Inniskilling attack Japanese at Donbaik, Burma.
A VIEW OF THE COASTAL PLAIN LOOKING TOWARDS DONBAIK FROM INDIA, 1943 by War Artist Anthony Gross |
In early January 1943, a force of Japanese were in a strong position near the village of Donbaik in Burma. D Company of the 1st Battalion The Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers had discovered to its cost that the enemy was in greater strength than at first supposed.
The Commander 47 Brigade ordered the remainder of the Battalion to concentrate and go to the aid of D Company which was much reduced in strength and trying to hold 1½ miles of frontage. The Battalion attacked the Japanese position at dawn on 8 January 1943. Although heavy enemy fire stopped B Company almost immediately, A Company bypassed the Japanese and captured the village of Donbaik to the rear of the enemy position. This caused the enemy to flee, but the Japanese later returned with greater numbers and forced A Company to withdraw. The Inniskillings would return under command 55 Brigade to attack Donbaik in February.
To read more about this action, please click on Inniskillings in the Arakan Campaign 1943.