Diary of Avon Reah Smith-Ryan, 1942-1945, Part 1

Conflict:
Second World War, 1939–45
Subject:
  • War Diaries
Status:
Open for review
Accession number:
AWM2019.22.207
Difficulty:

Page 1 / 9

dt Feb.2 L Meon 5 loy H. N. C. M chosed from vicinity Cansewvey to Aiver 728212 in Reserve attached to 29h 148. Bot Reported to M. Lond. C.O. The next enqueineg days; were spent in falrols through hrong rever lerea, lanan Villlege areas, and in training no a flatch 29t who had, 107.65 & in lawiers. These men had no of little knowledge of the viskers. Our Geens were manned on edge of camp perimeter received opdens at 0000 to assemble my platoony and to move to Cha Chon Miang Rd. for transport to Bulem Village, S was given a max reference 1 past Bylim fillage t pasee to and await remainder of Bn. We acussed at Bulim Viliage marched to mak refelence given accompanied by our truck waited at point of Reference for Bn, after a shalf hour nad elapsed and no rgi of we moved back amile and made contact with Br in us revised positions. Lot and, directed me to attach one lest of my guns to Clon & 1sect to A Cox under Connan of lays. I was to sight same, and then te 29th Bin Guns which were, back in B. Kdhelar but had been sent fore 3 mored poward will an orderly and cartacled Coy Conmander wad had forward loy. We recee. areyare sighted positions. loy withdrens to new positions before my quns came forward, so again I signted positions not 1sed moved into position Edug in no 2 sel moved forward, to advance cot, and commenced digging, unfortunately time did not gllow mich to be dane before eremg ondred five) native traps pad been drifting through all morping, alsp son must troops t eoy lom ordered no 4 serb seet to open 140 on right flank of position enemy loceo gun and bough motar fird down ipounding Ple Mestagn, ptripls & relly Stublys was very badly woked and presumed dead later y Col. Lond called me to I conference ya issued orders for attack preferations were put inthand, vet just preor to thime, of attack, enemy neavily attacked our positions, I then received orders, I for withdrawar to positions 1 mile in rear near Bulem Village (time appox. 5000 his), unformnately by time orders went the qenrs, infontry had moved, and w had difficulty moving everything out on one truck, truck was sn aown road to KN H. then poceeded. down hat to new position. cerrived to kend grea relected for K.Vwas small Clump of Rubler in letilre of very oxen Country (auadrome?
mored resess ofen timber to positions on edge of timber near. A Cay 2/4, 2/20 Leavilu shalled 0208-0000 by own Untillary, Mostar C N.C. fixe from Eusnay received orders with aw mile send to leave sec in lister to cares more of Bn., Another 1 ton tryeck was provided for this sect to with- draw. IMosed Hl through bush by compass to R.W. met our tranport. R.V. Area came under fire from right of Rd ard down Ad from Bulim Village aveg. All troofs moved back Lown Rd. unable in confysion to contast. 2/29t as troops of several unif on hel e also majan, troops. Met. Col of Enoured Car Reg. who sent me further back, where 29t were supposed to be, but could make, no centact. Tried to locate brigade, but unsuccessful, so mored He. streight to G.B.D. for information and cartlect. Contail with Captain Smilt-Kyan; received orders to meet Callain Bunning at area. 813208 at 2100 his contact with Clls Breed E Halligan Pe 1och Hes. white e lemeron had been lost during more to G.B.D.J. received orders to Contact 12Bde. Ll. O at Bukit Ginlah fillage Area. procpeded there, with Pl. c D.R. left R. at R. I near Bukit Timah went forward, and contacted Col. fond & 1.0 of, 126de. sent D.R. bagk to Callain Bunning went forward with Col. ond to Bde. Major. Gol. 1ond had no cartact wilhhis n and did not know there whergabouts nor did Belg dlayor, Enemy moved down right blank of our position, and tot that were agsembling on he every discganised and sent back behind Bubit simah to aspemble. Col. 1aid could not uce me, and whole show was moving back, so be instructed me to more back and use my own mitttive. I moved back to Pl; and decided to more further back to aecure food and equipment, recuved a lardeers and 4 more vickeys and Cmmunition, duving this time 3 was forward in Buksit Timah Area trying to make contact with & Bde. was unable to do this so poceeded to fot Conning but no information was available, so we paceeded, to Hhe west loast Samang ad where beghting, could be heard to find ourselves a job. I Aede Contastla Nol. Andre of 120 Reg. Malays who immediately toop me forward to Rerce. an ana on Pangang ridge above Vasir farying village. Brought Il into action at dusk, positions, were coymences Lo heer attacked S.R.I went up, and quess fered on fexed lines for time laid down Attack was refulsed. (grea was $756096) again at 0200. Enem attacked but were repulsed again, whole area was heavily shelled and mortared. Position wels very favourable for N6 we gave overhead and blanking patection to own troops
2 Interviewed Col. Andre at his l9 at the Gat on Vanang ridge where he told me that amns more made would be to vicinity of Bliena Vista. Lyt Pearse had been sent back to Botanual Gardens to Leplenish Ommunition & stores contacted Maj. Saggers and advised him of our positions. daving morning D.R. amined with Bde order to withdraw was coenternanded by, Col. Andre lleavy shelling and mortar, all afternoon and early evening, further 5D. Nat negn at 2230 two evening attacks failed. loyaly on our right Flank broke about midday ceneny streamed through break; Malays decided to withdraw to new line, we wilf drew to cariers under heavy five without casualties, moved back and established P.9 at 7800nd near Bn.H.Q, carriers were used to bet roads on Coast and Buana Tista Ret, received order to meet Col Gydn with lanzers at Ro. Gene Brana Vista Pillage, proceeded back to jasir tangang village picked up 3 N63 left there by loya. as moved sut ivere fired on by Machine quns, Villagge had been in possesion of enemy for about shours. Moved camiers back to Bn. H.D at Brickwars avea, droffed guns a and then moved up to our own H.O, carriers poceeded on atrot of hds dueving night larly clawn iged l. H. A back golf tinks avea near Br. H.B Col. Indre desidey to use our carriers to help. potect blanks, so not seet under sit Hohn with He Finlan E Mcholas and 2/Ct Kill moved to Beana Vista Rdg where from thane position engaged baeiny Kintinating on rept pank fre faty tonetentl hoad out moking and early apternoon; 402 Chrrict wes stationed at Yasr Vangang coest ad neer Pell Bosc.
Copy of lost of names handed to we by Capt. Bunning as his posting as change after surrender - an 10 anys. originat in Capt. Banning's hand writing randed back to him at roam D.L.D. an 19hups a landh lyou lpe 19024 wale) Howby GBarnces lay He Cap. Buaning oe Cmpbell Smich Seich Ryan Sephlagor hee hount Searran Dent Mackinaan him Gr. Bried Gl. Hambley G Harres Sandusan go Nskin Tarker Draper At lucen of Dawington Syt. Carrage Astrn Tendale ept Mr Master Balligan Cray Hep. Jacksan Seps Senith 4/4 Hill Kindle Toch
No7P/ 31//78 Podg rds 11 for returned to Bn 149 5 S42 t e n,00 ls brm aetion 106 Myr 10/ 5728 onfe p t 2500 1 5130 Expened 500048650 rplaced & Satanil 199& t MEF 174 tpent 2 20 haer 5,000 Exputin 280 Sser 100 totae Exended 0 1& 2 0 1SMHT 50 3/078 pa Expensted 70 hoker well young Sopone fiigute thodag writer (no Gndinge Iute cron fued English guu prssend up at Gost Bardens find $57.00ra no gtoppage Cuet Guns fired 4900 rd with plio pige
Retails of actanties of 8P B bey 2/4 MG Bo suring i's say in him gapore intil thes men became P.O.W. Sat 24 Jan 42 Arrived Singagcore. darched from Dacres to train. By Frain to Pebrol Lands + thence marched Woodlands Camp. Here we renained doing very litle except dis sht trenches one only encitement being air raids & ver these were newr sifficiently close to be really San Gerons. Turs 29 Jany 42 First piace accompanied by Sec cadrs. Orderly & Driver an orcurity of knang thrai. And swamps sence to compried by for the hulse of our area. Enentually settled on Lentaline position Spi 30 Jan 42. siluation changed in now have to hake of posilion in vicurity of Causeway. Areas allaked during marning or as campany with sec candrs gun positions were fined to enable all four fins to fire on a fined line senen a small street West of the Carseway - Johare. B. and That afternoon the P was cransported, with stores, to the area. Arrieed with practically no digging Lools but we were able to harrow these from some English. L.A.D. All pit started & well under way. Drew with Dr. DCaffery &last so had to move one lection
2 from Lubber Estate to NoAr of Rarlway Line Dest of Canseway. BNI gun was noved do already duy anderorder Go. Tsals on git t0 Dest of origial position - you fit but view blocked by buildings. Lept then there as demolition That night all of the village was promised sections contined to dog in I fill belts. Set 21 Jen 42 About 0330 w sife of tergineers so Ne1 ant pution or Wishpermis Of Coysat some of P H.A demalished four hanses. Loved No 3 yu to a posit immediately up from the Canseway nar CD Cay of the Leyals. Lest of the broaps mover across the Canteway. North end of Cansway denolided at appres 885. Indians completed miring. Jun. 1 Feb 4 2. Aiet day. 1600 hrs withdrew No3 section. to bey 1900 hrs N3 withdrown 2200 hes N.4 fon area for rest. cay lind with 2pt 1 as assayes Working party of So laken to Krang withodraner. dwo in swan 100 Wis area to build pils for 2/26. Worsea Lee of them hs wea tue apple factory. dao - relieved by 2/st at 0700. Aphidimahtion o Canseniy came under cad o/362 who placed Pander Ap lar 2 Feb 33. doberts. Comn bind. see above - actually started about midnight Suphen Plaloen rished bill about 17/00. Had, arranged to meet cram of a con Orders received at B50 to meet Capt. Roberts at 130. him at 1400. Arrived at HA bay 2/26 at 100.4. to kind t to eer goor pa t pas 1800 order had been a mistek Sarked on recce cocaunt SNS2 grove area with Sec. candrs,
Flalson arrived with storis at approa 1830. No ratun for rece party. Gus in position by 1900 hrs. That night disperted the Pl in houses & buildt hreas work on evemy side of guns. LisLiing posts established. Re Wade fired Lanniny Guv. Shood to for I hour. Ques 3 Feb 42 Built pits all above ground of sandbogs asleepers. Omiet day. Seaured enough Dannest for 60 of wining 2/2t gave us I lble bur per man. No St Sub section built pit that night. Ded 4 Feb 42 Crecked wire at first light. How to all of as but hurned out quite patisfactirily. Woodks a alloted battle station his should be done as soon as area is occupied. Sixed toskanks + air sentries. Sharked shelters for t Nos. Genrally quiet killed hwo ducks aPe.D.A. Day made an excellent duck shewt. Japanete banbee Phal station 60 rewr of our roticon astarted fires. Sorst orhillery askion drecked Ple. Jackson & I against a mortor on our left pear. maved lack to 9Pt area. Solages inster yea from hurning Pebrol deped in raide Arranged for party to wtit singapore to bg comforts. St. Sendlands Re Jcesar ohe Halligan comprited party. Cap. Bunming from Son yuean back to that alled to C kay area sholat to mave I area. Had to wait for return of Trucke.
Daring hes time of am move as Started to mane 230 complehed 0300 fire kild have bego produced by ay se anas spt pent Thurs 5 Feb 22 70 Plakson all back in play area by 0200. Got N D Section into position. Situation very confused. but remainder of Ll out t jest a went to se kapt. Roberts 20 returned to area + First light put all storis managed about 12 hrs sleef. Fi bidduld into stet. Breakfasted + sixpersed platoon to rest areas for the day. Rerce for position for N.3 sertion. who occupied position ads in that night. Di 6 Feb 42 Pay day. herce for alternation posstions o forward H.C. 2030b night. CS.M suy the killed in frond Orcational shelling. of Flay ara ditterbance cratet. Firing commenced. We apened fire - wrongly as it turned out & were told that in future we would fire only on telephanit orders. Sat 7 Fob 42. Farther stelling during day. Ricce alt Night N.I sut section nond a dug nw positions git. Lest of Pl. dug fund holes, forward P H.D & obternation gost. humours of ahark which did not even tuate on anr print. Sunday 8 Feb 42 Seere shelling. The know and stretther bearer wounded in the back soldier 2/30 seilled. Couldn't wave from sits. Night - a lupted to work constantly in terruhl by stand has he work however was completed by dawen.

No. 7 Platoon B. Coy 2/4 M.G Bn .          1
[*Date*]
[*Feb 2*]  Moved from vicinity Causeway to Area 728212 in Reserve attached
to 29th INF. BN. Reported to Col. Pond. C.O.
The next ensuing days, were spent in Patrols through Kranji
River Area, Panjang Village areas and in training no. 4 Platoon
of 29th who had 10 M.G.'s 4 in Carriers. These men had no
or little knowledge of the vickers. Our Guns were manned on
edge of camp perimeter.

[* " 9TH*]

[*Warning 0111S*] 

Received orders at 0400 to assemble my platoon and to move to
Cha Chow Kiang Rd. for transport to Bulim Village, I was
given a map reference 11/2 past Bulim Village to proceed to
and await remainder of Bn. We debussed at Bulim Village
marched to map reference given accompanied by our truck.
waited at point of Reference for Bn; after a half hour
had elapsed and no signs of troops we moved back 1/2 a mile
and made contact with Bn in its revised positions. Col. Pond
directed me to attach one Sect. of my guns to C Coy & 1 sect to
A Coy under Command of Coys. I was to sight same, and then
the 29th Bn Guns which were, back in B. Echelon but had been
sent for.  I moved forward with an orderly and contacted
C. Coy Commander who had forward Coy. We recce. area and
sighted positions. Coy withdrew to new positions before
my guns came forward, so again I sighted positions
no 1 sect. moved into position & dug in no 2 sect moved
forward, to advance coy, and commenced digging, unfortunately
time did not allow much to be done before enemy opened fire
native troops had been drifting through all morning, also some
Aust. troops C Coy Com ordered no 4 sub-sect to open fire
on right flank of position enemy located gun and brought
mortar fire down wounding Pte Murtagh, Pte Stubbs & Lecky
Stubbs was very badly wounded and presumed dead later.
Col. Pond called me to conference and issued orders for attack
preperations were put in hand, but just prior to time of
attack, enemy heavily attacked our positions. I then
received orders for withdrawal to positions 1 mile in rear
near Bulim Village (time approx. 1600 hrs), unfortunately by
time orders went to guns, infantry had moved, and we had
difficulty moving everything out on one truck, truck was
sent down road to R.V.  PI then proceeded down Rd to new
position. Arrived to find area selected for R.V was small
clump of rubber in centre of very open Country (airdrome)

 

2

moved across open timber to positions on edge of timber near A Coy 2/4, 2/20th

2/29th

[*10TH*] heavily shelled 0200-0400 by own Artillary, Mortar & M.G. fire from Enemy.

Received orders withdraw 1 mile, and to leave 1 Sect in action to cover

move of Bn. Another 1 ton truck was provided for this sect to withdraw. 
Move Pl through bush by compass to R.V. met our

transport. R.V. Area came under fire from right of Rd and down

Rd from Bulim Village area. All troops moved back down Rd.

unable in confusion to contact 2/29TH as troops of several units

on Rd & also Indian troops. Met Col. of Armoured Car Reg. who

sent me further back where 29TH 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 orders to meet Captain Bunning at area

813208 at 2100 hrs (contact with Cpl's Breed & Halligan L/CPL Fock Pte's.

White & Cameron had been lost during move to G.B.D.) received orders

to contact 12 Bde. H.Q. at Bukit Timah Village area. proceeded there

with PP & DR left Pl at R.V. near Bukit Timah went forward and

contacted Col Pond & I.O. of 12 Bde. Sent D.R. back to Captain Bunning

went forward with Col. Pond to Bde. Major. Col. Pond had no contact

with his Bn and did not know there whereabouts nor did Bde.

Major, Enemy moved down right flank of our position, and

[*11TH*] troops that were assembling on Rd were disorganised and sent back

behind Bukit Timah to assemble. Col Pond could not use me, and

whole show was moving back, so he instructed me to move back 

and use my own inititive. I moved back to Pl. and decided to

move further back to secure food and equipment, secured

4 Carriers and 4 more vickers and Ammunition, during this

time I was forward in Bukit Timah area trying to make

contact with Bde. was unable to do this so proceeded to Fort

Canning but no information was available, so we proceeded to

the west Coast Panjang Rd where fighting could be heard to

find ourselves a job. Made contact with Col. Andre of 1st

Reg. Malays who immediately took me forward to recce an

area on Panjang Ridge above Pasir Panjang Village. Brought

Pl into action at dusk, positions were commenced and Enemy

attacked S.D.F. went up and guns fired on fixed lines for time

laid down Attack was repulsed. (Area was 756096) again at

[*12TH*] 0200 Enemy attacked but were repulsed again; whole area was

heavily shelled and mortared. Position was very favourable for

M.G.'s we gave overhead and blanking protection to our troops

 

 

3
 [*12TH*] Interviewed Col. Andre at his H.Q. at the Gap on Panjang ridge where he told
me that any move made would be to vicinity of Buena Vista. Sgt Pearsen
had been sent back to Botanical Gardens to replenish Ammunition & Stores.
Contacted Maj. Saggers and advised him of our positions. during morning
D.R. arrived with Bde order to withdraw, was countermanded by Col. Andre.
Heavy shelling and mortar, all afternoon and early evening, further
S.D.F at night at 2230 two evening attacks failed.
[*13TH*] Loyals on our right Flank broke about midday & enemy streamed
through break; Malays decided to withdraw to new line, we withdrew
to carriers under heavy five without casualties, moved back and
established H.Q. at 780074 near Bn. H.Q, Carriers were used to patrol
roads on Coast and Buana Vista Rd, received order to meet Col Andre
with Carriers at Rd. Genet Buana Vista Village, proceeded back
to Pasir Panjang Village picked up 3 M.G's left there by Loyals
as moved out were fired on by Machine Guns, Village had
been in possesion of enemy for about 8 hours. Moved carriers
back to Bn. H.Q at Brickworks area, dropped guns off and
then moved up to our own H.Q, carriers proceeded on Patrol
of Rds during night.
[*14TH*] Early dawn moved Pl. H.Q. back golf links area near Bn. H.Q
Col. Andre decided to use our carriers to help protect flanks, so
no 1 Sect under Sgt Holm with Pte Finlay & Nicholas and L/CPL Hill
moved to Buana Vista Rd where from there position engaged
enemy penetrations on right flank fired fairly consistently through

out morning and early afternoon. No 2 Carrier was stationed
at Pasir Panjang Coast rd near Pill Box.
 

 

Copy of list of names handed to me by
Capt. Bunning as his posting at Changi
after surrender - on 10 Jan '43.
Original in Capt. Bunning's handwriting
handed back to him at [[?cram]] D.2.3 on 19 Aug '45

ASmith Ryan Capt, 19 Aug 1945

Coy HQ    Capt Bunning     WO(II) Howby       Cpl Barnett

                    "       Smith Ryan    S/Sgt Campbell     " Smith

                                                                                    L/Cpl McGregor

Lieut Pearson            Lieut MacKinnair           Lieut Lee

Sgt. Breed                    Sgt. Hambley                 Sgt. Harris

   "    Sanderson            Cpl Hobin                          "    Tucker

Cpl  [[? Lucen]]                     "    Draper                      Cpl Dorrington

  "     Outtrim                Sgt. Gorringe                    "   Teasdale

   "    Halligan                  Cpl  McMaster                 "   Gray

                                        L/cpl Jackson                   L/cpl Smith

L/cpl  Hill                                                                         "   Hindle

    "      Foch

    

 

 


N o 7 PL

 

31/1/42        72000 rds

3/2/42          54000             18000 returned to Bn H.Q

9/2/42          48650          Expended 400 lost Enemy action 5000

10/2/42         57150           replaced x 2/29th Bn 2500

11/2/42          51150            Expended 2500 = 48650

                                            replaced x Botanical

                                                                Gardens 4992
                                                                                53642

12/2/42         53642       expended 2250 20 Malays 5000

13/2/42        34392 }        Expended 3550

                                                              9700 total Expended

14/2/42       30842}

15/2/42       30842                       replaced x

                       3250                         'B' Ech 3250

                    34092

Expended 8700 rds

Stoppage              Broken lock Spring            1.

                             Engineer shortage water     1.

                                (no Condenser Tubes)

                              Cross feeds                              5.

                        English Guns picked up at

                        Govt Gardens fired 3800 rds

                        No stoppage.

                         Aust Guns fired 4900 rds

                         with above stoppage.

 

 

. 

Details of activities of 8 Pt B Coy

2/4 MG BN during its stay in 

Singapore until thes men became P.O.W.

Sat 24 Jan 42.

Arrived Singapore. Marched from Docks to

train. By train to Petrol Tanks & thence marched to

Woodlands Camp. Here we remained doing very

little except dig shit trenches our only excitement being

air raids & even these were never sufficiently close to be really

dangerous.

Thurs. 29 Jan 42.

First recce accompanied by Sec. comdrs. Orderly & Driver

in vicinity of Kranji Groin. Mud swamps seemed to comprise by

far the bulk of our area. Eventually settled on tentative positions

Fri 30 Jan 42.

Situation changed - now have to take up position

in vicinity of Causeway. Areas allotted during morning &

in company with Sec. comdrs Gun positions were fixed to

enable all four guns to fire on a fixed line down a small

street West of the Causeway - Johore. B. end.

That afternoon the Pl. was transported, with stores, to the

area. Arrived with practically no digging tools but we were

able to borrow these from some English L.A.D.

All pits started & well under way. Drew with

Dr. McCaffery & lost so had to move one section

 

 

2.
from Rubber Estate to NORTH of Railway Line - West
of Causeway. C No I gun was moved do already dug
pit loo x West of original position - ^Under orders CO 2/4MG Bn. Good pit but

view blocked by buildings. Left them there as demolition 

of the village was promised. That night all

Sections continued to dog in - & fill belts.

Sat. 31. Jan 42.

About 0330 no sign of Engineers so No 1  sub section &

some of Pl. H.Q. demolished four hours. ^With permission O/C Coy (arts) Moved No3 Gun to a position

immediately up from the Causeway near CD Coy of the Loyals.

Last of the troops moved across the Causeway. North end of

Causeway demolished at approx 0815. Indians completed wiring.

Sun. 1 Feb 42.

Quiet day. 1600 hrs withdrew No3 Section. to Coy 

area for rest. 1900 hrs No3 withdrawn 2200 hrs No4 Gun

withdrawn. ^As arranged by Coy Comd with 2/26 Bn. Working party of 40 taken to Kranji

area to build pits for 2/26. Two in swamp 100 x West 

of Groin two near Pineapple factory. Worked till

0600 - relieved by 2/26 at 0700. Cpt Lidemahten of Causeway

Pt came under Comd 2/26 Bn who placed Pt under Cap.

Roberts - Carrier Comd.

Mon 2 Feb 42.

See above - actually started about midnight Sun / Mon.

Platoon rested till about 1700. Had arranged to meet

Capt. Roberts at 1630. Orders  received^from O/C Coy. at 1350 to meet

him at 1400. Arrived at H.Q. Coy 2/26 at 1600 to find

order had been a mistake. ^PI task was to cover coast from Groin ^to East - 800x. Started on recce coconut

Grove area ^854287 with Sec. comdrs.

 

3.

Platoon arrived with stores at approx 1830. No rations

for recce party. Guns in position by 1900 hrs. That

night dispersed the Pl in houses & built breastwork

on enemy side of guns. Listening posts established.

Pte Wade fired Tommy gun...stood to for 1 hour.

Tues 3 Feb 42.

Built pits all above ground of sandbags & sleepers.

Quiet day. Secured enough Dannert for 100 x of wiring.

2/26 gave us 1 bottle beer per man. No 34 Sub Section 

built pit that night.

Wed 4 Feb 42.

Erected wire at first light. New to all of us but turned

out quite satisfactorily. Stood to & allotted battle stations.

This should be done as soon as area is occupied. Fixed

lookouts & air sentries. Started shelters for Gun Nos.

Generally quiet. Killed two ducks & Pte. W.A. Day made

an excellent duck stew.

Japanese bombed Petrol station 60 x rear of our

position & started fires. Just artillery action directed

against a worker on our left rear. Pte. Jackson & I

moved back to 9 Pl area. Salvaged motor cycle

from burning Petrol depot en route. Arranged for 

party to visit Singapore to buy comforts. Sgt. Sandilands Pte

Jackson & Pte Halligan comprised party. Capt Bunning from Bde

^Conference called to C Coy ^2/30 area & told ^ By whom to move Pl. back to that

area. Had to wait for return of truck.  

 

4.

Started to move 2/30 completed 0300. [*During this time of  our move as

fire could have been produced by

my Pl across 2/26 front.*]

Thurs 5 Feb 42.

Platoon all back in CCoy ^2/30 area by 0300. Got No. 4 Section

into position. Situation very confused. Put remainder of Pl

out to rest & went to see Capt. Roberts ^2/26 Bn. Returned to area &

managed about 1 1/2 hrs sleep. First light put all stores

Fri 6 Feb 42. into shed. Breakfasted & dispersed platoon to

rest areas for the day. Recce for positions for No. 3 Section.

who occupied positions & dug in that night.

Fri 6 Feb 42.

Pay day. Recce for alternative positions & forward H.Q.

Occasional shelling. Night. CSM Bury the Killed ^2030 hrs in front

of A ^2/30 Coy area - disturbance created. Firing commenced.

We opened fire - wrongly as it turned out & were

told that in future we would fire only on telephone

orders.

Sat 7 Feb 42.  Further shelling during day. Recce alt

positions. Night. No.4 sub section moved & dug vent

pit. Rest of Pl dug funk holes, forward Pl H.Qs & observation

post. Rumours of attack which did not eventuate on

our front.

Sunday 8 Feb 42. Severe shelling. Pte Baker our stretcher bearer

wounded in the back 1 soldier 2/30 killed. Couldn't move from

pits. Night - attempted to work constantly interrupted

by stand to's. The work however was completed by dawn.

  
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H.BoutellH.Boutell
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