29^th December

We set off and at last and finally we reached a road, albeit a gravel road with full width tank trap pits full of murky foul smelling water about mid day. Here we each had a half of one tinned sausage for lunch^[24] just as two planes came over sending us all scurrying into the ditch. Bicycles had been sent out to us from Waichow for the last ten miles into town, those that were still fit enough to march split up into four groups about one hundred yards apart because of the air raids.^[29] About forty of us rode as pillion passengers as we were suffering with feet problems, Ted Ross peddled the wounded MacDougall.^[29] The Chinese cyclists just kept up the same pace as they rode across the single planks over the water filled tank traps. Major Goring recorded "Presently we came to some enormous cavities extending right across the road-tank traps some fifteen feet deep, and half filled with water. As we approached the first, I was horrified to observe that my cyclist did not slacken speed; he obviously intended to pedal across the narrow plank which spanned the gap! I protested violently, but he rode doggedly on. "This" I thought "is the end; once down at the bottom of that tank trap, nothing will ever get me out again!" I shut my eyes; I honestly believe my cyclist did the same. Yet, the moment we reaches terra firma on the far side, the Chinese wobbled worse than ever!" Lt Ashby recorded in the MTB 07 Fair Log “Cripples” and certain others on whom the forced march were beginning to tell were taxied all the way on the padded pillion seats of 40‐odd bycycles‐‐‐‐an amazing sight!" Not all had such good fortune, Sub-Lt Legge recorded "I gave them my ex-gas mask container in which I had been carrying the few valuables that I had managed to rescue from the boat. My camera, about 300 postcard enlargements (the result of a year’s work in Hong Kong), my fountain pen, diary, passport, the photos of all the family, and some spare socks and cigarettes and matches. I never saw them again nor could I trace them at all. I was past caring what happened to me that morning provided I got to somewhere where I could rest up for a day or so. Well, there went my last link with the days of six months ago. I still have my tattered uniform, which was to last me until I got to Calcutta four months later." We finally arrived at the outskirts of Waichow about four o'clock and disnmounted to fall in to march into the town centre, with Pony Moore & co playing "the beer barrel polka" on harmonicas, some of which were improvised with combs covered in tissue paper followed by Macmillan's rendition of "I don't want to be a soldier." ¹¹ Kelly & Purchase, the two youngest members carried the White Ensign and Chinese National Flag either side of the Admiral and the town Mayor^[24] as they marched into town past the Chief Magistrate, amidst firecrackers and all the noise the locals could muster. Here we rested for two days at the ex American Seventh Day Adventists run "Wai On hospital" complex by the river where the walking wounded were treated by Doctor So and his staff. The complex had over painted the stars and stripes on the roof with dark paint after being bombed.^[42] Gandy was quick to attempt to re-establish rank with full naval etiquette. Dr Grindlay later recorded in Kweiyang " Gandy, a retired Lt-Cmdr on active duty, very thoughtless demanding type & not liked by the men.^[37] We had then covered 80 miles which had cost Leung Wingyuen thousands of $ in bribes through the Communist held country, bandits, & brigands. That evening we had a banquet laid on hosted by Lt-Gen Wong of the Chinese Army, consisting of Chicken, Duck, Pork and much more washed down with an endless supply of rice wine. "Ron Ashby somehow managed to dress with collar and tie looking every bit a senior Naval Officer."^[11] The escape party arriving in Waichow made front page news that same day in "The Miami Daily Post".

 

30^th December

After a simple breakfast of rice with fish & ducks eggs an air raid warning went off as we assembled for the Iconic Waichow group Photo taken by the local photographer with his last glass plate. We then had a chapel service with the British on one side & the Chinese the other. After the Chinese made some political speeches hailing the allied powers etc with a reply from Cmdr Montague, Mike Kendall started to sing the National Anthem accompanied by the naval party using their combs wrapped in toilet paper as harmonicas. Afterwards we were each presented with an orange, cigarettes, a packet of biscuits, and a hand towel by local children.

David MacDougall managed to telephone Chungking and reported his account of the escape describing how he fetched up on the rocky coast of an Islet at the end of Aberdeen Channel.^[13]

It was here where most of the small arms and ammunition was handed over to Leung Wingyuen's guerrillas.^[6]

The East River

31^st December

After resting two days at the ex American Missionary Wai On hospital, staffed by excellent Chinese nurses. We left at 18.00 in two charcoal burning motor house boats [MHB's] known as a Walla-Walla by the locals, towing sampans for a 140 mile journey up the East River to Lungchun which Lt-Col Hector F. G. Chauvin R. A, who led the British Military Mission in China had arranged. The three SOE agents  left us at Waichow to head back and pick up the heavier weapons from the MTB's that were left behind after Mike Kendall had gone through a blood brother ritual with Leung Wingyuen who was once again our guide as the rest of the guerrilla's made their way back south. They were about seventy feet in length; the Walla-Walla with charcoal/gas 6 cylinder lorry engines. The boats were very crowded with the crew's of MTB's 07 & 09 in one Sampan, and 11 & 27 in the other with the rest in the MHB's. The sampans were open ended and it was bitterly cold with the wind. As well as our party there were some Chinese regular troops. The motors were very unreliable especially Chan Chak's MHB. In the morning we transferred to the MHB and cast the sampan off. We stopped for lunch at Guon Yom Kok a small village where we were able to purchase toffee, oranges, green bananas, eggs, etc. We then paraded at 14.15 before taking our leave. The going was slow with many sandbanks encountered and some of us walked along the riverbank by day. We eventually arrived at our next stop Hoiyoen some ten hours late arriving in the early hours of the morning and consequently missed out on a big dinner that was being laid on for us. The other MHB turned up a bit later waking everyone up and then moving on ahead. Come the morning and another MHB arrived from Waichow and we transferred, and later in the day when we caught up and the crews of 11 & 27 came aboard. It was more comfortable and better food as well as faster, now all three MHB's were together. The following morning we arrived at Liusing first and got the welcome that was laid on for Chan. We left before Chan's boat arrived and eventually we arrived at Luncheong and the four MTB crews formed up and marched into town to a firecracker & dog welcome. A hotel was available for the officers, and we the ratings messed in Middle School while the students were given a day off. Here speeches were made and a feast laid on. The town was given special dispensation to slaughter a cow which they can only normally do on certain days of the month. After an eventful five day river journey, on a meagre diet of two small bowls of rice per day, and with many engine breakdowns we made the most of it. Lt-Colonel Harry Owen-Hughes, who had left Hong Kong on the last plane out, and now staying at the Mission in Kukong, was seconded as liaison officer to the 7th Chinese Army under Gen Yu Han Mow^[52], met us just before we arrived at Lungchun. He had been charged with organising our transport through Southern China. He also had much needed funds which meant we were less dependent on local hospitality as well as arranging Chinese army padded jackets and bedding for the party. We were very thankful for these as it was winter and getting colder as we climbed higher in altitude. Duggy Pethick and Eric Cox-Walker were admitted to hospital possibly suffering from Pneumonia.