Aerial view of part of Batu Lintang POW camp, Sarawak, Borneo.

Photograph taken on or after 29 August 1945 as panel signals L, X and III can be seen on the roof of the long building parallel to the track on the left hand edge of the picture:

Wednesday August 29th [1945]. At 10.30 planes dropped pamphlets, obviously intended for us ... It transpires that the pamphlet is addressed to the Japanese area commander, and is written in English and Japanese. The main points are as follows:

1 The war is over

2 Japanese requested to establish contact with AIF by sending a deputation to meet a party of officers landing at the river mouth by Catalina. Time: 11am. Choice of dates: August 30th or September 1st or a later date.

3 Can Japanese get in touch with AIF by radio?

4 Will Japanese allow supplies to be dropped for POW?

5 Patrols will fly over and observe Japanese answers to above, to be given by following code signs:

L = Drop supplies

X = Cannot get in touch by radio

I = Will meet you on August 30th

II = Will meet you on the 1st September

III = Will meet you on a later date

In great haste the Japs laid down the L X III code signs.

We were disappointed to see III instead of I

6 The Japanese were told to extend the drome to 3000 metres.