Gunner Stanley Weston 797493 12BTY 6HAA

Hi Graham,
Thanks very much for that. I've quite a bit of scattered info but much of it is conflicting. Presently I'm trying to resolve what happened to them in Sumatra/Java.
Re this thread, I've just checked the report on Action of Palembang by Lt Col Baillie (CO 6th HAA) dated 4/3/42 and he gives dispositions as:
P1
15 Bty HAA
1 Section 78 Bty LAA
1 Troop 89 Bty
Pladjoe/Soengei Gerong (which were the two oil refineries). At each:
1 Section 12 Bty HAA
1 Section 78 Bty LAA
He doesn't mention who was at P2, but I presume it was the remainder of 12 Bty. I'm not sure what he means by Section rather than saying Troop.

Tim

 

Tim,
That's interesting (above) have you seen the report,

Lessons Learnt In The Dutch East Indies 6th H.A.A. Regt.
by
(note his name) Major G.W.E. Baillie, R.A. at sea En Route for India, March 1942.

Graham.

 

Hi Graham,
Not sure. The one I quoted from is in CAB 106/20. It is titled 'Action of Pelambang (sic) and withdrawal to Java'. The last section is headed 'Lessons'. It is signed GWG Baillie, Lt Col RA, at Sea 4/3/42. Lt Col/Major Baillie is a bit of an enigma. CO of 6th HAA and two Batteries of 35th LAA in Sumatra and Java he suddenly disappears in the middle of the fighting and is next heard of on a ship to India. Some say he was relieved of his command by Sitwell, others that he legged it.

Tim

 

OK,
I will scan it and post it here, see what you think of it.

Graham.

 

Thanks Graham. You're helping me beyond the call of duty today.

Tim

 

Tim, (you never know I might come back for a favour one day) Always glad to help anyone.
Here you go. Taken from Tony Paley's the Sparrows.
Graham.

 

That's very much a precis of what is in the report I quoted from. Baillie's relationship with the RAF seem to be as bad as that which he had with his Regiment. Quoting from Pat Walker's book '6th Heavy Anti Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery':
One officer noted. 'We are a reasonably happy family since our late Regimental Commander left us bushed in Andhir airfield and got himself flown out of the mess under the impression he was needed elsewhere. He certainly wasn't wanted here'.
The Brigade Major commented. 'I'm glad it's not on my conscience to be one of those who ran away. It's a soldier's job to escape after surrendering, but not to anticipate it while the rest are busy fighting'.

Tim