Hill feature 676 near Taungtha, north-west of Meiktila, Burma, dominates the road to Meiktila and the Japanese are using the position as an observation post for their 105mm guns; two squadrons of tanks are called in to destroy the postion.

M4 Sherman tanks from 116th Regiment Royal Armoured Corps (the Gordon Highlanders) are filled with petrol from a can. Three of the tanks lined up. Gurkhas from 4th Battalion 1st King George V's Own Gurkha Rifles (the Malaun Regiment) walk to the tanks and mount up. The tanks drive off. The tanks roll along the road; a lot of dust is thrown up. A tank drives through a grove consisting of palm trees. Shells burst on the hilltop (676). The tanks fire more shells. Tanks and infantry start to move up the hillside. Infantry climb a steep slope. The top of the hill looks as if it has been blasted away. Tanks fire and more smoke rises. Some tanks are now on the ridge. More shells burst on the observation post. A plane flies over several times. The tanks come down from the ridge and move to another position. A dead Japanese soldier lies half buried in rubble and debris; he is face down so only the back of his head can be seen. Another dead Japanese soldier, again half buried, with his face partly showing; he still wears his helmet. Two more dead Japanese soldiers lie in the rubble. Tanks and infantry line up at the bottom of the hill. An Indian soldier digs; discarded equipment lies around. A Japanese flag with Japanese writing on it is held by one of the tank crew and he attaches it to an aerial on the tank. Tanks on the road. The barrel of a tank is cleaned and maintained and reloading is carried out.

Notes

Mention is made of this attack in the official history which adds that the attack was supported by 139th Field Regiment Royal Artillery. This attack was made in order to secure the road to Meiktila, where 17th Indian Division was holding off repeated Japanese counterattacks after seizing the town and its vital airfields.