Liberation of POW's/Rangoon Jail Newsreel Footage.

Discussion in 'Prisoners of War' started by bamboo43, Aug 23, 2010.

  1. Matt Poole

    Matt Poole Member

    Steve,

    Like you, I know next to squat about those Dutch POWs.

    Attached -- one of two photos taken on 3 May when photographers arrived at Rangoon Jail. This is taken inside of the jail complex. On the roof pitch of Block 1 in the background can be seen some of the message "JAPS GONE".

    Identifications of only 10, possibly 11, are known to me. I already posted the cropped image of Moore's face from this photo. I'll crop the others and attach. The first three are Herb Ivens, John Kerr, and Lionel Hudson.

    I've previously mentioned some background on Hudson and Kerr. I will add that Hudson and his Mosquito navigator, Jack Shortis, were on a Rhubarb in Burma when they went down on 19 Dec 1944. You can read about it in Hudson's book, "The Rats of Rangoon". Here is a summary from Hudson, as found in his flight logbook -- written from Bombay on 16 June 1945, after freedom (held by the Aus War Memorial):

    An incident:

    On December 19, 1944 in the course of a low level rhubarb in the Pakkoku, Pagan, Mandalay, Shwebo area I crash-landed my Mosquito in enemy territory near the junction of the Chindwin and Irrawaddy Mandalay Rivers. [The word Irrawaddy was written above the word Mandalay, which was not crossed out.] Both myself and my navigator, P/O J. Shortis, suffered badly lacerated legs and were captured by Japanese and I.N.A. soldiers within three minutes. We were both groggy for several days but reached Rangoon on Christmas Day, 1944 in fair condition except for our lacerations which were turning gangrene. We were transported at night by river barge, bullock carts and trucks through Myingyan, Meiktila, Toungoo. Beatings, kicks were frequent and after two days (during which time the Japs offered us rice but we refused it) we were starved by them but some Burmese gave us food after dark through the back cell window at Myingyan. We remained in Rangoon Prison from December 19 until May 4. I was in the cells from Dec. 19 until Jan. 26, 1945 when I was moved to the air force compound where I took over command of all the American and British men in the block. The Japs sneaked off on the night of April 29 leaving us free but we remained in Rangoon until the British arrived p.m. May 3. In the interim period I assumed command of the prison and also of the city of Rangoon in the name of the British Govt. Lionel Hudson W/Cdr.

    Some more details on Ivens: J/10649F/Lt Herb A. IVENS, RCAF P-47 pilot, 146 Sqn. Aircraft was struck by machine gun fire, crashed north of the target (either Meiktila or Thedaw airfield, Burma), 11 Dec 1944. He went on to become a leading barrister in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

    More to come.

    Cheers,

    Matt
     

    Attached Files:

  2. Matt Poole

    Matt Poole Member

    Three more of the men in the group photo from 3 May 1945.

    On the far left of the group photo, with towel on shoulders: 19171011 Sgt Daren C. ENGEL, USAAF B-25 gunner, 83rd Bomb Squadron, 12th Bomb Group, shot down 6 Oct 1944.

    Seated, third from right in the front, is most likely 904677 W/O Ralph W. STEVENS, RCAF, 355 Sqn. His Liberator bomber collided with another from 356 Sqn near the target, and both crashed, 16 September 1944. Only three survived the collision, and all three also survived Rangoon Jail.

    Standing, far right, is Sub/Cond. Sandy LISSENBERG, Indian Army. He escaped to Sumatra after the fall of Singapore. With ten other servicemen, he set sail in a small dilapidated native boat in an attempt to reach India. After 64 days at sea (roughly 2000 miles traveled), having endured storms and the loss of two men (one to disease, one washed overboard in a storm), they made it only as far as Moulmein, Burma, far from India. There they were soon betrayed by the Burmese to the Japanese, but one escaped, lived with the Karen people of Burma, but was captured 18 months later and imprisoned in Thailand. He suvived. LISSENBERG and the seven others were initially held in Moulmein but were eventually transferred to Rangoon, where all but one, 122726 Major Hugh M. Kilgour RAMC, survived to liberation. Maj. Kilgour -- their beloved "Doc" -- died of dysentery on 30 Aug 1942 in Rangoon. Two books about the epic sea journey and the subsequent ordeal of the men: “The Soul and the Sea” by Donald C. Eyre with Douglas Bowler (one of the escapees) and “Quiet Jungle, AngrySea” by Denis Gavin (another of the escapees).
     

    Attached Files:

  3. Matt Poole

    Matt Poole Member

    Continuing with my few identifications of faces...

    1315264 F/Sgt Jack HARRIS, B-24 Liberator air gunner, RAF 159 Sqn., shot down by a team of two Japanese Ki-43 Oscar fighters (Bunichi Yamaguchi and Hiroshi Takiguchi of the 204th Sentai) over the Rangoon area on the night of 29 Feb 1944. His face can just be seen in the very back row, approx. the 8th head from the right. He is smiling, with a full dark head of hair, and is seen just to the viewer’s right of the corner of the building behind the men. [Sgt Norman J. DAVIS, seen in the photo of ex-POWs at the entry door to the Dakota, was a crewmate of Jack HARRIS.]

    The next photo shows three men, including 2nd Lt Richard D. MOORE, whose bio details I previously posted. The two others, one on each side of Moore:

    Left, shirtless: O-802655 2nd Lt. John D. MARCELLO, B-24 navigator, US 374th Bomb Squadron, 308th Bomb Group. Engine trouble (possible battle damage), also attacked by fighter, forced landing in Burma returning from Insein, Burma bombing raid, 27 November 1943.

    Right, with hat: ID’d in the 1990s by an ex-POW as Sgt DOYLE, US. So far this name does not match up to any US POWs. 14139069 S/Sgt Horace B. DOYAL, 9th Bomb Squadron, 7th Bomb Group, was shot down on 18 October 1943 and imprisoned, but in one source (via Steve) he is listed as being one of the POWs marched out of the prison by the Japanese on 25 April 1945 and released at Pegu, Burma. So...is this DOYAL or not? I'm not certain.

    The final photo shows a soldier with a rifle. The hardcopy version of “The Rats of Rangoon” by W/Cdr Lionel HUDSON has an even better photo of this same soldier with Herb IVENS and HUDSON, taken at the same time as the group photos. The caption to the book photo names this man as Sgt N. SMITH, British Army. There are only two Smith entries in the nominal roll of officers and men liberated from Rangoon Jail (document found at Kew, sent to me by Steve): 3182990 Sgt J.H. SMITH, 1 Glocesters; and 4543830 Pvt S. SMITH, W. Yorks. Is this the former, based upon rank and trusting the nominal roll for completeness? The book photo might reveal unit markings, etc., that may help to solve this mystery. I must scan...

    That's it on the IDs from this one group photo.

    Cheers for now,

    Matt
     

    Attached Files:

  4. Mathsmal

    Mathsmal Senior Member

    Hi

    Spoke to the chap I mentioned earlier this week. Apparently his unit bypassed Pegu on the advance, and the camp they liberated was further south. No idea where this could be I am afraid....
     
  5. bamboo43

    bamboo43 Very Senior Member

    Hi,

    The only camps further south would have been the Rangoon jail itself or maybe Moulmein or even the Burma end of the infamous railway?

    Thanks for trying though.:)

    Steve.
     
  6. Our bill

    Our bill Well-Known Member

    Thanks for sharing
     
  7. efullarton

    efullarton New Member

    Hello,

    Very new to this, I just started doing research on my granddad, R.C. Fullarton and his time as a POW. Looking at this picture you've posted SEA0244, I feel strongly that the man at the far back with the glasses is my granddad. I'm confused however because the photo identifies him as Lt J Fullarton, and previous posts have referred to "Geordie" Fullarton. Does anyone have any more information about my granddad? Specifically what group he served with at the time of capture (I believe it was Dec 25th 1941).

    Thanks!

    EFullarton
     
  8. bamboo43

    bamboo43 Very Senior Member

    Hi,

    The man in the photograph is Captain Robert Cecil Fullarton from Treeshill in Scotland. I am at work right now, when I get back home, I will look through my Rangoon Jail files and get back with some more information.

    Best wishes

    Steve
     
  9. bamboo43

    bamboo43 Very Senior Member

    Back home from work now.

    Robert was serving with the Burma Frontier Force when he was captured on the 25th March 1942, along with his commanding officer at the time, Major Nigel Loring of the Indian Regiment 'Skinner's Horse', but attached to the Burma Frontier Force.

    They were the first and second officers held at the jail and given the POW number 1 (Loring) and 2 (Fullarton).

    I have been researching the men of Rangoon Jail since discovering that my grandfather had died there in mid-1943 after serving as part of the Chindits. Therefore, the only information I have is from documents pertaining to the jail, I have no information about your grandfather before that, for instance with the Burma Frontier Force. I suspect, but cannot be sure, that he was previously held at Moulmein Jail prior to the move to Rangoon.

    He is briefly mentioned in several books written about Rangoon Jail and was part of the prison's hierarchy once the Japanese had fled the city and left the POW's to their own devices.

    I have some other pieces of information about Robert; he was responsible for the health and well being of a group of the POW's captured after the disastrous retreat from Burma. These men were mainly from the 2nd KOYLI, part of his duties were recording their deaths and arranging their burial.

    I also know that he was held in Block 3 of the jail and shared a large cell with 25-30 other officers.

    Attached to this post is his 'Japanese index card, front face, and that of his commanding officer Nigel Loring. This will show you his date of capture, next of kin details, POW number and Army service number. The date of capture is written as 17/3/25, that translates as 1942/March/25th. The Japanese Showa calendar begins with the first year that Hirohito's became Emperor, leaving 1942 as the 17th year of his reign.

    Some of the script is written in Kanji Japanese characters, I have not had these cards translated and do not have an option in that regard presently. There is also a reverse to the card with one sentence written in Kanji, this may tell you something of his time in the jail.

    Perhaps most amazingly of all, some of your grandfather's correspondence whilst a POW features in a book about this subject and one of his postcards was sold on eBay in 2012 for just under £100.

    I hope this information is of interest and look forward to your reply.

    Best wishes

    Steve

    Fullarton RC. JIC 1. copy.JPG Loring NT. JIC 1. copy.JPG
     
  10. efullarton

    efullarton New Member

    Hello Steve,

    Thank you so much for that information, I can't wait to share this with my father. My granddad never shared info about his time at war so this has always been a point of interest for my father. You mentioned a book that refers to my grandfather, as well as some postcards? Do you know the name of this book, or how I might track down some of these postcards? To come across some of his correspondence and hear his account first hand would be incredible!

    Thanks again for your help!

    Emily
     
  11. bamboo43

    bamboo43 Very Senior Member

    Hi Emily,

    Robert is mentioned in 4 books, only fleetingly, as is the case with most POW writings. I would suggest that you attempt to get copies of:

    "Rats of Rangoon', by Lionel Hudson.
    'Operation Rangoon Jail', by K.P. MacKenzie.

    These are often available on Amazon and decently priced and will give you the best view of what happened in the jail and your grandfather's involvement.

    The postal history book is large and expensive, I have a copy and can scan the relevant pages for you. The book studies postal markings and service rather than what might be written on the cards, so I am not sure it is something you would want to purchase.

    Nevertheless here is a link to a copy on eBay:

    http://www.ebay.com/itm/DAVID-TETT-POW-POSTAL-HISTORY-VOL-3-BURMA-THAILAND-INDOCHINA-1942-1946-/141264762787?pt=UK_Stamps_CommonwealthStamps_GL

    I will send you a message via the forum and let you have my email address, then I can send the other information over.

    Steve
     
  12. bamboo43

    bamboo43 Very Senior Member

    Hi Emily,

    Email sent now with all the information about your grandfather, I hope it will be of interest to you and your family.

    Steve
     
  13. bamboo43

    bamboo43 Very Senior Member

    Well, after nearly four years it seems we have with the help of Emily's recent posts, finally identified the men from the discussed photograph at Mingaladon Airfield.

    Attached is the photograph with the names shown. Browsing my Rangoon Jail books I found confirmation that the man seen in the very centre of the photo is RSM Finnerty, who identifies himself in his book 'All Hell on the Irrawaddy', see other attachment. So, this means that the man wearing the cap should be Richard Moore of the USAAF.


    RJ 7.jpg Finnerty RJ.jpeg
     
  14. TriciaF

    TriciaF Junior Member

    Good result after all that work - thanks!
     
  15. bamboo43

    bamboo43 Very Senior Member

    Thanks TriciaF, it is always nice when somethng comes together in the end.

    Best wishes.

    Steve
     
  16. Mish

    Mish New Member

    You were unsure as to the identity of the man in the photo in the Rats of Rangoon book named as Sgt N Smith - I can tell you that it is not Pte S Smith 4543830 as he is my grandfather and he is not the man in the photograph. So presumably it is Sgt J H Smith as the only other Smith you have named. Do you have any other information on my Grandfather Pte S Smith or do you know anyone who would? I have his Japanese Index card but I am trying to find out as much about his time in Rangoon Jail as possible and how/when he got back home. I have a copy of the book written by Bill Troughton - Surviving the Red Chapatti, which is how I found out he was in Rangoon as he is named in it as one of the men who were captured in Burma in the 1942 campaign.

    Can you help?
     
  17. bamboo43

    bamboo43 Very Senior Member

    Hi Mish,

    If you have Stanley's POW index card, then you have most of any information potentially available. You will know that he was captured on the 19th April 1942 and that his POW number was 160.

    I spoke to Bill Troughton in 2009. He was a lovely man who had tried to write down his experiences as a POW as part of his way of dealing with the trauma of those times. I also have a copy of his book, which was the main reason why I now support the charity 'Combat Stress'.

    Stanley was one of the men who was liberated at the village of Waw near Pegu in late April 1945. There is a video on line showing these men meeting the oncoming 14th Army. Ironically for Stanley his own regiment the West Yorks were part of the liberating Army near Pegu, it must have been nice for him to meet up with men from his part of the country.

    Here is a link to the video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o0WkG_fgMec&lr=1

    At the National Archives there are some files for men missing in action. In the one including the 1st West Yorks there may be some useful information about what happened to the battalion in 1942. The reference is WO361/204. Here is a link, but it cannot be accessed on line unfortunately;

    http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/results/r?_q=wo361%2F204

    It would be possible to apply for his Army service records if you have the permission of the next of kin. Here are some details of how to apply:

    http://www.veterans-uk.info/service_records/army.html

    I hope there is something here that will be of interest.

    Best wishes.

    Steve
     
  18. Rothy

    Rothy Well-Known Member

    Hi

    I am very interested in any details of Lt. Fullarton's life and service prior to his capture in March 1942, especially his time with F.F.4.

    My interest is in the Burma Army (Burma Rifles, B.F.F., B.M.P. and so on). I am currently trying to piece together histories of the F.F. detachments and was pleased to find this thread with details of Loring and Fullarton of F.F.4, for which thank you.

    Does anyone have a copy of Major I.C.G. Scott's papers from the IWM? He spent some time with F.F.4 and there may be details of the unit and of Loring, Fullarton and others in this file? Please see: http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/1030006969

    Steve
     
  19. bamboo43

    bamboo43 Very Senior Member

    Hi Steve,

    Good to see you on the forum. Apart from the two men's time inside Rangoon Jail, which is more or less covered by this thread I don't possess any other information about them. I have recently opened a new page on my website concerning the service of the 2nd Burma Rifles on Chindit 1. I have linked to your website and that of the Anglo-Burmese Library as sources of additional information.

    Best wishes

    Steve
     
  20. Rothy

    Rothy Well-Known Member

    Hi Steve

    Thank you. Just read your new 2nd Burma Rifles page. It is excellent. Thanks also for the link.

    Steve
     

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