The 2nd MTB Flotilla Escapes from Hong Kong

Waichow; 30th The Waichow group photo; Click here for larger photo Photo from Buddy Hide's collection ©December 1941

Waichow

Four days and eighty miles after escaping from Hong Kong the party are through the Japanese lines in Waichow, Free China

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Photo from Buddy Hide's collection ©;

Safety at Last

Members of the escape party at Waichow in Free China after their bold escape by MTB's from Hong Kong





The Long Trek

Run the curser over the photo of the men to see who have been identified or click here to view in Google Maps

Cmdr Hugh M Montague, Senior Naval Officer Aberdeen & on the escape. Lt-Cmdr G H Gandy R.N. C/O MTB 10 & Flotilla Commander. Click here to read more on Gandy Photo from Buddy Hide's collection © Lt-Cmdr Henry Heng Hsu. Click here to read more on Henry Hsu Photo from Buddy Hide's collection © Stoker P.O. Buddy Hide of MTB 07. Click here to read more on Buddy Hide Photo from Buddy Hide's collection © Ted Ross of the Ministry of Information. Click here to read more on Rossy Photo from Buddy Hide's collection ©

62 Members of the escape party with Chinese Officials at the American "Wai On hospita complex" run by the Seventh Day Eventist in Waichow on 30th December 1941: Photo from Buddy Hide's collection ©

Back: Christiansen [M.N],   A/B Pawley [R.N], A/P.O. Hide [R.N], Ross [B.M I],  P.O. Dyer [R.N], W.O. Wright [HKRNVR], Cox-Walker [M.N], P.O. Stonell [R.N],  C.P.O.Thums [R.N],   P.O. Meadows [R.N],  Brazel [M.N],   Gurd [R.N],   Arnold [R.N],   Hempenstall [R.N],  McQueen [R.N],  Foster [R.N],   Quixell [R.N]

3rd: Halliday [M.N], Marchant [M.N], Skinner [M.N],  Holmes [R.N],   Whatley [R.N],   Brogden [R.N],  A/P.O. Priestley [R.N],   Kelly [R.N],   Downey [R.N],   Holt [R.N],  Evans [R.N],  Purchase [R.N],  Rutter [R.N],  Penny [R.N],  P.O. Moore [R.N],  Thorpe [R.N], Barker [R.N],  Schillemore [R.N],  Carr [R.N],  Hill [R.N],  Charleson [R.N],  Burrows [R.N],  Rann [R.N], Dentin [R.N], Gavaghan [R.N],  Moore [R.N].

2nd: Capt Macmillan [R.A], Supt Robinson [I.P], Sq-Ldr Oxford [R.A.F], Lt Pittendrigh [R.N.R], Lt Ashby [HKRNVR], Lt Collingwood [R.N], Lt-Cmdr Gandy  [R.N],  Cmdr Montague [R.N],  Adm Chan-Chak [C.N], Lt-Gen Wong [C.A], Lt-Gen Chen [C.A], Lt-Cmdr Yorath [R.N], Maj Goring [H.Q. Staff], Capt Guest [1st Mdlx], Lt Parsons [HKRNVR], Lt Kennedy [RNVR].

1st: Bruce [Dog], Sub-Lt Gee [HKRNVR], Maj-Gen Fu [C.A], Gen Au Yeung, Coxswain Yeung Chuen [C.N], Lt-Cdr Hsu Heng [C.N],  Maj-Gen Tung C.A],  Sub-Lt Legge [HKRNVR],  Sub-Lt Brewer [HKRNVR].

 

 

The 12 survivors of the Cornflower launch [V.I.P] party

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Back: Supt Bill Robinson [I.P], W. O. William M Wright [HKRNVR], Capt Peter Macmillan [R.A],Capt Reginold Guest [1st Mdsx], Coxswain Leung Chuen [C.N], Ted Ross [B.M.I]

2nd: David MacDougall [B.M.I], Admiral Chan Chak [C.N], Major Arthur Goring [HQ staff], Squadron Leader Max Oxford [RAF]

1st: Holgar Christiansen [M.N], Lt Cmdr Henry Heng Hsu [C.N]

The escape party left Aberdeen in HMS Cornflower's launch down Aberdeen South channel where they were shot up by the Japanese from Pill Box 12 and Brick Hill. Colonel Yee Shiu Kee could not swim and stayed on the launch along with the badly wounded Captain Damsgard. Both survived after spending the night on a beach. Yee Shiu Kee escaped with the help of local fishermen to China. Damsgard who was shot through both legs was treated for his wounds in Hong Kong. Foster M.N. and D Harley [2nd Engineer SS Yatshing] were both shot and presumed dead.

 

HMS Cornflower's ships crest

The Royal Navy escape party at Kweiyang [The Chinese Red Cross medical centre] on 24th January 1942, 1380 miles & 30 days into their 2880 mile trek from Hong Kong to Rangoon.

The Governor of Kweichow Province, General Wu is at the front centre wearing white gloves.

The officer who came to meet the British Royal Navy party was Dr Robert Lim, who spoke fluent English. Dr Lim was educated in Edinburgh [George Watson's College] & married a Scotswoman. He was an old friend & golfing partner of Admiral Chan Chak.

48 Members of the escape party with General Wu

Known Personnel on the Escape:

MTB 07

MTB 09

MTB 10

MTB 11

MTB 27

Service number prefix:

C = Chatham

D = Devonport

P = Portmouth

C410

Skiff to MTB's

HMS Cornflower's Launch

Special Operations Executives

Kendall Francis W [Mike]
McEwan Colin M [ 238278 ] MBE H.K.V.D.C
Talan/Jalan Emmanuel Monia (John) [ 238166 ] MBE H.K.V.D.C

Citations posted in The London Gazette 1942 For daring and resource in Far Eastern waters and the escape:

K.B.E.

Chan Chak; Admiral

C.B.E.

Yee Shiu Kee; Colonal

M.B.E.

McEwan Colin M; S.O.E.

O.B.E.

Montague Hugh Monthermer; Cmdr R.N.
Hsu Henry Heng; Lt-Cmdr


D.S.C.

Ashby Ronald Robert Wilson; Lt H.K.R.N.V.R.
Wright William Morley; Warrant Officer H.K.R.N.V.R.

Mention in Despatches

Duckworth ,Tom Greenwood; Telegraphist R.N. P/JX202851. [Posthumus]
Montague Hugh Monthermer; Cmdr R.N. Retd.
Gandy Gerard Horace; Lt-Cmdr R.N. Retd.
Collingwood Cuthbert John; Lt R.N.
Kennedy Alexander; Lt R.N.V.R.
Pittendrigh Arthur; Lt R.N.R.
Thums Gilbert; Chief Petty Officer RN D/J.96352
Prest John William; Petty Officer R.N. P/JX128494.
Hide Stephen John; Petty Officer R.N. P/KX82873.
Priestley Ronald John Charles; Petty Officer R.N. P/KX81900.
Stonell Robert Henry; Petty Officer R.N P/KX.80217
Schillemore William Arthur; Leading Seaman R.N. P/JX142194.
Rutter Albert Edward; Able Seaman R.N. D/JX.134658
Christiansen Holgar; Midshipman M.N.

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