GEN. BENNETT

Evening Post, Volume CXL, Issue 102, 27 October 1945, Page 7

GEN. BENNETT

SINGAPORE ESCAPE

INQUIRY REPUDIATED

(By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyrights

SYDNEY, October 26. Lieutenant-General Gordon Bennett and his counsel, Mr. B. Clancy, K.C., dramatically walked out of the Army Court of Inquiry into his escape from Singapore soon after it opened at Victoria Barracks, Sydney, today. With the Press and public barred from the sentry-guarded barracks, Mr. Clancy challenged the constitution of the Court. General Bennett and Mr. Clancy then picked up their papers and strode from the room.

The Court continued its inquiry with the utmost secrecy. It is not known whether General Bennett's withdrawal is being discussed or not.

Later General Bennett, in a long statement giving in detail all the circumstances of his escape from Singapore and subsequent treatment in Australia, said that he considered it would not be proper for his reputation and future to be left in the hands of the board, and that he and his counsel refused to be parties to the investigation, and therefore withdrew. He also made the following points: He remained with his division till one and a half hours after hostilities had ceased. He had not obtained the permission of the commander-in-chief in Malaya, Lieutenant-General Percival, to escape, since General Percival had surrendered unconditionally and therefore had relinquished his authority. It was a standing Army order and a long-established principle that the duty of every soldier was to escape if possible. The members of his staff knew of his intention to escape and wished him luck. No one even hinted that he should not leave. It was his duty to return to Australia 'with all the information he- had acquired, and thus continue the fight.