1st East Yorkshire Regiment - 1945

Discussion in 'British Indian Army' started by Pete Thomas, Nov 25, 2012.

  1. Pete Thomas

    Pete Thomas Member

    Hi, does anyone know which division the 1st EYR served under in India/Burma in 45? Also does anyone know what actions they were involved in during the year?

    Any help greatly appreciated, as always.

    Regards
    Pete
     
  2. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    From the Burma Star website.

    Eastyorks
    1 E Yorks was a regular battalion and had been in India since before the war. It joined 99 Ind Bde in 04/45, replacing 6/15 Punjab, and fought in the battles of the Rangoon Road and the Sittang. The brigade was attached to 19 Ind Div for a time and fought along the Kalaw road. It then rejoined 17 Ind Div and remained in Burma until 1946/47. 1 E Yorks returned to the UK in 1946
     
  3. Steve Mac

    Steve Mac Very Senior Member

  4. Pete Thomas

    Pete Thomas Member

    Owen/Steve, thank you

    Regards
    Pete
     
  5. Pete Thomas

    Pete Thomas Member

    From the attached service record I've managed to get the below info but I'm confused over a couple of points (easily confused), which I've listed below as questions (underlined). Any help greatly appreciated :):



    Embarked UK 11.12.44
    Disembarked India 11.1.45
    Arrived Transit Camp Kalyan 12.1.45
    Transferred East Yorks Regt and taken on strength 1st Battalion 5.2.45
    Taken on strength 1st Bn from Transit Camp Kalyan 5.2.45
    Admitted 63rd Indian Field Ambulance and struck off strength Unit to X (ii) L156 (?) 15.2.45
    Ceased to be administered by ALFSEA struck off strength to India Command 15.2.45
    Discharged 63 Indian Field Ambulance 20.2.45
    Where was he between 20th and 28th February?
    Entered concessional area (does anyone know what this means?) 28.2.45
    Rejoined 1st East Yorks Regt 21.05.45
    Struck off strength Indian Command to ALFSEA (Allied Land Forces, South East Asia). Did this mean he was with the 1EYR between 21.05.45 and 28.09.45?

    Posted to HQ 505 district SEAC 28.09.45 (505 district was formed in Chittagon in March 1945)
     

    Attached Files:

  6. Paul Woolley

    Paul Woolley New Member


    Would have been one of 182 who transferred to 1 Btn East Yorks on 5th February 1945 at TEPPAKADU, the Btn left for exercise 'Hull' on 26th February and returned on 4th March.
     
  7. Paul Woolley

    Paul Woolley New Member

    Regimental Diary 1944 WO 172/4931
    The Battalion was In Bombay until April 1944 when it moved to BETHAMANGALA and was reorganised, some officers and men went home and others transferred.
    Between the 26th and 30th July 320 BORs joined the Battalion and in August / September officers and men went to Jungle Warfare Training Camp GUDULUR.

    Regimental Diary 1945 WO 172/7677
    The Battalion January 1945 War Establishment was 795 BORs, 32 Officers plus attachments such as medical and engineers and 68 Indian support.

    In February the Battalion moved to Teppakadu for exercise “Hull”, presumably a jungle exercise and then returned to Bethamangala. In late March the Battalion was moved to Manipur Road and on April 3 is ordered into Burma. The Battalion is moved by 605 Company Royal Indian Army Service Corps to Meiktila

    On April 8 the Battalion crossed the River Chindwin at Kalewa into Burma and on April 12 at Alon the Battalion is welcomed into the 14th Army by Sir William Slim.

    On April 13 the Battalion crosses the River Irrawady at Sameikkon and arrived at Meiktila on the 14th after the battle. On April 15 the Battalion arrives at Pyawbwe to join 17 Division, 99 Indian Infantry Brigade.

    The advance along the Rangoon Road was sometimes by lorry, mainly 3 ton trucks and at other times they marched. All units were on half rations. On April 29 the Battalion arrived at Payagle, still burning from the battle of the previous day and infested with booby traps.

    On May 1 the Battalion moved to Pegu, a base until 6 May, fighting patrols were sent out to find the Japanese and on May 6 the men were Issued with the Black Cat insignia. The Battalion had plastic cap badges which presumably were issued before going into Burma.

    On May 7 the Battalion move to PYU which was a base for several days. An entry in the War Diary reads, May 8, VE day in Europe No cigs, No soap, No booze, No razor blades, NO AMENITIES WHATSOEVER.

    Fighting patrols were sent out with orders to kill the Japanese with several fights resulting in Japanese dead. On one occasion a party recovering the dead from both sides found all the bodies had been stripped.

    On May 29 a patrol encountered a party of Japanese and a Japanese soldier was heard shouting a warning in English, “Watch out, English are here”.

    In June the Battalion continue along the Rangoon Road and in July is In Kalan, patrols are sent out resulting in the odd skirmish, the Japanese were found to be in a poor state.

    From the beginning of July soldiers are transferred out of the Battalion for returning home.
     
  8. Alex1975uk

    Alex1975uk Well-Known Member

    Concessional area is the area deemed front line / operational area ( although the original meaning is up for debate)! Basically you had to be in that area to qualify for the Burma Star medal. Well, that’s my understanding of it anyway.
    Alex
     

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