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Force 136

April 4, 2016 /

Force 136

Web-mage

“Rumble in the Jungle: The Story of Force 136” was a tribute to the Chinese Canadians who signed up for this dangerous and secretive mission in Southeast Asia during the Second World War. Launched on Saturday, May 14, 2016 were fortunate that some members of this elite group were still alive, and nine of them managed to make it to the opening.

The reason for Force 136.

In late 1941, Japan had entered the Second World War. It quickly invaded and occupied large swathes of Southeast Asia. Many of these areas had once been British, French and Dutch colonies.

Britain was desperately looking for a way to infiltrate the region. They had had some success in occupied Europe when Special Operations Executive (i.e., British intelligence) trained and dropped secret agents into France, Belgium, Holland, etc. The role of these agents was to organize and support local resistance fighters, and help with espionage and sabotage of infrastructure and German supply lines and equipment.

Map of Japanese occupied areas of Asia during WWII

Map of Japanese occupied areas of Asia during WWII

However, Southeast Asia presented some unique challenges to SOE. It was a vast area to cover, with many islands, challenging physical terrain and very diverse populations and languages.

SOE soon realized that Caucasian agents would stand out too much and would struggle to gain local trust. After all, most of the residents of the region held little good will towards their former colonizers.

The British would need an alternative agent. And an alternative strategy to build guerrilla groups.

Scattered throughout the region was a sizeable population of Chinese. Many were vehemently opposed to Japanese occupation and were angry about Japanese aggression in China. The question was how to contact and organize them?

The answer, of course, lay with Chinese Canadians. They could easily blend in to the population. They could speak Cantonese. And there were lots of these men waiting for an assignment.

In the early years of the war, many young Chinese Canadian men had walked into recruitment offices and offered their names. Generally, they were told “we can take your name, but you are not likely to be called up because you are Chinese.” They were shown the door.

Suddenly, they were the perfect recruit and their services were needed. But in a way that would require them to swear to secrecy and face a 50-50 chance of being killed.

Chinese Canadian recruits

Chinese Canadian recruits

Between 1944 and 1945 about 150 Chinese Canadians were recruited and quietly seconded to the British SOE in Southeast Asia. They became known as members of Force 136.

No ordinary training:

The mission of Force 136 members was simple. Get dropped behind Japanese lines; survive in the jungle in small teams with no outside support; seek out and train local resistance fighters; and work with those guerrilla groups to sabotage Japanese equipment and supply lines and conduct espionage.

To do this kind of work would require much more than their basic army training. The men would need to learn commando warfare techniques. Over the course of several months they learned such skills as: stalking; silent killing; demolition; jungle travel and survival (including how to swing from tree to tree); wireless operations; espionage; parachuting; interpretation; and silent swimming.

Swimming was one of their biggest challenges as most Chinese were banned from public pools at the time, so few knew how to swim.

John KoBong and Tom Lock in training

John KoBong and Tom Lock learning to swim silently loaded down with gear.

Besides their gruelling training, the men would have to fight off illnesses (like malaria, dysentery and broken bones), and endure incredible heat, humidity and monsoons.

Ed Lee recalls some of his training.

Ed Lee recalls some of his training.

Eventually, each recruit became a specialist: in demolition, wireless operations or interpretation. In the field, teams were small and generally consisted of no more than eight men: first and second commanders, two demolition experts, a wireless operator, a coder/decoder and two Gurkha scouts.

The First Recruits:

The first group to be formed were 13 hand-picked men who were assigned to a mission with the ominous title: Operation Oblivion. Their initial goal was to go into China, but the Americans vetoed those plans.

Operation Oblivion group.

First of the Force 136 recruits, also known as the Operation Oblivion group.

They endured three-months of exhausting training at a secret, temporary camp at Commando Bay on Okanagan Lake. Training continued in Australia on Fraser Island where the men were attached to the Australian Army.

Later Recruits:

By January 1945, the remaining Chinese Canadians had been recruited. The first of these men were shipped to India via England. Others followed them to India over the next few months. About 15 men were selected to go to Australia to join the Operation Oblivion group.

Chinese Canadians of Force 136 training near Poona, India

Chinese Canadians of Force 136 training near Poona, India

The Operations:

Most recruits were not fully deployed before Japan officially surrendered on August 15, 1945. Some had had the chance to do short trips into occupied territory.

One young Force 136 member in India, Neill Chan of Vancouver, described one of these short missions which was, nevertheless, nerve wracking for him.

neilchan-card

About 14 men found themselves operating behind Japanese lines for several months in Burma, Borneo, Malay and Singapore. Most stayed in the field well into the Autumn of 1945.

They served in missions with codenames such as Operation Galvanic, Operation Humour, Operation Tideway Green, Operation Snooper and Operation Sargeant.

Ernie Louie recalls his days trekking through the jungle

Ernie Louie recalls his days trekking through the jungle

The goals and the resistance groups they contacted varied. Generally, missions ranged from supporting and training local fighters in sabotage activities; to forcing Japanese units to surrender; finding and liberating prisoner-of-war camps; and maintaining order and security post surrender.

Captained by Roger Cheng, these Force 136 men spent several months behind enemy lines in Borneo. (Top, LtoR): Roger Cheng; Norman Lowe; Louie King; Roy Cha; Daniel Shiu.

Five Force 136 men spent several months behind enemy lines in Borneo. (Clockwise from top left): Capt. Roger Cheng; Norman Low; Louey King; James Shiu and Roy Chan.

Captain Roger Cheng took in the very first group of Force 136 Chinese Canadian men. In March, 1945 he was sent into Borneo with Roy Chan, Louey King, Norman Low and James Shiu.

Their mission included: Contact and befriend Dyak headhunters; provide equipment and training; assist with sabotage; locate isolated Japanese units and force them to surrender; find POW camps; organize tribesmen into local security forces; patrol rivers; and prevent revenge massacres of Japanese troops and suspected collaborators.

loueyking

They all survived their mission in the jungle and returned home to Canada in February, 1946, as seen in this photo taken by the Vancouver Sun newspaper. Later that year, Low, King, Chan and Shiu were awarded the Military Medal for their efforts.

Newspaper-returning

Awarded the military medal: Louie King (L) and Norman Low celebrate in the hospital where Low was recovering from complications due to malaria.

Awarded the military medal in September 1946: Louie King (L) and Norman Low celebrate in the hospital where Low was recovering from complications due to malaria. Because Low had previously been sworn to secrecy, he could not divulge his mission and consequently his doctors were initially skeptical that he had malaria. Low never fully regained his health and died at the age of 37.

The Long Journey Home.

On August 15, 1945 Japan officially surrendered. For many Chinese Canadians in Force 136, it meant it was time to get ready to return home.

Others stayed in the field for a few more months to find and disarm isolated Japanese troops and to help maintain order during the post-war transition period.

Force 136 member Gordon Wong returns home from the war to Vancouver. The Vancouver Sun newspaper captured his warm greeting from his sisters Violet (L) and Mabel.

Force 136 member Gordon Wong returns home from the war to Vancouver. The Vancouver Sun newspaper captured his warm greeting from his sisters Violet (L) and Mabel.

Force 136 men had to work on cargo ships to earn their passage home to Canada.

Force 136 men who had been stationed in Australia, were forced to find work on cargo ships in order to earn their passage home to Canada.

Force 136 men in England awaiting repatriation to Canada

Force 136 men (who were stationed in India) await in England for repatriation to Canada.

Learn more about the story Force 136 from this article published on War History Online.

Our Exhibition Launch:

We were fortunate that some members of this elite group were still alive on May 14, 2016, the day of our launch. Nine of them managed to make it to the opening: Neill Chan, Chong Joe, Charlie Lee, Ronald Lee, Gordon Quan, Gordon Wong, Hank Wong, Tommyc CG Wong and Victor E. Wong.

Below are photos from exhibition launch event. Photos courtesy of Steve Ko and Vincent L. Chan.

Exhibition Supporter:

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Exhibition Partner:

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Brothers in Arms

December 19, 2015 /

Brothers in Arms

Brothers in Arms lead graphic

When the Second World War broke out, hundreds of Chinese Canadian families held their breaths as their children signed up for the war effort.

In some families, more than one child decided to enlist or was requested to report for duty. These siblings became “brothers and sisters in arms.” Here are a few of their stories.

>>  MAH

Albert (L) and Cedric Mah

Albert (L) and Cedric Mah

Brothers Albert and Cedric Mah were born in Prince Rupert, B.C. Both trained in Los Angeles to become pilots.

Initially rejected by the RCAF because of their race, they instead joined the Chinese National Aviation Corporation and were based in India for much of the Second World War. Their mission was to fly vital supplies from India into Japanese-occupied China. It meant flying twin engine, unpressurized Dakotas over the highest mountain range in the world, the Himalaya Mountains (aka The Hump). These missions were extremely dangerous, made more so by the presence of Japanese Zeros which patrolled the skies.

Both men survived the war with impressive records: Albert flew 420 missions over The Hump while Cedric finished his career with 400 successful flights and 6,000 flying hours.

 

>>  WONG

Frank (L), Bing Chew and Bing Foon Wong

Frank (L), Bing Chew and Bing Foon Wong

Frank, Bing Chew and Bing Foon Wong spent part of their childhood near Alert Bay, Vancouver Island.

Frank Wong was the oldest, and signed up with the Army in 1942. He was posted to England with the First Canadian Army Troop Workshop and was the only person of Chinese descent in that unit. Frank landed at Juno Beach during the Normandy invasion. While the Germans retreated, his mobile unit followed the Artillery through to Caen, France. They eventually reached Holland and helped with the liberation of that country.

Bing Chew recounts growing up playing “cowboys and indians” with the local First Nations children. “But they wanted to play the cowboy and I had to be the Indian” he recalls. Bing followed in his brother’s footsteps and also joined the Army. He was an excellent marksman. However, weighing in at only 115 lbs, it was often a challenge for him to march ten miles carrying a 28 lb Bren gun.

Another Wong brother, Bing Foon Wong, volunteered for the Pacific Coast Militia Rangers in Alert Bay, on Vancouver Island. His assignment was to be the last line of defence protecting coastal British Columbia from a Japanese invasion.

>>  LEE (Windsor)

Ben (L), Edward and Peter Lee of Windsor, Ontario

Ben (L), Edward and Peter Lee of Windsor, Ontario

Edward Lee signed up for the RCAF where he served as an aero engine fitter mechanic in 404 Squadron. Part of Coastal Command with missions along the Norwegian coast, 404 Squadron took part in the D-Day in invasion in Normandy, using their bombers to help clear German destroyers.

Meanwhile, Peter, the oldest brother, was posted to the 24th Light Anti-Aircraft Battery in England. He later became a chemical warfare instructor. Although Peter was promoted to the rank of Sargent, he later lost his rank due to fighting with other service men who mistreated him due to the fact he was Chinese.

Ben Lee served five years with the Perth Regiment, 11th Infantry Brigade, 5th Armoured Division. Ben saw action in some important countries in the European theatre: Italy, France, Belgium, and Netherlands.

>>  LEE (Vancouver)

Monty (L) and Edward Lee from Vancouver

Monty (L) and Edward Lee from Vancouver

Monty and Ed Lee were both from Vancouver.

Monty wanted to fly but was initially refused entry because he was Chinese. He would not give up his dream and eventually found himself stationed in Labrador with RCAF Bomber Command. Trained as a bombardier, Monty spent hundreds of hours flying up and down the coastline looking for German U-boats and accompanying merchant marine convoys out to sea. His efforts enabled hundreds of ships to carry vital supplies from Halifax to Great Britain.

Ed was only 18 years old when he signed up for the Canadian Army in October, 1944. He was assigned to Special Operations Executive, Force 136. Ed trained in the bitter cold environment of Maple Creek, Saskatchewan. However, he ended up stationed in the tropical climate of Poona, India where he perfected guerrilla combat techniques. One skill that Ed learned in the jungle was how to use a rope to swing from tree to tree, with nothing below to catch his fall.

>>  KO BONG

Mary, John, Peter and Andrew Ko Bong

Mary, John, Peter and Andrew Ko Bong

The Ko Bong family from Victoria watched as four of their children joined the war effort.

Mary Ko Bong was the first to enlist and joined the Canadian Women’s Army Corps. A Lance Corporal, she worked as an instrument mechanic. She repaired binoculars, gun sights and other optical aids.

She was soon followed by her brother John. He started with the 16th Canadian Scottish Army Reserve and later became a member of Operation Oblivion, a select group of 13 Chinese Canadian men trained in guerrilla warfare. Part of the Special Operation Executive, they were to be parachuted into Japanese held areas, and find and train local Chinese resistance fighters. He was to scheduled for covert ops in Hong Kong, but when Japan surrendered, John was sent to the Philippines where he repatriated POWs.

Peter was with the Royal Canadian Engineers in India and also trained as a parachutist. While the youngest brother, Andrew, enlisted in January 1944 and became a Lance Corporal in the Reserve Army.

>>  JUNG

Ross, Arthur and Douglas Jung

Ross, Arthur and Douglas Jung

Three members of the Jung family served in the Second World War. Ross, Arthur and Douglas were all raised in Victoria, B.C.

Ross was a medical officer with the rank of Captain. He served in North Africa from 1943 until 1945. Later he worked in the U.S., and became one of the physicians to President John F. Kennedy. Ross also did work with the CIA.

The Air Force became the home for Arthur, who was stationed in England with Bomber Command. By the end of the war, he had completed 30 nerve-wracking missions and was promoted to flight lieutenant. After the war, he became a commercial pilot and died in 1973 doing what he loved, flying.

The youngest brother, Douglas, enlisted in the Canadian Army.  He volunteered to serve with the Special Operations Executive and was the first of 13 Chinese Canadians hand picked for Operation Oblivion. Their mission was to trek through the Asian jungles and seek out, enlist and train local Chinese resistance fighters in Japanese-occupied territory. Jung never got the chance to go behind enemy lines due to a parachuting accident while training. After the war, he became the first Chinese Canadian elected to Parliament.

True Patriots: Chinese Canadians and War

May 7, 2014 /

True Patriots: Chinese-Canadians & War

To commemorate the 100th anniversary of the start of WWI and to celebrate the 70th anniversary of D-Day, we unveiled a new exhibit at the museum for Asian Heritage Month.

The launch event was on May 14, 2015 and included a panel discussion with leading historians and a special screening of the documentary Operation Oblivion.

Panelists included: Dr. Henry Yu (UBC), Dr. Richard Vedan (UBC), Dr. John Price (Univ of Victoria) and Mr. Naveen Girn.

Banner-invite

Red Tails and Dragon Tales Summit

June 11, 2013 /

Red Tails & Dragon Tails Summit

June 2013

A three-day summit – entitled Red Tails and Dragon Tales – brought together, for the first time ever, two groups of WWII veterans that faced discrimination: the Tuskegee Airmen and Chinese-Canadian veterans. Both groups’ military contributions were instrumental to helping the Allies win the war and also to changing societal attitudes in their home countries.

While most of their ranks have passed away, a few remaining veterans, mostly in their late 80s and 90s, met to share their stories.

During WWII, the Tuskegee airmen were the first group of African-American aviators to fly in combat for the US armed forces. At the time, the American military was still racially segregated. Many felt African-Americans lacked the intelligence and skill to perform anything beyond basic, menial tasks in military duty. Despite this segregation and prejudice, the Tuskegee Airmen went on to become one of the most highly respected fighter groups in the war. They were dubbed “the Red Tails” after one fighter group painted their P47s and later P51s with a red tail.

Meanwhile here in Canada, men and women of Chinese descent, who were born in Canada, were not allowed to vote. As well, the 1923 Exclusion Act was still in effect. That Act essentially banned Chinese Immigration to Canada. Despite this discrimination, when the WWII broke out, Chinese men and women volunteered in the hundreds to fight for Canada. They enlisted in every branch of the armed forces and participated in every theatre of war. The result: on May 14, 1947 Chinese-Canadians were finally granted the right to vote.

Dozens of people came out to hear the stories of these amazing veterans. It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to meet some veterans that changed everything.

Special thanks to the people and organizations that helped make this meeting possible: the Consulate of the United States Consulate; the City of Vancouver; and our very good friend and supporter, Don Chapman.

Immigration Certificate

One War: Two Victories

October 19, 2011 /

One War: Two Victories

Our special exhibition explored the experiences of Chinese-Canadian who served in the Canadian military and volunteer services and in Allied war efforts during the Second World War. Though denied rights and subjected to widespread discrimination before the war, many Chinese-Canadians volunteered for military service and related duties, helping to secure victory abroad and greater equality at home.

One War, Two Victories exhibition at the Canadian War Museum (2012)

One War, Two Victories exhibition at the Canadian War Museum (2012)

The exhibition presented fascinating wartime stories of unforgettable men and women. It examined their remarkable contributions to Canada and to the Chinese-Canadian community in war and peace. The research and exhibition, as well as digital archive of these precious materials, was made possible through a grant from the Community Historical Recognition Program.  We are also grateful for the wonderful support from the Canadian War Museum, and the City of Vancouver.

This exhibit was displayed at the Canadian War Museum in Ottawa from May 2012 to February 2013. It has travelled to other venues since then.

The display boards are available for loan to organizations who wish to share this important but lesser known part of Canadian history.

We thank the Citizenship and Immigration Canada for the grant to develop the display boards. And we thank the Canadian War Museum in Ottawa for their guidance and support in the development of the exhibition.

Canada Logo   Canadian-War-Museum-logo

Here are some photos from the opening of the exhibit, thanks to our friend in Ottawa, Robert Yip.

WWII veterans (from left to right) Ed Lee; George Chow, Peggy Lee and Frank Wong cut the ribbon the the One War, Two Victories exhibition.

WWII veterans (from left to right) Ed Lee; George Chow, Peggy Lee and Frank Wong cut the ribbon the One War, Two Victories exhibition at the Canadian War Museum in Ottawa.

Chinese Canadian veterans meet with high school students and share their stories of the double victory.

Chinese Canadian veterans meet with Ottawa-area high school students and share their stories of the double victory at the Canadian War Museum. In this photo, Howe Lee, founding president of the Chinese Canadian Military Museum is presenting.

WWII veteran Ed Lee, points to a photo of himself taken while he was stationed in India.

WWII veteran Ed Lee, points to a photo of himself taken while he was stationed in India.

Chinese Canadian veterans delegation poses with Canadian War Museum and other supporters.

Chinese Canadian veterans delegation poses with Canadian War Museum and other supporters.

October 14, 2011 /

Heroes Remember

Four years in the making, this documentary is the story of the war experiences of 24 Chinese-Canadian veterans told from their point of view. Consisting of actual interviews with the veterans or their relatives, you will learn about a part of Canadian military history that is seldom told: the stories of Chinese-Canadians who proudly served their country.

Heroes Remember

Or to hear the individual stories online click here: Heroes Remember

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