Airdrie Academy War Heroes
​
In memory of Peter Brown Love,
Former Pupil.
It is fair to say that the result of WWII would have been very different had it not been for the efforts of merchant seamen who sailed all manner of vessels in highly dangerous situations, and suffered appalling, and largely unrecognised losses for their troubles.
On 9 March 1944 while en-route to the UK from Newcastle via Melbourne, Fremantle and Bombay with a cargo of zinc, the brand new (Built May 1943 at the Barclay Curle's yard on the Clyde, Whiteinch, Glasgow) Hain Steamship Company’s 7,840 ton vessel TSMV Behar under Captain Maurice Symonds (51) was overtaken in the Indian Ocean west southwest of the Cocus group about 1,200 miles from the Australian coast, and sunk by the Japanese heavy cruiser HIJMS (His Imperial Japanese Majesty's Ship) Tone (Pearl Harbour was 3 month previous 7th December 1941), under Captain ‘Harus’ (Haruo) Mayazumi. A radio distress signal “RRRR...” was received by another ship MV Rookley which eventually reported it on arrival at Fremantle 17 March.
Three on board Behar were killed during the action, RN personnel AB Robinson, and Gunner Pyecroft, plus an unnamed, presumably Indian ship’s fireman. The other crew, some seriously injured, and passengers who all tumbled into four lifeboats, 108 were picked up, stripped and initially, tightly secured with marline on the deck of Tone. Their arms reportedly forced back and upwards with a choking loop around the throat. Later the prisoners were held below decks in badly ventilated and poorly lit compartments, a sweltering ordeal which lasted for six days during which they were regularly beaten. Tone rendezvoused at Batavia with two other cruisers of the Southwest Area Fleet Aoba and Chikumba. All three ships were battle-hardened from events at Pearl Harbour, the Java Sea and Midway.
The Captain of Tone sought instructions from Vice-Admiral Naomosa Sakonju who oversaw the squadron and was told to “dispose” of the prisoners, a command previously given through two radio signals soon after their capture. The story goes that Mayazumi, a Christian, had made a humble personal plea to spare the prisoners, and unlike Sakonju, this had spared him from the noose at the subsequent Hong Kong war-crime trials. It is arguable that he deserved any compassion because the prisoners had suffered appalling treatment under his command, and when he returned to his ship, he ordered what has become known as the Behar Massacre. Interestingly his second-in-command Commander Mii, also a Christian, had absolutely refused to participate in the atrocity, but was not punished by the Japanese navy.
Eight European officers and twenty English speaking seamen and seven passengers were segregated for POW for eventual landing at Tanjong Priok, and internment at Batavia. Tone put to sea and during the hours of darkness on 18 March seventy-two remaining crew and passengers of Behar, the crew mainly Lascars from Goa India, were brought to their knees with crude physical assaults and decapitated.
During my research for Airdrie Academy’s former pupils who are remembered in the schools’ memorial desk and book of remembrance, I found out that Fifth Engineer Officer Peter Brown Love, born 1916, was onboard this ship. The son of Peter Brown Love and Jeannie (Buchanan) Love and husband of Marion Ritchie (McLean) Love, they married in 1942, of Airdrie, Lanarkshire, Scotland. He was not one of the crew that were killed when the boat was attacked and sunk on 9th March 1944, but he was one of many murdered by the Japanese on 18th March at the age of 27.
The murders were delegated by Captain Mayazumi to a Lieutenant Ishihara. Accomplices were a Lieutenant Tani and Sub-Lieutenants Tanaka and Otsuka. There were others. Commander Mii gave evidence at the trial that Tanaka and Otsuka boasted about their acts afterwards. Another court witness was merchant Captain P.J. Green of the China Steam Navigation Co., who had been one of the passengers on Bihar. He and two other men taken from Bihar, Symonds and Walker had been enslaved in the coal mines in Japan. Four of the English-speaking Indian prisoners who were landed in Indonesia later died there during internment. Amongst the other captured Europeans were two women, an RAF Flight Sergeant and three NZ navy officers.
After the Behar massacre, in late 1944 Vice-Admiral Sakonju, still on Aoba, gained some recognition for himself at Leyte. There USS Bream put a torpedo into his ship on 23 October, but he managed to transfer to another vessel.
There is another aspect to the Behar incident perhaps worthy of contemplation. When the ship was in Melbourne it received substantial attention from the Melbourne Press, and probably in turn, Japanese intelligence. Voyaging across the Great Australian Bight with its strategic cargo, it had a setback of 10 hours due to trouble with its paravanes, but it rounded Cape Leeuwin on 4 March to call briefly at Fremantle and take on a navy gun-crew.
The three Japanese cruisers had been conducting parallel 60 mile wide sweeps of the normal Fremantle-Aden trade route SW of Cocus as if in expectation, and were on the verge of abandoning their efforts when Tone made the intercept. Captain Mayazumi should and could have taken the vessel as a prize as per orders, but sank it instead, ostensibly because it was too far out of the way, which it wasn’t.
Behar was the second ship of that name sunk during the war. The first struck a mine in Milford Haven in 1940. The warship Tone was eventually broken up in Japan, and there are several photographs of this process which can be seen online in the Australian War Memorial’s website catalogue. The ship is to a degree still revered by fans of Japanese militarism.
A book, Behar Massacre, by D. Sibley was published in England in 1997, but has proved particularly elusive. Lord Russell’s Knights of the Bushido (1958) has a description on pp. 227-232. He says Admiral Sakonju was hung after the war and Captain Mayazumi was sentenced to seven years imprisonment. Hermon Gill’s official history, RAN 1942-1945 also has a brief but slightly confused mention on pages 288-91 and says both men were imprisoned. Bernard Edwards (1991) devotes a chapter in Blood and Bushido: Japanese Atrocities at Sea. pp 137-151. The Australian Archives in Melbourne have two small files MP1587/1 161I and MP1577/1 465F relating to the loss of Behar.
James MacKay’s 1996 book Betrayal in High Places provides a sobering account of the brutal mistreatment of the Europeans based upon a diary account by one of the New Zealanders, the late James Godwin (RNZAF). Godwin became fluent in Japanese during his internment and after the war became an official war crime investigator in Tokyo. He became disillusioned with Allied political interference which allowed many war criminals to escape prosecution, and the associated deliberate destruction of pertinent records. A P&O Archive photograph of Behar is in O’Donoghue, K.J. and Appleyard H.S. (1986). Hain of St Ives, published by The World Ship Society.
There is a request for any vessel to drop a tribute if passing over the wreck of the Behar. The ship lies at approximately 87º 10’ E. 20º 32’ S.
Lest we forget.
Mr Arthur J. Bannister (former pupil 1979-1985, former Science Technician 1991-2013)
1944 BEHAR massacre. War at it's worst...."We Will Remember Them"Officers, Crew & Passenger Executed Onboard Japanese Cruiser Tone 18/19th March 1944.(Including those killed in the shelling, died in captivity or disappeared)British ExecutedANDERSON, Third Officer, JAMES SMITH, M.V. Behar (London). Merchant Navy. 18th - 19th March 1944. Age 23.BROWN, 6th Engineer, JOHN, M.V. Behar (London). Merchant Navy. 18th - 19th March 1944. Age 21. Son of John and Anne Brown, of Glasgow. CAMPBELL, Third Engineer Officer, EAN NIGEL MACCAILEN, M.V. Behar (London). Merchant Navy. 18th - 19th March 1944. Age 44.CRAIG, Fourth Engineer Officer, JOSEPH ROBERTSON, M.V. Behar (London). Merchant Navy. 18th - 19th March 1944. Age 45.CUMMING, Third Radio Officer, HENRY GORDON, M.V. Behar (London). Merchant Navy. 18th - 19th March 1944. Age 23.LOVE, Fifth Engineer Officer, PETER BROWN, M.V. Behar (London). Merchant Navy. 18th - 19th March 1944. Age 27. Son of Peter Brown Love and Jeannie Love; husband of Marion Ritchie Love, of Airdrie, Lanarkshire. MARTIN, Engineer Officer (Seventh), THOMAS, M.V. Behar (London). Merchant Navy. 18th - 19th March 1944. Age 23. Son of Daniel and Janet Martin, of Glasgow. MATTHEWS, Apprentice, DENYS JAMES, M.V. Behar (London). Merchant Navy. 18th - 19th March 1944. Age 17. Son of Jasper Heros Matthews and Mary Christine Matthews, of Rumney, Cardiff. MOORE, Apprentice, ALAN CHARLES, M.V. Behar (London). Merchant Navy. 18th - 19th March 1944. Age 18.McGINNES, Second Engineer Officer, EDWARD, M.V. Behar (London). Merchant Navy. 18th - 19th March 1944. Age 28.ROBERTSON, Fourth Officer, JOHN, M.V. Behar (London). Merchant Navy. 18th - 19th March 1944. Age 35. Son of John and Eliza B. Robertson, of Bo'ness, West Lothian. ROWLANDSON, Second Officer, GORDON RUTHERFORD, M.V. Behar (London). Merchant Navy. 18th - 19th March 1944. Age 30. Husband of Olive Kendall Rowlandson, of Chingford, Essex. SMITH, Engineer Officer (Eighth), ROBERT, M.V. Behar (London). Merchant Navy. 18th - 19th March 1944. Age 23. Son of Robert and Margaret Smith; husband of Winifred Smith. SMYTH, Second Radio Officer, JAMES HAMILTON, M.V. Behar (London). Merchant Navy. 18th - 19th March 1944. Age 18. Son of Mr. and Mrs. J. H. Smyth, of Belfast, Northern Ireland. DEMS Gunners/Naval Staff ExecutedCUTHBERT, Leading Seaman, LEONARD ALEXANDER, C/JX 249947, M.V. Behar, Royal Navy. 19 March 1944. Age 27. Son of Frederick and Marian. Cuthbert; husband of Lily Gertrude Cuthbert, of Deptford, London.BOWERS, Bombardier, ARTHUR, 6290844. 4 Maritime Regt. Royal Artillery. 18th - 19th March 1944. Age 23.BRINE, Able Seaman, DONALD GILBERT MACKENZIE, P/JX 312434. H.M.S. President III. Royal Navy. 19th March 1944. Age 22. Son of Robert Burd Brine and Kate Brine, of Southwick, Wiltshire.BRODIE, Bombardier, NEIL, 3326794. 1 Maritime Regt. Royal Artillery. 18th March 1944. Age 33. Son of Neil and Jessie Brown Brodie; husband of Margaret R. Brodie, of Campbeltown, Argyllshire. COOKE, Able Seaman, KENNETH, D/JX 444481. H.M.S. President III. Royal Navy. lost in M.V. Behar. 19th March 1944. Age 19. Son of Thomas and Elizabeth Ann Cooke, of Higher Openshaw, Manchester. ENOCH, Able Seaman, STANLEY, D/JX 393587. H.M.S. President III. Royal Navy. 19th March 1944. Age 20. Son of Stanley and Dorothy M. Enoch, of Caerau, Maesteg, Glamorgan. HOPE, Able Seaman, JACK STEELE, D/JX 550913. H.M.S. President III. Royal Navy. lost in M.V. Behar. 9th March 1944. Age 20. (Statement made by Behar Chief Officer states Hope was not killed on the 9th March in the attack as he was seen onboard the Cruiser Tone on the 16th at Tandjong Priok along with other prisoners later executed.)PYECROFT, Gunner, STANLEY, 11416381. 4 Maritime Regt. Royal Artillery. 9th March 1944. Age 21. Son of Frank and Letitia Pycroft, of Nottingham. (Died during shelling of the Behar)RATCLIFFE, Serjeant, CHARLIE, 3441983. 1 Maritime Regt. Royal Artillery. 18th - 19th March 1944. Age 37. Son of Ernest and Elizabeth Ratdiffe; husband of Nancy Ratcliffe, of Hollinwood, Lancashire. ROBINSON, Able Seaman, THOMAS, C/JX 248976. H.M.S. President III. Royal Navy. lost in M.V. Behar. 9th March 1944. (Died during shelling of the Behar)RODNEY, Gunner, ALEXANDER, 1656736. 1 Maritime Regt. Royal Artillery. 18th - 19th March 1944. Age 37. Son of Joseph and Bethia Rodney, of Greenock, Renfrewshire. SAUL, Able Seaman, THOMAS GEORGE, C/JX 235844. H.M.S. President III. Royal Navy. lost in M.V. Behar. 19th March 1944. Age 23. Son of Thomas and Beatrice M. Saul; husband of Maude Saul, of Shotton, Co. Durham. STREET, Gunner, ALFRED, 11259712. 4 Maritime Regt. Royal Artillery. 18th - 19th March 1944. Age 34.WILLIAMS, Able Seaman, ROBERT IDRIS, D/SSX 35901. H.M.S. President III. Royal Navy. 19th March 1944. Age 22. Son of Morris and Jane Williams, of Dyffryn, Merionethshire. Passenger ExecutedMacGregor, Retired Bank Manager, DUNCAN. 18th - 19th March 1944. Age 54. Son of John and Mary Macgregor, of Lochgilphead, Argyllshire; husband of Ruby Macgregor, of 14 Netherway Street, Burwood, Victoria, Australia. Indian Crew ExecutedMAHOMED, Tindel (Bosun’s Mate), ABBA. M.V. Behar (London). Merchant Navy. 18th - 19th March 1944. Age 50.NALLA Seacunny, (Quartermaster) ESMAIL. M.V. Behar (London). Merchant Navy. 18th - 19th March 1944. Age 34.HOOSEIN, Seacunny (Quartermaster), ESMAIL. M.V. Behar (London). Merchant Navy. 18th - 19th March 1944. Age 31.BEELAL, Lascar, DAWOODJEE. M.V. Behar (London). Merchant Navy. 18th - 19th March 1944. Age 31.MOOSSA, Lascar, YACOOB. M.V. Behar (London). Merchant Navy. 18th - 19th March 1944. Age 45.GOOLAB, Lascar, CASSAM. M.V. Behar (London). Merchant Navy. 18th - 19th March 1944. Age 30.HOOSEIN, Lascar, PEERAN. M.V. Behar (London). Merchant Navy. 18th - 19th March 1944. Age 37.EUSOOF, Lascar, MANJEE. M.V. Behar (London). Merchant Navy. 18th - 19th March 1944. Age 43.ADAM, Lascar, ABAJEE. M.V. Behar (London). Merchant Navy. 18th - 19th March 1944. Age 55.DAWOOD, Lascar, AHMED. M.V. Behar (London). Merchant Navy. 18th - 19th March 1944. Age 49.JEEWA, Lascar, AHMED. M.V. Behar (London). Merchant Navy. 18th - 19th March 1944. Age 29.DAWOOD, Lascar, TAJA. M.V. Behar (London). Merchant Navy. 18th - 19th March 1944. Age 40.ADAM, Lascar, DAWOOD. M.V. Behar (London). Merchant Navy. 18th - 19th March 1944. Age 57.SULLYMAN, Lascar, AMONJEE. M.V. Behar (London). Merchant Navy. 18th - 19th March 1944. Age 26.CASSAM, Lascar, MAHOMED. M.V. Behar (London). Merchant Navy. 18th - 19th March 1944. Age 27.HAJI, Lascar, ADAM. M.V. Behar (London). Merchant Navy. 18th - 19th March 1944. Age 36.DAWOOD, Lascar, CASSAM. M.V. Behar (London). Merchant Navy. 18th - 19th March 1944. Age 36.BELAL, Lascar, MAHOMED. M.V. Behar (London). Merchant Navy. 18th - 19th March 1944. Age 21.MAHOMED, Lascar Boy, AMONJEE. M.V. Behar (London). Merchant Navy. 18th - 19th March 1944. Age 20.BABOO, Bhandary (Cook), RAMJAM. M.V. Behar (London). Merchant Navy. 18th - 19th March 1944. Age 43.MOHAMED, 1st Paniwalla, KHAN GOOLAB. M.V. Behar (London). Merchant Navy. 18th - 19th March 1944. Age 53.ZARIF, 1st Paniwalla, KHAN KHOOSHAL. M.V. Behar (London). Merchant Navy. 18th - 19th March 1944. Age 58.BARAM, 1st Paniwalla, GOOL AKMAD. M.V. Behar (London). Merchant Navy. 18th - 19th March 1944. Age 49.MAHOMED, 2nd Paniwalla, AMZULLA. M.V. Behar (London). Merchant Navy. 18th - 19th March 1944. Age 45.HOOSEIN, 3rd Paniwalla, KHAN KHAIRULLA KHAN. M.V. Behar (London). Merchant Navy. 18th - 19th March 1944. Age 43.MIRZADA, Tindel (Bosun’s Mate), KOSHAL. M.V. Behar (London). Merchant Navy. 18th - 19th March 1944. Age 23.NABIULLA, Fireman, AMIRULLA. M.V. Behar (London). Merchant Navy. 18th - 19th March 1944. Age 31.HAZARATDEEN, Engine Bhandry (Cook), OOMERDEEN. M.V. Behar (London). Merchant Navy. 18th - 19th March 1944. Age 51.EMAD, 2nd Paniwalla, NOOR KHAN. M.V. Behar (London). Merchant Navy. 9th March 1944. Age 55. (Died during shelling of the Behar).Chinese Crew ExecutedAH TANG, Carpenter, M.V. Behar (London). Merchant Navy. 18th - 19th March 1944. Age 30.WONG CHAK, Fitter, M.V. Behar (London). Merchant Navy. 18th - 19th March 1944. Age 28. Husband of Wong. Goanese Crew ExecutedSANTAN, Chief Cook, VIEGAS. M.V. Behar (London). Merchant Navy. 18th - 19th March 1944. Age 45.JOHN, Baker, DE SOUZA. M.V. Behar (London). Merchant Navy. 18th - 19th March 1944. Age 28.JOAQUIM, Pantryman, S. CONTINHO. M.V. Behar (London). Merchant Navy. 18th - 19th March 1944. Age 57.JOAQUIM, G.S. X. DE SOUVA. M.V. Behar (London). Merchant Navy. 18th - 19th March 1944. Age 53.LONSADO, G.S. DIAS. M.V. Behar (London). Merchant Navy. 18th - 19th March 1944. Age 26.NICOLAO, G.S. VALLES. M.V. Behar (London). Merchant Navy. 18th - 19th March 1944. Age 45.GLORIA, G.S. DIAS. M.V. Behar (London). Merchant Navy. 18th - 19th March 1944. Age 24.BENJAMIN, G.S. ALMEIDA. M.V. Behar (London). Merchant Navy. 18th - 19th March 1944. Age 51.FULARIAN, G.S. SILVA. M.V. Behar (London). Merchant Navy. 18th - 19th March 1944. Age 23.SEBASTIAO, G.S. VAZ. M.V. Behar (London). Merchant Navy. 18th - 19th March 1944. Age. 46.VINCENT, Topass (Apprentice), DENIZ. M.V. Behar (London). Merchant Navy. 18th - 19th March 1944. Age 45.JOAO, Topass (Apprentice), BARRETTO. M.V. Behar (London). Merchant Navy. 18th - 19th March 1944. Age 45.Died/Disappeared in CaptivityHOOEIN, Deck Serang (Bosun), BEELAL. Died of dysentery Del Rosea Hospital 27th May 1944. Age 35.JOOMA, Fireman, KHAN KAMROODEEN. Died of dysentery 21st May 1944. Age 31.JOAO, Butler (2nd Steward), SANTAN CONTINHO. Taken from Naval Barracks in Batavia May 1944 in dying condition. Never seen again. Age 63.LAI, Doctor of Agriculture, YUNG LI. Removed by Japanese from PoW camp in June 1944 and was never seen again.