Escape from Hong Kong

Stephen (Bud) Hide - Escape from Hong Kong

Escape from Hong Kong

逃離香港

Admiral Chan Chak arrives in Kukong;  
  Click here to read more ©Buddy Hide. Photos from the Ashby & Ross collections ©

 

PO Steve [Buddy] Hide MiD RN 29/01/1914 - 06/03/1977 Lewes, Sussex

Buddy Hide in Ethiopia ©

 

Petty Officer Steve [Buddy] Hide

Mentioned in Despatches "For daring and resource in Far Eastern waters"

The MTB Incident.

Bud Hide was a key member of the team that was tasked with "extracting Admiral Chan Chak and his military mission out of Hong Kong at all costs" as the overwhelming forces of the IJA swept over the colony from the north.


Click here for more information on P.O. Hide.

 

 


MTB 07 with Lt R R W Ashby HKRNVR


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Richard Hide with Admiral Chan Chak's son Donald Chan and late elder brother David Hide in Hong Kong Christmas Day 2009. 
	Click here for more on David


 

 

 

 

 




Richard Hide with Donald Chan, son of Admiral Chan Chak, and late elder brother David, in Hong Kong on Christmas Day 2009, celebrating the 68th anniversary of their fathers epic escape on Christmas Day 1941.

David Hide 1945 - 20016 was afforded the Australia's National Medal in 1999.

Donald Chan 1934 - 2013

 

 

 

 

 



Admiral Chan Chak, The Pledge.  
  Click here for more. 
  Photo from the Hide collection ©



















In November 1999 escapee descendents Richard Hide, Donald Chan, and Ted Moore pledge under a portrait of Admiral Chan Chak to trace the men and/or their descendents from the epic Christmas Day escape from Hong Kong and to retrace the route to Waichow and beyond.

The response was phenomenal and these objectives were achieved in 2009 when many of the descendents reached Waichow 68 years to the day after our forebears.

MTB 07, with PO's John Prest and Buddy Hide at the controls, under fire.  
	Photo from Hong Kong 1941-45 published by Osprey Publishing. 
	Illustration by Giuseppe Rava. 
	Click here for more information

The flotilla took a beating during the battle for Hong Kong.
When the Japanese invaded Hong Kong Island, the 2nd MTB Flotilla was ordered to attack and expend all ammunition shooting up everything in sight. Unbeknown to the flotilla, the Japanese had already established a beach head on the Island west of the Sugar Refinery at North Point.
Guns to the left, guns to the right, guns to the front and cannon from above, on they sped into the fiery jaws of the oriental dragon itself. This was the maritime equivalent of the charge of the light brigade in the Crimea.
Lt Ronnie Ashby whose family motto was "Be Just and Fear Not" led the flotilla with Jix Prest & Buddy Hide at the controls of MTB 07. Pressing home the attack under withering fire from land, sea, and air, they suffered heavy losses in the process. Only three MTB's survived to limp back and come alongside HMS Robin in Aberdeen. Lt Kennedy on MTB "09" towed the stricken "07", peppered with 97 holes and two dead bodies in the engine room, back to base. The flotilla had lost 40% of its attacking force. The attack was arguably the most daring daylight MTB attack of all time, and was referred to as The Balaclava of the Sea.by Coastal Forces world wide. They were hailed "The bravest of the brave."

[4448 SUPPLEMENT TO THE LONDON GAZETTE, 13 OCTOBER, 1942]

Lt Kennedy RNVR: "MTB 11 returned alone from the harbour with her coxswain wounded. There was a long silent pause as we strained our ears to catch the sound of distant engines, but none came. It was a dark day for the flotilla, and for the whole island." [9]

Buddy's life with MTB 07 started in Sigapore 1st January 1940 when he transferred from HMS Terror to HMS Sultan to start his training on the Scott-Paine MTB's.
On the 21st March he transferred to HMS Tamar in Hong Kong and joined the crew of MTB 07 under Lt RRW Ashby HKRNVR.

 

Buddy Hide & the Chinese Guerrilla leader Leung Wingyuen

Shaoguan [Kukong] 6th Jan 1942

Guirilla Leader Leung Wingyuen with Buddy Hide , & on the roll-over the last surviving East River guerilla Lou Bo book signing with Buddy Hide's sons in December 2009

Photo from the Ross family collection ©

Leung had served in the Chinese navy under Adm Chan Chak ;he was an independent guerilla chief regarded by the Nationalists as a bandit, and the Adm was able to enlist his aid in getting them into Free China as far as Kukong by personally vouching for him with the Nationalists.1

SOE agent Mike Kendall went through an ancient blood brother ritual in Waichow with Leung-Wingyuan before they departed.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SPO Buddy Hide marries in Lewes UK, just days after getting back home, after a short leave he was back out to the Far East continue the war with Japan.

Buddy retired after 22 years distinguished service in the Royal Navy before emigrating to Mwadui in Tanganyika, East Africa in 1955.

 

 

 







SPO Buddy Hide











Hong Kong survivor



















The crew of MTB 07 in Kowloon 1940


MTB 07 crew in Kowloon 1941
      Run the curser over to identify individuals
      
      Photo from Budyy Hide's collection ©



Photo from the Hide collection©

 

 

 





Buddy Hide in Kowloon 1940 ; 
    Click here to return to the Waichow group photo ; 
    
    Photo from Ron Ashby's collection ©

 

A/L Stoker Buddy Hide joins MTB 07 21st March1940.

Promoted to Leading Stoker 19th August 1940

Promoted to Acting Stoker petty officer 7th April 1941

Promoted to Stoker Petty Officer 7th April 1942

Promoted to Stoker Chief Petty Officer 7th May 1945

Promoted to Chief Petty Officer Stoker Mechanic 1st May 1947

Retired from Royal Navy 28th May 1955

Photo from Ron Ashby's collection ©

There were guns to the left, guns to the right, guns to the front and cannon from above, yet on they sped, right into the fiery jaws of hell itself. This was the maritime equivalent of the charge of the light brigade at Balaclava. The attacking flotilla suffered 40% losses, it was arguably the most daring daylight raid ever undertaken by MTB's in WWII..

Lt Ron Ashby HKRNVR and crew of MTB 07 on patrol in Hong Kong  
    Run the curser over to identify individuals ; 
    Photo from the Hide collection ©

MTB 07 led the daylight attack with 09 at full speed on Japanese landing craft crossing from Kowloon to Hong Kong Island, Lewis gunning and overturning the LCs with her wake. 07 returned and attacked a second time under heavy fire from Kowloon, sunken ships, Hong Kong Island as well as being machine cannoned by IJA aircraft losing two crew and all three engines in the process. 09 came back and took 07 in tow with the two engine room fatalities onboard. The action was dubbed "The balaclava of the sea"

Lt Ron Ashby HKRNVR with the crew of MTB 07

 

 

Photo from the Hide collection ©


MTB 07 alongside HMS Robin in Mirs Bay 1941 ; 
	Click here to return to the Waichow group photo ; 
    
    Photo from Buddy Hide's collection ©

MTB 07 alongside HMS Robin in Mirs Bay













 

 

 


MTB 07  
    
    Photo from the Hide collection ©Petty Officer Buddy Hide  
    
    Photo from Buddy Hide's collection ©

Bud Hide with MTB 07

Photo from the Hide collection ©

 

 

Buddy Hides medals ©

Photo from Buddy Hide's collection ©

The medals are, from left to right

The 1939-1945 Star.
The Atlantic Star
The Pacific Star with Burma clasp
The 1939-1945 Medal, sometimes known as the Victory Medal, with Oak Leaf Clasp for mention in despatches in Hong Kong, 1941.
General Service medal Minesweeping 1945-1951. 180 days afloat on active clearance in Home, Atlantic or Mediterranean waters 4 Sep 1945 to 30 Sep 1951
Long service and good conduct medal.

 

 

 

 

 




PO Bud Hide in 1942

 

 

 

Left: Petty Officer Bud Hide







A 1/24 scale model of MTB 07 takes to the water in 2009 in memory of Ron Ashby & the crew. MTB 07 on patrol in Hong Kong

MTB 07 in Hong Kong

Photos from the Hide collection ©

MTB 11 dropping depth charges in Hong Kong 
	Photo from the Hide collection ©

 

Ships Log MTB 07 2nd July 1941:

10.36; Dropped depth charges; 9 seconds.

10.40 -11.10; Fishing

 

 

Click here for a short movie on how the Scott-Paine MTB's (07, 08, 09 10, 11 & 12) were born

Click here to see a short movie on the role of the MTB's

 

MTB 07 picking up Chinese survivors following attack by Japanese pirates     
    Photo from the Ashby-Hide collection ©

 

 

Ships Log MTB 07

Tues, 21st October 1941.

1804. Stopped, cut engines to pick up 4 Chinese from smashed and overturned junk. Chinese said they were bound from N of Taishan Bay to Hong Kong with a cargo of sweet potatoes when they were stopped by a Jap trawler, their cargo stolen and themselves beaten before Jap's wrecked junk and left them.

1818 Proceeded into Deep Bay.

1828 Stopped to put 4 Chinese on a junk.

Photo from the Hide collection ©

MTB 07 & 09 under camouflage in Telegraph Bay

MTBs 07 & 09 under camouflage in Telegraph Bay on Christmas Day 1941.
    
    Photo from the Hide collection ©

MTB's 07 & 09 under camouflage alongside in Telegraph Bay on Christmas day 1941.

Photo from the Hide collection ©

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The fortunate few from Hong Kong 
    Run the curser over to identify individuals
    
    Photo from the ILN collection ©

Shaoguan/Kukong 6th Jan 1942

Albert Rutter, Chinese Guerilla Leader Leung Wingyuen with StokerPetty Officer Buddy Hide, & Bones Arnold. Hanging out the truck are Les [Lofty] Gurd, Bill Schillemore, & John Pawley during the epic journey across China.

The padded jackets were obtained by Colonel Owen-Hughes at Lung Chun. Owen-Hughes was the British Liaison officer to the Chinese army. The party swapped the jackets later on in Kunming with an incoming detachment of British/Australian Marines from the 204 Military Mission in China. [46]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lt Collingwood RN and hid dog arriving in Kukong 6th Jan 1942 ; 
  Run the curser over individuals to identify ; 
  
  Photo from Admiral Chan Chak's collection ©

 

 

 

A/P.O. Al Burrows, A/B Lenny Rann, P.O. Charlie Moore, & Lt Collingwood & his dog Bruce, P.O. Buddy Hide is in the background with the escape party at Kukong.

Photo from the Hide collection ©





Guiyang 23rd - 26th January 1942

 The Royal Navy party at Guiyang 24th Jan 1942
Run the curser over to identify individuals.

Photo from Buddy Hide's collection ©

Photo from the Hide collection ©

Ships Log: 24th Jan 1942: "Visit to Governor in the morning. Conducted tour of the centre in the afternoon, followed by tea & a 'movie' after dinner." [5]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Huaxi Park near Guiyang Some of the RN party in Huaxi Park, Guiyang 25th January 1942 ©

Ships Log: 25th Jan 1942

"Visit to park in the morning. Soccer match in the afternoon, lost 6-1. Dinner in the evening given by the Governor." [5]

Dr Lim organized a seven-a-side football match against his training school team.

Lt-Cmd Yorath with officers & ratings at Huaxi park, Guiyang 25th January 1942

Photo from the Hide collection ©




Buddy Hide Warrant for Mention in Despatch 
    
    Photo from Buddy Hide's collection © 
	Click here to see more











The Warrant

"For daring and resource in Far East waters"

Photo from Buddy Hide's collection ©





Buddy wrote a detailed account of the escape upon his return to the UK in May 1942.

 

 

 

 

 

8th May 1942 (Fri)

HMT 'Narkunda' arrived in Freetown Harbour in Sierra Leone.
After two days re-victualing the Narkunda shaped course for the UK.

15th May 1942 (Thur)

A concert, "The Killjoys," arranged and organized by Lt-Cdr Gandy, Lt Ashby, PO Stonell, & L/S (Pony) Moore was performed by the ships companies of HMTB's, HMT "Narkunda", HMS "Ranchi", "Cilicia," "Cockchafer," & "Birmingham" The performers from the MTB's were (Pony) Moore, Al Rutter, & Eddie Charleson.

Photos from the Hide collection ©

MTB 07 crew with Lt R A M Hennessy ©



Lt Robert Angus Martin Hennessy RN and crew of MTB 07

26/09/1914 - 01/07/1996

Hennessy was O.C. of 07 September 1938 -April 1940
A/B Kenneth Holmes is front row right
Lt Hennessy went on as Senior Officer of the 7th MTB Flotilla [MTB 59] from mid 1942 to May 1943.
From there he went as S.O. of the 8th MTB Flotilla 

Photo from Buddy Hide's collection ©

Click here to read more on Lt Hennessy RN

Robert Angus Martin Hennessy was born in Rye, Sussex in September 1914. Became a Naval Cadet in January 1932 and appointed a Midshipman in September 1932. Promoted to Sub-Lieutenant in October 1935 and Lieutenant in June 1938. In the 1930’s he served in the Mediterranean on the battleships Revenge and Queen Elizabeth, before joining Vernon for M.T.B’s. in May 1938. O/C MTB 07 (Hong Kong) 7th Sept 1938- April 1940. During the Second World War, commanding M.T.B.69, he was mentioned in despatches for the destruction of an enemy trawler in the Dover Straits, October 1940. Then commanding M.T.B.77 in the Mediterranean he was mentioned again for an attack on an enemy convoy, February 1943. He was advanced to Acting Lieutenant-Commander in November 1944 and confirmed in that rank in June 1946. Commanded the escort destroyer Lammerton, February 1945-early 1946. Promoted to Commander in December 1951. During the Korean War, he served on the destroyer Comus and was mentioned in despatches and awarded the D.S.C. As Commander of the frigate Suprise he was created an M.V.O. 4th Class at the Coronation Review 1943. With some copied research.

Footnote

Ex D.N.W. 25 February 1998.

M.V.O. London Gazette 16 July 1953

D.S.C. London Gazette 23 May 1952

M.i.D. London Gazette 3 December 1940

M.i.D.15 June 1943

M.i.D. 2 February 1951

Research and web publication by Buddy Hide Jnr ©

The contents of this web site led to a considerable number of escapee families contacting me and now each other, and remains the principle source of contact and private information for the spin off projects that have followed. The personal accounts enabled me to record the complete and true account of this remarkable episode of Sino-British war time co-operation. The information compiled here has directly resulted in a museum exhibition in Hong Kong, a re-enactment of the escape in Hong Kong and China, with a movie drama and documentary in the making.

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Music; Wild China by  Barnaby Taylor and performed by Cheng Yu and the UK Chinese Ensemble and The Beer Barrel Polka from the movie In Which We Serve