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Trouble Ahead
Extracts from an unpublished book
by
L/Cpl. William Joseph Lowe 14640525
Page 6
.....From
Kabwet we were sent to hold a rear flank of the Singu Bridgehead. 6 Platoon
under command of Lt. XXXX, a new officer who had just joined us, were sent
into the hill overlooking Singu on the west bank of river. After a week on
the rear flank, Battalion moved across and went north first to Yeshin then
moving to Yathit N. Here 6 Platoon were sent out to make a patrol base and
sent out ambush parties, getting to their base without hitting trouble. No.
1 ambush party under Sgt. XXXX with Burmese guide went off to the south and
set an ambush on track from N/E.
.....After a few hours of waiting, Japs came down
the track behind bullock carts, holding their fire. Till the Japs were right
on them, they opened up with everything they had, killing 8 for certain and
probably more. Burmese guide cutting one Jap’s head of with his dah;
Ambush party then did a quick withdrawal only just in time, for Japs mortared
their position. Sgt. XXXX and party watched Japs put in and attack on their
old position.
.....Meanwhile, No. 2 party going forward to within
100x of the Jap positions, set ambush. Cpl. XXXX being in charge, had two Bren-guns,
one on each side of the track. Two of the men were sent back to report movement
of the enemy, and were seen by Japs and were ambushed on the way back, and
killed crossing the ground. The Japs then attacked Cpt. XXXX and Pte. XXXX,
who were left with the Bren-guns. Beating of Jap attacks they managed to pull
out. Sgt. XXXX on his way back came across the bodies of Pte. XXXX and Pte.
XXXX. All papers had been taken off them by the Japs. Patrol reported back
and it was thought that the other two were lost, but they turned up two days
later after working their way round the back of the Japs and finally getting
back after covering 20 miles.
.....After two more days of patrolling we started on to Mandalay. First night
staying at Yonbintha as protection to the 25 ponders. Early next morning we
started marching south. Covering about 12 miles we made camp for the night
in the jungle grass. Moving off at first light.
.....We moved off again covering about 9 miles. After being sent to one place
and then another, our Company was sent back about a mile from Battalion to
set ambush. But no more Japs came. We had a deadly night, Company being split
into four groups. Next morning we moved forward about 2 miles, had a wash and
shave.
P 1 :: P
2 :: P 3 :: P
4 :: P 5 :: P
6 :: P 7
L/Cpl. William Joseph Lowe