lawn stop
the ceremony was perfect except for tae band stop immediately
after an advance party from seac headquarters moved into
government house ends
for PR alfsea
from mani indian army observer
singapore september sixth stop punjabi troops who landed in
singapore as the first occupation troops/ have a proud history
behind them stop they are from the second battalion of the
first punjab regiment which is nearly hundred and sixty years
old stop the battalion was raísed in madras in seventeen
hundred eighty one under the name sixth native
infantry stop they fought in the china war in eighteen hundred
forty two when they suffered more from the chinese dragons in
the jungles than from the enemy stop since then they proudly
wear the dragon as their regimental crest stop its name changed
for a while into sixtysixth punjabis and later into the present
one stop in war first great war they fought in mesopotamia
where when most of them had become casualties, the rest were
surrounded and captured at Kut-hyphen el hyphen amara stop
at the end of the war the prisoners joined their battalion
which had been, meanwhile raised again in india stop between
the two wars they were in the north west frontier of india
and took part in all the wazirstan campaigns earning the name
of being one of the crack battalions of the frontier stop with
the fourteenth indian division they went to the eastern frontier
of india in fortytwo and since then have fought in arakan
imphal and burma stop their first round against the japs was
at donbaik in arakan stop sent to foil renowned colonel
tanabashis encircling column attempting to get behind one of our
brigades stop the punjabis dragons achieved their objective
after standing upto fanatical and determined attacks by
overwhelming numbers for three days continuously stop after
fighting nearly fifteen months they went to india for
training only to return to arakan after fbur months with the
fifth indian division stop there after smashing the enemy badly
at the battle of quote three knobs unquote they were assigned
the important task of opening the ngakyedauk pass to the
relief of the besieged seventh indian division who were being
supplied by air stop the battalion made its two famous left
hooks and captured two important heights which were holding
up the advance of the fifth indian division to open the pass
stop quite a heavy toll of japs was taken and this operation
alone earned for the division two distinguished service
orders seven military cross and several other awards stop
flown as leading troops of the fifth indian
division to besieged imphal when the japs threatened the safety
mani indian army observer
page two
of india they defended, the quote litan box unquote where some
of the most bloody battle for the defence of india were fought
next they covered the withdrwal of the indian parachute brigade
from shangshak and other troops on the ukhrul road and their
next role was as the spearhead of our advance along the tiddim
road same magnificent battles were fought on this road and they
won their first victoria cross on the capture kennedy
peak but unlucky subedar ramsarup singh did not survive to
receive the distinguish award stop in the liberation
of burma they fought on the battleffelds stretching from meikitla
to pegu and mokshitwa stop these punjabis entered singapore with
hundred and fifteen awards to their credit in this war ends
for PR alfsea
from mani indian army observer
singapore september sixth two men from Leicester were overjoyed
to meet for the first time outside a prisoner camp in
singapore stop after three years of mental weariness sickness
and toil as a prisoner in jap hands (637076) aircraftsman dennis
lacey 166 brunswick street leicester jumped with
joy when accosted by fusilier cyril snutch of main street
sardington stop fusilier snutch was marching along with punjabi
troops of occupation when they reached a prisoner of war camp
stop snutch looked at a weak one leaning on a post of
the barbed wire fence stop he hesitated for a moment and
then advancing to ac lacey asked for his
hometown stop as the low reply leisester came both shook hands
vigorously and a volley of questions and answers were exchanged
stop quote for three years the japs forced me to work cutting
stones on hills and my health broke down owing to poor nourishment
but since our troops came am improving and taken care of
unquote said he tome stop quote hope to be on my way home soon
unquote stop next to him another australian prisoner
hailed quote johnny unquote to a gurkha and questioned him
quote gurkha unquote stop quote ji unquote replied the stocky
nepalese and immediately they shook hands and embraced each other
stop ends
Mani
Capt
6/9
for PR alfsea
from mani indian army observer
Singapore september fifth stop indian et british troops of the
fifth indian division landed at singapore today
under a heavily laden sky stop trained for combined operations
recently in Rangoon comma they were keep on making a tactical
landing although the Japanese commander of the island had signed
the surrender. stop indian troops returning after three long years
were given a cousing reception by the chinese indian and malay
residents who hung flags and festoons and cheered stop second
battalion of the first punjab regiment landed first and third of the fourth
gurkha, rifles landed while first of the seventeen
dogras landed at pulau brani an island south of singapore stop
disarming and rounding up of the Japanese commenced immediately
during which our troops showed restraint and discipline stop the
Nippon army was polite and generally behaved well stop incidents
were to be avoided and hence it was a delicate operation stop
taking over guards at key points was
quite dramatic stop company commanders approached the officer in
charge of the jap guard who had already received orders from their
own seniors stop jap officer saluted our major and then called his
guard to attention before ordering them to surrender their rifles,
bayonets and ammunition after which the officer laid down his own
pistol and sword stop after they were
marched away to a central camp with their kit by our escort, our
guard took their positions stop it seemed that the jap
was keen to impress us on his smart parading and most
of them had cheerful looks perhaps with the hope of returning home
in time for the autumn equinox festival stop the indian tiger
struck in north africa killed in burma and now reposes with calm
dignity at the focal point of south east asia stop the fifth
indian division smashed every one of the axis triumvirate and it iss
fitting that they should be given the honour of reoccupying this
bastion of the east.
Mani
Capt
5/9
for PR alfsea
from mani indian army observer
singapore september twelfth begins general itagaki
with credentials and seal from field marshal
count terauchi of the jap expeditionary force southern
regions along with his ten generals
surrender in person this morning to ford louis mountbatten supreme allied
commander sea stop brigadier
kay yess thimayya dso represented the indian army at the function
while capt maharaja of coach benar and lieutenant colonel
sher ali represented the indian states stop the
honour done to these three officers is in recognition of the part
played by the indian troops in the defeat of the japs in south
east asia stop the municipal town hall was the venue of this
surrender approaches to which were crowded with Chinese indians
and malays since early this morning stop a guard of honour was
provided to the supreme on the quote padang unquote opposite the
town half stop along with marines navy air force australians and
british troops indians from the first battalion of the seventeenth
dogra regiment presented the guard of honour while punjabis
gurkhas and madrasis were also on parade stop after inspection
the supreme retired to his room in the building stop meanwhile
general itagaki and his party were escorted into the hall
by senior officers among whom was lieutenant colonel sarbjeet
singh kalha dso commanding the second battalion of the
first punjab regiment stop
the supreme entered after a few minutes and
after reading out a message from count terrauci regretting
his inability to be present on the occasion and empowering
general itagaki with full powers to surrender comma
read the surrender document to be signed by the jap general
stop general itagaki signed eleven copies of the document not
forgetting to stamp the seal of the jap count and his own
stop everyone of these copies was countersigned by the supreme
and one copy was handed over to itagaki who and his party bowed
and were marched away stop lord louis then appeared at steps of
the hall and proclaimed the allied military occupation of
south east asia after which the union jack was unfurled in the
quote padang unquote and the british american chinese and dutch
national anthems were played by the band of royal marines stop
the crowd and ex indian prisoners of war who had priveleged
positions at the function cheered the supreme stop quote we
were forced to be present at a similar function the japs held
in 1942 out today we all came voluntarily to take part and
cheer unquote said a group of chinese to me
ends
Batavia, september 29:
For Public Relations Service Singapore please pass PR Alfsea from mani
army observer with 23rd Indian division begins indian and british troops
of the 23 indian division who are to occupy java landed at tandjoeg prick
today after a voyage of over nine hundred miles to landing crafts stop
the first occupation troops arrive the seaforth highlanders comma
first patiala infantry and sixteenth punjab regiment stop the voyage was
uneventful and the troops enjoyed it immediately particularly the seaforths
who did not is the customary quote ducking unquote ceremony while
crossing the equator stop to indian troops java brings back the memories
of indian colonisation in the country in the early centuries of its
occupation by the quote pallava unquote comma quote cholas
unquote and the quote gupta unquote periods of indian history stop though
not fully conversant the indian quote jawan unquote has a vague idea
of this ancient connection and extremely anxious to renew and strengthen
this centuries old bond of friendship stop these views were expressed to
me while on board by a sikh soldiers form punjab stop compared with the
enthusiastic reception we had in burma and singapore comma local
reaction has been a little lukewarm owing to strong nationalist feelings
among the indonesians stop in singapore we were received at the docks
by cheering crowds who hung festoons all along our way but here in
batavia only children waved and cheered at us stop ends
for PR alfsea
from mani indian army observer
singapore september eleven stop on the eve of victory day
at singapore comma at a crowed press conference in government
house lord louis mountbatten supreme allied commander south east
asia paid glowing tributes to the indian troops under his command
stop quote indian troops have formed the largest part of our ground
forces stop they have fought in every big victory comma and deserve
the highest praise stop many thousand of indian prisoners
of war have to be found, cared for and sent to their homes comma
and their recovery and welfare together with comma of course
comma with that of the uk and dominion troops comma constitute
an urgent task stop they have fought magnificently and at times
they have been maligned stop
stop we couldnt have better fighting troops stop
he also revealed that the greatest tribute to the fourteen army
came from gen neitaro kimura comd jap army burma area stop quote
eye beg to inform your excellency that eye have passed the cease
fire order for the whole of the Burma area army stop if your
excellency can inform where my troops are eye shall more easily
inform them of the cease fire order stop unquote stop talking
about the biggest operation for the invasion of malaya that
never came off he said that well trained and battle experienced
divisions were to be landed at points on the malay peninsula
north west of singapore with instructions to drive on with all
speed to the port. stop later there were to be airborne and command
landings stop the navy was ready the divisions were assembled at
the ports of embarkation and aircraft were standing by stop quote
we were convinced that this operation could not have failed to be
a great victory stop unquote stop the distance from the north
west corner of seac on the north coast of the arabian sea to our
new easternmost boundaries is greater than from the north west
corner of seac to st johns newfound land stop the land area to be
taken over is about one and half million square miles which
excludes india stop when all prisoners are home on their way and
while this most vital errand of mercy continues the job
of rehabilitation of these countries must proceed stop within the
one and half million square miles there is a population of one
hundred and twentyeight millions who have to be properly fed
given work and brought back to peacetime conditions stop ends
for PR alfsea
from mani army observer
singapre september fourteen begins nine days after the first
troops landed on the island there is still cheering in the streets
of singapore stop the occasions are the streams of convoys moving
to the harbour carrying hundreds of indian ex prisioners of war
on their way home stop there had been poignant times during the
last four years behind the barbed wire when in solitary seclusion
they had seriously thought if they would ever safely return to
their motherland stop but always on second thought they knew
that one day their own countrymen hyphen whose rise to fame during
the hard years of war in the middle east and europe they had not
been aware of hyphen such renowned soldiers would come to liberate
them stop with eager illumined eyes they listened to me for nearly
an, hour as eye related to them the exploits of the indian army and of
indias thirtyone victoria crosses stop they rejoiced when our
troops first landed and embraced us in typical indian fashion
comma heart to heart stop their joy was doubled when they found
food clothing and medicine coming down to them from the skies
like manna in the wilderness stop most of them
realising that all this needed extensive
and long preparation thanked us profusely for remembering them
during their days of captivity stop their faces brightened up
as we told them our plans for repatriating them to india and they
gladly cooperated with us in the execution of those plans stop
one punjabi jawan who though emaciated still retained
youthful and determined looks told me that five years ago as the
red hue of the setting sun cast long shadows near the
village well he had bidden goodbye to his young wife to whom he
has now sent a message saying that he would be seeing
her before long stop another asked me how the people at home had
been bearing the burdens of war and what the indian cities looked
like now stop when the journey back home commenced their joy knew
no bounds and they waved and cheered stop but lurking latent in
them was still an unhealed wound comma the wound that the japs
had inflicted during the four years of torture stop this wound
expressed itself a little when these homegoing indians jeered
from their swift running trucks at the long line of the
nipponese army marching out of the island towards
their concentration area in the mainland stop ends
for PR alfsea
from mani army observer
singapore september begins when jap guards at sembawang
airstrip allowed the civilians to loot the valuable stores therein
indian prisoners of war could not bear
to see the loss
stop hence acting on their own initiative the mysores Punjabis
and bengal sappers who were interned there disarmed the jap
guards and took over the protection of the strip and stores stop
this happened a few days after our first troops had landed on
the singapore island stop the japs had always dispersed their
prisoners to places which were strategically vulnerable and they
kept the first mysore infantry comma the seventh of the eighth
punjab regiment and the bengal sappers and miners
close to the strip stop at other place they had parked
fighter planes tell inside prisoner camps and prisoner hospitals
stop this strip contained serviceable fighter planes stocks of
bombs heaps of machine parts and other miscellaneous stores stop
major mir sarafraz hussain number of the first mysore
infantry directed the disarming of the hundred and
twenty jap guards and established our own guards stop they
were thanked and their action ratified by our senior air force
officer who visited them later stop ends
for PR alfsea
from mani army observer
singapore september twelfth begins general itagaki
with credentials and seal from field marchal
count terauchi commander of the jap expeditionary force southern
regions along with his ten generals
surrendered in person this morning to lord louis mountbatten supreme allied
commander sea stop brigadier
kay yess thimayya dso represented the indian army at the function
while capt maharaja of cooch behar and lieutenant colonel
sher ali represented the indian states stop the
honour done to these three officers is recognition of the part
played by the indian troops in the defeat of the japs in south
east asia stop the municipal town hall was the venue of this
surrender approaches to which were crowded with chinese indians
and malays since early this morning stop a guard of honour was
provided to the supreme on the quote padang unquote opposite the
town hall stop along with marines navy air force an tralians and
british troops indians from the first battalion of the seventeenth
dogra regiment presented the guard of honour while punjabis
gurkhas and madrasis were also on parade stop after inspection
the supreme retired to his room in the building stop meanshile
general itagaki and hid party were escorted into the hall
by senior officers among whom was lieutenant colonel sarbject
singh kalha dso commanding the second battalion of the
first punjab regiment stop
the supreme entered after a few minutes and
after reading out a message from count terrauci regretting
his inability to be present on the occasion and empowering
general itagaki with full powers to surrender comma
read the surrender document to be signed by the jap general
stop general itagaki signed eleven copies of the document not
forgetting to stamp the seal of the jap count and his own
stop everyone of these copies was countersigned by the supremo
and one copy was handed over to itagaki who and his party bowed
and were marched away stop lord louis then appeared at steps of
the hall and proclaimed the allied military occupation of
south east asia after which the union jack was unfurled in the
quote padang unquote and the british americe chinese and dutch
national anthems were played by the band of royal marines stop
the crowd and ex indian prisioners of war who had privileged
positions at the function cheered the supreme stop quote we
were forced to be present at a similar function the japs held
in 1942 but today we all came voluntarily to take part and
cheer unquote said a group of chinese to me
ends
for PR alfsea
from mani army observer
singapore september eigth begins among the two thousand indian ex prisoners
of war who are being evacuated to india by sea tomorrow and
day after a large proportion are gurkhas most of whom have
not been to nepal for nearly seven years stop gurkhas in the
indian army go on leave to their homeland only once in
three owing to the long and arduous journey stop their
port of call is madras where extensive arrangements
for their reception have been made stop the others of the party
are mostly from service copps stop sick have first priority
stop there are nine hundred bedridden cases travelling in the
two hospital ships karoa amarapura stop appreciable number
suffering from the effects of malnutrition are on the ambulance
rajula and the troopships are risaldar ekma dilaura and devon
shire stop british officers of the inaction army are also travelling ninety persent
of whom nave elected to go to india first in the company of
their men stop general auchinlecks punjabis have occupied the
northwest area story two begins of the singapore naval base where they found all
equipment and ack ack guns well greased and the breeches of
the guns were clean stop as per agreement jap naval personnel
were not disarmed stop pikhs are guarding a wireless station
where twelve jap operators are still in communication with
their headquarters stop the cantonment bridge has a combined
services defence comma hazariwals guard the western end and
ratings the other from where commences the zone occupied by
the navy stop at a jap medical headquarters in the base
when one of our officers gave the jap officer notice to vacate
in two hours the latter was more than surprised and blinked for
a few minutes after looking at his watch which already showed
seven stop it was then explained to him that his was tokyo
time and that it was only four by our time stop ends
the place
was vacated half an hour earlier than required stop after three
years of fighting in the jungles, this first battalion of the
first punjab regiment is now enjoying the comforts of electric
lights fans beds hot water clean clothes and clear air stop
ends
Mani
Capt
8/9
for PR alfsea
from mani army observer
singapore september 22 begins guarded by a detachment of jats twenty
jap military police officers and warrant officers were marched into
the pearl hill jail this afternoon stop in the hot sun they
did six mile of the prison but revived after a dash of cold water
and was brought in later stop en route the japs passed by their
former military police headquarters with searching and
undisturbed looks at the building which was the dread of the
singapore public stop two indian quote jawans unquote sepoy amilal
hindu jat of village lad state jind and naik mahsud ali Punjabi
musilm of village nivarsi district karnal both of the third stroke
nine jat regiment led the escort under the command of a british
officer stop ends
Mani
Capt
22/9
for PR alfsea
from mani army observer
singapore september 22 begins guarded by a detachment of jats twenty
jap military police officers and warrant officers were marched into
the pearl hill jail this afternoon stop in the hot sun they
did six miles on foot in two hours and one jap sergeant fainted
within a mile of the prison but revived after a dash of cold water
and was brought in later stop en route the japs passed by their
former military police headquarters with searching and
undisturbed looks at the building which was the dread of the
singapore public stop two indian quote jawans unquote sepoy amilal
hindu jat of village lad state jind and naik mahsud ali punjabi
muslim of village nivarsi district karnal both of the third stroke
nine jat regiment led the escort under the command of a british
officer stop ends
Mani
Capt
22/9
for PR alfsea
from mani army observer
Singapore september seventeen begins madrasi soldiers are not now
to malaya stop in 1831 comma 150 men of the 29 madras infantry
with only two guns landed in malacca to reduce a refractory
chief stop
against superior numbers they defended the
stockaded post at soonga pattye and though the garrison was
reduced to one barrel of power every wounded man never
relaxed his hold on the trigger till reinforcement arrived all
the way from madras. stop more than hundred years later
the one stroke three madras regiment have arrived in singapore
but this time with hundreds of guns stop they were welcomed by
the large local madrasi population and the madras appears who
had become prisoners of war stop they are now guarding ordnance
dumps warehouses factories and docks to prevent looting stop
these are the men who fought pitched battles against the japs in
the shadow of the nighty hood of the king cobra at mount popa in
burma stop ends
Mani
Capt
17/9
Man/1/A/ 8 Mar
Capt P.R.S. Mani
Indian Army Observer
Yaw be, South of Irrawady: Mar 7: An outstanding 'combined operation'
by Gurkhas of the 1st Gurkha Rifles and British tanks of the Royal
Armoured Corps enabled us to yesterday capture a strong Jap position west of
the village Sinbyugon.
As One troop of tanks and one company of Gurkhas blocked the
enemy's line of retreat, the rest of the infantry advanced on the
right flank with one squadron of tanks leading. Seeing the tanks,
the enemy bolted from his original main position into aheadly
positions in the tall grass where they were difficult to be perceived.
Tanks got round the enemy and the Gurkhas went in with their
kukris shouting their battle cry. As with a sickle they literally
reaped the field and the harvest xxxxx was 72 dead Japs and two
wounded prisoners. The enemy used LMG fire and sniped without much
effect. One Jap anti-tank gun was captured.
The tanks displayed great dash and speed during this battle
which was made possible by patrols of Gurkhas and frontier
troops who previously had accurately pinpointed the enemy positions.
ends
MAN/2A/9 Mar
capt p r s mani
indian army observer
KANMA, SOUTH EAST OF MYINMU? MARCH 9: British troops from
the south-west of England have captured three more villages today in
our advance on this front today against slight opposition.
I watched the battle for the village Anaktau and the other
three from our forward positions. Under cover of machine gun fire
from the Jats on the right flank and supported by Indian tanks, the
infantry attacked. The enemy opened up his small guns and we replied
with mortars and machine guns. The interlude between the din of battle
was marked by the neighing of a solitary mule. Quite early in the
attack, a wounded Jap was brought in one of our jeep ambulances. One
more prisoner was later captured. Enemy casualties have not been
enumerated at the time of writing but it is likely that they are not
slight. About 100 Japs from Anaktau attempted to escape across the
chaung to the east of the village but as they steepped into the
chaung they were engaged by our artillery. Results of this poundigg
have, not yet come in.
MAN/3A/ ends
Mar xxxx: Since crossing the Irrawaday at Myinmu and after
establishing a bridgehead, British and Indian troops of the 20 Indian
Division have advanced nearly 12 miles inland to the east. The enemy
opposition seems some what to be disorganized.
Our troops are fighting in rocky undulating country
interspersed with mango orchards with the smell of fresh blossoms,
banana groves and ripe tomato gardens. Palm trees are the only heights
and the ground is mostly shrubbery. As we advance, the villagers are
returning to their villages that we have recovered from the enemy.
Very small one foot diameter wells abound but the water
is not drinkable. Drinking water is xxx quite efficiently rationed.
MAN/5A/ ends
Mar 9: An elder brother of an Indian V.C. had the opportunity to
lead a machine gun charge on a Jap convoy who unwittingly walked into
our permeter last night and started to dig in.
The distinguished V.C. was the late Jem. Abdul Hafiz of
the 9th Jat Regiment and his brother's name is Sub. Abdul Razaak, If a
Muslim Rajput of village Kalanur, district Rohtak, Punjab. He and
Hav. Mubarak Ali also Muslim Rajput from village Larhi, district
Rohtak, were part of the pix machine gun platoon which attacked the
enemy killing five and wounding several more who escaped.
MAN/5A/ Mar 10
Capt p.r.s. mani
army observer
YWABO, MYINMU BRIDGEHEAD, Mar 10: Indicative of the fairly
disorganised state of the enemy on this front, several new factors
have been noticed of late.
The Japs have been disarming the weak and emaciated of
their comrades and leaving them behind to their fate. Their
pockets of resistance are mostly composed of men from different
units and stragglers. A medical orderly was forced to fight xxxx
the infantry. Two days in Japan and three months in Singapore
v.as the only training a Jap soldier had received who has been
recently captured by us, it has also been noticed that the retreating
enemy usually leaves behind his wounded either to fend for
himself or to throw himself to the mercy of one of our ambulances.
They do not seem to have received their mail for
quite a long time. The latest date one interrogating officer has
so far noticed is dated' Japan, October 1944'.
ends
MAN/6A/Mar 10
Leading his battalion with great skill and displaying
high gallantry, an Indian officer, Major M. Hiauddin, 12 frontier
Force Regiment, of Pelshawar, recently captured two villages in a
swift and complicated operation killing nearly hundred and sixty Japs.
Yezin and Inya were to be captured, Priot to the
attack an adjacent village had to be cleared of the enemy. There
was a strong enemy position covering the approaches to the only
crossing over a chaung which had to be crossed to get to Yezin.
since Inya is south-west of Yezin, the axis of advance had to be
changed after the capture of Yezin. The approaches to the chaung
were mined by the enemy and necessarily the infantry had to storm
it before the tanks could cross over after the sappers had cleared
the mines. The rapid consolidation of the villages had to be done
mostly by night, More than all, speed was essential in the operation
Frequent enemy shellings were quite heavy and during
the twelve hours of the swinging battle. Major Hiauddin displayed
great coolness and courage and his calm demeanour was an outstanding
example to all ranks. Major Hiauddin is a regular Indian Army
officer and now is in temporary command of the battalion, Himself
from the frontier, he is popular with his men.
Other than killing nearly 150 Japs the battalion
also captured one 105 mm gun.
MAN/10A/ Mar 16
mani army observer
Dwelha, Kyaukse District: Mar 16: Speedily converting the Jap retreat
into a rout, troops ox the 20th. Indian Division have cut the all
weather trunk road, from Mandalay to Rangoon at Bilin, 26
miles south of Mandalay. Gurkhas have established a road-block.
Earlier Punjabis cut across the road at Singaingmyo, 22miles
south of Mandalay and are now pushing further east across the river
Zawgyi. On the branch road from Singaingmyo to Kyaukse, moxxxxe Gurkhas
have established a road block at Wayindot, only a mile to the south
of Singaingmyo.
It must be remembered that the railway runs closely parallel
to the trunk road.
This new threat to the retreating Japs from Mandalay and
the north-west virtually renders inoperative the order of Lt. Gen.
Yukuwada, Commanding the Japanese 31 Div, ordering his troops to
collect and reform at Kyaukse.
Surprise was achieved by the Punjabis and Gurkhas moving
only by night marching across country and wading through, rivers and chaungs.
The Gurkhas near Wayindot, chased a party of more than 100 Japs near
Letweya from wood to wood accompanied by our artillery. They are
believed to have killed a minimum of alleast 35-40 Japs. They
also captured 17 bullock-carts loaded with 75mm ammunition, The
Punjabis in a minor clash killed 15 of the enemy.
MAN/11A/ Mar 16
Killing nearly 80 Japs in one single encounter,
a mixed force of frontier troops, Dogras and Indian and
British cavalry have just now returned dusty and tired.
Headman of a village Pya nearby came to us yesterday
noon with the information that there were about 100 Japs in his village
digging in. As soon as this mixed force was collected, it went
to the village to investigate and found the enemy unwilling to fight
and sitting quiet in their dug-outs. So great was their
indifference that one of our liaison officers had Just ther
come tnrough the village and was surprised to find our tanks poised
10 attack the very village from which he had emerged. As we engaged the
enemy, they fled into the bushes surrounding the village out soon
they were hunted out of their hiding places. The count at the end of
the battle was a minimum of 80 dead Japs. The remainder dispersed
in twos and threes. Three LMGs, two MLGS rid two mortars were captured.
Since crossing the Irrawady, the 20th. Indian Division
have captured 32 guns.
ends
page two
The patrol is coming back just now -- an armoured car patrol
who offered to take me along
with them this morning but I reckoned then that they would not meet
any Jap as the enemy would have bolted. It seems, to me that they bolt
more quickly than when they come in and there is a report that they
were in this very place only a few hours before our arrival this
morning. All evidences confirm to this and there to my south a few
thousand yards away are two large gires--perhaps the fate of many
more Burmese dwellings. But what has happened to these Burmese..I have
not seen even one since this morning. Perhaps they were with the
villager whom I heard last night trekking back to safer arena now
cleared of the Japs. After a few hours the Burmese villagers did come
and a young and sprigntly lad told us where the Japs were and our
artillery is pounding them.
The armoured patrol did a 14mile reconnaisance under
the command of Capt. M. Ashraf Man of Peshawar, line years with this
Indian Cavalry Regiment who was made prisoner by the panzers in Libya
and escaped after the Italian armistice from an Italian prison-camp.
At every village the villagers showed him the enemy position
and in one village donning the steel he lmets supplied waving their dahs
shouted and pointed out the Japs who were bolting on & road with their
70mm gun loaded on a bullock-cart which they bad confiscated
from these villagers. The energy took to their heels in the countryside
but Capt. Ashraf Jan's guns plastered them. His troop had killed about
three Japs and wounded many more. He captured the gun with periscopes
and an officerss writing-case with plenty of pictures in xxxx. The villagers
returned to their village with the bullocks. The locals were very warm
and offered him nearly 20 eggs and wouldn't accept any price for them
but it was forced on them.
ends
Delayed became
I cannot get back
to xxxx that at army
xxxx
cut off traxxxx the rest.
Mani
Capt.
13/1
MAN/9A/ Mar 13
capt. p.rs.smani
army observer
Myotha, Mar 13: An armoured raiding column of the 20th Indian Division have
occupied an area in Myotha, the town of monasteries, 24 milws south
of Ava on the Sagaing-Myingyan Railway. There was no enemy opposition
but as soon we arrived Gurkha troops went chasing after a solitary Jap
who happened to be hanging round near our perimeter.
The column is composed of a renowned Indian Cavalry regiment
which played a distinguished role with the &
3rd. Indian Motor Brigade at Bir Hakim in the Western Desert and troops
of the 10th. Gurkha Rifles.
I joined the column near a patch in the wilderness
about two miles north of Myotha where they were poised to strike. It was
a moonless cold night without any events, As I lay on a truck, I saw the
sky frolicsome with shooting stars yet symphonic with the din of our own
guns from far and the muffled peals of an airstrike
that our bombers were making a few miles away. Hugo fires were raging
on the skyline on three sides of us. In between this weird music of
war there was an eerie quiet somewhat disturbing to the mind. I was
reminded of civilisation now arid then only by the 'rat-a-tat' of his
bullock-cart as the Burmese villager drove along the road shouting 'hey
hey'. Perhaps he was coming away from his village with all his belongings
since the Japs set fire to it. Of late, the enemy has been attempting to
scorch the villages in the wake of his retreat.
This morning I set out with the column, not in the armoured
cars which were trudging across fields, gardens and chaungs but in
a Dodge truck that accompanied them. Last night our patrols reported that
there was no sign of the enemy in the north-east monastery area of the
town. In lwss than an hour we reached our objective after taking a devious
route in order to avoid enemy observation and the armoured cars with the
infantry entered Myotha as per our plan and combed the area for any
lurking Jap. We passed a pagoda and several buildings raised to the ground
as a result of Jap vandalism. I notice the precalculated effects of our
bombing too and it was quite easy to discern the chivalrous hand of the
Bushido! Utter desolation hung over the place as we drove town the road
with not even a crow to run away frightened at our arrival. Life seemed
to be dead our vicinity till the cheerful Sikh driver next to me cut a joke
with his friend behind.
We now occupy what was previously a Burmese cotton mill
which has been reduced to ashes from which it will never spring up again except
with the help of the Phoenix. About 20 yards a, way from me a smouldering
fire is the last remains of a dump of cotton. But in the distance I hear
rifle shots and as I write this despatch more news, trickles in. One xxxx our
patrols report that they have captured a Jap 70mm gun, tilled three Jxxxx
and wounded several more.
MAN/7A/ Mar 16
capt. p.rs. smani
army observer
Kanma, south-east of Myxxxxnmu: Mar 10: Inflicting very heavy casualties
on the enemy and obtaining a booty of nine guns, 17 lorries, one staff
car, personal belongings of a high ranking officer and a truck load
of documents, a forward formation of Maj-Gen. Gracey's 20th Indian
Division have made a speedy and cashing advance to Natthdaw, about
seven miles to the east of the railway line between Sagaing and Myothaxxxx
These 100mm howitzers, three 75mm guns, two 4 7mm antitank
guns and one 70mm battalion gun, some of them complete with sights and
periscopes, were part of this captured during the last 48 hours. Some
of the captured transport are in good working order.
Estimation of the tabcal number of enemy casualties has
been rendered difficult owing to the heavy casualties inflicted independently by
our infantry, tanks and artillery, but it is beleived
that quite a large number of the enemy have been killed.
At the moment of writing a big battle is going on to the
east of Natthdaw and the enemy is offering stiff opposition.
ends
MAN/8A/ 11 Mar
Mar: 11: Congratulating his
officers and men today on their excellent performance prior to and
since crossing the Irrawady, Major-General Douglas Gracey, OBE, MC,
Commander of the 20th Indian Division said that they had achieved great
success in the speedy, dashing and complicated operations of the last
few weeks in which they had routed many Jap gun crews besides killing
a large number. of the enemy.
The Division is already on its offensive in a new phase
of operations after consolidating the Myinmu bridgehead. Raised
specially to fight In Burma, these troops have been renowned Jap
killers and they are proud of their record. A significant factor to
notice is the increasing number of prisoners that are being captured.
ends
Capt. Rao, IPRO, HQ 33 Corps.
MANI
ARMY OBSREVER
................
PLEASE AMEND STORY NO. 10 AS FOLLOWS:
PUNJABIS HAVE ESTABLISHED ROAD-BLOCK AT OHNBINGYAN
22 1/2 miles south of MANDALAY ON THE MAIN TRUNK ROAD. GURKHAS
HAVE BLOCKED THE BRANCH ROAD AT WAYINDOT A MILE TO
THE SOUTH OF SINGAINGMYO. PLEASE CUT OUT ROAD-BLOCK AT BILIN
STILL NOT CONFIRMED SHALL INFORM YOU. REGRET THE INCONVENIENCE
CAUSED.
Mani
Capt
17/3.
MAN/12A/Mar21
mani army observer
WUNDWIN Mar 21: Occupying Wundwin today, an armoured column of the
20th.Indian Division has driven a wedge between the Jap forces
operating in the Kyaukse area and the Meiktila area. The opposition
was very slight by a party of 30 Japs who were completely surprised
and caught digging in.
The enemy started running but five of them were
killed before the village was cleared. Truck loads of enemy ordnance
stores and medical equipment have been found. The booty includes a
number of vehicles in good running order- some of those that we left
behind in 1942- and engineering equipment.
A village headman reported that the running Japs
told him that a vast American army was at their heels and that was
the reason for their running away. It is believed that quite a large
number of the enemy have been killed by our troops in the area
surrounding Woundwin.
It must be remembered that Woundwin is on one of the
exit routes for the Japs towards the Shan States whose heights I can
see from here against the skyline.
Our armoured column consists of Indian armoured cars,
Indian and British tanks, Royal Artillery, and troops of the 10th.
Gurkha Rifles and Bombay Grenadiers axxxx with a parts opposits. I accompanied this column on
their nearly 60 mile march from Chaungwwa and all along we met with
very little opposition though a few stragglers fired at us before
they could be either dispersed or killed. Near Pinze, our advance
guard contacted odd parties of Japs infiltrating east. A few Japs
were killed and two prisoners taken who died later of injuries. The
first night xxxxtanks and Gurkhas laid a road block three miles east of Pinze on
the main road. Two ammunition carrying Jap xxxxMTs were blown up and two
were captured in running order. 20 bullock-carts carrying equipment
were also destroyed.
Yesterday at Pindale, the Bombay Grenadiers had a
good kill. They captured 7 Jap swords and must have accounted for
more than that number of the enemy. Nk. Ramji Lal, Jat of village
Laudhari, dt.Isar, came upon a Jap position with three officers together
carrying no arms except their swords and shot at them. A
medical and ordnacne dump was captured and all our troops went in to
fetch their correct size of boots. A Dodge truck was driven to our
lines. Jem. Jayakishen when chided by his company commander
for firing nearly 300 rounds without producing a dead Jap, went back
and chasing a few Japs brought back with him two enemy dead. Jem.
Jayakishen is a Jap from village Khairampur, dt. Isar.
Mani
Capt
21/3
The march of the column has so completely xxxx
the enemy that he has not been given enough time to range his
guns against us as we have not heard his artillery since we left
Chaungwwa.
ends
MAN/13A/ Mar 25
mani army observer
Dwelha, Mar 25
Killing nearly 400 Japs and capturing 23 prisoners, an armoured
column of the 20th. Indian Division has captured Kume, 19 miles south of
Kyaukse. The degree of surprise wag so great that a half-eaten meal was
discovered in one Jap officer's mess. It appears that a large enemy HQ
has been surprised and the booty includes five staff-cars, 18 motor
transports, 25 outboard motors, and 16 assault boats. The rest of the
enemy at Kume fled in a easterly direction.
While they are generally disorganized elsewhere the Japs at Kyaukse are
offering stiff resistance. It is apparently a big enemy base with numerous
ammunition, supply and ordnance dumps. The Japs are trying their
best to evacuate as much as they could and probably they have been told
to hold to the last with the rest of the stuff. The area to the west of
the town between the railway and the Panlaung river appears to be a
very big ammunition dump. Besides, ammunition in large quantities have
been stored by the enemy in villages surrounding Kyaukse, under bushes,
on the sides of roads and trees and under any cover avialable dispersed
in groups of small stocks. Very many of these have already been destroyed
by our troops, some have been captured in tact and the rest are
still in enemy hands which accounts for his grim resistance.
It is really a curious picture on this front. At one place the
Japs are running away pursued by our armoured column. In another place
they are holding on with great strength. Kyaukse is being heavily shelled
by us and has also been bombed. The enemy is also shelling our forward
troops.
Day before yesterday, troops from the NW Frontier supported by
British tanks cleared an area near Kyaukse in face of considerable
opposition mostly from snipers and killed nearly 50 Japs.
Burmese co-operation has of late been on their increase. In
addition to furnishing accurate information regarding enemy locations and
movements, they are resorting to direct action. A report has just come in
where the villagers of a particular village poisoned a large
number of Japs killing nearly a fifty of them. The recipe seems to
be some peculiar medicated toddy which first stupefies the victim.
ends
mani
capt
25/3
MAN/14A/ Mar 26
mani army observer
MYOTHA; Mar 25: Holding a flank as two Divisions of the 14th.Army
crossed the Irrawady further south, a battalion of the 3rd.Madras
Regiment fought against the elaborate defences that the Japs had established
on the banks of the river.
Enemy defences included a large number of anti-tank
ditches, long connecting tunnels with machine gun posts numerous 250 or
500 pound serial bombs set with trip-wires. The whole area was heavily
mined. Supported by tanks of the Royal Armoured Corps, the
Madrasis had to attack a village Pegado in this area. They had to
clear a cactus position on the left before launching any attack. With
air cover and .37mm howitzers and the Madras Sappers and Miners clearing
the mines, they advanced after clearing the cactus
position and very soon the entire village was blazing under our fire.
Sepoy Nookanna of Vizag, with the forward platoon
noticing three Japs in one bunker slowly crept to the nearest tank and
tapped at the turret when a British gunner cautiously craned
his neck out and asked: 'Hello Johnny, what is it?’ Nookanna pointed
at the bunker and the tank immediately gave a burst killing all the
three Japs in the bunker. The rest of the Japs, about 50, fled in panic
When our troops entered the village as soon as the
fires had died down, they noticed nearly 200 bunkers. This attack
culminated in their eventual arrival at Sagaing.
ends
MAN/15A/Mar 27
mani army observer 20 Ind. Div.
For Fauji Akhbar
NYAUNGWUN, March 27: Operating on the right flank of 33 Corps,
Maj-Gen Gracey's 20th Indian Division has already accounted for
3024 Japs definitely killed since they crossed the Chindwin early
in December last. The total since they launched their offensive
across the Irrawaddy in the middle of February alone amounts to
2422 Jap bodies counted and their toll of prisoners is now 65.
The incredible amount and variety of the equipment captured or destroyed during
their recent operations indicates the determination and dash which
characterises the operations of this Division. 13 MMGs, 50 guns
including nine 150mm guns, 16 tanks and more than 60 motor transports
have been captured or destroyed uptodate.
The degree of surprise achieved by the
troops of this Division has been so great that the enemy has
always been caught napping. A half-eaten meal on the table in a
Jap officers' mess at Kume, two trains complete with enginesand
coal containing waggon loads of ammunition and equipment, at Jhedxxxx the
hurried evacuation of an enemy hospital leaving behind 23 wounded
Japs to become our prisoners and large quantities of abandoned
stores and equipment near wonders are several instances.
The large number of awards won by troops of
this Division is also indicative of the contribution it has made
to the general advance of the 14th Army in Burma. One V.C., twoCBEs,
six OBEs, 16 MBEs, two Bar/DSO, 11 DSOs, five DCMs, 12 IOMs, 22 IDSMs,
two Bar/MC, 87 MCs, two Bar/MM, 129 MMs and 64 Certificates of Gallantry
are the figures upto the middle of March. Behind this success
of the Division lies the unsparing efforts of its British and
Indian troops. Everyone, infantry, cavalry, artillery, signals, medical
and other services... all played a worthy role and lived upto
their reputation.
Soon after crossing the Irrawaddy, a
battalion of the 13 Frontier Force Rifles distinguished themselves
by repelling several strong attacks by the enemy to wrest our
positions at Kanlan Ywathit. Supported by artillery, medium guns
and flame throwers, the Japs initiated a series of bloody and
fierce attacks which included a savage charge. Beating off every
one of these attacks during a battle which lasted for nearly 48
hours, these sturdy men from the Frontier 3Food their ground
firmly and finally forced the enemy to withdraw.
A battalion of the 17th.Dograe nipped a
potential Map force in the bud. Styling themselves 'TEISHANTAI’
with motives of long-range penetration behind our lines, a small
Jap force appeared one morning and about forty of them were caught
bathing in a river by a platoon of the Dogras who charged and
killed many of the enemy who started running in panic. A little
later, the Dogras laid an ambush and killed more of this force.
MAN/15A/Mar 27
Page two
At Letkapin, a company of the 10th. Gurkha Rifles
witnessed a dramatic interlude.... a party of Japs drowning themselves
in a river! After a stiff fight in which more than 90 Japs wore killed
a party of 35 of the enemy rather than surrender walked into midstream
and drowned themselves with their kit and equipment on! The
Gurkhas looked on amusedly and finished the episode with a few rounds
to make sure the drowned men did not rise again! On another occasiion,
Gurkhas of the 8th. Gurkha Rifles charged into their Raxxxx at three enemy 150mm guns
as the guns were firing and killed the entire gun crew. The guns lay
silent with the beheaded bodies of their comrades.
British troops from SW England after a skilful night
movement surprised the enemy and captured several of his gun. A
North Country Regiment were amused to see their opponents, a Jap
beach group, scuttle themselves and what called for a good laugh was
the way a Jap officer buried his sword in the mud as he himself went
down.
Both Indian and British Cavalry were always hot a the
heels of the enemy and never gave him any respite. Dashing across
country over long distances and by skillful movements, they always surprised the enemy
killing hundreds of them and capturing his guns, equipment and stores.
Once when one of our Indian tanks knocked against an enemy MMG bunker
our crew climbed down and after killing all the Japs in the bunker,
hopped back into the tank with the MMG.
Every arm and every service contributed its share to this
success of the Division. Indian Signals laid cables under-stream in
the Irrawady sinking it every ten yards with improvised weights and wading some
distance when their duck got stuck in the mud, all under heavy shell
fire and with enemy planes strafing from above.
Besides accurate shelling of enemy positions and
catching the Japs in nullahs and chaungs, the Royal Artillery and the
Indian Artillery sometimes attacked like the infantry with success.
A small party from an Indian mountain regiment surprised 10 Japs at
their meal in a village and killed four with their tommyguns and
grenades while the rest ran in terror with some wounded. Shortly after
crossing the Irrawaddy when a party of 50 Japs crept near to our
positions at night, a forward observation officer want within 40
yards of the enemy and directed our fire lying in the tall grass
within range of our mortars.
Every arm and every service contributed its share to
this success of the Division. Under heavy shell fire and with enemy
aircraft strafing from above, Indian Signals sunk cables in the
Irrawaddy loaded every ten yards with heavy improvised weights and
when their 'duck' got stuck in the mud, waded some distance to lay
their cables unmindful of the exposure to heavy enemy fire. Doctors,
nurses and medical orderlies worked day and night, operating on
MAN/15A/ Mar 27
page three
all urgent cases and quickly evacuating them by light planes. Many
of the Div. HQ staff gave voluntary contribution of their blood
for the relief of the wounded. Motor transport personnel, supply
personnel and all cooperated efficiently and promptly to make the
operations of the Division a success.
ends
Mani
Capt
27/3
appd
by the Div Card
MAK/16A/ Mar 28
mani army observer
NYAUNGWUN, Mar 28: Working under shell and small arms fire
and with the enemy only 200 yards in front of them, a party of the
Madras Sappers and Miners completed at night a 'Bailey' bridge near
Nyaungwun enabling our infantry and tanks to advance towards Kyaukse
by crack of dawn.
In the brilliant moonlight these Madrasi silhouettes
were in full view of the Japs who ranged their artillery, mortars
and LMGs and MMGs against them. In between spells of enemy firing
and within five hours the Madras engineers built the bridge under
the supervision of Jem. Appa Rao of Kasimkota, Vizag dt. 'The enemy
thought that by blowing up the bridge he could hold up our advance
but then he did not reckon that the Madras Sappers would be there
advancing along with the troops of the 20th. Indian Division; they
told me.
ends
Mani
Capt
27/3
MAN/18A/Mar 29
contd. page two
the enemy.
Gen. Slim has written to them personally appreciating
their gallantry.
ends
MAN/19A/Mar 29:Northants
Caught in a Jap ambush on their way to obtain
identifications off a "dead" Jap, Corporal Sam Sherman of 18, Hampton
Road, Boulton, Lancs., and Pte. Harry Bell of Gorton Road, Lower Openshaw,
Manchester, made good their escape after killing one Jap and wounding
another. Pte. Bell himself was slightly wounded.
A "dead" enemy was reported outside their perimeter and
as the two were proceeding towards the body, seven Japs pounced in
on them with grenades. Quickly lying down in the tall grass and
crawling they escaped but the enemy was swiping the filed with his
machine guns. Firing their rifles, they killed one Jap and wounded
another.
ends
MAN/20A/Mar 29: Northants
Three British cooks and a Colour Sgt. took up their
rifles and walked off with a forward platoon to beat of a fierce Jap
attack. They were: Pte. Ronald Salvidge of 35, Cotton Mill Crescent,
St. Albans, Herts., L/Cpl Robert Stevenson of 26, Kelvinside Creseent,
Banton, Kilsyth, Sterlingshire, Pte. Tom Stanley of 1, Chain Bar Rd,
Hattersley, Hyde, Cheshire and C/Sgt. Raymond Henley of 2, Riynsford Rd,
Dallington, Northampton.
On the Irrawaddy bridgehead, in the night about 40 Japs lined up
and started digging in some hundred yards outside our perimeter
when our machine guns opened up fire. Thereafter the Japs put in three
fierce attacks screwing and yelling and supported by grenades and
MMGs and they were bxxxxen
back. Next morning, we counted 14 dead Japs.
"Killing Japs was certainly a good change over from
the frying pan", the cooks told me as they handed me a hot jam puff.
ends
Mani
Capt
29/3
MAN/22/ Mar 31
mani army observer
KYAUKSE: Mar 31: The last Jap train did not leave Kyaukse station.
It was loaded with 23 boxxxx of sewing machines, medical stores, electrical goods,
clothing, photographic material, litters of pictorial journals,
large quantities of paper enough
to last for a year for an entire school and mess furniture including
sofa settees. Some of its passengers lay with their bones scattered
all over the station yard. 'Shabash' said a jawan from the Punjab
paying a tribute to the R.A.F:
A Sikh company of a famous Indian frontier regiment
were the first to enter Kyaukse. They went to the north and occupied
the sluice area. When they went in, there were only four Japs in the
town and they were dragging away one .37mm anti-tank gun. The
villagers showed the Sikhs the position and as our troops chased the
enemy, they fled leaving behind the gun. In another village, the
locals stealthily removed the wheels from a Jap gun which they had
to abandon in their hurry.
Dogras were the first to enter the railway station
and make an inventory of the stock in a register provided specifically
for the purpose by the enemy.
Gurkhas and Punjabis having captured the junction of
the cross-roads near Myauk Hamyinbo and are pushing north towards Kyaukse
while Gurkhas are pushing south from the latter town. Main opposition
down the road is at the moment mostly from mines and booby traps. But
it will not be long before the two converging troops link up and then
this formation of the 14th Army would have cleared nearly 52 miles
of the main road from Mandalay to Rangoon, from Bilin to Wundwin.
Keeping this as the are, if a sector is drawn with the centre at
Myinmu, then that would approximately represent the area cleared of
the Japs by this formation of the 14th.Army since crossing the
Irrawaddy.
Gurkhas have also established road blocks on the
tracks leading to the east near Nyauk Namyinbo to the east of it.
ends
Myank Ham you be itself was
ocarped yesterday
The make up may came any
xxxx now the only
apportion being a beam off bridge
Comedly the enemy
mani
Capt
31/3
CAPT. MANI
INDIAN ARMY OBSERVER
WITH THE
20th Indian Division
MAN/17A/ Mar 29
mani army observer
KYAUKSE FRONT: MAR 29: Inspite of stubborn Jap resistance, 14th.
Army troops are gradually closing-in on Kyaukse from the north,
west and south. Yesterday against considerable resistance, Gurkhas
captured Kade, a village three miles to the south-west of the town.
They captured an LMG and counted five dead Japs.
Taking advantage of the numerous canals round they
town, the enemy has flooded the countryside making it difficult
for our tanks to operate. The whole of Kyaukse district is
covered by a net-work or irrigation canals originally constructed by the
Burmese as early as 1000 A.D. Most of these channels have been
remodelled on modern lines. The river Zawgyi flows through the
town and the large number of sluices have enabled the enemy to
inundate particular areas.
Kyaukse town itself is the headquarters of the
district and is 31 miles south of Mandalay on the trunk road to
Rangoon. The railway also runs along the town. Its population in
1930 was nearly 7500.
Its importance to the retreating Japs is that it
is the exit gateway for their disorganised and withdrawing troops
from Central Burma into the hills of the Shan States.
ends
MAN/18A/Mar 29
Two Dogra Rajputs, Hav. Mangal Singh of village Pindi
Deonia, district Sialkot and L/Nk.Vir Singh of village Dugan,
district Kathua, Jammu State, have received congratulations from
General Slim, 14th.Army Commander, for their gallantry. They have
also received the I.D.S.M. and M.M. respectively.
Hav. Mangal Siggh with six others went to investigate
a local report about Japs. When they reached a nullah, his leading
scouts reported the enemy sitting in it and he crawled forward
and noticing 50/60 Japs he made a thorough reconnaissance of the
area. Then taking the initiative and keeping half a section behind
to give him covering fire, he attacked with only four men and
shouting in English: 'One company to the right, one company to the
left, charge'. With the impression that nearly two companies were
attacking them, the enemy withdrew 200/300 yards. Meanwhile the
Havildar killed two and brought back their pistols. Since the
enemy were too many for him, he also withdrew a 100 yards and sent
for company support. He kept on the fire and beat back one attack
before the company turned up an hour later when they killed 22 Japs
including an officer and wounded another ten before returning with a
large booty of rifles and LMGs. L/Nk.Vir Singh was with the leading
section in the company attack and though wounded severely in the
thigh, led his section in a charge and himself bayonetted two of
PAGE FOUR OWING TO THE SCARCITY OF DRINKING WATER COMMA THEY HAD
KILLED A LARGE NUMBER OF THE ENEMY AND IN THE LAST FEW DAYS HAD ROUTED
MANY JAP GUN CREWS (.) THE DIVISION IS ALREADY ON THE OFFENSIVE IN A
NEW PHASE OF OPERATIONS AFTER CONSOLIDATING THE BRIDGEHEAD(.) RAISED
SPECIALLY TO FIGHT IN BURMA THERE TROOPS ARE RENOWNED JAP KILLERS AND
ARE QUITE PROUD OF THEIR RECORD(.) ENDS
LT. COL.
20 Div							7-1600
14 Army
33 Corps
19000 Restricted(.) For Indian Public Relations(.) From Mani(.)
Background for date 67(.) Most successful combined ops Gurkhas and British
tanks against Jap position west of village Sinbyugon about 21/2 miles south
of Irrawady(.) Strong infantry and artillery enemy positions attacked and
overrun(.) 72 Japs killed 2 POW(.) Booty two antitank guns(.) Dash and
speed of tanks made possible by accurate pinpointing of enemy positions
page two(.) by patrols of Gurkhas
and frontier troops(.) Since the crossing of the Irrawady on Feb 13 comma
1457 repeat 1457 Jap bodies counted(.) Total Jap bodies found since Dec 18
comma 2060 repeat 2060(.) sanding follow-up tomorrow(.)
20 Div
14 Army
30
19003/ RESTRICTED(.) FOR INDIAN PUBLIC RELATIONS FOR VINER
FROM MANI(.) KYAUKSE MAR 30(.) WE ARE IN KYAUKSE(.) BRITISH AND INDIAN
TROOPS OF THE 14 ARMY HAVE ENTERED KYAUKSE WITHOUT ANY OPPOSITION(.) EYE
MARCHED INTO THE TOWN WITH A FAMOUS MIDLAND REGIMENT FROM THE WEST WHILE
MEN FROM NW FRONTIER ENTERED THE TOWN A LITTLE FURTHER NORTH/ AT THE SAME
TIME(.) WE ARE NOW OCCUPYING TO THE EAST WEST OF THE RIVER ZAWGYI AND OUR
CONTINUED
PAGE TWO TROOPS ARE ALREADY ACROSS THE RIVER TO CLEAR THE ENTIRE
TOWN(.) THE ENEMY LEFT BEHIND LARGE NUMBER OF MINES INCLUDING AERIAL BOMBS
WHICH MADRAS SAPPERS CLEARED BEFORE THE INFANTRY(.) ENEMY HAS BLOWN UP THEE
BRIDGES IN THE TOWN AND NEAR THE RAILWAY STATION HAS LEFT BEHIND A FEW
COMPARTMENTS OF A TRAIN AND MUCH EQUIPMENT(.) IT IS BELIEVED THAT THEY
COMMENCED PULLING OUR YESTER MORNING(.) AFTER SEVERAL DAYS
PAGE THREE OF STUBBORN RESISTANCE BY THE ENEMY THE CRACK CAME
SUDDENLY WHEN OUR PATROLS THIS MORNING FOUND THE EAST WEST SIDE OF THE TOWN CLEAR(.)
IT IS CLEAR THAT ENEMY DEMOLITION PARTIES HAVE BEEN AT WORK IN THE TOWN
DURING THE LAST FEW DAYS AND EVEN LAST NIGHT TWO BIG EXPLOSIONS WERE HEARD(.)
FURTHER SOUTH A MIEE SOUTH OF MYAK HAMINBO THE ENEMY IS STILL RESISTING
STRONGLY AS OUR TROOPS ARE ATTEMPTING TO CUT HIS LOC INTO THE
PAGE FOUR SHAN STATES(.) ENDS
MAJOR
IMMEDIATE
Mani: Indian Army Observer
24.5.45
Subedar Mohd.Fazal,
M.C.,
5/6
Pegu, May 24: When the Japs vacated their well-construced bunkers to attack a Punjabi
patrol a little distance away, the Punjabi patrol under the command
of Subedar Mohd.Fazal,M.C., of Chak No.100/12-L, district Montgomery,
gradually occupied the bunkers and beat off several strong enemy attacks.
It happened about 12 miles north-west of the
Pegu on the thickly jungled banks of the river bearing the
same name. In their first clash with 25 Japs, they killed one and
wounded two more, before the enemy dispersed.
While sections of the platoon were reconnoitering the
area, another party of 50 Japs attacked the main platoon from the
rear with LMGs, rifles and grenade dischargers. The Subedar gradually
withdrew his man to where he discovered a few vacant/bunkers
where he decided to stay for the night.
The bunkers appeared not
completely vacated as some of the Jap Kit was still lying there
but as there were no Japs in it, the Punjabis occupied it. From this
strong defensive position, the Subedar and his men held the enemy
fire and beat off one attack when the enemy tried to rush the
position. Finally the enemy withdrew with heavy casualties.
"We got in before the Japs did. They lost the position
and so lost the battle" said sub.Mohd.Fazal to me.
ends
Mani: Indian Army Observer
24.3.45
sep. Jumme shah
5/7
After escaping from his Jap captors during a barrage from
our guns, Sepoy Jumme Shah of village Shahpur, district Jhelum, limped
to a Burmese village infested with 400 Japs and quickly changing
into the Burmese clothes volunteered by the villagers spent the night
in the village before returning to his lines the next morning.
Sepoy Jumme Shah was dressing the wound of a comrade during
a battle when four Japs charged on him and took him captive after
wounding him in the leg. As our guns opened up, the Japs fled and
Jumme Shah wandered away from them finally reaching a village
where the Burmese helped him to change his clothes and hid him from
the 400 Japs during the night. Next morning, remembering the location
of his headquarters, he walked all the way to tell his comrades his
strange story in strange clothes.
ends
Main
Capt
4/5
Mani: Indian Army Observer
24.5.45
5/6
sub. Mohd. Fazal,M.C., 1st.Punjab
Pegu, May 24: when Japs vacated their bunkers to attack a Punjabi
plato a little distance away M.C. Subedar Momd. Fazal, 01 Chak no. 100/12-L, district
Montgomery, in command of the platoon, occupied the well-constructed
defensive bunkers and beat off several strong enemy
attacks.
Leading a patrol of the 1st.Punjab Regiment on the
thick-jungled banks of the Pegu river, about 12 miles to the north-west
of Pegu town, Sub.Mohd.Fazal and his men contacted the enemy in
daylight and in the clash with a party of 25 Japs, they killed one
Jap and wounded two more. The enemy dispersed and the Punjabi patrol
split up into sections in order to reccee the area. While they were
doing so, about 50 Japs attacked the main platoon from the rear with
LMGs, rifles and grenade dischargers. The enemy was about to rush the
position and since there was with an artillery forward observation
officer and his party with him, the Subedar arranged to give
the party covering fire to withdraw and gradually withdrew the platoon
to an area where they found some empty bunkers.
Establishing
CAPT. MANI
INDIAN ARMY OBSERVER
WITH THE
5th. INDIAN DIVISION
Mani:Indian Army Observer 17/1A.
28.5.45
V cxxxx NK. Fazol Don
May 28: Meiktila: In the annals of the Indian Army, Meiktila
will always be remembered as the battlefield where the heroism and
might of the Indian soldier were at xxxx height. Both to us and the
enemy the battle for Meiktila turned out to be the battle for Burma.
It was in such a battlefield that Sepoy (A/Naik) Fazal Din of the
10th.Baluch Regiment "courage and determination to duty and such displayed/" dauntless courage amounting to
heroism, blazing determination to kill even when fatally wounded,
supreme devotion to duty, presence of mina and sacrifice is sxxxxdom
equalled in the annals of War..." for which he has been posthumously awarded the
Victoria Cross.
Naik Fazal Din is the third Muslim in this war
to receive this highest award for gallantry. With this, Maj-Gen.
Cowan's 17th Indian Division have won seven of them.
In a special Order of the Day announcing the award, Maj-Gen. D.T.
Cowan,D.S.o.,M.C, says:" On behalf of all ranks of the 17th Indian
Division I warmly congratulate 7 xxxx Baluch on this great
distinction which their record as a fighting battalion in pperations
against the Japanese has fully merited. I voice the feelings of all
ranks in saying how much I
regret this gallant N.C.O. did NOT live
to enjoy the honour".
This 24year old, tall, well-built, light-skinned
and cheerful son of a petty farmer of Hussainpur (Hoshiarpur district)
(Punjab) showed early promise of a soldier even when he was working
on his father's fields. He was about eighteen when one night a
party of 10 dacoits attacked his village. Chasing them, he
broke the leg of one with a heavy stick and handed him over to
the village policeman. Among his playmates and other boys of the
village, he was always the leader and they implicitly carried out his
orders. His favourite pastime was to accost the boys returning from
the village school in the evenings, snatch their football from them
and after kicking it for a short while, return it to them.
Naik Fazal Din lost his parents when he was a boy
of eight. His ambition was to join the army and one cold day in 1940,
he and a cousin stole out of the village without any counsel and
enlisted at the nearest recruting office. Though a volunteer, he had
planned to remain in the army. Even while under training, he had been
picked out of the rest by his Subedar and he won the first prize for
high-jump in his batch of recruits. He has fought with his battalion
in Burma in 1942,in the Chin Hills in 1943, in Imphal in 1944 and
once again in Burma in 1945. While at Tiddim, he received the
"Commando Badge", the battalion's awxxxxd for the best patrolling.
A devout Muslim, like all other Punjabi Muslims
Mani:Indian Army Observer 17/1A Fazal Din page two
in the Indian Army, he was phlegmatic and highly reliable. Half his
battalion is composed of them and they have played a distinguished
part in the 17 Indian Div's fighting in Burma. On the second day
of the battle at Meiktila West when we gained our foothold, his
company accounted for 138 Japs killed. At Pyawbe, another company
of Punjabi Muslims from his battalion killed 72 Japs. In the battle
for Meiktila alone this Baluah/batt/axxxxnn killed 548 Japs and captured 13
prisoners.
Nk. Fazal Din's widow,22-year old Mst. Sirdar Bibi, will
be the proud recipient of the Victoria Cross so gallantly won by
her late husband.
ends
mani
capt
xxxx
Mani:Indian Army Observer 17/2A
29.5.45
Pynwegon, May 29: Officers and men of the 17th.Indian Divxxxx
have won 409 awards since 1942 which in a full measure represents
the gallant fighting that troops of the Division have done during
the last three years under the distinguished command of Maj-Gen.
D.T.Cowan,D.S.O.,M.C.
Out of the 25 V.C.s awarded to the Indian Army
during this war, this 'Black Cat' Division has won seven. 14 D.S.O.s
93 M.C.s, 74 I.D.S.M.s, 165 M.M.s and two Russian decorations
have been received by them. other awards are: Bar DSO 5,
DCM 5, IOM 20,Bar IDSM 1,Bar MC 2,Bar MM4,OBE 2,MBE 9,OBI 4,BEM 1
and CBE 1. 156 Certificates of Gallantry or Commendation Cards
have also been received by troops of this Division
in addition to the awards.
The Indian Army Divisions comprising Indian
and British troops form a major proportion of the 14th.Army and the
victory in Burma is largely due to their gallant fighting upholding
the traditions of the Indian Army. The 'Black Cats', taking
advantage of their previous experience in Burma, have always sprung
a surprise on the enemy and outwitted him in addition to vanquishing
him.
ends
mani
capt. 29/5 observer
xxxx 17 Ind. Div.
Mani:Indian Army Observer 17/3A
29.5.45
Major S.K.Korls, D.S.O.,M.C.,
Photo by Mxxxxck
hundred has been
recommended xxxxa Bar – DSO.
In 1942, from the battlefield at Pa-an in Burma, an Indian
Army Observer wrote: "Capt. Korla was un outstanding cadet at the Indian
Military Academy and is typical of the officers now leading men of the
Indian Army in the defence of India. I have watched him box at the
Academy, and I have seen him command his company. The finest martial
spirit is there". In 1945, from the battlefield of Pt.850 in
Meiktila another Indian Army Observer writes: "The martial spirit is
still there. In the days of adversity it was gallant but in days of
prosperity it has become dashing and has increased in intensity. In all
his big battles, Major Korla has always led his men in spirited bayonet
charges against the enemy, himself the first to charge".
Twentyseven year old Major Siri Kanth Korla,D.S.O.,M.C.,
10th. Baluch, from Punjab is an outstanding Officer in the Indian Army.
Born In a Dogra family of sxxxxddiers, he had his early education at King
George's Royal Indian Military School, Jullunder, and joined in the
ranks of the lOth. Baluch Regiment in 1934. After taking part in the
NWF operations of 1936, he received his commission and Indian Military Academy in 1939.
Since 1942, he has been with the same battalion in Burma, Chin Hills,
Manipur and once again Burma. Tall and lithe figure, always smiling,
he will talk to you endlessly recounting the exploits of his battalion
and the Dogra company he commands but to recount his own exploits, he
needs some persuasion.
He won the D.S.O. in 1942 in Burma for the part he played
in the battle of Pa-an. When his company ran out of ammunition during
strong attacks by the enemy, leading spirited bayonet charges he brought
back ammunition from a dump captured by the enemy. With his pistol and
dah, he killed atleast ten of the enemy and when the battalion position
was overrun, with a few men he remained in his company position shouting
Dogra war cries and deceiving the enemy into believing that the position
was strongly held. Eventually while evacuating his wounded to a safe
place, he was taken prisoner and remained so for 15 hours before
killing his guard and reaching back his battalion.
In the same year near Prome, hee was mentioned in dispatches for
ably escorting across country a mule convoy from Zigon to Prome, a
distance of 57 miles. The enemy was at their heels only five miles away.
The rest of the brigade entrained to Prome leaving 150 mules and 50
mule-carts which he volunteered to escort. Bombed and shelled all along,
Mani:Indian Amy Observer 17/3A Major Korla page two
without any loss he accomplished his tusk In 26 hours.
He received his M.C, xxxx in 1945 for his
courageous initiative in the battle of Taungtha, Given an area to
reconnoitre, on arrival he noticed 150 Japs in bunker positions
protecting a big ammunition, clothing and ration dump, Immediately
without lasting any time, on his own initiative, he led his company
in a brilliant chagge killing 85 Japs and took Five prisoners besides
capturing the dumps. In his company there was only one slightly
wounded casualty-- so completely surprised were the enemy.
Major Korla hold a record in the 17th. Indian Division
for clearing a strongly-held village in 15 minutes. In Melktila, at
the village of Magygon, when a Gurkha company was held up by heavy
machine gun fire, he was given the task of clearing the village in
15 minutes, it was already nearing dusk und it was essential to clear
it before night as the right flank of our position in the town was
exposed to enemy fire and we could not have held the position without
the village, Leading his men once again in a charge and supported by
heavy artillery, within 15 minutes he cleared the village killing
35 and capturing four.
The best charger in the 17 Ind. Div., at Pt.850 in
Meiktila he surpassed his previous performances and by his gallant
efforts, ended the battle for Meiktila in our favour, The feature
was a strongly-held Jap observation post from where having a grandstand
view of our positions, they were harassing our troops. Once
again, the difficult task was his, xxxx had to climb a steep and
control over troops was impossible owing to the broken ground covered
with thick scrub jungle and dense bamboos. There were deep nullahs
to be crossed with enemy bunker positions on their banks. Added to
that, the visibility was five yards and one enemy opened up with all
fury from 75mm guns, anti-tank guns, machine guns and grenades. With
artillery and tank support and with great dash and speed, his
company charged with bayonets from the enemy's rear and he was at
their head leading them all the time. In addition to capturing the feature, has
company killed 63 Japs, captured two prisoners and their transport
including a jeep. The rest of the Japs in the Meiktila area were in
no mood to ignore this commanding feature and they withdrew in the
night from the entire area.
Major korla's Dogra company killed in all 364 Japs
and took 23 prisoners in the Meiktila area.
ends
Mani:Indian Army Observer 17/4A
30.8.45
Pynwegon, May xxxx: During the 17 Ind. Div's push to within 28 miles
of Rangoon, one battery of Punjabi gunners chose the same gun-area
they had occupied in 1942.
At Hlegu, where Indian troops of 4 Corps linked
up with these of 15 corps, Major A.W. Lichfield of Bombay, with the
battery since 1942 and now commanding them, decided to harbour in
the same area they had previously occupied.
Most of the Punjabis knew the ground and took up
exactly the same positions as before. Their memories went back to
those days when the whole battery had between hem only 14 rifles
and no machine guns. Things were different now and they were
concious of their striking power.
At Meiktila, they had a tough time but
their guns never stepped speaking. They silenced within five
minutes a Jap gun causing heavy casualties. Officers directing
fire and observing had to expose themselves to enemy fire but
even through the thickest street fighting, this cattery always
had its observation posts.
ends
MANI:INDIAN ARMY OBSERVER 17/5A
4.6.45
JAP SWAN SONG IN PEGU YOMAS
PEGU YOMAS: Monday: In the thickly-wooded hills of the Pegu Yomas, the
Jap 15th.Amy is singing its swan-song in the company of wild
elephants. The hardships are rather too much for the Nippon soldier
in anxious flight. In the hills, it is all rain and floods with no
roof or shelter and no food nor friendly hospitality. To run into
the plains towards the Shan States or Moulmein would mean certain
death or capture. Your movements are reported by the villagers
within a short time and those "whizzing" .British shells come unannounced
while you are bathing in a chaung or hiding in a forest or
the "Thunderbolts" drop their eggs on you with the resounding fury
of angry Fujiyama. If you attempt to cross the trunk-road, the Indian
and British troops are anxiously waiting to pounce on you or their
cunning patrols to the foot of the hills catch you unawares. If you
approach a Burman, he may turn out to be a guerilla who has been
walking with your Very shadow and Will aim a quick one with his sten.
And the smiling Karen hillman gives a frown when you ask him
for kindness.
Brooding over his own fate
and that of his comrades,
one Jap soldier says:" I am a warrior
of the Imperial Army and I am not one to complain of any shortage of
food but seeing my comrades complaining of shortage and losing their
trust In their officers, it makes me think that this Burma campaign
has done more to damage the high spirit of our Jap Imperial Army
than any other thing". The spirit is broken and damaged sufficiently
thanks to Indian and British troops. He complains of 70 men having to
share 40 rifles and one sword
thme.
Pegu Yomas are not more than a thousand feet in
height but rises into steep narrow ridges on xxxx which runs the only
track, the xxxx covered with thick scrub, dense bamboo jungles and tall
elephant grass. Numerous chaungs criss-cross and flow in spate. Wild
elephants roam destroying bamboo jungles and causing a heavy din which
resounds in the quiet forest. The sight and sound will strikes despair
in a humiliated and frustrated spirit.
small twenty-xxxx villages lie scattered
about ten miles away from each other. Tonga-robed Karens with pigs
and chicken dwell in them growing their vegetable close to tnem. They
bring their rice from the plains and sit quiet watching the monsoon
rains as they xxxx their white cigars They welcome us and treat
us kindly but to the Japs they turn a stern and cold face.
ends
Mani
Capt
4/6.
MANI: INDIAN ARMY OBSERVER 17/6A
7.6.45
Cooch Behar
Pegu, June 7: Latest arrival on the Burma front is 29-year old
Captain H.H. Sir Jagadippendra Narayan, K.C.I.E., 7th.Cavalry,the
Maharaja of Cooch Behar, who is serving as a liaison officer with an
advanced HQ in Burma. In his present capacity, he has already visited
several units and come into close contact with both officers and
troops.
This is his first visit to a field area.
He said: "My relatives and
friends are on active service and so I have been longing to proceed
on active service. In 1942, I had almost decided to go toe the Middle
East but with the outbreak of war with Japan, I could not leave my
State".
Educated at Harrow and Cambridge, he ascended the' gadi'
in 1923 on the death of his father. Well-known in Cricket circles
in India, he captained the Bengal team for the Ranji Trophy in 1944
and 1945. Polo and tennis are his other favourite games. He is not
married yet.
He joined the Indian Army in 1938 and since then had
annual training with the 7th.Cavalry.He is also the Colonel-in-Chief
of the 1st.Cooch Behar Regiment. His younger brother Major
Prince Inderject Narayan is also serving on this front with the
11th.Cavalry.
Capt. Cooch, as he is known in the field, has great
admiration for the Indian soldier." All the world ever praises are
sung in honour of the Indian soldier but what touched me most was
the high tribute paid to him by British officers and troops who have
fought alongside with him"; he said.
ends
MANI: INDIAN ARMY OBSERVER
17/7A
13.5.45
NYAUNGLABIN: JUNE 13: Indian Artillery gun-trains leave Nyaunglabin
railway station daily to have a shoot at the Japs across the
Sittang. These twentyfive pounders travel on open goods-waggons towed
by a jeep running on a metre-guage line.
Yesterday it was the Rajputs’ turn. Within ten
minutes of the receipt of a report, the train ”steamed off”. On arrival
at the required position, the bearings were taken and the surveyor got
busy with logarithms. The wireless made contact with the
observation post. As they were mounted on the waggons, the guns fired
nearly 40 rounds on the objective.
Patrols on the east bank of the river have
gone out this morning to count the “kill”. Large numbers of Japs roam
in the rubber plantations on the east bank and raid villages for food.
They are continually being harassed by our patrols, Burmese guerillas
and fire from our guns. With the increase of the monsoon, in vigour the
countryside and scrub jungles are flooded waist deep making it more difficult for the
enemy in Pegu Yomas to escape to the eastern banks of Sittang. More
Japs are leaving their malarial homes in the Yomas and are drifting
to its eastern foothills where our ‘tiger patrols’ and guerillas are
waiting to kill them.
ends
13/6
MANI: INDIAN ARMY OBSERVER
17/8A
18 June ‘45
June 17:
PEGU YOMAS: During the last few weeks, Burmese guerillas operating
in the Pegu Yomas have killed nine Japs, wounded 12 and captured
five prisoners. They have been assisted by Burmese and Karen
villagers who obtain arms from us to harass the Japs when they come
foraging for food. Several of them have never
handled a sten-gun before but they use it quite efficiently.
Gurkhas have been giving close support to the guerillas.
Two days ago, they caught a party of the enemy in the open paddy
fields carrying bundles of mats and bamboos. Dropping their precious
loads, the Japs ran for their lives and several of them were
wounded or killed.
In these hills, the maps cannot keep pace with the
villages. When their rice-fields become fallow, the villagers burn
them and migrate to new areas few miles away. Named after their
headman, Karen villages change their names.
on the death of every headman.
ends
15/6.
MANI: Army Observer
/17/2.
3 May: Delayed
Milestone 41: Killing 89 Japs in two days, Sikhs
Punjabis and Dogras of the 12 Frontier Force Regiment cleared
the eastern side of Pegu town and Captured the railway station.
The bridge along the main road across the
Pegu river having been blown off by the enemy in his retreat,
the Sikhs attempted to cross the river over the railway bri
bridge but as they approached, the Japs blew off this one too.
A platoon wading across the waist deep river killed 12 Japs who
had automatics and took up a position on the south bank, If
Fifty to sixty Japs dug in fox-holes offered attacked stubborn resistance
Another platoon moving on the flank attacked the entrenched enemy
killing another 20. There was night-long exchange of heavy fire.
Early next morning the battalion killed another six Japs while
tow platoons of Pathans crossing the river at another point and
established a bridgehead. The Punjabis moving along the railway
line captured the railway station. against quite heavy opposition
from MMGs, mortars, and dischargers. The Dogras also advanced to
the station after clearing a chaung. where the enemy had built
strong defences. The Dogras and Punjabis themselves accounted
for 45 enemy killed.
An interesting sidelight of this attack by
the battalion was that 40 railway trollies lying along side the
railway line were loaded by our troops with ammunition and other
stores since they could not take their vehicles across the river
which was in spate. The loaded trollies were pushed to the broken
railway bridge where they were stripped into pieces and reassembled
on the other side of the bridge and the trollies pushed once
again to where the fighting was. The trollies also carried four
POWs whom they captured. This trolley train has been dubbed by
the troops as “PEGU EXPRESS”
Besides capturing a large number of small arms
this battalion also captured two 75mm guns.
ends
Mani
Capt
3/5
MANI: INDIAN ARMY OBSERVER
+XX
17/3/
Milestone 3 from Rangoon: May 4: In a small action on May 2,
Punjabi Muslims of the 7th.Rajput Regiment engaged a very strong
enemy position near M.S. 40 killing 15 Japs and wounding an equal
number.
As the supporting infantry of an armoured column,
they came upon a Jap position on undulating ground where the
enemy had constructed fake bunkers on the forward slopes while
the real ones with machine guns were on the reverse slopes. The
Punjabis under the command of Capt. R.L. Sen of Calcutta, slowly
crept forward in the light of the dusk avoiding booby traps
hanging from trees and mines scattered over the ground. When they
reached their objective, they hurled grenades at the real bunkers
with Subedar Rafiiuddin of village Kurla Khondra, Jullunder, who
egged his men on to play merry with the Japs. L/Nk. Ali Mohamed
of village Malkotarad, Jullunder, himself cleared one bunker.
When out troops withdrew because of the darkness they had killed
15 of the enemy and wounded an equal number. The rest of the enemy
fled.
Unaware of this, later in the night of Japs approched
the position in motor transports with their lights fully illuminating
the rain that was coming down in torrents but were forced to
make a quick about turn as our heavy guns opened on them.
The advance of the armoured column is now held up
at M.S.32 owing to a bridge being blown off by the enemy in their
retreat. As our troops were reconnoitering for another crossing
the enemy blew another bridge on a diversion
as our tanks approached it. But sappers are building a Bailey
bridge on the main road and with the reputation of the Madras
Sappers the delay will last a few hours only. Yesterday, the
Madras Sappers neutralised nearly 500 mines along the
road over a distance of only eight miles. While clearing the
200 and 500 pound aerial bombs concealed under the road and the
sides, two of them were killed. The Japs aimed at delaying our
advance with these mines and booby traps but so far they have not
succeeded.
In the frontline there is great jubilation today over
the capture of Rangoon by other Indian troops though a keen sense
of disappointment is felt among them over having missed the chance
of entering into Rangoon first.
ends
MANI: INDIAN ARMY OBSERVER
17/4/
MILESTONE 32: 4 May: Displaying A keen sense of observation and
presence of mind and resorting to quick action, a jeep driver of
Indian Public Relations wounded a Jap dressed in Burmese clothes
and captured him prisoner. xxxxeday.
While driving along the road in the
frontline, Driver Sepoy Riuna Shah of village Jitaria, district
Chhupra, Bihar, stopped his vehicle and walked a little
distance off the road to purchase the eggs and chicken that the villagers were
offering to sell. As he was returning, he noticed a man in Burmese
clothes not far away from him and since his looks were suspicious,
our driver ordered him to stop when the man pulled out a grenade
from the Burmese bag that he was carrying but which slipped and fell
from his hand. Without wasting a moment, Driver Riuna Shah–– smart
and well-built with typical Bihari looks–– levelled his rifle at
the Jap in disguise
whereon the Jap shouted ‘No shooting‘ in English. Riuna Shah
calmly replied ‘Tairo’ in Hindustani and at the same moment fired
three rounds. The enemy was wounded severely in the shoulder, hip
and thigh and our driver made him prisoner till the Military Police
arrived on the scene and took charge of the prisoner.
While narrating the story to me, our driver
told me: “I can always see through a Jap’s disguise”.
ends
Mani
Capt 5/5
Mexxxxn Army observer
MANI: INDIAN ARMY OBSERVER
17/5
HLEGU EAST: May 6: Supported by Stuart tanks of the 7th. Indian
Cavalry and armoured cars of the 16th.Indian Cavalry, troops of
the 7th.Gurkha Rifles have captured today the town of Hlegu,
28 miles from Rangoon on the main road. An Indian Field Regiment
firing 25 pounders gave artillery support.
Last night a guerilla platoon of Gurkhas
crept round the town and bumped against the enemy. They withdrew
and established themselves at a junction of cross-roads on the
east side of the town. This morning another company of Gurkhas
joined them and after nearly 30 mines at the junction had been neutralized by
the Madras Sappers, they mopped up the eastern side of the town.
The bridge linking up the two parts of the town along the main
road was blown up by the enemy in their retreat.
Under a smoke screen this morning, swinging
from girder to girder below the broken bridge in a picturesque
fashion not very dissimilar to real guerillas, a company of
Gürkhas crossed the chaung and established a bridgehead with
the aid of their own mortars and covering fire from the machine-gunners
of the 13 Frontier Force Rifles. The Japs fled leaving
behind four dead and an LMG.
As there were still some enemy left on the
west side of the town, a troop of Indian Stuarts were rushed and
a heavy concentration of artillery from the Indian Field guns
poured on the enemy. The mopping up is still going on and the
sound of machine guns and tanks could still be heard.
ends
Mani
Capt 6/5
Indian Arymy
Observe.
MANI: INDIAN ARMY OBSERVER
17/6
HLEGU; May 6: British infantry troops and Indian cavalry
of the 26th.Indian Division coming north from Rangoon and Indian
troops of the 17th.Indian Divsion have linked up at Hlegu.
Gurkhas were the first to greet the southern visitors
with cheers of welcome. But when they heard the distant noise of
the soft vehicles, they were more than surprised and everyone went
for his weapon and saw in the distance tommy guns and rifles facing
them. And as the Rangoon party came nearer, the Gurkhas lowered
their weapons and beamed with their characteristic smile.
The bridge along the road at this place having been h
blown off by the Japs, officers and troops of either divisions
went over to each other’s side in floating rafts.
This link-up culminates in the capture
of the life-line of Burma, the 442 mile-long Mandalay-Rangoon road.
The monsoon has just set in and the biggest line of communication
which is an all-weather road is now ours. And this also marks the
end of the last stage in the Battle of Burma although several
thousands of the enemy still remain on the Burmese soil and whose
fate has been sealed.
ends
MANI: INDIAN ARMY OBSERVER
17/7
Indian Cavalry
PEGU, May 14: Striding down the Mandalay-Rangoon road
like a blazing comet, Indian cavalry units under the command of
an Indian colonel played a prominent part as the advance column
of the 17th.Indian Division in its push towards Rangoon. While
the honour of entering Rangoon fell to other troops, the evacuation
of Rangoon by the Japs has been to a large extent due to the
lightning speed with which this column was approaching the
capital of Burma. Evidences are the mines and booby-traps in
thousands left by the enemy all along the road to the south and
the Jap pockets of resistance on the sides of the road to
delay our entry in to Rangoon.
During the few weeks I have been with this column I watched
with intense admiration the swiftness, efficiency and cohesion
with which this column was advancing unhampered by the pre-monsoon
rains, the tidal chaungs and rivers and the enemy’s
delaying tactics. The distinguished commander of this column,
Lt.Col J.N. Chaudhuri O.B.E. 16th.Light Cavalry, by his remarkable leadership refused
confidence, enthusiasm and energy into the Indian
and British troops under his command to such an extent that the
pass-word on the lips of every one of them was ‘RANGOON’.
Individual and group plans as to how the first few hours in
Rangoon were to be spent contributed in no small measure to the
speed of the column.
The units under this 37 year old Colonel were: one
regiment of armoured cars of the 16th.Light Cavalry, one squadron
of the of Stuart tanks 7th. Light Cavalry, one squadron of Sherman tanks of the
5th.Probyn’s Horse, one company of a battalion of the 7th.
Rajput Regiment, a battery of self-propelled guns of the British
18th.Field Regiment, two sections of the Madras Sappers and
Miners, a visual control panel of the R.A.F. and a section of
an advance dressing station. “The success achieved would not
have been possible but for the magnificent cooperation of both
the Indian and British troops under my command”, said Lt.Col.
Chaudhuri to me describing the part played by every unit. The
dash across 34 miles of the road from Piyagale to Pegu in four
days during which 756 mines were neutralised over a distance of
only four miles and stiff enemy pockets were cleared was the
most remarkable stride of this column.
The admiration of the commander and his men are
mutual. “We couldn’t have had a better commander, a better time
or a better deal” said Capt.E.W.Penny of Childwal, Lancashire.
His Indian second-in-command: summed up in few brief words: ”The
finest leader I Have ever worked under”. With a high sense of
humour and great admiration for the crew of his armoured cars,
MAKI: INDIAN ARMY OBSERVER
17/7
Indian Cavalry page two
Lt.Col. Chaudhuri commands the oldest cavalry regiment in the Indian
Army, the 16th.Light Cavalry, which is the old 2nd.Madras Lancers
and has the unique honour of having the King Emperor as its C-in-C.
He has a joke offer to everyone he meets from the highest officer
to a private soldier but does not tolerate even the least inefficiency.
He is loved and respected by his officers and men and when he
gathered them in parade to inform them how sorry he felt that he was
not able to lead his men into Rangoon, I noticed a few of them on
the verge of tears looking at him with awe, love and respect.
ends
MANI: INDIAN ARMY OBSERVER
17/8
PINWEGON, May 17: Visiting Indian and British troops of the 17th.
Indian Division in a two-day tour, Lt.Gen.Frank Messervy.....,
Commander of the 4th.Corps, congratulated them on the victory they
had achieved in Burma. “This Division has played the leading part in
the advance from the Irrawady onwards and has played the foremost
part in the capture of Rangoon”, he said. To Indian troops, he spoke
in Hindustani: ”Tumari mehnatse bahaduri se Burma pakadliya”.
In humorous fashion, typical of him, he announced
the 14th.Army’s leave scheme for Indian troops which was received with
cheers. He told them that he had not been home for seven years, hasn’t
seen his family for five years and that he was neither going home nor
taking leave till the Japs were completely
defeated. Quoting the words of a jawan: ”Kala billi chua jarur kayinge”
(The Black Cat will surely eat the Jap rats) he exhorted them to be ready
for the next onslaught on the fascists of the east.
ends
Mani 17/5
Capt
Mxxxx army
Observed
MANI: INDIAN ARMY OBSERVER
17/9
Pinwegon, May 17: One troop of Indian Stuart tanks have the distinction
of having operated on all the 14th.Army fronts in Central and
Southern Burma.
Under the command of Lt. Harpratap Singh,7th.Light
Cavalry, of Daudpur, district Ludhiana, these Indian tankmen have
taken their tanks from xxxx Manipur to within
28 miles of Rangoon, over 2000 miles across rugged country not long
ago unsurmountable. These Stuart tracks have tread along Tiddim
Road and its Chocolate Staircase, across Kabaw Valley(the valley of
Death), along the Irrawady bridgehead, across the scrubby jungle
plains of Central Burma and along the road from Mandalay to Rangoon.
For more than a year in operation, this troop has
fought not less than 50 battles, all of them successful. They have
killed more than 150 Japs, destroyed or captured two anti-tank guns,
and lots of equipment. The
first Jap prisoner captured by troops of the 23 Indian Division in
Manipur was captured by Lt.Singh.
This troop has operated with five different Divs.
Along with 20 Ind.Div. in the famous battle of Talingon on the
Irrawady, they killed 35 Japs out of a total of 513 Japs killed.
in the swinging battle lasting for seven days, mostly by night,
where amour penetration was most difficult owing to the thickly
wooded village, these Indian tanks performed bunker-bursting with
great skill and deft manoeuvre.
As leading tanks of the armoured spearhead of
17 Ind. Division's advance towards Rangoon, they traversed heavily
mined roads and assisted the infantry in mopping up odd enemy
parties. While the battle for Pegu was in progress, they carried
out a daring 23mile reccee behind the enemy across country.
ends
Mani
Capt 17/5
Mxxxx army
Observe
CAPT. MANI
INDIAN ARMY OBSERVER
WITH the
17th Indian Division
20 Div
33 Corps
14 Army
I/9000 RESTRICTED(.) FLASH FOR INDIAN PUBLIC RELATIONS FROM MANI(.)
INDIAN TROOPS OF MAJ GEN GRACEYS 20 INDIAN DIVISION HAVE CUT THE RAILWAY
LINE AND NEAR TANAUNGGAIG NEAR 15 MS FROM AVA ON THE SAGAING HYPHEN
MYINGYAN METERE GAUGE LINE WHICH IS ONE OF THE LINES OF RETREAT OF ENEMY
FROM MANDALAY(.). THERE WAS NO OPPOSITION AT TANAUNGGAIG BUT OUR TROOPS
HAD A FAIRLY HEAVY OPPOSITION AT NATTHADOW(.) DURING THE
CONTINUED
CONTINUED PAGE TWO
CONTINUED LAST FOUR DAYS THIS FORWARD FORMATION HAVE BEEN MAKING
A SPEEDY AND DASHING ADVANCE INFLICTING QUITE HEAVY CASUALTIES ON THE
ENEMY AND TILL YESTER EVENING THEIR BOOTY INCLUDED NINE GUNS 17 LORRIES
ONE STAFF CAR COMMA PERSONAL BELONGING OF A HIGH RANKING OFFICER AND A
TRUCK LOAD OF DOCUMENTS(.) ESTIMATION OF ENEMY CASUALTIES RENDERED
DIFFICULT OWING TO THE LARGE NUMBER INFLICTED INDEPENDENTLY BY OUR
PAGE THREE INFANTRY ARTILLERY AND TANKS(.) EARLIER CONGRATULATIN
HIS OFFICERS AND MEN ON THEIR EXCELLENT PERFORMANCE SINCE ESTABLISHING
THE MYINMU BRIDGEHEAD ACROSS THE IRREWADY COMMA MAJ HYPHEN GEN DOUGLAS
GRACEY COMMA CBE COMMA ME THANKED THEM FOR THEIR EFFORTS CONTRIBUTING
TO THE SUCCESS OF THE RECENT SPEEDY DASHING AND COMPLICATED OPERATIONS(.)
FIGHTING IN OPPRESSIVE HEAT INCREASINGLY UNBEARABLE