The Australian
Military Police - BCOF Japan
The Australian Military Police involvement with BCOF
Japan was the first post WW2 deployment for the Corps and was unique in many
ways. It was unique because of the
policing duties and not combat support duties typical of a Military Police
organisation. For the first part at
least, the Australian MPs along with other British Commonwealth MP were the
police force of Japan and responsible for administering a large civil and
British Commonwealth military organisation.
BCOF - The
Beginning
On 06 August 1945, the US dropped the "atomic
bomb" on the Japanese city of HIROSHIMA causing wide spread devastation
and carnage, unlike any other bombing ever witnessed in the world prior to that
time.
Three days later, on 09 August 1945 a second,
"atomic bomb," was dropped by the Americans on the Japanese City of
NAGASAKI. The Japanese people were
devastated and the aftermath of the bombing revealed a shocking and unforeseen
catastrophe that resulted in the complete and total surrender of all Japan and
Japanese forces to the allied forces.
On 15 August 1945, the Japanese Emperor, Hirohito,
Divine and supreme ruler of Japan, announced an unconditional surrender to the
Japanese people. A day later on 16
August 1945, Hirohito announced and ordered all Japanese military forces to lay
down their arms and surrender.
On 02 September 1945, Hirohito
"unconditionally" surrendered Japan to the Allies, which set about
the mammoth task of occupying and reforming Japan. The American General, General Douglas MacArthur, US Army, was
chosen as the Supreme Allied Commander for the occupation of Japan.
On 08 September 1945, MacArthur advanced with a train
of jeeps towards TOKYO and the Emperor's residence. By nightfall the next day, the US flag would be flying in TOKYO
and the war with Japan finally ended.
The occupation and rebuilding of Japan would now begin with all
countries that participated in the Pacific War being given a role as part of
the occupation forces. On 18 December
1945, the United States Government requested that the Governments of the United
Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand and India, should each provide a national
contingent for a force to participate in the occupation of Japan.
The objectives of this force, which was designated
‘British Commonwealth Occupation Force’ and known by the initial letters
B.C.O.F, were:
a.
To
represent the British Commonwealth in the occupation of Japan and to maintain
and enhance British Commonwealth prestige in the eyes of the Japanese and our Allies.
b.
To
demonstrate to the Japanese our democratic ways of life and living standards.
Australia
joins BCOF
Each contingent of the BCOF force was requested to
take an Army group to Japan, with the Australian Army choosing as its
component, the newly raised 34th Australian Infantry Brigade Group. The 34th Australian Infantry Brigade Group
was raised on the island of Morotai on 11 November 1945 for specific service in
BCOF Japan, and had been established using equipment, personnel and resources
available from Australian Army units then stationed on Borneo, New Guinea and
Morotai.
Australian MPs
join BCOF
Along with raising the Brigade Group, the 34th
Australian Infantry Brigade Group Provost Platoon was raised on the same day as
well, in accordance with established manning procedures of the day, a Provost
Platoon per Brigade.
On 05 December 1945, Australian War Crimes trials
started on Morotai with members of the Platoon having various duties to perform
in connection with guarding and protection of Japanese War criminals. On 23
December 1945, the whole of the 34th Australian Infantry Brigade Group, paraded
before its' first commander, Lt Gen Northcotte. The War Diary of the Provost Platoon mentions the parade:
Troops arose at 0500
hours, left camp at 0730 hours with the General arriving at 0930 hours. Due to extreme heat, many of the troops
fainted.
The Provost Platoon would have its first official
VIP escort and traffic duties. Over
the coming weeks, prior to the Brigade's move to Japan, the Platoon would be
busy patrolling Morotai, maintaining law and order among the troops who were
becoming restless and bored with the "waiting" for the move to
Japan. One of the main offences
occurring at this time was the theft of Australian Army jeeps and their
subsequent "ditching" after the offenders had reached their
destination. Along with traffic and
discipline patrols, the Platoon was busy with "policing" duties and
tasks that would provide essential training and experience in what would become
"occupation" police duties.
Also attached to the 34th Australian Infantry Brigade
Group Provost Platoon was 23 and 24 Australian Independent Provost Platoons,
Australian Army Provost Corps. 23 Independent Provost Platoon was raised at
Torokina in Bougainville, New Guinea, on 15 October 1945. The unit was raised at the 3rd Division
Provost Company area. As was the case
with all the Australian troops waiting on islands throughout the Pacific for
the move into Japan, boredom, monotonous routines and lack of information was
causing significant morale problems.
The Platoon filled their time with Japanese language and customs
lessons, as well as maintenance of unit stores and vehicles.
On 07 November 1945, the Platoon packed all stores
and vehicles, ready for shipment to Morotai.
On the 8th, the vehicles and equipment were loaded onto the HMAS
Kanimbla, and on the 9th, one Officer and 24 MP OR, boarded the ship, which
sailed at 1630 hours on 10 November 1945.
On arrival at Morotai on 17 November 1945, the Platoon was unloaded and
transferred to the 34th Australian Infantry Brigade Group Provost Platoon
lines, for the first time. The Platoon
also picked up 16 new reinforcements for the 34th Infantry Brigade Group
Provost Platoon, bringing much needed additional manpower. The Platoon would be attached to 34th
Australian Infantry Brigade Group Provost Platoon until the move to Japan and
settling in of the BCOF force. Whilst
waiting on Morotai for further orders, six MPs were detailed for escort and guard
duties of Japanese war criminals, then being prosecuted by the International
War Crimes Tribunal for crimes committed against Australian troops and native
locals during the war.
24 Australian Independent Provost Platoon was formed
on the island of Morotai during January 1946 prior to the move of the BCOF
troops to Japan. The War Diary of the
Platoon mentions some of the work the Platoon was carrying out in the early
part of its creation:
Mobile Patrols (4 MP CPL each day) - Checking
speeding, vehicle work tickets, road discipline, malaria control, vehicle
accidents.
Air Strip Duty (2 MP NCO) - Policing the
airfield
Wharf Duty (3 MP NCO) - Policing the wharf
Standby Patrol (3 MP NCO) - On standby for any
emergency
As well as the above policing duties, the Platoon was
also preparing vehicles and stores for the future move to Japan with all jeeps
and trailers being marked in accordance with Brigade orders for marking of
vehicles. Vehicle maintenance along with lessons in Japanese traditions,
customs and language, occupied the rest of the Platoons time. An interesting entry in the Platoon's War
Diary mentions:
3 Jap swords presented to the unit. The three personnel selected to receive the
swords were chosen from picking names out of a hat.
It's interesting to note, that some months later, an
order was issued to all Occupation personnel, originating from General Douglas
Macarthur's office, stating that the pilfering, sale and purchasing of all
captured Japanese swords were to cease and any personnel engaging in such
activity would be prosecuted. Many of
the swords were hundreds of years old and regarded as "family
treasures". This was one of the
many steps taken to return Japan to the Japanese, in a peaceful and harmonious
manner and did much to gain the respect and trust of Japanese society towards
BCOF.
The
Australians enter Japan
The Platoon moved to Japan on 05 February 1946,
along with the BCOF Advance Party and was present at the docks in Kure, Japan,
when the main BCOF force arrived and provided the essential and necessary MP
support for such a large movement of men and equipment. The war establishment of the Platoon
allowed for 1 Officer and 38 OR, but at the time was operating with 1 Officer
and 29 OR. Further reinforcements
would arrive on the ships coming from Australia a few days later.
Early in February 1946, the main advance parties of
HQ BCOF, British Command Base and 34 Australian Infantry Brigade Group reached
KURE, Japan. They came from Morotai on
the USS Stamford Victory with 1122
troops. Eight days later, the Taos Victory arrived along with two LSTs
from Morotai, HMS Glengyle, the troop
ship, River Murrumbidgee and three
LSTs from Labuan. Also, on the 23rd,
the USS Pachuag Victory berthed. From these vessels, 4000 troops were
disembarked and formed the main bodies of HQ BCOF, British Commonwealth Base
and 34th Australian Infantry Brigade Group.
After moving from the port, the Australians commenced duties in the
Prefecture of Hiroshima.
At the same time, other Military Police contingents
were arriving from the UK, NZ and India and would serve along side the
Australian Provosts as part of the BCOF Military Police presence. The DPM for the BCOF MP organisation was
appointed, Lt Col J.S. Thompson (British Army). In the meantime, Lt Gen Northcott, Australian Army had arrived
at the Hiroshima airfield and assumed command of the entire BCOF force.
KURE, which had been selected as the site of the
first HQ of BCOF in Japan, was situated on the southern coast of the island of
Honshu on the inland sea. Since 1883
it had been the principle naval base of Japan and the area included the largest
combined dockyard, ship building yard and naval arsenal in the country. On 13 Feb 1946, the HQ British Commonwealth
Base had been established at Kure with the responsibility for security of the
base including docks, ports and other installations in use by BCOF to support
the BCOF forces.
The site that greeted the first Australian troops
was grim. Hiroshima was decimated from
the atomic bomb, the port installations had received a heavy
"hammering" from the US Air Force and the huge workshops, factories,
shipyards, dry docks, warehouses and other buildings, had been reduced to
skeletons of twisted steel girders and heaps of rubble. Kure, as a naval base had been completely
ruined.
By March 1946, the Brigade units including the MPs
were complete and settled into the Prefecture of Hiroshima. 34th Australian Infantry Brigade Group
Provost Platoon was then upgraded to Company status in Japan during April 1946
to help the two already overworked and over stretched Independent Australian
Provost Platoons. Underestimating the
Provost support required for the task of de-militarising the Japanese, it was
quickly apparent that many more Provosts would be required. By March 1946, the first Australian DAPM
had been appointed to the newly created British Commonwealth Base (BRITCOM)
organisation, CAPT A.V. Johnston, Australian Army Provost Corps, the 'Royal'
prefix not being granted to the Corps until 1948.
The War Diary for
the Australian component of the Military Police for BCOF Japan commenced on 7
March 1946 with the first entry as CAPT Johnston and a unit clerk, PTE Warr,
arrived and set up office. Due to the
lack of office buildings and barracks structures, the two men had to work at 23
(Aust) Independent Provost Platoon until their office was completed. During this time, the units' stationary
supplies arrived and a, local interpreter was engaged by the unit. CAPT Johntson was the OC of 23 (Aust)
Independent Provost Platoon and relinquished command of the Platoon on 13 March
1946 to take up position of DAPM British Commonwealth Base (BRITCOM Base). It was further recorded that Ceylon Army
Command appointed Lt Col. J.F. Thompson as APM BCOF, Kure Japan.
There was much work to be done by CAPT Johnston as the Japanese Police and Civil administration personnel had been made "powerless" as part of the capitulation agreement for the end of Japan's involvement in the Second World War. The Provosts (MP) were now to become the official police force in Japan, however, the Japanese police were still operating although with severely curtailed powers and enforcement ability. The BCOF MP would be responsible for controlling the Japanese population and for policing the numerous Australian and other British Commonwealth troops soon to be serving in Japan with the BCOF forces. Australian MPs, as with all the other contingent MP, had wide and sweeping powers over all occupation personnel regardless of rank or country and were authorised to arrest or report personnel as required.
During the first month of his arrival in Japan and
assuming command of the Australian Military Police component, CAPT Johnston was
involved in meetings and conferences with various allied MP units and BCOF
Command elements on topics such as:
a.
Procedures
for combating and control of VD cases among BCOF personnel
b.
Talks
with the US Administration about the operation of Provost Courts
c.
Talks
and liaison with the DAPM NZ Brigade and OC 11 NZ Provost Company
d.
Liaison
with the Naval Base nearby (HMS Glenearn) for shore patrol support until
further MP arrive from Australia
e.
Liaison
with RAAF Service Police (SP) of security and policing of RAAF personnel
f.
Discussions
with other countries Provost - reciprocal powers of arrest
g.
Standard
road signs in the BCOF areas
h.
Areas
and boundaries of responsibilities for Provost control
i.
Maximum
road speeds for vehicles in BCOF areas
j.
Classification
of bridge marking in the BCOF areas
Later that month, CAPT Johnston approached the OC of
the RMP 22 Detention Barracks to discuss interim arrangements for the holding
of "Servicemen Under Sentence" (SUS). For any serious discipline problems, Australian troops would be
shipped home to Australia.
On 02 April, the Military Police situation was
somewhat relieved when the RMP arrived (76 L of C Provost Unit RMP) and
allocated to the KURE area for policing duties. They came with the title of the BCOF Provost Unit and provided
much relief to the now over stretched and worked Australian MP.
The acute shortage of trained Military Police soon
became apparent and discussions were being held with the BCOF command to
address the problem. At this time,
there were two Australian (Independent) MP Platoons and one Provost Company in
Japan with a War Establishment (manning) of about 38 all ranks for each Platoon
and a near full strength Company, responsible for policing of about 6000 troops
and many more transient personnel. The
Australian MP's were working long hours without time for training and
recreation, which reacted adversely on the overall efficiency of the
Platoons. Solutions to the problem
were local recruiting from other Australian military units now serving in Japan
and Provost reinforcements from Australia.
Also the creation of a Military Police Wing at the
BCOF Training School situated in Japan, which was attended by Military Police
of all contingents at this time, helped to relieve the manpower shortage. Although limited basic policing training was
provided, the main purpose of the Wing was to indoctrinate trained Military
Policemen in local regulations, orders and indigenous customs and to know how
to deal with situations, peculiar to Japan and the BCOF forces.
The training Wing was only in operation for about
three months then disbanded.
Logistical and staff manning problems were cited as the main cause of
the closure. A look at "student
handouts" from the period, show that the quality of training and subject
knowledge covered, was varied and detailed and similar in many ways to basic MP
training of today, especially knowledge of the law as it applies to a civil or
Military Policemen.
During March 1946, a conference was called by HQ BCOF of representatives of Formations of Provost, Medical and Amenities Services to discuss ways and means of combating the increasing rate of VD amongst Occupation Force Troops.
By the end of April 1946, the Australian Military
Police presence in Japan comprised 23 and 24 Australian Independent Provost Platoons
and the 34th Australian Infantry Brigade Group Provost Company, with Sections
and detachments spread throughout the areas of responsibility allocated to
Australian forces. The men serving in
these units were members of the AIF and Interim Army and deemed to be on
"war service". By the end of
1950, many of these men would be the first Military Police of the new
Australian Regular Army.
The major task of the BCOF force being conducted at
this time was the destruction of the Japanese war machine. A vast quantity of enemy equipment and
warlike stores of all kinds existed in the BCOF area with caves and tunnels
located containing large quantities of explosives, ammunition and poison gases. Japanese military equipment and stores were
disposed of, by either giving them to the BCOF troops as useable stores, by
destruction or by handing over to the Japanese Home Ministry of any items which
can be used in the rehabilitation of Japanese industry and civilian life.
As the Australian troops deployed further out,
across mainland Japan and the surrounding islands, they were finding the
locations of the Japanese military ammunition and supply dumps. When Japan capitulated to the Allies, they
ceased wartime activities with no safety provisions made for the safe storage
and security of ammunition and other dangerous goods. An ammunition dump was found on 'Paradise Island' and was posing
a major safety threat to BCOF troops.
34th Australian Infantry Brigade Provost Company was given the task of
signing a safe route, in and out of the dump and security of that dump until
the ammunition could be destroyed. The
following day after their arrival, the dump caught fire under
"suspicious" circumstances; luckily there were no casualties
sustained by the Platoon.
During the month of April 1946, HQ BCOF was looking
for an alternative location for their HQ and chose the island of Eta Jima. During the war, Eta Jima housed the
Imperial Japanese Naval Academy, built in 1938 and considered one of the most
modern military training academy's in the world at that time which possessed a
large brick complex big enough to house all the HQ elements. CAPT Johnson, the DAPM was part of the HQ
reconnaissance team and was impressed by what he saw.
On 12 April 1946, the flags of all the nations
included in the BCOF force were broken from a high signal tower overlooking the
harbour of Kure. ANZAC Day was
commemorated in Japan for the first time, when soldiers, sailors and airmen of
BCOF gathered at Kure. The C-in-C, Lt
Gen Northcott, himself an original ANZAC, took the salute from the marching
troops and from aircraft in a spectacular ceremonial fly-past. Another original ANZAC on that same parade
was the RSM (WO1 Jack Harwood) of the 67th Infantry Battalion, later to be
known as 2 RAR. By the end of April,
things were settling down well for the Australian MP, although the APM was
called in front of the C in C and "spoken to" about Provost not
saluting flagged staff cars, not charging soldiers exceeding the speed limit
and dangerous driving offences.
May turned out to be a busy month for the Australian
Provosts. The move of HQ BCOF,
including 23 Australian Independent Provost Platoon, with all its vehicles and
stores by LCH to the island of Eta Jima occurred. The Platoon then had the job of signing the Brigade HQ area
along with the routes in and out of the HQ area as well as any immediate
Provost tasks and duties that may occur.
Then came the arrival in Japan of the Australian Prime Minister, the Rt
Hon. Joseph Benedict Chifley, commonly known as Ben Chifley of the Australian
Labor Party, to visit the troops.
Australian Military Police accompanied Chifley on his tour of Japan,
traveling on a train and guarding him at every stop. By the end of Chifley's tour, the MPs had performed well and
Chifley headed home to Australia. The
first of many VIP protection duties had been successfully completed.
During this period, a Vice squad was formed
consisting of four RAF Service Police, four NZ MP and two RAAF Service Police
who were to visit towns and villages in South HONSHU where troops were
proceeding on leave and Service Police were not permanently stationed. The duties of the Vice squad were to
investigate blackmarket activities and brothels and to report on the conduct of
troops on leave in those areas. Also,
active and profitable liaison was commenced with the American Military Police
laying the groundwork of co-operation that was the hallmark of BCOF Military
Police regardless of country or race.
A few months later, the first of many "exchange postings"
occurred where US MP and BCOF MP Officers had the chance of working in each
others positions and experiencing the life and problems of that country
MP.
To cope with increasing BCOF commitments during this
period, especially in TOKYO due to the large number of troops proceeding on
leave to that city, a composite BCOF Provost detachment was formed and began
work there. As every soldier wanted to
see TOKYO, it was always a lively and interesting place and a very sought after
detachment by all BCOF MP.
New equipment was arriving from Australia for use by
the Provosts. One very welcome arrival
was two specially built and fitted Provost patrol vans, donated from the City
of Canberra. The other, was the discovery
of a Japanese motor launch at Kure harbour, suitable for maritime patrols of
Kure docks and harbour areas to deter the Japanese smugglers and black market
operators. The motor launch,
designated CM830, manned with 2 Bren guns and 1 Owen gun was gladly pressed
into service and was allocated to the BRITCOM Base Provost patrol, becoming the
first ever Australian Military Police motor launch; it even flew a flag on the
stern denoting Australian Provosts. A few
days after commencing harbour patrols, a body was found floating in the harbour
near the Kure docks and was fished out by the patrol; It looked as if a
Japanese national had been murdered, another victim of the black market
operations in Japan.
On 16 June, command of the force passed to Lt Gen
H.C.H. Robertson, CBE, DSO, Australian Army with Lt Gen Northcott returning to
Australia to take up his appointment as Governor of New South Wales.
By the end of June 1946, it was becoming apparent
that the three separate Provost units operating with the Australian BCOF
elements was unsuitable and suggestions were being staffed to BCOF HQ that a
Force Provost unit be established and under one command. The suggestions were "taken on
board" by BCOF HQ with results eventually to follow. Also during this month, the first MP
Gazette was raised and found to be an indispensable tool for BCOF Command and
the Provosts to gauge the level of crime and nefarious activities being
conducted by BCOF troops and Japanese locals.
Other duties were required as well. In the BCOF area
there were three repatriation centres which handled incoming Japanese soldiers
and war crimes personnel. The centre
allocated to the Australians was at UJINA and was guarded and supervised by the
34th Australian Infantry Brigade including its Provost Company. Many of the Japanese military personnel
that stayed at this centre, were charged with war crimes and were to be
prosecuted in Tokyo by the International Military Tribunal for the Far East (IMTFE). Categorised as Class A prisoners, they were
some of the most notorious Japanese military personnel who inflicted pain,
punishment and torture on Australian soldiers held in Japanese run POW camps
throughout South East Asia during WW2.
During the month of July 1946, the Provost Courts were
being established. This was a unique
operation peculiar to BCOF and explained in detail as follows:
BCOF CENTRAL ARMY TRAINING SCHOOL
PROVOST WING
FUNCTION OF PROVOST COURTS
1. When the occupation began the only courts in existence were Japanese courts capable only of dealing with breaches of Japanese law.
2. Ordinary Military courts and orderly rooms existed for trying Military personnel for breaches of Military law.
3. To provide for trial of United Nations nationals not attached to the Force or Foreign Nationals guilty of offences against the Occupation Forces and/or the principles of the occupation, two types of courts were formed:
a. Military Commissions, for dealing with the more serious offences.
b. Provost Courts for dealing with the less serious offences.
It is proposed to discuss briefly the latter
court.
4. A Provost Court shall consist of one commissioned officer not below field rank and may operate without prosecutors and defence counsel being present but military personnel shall be appointed as prosecutors and defence counsel when deemed necessary.
5. When a case is deemed too serious for a Provost Court it is referred through channels to Eighth US Army with recommendations for trial by a Military Commission.
6. The jurisdiction of a Provost Court over persons and crimes is as follows:
a. Persons. Criminal jurisdiction over persons will be exercisable as follows:
(1) In the case of a national of one of the occupying forces by a court of his nationality.
(2) In the case of other United Nations nationals by the court having jurisdiction in the place where the offence is committed.
(3) In the case of all other persons who commit any of the offences in paragraph 6 (b) by the court to which he case is referred.
b. Crimes.
(1) Crimes committed by United Nations nationals.
(2) Acts prejudicial to the security of the Occupation Force or any member thereof or any person attached to or accompanying such forces.
(3) Assaulting any member of the Occupation Forces or any person attached to or accompanying such forces.
(4) Unauthorised possession taking receiving or disposal of property of the Occupation Forces or of any member thereof, or any person attached to or accompanying such forces.
(5) Interfering with, hindering the arrest of any person sought, or assisting in or furthering the escape of any person detained by the Occupation Forces or by others pursuant to the direction of the Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers or his authorised subordinates.
(6) Interfering with, refusing information received by, making false or misleading statements orally or in writing to, or defrauding in any manner, any member of the Occupation forces, or person attached to or accompanying such forces in a matter of official concern.
(7) Acts on behalf of or in support of any organisation dissolved or declared illegal by the Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers or dissolved or declared illegal at the order of the Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers.
(8) Act prejudicial to the objectives of the occupation, which the Commander in Chief, BCOF sees fit to remove from the jurisdiction of the Japanese courts.
(9) Conspiracies to commit, or acts, which aid or abet the commission of any of the offences listed in the above sub paras.
7. Military Commissions may impose sentences up to and including death. The execution of the death sentence cannot be carried into effect without the confirmation of SCAP.
8. Provost Courts may impose sentences up to fines not exceeding 75000 Yen, and imprisonment not exceeding five years hard labour or both.
9. Most cases brought before Provost Courts come under sub para 6 (b) (4) of this precis and many cases involve minor amounts. There are something like 1400 cases brought before Provost Courts monthly in Japan. It is believed that SCAP is now reviewing the situation with a view to ordering the Japanese courts to try minor offences of this nature.
On 29 July 1946, the first Australian Provost Court
commenced judicial proceedings at HQ BCOF, Eta Jima Naval Academy. SGT Harry Shearing, a member of 23
Independent Provost Platoon from March 1946 to November 1946 describes the
duties of the MP in connection with the Provost Courts:
We were also on duty when the Provost Court was
in session to guard the Judges. After sentencing
and when the Court closed, we would put the prisoners, Men and Women, into the
Dodge 15 CWT truck (bird cage) and escort them to jail. To get them there, we would have to drive
about 4 miles down the main road to Hiroshima and then pull over to the side of
the road. As the road had been almost
destroyed by the bombing and the torrential rain, we would have to go the last
2 miles on foot. Before proceeding, we
would handcuff the prisoners and then tie a rope around each of their necks,
which would join them together. One of
us would lead and the other would take the rear. If it looked as though the prisoners would cause any trouble, we
would, after a couple of hundred yards into the hills, stop them, draw our
revolvers and fire half a dozen shots into the bank or a tree and try to
explain to them that if they caused any trouble they would be shot as our
initial orders were to shoot to kill.
The recruiting campaign for men to become Provosts
from among the BCOF troops was well under way with recruiting flyers
distributed to all units and the BCOF newspaper and radio station. The recruiting campaign was slowly yielding
results for the over stretched Provosts.
It is interesting to note, the training of new Provosts into the BCOF MP
units was conducted by placing new personnel on patrol with an experienced MP
CPL and learning "on the job" with the occasional lecture given if
time permitted. The age-old adage of
"powers of observation" and training of "monkey see - monkey
do" were to come to the fore in BCOF MP training.
The qualities required of an Australian MP would prove too much for some. On 12 August 1946, an embarrassing incident occurred for the Australian MPs. An entry in the war diary states:
Information received that APM British Commonwealth Base, OC and members 24 Independent Provost Platoon and 1 Section 23 Independent Provost Platoon relieved of duties in British Commonwealth Base. CO, 4 Officers and 50 members of 67 Infantry Battalion take over policing duties in co-operation with No.1 Provost Unit, CMP.
A further entry dated 29 August states:
24 Independent
Provost Platoon return to British Commonwealth Base duty.
It appears that some of the men were under suspicion
for "integrity" violations.
A thorough check was conducted of all the men's service records and
those identified as undesirable were transferred from the Provosts. A few days later, the unit recommenced full
duties again. A valuable lesson would
be learned about the selection of quality personnel to be MP, although, this
would not be the only case of "integrity" issues to occur with
Australian MP during the life of BCOF.
Many other activities made for a busy life in the
Provosts (MP). More troop ships were
arriving from Australia with reinforcements for Australian units including a
trickle of MP, with the Provosts manning the docks and providing traffic and
security support for the off loading of troops and stores. The Army was testing new paint for its
vehicles and many of the MP jeeps were painted metallic silver or gray and even
white to test ideas on what was a resilient paint to be used on combat
vehicles. This testing occurred for
quite some time with the Army eventually making a decision on what would be the
"combat paint". Vehicle
sirens were arriving in quantity and slowly being fitted to the unit
vehicles. Special MP "warrant
cards" was being made for MP Officers and new powers for MP being
discussed. A fire had occurred at 123
Transport Platoon at Kaitaichi where one Australian soldier had been burned to
death and four others seriously injured.
Such was a day in the life of the Provosts.
Other major activities at this time, were increased
patrols to the American sector to stop Australian troops from entering that zone
without official permission. Many
"sight-seeing" trips were occurring by Australian troops eager to see
what the "yanks" were doing and possibly "get hold" of
American equipment and was in direct contravention of BCOF policy. When Japan was "carved up" by the
Americans after Japan's surrender, there were very defined areas of
"influence" allocated to the BCOF forces. Because of national sensitivities, prestige and status, the
areas allocated were fiercely guarded by each national HQ and consequently
heavily policed by the various countries MP/Provost units.
There were also the train guards. Often, special occupation force trains were
organised, where the carriages had been fitted out similar to an ASCO
(Australian Services Canteen Organisation), where specially selected items of
military clothing, food and "nick-nacks" were available for purchase
by the troops. The train traveled
across all areas of Japan where Australian and often other British Commonwealth
troops were located and was protected by Australian Provosts. It ended on 15 February 1948, ending
another unique BCOF arrangement. There
were also occupation force trains that carried BCOF troops proceeding on leave
to the various BCOF leave centres that had been established throughout Japan
that were also guarded and policed by Australian and BCOF MP.
Another interesting aspect to the policing role of
the BCOF MP was combating the problem of motor vehicle accidents involving
pedestrians, mainly Japanese school children.
With the increasing number of occupation force troops and vehicles now
in Japan, the roads were becoming extremely busy and highly dangerous
especially to unsuspecting school children, that had never experienced life
with the motor vehicle. A campaign was
instituted in the HIROSHIMA prefecture instructed by BCOF MP personnel to teach
school children the importance of "Safety First" and the
"Highway Code". Also, an
intensive drive to make the Occupation Forces and Japanese population
"safety-minded" was undertaken with close liaison and co-operation
with all areas of the Japanese government and police. The campaign proved to be a very successful and useful campaign
that set the stage for future co-operation among all the agencies involved in
policing and administering Japan.
By September 1947 ideas were being suggested to
incorporate the three Australian MP units (23,24 Independent Provost Platoons
and 34th Australian Infantry Brigade Provost Company) into one organic Provost
unit. Considering that those units were
already operating together and under the same command, it was only a matter of
time before this occurred. By this
stage of the Occupation, India withdrew its contingent including Indian
Military Police with the loss of those MP not being replaced. 1947
would also see the introduction of occupation currency known as British Armed
Forces Vouchers that could be redeemed in the various soldiers clubs and messes
throughout the BRITCOM Base areas.
Introduced as a way to "curb" black market activities, the
vouchers were used for many years and proved successful in controlling these
activities and replaced the use of official currency which was easier to
exploit for criminal and illegal purposes.
By early 1948, the British withdrew their
contingents and most of the RMP personnel.
On 13 April 1948, approval was given for an "integrated" MP
detachment at KOBE comprising Australian and British MP under Australian
command. NZ would depart also in the
latter part of 1948, sending, all their contingent home including their
Military Police. Little did NZ and
Britain know, that a few short years later, they would be back, the North
Koreans would see to that!.
By October 1948 all Australian Provost units now
belonged to the 1st Australian Provost Company. Raised in Japan with the
personnel from 23 and 24 Independent Provost Platoons and 34th Australian
Infantry Brigade Provost Company, the new unit would provide all Provost
support required to the BCOF force including foreign troops. A few weeks later the former Australian
Provost units would disappear from the BCOF order of battle. On 18 October 1948, the 1st Australian
Provost Company was operating as "the" Australian Provost Unit
supporting BCOF Japan comprising detachments at Kure, Hiro, Tokyo, Kobe, Kyoto,
Kaitaichi, Eta Jima. On 15 November
1948, the 34th Australian Infantry Brigade Provost Company was disbanded as the
34th Australian Infantry Brigade returned to Australia.
On return to Australia, the Brigade would become the
first ever Brigade of the Australian Regular Army that was maintained in
peace-time, capable of deploying to war at short notice. As part of that withdrawal, a detachment of
Provosts (MP) comprising 1 Officer, 1 SGT and 15 CPLs would be required at HIRO
until the Brigade departed Japan. The
detachment would then move to Kure to join with the 1st Australian Provost
Company. Captain E.A.C Seaton would be
the first Commander. By January 1949 a
combined detention barracks had been approved and built and was designated the
BCOF Detention Barracks, staffed and manned by composite British Commonwealth
Provost personnel, many of them Australian MP.
The first signs of integrated Provost Platoons were
occurring. On 13 April 1948, a British
and Australian detachment was based at KOBE with an Australian commander in
charge. This and other integrated
Provost units would sew the seeds for full integration of all British
Commonwealth Provosts Units in the future.
HQ BCOF was now moving to KURE, with a busy time had by all preparing
for the move, especially for the Provost HQ based with them and controlling the
Australian Provost Platoons.
As the push for Commonwealth integration steamed
ahead, 1st Australian Provost Company was being warned for reorganisation into
a BCOF Provost Unit. This unit would
be the only British Commonwealth Provost unit in Japan and would comprise
Provosts from all Commonwealth countries working in one organisation, sharing
the staff and operational positions among those troops. By March, the 1st Australian Provost
Company would be disbanded and the BCOF Provost Unit formed.
The new organisation proved successful with many new
duties now falling on the Provosts.
Combined patrols between American MP and BCOF Provosts were occurring at
KURE. Customs inspections were now
being undertaken by the Provosts, along with formal requests from the
Administration to help contain large protests and strikes by workers of
Japanese companies. Plans were also
being made for the Provosts to provide reception parties and security for many
former Japanese military personnel in connection with war crimes trials held in
Tokyo.
Towards the end of 1949 changes were being discussed
again. HQ BCOF was considering moving
location to be more central to the Australian units. By early 1950, discussions were taking place regarding a BCOF
Detention Barracks. Previously, any
serious military offenders were dealt with by the member being returned to
Australia and if necessary, be placed at the 1st Military Corrective Establishment
(1 MCE) located at Holsworthy, NSW. A
few days later, a proposal establishment was drawn up and submitted to BCOF
command for a new Provost unit to be called the BCOF Provost and Detention
Unit. By the end of May, it was
formally announced that the unit would now become the BCOF Provost and
Detention Unit, however, by March 1950, this name was abandoned in favor of a
Detention Room only. By May 1950, the
unit would change name again, this time to be known, once and for all, as the
BCOF Provost and Detention Unit comprising elements of all British Commonwealth
MP.
Life continued on for the Provosts. Six new jeeps arrived and were allocated
for vice duties in the local villages.
The continual round of VIP protection duties were constant with traffic
control and "pointsman" duties for BCOF parades required as
well. The full range of MP duties were
performed by the Provosts demonstrating, once again, the essential role that
the Military Police plays in support of the troops. Soon things would change.
1950 would also be a time of major change for the
Provosts. Australia's talk of
withdrawal ceased. The attack by North
Korea against South Korea would make Japan a prime location for the support of
Australian forces soon to be engaged in Korea with Japan becoming the
administrative and logistic base for the Korean conflict.
Radio Australia was announcing that Australia would
send ground forces to Korea as part of the UN with the Provosts listening for
every news bulletin. By the end of
July, the Unit would be asked for a list of volunteers to go to Korea. As a result, 3 Officers and 38 ORs would
volunteer for active service in Korea and were prepared to sign new attestation
forms and become members of the new Australian Regular Army the first conflict
for the new Australian Regular Army. A
few days later, the OC would address the men, especially those that had not
volunteered, about what he considered was their duty and responsibility resulting
in a revised figure for men willing to serve in Korea, now 3 Officers and 47
ORs.
By the end of October, a new list of volunteers
would be required. This time it would
be the men who wished to sign on with the new Australian Regular Army. 1950 was the cut off date for all members
of the Interim Australian Army to become Regulars. Those who would not sign, would have to go home at the end of
their current enlistment and could no longer stay in the Australian Army
(Interim Army or BCOF engagement period).
Provost duties continued as normal with the Provosts
continual round of policing and traffic control duties to perform in support of
the BCOF forces. Now they would have
some more help. The RMP and NZ MP
would return to Japan with a renewed interest by their governments and participation
in the Korean conflict. By May 1951, a
recommendation would be put forward to BCOF command for Australian MPs to be
detached to Korea for duty. In the
mean time, an Officer of the now integrated BCOF Provost Unit comprising
Australian, UK and NZ Provosts, would make an inspection tour of Korea. Captain R.D.L Caley, RMP, the 2IC of the
unit, would be the first British Commonwealth MP into Korea. His recommendations would be the start of
Commonwealth Military Police support to the Korean Conflict.
At the same time, 262 Base Provost Company RMP would
be deployed to Korea from the UK for lines of communications duties. They would be the first British
Commonwealth MP unit into Korea. A few
weeks later, approval was given for one Australian Provost CPL from BCOF Japan
to be attached to 262 Base Provost Company.
The first CPL selected was CPL Hill, Royal Australian Army Provost
Corps. CPL Hill would depart Japan on
1 September 1951 for Korea with an Australian MP rotating from Japan to Korea every
three months, thereafter. The BCOF
Provost unit was now stretched from Japan to Korea with great strains placed on
unit resources and personnel covering a distance of about 1000 miles apart.
Over the next few weeks, there would be much talk
and planning for the creation of a truly integrated British Commonwealth Base
Provost Company comprising Military Police from the British Commonwealth
countries of Australia, UK, NZ and Canada.
On 15 December 1951, the BCOF Provost and Detention Unit would disband
and reraise a minute later as the British Commonwealth Base Provost
Company. This was the first time in
Commonwealth history that a fully integrated MP unit would officially exist
with a command structure incorporating all ranks of the Commonwealth MP. The staff and company officers were as
follows, Major A.V. Johnston (Australian APM) with Lieutenant Colonel A.G.
Locksley (UK) as DPM, Major Collins and Lieutenant Evans (UK), Lieutenant
Slater (Royal Australian Army Provost Corps), Lieutenant Bateman (Canadian Army
Provost Corps) later joined by Captain Paterson (Canada) as
second-in-command. It is interesting
to note that a CAPT A.V. Johnston, RAA Pro was mentioned earlier in this story
when forming BCOF MP in 1946 and was present when the RMP departed in 1948 and
was also there to welcome RMP back in 1951 now a Major. Major Johnston served in BCOF for many
years, which was possible to do in those days. Future MP patrols and tasks would be a joint effort with one CPL
from each British Commonwealth country MP assigned to work together as a
Provost patrol. The term 'Four in a
Jeep' would become well known to the Provosts.
1951 would also be a time of major change for
BCOF. Six years had now passed since
the capitulation of Japan and the country had been occupied and
"rehabilitated" by the Allied forces. The San Fancisco Treaty was signed.
The following extract from the book 'The Story of
the Royal Military Police' by Major A.V. Lovell-Knight in the section on the British Base Commonwealth Provost Company
covers this event well and explains the consequences and effects that the
Treaty had on the unit and states:
Technical difficulties for the military police
arose following the signing of the Peace Treaty with Japan, which presented
some acute problems. The Peace Treaty
(signed at San Francisco on 8 September 1951) restored full sovereignty to the
Japanese nation - and full authority and jurisdiction to their civil police.
In negotiating the
Peace Treaty with Japan reference was made only to US security forces in
Japan. The situation therefore arose
that Commonwealth troops who were using base facilities in Japan purely as a
convenience in support of the Korean theater of operations, were not classified
by the Japanese Diet as security forces and were therefore not protected by the
Treaty. It will be recalled that Great
Britain had withdrawn her occupational forces in 1948.
The Japanese
Government directed that all their judicial and administrative services would
proceed against all Commonwealth personnel as though they were independent of
the Treaty. Jurisdiction and Customs
particularly involved provost.
Commonwealth troops were not protected by the Treaty and HQ, British
Commonwealth Forces Korea did not recognise the Japanese as authorised to
detain and bring to trial Commonwealth personnel.
After six years of
occupation, the Japanese police began to carry out their instructions with
considerable vigour and troops were arrested and detained for the most minor
offences. Provost policy had to be
immediately revised and interim instructions issued.
Negotiations at
Embassy level were started with the Japanese and provost were committed to
tactful liaison with the civil police on the ground. Politically interested Japanese entered the fray and introduced
exaggerated articles into the press with emphasis on discipline and conditions
of pay for civilian WD employees.
It is readily
understandable that, in a country eager to re-establish its constitutional
rights with a resurgence of political ambitions, the local authorities became
extremely sensitive and determined to exert their jurisdiction. It followed that this attitude was reflected
in the behavior of the civil police.
Provost policy had,
therefore, to be re-adjusted to meet the many problems likely to arise. The immediate and obvious answer was that
acme of police training - prevention of crime.
This means intensification of patrols and consequent long and arduous
tours of duty, the aim being in the first instance to prevent Commonwealth
troops getting into trouble, next to prevent them falling into the hands of the
civil police by being on the scene first and, if that failed, to make every
endeavor by amicable means to persuade the civil police to surrender the
culprit into military custody - no easy problem with the civil police anxious
to establish their authority and reputation, and the military police anxious to
avoid compromising diplomatic negotiations.
Provost were therefore
left to procure the custody of all Commonwealth troops arrested by the civil
police as best they could. Their
success was a measure of their tact, diplomacy and determination, which was
called-for in the highest degree. This
story would not be complete without a tribute both to the leadership of the company
officers and warrant officers and to the NCOs who quickly established a most
amicable co-operation between themselves and their opposite numbers of the
Japanese civil police ‘on the beat’ and it became routine for the military
police jeep to be manned by three different members of British Commonwealth
Base Provost Company and a Japanese policeman, another example of ‘Four in a
Jeep’.
As discussed above, the Provosts who were used to
having total control and authority over all personnel in Japan now found they
had no control or authority at all.
This created many problems for the BCOF MPs who found that skills of
diplomacy and tact were now required to get or stop an Australian soldier being
arrested by the local Japanese police and getting him back into Australian
custody. The Japanese police, now back
in control, were keen to "police" their country and were not always
sympathetic to a "wayward" Australian or British Commonwealth soldier.
The following years of 1952 until the end of BCOF in
1956 and return to Australia of all Provost Corps personnel were very similar
to that of previous years.
Commonwealth Provost representation was obtained on the Japan/American
Security Committee, which discussed all military and civil affairs for which US
Provost had accepted advisory responsibility.
Civil police, fire brigades, railways, security measures in towns and
rural areas, all came into the Committee’s area of responsibility and was most
useful in bringing together Navy, Army and Air force representatives of all
nations in addition to the civil elements for mutual discussion of their
respective problems. This led to many
additional tasks for the provosts.
Earthquakes and typhoons are a constant threat to
Japan. As such all Provost, were
enrolled in a scheme which would assist the civil authorities as well as
military, in devastated areas. These
responsibilities covered initial reconnaissance, organising traffic control,
anti-looting patrols, signing of diversions, information post duties and assistance
with medical evacuations along with other tasks as required were additional
duties as well.
BCOF Japan would sew the seeds for future British
Commonwealth combined Provost units that over the next 20 years would prove
very successful in policing Commonwealth troops in war and peace.
A look at the
policing role of the BCOF MP
The following is a brief study of the types of
policing activities and minor criminal investigations that the BCOF MPs
performed and provides a unique opportunity to understand Provost procedures
during the period.
REPORT
Ref No: CPS
P-692
OC
BCOF Provost Unit
Subject: ALLEGED THEFT OF (1) one great coat and (1) one pair gloves from jeep
no 7b-541 in kure on 7 feb 50
1. I have to report that on 11 Feb 50, I
was instructed by SGT Hunter i/c Provost Investigation Section to conduct
enquiries relative to the above subject.
2. At 11 Feb 50, it was reported to this
section by CPS Desk NCO that one greatcoat and one par of gloves were alleged
to have been stolen form jeep No 7B-541, the property of NX57457 SGT Lind of
BCOF vehicle park on the night of 7 Feb 50.
3. An interview with NX57457 SGT Lind
resulted in the following information being learned. On the 7 Feb 50 SGT Lind parked his jeep in the vicinity of No.4
Police Box Kure between 2310 hrs and 2320 hrs and during that period his
greatcoat and gloves were removed.
4. The following is a description of the
greatcoat, it is a 1946 pattern with SGT rank on both sleeves, ADF patch on the
right sleeve, BCOF workshops patch on the left sleeve, a three-corner tear on
the back bottom left. SGT Lind’s
particulars are marked on the inside of the back. The gloves are fleecy lined leather gloves. Civil police have been furnished with this
description.
5. Although extensive enquiries have been
conducted by both civil police and myself, to date, no information has come to
hand, which would affect the recovery of the greatcoat and gloves or which
would lend to the arrest of the person or persons responsible for their
removal. Investigations are still
proceeding and should any further information come to hand it will be the
subject of a further report.
6. I am of the opinion that had NX57457
SGT Lind exercised better security measures concerning Army property on charge
to him, the theft would not have occurred.
4/160
(Original signed)
J.D. SULLIVAN
CPL
Provost Investigation Section
Dated 17 Feb
50
REPORT
Ref No: CPS
P-692
OC
BCOF Provost Unit
Subject: ALLEGED THEFT OF CAMERA, CIGARETTES AND PRAYER BOOK FROM O.R.’s
quarters bcof engr regt on 27 jan 50
1. I have to report that on 31 Jan 50, I
was instructed by SGT Hunter i/c Provost Investigation Section to conduct
enquiries relative to the above subject.
2. At 1030 hrs on 31 Jan 50, it was
reported to this section by CPS that one folding type Zeiss Ikion camera, 2 x
50 tins of cigarettes and one Prayer Book were alleged to have been stolen from
the quarters of 2/1045 SPR Ebstein P.B. of BCOF Engr Regt on 27 Jan 50.
3. I proceeded to the above mentioned
unit, where I contacted SPR Ebstein, who informed me that the aforementioned
articles were taken during the breakfast period on 27 Jan 50. SPR Ebstein stated that the reason he did
not report it immediately was because he thought that he might have mislaid the
camera, so he checked his quarters before reporting the loss.
4. SPR Ebstein informed me that he
discovered the loss before the Japanese employees, who usually clean the
quarters, had started work.
5. Through inquiries conducted in the BCOF
Engr Regt Camp, it was learnt that on several occasions small quantities of
cigarettes and tobacco have been removed from lockers in the O.R.s billets, but
the owners have not reported the matter because of the small quantity taken
each time.
6. Civil police have been notified and
given a description of the camera, which is as follows: Zeiss Ikion, folding type, fitted with 3.5
lens, No 1403488, with SPR Ebstein’s name scratched on the back.
7. Although extensive inquiries have been
conducted in Hiro -Kure and Hiroshima areas, by both civil police and myself,
to date no information has come to hand which would effect the apprehension of
the person or persons responsible for the removal of the missing articles or
which would effect the recovery of the articles. Investigations are still proceeding and should any further
information come to hand it will be the subject of a further report.
8. From inquiries conducted by me, I am of
the opinion that the articles were taken by another member of the unit.
4/160
(Original signed)
J.D. SULLIVAN
Provost Investigation Section
BCOF Provost Unit
Dated 6 Feb 50
REPORT
Ref No: CPS
P-650
OC
BCOF Provost Unit
Subject: Theft and disposal of O.F. clothing by YAMAMOTO Toshimi between Sep 49
and 13 Jan 50
1. I have to report that on 13 Jan 50, I
was instructed by SGT Hunter i/c Provost Investigation Section to conduct
enquiries relative to the above subject.
2. It was reported to this section by CAPT
Seaton, O.C. BCOF Provost Unit that, Yamamoto Toshimi of Kure shi, Azuma-cho 1
chome, 10, c/o Tanikawa Tadao, who was employed at BCOF Sig Regt as a fire
guard, had, during the period Sep 49 till 13 Jan 50 disposed of clothing on
issue to him as working dress.
3. An interview with Yamamoto resulted in
the following information being learned:
Yamamoto while employed by Sig Regt had been issued with a quantity of
dyed Army clothing.
4. In Sep 49 Yamamoto sold 1 pair dyed
K.D. trousers and a dyed safari jacket to Nagai Nobuaki (18), of Kure shi,
Shioya-cho, Higa shi, 328, for the sum of 900 Yen. In Oct 49 Yamamoto sold a dyed S.D. jacket to Nagai for 500 Yen.
5. In Nov 49 Yamamoto sold one silk white
shirt and one pair of fawn trousers, the property of VX64225 SIG Stewart of
BCOF Sig Regt, to Takioka Yuki (54) of Kure shi, Shikata cho, Nishi, 22 banchi,
for 400 Yen. Later the same month he
took two blankets from the camp area and sold them to a Korean he knew as
‘Kin-san’ whose address is not known.
Yamamoto received 3200 Yen for the said blankets. At about the end of Nov 49 Yamamoto sold
K.D. shirt (American pattern), the property of VX64225 SIG Steward to
Higashidani Hachiro (33) of Kure shi, 7 chome, Sanjo-dori, 14 banchi, for 200
Yen.
6. In Dec 49 Yamamoto sold 1 dyed 1946
pattern Aust Army great coat to Shiomi Hiromitsu (20) of Kure shi, 1 chome,
Nishi Hondori, 3-1 banchi for 1200 Yen.
Later the same month he sold 1 pair dyed S.D. trousers to Ishida Rikino
(71) of Kure shi, Atago-machi, 28-4 banchi, c/o Matsushita, for the sum of 400
Yen.
7. All the persons concerned in these
transactions were interviewed and a written statement obtained from each of
them, which are attached hereto.
8. On 1 Feb 50 VX64225 SIG D.D. Steward of
BCOF Sig Regt was interviewed, from him the following information was
learned. On about the 15 Nov 49 he
checked his clothing and discovered the loss of the following articles:
1 pr O.D. trousers;
1 pr civilian trousers (dark fawn);
1 K.D. shirt;
1 pr S.D. trousers; and
1 white silk shirt.
9. SIG Steward asked Yamamoto about the
missing clothing and was told that it was in the laundry. SIG Steward did not give Yamamoto permission
to remove the clothing from his quarters.
10.
The following is a list of
clothing:
1 pr O.D. trousers;
1 K.D. shirt;
1 pr K.D. trousers dyed;
1 S.D. jacket dyed;
1 Safari jacket dyed; and
1 1946 pattern greatcoat dyed.
11.
The O.D. trousers and K.D.
shirt were returned to SIG Steward on receipt.
12. Extensive enquiries are being conducted
with the assistance of the civil police, to effect the recovery of the remaining
articles, which Yamamoto sold.
13. All relative statements are attached.
14. As the result of extensive enquiries
conducted by me I am of the opinion that Yamamoto Toshimi sold the articles
because, both his wife and 2 year old daughter were in ill health and he did
not have sufficient money to buy the necessary food and medicine they required
at the time.
4/160
(Original signed)
J.D. SULLIVAN
CPL
Provost Investigation Section
BCOF Provost Unit
Veteran
Memories
The following information has been provided from ex
Australian MPs who served in BCOF during the years of 1946 to 1956, to provide
another view of life as a BCOF MP.
5/1239.
CPL Bill Munachen, known as 'Chinky' to his mates, served in the BCOF Provost
and Detention Unit in 1950/51 after transferring from 3 RAR in Japan. Chinky was promoted to L/Cpl in July 1950 and in
November 1950 was promoted to and exempted from qualifying to the substantive
rank of corporal.
I cannot recall attending any specific courses
as such for an MP Corporal, other than the occasional lecture. I learned the
duties and all that went with the position by experience. The duties of an MP in Kure Japan were many
and varied. Foot patrol and jeep
patrol duties were carried out on a regular basis as was jeep patrol duties in
Hiroshima, which was about 20 miles from Kure. The purpose of these patrols was to enforce standing orders,
making it an offence for service personnel to frequent ' out of bounds '
establishments such as brothels and some eating and drinking establishments and
for those who remained on any premises after closing time or after curfew.
Other duties included prevention and/or
detection of 'black market' activities, which were prevalent and particularly
lucrative. Goods landed from ships
were treated in the same manner with crew members being charged if found in
possession.
Escort duties were a regular and important part
of our activities. For example, two of
the unit jeeps were painted white with black trim and chrome fittings. These vehicles were used mainly for traffic
and speed patrols, pay and cash escorts duties, however, were also used as
V.I.P. escort vehicles for the B.C.O.F. C in C. Lt. Gen. ( later Sir Horace)
Robertson ( A.K.A. " Red Robbie ") and on such occasions as the visit
to Japan in 1951 by the Prime Minister Robert Menzies.
Most army vehicles were capable of a maximum speed of 60 mph and in order to be
able to overtake them during a pursuit, it was necessary for our vehicles to be
able to exceed this speed. Workshops mechanics made this possible for us and
the two white jeeps were capable of speeds in excess of 60 mph.
Occasionally, MPs were rostered for point duty,
usually with two Japanese Policemen taking it in turn, with half hour on, and half
hour off. Of course, it wasn't hard to
persuade them to do half on and half hour off. Standby patrol was another duty performed on a roster basis
along with mobile patrol. Where mobile
patrol shift was eight hours, standby was a 24 hour shift. Standby patrol was for any unexpected
events, emergencies or unruly behaviour by armed forces personnel, including
U.S. servicemen over whom the Australian MPs had jurisdiction.
A matter of concern for the B.C.O.F. top brass
was fraternisation by service personnel with the civilian population, in
particular prostitutes. The high
incidence of venereal disease was obviously a problem and an MP vice patrol
operated full time to monitor the situation.
During the total period of my service as an MP in Kure, the SGT IC was
one Eric Curphey, highly regarded by military and civil authorities.
Prostitutes were required to carry a health card
as a means of identification and a record of their compulsory medical checks.
Failure to comply with these requirements resulted in action being taken by the
civil police against them.
SGT
Harry Shearing who served with 23 Independent Provost Platoon from January 1946
to July 1946 relates the following stories from his time as an MP in BCOF:
I joined the Australian Army in April 1945 and
completed Recruit Training then waited for a posting to a unit. The war ended and I was posted to 2BOD (2
Base Ordnance Depot) at Moorebank, NSW.
My home was near here and I was pleased that I could see my family and
friends when on leave.
In October 1945, volunteers were asked for
service with BCOF (British Commonwealth Occupation Force) Japan. I applied and was accepted and sent to
Bathurst Camp in NSW. By January 1946
there were approximately 5000 troops present, mostly soldiers similar to
myself. As I was a driver prior to
joining up, I was looking for a Unit that wanted drivers.
Shortly after I noticed a GRO (General Routine
Order) posted on the notice board requesting persons to be "drivers in the
Military Police". I applied for a
position and was accepted. I was
informed that I would be on escort duties.
I was happy about this and guessed that I would be driving a truck or
driving a vehicle escorting other vehicles.
My first job as an MP "driver" was on
board the USS Pachaug Victory bound for Japan in 1946 where I had to guard the
bridge, crew quarters and engine room.
I quickly learned that "escort duties" had a wide scope in the
MPs.
I was given no training for the job and never
did a Basic MP course or similar and was there as a Provost NCO.
When we arrived in Japan, we were formed up on
the wharf and asked which unit we wished to join. I joined with the 23rd Independent Provost Platoon. Other units to choose from were the 24
Independent Provost Platoons and BRITCOM HQ Base Provost Unit.
As stated earlier "I was given no training for the job and never did a Basic
MP course or similar and was there as a Provost NCO". To the best of my knowledge, during my time
as a Provost NCO in Japan there was no formal training school or instruction
for being a Provost NCO/CPL.
I quickly settled in to life with 23 Ind Pro Pl
and was first billeted in an old 2 storey wooden warehouse which had no
windows, no doors, no heating. It had
plenty of snow inside and was freezing.
Six weeks later I was shifted to the 2nd floor of Kure House which was
warmer. Eight weeks later I was
shifted to permanent quarters at Eta Jima Naval Academy. {Eta Jima Naval
Academy was the Japanese Navy Officer Training School. Built in 1938 it was considered to be one
of the worlds most modern military training schools and produced most of the
wartime Japanese Naval Officers}
Our uniform consisted of a Summer Issue uniform
comprising Khaki Drill trousers and shirt, brown boots, white gaiters, white
webbing belt and straps. We had a
slouch hat with pugaree, black armband with red letters "MP", brass
buckles and hat badges with brass Australia insignia. The Winter uniform was identical with the addition of Service
Dress and Tie.
To carry out patrols and other duties as
requested we drove a mix of Jeeps, Dodge 15 CWT trucks, Motor Cycles and for
maritime patrols of docks and wharves we had a 30 foot launch manned with 2
Bren guns and 1 Owen gun.
Our patrols comprised a mix of the following
personnel, depending on who was available: Australian Provost NCO, British RMP,
Indian MP, New Zealand MP, RAN Shore Patrol and RAAF Police. As there was no fraternisation allowed, it
was difficult to police as the troops were always looking for some
entertainment. Patrols were made of
out of bounds areas which included wharves, stores, goods yards, camp
perimeters.
There was a lot of convoy work and posting signs
where there was outbreak of disease (mainly cholera and typhoid). There was plenty of black market trading
going on. The Military Police and
Intelligence worked together to catch the bosses and their workers. The Provost Courts would then charge the criminals
and they would be escorted to jail.
A typical days work would start at 0600 hrs - a
driver and two others would go to the labour pick-up depot and see to the
allocation of workers to units. Then
we would drive around the roads and villages, railway yards and local markets
to see if any troops were in the area.
If so they were asked why they were there and if they had passes. If not they would be escorted back to thier
own camp and charged.
Trucks were searched at random - it was
marvelous where they could hide things.
Night time was very quiet as there was nowhere to go and nothing to
see. No leave was granted on
weekdays. Sunday leave was spent
sightseeing to such places as Hiroshima, the Naval Base at Eta Jima, Mia Jima
and movies at Kure House. Another duty
was to check the last ferry to Eta Jima and if the nurses had missed the last
ferry, then they would be escorted back to Kure House - nurses had special
quarters.
In Kure City we shared the Police HQ with the
Japanese - it was half Japanese and half our troops. One night we picked up a civilian for possession of stolen goods
and he wouldn,t talk. The SGT asked me
to take him to the Japanese Police and so I escorted him down the hall and
explained he would not tell us anything.
They responded that they would fix the problem and proceeded to tie him to
a concrete pillar and tipped petrol around him and set it alight. It frightened the christ out of me, but he
did talk.
A more serious side to our duties related to
civilians who were shot by guards or Police for stealing and black market
trading. They would bring the bodies
back to the Police Station and put them out in the back yard placing a sheet of
tin over them and they would stay there until the relatives came to pick them
up. This could take weeks and the
stench would be unbelievable.
Prostitution and the spread of disease was hard
to clean up, so the Military Police set up two brothels, one at Kaitaichi and
one on Hiro Hill. They were working
well and helped cut the spread of disease down to zero. Unfortunately the one at Kaitaichi was
burnt down on Christnmas Eve by the Padres with the help of the YMCA. The one on Hiro Hill continued to work well
until a British Admiral kicked up a huge fuss and it had to be closed down.
Brief
chronology of the BCOF Provost Unit
The following is a brief summary of the Australian
Military Police involvement in BCOF Japan and is taken from the dates entered
in the original unit war diaries held at the Australian War Memorial:
·
23rd
Australian Independent Provost Platoon formed in New Guinea on 15.10.1945 as a
component of BCOF Japan. To Morotai,
then Japan, absorbed by the 1st Australian Provost Company on 17.9.1947
·
24th
Australian Independent Provost Platoon was formed in New Guinea on 18.10.1945
as a component of BCOF Japan. To
Morotai, then Japan, absorbed by the 1st Australian Provost Company on
17.9.1947
·
34th
Australian Infantry Brigade Provost Company formed 7.4.1946 as part of BCOF
Japan.
·
1st
Australian Provost Coy formed in Japan on 17.9.1947 by absorbing the personnel
of the 23rd and 24th Independent Provost Platoons. Absorbed 34th Australian Infantry Brigade provost Company on
29.11.1948 and was reorganised as BCOF Provost Unit on 15.3.1949
·
British
Commonwealth Occupation Force Provost Unit formed on 15.3.1949 in Japan from personnel
of 1st Australian Provost Company.
·
British
Commonwealth Occupation Force Provost and Detention Unit formed on 7.6.1950 in
Japan from personnel of British Commonwealth Occupation Force Provost Unit and
BCOF Detention Barracks.
·
British
Commonwealth Provost Company (AMF Component) formed in Korea on 1.4.1954 from
Australian personnel of 1st Commonwealth Division Provost Company.
·
British
Commonwealth Base Provost Company (Australian Component) existed 28.4.1956,
were the last Australian MPs from Korea and Japan. 1 or 2 Australian personnel only.