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7/5/1942: Akyab Despite the fact that the monsoon season was a month away, the oppressive heat and humidity, were not the only reason that this once peaceful fishing community was quiet at midday. No feluccas were out today, the town’s population had fled into the surrounding fields, leaving the town to the Indian Division which had taken up residence months before. The Ex-Pat British Commander, twirled his wax pointed moustache, and thought: “My troops are not as ill disciplined and ill equipped as some of those toffee-nosed Oxbridge types, sitting back in Dacca, believe. My guys have a strong back-bone, one that can only be acquired from years of being kicked around by British Colonial troops.” A bead of sweat formed on his brow and ran down his cheek as he frowned and thought, ”I just hope we are not overwhelmed, 17000 troops might not be enough to hold those stinking Japs” “Sir, surveillance photo’s, and some combat reports just in”, his adjutant walked with purpose in his step …
The General whipped his cheek and flicked through the reports first … damn … “Jap para’s have taken Cox's Bazaar, the beach 120 miles north…” “Jap armor spotted 50 miles south, with an Inf Div 50 miles behind them.” He turned to the photo, counted the ships, “Hmm maybe only a Division and some support … maybe we have a chance after all … ” Overhead, the rush of air and sound of falling shrapnel, brought both the General and the adjutant, into the beating sun. They looked up to see the swarming P-38’s and Curtis H81-3A’s, engage the Zero’s which were protecting the convoy of ships, which had just emerged on the horizon. Soon the air was littered with white and red falling stars. “Those fighting Tigers”, he grinned, ”if only we had more of those lads, the war would be over by Christmas” … “Sir, communication from our coastal guns … one Destroyer hit, Jap troops landing in force … ” “Double Damn, I’ll have that junior officer’s stripes … one DD hit !! I should have known, he never could play cricket ... no eye for it … Overhead, the sound of Swordfish and Beaufort’s droned, the General waited for the sound of explosions … none came. “Where are they going?”, he thought … “someone’s made a cock-up … “ Later it was learned, 1 AP was sunk at Ramtree Is.
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