大象传媒

Leaving Durban we ran the gauntlet in a steam packet called the 鈥淜hedive Ismail鈥�. I have probably spelt that wrong after 63 years. It may be over 3 score years but one memory will always stay with me. The ship wa packed with troops and airmen whose only aim in life seemed to be to play cards for money whilst arguing and falling out at regular intervals. Imagine my amazement, however, when just before dawn, the deck rails were absolutely packed with these same troops and airmen, eagerly waiting for the sun to rise over the Equator. Managing to find space on the rail, I was able to share that wonderful sight with them and it was something that will live in my mind for ever.
I think, if my memory serves me, that we called in at Mombasa before finally docking at Bombay on May 12th 1942.
From there followed a 5 day train journey to Calcutta in East Bengal where, on arrival, at 12 noon, we had the opportunity to inspect the platform at Howrah station, which, without food or water, we did until 12 midnight. Much to our relief, we piled into coaches for the final lap of our journey. The name Barrackpore rattled around the coach. This cantonment was 14 miles from Calcutta and we had been warned not to encourage the Indian drivers to race each other. Needless to say, that is exactly what happened. Fortunately, at that time of the early morning, there was not much traffic on the roads. When we arrived at our destination it was agreed that, although the other driver had won, he had cheated as he had driven on the road instead of the grass.
At last, we thought, a hearty meal and then a good sleep. We were quickly disillusioned as the N.C.O informed us that we shouldn鈥檛 have been there at all and we would have to drive back to 鈥淐al鈥� as it became affectionately known. Following about one and a half hours dozing in the coach at Barrackpore, it was about 4 in the morning when we finally arrived at our correct destination to be greeted by some not so friendly cooks who had been awakened to give some breakfast.
This was when I learned my first lesson about life in India. As I carried my mess tin of porridge and Soya bean bangers, the plate was suddenly smashed from my grip to land on the ground whilst the bangers were in the possession of a Kite Hawk ( although that wasn鈥檛 exactly the name they were given), as it perched up in a tree enjoying half my breakfast. I had learned the hard way not to leave food exposed to these scavengers. There followed several months of relative tranquillity interrupted by my 20th birthday which I spent in sick bay with Malaria, not caring if I ever saw 21. I did, however, survive long enough to walk about for 2 weeks with Jaundice before the sick bay called once more.
In typical R.A.F. fashion, our peaceful existence was rudely interrupted by instructions to get packed ready to travel to 鈥淕od Knows鈥�. This was followed by yet another train journey which made our 5 day one seem like a mini trip. This was followed by a short sail up the Brahmaputra and yet another train journey to a place called Dimapur. From there followed a 100 mile road journey to Imphal in the Minapur state.
Having settled in our camp we recommenced our eavesdropping of the Jap radio from our wireless vans. On shifts similar to ships watches, the later shift had developed a habit of shaking our van when they came to relieve us although having been threatened with dire consequences should they not desist. This had, apparently, happened again early one morning. Despite fierce denials, we would not believe that this was not the case until, stepping outside, we felt the earth swaying beneath us. I have never felt so helpless and so sure that there was nowhere to run as I did then. It lasted for about 5 minutes though, and we realised we had experienced an earth tremor. One amateur poet wrote to his wife saying that the trees were doing a romantic rhumba in the moonlight. As it could have given away our location, I doubt if she ever saw it.

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