| Regiment | 2nd Royal Berkshire |
|---|---|
| Location | Area of Pagoda 2, Burma |
| Entry | At 0645 hrs. 'D' Coy at Pt 270 on relief by 1 Pl 8 F.F.R. moved to rejoin the Bn, followed closely by 1 Coy F.F.R. who came under command with the task of holding Pagoda 3 should the attack on Pagodas 1 and 2 prove successful. On their arrival 'B' Coy moved East and then North to establish themselves by 0800 hrs without opposition at cross tracks 966987 and from there patrols brought in the following information (1) enemy posn with grenade discharger at track junction 964988 (2) Road block (felled tree) at 964989 (3) Rd block (2 felled trees) at track junction 965990. Simultaneously one Pl 'C' Coy probed fwd and discovered an enemy posn astride the road at 963988 and another with 1 L.M.G. at the foot of Pagoda 2. After an O Gp at 1100 hrs 'C' Coy moved to a posn immediately South of 'B' Coy and 'A' Coy moved through 'B' Coy with the intention of acting in a cut off role astride the road at 967994. Enemy were, however, contacted in the area of cross track 967988. 'A' Coy, therefore, contained this posn whilst 'B' and 'C' Coys lauched an attack at 1330 hrs in 2 phases with 25 pdr, 3" Mtr and M.M.G. support in the direction of Pagoda 2 (see Appx J.4) 'B' Coy north of the rd, 'C' Coy south of the road, the road being inclusive to 'B' Coy. Phase 1 was the capture of track junc 964988 by 'B' Coy and the enemy posn at 963988 by 'C' Coy, 'D' Coy giving diversionary support by engaging the S slope of Pagoda 2 with small arms fire. On the completion of Phase 1 'B' Coy were to secure the right flank whilst 'C' Coy captured Pagoda 2. This attack was successfully completed by 1415 hrs. For fire plan see appx D.1. 'B' Coy then patrolled to Pagoda 1 and found it occupied. Simultaneously 'A' Coy began pushing up the road running N.E. whilst 'D' Coy was held in readiness to pass through 'A' Coy and seize rd - track junc 969996. 'A' Coy however, regained contact 400 yds up the road, and having insufficient time to deal with the opposition, dug in for the night with 'D' Coy immediately in rear. At this stage the enemy apparently thinking that Pagoda 1 was being attacked, proceeded to Mortar it heavily, altho' it was still ccupied by his own tps. The balance of the Bn, together with 1 Tp 274 Bty, perimetered in an area which included Pagoda 2 and track junction 964988. 1 Coy 8 F.F.R. holding Pagoda 3. Very heavy rain fell for about 1 hour during the night. Casualties - 2 O.Rs killed 8 O.Rs wounded. (For Special Order of the Day by Lt Gen F.S. Messervy see Appx J.5) Reference to Appendice: Appx J.I.2.3. Air photographs giving topographical information. Appx J.4. Chart showing details of attack on Pagoda 2. Appx D.1. Fire plan for attack on Pagoda 2. Appx J.5. Special Order of the day by Lt-Gen F.W. Messenvy CB, DSO, Comd 4th Coms. |
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