Strange Encounters in Burma

In 1944 I joined one of the 17 units being formed to direct aircraft onto targets; each unit consisted of an Army Officer to talk to the Army and an RAF Officer to deal with the pilots of the attacking aircraft. There were also 3 other ranks including a really good Wireless Operator. In the case of 17 VCP, as it was called, I was the Army man with Bully Brunt to speak for the RAF. The idea was that when the Infantry met serious resistance, they could call for an air strike through us. Bully and I would then go forward in our Jeeps with the radio sets. Having ascertained the target I would give the Mortar Boys a six figure map reference and ask them to put down a white smoke mortar bomb. When I saw the smoke I would relay corrections until I was satisfied that we were on target. Bully meanwhile would get the aircraft into a good position and ask for coloured smoke in 15 seconds. I would relay this to the Mortars and hopefully it would land on or very near the target. Bully would now guide the Pilot onto the target using the coloured smoke. The if requested Bully would ask the Pilot for a dummy run so that as the plane roared in, the Japanese would take cover which gave our troops the time to attack without being fired on.

On one such attack, as the plane was leaving, the Pilot said to Bully, “I know that voice… who are you?” When they had identified themselves to each other Bully told me that they had served in the UK in the same Squadron and he also told me the Pilot’s present squadron number and as soon as he gave the number I recognised it and said “That’s my brother’s squadron.” Ask him if he knows a Sgt. Rupert Richardson and back came the reply, “Sure I know Ricky very well, the best ‘fitter’ in the show.” Bully then gave me the mike and I sent all the usual messages. The Pilot then flew off waggling his wings in salute. I remember thinking it so strange that Rupert and I had been thousands of miles apart and now it was only about 40 miles. Rupert was in Singapore and after the RAF had been destroyed everyone was transferred to Java Sumatra and finally to Burma.

On another occasion we were ‘going out’ when there was a hold-up on the narrow little road. When we eventually got to the cause of the trouble we found the road was obstructed by a jeep and I screamed out ‘John’. It was my long standing friend. Before the war we were in the same TA Unit and we worked in the same office of The Bank. I was just able to shout “you okay?” and he replied, “No, they have shot two tyres,” and we waved frantically.

Bully, Rupert and John Fielding all survived the war but sadly are now dead but not forgotten.

The very first night we spent at HQ, as we were having breakfast, a man came in and an English Officer called out “Morning Yank”, and I recall thinking that was not a nice way to greet an American. Not that is, until I head the full story. Yes he was a Yank and he was also a Conscientious Objector, which meant that he would not carry any arms whatsoever but he was always ready to help his Country. He had a jeep with a two tier bunk on the back and regardless of the danger, whenever required, he would go right up to the front line with a Medical Orderly to bring back the sick and wounded. He must have saved countless lives. He was a man who had earned the admiration of everyone. I then new the greeting ‘Morning Yank’ was an expression of their feelings. I hope he survived!

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