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==Battle== | ==Battle== | ||
It was evident to all of XV Corps that the situation was serious. However, Fourteenth Army had spent much time considering counters to the standard Japanese tactics of infiltration and encirclement. The forward divisions of XV Corps were ordered to dig in and hold their positions rather than retreat, while the reserve divisions advanced to their relief. | It was evident to all of XV Corps that the situation was serious. However, the Fourteenth Army had spent much time considering counters to the standard Japanese tactics of infiltration and encirclement. The forward divisions of XV Corps were ordered to dig in and hold their positions rather than retreat, while the reserve divisions advanced to their relief. | ||
The next obvious objective for the Japanese was the administrative area at Sinzweya, defended by headquarters and line of communication troops, with 25 Light AA / Anti Tank Regiment, [[Royal Artillery|RA]]. As Messervy was in the jungle and out of contact, Christison, the Corps commander, ordered Brigadier [[Geoffrey Charles Evans|Geoffrey Evans]], who had recently been appointed commander of [[9th Indian Infantry Brigade]], part of the 5th Indian Division, to make his way to the Admin box, assume command and hold the Box against all attacks.<ref name="Mead134">Mead, p. 134.</ref> Evans reinforced the defenders of the box with 2nd Battalion, the [[West Yorkshire Regiment (The Prince of Wales's Own)|West Yorkshire Regiment]]) from his own brigade, and 24 Mountain Artillery Regiment [[Royal Indian Artillery|IA]]. The most vital reinforcements of all were two squadrons of [[M3 Lee]] tanks of the [[25th Dragoons]]. The defenders were later joined by part of the 4th Battalion of the [[8th Gurkha Rifles]] (from the [[89th Indian Infantry Brigade]], part of 7th Indian Division) and also the artillery of [[8 (Belfast) HAA Regiment Royal Artillery]] and 6 Medium Regiment RA.<ref name="Mead134"/> | The next obvious objective for the Japanese was the administrative area at Sinzweya, defended by headquarters and line of communication troops, with 25 Light AA / Anti Tank Regiment, [[Royal Artillery|RA]]. As Messervy was in the jungle and out of contact, Christison, the Corps commander, ordered Brigadier [[Geoffrey Charles Evans|Geoffrey Evans]], who had recently been appointed commander of [[9th Indian Infantry Brigade]], part of the 5th Indian Division, to make his way to the Admin box, assume command and hold the Box against all attacks.<ref name="Mead134">Mead, p. 134.</ref> Evans reinforced the defenders of the box with 2nd Battalion, the [[West Yorkshire Regiment (The Prince of Wales's Own)|West Yorkshire Regiment]]) from his own brigade, and 24 Mountain Artillery Regiment [[Royal Indian Artillery|IA]]. The most vital reinforcements of all were two squadrons of [[M3 Lee]] tanks of the [[25th Dragoons]]. The defenders were later joined by part of the 4th Battalion of the [[8th Gurkha Rifles]] (from the [[89th Indian Infantry Brigade]], part of 7th Indian Division) and also the artillery of [[8 (Belfast) HAA Regiment Royal Artillery]] and 6 Medium Regiment RA.<ref name="Mead134"/> | ||
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Lieutenant Edward Otho Briggs of the [[Royal Engineers]] was posthumously awarded the [[Military Cross]] for gallantry in the construction of a [[:wikt:ချောင်း|chaung]] (stream) crossing for tanks of the 25th Dragoons. | Lieutenant Edward Otho Briggs of the [[Royal Engineers]] was posthumously awarded the [[Military Cross]] for gallantry in the construction of a [[:wikt:ချောင်း|chaung]] (stream) crossing for tanks of the 25th Dragoons. | ||
Lieutenant John Dyson Kaye of the [[Lancashire Fusiliers]] posted Fourth battalion the [[Queen's Own Royal West Kent Regiment]], was awarded the [[Military Cross]] for gallantry in defending his position in the West Tunnel area on 18 and 21 March 1944 [https://www.lancs-fusiliers.co.uk/gallerynew/Dunkirk/LtJohnDysonM/citationfromnationalarchives2.jpg Citation (JPG)]. | |||
Sepoy [[Karam Singh]] was also awarded the [[Military Medal]].<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=36518|supp=y|page=2271|date=16 May 1944}}</ref> He would later win the [[Param Vir Chakra]]. | Sepoy [[Karam Singh]] was also awarded the [[Military Medal]].<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=36518|supp=y|page=2271|date=16 May 1944}}</ref> He would later win the [[Param Vir Chakra]]. | ||