Diary of Avon Reah Smith-Ryan, 1942-1945

(1)
No. [[?]] Platoon - B. Coy 2/4 M.G.Bn
Date
Feb 2  [[?]] from [[?]] Causeway to Ares [[?]] in Reserve attached
to 24th Inf Bn Reported to Col [[?]] C.O.
The next [[?]] days were spent in Patrols through [[?]]
River Basin, [[?]] Village areas, and in training No.4 Platoon
of [[?]] who had 10 M.Gs 4 in Carriers. These men had no
or little knowledge of the [[?]], but officers were [[?]] on
edge of camp perimeter.
9^TH Received orders at 0400 to assemble my platoon, and to move to
[*Washington?*] the [[?]] Rd., for transport to [[?]] Village, [[Gove?]]
[[River?]] a map reference [[1½?]] [[??]] Village to proceed to
and await remainder of Bn. We debussed at [[?]] Village
marched to map reference given, accompanied by our train,
waited, at point of reference for Bn; after a half hour
had elapsed and no signs of troops we moved back [[?]]
and made contact with Bn in its revised position. Col. [[?]]
directed me to attach one [[?]] of my guns to C.Coy & [[?]] to
A Coy under command of [[?]] I was to sight same, and then
the27th Bn [[?]] which were [[?]] in [[?]] Echelon, but had been
sent for. I went forward with an orderly and contacted
C. Coy Commander who had forward Coy. We [[were?]] [[?]]
my [[?]]. Came forward [[?]] I sighted positions
[[no. 1??]] Sect moved into position & dug in no 2 Sect. moved
forward to advance [[?]] and commenced digging, unfortunately
time did not allow much to be done before [[??]] fire,
native troops had been drifting through all morning, [[?]]
[[?]] troops [[???]] ordered no.4 [[?]] sect to open fire
on right flank of position. Enemy located [[?]] and brought
mortar fire down wounding Pte. Murtagh. [[?]] Stubbs c̄ Lecky.
Stubbs was very badly wounded and presumed dead later.
Col Pond called me to conference and issued orders for attack.
Preparations were put in hand but just prior to time of
attack, enemy heavily attacked our position. I then
received orders for withdrawal to positions [[?]] in rear
near [[?]] Village (time approx 1600 hrs). Unfortunately by
time orders went the enemys infantry had moved and we had
difficulty moving everything out on one truck, truck was
sent down road to R.V. I then proceeded down Rd to new
position. Arrived to find area deserted for [[?]] small
clump of Rubber in Centre of very open cemetery ([[?]])
 

[[?]]
moved across open timber to positions on edge of timber near A Coy 2/4, 3/20^TH 
[[2/74th?]]
10th heavily strafed 0200 - 0410 by own artillery, Mortar & M.G. fire from Enemy.
Received orders withdraw, 1 mile, and to leave 1 Sect in [[?]]
move of Bn. [[?]] 1 [[tiny?]] truck was provided for this sect to withdraw.
I [[?]] through bush by compass to R.V. met our
transport. R.V. area came under fire from right of Rd and down
Rd from [[?]] Village area. All troops moved back down Rd.
unable in confusion to contact 2/29^th as troops of several units
sent me further back, where 29^th were supposed to be, but could
make no contact. Tried to locate brigade, but unsuccessful, so
moved Pl. straight to G.B.D. for information and contact. Contact
with Captain Smith-Ryan; received order to meet Captain [[?]] at once.
[[?]] at 2100 hrs (contact with [[Cpls???]] L/Cpl [[??]]
White & Cameron had been lost during move to G.B.D.) received orders
to contact 12 Bde. H.Q. at [[??]] Village area. Proceeded there
with Pl. [[2 DR?]] left Pl. at R.V. near [[??]] went forward and
contacted Col [[?]] & I.O. of 12 Bde. Sent D.R. back to [[??]]
Went forward with Col. Pond to Bde. Major. Col Pond had no contact
with his Bn and did not know their whereabouts nor did Bde.
Major. Enemy moved down right flank of our position, and
11^th troops that were assembling on Rd., were disorganised and sent back
behind [[??]] to assemble. Col. Pond could not use me, and
thus use my own initiative. I moved back [[?]] and decided to
move further back to secure food and equipment