Meanwhile, the Japanese had made advances on the North coast from the
beachhead, along the North shore of the island, the critical high ground on
Mount Butler and Jardine's Lookout.
The East and West Brigades were positioned to defend an attack from the
South. When the Japanese attacked from the North, from the mainland,
and pushed westward to the center of the island, then South, they
intended to cut the defenders' fighting strength in half. When the Japanese
sawed through the Rajputs, they left the East Brigade fighting alone and
one handed. It was forced to withdraw to the southwest, towards the
North/South line dividing the two Brigades.
The Winnipeg Grenadiers were positioned to defend the South coast of
the island, the front line of resistance if the attack came from the sea. The
Royal Scots were in reserve and the Punjabs were in the rear guard
position. The new line of defense now ran from the North cost to the
South, in roughly the island's centre.
But the attack, essentially from the rear, had allowed the Japanese to
move as quickly as they did and put the entire island in serious trouble. If
the defenders couldn't recapture the heights that surrounded them, they
were going to be cut to pieces.
Brigadier Lawson had stationed his West Brigade Headquarters at Wong
Nei Chong Gap, and "D" Company of the Winnipeg Grenadiers H.Q.'s
were just across the road from him. He had formed what he called "flying
columns" designated as rapid response troops who would be sent to
wherever they were needed. These troops were on alert just to the South
of the Grenadiers' Headquarters. As the Japanese hurtled forward, two
platoons of Grenadiers were ordered to counter-attack. The Grenadiers
rushed to respond and were cut to pieces in the attempt to stop the
Japanese. The Japanese had taken complete control over the high ground.
The West Brigade rushed to meet the oncoming Japanese and were
caught in a meat grinder. The Japanese were attacking them from the
North, down the centre-line, and from the West. The two brigades were
compelled to attempt a link-up at the centre line, thus preventing them
from mounting a concerted, head-on counter-attack or a steady line of
defense. They found themselves forced to fight wherever the Japanese
chose to apply the heat.
beachhead, along the North shore of the island, the critical high ground on
Mount Butler and Jardine's Lookout.
The East and West Brigades were positioned to defend an attack from the
South. When the Japanese attacked from the North, from the mainland,
and pushed westward to the center of the island, then South, they
intended to cut the defenders' fighting strength in half. When the Japanese
sawed through the Rajputs, they left the East Brigade fighting alone and
one handed. It was forced to withdraw to the southwest, towards the
North/South line dividing the two Brigades.
The Winnipeg Grenadiers were positioned to defend the South coast of
the island, the front line of resistance if the attack came from the sea. The
Royal Scots were in reserve and the Punjabs were in the rear guard
position. The new line of defense now ran from the North cost to the
South, in roughly the island's centre.
But the attack, essentially from the rear, had allowed the Japanese to
move as quickly as they did and put the entire island in serious trouble. If
the defenders couldn't recapture the heights that surrounded them, they
were going to be cut to pieces.
Brigadier Lawson had stationed his West Brigade Headquarters at Wong
Nei Chong Gap, and "D" Company of the Winnipeg Grenadiers H.Q.'s
were just across the road from him. He had formed what he called "flying
columns" designated as rapid response troops who would be sent to
wherever they were needed. These troops were on alert just to the South
of the Grenadiers' Headquarters. As the Japanese hurtled forward, two
platoons of Grenadiers were ordered to counter-attack. The Grenadiers
rushed to respond and were cut to pieces in the attempt to stop the
Japanese. The Japanese had taken complete control over the high ground.
The West Brigade rushed to meet the oncoming Japanese and were
caught in a meat grinder. The Japanese were attacking them from the
North, down the centre-line, and from the West. The two brigades were
compelled to attempt a link-up at the centre line, thus preventing them
from mounting a concerted, head-on counter-attack or a steady line of
defense. They found themselves forced to fight wherever the Japanese
chose to apply the heat.
| Page 15 |
December 19, The Royal Rifles of Canada
December 20
The Winnipeg Grenadiers
The Japanese Continue to Advance...
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On December 19th, Major Parker was called to Brigade Headquarters at
Stone Hill. He was given orders to move "D" Company, RR of C from
Obelisk Hill, where they had been since December 8th, to Stanley
Mound. Brigadier Wallis had decided to abandon Obelisk Hill and to
concentrate his troops on, and around Stanley Mound. Returning to
Obelisk, Major Parker ordered his men to pack up and "D" Company
began to move out at about 15:00 hrs. that afternoon.
Royal Rifles "D" Company Headquarters Platoon, and No.17 Platoon
began the ascent of Stanley Mound at about 16:30 hrs. On the way up
they were joined by No.16 Platoon but No.18 Platoon, which had been
left in reserve at Obelisk Hill, ran into some difficulties getting away.
Major Parker wrote. "Number 18 Platoon was detained under someone
else's command and was having difficulty getting away, due to a difference
in rank. It was too late for them to join us in the ascent, but we met them
the next morning on the way down." With No.18 Platoon unable to take
their position on Stanley Mound due to confusion in command the mission
was in danger of failing before it began
Stone Hill. He was given orders to move "D" Company, RR of C from
Obelisk Hill, where they had been since December 8th, to Stanley
Mound. Brigadier Wallis had decided to abandon Obelisk Hill and to
concentrate his troops on, and around Stanley Mound. Returning to
Obelisk, Major Parker ordered his men to pack up and "D" Company
began to move out at about 15:00 hrs. that afternoon.
Royal Rifles "D" Company Headquarters Platoon, and No.17 Platoon
began the ascent of Stanley Mound at about 16:30 hrs. On the way up
they were joined by No.16 Platoon but No.18 Platoon, which had been
left in reserve at Obelisk Hill, ran into some difficulties getting away.
Major Parker wrote. "Number 18 Platoon was detained under someone
else's command and was having difficulty getting away, due to a difference
in rank. It was too late for them to join us in the ascent, but we met them
the next morning on the way down." With No.18 Platoon unable to take
their position on Stanley Mound due to confusion in command the mission
was in danger of failing before it began
On the morning of December 20, though they had just arrived on Stanley
Mound, "D" Company were ordered to descend and move to a "Rotary
Area" for rest and re-arming, then re-deployment. Totally exhausted, they
were badly in need of a break and some hot food. The rest they got was
to be all too short, and the food was cold.
For the next three days "D" Company of the Royal Rifles ate, and
catnapped when ever the opportunity presented itself which was most
often in their gun pits. It was non-stop fighting over the rugged terrain.
Their most urgent objective was to join up with the Winnipeg Grenadiers
of the West Brigade before the Japanese could split the two Brigades and
prevent a cohesive defense
Mound, "D" Company were ordered to descend and move to a "Rotary
Area" for rest and re-arming, then re-deployment. Totally exhausted, they
were badly in need of a break and some hot food. The rest they got was
to be all too short, and the food was cold.
For the next three days "D" Company of the Royal Rifles ate, and
catnapped when ever the opportunity presented itself which was most
often in their gun pits. It was non-stop fighting over the rugged terrain.
Their most urgent objective was to join up with the Winnipeg Grenadiers
of the West Brigade before the Japanese could split the two Brigades and
prevent a cohesive defense
On the morning of December 19th, the West Brigade was fighting a
desperate battle to avoid separation from the East Brigade. The Japanese
had captured Mount Butler on their rush into the West Brigade zone of
defense. The Winnipeg Grenadiers were taking incessant punishment from
the heights of Mount Butler and their very survival depended on retaking
the high ground.
Early that morning, "A" Company of the Winnipeg Grenadiers were given
the herculean task of retaking Jardine's Lookout, then to push on and
retake Mount Butler. The Japanese were well dug in, and a formidable
force for a Company sized unit to take on.
The Grenadiers commenced their attack facing almost impossible odds. In
the din of battle ,"A" Company was separated into two sections of two
platoons each. They lost contact with each other. One section, under the
leadership a 20-year old 2nd/Lt. Charles French, fought their way up
Jardine's Lookout and cleared the top with bayonets, driving the Japanese
back, but with such heavy losses that the section was reduced to just 65
men. With extraordinary courage and tenacity the remaining Grenadiers
pushed on and attacked Mount Butler.
desperate battle to avoid separation from the East Brigade. The Japanese
had captured Mount Butler on their rush into the West Brigade zone of
defense. The Winnipeg Grenadiers were taking incessant punishment from
the heights of Mount Butler and their very survival depended on retaking
the high ground.
Early that morning, "A" Company of the Winnipeg Grenadiers were given
the herculean task of retaking Jardine's Lookout, then to push on and
retake Mount Butler. The Japanese were well dug in, and a formidable
force for a Company sized unit to take on.
The Grenadiers commenced their attack facing almost impossible odds. In
the din of battle ,"A" Company was separated into two sections of two
platoons each. They lost contact with each other. One section, under the
leadership a 20-year old 2nd/Lt. Charles French, fought their way up
Jardine's Lookout and cleared the top with bayonets, driving the Japanese
back, but with such heavy losses that the section was reduced to just 65
men. With extraordinary courage and tenacity the remaining Grenadiers
pushed on and attacked Mount Butler.
