In June 1945 the 2nd-in-com-mand Maj RAINSFORD took over the command. He often remained serious and the wrinkles of his forces conveyed sternness, and junior officers particularly never felt at ease in his presence. The 2nd in Command had a wonderful gift for narrating jokes which often forced the commanding officer to smile. During July 1945 the CO send me with a strong patrol into the PEGU YOMAS (thick jungle with little openings far apart) for laying ambush for the Japanese defeated parties/stragglers reported to have collected for making a dash for the river SITTANG. From the edge of the jungle the river was about 30 miles but all the routes and likely crossing places were guarded by troops. The enemy parties could only move secretly during dark hours, many had been ambushed, suffering numerous casualties after gruesome battles. I searched the area for miles and miles but managed only to find abandoned arms and equipment scattered in the thick jungle. According to the villagers a strong party of stragglers had moved the previous night and many Japanese had managed to cross the PUGU-RANGOON railway line and the road.
展开▼
