Escape to Pagan by Brian Devereux Read Free Book Online Page B

tribespeople had never seen planes before. Then the bombers arrived. I pleaded with my mother to drop all we were carrying and run home. But my mother began to pray aloud, she even began picking up all the food items that I had dropped. We then stood rooted to the spot and watched the planes release their deadly cargo.
    â€œThe bombs looked so small and harmless – like toys, they seemed to hang suspended in the sky. None of us had ever experienced bombing before; we just stood still and watched them fall to earth. The raid was soon over and the causalities were light. Another small plane then circled and dropped leaflets that said: ‘Prepare to meet the victorious warrior Gods of Dai Nippon. We will not harm the people of Burma. We are all Asiatic Buddhists. The British have been defeated; the Chinese soldiers are your enemies. If you act honourable, we will give you kindnesses, but if you have anti-Nipponese thoughts, we will give you swords.’ There were lots of other promises; each promise was followed by a threat. The leaflets did nothing to calm our fears of the Japanese.
    â€œReaching home we found that the far end of my beautiful bungalow had been damaged by a bomb, but thankfully nobody was hurt. I was so shocked I could not make up my mind as to what items to take with me.
    â€œVictor, my brother, told us we had six hours to prepare for evacuation to India. We were to take whatever transport available and make our way to the station [Mother never mentioned which station] where we were to catch a train to Myitkyina Airport, then board a plane to India. It all sounded so easy. We were restricted to taking only fourteen pounds of personal belongings each. It broke my heart to leave all my lovely things behind – my wedding gifts, my lovely clothes and shoes; nevertheless I filled a pram with baby clothes and food for you.
    â€œMy brothers Cyril and Victor went off to find transport as we had none. I was still in shock; events had changed so quickly from a happy and normal life to this nightmare. The thought of leaving all our pets and animals behind broke my heart. Sadly all our pets were killed and eaten by the retreating Chinese army.
    â€œCyril and Victor returned with an old truck that had red Chinese characters written on the side but it needed more petrol. All communications in the town had broken down and groups of Chinese troops had been seen nearby. Looting of the Indian shops had begun by the local Shans who were now armed. Both my brothers were keen hunters and were determined to bring at least two weapons each; a sporting rifle and a shotgun. They intended to bury them before boarding the plane to India. They buried the rest of their rifles and ammunition in the garden. Cyril was able to retrieve these weapons with the help of the local Shans one night, during the Japanese occupation.
    â€œMy mother instructed our servants to look after my home and pets until our return; she also paid them their wages and gave them all the remaining foodstuffs including the meat (venison and other game) in the meat-safe and cool store that were filled with ice blocks delivered daily.
    â€œIt broke my heart to watch our dogs being restrained from following the lorry; they seemed to know we would not return. We then drove through the town to the sounds and smells of the alcohol stocks being smashed. To stop the Japanese going wild, we were told.”

    As a man who looks forward to a drink every day, I have sometimes pondered: Would it not make the Japanese even wilder to find all the alcohol had been deliberately destroyed; perhaps not.

    â€œWe joined the convoy assembling at the edge of town. Here we were given more fuel taken from the nearby army dump. Everyone seemed so calm, confidant and well organized. We waited for any latecomers.
    None arrived. Everyone had a good supply of Johnnie Walker. People were walking around with glasses of whisky in their hands, smoking and chatting; in fact