Force 136 February 1, 2008
Posted by dawnyeow in Force 136.add a comment
Hello everyone! I have summarized my research and came out with my final draft
• Force 136, created on March 16th 1944 by Special Operation Executive, was a British paramilitary organization set up in India and Ceylon,
• Its objectives were to gather important information on enemy movement, organize local underground resistance groups and disrupt enemy communication and supply lines.
• There were about 50 members in the group which performed acts of sabotage and espionage (spying) against the Japanese. It was also active in more conventional military-style operations behind Japanese lines.
• Force 136 operated in the regions of the South-East Asian Theater of World War II which were occupied by Japan from 1941 to 1945.
• Although the top command of Force 136 was British officers and civilians, most of those it trained and employed as agents were natives to the regions in which they operated. British, Americans or other Europeans could not operate clandestinely (secretly) in cities or populated areas in Asia, but once the resistance movements engaged in open rebellion, Allied armed forces personnel who knew the local languages and peoples became invaluable for liaison(link) with conventional(conservation) forces.
• Members of Force 136 normally operated in groups of 8, with each being a specialist in his party. Besides the No. 1 and No 2. Commanders, there were 2 demolition experts, a wireless operator, a coder/decoder and two Gurkhas scouts. Each man has his own assignment and it was most important that everyone operated as a team, because the success of the operation depended solely on it.
• The 1950 movie, “Bridge over the River Kwai,” gave a good description of what the Para-military personnel of Force 136 did. The movie showed not only how the mission was carried out in blowing up the “ bridge” but depicted the type of training these men received and the difficult task they had in hiking through thick jungle, back packing heavy loads of plastic explosives, radio transmitters and food supplies, to reach their target without being detected.
• It was also important not to get caught by the enemy, as it would mean certain painful death. To avoid capture and use under pressure by the Japanese, members were issued 2 fatal pills, when chewed on will kill within seconds.
• At war’s end in South East Asia, the role and duties of Force 136 were changed. They were instructed to control the immediate disengagement of the Japanese army in their respective areas prevent the guerrilla(rebel) groups from taking revenge on the Japanese surrendering troops, and care for the released Allied prisoners of war until the arrival of Allied forces.
• Force 136 disbanded in 1946 when the war was over, but tales of its members’ heroic acts and bravery are legendary, and live on till this day. Although they were small in number, their contribution played a big role in the outcome of the war in South East Asia and they were given high recognition by the British and Canadian government at the end of the war.
Thank you.
