On 1st May 1945 a composite batallion of the 50th Gurkha Parachute Brigade landed in Burma to support amphibious landings during the assault on Rangoon. It's mission was to capture Elephants Point. Elephants Point was vital to the success of the invasion. If not taken the landing craft would have been destroyed before comming near to the beach.
On D-Day -24 hrs the Gurkhas landed at Elephants Point and were involved in fighting with the Japanese defenders. After brief firefights Elephants Point was taken with the loss of five men. Soon after the battle the men found that they had just fought about thirty seven Japanese troops. All dead.
The operation was a huge success, but it was marred with a tragic event. A group of Liberators, aiming at a nearby target, accidentally dropped a stick of bombs amongst the Paras, killing 32 men.
24 hours later the 26th division landed at Rangoon which were unoppossed. If it weren't for the sacrifices of these men the landings could have turned out much more uglier.
I was just wondering if any of you people had any further information about the Gurhka Parachute Brigade, eg previous airborne actions. Any help would be greatly appreciated
. Any of you have any questions you'd like to ask me, please do.
Jet [img]smile.gif[/img]
