大象传媒

Information provided by: William Mullan
Part of: The Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers Regimental Museum
First Published: 20 May 2004

Overview

The outbreak of war in 1939 found the 1st Battalion at Wellington in India. Following their attack on Pearl Harbour in 1941, the Japanese swept though South-East Asia until they pushed British forces back in Burma in early 1942. In attempt to delay the Japanese the 1st Battalion was mobilied and flown to north of Rangoon in March 1942 to join in an expedition to destroy the oil weills at Yenangyaung. Nightmare weeks of heat, confusion and fatigue followed in which many units were circled and trapped by the enemy. The objective of the destruction of the oil wells was however achieved, and after a gruelling trek of 500 miles through malarial jungle the survivors of the battalion reached India in May. Losses were very heavy and less than a third of the 1st Inniskillings returned from the Jungle. In December 1943 the 1st Battalion was sent again into Burma, this time to advance down the Mayu Peninsula to establish a base on the island of Akyab. The rugged terrain and narrow width of the peninsula presented problems from the start for the Inniskillings who had no reconnaissance or air support. These problems and the resulting delays allowed the Japanese to fortify the peninsula and the battalion launched many determined but unsuccessful attacks. After moving to the other side of the peninsula the Inniskillings were overrun by the Japanese and were forced to escape in small groups through the jungle, where without food many became hopelessly lost or were killed by the Japanese. The Commanding Officers of the 1st Battalion were: Sept 1939 - Oct 1939 - Lt. Col. R. B. Leslie MC Oct 1939 - Mar 1942 - Lt. Col. R. G. S. Cox MC Apr 1942 - Lt. Col. S. B. McConnel May 1942 - June 1942- Lt. Col. J. A. Clifford July 1942 - Mar 1943- Lt. Col. J. R. C. Crossle Apr 1943 - Lt. Col. C. A. Cooper-key May 1943 - July 1943- Lt. Col. C. E. M. Leggatt Aug 1943 - - Lt. Col. J. A. Clifford Sept 1943 - - Lt. Col. B. J. Mahon Oct 1943 - Aug 1945 - Lt. Col. T. A. W. Bolland Sept 1945 - Feb 1948 - Lt. Col. J. R. Filmer-Bennett MC

Facts and figures

Unit name: 1st Battalion
Unit nickname: The Skins
Force: Army
Designation: Battalion
Type: Infantry
Entered service: 1689-06-20
Motto: Nec Aspera Terrent
English translation: By Difficulties Undaunted

Museums and Associations

Name: The Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers Regimental Museum
Address: The Castle, Enniskillen, Fermanagh
Postcode: BT74 7HL
Telephone number: 028 6632 3142
Email address: museum@inniskilling.com

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