Diary of Avon Reah Smith-Ryan, 1942-1945, Part 3
GENERAL.
The only movements by 9Pl contrary to or without orders were
those mentioned - namely, Hind's taking gun out at C/WAY
on night of FEB 9. and Ptes Hinds, Jones & Parker
leaving Pl at MANDAI.
B Coy Diary 2/4 MG Bn
Sat 24 Jan 42 The Unit arrived @ S'pore, at 1000 hrs disembarked and marched
to Rly. Stn, entraining for Woodlands Camp. We detrained at the Oil Tanks
Siding near Causway and marched the last 4 miles arriving @ 1400 hrs.
After 26 days at sea this march with packs up disclosed some softening
in condition. Coy officers at this time were - o/c Capt. G.M. Bunning, 2 I/c Capt.
A.R. Smith-Ryan, o/c 7 Pl. Lieut. P.V. Dean, o/c 8 PL Lieut. G.C. Mackinnon, o/c 9 Pl. Lieut. C.D. Lee.
Sun 25 - Tues 27 Jan. The Camp proved comfortable and fairly convenient,
such matters as charpoys, sheets & mosquito nets being una acusaccustomed
luxuries for the troops. During these days we had daily air raid 'alerts' &
also every evening. Time was spent in digging slit trenches, patrol
work for local knowledge & condition building and admin. The enemy
bombing raids were not directed at Woodlands area.
Tues 27 Jan. o/c Coy reported to o/c B Coy Manchester Fusiliers (Capt Gunning)
under instructions to assist in construction of weapon pits in area from Naval
Base - Causeway. That evening o/c rec'd instructions that our men were
to prepare pits for another Coy of Manchesters. The type of pit under construction
appeared too big & open & sites were too vulnerable.
Wed 28 Jan 0900 - A pass to enter Naval Base Area and o/c Coy inspected 16 gun posns
Tools were to be available from Manchesters. Again the positions were most
exposed & often guns considered too close together.
1405 hrs Inf. was rec'd from C.O. (Lt Col M.J. Anketill) of plan to w'draw to
Singapore Island and orders that 'B' Coy would come under Comd of ^Brig Maxwell's Bde. Bde
area was incl. Causeway to incl Kranji River with depth to MANDAI & BI. PANJANG
Rds. These orders cancelled those to assist Manchesters and Capt Gunning was
advised to this effect. It was thought that the w'drawal would be completed by
31 Jan. There were no 27 Bde personnel yet on the Island but a recce of
Bde area was commenced immediately. During temporary absence of Coy. Comd.
2 I/C had commenced recce when O/C arrived. Suitable areas were noted around
Causeway but Kranji River sector offered problems. Portion of this recce was made
by rowing boat on Kranji River Up to this time no transport was made available
to the Coy and movement had to be made on passing vehicles.
Thurs 29 Jan This morning an Indian Vehicle was given to O/C Coy. Hand ^@ 0900 hrs. O/C &
Snr Comds of 7 Pl were taken to area right of Causeway and left to make a detailed
recce. 9 Pl were marched to the area left of Causeway and 8 Pl transported to
Kranji. Here @ 1000 hrs O/C Coy met C.O. 29 Bn (Lt Col Pond) at the grain and moved
with him on recce of the area. During the morning were incl. also Major
Ramsay 2/30 Bn and Capt Walker 2/26 Bn. Thus all Units of 27 Bde had advance
elements on the Island. An Indian working party arrived at Kranji Grain
and men started carting rock to level the gun posns. In the mud swamps. This
work was only possible at low tide. The afternoon was spent in trying to
find sites East of Kranji Grain but it was found very difficult.
Tools were picked up from Manchesters' and 7 Pl made a start on pits for its
right Section East of Causeway.
At 2000 hrs C.O. ordered 'B' Coy with one Pl of 'A' Coy attached to act as part of
covering force at Causeway for troops holding inner perimeter at Johor Bahru.
Coy to be in position to give supporting fire to defenders. 4/15 Cwt vehicles were
allotted to the Coy. and we were given to understand that this was all we would
obtain, as opposed to 23 on establishment. This meant a max allotment of 1 Per
Pl instead of 6 and provided difficulties later in withdrawing 4 Sub Pers &
Pl HQ stores from spread positions with only one vehicle.
Fri. 30 Jan O/C reported to HQ Argylle Regt for orders. This Unit was to hold
Inner perimeter. Task given was to bring down fire inside flanks of bridgehead
and to harrass area for 300/400y outside each flank. 4 Pl 'A' Coy (Lt. FGX
McCaffrey) came under comd. @ 0900 hrs. At 1000 hrs Pl Comds. rec'd plans,
7 Pl on right, 9 Pl between 7 Pl & Causeway, 8 Pl left of Causeway & 4 Pl on their left.
During this morning there was a high level bombing attack on Johor Bahru
and Causeway. A good quantity of spare parts (sorely needed) was obtained
from Naval Store during the morning. At 1300 hrs Pls moved out to their
areas and commenced digging in. Coy H.Q. was established in Gully
immediately rear of Causeway. B Ech moving in with them as there was no
Duty action & little air recce & O.P was established on hill overlooking Causeway.
Four Sigs & 2 SBs were attached. Sig's were B Ech Pl H.Q. to Coy H.Q & OP.
At 2000 hrs Bn advised that we were under Comd C.O. Loyal. Regt. Their right Coy
Comd (Capt Beatty) estd his H.Q. in gully adjacent to ours & disposed his Coy in the area.
Extra ammn, 40 belts per gun was ordered for this task and was delivered @
2330 hrs. Coy HQ. personnel and Pl men who could be spared from the [[?]]
proceeded to fill belts; task complete by dawn. Most of this ammn. 160,000 [[rounds?]]
was Winchester packed in boxes marked 'R.A.F. NOT for use in Air craft'! During
later days the gunners showed antipathy towards this ammn. and used our own
first. Stories of last war failures in American Ammn biassed them and
a crimping around the bullet made them suspect 'tracer'. However when
eventually it was fired it was quite normal.
Sat 31 Jan 42. Some ramshackle native blgs blocking 8 Pls field of fire were to have
been demolished by Eng. but about 0300 hrs as no sign of Eng. had appeared
but Sub Sec demolished farm huts. Also O/C Coy moved 8 Pl fwd gun to a post
immediately above Causeway. At 0600 hrs Coy stood to. There was a
constant stream of troops and vehicles over the Causeway all night.
At dawn Bn C.O. arrived and advised that Causeway would be blown that
evening and not following night 31 Jan/1 Feb. At 0945 hrs the Argylle Regt
marched over the Causeway and the w/drawal was complete. The Argylles
came over in good order, marching in column with bag pipes playing. The
disengagement on the mainland had been clean and I think our gunners
felt slightly let down in finding that NO opportunity came to lend fire
support to the defenders of the inner bridge head. At approx 0800 the
Causeway was blown at a point about 1000y from Southern End. There were
ten separate explosions & an breach seemed to have been effected.
Indian working parties continued wiring the beach and roads throughout
the day. At 1700 hrs the Coy Comd reported to 27 Bde HQ for orders.
Neither Brigade Bns. were available. At 2000 hrs Bn. withdrew 4 Pl &
attached Siqs & S.B.s. 4 Pl returned to 'A' Coy on bivouac at 706179 & HQ Coy
personnel to HQ Bivouac @ 706173. The day was quiet and the only
movement at the North end of the Causeway was the accrual of a few Johor
Police personnel in cars and trucks.
At about 2200 hrs 9 Pl reported dark objects resembling swimmers bobbing along
the Eastern side of Causeway. This provided interest but proved to be petrol tins
from a burning hulk.
Sunday 1 Feb 42. At 1200 hrs O/C Coy rec'd orders from 27 Bde. for our Pl to be
attached to each of 2/26 & 2/30 Bns. 8 & 9 Pls were withdrawn to Coy area to
rest and arranged for 9 Pl to come under Comd 'A' Coy 2/30 Bn as from
0900 hrs 2 Feb & to take over a sec. of guns manned by 2/30 Carrier personnel.
8 Pl to come under comd 2/26 Bn under Comd. Carrier Pl comd. Bns to be
responsible for rations and ammn. After a recce. of Kranji area with O/C
Carriers 2/26 Bn O/c Coy ordered a party from 8 & 9 Pls & Coy H.Q. to move @ 1900 hrs
to Kranji to develop gun positions for 2/26 Bn. Two positions were prepared
100y West of Kranji Grain and two near the Pineapple Factory. This work entailed
transport by boat of quantities of Stone. 2/26 Bn took over the work @
1600 hrs. on
Monday 2 Feb 42 @ 0900 hrs. Bns ordered remaining Pl (7Pl) to come under Comd
2/29 Bn. This Bn. was in Bde Reserve Area with a big proportion of recrts &
was engaged in a training programme. 7 Pl moved @ 1800 hrs. to 2/29 Bn @ 724215
just West of Yin Tei Village. At this time Coy B Ech. was ordered to join Bde
'B' Ech. at Jurang Brickworks 605164. 8 Pl positions in the immediate
Kranji area were very exposed and @ 1600 hrs O/C ordered them to take up positions
in a Coconut Grove 854287 to fire across Kranji Swamp. That evening O/C Coy
was ordered to to establish his own HQ with Bde H.Q. at 756182.
During the day Pl Sgt. 9 Pl was evacuated sick and Pl moved only 200y into area
A Coy. 2/30 & rested. Carrier Sec was taken over and area rece.
Tuesday 3 Feb 42 Vehicles one per Pl. were made available to Pls. As this was
insufficient and reduced mobility, extra was asked for for 7 Pl which was following
same role with - 2/29 Bn. - not provided. Advise was rec'd that 8 Pl area
was included in 2/30 Mortar tasks. Arranged that they would not engage this
target until Pl was withdrawn. 2 I/C of our 'C' Coy (attached 44 Indian Bde)
presented an order from our Bn and took away 100 belts of ammn. This
was part of extra held from covering task @ Causeway during evacuation of
mainland. 9 Pl dug posns to cover 30 Bn front and manned them.
Wed 4 Feb 42. Positions were found for 8 Pl in area of 'C' Coy 2/30 Bn from where
they could cover 2/26 Bn front and as ranges were up to 2000y - 4000y and Mark VIII
Ammn. was arranged from 2/26 Bn. Reversible back sight traps were not rec'd,
at 1600 hrs. 8 Pl were ordered by O/C to move into 2/30 C Coy area xxx after dark.
During the day the Petrol station 60y rear of 8 Pl was bombed and set afire.
8 Pl moved @ 2130 hrs and occupied new area by 0300 hrs. During this time no fire
could be produced across 2/26 front. The Ghurka Bn. on right of Causeway
had arranged MMG bringing fire down on Causeway
The Coy organisation is such that each Pl can be detached as a self contained
sub unit but only 2/29 Bn. availed themselves of services of Pl cook and stores.
Pte Zeib was detailed and rejoined the Coy @ Changi on 17 Feb.
Some tents were held by Coy. and 2/6 [[Fd?]] Pack Eng who had task of spraying
tents for Div. could not do the work under some days. They provided paint
and Coy HQ men painted the tents for 7 Pl in reserve area & B Ech.
Thurs 5 Feb 42 Pay was made available by Bn this day. Paying Pls occupying
positions in exposed ground took time and was finalised on Sat 7 Feb.
8 & 9 Pls rece. areas. 8 Pl to select best gun sites to cover Kranji and 9 Pl
for alternative sites for penetration task down the railway line. Both Pls
commenced digging for these tasks at dusk that night. There was occasional
shelling of the area during the day by enemy & soon only engaged targets
in Johor. Ghurka Bn on right of Causeway were contacted. They also
had a Sec of MMG bringing fire down on Causeway
Fri 6 Feb 42 There was occasional shelling all day. Time spent in recce,
for alternative positions and improvement of occupied positions. At 2000 hrs
Unit CO visited 8 & 9 Pl areas. A river patrol comprising CRM & 2 O/Rs of 'A' Coy
2/30 Bn met a Japanese barge in the Straits about 2130 hrs. O/Rs returned but
[[CCM]] Smythe did not return. There was spasmodic fire S A fire and @ about
2200 hrs O/C A Coy 2/30 sent up G.D.F. 6 Sec (9 Pl) & Carrier Sec opened fire
on fixed line - task. 8 Pl in 2/30 area covering 2/26 Bn.
was uncertain whether to fire having seen 2/30 CDF but NOT from 2/26 Bn. As Pl
Comd. had previously intimated he would have difficulty in seeing signal from
2/26 Bn he decided to open fire, on his fixed line, wrongly as it turned out and
it was arranged that in future he would only fire on telephone orders.
Enemy units answered the fire from both sides of Causeway Johore end,
9 guns being observed from flash. Fire was directed up Marsiling Road and
at hill above Causeway occupied by 'A' Coy 30 Bn & 9Pl. Firing was high.
C.O. Lt Col Anketell left men @ 0330 hrs. and this was the last occasion that
he was seen by anyone fighting in 'B' Coy.
Sat 7 Feb. The area at head of Causeway was shelled intermittently all day
apparently to harras movement. Time was spent in improving position,
& preparation of individual cover and alternate positions. Shelling
increased in intensity during the night
Sunday 8 Feb. 7. Pl who had moved on Monday 2 Feb to 2/29 Bn bivouac
at 724315 had spent the week in training that Bn's reinforcements in MMG
work patrolling North through to the Kranji area and defensive occupation
of the area. The rubber tanks just East of the Bn area had been bombed
on several occasions & Bn moved a few hundred yards west. Civil
police had, after the first raid ordered O/C Pl to move out of the vicinity
as it was dangerous. Pl being under comd. 2/29 took no individual action
8 & 9 Pls in 2/30 area at Causeway found their men subjected to heavy shelling
and could not move from their gun pits and that night work was
constantly interrupted by 'stand to's'
Monday 9 Feb. Inf. re the Japanese landing was rec'd only in the morning.
7 Pt was ordered ∧warned to stand by for movement @ 2230 hrs Sunday night and
at 0400 hrs to assemble and move to Choa Chu Kang road for tpt to
Bulim Village. bei R.V. with 2/29 Bn @ a point 1 ½ miles West of Bulim Village.
At this time 2/29 Bn came under Comd 22 Bde. Pl reached R.V. @ 0500 hrs troops
were falling back from the beach and some of 2/4 MG Bn 'D' Coy with wounded
told them they had been driven from their beach positions early in the
morning and thought the enemy would be about 4 miles away. 2/29 Bn
arrived @ day break and C.O. attached one Sec. to 'A' Coy and one Sec. to 'C' Coy
under Comd Coy Comds. 1 Sec with 'C' Coy had task of covering rd frm 665192
and 2 Sec with 'A' Coy was given the right flank @ 665196. Jap flying air craft
bombed the rd jcn wiping out an A/T Gun & crew and felling a tree across one
of 1 Sec guns. Indian MMG troops thought to have been aerodrome area defense
troops had been moving back since 0630. A Pl of A Coy 2/4 mls Bn (Lt. Morrison)
arrived at 0730 hrs & took up position on right of 2 Sec. at about 860^1000 2 Sec
opened fire and 4 Sub Sec gun was bested and taken out by mortar fire.
Ptes Murtagh, Leahy & Smitts were wounded. Pte Smitts died soon afterwards. Later
C.O. 2/29 called Pl Comd to a conference & issued orders for attack preparations
were commenced, but enemy shelled the area very heavily & then attacked 2/29 posn
at 1600 hrs approx. C.O 2/29 Bn gave order to withdraw the unit to rear Bulim Village
By time order reached the guns, inf had moved and difficulty was experienced.
All four guns & gear on one truck. Another van was obtained from O/C A Coy
2/4 MG Bn and Pl moved back to RV. This proved to be @ Tengah Aerodrome
Pl took up positions near 2/29 Bn. A Coy 2/4 MG Bn & 2/20 Bn. were also in
vicinity.
At Coy near H.Q. with Bn. B Ech (Jurang Brickworks)^offensive positions were manned & men from west coast area
had arrived having waded through heavy swamps getting out. They were fed &
rested and finally sent to G.B.D. naval mooring. At 1730 hrs B'Ech
was ordered to move to Duncan Rd 789142. Rifle fire was @ this time [*Add to Carrier 2/26 Br*] time
heard north of Jarong Rd. The farming land was densely parked with
transport with 44 Ind Bn falling back and movement was suspended
many times; and at best was only a walking pace. This was the
position right through the night but fortunately the area was NOT
shelled west of Bukit Timah Jcn. Coy tpt was not permitted to enter RM B Ech area
and was sent on down the road eventually reaching G.B.D. They felt certain they had come to enemy R.V. on Duncan
Rd and returned parking until dawn when they came in. At GBD some of 7 Pn & reported first to Coy 2 O/C. [*Carriers O.K.*]
8 & 9 Pl areas @ Causeway were heavily shelled all day. News of
the West Coast landing was rec'd. An inf Sec 2/30 ^@ end of Causeway following a direct
hit which wounded one man & seriously wounded 2 men, withdrew & an
A/T sec. then also withdrew & 9 Pls No. 2 gun left isolated also withdrew.
O/C A Coy 2/30 ordered his Sec to return and 9pl's No 2 gun was
returned.
Enemy attacked the Bde front @ 2130 hrs. G 9Pl 5 &6 Secs. had short
orders to fire only on C.D.F. 5 Sec east of Causeway were to take their
C D F only from troops on the right. No calls were sent up and Pl did
not fire. Carrier Sec. attacked, engaged enemy on the beach and in boats
and inflicted heavy damage.
8 Pl who were to fire on C.D.F from 2/26 Bn watched in vain and found
out afterwards that 2/26 had been driven from the beach by Arty fire.
They eventually rec'd orders from O/C 'C' Coy 2/30 to open fire. At this
long range & in darkness results of fire could not be ascertained.
At 0130 O/C Coy moved fwd with orders from Bn to 2/26 Bn to hold as long as
possible & then to withdraw to Pipe Line and orders to 2/30 Bn to conform. At 0230 enemy
Pl even penetrated down left of 2/26 Bn & down S.Mandai.
Tuesday 10 Feb.
@ 0345 hrs 6 Sec, 9Pl was ordered to occupy posn for penetration both down
Railway line and @ 0400 hrs O/C A Coy 2/30 ordered Pl to march down to
to 165 mile peg Marsiling Rd thence to 758236 (near Mandai Rd). Withdrawal
complete @ 0415 hrs. Pl withdraw in good order under spasmodic fire, being
last out with enemy 200x away. Route followed was Marsiling Rd, & Pipe Line
to Mandai Rd where "A" Coy 2/30 was rejoined. Planes came overhead @
dawn & area shelled 0900-1000 hrs. Area was reconoitered and disposed
covering A Coy 2/30 flanks and Mandai Rd (754235). There was no action
during the day and @ 2200 hrs 'A' Coy 2/30 ∧ less D Coy & 9 Pl withdrew westwards along
Mandai Rd to a cemetery @ 740227 creste (Copy note in Hinds James & Parker. D James Statement)
8 Pl abt 0230 hrs rec'd containing orders to w'draw by O/C C Coy 2/30 (Capt Lamecroft)
" 0300 'C' Coy asked for fire on immediate fronts. No 3 gun gave good
results and @ 0315 No 4 gun mounted outside its pit to engage enemy @
close range. This successfully cleared front of immediate danger.
Our mortars also did good work here. Pl with others @ 0330 in orderly
manner, loading about 2 tons of stores in 18cwt vehicle. Some ammo was
thrown in as well & packs and food abandoned. Truck moved with 2/30 Bn tpt
Pl marched from Causeway to Jcn Mandai Rd & Pipe Line 758236 arriving at dawn.
The area was heavily shelled w'out casualties. The C Coy 2/30 gave Pl cover
to become attached to "D" Coy 2/30 (Capt Booth). Task given was to cover
"D" Coy right and Pipe Line. Pl dug in, the day being constantly interrupted by
enemy planes. Fighting could be heard to right front but no action @ Pl.
area during the day.
7 Pl with 2/29 Bn @ Tengah Aerodrome. Heavily shelled 0200-0400 hrs. Pl was
ordered to withdraw 1 mile and to leave our Sec in actions to cover movement of
Bn. A 1 ton van was provided for this Sec. to w'draw. Pt Moved by compass to
vehicle RV on side road South of Choa Chu Kang Rd. Many troops were moving
back along the road and contact with 2/29 Bn was NOT made. A Col of our
[[Servicemen?]] . Our unit informed Pl Comd that 2/29 Bn were further East. Still contact
was missed. Pl Comd. was unable to reach Bde H.Q. and was advised by a
Med. Officer to move to GBD for information. Coy 2 I/c rec'd inf that Pl was @ G.B.D.
from his driver and took 8 other Coy men with him to GBD for issues & return to unit
& obtained inf re 7 Pl casualties & equipment & advised O/C Coy at Bde H.Q.
Orders were rec'd for 7 Pl to meet O/C @ 812208 @ 2100 hrs where he ordered them
to move to Bukit Timah to contact C/O 2/29 Bn or 12 Bde. O/C's orderly went with them
and reported back that contact had been made.
During withdrawal on Choa Chu Kang Rd one of 7 Pl units lost touch. This includes
Cpl Breed, Cpl Halligan, L/Cpl Jack, Pts White & Cameron. They had moved with
A Coy 8/4 unit Bn and joined remainder of Bn. during action with 'D' Coy. They
had guns and equipment of one Sec. in their truck.
Bde∧ fwd H.Q. had moved during the day - 0900 to Holland Road. Area was
bombed and during the afternoon shelled 1700 hrs moved to Adam Rd 810410and moved again to 802217. At 2200 Coy Comd attended a Bn Conf. @ [[Dhu?]] [[Soon?]] &
Warning order for Bde counter attack to reoccupy Bl Panjang Village next day.
This attack did not develop.
Coy "B" Ech with Bde "B": Ech. was found to be intact @ new area @ Duncan road
at daylight. The carriers had got through with credit to drivers who had to
handle strange vehicles with very little experience on densely packed roads and
owing to few breakdown had to tow one carrier. While 2 I/C was away
taking orders to 7 Pl @ G.B.D. Bde 'B' Ech was ordered to move again to Thompson Rd.
836146. [[Clem?]] handled the move, which was made about 1800 hrs. The
carrier coming under a 2/26 Bn carrier NCO did not arrive. & Drs Gibbs & Miller
stated that the N.C.O. had left them to gain some inf and did not return.
They made their way to 2/4 units Bn H.Q., where Bn 2 O/c used the ammn. and
the drivers services. Dr. Miller was evacuated sick beyond RaP. & rejoined
Coy on 21 Feb. Dr. Gibbs returned on Monday morning 16 Feb.
Wednesday
11 Feb.
Bde HQ. moved to Thompson Road 812208 @ 0700 hrs
Enemy broke through on left of Bde Section early in morning necessitating
withdrawal of 2/26 Bn and making proposed counter attack impossible
At 1000 hrs 2/30 Bn withdrew Southwards with D Coy covering withdrawal
at 1030 & D Coy supported by 8 Pl engaged the enemy. 8 Pl was
preparing to withdraw and had 2 guns on truck when situation became
grave. O/C 'D' Coy gave Pl Comd permission to put this Sec back into action
and sent more ammn to the other Sec. Japanese were attacking strongly.
Pl opened fire with all guns a short range to cover inf withdrawal
@ 1100 hrs approx. Enemy advance at that point stopped under effects
of a damaging [[?]]. One gun was fired with the elevating joint pin
removed for greater depression. With inf all clear Pl withdrew ∧guns in bounds
to truck as Pl moved on led by Pl Sgt to join up w/x inf. Pte D. A. Day
was mortally wounded bringing out his gun. As road was in enemy
hands Pl Comd., a Sgt & 2 men remained to destroy guns, ammn & vehicle
& then followed Pl which was contacted abt 300y South Mandai Rd.
Hence Pl Comd found that Pl Sgt (Sgt Sandilands) was seriously wounded
and missing, & Ptes Carruthers & R L Smith were missing. A party of six
under Sgt Hambley returned to find wounded & ascertained that Pt Smith
was killed. They had a brush with enemy one man actually speaking to
a Japanese mistaking him for an Indian. All returned safely. ∧@1300hrs Bn [[?]]& with 2/30 &[[?]] withdraw Pl marched
South down Pipe Line with D Coy 2/30 Bn & then west through jungle and
halted for tea near Bne HQ 805205 (SW of Seletar Aerodrome). ∧ @ 1700 hrs. [[Here?]] check
revealed total casualties were as shown above. This made w/drawal
complete inc 'A' Coy 2/26 Bn. Pl took up position after tea with "D" Coy
2/30 on Rifle range at 824183. Pl had lost all stores when truck was
destroyed & occupied as inf.
9 Pl at dawn were in posn with "A" Coy 2/30 Bn with one Sec. covering S. Johore Rd &
one Sec covering 'A' Coy front and 'C' Coy right flank. Secs over 1200y apart &
divided by a swamp.∧ Enemy attacked A&B Coys. At 0900 hrs 'A' Coy withdrew & a runner brought orders
to Pl to withdraw to truck. This was accomplished∧ under fire & truck moved off [[a/n?]] Bn Cpt
& Pl moved out w/- Bn H.Q.. Truck came under fire on Mandai Rd - an
armoured car covered enemy & only 1 truck got through but was damaged and
engine died after about 500y. - 2 guns were put on a passing RaP truck &
2 with Bn's Fd Coy. Latter were not recovered. Personnel (4) afterward
left and reported to O/C Coy @ Bne H.Q. & rejoined Pl when they came in later
At this time it was Bn intention to join up 2/26 Bn in c/attack against
Bl Panjang Village. For reasons as shown contact with 2/26 Bn was NOT made
Bxx Bn HQ eventually made contact with Bde @ about 1300 hrs & withdrew by
covered route to Bn area arriving @ about 1700 hrs in very tired condition.
Here a meal was sent them by 'B' Coy 2/4 H.Q & Pl moved about 2100
hrs to Seletar Rifle Range 810210 under 'D' Coy 2/30 Bn with the 2 guns
recovered from R.a.P truck & 10 belts of ammn.
7 Pl on making contact with C/O 2/29 Bn South of Bl Timah Village the previous
evening. 7 Pl Bn dispersed while Pl Comd went forward with C.O. Bn position was
uncertain ∧ @ about 0200 hrs & Col Pond ordered Pl to move back and act at his own discretion.
Pl moved back to Govt Gardens. Pl Comd went again to Bl. Timah & to Fort.
Canning but rec'd no orders. Meantime Pl had rested and obtained
4 carriers & 3 English MMG. Guns replaced those missing with truck now
fighting with 'A' Coy 2/4 MG Bn. Four drivers who had had a short time of
Carrier instruction @ Adelaide River N.T. had a little practice, guns were
overhauled and Pl proceeded to West Coast Rd. At 9.30 hrs Pl Comd
met Col Andre C O 1st Malayan Regt who said he could use the Pl. He took
Pl Comd. forward to Pasir Panjang Hill 756497 & gave them a task driving
Bn fwd in this area. Pl went into action & dug in at 2000 hrs. C.D.F.
was sent up @ 2000 hrs (took 4 mins rapid, 4 mins normal) and again @ 1200 hrs
Malayan patrols reported attack repulsed.
Ration incident @ 4 Div A.S.C. Dump.
Thur 12 Feb
When Coy 2 I/C reported to O/C @ Bd H.Q. the previous evening he reported
that he had mounted 6 MMG from 2/26 Bn carriers, manned by Coy HQ
personnel and carrier drivers for defense of Bde 'B' Ech area at 836146.
O/C obtained order from Bn for these guns & 2 vans to be sent for and
to replace those lost to enemy actions by 8 & 9 Pls. These were delivered
about 0300 hrs together with same gun stores and same 100 belts of ammn.
Pl took over guns at day light.
9Pl put one Sec covering Thompson Rd and one Sec covering rifle range above
'A' & 'D' Coy fronts.
At 1600 hrs 2/30 Bn (Bde now under Comd 4 Div) rec'd order to withdraw @ 1030 hrs
& at 1900 hrs enemy infiltration was reported up the right flank. Infiltration
intensified during the evening. At 2100 hrs withdrawal was ordered postponed
for 24 hrs and at 2300 hrs Bn was ordered to withdraw. The Sec of 9Pl
covering Thompson Rd was last out covering withdrawing troops until 0200 hrs.
These inc. A.F.V.
8 Pl could find no role for guns so were ordered to take up positions as
inf with H.Q Coy 2/30 Bn sending van, and guns & ammn under Cpl Hoskin
& 5 men ∧( No 1 gun team) to move back with ∧to Bn tpt and if anything happened to get. guns in
to safety, ∧ & then extract Pl fwd. These orders were necessarily sketchy. 2/30 Bn Cpt commenced
to withdraw south down Thompson Rd & Pl van went with them. Enemy air
action moved them too far and NCO. decided to go to 2/4 MG Bn HQ. . He
organised and proceeded to Holland Rd where 2 I/C Bn. attached them to
'C' Coy for action. Next day these men with the Sub Sec. ∧ (6 men) from 7 Pl ∧ & 3 men from 4 Pl who
became detached on night Monday/Tuesday were attached by unit 2 I/C to 'D'.
Coy when ∧ under whose Comd they remained until action ceased
7 Pl Pl area was under shell & mortar fire during the night. Pl Sgt. on
foraging expeditions met Major Saggers (late 2/4 MG Bn, now Comd. a composite
Bn of 2/4 MG Bn reinforcements and AASC personnel) at Botanical
Gardens & gave him map ref. of Pl position hoping that his Coy or Bn would
get the inf.
During this time Pl had call for fire from Malay Sgt & engaged A.P.C. area
744115 @ 1000 hrs with fire for 5 mins. At 1230 hrs a runner D/R arrived
@ H.Q. 1st Malayan Regt with order purporting to be from Bn HQ. to withdraw
C.O. countermanded ∧ & checked on the order which is believed to be bogus. Fairly steady
shell & mortar fire fell on the area for the rest of the day & enemy
Pl fired on fixed lines @ 2230 hrs ∧ (60 mins) & at 0400 hrs next morning (4 mins).
As Coy had had no inf. from 7 Pl since D/R returned on Tuesday night with
report that Pl had made contact with 29 Bn., 2 I/C Coy spent some hours
during the day endeavouring to ascertain their movements. H.Q. A.S.F @ [[Tang Lin?]]
was unable to advise whereabouts of 2/29 Bn. 2 I/C had passed through Botanical
Gardens on return & spoke to Major Saggers but this was only a short time
prior to Pl Sgt of 7 Pl moving through that area and also meeting Major
Saggers & leaving inf. with him of Pl position.
During the day Bd's Protected Pl and some of Bde Fwd HQ personnel
moved back to Bn. 'B.' Ech. area.
Friday 13 Feb 43
At 0100 hrs the final elements of HQ Coy 2/30 Bn were withdrawn, operations
completed w/out incident and at 0300 hrs. Bn. bivouaced at ANG MOKIO
village, south of Pierce Reservoir. At 0700 hrs, 8 Pl took up defensive posns
with C Coy 2/30, and 9 Pl with A Coy 2/30 on Island Golf Course. Planes
were overhead but the area was NOT shelled. 8Pl had not located
its truck for reason as stated in Thursdays report and verified as
Inf.
At 1000 hrs 2/30 Bn rec'd orders to w'draw @ 1300 hrs. The plan now was to
form an AIF formation clear of Singapore and draw all AIF troops
into this area.
Bn 'B' Ech. moved out on left. 2/30∧ Bn &, B Coy 2/4 MG Bn parties. At 1100
hrs O/C Coy ordered his B Echxx to proceed 2 I/C to move B. Ech to vicinity Tang Lin & establish
them [[leaving?]] work at HQ D.I.F. of position for him. Sgt selected grounds
immediately east of Bot Gardens.
At 1200 hrs 2/30 Bn ∧ 8 & 9 Pls withdrew 2 miles South down Thompson Rd ∧ from where
M.T. transported them to Botanical Gardens
Pl 8 came into vicinity Coy H.Q. where they were fed a hot meal and [[?]]
from an ordnance dump nearby & rested until dark.
At 1600 hrs Bde ordered 8 Pl to come under 2/26 Bn & 9 Pl to 2/30 Bn. Inf had
just moved in and O/C could only contact 2/30 Bn.
At 1830 8 & 9 Pls moved fwd into 2/30Bn area ∧vicinity TYERSALL PALACE 9 Pl coming under Comd 'C' Coy
O/C C Coy established his H.Q. with ∧Coy B. Ech
7 Pl with Malay Regt on West Coast. About midday enemy heavily attacked
Loyal Regt on right flank. Pl could not assist from their position. Enemy
broke through and Malay Regt withdrew. Pl Sgt carried out under
shell fire w/out casualty to 7890074. Carriers were then sent to
patrol Coast Road and Buena Vista Road. Carriers recovered 3 MMG
at Pasir Panjang Village left by Loyal Regts. Village was then in enemy
hands. Carrier teams were remanned and remainder of Pl moved
back to Bl Chamin Rd for rest and food, under a Sec orderly, Pte [[?Hapsan.]]
It will be remembered that the pl was 2 Cpts & 1 L/Cpl short since
Tuesday morning.
Carriers continued to patrol during the night.
Sat 14 Feb 43
At 0900 hrs O/C Coy recce, 2/30 Bn C&D Coy areas. 9 Pl tasks were NOT very suitable
At 1000 hrs ' ' ' 2/26 ' one A&C Coy areas and arranged tasks for 8 Pl
One Sec fwd to 'C' Coy and one Sec to A Coy in the right for penetration task. Both
were good tasks. 2/26 Bn area was under intermittent shell fire all
day. More guns were arranged during the day for 8Pl. O/C Coy ordered
8 Pl to move to 2/26 Bn @ 1500 hrs & they moved fwd to Holland Rd.
At 1600 hrs Bde ordered O/C to contact 2/29 Bn as they needed MMG support.
At 1700 hrs O/C made recce. of 2/29 Bn area with C.O. and furnished him guns
in the morning. No report of 7 Pl had been Rec'd since 2100 hrs 10 Feb. but
2 guns had been obtained by 2 I/C from a Sig unit in Botanical Gardens
& O/C felt confident of getting two more somehow. Contact with 7 Pl
was made during the day and at 2000 hrs O/C reported to Bde that Pl would
go into position with 2/29 Bn by 0900 hrs next morning.
7 Pl at dawn Pl moved to Golf Links 796498 near Malayan Reg. Bn H.Q. C.O
decided to use carriers to protect flanks, one carrier moved to Buena
Vista Rd & engaged enemy penetrations on right flank firing fairly consistently
throughout morning & early afternoon. One carrier was stationed @ Pere Panjang
Coast road near the Pill Boxes & one carrier at Jcn Pasir Panjang & Buena Vista Rds
covering both roads. At about 1600 hrs the carrier covering right flank which had
done good work all day opened fire on 4 light tanks & units approaching their
positions ∧ at about 70y range opened fire. Taking toll of enemy on [[?]]. Malayan inf withdrew
& with enemy firing bullets penetrating the cover they withdrew.
Enemy fire Seriously wounded Sgt Holms ∨(died of wounds) an [[?]] L/Cpl Kell/[[?]])
[[?]] [[Nicholas?]]. The other members of the crew, Pte Finlay was bending down.
changing a broken lock spring & escaped injury. The carriers evacuated the
wounded to General Hospital. C.O. withdrew remaining carriers &
ordered Pt to rest & obtain food. An Officer behind Pl H.Q. was collecting
all available men to form a line behind Malay Reg & Pl Comd sent his
spare man to contact him. - No contact was made. They moved as far as
Hospital & then returned to Robinson Rd∧ docks and bivouaced.
At 1830 hrs C.O. Malayan Regt (Lt Col Andre) ordered Pl Cmnd to move & [[try?]]
to rejoin his own unit. Situation was later confused with Pl at this time
with half the men in Singapore Pl Comd with his Sgt and remaining carrier
teams bivouacced at Robinson Rd. Pte G.L. Collins (Pl Motor Cycle orderly) rec'd a shell splinter at Gen Hosp & was retained there.
Coy H.Q.: During previous evening three other Coy men had come in and
as one was a trained med orderly with some equipment he was instructed
to establish an RAP. Bn A.D.S moved into the house in whose grounds
Coy H Q was located & some supplies were obtained from stores.
Previous afternoon 8 & 9 Pl personnel had left some 80 odd cablegrams
for dispatch to Aust. At 0900 Coy Clerk (L/Cpl McGregor) set out with
a driver to locate a Field Post Office at Tang Lin - this did not exist
so they went to G.P.O. to find that cable facilities were suspended.
On return they passed a vehicle driven by Coy 2 7 Pl men & ascertained
that some of Pl were @ Gen Hosp having followed carriers w/- wounded.
They located 3 men & brought them back. During this time
3 other 7 Pl men arrived @ Coy H.Q.. Two had alighted from their
vehicle following carriers & were left behind - a M.P. told them to
go to Bde carriers & arranged them a lift. Then they found another
7 Pl man (Leahy) who had been evacuated from ∧ Cathay Hosp that day.
2 I/C sent his truck back to Coy to locate the [[?]] ∧of Pl. Driver found some
of Pl and guided them back to Coy H.Q. As this was a [[position?]] of RSF
perimeter O/C ordered defensive occupation on these men & Coy HQ
personnel manned the positions.
During the day CO Inf., Cpl Crek & assistants made five trips to S'pore
for rations and Coy then had sufficient for 3 days rations for whole Coy
During last trip they contacted O/C 7 Pl @ Robinson Rd and arranged to
get a Pl in early Sunday morning.
2 I/C arranged with 18 Bn in Botanical Gardens an effort to obtain guns. In
the absence of their C.O. they would not release them, but a Signal Unit
gave up 2 guns which they could not use.
Some 70 men [[?]]came into the vicinity and were w/out rations
so Coy H.Q. fed this party this day and the next.
An Indian A.A Bty personnel ∧ 50 [[Lahore?]]O/Rs completely & without arms bivouacced
during the day and were a source of annoyance with movements etc
O/C Coy rec'd [[?]] for 8 & 9 Pls and one dump was found fwd near
Farrar Rd. This area occupied by English troops and was under shellfire.
Sunday 15 Feb 43
7 Pl O/C, Pl Sgt & 18 men came in early in morning∧to Coy HQ @ 0730 and @ 0830 hr Coy Comd
moved half Bn Pl to 2/29 Bn area made recce. with Sec. Comd. and [[section?]]
this section @ 0930 Pl Comd arrived at the other Sec. and [[section?]] it. Pl HQ
at 2/29 Bn HQ. At 1100 hrs O/C reported ∧ 2/29 Bn 7 Pl in position w/- 2/29 Bn
2/29 Bn Malay Volunteer Divns were shelled and Pte H.Atkinson was wounded and evacuated beyond RAP.
9 Pl with 2/30 Bn. remained in positions - under shell fire about 1300 hrs -
no casualties. at 1440 hrs CO 2/30 Bn (Lt Col Ramsay) called for Pl Comd
and informed him of proposed armistice. At 2030 hrs. orders to cease
fire was rec'd and arms & Ammn were withdrawn to Pl truck. Pl
remained in Tyasall Palace grounds that night.
8 Pl obtained guns from 2/26 Bn prepared them for firing and moved into
posn with 2/26 Bn @ 793119 - one Sec with 'A' Coy and one with 'C' Coy.
Our NCO was evacuated with malaria. There was enemy shell fire along
the way but Pl was NOT in action. O/C advised Pl Comd @ 1530 hrs of
likely 'cease firing' order. Pl ceased firing @ 2030 hrs and remained in posn
Coy Comd reported to 2/4 MG and H.Q. @ 1700 hrs and found this area under heavy
shell fire with casualties in 'A' & 'D' Coy areas.
At 2100 Hrs Coy Comd Rec'd orders from Bde that Coy would revert
to its own Unit Comd. Pls were informed and @ 2330 hrs O/C
reported to HQ 2/4 MG Bn for orders.
Coy HQ During morning O/C Coy ordered that we move further position
wire to visit Singapore City as it was being subjected to heavy bombardment.
At abt 1500 hrs O/C informed 2 I/C of possible surrender and
@ 2030 hrs O/C brought order to cease firing.
7 Pl came into Coy HQ @ about 2100 hrs and bivouaced in xxxxxx vicinity
Monday 16 Feb 42.
Coy reported to 2/4 MG Bn H.Q. Buona Vista Rd @ 0800 hrs.
At 0830 hrs a Bn conference was interrupted by Japanese. 'B' Coy
was resting on a side road enemy shepherded remaining troops
to the main road. All officers were sent to main road & later this
party was moved to Raffles College Panang. O/C had returned
to Coy & remained under [[?]] throughout the day.
Tuesday 17 Feb 42. O/C Coy as the only MG off. present attended
Div Conference @ 0900 hrs & rec'd orders for march to Changi. Tho'
harassed by Japanese all day had telephone contact with Div
until 1830 hrs when a Patrol arrived searched & disconnected the
telephone.
@ 1430 hrs [[?o/c]] & [[?port]] were taken away by Japanese returning w/-
Cpt @ 1730 hrs. Unit Q [[ers?]] (was left w/o Capt ) and @ 1745 Bn commenced
march to Changi Camp.
Remainder of Bn under (C.O. Major [[Green?]]) remained undisturbed @
Raffles College Road and moved for Changi @ 1800 hrs. Tues Evening.
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