AUDIO - John Birkett Harris recounts his experience in Far East
John Birkett Harris
British officer served with B Troop, 89th Bty, 35th Light Anti-Aircraft Regt, Royal Artillery in Dutch East Indies, 1/1942-3/1942 and POW in Tanjong Priok POW Camp in Java, Dutch East Indies, Changi POW Camp in Singapore and Kuching POW Camp, Sarawak, Borneo, 1942-1945
Content description
REEL Recollections of operations as officer with B Troop, 89th Bty, 35th Light Anti-Aircraft Regt, Royal Artillery in Dutch East Indies, 1/1942-3/1942: voyage aboard Empress of Japan from GB to Dutch East Indies; deployment to Talangbetutu Airfield (P1) on Sumatra; Japanese air attacks and ammunition shortages; successes against Japanese aircraft; landing of Japanese parachutists; retreat to Palembang; fate of other anti-aircraft batteries; voyage to Batavia, Java and deployment to Andir Airfield at Bandung; receiving news of surrender, 8/3/1942; further details of personnel and units involved in actions in Dutch East Indies. REEL 2 Aspects of period as POW in Tanjong Priok POW Camp in Java, Dutch East Indies, Changi POW Camp in Singapore and Kuching POW Camp, Sarawak, Borneo, 1942-1945: voyage from Tanjong Priok POW Camp, Java to Singapore, 9/1942; reception on arrival at Changi POW Camp; work on airfield at Kuching, Sarawak, Borneo; separation of POW officers and other ranks and role of NCOs in maintaining discipline; opinion of author James Clavell; camp conditions; return to GB via New Zealand; contact with former POWs; post war activities and effects of imprisonment; story of racehorse trainer and former POW Bill Whiteman; presence of flag from Kuching POW camp in Oxford Church.