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Burma
Liberated Rangoon Jail
Interrogation and Treatment
Interrogation 3
Another PoW’s Fighter aircraft developed engine trouble, and catching fire, was crash-landed in the Arakan on 3rd November 1942, at 0930 hrs. The PoW sustained a broken right ankle, injured arms, and back.
The aircraft crashed into a swamp but the PoW was thrown clear and some Burmese came up ahd dragged him out from the swamp. The Burmese washed the mud off him and told him that they would take him to a hospital. He was, however, handed over to
the Japanese the gsame day.
On arrival at a village in the Bassein district, Whilst under Japanese guard, the PoW was given a very large meal and was informed by his guard that it had been sent by the General. The General also sent a Medical orderly to attend to his Injuries. The PoW left the same night by train with two guards, and after travelling all night arrived at a Japanese camp, the name of whtch he did not know.
On 12th November, 1942, he was carried out into an open space where there were a lot of soldiers standing around, and it appeared that a very high ranking officer, who was sitting at a table, wag going to interrogate him. This Officer asked' the PoW his
name, the number of his squadron and the name of his C.O. When the PoW refused to answer, the interrogator pulled out his revolver, levelled it at the PoW and told him that if he had not answered by the time he had counted five, he wag going to shoot him. The interrogator counted five and nothing happened. The PoW breathed a
sigh of relief.
After some further discussion on family matters, the interrogator went away, and for some unknown reason, when the interrogator had gone, the PoW was treated by the remainder of the Japanese as hero. Tho Japanese soldiers came nearer, stood to attention around him and gave him food and water.
After the meal the PoW was taken back to his cell and a doctor was sent to him, but was unable to do much for his injuries.
The, same night, the PoW was taken by jeep to a ferry and put in the custody of a Canadian - educated Japanese Officer. This Officer made him very comfortable and told him about the Japanese war policy. After other sundry adventures the PoW arrived at Rangoon on 23rd November.
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