J.P. Cross - First In, Last Out: an Unconventional British Officer in Indo-China

Map of Laos

The Japanese battalion, Yamagishi Butai , surrendering to the Indian Armys 1/1 Gurkha Rifles at Thu Dau Mot, Cochin-China, November 1945.

The author in uniform talking to a Lao soldier guarding the route into Thad Luang before the arrival of the royal group.

The author inspecting an Honor Guard of a Royal Lao Army guerilla unit, 18.

Beside the Mekong River in an armoured boat of the River Flotilla.

Headquarters, River Flotilla, Luang Prabang.

Brigadier General Soutchais own force at Pakse, Military Region 4.

Inside Whisky 3, a guerilla camp.

Welcome at Vang Vieng, Neutralist stronghold on the Vientiane Plain, November 1974.

Meal in ex-guerilla camp, Military Region 4, November 1974.

Looking east over Pathet Lao territory near Sala Phou Khoun.

Honor Guard, Military Region 4.

Briefing in Done Hene, Military Region 3: Australian and British Head of Chancery.

The author on tour in Brigadier General Soutchais helicopter, November 1974.

Kuomintang camp in northwest Laos, in the Golden Triangle at Ban Nam Kheun.

At the border of Royal Lao Government and Pathet Lao territory, Military Region 4.

The border being looked at by the gathering in the above image.

Meeting villagers in Military Region 4.

HM King of Laos inspects Honor Guard, Vientiane.

Major General Kouprasith Abhay, Deputy Commander-in-Chief, Royal Lao Army, reports to HM the King.

Rogues Gallery: the attach corps.

Two Pathet Lao sentries at Sam Neua.

Outside the large protective baffle at Sam Neua.

HBM Ambassador, Alan Davidson, with the Red Prince, Souvanouvong, in the Politburo cave at Sam Neua.

Pathet Lao at Sam Neua.

Pathet Lao at Sam Neua.

The wedding of Princess Marina Rangsi and His Highness Prince Sisouk na Champassak.

Papa Looly on patrol.

[Laotians and those non-Lao people accredited to Laos have * against their names]

*Abundo, D. R. Jnr, Colonel, Filipino Defence Attach

Attlee, C., British Prime Minister

*Bailey, B., Jnr, Colonel, US Army Attach

*Bakhshi, S. P., Brigadier, Indian Army,

Balesor Rana, Subedar Major, 1/1

*Boun Oum, Prince, Inspector General of the Realm

*Bounphone Maktapharaks, Lieutenant General, Commander-in-Chief,

*Calder, A., Major, Assistant British Attach and British Embassy pilot

Callaghan, L. J., British labour politician, later Prime Minister

*Cape, D.B., British Ambassador

*Chao Savang, Brigadier General, RLA. Commander Military Region 1

*Chapman, C., US Charg dAffairs

*Chen Shu-lin, Chinese Defence Attach

*Chesney, E. R., WOI, British Embassy

*Chi, Nguyen Huu, Colonel, South Vietnamese Defence Attach

*Chok Di, DAs houseboy

Clark, R. W., Major, 1/1 GR

*Curry, H. C., Colonel, US Air Attach

*Davidson, A. E., British Ambassador

*Dean, J., American diplomat

*Denny, B. L., First Secretary British Embassy

*Derpol, A. B., Colonel, Filipino Defence Attach

Dewey, P., Lieutenant Colonel, US Army, son of

Dewey, T. E., USA presidential candidate

*Douang Pi, Colonel, RLA

Edwardes, J. S. M., Major, Training Wing Commander troops, British Army Jungle Warfare School

*Etam Singvongsa, Brigadier General, RLA. Director Psychological Operations

Everard, T., British Consul General, North Vietnam

*Fairweather, P., Head of Chancery, British Embassy

*Fearn, R., Head of Chancery, British Embassy

Foot, M., British politician

Frolik J., Czech spy, friend of J. H. Wilson, British Prime Minister

Fujiwara Yositoke, famous Japanese sword maker

*Gharekan, C. R., Indian Chairman ICSC