Second World War 1940-1943.

MH/3

Second World War 1940-1943.

In May 1940 M.H. was given command of the 5th Royal Battalion 5th Mahratta Light Infantry which in December was briefly posted to Raymak in Waziristan as reinforcements against an upsurge of local tribal warfare (p.2). Then in June 1941 the battalion was posted as part of the 24 Brigade to Iraq (p.9-10) where an anti-British coup d'etat had occurred in April. The British anxious to forestall any pro-Axis moves, disembarked troops at Basra and by 20 June the occupation of Iraq was completed (p.13). The British forces then moved into Iran in conjunction with Soviet forces in the North-West (p.16). On 24 August 24 Brigade advanced successfully on Abadan and on to Ahwag where the Iranians surrendered. Henry was employed with the occupying forces and describes his liason with the Russian opposite numbers (p.23-24). He also had dealings with Poles evacuated from Russia through Iran (p.25). Eventually Iran agreed by treaty to aid the Allies and the Allied Forces in Iran where to help feed and clothe the local people, improve communications and pacify local tribes (p.27-28).

By 1942 the German threat in the Middle East seemed less acute and in May MH was appointed AQMG to HQ 4 Corps which was being sent to meet General Alexandra's forces retreating from Burma (p.30). He describes the growing unease in India as the Japanese forces approached closer to the frontier and his journey across India to the Burma frontier. (p.32). He joined IV Corps at Imphal, passing thousands of refugees fleeing into India on the way (p.34). There he was put in charge of finding accommodation for the brigades of the Burma Army which were expected in the town which had by then been evacuated as the town was suffering frequent air raids. He describes the utter chaos in the area and the great problems of maintaining such a large number of troops in the Imphal Plain during the monsoon season. The road was unable to carry the weight of transport suddenly required of it and continual repairs had to be made. The vehicles themselves could barely withstand the strain placed on them, aggravated by the inefficiency of the drivers in the newly raised transport companies (p.40).

In August MH led a joint British-American reconnaissance party to the Dibrugash-Ledo area to prepare for the arrival of Chinese troops withdrawn from Burma. During his visit to New Delhi to present the groups report - rather too "Americanised" for his liking - he met Orde-Wingate wjo was to lead an offensive mission into Burma (p.44).

English

44 pp.