Royal Air Force Commemorative Cover
Escape From South East Asia
World War Two
It was perhaps more difficult than in any other operational area in which British Forces were involved for aircrew to escape or evade capture in Burma, Malaysia and Thailand. Not only was the enemy utterly ruthless in his treatment of would-be escapers, but the physical problems of staying alive and moving through the jungle areas to a point of freedom were almost insurmountable. It was estimated that a fit aircrew having escaped or been shot down would be lucky enough to exist for more than a week or travel more than 50 miles without help. Escape routes on the European pattern were unknown and the general advice given to aircrew was either to stay with the wreckage of their aircraft if it could be seen from the air or make their way to the nearest water course, follow it downstream if possible, and expect help to come to them.
British sponsored clandestine organizations operated in the jungle areas. The best known was FORCE 136, a SPECIAL OPERATIONS EXECUTIVE Detachment (SOE), in action against the Japanese to gather intelligence, train the Free Siamese Movement, supply information on the position of POW camps and to search for and rescue prisoners of war and shot down aircrew. It was supported by No.357 (Special Duties) Squadron of the Royal Air Force commanded in late 1944 to August 1945 by Wing Commander, later
Air Chief Marshal Sir Lewis Hodges, Vice President of the Royal Air Forces Escaping Society.
Special Limited Edition Multi-Signed Cover.
There were 1,260 copies of the variety all of which were signed by Sir Lewis Hodges and the three ex-members of FORCE 136 . . . each signing 420 each. See below for the details of this signed cover. Air Chief Marshal Sir Lewis Hodges KCB CBE DSO DFC, between December 1944 and August 1945 commanded No.357 Special Duties Squadron. The Squadron served six sponsoring units including
Force 136. Among their "passengers" were "Nicky", "Rasmi" and "Noon".
Contains the original information cards as shown
Cover in good condition for it's age (1975) - 50 years of age now
Thailand postage stamp and cancel/PM
COVERS WERE FLOWN FROM THE ROYAL THAI AIR FORCE BASE AT KAMPHAENG SAEN TO THE "BRIDGE OVER THE RIVER KWAI", ALONG THE BURMA SIAM RAILWAY AND OVER PART OF THE AREA WHERE FORCE 136 AND No.357 (SPECIAL DUTIES) SQUADRON OPERATED
Cover Signed By The Following:-
Khun Praphot Paurohitya (Code Name "Noon")
He was a founder member of the Free Siamese element of Force 136, which he joined in 1943. "Noon" was a member of a three man team (Code Name "Coupling") which parachuted into Siam on the 5th December 1944.
The team carried out 58 operations during which they prepared numerous landing grounds and DZs, received and dispatched Agents, Recruits, POW's and Arms, and helped to train the Free Siamese Movement.
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Air Chief Marshal Sir Lewis Hodges KCB CBE DSO DFC
Between December 1944 and August 1945 commanded No.357 Special Duties Squadron.
Vice President of The Royal Air Forces Escaping Society
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