Folks, 3/9 Gurkha Rifles were involved in Op THURSDAY in the spring/summer of 1944, after which they were returned to India to rest, refit and replace losses. I see that the Bn joined 123 Bde in July 1945, at which time the Bde was deployed in Burma. Does anyone know if 3/9 GR took part in any operations at this very late stage in the war? Wilhar
Wilhar, There are only three threads here on the brigade, none refer to the unit, let alone activity in July 1945. Same for the 3/9 Gurkhas. You may to try to identify a regimental history book. Unless dryan67 comes along with his knowledge. There is an indicator they were with 77 Indian Infantry Brigade, alas on an unsafe website. They were part of the Chindit Force January 1944–August 1944 from: 77th Indian Infantry Brigade The Chindits were disbanded before July 1945. They joined the 123 Indian Infantry Brigade in July 1945. From: https://www.google.co.uk/books/edition/The_War_Against_Japan_The_surrender_of_J/5exmAAAAMAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq="3/9th+gurkha"++"1945"&pg=PA525&printsec=frontcover Only for a few months as they left in August 1945. From: 23rd Indian Infantry Brigade There is a IWM tape by an officer, but the summary skips July 1945. Might be worth listening to Reel 3: Leathart, Percival Scott (Oral history) Perhaps if you can trace the obituary of their CO, Lt. Col. Alexander Harper it might help. His obituary in 'the Times' is behind a pay-wall and the summary refers to their time with the Chindits and then to the Dutch East Indies, for the grim mayhem of Surabaya. See: Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Harper | The Times There is a book by one of their officers, Bill Towill: See: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Chindits-Chronicle-Bill-Towill/dp/0595158323/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3Q2X5G0IAZ7Z7&keywords=towill&qid=1641928496&s=books&sprefix=towill,stripbooks,73&sr=1-1 Finally the best indictor for not being on operations in July 1945 is there are no deaths shown on the CGWC website.
I think 3/9 GR sailed to Rangoon in mid-June 1945. I don't believe they took part in any actions against the Japanese in Burma as the enemy had already vacated the capital in early May. They then sailed to Singapore on the 5th September to assist in the re-establishment of law and order and to help out with recently liberated POWs, including their own 2nd Battalion. On the 20th October (as davidbfpo states) they learned that they were to move across to Java.
The 3/9th Gurkha Rifles, on its return to Burma, reached Rangoon on June 19th, 1945. It moved to Mingaladon (a pre-war station of the 1st Glosters) on the Prome road, where it joined the 123rd Indian Infantry Brigade. It began combined operations training for the projected landing in Malaya. It remained in training until it embarked on HMT Egra and arrived in Singapore on September 5th, 1945, After Malaya, the Battalion was involved in operations in Indonesia post war.
