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Myohaung Burma 1945: Remembering the men By On Jan 25/26, 1945, the 81st West African Division under Maj. Gen. C.S. Woolner (C.B. M.C.), supported by two brigades from the 82nd, captured Myohaung (also spelt Myochaung) in Burma. The 1st West African Brigade of the 82nd Division, comprised almost exclusively of Nigerians, reportedly bore the brunt of heavy fighting (and casualties) in the assault on Myohaung.
The 81st division then linked up with the rest of the 82nd West African Division under Maj. Gen. H.G. Stockwell (D.S.O.) along with elements of the Indian and British Divisions with supporting armour for the final assault on Mandalay and Rangoon, driving the Japanese out of Burma.
The 81st was the first Division ever to be created from units of the West African Frontier Force. It was made up of colonial troops from Nigeria, Ghana, Sierra Leone and Gambia. It assembled in Nigeria in March 1943 and was shipped to India in August 1943. One Brigade (the 3rd West African Brigade) was deployed to Orde Wingate's Chindits for Long Range Penetration to operate behind enemy lines. This Brigade included the 6th Battalion Nigeria Regiment; 66 and 39 Columns; 7th Battalion Nigeria Regiment; 29 and 35 Columns; and the 12th Battalion Nigeria Regiment; 12 and 43 Columns. (Note: The column was the main tactical unit of the Chindits and was essentially a company strength)
In December 1943 the 81st Division deployed beyond the mountain ranges in the Kaladah Valley where they formed the left flank of the main force. In this situation they relied entirely on resupply by air. The 4th Battalion Nigerian Rifles was part of the 6th West African Brigade, along with the 1st Battalion Sierra Leone Rifles and 1st Battalion Gambian Rifles. At various times it was commanded by Brigadier. J.W.A. Hayes (D.S.O.), Brigadier. R.N. Cartwright and Brigadier A.A. Crook (D.S.O.). On the other hand, the 82nd West African Division, at various times under under Maj. Gen. H.G. Stockwell (D.S.O.), Maj. Gen. G. Mc. I.I. Scott-Bruce (O.B.E. M.C.) and Maj. Gen. C.R.A. Swynnerton (D.S.O.) was dispatched to India in July 1944, to join the XV corps as part of the " Fourteenth Army" under Slim.
From the Kalapanzin Valley, it moved down the Mayu Peninsula and then linked up with the 81st West African Division in the assault on Myohaung and subsequent operations. This division had six (6) Nigerian battalions, three (3) of whom were the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Nigerian Rifles of the 1st West African Brigade led by Brigadier C.R.A.Swynnerton (D.S.O.) and Brigadier. F.W. Clowes. The other three (3) were the 8th, 9th and 10th battalions Nigerian Rifles of the 4th West African Brigade led (at various times) by Brigadier. H. Gibbons (M.C.), Brig. A.H.G. Ricketts (O.B.E. D.S.O.) and Brigadier H.G. Stockwell (C.B.E. D.S.O.). The 2nd West African Brigade was comprised of Ghanaian troops. Both the 81st and 82nd Divisions achieved their duties with excellence.
Their casualties were the heaviest in the XV Corps under Christison. According to the Commonwealth Graves Commission, total numbers of lost, killed and wounded were 438 for the 81st (W.A.) Div and 2,085 for the 82nd (W.A.) Div. In addition to those buried in jungle tracts, many Nigerian graves remain in cemeteries of Burma like the Dalet Chaung near Tamandu and the Taukyan War Cemetery. Others are remembered at the War Memorial in Rangoon.
_____________________ References: Arakan Assignment: The Story of the 82nd West African Division. New Delhi: Roxy Press, 1946. "The History: The Royal West African Frontier Force" by Col. A Haywood & Brig. F A Clarke. Aldershot: Gale & Polden, 1964. E.C. Lanning. The 82nd (West African) Division of The Royal West African Frontier Force. Winter 1995 Edition of Dekho! Page 48 January 2002
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