Martin, Michael John Graham (Oral history)

British officer with 2/5th Bn Gurkha Rifles 17th Indian Div in India and Burma 1/1944-7/1944

REEL 1 Background in GB, 1924-1939: family and education. Hearing declaration of war on Cardiff Railway Station, 3/9/1939. Reasons for enlisting in Indian Army and choice of unit. Voyage to India, 12/1942- 4/1943. Joining 5th Gukhas at Abbottabad, 1943. Recollections of operations with D Coy, 2/5th Bn Gurkha Rifles at Kennedy Peak, 1944: joining unit at Tiddim; opinion of Gurkha soldiers; arrival at Kennedy Peak, 1/1/1944; command structure of Gurkha company; contrast in constructing bunkers in hills and plains; problems of flooding in monsoon; opinion of mountain guns; fatigue of Gurkhas in action; account of attack on West Knoll, 25/3/1944 including role commanding D Coy, Japanese counter attack, casualties to C Coy during further attack and supply problems; fighting around Kennedy Peak and narrow escape from mortaring, 2/1944. REEL 2 Continues: question of plight of troops with stomach wounds; RAF supply air drops. Recollections of operations with D Coy, 2/5th Bn Gurkha Rifles in 17 Indian Div, Imphal area 3/1944-7/1944: move of unit to Milestone 105; sight of dead Indian troops; trek without boots; results of two company attack on Milestone 72; start of monsoon; action at Milestone 32; actions around Bishenpur; role as transport officer and necessity to kill wounded mules; stopping Gurkhas from withdrawing from positions, near Bishenpur, 5/1944; effect on morale of Subadar Ganju Lama of 1/7th Bn Gurkha Rifles winning Victoria Cross for action at Ninthoukhong 12/6/1944; actions at Mortar Bluff; further VC's won by Gurkhas; dysentery bout ca 6/1944; health and diet. REEL 3 Continues: role of commanding officer Colonel Headley in maintaining morale and discipline; alcohol supply; state of health; last attacks of unit at Potsembang; reasons for Japanese giving up attempts to capture Potsembang; Japanese propensity to fight to last man; opinion of Japanese troops; reasons for unit leaving Burma; Japanese 'jitter parties' and use of psychological warfare; Gurkha attitude towards Japanese and Indian National Army personnel.