A further update to the Albert ‘ Mac’ McQuire Story

October 2005

Bernard Boden the son in law of Albert ‘Mac’ McQuire has kindly forwarded further information regarding the First Arakan Campaign in Burma during which ‘Mac’ was to experience the realities of War

The following are newspaper columns / reports that appeared in various publications during the first few months of the

Arakan Campaign

They give a unique insight into a part of history that has been very poorly reported upon

The original newspaper columns / reports were found amongst ‘Mac’s’ effects.

Being some 60 years old they are a little faded and difficult to read with ease.

They have therefore in the interests of clarity been rewritten in their entirety

I have tried where possible to convey the ‘urgency’ of the reports

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Report dated January 5th 1943 Unknown newspaper

Advance into Burma!

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Supplies Rushed

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Sharp fighting expected

MAUNGDAW Jan 5:- Since the occupation of this town a fortnight ago, supplies are being rushed forward by the mules, coolies, sampan, steamer and dug out canoe, writes the Associated Press special correspondent. Once again there is war activity in Burma, but it is a changed situation since last year.

Our troops are better trained in jungle warfare, and are advancing instead of retreating with considerable air support.

The local Muslim population is co-operating with our forces. Boatmen, who are working in the front line, taking troops and supplies down the Mayu river and working on other waterways have shown great courage. There have been cases where they continued rowing despite fire from Japanese patrols from the bank, and when my sampan was machine gunned by Japanese planes recently they continued to row although planes were flying within a few feet of them. One boatman continued rowing until he was killed. The Army is looking after his family to whom a pension is being given.

When volunteers were asked for from villagers to row the sampan after all its occupants except one were wounded, there was no difficulty in getting them.

The problem whether the Japanese intend to defend Akyab or withdraw is still uncertain. Ships have been arriving and leaving Akyab in the last few days but whether they are bringing up supplies or taking off troops, it is difficult to know. It is argued that the Japanese are short of shipping and the problem of supplying Akyab is considerable as no roads lead there so that they may wish to withdraw their tentacles. On the other hand, Akyab in our possession will be useful with an all the year round airfield, which is scarce in this region. It will also be useful as a supply centre, having a small but good harbour.

South of Akyab also, there is a little lagoon, the Andrew Bay, which is usable as a harbour and which can take a steamer of about 6,000 tons. There is also Kyankpyu, which was considered important from the military viewpoint at the time of the original conquest of Burma.

The next few weeks are likely to be interesting on this front. Even the clearance of small Japanese forces from the Naff and Mayu peninsulas may lead to some sharp engagements. – API

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January, 1943 Unknown Indian newspaper

JAP RESISTANCE IN FRONT OF DONBIAK

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Grimly Hanging on in Spite of Losses

In spite of all attempts to break down Japanese resistance in front of Donbiak, on the Mayu Peninsula, the tenacious enemy is still hanging on grimly in his deep, cunningly concealed foxholes, writes an Indian Army Observer. He has been there for 5 or 6 weeks holding us up in a series of battles in which he has disregarding all the losses we have caused him by concentrated artillery fire, by air bombing and machine gunning, and by gallant infantry attacks. And today he is still prepared to die rather than leave those warren like foxholes, which are so strong that they often withstand the full impact of a mortar bomb on the roof.

Our present onslaught began before dawn with a short hurricane bombardment. The air was filled with the rush of 25 pounder shells. Then came hours of bitter fighting for the creek known as the Chaung, which has all along been a key point of Japanese resistance. At first things went well for us. British Troops got across the seaward end of the Chaung, which runs into the Bay of Bengal and into a wooded area beyond. Providentially, clouds came up to hide the moon at the moment of their advance and the men with bayonets fixed, profited by the dimmer light. They are troops with old scores against the Jap, for they have been clashing with him on this front since operations began. None went forward in grimmer mood than 4 who were taken prisoner during earlier fighting, but escaped and got back to their own lines after 2 days.

One Indian unit made heroic attempts to overcome deadly mines and intense machine gun fire. Three of their officers were killed. I knew them all. They were the sort of men who did not understand the meaning of hesitation and they went for their objective like heroes.

Soon after midday, the storm of shot and shell reached a climax. Above all came the sharp bark of our 25 pounders, but the pattern of their sound was broken every minute or so by the harsher cough of the Japanese mortars, and from thick woods 500 or 600 yards in front of me the machine guns rat-tat-ed as Indian troops broke up a fierce counter attack> Smoke, laid by our gunners. Dense and drifting, covered the forward view, and fogged all outlines. It looked as though the Japanese had tried to use it to push in between two of our units, but they failed totally.

Then, suddenly it rained. The tops of hills, were blotted out by wreathing clouds as thick as the smoke screen below, and at the same time noise of conflict dwindled and died into a lull, so complete that the sound of the sea and the voices of the birds were startlingly clear. Just for a little while this small but blood battle area in Arakan returned to the hushed peace in which it had lain before the Japanese invader set foot upon it.

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Report dated January 10th 1943 Unknown Indian newspaper

START OF BATTLE FOR RATHEDAUNG

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Difficult Advance on Mayu River

Mayu River Front, Jan 10th: British and Indian troops are maintaining pressure before Rathedaung and on the Mayu Peninsula, writes the Associated Press, special correspondent, from a point a few miles from Rathedaung. He adds. I watched them filing through the darkness carrying only their 12 lb kit as they went down the river in sampans. There is the sound of gun and mortar fire as battle is joined a few miles away and RAF planes are bombing and machine gunning the enemy’s strong defensive positions. At the same time our guns could be heard from the east of the Mayu river where British and Indian have contacted the enemy.

The troops had carried out patrols as far as Foul Point the extreme tip of the peninsula. They then crossed the high precipitous ridge which runs down the peninsula by a track they had made, which not even mules could negotiate. In the meantime Indian troops had struck southwards down the east side of the ridge and west of the Mayu river.

There had been no sign of the Japanese and it seemed as if the peninsula was clear. Then, suddenly the enemy, who had been hiding in he hills and jungles, appeared at different places on both sides of the ridge, mostly in the neighbourhood of Donbiak. Fighting began and British troops had to make forced marches over very difficult country.

At one point near Donbiak which is about 15 miles north of Foul Point , the Japanese carried out a surprise attack against our troops, capturing two bren carriers which they used as strong points, but our guns knocked them to smithereens at point blank range, killing a number of the enemy. Our troops crossing the ridge discovered large Japanese food dumps carefully concealed in the jungle. Several bamboo houses raised on stilts were full of rice and other food and it is believed that there are numerous other such dumps in the hills, on which Jap guerrillas are depending.

Whereas on the seaboard it is possible to drive motor transport over the sand, advancing fairly rapidly, on the river advance depends on sampans, the enemy having taken away all motor launches and steamers. That is why the struggle for Rathedaung where the enemy have very strong defensive positions, has been delayed. - API

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January 14th, 1943 Unknown Indian Newspaper

FIERCE FIGHTING

ON MAYU FRONT

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Hill Captured

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Jap Resistance at Rathedaung

Hard fighting has been going on since yesterday morning for Rathedaung, the Japanese stronghold on the Mayu river about 23 miles from the key port of Akyab, states a message dated January 10th from an Indian Army Observer with our Forces in Burma The Jap is not running from here as he did at Maungdaw and Buthidaung. He is battling it out at least for the present and is making the most of the excellent positions which he holds to the north and west of Rathedaung.

The situation at the moment is that, while progress has been made our forces have come up against three particularly formidable obstacles, two still to be reduced, and that the capture of the town itself will follow a further tense struggle.

The three places to which the enemy has been clinging so tenaciously are known as Temple Hill, which commands approaches to Rathedaung on both sides from the north, and the twin pagoda topped summits practically on the river bank, which act as guardians against attack from the west.

Temple Hill fell today to an out flanking movement by Indian troops, who suffered negligible casualties; the others remain.

From the moment yesterday morning when the men of a famous British North Country regiment ** advanced to positions on the hills northwards of the town they met heavy mortar and machine gun fire. This was despite fierce, preliminary bombing and machine gunning by RAF Blenheims and Hurricanes.

The Jap also, opened up with an infantry gun, but after it had fired a few rounds nothing more was heard of it, suggesting that it had been effectively silenced. Our own artillery cracked away in support, and as the day went on the fighting became more and more intense. Late, last night the enemies mortars and machine guns were still firing, although only spasmodically. During the daylight, the Allied troops had to contend with smoke screens and also that favourite Japanese weapon, the sniper……………………..

Sadly what would appear to be the final paragraph has been torn through and it is not possible to make grammatical sense of what remains.

** Identified in a later newspaper report as the Lancashire Fusiliers.

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February, 1943 Unknown Indian Newspaper

STIFF FIGHTING ON THE ARAKAN FRONT!

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Equipment landed on Coastal Area

Calcutta, Feb.11- Stiff fighting continues on The Arakan Front and, considering the smallness of the forces involved, casualties have been heavy on both sides, says an Associated Press special correspondent . An indication of Jap losses in the Donbiak area was obtained through the capture of several Japanese prisoners.

As a result of co-operation between the RIN and rivercraft under the command of military officers, equipment has been landed in the coastal area of Arakan and artillery heavily pounds the Japanese positions. How heavily is shown by the experience of a British Lieutenant who was caught between Japanese, mortar fire and our artillery: the latter fired 34 tons of shells on a quarter-mile front the short time he was there.

A form of trench warfare was developed on the coastal area and at Rathedaung, which is not likely to dislodge the enemy who can retire into the waterways or jungle, striking again when the opportunity offers. However, an offensive with power craft is being developed, which enables the interception of reinforcements and supplies being sent from Akyab. Japanese aircraft have been slightly more active recently, though nothing like as active as the British and US planes.

WALKED TO RAID SHELTER THOUGH UNCONSCIOUS

Calcutta, Feb 11: A British Major on the Arakan Front had a strange experience. He was machine gunned by the Jap planes and taken to hospital where he was operated on. While in bed unconscious from the aesthetic, Japanese planes dropped bombs near by the noise of which apparently reached the subconscious man, for still unconscious, he walked unnoticed to a slit trench, remaining there until the raid was over. He told me, “ I knew nothing about it until I woke in the trench and someone helped me to bed.” API.

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The Statesman, Calcutta Friday March 19^th , 1943

ENCOUNTERS WITH ENEMY UNITS

E OF MAYU RIVER

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RAF OVER AKYAB AND MAGWE

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WIDESPREAD SWEEPS BY US AIRCRAFT:

BRIDGES AND VIADUCTS BOMBED

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New Delhi, March 17. – “ During the past 36 hours several encounters have taken place between

out troops and small Japanese units which have been active along the E side of the Mayu river

up to a point about 12 miles above Rathedaung.” Says an Indian Command joint communiqué.

“The general situation in this area remains unaltered. Elsewhere in the Arakan there is nothing to report.”

“Yesterday, the RAF, in active support of the Army, attacked with a formation of Blenheims, escorted by fighters the enemy occupied village of Mrawehaung, a few miles N of Rathedaung.”

“Last night bombs were dropped on Magwe aerodrome and on Akyab town. All our aircraft returned safely.”

A communiqué from Rear Echelon HQ, USAAF, China, Burma and India says:-

“Bombers and fighters of the 10^th USAAF continued their attack on Japanese installations and supply lines in Burma during the past 2 days. Despite large calibre a-a fire, medium bombers attacked the Gokteik viaduct on Mar 15, and formations of medium bombers attacked the vital Myitnge bridge near Mandalay on Mar b15 and 16. Heavy bombers attacked the Pazandaung Creek bridge N of Rangoon and Mar16, In some cases results were unobserved, due to hazy conditions: in others there were near hits. Although some enemy planes were seen they did not attack.

On Mar 515, formations of fighter bombers attacked the road bridge at Kadrangyang, 32 miles S of Sumprabum scoring 4 hits. Other fighters strafed an enemy truck column 18 miles N of Myitkyina. On Mar 16 the fighters again bombed and strafed Japanese positions in the Myitkyina area, destroying huts and starting fires. Trucks were strafed near Taungup and bombs were dropped on Tingpai and Wasat. From all these operations all our planes returned safely.” – API.

JAP AIR FORCE BEING

STRENGTHENED

By our War Correspondent

HQ, ARAKAN FRONT Mar 16 – The Japs are beginning to throw more aircraft into their offensive on the Arakan front and are meeting with stern resistance from the RAF. Yesterday’s bombing of Maungdaw was the sequel to a big air battle above the Arakan Yomas. Over these mountains two formations of Blenheims, each accompanied by fighter escort, ran into a Jap formation of 14 bombers with a bigger fighter escort than ours, heading N. We swing into combat and 2 of our fighters were shot down, a Blenheim following in flames. It is believed we shot down 3, possible 5 Jap machines. Enemy fighters scattered and their bombers plunged over the next best target and unloaded bombs over Maungdaw, with no effect at all. The RAF completed its mission and bombed and strafed several areas in the Kaladan region W of Apaukwa (9 miles S of Kyauktaw).

RAF strength in the Arakan is probably equal to any air effort the Japanese can put forth. The threat of the main Jap forces to our left flank, an arc S to E of Htizwe, and that of the enemy’s forward infiltration between Htizwe and Buthidaung is still serious. There has also been renewed Jap activity near the right flank of our Htizwe positions, the enemy apparently trying his favourite infiltration tactics. RAF fighters shot up the Japanese positions in this area yesterday.

E of Laungchaung side of the Mayu Peninsula, the Japs were quiet yesterday after taking a beating in a series of futile attacks the previous day. Two of our patrols probing this area yesterday found themselves surrounded: they got back with light casualties. The Donbiak sector continues quiet with our patrols active.

It can now be revealed that units of the following regiments are fighting in the Arakan; Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, Lancashire Fusiliers, Tripura Rifles, 8^th Punjab and 15^th Punjab Regiments, and the Rajputana Rifles.

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Reuter news report dated Nov 8^th 1943

from Unknown Indian Newspaper

Britain Doesn’t Know

BURMA TROOPS’

PART IN WAR AGAINST JAPAN

LONDON, Nov 8 - Air Chief Marshal Sir Philip Joubert, deputy Chief of Staff to Lord Mountbatten in South East Asia Command, at a Press conference here on Tuesday said that there were 250,000 very angry white men in Burma who were deeply concerned that what they were doing in fighting the Japanese was not being published at home. In addition there were Indian troops ,making a force in all of about 750,000 who were making a valuable contribution to the general effort in fighting a gallant and heroic campaign. Sir Philip emphasized that the British and Indians were holding a bigger single front against the Japanese than any other force in the Pacific.

Capt. Frank Owen, famous peace time London journalist, who accompanied Sir Philip Joubert, gave a graphic description of the conditions under which the men were fighting in Burma. He referred to the terrible climatic conditions and pointed out that there were 3o inches of rain monthly for six months in a year. The men got a tot of rum but, “they are darned lucky if they get two bottles of beer monthly.” There were lice and leeches that had to be burned out of the skin with a cigarette end. Men went out on patrol for 10 to 15 days and if they did not get back in time they probably never returned. If a man was wounded he rarely got back because the remainder of the patrol had to move on.

Capt Owen described the exploits of the 17^th Division. He described how they marched 40 miles along mountain roads and brought out 4,000 mules, 2,600 vehicles and all their guns. As they came back they were attacked at the rear and the Japanese flung road blocks across their path, but they marched 164 miles, fought for 23 days and when they got back to Imphal Plain were “more arrogant than ever.” The Division, he said, was well named “God Almighty’s Own”.

Capt. Owen said that when Gen. Stillwell was going to Mogaung the British Third Division under Brigadier Ferguson, went far out into the jungle where if men fell sick, they had been left to die. Brigadier Ferguson, marched his men 600 miles and operated 150 miles behind Japanese lines.

BATTLE OF ARAKAN

Capt. Owen gave a picture of the battle of the Arakan when the Japanese flung 10,000 men against the Allied positions. Allied troops were cut off, but stood fast and for 21 days were supplied with guns, ammunition “ and even beer” by air. The wounded were brought out literally under Japanese guns. In the end the Japanese attack was broken and the Japanese lost about 6,000 men.

He described how at Imphal, the Allies put in two and a half divisions by air. The Japanese miscalculated Allied strength to the extent of those two and a half divisions. Thirty thousand non combatant troops were flown out of the area because they were eating supplies required for the combatant forces. Allied aircraft cleared the Japanese out of the skies and gave a clear run to the great transport planes.

He mentioned the exploits of individual units and referring to the 78 days fighting around Myitkyina, said that the Japanese had literally to be got out at the point of a bayonet, “ I don’t think a single Japanese surrendered. The Japanese is probably a third rate army, but the individual soldier is determined to die to the last man. Every Japanese has to be killed. They fight to the last and then the last man blows himself up with a grenade.”

At Kohima the Japanese went in screaming and howling like mad beasts. Forty eight hours later – not in the heat of battle – A Japanese Officer went into a hospital and said “ Kill these men: and went from bed to bed bayoneting Allied wounded. The Japanese then took the six doctors and put a bullet into each. “The Japanese is a beast, a savage, but a brave savage.” Capt. Owen concluded.

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And finally from an unknown Indian newspaper

CONTRASTS OF WAR AND PEACE

Day in lives of Allied Troops in Arakan

A mile or two behind me men are bathing in the blue, sunlit Bay of Bengal. Here, a few yards in front of me, an officer is being carried along the wide beach on a stretcher, writes an Indian Army Observer, giving a pen picture of a typical day in the lives of troops, both Indian and British now in Burma.

The officer is smiling through his pain, and smoking a cigarette. He sees a friend, waves to him and calls “Sorry about this. Ran into a blasted machine gun. Got hit in the leg and chest. But I’ll be alright, good luck.”

Here is the contrast of war and peace which stands out sharply in this battle along the beach, and in the jungle clad foothills bordering it. And here, too, in the example of that wounded officer, is the spirit of the Indian Army at it’s highest.

Those men behind me, relaxing for a few minutes, are not only bathing within the sound, but within sight of the guns. A couple of hundred yards away, where the sands give place to dunes and scrub, cleverly concealed 25 pounders, their crews stripped to the waist, are cracking away at the Japanese positions.

They have been doing that nearly all day, ever since they put down a barrage and a smoke screen to help an advance by our ground troops . Tonight, in the light of the moon, they will still be sending over an occasional shell, which will rob the Japanese of any chance of sleep.

SNIPERS IN THE TREES

By now an Indian unit on our left has cleared a section of foothills with comparatively little opposition, and light casualties. Ahead British troops are having a harder struggle against the Japs lying across the beach. Enemy mortars and machineguns which survived the bombardment make progress difficult. There are snipers in the tress. Bullets whistle down the beach and this is no place for aimless walking. ”Watch those gaps, there.” Says a warning voice as I round a corner, where one can see the Jap positions southward, a few hundred yards away. You are a fool in these parts- and perhaps dead one – if you need to be told twice.

A little further back the Commander of the operation is in the office. It is an office in the sense that it has chairs and tables, telephones and maps, but it consists of the shade of a huge tree, and walls are the surrounding bush.

Tomorrow the guns will sound again, with their full voice.The Indian and British soldier will renew their advance moving cautiously through the jungle and dunes using every bit of cover against a cunning still-dangerous opponent. It’s odds on the RAF taking a hand as they do so often, and so effectively.

And this is one day’s fitting impression of this “little” but bitter war along the once lonely coast of Arakan. It has been the sort of day which may have more than one counterpart before the clinging Jap grip is finally prised loose.

Complied by Geoff Pycroft

October, 2005