3/2 Gurkhas in the Arakan.

Discussion in 'British Indian Army' started by bamboo43, Jan 21, 2011.

  1. sol

    sol Very Senior Member

    W/S Havildar Manbir Thapa
    1505
    3rd Bn, 2nd King Edward VII's Own Gurkha Rifles (The Sirmoor Rifles)

    Recommended for the Certificate of Gallantry
    Awarded with the Military

    Hav. Manbir was commanding the Rifle Platoon during the operations North of the Ton Chaung from 27th June to 4th July. He himself killed two Japanese and on another occasion handled his command in a close action so skillfully and boldly that 10 enemy were killed with no loss to ourselves. He led several charges against enemy pocket of resistance with superb dash and courage. Throughout he was to the fore – on the top of every situation – supremely confident, cunning and cool. His leadership and devotion to duty were outstanding.
     
  2. sol

    sol Very Senior Member

    One of those actions as told by Lieutenant Dominic "Nicky" Neill who was at that time Intelligence Officer of the 3/2nd Gurkhas

    With orders to procure a Japanese captive, we patrolled the village of Lambagunaon in the Arakan. As we were moving through the northern part, the villagers said the Japs were occupying the south. We took up a position overlooking a strip of paddy between the two halves of the village. From there we saw three Japs stand up from behind a small mound 75 yards away. We watched them fascinated as we had never had the chance to study Japs at leisure before. We made the most of this opportunity and we killed them.

    The next day, we learned from villagers that a Japanese patrol was approaching the base. There were nine of them, bunched up in single file, with rifles with fixed bayonets slung on their shoulders. They were moving idly and talking among themselves. I was surprised at such laxity. It was very unusual. I grinned at the soldier alongside me and he grinned back. When the Japs were about seventy-five yards away, a long burst of Bren fire shattered the silence. Excitement had obviously got the better of the left-hand section’s gunner. The Japs took cover behind the bund like lightning. Everybody fired without any control orders from me. The sight of our enemy pinned down in front of us drove us berserk. We fired and fired until the barrels of our weapon became red hot, ranking the bund. I had fired nearly three out of my five magazines, and hit nothing before changing to single shots. I saw one Jap trying to crawl away so I fired quickly two or three times. I saw hits on the wet shirt on his back. A wet rump poked up for a moment, and I fired three quick shots at that. One of them hit and the Jap was flung backwards into the flooded paddy.

    As I hit him with another shot, I remembered that our mission was to take a prisoner, and if I didn’t act soon, all candidates for POW cage would be dead. I screamed above the din to the half-hand section to give me covering fire and ordered the section with me to cease fire, fix swords, draw kurkis, and charge. Over the bund we leapt, and plunged into the water of the rice field, yelling blue murder. I could see the strike of the shots from the supporting section hitting the field ahead.

    Suddenly two enemy broke cover and tried to make a dash for it. I fired at one – too short – magazine empty. I knelt and guiltily changed magazines, switched to automatic, determined to kill the Jap. The other fleeing enemy stopped and flung up his hands in surrender. I was not gaining on the other man, my chest was heaving, my Tommy gun muzzle was going up and down, my eyes full of sweat. I fired three bursts and could see the rounds hitting the man’s back, flicking away pieces of shirt and flesh. I had not realized the hitting power of a .45-inch bullet before. The Jap shot forward like a rag doll hit with a sledgehammer. I went over to him and took his rifle. I told my men to check the remaining seven bodies for signs of life, and that I wanted to search each one for documents. The Japs were great ones for keeping diaries, which disclose useful information.

    I started on the body of the man I had been chasing. His documents told me that he was a private of the 143rd Regiment. He was about my age – we had come a long way from our respective homes to meet under such violent circumstance in a flooded field on remote coast of Arakan. In his wallet there was a photo of a young girl and his two tiny children. In the years since, I have often though of the young women I made a widow and the children I made fatherless. Then I think what he would have done to me had our positions been reversed.

    I walked back to where our prisoner was standing among the dead and the reddening rice water. We were exposed and asking for trouble to remain long. At that moment I saw the Jap infantry doubling over the paddy some 800 yards away. The full enormity of my failure to control fire earlier struck me. Had we had ammunition we could have stayed to fight and give the Japs a bloody nose. As it was we might have to fight to hold the beach while waiting for the steamer. In the meantime we had no alternative but to get out of Ponra as soon as possible. A few days later we learned that our prisoner was an Indian fighting with the Japanese, which was disappointing.
     
  3. sol

    sol Very Senior Member

    Map which show positions of the Ton Chaung and two villages mentioned in Neill's story, Ponra and Lambaguna(on)
     

    Attached Files:

  4. sol

    sol Very Senior Member

    The men killed during the Malayan emergency throws up another massive question for me, how many of the Gurkhas from WW2 went on to serve in the post war actions with the British Army?

    When eight battalion of Gurkha from four regiments were transferred to the British Army majority chose to stay in the Indian Army and all eight battalions were very depleted. In 2/7th Gurkhas, only 53 men in the entire battalion elected to stay in British service, in another battalion "only one man volunteered for the British service - and he recanted when he discovered his lonely position". In 2/6th Gurkhas, 692 out of 781 opted for India. But for 2nd Gurkha Rifles figures were little better and in 1/2nd Gurkhas almost half battalion chose to stay in British service - 340 out of 717, while in 2/2nd Gurkhas (former 3/2nd Gurkhas) 592 out of 834 opted for Britain.
     
  5. bamboo43

    bamboo43 Very Senior Member

    When eight battalion of Gurkha from four regiments were transferred to the British Army majority chose to stay in the Indian Army and all eight battalions were very depleted. In 2/7th Gurkhas, only 53 men in the entire battalion elected to stay in British service, in another battalion "only one man volunteered for the British service - and he recanted when he discovered his lonely position". In 2/6th Gurkhas, 692 out of 781 opted for India. But for 2nd Gurkha Rifles figures were little better and in 1/2nd Gurkhas almost half battalion chose to stay in British service - 340 out of 717, while in 2/2nd Gurkhas (former 3/2nd Gurkhas) 592 out of 834 opted for Britain.

    So about 70% then, gives me scope for a continuation of service from 1945.

    Thanks once again sol.
     
  6. bamboo43

    bamboo43 Very Senior Member

    Attached is one smallish reason why I would like to trace how many of the 3/2 GR's moved into the British Army.:)
     

    Attached Files:

  7. sol

    sol Very Senior Member

    Here is a page from the battalion War diary for 1944. I cannot recall where I got hold of these, as I do not have the whole diary on my computer!!:mad:

    These documents show the battalion's position as of January 1944, through to just before (annoyingly) their involvement at Maungdaw.

    Nice one Steve. It covered period from just after their return from the First Chindit expedition to just before its firsts actions in Arakan. Maybe it not cover the later actions but still interesting. Thanks.
     
  8. sol

    sol Very Senior Member

    2/Lieutenant (W/S Captain, T/Major) David Kenneth Oldrini
    E.C.184
    3rd Bn, 2nd King Edward VII's Own Gurkha Rifles (The Sirmoor Rifles)

    Awarded with the Military Cross

    Myebon, Arakan

    On 17 Jan 45 D Coy 3/2 G.R. commanded by Major D.K. Oldrini was ordered to capture Pt 262 420463. After an Air strike, D Coy assaulted the feature which was still strongly held by LMGs, MMGs and 90 mm Mtr, together with a considerable garrison. By skillful manoeuvre Major Oldrini in spite of heavy opposition established a pl on part of the feature, which is a knife edge hill covered in scrub. He built up his Coy behind the pl which had now come under well directed MMG, LMG and Grenade fire. Although under heavy fire he calmly recced the position and formed an efficient plan. When the plan was put into effect the summit of the feature was captured with few casualties although the enemy were dug in in strong well sited posns. Although exposed to heavy fire he moved from posn to posn, completely regardless of his own safety, organizing the captured ground against counter attack. During the night the company posn was counter attacked five times by a determined enemy in considerable numbers. All counter attacks were beaten off and no ground was lost. At down on 18 Jan Major Oldrini kept up offensive patrols against the enemy with such determination that the enemy withdrew leaving many killed behind.

    Major Oldrini’s conception of the assault, consolidation and follow up showed him to be a fine tactician and a notable leader of men. Throughout the operation, though exposed to automatic, grenade and Mtr fire he remained calm and unflustered. His personal leadership and initiative coupled with his complete disregard for his own safety was a fine example to his men. His gallantry and steadfastness under fire was as inspiration to his men and the finest traditions of the service and the regiment.
     
  9. sol

    sol Very Senior Member

    2/Lieutenant Dennis Pearson Tripp
    E.C.15158
    3rd Bn, 2nd King Edward VII's Own Gurkha Rifles (The Sirmoor Rifles)

    Awarded with the Military Cross

    Myebon, Arakan

    Lt. Tripp acted as 2/ic of D Coy during the assault and capture of Pt 262 420463 on 17 Jan. He moved with the first assaulting pl and when it came under heavy well directed MMG, LMG Grenade and Mtr fire he encouraged the men by personal example to press forward. When the pl was at last held up he remained in an exposed posn under heavy fire to enable him to give clear and timely information to another pl which was to come forward and exploit to the flank. When this pl came forward he moved forward with it. The pl formed up to assault the summit of the hill and Lt. Tripp chose to move with leading section. When the pl assault started, Lt. Tripp attacked with the leading section against heavy well directed enemy MMG, LMG, Grenade and Mtr fire. The attack was successful and the objective captured, but Lt. Tripp remained with the leading pl under continuous and heavy fire so that he could obtain clear information of the enemy strength and posns. Having obtained this information he reported to his Coy Comd who was then enabled to lay out his Coy to the best advantage.

    Lt. Tripp then returned to the forward pl and during five determined counter attacks during the night encouraged men to hold on.

    On 18 Jan Lt. Tripp moved forward with the fighting patrol sent to locate enemy posns. When the posns were found Lt. Tripp again went into the attack on them with the leading section.

    This young officer showed courage and gallantry far in excess of his duty. His determination to come, to grips with the enemy was an inspiring example to his men.
     
  10. sol

    sol Very Senior Member

    W/S Naik Ranbahadur Gurung
    7390
    3rd Bn, 2nd King Edward VII's Own Gurkha Rifles (The Sirmoor Rifles)

    Recommended for the Indian Distinguished Service Medal
    Awarded with the Military Medal

    Myebon, Arakan

    On 17 Jan 1945, No.7390 Nk. Ranbahadur Gurung was acting pl Hav in the pl of D Coy which carried out the final and successful assault on Pt 262 420463. When his pl formed up for the assault Nk. Ranbahadur was ordered to take the pl 2” Mtr and one Bren gun to the left flank in order to give covering fire. He moved his comd skillfully through thick scrub on the side of a steep hill to an excellent though exposed posn. From this posn he produced heavy accurate covering fire for the assaulting tps. Directly he opened fire the enemy brought heavy LMG and Grenade fire into his posn from dug in posn sited in depth. Nk. Ranbahadur, with complete disregard for his own safety under heavy and accurate enemy fire kept his Bren and Mtr in action.

    When his pl captured its objective Nk. Ranbahadur rejoined his pl where he found that amn was running short. Rather than take amn numbers from posns which they were defending against enemy attack, he himself carried relays of amn forward across open ground swept by heavy enemy fire. Had Nk. Ranbahadur failed to bring forward this amn the newly won posn might well have been overrun.

    Nk. Ranbahadur’s gallantry and devotion to duty was a fine example to his men.
     
  11. sol

    sol Very Senior Member

    W/S. Havildar Bhupal Sing Ale
    6426
    3rd Bn, 2nd King Edward VII's Own Gurkha Rifles (The Sirmoor Rifles)

    Awarded with for the Indian Order of Merit

    Myebon, Arakan

    On 17 Jan 1945, No.6426 Bhupal Sing Ale led a pl during the successful attack on Pt 262 420463. When the leading pl had been held up, he led his pl successfully through difficult scrub on the steep side of the hill. By cunning manoeuvre he worked to the flank of an enemy posn which he overrun before effective fire could be brought to bear on his pl. He then formed up his pl and led them in the assault on a pagoda stump which contained the main enemy posn on the summit of the feature. Although the assault was heavily opposed by MMG, LMG, Grenade and Mtr fire, he himself was the first man to reach the pagoda stump and to climb it.

    The enemy was holding the hill in force on the reverse slope of the hill behind the pagoda stump and made very determined efforts to dislodge Hav. Bhupal’s pl from it. Hav. Bhupal was ordered to hold on at all costs. He skillfully organized his pl for defence and repelled enemy attacks on his newly won posn. His pl was now running very short of amn and he only had a few grenades left. Realizing that amn supply would be difficult he decided to deceive the enemy by hurling bricks from the pagoda stump instead of grenades. At first the enemy had thought that grenades were being thrown and kept under the cover, then realizing that they were bricks and not grenades they again come into the open, whereupon Hav. Bhupal ordered a limited number of grenades to be thrown. This ruse kept the enemy at bay sufficiently long for more amn to be brought forward.

    Hav. Bhupal’s pl now dug in for the night around the pagoda stump. During the night his pl bore the brunt of fire determined enemy attacks, all in considerably greater numbers then his pl. All attacks were repulsed with loss to the enemy.

    On 18 Jan Hav. Bhupal led his pl in a fighting patrol to discover the enemy posns. He discovered these posns which were dug in a reverse slope, and in spite of heavy fire again led his pl in the assault. The assault was led with such dash and determination that the enemy withdrew leaving many dead and a great store of amn and equipment.

    Throughout this operation Hav. Bhupal led his pl with skill and cunning. His courage in assault and tenacity in defence, his total disregard for his own safety and his undaunted gallantry is a staring example to all ranks.
     
  12. sol

    sol Very Senior Member

  13. sol

    sol Very Senior Member

    P/L/Naik Chamar Sing Gurung
    10049
    3rd Bn, 2nd King Edward VII's Own Gurkha Rifles (The Sirmoor Rifles)

    Recommended for the Indian Distinguished Service Medal
    Awarded with the Military Medal

    Myebon, Arakan

    No.10049 Chamar Sing Gurung was a Section leader during a B Coy patrol on 20 Jan 454. His section led the patrol, and whilst moving along a jungle ridge the enemy opened fire on the leading Scout, who fell to the ground badly wounded in both legs. Without hesitation L/Nk. Chamar Sing ordered his Bren group into action, and himself rushed forward alone throwing his grenades and firing his Tommy Gun. Although under LMG, Rifle and grenade fire he reached the wounded man, who was lying within 10 yds of the enemy. Without though for his own safety, he calmly removed the wounded man’s equipment and dragged him back to safety. Throughout this short action L/Nk. Chamar Sing proved himself to be a loyal comrade and a fearless leader.
     
  14. sol

    sol Very Senior Member

    Map of Myebon Peninsula. I couldn't find position of Pt 262 but on 17 Jan 1945, 74th Indian Brigade fought in the area of the Kantha Chaung so I guess that this hill was also somewhere around this area.
     

    Attached Files:

  15. sol

    sol Very Senior Member

    Rifleman Khil Bahadur Rana
    30142
    3rd Bn, 2nd King Edward VII's Own Gurkha Rifles (The Sirmoor Rifles)

    Awarded with the Military Medal

    Rifleman Khil Bahadur was orderly of a Platoon Commander in A Coy, which assaulted Pt.1433 4337 from the south at 0500 hrs on 8 Sep ’44. He reached the top of the objective alone and having thrown his three grenades into Japanese bunkers he returned under heavy fire for more. In the poor light and thick jungle he could find none of our troops, but was seen to be engaging a Japanese position at 20 yards range with his rifle. He was then wounded and for some time unable to move. For two days and nights he remained hidden surrounded by enemy. Then he was found, and three Japanese tried to capture him. He knocked over one with his fist, slipped out of his equipment, which was held by the other two, and rolled down the cliff. He later made his way back to Bn H.Q. and described the position of an enemy bivouac area which he had seen.

    He displayed exceptional fortitude, courage and determination throughout.
     
  16. sol

    sol Very Senior Member

    Rifleman Pirthibal Rai
    27850
    3rd Bn, 2nd King Edward VII's Own Gurkha Rifles (The Sirmoor Rifles)

    Awarded with for the Indian Order of Merit (Posthumous)

    Rfn. Pirthibal was No.2 of a Bren Gun in a section of A Company which assaulted Pt.1433 4337 from the South at 0500 hrs on 8 Sep. In the attack his No.1 was killed, and seizing the Bren he dashed on through the Japanese forward positions engaging bunkers with his fire. He was mainly responsible for his section nearly reaching the top of the objective. He continued to engage enemy from the position which his section had taken up 30 yards from the crest of Pt.1433 4337 until severely wounded in the left arm. He handed his Bren to another man, and as ammunition was running short he moved under fire to the Company defended area 100 yards to the South. After putting a field dressing on his arm, he returned across the fire swept area with ammunition for his gun. This he again took over, and standing in an exposed position he kept up a constant fire at close range into the bunkers in front of him. This reduced the enemy fire and allowed his section to get firmly established in its position, which was held until Pt.1433 4337 was finally occupied. He maintained his accurate fire until a burst of M.M.G. fire hit him in the chest and legs. He fall, but carefully handed his gun to another man, pointed out the targets he had been engaging, and shouted encouragement to his section. Later, refusing assistance, he crawled across the open and reported the situation clearly to his Company Commander. He later died of his many wounds.

    This young soldier set a standard of determination, gallantry and devotion to duty under adverse conditions after an arduous night climb up the cliffs, and was throughout an inspiration to all ranks.
     
  17. sol

    sol Very Senior Member

    W.S. Naik Dhanbahadur Rana
    7311
    3rd Bn, 2nd King Edward VII's Own Gurkha Rifles (The Sirmoor Rifles)

    Recommended for the Indian Distinguished Service Medal
    Awarded with the Military Medal

    Ru-Ywa, Arakan

    No.7311 Nk. Dhanbahadur Rana was a Section Commander in the assault platoon on the feature "Pun" 932085 on 26th Feb 45.

    On his advance being checked by heavy fire of an enemy MMG, Nk. Dhanbahadur placed his Bren in a position from which it silenced the enemy gun and enabled the advance to continue. When the magazines with the Bren were exhausted the enemy MMG again opened up. Nk. Dhanbahadur moved to a flank under heavy fire and silenced the enemy gun with his Tommy gun until more magazines for the Bren could be brought forward. The section then advanced under the covering fire of the Bren, Nk. Dhanbahadur himself putting the enemy gun crew to flight with grenades and killing one with his Tommy gun. The enemy abandoned their MMG tripod and much ammunition in this position.

    The capture of this MMG position contributed greatly to the success of the Coy in gaining its objectives and was in no small way due to Nk. Dhanbahadur’s personal bravery and indifference to the intense enemy fire to which he was subjected throughout.
     
  18. sol

    sol Very Senior Member

    Rifleman Lalbahadur Pun
    28333
    3rd Bn, 2nd King Edward VII's Own Gurkha Rifles (The Sirmoor Rifles)

    Awarded with the Military Medal

    Ru-Ywa, Arakan

    No.28333 Rfn. Lalbahadur Pun was in the leading section of the leading assault platoon in the attack on the feature "Pun" 932085 on 26th Feb 45.

    After the section commander had been killed and four men of the section had been wounded, Rfn. Lalbahadur and the three remaining men were held up by enemy grenade fire from a trench immediately above them. On two enemy grenades landing beside him, Rfn. Lalbahadur picked them up and threw them back into the enemy trench where they exploded. The remaining enemy then fled whereupon Rfn. Lalbahadur occupied the position. The coolness and resource of this young rifleman in a difficult situation exploited the initial success gained by his dead section commander, and did much to assist his platoon in gaining its objective.
     
  19. sol

    sol Very Senior Member

    W.S. Naik Bombahadur Thapa
    10045
    3rd Bn, 2nd King Edward VII's Own Gurkha Rifles (The Sirmoor Rifles)

    Awarded with the Indian Distinguished Service Medal

    Kantaunggyi, Arakan

    No.10045 Nk. Bombahadur was a sec comd of No.1 Pl, A Coy which had occupied "Snowden East" (MR.912164) on the evening of 4 Mar 45. The pl had been subjected to continual sniping and enemy counter attacks since 2000 hrs that evening. By 0200 hrs 5 Mar 45 the pl had suffered casualties and had been unable to complete their digging, having had to fight off the enemy attacks.

    Shortly after 0200 hrs on 5 Mar 45 the enemy attacked heavily on Nk. Bombahadur’s sector of the perimeter. Nk. Bombahadur went to the forward post of his sec under enemy LMG and grenade fire and held the enemy attack with his Tommy gun and grenades. He killed five Japs on the perimeter, and was continuing to hold off the enemy when he was wounded by a grenade which also broke his Tommy gun. He ordered a man back to bring grenades from Pl. H.Q. Before these arrived the Japs charged again. Although severely wounded Nk. Bombahadur left his trench and met the attack with his Khukri. He killed two Japs inside the position and remained withdraw.

    Nk. Bombahadur remained with his sec until the pl comd ordered the remaining men of the pl to withdraw from the position (at approx 0400 hrs) as all men in the pl had been expended. Nk. Bombahadur organised his sec withdrawal and the safe evacuation of his wounded. He himself had to be carried.

    Throughout the night this N.C.O. displayed the highest example of bravery and determination, and a deep sense of responsibility to those under his command.
     
  20. sol

    sol Very Senior Member

    W.S. Naik Tule Ale
    10073
    3rd Bn, 2nd King Edward VII's Own Gurkha Rifles (The Sirmoor Rifles)

    Awarded with the Indian Distinguished Service Medal

    Kantaunggyi, Arakan

    No.10073 Nk. Tule was sec comdr of the reserve sec of No.4 Pl, B Coy which attacked "Snowden East" 912164 from the West on 5 Mar 45.

    Nk. Tule’s pl comdr went forward with leading sec on the left flank. They were met by very heavy LMG, rifle, grenade and mine fire from the top of the objective and cross fire from two MMGs from a bunker on a small feature 50 yds to the North of “Snowden East”. The pl comdr and whole of this sec, with the exception of one man, were all casualties.

    On seeing this, Nk. Tule, on his own initiative and without waiting for orders, led his sec forward under this very heavy fire, passed through the first sec and started to attack his sec’s objectives which were two enemy posns on the West side of the feature.

    Nk. Tule himself led the attack and was the first to reach the first enemy trench. This he attacked single handed and killed 2 Jap occupants with his Tommy gun. He then called the remains of his sec up, which now only consisted of the Bren No.1 and 2, the rest having being either killed or wounded, and put them in posn in the captured trench.

    Nk. Tule’s last objective was now only 15 – 20 yds away and was a trench holding 4 enemy. Ordering his Bren gunner to give him covering fire, he again went forward alone to attack this posn. With the greatest of bravery Nk. Tule charged the trench and hurling 2 grenades in to it he killed all 4 Japs.

    The manner in which this N.C.O. carried out his orders and captured his sec’s two objectives by himself was outstanding and greatly assisted his Coy to capture its objective.
     

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