Page 90 - History of War - Issue 01-14

Getty To increase their transport options,
the Japanese converted trucks to
run on Malayan railway tracks.
But their efforts were hampered
by Chapman’s guerrilla campaign

the same aim, of defeating the Japanese. of jungle and rubber seedlings, diffi cult to by rights, their body parts should have been
If the worst happened and Singapore fell, Freddy distinguish in the darkness. When they reached sprayed across the embankment. Sartin had
suggested that the guerrillas might help the the line, they heard men approaching. Freddy put ten pounds of explosives under the outer
British reach the coast to get out to Malaya. If took them for a Japanese patrol and hid with the rail on the bend, and connected the detonating
they did, they could keep whatever arms and others in the long grass beside the track. Some fuse to the pressure switch. He’d had to pack
explosives remained as a reward. The Chinese of the men were wearing broad-brimmed hats this up with stones so that it just reached the
said they would have to consult their Party – they were noisy and seemed very tired, and bottom of the rail, where the weight of a passing
leader about cooperation, but they agreed they they trailed a scent of sour sweat and tobacco train would trigger it. But he’d shoved it too hard
would help with moving stores. They promised behind them. Freddy found the odour “strangely and activated the switch. The percussion cap,
to send a party of 12 Chinese cyclists to Sungei familiar”. He realised that they were British “by the grace of God”, was a dud.
Salak not later than 3pm on 15 February. soldiers still on the loose. He decided not to go Dawn was getting close. They put the rest of
Freddy decided to strike the line north of after them. He might be wrong, he rationalised the explosive on a little girder bridge just south
Tanjong Malim on their next raid on 5 February. – and anyway, there were more of them than of the Behrang station. It took half an hour
A group of iron bridges crossed streams to Leu Kim could cope with. Better to let them go. to put separate charges against the rails and
the south of the station at Kampong Behrang, Freddy helped Sartin put a charge on the line girders, and to connect each one so that they
seven miles up the line from their last raid. The at a curve above an embankment, ideal for a would go off simultaneously as the train tripped
three set off at dusk and made good progress derailment. Harvey kept watch. Suddenly, Sartin the pressure switch. They were still tying the
to the Behrang rubber estate. Two miles of gasped: “Christmas!” The former boy soldier charges in position to stop them being dislodged
rough ground lay between them and the railway. could not bring himself to swear in front of an by vibrations when Freddy thought he heard a
It was a swill of hillocks, streams, and patches offi cer. “You’re lucky men!” Indeed they were: train to the north. They listened. Nothing. Then

Freddy Spencer Chapman's timeline

1941 1942 1943

24 DECEMBER LATE DECEMBER 1 FEBRUARY 13 MARCH 9 JULY DECEMBER
Chapman leaves Kuala Following their mission, Chapman launches his The three men make Chapman and a Royal Chapman is joined by two
Lumpur with two volunteers the men arrive at the guerrilla campaign known a dash for the coast to Navy officer, who has also Special Forces officers,

– Bill Harvey and John prearranged rendezvous as the “mad fortnight”, escape to India, but run escaped capture, are led John Davis and Richard
Sartin. Armed with tommy point to meet with British whereby he, Harvey and into a Japanese patrol by Chinese guerrillas to Broome, who have landed
guns, hand grenades and forces, only to discover Sartin will creep through on the way. Harvey and a new camp. On the way, in Malaya to coordinate
explosives, their mission they have been left behind, the jungle night after night Sartin are captured, they encounter a truck guerrilla activity for a
is to get behind Japanese assumed dead or missing. to lay explosives designed whilst Chapman retreats of Japanese, who kill the planned Allied invasion.
lines to report back on their to destroy Japanese back into the jungle. Navy man. Chapman throws They work together for over
strengths and weaknesses. vehicles and bridges. two grenades into the a year as a three-man unit,
truck and sprints to safety. training Chinese guerrillas
He spends six months and making contact with
training Chinese rebels. other resistance groups.
90 HISTORY WAR
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