Diary of Avon Reah Smith-Ryan, 1942-1945, Part 2

5.
Mon 9 Feb 42.
Severe shelling all day. Rumours of Japanese landings
on West and our probable withdrawal. Stood to
practically all the time. 2200 the main engagement in
this area started. Firing all along the coast. Cessation of
shelling. Could hear the enemy talking on our immediate
front. Very tired but maintained lookout towards
Kranji Grain in hopes of picking up C.D.F. Found out
^[*after capitulation*] later that 2/26 had been driven back from Grain by
enemy artillery fire. Eventually received orders from ^[*O/C*]C Coy _^[*2/30*],
H.Q. to open fire. Situation was completely confused - could
obtain no information whatever. ^[*abt 0730*] Received cautionary order to
withdraw ^[*from O/C C Coy 2/30*] & Capt Lamacraft asked for fire on his immediate
front .^abt 0300 Gave him N^o 3 gun with very good results. Just

prior to our withdrawal ^[*to MARSILING Rd-ordered by O/C C Coy 2/30*] made N^o 4 gun mount outside

of pit & ^[*abt 0315*] & assist N^o 43. Successfully cleared our front of

any danger. Mortars also did very good work here.

Withdrew in a very orderly manner. ^abt 0330  Loaded about 2 tons of

stores on 18 cwt truck - destroyed surplus ammo left

packs of food. [*Truck moved off with 2/30 vehicles.*]

Tues 10 Feb 42.[* xx O/C 'C' Coy 2/30 ordered Pl to follow them & we*]

Marched from Causeway to the Jtn Mandai Rd - Pipe Line

ref. 758236. _∧ [*arrived @ dawn.*] Dispersed here. - heavily shelled - mainly artillery

but no casualties except 1 native killed. Attached to 

D Coy 2/30 ^by 22 O/C 'C' Coy 2/30 & told to find Capt. Booth. Truck was

delayed about 2 miles down the road & arrived about 1 hour

6.

later. Extremely difficult country for M.M.G. Capt Booth

wanted us to cover pipe line & hills to the right.

Positioned Sections N^o 4 Section in C Coy area, was

heavily shelled - C Coy moved so withdrew this Section

to new position within D Coy's perimeter. Dug in

during day constantly interrupted by planes. Could

here^∧ear Indians fighting some distance forward.

Wed 11 Feb 42.

Position seemed to become more & more confused owing 

to lack of intercommunication & liasson. Eventually

received advice ^[*? from Capt Booth*] that a further withdrawal was imminent

& then heard that practically all the rest of the Bde

had already withdrawn. Got two guns onto truck

when situation became fairly acute. With Capt Booth's

permission ordered this section back into action &

more ammo to other two guns. Japanese by this 

time strongly attacking. Opened fire with all four

guns to cover Infantry withdrawal approx 1100.

Stopped enemy advance at that point. Infantry all clear

withdrew our guns to truck in bounds. Moved out to 

contact Inf. Couldn't locate them. Road in enemy

hands. Received report Pte D.A. Day mortally

wounded. Ordered Sgt Sandilands to take P^l up

through Quarry to ^[*abt 200^x south of road*] Pipe line. Sgt. Hambley Pts

Jackson & Curtain & self attempted to destroy

guns & truck & then followed P^l . Machine gunned

unsuccessfully.

7.

Contacted rear of Inf [*^2/30*] under Capt Booth at top of

hill about 300^x from Rd. Found Cpl. Draper with

his sub section. Received report Sgt Sandilands badly

hit and paralysed from waist down. Pte Carruthers

was last seen about 100^x down this forward slope resting.

Volunteers called for to attempt to get wounded ^__ Pts Hadden,

Robertson, Ryan, Hall & L/Cps. McMaster & Sgt Sandilands  ^Hambley

returned. Ascertained Pte. R. L. Smith had been killed.

The rescue party under Sgt Hambley had a very close brush

with the enemy. Pte. Hadden actually spoke to one of them

mistaking him for an Indian. All returned safely.

Marched along pipe line ^[*with 2/30 D Coy*] then through jungle Ha

constantly delayed by recce planes.  Had lost all

P^l stores & had no idea as to actual casualties

which could have been anything up to 25 for all I

knew. First possible check was at meeting spot for

tea & casualties were:

[* Where 

at 805205 just SW

of SELETAR Aerodrome*]

Pte. R.L.  Smith         Killed

Sgt. R. Sandilands.   Seriously wounded & missing

Pte. D. A Day                   "                "             "              "

Pte. R. J. Carruthers   Missing

Had tea then moved on organised as Inf  Pl

& took up positions with D Coy 2/30 on rifle

range at 824183.

Thurs 12 Feb 42.

Received advice that 4 guns had been borrowed for us

so we moved out from the rifle range - collected the guns

& awaited further orders. Now attached to 2/30 Bn ^∨ [*by Capt Bunning,*]. I spent all

day examining hopeless positions in a vain endeavour

8

[* [[?]] order was that if anything happened to

get stores to safety.*]

[* Comprising whom? 

Pts Russell, Daily

Halloran.*]

[*Which Coy?*]

to use the guns. Eventually gave it up - left a small

party, under Cpl. Helsin, with the stores & used the

remainder as Infantry attached to Capt Thompson_∧ [* 2/30 H.Q. Coy.*]No action.

Thurs 132  Feb 42 .  Fri 13 Feb 42

At about 0300 hrs, commenced to withdraw ^∧ [*whose orders Capt Bunning?*] again

Rumours that the enemy were all around us. No contact

however. Retired to area of _∧[*Islands*] Golf links where we

[*why change from D Coy Cpt Bunnings order.*]

breakfasted. Moved out _∧ to C Coy 2/30. Unable to

locate truck guns or Cpl Helsin's party ^∧ [*why did they leave?*] & actually

never did locate them until after the capitulation, but

understand they did quite good work with D Coy 2/4 MG Bn

Took up Inf position with C Coy _∧ [*2/30] in General Base

Depot. Plenty of food & clean clothes. First good

meal since Sunday 8th.  No action.

[*whose orders O/C C Coy. Capt. Masters*]

Fri 13 Feb 42.  1230 hrs. withdrew ^∧ again this time right

back to Botanical Gardens partly on foot partly in

[*Capt Bunning met us @[[?]] R.V. & [[?]] to Coy B.Ech area @810110*] 

M.T. Bombed once. ∧ At gardens we had

shave, wash, change of clothes & a hot meal &

rested until approx 1930.  Moved up to 2/30 ∧ abt 804115 still without

guns & were put into an area to rest. Spent about 2 hours

[[st?ng]] tents.

Sat 14 Feb 42.

[*Whose orders? under orders Cpt Bunning*]

Moved to Holland Rd ∧ attached to Capt. Thompson &^∧ [*2 Coy 2/30 Bn.*] 

dug in as Infantry.  That evening received advice

that more guns had been arranged & we moved forward

attached to 2/26. ∧[*ordered by Capt Bunning*] Spent the night dispersed throughout H.Q. Coy

Pte Gray with 3 men & Lewis _∨ [_*gun?*] went to 17 Coy.   [*2/26 

@ 797116*]

Sun

9.

Sun 15 Feb 42

Prepared the guns for firing and moved Sections out

to their positions _∧[*Pl 793119*] N^o 3 Section under L/Cpl M^cMaster to

17 Coy _∧ [*2/26*] N^o 4 Sec under Cpl. Draper to C Coy. [*2/26*]

Cpl. Govinge sent to RAP with Malaria.

No action throughout day. Some severe shelling

Capitulation 2230.

G MacKinnon Lieut.

P^L. Comd  8P^L

B Coy 

2/4 MG Bn.

1

History of N^o 9PL. 2/4 M.G. Bn ("B" Coy) from time of

Arrival on Singapore Island until Capitulation. 15 FEB. 42

1942

SAT 24 JAN.  2/4 M.G. Battalion arrived Singapore.

WED 28 JAN.  Pl. Comd, Pl Sgt, Pl Ord and Batman made recce of

CAUSEWAY area (Southern end). Started out from WOODLANDS CP.

THURS 29 JAN.  Pl  Comd, 2 Sec Comds & Ord^s - recce CAUSEWAY area.

27 Japanese planes bombed JOHORE BARU.

FRI 30 JAN.  Pl Comd, Sec Comds & the Pl Ord left WOODLANDS CAMP at 0700hrs

and proceeded to CAUSEWAY.

Sgt Tucker (Sen. Sec. Comd) returned for N^os. 1

Pl departed ex WOODLANDS CAMP at NAVAL BASE at 1300 hrs

Pl arrived CAUSEWAY area 1330 hrs.

Guns dug in as follows:

N^o 1    on right of CEMENT SHED about 400^x East of CAUSEWAY.

N^o 2   50^x nearer C/WAY, in face of cliff.

N^o 3   50^x    "               "        "    "        "   "

N^o 4   40^x   "               "        "    "        "   "

PL. H.Q. about 100^x in rear of N^o 6 Sec, that is, guns N^os 3 & 4.

Constructed dug-out.

B. Coy H.Q. 250^x in rear of N^o 6 Section:

TASK - to put down fixed line on RIGHT flank to cover

with-drawal of troops across C/WAY; to be followed by

harassing task.

SAT. 31 JAN   Improved positions. W/drawal completed.

CAUSEWAY blown about 1815 hrs. 1000^x from Southern end

= about 155^x from N. end.

Now laid fixed lines on GAP in C/WAY and far end.

About 2000 hrs. investigated with OC. Coy a number

of black objects which looked like swimmers but

turned out to be blackened petrol tins. It took

a magazine full from the tommy gun to convince us.

Dispositions at this stage were:-

  . On our left R the Loyal Regt. - also 7 PL B COY 2/4.

  . We also had a Bopher and Search light in Pl area.

  . On our left C & D Coys of Loyals - & 4 & 8 Pls 2/4 M.G.

SUN. 1 FEB.    About 1300 hrs blazing petrol tins in the corner formed by

C/WAY and foreshore Withdrew bulk of ammunition from

gun pits as flames were very fierce. Cpl Teasdale on way

 to report positions becoming untenable owing to heat

and flames, when we received orders to w/draw Pl

to "B" Coy, 2/4, H.Q. area.

 Sent working party out with No 8 Pl to dig weapon

pits for 2/26 Inf. Bn. 2 in swamp 100^x W. of Grain and

2 in vicinity PINEAPPLE FACTORY.

MON. 2 FEB.  Rested. Sgt Harris (Pl. Sgt) sent to Hospital a/c sickness

Sgt Tucker now Pl. Sgt, Cpl Sanderson Sec, Cmd N^o 5 Sec.,

and Cpl Teasdale Sec. Comd. N^o 6 Sec.

At dark we moved 200^x N.W. to thick wood between

former positions and C/WAY, coming under "A" Coy.,

(Major Anderson) 2/30 Bn - 27 Bde.

Carrier Sec. (2 guns ex Carriers, under Cpl Cross,

2/30 Bn) were attached to 9 Pl. The three Sections

dug in; Carrier Sec. under direction of

 Sgt Tucker.

P.T.O.

2

TUES. 3 FEB.   Guns manned. Pl dug in.

Pl H.Q. established 100^x WEST of "A" Coy 2/30 H.Q. (N^o. 8

Pl old area).

WED. 4 FEB.   Day quiet. Constructed dug-out Pl HQ. 60^x in rear

of A COY H.Q. = about 300^x in prolongation of C/WAY.

Through 8Pl (2/4) on our left, we made some

purchases in Singapore.    

Night - as soon as darkness fell, improved positions.

THURS. 5 FEB.   Moved to new Pl HQ. as above.

Day quiet

Night - N^o 6 Sec moved over to command alternative

positions to do appenetration task along railway.

"Stand-to" ordered so w/party returned to Sec. area.

N^o 5 also worked on alternative positions.

FRI. 6 FEB.    Paid during afternoon.

C.S.M. Smythe, 2/30, took out boat patrol.

About 2030 hrs, heard cries for "HELP" from water.

Firing broke out. Part of boat patrol returned, said

they encountered about 30 enemy in barge. C.S.M.

Smythe hurled grenade into it. The survivors

believed him wounded, then drowned.

"CDF" sent up account enemy movement and firing.

Carrier Sec. fired 5 belts (fixed line along beach

through FISHING VILLAGE - 150^x W of C/WAY - to MANDAI
KETCHIL POINT.

No 6 Sec fired 7½ belts on fixed line across S.

end of C/WAY and out across water.

Infantry located from six to nine M.G.^s on

enemy shore. (One Pl claimed 6, the other to have

located 9).

They had a fixed line up MARSILING ROAD and

put considerable fire over our Pl. H.Q. area.

N^o 2 gun had been ordered to move to original

position  (face of cliff, about 350^x W of C/WAY) but was

ordered back to foreshore again.

Gave Tommy gun to this section - N^o5 - as their

position at water's edge with most of the Infantry on

cliff top behind, was a pretty sticky one.

 N^o 6. wkg. party again recalled from working on altern.

railway line counter penetration positions.

SAT. 7 FEB     Finished paying. Shelling commenced and came on -

to our area about 1130 till 1330 hrs.

Night - N^o 1 gun sent to N^o 3^s original cliff position

(permission C.O. 2/4 Bn.)

N^o 2 gun into forward pit covering from N.B.

ROAD 90^o around to and including EAST side of C/WAY.

Shelled from mid-night till about 0400 hrs. Lull till 0900

SUN. 8 FEB.      Under shell-fire from 0900 till 2130 hrs.

MON. 9 FEB.     Severe shelling all day. Heard Japs had landed on W. COAST

Infantry Sgt at head of C/WAY, following direct hit on

pill-box causing one blinded and two seriously

injured, told A/T Sgt (Hedgecock) that he was withdrawing

his Section. A/T Sgt, owing to inf moving

out, also decided to withdraw and advised

3

Ptes Hinds and Foster, N^o 2 gun, of this. The time was

about 2000 hrs.

A relieving gun crew comprising Cpl Dorrington, Ptes

James, Lynch and            was on its way to N^o 2 gun.

On the road all were blown of their feet by shell-blast;

shelling was particularly severe in this sector.

An exploded shell lodged in the face of the gun-pit.

Hinds took the gun and moved out, so Foster was

 obliged to take tripod and report back to Sec. H.Q.

S.C. being unable to locate Hinds with gun sent Foster

to report to Pl H.Q. with Pte Lynch as guide.

 Shortly before their arrival, I encountered some of the

infantry who had withdrawn and heard them ordered

back by O.C. I ordered N^o 3 gun of N^o 6 Sec to move

into this vital position as Coy Comd was extremely

worried at gun and inf. being out, leaving front 

unprotected. However Lynch, Foster & Jeffery encountered

Hinds with gun on the way back to Sec H.Q.

Ptes James, Foster, Jeffery and Jones took it into position

and manned it.

(Sgt Tucker & Pte Jeffery had volunteered to take a gun

down and man it if necessary).

Japanese attacked about 2130 opp "C" Coy's area 2/30,

coming under observation of Carrier Sec which engaged

them along beach and in boats, inflicting heavy damage.

N^o 6 Sec awaiting CDF as strictly ordered, did not fire.

N^o 5 on E side of C/WAY were covering opposite approaches

and were only to fire on a CDF from their right.

TUES.

10 FEB.  -  At 0345 ordered No6 Sec to cover railway from

positions near "A" Coy H.Q.

0402 ordered by OC. ^A Coy to withdraw to 16½ mile peg,

thence to Sing. map ref 758236 (scale 1"= 1m) = BUKIT MANDAI.

Withdrew as ordered at 0415 hrs.

Cpl Sanderson, checking Sec out, was only man

unaccounted for - called for two volunteers to wait for

him and Ptes Hackshaw & ^∧J. Halligan volunteered.

Pl with drew in good order. Spasmodic fire. We

were last out with enemy about 200^x away.

Followed MARSILING ROAD to PIPELINE, 3000^x along this to

13 m. peg on MANDAI RD. where we again contacted "A" Coy 2/30.

R/V-ed at dawn, ref. 754235. Took cover; planes overhead

whole time. Under heavy shell fire 0900-1000 hrs.

Made recce with Pte Buscombe as ord. difficult

owing planes and exposure. Unable do task demanded

[*- Fire across A Coy front and slope of BT Mandai (1) (Grain HP )*]

a/c terrain and 4 to 5' high bracken-fern.  [*where found?*]

Further recce, then put N^o 6 Sec covering MANDAI ROAD

(Western approach), N^o 5 covering opp flank, about 500^x away.

Coy & Pl H.Q. between and about 100^x from No 6.

Pts Jones, Hinds & Parker reported missing. Searched

thoroughly. Pl dug in. 1700 hrs sent Sgt Tucker and

party to again search shelled area of morning for

the 3 men. No result.

4

2     2200 hrs - w/drew along MANDAI Rd (A COY & 9Pl MG's) to

 Chinese Cemetery 740227. Slept on open hill and

at dawn planes forced us into cover.

WED 11 FEB.     Recce Pte Jeffery as Ord. 5 Sec covering SOUTHERN app

road S'PORE-JOHORE. N^o 6 in right flank of "C" Coy's

area to fire across "A" COY's front.

Secs. ¾ mile apart, divided by swamp.

0900 (approx) - A Coy w/drew. Runner yelled to us-

get gun back on truck, that is, Pl Comd, Ord and

N^o 6 Sec. We were right forward, actually putting

guns in.

Japs had attacked A & B Coys on our left, inflict-

several casualties.

Section W/d to trench, ¾ mile away, with all stores

and in an orderly manner.

Enemy M.G. opened up on our left as we returned.

Pl truck moved out with Bn transport & Pl

followed Bn H.Q. out.

Truck to MANDAI HILL - held up for about 20 mins

while mortars covered our No8 Pl; ¾m on

encountered 1 med & 2LA'^s covering road. Armoured

car came through, swung round and held them

engaged while our truck got through. Truck

damaged - 5 rds. thro' radiator & 3 elsewhere.

Petered out after 500^x and was ditched.

L/Cpl Hindle transferred 2 guns to a Med. Truck &

2 [[?and]] stores to 135 Br. Fld Regt.

L/Cpl Hindle, Ptes Jeffery, Davey & Ward obtained lift

and reported to Capt. Bunning, O.C. "B" Coy 2/4, at

27 Bde H.Q.

2/30 Bn intention was to contact 2/26 and c/att

BUKIT PANJAN village at 1100 hrs. Marched for

several miles; failed to contact 2/26. Joined by

part of our N^o8 Pl ex MANDAI HILL. Hindered by

planes.

BN.H.Q. eventually contacted Bde by phone and

moved by covered route to 27 Bde area, on about

1700 hrs. Men practically all-in. B Coy 2/4

Q staff sent out hot tea and we had best meal

for days. It was much appreciated.

About 2100 hrs, moved to SELETAR RIFLE RANGE, 810210.

Came under Capt. Booth - "D" Coy, 2/30.

The 2 guns ex Med truck had been recovered.

Had only 10 belts on hand. During night "B"

Coy 2/4 obtained a truck, 2 more guns and

54 belts (filled) and other stores for us.

Guns held in reserve over-night.

THURS 12 FEB.  - Recce - Put N^o 5 Sec covering ^THOMPSON ROAD and N^o 6

Above butts covering full length of range along

"A" & "D" Coys fronts.

[* [[?]] up Thompson

Rd was 

reported held

by British Infs

(behind [[Sunnys?]]*]

At dark W/d N^o 6 onto truck and had whole Pl,

plus Tommy gun, protecting N^o 5 Sec. 

5

Firing had occurred on their right which was quite open

and they would be last out. "D" Coy sent patrol out to

investigate, without result.

Awaited withdrawing troops until about 0200 hrs - these incl

A.F.V^s

FRI 13 FEB.   W/d along THOMPSON RD to G ISLAND GOLF COURSE 820180. 

[*when ordered

O/C D Coy 2/30*]

SELETAR R.R. Amm. Dump blown about 0215 hrs.

Planes over from dawn onwards.

At Golf Course came under "A" COY 2/30 again.

Recce. N^o 6 covering rear app. across GOLF LINKS.

N^o 5 Sec left flank.

Orders to hold till 1200 hrs., enemy breaking through Redisposed
No 5 to cover frontal approaches.

1200 - w/d and R/V-ed, coming under Capt. Bunning again.

By truck to BOTANICAL GARDENS, S'PORE. Welcome meal by "B"

Echelon. Men obtained fresh clothing, etc..

Sgt. Harris rejoined Pl. Sgt Tucker returned to N^o 5 Sec.

Cpl Sanderson took over N^o 6 from

2000 hrs - moved to 803115, TYERSALL PALACE grounds, and came

under Capt. Massen, "C" Coy. 2/30 (AIF perimeter).

SAT. 14 FEB.     Under fairly good cover, dug in and improved positions.

SUN 15 FEB.     1440 hrs Lt Col Ramsay, 2/30 called Coy Cmds & Officers up 

and dealt with proposed Armistice.

1500 Came under shell-fire. N^o 6 fifteen shells around guns.

Large tree fell across N^o 3 pit. Sec well dug in - no casualties -

2000 hrs - Cease Fire. Collected all arms & amm. onto truck.

MON 16 FEB.   0700 moved to Chinese Cemetery at BUENA VISTA RD.

Ptes Jones, Hinds & Parker rejoined Pl.

TUES 17 FEB.   Rested. 1500 moved out to -

WED 18 FEB.   SELARANG BKS - about 18 miles, arriving 08 0130 hrs.

THURS 19 FEB.  Allocated House & Coy area. 

P.T.O.