"On the 16th August Netaji came to Bangkok. Mr. Hachiya, the Japanese minister to the provisional government of Azad Hind met him and delivered to him a message, which conveyed the decision of the Japanese government to surrender. It thanked Netaji for the co-operation extended to them in the prosecution of war. The message also contained an offer from the Government of Japan to be of any assistance to him. Mr. Hachiya says that Netaji told him that the Government of Japan having surrendered unconditionally they would not be in a position to afford any protection to him. He was therefore, more inclined to contact Russia.

"About this however, the local authorities at Bangkok could not give much help. All they could do was to carry him to Saigon and discuss and take orders from Field Marshal Count Tara Chi who was the Japanese supreme commander in South-East Asia. Col. Yano, staff officer of that command, knew that Netaji was coming and that he wished to go to Russia. He has said that Field Marshal Terauchi could not giver any decision himself, but wished that Netaji should proceed to Tokyo and discuss the matter with the Government of Japan.

"So there were a number of reasons for Netaji to go to Tokyo, although his ultimate goal was Russia via Manchuria. General Isoda, who as the head of the Hikari Kikan, was consulted by Netaji on his return to Bangkok says that Netaji expressed a desired to go Russia. I promised to give all the help that I could give to Netaji Eventually the plan that was finally settled was that Netaji would first go to Tokyo, thank the Japanese government for all the assistance that they had given him and then proceed to Russia via Manchuria.

"There was no time then to contact Russian authorities or to make out detailed plans ahead. Russia was at war with Japan, and the Russian armies were advancing into Manchuria. Even if Netaji reached Manchuria what would happen to him and the few trusted lieutenants, whom he wanted to take with him was uncertain. All that he could hope was that they would be taken prisoners first establish their bona fides as fighters for India freedom, and later on secure Russian assistance for their objective. The details were uncertain the purpose was fixed. Netaji himself described his last journey as an adventure into the unknown.

"He chose Col. Pritam Singh Mr. Debnath Das and Mr. S.A. Ayer to accompany him, but they were not told where he was going. They all knew vaguely that they were going to Manchuria. General Bhonsle, Chief of the General staff who was left behind by Netaji in charge of the I.N.A. says:

On the eve of his departure I inquired from Netaji whether he had been able to decide where he would make for finally, after his discussions with the Japanese government and his reply was that he was hoping to go to Russia but that he would talk over the matter further with the Japanese government.

"At Saigon it was suggested that Netaji should accompany General Shidei to Manchuria and he apparently fell in with the suggestion. The plane was proceeding to Tokyo by the following route: Saigon-Heito-Taihoku-Dairen - Tokyo. A little element to Tokyo or break the journey at Dairen. Japan has surrendered. There was profound depression, and the elaborate machinery of surrender for an uncertain destination. It was indeed a leap in the dark. From this leap he did not return."