ESCAPE FROM SINGAPORE

Press, Volume LXXXI, Issue 24743, 7 December 1945, Page 5

ESCAPE FROM SINGAPORE

GENERAL BENNETT'S ACCOUNT EVIDENCE GIVEN AT INQUIRY, (Rec. 12.30 a.m.) SYDNEY, Dec. 6. Lieutenant-General Gordon Bennett gave evidence to-day before Mr justice Ligertwood, who is conducting the inquiry into General Bennett's escape from Singapore. General Bennett said he considered that his first duty as soon-as unconditional surrender occurred .wJ-j to escape! Not one word was ever breathed at divisional headquarters about the wisdom or ethics of escaping. Never at any time had he ordered anyone not to escape. It was left to the discretion of the troops. He considered that, in attempting to escape, he had a'loo-to-one chance *of getting through, -but thought it his duty to make an attempt because of information he bad which was vital to the defence of Australia.

Earlier, said General Eennett, General Percival (the British G.'O.C.) had questioned him over the .telephone about rumours .that Australian morale was cracking. He was able to assure General Percival that the Australians were standing fast and their morale was high. ; After he had got the cease-fire order, said' General Bennett, he went to see Major-General C. A. Callaghan, and told him that he wa6 leaving and that General Callaghan would be left in charge of the Australians. "I told him why I was going," said General- Bennett.

Mr B. Clancy (representing General. Bennett): After the cease-fire, what did you expect would happen? General Bennett: I expected the Japsnese to come to my headquarters to take charge of me. So far as the A.I.F. was concerned, I expected that I would be the first one segregated by the Japanese. Decision to Escape

General Bennett related the difficulty experienced in getting a boat, and then in persuading the Chinese crew to sail. After her departure, it was discovered that the junk's course was being set back towards Singapore. One of the passengers was selected to take charge, and the Chinese crew were dumped in the hold. Every day, Japanese planes came over the junk. Replying to Mr Clancy, General Bennett said he had never issued an order that officers were to remain with their men, nor did he ever issue an order forbidding the men to escape. Referring to a cablegram sent to the Australian Government on February 14, General Bennett said that it contained no reference to his intention to escape, because his ultimate decision was not made until just before 8.30 p.m. on February 15. As it "was laid down that it was his duty to escape, there was no need to tell Australia. Under cross-examination by Mr W. R. Dovey, K.C., who is appearing to assist the Commissioner, General Bennett said he realised early in the campaign that the fight was a losing one, and that the ultimate result was inevitable. His intention to escape gradually crystallised in his mind from the end of January. At that time, he realised that Australia was in trouble, and that he could help her. Mr- Dovey: Do you deny that at the end of January you were formulating plans to escape? General Bennett: I was not formulating plans. I was making the decision that if the opportunity offered, I would escape after operations had ceased.

Mr Clancy: Do you suggest that Colonel Thyer was biased in his' evidence?

General Bennett: It is human nature, I suppose, to be that way. I can think of no other reason why he should say that he didn't see me after 6 p.m. on February 15. General Bennett will continue his evidence to-morrow.