Submissions relate to Military History
HERITAGE COUNCIL HEARINGS PROTOCOL 2 REGISTRATION SUBMISSION TO HERITAGE COUNCIL (Pursuant to Section 38 of the Heritage Act 1995)
Place/Object Details
Place/Object Name: Park Orchards Chalet
Address/Location: Park Orchards, Victoria
Date of Notice of Recommendation (of the Executive Director or Heritage Council): 18 June 2010 *note: this submission must be lodged within 60 days of the recommendation being published
This submission: (tick relevant box/es)
- Supports a recommendation to include the above place/object in the Heritage Register
- Supports a recommendation not to include the above place/object in the Heritage Register
- Objects to a recommendation to include the above place/object in the Heritage Register
- Objects to a recommendation not to include the above place/object in the Heritage Register
- Supports the “Extent of Registration” and “Permit Policy/Permit Exemptions” recommended
- Objects to the “Extent of Registration” and “Permit Policy/Permit Exemptions” recommended
- Other (provide detail)
Reasons for Submission
In accordance with the Heritage Act, this submission must relate only to the issue of whether or not a place or object is of cultural heritage significance or to the recommended extent of registration or permit policy/permit exemptions.
During the Second World War the Chalet was the site of an espionage training school, code-named the School of Eastern Interpreters (SEI). SEI was run by the Services Reconnaissance Department, commonly known as “Z Special Unit” or Z Force”.
Apart from the Park Orchards Chalet, there are no other remaining examples of Z Special Unit Training Facilities in a relatively intact state and this fact alone gives the site immense historical and cultural significance. The Chalet provides a tangible link between Special Forces of WWII and today’s Army Special Forces units and veterans.
It is on these grounds that I object to the Park Orchards Chalet NOT being included in the Heritage Register. I have provided several Appendices which illustrate the espionage training uses of the Park Orchards Chalet.
It is my opinion that the Chalet should be retained intact and placed on the Heritage Register to protect it from planned destructive development. It is also my opinion that the Chalet’s secret history of espionage and spy training should be widely promoted by the Heritage Council as a unique heritage asset for Victoria. See attached Appendices
Do you wish to be heard by the Heritage Council in relation to this submission? Yes / No
*note: if a hearing is not requested the Heritage Council may determine the matter on written submissions.
Submitter Details
Name, Company/Agency Name: Craig Brown
Address:
Business/Mobile No:
Email address: (optional)
Please note that all written submissions received will be treated as public documents. While the Heritage Council will endeavour to respect any privacy wishes of which it is informed, it is bound by the Freedom of Information Act 1982. You should expect your submission to be freely and wholly available to anyone seeking access to it.
Submitter Signature: Date: 16 June 2010
Send your submission to: Heritage Council of Victoria, Level 4, 55 Collins St (PO Box 2392), Melbourne 3001. Fax: 03 8644 8811.
For further information, contact the Heritage Council Hearings Officer on 03 8644 8921 or at heritage.council@dpcd.vic.gov.au.
Craig Brown – 16 June 2010
Submission to the Heritage Council regarding the decision to NOT include the Park Orchards Chalet in the Heritage Register
Appendix A:
Photographs of the Park Orchards Chalet in use by Services Reconnaissance Department (Z Special Unit) as the School of Eastern Interpreters, circa 1944-45
Source: National Archives of Australia (www.naa.gov.au)
1. Title World War Two - Special Operations Australia (SOA) - Services Reconnaissance Department (SRD) - Establishments - School of Interpreters, main entrance. Series number A3269. Control symbol Q11 Contents date range: 1945-1946. Access status: Open. Location: Canberra. Barcode: 8295435
2. Title World War Two - Special Operations Australia (SOA) - Services Reconnaissance Department (SRD) - Establishments - School of Eastern Interpreters, main building, front view. Series number A3269. Control symbol: Q11. Contents date range: 1945-1946. Access status; Open. Location: Canberra. Barcode 8295436
3. Title World War Two - Special Operations Australia (SOA) - Services Reconnaissance Department (SRD) - Establishments - School of Eastern Interpreters, main building, side view Series number A3269. Control symbol Q11 Contents date range 1945 - 1946. Access status: Open Location Canberra. Barcode: 8295437
4. Title World War Two - Special Operations Australia (SOA) - Services Reconnaissance Department (SRD) - Establishments - School of Eastern Interpreters, main building, rear view Series number A3269. Control symbol: Q11. Contents date range: 1945-1946. Access status: Open. Location: Canberra. Barcode 8295438
5. Title World War Two - Special Operations Australia (SOA) - Services Reconnaissance Department (SRD) - Establishments - School of Eastern Interpreters, admin buildings. Series number A3269. Control symbol Q11. Contents date range 1945-1946. Access status Open Location Canberra Barcode 8295439
6. Title World War Two - Special Operations Australia (SOA) - Services Reconnaissance Department (SRD) - Establishments - School of Eastern Interpreters, gymnasium. Series number A3269 Control symbol Q11 Contents date range 1945-1946. Access status Open Location Canberra Barcode 8295440
7. Title World War Two - Special Operations Australia (SOA) - Services Reconnaissance Department (SRD) - Establishments - School of Eastern Interpreters, information room. Series number A3269 Control symbol Q11 Contents date range 1945-1946. Access status Open Location Canberra Barcode 8295441
8. Title World War Two - Special Operations Australia (SOA) - Services Reconnaissance Department (SRD) - Establishments - School of Eastern Interpreters, students lounge. Series number A3269 Control symbol Q11 Contents date range 1945-1946. Access status Open Location Canberra. Barcode 8295442
9. Title World War Two - Special Operations Australia (SOA) - Services Reconnaissance Department (SRD) - Establishments - School of Eastern Interpreters, photography workshop Series number A3269 Control symbol Q11 Contents date range 1945-1946. Access status Open Location Canberra Barcode 8295443
10. Title World War Two - Special Operations Australia (SOA) - Services Reconnaissance Department (SRD) - Establishments - School of Eastern Interpreters, interrogation. Series number A3269 Control symbol Q11 Contents date range 1945 - 1946. Access status Open Location Canberra Barcode 8295445
11. Title World War Two - Special Operations Australia (SOA) - Services Reconnaissance Department (SRD) - Establishments - School of Eastern Interpreters, Major G. Astley. Series number A3269 Control symbol Q11 Contents date range 1945-1946. Access status Open Location Canberra Barcode 8295446
Craig Brown – 16 June 2010: Submission to the Heritage Council regarding the decision to NOT include the Park Orchards Chalet in the Heritage Register
APPENDIX B:
Photograph of Chinese Canadian army special forces party training at the Park Orchards Chalet in use by Services Reconnaissance Department (Z Special Unit) as the School of Eastern Interpreters, circa 1945 See note below
Source: Redacted
The photograph shows the Canadian Chinese Operatives on the gravel driveway/parking area of the Park Orchards Chalet as seen in Photograph of Admin buildings in Appendix A. These men were training for Operation OBLIVION, a plan to drop ethnic Chinese Special Forces soldiers into Japanese- occupied southern China with a view to organising local guerrilla forces and sabotaging enemy installations. Upon returning from the Pacific Theatre, several of the men pictured were instrumental in gaining the right to Canadian citizenship for Chinese Canadians.
Excerpt from email from <redacted> describing the above photograph: "List of Names Who Were in Operation Oblivion:
1. Doug Jung, K.50902, cmi
2. Jim Shiu, K.69286, RCE
3. Norman Wong, A.61714, CIC
4. Hawk Wong, A.50317, CIC
5. Louey King, K.50207, RCAC
6. John Bong, K.50956, RCA/CIC
7. Ed Chow, B.91866, RCAMC describing the above photograph: “List of Names Who Were
8. Roy Chan, K.69908, RCA/RCASC
9. Wing Wong, L.100443, RCCS
10. Norm Low, K.49785, CIC
11. Roger Cheng, RCCS
12. Tom Lock, B.113018, CDC/CIC
13. Ray Lowe, H.71083, CIC
February 8, 2010
Hawk Wong is the remaining member. He turned 90 in November, 2009.
In the group photo, there is Vincent Yeung who according to John Bong, was with the Chinese Force in Hong Kong”
Craig Brown – 16 June 2010
Submission to the Heritage Council regarding the decision to NOT include the Park Orchards Chalet in the Heritage Register
APPENDIX C: Excerpt from “Official History of Special Operations Australia” Volume 1 Copy 1 – Organisation
Source: National Archives of Australia (www.naa.gov.au)
Reference:
Title [The Official History of the Operations and Administration of] Special Operations - Australia [(SOA), also known as the Inter-Allied Services Department (ISD) and Services Reconnaissance Department (SRD)] Volume 1 - Organisation - copy no 1 [for Director, Military Intelligence (DMI), Headquarters (HQ), Australian Military Forces (AMF), Melbourne]
Series number A3269
Control symbol O7/A
Contents date range 1946 - 1946 Access status Open
Location Canberra
Barcode 235324
See below:
Part 2 - Page 1
Chapter 1: Directorate of Training - Introduction
The nature of SO activities in the SWPA necessitated special training for all operatives sent into the field. Ordinary military training, while providing an indispensable basis for SO work, was insufficient for clandestine missions, coup-de-main operations or intelligence parties operating in enemy-held territory. Operational requirements and security considerations necessitated the establishment of Special Training Schools, usually under a cover name, where instruction in SO technique, methods and equipment could be given to recruits joining the organisation from other services or from civilian life. In general, recruits had to be taught special methods of insertion and infiltration; how to operate in small parties, how to maintain communications using special equipment; and how to live in the jungle and work with natives.
Specialist instructors were required for many subjects such as languages, intelligence, small boats, signals, etc.
Instruction was given to SRD operative personnel at the
following SRD Training Establishments:-
1. Z Experimental Station, Cairns.
2. Fraser Commando School, Queensland.
3. School of Eastern Interpreters, Melbourne.
4. Careening Bay Camp (Special Boat School), Perth.
5. Camps 6 & 8, Mt Martha (near Melbourne).
6. Advanced Training Camp, Morotai.
7. Advanced Training Camp, Darwin.
By arrangement with DMT, use was made on occasions of the
following Army Training Schools for special operational
parties:-
1. Parachute Training Unit, Richmond, N.S.W.
2. School of Military Engineering, Liverpool, N.S.W.
3. Signals Training Centre, Bonegilla.
SRD training was directed by V/DU (Lt-Col OLDHAM) until Jun 45, when it was then taken over temporarily by D/Plans, (Major J.S.S. Finlay). A full-time training appointment was made in Oct 44 when Major G.S.A. Howard, of STS HQ, London, was sent to SRD Melbourne as D/Training. A G3 Trg, Capt H.R.J. Wooton, formerly of 1 Aust Corps HQ was appointed in May 45.
Until the beginning of 1945, SRD operatives were recruited chiefly by Country Sections, who passed them for instruction to the Training Section. With the formation of Advanced Operational Groups, recruiting from Army sources was taken on by Ops, Training and Security, and students were then trained basically and held for advanced training in an operational pool, until required by Groups for operations.
Training was generally designed to include:-
1. A Basic Course for all students;
2. Specialised training, e.g. signals, parachute,
medical, submersible craft, etc., (when required);
School of Eastern Interpreters ('B' School)
After a visit by D/Trg to UK in 1944, and an inspection by him of the 'B' Group of Schools, where students were trained in planning and building an organisation, in clandestine work and in espionage and intelligence, it was decided to establish a small counterpart of these schools in Australia. The 'B' syllabus from UK was modified considerably to make it suitable for operations in the Pacific theatre.
In Feb 44, instruction in 'B' subjects was begun under Capt P.W. Moyes and a small staff of instructors in a separate wing at FCS, but this location was found unsuitable and it was decided to transfer to the neighbourhood of Melbourne in order to give students, including native students, the opportunity of intelligence work in a built-up area. The first site chosen was at Mt Martha, in Jun 44, but a further move to an excellent and isolated site was made in Aug 44 when a house at Park Orchards in the country behind Melbourne was taken over.
Here, under the cover name of School of Eastern Interpreters, students were given lectures on Japanese counter-espionage, Japanese OOB, Planning an Organisation, Cover Story, Secret Methods of Intercommunication, etc. Instruction in Malay was also continued at this school. Exercises applying the principles of the instruction given, were arranged in the city of Melbourne. Civilian clothes were worn and faked identity cards and certificates were prepared to support the cover story used by students.
This course was devised chiefly for Party Leaders and 21 /C's but other members of operational parties were also admitted. Each student was given a new identity at the beginning of the course and had to build a cover story to fit it. This identity was kept during the course and on the occasions of interrogation after an exercise, he had to justify his behaviour in accordance with his cover story.
The early part of the course dealt with information, its importance, the type required and how to obtain it; and how apparently insignificant facts might convey important information to trained intelligence personnel. Enemy counter-espionage systems, interrogation methods, description of persons and surveillance were dealt with at the same time. Other subjects covered during the course included planning an organisation, recruiting agents in the field, methods of internal communication, the use of secret inks, simple disguises, lock-picking and methods of entering and searching buildings.
Party Leaders were given separate tuition as far as possible as it was not considered advisable to train them with agents, especially when the latter were Asiatics. They also took a course in cipher. All students who required it were taught Malay and one party of foreign-born Chinese studied their own language.
With the help of D/Int, a very complete library of information booklets, giving conditions in occupied territories, topographical information, etc was built up. The whole atmosphere of the school was non-military and particularly well-suited for study. Students who had no previous knowledge of the country into which they were to be inserted, could acquire from the information held at the School and from the lectures given, a useful back-ground of topographical and political information on the countries in which they were interested.
In Jan 45, photography was added to the syllabus. This was very necessary as the treatment of cameras and photographic material in the tropics, as well as the processing of films and papers, required considerably more care than in temperate climates.
For special parties having industrial or communication targets in their areas, visits to local installations in Melbourne were arranged from this school.
In all, a total of 122 students, including Australian, British, Malay, Dutch, Indonesians, French and Canadian-Chinese passed through this school. The site was closed in Aug 45 and the instructors were sent to Groups in forward areas for the continued instruction of parties.
Craig Brown – 16 June 2010
Submission to the Heritage Council regarding the decision to NOT include the Park Orchards Chalet in the Heritage Register
APPENDIX D: Excerpt from “Borneo Story” an unpublished 1992 memoir by Keith Barrie (now deceased), a Z Special Unit Operative
This excerpt covers Mr Barrie’s recollections of his time training in “Underground Methods” at the Park Orchards Chalet when it was known as the School of Eastern Interpreters
See below:
Excerpt from the unpublished memoir, “Borneo Story”, Keith Barrie, Z Special Unit Operative, WWII. Pages 23‐24
Section Titled “To Special Intelligence School Ringwood” directly relates SGT Barrie’s experiences training at the Park Orchards Chalet, or School Of Eastern Interpreters as it was known within Z Special Unit.
BORNEO STORY - FRASER ISLAND
I think it fair to say that for many of us Fraser Island
seemed to be the home of the Unit as we spent so much of our time there in hard physical training, and the crucial decisions regarding our future were communicated to us
there. However my memories of Fraser Island cannot now be compartmentalised into particular periods. I seemed to be backwards and forwards there many times. So this
experience is all telescoped together under the heading RETURN TO FRASER ISLAND, below.
TO SPECIAL INTELLIGENCE SCHOOL, RINGWOOD
The cover name of the school was - "School of Eastern Interpreters” - I always thought of it as just "Ringwood". Again I have forgotten all the details but a few things remain indelibly impressed in my memory. I think this is mainly because of the incongruity of some of the training advice, and to some extent extra- curricular activities.
For example considerable emphasis was given to the security aspect as was the case throughout training from the beginning. Inevitably, many of the procedures passed on were the result of experiences derived from SOE operations in Occupied Europe. I remember being somewhat enchanted by some advice relating to the need for prudence such as remaining inconspicuous when visiting cafes in townships - i.e. avoid regular visits to the same cafe, but in the event of an unavoidable repeat visit, do not sit at the same location. Having regard to our intended sphere of operations I had some difficulting in conjuring up a vision of a European face being inconspicuous in a sea of Asians. In retrospect the mind boggles at the thought of a European face being unnoticed in a shop house cafe in Borneo! There was also some reasonable advice about the need to avoid staying in local houses on security grounds. But this again was really slanted to operations in Europe. Given the nature of our subsequent operations, this has been cause for some amusement also.
Among other things we were taught were numerous technical aspects of the burglary "profession", like picking all kinds of locks, all of which I have regrettably forgotten - regrettably because of problems I have had in my own house losing keys etc. Then there was the hilarious episodes of tracking quarries and shaking off "shadows" around Melbourne, dressed in "make-do" civilian clothes - mostly ill-fitting of course - in and out of pubs, lavatories, Jumping on trams in Swanston Street, and off again, then on to another travelling in the opposite direction - real Hollywood stuff. Didn’t see too many trams in Borneo! I suppose looking back it was a classic case of the Army getting its targets wrong because we could be excused for thinking we were being prepared for European operations, not the jungles of Borneo.
Then I remember a group of us, Edmeades, Crofton-Moss, (both Lieutenants), and myself, (still a Bombadier) in the afforementioned civilian clobber being sent off to Geelong to obtain information about the harbour works, channels and tides in the port area of that City - supposed to take a few days. Well that was a real "doddle". For one thing we found a model of the harbour and wharves in the local Museum and then by simply edging up to numerous fishermen along the waterfront we obtained all the information we needed about tides and shipping channels - on the first day. So what to do with the rest of the time? Somehow or other we found there was a dance on locally which we attended and finished up chatting up some girls. The others were keen on a pick up operation - I was unenthusiatic as I was involved with a girl in Sydney at the time. However trying not to be a piker I went along with them. Somehow or other we all crowded into a car, I presume belonging to one of the girls and headed for the open country. At this I became even less enthusiastic but by this time I was stuck in the backseat with Crofton-Moss - a rather bulky gentleman -and two of the girls. Eric Edmeades was in the front - I’m not sure he wasn’t driving. Anyway on arrival in the open country Edmeades and his bird disappeared into the darkness, Crofton-Moss and his protegee moved into the front seat after which there was a lot of threshing about. Meanwhile the other lass who seemd to be willing enough for some smoogeing at least, had the misfortune to be paired off with
me who wanted nothing more than to get back to town. She was not pleased - I couldn’t blame her - so there were some awkward moments while we awaited Ric’s return from the darkness and Crofton-Moss to complete his wrestling. We eventually returned to town where I was dropped off at our lodging area. I think everybody else was well pleased to be rid of the "wet blanket". We eventually returned to base
and subsequent aspects of the Ringwood experience were so forgettable as to leave no trace in my memory.
Some of my colleagues have since reminded me that we had to bow to a Jap dummy on entering class each day, the penalty for failing to do so being a belt across the head with a folded newspaper. That should have remained in my mind but strangely I have no recollection of it now. So those were the most memorable aspects of the Ringwood training.
RETURN TO FRASER ISLAND
The chronology of the training programme as I remember it is now open to question but to the best of my knowledge, I returned to Fraser Island after a brief leave in Sydney following the Ringwood interlude.
Craig Brown — 16 June 2010
Submission to the Heritage Council regarding the decision to NOT include the Park Orchards Chalet in the Heritage Register
APPENDIX E: Excerpt from “Downstream Twice” an unpublished 1968 memoir by Bill Sochon (now deceased), a Z Special Unit Operative
This excerpt covers Mr Sochon’s recollections of his time practicing “Underground Methods” on the streets of Melbourne during training at the Park Orchards Chalet when it was known as the School of
Eastern Interpreters
See over the page
Craig Brown – 16 June 2010
Submission to the Heritage Council regarding the decision to NOT include the Park Orchards Chalet in the Heritage Register
APPENDIX E: Excerpt from “Downstream Twice” an unpublished 1968 memoir by Bill Sochon (now deceased), a Z Special Unit Operative
This excerpt covers Mr Sochon’s recollections of his time practicing “Underground Methods” on the streets of Melbourne during training at the Park Orchards Chalet when it was known as the School of Eastern Interpreters
See over the page
The following is extracted from the unpublished memoir of Z Special Unit Officer Bill Sochon.
It describes training exercises on the streets of Melbourne conducted while a student at the School of Eastern Interpreters at the Park Orchards Chalet
Between planning sessions the members of SRD w ere constan tly given e xercises in initiative. The term ` initiative’ is frequently inte rpreted r ather b roadly by trainin g staff, and it gives cause for won der, that service p ersonnel abou t t o tak e off int o unexplored j ungle lands where the foot of a whit e man has infrequently , i f ever, trodden, should be subjected to the sa me sort of `initiative tr aining’ as their counterparts to be dropped into the highly civilised and built-up areas of Europe. Be that as it may, SRD followed somewhat slavishly the training patterns set up by their British counterparts. Several exercises were set within the same contest. The luckless `agent’ would be driven out to some remote part of Melbourne and let loose. Dressed in borrowed civilian clothes which, purposely, did not fit; deprived of papers and the all-important identity card; and s upplied with no money whatsoev er, they were ordered to make their way to so me d istant suburb or outly ing t own in a g iven time. There is no doubt that the initiative was exercised, but it is hard to see that the ability to get across Melbourne in broad daylight is in any way comparable to making one’s way through the hea vy jungle of Bo rneo or travel ling by prahu down the Rejang River. It was not unlike trai ning a soldier in the art of t he b low-pipe and then dropping him into the suburbs of Paris.
One very cold morning, decked out in an ill-fitting and rather grubby blue serge jacket, apparently veteran `props’ for this type of performance, I was let lose in Melbourne with orders to report to the far side of that large city by a specified hour. Nothing daunted, I climbed aboard a tram and rode it until the conductress approached me for the requisite fare. Being penniless I was unable to observe this nicety, and rapidly hopped off in the middle of Bourke Street, the heart of the shopping section. The conductress was having none of that nonsense and loudly hailed a policeman standing nearby. Acutely conscious of the stares of bystanders, I ducked down a side street, the constable in hot pursuit. Happily well-conditioned by Mallaig, Ringway and the Queensland Commando School, I soon outpaced him and, doubling back two blocks, jumped on a tram travelling in the opposite direction. I had no sooner sat down than the icy impact of the seat confirmed what a sudden ripping sound had suggested as I leaped for the running board. The central se m on the rear of my pants had given way. Judiciously waiting until the tram was opposite a hotel, and warily keeping an eye on the conductress who was then happily engaged at the far end of the tram, I jumped off, ran past the startled doorman and streaked for the gents. Here, with the aid of a couple of safety pins, I was able to repair the damage sufficiently to permit me to be on my merry way. Ragged, unpressed, grubby and ill-fitting clothes are one thing, but the sight of an unkempt, furtive figure slinking along Melbourne’s main streets, bare-arsed to boot, would have been too much even for the police of that city.
The war y ears brough t together many strange fellow creatures, and there is hardly a person who donned a uniform in those days who cannot remember at least one `character’. Indeed, it used to be said in the Regular Army, `If you can’t be a brilliant officer, be a character’, the inference being that one should get away with murder whilst the better-behaved types were not expected to perform in a similar manner. One of my companions was such a man. A well-built figure, he sported a Seaforth kilt, the famous red and blue flashes of the Highland Division, paratroop wings, wound stripes and, to crown all, a gian t-sized ginger handlebar moustache. His unfailing good humour and his hilarious antics had already set him apart fro m his fellows, and he was much liked. He and I were standing on the platform of a Melbourne tram, clanking down St Kilda Road one afternoon when the Highlander saw an acquaintance on the footpath. Without a word he stepped off on to the roadway, completely disregarding the speed of the rattling tram, made a beautiful two-point landing, rolled over briskly in true copy-book paratroop fashion, came to his feet, and without a word of explanation, advanced smilingly towards his friend, his hand outstretched in greeting.
Craig Brown – 16 June 2010
Submission to the Heritage Council regarding the decision to NOT include the Park Orchards Chalet in the Heritage Register
APPENDIX F: Excerpt from “SEI Lectures”, the Training Syllabus for the School of Eastern Interpreters which used the Park Orchards Chalet during the Second World War.
Source: National Archives of Australia (www.naa.gov.au)
Reference:
[The Official History of the Operations and Administration of Special Operations Australia (SOA), also known as the Inter-Allied Services Department and Services Reconnaissance Department (SRD) - Volume 4 - Training Syllabi - part 1 - appendix F - pages 408 to 505] SEI [School of Eastern Interpreters] Lectures
Series number A3269
Control symbol Q1/A
Contents date range 1944 - 1945
Access status Open Location Canberra Barcode 235338
SEI LECTURES
Introduction .................................. 408
Opening Address ............................... 414
Cover Story ................................... 418
Planning an Organization ...................... 423
Planning and Organization in the Field .............................. 426
Enemy Counter-Espionage ....................... 430
Information ................................... 433
Reports on Shipping, Aircraft and Air Movement .......................... 435
External Communications ....................... 437
Description of Individuals .................... 439
Interrogation ................................ 440
Burglary ...................................... 442
Internal Communications;
Passing of Information .................... 447
Training of Agents ............................ 451
Recruiting of Agents and
Contacts .................................. 452
Recruiting and Handling of
Contacts .................................. 455
Policy of Subversive Activity ................. 457
Shadowing ..................................... 460
Planning for Emergency ........................ 463
Simple Methods of Disguise .................... 466
Japanese Order of Battle ...................... 471
Japanese Army Organisation .................... 472
Notes on Tropical Photography ................. 482
Appreciation of Method and
Planning of Attack ........................ 489
Operation Orders .............................. 491
Exercises ..................................... 493
Advice on Behaviour Under Japanese Interrogation .................... 501
Below is a cleaned transcription of all decipherable text from the uploaded pages, preserving original wording where legible and marking uncertain portions with [illegible].
Pages 24-32.pdf
TOP SECRET LECTURE 408 INTRODUCTION TO COURSE
1. OBJECT
At this school you will be given final training to assist you in your work in enemy occupied territories.
The instruction has five aims:
(a) in espionage (b) in reporting shipping, aircraft and M.T. movements (c) in ciphers and secret inks (d) in the areas in which they are interested (e) in security
The course has been divided into two sections: Party Leaders and Agents.
Each section will be trained in their own particular work. Where the work is common to both sections, such as in exercises, the students will work as one body.
2. ESPIONAGE
The training consists of lectures and exercises.
The exercises are various and cover all phases of the lectures: descriptions, shadowing, cover stories, fictitious identities, the passing of information, making contacts, use of signs, interrogations, personal searches, the collection of information, and simple disguise.
Approximately 25 hours and 75 hours are allotted to lectures and exercises respectively.
The exercises will be carried out in Melbourne and its vicinity. Civilian clothes, fictitious identities, and identity cards will be used.
The object of the training is to build up confidence in the student; to arouse his natural cunning and shrewdness; to make him alert; to train his powers of observation and memory; to make him use his imagination and initiative.
3. REPORTING OF SHIPPING, AIRCRAFT AND M.T. MOVEMENTS
The training consists of 8 hours of lectures and 7 hours of exercises.
This training is closely related to espionage activity. The collection of shipping, aircraft and M.T. information will be included in our espionage exercises.
4. CIPHERS AND SECRET INKS
Cipher will be taught to Party Leaders only. It has no bearing on the agent's work.
Secret inks will form a part of the instruction to all students.
The cipher training takes 13 hours and the secret inks [time illegible].
The ciphers are those which will be used in the field.
The secret inks are those which can be applied to circumstances in the field.
5. THE STUDY OF OCCUPIED AREAS
Students will study those areas in which they are interested.
You will study enemy dispositions and activities; the economic, political and topographical information; the condition of the social areas of each area.
Maps are available. Students will keep up to date their own particular maps showing enemy O.O.B., etc.
A great deal of information concerning enemy occupied territory is available.
(a) Enemy Broadcasts and Information on Enemy Occupied Territories.
Each student will study these from his own point of view.
An area to study will be allotted to each student.
A consolidated report will be submitted on the last Monday of the course taking in:
(i) personalities (ii) enemy activities militarily (iii) economic conditions (iv) political conditions (v) agricultural and industrial conditions (vi) education (vii) impositions
(b) Situation Reports.
A situation map will be kept up to date.
Students will be paired off for the purpose of keeping the map up to date.
Students studying a particular area will not divulge information to other students who are studying another area.
6. SECURITY
(a) INTRODUCTION
(i) Security is the first consideration of the agent. Unless he takes the necessary precautions for his own safety it is useless for him to attempt any activity alone or with other people.
(ii) The agent must remember that he is surrounded by the enemy, seen and unseen. Therefore he must remember that he has only his alertness, initiative and observation to rely on.
The agent can, despite apparent difficulties, overcome the enemy by training himself in security until it becomes second nature to him.
He must beware of the danger of over-confidence when he sees little evidence of measures being taken against him.
In civilian life one disciplines oneself to the environment, the traffic, the laws; and similarly, in enemy occupied territory he disciplines himself to the conditions operating.
(b) SECURITY RULES
The following should be studied by the agent and will be passed on to persons recruited.
(i) cover story (ii) information (iii) alertness (iv) inconspicuousness (v) discretion
(i) COVER STORY
It is essential to have a comprehensive cover story for his past and every subsequent action, and to do nothing that might jeopardise it.
This is covered fully in the next lecture.
(ii) INFORMATION
This is the basis of all the agent's work.
Under this heading all information which concerns the agent and his security is considered. It is called "Defensive Information".
As much as possible is supplied before departure, but this must be checked and supplemented on arrival in the area.
The following defensive information is required:
Topography.
Conditions and regulations in occupied and unoccupied areas.
Enemy counter-espionage organisations, methods and personnel.
The agent must have a thorough knowledge of his area, the towns and streets, eating places, town offices such as the Police Station and Post Office, country roads, tracks, vegetation and natural features.
A knowledge of the conditions is essential. The agent must know what commodities, food and clothing are obtainable; what crops are being sown and when harvested.
He must know the regulations; what documents are necessary, identity cards, ration cards; what are the regulations controlling traffic, travelling, curfews, carrying of arms.
This applies to all areas occupied by the enemy and unoccupied areas controlled by guerrillas.
A knowledge of the enemy counter-espionage organisations is essential. What are they? How do they operate and who belongs to them?
Do they use as agents races indigenous to the country? In Java, Javanese. In Malaya, Malays, Indians or Chinese.
Do they raid market places, cafes, houses and blocks of houses to examine identity cards and discover subversive conversation and activity?
(iii) ALERTNESS
The agent is opposed to the law and his safety depends upon his alertness in anticipating danger and therefore avoiding it.
He must develop his powers of observation and a good memory.
He must observe and commit to memory faces, voices, instructions and information. He should commit as little as possible to writing.
(iv) INCONSPICUOUSNESS
The agent should at all times avoid attracting attention to himself by:
Observing all rules and regulations.
Small infringements of the law will bring the agent into contact with the police and this may lead to a further and more serious investigation.
Personal behaviour.
The agent's personal physical appearance must fit the cover story, clothing, effects and body.
Avoid people suspected by the police.
Avoid forming habits as far as possible.
Avoid anyone who is conspicuous in any way.
The agent should merge into the background and act in the same manner as those around him who carry out the same function in the community.
Aim at making a good impression provided it conforms with the general pattern of social behaviour.
(v) DISCRETION
Discretion in conversation, correspondence and general attitude is essential.
Do not adopt a hush-hush attitude or an atmosphere of importance.
Do not tell people more than they need to know.
Do not be led into making compromising statements.
Do not carry incriminating documents, names, addresses or notes.
Do not over-indulge in alcohol or relations with women.
Indiscretion must be treated at once and with severity.
The enemy may not arrest the offender, but will attempt to obtain, by shadowing or bribes, other members of the organisation.
CONCLUSION
These precautions and regulations must be second nature to the agent.
He should keep them continuously in mind and train himself in carrying them out.
7. SECURITY WITHIN THE SCHOOL
The work of this school will not be discussed outside.
It will not be discussed before members of the administrative staff.
Notebooks will be withdrawn and destroyed at the end of the course.
Notes will not be necessary in many cases.
Copies of the lectures will be issued to each student at the end of each day.
This covers the complete decipherable text from Lecture 408 (pages shown in the PDF extract).
Source: Park Orchards Chalet Inclusion in Heritage List SEI Submission Application Redacted Military Original Scan
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