Account by Maj William Sochon on operation Semut III - Part 2

X This page committed him pen PILA story]  
During Pusu's visit to us, he told us that the morning after we left,  
his men had seen a Catalina flying boat over Belaga.   This gave us  
great concern, as we could not possibly think that had she been our own  
plane that it would just have circled Belaga and then pushed off   
without making any search down the Rejang River.   It was learned at a  
later date that this was the Air Sea rescue plane which had been detailed  
to come and look for us after the Liberator's which passed over Belaga had  
informed them of our signals.   
This day we posted scouts down river and also started receiving the first  
of our visitors.   The Penghulu Ugak from the ulu Balch arrived.  
Needless to say, Saba was with us and Sundai arrived from Sama, a tributary  
of the Regjang river, about a day's paddle down stream.  
We explained to them our mission;  that we were here to assist in any way  
possible and to help them to get rid of the Japanese.  They asked the  
usual questions, whether the Government would allow them to takeheads,  
and I explained that this was a period of war and that as enemies of the  
country, Japanese heads could be taken.  
Sundai proved to be one of my most faithful followers in later days.  
The arrangement I made with Sgt. Barrie was that we should take turns to  
sit close to the river bank in a given position watching for aircraft  
so that signals could immediately be lit, once we were certain it was one  
of our aircraft.   Needless to say this sitting from 8 a.m. in the morning  
until four p.m. in the afternoon just waiting for the sound of an aircraft  
engine became terribly monotonous, and as days came and days went, the  
feeling of anxiety gradually grew, and also the natives were really at last  
beginning to wonder whether what we had told them was true or whether we  
were just a couple of bailed-out airmen.  
More Penghulus came in with their followers and I tried to explain that  
all was well and that help would be coming;   that they must have faith and  
believe in what I said.   This appeared to them to be very thin, and I  
realized that it would be immensely difficult to obtain their assistance  
should the Japs approach in any large force. After three or four days, Pusu  
again came down telling me that five Japanese heads had been taken in an  
ambush between Tubau and Sapaku, and the heads had been distributed among  
the houses of the men taking part in the ambush.   All Japanese equipment  
had been brought down to me, and needless to say, lots of documentary data 

had been found on their persons.   This was kept for sending out to  
headquarters if and when the plane arrived.  
Having now a further five rifles and two automatic pistols, plus a  
fair quantity of ammunition and five Japanese swords,we felt really  
armed and in a position to give a better account of ourselves if action  
took place.  
About the 14th of June, Barrie and I, still not having heard or seen  
any aircraft, began to get alarmed, and we were deciding on a plan  
whereby one of us would have to go back and try to contact Carter with  
his party so as to enable a signal to be sent to headquarters, to get  
relief sent to us. We discussed this matter at length and it was decided  
that we would give the matter a few more days and at the end of this time  
if the same conditions existed that Barrie would proceed back.to Long Aka  
via the interior, using the waterways and not back by the main streams  
which we had used on our trip down.   This action was decided on because  
of the Japanese activity which was then taking place in the Ulu Bintulu  
and the possibility of conibg across enemy patrols in the Longxxxx Ulu Belaga  
or even Belaga itself.   It was doubtful whether Barrie could have made  
this trip under at least three weeks on account of the fact that by this  
time our equipment was in pretty bad shape;  he himself was reduced  
to a pair of American jungle rubbers, the soles of which were in fairly  
good condition, but the upper had more or less completely gone;  it would  
have meant possibly of finishing up the last stage of his journey bare- 
foot.   This decision was made because with me having a better knowledge  
of the country and the people in the area, I should be left so as to  
cover any emergency which might arise should the enemy decide to carry  
out their project of establishing Belaga and Long Nawan as bases.  
Penghulu Ugak, although requested to return to his home, insisted on  
staying with me and said that he was my father, and whilst he lived he  
would protect me under any circumstances.  About this time, one afternoon  
at 4 o'colock we heard the sound of an aircraft, and realised that owing  
to the lateness of the hour, it could only be one of our planes returning  
from patrol, or an enemy plane.  As there was no sun, again we realised  
that we could not signal to this aircraft if it was one of ours, and we  
could only hope against hope that it could see the smoke of a fire quickly  
lighted on its way over.  As it turned out, this was a Japanese  
reconnaissance plane, and needless to say, it did not take us long to make 

cover. JackJohn Bull Douglas, an Eurasian who worked for the Borneo Co.  
Timber Concession pre-war, had, by this time, joined us and he had  
been sent down river to keep an eye on the Penghulus in the reaches  
of the Rejang above Kapit to enable security to be kept and to inform  
us of any possible leakage, or note any movement on the part of the  
down river Dyaka with the possibility of arresting us and handing  
us over to the Japanese, either with or without our heads.  
Barrie and I realised by this time that the figure of at least  
$5,000 per head would be rather tempting for any Dyak if he felt so  
inclined to give us away to his temporary masters.  
On the 18th of June, we had given up completely the idea of help  
ever coming to us and made up our minds that we had been given up for  
lost.  We were then deciding on the plan of sending Barrie back to  
Carter and also with what little arms we could get from him, to  
arrange our own private war and to remain in the interior of the  
country until the war finished.  
That night at about midnight, I was awakened by Douglas and various  
Penghulus who informed me that a large party of Japs together with  
prisoners were at Kapit and that they were proceeding by easy stages  
to start their colonising scheme at Belaga and Long Nawan.  
No doubt they were a little worried over the fact that the previous  
party sent up did not return.   This party which had proceeded to  
Long Nawan was successfully dealt with, with the exception of one  
Jap, by Penghulu Pusu's brother, between Belaga and Long Nawan on  
their way back from that place.      We arranged with the Penghulus  
that they should, owing to our position, i.e. lack of arms and  
equipment, deal with this party of Japanese as previous ambushes  
had been successful, either by getting the Japs the worse for drink,  
and to despatch them during the night, or to wait until a favourable  
moment when in rough water proceeding over one of the rapids,should  
upturn the boats and despatch them in that manner.    They all agreed  
that this, under the circumstances, was the best arrangement, and  
went off to make their necessary plans.  
The following day at about 10 a.m. a horde of Dyaks arrived, together  
with the Penghulus and said that they wished to be excused from  
doing this job as they were scared that the Japs would take  
reprisals

reprisals against their villages if they found out what they had been  
doing.   I gave them a piece of my mind and told them that they were  
not helping the Rajah or helping themselves, or making any attempt to  
regain their own country from the Japanese if they continued with this  
attitude.    However much I talked had no avail, and after about half  
an hour's discussion they decided to return to their homes.  
I explained that the responsibility, if Barrie and I were killed, would  
rest entirely with them and they would no doubt also get into trouble  
from the Japs for not making any attempt to hand us over to the Japanese  
or report the fact that we were in the country before this.  
Barrie and I with our small band, then tried to work out a scheme whereby  
if the Japs arrived, we could make some effort to prevent them, as we  
realised these Japs could not go through to Belaga because if they did  
the whole of the Belaga people would suffer at the hands of the Nips  
owing to the previous help which they had given us.    We reconnoitered  
suitable spots at the mouth of the Pilla River - there was one excellent  
spot where we could get a good field of fire, but only being in possession  
of two sub machine guns, the Jap rifles had by this time been handed out  
to local Dyaks who were on patrol, and not knowing which side of the  
river the Japs would use - the river in this spot being approximately  
75 yards in width - we realised that we could not with any efficiency  
make an ambush here, so it was decided that two locals and a fast prahu  
should proceed down stream and keep their eyes open for the Japs, and  
as soon as they saw where they were putting up for the night, should  
paddle back and immediately inform us.  We would then proceed up river  
to the rapids about half way between Belaga and Pila, and arrange to ambush  
the Japs their.   This spot would be ideal as we would have an open field  
of fire at a distance of only 25 yards - we being able to be under  
complete cover.    That afternoon at about three o'clock, a scout came  
rushing into our hideout and informed us that the Japs were on the point  
of landing at Saba's house, which was too close to us to be pleasant.  
I immediately gave the alarm and the pre-arranged emergency scatter plan  
was put into action.   Out little gang complete with what arms we had, i.e.  
the 2 sub maching guns, would paddle up the Pila as far as possible and  
wait for Barrie and myself there.   Barrie and I meanwhile would hold on to  
our hideout until the last minute, and if all was as reported that there 

was a large party of Japs, then we would walk overland to pick up the  
remainder of our party in the Ulu Pila.      We climbed on to our high  
point, shinned a tree and got a complete view downstream - the river at  
this point was completely straight for almost three miles, and we could,  
with the glasses, see any movement on the river.    No Japs could be seen and  
we waited for a considerable time, and as it appeared quiet, sent a scout  
off to the party and told them to rejoin us at our hideout.  
That evening at dusk we were having our frugal meal, consisting of the  
usual jungle produce [[?]] and making plans for a general all night watch, when  
we heard several Dyaks approaching upstream letting out war cries and sound- 
ing to be in high glee;   needless to say Barrie and I were wondering  
whether they had changed their minds and were swinging over to the Japs  
and coming to collect us, or whether it was another party who had pulled  
an ambush somewhere or another in the vicinity.    The next we knew were  
these Dyaks crashing through the undergrowth, some carrying sacks dripping  
with blood, others carrying heads by the ear;   we were informed this was  
all that was left by the Jap party which had left xxxxxx Pelagus Rapids  
that morning on their way up to Belaga. In all 29 lost their lives in  
this ambush.   Evidently when they, the Dyaks, went down stream, they had  
another conference and Sundai was determined that we must be protected  
and that he at any rate, was going to make an attempt to kill the Jap party.  
What happened was that the party stayed for food in the small rest house  
at the head of the Pelagus Rapids, and about quarter of an hour before they  
were due to move, Sundai approached the C.O. of the Japs, and told him that  
it was a feast day for the Dyaks and that they could not go beyond Sundai's  
house and that the Japs should stay there for the night and have a ramai.  
After a little persuasion, the Japs fell into the trap and as they were  
on the point of going down the steps from this rest house, Sundai and his  
party fell on them, using their parangs and took the heads of allexcept one  
who, although badly wounded, made his way down to the river bank and got  
into a prahu and went across stream.  Several of the Japs fell into the  
water and were carried down stream. Sundai had been well schooled by us  
and he immediately sent people down to the foot of the rapids and waited  
for the bodies there, so that they would not float down to Kapit and give  
the show away to the Japanese there.   Unfortunately some Sikhs who were  
with the Jap party opened fire on Sundai and his gang, and these Sikhs also  
lost their lives.   No injuries were suffered by the Dyak party with the 

exception of a small sword wound across the chest of one of the Dyaks.  
Saba arrived on the scene about the time the Dyaks finished telling  
me this story, and he immediately suggested that we should go across  
to his house and celebrate the occasion.   I was not feeling any too  
good a frame of mind over this episode as I felt certain that the Japs  
at Kapit must get to know, even though up to this time, our security  
had been perfect.   Therefore further scouts were posted and Douglas  
who arrived with the party, was sent back to keep a close check on any  
movement by the enemy.   We were in a very fortunate position that  
no land movement could be made by the Japs through the jungle. If they  
wished to get anywhere near us they must use the rivers.  
After arriving at Saba's house, food was prepared - small saucers,  
nine in a row, by six deep, each containing Dyak delicacies, small  
unleavened scones, puffed rice, a peculiar form of sweet rice, egg,  
tobacco, betel nut and so on.    The idea being that the honoured guest  
would sit in front of these saucers with a big plate, taking a little  
of each of the food and making a pile of it with the eggs around the  
sides so that the necessary rites could be performed over it by taking  
a fighting cock and whilst wishing the house success at war, and by  
holding the chicken's feet in your right hand and swinging it in a small  
circle over the plate. One would notice that the ceremonial shield 
and two unsheathed parangs would by lying side by side and these, after  
completion of the ceremony, would be put up into the rafters on top of  
another shield - the plate first, followed by the two parangs, so as to  
bring good luck to the house and successful hunting.   Meanwhile the  
old lady of the house brought out a Dyak blanket (these are hand woven  
by the Dyak and made from local Kapok in various colours0 being simple dyes and placed  
the Jap head on this - she would then be followed by all the virgins in  
the house, holding the blanket and the head s though it was a baby, in  
front of her, chanting a dirge before each door of the house, traversing  
from one end to the other and back again - in fact this dirge went on for  
at least four hours.    The head was then kept securely for the night and  
the following morning a small shed made out of jungle leaves was built  
and the head roasted.   Needless to say the smell of human flesh at so  
close a proximity was slightly nauseating when one had it for the entire  
day.   That night the head was brought back into the house;  by this 

time it was contained in a small rotan carrier, and a fire built in the  
centre of the house verandah.   The same party of women took the head  
and the blanket again and performed the same ceremony as the night  
before.    This went on for at least four nights;  the head then not being  
carried ceremoniously, was hanging in its carrier over the open fire  
and being smoked.   The last night of the ceremony was for the usual  
dirge to take place, this time only once up and down the house, and then  
the head was hung over the fire;   five of the virgins were detailed to  
sit on what one could describe as a high swing consisting of a plank made  
of a very hard wood about 15ft. long by 15ft. wide by 3 ins. in thickness,  
suspended from the rafters of the house by rotan, and the five virgins  
sitting on this swing in slow motion backwards and forwards continuing  
their dirge for a matter of about two hours.   Towards the end of this time  
the small saucers were brought out and the same ceremony performed, but  
this time instead of the plate being placed in the rafters on top of the  
shield; the plate was taken by one of the virgins together with a small  
cup of their local wine (Tusk) and the wine being poured over the head  
and the xxxt rice and small pieces of every delicacy fed into the mouth  
of the head.  This presumably to enable the person concerned to have food  
for the journey to his happy land.  
During the course of the evening at Saba's house, it was discovered that  
through this ambush, that certain Dyaks down river, might be organising  
small shows of their own, and it was decided to send Barrie down river to  
investigate and also to look over the place where the heads were taken.  
This was done as I would have to hold on and wait for the aircraft, if it  
came, and in the event of an xairsea rescue boat aircraft appearing, to proceed  
to headquarters and find out the true position. 

Two days after Barry had proceeded down river, at about 7.30 in the  
morning I could hardly believe my ears as I heard the sound, or thought  
that I heard the sound of an aircraft. Needless to say the whole  
of the house were in an uproar and a few seconds later the sound of  
an aircraft was definitely heard.   The remaining signal flares which  
I had were by this time, useless, so I could only grab my emergency  
signalling mirror and rush down to the edge of the river. Fortunately  
the sun was shining and I saw an aircraft pass over; I did not think  
it connected with my signals on the first run but on its second run  
over the area it acknowledged my signals by a dip of the wing and  
circled a third time to find a suitable landing close to where I was  
standing.   The feeling that I during this period is one which can  
hardly be explained - one of complete joy and the nervous tension  
which had existed for close on a month was at last broken and without  
any shame I was do not mind admitting there were two or three heartfelt  
sobs and found tears in my eyes.   The plan made a successful landing  
and on coming alongside in a native prahu I discovered that my  
commanding Major Courtney, Capt. Cea ney Lt. Hume and Sgt. Spurling  
(the signaller) were aboard together with about 3,000 pounds of  
stores and equipment.    They came ashore and the natives of Saba's  
house immediately set to and worked with a will in gettingthe stores  
ashore.   At last they realised the promised was fulfilled and they were  
greatly impressed by the number of rifles, ammunition, bren guns etc  
which were brought ashore.   Needless to say there was a great flock  
of volunteers who demanded weapons immediately and want to go off aft  
after the Japs.  I explained to them the true position and what my  
future plans were, that I intended staying at Pila for the next  
aircraft insertion, which would take place in four or five days time,  
and then push off down river to consolidate and to obtain further  
news of the position. in the lower rejang, at Kapit and at Song.  
If we could make contact with these two places then our reports of  
Sibu would be far more authentic than those hearsay reports which  
were coming to us over a distance of 200 miles.    After a short stay  
Courtney decided to push off, not before having a mild celebration  
with the locals, and Spurling started to erect his wireless station  
and we were within contact with headquarters within three hours.  
This gave us great confidence knowing at last we were in contact  
with the outside world and more or less any emergency could be met.  
That day was spent arranging stores, working out the best position  
and arming a few of the volunteers and general training.  
The next day Barry returned from Pelagus having been through an  
awful ordeal. The bodies which had been ambushed had been left by  
the natives and he had the unfortunate job of having to dispose of  
them.   He reported that the natives were in a reasonable frame of  
mind and they had been told to go slow and that their Penghulus  
would issue the necessary instructions.     He brought two or three  
of the Penghulus back with him and I explained that I wanted nothing  
doing except scouting patrols covering the whole of the Rejang area  
and working towards the coast in the direction of Tatau and Bintulu  
thereby linking up with the scouts which were employed by Sgt. Abu  
Kassim from Belaga.    The next four days were spent waiting for the  
second insertion - the aircraft arrived on time together with  
Lt. Baker and two others of the party, also Major Tom Harrison,  
who had come down via Labuan to confer with me on the possibility  
of his troops working around the back of Sarawak down towards the  
lower Rejang area.   This plan I suggested was too premature and to  
wait until such time as we were within definite contact with Sibu  
when I may have addition patrols working in the Ulu Rejang.  
The following day we packed our stores and moved down river.   We  
arrived at Sungei Sama and had only been there a matter of 24 hours  
when another Catalina brought in more personnel and equipment.  
Amongst these was Capt. Astill, who was employed xxxxxx pre-war by  
the Sarawak Oilfields in the Miri area.   It was decided to send  
Barry and Baker with six volunteers to have a reconnoitre of  
Kapit as we heard that a few Japs were in quarters there.  
The locals said only seven, but this figure we could not be certain  
of and it was decided that we had better find out for ourselves.  
Before they proceeded an airstrike was called for giving certain  
targets which had been reported to us particularly where the Japs  
were living and this was considered more preferable than using one 

...two of the ex constabulary plus volunteers to annihalate the small  
force at Kapit.   Unfortunately after the airstrike the local Dyaks had  
taken the law into their own hands and although they did a good job  
of work in killing the local Japs, unfortunately they had also carried  
out a looting campaign and caused considerable damage to Government  
and other property.   Unfortunately one of the bazaars was burned down  
this was due to one of the aircraft attempting to strike its target,  
the wireless station, by loosing a spare petrol tank and setting fire  
to it - the tank bounced off a wireless mast stay, fell against a small  
leaf hut caught fire and the wind being in the wrong direction carried  
the flames on to the wooden bazaar and was burned to the ground within  
a very short time.   When we heard this news I decided that Barry and  
Baker should proceed at once to reconnoitre the areas and check as to  
possible Jap reprisals, as no doubt they would do xxxxxxxxxx having heard  
that quite a force of 100 were at Song where they were putting down a small  
rising due to the Katibas dyaks preaking into the Song Government store  
and stealing rice and other commodities.   Baker and Barry arrived  
in Kapit and were welcomed by the Chinese and Malay communities and were  
given a great reception. They felt that they must remain in Kapit once  
they had arrived although the move was premature. They realised that had  
they left the natives would immediately take the view that they were  
losing the support of the Europeans.   At about 5 p.m. scouts came up the  
Rejang river from the direction of Song and informed Baker that a Japanese  
launch was proceeding up stream and would arrive somewhere around midnight.  
It was decided that they must stand fast and an ambush was arranged at  
Government landing stage.   This was decided upon after a lengthy  
discussion, taking them quite a while to discover from the natives as  
to the general Jap movements as to where they pulled up or came alongside  
at the Govt. wharf or proceeded higher up stream to the headquarters of  
of the Japs.   No doubt this boat was intended to reconnoitre the area  
and to find out exactly how the trouble had arisen at Kapit.   Baker  
and Barry had a very small party with them - six armed volunteers plus  
a whole band of local Dyaks armed with parangs and spears.  
It was decided that the tw Europeans with sub maching guns and three  
grenades each should lie in wait about 15ft. from the wharf and that the  
volunteers should take up positions behind them that with a goodfield  
of fire on a higher slope firing over the heads of Baker and Barry.  
At about midnight the launch came alongside - orders were given previously  
that nobody should open fire until Baker opened up with his sub machine  
gun. Everybody waited in complete silence and as soon as the launch  
was tied up alongside the whart they opened up with everything they  
possessed. The fire was returned and things became a little hot, where upon  
the hand grenades were used and silenced the Jap party.   The launch  
broke away from the wharf and drifted down stream.   After about half-an- 
hour it was decided that the party should set an all night watch, Baker  
and Barry would return the following day to give necessary information.  
About 1.30 in the morning, the soundof another launch coming upstream  
was heardand this time it was decided owing to the shortness of  
ammunition the only thing that could be done was to make a discreet  
withdrawal.   Fortunately a heavy mist hung over the river and a sinking  
prahu was discovered and the small party made good its escape across  
river by using anything in their possession as paddles i e. rifle buts 
tin helmets and so on.    They reported back to me the following morning  
having paddled all night and I immediately decided that a river block  
should be put on at K. Baley in the event of further Japs passing  
Kapit and making for the Baleh river endeavouring to carry out reprisals  
against the local Dyaks, whom they must about this time suspected of  
causing the damage.   The local populace at Kapit had been told to clear  
out and get into the interior as far as possible and to wait our return  
which would be in the course of the next day or so if all was well.  
During this time I received news from Belaga and Sgt. Abu Kassim was  
asking for support in that area. I decided that tired as Barry was, it  
was essential that a man who was respected and had by this time a fair  
knowledge of the area, should be sent, and unfortunately he was the  
only man I could spare. I told him that this would only be for a matter  
of a few days until further personnel came in and he would be recalled and  
proceed down the Rejang with me as originally intended.  Baker, I sent  
back with Capt. Courtney and Capt. Astill to confirm form a block on  
the Baleh and give instructions that we would proceed to join them as  
soon as the next aircraft had arrived.   Two days later an aircraft arrived

and loading our stores on to boats we proceed down stream.   I informed  
the aircraft that with any luck we would be in Kapit in two or three days  
but would confirm this by signal and that they were not to make any attempt  
to land again until such signals were received.   We arrived at Baleh and  
found out that the Japs had the day after the ambush had taken place, sent  
up a force of about 100 setting fire to the Song Bazaar, shooting up  
both banks of the river and calling out asking where the Europeans were.  
They sent for the head Chinese and asked them what the true position was:  
they informed the Japs that there was quite a party of Australians, well  
over 200 strong, supported by 5 thousand Dyaks all fully armed in the Ulu  
Rejang. The Japs had decided to stay in Kapit for three days carrying  
out a thorough investigation collecting what materials they could, including 
wireless gear and would return to Song. They decided after hearing this  
news that the sooner they got out the better. Their stay was 18 hours  
instead of three days.   Before leaving the Japs said that they had xxxx did 
not feel they could hold Kapit in any case and that they intended making  
Song their headquarters;   if this was taken they would retreat to Kanowit  
and stay there at any cost to protect Sibu from the Rejang side.  
As the Japs had not made any attempt to come back into Kapit I decided to  
push straight on and we arrived there at 6 p.m. just as dusk was falling.  
Patrols were posted and I took a risk of not using river blocks this  
night but would send patrols out first thing tomorrow morning.  
The following morning two patrols consisting of 10 Europeans were sent  
down river to make blocks - one on each side of the river, approximately  
an hour(s paddle up stream from Song.   Whilst the remainder of the party  
made their headquarters in the old Jap H.Q. and a general scheme of  
patrolling the area was organised.  We had by this time obtained two Piats  
and these were taken by the two river blocks so that if any launch attempted  
to make its way upstream it would immediately be blown out of the water,  
also we obtained two powerful car headlights which we ran off 6volt 
batteries and these were handed out to the blocks and used in the event of  
an emergency for finding the exact position of enemy launches if they  
approached.   The following day we consolidated our position in Kapit - 
ground pits being dug and general arrangements being made in case of an  
extensive counter attack by the Japs.   Local scouts were amployed in  
patrolling jungle areas on both banks so as to prevent infiltration from  
Song.   A Catalina landing strip was found to be practicable right opposite  
the old Government Fort and if a signal had been sent informing headquarters  
that we were safe and well established in Kapit, a Catalina arrived bringing  
the Commanding Officer, more personnel and stores.   This remained our  
headquarters for a considerable period and Lt. Hume was given the  
responsibility of training the local volunteers who had come in in no  
uncertain figures since our occupation;  in fact we finished up at Kapit  
with a force of 450 strong, fully armed and equipped, consisting of ex  
constabulary, local Dyaks, Malays and Chinese.  It was during thisperiod  
that an airstrike was called at Song to endeavour to winkle the Japs out  
and we discovered that the paramount chief of the Dyaks, Tomanggang Koh,  
was being held by the Japs at Song as a hostage.   The only thing to do to  
prevent the loss of this powerful personage, was to try a   bluff which  
succeeded - this was a letter was written and taken by a volunteer to Koh  
stating that his wife was on her death bed, that all his pigs were dying,  
xxxx some peculiar disease and that half his village was down with sickness.  
Little did we think that this would work, but for some unknown reason  
the Japs believed the story and Koh was allowed to proceed up river.  
The airstrike was called for - considerable damage was done, but it had not  
dislodged the Japs.   It was then decided that an ambush must be pulled and  
W.O. Embah, an old serving member of the constabulary, was in charge of a  
party of 12 of the regular force who linked up with the river block on the  
true right bank and I gave them my orders to stand by in reserve and an  
informer was sent to the Jap camp at Song informing them that a party of  
200 Australians plus 2,000 Dyaks were indeavouring to make their way round  
the back of Song to catch them in the rear. 

14.  
I informed H.Q. that I had sent the Japanese another  
ultimatum and I received a reply telling me to stop sending  
useless ultimatums.   Knowing that H.Q. had not a clear picture  
of the position in which we were in, I sent a further signal  
asking H.Q. for permission to move into Sibu,   The reply to this  
was "be patient and stay where you are".   This was an impossible  
position to be in as I could not see how any object could be  
achieved, with  xmy forward xxxx patrols being stationed around the Sibu  
perimeter, and being fired on whenever they made contact with the  
Japanese,  unless some decisive action was taken.
We moved into Salim thereby enabling us to be in closer  
contact with the forward patrols, and here I received not only  
a reply to the useless ultimatum but also a bag of sweets from  
the Japanese Commander who sent his kindest greetings and hoped  
that I would enjoy the sweets. He informed me in his message  
that he had no orders from Kuching to surrender, and there was  
little he could do about it.   I sent a reply saying that it was  
useless for him to carry on fighting, and seeing that neither he  
nor I had official permission to meet that it would be far better  
if we had an unofficial meeting, to discuss the position.    I  
told him that I with four of my officers  (this of course was all  
I had) would meet him at Bukit Lima the following morning at  
10a.m.  I was fortunate in getting a man to volunteer to take this  
message through the Japanese lines,and I moved down to within  
400 yards of their lines  that evening together with a small  
force of our irregular troops.    That evening I received a reply  
from the Commander confirming our meeting place, and he told me  
that the whole thing would be completely off the map and that he  
would come with his officers carrying a Japanese flag and that I  
should carry the Union Jack.    Not having a Union Jack I decided 
to carry the Sarawak flag.   He also sent me a watch with the  
correct Japanese time - they were working on Japanese time - which  
he had synchronised so as to make certain that we would meet at  
the correct moment.  
[*silly*] 
The following morning I held a conference with my officers  
and told them that the wholee of this business was just a bluff  
on our part, considering the Japanese were still prepared to  
fight and had a matter of close on 400 troops in Sibu, and that  
they must be prepared to back me up in any decision which I made  
on the spot, with the Jap Commander.  They were unaanimous and gave  
me their full support as of any action I was likely to take.  
At about 9.45 a.m. we left H.Q., I,Dr. Stokes, Leiut Lambert  
Leiut MacCullan and Lt. Hume who carried the banner. Needless to  
say we checked our arms before leaving and made certain that our  
automatics were fully cocked, not having the faintest idea of  
what would happen in the course of the next hour.    We went through  
the rubber gardens and approached Bukit Lima and in the distance  
we could see two cars, quite a number of Japanese under arms and  
a table covered with white silk, drawn up across the path at the  
junction of the Bukit Lima Rice Mill.   On approaching the Japanese  
party they sprang smartly to attention and saluted.   I had Lambert  
on one side of me and McCullen on the other.   Pip Hume with his  
flag was covered by Dr. Stokes.   I returnedthe salute and the  
Japanese immediately held out his hand.   I was in a bit of a  
deilemma whether to acknowledge this or not, but considering that  
this was entirely a meeting between two selves/, and not an  
official occasion, also bearing in mind the fact that they could  
call our bluff at any time they wanted to I accepted his handshake  
which must have felt for him rather like a bit of wet fish, anyway,  
this achieved its object.  
We were asked to sit down and I was immediately approached  
as to what I wanted.  I informed the Japanese Commander that it  
was useless to carry on fighting, that the surrender had taken  
place, and if he persisted in carrying on, I had no other option 

15.  
  
and if he carried on 
than to take the law into my own hands and see that the Garrison  
surrendered either by passive means or otherwise.   The Japanese  
Commander stated that he had only been in Sibu for 10 tdays having  
been transferred from Bintulu and that the matter would have to be  
fully discussed and it would be far better if I would agree to take  
my party into Sibu and discuss the matter at his   H.Q.  there.   I  
made an instant decision realizing that the it was still a game of  
bluff and that seeing that we had started so well it would be a pity  
not to see the thing through, although at the back of my mind I  
could not help but realize what could happen to my party if he, the  
Commander decided to change his tune, with his 350 fully armed troops  
behind him.       We were shown into two cars I sat in the front of  
the first, in front of the Japanese Commander, and two other officers  
were also in the back also accompanied by a Japanese Officer.   The  
remainder of he party were in the second car.  
We proceeded along the Bukit-Lima road and one could not help  
but notice the signs of desolation, the complete lack of maintainance  
of roads and buildings.    It was amazing to see the few local  
inhabitants that were about and it was not until we cross the  
mission bridge and along into the market area that we noticed any  
signs of life although the Japanese were to be seen in every  
direction.    The damage done by our air-craft was not so bad as  
I expected although the straffing carried out by the R.A.A.F. under  
my instructions was fairly accurate.    The residency had been burnt  
out by fire, all the targets which had been specified had been  
hit and it was a pity, although it could not have been avoided to see  
the amount of damage by machine-gun fire to Sibu Club.    It was  
difficult to recognise certain of the small roads along which we  
passed owing to the fact that everything was more or less completely  
over-grown.    Eventually we arrived at the C.O's H.Q. which pre- 
war was the Sarawak steamship Company's bungalow, we entered the  
house and were asked to sit down.    On noticing that the Japanese  
removed their coats and weapons we did likewise just slipped our  
web equipment and kept it fairly handy in case of an emergency.  
Lt. Noda the Japanese Commander then made apologies for him  
being of such a low rank meeting an officer of Field rank of the  
British Army to discuss the matter of surrender.    He asked me what  
conditions I wanted and I told him that by 4.p.m. he was to have  
all his troops off the mainland and contained on Sibu Island.    That  
my troops would be responsible for gaurds on both the Bridges and  
the Causeway that he would be responsible for protecting all arms and  
equipment on Sibu Island.     That he would meet me at 9 the following  
morning and sign the terms of surrender and would have in his  
possession ready to be handed over a complete list in detail of all  
arms, equipment ammunition etc. in the Sibu area, that he would  
leave 90% of his total arms behind him, 10% which he would xxx hold  
for personal protection.    That he would order all his troops on  
board the ships he had at his disposal and leave for Kuching at  
9.30 a.m.    All this he agreed to do.    I made a rough draft of  
the surrender terms and he sent them off to be typed. Three copies  
were signed he keeping one, I the original and one to file.  
After discussing local points I decided it might be a good  
thing to walk around the town and let what few inhabitants there were  
about see us, as having learnt by bitter experience in the past it  
would be far better for them to see us in person that hear false  
rumours which might lead to looting or vandalism on the part of the 
Dyaks.  
It was rather interesting to note the look of amazement on  
several Japanese faces when for the first time they realised that  
the allied troops was in Sibu when they saw us entering their quarters 
with their own commanding officerz. 

  
16.  
  
After a general look around I decided to visit the Hospital, this  
was found to be in a disgusting condition.   We then got into  
the cars and proceeded back to Bukit-Lima there to see the first  
of our orders being carried out namely the evacuation of troops  
from the mainland.  
At 4 p.m. I proceeded with Dr. Stokes to the Mission  
bridge there to see the last of the Japanese moving on to the  
Island and to watch the posting of our own sentries.   The last  
of the Japanese moved over the bridge where the Japanese  
Commander took the salute of his troops and watched the first  
of ours approaching, led by Lt. Lambert.   I have never known  
anyone to be in such a rage as what Noda was when he saw our  
troops, they were indeed a a ragtail and bobtail outfit, all  
carried rifles, but as to uniform some worse shirts and xxx 
chawats, others just shorts and others chawats only, still  
they were good fighters and definitely not a case of clothes  
making the man.   A minor incident may have arisen through over- 
exuberance a Chinese who had come back into the area managed to  
find a packet of chinese crackers, and these he let off at the  
tail of the Japanese column. This caused quite a little consternation  
as both the Japs and some of our fellows thought the war had  
started again.  
That night I stayed at the Borneo Co's house andafter  
a final visit of the gaurds turned in and hoped for the best the  
following morning.   At 9a.m.we proceeded to the Mission bridge  
and there found the Japanese Commander and we both proceeded  
to the steamship wharf where the surrender was to take place  
officially.   It was amazing that in this short space of time  
how the news had travelled and how so many people could possibly  
get back and re-occupy the town.   Flags, both Chinese and  
Sarawak and a few American and Union Jacks were to be seen  
flying from the various shop-house windows, presumably these  
had either been hidden or buried during the Japanese occupation.  
On arrival at the steamship wharf we found that the last  
of the Japanese was on board and ready for sailing, the Japanese  
Commander surrendered formally to me and handed the list of  
his stores which were being left behind.   I was rather  
amazed and took it as a compliment when he handed me his own  
personal sword which he asked me to keep as a token of respect.  
This I might add is one of my most treasured possessions.   He  
boarded the boat and set sail down the Igan evidently not  
risking the Rajang branch of the river on account of Barrie's  
party at Binatang.   Thus on the 17th of September ended xxxx  
Semut 111s, activities having been fighting for 14 days after  
the actual "cease fire" had taken place.    I signalled H.Q.  
at Labuan and told them the full position and was instructed  
to proceed to H.Q. by the next plane. Meanwhile all our patrols  
were re-called Kearney and party from Simanggang, Barrie and  
party from Sarikei, Astell with his long trek from Belaga 
Oldham from Long-Nawan, Baker from Tatau, Abu Kassim from  
Tubau and our outlying patrols around Sibu itself.    We stared 
On their arrival we started paying off the troops and collecting  
all arms and equipment which had been used by them.    We  
handed all gear etc. over to B.B.C.A.U. and prepared our  
reports and waited extraction.    This did not take place until  
October 13th, thus having been in the field just on 6 months .  
During this period Semut 111 was responsible for killing ,  
as a conservative figure, at least 350 Japanese, recaptured  
just on 30,000 Sq. miles of territory and did not suffer  
a single casualty amongst its personnel consisting of 35  
English and Australian troops, and 450 irregular troops.