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Hill 170, Part I: On the 22nd January a 50 vessel convoy headed up the Daingbon Chaung, towards a spot on the East bank codenamed 'Thames'. The Daingbon was one chaung among many that criss crossed the swampy 1/ #VJDay75
Veterans travelling up a chaung in the Arakan, 2005
Veterans travelling up a chaung in the Arakan, 2005
landscape, it was not an easy place to land but at 1245 hours 1 Cdo led the assault under enemy shelling, wading through the tangle of submerged mangrove roots. The landscape afforded them no where to 'dig in' so an immediate and aggressive 2/ #VJDay75
attack on Hill 170 was the only option. Ted advanced with 44 at 1500 consolidating on the southern side of 170 that had been cleared by 1 Cdo at the cost of 3 dead and 9 wounded. That night 3 Troops of 44 moved off, crossing 400 yards of paddy to capture 3/ #VJDay75
Milford, unopposed. But at 170, the Japanese launched a fierce probing attack on the Brigade, quietly advancing to the trenches before an officer drew 4/ #VJDay75
©IWM SE1299, 19th Lancers moving into position in the hills around Arakan ready to shell Japanese positions
©IWM SE1299, 19th Lancers moving into position in the hills around Arakan ready to shell Japanese positions
his sword to signal a charge and the enemy party ran at the Commanos' position full pace, howling as they did so. Twice this happened and twice 3 Cdo Bde repulsed the attack, with 2 further fatalities. The night was long, the Commandos 'boxed in', in an attempt 5/ #VJDay75
to avoid encirclement tactics used by the Japanese. Shortly after day break, C Tp of 44 would advance to 'Pinner'. #VJDay75
Ted laying a cross on Hill 170, 2005.
Ted laying a cross on Hill 170, 2005.
