BB (#9479),
This is really interesting ! Now we're in the shadowy world of 136 Force (not Wing) ad "E" Group - clandestine forces......
I know we must wait for the logbooks and the denouement, but can't help asking: How did John get into this pickle in the first place ? 177 Sqdn flew Beaus (and nothing else) [Wiki]. So how does he get in with the L-5s ? And what were the L-5s ? Were they a pukka RAF Squadron (if so, number please) or just a loose bunch attached (?) to this mysterious Force 136 ?
Reading the detail of their trek through the jungle, makes me glad I chose basketball boots for my 'ops', so I (hoped) could wade through the 'chaungs" * with their canvas uppers and heavy rubber soles, then they could dry off on my feet. What did our intrepid pair have on their tootsies ?
* : We used to say that "Everything in Burma is Baung, Chaung or Daung".
Even on the "conventional" VV sqdns, we had moneybelts for 'ops' as early as May 1943. Did our two have them ? If so, a rupee or two to the helpful villagers and their headmen would seem to have been in order.
Questions, questions - we must wait for the answers.
Danny