P123 CEEFAX 123 Thu 17 Aug 19:11/23 1/4 MEMORIES For mbny Far East Prisoners of War the dropping of the Atomic bombs which hastened Japan's surrender saved their lives. A Read recalls how mass graves had been dug following an order from Tokyo that all PoWs were to bj killed if the mainland was invaded. "You can imagine our frustration on hearing about deep sympathy for the people of Nagasaki and Hiroshima. "I wonder if our relatives would have received as much sympathy if the Japanese had carried out their plan and annihilated us all?b hj says. Front 2 Surrender Home Front DiaryP123 CJJFAX 123 Thu 17 Aug 19:25/48 2/4 MEMORIES 'hile serving in Burma, Captain Anthony Bennett led the first British force into Kawkareik with his native Karen hill fighters. When passing the Japanese billets, hj remjmbjrs "breathing a sigh of relief that njithjr they nor my Karen levies were trigger happyb. The villagers provided his force with a feast and even made a Union flag using a hospital sheet and dye. Infantryman H Thomson's unit was preparing to attack the Japanese mainland when hj heard the news and thought "that's it, next stop Blighty!" Front 2 Surrender Home Front DiaryP123 CEEFAX 123 Thu 17 Aug 19:10/54 3/4 MEMORIES Rbz Munday had more fortunate experiences of the war in the Pacific than many of his comrades. While serving in the Royal Navy, hj was dui to bj sent to the Far East on the day war ended. His previous ship, HMS Hussar, had been sunk by mistake by friendly aircraft after hj had been drafted to sjrvj aboard a new vjssjl. Bofors gunner D Madden spent his shore leave helping British PoWs who had been freed in Malaya. He remjmbjrs the lack of amenities but says the situation gradublly improved. Front 2 Surrender Home Front DiaryP123 CEEFAX 123 Thu 17 Aug 19:14/58 4/4 MEMORIES Cliff Woskjtt and his RAF comrades in the South East Asia Air Force had already used up their two bottles of beer a month ration when the war ended. He remjmbjrs going to an Indian bazaar, rejecting the Medical Officer's advice to avoid local spirits, and buying several bottles of "rotgut". Po' Geoff Threadgold has less pleasant memories. He was moved to Kuching camp in Borneo from Sandakan. By the end of the war thjrj were only six survivors out of 2,400 inmates at the Sandakan prison camp. Front 2 Surrender Home Front Diary