Williams Force from Java (884 POWs) arrived October 1942. Joined by Anderson Force January 1943 to become No 1 Mobile Force
Notes:
British Sumatra Battalion
3rd January 1943
The British Sumatra Battalion arrived 3rd January 1943 under Capt. D.P. Apthorp. About the 10th March a party of Americans arrived led by Capt. Fitzsimmons.
Capt. Apthorp formed a football team as ordered by the japanese to play in a propaganda film at the base camp, the teams were England, Australia, Holland, America and Malaya. For the film a band was issued with new uniforms only to be taken back after the filming. While there an Australian was executed by the Japanese as a warning to those leaving camp to buy food at a kampong.
From Tanyin the British Sumatra Battalion went back to the 14 km Camp at Thetkaw.
Information from British Sumatra Battalian by A.A. Apthorp
Tanyin (35 Kilo)
Also Named:
Japanese
III Group
