| Regiment | 2nd Royal Berkshire |
|---|---|
| Location | Mandalay, Burma |
| Entry | Orders received to attack and secure X Rds at 580639 and X Rds at 594639. Support - Arty (at call) 1 Bty 3 Mtrs R.A. 2 Tps medium tanks. (See Fire Plan attd Appx D.2.). 'B' Coy supported by 'D' Coy and followed by Tac H.Q. secured first objective by 1250 hrs. Adv on second objective commenced, whilst 'C' Coy moved up to first objective at X Rds 580639. On arrival 'C' Coy sent a patrol into the Cathedral North of X Rds at 580639 and captured a Japanese Medical Offr, who appeared to be praying inside. 'A' Coy still remained at their previous location at Rly Bridge 567640. 'B' Coy supported by Tp of Tanks attacked final objective at 1500 hrs but was held up by enemy opposition from 592638. Coy was shelled from direction of Fort and also fired upon across open sights by an enemy 75 mm gun. One medium tank received a direct hit from a shell (probably 105mm) and was set ablaze. Two of the crew were killed and 5 badly wounded. As it was getting late in the afternoon the attack was broken off. 'B' and 'D' Coys returned to X Rds at 580639. This area was shelled by the enemy, several direct hits occurred, one in the middle of the Bn 3" Mtr position, which was a dud, and two in the middle of No 78 Bty 33 A/TK Regt R.A. (3" Mtr Tp posn), amongst some stone buildings. There was a great deal of blast and rubble in the posn, but only 3 men were slightly wounded. Enemy snipers were also active against this area, and they were engaged by L.M.Gs and 2" Mtrs. During the early part of the night our Arty heavily shelled, with 25 pdrs, mediums and 6" howitzers, the enemy posn at 592638, where movement of tractors etc was heard. Later during the night an enemy section advanced down the road towards 'C' Coy area. Grenades were thrown by 'C' Coy, and 1 enemy was killed, and 4 or 5 wounded. Our arty harassed the enemy between X Rds 594639 and the road Northwards to the Fort throughout the night. During the night 'A' Coy blew up two enemy 75 mm guns and 1 x 105 mm which had been located just outside their area after the previous nights attack. Locations at nightfall - Bn less 'A' Coy with 78 Bty 33 A/TK Regt R.A. under command, at X Rds 580639. 'A' Coy at Rly Bridge 567640. Own casualties - 1 O.R. killed. 1 Offr (Lieut L.A. Pocock) and 4 O.Rs wounded. Reference to Appendice: Appx D.2. Five Plans for 14 Mar 45. Appx F.2. 2 R Berks Int Summary dated 14 Mar 45. |
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