Hi. This is my first post! I am trying to find out more information concerning the death of my wife's uncle-Lieut. Victor Nigel Caple. 262967. The CWGC entry describes him as being "Reconnaissance Corps, R.A.C. Attd. 72 bn. West African Reconnaissance Regiment, R.W.A.F.F.", who died 20th. February 1945. The reference to "72nd." appears on the local war memorial as well. Could this be a mis-print for "82nd."or was there a 72nd. Battalion operating in Burma? Any help will be much appreciated.
welcome along http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/recce/26456-unknown-west-african-reconnaissance-regiment-roll-honour.html
Here's the announcement of his promotion to 2nd Lt. From the London Gazette March 19 1943: www.gazettes-online.co.uk/issues/35945/supplements/1306/page.pdf First column line 36 St Mary, Almondsbury, Gloucestershire, Church History Church where his name is listed on the plaque of remembrance.
Hi Hutchy46 welcome to the forum. There were only 2 West African Reconnaissance Regiments, the 81st and 82nd. On the Rangoon Memorial Lieut. Victor Nigel Caple is listed under Reconnaissance Corps. Lieutenant VICTOR NIGEL CAPLE 262967, Reconnaissance Corps, R.A.C. attd. 72nd Bn., West African Reconnaissance Regiment, R.W.A.F.F. Who died age 27 on 20 February 1945 Son of Alfred and Caroline Caple; husband of Hilda May Caple, of Bournemouth, Hampshire. RANGOON MEMORIAL Face 1. Cheers Paul
Many thanks for your replies, they were really helpful. I have requested a copy of the unit's war diary covering the period Jan-Feb 1945 as this should include mention of his death and possibly the circumstances.
Hi. I am now trying to obtain more information concerning the death of Victor Nigel Caple, whilst attached to the 82nd. West African Recce Regt. I am unable to visit the National Archives and wondered whether anyone had any information regarding the movements of this regiment during Jan and Feb 1945
Struggling to find a great deal about them but found referecces in Mountbatten's SEA-43/45 report... The fighting appears to have been against 54 Japanese Div. There is a map referencing their movement during this time I can scan and email you if you PM; the report is readily available and there are some cheap copies on ABEBOOKS - it is a BIG book... the below (not exclusively, and including 4 maps, a blank page and an intro page) spans 20 pages at approx 700 words a page... Para 369... notes 81 and 82 WA planning for, "a two-pronged attack on Myohaung (the ancient capital of Arakan): ..." proposed completion on 25th Jan. Para 374... This was noted as carried out and 82 WA, "had advanced southwards through Minbya and down the road towards Kangaw." This is a coastal region and that they (with 3 Commando on the opposite side) had cut off the Japanese, forcing them to escape through the hills/jungle. All sides suffered heavy casualties: 2000 Japanese, 600 allied. It also referenced 750 tons of bombs dropped by allied forces between 26th Jan and 2nd Feb...! There was a hiatus in the area post this point to ascertain the full situation... Para 411... references 25 Indian Div carrying out "mopping-up the Kangaw-Myebon area, where 82 West African Division was also attacking from the north; while 3 Commando Brigade, after five weeks of hard fighting, was now concentrating on Myebon." Para 412... "In the An area, 82 West African Division was to advance overland from the north, ..." I suspect this is where he was lost... Para 415... ref the difficulties in supplying them and the harshness of the terrain they were operating in... this was the last week of the month...
Thank you Hebridean Chindit. That book sounds very useful. I have searched Abebooks but the nearest reference I can find is Lord Mountbatten's diaries 1943-46. Am I not using the right search terms?
Thank you Hebridean Chindit. That book sounds very useful. I have searched Abebooks but the nearest reference I can find is Lord Mountbatten's diaries 1943-46. Am I not using the right search terms? Try author as "Mountbatten" and title as "report south east asia"... Present cheapest is under £6 including postage... Good luck with the research...
Hi, I offer forum members a file copying service at the National Archives at a fraction of the prices TNA charge. Click the red link below for all the details and drop me a PM if you are interested. Cheers Andy
There is not a lot in print about 82nd West African or indeed the Arakan Offensives. I can tell you that in Feb and March 3rd 1944 Commando Brigade was carrying out Operation Screwdriver 1 and 2 behind Japanese lines at Alethgaw and retreated to the W African Recce forward base at Cypress Point. I am afraid there are some mistakes in Mountbatten's report. 3rd Commando had previously taken Myebon Peninsula from the Japanese having previously secured Akyab in a bloodless walk-in. They then pushed onto Kangaw where the coastal strip narrows to 5 miles. With Myebon handed over to 26th Indian and the key hills of Kangaw held by the Commandos the Japanese Army in the Arakan was cut in two. 82nd West Indian advanced down the Kaladin Valley pushing the Japanese in front of them. The battle of Kangaw was decisive with the Japanese crushed between the two forces at the end of January 1945. After mopping up the pursuit continued with 82nd WA taking Dalet on 5th March and aiming for An-Tamandu Road which was taken on 13th April. So I think that it is more likely your Uncle lost his life between the Kangaw and Dalet battles. I can copy a couple of relevant pages on the general situation if you wish but my main concern was 3rd Commando, so I don't have a lot of info on 82nd WA.
Welcome Hutchy, book here you may find of intrest second link is cheaper! BookFinder.com: Search Results (Matching Books) BookFinder.com: Search Results (Matching Books) what is the connection to Almondsbury? as im just up the road from there, plus I have a great intrest in the Burma campaign as my Dad and Uucle both served there.
Thank you wtid45. Victor Caple was my wife's uncle and his mother and father ran a teashop in Almondsbury, before and after the war. We are finding out as much as we can about the circumstances of his death, on behalf of his only surviving brother who lives in Canada. I also have a particular interest in the war in the far east as my uncle (a gunner) was captured at the fall of Singapore and remained a POW until the end of hostilities.
Ahh... now there Bamboo can probably point you in lots of directions... Ken, I was thinking the same thing, mind you depends if he was in Rangoon jail or Changi......or
Still pursuing the career of Victor Nigel Caple and thanks to the help of contributors to this site, I have established the circumstances of his death, from the 82nd. West African Recce Regt. war diary. As a final excercise, I have applied for his service record. Had a reply today indicating that it could take up to 12 months for the request to be processed!! Has anyone recent experience of obtaining service records and have they experienced similar delays? I am hoping to be able to confirm Lt. Caple as belonging to the 82nd. WARR and indentify one of Recce_Mitch's "unknown" on the Roll of Honour
Hutchy46 I am afraid 12 months is about the average time at the moment. The FULL service records are well worth the wait. (If you look at my albums on my profile you will see what you should get for your money!) Lesley
Hi. Does anyone know where I can find copies of the 1inch maps of Burma used during the campaign? I have various map references quoted in the 82 WA Recce Regt war diaries and operational orders. Would the Div war diaries include these maps? Thanks
British Library reputedly has copies but that's on my to do/to visit list as it is tricky to be sure of what you need - they will copy them - I have stacks of map references in several diaries that I want to check through - best maps I've found so far are within "Barton's Narrative" - 4 12"x12"x1" books held at TNA - still working on copying these - not seen them come up on ebay and if anyone has access to copies I'd love to see them...
