p1: 'Blue' to P.L. 12.2.44
Subj: Canadian Prisoners in H.K.
J.M.A. Fay;
Canadian Government;
Canadian Legation, Chungking
Canadian POWs Shamshuipo
A.G. Borras
Lt.Col E.D.G Hooper
Hooper to Borras 12.2.44
Subj: introduction of Bearer (P.L.)
p2: Coded and transcribed message from P.L.
Subj: Gasoline moved into camp.
p3,4: MacEwan (Yanping) to LTR (Kunming) 6.7.45 Mac/19/45
Subj: Sit rep Canton, Hainan, Runners.
Reynolds - still at Kamkong
Jemadar
Ammunition and medicines for guerillas
Mac met Astra/Sol, Wong Ngai's liaison officer - hiring junk to bring back 7 SKPs end July
Lt. Hunt to Sunyi for SKPs, in touch with Sol, in touch with Astra; base at Kochow if poss.
After they are out, Mac will go in and meet Wong Ngai.
Shortage of runners.
Kwan Hong Kie (Domus) in Watlam, link in chain to Poseh; Mitchel met him.
Mac going to Kamkong 7.7.45 to see Ren
p5:
E256 Kunming to Yanping
'Your T522 4/7'
Woods, AGAS
C. and Hunt to go to Pakhoi w. wireless operator, meet junk SKPs at Pakhoi, debrief them, hand over to Woods who will evacuate by air, then go into Hainan. Maybe Vincent will join
B128
G273 Kunming to Yanping
'My G264 4/7'
funds
A185 Kunming to Yanping
Jamadar Nazar Hussain.
S2 East to Yanping
'Your T525 6/7'
'Hope to be through before you leave', replacement for Lam.
E258 Kunming to Yanping
'Your T540 9/7'
Confirmation of place name
S210 Kunming to Yanping
'Your T514'
W/T links
P24 Poseh to Yanping
Bill Chong arrived Poseh, D'Almadas flew Kunming ex Nanning July
E260 Kunming to Yanping
Request from 'E Group' for detailed and rapid info re PW locations: allied POWs now being moved, allied air effort on increase.
p6
I248 Yanping/Poseh from Kunming
Query from Machin re movements of 23 IMB
I246 Kunming to Machin
Movements of enemy South Kwangtung, S.E Kwantung, N. Kwangtung, Kwangsi, Hainan.
E261 Kunming to East
Mehnga left to join Mac, Khushi to remain east, interrogation of Indian SKPs.
E263 Kunming to Machin
W/T not licensed free China, please obtain permission for area Watlam-Pakhoi until move into Hainan, otherwise Hainan ops difficult.
A293 Kunming to Yanping
For Au Ping Wah from Yui, coded message.
E265 Kunming to Yanping
B24 bomber down near Loting, crew nine, assist if possible.
p7
G292 Kunming to Yanping
'Your T556 15/7'
Try resume contact.
I262 Kunming to Yanping
Infor required re changes harbour Fort Bayard, brief 509 accordingly.
S214 Kunming to HQs East and West
Change in code.
I261 Kunming to HQs East and West 16/7
Canton factory machinery being sent north.
Please confirm enemy strengths/L of C northwards.
I253 Kunming to HQs East and West.
Machin requires details re enemy composition and new formations.
I267 Kunming to Yanping
Info required re Mowming area for evasion briefings
B112 Kunming to Yanping
'My B84 31/5'
Mac, John.
S39 East to Kunming
'Your A200 18/7'
'I cannot release till after visit West, seen Mac and Miles'
A198 Kunming to Yanping
'Your T395 28/5'
re failed drop 30/5 - containers recovered.
p8
S44 East to Kunming.
Ref I261 16/7
Strengths HK/Canton estimate, being confirmed with Chan Chak, enemy strengths, morale, equipment poor, airfields and defences being destroyed. Ls of C northwards, 'constant stream of supplies moving northwards'
I280 Kunming to Yanping
Query runner Wang reports Yeungchun occupied July 9th.
E279 Kunming to Yanping 20/7
My E256 reply urgently required.
Plan change: Hunt and W/T op to remain near coast in contact with Wong Ngai, Mac to Nanning with SKPs, joined by Mehnga, Vincent, W/T op, transport Pakhoi/nanning arr by AGAS Woods, Mac return coast and proceed operation.
E283 Kunming to Yanping
'My E279 20/7'
Seeking permission for W/T Mark VII
I267 Kunming to Machin
BAAG sit rep S. Kwangtung - enemy columns from Yeungkong to Yanping 14/7, ex Canton continues; S.E. Kwantung - columns from Amoy via Swatow moving W. and S.W. 8/10 July; N. Kwangtung.
p.9
I205 Kunming to Yanping
'Your T566 25/7'
Recapture Wuchow?, sit of West River Japs?
B127 Kunming to Yanping and East
Re funding.
E290 Kunming to Yanping
'Your T567 25/7'
Re E256 9/7: op. called Man Friday; Mac is leader to devote whole time to; Pakhoi as rendezvous.
Hunt and Mark VII set; identification of junk.
Dropping of stores.
I285 Kunming to Machin.
BAAG sit rep.
Occupation of Yanping 19/7 and Yeungkong; S. Kwantung; S.E. Kwangtung;
p10
T418 2nd June
Re J Group - Canton railways May 18th.
Canton; Canton/Hankow; K.C.R.; Canton/Cheungmuktau; Canto/Whampoa; Canton/Samshui.
T419 June 2nd
'Your A111'
Mac - service conditions with Force 136
T420 June 2nd, source 509.
Movements of enemy troops ex Hainan, Communist activity.
T421 June 2nd, infor through 1067.
Movements of enemy troops and weaponry.
T422 June 3rd.
re: Hainan POW (separate sheet - not included)
T423 Yanping to Commandant
--------------------
Notes on Captain Handley Laycock.
Stayed at Waichow for thirteen months. Welcomed at Waichow by Mjr Clague, other BAAG and some FAU. Description of Chinese party. LTR's European secretary who came down with him on a flying visit. L. left FAU and joined BAAG. Sent on forward tour to investigate sites for forward posts: Chinese staff officer, a dresser, and Al Wong as interpreter. Left by houseboat via Pokloh and Dungnan, then to Shekma (2 US flyers downed in a raid on HK had just passed in sedan chairs), on to Chingkat and Lungkong. By river Lungkong-Tamshui-Waichow.
Waichow: Three small hospitals, inspecting soup kitchens and town restaurants, prisons. Dr. Terry Darling and Dr. Evans (US) took over for L. and he went to open Shekma end November, together with Lam Pin Kee (Pinky) and cook l.cpl Lo Sin Chang. Post shared schoolhouse, staff quarters upstairs, ward below. S.B. Tan, BAAG.
Visited Shekma again 25.12.42 with Colin, Pinky Lam there.
February 1943 from Waichow (for Lungkong operation) with Hooper, Archie Hunt, via Tamshui, Chanlung (met Pinky Lam), Lungkong, Holau (Capt Su Ting Lo's home and HQ), Wongkong, Mt. Ng Tong Shan. 6 Indian escapees came escorted by guerillas, then back to Waichow.
L. left Waichow (for dentistry in Kweilin, then India) November 1943 when Capt. Van de Linde arrived. Hospital moved to temple. L. with Osler Thomas to Wonglik, with runner Chu Chu Wan (despatches for Kweilin), Hoyun, Kukong, Hengyang, Kweilin.
--------------------
OSLER THOMAS
[L: - letter from Osler
II Osler was brought out of Hongkong by Lau Teng Kee and Raymond Chan together with Mary (?) and two sisters and Oh Bak Chua. Left Hongkong 5.8.42, via Sha Tau Kok, Tam Shui (noticed great Jap activity around Shui Mui Sha showing Hooper's decoy for Holmes trip was working), arrived Waichow 8.8.42. [L: "... to St. Joseph's Hospital where I met Major Clague for the first time and gave him our story ... Dr. Raymond Lee fixed up my feet"]
1942 Osler was ordered to stay at AHQ, then back 3 weeks later to Hongkong with Lau Teng Kee to bring out doctors (Bunje, Nicholson, Court, etc) [L: "Bunje and Co. were billeted at the French Hospital. In those days the water-front almost reached the front door of the hospital. The plan was to take them by sampan to Devil's Peak or Junk Bay and then it would be a few hours' walk in to Sai Kung] but the scheme was scrapped. Osler and Lau Teng Kee arrived back in Kweilin mid September.
Osler was then employed on the 'Manuel' case. Lau Teng Kee and Oh Bak Cha left for OCVU meeting in Kweiping. Osler was sent down to watch Manuel, who was also going to the OCVU meeting, and then on to Macau to bring out volunteers and Portuguese. He met Lau Teng Kee and Oh Bak Cha on their back to Kweilin (there were safety fears for Lau Teng Kee), and Osler went back to Kweilin with Lau Teng Kee. Manuel went south.
[II,121: "Planning for the attack on the Camp was going ahead and it was decided to bring Ronnie and Mac out and send them to India for secret training for the operation"]
Ronnie and Mac were to be sent to India, so Osler and Archie (Hunt?) took their places at AHQ. They left HQ 15.12.42 and arrived at AHQ 24.12.42.
Hugh, Raymond Lee, Duggie, Archie, and Al Wong left 28.12.42 for tour of Shek Ma, LungKong, Sha Yu Chung (later 'X'), Tamshui. Osler stayed at AHQ, [II,121: "He was to join Francis at Post Y"] but met Clague's party at Sha Yu Chung ('X') 2.1.43. Francis and Raymond Wong [(99) had come out from 'Y' (ChikKang)] were also there (the latter had had to give up his work in Hongkong in ?March ).
1943 Osler and Francis left for Chik Kang ('Y'), stayed for 10 days, established medical post.
Osler returned to AHQ to report, then until end July 43 he and Frances alternated at 'Y (ChikKang). (See BAAG by E.L.Ride p.216 - Osler nearly captured). The main duties of post 'Y' - money to agents in HK, drugs for camps, safe arrangements for runners, Indian escapes, liaison with Reds (information about Reds in Sai Kung). Osler made 8-10 trips in and out, (Frances away 2 months with Clague at HQ?), Raymond Wong had been withdrawn from HK by Reds, but lived at 'Y'. The post was withdrawn June/July 43.
Osler went to Shek Ma medical post with Paul Young end July for 3 weeks (FAU had withdrawn from the area), back to AHQ for about one week, then to Tam Shui to open a medical post (August). The Famine Relief and Winter crop schemes under Ronnie also used it at that time, (congee kitchens and refugee centres, forwarded refugees to Waichow). Osler stayed one month, dresser Shum arrived (early September).
Preparations for Frigate: Osler in charge of all supplies there from AHQ. He made one trip with Ronnie (in October) to Tai Pang to meet the Frigate people. Early November he went through with the first stores to Francis at Pah Kong, then went back to AHQ for Cyphers.
[I p.118 - In 1943 Lt. Thomas in conjunction with Lieut. Lee established a BAAG post in the New Territories at Saikung about 4 miles from the Kowloon Camps. This post was maintained for about 6 months when it had to be abandoned owing to political complications with the Reds]
'Y'(which was in official guerilla territory) was captured by the Reds. Osler was sent to Ko Ling for information re personnel and captors. Ronnie joined Osler at Tam Shui from AHQ with instructions from HQ. Ronnie, Osler and Vincent Young spent 3 weeks trying to contact captors, which was eventually achieved through 99 [II,123: whom Osler saw twice in Namoa] - meeting between Ronnie and Lau Pui's nr. 2 20.12.43. Francis et co liberated near Sha Yu Chung on Christmas Day.
[L: "Lau Oui was the head of a Red group whose hunting ground was in the Tai Pang Peninsula. I had met him before and held a pass from him personally allowing me to travel in his area. We had sought permission from the Chinese authorities to set up Frigate, but unfortunately not from Lau Pui. He must have been annoyed at this and thus confiscated Frigate, arms and all. He meant to teach us a lesson and led Ronnie in a hide and seek game. When eventually he met Ronnie he refused to speak to Ronnie directly but through an interpreter although Ronnie spoke perfect Cantonese"]
[I p.119: "When our post at Taipang Peninsula was captured by the Reds, Lieut Thomas took part in the negotiations for their release and in order to carry out this work he had to spend much time in unprotected areas"]
Osler and Vincent returned to AHQ 10.12.43, Van de Linde arrived, Laycock left AHQ for HQ.
AHQ had to evacuate stores, 'I' archives and families, Tam Shui lost medical equipment and furnishings.
1944 Osler to Hoyuen mid February 44 to find a rear HQ because of flap, Alec and Illin arrived with stores and families.
29.2.44 Osler left AHQ for HQ with 2 US pilots (Lee and Bates) and was back about 9.3.44. Col Hooper left for HQ, Ronnie became O.C. Osler was then on routine 'I' work at AHQ for few months.
[I p.118: "Served with the BAAG in a civilian capacity until he was commissioned by Force 136 in March 1944"]
In April Rob took over from Ronnie as O.C. At that time those at AHQ were - Rob, Van, Osler. Hooper and Tanner arrived with new W/T (just before Kweilin fell).
Powell arrived at HoYuen, Hutchinson at AHQ.
1945 14.1.45 AHQ was evacuated to Ho Yuen, thus separated from Chinese HQ (which went to Wong Lik). Medical post under Lee Yik Chung and Tam Shui post under Hubert Chin had to evacuate. Hutch and Grose (AGAS) to Chinese HQ to reestablish liaison, W/T contact with AHQ through US station, but Gen Sung sent them back to AHQ. Garrison then moved to Kuchuk.
About March, S/Ldr Johns and Teesdale arrived AHQ from 7th War Zone HQ, Rob and Van met Hooper at Tan Tap with latest news about BAAG East, (importance of evasion duties).
Hutch and Osler did reconnaissance of newly defined area. Osler visited Lungmun, Sunfung. End March Osler went to Hingling to sell gold. Sandy, Johnnie and Archie were there. On the way back he met Dick, Eddie and Francis who were en route Lungnan-Hingning. Early April Rob went back to HQ and Sandy was OC at AHQ. Osler went on river reconnaissance to Puitin (Powell there as rear HQ) but got no further than Laolung, so back to Hoyuen with Sandy. New plans at AHQ that Osler was to join Garrison HQ at Kuchuk, Hutch to develop Leungfa on N. River.
End April Osler went to Gen Sung in Kuchuk and a BAAG medical post opened there 14.4.45 (3 in that area - Kuchuk, Lamtong (E.L.Ride p.276 - Osler i/c), Col Tsui's HQ).
[I p.119: "From May 1945 till the cessation of hostilites, Lt. Thomas was in charge of our forward intelligence post and was liaison officer with Chinese Military HQs at Koochuk on the East River. This was an isolated post of great responsibility requiring tact in dealing with the Chinese and intitative wnd judgement in making decisions when reference to higher authority was impossible. Lt. Thomas carried out the duties of this post with most commendable skill"]
24.5.45 Japs occupied Kuchuk. Garrison moved to Yeeyung then Lamtong, where Dick and Osler visited 5-10.6.45. Japs left Hoyuen, and Osler went back with Gen Sung to Kuchuk.
24.5.45 AHQ moved from Hoyuen to Lung Chuen.
Osler to AHQ (East?) to see LTR about US accusation, Sandy to Kuchuk to investigate Simon's case.
[BAAG War Establishment 22.6.45: Capt. O. Thomas O.C. Forward Post Lamtong]
[II,126: 10.8.45 Osler heard over the wireless from Chungking of the Japanese capitulation and officially informed Garrison HQ of the news.]
12.8.45 Osler recalled to AHQ, passed Van who was moving south with W/T, then on to Hingning. Next few weeks spent withdrawing all posts, concentrating them on Hingling - Kuchuk supplies and dressers withdrew to AHQ, then AHQ withdrew to Hingling (II,126)
8.9.45 Sandy, Van and Osler left Hingling and moved with the Chinese down to Canton arriving 18th, met Hooper, then to HK via Macao arriving 24.9.45.
US in the area - Uretz, the missionary, Grose, Gleisteen and friend, Bolger, Lacey, Poon.
Osler to "S" Section which was organised in three Sub-sections - Target Section, Interrogation Section and Operations Section - Osler in Interrogation Section.
I 115: LTR to Force 136, Kandy, 12.12 45.
Submission of recommendations for awards for 136, personal views on Francis Lee, Osler Thomas, Archie Hunt, Teesdale, Salinger, McEwan, order of priority.
118: Recommendation for Lt. Osler Thomas for MBE - served with BAAG as civilian, established Saikung post with Lee 1943 for 6 months, took part in negotiations for release of Taipang post, from May 45 i/c forward intelligence post at Koochuk.
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