January 1945
On 1st January the company was at Kalamyo, On the way down we saw the construction of a Bithess road, how it stood up to traffic we never knew but it was a colossal undertaking. There were two D4s working on Bailey bridge approaches at Hyponzeik.
Heavy rain prevented movement on all roads for a time. We operated the water point and lighting system for Corps HQ
By the 9th transport was on the move again and our trucks went to Kalewa to help 75 Fd Coy to move and the stores rear party arrived from Moreh.
January – February 1945
During these months the Company was continually on the move southwards and frequently working in separate groups on different tasks down the Gangaw Valley. We were part of General Slim’s secret right-hand hook towards and across the Irrawaddy to strike at Meiktila and get behind the bulk of the Japanese who were battling to prevent the remainder of IV Corps capturing Mandalay.
Two divisions and a tank brigade carried out this task and 305 Fd PK and brother Field Coys, were part of the Corps Engineers back up.
During this movement from Kalamyo to the Irrawaddy the company was engaged in preparing and maintaining small airstrips to take the L5 Auster light aircraft. These were used for evacuating casualties, and ferrying personnel around. The construction was simple, an area of paddyfield was chosen, the rock hard bunds between adjacent fields levelled with a D4 or grader, nearby trees removed and the strip was complete.
The route down the Gangaw Valley was no more than a very narrow track joining several villages together. The operation required the passage of two divisions and a tank brigade and it was necessary to realign and regrade much of it. The weather was dry but a number of timber bridges had to be upgraded or replaced. Much of this work had already been pushed through in a hurry so the company’s task was to complete the work and maintain it.
It was a continuing task to supply water to the units on the move and we had to search out local wells or streams that were still running, purify the water and set up distribution points convenient to the passing water trucks. One major source was the river Myittha which was still running strongly.