2nd Kachin Rifles
During the latter half of 1944, the colonial Government of Burma developed a plan to rebuild a new or interim Burma Army. By 1945, a number of new battalions were in the process of being raised or scheduled to be so. Of these were two battalions to be known as the Kachin Rifles, to be raised largely from former members of the Northern (Kachin) Levies who had successfully resisted the Japanese occupation. The 1st Kachin Rifles began forming on 2nd February 1945 at Myitkyina, under the Headquarters, Fort Hertz Area, under the overall command of the Lines of Communication Command. It was thought that a second battalion would be raised later, when sufficient recruits had been allocated to the first battalion.[1]
Lt.Colonel's epaulette, Kachin Rifles, belonging to Lt. Colonel W.R. Andrews.
Courtesy of the Andrews family.
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On 19th March 1945, the Headquarters, Fort Hertz Area was redesignated as Headquarters 553 Lines of Communication Sub-Area, and it was this headquarters, located at Taunghpe, near Myitkyina which on 7th April 1945, received the raising order for the 2nd Kachin Rifles (known formally at that time as the 2nd Battalion, The Kachin Rifles). Officers posted to the new battalion began arriving during May. Major W.R. Andrews, at the time designated as Second-in-Command of the 2nd Kachin Rifles, Captain J.E. Ady and Captain Sohan Singh reported to Sub-Area Command at Mankrin on 3rd May 1945.[2] [3] [4] Captain Singh left for Bhamo the following day. The Commanding Officer designate of the new battalion, Lt. Colonel P. Denman, arrived at Mankrin on 14th May 1945.[5] Denman and Andrews visited Bhamo on 17th May before returning to Mankrin three days later.[6] The day after his arrival in Myitkyina, Major Andrews discovered that Lt. Colonel Denman had received a new posting and that Andrews was to become the commanding officer of the new battalion, with the acting rank of Lt. Colonel (Andrews was formally appointed commanding officer on 10th August 1945).[7]
The decision to raise the 2nd Kachin Rifles immediately at Myitkyina was taken on 1st June 1945. It was now felt possible to begin raising the battalion, with the proviso that the 1st Kachin Rifles, still some 100 men under strength, would continue to get priority until at full establishment. Presumably, the situation with Chinese deserters and irregular troops on the frontier militated against the new battalion forming in Bhamo as originally planned. In fact, the next day, 2nd June, 'C' Company of the 1st Kachin Rifles was ordered to Panghkam via Bhamo in response to the Chinese evacuation of Panghkam. The 2nd Kachin Rifles remained in Myitkyina and are listed as District Troops under the command of Headquarters 553 LoC Sub-Area on 17th June 1945 (Headquarters 505 Lines of Communication District was the higher headquarters to which 553 Sub-Area was subordinated). [8] The months that followed were spent in training recruits and on internal security duties, including patrolling the area to the south and east of Myitkyina.[9]
On 7th July 1945, the 1st Kachin Rifles, less two companies, began to move to Bhamo and was complete there on 11th July. 'C' Company remained at Panghkam. As the battalion began arriving at Bhamo, two officers of the 2nd Kachin Rifles were attached to it for training. No. 4 Holding and Enquiry Centre, intended for Lashio, was relocated to Panghkam due to the difficulties of supply and transportation in Lashio. The unit was ordered to Panghkam from Mankrin on 10th July. The role of this unit was to select men from the northern Shan States for the 2nd Kachin Rifles.[10]
At the end of November 1945, Lt. Colonel Andrews left the 2nd Kachin Rifles to take leave in the United Kingdom.[11] On 20th January 1946, Lt. Colonel A.V. Perry took command of the 2nd Kachin Rifles. That same day, a party of men left for Delhi to take part in the Delhi Victory Parade.[12] [13] The 2nd Kachin Rifles were still at Myitkyina on 23rd January 1946, being listed by Headquarters, North Burma Area as Area Troops under the command of the 553 Sub-Area.[14] Both the 1st and 2nd Kachin Rifles continued to serve on internal security duties.[15] Lieutenant T. Potts arrived at Bhamo from Pyawbwe on 19th April 1946, with 61 mules, 36 of which were destined from the 2nd Kachin Rifles at Myitkyina.[16]
British rule ended in Burma at 04:20 on 4th January 1948 and the 1st and 2nd Kachin Rifles were transferred to the Army of the new independent government of the Union of Burma. Within months, however, the country descended into virtual civil war, driven by a number of insurgencies. The first threat to the new Government came from the Communists. Their campaign developed mainly in the Pegu District and also, to a lesser extent, in Myingyan, Pyinmana, Bassein and the Delta. The pro-Communist 1st Burma Rifles, based at Thayetmyo, took control of Prome on 9th August 1948. Elsewhere, in late August 1948, there was a bloodless insurrection by the Karens (K.N.D.O.) and Mons (M.N.D.O.) in the Thaton-Moulmein area. This was temporarily settled by the efforts of the Karen leaders who undertook to keep the peace. Nevertheless, following the recapture of Prome in September 1948 by troops loyal to the Government, the 2nd Kachin Rifles, commanded by Lt. Colonel Thing Nan, was sent from Nyaunglebin by sea to Moulmein to quell the insurgent uprising in Amherst District. In December 1948, as political and inter-communal tensions mounted, K.N.D.O. and M.N.D.O members began to carry arms openly in the Amherst and Thaton Districts of Tenasserim. In the second week of January 1949, reinforcements in the form of the 2nd Chin Rifles were sent to Moulmein from Prome.[17] Upon arrival at Moulmein, Lt. Colonel Son Kho Pau, Commanding Officer of the 2nd Chin Rifles, established a security zone around the town and sent out companies of his battalion to the outlying areas with the purpose of undermining the insurgents and calming the civilian population. The combined efforts of the 2nd Chin Rifles and the 2nd Kachin Rifles resulted in the recapture of all areas previously held by the K.N.D.O. and the M.N.D.O. in the Amherst District. Leaving the 2nd Kachin Rifles to maintain security in the Amherst District, the 2nd Chin Rifles then went on to re-occupy the Thaton District, capturing large quantities of arms and ammunition.[18]
Meanwhile, the Karen insurgency was in full swing in Central Burma. When Toungoo was taken by Karen rebels, the 1st Karen Rifles and the 1st Kachin Rifles, at this time both still loyal to the Burma Government, were sent to recapture the town. However, before they attacked, news was received of the fighting in Rangoon and the disarming and internment of Karen troops and civilians at Mandalay and Maymyo. The two battalions then went over to the Karen rebels and dashed to Mandalay and Maymyo to save their brothers and cousins.[19] On 16th February 1949, Captain Naw Seng of the 1st Kachin Rifles took his entire battalion over to the Karen side. However, the 2nd Kachin Rifles remained loyal to the Government.[20] On 8th March 1949, the location of the battalion was given as:
- Battalion Headquarters, one platoon, Administration Company and ‘B’ Company: Moulmein
- ‘A’ and ‘D’ Companies: Mingaladon
- One platoon: Mudon (Mon State).[21]
26 March 2018
[1] “Burma Army Re-organisation”, WO 203/503.
[2] Walter Rigby Andrews, born, 12th February 1916. Commissioned as 2nd Lieutenant, A.B.R.O. (ABRO 87). (Commission gazetted as 7th March 1940 but later backdated in the Burma Army List), 7th December 1939. Attended the O.C.T.U. at Maymyo until, 7th March 1940. Served with the 2nd Battalion, Burma Rifles, 7th March 1940. Query raised regarding missing application form to join the A.B.R.O., 1st July 1940. Served with the 2nd Battalion, The Burma Rifles, 19th September 1940 to March 1941. Employed as general staff, Steel Brothers, Rangoon, 1941. Served with the 6th Battalion, The Burma Rifles, March 1941 to September 1942. Served with the 6th Battalion, Burma Rifles, 1941. War substantive Lieutenant, temporary Captain from 15th August 1941. As Captain, Company Commander, the 6th Battalion, Burma Rifles, January 1942. Fought at Tavoy, 13th January 1942 to 18th January 1942. As temporary Captain, served as Adjutant with the 6th Battalion, The Burma Regiment, until the Battalion was disbanded, 1st October 1942 ? to 1st July 1943. Wrote a personal narrative of the fighting at Tavoy for submission to the official campaign historian, Colonel E.C.V. Foucar, 6th March 1943. Served as Adjutant with the 5th Battalion, The Burma Regiment, 1st July 1943 to October 1943. Transferred to the 2nd Battalion, The Burma Rifles, October 1943. Transferred to the 2nd Battalion, Burma Rifles and served with the Battalion as platoon commander, 8th November 1943 to September 1944.
Captain, temporary Major, 1944. As acting Major, company commander, 2nd Battalion, The Burma Rifles, November 1944 to 1st April 1945. As acting Major, posted as second-in-command, 2nd Kachin Rifles, with effect from 1st April 1945, 23rd April 1945. Mentioned in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in Burma, gazetted, 26th April 1945. Appointed acting Lt. Colonel and Commanding Officer, 2nd Kachin Rifles vice Lt. Colonel Denman, 10th August 1945. Appointed temporary Lt. Colonel and left for the United Kingdom on 61 days war leave, 11th November 1944. Relinquished commission and awarded the rank of honorary Lt. Colonel, 25th February 1946. Rejoined the 2nd Kachin Rifles in Rangoon as Commanding Officer on return from war leave, 25th February 1946. Released from Army Service and sent on 3 months war leave and 3 months furlough, 25th February 1946. Awarded O.B.E., as resident of Pakistan, 1st January 1969. Died, 2003 (Anglo-Burmese Library; Army Service Record; Burma Army List October 1940; Burma Defence Services List July 1941; London Gazette; Personal Account contained within "Personal Narratives", WO 203/5691; Indian Official History; Personal narrative; Thacker's Directory; War diary 2nd Burma Rifles, WO 172/2658).
[3] John Ellis Ady. Commissioned as 2nd Lieutenant, A.B.R.O. (ABRO 1034), 1st October 1944. Served with the 2nd Battalion, The Burma Rifles, October 1944? Served with The Kachin Rifles (battalion unknown), April 1945. Relinquished commission and granted honorary rank of Major, 28th August 1946. As temporary Major, mentioned in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in Burma, gazetted, 19th September 1946 (Anglo-Burmese Library; London Gazette; War diary 553 Sub-Area, WO 172/7314)
[4] Sohan Singh. As Havildar, served with the 2nd Battalion, The Burma Rifles, 1944. Commissioned as 2nd Lieutenant, A.B.R.O. (ABRO 927), 28th May 1944. Served with the 2nd Battalion, The Burma Rifles, 1944 to 15th December 1944. As temporary Major, serving with the Kachin Rifles (battalion unknown), mentioned in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in Burma, gazetted, 19th September 1946 (Anglo-Burmese Library; London Gazette; War diary 553 Sub-Area, WO 172/7314)
[5] Percy Darrell Denman, born, 1st April 1909. Commissioned as 2nd Lieutenant to the Unattached List for the Indian Army, 1st February 1929. Arrived in India, 20th March 1929. Attached to the 4th Battalion (Sikhs), 12th Frontier Force Regiment, 2nd April 1930 to 27/6/1935. As 2nd Lieutenant, appointed to the Indian Army from the Unattached List, 2nd April 1930, with seniority from 31st January 1929. Promoted to Lieutenant, 30th April 1931. Served with the Malabar Special Police, 28th March 1934. Seconded to the 2nd Battalion, 20th Burma Rifles, 28th June 1935. Attached to the 17th Dogra Regiment, 1937. Seconded to the 2nd Battalion, The Burma Rifles, 1st April 1937. Promoted to Captain, 31st January 1938. Acting Major, 1st October 1941 to 21st February 1942. Temporary Major, 22nd February 1942. Acting Lt. Colonel, 27th November 1944. Commanding Officer, 2nd Kachin Rifles, April 1945 to 10th August 1945. As Captain, temporary Lt. Colonel (A.I. 399), promoted to Major, 31st January 1946. Served as Assistant Adjutant General, Inspectorate General Branch, Burma Army, 1946. Promoted to Lt. Colonel, 1st November 1951. As Lt. Colonel (380309), Royal Artillery, awarded the O.B.E., gazetted, 10th June 1954. As Lt. Colonel (temporary Colonel), Royal Artillery, promoted to Colonel, 7th July 1955. As Commandant, Singapore Military Forces, left Singapore for the United Kingdom upon retirement, 2nd October 1958. As Colonel, O.B.E. (380309), late Royal Regiment of Artillery and late Commandant, Singapore Military Forces, awarded the M.B.E., gazetted, 1st January 1959. As Colonel, retired, with liability for reserve service, 20th January 1959. As Colonel, having attained the age limit for liability for recall, ceased to belong to the Regular Army Reserve of Officers, 1st April 1967. Died, 21st January 1994 (British Army List; Indian Army; London Gazette; Personal papers, W.R. Andrews; Singapore Standard at eresources.nlb.gov.sg accessed January 2018; War diary 25th Buregt, WO 172/10322)
[6] War diary 553 LoC Sub-Area 1945, WO 172/7314
[7] Personal Papers of W.R. Andrews
[8] WO 172/7314; War diary 505 District, WO 172/7233
[9] Andrews
[10] 1st Kachin Rifles, WO 172/10335, WO 172/7314
[11] Andrews
[12] Arthur Victor Perry born, 9th January 1901. As temporary 2nd Lieutenant, appointed temporary Lieutenant, 7th October 1916. As temporary Lieutenant, appointed acting Captain, 3rd April 1918. As temporary Lieutenant, appointed temporary Captain, 14th May 1918. As temporary Captain, relinquished commission upon completion of service and retained the rank of Captain, 3rd August 1919. Commissioned to the Unattached List for the Indian Army as 2nd Lieutenant, 24th December 1920. Arrived in India, 3rd March 1921. Attached to the 1st Battalion, Suffolk Regiment (the battalion arrived in India on 30th November 1919), 6th March 1921 to 6th March 1922. Served Malabar, 1921-22. Attached to the 8th Rajputs, redesignated the 4th Battalion, 7th Rajput Regiment during the year, 6th March 1922. Appointed to the Indian Army as 2nd Lieutenant (IA980), 19th March 1922. Promoted to Lieutenant, 24th March 1922. Served Waziristan, 1921-24. On leave, ex India, 19th March 1925. Served as Company Officer, the 4th Battalion, 7th Rajput Regiment, November 1925 to 7th November 1937. Officiating Adjutant, the 4th Battalion, 7th Rajput Regiment, 1927. Promoted to Captain, 24th December 1928. Served as Adjutant with the 10th Battalion, 7th Rajput Regiment, 1st June 1930 to 1934. Leave ex India to 19th November 1931. Leave ex India, February 1935 to 25th October 1935. Officiating Second in Command, 4th Battalion, 7th Rajput Regiment, 1936. Seconded to the Burma Defence Forces, 7th November 1937. Served as Company Officer with the 2nd Battalion, The Burma Rifles, 7th November 1937 to 1941. Promoted to Major, 1st August 1938. Served with the 8th (Frontier Force) Battalion, The Burma Rifles, 1941 to June 1942. Acting Lt. Colonel from 26th February 1942. Commanding Officer of the 4th Battalion, The Burma Regiment, 8th March 1944 to 28th May 1944. Evacuated sick to India, 28th May 1944. As Major, temporary Lt. Colonel, promoted to Lt. Colonel, 24th December 1946. Commanding Officer, 2nd Kachin Rifles, 20th January 1946 to 1947? As Major (temporary Lt.-Colonel), Officer Commanding, 2nd Battalion, The Kachin Rifles, appointed M.B.E., 1st January 1948. As Lt. Colonel, Special List (ex Indian Army) British Army, retired, 3rd January 1949. As Lt. Colonel (18144) to be Lt. Colonel, Regular Army Reserve of Officers, The Suffolk Regiment, 4th January 1949. As Lt. Colonel (18144), The Suffolk Regiment, resigned his commission, 15th March 1951 (“War Services of British and Indian Officers of the Indian Army 1941”; British Army List; Burma Army List 1940; Burma Defence Services List 1941; Indian Army List 1922, 1924, 1925, 1926,1927, 1928, 1930, 1932, 1934, 1935, 1936, 1940, 1943, 1945; London Gazette; War diary 4th Burma Regiment, WO 172/5042; War diary 553 Sub-Area, WO 172/10019).
[13] War diary 553 Sub-Area, WO 172/10019
[14] ‘G’ North Burma Area, WO 172/9982
[15] “Epilogue in Burma, 1945-48”, McEnery J.M., Spellmount (1990)
[16] 1st Kachin Rifles, WO 172/10335
[17] Lt. Colonel Son Kho Pau was a veteran of the First and Second Chindit Operations in 1943 and 1944.
[18] "Tedim to Yangon, Background and Record of The Moong Family", Khen Za Moong, (1995); “The Outbreak of the K.N.D.O. and M.N.D.O.”, Yangon Siyin Baptist Church Silver Jubilee Magazine
[19] Memoirs of the Four-Foot Colonel, Smith Dun
[20] “The Union of Burma”, 4th edn.,Tinker H., OUP (1962)
[21] “Review of the Civil War in Burma”, British Services Mission, 21st March 1949, DEFE 7/864