Editor XXX
Mr XXXXXXX
USURPING MILITARY COMMAND
Re your recent rejection: - please see this
it is the rarest, and boldest, action by any officer in WW-2. I will stick to
essentials, including usurping a battalion CO, and man managed beyond, and
above, normal comprehension.
From the demise of Margaret Thatcher, her
babes William Hague and others, refuse to accept the false infallibility of the
woman, and her actions: - Now secure in appointments, indulgence continues
amongst the few: - many saw the woman in a very different light.
It was on the release of Prime Minister
Churchill’s damnable signal, (secreted away for thirty years), to USA President
Roosevelt, of 1st April 1942, in which Churchill discarded the
defeated, depleted and perishing British forces in Central Burma. The Thatcher
woman sought to subdue the vile document, and alerted Scotland Yard, Serious
Crime Squad (Det/Chief Supt Hardy and Det/Sgt Tovey), to visit me in Leeds, on
24th October 1984, seeking to obliterate revelations in the Observer
newspaper reportedly made by me: - they were foully editorially distorted.
Simply by my commissioning number, I was
senior in a fifteen-man draft of KOYLI junior officers. Arriving at Rangoon on
5th March 1942, we met with 60 or 70 survivors from the battalion
strength of 550: - 2/KOYLI, amongst whom there were no pre-war regimental
officers. Major ‘Pip’ Moran of D of W Regt. was in control, sent me to set up a
reception base on the Rangoon/Mandalay road.
Following many skirmishes, our diminished
force became enclosed on the Central Burma Oilfield: - We were closed off by a
Japanese held road-block, and our CO was a proven ditherer. I had the choice of
being captured or killed where we were, or alternatively, attacking the
road-block: - It was 19th April 1942 and decision time as the CO
remained shtoom. Decision making was not his strong point!
Fully aware of all the possible
consequences, including execution, usurping is irreversible: - I usurped CO
Chadwick.
Comrade Vic Stevens realizing my intent,
ill shod as we were, said, “I’m with you, Fitz.” With 19 men we cleared the
road-block, only to witness the timely arrival and instant assault made by the
superb Chinese Army force. They routed the Japanese, and released a number of
captured Inniskillings.
Titular CO Chadwick condemned himself at
Mount Popa on 21st April 1942 and won the wrath of all men. He
evacuated two Company commanders as sick men, when dozens far more affected
were given no chance of leaving. He was doomed!
Numerous men with failing colleagues were
about to kill the cowardly man, and holding officer of NCO rank became totally
irrelevant.
Leaving Mount Popa as a battalion of
rebels, and aware of his inevitable fate, Chadwick appointed ‘Geordie’ Tighe
his personal bodyguard: (in an infantry unit?).
From Mount Popa, communications continued
intermittent and scarce. Amongst, and no more equal to refugees, on 23rd
April, and from trees over to our right, we were fired upon by recalcitrant
Burmese oilfield workers, Corporal ‘Gigger’ Lee was wounded whilst walking
alongside me.
Later that day, at the village of Taungtha
I rounded up the 27 of the dissident oilmen and commanded their dispatch: (three
groups of nine).
From 19 – 23 April, Chadwick deferred
making any contribution. With Steve I determined all movement, including the
120-mile jungle trek, and swam the mighty Chindwin River to obtain rescue
boats.
The whole of this is contained in my three
books: - the recent of which is ‘CHINESE SAVE BRITS – in BURMA’.
Thank you
G Fitzpatrick – Former Captain KOYLI and
subsequently
GSO111 (Operations) 30 Corps: - General
Brian Horrocks
GSO111 (Operations) HQ BAOR: - Montgomery /
Horrocks
Should you wish to meet with me I shall be
staying at the Victory Services Club, Seymour Street, W2 2HS, 7-9 October, or
maybe I can visit you?