(This is an example of a situation report from Jack to my father - with the original spelling! Source: Australian War Museum, their ref: AWM 2/3/6-10).
Reference Norman/1
San Fou 24th October, 1943.
To: Col. L.T. Ride, O.B.E.,
Commanding Officer, B.A.A.G., H.Q.,
Kweilin.
From: Captain G.D. Jack. B.A.A.G.
Sir,
I beg to report my arrival, here on the evening of the 22nd inst., and that I handed over the "set" to Capt. Wright the following morning. It appears to have successfully survived the vissitudes of the Journey and Capt. Wright is proceeding to arrange with local officials for its erection ana operation. In case battery charging could not conveniently be carried out in San Fou I arranged through one of General Shu's secret agents in Shui Hing (2 1/2 days journey from San Fou;, Colonel "Wong" to do so there, but this laborious and costly method fortunately, proved to be unnecessary, since Capt. Wright feels sure that the local Electric Light Works, with the manager of which he is on good terms, will be able to service them regularly and efficiently for him locally.
ITINERARY
Left Kweilin, by air for Heng Yang on 7-10-43. Left Heng Yang by night train and arrived at Kukong early in the morning of the 8-10-43. On arrival went to the B.M.M. and through the courtesy of Lt. Col. Shellam arranged to store the 7 cases (set) at his Headquarters during the period of my stay in Kukong. Finding it more convenient from many points of view to live in Town, 1 accepted Mr. Bathurst's kind invitation to stay in his mess. I slept in Commander Davis's quarters. Both these gentlemen were most courtesies and helpful.
My first duty was to contact Mr. Wong and to negotiate for the purchase of the "merchandise" as arranged. This was successfully completed in time to hand them over to Major Williamson for convenyance,"safe hand", to Kweilin, where I trust they were found to be up to specification on arrival, haying neither the time nor facilities for more than a cursury and, therefore, superficial examination in Kukong. The necessity for speed rather handicapped the negotiations so far as price was concerned and I had to pay at least $15,000 more than was absolutely necessary had there been adequate time. Mr. "Wong" in a somewhat "shame-faced" fashion attempted to bribe to the extent of $10,000, which, in the first instance he suggested might be added to the price, but later most "generously" offered it out of his own share, as a "patriotic" gesture.
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Falling this, he then brought an armful of presents as a "face-saving" expedient of which after much argument a small box of cigars waa accepted for the sake of future possible "relations" with this Bandit and which were presented to the mess. There were no casualties up to the time of my departure, although Sedgewick suspected the presence of a possible "time bomb", I think - judging from the suspicious manner in which we treated his share of the loot i.e. the first cigar. as already reported, Wong will probably offer the $10,000 to Mr. Ming Chung who will accept it and return it to us according to a previous arrangement.
Wong anticipates being able to procure further supplies of similar material, as well as other documents of Enemy origin and the way has been left open for future negotiations.
As soon us the above matter had been attended to I called on General Chu and Colonel Sha, (acting chief of 7th Group Army Intelligence) presenting the letters of introduction provided by the Marshal and General Shu in Kweilin. Both General Chu and Colonel Sha were most cordial and helpful and promised every facility and assistance. From previous opinions freely expressed by local foreign celebrities in Kukong, I was quite prepared for lavish promises but little action, even the latter only after much grudging procrastination, but have pleasure in reporting my fears to have been absolutely and entirely unjustified. Lavish promises were indeed made, but they were all carried out to the "letter". 10 letters of introduction to leading Military Commanders and Formations within the 7th War zone were provided all couched in similar terms, viz:- that under instructions from the Military Council, Kweilin, I, as member of the B.a.a.G. and charged with the duty of facilitating the escape of Allied Prisoners-of-war from Enemy occupied territory, as well as certain associated activities, was to be afforded every facility and assistance by all Front Line officers and Formations. That I was to be allowed full freedom of movement and to go everywhere even in forward areas where ever my duties might call me. The instructions ware clear concise and provided for no exceptions and imposed no conditions whatsoever. They have been most consistently adhered to on the part of all recipients to date, and nothing but cordiality and cooperation has been experienced en route so far. Telegrams were also despatched to the Commanders and Vice Commanders of the 64 Army, Shiu Hing (??) commanded General Chan Kung Hop (???) and 35th Army, Tuk Hing (??) commanded by General Teng Loong Kong (???) and to 159th
Division, Ching Yuen (??) commanded by General Lan (???) and 156th Division, Ssu Hui (??) commanded by General Teng Loong Kong as well as to General Yuen Tai (??) (the famous Guerilla Commander) at Sha Ping and Generaal ?l Mou Chi (???) at San Fou ??. A number of private letters and inscribed visiting cards to other important people, principally members of Chinese military Intelligence Formations were also provided. This number gradually has been added to en route and at nearly every important point additional introductions have been forthcoming. A full report on the
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Chinese Military Formations above mentioned will be submitted when time permits, and fuller information is gained than was possible when merely passing through the various Headquarters.
There appears to be no doubt that the 7th Group Headquarters as a whole, and, of course, General Chu in particular are most favourably disposed to the B.A.A.G. The latter both in his office as well as on more than one social occasion openly expressed his personal firmly established friendship with Colonel Ride, and besides referring to him as his Teacher he much appreciated having been asked to lunch at B.A.A.G. Headquarters during his short stay in Kweilin. He said this was a great honour.
Unfortunately the incidence of the "Double Tenth" and the absence of Colonel She owing to sickness delayed me, for one or two days, and it was not until the evening of the 12th October that all the letters of introduction were ready. I left Kukong early on the morning of the 13th October.
The journey to Ching Yuen by boat occupied 3 days and this part is rather a waste cf time. The river is now sluggish and progress alow. This journey is possible by bicycle and should only occupy one day instead of three. We heard en route that reconstruction work on the Kukong and Ching Yuen section (the major part of it at least), of the old railway to Canton is iminent. This Information was also gleaned from 7th War Zone Headquarters. Some signs of activity, such as stone deposits for ballasting purposes, workmen employed on or near existing and/or partially destroyed bridges and culverts were observed.
We arrived at Ching Yuen at 3 p.m. on 15th October (the town had been somewhat severely bombed the previous afternoon) and called at once at Military Headquarters (159th Division). We found General Lau to be absent at 35th Army Headquarters (Tuk Hing) (??) attending a conference there connected with, it was hinted, "impending operations". The vice Commander, Major General Lau Chan Hsiang (???) received most cordially (having already received a telegram from KuKong), enquired about my plans and offered every possible assistance. His Chief-of-Staff, Colonel Hong (????) was most interested in Prisoners-
of-war, he said and offered to send me up-tho-line to consult with "Brigade" and Batallion Headquarters as to disposal of possible escapees as well as to consult with Guerillas as to methods for facilitating such escapes. He appeared to be rather disappointed that I had no time to spare for this purpose. It was arranged that on a subsequent visit, a scheme would be discussed and put into operation. The Mayor of the Town ("General" Cheung ???) gave a public dinner in the evening, attended by "all leading Military and Civil officials, Kuo Min Tang, Chamber of Commerce, Youth Movement (both sexes) &c. &.c. 50 guests were present. It was a tea total affair. Speeches were interminably long, but most cordial, and pro-British sentiments were freely (apparently sincerely) expressed. The vice-Commandor in a private "aside" requested you to station a representative of the B.A.A.G. at Ching Yuen and promised a quota of escapees per month.
We left at day break the next morning (16th Oct.)
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by road via Taiping (bombed 2 days before and a bit knocked about), reaching Sam Hang (??) that evening where we were again hospitably entertained our hosts on this occasion consisting of bugs, flies and mosquitoes. Leaving at daybreak (and glad to do so) on the 17th October, we reached SsU Hui (??) in the early evening. This is the Headquarters of the 156 Division, commanded by General Teng, also absent at the 35th Army Headquarters (Tuk Hing), We found that accommodation, very difficult to procure for late arrivals in this busy market centre, had been reserved for us at a reasonably good Inn by the Ching Yuen Military. The Chief-of-Staff and Vice Commander of the 156 Division were all stationed some distance from Town (bombing raids are frequent) but the "adjutants" (Col. Poon) called and invited us to dinner attended by a crowed of military officers, inducting the Chief-of-staff, Major General Wong Ping Sha (his real rank is Colonel I suspect - but being the senior officer present they called him General), he did not object. This was not a tea total affair and was most hectic. The 156 Division appear to be a bunch of fire eaters, (possibly under the influence of the fire-water provided), who have as opposite numbers the Japanese ??? Division (alleged to be one of those attacking Hongkong, now stationed at Sam Sui (??), Ma Fong (??), Canton &c. &c.
Photographs ware produced shewing the large quantities of war material captured from that Division by the l56th during the past two years. This comprised one field gun., one anti-aircraft gun, 3 or 4 mortars, 50/60 machine guns of various calibres numerous rifles, hand-grenades, helmets, large stocks of ammunition and a mass of smaller utensils such as wire-cutters, gloves, gas-masks &c. &c. The photos were not old and were all taken by a photographer at Ssu Hui. Their latest exploit, only one month old, was stated to be in collaberation with Guerillas who created a diversion in the rear of a Japanese outpost near Sam Shui (??) while the troops attacked on two flanks, bye-passed the strong point and they took it from the rear, according to their own cir-cumstential accounts. The bag was a good one they said. On the subject of prisoners however they were silent. I take the Divisional Motto to be - No prisoners. This connection is a most promising one, and on a subsequent visit, relations can, no doubt, be further cemented.
On the morning of 18th Oct. we left Ssu Hui and arrived at Shui Hing at about 7 p.m. Here rooms had again been reserved for us in the Shiu Hing Hotel by telephone from Ssu Hui Military Headquarters. Shui Hing is the Headquarters of the 64th Army, commanded by General Teng Loon Kong (???) who was also absent at the conference. The Vice-Commander was visited at his Headquarters, who, after the usual exchange of compliments promised every assistance in our work if and when required. This connection, which more or less controls Military affairs in our proposed sector must be developed later.
General Shu in Kweilin gave me a letter of introduction to Col. Wong Yi Ping (???), who is the Kweilin Pan Kung Ting Intelligence representative in Shui Hing and Sha Ping Areas. Col. Wong states that he has had extensive associations with British Intelligence Officers in the past in Singapore and Penang, that he has been in New Delhi and Calcutta and
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that he is well known to our Intelligence as "Major Wong" of the Chinese Army Intelligence (Laison Section). Col. Wong was most friendly and helpful and has promised every assistance in future. I have arranged to visit Sha Ping in company with him on an early convenient occasion. He stated General Yuen Tai, the Guerilla Leader, is his personal friend and "subordinate" (i.e. as representative of Kweilin Military Council Intelligence) and has promised to secure his assistance in our schemes for releasing Prisoners-of-War from Canton where his men operate in considerable numbers. These promises to be become a useful connection and I propose to visit General Yuen Tai and present official letters of introduction us soon as things are running smoothly at Headquarters.
The journey from Shui Hing to San Fou was done in 2 days, by dint of travelling by boat at night over the last stage, despite universal warnings as to the (alleged) Bandit hazard. Fortunately for both parties, perhaps, they failed to put in an appearance as advertised and we arrived safely at San Fou at mid-night on the 22nd Oct. The actual travelling time was 8 days from Kukong. In emergency, a "fit" person could probably do the trip by bicycle in 4 days (possibly 3 or 3 1/2 days with luck), while a light motor-bicycle, burning alcohol could reduce the time lag between Kweilin and San Fou to a minimum and render communications between the two places a comperatively easy matter, instead of the 9 or 10 days of delay and discomfort as at present.
During the whole of the trip from Kweilin to San Fou nothing but kindness and courtesy was experienced on all sides and the name of the B.A.A.G. appears to be known and respected throughout the area - in Military and Official Circles atany rate. The same applies to San Fou, where the Officials headed by Generals Li and Chow have completely succumbed to Captain Wright's unique methods of conducting affairs
while his friendly and co-operative attitude, particularly his charitable activities, added last but not least to Capt. Li's relief work in Toi Shan and adjacent districts (congee kitchens &c.) may prove, in fact I am convinced they will do so, most valuable assets from the point-of-view of British pestige in the future. I also feel sure that if and when British operational activities are contemplated in this area, especially if conducted under the aegis of the B.A.A.G., they may be expected to be relieved of most if not all of the disconcerting uncooperative attitude and even hostility, which one hears have been experienced in other parts of China in the not too distant past. Using the chain: Military Council, Kweilin (particularly General Chu) and ??????? 7th Group Headquarters, Kukong, (particularly General Chu) and the various formations mentioned above, from whom progressively cordial cooperation may be expected as the initial contacts are developed, the potentialities for successful Allied action in this area appear to be considerable.
(Signature: Geo. Jack)
Captain,
B.A.A.G.