ATKINSON Alan Keith VX39215 B Coy [Ch]
Alan ATKINSON was born in Sale, Victoria on 30.4.1918.
Alan lived in Sale and was a Salesman when he enlisted.
He joined the Battalion on 22.1.1941.
Following the war he returned to Australia disembarking Brisbane Jan 1946.
Gippsland Times (Vic. : 1861 - 1954), Thursday 26 February 1942, page 2
THRILLING EXPERIENCES IN MALAYA
Related by Sale Soldier Mr. and Mrs. L. Atkinson, of Square Forest, have received the following letter from their son, Sergeant Alan Atkinson, dated January 29, which was written in Malaya prior to the evacuation, in which he relates his thrilling experiences:-
"I guess you have been worrying quietly much of late. Well I have been all through the thickest of it and have reached camp again unscratched, but terribly footsore and weary. I have really been through hell, but am safe now and O.K. We went into action last Saturday week and as soon as we landed the Japs opened fire and so started one of the heaviest and biggest battles in the history of warfare. Gee, was it hot! The air was thick with flying lead, shrapnel and burning cordite. That night however quietened down: but next day about 11 am all hell broke loose. At this time I was platoon commander and through the next ten days filled that capacity. We fought solidly that day-the boys doing marvellously, and many winning medals, but never seen. Next day was a repetition and our platoon threw back three attacks in a few hours. These attacks were preceded by tremendous barrages of shell and mortars, besides dive-bombing and machine-gunning from ground and air. "That day we blew nine tanks off the road-really magnificent work. That night at 6.30 we started our magnificent withdrawal, as we were completely surrounded. We fought our way through the Japs and joined another battalion, but to do so had to travel a couple of miles through jungle and swamps. It was here we were unfortunate to pass through our own artillery barrage. After some time, however, we reached our destination-only to find they also were hopelessly cut off. Next day saw us fighting our way through the enemy again. Our battalion drove them back all that day. pushing them back about four miles and finished the day by wiping out the sector with the bayonet. It was a glorious charge. A couple of companies charged five companies who were well armed with machine guns, and we effectively wiped them out. There were dead Japs like flies on papers. "That night we marched ten miles, only to find the river held by the enemy. Next morning we pushed them back over the bridge, and so held half each. It was here with approximately 1000 men we held the might of the Japanese army for two days and a night-really a stupendous effort, especially as they gave us all they had. However at 10 am. next day we had to make a break for relief; couldn't get through, so under heavy artillery, mortar and other fire, besides machine gunning from the air, I pulled out my platoon. Not a man broke or ran through the whole episode, and on the withdrawal we walked out in single file. Here we had to swim a river under fire. I found myself on the far side with only a revolver and the clothes I stood in. I had to unship my kit after I had gone under twice. We were far from safe though, for the enemy also held this side, so forming up the men with us, we tried to make a break for it. All that day and deep into the night, we marched through .jungle, swamps and rubber; dodging the enemy. Next.day we tried to make for a place called Yory Pery, which was in our hands. To get there meant penetrating jungle, rice fields and all. Most of that day I was in water. "The following day we crossed a river, and 30 of us set off for the town, only to find we missed it by a matter of hours, for it had fallen to the enemy that morning. Here we were chased by Japs and fired on, but managed to escape. That night we broke our party into three lots, for one reason easier to travel and easier to feed. The same night we crossed a river only to find ourselves in a pocket; surrounded by the enemy. Next day, although fired on again, we managed to escape. All that day we marched, picking up food along the way, and only stopping to make up rice and cook anything we could get. This went on for days march, march, march. Our objective this time was a place called Ayer Hitans, which was held by us. More disappointment, for reaching there it was creeping with Japs; so more marching. After a few more miles we camped the night, and setting off at 7 a.m. again we got within a mile of Ranjit on the coast, but this too had fallen. It was here we met an English regiment, so followed them until 1 am,. next morning, when we reached Benut, to find transport waiting. So ended the most arduous and nerve wracking ten days of my life. My feet were paining awfully, for besides blisters and torn feet, I had got a nasty foot disease. "Of course long before this I had given up hope of ever getting out, and was only plodding along blindly. I was; in charge of 16 men here, so it was only the responsibility that kept me going. Since then I have rejoined my unit and am now having a well earned rest. Now that I have been through it, it has been the most wonderful experience anyone could have, for its is regarded as being worse than Gallipoli, and equal to any 'such as Greece and others. Our battalion has excelled itself in all qualities and it is a unit one can be proud to belong to. Well after getting through that you need never worry for my safety again, for that stunt will never be repeated and I'll never see fighting like that again. It is some time now since I have heard from home, but expect to get some mail soon. I think I have given a pretty good account of things, and you can guess what we have been through, and will understand I am damned weary and find it hard to concentrate, so for now I’ll say cheerio, with lots of love to all at home, and glad to be able to write to you again." -Your loving son, Alan. P.S.-Give my kindest regards to Mr. and Mrs. Guyatt and little Mary, and tell them I am still equal to 20 Japs. I only got two of them-one out of a tree, but as I was commanding I didn't get a real chance to shoot, only move about directing, but believe me they respect our bayonets now.-Alan
