Johnson, Eugene Morris: my Army recollections (September 15, 1977)
PublicInterviewee: Johnson, Eugene Morris
Rank: Captain.
An interview/narrative of Eugene Morris Johnson's experiences during World War II. Captain Johnson served with the Malacca Volunteers, the Canadian Intelligence Corps and Special Operations Executive, Force 136. Interview took place on September 15, 1977.
Interviewer: Murphy, James
ABSTRACT: Capt. Eugene Morris Johnson Malacca Volunteers Canadian Intelligence Corps Special Operations Executive, Force 136 Johnson_E_0084_01.mp3 (Reel 1, Side 1) Johnson was born in Saskatchewan and educated in Victoria, B.C. For a short time, as a youth, he was a member of the 2nd Battalion, Canadian Scottish Regiment. In those pre-war days they drilled in a farmyard in Happy Valley, on the outskirts of Victoria where he was schooled in World War I infantry tactics. He went to Malaysia to work on a plantation in 1936. There he joined the Malacca Volunteers (militia). He was required to do so by his employer since the military paid half the cost of hospitalization, should it be necessary. The military was very conscious of possible racial friction between Chinese, Indians and Malays, although mixed messes were normal. Training was not related to the type of warfare later encountered. (12:00) There was no real belief that war could be fought effectively in the jungle. When war started his sub-unit was manning a pillbox at a river mouth close to the Japanese invasion area. They were quickly outflanked and forced to retreat. For a time he was part of the rear guard, blowing up every bridge as they retreated. Native troops were disbanded south of Kuala Lumpur and told to return home. The British army suffered considerable defeat at Muar (Jan. 1942). He was posted to the 2nd Battalion, The Black Watch, for rear guard actions, then withdrew to Singapore. Within the fortress the general air of apprehension was not helped by confused defensive measures. He was appointed to an official escape party of about thirty which left at 10:00 p.m. on Feb. 14, 1942. He crossed to Sumatra and, from the west coast by ship, to Java, and then aboard a liner in a small convoy to Fremantle, Australia. He does not know why he was included in the escape party. Eventually he returned to Canada and reported to Work Point Barracks where he was told that he was considered a possible deserter. He was subsequently cleared and inducted into the Canadian Army. To his disgust he was sent to Vernon Army Camp for basic training, but then appointed to the Japanese Language School in Vancouver. As a lieutenant in the Canadian Intelligence Corps he joined Force 136 in India. He was sent on a jungle warfare course in Poona where Canadian troops, considering themselves overtrained, conducted a "mutiny". After that was settled he was sent to Malaya in time for the Japanese surrender. The task of sorting out guerilla fighters began in the approximate area in which he entered the war. Johnson_E_0084_02.mp3 (Reel 1, Side 2) Force 136 was ostensibly to conserve the means of production in territory occupied by the enemy, but in fact was used in intelligence work. He discusses broadcasting, translating captured Japanese documents, etc. Translations were difficult because many were composed of colloquial or jargon Japanese. The many specialists in Force 136 kept a very low profile for they did not want to stir up either friend or foe. A problem was created as Force 136 supported both Chinese nationalist and communist groups. The Malayan People's Army (Chinese) is remembered as initially being socialist rather than communist. Open animosity was displayed between the Chinese groups and the Malays and Indians. Personally he found it easier to deal with the Malayan People's Army who were well disciplined. Discusses the tactics used to keep the warring factions apart, but still make use of them. Returned to Bentong in central Malaysia where they were taking over old government buildings and quietly beginning to reassert the British Raj. Began to buy guns and ammunition from guerrilla groups. He enlisted former civil servants and obtained the services of ex-Malaysian Volunteer officers and N.C.O.'s. British army civil administration was efficient, but government became less so when former government personnel took over, reverting somewhat to the pre-war days. (30:00) Outside communist influence contributed to an almost chaotic situation. The interview concludes with a few remarks about the Japanese Language School in Vancouver. (37:00)
- In Collection:
- 2 sound recordings (MP3)
- 48.4359, -123.35155
- One original sound tape reel (ca. 90 min.) : 3 3/4 ips, 2 track, mono. ; 1 sound cassette copy : standard, mono. in Special Collections.
- Canadian Military Oral History Collection
- JEM_084
- Special Collections Finding Aid: https://uvic2.coppul.archivematica.org/reginald-herbert-roy-fonds
- June 12, 2007
- Digital sound recording in .wav format at 16 bits and 22 kHz. In .mp3 format at 64 kbps and 22 kHz. Digitized by AN, technical and cataloguing metadata provided by JF and JP. Transferred from audio reel to audio cassette between 1987-1997. Interview migrated to digital format for UVic Special Collections in 2007. Migration metadata by KD and MT.
- Rights
- This interview has been posted with the understanding that it may be used for research purposes only. Should the interviewee or their heirs have any objections to this interview being accessible on the Internet, it will be removed promptly. Contact UVic Special Collections for permission if using for other than research purposes: speccoll@uvic.ca
- DOI
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Johnson_E_0084_02.mp3 | Public |
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