Operation Bean

Allied Forces

• No. 1 Commando
  • No. 3 Troop
  • No. 6 Troop
  • No. 1 Section, No. 4 Troop,
  • No. 1 Commando HQ
  • 1 Medium Machine Gun Detachment, No. 2 Troop
• No. 5 Commando
  • No. 4 Troop
  • No. 1 Mortar Detachment of No. 6 Troop.
• 8^th Field Regiment, Royal Artillery, W Battery
• “V” Force
  • Troop 1
  • Troop 10

Axis Forces

Operation

November 22nd, 1944

At 17:30, the assault force leaves Nurullapara and Chiradan, advancing through Godusara to Mil Road before heading south. The force splits into three groups to execute the operation.

By 22:00, No. 3 Troop crosses the Ton Chaung River undetected and establishes a defensive perimeter, where they remain until just before dawn. At that point, they move five hundred metres east of Hinthiya. Soon after, the town is shelled by No. 1 Mortar Detachment from No. 6 Troop of No. 5 Commando. Medium machine-gun fire from No. 2 Troop of No. 1 Commando targets two members of the Japanese Indian Forces fleeing southeast, but it is unclear if any casualties are inflicted.

November 23rd, 1944

At 07:15, No. 2 Section, along with Headquarters minus the wireless and mortar detachment, launches an attack and clears the northern part of the village up to the track. No. 1 Section and the remaining headquarters units, along with the gunner OP and MMG, are then brought forward. As No. 2 Section pushes south beyond the track, they encounter resistance. Three enemy soldiers are seen crossing the track, prompting an exchange of fire. Sub-sections D and C move into position, with C sub firing on three Japanese soldiers, killing three, wounding one, and capturing another. C sub then reaches a clearing, taking up firing positions while D sub advances on the right.

The section comes under fire from two light machine guns and enemy snipers positioned in trees. Bren gunners engage at close range, hitting four enemy soldiers. One sniper is killed after falling from a tree, while another is hit. A separate rifle group eliminates another enemy soldier and silences an automatic weapon position. During the exchange, a Japanese officer, distinguished by his uniform, is wounded in the leg. While being dragged to safety by two others, he is struck again by Bren fire.

As No. 2 Section’s advance slows, No. 1 Section, supported by MMGs, moves up the left flank. After crossing the track, they come under fire from additional tree snipers, who are quickly engaged and neutralised. Advancing another hundred yards, they encounter crossfire from two enemy light machine guns positioned on high ground. Their own Bren gunners engage and silence the enemy position. The MMG on the left flank targets a group of fifteen Japanese soldiers and an LMG crew, five of whom break cover. Following this engagement, No. 3 Troop is ordered to withdraw over the Chaung and return to Commando Headquarters.

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