Before the Z special unit was formed, Special Operations Australia, a joint military allied organization under the cover name of Inter-Allied Services Department which consists of British SOE soldiers who had escaped from the Japanese Occupation in Singapore and formed the Z special unit.
The Krait, a vessel which carried the men of the Z special unit
on Operation Jaywick after the raid
(Left)
In 1943, 28 year old British officer, Captain Ivan Lyon along with 61 year old Bill Reynolds an Australian civilian planned the attack of several Japanese ships stationed at the habour of Singapore.
The commandos then traveled in a vessel disguised as an Asian fishing boat. They used collapsible canoes to attach mines on the Japanese ships
He then stole a Japanese coastal fishing boat to evacuate refugees out of Singapore (Above), when that boat arrived at India it was then renamed the Krait after a small but deadly Asian snake
Operation Jaywick was a success with 7 Japanese ships being destroyed by the mines implanted by the British soldiers, the Japanese were surprised about the raid as they were no scouts at that night of the raid.
Website: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Jaywick (Source and image)
Date accessed: 17 Feb 2013
Hi Adison,
ReplyDeleteI understand that Captain Ivan and about 9 of his men were captured in a subsequent raid, and executed in a field in Dover road. Can you confirm if this is true? Thanks.