many thanks - that would all make sense - i am wondering if when it says the camp was sheltered by hill 1945 it meant 1975
I don't think that it was difficult at all, WABYIN was correct but the original poster had given the name WAYBIN. Given that Burmese isn't the first language of most of us that post on the forum and that many places in Burma have similar sounding names, or have had their names changed since independence, or have moved location or have simply ceased to exist, it was sensible to rule out all the other possibilities.
Not necessarily, on maps of this scale only the height of the tallest hills are mentioned. Here is a case in point, Point 2171, to be exact, an enormously important feature in the history of the Chindits, isn't shown.
I’m a bit late to this one, but here’s another map from the National Library of Australia showing Wabyin. Burma, Sheet 84D/NW, 1:126,720 (half inch), 1942 edition James’ book: One of PackRat’s war diary excerpts gives a grid square of 3649 for Wabyin area: “Naaf Estuary” is Naf on map. “…west bank at Kayagyaung”, surely they would have landed on the east bank if heading to Wabyin, perhaps at Kanyinchaung. Wabyin is overlooked to the south east (direction of Buthidaung) by a 1975 ft (not 1945) hill about 2 miles away. Whilst looking at the adjoining sheet 84D/NE there are some interesting pencil annotations in the NW corner. 7 Div Adm Box?
Hi all, you have been incredibly helpful with all the knowledge you have, i'v been able to put a lot together regarding my Grandfathers time in the war. I have received his service record which was incredibly useful but didn't give any squadron numbers for his regiment. the regiments saw little action and when it did the squadrons acted independently so I was hoping to find his squadron out. Luckily a week or so ago a box of papers landed at my fathers house, containing all sorts of old stuff that no one knew existed, among to some stuff my GF sent home form India and Burma. on some Christmas sketches it gives his squadron across 1943/44 which is fantastic. What I am trying to do now is tie down his location to a few of the stories he told my dad. they ae few and far between and scant in detail but thought I would give it a go. One storey he told was of being in command of a lead tank and having to order the driver to proceed down a tunnel a the end of which was a large gap gun on a rail. when thy reach the others end the firing pin had been removed. he said it was one of the scariest moments of his time there. I can only find record of 146th regiment RAC involved in action 3 times. C Squadron in the Akran on 1943 - I am pretty sure he wasn't there. as he was in A squadron at the time. A Squadron on Ramree island in 1944 but by this Time he was in C squadron. the only other occasion I can find ref to being close to any action is the regiment as a whole when it moved to Wabyin, here they spend time reconnoitring the area, their camp attacked by gap patrols on occasion, but the details of they time are scant. this is the only Time I think he could d have had the opportunity to both be in command of a tank and also be close to enemy lines or any sort of action. The period in question is November 1944 to February 1945. If anyone has any knowledge that might point me in a direction to look I would be grateful, there are no war diaries for this period so I'm bot too sure where to look. As usual any direction and pointers are very much appreciated.
If the description of the tank going through a tunnel where there was a rail at the end is a clue, I am wondering if this was the infamous tunnels that were used by the Japanese and marked in the margin in the map posted by Richard Lewis. They were heavily fortified and it took a terrific battle to get them out. I have descriptions of the action since 9th Royal Sussex were involved. These tunnels were originally built for a railway well before the war, but the track was ripped out by a ferry company who bought the railway company out. Then ripped out the rails to stop the competition. I have put images of these tunnels in other posts.The action took place at the end of March 1943 which seems to tie in with your dates. I know tanks were used to basically blow the enemy to bits in the end.
hi all I managed to fine the war diary for the regiments time at Wabyin it gives a reference to the site of the camp. can anyone advise if it is possible to translate/look this up to get an exact position ? many thanks once again for all the assistance
Thank you, that's very kind, its helped me pin down my Grandfathers location. the war diaries are pretty basic on details but still help build a picture. May be it would be worth me looking add the diaries of other units in the area and see if there are any references I know there was a squadron of the 16th lancers, 37th Field Company Bombay Sappers and Miners and the 2/4th Bombay Grenadiers. Thanks again for the assistance
This might give you a clue. Hope it does. It is from the War Diary of the 14/12 Frontier Force Regiment
24 LAA/ Anti-Tank Regt RA were at Wabyin from 2 Nov 1943 to 11Jan 1944. P art of 7 Indian Infantry Div at the time.
