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Short Incidents, Madaya And Mandalay
Extracts from an unpublished book
by
L/Cpl. William Joseph Lowe 14640525
Page 3

 

.....During this period of three days, we lost 1 L/Cpl and one Private, wounded on patrol. At 15.00 hours on the third we again received orders to move south and seize the railway lines. With a company on our left, we approached to within 30 yards of the railway where we came under heavy fire. For support we had a battery of 25 pounders, a troop of three inch mortars and a section of our own mortars. Orders had been given before hand of action to be taken and we moved back about 200 yards. O Group was held and fire plan was laid on, the 25 pounders fired very accurately for 5 minutes then lifting the barrage 50 yards on and with the 3” mortars firing H.E. the company moved in blitz formation with shrapnel flying around.

.....One section of Vickers were in support one gun on the right with Sgt. XXXX platoon and the other on top of the big house. Both guns got into action very quickly, the one on the house giving splendid support.

.....On reaching the railway, the Japs opened up with 75mm gun firing over open sights. The first shell hit the ground in front of 5 Platoon H.Q. No. 1 got up and hit 3 belts into Jap gunners putting gun out of action. Royal Artillery laid on another barrage on the Japs a little way from our position. In this attack blitz formation was used. We had one killed, and one wounded. We then dug in. Japs attacked at night, and were repelled by small arms, grenades and artillery fire.

.....Next morning we went out to count our booty. 5 guns and loco engine workshop and stores. The guns were rendered useless by putting grenades down the barrels. We then moved along the south side of the fort killing three Japs during the first half mile. We then came upon an A/T gun which the crew had left and fled.

.....The Japs hit us with everything they had, a 75mm gun scoring three direct hits on the leading tank and the other two tanks withdrawing. All the crew of the first tank died being burnt and cut to pieces. This is one of the worst sights I have seen. The Japs by this time were firing from all sides, the south never saw a thing. The one to the north joined up with B.N.A.

.....Next day Company moved north along the river bank and set another ambush. Here again we saw nothing. Early next morning, we marched back again through water up to our waists. Our last ambush for here, we went east to the hills. Splitting company up with 6 Platoon to the North, 5 Platoon to the west at the foot of the hills, 4 Platoon with Company H.Q. in rear. During the night a party of Japs approached 5 Platoon, communications broke down, therefore artillery and 3” mortar fire could not be brought down on them with accuracy, Japs G.D. 5 Platoon and they returned with a mortar and L.M.G. Next morning, blood was found in Jap position. Next afternoon a solitary Jap came walking in 5 Platoon perimeter, looking for food and was taken prisoner. He was in a very poor condition.

P 1 :: P 2 :: P 3 :: P 4 :: P 5 :: P 6 :: P 7

 

 

 

L/Cpl. William Joseph Lowe