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 1000hrs disembarked and marched
to Rly Stn, entraining for Woodlands Camp. We detrained at the Oil Tanks
Siding near Causeway 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 Bde ^Brig Maxwell Bde.
area was incl. Causeway to incl Kranji River with depth to MANDAI & Bl. 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 CO. 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. PM 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 Unit 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 allottment 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 300/400x outside each flank. 4 Pl 'A' Coy (Lt. FGX
McCaffrey) came under comd. @ 0900 hrs. At 1000 hrs Pl Comds. rec'd plan,
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. Co 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 high area was returned @
2330 hrs. Coy HQ. personnel and Pl men who could be [[spared?]] [[?]][[?]] etc
proceeded to fill belts; task complete by dawn. Most of this ammn. 160,000 round
was Winchester packed in boxes marked 'R.A.F. NOT for use in Air craft'! During
later days the gunners showed antipathy towards this ammun. and used our own
first. Stories of last war failures in American Ammn biassed them and
a crimping around the bullet made them suspect [[?'traces']]. 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
[[?]] Sub Sec demolished four huts. The O/C Coy moved 8 Pl first 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 30 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 1000x 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 Brig xor Bns. were available. At 2000 hrs Bn. withdrew 4 Pl &
attached Siqs & S.Bs. 4 Pl retired to 'A' Coy in 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
100x 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 reints &
was engaged in a training programme. 7 Pl moved @ 1800 hrs. to 2/29 Bn @ 724215
just West of Yin Tir Village. At this time Coy B Ech. was ordered to join Bdr
'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 200x into area
A Coy. 2/30 & rested. Carrier Sec was taken over and area recc.
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 filling
[[?]] [[?up]] 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 2000x - 4000x 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 60x 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 an MG 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 work and stores.
Pte Zeib was detailed and rejoined the Coy @ Changi on 17 Feb.
Some tents were held by Coy. and 2/6 Fld Park 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 recc. 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 & our arty 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 CSM & 2 O/Rs of A Coy
2/30 Bn met a Japanese barge in the Straits about 2130 hrs. O/Rs returned but
CSM Smythe did not return. There was spasmodic fire SA fire and @ about
2200 hrs O/C A Coy 2/30 sent up C.D.F. T'fer (9 Pl) & Carrier Sec opened fire
on firin 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 [[??]] orders.
Enemy units answered the fire from both sides of Causeway Johore end,
9 guns being observed from flash. Fire was directed up Maisiling 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. [[?]] 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 an 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 [[?]] and taken out by mortar fire.
Ptes Montagh, 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 again on one truck. Another van was obtained from O/C A Coy
2/4 mls 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 Jarang Rd. The farming land was densely parked with
transport with 44 2nd 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 [[?]]. 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& p Pl areas @ Causeway were heavily shelled all day. News of
the West Coast landing was rec'd. An inf Sec 2/30 ^ [[D Eng ?]]of Causeway following a direct
hit which wounded one man & seriously wounded 2 men, with [[others?]] & an
A/T sec. then also withdrawn & 9 Pls No. 2 gun left isolated also with them.
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 G 2.4. 5 Sec east of Causeway were to look 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.
Pl 2/30 O/C Coy engaged fire with orders from Bn to 2/26 Bn to hold as many as
possible & then to withdraw to Pipe Line and orders to 2/30 Bn to conform. At 0230 enemy
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 reconnoitered 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 cemetary @ 740227 creste (Copy note in Hinds James & Parker. D James Statement)
8 Pl abt 0230 hrs rec'd Containing order to w'draw by O/C C Coy 2/30 (Capt Lamecraft)
" 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 [[?shared]] 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 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 [[Bosch]]). 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
[[?]]. Our most informed Pl advised that 2/29 Bn were further East. Still contact
was missed. Pl Cmd. was unable to reach Bn 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.Qrs.
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.
[[?]] 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 units 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. Aron 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. @ [[?]] &
to an [[?]] order for Bde counter attack to reoccupy Bk 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 new 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. [[?]] 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 ammun. and
the drivers services. Dr. Miller was evacuated sick [[?]] and RaP. & rejoined
Coy on 21 Feb. Dr. Gibbs returned on Monday morning 16 Feb.
Wednesday
11 Feb.
Bde HQ [[?]] to Thompson Road @ 0700 Hrs
.. both through on left of Bde Section early in morning necessitating
withdrawal of 2/26 Bn and making proposed counter attack on possible
at 1000 Hrs 2/30 Bn withdrew Southwards with D Coy covering with ...
at 1030 & D Coy supported by 8 Pl engaged the enemy. 8 Pl was
preparing to withdraw had had 2 guns on truck when situation became
grave. O/C 'D' Coy gave Pl ....permission to put this Sec back into action
and sent word... to the other Sec. Japanese were attacking .... by
Pl opened fire with all guns a short range to cover inf withdrawal
@ 1100 hrs .... Enemy advance at that point stopped under effects
of a damaging ???. One gun was fired with the el ???? great fun
removed for greater .... Withinf all clear Pl withdrew ∧guns in ,,,,,
to b?? as Pl covered on led by Pl ..... to join up w/x inf. Pte D. a. Day
was mortally wounded bringing out his gun. As .... in enemy
hands Pl Comd., a Sgt & 2 men remained to destroy guns, ammn & vehicle.
& then followed Pl which was contacted abt 300x South Mandai Rd.
Have Pl Cmd ... that Pl Sgt (Sgt Sandilands) was seriously wounded
and missing, & Ptes Carruthers &R L Smith were missing. A party of ??
under Sgt Hambley returned to find evacuated & 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 [[?]] 2/30 [[?]] [[?]] withdraw
South down Pipe Line with D Coy 2/30 Bn & then west through jungle and
halted for tea near Bne HQ 805205 (SW of [[Sele?]] Aerodrome) ∧ @ [[?]] check
revealed total casualties were as shown above. This made w/drawal
complete incl "a" Coy 2/26 Bn. Pl took up position after [[?]] 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. [[?]] Rd &
one Sec covering 'A' Coy front and 'C' Coy right flank. Secs over 1200x apart &
divided by a swamp.∧ Enemy attacked A&B Coys. At 0900 hrs [[?]] Coy withdrew & a runner ???
to Pl to withdraw to truck. This was accomplished∧ under fire & truck moved off [[?]] Bn Cpt
& Pl moved out w/- Bn H.Q, Truck came under fire on Mandai Rd - an
armoured car covered enemy [[?]] [[?]] & truck got through but was damaged and
engine died after about 500x. - 2 guns were put on a passing RaP truck &
[[?]] with Bn's [[?]] [[?]]. Latter were not recovered. Personnel (4) afterwards &
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 of course.
??Bl Panjang Village. For reasons as shown contact with 2/26 Bn was NOT made
Bn & in [[?]] eventually made contact with Bde @ about 1300 hrs & withdrew by
covered [[?]] to Bn area arriving @ sharp 1700 hrs in very [[?]] [[?]]
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