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On August 11,1945, when Bose was at Saramban, he received
information that Russia had declared war on Japan. The next
day he received another message that the Japan had decided
to surrender to the Allied Forces.
He left for Singapore on August 13, and discussed his future
plans with his civil and military officers for three days.
On the morning of August 16, he flew to Bangkok and had further
consultation with Japanese representatives, Gen. Isoda, Hachia
the Japanese Minister accredited to the Provisional Government
of Free India, and Kagawa.
After 96 hours of hectic consultations, Netaji and his cabinet
of ministers decided that he(Subhas Bose) should leave Singapore
immediately and escape to Russia.
On the morning of 16.8.1945, Bose left Singapore accompanied
by Col. Habibur Rahman, S.A. Iyar (Witness No. 29) , a Japanese
Liasion Officer Negishi (Witness No. 50), Col. Pritam Singh
(Witness No. 155) and others. The party arrived at Bangkok
at 3.30 P.M. and spent the night there.
(i) At about 8 A.M. on 17.8.1945, Bose and party left by
two planes for Saigon. Bose's party included Col. Habibur
Rahman, Deb Nath Das (Witness No. 3), S.A. Iyer (Witness No.
29) Hachia (Witness No. 51), Ishoda (Witness No. 153), Col.
Pritam Singh (Witness No. 155), Abid Hassasn (Witness No.
157) and other the party arrived at Saigon at 11.00A.M.
(ii) The planes in which Bose and his party had traveled
to Sasigon had to go back, and fresh arrangements had to be
made for the next stage of the journey. Bose was informed
that one seat could be given to him in a Japanese bomber which
had come from Manila and was going to Dairen in Manchuria.
The plane, Bose was informed, had, on board, a number of Japanese
army officers who had been posted to Manchuria and who could
not be left behind.
(iii) Bose was very upset on hearing this, because he wanted
to carry all the members of his party with him. Ishoda and
hachia were sent to Dalat where Field Marshal Tarauchi was
camping. These two emissaries could not see Tarauchi personally,
but his Adjutant told them that it might be possible to make
available two or three seats in all for Bose.
(iv) Ishoda and Hachia returned to Saigon and conferred with
the pilot of the plane and the Japanese military authorities
there. The conclusion was that two seats were placed at the
disposal of Bose.
(v) After some discussion, Bose decided to avail himself
of the two seats, and asked Habibur Rahman to accompany him.
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