POWs in the Far East

Private Papers of Lieutenant W N Heaton

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Catalogue number
  • Documents.10208
Subject period
Second World War
Creator
Category
private papers

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Content description

Photocopy of his ms account (14pp, written 'soon after the events') recording his service as a platoon commander with the 1st Battalion Gold Coast Regiment RWAFF (2nd West African Brigade, 82nd West African Division in Burma in the Arakan and the Kaladan Valley (October 1944 - May 1945), including the journey from Chas (Bihar, India) to the Arakan (October 1944 - December 1944); the capture of Buthidaung and the advance down the Kaladan Valley (January 1945 - February 1945) in conjunction with the landings at Akyab, Kangaw and on Ramree Island; embarking at Kangaw to land at the beach-head at Ru-Ywa advancing against fierce Japanese resistance, reliant on air drops for supply (February 1945 - March 1945); being evacuated sick to a hospital ship at Akyab (March 1945); rejoining his unit assaulting Taungup (April 1945 - May 1945); flying with a party of men to Rangoon to take part in a Victory Parade and attend an investiture by Lord Mountbatten (June 1945); and commenting on the conditions and rations; patrolling; Japanese ambushes and attacks; jungle warfare; inaccurate maps; the destruction of battle, notably the bodies and equipment left behind by the retreating Japanese; the casualties from battle and disease; his African troops and his fellow officers; Japanese tactics and heavy casualties. Also included are ts extracts from the 'History of 3rd Battalion The Gold Coast Regiment RWAFF in the Arakan Campaign, October 1944 - May 1945' (29pp) giving an Order of Battle with ms annotations and covering the move from India to the Arakan (October 1944 - December 1944); operations at Buthidaung (December 1944 - January 1945); the move to the Kaladan - Lemro Valleys (January 1945 - February 1945); the advance to Kangaw (February 1945); the action at the Gyethinka Chaung (February 1945); the advance from the Ru-Ywa Bridgehead (February 1945 - March 1945); occupying Shawbin Taung (March 1945); and the advance to Tamandu-Taunup (April - May 1945).

History note

Catalogue date 2001-03-14

History note

Cataloguer SNR

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