From my first real foray into military research I came up with the following, just wondered what everyone thinks and how the balance of the man and the big picture works?
Frank Job Goulson
Preface
The comments referring to Lt-Col Goulson which have been transcribed in this document are those of
the Commanding Officers of the 2nd West African, 82nd West African and 15th Indian Div. So suitably
impressed by the actions of Lt-Col Goulson during the Arakan campaign that they recommended he
should receive the Periodical Award of the OBE.
Many units were deployed within the Arakan region under the control of the British XV Corps,
throughout 1944 and 1945 they were engaged in action to prevent both the Japanese withdrawal and to
go on the offensive and capture the Arakan region.
Allied forces have no viable means of land communication, the recapture of Singapore and Malaya
cannot take place until Burma is liberated.
In the northern areas American and Chinese troops engage the enemy and attempt to establish
communication and transport links.
For reasons of chronology the opening comment from the recommendation is not included in the main
article but is transcribed below;
During the three months from FEB-MAY 1945 in which 82(WA) Div has been operating in the Arakan, Lt-
Col Goulson has commanded his bn with skill and determination.
The recommendation had to be approved by the Commander in Chief of Allied Land Forces, his
recommendation for the award of the Distinguished Service Order Medal (DSO). The award was
announced in The London Gazette during January of 1946;
SUPPLEMENT TO THE LONDON GAZETTE, 17 JANUARY, 1946
The Distinguished Service Order.
Lieutenant-Colonel (temporary) Frank Job GOULSON
(66499), The Lincolnshire Regiment (attd. The
Gold Coast Regiment) (Felixstowe).
Burma 1944-1945
September 1944
British XV Corps are order to engage the enemy and go on the offensive in the Arakan front, thereby
driving the Japanese away from strategic areas.
October 1944
Admiral Mountbatten orders the offensive against Mandalay to commence as soon as possible. The
previously unified theatre of operations becomes divided between Indo-Burmese and Chinese Sectors.
November 1944
Japanese units in the Anwe region are ordered to withdraw towards central Burma, a position from
which they can be easily deployed throughout the region and to the south.
December 1944
If the coastal section of the Arakan can be freed bases can be established. This will greatly
assist in the liberation of Burma.
The British XV Corps go on the offensive whilst the 82nd West African Div penetrate the Kalapanzia
Valley and capture Buthidaung. Japanese forces withdraw from Akyab, the 25th Indian Div reach Foul
Point in the Arakan coastal region.
British advances in the Arakan are swifter than anticipated, senior commanders are called to
Calcutta for discussions with Mountbatten about how to exploit this success.
January 1945
Akyab Island is invaded by the XV Corps despite the presence of the 54th Div from the Japanese 28th
Army. The air and naval bases on the island allow bombardment to be provided, thus enabling the
25th Indian Div manage to occupy the entire Myobon peninsula. British 3rd Commando Brigade land at
Kangaw and in doing so threaten to cut off the retreating Japanese 54th Div. Resistance from the
Japanese at Kangaw is thwarted by the 25th Indian Div, two African Divisions head south to Myotoung.
February 1945
Admiral Mountbatten decides to speed arrangements for the offensives against Mandalay and Rangoon.
Additional units arrive in the Arakan region, and begin to capture more of the region. By Feb 10th
Allied forces have crossed the River Irrawaddy to the west of Mandalay. The Japanese again counter
attack at Kangaw.
Feb 12th:
Partial transcription from War Office documentation
Lt-Col GOULSON commenced five days of continual action at KANGAW afflicting heavy casualties on the
enemy.
The 25th Indian Div land on the Arakan Coast west of AN, they will attempt to prevent the Japanese
withdrawal to Prome further to the east.
March 1945
Action intensifies in the Arakan region. Preparations are made for the advance to Mandalay, units
approach from the west and north east. Air bombardment allows the capture of Mandalay and the
defeat of the Japanese strongholds that offered the most resistance. The 25th Indian Div advance
along the coast from AN and take Tamandu.
Mar 1st to Mar 25th;
Partial transcription from War Office documentation
Lt-Col GOULSON and his bn in constant contact with the enemy in the area of ME Chaung and inflicted
numerous casualties.
Mar 6th;
Partial transcription from War Office documentation
Lt-Col GOULSON’S bn formed part of a force to block Japanese withdrawal eastward along the TAMANDU-
AN road, in the course of heavy fighting charged an enemy position capturing and destroying three
105mm guns.
Mar 26th/27th;
Partial transcription from War Office documentation
On the night of 26/27 March the Bde commenced to break contact with the Japanese in the area of the
TAMANDU-AN road. It was necessary to impose on the enemy and deceive him as to our intentions. This
was done throughout the night by Lt-Col GOULSON’S bn by a skilled show of activity designed to draw
attention to the forward troops and to give opportunity of withdrawal to a coln of about 1,400 men
including 250 wounded and 300 mules which were withdrawing over a route unavoidably exposed to
enemy view for about 1,800 yards. By dawn this vulnerable convoy had successfully withdrawn, it was
now time for the forward troops.
Lt-Col GOULSON’S bn was between the other two bns of the Bde. It was therefore on his careful co-
ordination with neighbouring units, exact timing and tactical skill in the disengaging from the
enemy that the success of the Bde operation as a whole largely depended. Lt-Col GOULSON’S cool and
skilled handling of his bn during the operation enabled the withdrawal to be carried out without
detection and without loss.
April 1945
With Mandalay captured the offensive against Rangoon is underway. Japanese forces in Rangoon, under
the command of General Kimura, are ordered to withdraw to the north east of Pegu. The 17th Indian
Div penetrates Pegu and begins to mop up the area.
Parts of the Arakan region have fallen under Japanese control, British XV Corps units occupy
Taungup and the Allied re-capture of the region is complete.
Japanese forces withdrawing from Mandalay and Rangoon start to arrive in large numbers. Allied
forces continue to engage the Japanese in the Arakan region and delay any attempted enemy
withdrawal to the west.
May 1945
The first week of May sees the capture of Rangoon, heavy bombing raids caused the Japanese to flee,
Allied troops entered Rangoon without encountering resistance. Rangoon is captured.
20th Indian Div enter Prome, thereby cutting off the last route available to the Japanese
withdrawal from the Arakan region
May 6/7th
Partial transcription from War Office documentation
On the night of 6/7 May it was suspected the enemy might be thinning out or withdrawing from the
dominant PANMYAUNTAUNG feature above TAUNGUP. Two platoons were crossed over the R.TAUNG during the
hours of darkness at low tide, while a company was held ready for exploitation at first light. With
the swift ebb and flow of the waters in this tidal river a crossing especially, at night is
difficult and hazardous.
These risks and difficulties Lt-Col Goulson shared with the forward troops himself swimming with
them and getting them safely over despite the tide which was rapidly flowing in.
Careful in planning and thorough in execution, this officer has well earned the confidence of his
tps who are further inspired by his personal example of courage.
The 82nd West African Div head south from Taungup and occupy Sandoway by May 10th before heading on
to take Gwa.
British reorganisations of commands and functions takes place at the end of the month, as Burma has
now been liberated preparations are underway for operations in Malaya and the Dutch East Indies.
Preface
The comments referring to Lt-Col Goulson which have been transcribed in this document are those of
the Commanding Officers of the 2nd West African, 82nd West African and 15th Indian Div. So suitably
impressed by the actions of Lt-Col Goulson during the Arakan campaign that they recommended he
should receive the Periodical Award of the OBE.
Many units were deployed within the Arakan region under the control of the British XV Corps,
throughout 1944 and 1945 they were engaged in action to prevent both the Japanese withdrawal and to
go on the offensive and capture the Arakan region.
Allied forces have no viable means of land communication, the recapture of Singapore and Malaya
cannot take place until Burma is liberated.
In the northern areas American and Chinese troops engage the enemy and attempt to establish
communication and transport links.
For reasons of chronology the opening comment from the recommendation is not included in the main
article but is transcribed below;
During the three months from FEB-MAY 1945 in which 82(WA) Div has been operating in the Arakan, Lt-
Col Goulson has commanded his bn with skill and determination.
The recommendation had to be approved by the Commander in Chief of Allied Land Forces, his
recommendation for the award of the Distinguished Service Order Medal (DSO). The award was
announced in The London Gazette during January of 1946;
SUPPLEMENT TO THE LONDON GAZETTE, 17 JANUARY, 1946
The Distinguished Service Order.
Lieutenant-Colonel (temporary) Frank Job GOULSON
(66499), The Lincolnshire Regiment (attd. The
Gold Coast Regiment) (Felixstowe).
Burma 1944-1945
September 1944
British XV Corps are order to engage the enemy and go on the offensive in the Arakan front, thereby
driving the Japanese away from strategic areas.
October 1944
Admiral Mountbatten orders the offensive against Mandalay to commence as soon as possible. The
previously unified theatre of operations becomes divided between Indo-Burmese and Chinese Sectors.
November 1944
Japanese units in the Anwe region are ordered to withdraw towards central Burma, a position from
which they can be easily deployed throughout the region and to the south.
December 1944
If the coastal section of the Arakan can be freed bases can be established. This will greatly
assist in the liberation of Burma.
The British XV Corps go on the offensive whilst the 82nd West African Div penetrate the Kalapanzia
Valley and capture Buthidaung. Japanese forces withdraw from Akyab, the 25th Indian Div reach Foul
Point in the Arakan coastal region.
British advances in the Arakan are swifter than anticipated, senior commanders are called to
Calcutta for discussions with Mountbatten about how to exploit this success.
January 1945
Akyab Island is invaded by the XV Corps despite the presence of the 54th Div from the Japanese 28th
Army. The air and naval bases on the island allow bombardment to be provided, thus enabling the
25th Indian Div manage to occupy the entire Myobon peninsula. British 3rd Commando Brigade land at
Kangaw and in doing so threaten to cut off the retreating Japanese 54th Div. Resistance from the
Japanese at Kangaw is thwarted by the 25th Indian Div, two African Divisions head south to Myotoung.
February 1945
Admiral Mountbatten decides to speed arrangements for the offensives against Mandalay and Rangoon.
Additional units arrive in the Arakan region, and begin to capture more of the region. By Feb 10th
Allied forces have crossed the River Irrawaddy to the west of Mandalay. The Japanese again counter
attack at Kangaw.
Feb 12th:
Partial transcription from War Office documentation
Lt-Col GOULSON commenced five days of continual action at KANGAW afflicting heavy casualties on the
enemy.
The 25th Indian Div land on the Arakan Coast west of AN, they will attempt to prevent the Japanese
withdrawal to Prome further to the east.
March 1945
Action intensifies in the Arakan region. Preparations are made for the advance to Mandalay, units
approach from the west and north east. Air bombardment allows the capture of Mandalay and the
defeat of the Japanese strongholds that offered the most resistance. The 25th Indian Div advance
along the coast from AN and take Tamandu.
Mar 1st to Mar 25th;
Partial transcription from War Office documentation
Lt-Col GOULSON and his bn in constant contact with the enemy in the area of ME Chaung and inflicted
numerous casualties.
Mar 6th;
Partial transcription from War Office documentation
Lt-Col GOULSON’S bn formed part of a force to block Japanese withdrawal eastward along the TAMANDU-
AN road, in the course of heavy fighting charged an enemy position capturing and destroying three
105mm guns.
Mar 26th/27th;
Partial transcription from War Office documentation
On the night of 26/27 March the Bde commenced to break contact with the Japanese in the area of the
TAMANDU-AN road. It was necessary to impose on the enemy and deceive him as to our intentions. This
was done throughout the night by Lt-Col GOULSON’S bn by a skilled show of activity designed to draw
attention to the forward troops and to give opportunity of withdrawal to a coln of about 1,400 men
including 250 wounded and 300 mules which were withdrawing over a route unavoidably exposed to
enemy view for about 1,800 yards. By dawn this vulnerable convoy had successfully withdrawn, it was
now time for the forward troops.
Lt-Col GOULSON’S bn was between the other two bns of the Bde. It was therefore on his careful co-
ordination with neighbouring units, exact timing and tactical skill in the disengaging from the
enemy that the success of the Bde operation as a whole largely depended. Lt-Col GOULSON’S cool and
skilled handling of his bn during the operation enabled the withdrawal to be carried out without
detection and without loss.
April 1945
With Mandalay captured the offensive against Rangoon is underway. Japanese forces in Rangoon, under
the command of General Kimura, are ordered to withdraw to the north east of Pegu. The 17th Indian
Div penetrates Pegu and begins to mop up the area.
Parts of the Arakan region have fallen under Japanese control, British XV Corps units occupy
Taungup and the Allied re-capture of the region is complete.
Japanese forces withdrawing from Mandalay and Rangoon start to arrive in large numbers. Allied
forces continue to engage the Japanese in the Arakan region and delay any attempted enemy
withdrawal to the west.
May 1945
The first week of May sees the capture of Rangoon, heavy bombing raids caused the Japanese to flee,
Allied troops entered Rangoon without encountering resistance. Rangoon is captured.
20th Indian Div enter Prome, thereby cutting off the last route available to the Japanese
withdrawal from the Arakan region
May 6/7th
Partial transcription from War Office documentation
On the night of 6/7 May it was suspected the enemy might be thinning out or withdrawing from the
dominant PANMYAUNTAUNG feature above TAUNGUP. Two platoons were crossed over the R.TAUNG during the
hours of darkness at low tide, while a company was held ready for exploitation at first light. With
the swift ebb and flow of the waters in this tidal river a crossing especially, at night is
difficult and hazardous.
These risks and difficulties Lt-Col Goulson shared with the forward troops himself swimming with
them and getting them safely over despite the tide which was rapidly flowing in.
Careful in planning and thorough in execution, this officer has well earned the confidence of his
tps who are further inspired by his personal example of courage.
The 82nd West African Div head south from Taungup and occupy Sandoway by May 10th before heading on
to take Gwa.
British reorganisations of commands and functions takes place at the end of the month, as Burma has
now been liberated preparations are underway for operations in Malaya and the Dutch East Indies.
Comment