Scattered Under the Rising Sun: The Gordon Highlanders in the Far East 1941 - 1945

by Stewart Mitchell

2nd Battalion, Gordon Highlanders was posted to Singapore in 1937 with their families. When the Japanese invaded Malaya in December 1941, the Battalion fought bravely until the surrender of Singapore on 14 February 1942. Those who were not killed became POWs. Of the 1000 men involved initially, over 400 had died by their liberation in summer 1945.

Despite the diverse background of the members of the Battalion, all were bound by close regimental spirit. As POWs, all suffered hard labor, starvation, brutality and tropical diseases. Rank was no protection from death.

After initial incarceration in Singapore the Gordons were dispersed to work on the famous Thai-Burma railway, in the mines of Taiwan and Japan and on other slave labor projects. Conditions defy modern comprehension. Others died trapped in hell-ships torpedoed by allied submarines.

The author has researched the plight of these extraordinary men, so many of whom never saw their native Scotland again. Despite the grim conditions, he captures the strong collective regimental spirit and the humor and cooperation that saved so many who would have otherwise have perished as many did.

This is an inspiring tale of courage and survival against appalling odds.

224 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2012

Reviews

[HY · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not as good as John Wyatt's book

[Radiah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked up a copy of this book at the Gordon Highlander's Museum in Aberdeen. It is a very well-researched book where the writer has chronicled the lives of the men of the 2nd Battalion Gordon Highlanders in the Far East when Singapore fell to the Japanese in 1942.

I had read by and it made me wonder where the other men in the Battalion had been taken to when the Japanese used them for slave labour. This book is unique in that it chronicles the lives of the entire Battalion during their time as POWs. From Selarang camp in Singapore, on to the Hellfire Pass, the Death Railway and the Hellships, this book chronicles the Gordon Highlanders who were involved, their causes of death, those who survived and the statistics which had been recorded in regards to their condition in the slave camps.

The esprit de corps in the Battalion was very strong to have ensured that each Gordon kept tabs on each other. Highly recommend to anyone interested in the Gordon Highlanders, and indeed, in what the Japanese did to the POWs captured in Singapore.

[William B. · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Remarkable story

This book is a tribute to the research skills and tenacity of the author. Sadly it is obviously true. Also, it underscores how fragile life can be.