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Nairaland Forum / Nairaland / General / Politics / Today Is Nigerian Armed Forces Remembrance Day (2016)! (18346 Views)
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Today Is Nigerian Armed Forces Remembrance Day (2016)! by naptu2: 2:16am On Jan 15, 2016 |
[size=14pt]Today is Nigerian Armed Forces Remembrance Day![/size] www.nairaland.com/attachments/922401_armed_jpg924f4eb16c96c31f68c3b2207c40d23e In Nigeria, Armed Forces Day, also known as Remembrance Day, is celebrated on 15 January. It was formerly marked on 11 November of every year to coincide with the Remembrance Day (Poppy Day) for the World War II veterans in the British Commonwealth of Nations, but it was changed to 15 January of every year in Nigeria in commemoration of the surrender of Biafran troops to the Federal troops on 15 January 1970 thus signalling the end of the Nigerian Civil War. The day is marked with a Remembrance Day parade at the Cenotaph in Abuja and in the 36 state capitals. The ceremony includes 21 gun salute, playing of the Last Post, a minute's silence, laying of wreaths and release of pigeons to symbolise peace. In the past month armed forces remembrance day emblems have been on sale across the country. Proceeds of the sale of the remembrance emblem go to the Nigerian Legion. 2016 Remembrance Day emblem. The Nigerian Legion is the Nigerian association of ex-servicemen, i.e former members of the Nigerian Army, Navy and Air Force (although I have never seen the likes of Olusegun Obasanjo, Ibrahim Babangida, or T.Y Danjuma associate with the Legion). Officers and men of the armed forces are trained to fight and kill. When they retire, they discover that there are no jobs for them (some of them have been in the armed forces since they were teenagers and military work is all they know). Others were forced to retire from the armed forces due to injuries sustained in battle. The Legion helps them to integrate into society and take care of themselves. By law the Legion is permitted to operate certain businesses in order to raise money for its members. Members of the legion also serve as security guards at government establishments (you often see them in their brown uniforms). The Legion also raises money through the sale of Armed Forces and Remembrance Day emblems. In recent years (especially since the return to civilian rule) members of the Legion have gone through great hardship while trying to collect their pensions and gratuity. Sometimes their pensions are not paid for many months. At other times, legionnaires, who could be as old as 60, 70, or 80 years old are made to travel long distances and queue in the hot sun, all in the name of pension verification exercise. Many legionnaires have died during this process. www.nairaland.com/attachments/922404_a20nigerian20legion_jpg328b92979c09d50605d7696a57aa9f3c Officers and men of the Nigerian Legion. The Nigerian Legion Act (Laws of the Federation) http://www.aksjlegalresource.com/resource/Laws_of_the_Federation%5CNIGERIAN%20LEGION%20ACT.pdf 6 Likes 1 Share |
Re: Today Is Nigerian Armed Forces Remembrance Day (2016)! by naptu2: 2:18am On Jan 15, 2016 |
Officers and men of the Nigerian Armed Forces have fought in various wars and taken part in many peace keeping operations, defensive duties and internal security duties. These include Wars including: * The First World War * The Second World War * The Nigerian Civil War Peace keeping/enforcement operations in * The Congo * Tanzania * Liberia * Sierra Leone * Lebanon * Darfur * The former Yugoslavia * Mali Defensive duties including * The Bamileke Rebellion * Chadian Rebels (1982/83) * The Bakassi Peninsula Internal Security duties including * The Tiv Rebellion * The Western Region Crisis * The Niger-Delta Crisis (1966) * The Agbekoya Rebellion * The Niger Delta Crisis (1992-2009) * The Boko Haram Insurgency. Anti-Robbery operations, including: * Operation Sweep * Rapid Response Squad * Operation Yaki * Operation Messa Etc. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8akV2HsCQDY Video: Major General Buhari attends the 1984 Remembrance Day parade at the Remembrance Arcade, Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos. 2 Likes 1 Share |
Re: Today Is Nigerian Armed Forces Remembrance Day (2016)! by naptu2: 2:24am On Jan 15, 2016 |
Let's take a moment to remember Captain Benjamin Sule. [size=14pt]Nigerian Soldier Killed By Boko Haram During Attack In Borno[/size] https://www.naij.com/70745.html 5 Likes 1 Share |
Re: Today Is Nigerian Armed Forces Remembrance Day (2016)! by naptu2: 2:28am On Jan 15, 2016 |
Let us also remember Seaman Amaseimogha Paul. [size=14pt]Nigerian Officer Died Saving Lives Of His Colleagues[/size] https://www.naij.com/483953-nigerian-officer-died-saving-lives-of-his-colleagues.html 3 Likes |
Re: Today Is Nigerian Armed Forces Remembrance Day (2016)! by naptu2: 2:35am On Jan 15, 2016 |
[size=14pt]The Shattered Dreams of Two Young Pilots[/size] http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/the-shattered-dreams-of-two-young-pilots/147049/ 3 Likes 1 Share |
Re: Today Is Nigerian Armed Forces Remembrance Day (2016)! by tsdarkside(m): 2:37am On Jan 15, 2016 |
sai!!!... 2 Likes
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Re: Today Is Nigerian Armed Forces Remembrance Day (2016)! by xpac01(m): 2:37am On Jan 15, 2016 |
naptu2: This article is either composed by Lai Moh'md himself or by Lai moh'mdian or by an English student who's yet to pass his English exams. When bokoharam war becomes fought we will know. For now my respect and prayers remains to the brave soldiers who have been tirelessly fighting to defend our dear nation. Anywhere you see a soldier baba tuale. "THEY DIE SO THAT WE MAY LIVE IN PEACE" |
Re: Today Is Nigerian Armed Forces Remembrance Day (2016)! by naptu2: 2:47am On Jan 15, 2016 |
xpac01: Some people can't understand simple English. "Officers and men of the Nigerian Armed forces have fought in various wars and taken part in many peace keeping operations, defensive duties and internal security duties" Are you trying to tell me that Ayuba Layelmenson, who is dead, is still fighting?? Are you trying to tell me that all the officers and men who began the internal security operations against Boko Haram are still fighting (none has retired and none has died)?? Are you trying to tell me that you don't know that the campaign against Boko Haram is an internal security operation?? 3 Likes |
Re: Today Is Nigerian Armed Forces Remembrance Day (2016)! by naptu2: 2:49am On Jan 15, 2016 |
As we remember the dead, it's also very important that we remember the living. [size=14pt]Brigadier General (Dr) Otu Oviemo Ovadje (inventor of the EAT-SET)[/size] www.nairaland.com/attachments/669281_Brigadier20Ovadje_gif51c129cb811407fe314837d50c1cd140 Brigadier General (Dr) Otu Oviemo Ovadje (rtd), born 20 December 1954 was a Medical Doctor in the Nigerian Army and a Chief consultant anaesthesiologist and intensive care physician who worked at the Military Hospital, Ikoyi-Lagos. Trained at both the Lagos University Teaching Hospital and at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, he is a Fellow of the Medical College of Anaesthesiology, Fellow West African College of Surgeons, member Association of Military Surgeons of the Federal Republic of Austria and Life member of the Association of Military Surgeons of the United States (AMSUS) and has attended numerous courses and conferences internationally. Brigadier General Dr. Ovadje was declared the Best African Scientist in 1995 before African Heads of States when he won the World Intellectual Property Organisation and Organisation of African Unity Gold Medal for scientific work designed to save women who usually die from abnormal pregnancy (ECTOPIC GESTATION). He also won Promex Silver Medal in Geneva in April 1998. He is a two time winner of the Chief of Army Staff Award of the Nigerian Army for professional excellence, and various non medical awards. Recently elected into the membership of the Association of Military Surgeons of the Federal Republic of Austria. Brigadier General Dr. Ovadje was Chief of Delegation -Nigeria, to the World Congress of Military Medicine at various times. Dr. Ovadje has delivered lectures in United States of America, Germany; China; Zimbabwe, Austria and Lesotho- South Africa. He is a member of the Technical Working Committee of the International Congress of Military Medicine. Brigadier General Dr Oviemo Ovadje in 1989, solved the problem of blood salvage from body cavities by pioneering and creating a design the EATSET to replace and improve on the gauze filtration technique as practiced in developing countries. The EATSET device has been described as a low cost and an appropriate technology relevant to the needs of developing countries. Its development is part of the global effort at ensuring blood safety. The device is made up of a transparent rigid capsule, incorporating a V – shaped micro – filter and its part arrangements allow its adaptation to a manual source of low vacuum. Brigadier General Dr Oviemo Ovadje, as a medical doctor undergoing specialist training in Nigeria, observed that a lot of women during pregnancy in developing countries die from internal haemorrhage (bleeding) arising from ruptured ectopic pregnancy. The condition is common in developing countries and the absence of a well organized blood transfusion service is a factor in the increased morbidity and mortality in this group of women, many of whom cannot afford the cost of procuring blood from the laboratories. The gauze filtration and scooping technique adopted by earlier doctors did not seem to be attractive to most practioners who considered the technique messy and unsafe. The initial skepticism that greeted the simplicity of the EATSET and it’s lack of sophistication led to the invitation of Dr. Watson Williams by the World Health Organization as consultant at the instance of the UNDP in its response to a request by Brigadier General Dr Oviemo Ovadje for financial support to enable him refine the crude device through a North _ South collaboration. The EATSET was used in its primitive but sterile form by Brigadier General Dr Oviemo Ovadje to save intraperitoneal blood from 12 patients as presented at the world congress of the International Committee of Military Medicine (ICMM) in Augsburg, Germany in June 1994, and Published in the journal of the ICMM in 1995. The UNDP sponsored the refinement of Brigadier General Dr Oviemo Ovadje’s EATSET in 1994, under the executive of the World Health Organization. By April 1995, the equipment was refined and in-vitro trials were conducted successfully at the University of Lagos Teaching Hospital by Brigadier General Dr Oviemo Ovadje, Mr. Fell and Professor Asalor, Professor Akinsete and Professor Dorothy Foulkes-Crabbe, (Chairman of the African Chapter of the World Federation of societies of Anesthesiologist.) (WFSA) both approved of the work. Brigadier General Dr Oviemo Ovadje organized an International Scientific Conference and Workshop (April 29 – 31 1995 sponsored by the UNDP, WHO and the Federal Ministry of Health to determine the degree of the problem of heamorrhage in pregnant women in developing countries. About 430 medical professionals, (Doctors, Nurses, Hospital, Administrators, Scientists and Industrialist attended from Nigeria, Ghana, Switzerland, United Kingdom and India. His presentation of techniques of auto-transfusion and the EATSET to medical doctors undergoing specialist training at an OPEC funded conference at the University of Lagos Teaching Hospital (1990) and during a seminar organized by the Commonwealth Defence Science Organization at the Defence Headquarters in 1991 contributed in endearing the EATSET to many of his professional colleagues. Brigadier General Dr Oviemo Ovadje’s work in the management of ectopics in developing countries was publicly acknowledged by Government. UNDP and WHO whose awareness of the need for a simplified, low cost device such as the EATSET in developing countries increased. Brigadier General Dr Oviemo Ovadje won the 1995 OAU-WIPO Invention Award in recognition of his significant contribution to African innovation in the field of Health Care. A Gold Medal was presented to Brigadier General Dr Oviemo Ovadje during the OAU summit in Addis-Ababa. Prof Morel’s report from the Geneva University Hospital Cantonal confirmed the need for the EATSET and of its usefulness in clinical practice. Brigadier General Dr Oviemo Ovadje in 1996 won the National Council of Health and Ministerial Award for professional excellence and for his contribution to health technology Brigadier General Dr Oviemo Ovadje won the World Bank institute award in February 2000 after he was classified as one of the top 339 finalists at the developmental market place in Washington DC. He became the first African to win the World Health Organisation Sasakawa Award in the year 2000. He won the national honour of Member of order of the Niger MON. 2 Likes 1 Share |
Re: Today Is Nigerian Armed Forces Remembrance Day (2016)! by naptu2: 2:53am On Jan 15, 2016 |
naptu2: [size=14pt]Brigadier General Maxwell Mitikishe Khobe (Chief of Defence Staff of Sierra Leone)[/size] RIP 4 Likes 1 Share |
Re: Today Is Nigerian Armed Forces Remembrance Day (2016)! by naptu2: 3:03am On Jan 15, 2016 |
Remembrance Day at the Cenotaph, Abuja. www.nairaland.com/attachments/923325_a20gej_jpg26ffe812cda53f5ab51e3a5324299c36 |
Re: Today Is Nigerian Armed Forces Remembrance Day (2016)! by naptu2: 3:10am On Jan 15, 2016 |
2 Likes |
Re: Today Is Nigerian Armed Forces Remembrance Day (2016)! by kliq(m): 3:12am On Jan 15, 2016 |
"The bravest are surely those who have the clearest vision of what is before them, glory and danger alike, and yet notwithstanding, go out to meet it." -- Thucydides 21 Gun Salute for our fallen heroes,God bless the N.A 8 Likes 1 Share
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Re: Today Is Nigerian Armed Forces Remembrance Day (2016)! by Nobody: 3:40am On Jan 15, 2016 |
My respect goes to Nigerian soldiers today. It's unfortunate that Nigeria govt hasn't seen the need to set such a day aside to honor these great men but will quickly declare a public holiday for sighting the moon. 2 Likes |
Re: Today Is Nigerian Armed Forces Remembrance Day (2016)! by Eghosa1(m): 4:46am On Jan 15, 2016 |
Enough respect to the Nigerian Armed Forces. #Morale #High!!! 1 Like |
Re: Today Is Nigerian Armed Forces Remembrance Day (2016)! by Allwility: 6:36am On Jan 15, 2016 |
Lest we forget. They died that we may live in peace. Our flag does not fly because the wind moves it; It flies with the last breath of every soldier who died defending it. RIP unknown soldier. Known but to God. #ArmedForcesRememberanceDay 6 Likes 2 Shares |
Re: Today Is Nigerian Armed Forces Remembrance Day (2016)! by obayaya(m): 6:58am On Jan 15, 2016 |
The greatest monuments to fallen men are not made in marble. They're deep in the sea, deep in the jungles,.on foreign battlefields, a rifle driven into the ground with a helmet on top and some tags. And that is the tribute these men have earned. God bless the Nigerian Armed Forces 6 Likes 3 Shares |
Re: Today Is Nigerian Armed Forces Remembrance Day (2016)! by papindinho(m): 7:37am On Jan 15, 2016 |
obayaya: May the souls of the fallen soldiers rest in peace. And yes, God bless the Nigerian Armed Forces. 2 Likes |
Re: Today Is Nigerian Armed Forces Remembrance Day (2016)! by naptu2: 7:54am On Jan 15, 2016 |
naptu2: [size=16pt]Nigerian armed forces[/size] 1 Like |
Re: Today Is Nigerian Armed Forces Remembrance Day (2016)! by naptu2: 7:57am On Jan 15, 2016 |
[size=14pt]The Second World War[/size] During the Second World War, the Regiment served in many parts of the world and played a distinguished part in the defeat of the Italians in East Africa and the Japanese in Burma. The Royal West Africa Frontier Force provided the largest colonial expeditionary force to leave any colony and it was a West African division which was the first ever to be entirely supplied by air. The following paragraphs give, but a brief outline of the most complex and diverse operations in which the Nigeria Regiment took part. Troops of the Nigeria Regiment, 3rd West African Brigade (Thunder), boarding a Dakota Transport plane (circa 1943). At the outbreak of the war, the Nigeria Regiment consisted of five regular battalions with supporting arms and services. In the early part of 1940, plans were made for the move of the 1st West African Brigade to East Africa. The Brigade consisting of 1st, 2nd and 3rd battalions, Nigeria Regiment, 1st Light Battery, 1st Field Ambulance, 1st Infantry Brigade, Signals, and the 1st Field Company, R.E.; left Nigeria on June 3rd, 1940, together with a Gold Coast brigade. After taking part in the defence of Kenya, these brigades distinguished themselves in the Abyssinian Campaign. The Gold Coast brigade secured the west bank of the Juba after defeating the Italians at Bulo Erillo, whilst the Nigerian Brigade, by the capture of Merca, played an all-important part in the capture of Mogadishu. On February 13th, 1941, in company with the 22nd East African Brigade, the Nigerian Brigade advanced on Brava. Despite their training in bush warfare based upon the lessons of the First World War and their short training in mobile warfare, they covered 600 miles between Mogadishu and Harar in twenty-six days, pushing the enemy before them and taking a number of guns, machine guns and prisoners. In the opinion of experts, this advance was the most rapid in the history of the East Africa Campaign. The Brigade returned to Nigeria on September 5th, 1941 when it received an enthusiastic welcome and it provided the leaven of war-trained men for the great Expeditionary Force which was later to take part in the final defeat of the Japanese in Burma. In 1940 it had not been anticipated that further troops would be required except for reinforcements and no further units were raised in the earlier part of the year. On the collapse of France in May and June, 1940 however, it was immediately decided to expand the Royal West African Frontier Force on a large scale and an extensive recruiting campaign was started. By the end of 1941 the Nigeria Regiment had, apart from other services, raised thirteen battalions. These wartime battalions were built around a nucleus of 150 men from the old Reserve Battalion. The 7th Battalion came into official existence on June 8th, 1940 and from a cadre of this battalion a few months later and by local recruitment, the 12th battalion was raised. Meanwhile the Reserve Battalion had moved to Enugu where the 9th Battalion, which was originally composed chiefly of Nigeria Police (including officers) with a few regular soldiers, was raised: after some time, some of the police were recalled and the battalion on its arrival at Sokoto in January 1941, (after a few months in Calabar) absorbed a large proportion of local recruits. At the same time, the battalions which were at first to make up the 6th Battalion, the 4th Brigade Group, were being formed at Kaduna and the 6th Brigade group was being established in Sierra Leone with the 4th and 11th Nigerian Battalions under command together with a Sierra Leonean and a Gambian battalion and mostly Sierra Leonean supporting arms and services. In the early months of 1914 the 3rd Brigade Group consisting of 7th, 9th, and 12th Battalions, 3rd Light Battery, 3rd Brigade Group Company W.A.A.S.C, was formed with headquarters at Zaria. Later the 9th Battalion transferred to the 4th Brigade Group at Kaduna and the 6th Battalion came from that group to join the 3rd. The 81st and 82nd West African Divisions were then formed for service in India and Burma. The Nigeria Regiment provided the 1st (West African) Infantry Brigade (1st, 2nd and 3rd Battalions) the 3rd (West African) Infantry Brigade (5th, 9th and 10th Battalions) whilst the 4th and 11th Battalions had gone to Sierra Leone as part of the “mixed” 6th (West African) Infantry Brigade. When the Divisions went to India, the 11th Battalion remained in Sierra Leone and the 8th Battalion in Nigeria as holding battalions: the 13th Battalion was eventually disbanded and used to strengthen the 8th. In addition to these units with them supporting arms and services, the Royal West African Frontier Force also raised 43 Pioneer Companies and other group of 20 Garrison Companies which saw service in the Middle East, Palestine, Morocco and Sicily. On their arrival in India in 1943, the 3rd (West African) Infantry Brigade was detached from the 81st (West African) Division and came under the command of General Wingate who was forming a “Special Force” to carry out the Second Chindit campaign. The remainder of the two divisions took part in the campaign in the Arakan. A detailed and authentic history of the 1st (West African) Infantry Brigade in the Arakan has been published in “A Short History of the 1st (West African) Infantry Brigade in the Arakan 1944-45”. It has been seen how the brigades came into being and that the history of the Arakan campaign is available for the students of the roles played by the 1st and 4th Brigades, but this account would be woefully incomplete, as there is nothing published without some special preference to the 3rd and 6th Brigades. The two West African Divisions were made up as follows: The 91st from the 3rd Nigerian Brigade Group, the 5th Gold Coast Brigade and the 6th Brigade with the 4th battalion of the Nigerian Regiment and Brigade groups from Sierra Leone and the Gambia and their supporting services, the 82nd from the 2nd Gold Coast and 1st and 4th Nigerian Brigades and the Nigerian Recce Regiment which became one of the greatest thorns in the Japanese side in Burma. The original role of the 3rd Brigade was defence against Vichy French to the north and north-west of Nigeria and training was pursued with a view to fighting in open country and orchard bush. A similar role was the part of the 6th Brigade in Sierra Leone. In August 1914, the 3rd Brigade Reconnaissance Company was formed and by January of the following year it had become a complete unit with a full complement of equipment. Meanwhile the first Auxiliary Group was being formed in Ibadan. They were originally W.A.A.S.C and enlisted as first-line carriers trained to arms and as stretcher-bearers: their services earned much praise later on in Burma and in Nigeria they undertook important duties on works of construction. Training was interrupted intermittently from the middle of 1941 due to supposed threats of French invasion. The most important of these alarms was at the time of ‘Richelieu’ incident at Dakar and the last at the time of the British and American landings in North Africa in November, 1942. At that time, a brigade with a squadron of Free French Tanks was massed along the northern frontier of Nigeria ready to start a counter-offensive if the Vichy French should attack. All however, went off peacefully. Following exercises in January 1943, the news of the future employment of the West African Expeditionary Force was divulged and from then onwards till embarkation there was feverish activity. Training in thick jungle fighting was carried out at the Olokemeji Battle School and in swamp fighting around Lagos. On September 27, 1943 the brigade embarked at Lagos and landed in India on November 5, 1943. The 3rd Brigade which was detached from the 81st (West African) Division was introduced to a very specialised form of warfare. Shorn of its Field Battery, Recce Squadron, Group Company and Auxiliary Group, the remaining units were reorganised into ‘columns’ two to each battalion. The columns were trained for long range penetration. Equipped with unfamiliar weapons including flame-throwers and carrying their heavier weapons on mules they were required to operate behind enemy lines dependent on air-supply drops and living for long periods on the rations they carried in their packs. The brigade went into action alongside British and Ghurkha troops in March 1944. The Special Force’s object was to establish itself in the heart of Burma on the Japanese lines of communication supplying the Japanese forces including Assam and those retreating slowly in front of General Stilwell’s Chinese-American Army advancing on Myitkina from the north. Third Brigade’s initial role was to hold ‘fortresses’ on the lines of communication, based on which other columns operated against the Japanese. The six Nigerian columns, having being flown into Burma from Assam, were concentrated near Mawlu in two fortresses, ‘Aberdeen’ and ‘White City’, 6th Battalion was at the road and rail block at White City, and 7th Battalion was allocated a mobile role in the White City area. White City was almost immediately subjected to a very strong Japanese ground and air attack which was successfully resisted during the whole of April. In May it was decided that Special Force should move northward to join forces with General Stilwell. White City, was evacuated, a column of 12th Nigeria Regiment being the last to leave and the brigade moved northward, fighting a series of actions on the way. Concentrating in the area near Mogaung at the northern end of the “Railway Corridor”, later to be the main axis of the final victorious southward thrust into Burma, the brigade mounted a series of attacks on a strong Japanese defence position known as “Hill 60”. This position had orders to resist to the last man and succeded in holding out until eventually reduced by the British 36th Brigade heavily supported by artillery and air craft. Third Brigade had almost succeeded in capturing the feature on one occasion and only failed through lack of artillery and air support. By this time the brigade had suffered heavy casualties. It had fought in the most appalling conditions through the heaviest rain for four months, living on hard rations – sometimes lucky to get five days rations in a week – and seldom having a roof over its head. When hill 60 had been taken, the brigade was therefore withdrawn and after a period of recuperation, started training again in Central India at the end of 1944 for a further campaign. This time, the three battalions were divided up among composite brigades of British and Gurkha troops, with whom the Nigerians established excellent relations. The third Chindit campaign did not, however, materialise. The successful British advance in Burma had made long-range penetration no longer necessary or practicable, so Special Force was disbanded Reorganised once more on orthodox lines, the brigade joined the 81st (West Africa) Division in an arear near Madras, where training was commenced for a sea-borne invasion of Malaya. The 6th Brigade, including the 4th Battalion, Nigeria Regiment and the 6th Light Battery and a Field Survey Section, were in August 1943, the first West Africa troops to land in India. After training they proceeded to the Burma frontier area in the Arakan and before the end of the war, the 4th Battalion was established over the frontier on the headwaters of the Kaladan River valley which was the scene of its operations for nearly 14 months. The 4th Battalion was supplied entirely from the air , whilst a jeep track , known as “West Africa Way”, was constructed behind it through what seemed impossibly precipitous country. This remarkable feat covered no less than 73 miles. The rest of the Brigade and a Gold Coast brigade (the 5th) together forming the 81st Division, from which the 3rd Brigade had been detached to serve with the Chindit under General Wingate, followed and together were the first large force ever to be supplied entirely by air. In the early months of 1944 the brigade advanced down the Kaladan valley as a left flank guard to the main 15th Indian Corps’ attack on Akyab. This attack for various reasons failed and though the 4th Battalion reached further south that year than any other large body of troops on the whole front. The division had to withdraw with the rest of the corps; after delaying tactics supported by detachments of the Reconnaissance Regiment, which up to this time had been undertaking aggressive landing operations along the coast towards Akyab, it held positions near the frontier throughout the monsoon and so forestalled the much vaunted Japanese advance on Calcutta. The 4th Battalion led the return to Burma after the Monsoon by driving the Japanese off the precipitous slopes of Frontier Hill and the brigade advanced again down the Kaladan and parallel valleys. So successful was this outflanking movement, which was joined in January 1945 by the 82nd West African Division and resulted in joint capture by the two West African Divisions of Myohaung, that little resistance was put up in Akyab to the rest of the Corps. After the capture of Myohaung, the 81st Division, including the 6th Brigade, returned to India for rest and further training for an attack on Malaya, but an armistice was signed before this was launched. During the operation in the Kaladan Valley, the troops lived and fought in extreme jungle conditions, the only adjuncts of civilisation in the way of weapons, food, clothing, or shelter, being what they could carry themselves or what could be dropped from the air they faced these conditions for months on end in a way no other troops were ever called upon to do for such long periods. They acquitted themselves well and played a major part in driving the Japanese out of the Arakan. The end of the war came before the West African Divisions could carry out their plans for the attack on Malaya and so, after a period of rest and vocational training in India, they returned to their home countries in 1946 with a record of which they could be well proud. The Japanese were usually contemptuous of their foes and the following extract from a captured Japanese war diary is therefore worth recording. The enemy soldiers are not from Britain but from Africa. Because of their belief, they are not afraid to die, so even if their comrades have fallen they keep on advancing as if nothing had happened. It makes things rather difficult. They have an excellent physique and are very brave, so fighting against these soldiers is somewhat troublesome. The following are some of the honours won by Nigerian troops of the Royal West African Frontier Force during the Second World War 1939-1946: Distinguished Conduct Medal, 8; Military Medal, 58; British Empire Medal, 20; Mention in Despatches, 243; Certificates of Good Service, 39; Act of Gallantry, 1. Myohaung Day ( January 24th) is the annual day of remembrance in honour of Nigerian soldiers killed in Burma. November 11th of each year is the annual commemoration day of Nigerian soldiers killed in the two World Wars. 1 Like |
Re: Today Is Nigerian Armed Forces Remembrance Day (2016)! by Ajibo111(m): 8:36am On Jan 15, 2016 |
RIP.....FOR OUR FALLEN HEROES...... NAIRALANDERS WILL FOREVER REMEMBER YOU ALL!!!! |
Re: Today Is Nigerian Armed Forces Remembrance Day (2016)! by naptu2: 10:05am On Jan 15, 2016 |
The President has arrived. He was escorted by the police mounted troop and bag pipers. |
Re: Today Is Nigerian Armed Forces Remembrance Day (2016)! by naptu2: 10:07am On Jan 15, 2016 |
The national salute. |
Re: Today Is Nigerian Armed Forces Remembrance Day (2016)! by naptu2: 10:09am On Jan 15, 2016 |
The parade commander has just invited the President to review the troops. |
Re: Today Is Nigerian Armed Forces Remembrance Day (2016)! by naptu2: 10:11am On Jan 15, 2016 |
The President bowed before the colour party. |
Re: Today Is Nigerian Armed Forces Remembrance Day (2016)! by naptu2: 10:17am On Jan 15, 2016 |
NTA News @NTANewsNow #ArmedForcesRemembrance; 2016 Armed Forces Remembrance Day Wreath laying ceremony with Pres. Buhari Present https://mobile.twitter.com/NTANewsNow/status/687923216095010819?p=v |
Re: Today Is Nigerian Armed Forces Remembrance Day (2016)! by ayusco85(m): 10:26am On Jan 15, 2016 |
armed forces remembrance day Today in 1970 #Biafra surrendered to Nigerian Soldiers after Ojukwu fled, looting Biafra Central Bank & airlifting a Mercedes Benz. Ojukwu arrived Ivory Coast with his choice car, millions in foreign currency and settled in a seaside mansion as Nigeria was left to cope with the sad effect of a long drawn war. May the soul of ALL who died during that war rest in peace. in saner climes ojukwu shouldnt be a hero as the igbos think he is, he should have been casted out for leading the igbos to their near total annihilation by the nigerian army. loosing almost 3 million igbos because of ones misguided vision isnt a sin that is forgiveable. 1 Like 1 Share |
Re: Today Is Nigerian Armed Forces Remembrance Day (2016)! by tuna4servi(m): 10:26am On Jan 15, 2016 |
May all d souls that died for this country rest in perfect peace |
Re: Today Is Nigerian Armed Forces Remembrance Day (2016)! by dtracker: 10:27am On Jan 15, 2016 |
May the souls of all the faithful soldiers departed, through the mercy of God rest in peace. AMEN. THUMBS UP TO THE VETERANS. |
Re: Today Is Nigerian Armed Forces Remembrance Day (2016)! by allanphash7(m): 10:29am On Jan 15, 2016 |
RIP 2 d gallant men |
Re: Today Is Nigerian Armed Forces Remembrance Day (2016)! by saintkel(m): 10:29am On Jan 15, 2016 |
Our heroes past; ur labours won't be in vain. Rest gallant soldiers.... Remembering Ojukwu |
Re: Today Is Nigerian Armed Forces Remembrance Day (2016)! by Gsmooth51: 10:30am On Jan 15, 2016 |
May the souls of the Faithful departed rest in peace. |
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