DEPARTURE FROM BURMA AND THAILAND

Bose and his INA party arrived at Moulmein by car on 1 May. Bose's plan was to move the FIPG and INA headquarters to Bangkok. He wanted to see General Kimura of the BAA, whose headquarters was temporarily at Moulmein, but was refused on grounds of security precautions. Bose then endeavoured through Isoda to arrange rail and steamship transport for everyone to Bangkok. When arrangements were completed Bose went on by car, arriving in Bangkok on 12 May.

Bose had in the back of his mind the old plan to contact the Soviet Ambassador and arrange for transportation to the Soviet Union to get help for the liberation of India from the north. Field-Marshal Terauchi, who was also in Bangkok, hoped Bose would consent to follow headquarters of the Southern Army to Saigon. But Bose was hoping to move headquarters north to China with INA units, and ultimately to the Soviet Union. At length Bose agreed to go with the Japanese Army, meanwhile ordering the strengthening of the INAIIL in Shanghai preparatory to going to Soviet Russia.

But first Bose wanted to go to Singapore, last headquarters of the FIPG and INA. In Singapore Bose got news of the offer of the British Government through Lord Wavell to reorganize his Viceroy's Executive Council, adding Indians to it. Bose broadcast his opposition to the offer from Singapore on 18 June, saying, “It is crystal clear that any acceptance of Wavell's offer will be tantamount to a voluntary shedding of precious Indian blood and draining our resources in fighting Britain's imperialistic war. But what would India gain in return? Nothing, except a few jobs on the Viceroy's Executive Council.” He appealed to Indians inside and outside India not to give up the struggle, never to compromise.

By this time it was early August. Isoda cabled Bose urging him to hurry to Saigon. Chief of Staff Bhonsle also advised Bose of the urgency of completing preparations to move to Saigon. After Bose received a final telegram on 16 August with news of Japan's acceptance of the Potsdam Proclamation, he returned to Saigon.

Not to be distracted from his single-minded purpose, Bose immediately visited Field-Marshal Terauchi and requested transport to Soviet Russia. Terauchi cabled IGHQ for instructions. The reply came back—negative.