Prisoner's of war letters

The previous page was: "42 Cdo Memorial Fund"

This is a copy of a letter from LCpl Aubery B Chappell to LCpl Doug Meachen containing details of his movements and capture after the raid on Elizabeth Island on 4th November 1944. LCpl Chappell was released from a Japanese POW camp at the fall of Rangoon.

Both men were serving in 42 Cdo RM in the last part of the war. being written soon after the events in question, 22nd May 1945, this letter gives a very stark and graphic personal picture of the events described. This letter is reproduced exactly as written.

Captured on Raid off Burmah 1944

By

Aubrey Chappell 22.5.45

L/Cpl A Chappell ExPOW, 134 IBGH (BT),

Trimulgherry, India Command

Hello Doug, Like the bad penny I have turned up once again, having spent a few hectic months with honourable yellow faced B---, but despite a number of beatings and acts of toughness by these imbeciles I am in fairly good shape.

I was fed daily in pukka Rajah style, a few spoonfuls of boiled rice in a rusty tin (the height of luxury). I couldn't grumble because I had a room all to myself (yeah, a crumby dark cell), they kept me in solitary all the time, no smokes, in fact no love no nothing.

Well Pal I don't intend to bore you with the happenings at the Rangoon Mansion House, instead I will give you the dope on my dissapearance, I fully realise it must have been a complete mystery to the members of our little party.

It happened like this: During our march across the island back to the point of re-embarkation you may recall a number of figures were seen in a paddy field, as they were spotted so came an order to me - "Down"! I immediately went to ground and took a sight on them with the Bren, and awaited further orders. Incidently one of our party went to cover on my right - at least that was my opinion at the time, but after waiting some time and receiving no further order I crawled round to what I thought was the other fellows position, only to find it was a sheltered track leading down to the path. At this stage I realised that you must be well on the way to the beach and I started off at good speed endeavour to reach you before you pushed off but unfortunately I ran into a number of men who were in the undergrowth on either side of the path. I dived for cover and kept low for quite a time.

42 Cdo Memorial Fund

Headed for the rendezvous

I eventually made my way to the spot where we landed, I looked round hoping somebody had thought to leave a few rations behind, but no such luck so I made my way to the rendezvous and had a little sleep. The next day I made a complete tour of the island hoping to get some valuable information, to find out all I could before the evening when I fully expected to be picked up in the manner arranged. So passed the first day, night came and there was no sign of a rescue party. I didn't bother a great deal because I thought maybe it was too much to expect of them so early and I consoled myself with the thought that there were still three more nights.

My second day on the island was a real eventful one. I made my way to a water hole, had a drink and then rested in the near vicinity. I took my equipment off for the first time, suddenly there was a hell of a noise in a bush behind me and I swung round like lightening with my Colt at the ready but there was no sign of anybody. But my movement had given away my position to a Burmese woman who had come for water. seeing me she ran off at top speed, naturally my first thought was to change my position, so I made my way to the point where we had landed because I had figured they would not expect to find me there, because the Japs had spent quite a while searching that area the day before. I found a decent bit of cover near a little stream and not having slept the previous night it was not long before I found myself dozing. I must have been there about two hours when I was disturbed by a crackling sound, I was soon awake with the gun at the ready - lucky for me because not more than 20 yds from me I counted eleven Japs beating the undergrowth in a thorough search for me. I did the only thing possible, (no, I have made a wrong statement) I should say I had to act and think fast, my first action was to open fire on them, to hold them up and so give me time to think out my next move. As soon as I open fire they kicked up all hell of a noise, all of them seemed to be giving orders, and then they almost surrounded me leaving the stream as my only exit. They returned fire, I of course kept as low as possible and they themselves were in as much danger from their own fire as I was. I then figured it was time to use my grenades and I slung them but I am afraid they had no effect. he Japs retaliated, I counted 17 grenades, from which I was only hit with five pieces, the largest about the size of a sixpence - all of which were on the left side of my body (I am awaiting an X-ray because the biggest piece is still inside).

Marine beats the Jap to the draw

Well doug, it was just after I had been hit that I sensed danger behind me and I turned just in time to see one of the Japs coming on aim. Luckily I had my .45 and I beat him to it. After that I thought to myself "Imust make a bid for it", so I gave a few spasmodic bursts and at the same time wriggled into the stream. I crossed it and made my way to the dense undergrowth, I had about a ten yard stretch to cross, and did I keep low? I can assure you it was no Marine's crouch!

I made my way round to the rear of them and back onto the hill that was the rendezvous, and for a good 20 mins after I had left my position they were still firing. (This may all sound fantastic but I give you my word of honour it is absolutely true.) For quite a time I could hardly realise my good fortune.

The next narrow escape I had was on the fourth day. The search party had given up their search owing to the heavy rain and they passed right beneath my hiding place which was on an out-jutting piece of rock covered by an overhanging tree. They were so close I could have touched them as they passed. My only regret was my Bren had ceased (sic) up owing to the mud and rust - you see I had no means of cleaning it.

No signs of a rescue party arriving

The fourth night passed with still no signs of a rescue party, so on the fifth day I decided to leave the island. I figured it was getting too warm for me. If you remember, at the landing point there was sampan. Well I managed to launch it and with the aid of a small slat of wood I set off. I wasn't doing to bad untill it started to rain and the sea became choppy and the sampan was under water all but two inches. It rained all night and instead of propelling the boat along I had to spend the time scooping the water out with my beret and allowing the boat to drift anywhere. At dawn the rain ceased, but it was still very choppy and the waves were breaking over the side of the sampan. This continued throughout the day, I felt dead tired but dare not relax in my scooping out process owing to a not-so-friendly shark being in close attendance. After a time the shark dissapeared and I had brighter hopes, two of our aircraft passed directly overhead, I waved my tunic frantically - again no luck. That evening I struck land, and with a vengeance, the sampan was bashed against some rocks and smashed. I was again lucky I received only slight scratches about my feet and legs, but I had lost my best friend (the Colt .45) so I was now completely unarmed. I also lost my tunic and one boot (I was only wearing my trouses whilst in the sampan). I managed to grab one boot as the boat overturned.

When I got ashore the ground seemed to come up and hit me so I made my way to a fallen tree and tried to sleep, but my trouses were of course saturated and the insects were making a meal of me so it was by no means a comfortable night. Morning came and I had two thoughts in mind "Are there any Japs here?" and "Is there any food?" Well Doug for five days I tramped this island and found no food, and boy was I hungry - it was almost ten days and all I had eaten was a meagre ration in the celluloid packet. On the fifth day I was feeling rather depressed because I had not seen no sign of life and I figured my end was very near. I thought of the wife and kiddy and folk at home and began to wonder what kind of death starvation would turn out to be. I was annoyed at having lost my Colt. If it had been in my possession at the time I should undoubtedly used it. Right now I thank God that I did lose it.

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Whilst there is life there is hope

After a time I thought of the old saying "whilst there is life there is hope" so I carried on and that evening I came across a Burman fishing. He was about waist high in water, he spotted me and immediately made his way to the beach and legged off. I gave chase and eventually he reached his home, the sight of which gave me new life. I approached cautiously and asked for food, his wife gave me some water and whilst I was drinking the fellow and his daughter left in a hurry. A few minutes later the old girl gathered her belongings and she left. My hunger had got the better of me and I helped myself to some boiled rice and scouted around for what other food I could find. At this instant three Burmen came on the scene armed with knives and beckoned me over. I obeyed and was told to follow them, which I did and after walking two miles I was handed over to about twenty Japs.

That is how I became a prisoner, at a later date I will give you a story of the happenings in Rangoon Prison, believe me it would fill a book. I will also tell you of our liberation and how the Japs tried to get us across to Siam.

In the meantime, Doug, please inform Major Davis of my safety and let him know the above story. Give my regards to all and you can tell them I have heard of their exploits and I am really proud to have been associated with men who have mad such a good account of themselves and I wish them one and all good luck in their undertakings.

One other thing please send me your home address and also Charlie's. Tell him I have some stories to beat his - and they are all true ones.

Cheerio Pal

God Bless you and all "42"

Editor's Note: The second part of this letter has no 'top' or 'bottom'; it is just entitled "Part II" and relates to his time as a Japanese POW from capture to Rongoon. Once again it is produced exactly as written. It may have been written at the same time or sometime later

To follow up and read "Part II" you will need to go to the next Hyperlink below: "Rangoon Mansion House 1944"

Elizabeth Island 1944 Rangoon Mansion House 1944

"Pirates Trilogy" $20