Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Lance-Naik (Lance-Corporal)

Unit:

Force 136, Special Operations Executive (SOE), British Government

Awarded on:

February 21st, 1946

Citation:
"1. This is a remarkable story of courage, persistance and resource in the face of adversity and discouragement.

2. Naik Saw Su Po and A.C.2 Saw Robert Nyein made their first attempt to penetrate Japanese occupied Burma on the 11th January 1944. They were put ashore from an R.I.N., M.L., at the mouth of a creek in the Irrawaddy Delta. Su Po and Robert Nyein put off from the M.L. in a dug-out canoe. A companion, L/Naik Saw Boyce Kwa accompanied them in the M.L. dinghy with stores and W/T set. The stores and the W/T set were hidden in the jungle, and Boyce Kwa returned in the dinghy to the M.L. Su Po and Robert Nyein then proceeded up to the creek in their dugout canoe on a reconnaissance, and almost immediately ran into a party of Burmese Coast Watchers. Being unable to avoid this pary they entered into conversation with them in the hope of being allowed to proceed. The Burmese however, insisted on taking Su Po And Robert Nyein to the nearest village Headman to report. This they agreed to do. The way to the village was via the mouth of the creek, and on reaching the open sea they found the M.L. still in sight, lying about 1,5 miles from the shore. Su Po decided to go into action immediately and held up the guards at the point of his revolver, which up to that time he had kept hidden in his clothes. They forced he guards to proceed to the M.L. where they were captured and taken aboard. It was considered too risky to proceed with the operation, and the M.L. with the party and two prisoners returnd to base.

3. As a result of this experience it was decided to drop Su Po and Robert Nyein by parachute, and after the necessary training they were successfully dropped in the South Bassein area on the 15th February, 1944. Boyce Kwa remained in reserve to be dropped later if required.

4. Contact was made by W/T on the 16th February, 1944, and the party indicated they were safe, but lying low. We continued to have contact with them up to the 1st. March, 1944, when Su Po and Robert Nyein decided to separate according to plan, the one to proceed by a more southerly route via Myaungmya, so between them covering as much ground as possible. Meantime Su Po hid the W/T set in a jungle thicket, with the object of recovering it later when he would have collected information. Exactly a month later he returned to the place where he had hidden the set, only to find that during his absence there had been a large forest fire and the set had been destroyed.

5. Su Po then proceeded to a previously arranged rendezvous outside Rangoon where he rejoined Robert Nyein on the 19th May, 1944. After consultation it was decided to continue with the original plan to penetrate Rangoon, and after collecting as much information as possible, endeavour to make their way to Upper Burma and attempt to contact Allied Forces. This plan was put into effect and they, With two Karen friends, proceeded by bus and train to Maymyo which they reached on the 10th June, 1944. From there they walked by road and jungle tracks to Rhamo, crossed the Irrawaddy and eventually contacted forward Allied Forces about 20 miles north of Myitkyina on the 11th July, 1944. They were flown out from Myitkyina and arrived in Calcutta on the 16th July, 1944, bringin with them much valuable information.

6. For this remarkable effort it is recommended that Naik Saw Su Po should be awarded the Burma Gallantry MEdal.

7. After leave and rest Su Po and Robert Nyein began makng plans for another pentration with Saw Boyce Kwa and Saw Kawdee. This party of four, together with stores and W/T equipment were dropped by parachute in the Papun area on the 31st December, 1944. The party landed safely but unfortunately their W/T set was lost. Another W/T set was dropped to them a month later. For technical reasons this was also found to be useless, and the party never managed to make contact with H.Q.

8. After this disappointment Su Po decided to make another attempt to contact Allied Forces. Leaving his three companions behind to act as a reception party in the event of him being successful in getting through the Japanese lines and arranging for the supply of a new W/T set, he set out with friendly Karen guides. After an incredibly difficult journey, during which he and his friends had numerous narrow escapes from being captured, he contacted our forward troops at Pyinmana on the 25th April, 1945. They were flown out and reached Calcutta on the 7th May, 1945.

9. Plans were immediately made for Su Po and his friends to return with ne W/T equipment to his original party. They were successfully dropped to a reception by Boyce Kwa, Robert Nyein and Kawdee on the 14th June, 1945. The party now numbered ten, and have since been in continuous W/T contact with H.Q. , and have passed a considerable amount of valuable information. With the cessation of hostilities arrangements are being made to withdraw them to Rangoon.

10. It is realised that the above is rather a bald statement of feats, but taking into consideration the immense distances covered by Su Po and Robert Nyein in their journeys from the first dropping area in the Western Delta to Rangoon, and then from Rangoon to Myitkyina through enemy occupied territory where communications had been thoroughly disrupted, the great task involved will no doubt be fully appreciated. The efforts to make the operations a success inspite of the W/T failures and many hardships endured is an indication of their loyalty and determination which eventually brought them success, and, in our opinion, warrants high praise.

11. It is considered that Saw Su Po as the leader, Saw Robert Nyein as his faithful companion and Saw Boyce Kwa for his efforts in the final phase of these operations, all deserve recognition for their services. It is recommended that Su Po be awarded the Burma Gallantry Medal for his work and leadership in the first phases and a Bar to the B.G.W. for his efforts in the final phase. Saw Robert Nyein being in the B.V.A.F. is recommended for the Distinguished Service Medal, and Saw Boyce Kwa the Burma Gallantry Medal."