Battle of Lotpaching or the Red-Hill (R. K. 2926)

I am planning to make an exploration in the area around RK 2926. I would like to request if anyone has any battle map of this particular battle. The battle took place from 25th -30th May. The battle location is 10 kilometers from Imphal on the Imphal- Tiddim Road. MC was awarded to Lt A Wier of the 3 Carbiniers and DCM to Corporal Monk of the Signal Corps for their contribution. Any additional information would be very useful to me.
Thanks in advance.
Raj.

 

Couple of others who were awarded for their role in the battle for the Red Hill

Jemadar (acting Subedar) Ghulam Yasin, 7/10th Baluch - MC
T/Captain Clifford Frederick Victor Martin MC, 7/10th Baluch - Bar to MC
Sepoy Amar Nath, 7/10th Baluch - MM
Sepoy Barkat Ali, , 7/10th Baluch - MM
Sgmn. Jack Redden, 17th Indian Div. Sigs. - MM

There are probably others but as several units took part in the battle it will took some time to find them. If you want I can post citation for above 5 men in next couple of days.

You can find scratch map of the battle in the Grant's "Burma - The Turning Point" which could be interesting for you as the book cover actions of the 17th Indian Division during the Battle of Imphal and which I can highly recommend as one of the best books about Burma campaign. Same map is also reproduced in Pen & Sword edition of Randle's "Battle Tales from Burma". In that book you can find a chapter about the battle as author was there with 7/10th Baluch.

 

Seeing what I can find Raj.
Lionboxer

 

Thanks Sol and Lionboxer, I will do my homework before I set my trip date. I shall be waiting for more detail.

thanks again,
Raj.

 

Ha! Thanks Owen...I think Cpl Monk is my guy who was nominated for a VC and had it crossed out. I've just looked him up in my DCM book and the account does jog a memory. Can someone who has the rolls (I've still not uploaded mine yet) post up his original citation for me?

 

If nobody post till tonight I will do that.

 

W/Cpl Charles Monks
2329993
The Royal Signals
50th Indian Parachute Brigade Signal Company

Distinguished Service Medal

FOR CONSPICIOUS GALLANTRY AND COOLNESS IN ACTION

At the position known as RED HILL near BURI BAZAR on the 28th May, 1944 the 3/1st Gurkha Rifles were ordered to make a Bn attack to clear the enemy from the South eastern portion of the hill. Each company was allotted a British Signaller from 50th Parachute Brigade HQ with a light R.T. set, as this Bde HQ had the Bn under command at this time. At the start of the attack the C.O., Adj and three Rifle Coy Comds were all killed or wounded. Cpl MONKS was with one of the two forward coys which were under close and heavy fire from the enemy from small arms, grenades and a Bn gun. When their British Officers were all killed these coys wavered and started to fall back. Cpl MONKS however rallied them and stopped the movement to the rear. He then passed back accurate and clear information over the R/T and by his cheerfulness and complete disregard of personal danger persuaded the Gurkha officers to organize a second attack on the position. This was done and Cpl MONKS again went forward with the attacking troops. He continued to pass back information clearly and calmly and it was in very great part due to his courage and example that the attack, which was in great danger of failing with heavy casualties succeeded in the end. This was all the more noteworthy as Cpl MONKS could not speak any GURKHALI so that all he did was accomplished by signs and personal example. All the Gurkha ranks and the only British Officer left at Bn HQ could not give enough praise to this gallant and resourceful N.C.O.

This citation is written on the report submitted by the 3/1 Gurkha Rifles themselves.

LG 22.03.1945

 

"... the only British Officer left at Bn HQ ..."

This was probably John Murray, an intelligence officer of 3/1st Gurkha Rifles who was awarded with MC for same action. He was mention in another thread here:

http://ww2talk.com/forums/topic/28312-telegraph-obit-capt-john-murray-mc-gr/

 

Some men from 1/3rd Gurkha Rifles awarded for action on 28th May

W/S Lieutenant John Murray, 3/1st Gurkhas – MC
W/S Subadar Bhadarbir Thapa, 3/1st Gurkhas – MC
W/S Coy. Hav. Major Chittrabahadur Thapa, 3/1st Gurkhas – IDSM

 

Thanks guys I am enjoying this thread although I never have any Input l so like to read and learn. Elsie

 

Once I was told by a veteran of 50th Indian parachute brigade that Corporal monk is the one who send the message for withdrawal of the brigade from Sangshak on 26th March 1944.

Raj.

 

Thanks Sol but damit it's not the VC one. It does read very familiar to that and still think it was a Signals officer.

 

W/S Subadar Bhadarbir Thapa
I.O. 13656
3rd Battalion, 1st King George V's Own Gurkha Rifles

Military Cross

Operations - SOUTH WEST of IMPHAL on 28 May 44

Sub. Bhadarbir Thapa was 2 i/c. of a Coy which was taking part in a two coy attack on a hill feature occupied by the Japanese. In the first few minutes of the attack the Coy. Comd. was killed and Sub. BHADARBIR was wounded in the leg and arm. Refusing medical attention, he immediately took over command of the coy, rallied the men, and led the attack, passing through the first coy to his objective beyond. In the face of heavy opposition he had gained part of his objective when he received information but the coy behind him had been counter attacked and driven off the feature with the loss of the Coy. Comd. killed.

Sub. BHADARBIR quickly and accurately appreciated the tactical situation and went with his coy to the first coy where he took comd. of both. In spite of his wounds he organised and led an attack which regained the greater part of the first objective. There he was held up due to lack of ammunition but started consolidate and asked for ammunition to be sent up. At this time the situation was such that he was given the order to withdraw. This he carried out under fire with great skill and pesonal courage and without incurring further casualties. Throughout the action this G.O. displayed the highest powers of leadership. Although badly wounded he took Comd. of two coys at a critical stage of the battle and with great skill and couraged pressed home his attack, until given the order to withdraw.

LG 16.11.1944

 

W/S Coy Hav Major Chittrabahadur Thapa
1779
3rd Battalion, 1st King George V's Own Gurkha Rifles

Recommended for the Indian Order of Merit (2nd Class)
Awarded the Indian Distinguished Service Medal

Operations - S. W. of IMPHAL on 28 May 44

Hav. Chittrabahadur was Coy. Hav. Maj. of one of the coys ordered to attack two hill features on 28 May 44. Soon after the coy crossed the starting line in became apparent that several Japanese bunkered positions in the near of the starting line were causing considerable casualties to his coy, it was equally obvious that the increasing number of casualties would very soon have stopped the advance altogether.

Havildar Major Chittrabahadur without orders on his own initiative, armed with a Tommy gun and grenades moved across to the enemy bunkers and systematically destroyed all the remaining enemy in these bunkers. The courage, calm and complete disregard for his own safety shown by Hav. Major Chittrabahadur were noticed by all who were priveleged to watch this battle. the success of the battle was undoubtedly largely due to Hav. Major Chittrabahadur Thapa.

LG 16.11.1944

 

Sorry for providing the SITREP lately. We explore the red hill last Saturday. It was a great experience. We reach the foothill by 9 am, then start climbing to reach the south eastern ridge by 10 am. The is the position where the japs had dug in initially. We founds around 50 dug in positions. We cannot say these are Japs dug in position as after the battle, the Allied troops must have occupy the position after filling the previous foxholes( which were filled with Japs death). This is prove by the fact that we found allied 3 inch mortars and grenade parts adjacent to the existing foxholes and bunkers. From locals we also have this information that during 1960s and 70s the Japanese dig up the position for their bone collection. The dug in positions which we found recently might be the ones dug by the bone collectors. I am attaching a picture of the relics we found last Saturday from the south eastern ridge . More exploration will follow in this location.

Raj.

 

Hi Raj

I spent yesterday in the National Archives and copied some of the documents you were looking for. That included the 7/10 Baluch Regt and 3rd Carabiniers and there was a plan of the Red Hill amongst them. Unfortunately I didn't have a list of the other units involved in the Battle of the Red Hill (and hadn't read this thread recently) but I can go back in the next few weeks. I will email the plan to you.

Good hunting!

 

Raj is busy setting up his new website!!
I have already sent Raj the Carbs diary and the Baluchi's were next on the list. I'd be grateful for a copy too please. Hope you found what you were looking for, let me know if I can help.
Lionboxer