The 2nd MTB Flotilla on the Road Across China
On the road to freedom
Petty Officer Charly Moore of MTB 27 looking pretty whacked. On the right is Sub-Lt Gill with Buddy Hide with his hand on Guerrilla leader Leung Wing Yuen's shoulder. Lofty Gurd of MTB 09 is on the left hanging out of the back of the ambulance in the top right picture.
The padded jackets were obtained by Colonel Owen-Hughes at Lung Chun. Owen-Hughes was the British Liaison officer to the Chinese army. The party later swapped the jackets with an incoming detachment of British Marines.
Bottom left is the one legged Chinese Admiral Chan Chak and the senior Royal Navy Officer Hugh M Montague being feted by Chinese Army Officers during their epic escape from Hong Kong.
Bottom right is 37 year old David Mercer MacDougall who was shot in the back while getting away on HMS Cornflower's launch in Aberdeen South. David Mercer MacDougall returned as Brigadier Colonial Secretary of Hong Kong 1945 - 1949. He was acting Governor from May 1947 - 25 July 1947
Note the Chinese favors visible on some escapees lapels in the two top pictures.
This page was found by my younger brother in The War Illustrated No 126 dated April 17 1942. in the 60s while he was at school, he did not know his father's connection until he brought it home
If you recognize any members of the escape party, or have any information on the escape please let me know via the Webmaster Thank You
This is my Father's [Acting Petty Officer Stoker Buddy Hide's] Chinese Favour proclaiming:
Chung/Loyal
Yung/Brave
Sat/Kill
Dik/Enemy
Given to each member of the escape party at KuKong while walking through Japanese occupied China.
This is a direct translation given to me by Admiral Andrew Chan Chak's son Donald Chan.
Click here to see the Waichow Group Photo taken on 29th December 1941
Click here to see the Kweiyong Group Photo taken on 24th January 1942
Click here for Photo's of the escape party wearing their Chinese favours
