McKenna, Paul Michael

On 23 February, Paul Michael McKenna was sent down to the East African Brigade to replace P. T. Abelmann at 64 FA. Major Marsh reported the sorry details of McKenna's disappearance: "He arrived at about 0830 hours, by light plane, and at 1030 was sent forward from the Field Ambulance to one of the forward companies on the perimeter of the box. On the way up he passed George Riel, who was in convoy with a battalion that was on its way up to relieve the troops to whom

McKenna was reporting. This was about 3/4 of a mile from his destination. McKenna waved at Riel but did not stop. . . .

"[The Company Commander made the following report:] 'Pvt. Nyanda of the Coy under my command states that at about 1030 hours, 23 February, whilst in his section position, he saw a vehicle pass through the battalion position and carry on towards Gwebin. He describes the vehicle as a jeep with the iron supports of a stretcher carrier. The driver was wearing a small sidecap and appeared to be an Indian, but the speed of the vehicle prevented him from being certain. The jeep then disappeared from sight. Other members of the platoon say they also saw this, and that there were shots heard as the jeep went out of sight. This is, however, not confirmed, as there were many shots in the area at that time.'

"The loss was not discovered until the 24th, as the MDS assumed [McKenna] was with the forward battalion. The morning of the 24th was spent by Dodds searching all units in the area, and the above report was elicited in the afternoon. McKenna was apparently last seen about 300 yards ahead of the most forward position and disappeared around the bend in the road. The local artillery officer then flew over the road for 3 miles forward of the position where the jeep was last seen and reported nothing abandoned along the road. Several patrols have been sent along the road but reported nothing."

__  George Rock. Chapter 17. "Victory 4. India-Burma (November 1944-1945)" History of the American Field Service, 1920-1955. New York 1956.