| Regiment | 1st Royal Berkshire |
|---|---|
| Location | RAIPUR, Burma |
| Entry | 0500 hrs. Sounds of M.T. from KYAUKTALON village (2157), which went on intermittently for 1 1/2 hours. One or more elephants were heard trumpeting during this period. 0630 hrs. One of three boats (country craft) which were seen yesterday (Feb 5th) on the foreshore of KYAUKTALON village has gone. Comment: May have been destroyed by our shell fire, or been moved away last night. The sniper operating against the Japs on SHWEPYISHIN island had three shots at them, but was unsuccesful. The range is 900 yds. 0815 hrs. 8 figures in Burmese dress seen on the island. One was repairing a bullock cart. 0830 hrs. Company patrols, sent out in accordance with Bde operation instruction report "no enemy seen". 0900 hrs. Bn. Operation Instruction no 2 sent to Coys. 1100 hrs. The Divisional Commander, Major General NICHOLSON visited the Battalion. 1500 hrs. Sounds of M.T. can be heard SOUTH and behind KYAUKTALON village. 1500 hrs. One English and one American Officer, studying bombing effect, inspected YWATHIGYI village and the bombing damage. They took photographs of the devastation. 1830 hrs. Heavy shelling by Jap 105mm or 150mm of 5 Brigade HQ area. 2045 hrs. A Coy report two fires on the foreshore NORTH of KYAUKTALON village. At least 3 figures are seated round it, shouting and singing. 2100 hrs. KYAUKTALON village is on fire. Figures can be seen tending the flames. All the dogs in the village appear to be barking. The flames are leaping up, and it appears that about one half of the village is on fire. Sounds of MT can be heard, and the crack of ammunition, or bamboos splitting, in the heat. The fire continued until 0530 hrs, and smouldering still continues at 1200 hrs on Feb 7th. At daylight it could be seen that half the visible portion of the village has been burned, except the stone pagodas and buildings. Apart from this, the night was quiet. Reference to Appendices: Appendice 6 and 7 |
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