10th Gloucesters in the Arakan, 1944
by Major P.J.H. Pope, "D" Coy.
(Back Badge, 1948)
The Battalion spent Christmas 1943 in a tented camp on the edge of Kharakvasta Lake, near Poona, where we had been located since July. A good deal of training had been carried out during this period and consisted of exercises in which the Battalion marched considerable distances across country and up the highest and steepest hills in the district to plunge down the opposite side and into the nearest river or lake. But as yet no training in jungle warfare had been done. About this time an advance party went to the jungles of Mysore to prepare a camp and exercises for the Battalion, but the move was never made and we did no jungle training before proceeding to Burma.
Towards the end of January 1944, the Battalion (commanded by Lt-Col. H.C.R. Rose, DSO), was warned for operation "Porpoise." This was to be the units first operation against the Japanese. On 15th February the Battalion entrained at Kirkee Station and arrived at Calcutta on 20th February. We spent 2 days here and renewed many old acquaintances with the 28th who were, as usual, most hospitable to all ranks. We took ship to Chittagong and thence to Cox's Bazaar by river steamer where we arrived on 26th February.