GENERAL BENNETT WALKS OUT

Dominion, Volume 39, Issue 28, 27 October 1945, Page 7

GENERAL BENNETT WALKS OUT

Inquiry Into Escape From Singapore

(By Telegraph.—Press Assn. —Copyright.> (Received October 26, 9.10 p.m, SYDNEY, OctoberJ6-Lieutenant-General Gordon Bennett and his counsel, Mr B. Clancy, K.C., dramatically walked out of the Army Cour * J. quiry into his escape from Malaya, soon after it opened at Victoria public barred fro„ rhe barracks, Mr. Clancy challenged the constitution of the Court. General Bennett and Mr. Clancy then picked op there paper. strode from the room- The Court continued rts rnqurry w.th he utmost secrecy. It is not known whether General Bennett s with drawal is being discussed or not. . . . , n Later, General Bennett, in a long statement giving in detail the circumstances of his escape from Singapore B “ bseqUe £ treatment in Australia, .aid eonstde.ed . wouHnot P bZd. be parties to the investigation, and therefore withdrew.

He also made the following points: He remained with his division till 14 hours after hostilities had ceased. He had not obtained the permission of the commander-in-chief in Malaya, Lieut-enant-General Percival, to escape, since General Percival had surrendered unconditionally and therefore had relinquished his authority. It was a standing army order and a long-established principle that the duty of every soldier was to escape if possible. Tile members of his staff knew of his intention to escape and wished him luck. Not one even hinted that he should not leave. It was his duty to return to Australia with all the information he had acquired, and thus continue the fight.