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This is from the Unofficial Histoty of 9th Border, by Sgt Hutchinson, Int Sgt 9th Border.
The command post with B and C Coys , the Commando platoon and RAP spent the night 13/14 May 1944 on the hill feature with 1 Platoon under under Lt Revell patrolling the West Road of POTSANGBAM. That night 1/10 Ghurka Rifler bypassing a strong enemy position in the SE corner were to sweep through the village, cross the road and consolidate 100 yards of WEST WOOD by dawn. Two Coys were to then finish off WEST WOOD. Lt Revell patrolled, found no one and pulled out before dawn to avoid mistake with the Ghurkas. Dawn broke and with it the fog of war thickened to pea soup standard. C Coy less Revells platoon still down the road, set off to escort sappers, who were to sweep the road for mines toallow tanks to reach the village.This mine sweeping business is the slowest of snail pace work yet the platoon of MADRASSI sappers stuck to it and cleared a road to the village by 1300hrs. The last 300yards being swept under hostile small arms fire and the whole way under shell fire.
To continue; news came of success of 1/10 GR, and the CO set off with Maj Cooper OC B Coy to find things out and lay on the battle. The remainder followed with the Adjutant, who chose to move West of the road to save time. Movement over the paddy was hot work since every score of paces was punctuated by a hasty falling to earth as a shell arrived, in fact with the tanks appearing to add to the attraction the Jap gunners excelled themselves in ammunition exenditure for most meagre results. However on coming within 50 yards of the village fire was opened by obviously Jap automatics from wher it was expected to find 1/10 GR and all down the West side. WEST WOOD was now garrisoned by the enemy who had just pushed out the rest of the village overnight.
B Coy were extricated , less one section who were prevented by fire and taking a detour by various ditches Eastwards, all rejoined the CO and C Coy in a village on the line of the road.
The two Coys supported by 3 General Lee Tanks of 3 DGs attacked abrest over the line of the road at 1400hrs. The defences were as usual fox holes and weapon pits with overhead cover or dug into the sides of Bunds manned with rifles and LMGs, one MMG being reported. The ground afforded much cover and so visibilty twenty yards might be given as maximum. The method of attack was first to locate enemy dispositions and by fire and movement of sections to neutralise the tiresome bunker, and blast it with a tank 75 mm gun from 15 or 20 yards and polish off with grenades.In this manner the attack proceeded with some success until 1800 hrs, by wich time B Coy had advanced 120 yards on the right and C Coy 80 yards on the left. Both had over run 3 distinct defence lines, B Coy forcing the Jap to run, a very rare occurrence, at least once. Four hours of slogging had used up the potentialities of both Coys, the Commando Platoon the only reserve was holding a large gap in the centre wher the Coys, starting on a 250 yard front had tended to close to their own edge,a halt was therefore ordered. There is little doubt that the presence of one whole Battalion would have resulted in a considerable slaughter of Japs and the winning of WEST WOOD before dark.
Much telephoning now took place before Bde grasped the situation, and the erroneous impression that we were fresh and almost without casualties being difficult to eradicate. The final decision was to consolidate some 80 to 100 yards into the wood and leave the morrow into itself. Digging began, wire came up and the L of C was at last sorted out. This had been a source of much worry as the transport was five carriers of 1 West Yorks which were not enough to cope with casualties, aggravated by three losing tracks on mines. Jeeps could not come until the road was clear of mines. The MO had initially stayed at pt 2651 to deal with casualties from shelling and then could find no transport to rejoin untill1530 hrs. Casualties therefore went to pt2651 if carriers were availible or to 1/10 GR in the main village and thence by Jeep to KWA SIPAHI. The Pioneer Platoon did great work all day carrying wounded out and ammunition in.
The night was unpleasantly noisy. "A Jitter" of the Japs in the south east corner started the performance at 2300 hrs, wich reached crescendo when the Jap counter attack attacked the "Jitter" in force at 2300 hrs. this fight lasted an hour before dying off to odd shots until dawn. some idea of the noise may be gathered from the fact that 22 3 inch mortars almost non-stop for an hour. The Bn sector escaped attention and excitment excepting a 25 prs defensive fire task brought down by some person unknown which fell in C Coy area, wich marvellously caused no harm.
Next morning the Jap had evacuated WEST WOOD, leaving 19 bodies and much booty. THREE 47MM AT Gns were found 1 undamaged except for a burst tyre end tne absence of a breach. Other booty included a sword, rifles,paper and the usual personal and gas equipment. Capt Brodrick shot and marked a Jap the previous afternoon but on revisting the place only found a pair of boots.
WEST WOOD was handed over to 1 West Yorks on the afternoon of 16 May and the Bn reconcentrated in KWA SIPAHI. THis cost the Bn 2 Officers and 17 Other Ranks killed, 3 Officers and 41 Other Ranks wounded.It is sad to recall that Capt J Johnstone, an old and much loved member of the Bn was killed by a mortar bomb and 2nd Lt Weston who joined a short 3 days before, was killed by almost the first shell of the day. Maj R A Cooper who commanded B Coy was awarded the MC for his untiring energy and resourcefulness with a complete disregard for his own safety, and Sgt Kelly of B Coy received the MM.

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