One of the recovered prisoners in the Wewak area was Jemadar Chint Singh of the 12th Frontier Force Regiment, formerly a member of 19 Indian Working Party, recovered at Auzoranu on the Sepik on 30 September 1945. [1] He had not only survived captivity, but was the only survivor of a plane-load of 18Indian prisoners who had been aboard a Dakota transport which crashed on take-off at Rabaul.
In January 1946 Chint Singh wrote a letter of appreciation for the treatment he had received at the hands of the 6th Division. Captain V.J.T. Sharpe of 2 Military History Field Team wrote to , attached HQ First Army, 6 February 1946 to Lieutenant Colonel J.L. Treloar, head of the Military History Section recommending that the letter be retained. Singh, he wrote had been "a particular friend of everybody’s at 6 Div and his gesture of farewell is I think something for the Aust[ralian] Forces to be proud of."
Farewell to the Aust. 6th Division
Today the 13th Jan 1946, I find myself the luckiest man in the world, who worked here for 2 1/2 years as a P.O.W and for 3 months as a free man in the free world – which was full of terror and darkness when my contact ceased with it.
To the best of my knowledge 201 Indian Ps.O.W were rescued from time to time in the New Guinea Campaign by the 6th Aust Div, (later on 10 died in the plane crash, leaving only 191 the survivors out of 3000 – who were brought by the Japanese at Wewak on 16th May 1943) are greatly indebted to the Australian Forces. We were suffering from terrible diseases and there was no hope of life – at this hour of our calamity, the Division worked as Angels for us. We were fed, clothed and looked after in the hospitals and in camp by doctors, Nurses and the camp staff, to them we owe our lives. Every member of the Div shared with our miseries and helped us, pleased us in this wilderness, where we had no hope to live.
Today I feel very happy that the Almighty Father has fulfilled my ambitions – i. To take the right retribution with those who are responsible for the death of 2800 Indians. ii, To tell the world about the fate of 3000 Indians who went under so many privations and lost their lives. (iii) To see Australia where I am flying today. But I feel sorry at the recollection of my comrades who had the same ambitions and we together used to make schemes for the visit to Australia. The bad luck did not favour and only a few got this opportunity.
The sympathy, love and affection shown by the every individual of the Div will always be with us and we and our countrymen will be very proud of it.
With all the best wishes for the many years to come and hoping that the friendship of your country and India will continue for all the time.
Jem. Chint Singh [2]
Notes
1. Chint Singh’s letter was photographed as Neg no. 101095. The official war artist R. Rowed also completed a drawing of him, ART25268
2. 13/1/46 AWM 54, 779/1/20, "Letter from Jemedar [sic] Chint Singh (Indian Officer, ex P.O.W. of Japanese at Wewak) to 6th Australian Division."
Indian POWs:
Overview text Longer text Readings Captured Indian units Indian National Army Indian POW mortality Indian POWs war crimes Jemadar Chint SinghClick images to enlarge.
AWM 098708
AWM 098105
AWM 101095
AWM 099771
