The Final Surrender!

Repatriation for hundreds of Japanese prisoners of war in 1945 was tinged with sadness for those who had died at the brutal hands of commandants and guards.

And it was some time after the final surrender that information from the Far East revealed a horrific picture of relentless torture and sadism in POW camps across Japan.

Nagasaki after being attacked by the atomic bomb.

One man involved in repatriation trips on board HMS Glory, a light-fleet carrier, has special memories of September 1945, when he witnessed the climax of six years at war.

Petty Officer Arthur Winckle was heading for Sydney, Australia in the summer of 1945, as Glory was about to be fitted out as a night fighter ship for invasion of Singapore.

One of four aircraft carriers marked for a bloody and tough battle, Glory’s fortunes suddenly changed when the Atomic Bomb was dropped on Hiroshima.

“We were on our way to Sydney to be equipped for battle and we heard the news that the Americans had dropped the bomb,” says Author, of Bessemer Close, Swindon, England.

The light-fleet carrier HMS Glory, where this historic event took place.

“When we docked in Australia, the war was over and we were told Glory was to perform a special, and very important task.”

The carrier was to take General Sturdee, General Officer Commanding the First Australian Army, to Rabaul in the Solomon Islands, to witness final surrender of the Japanese.

Japan hands over swords

Exactly 53 years and 11 months ago today, General Sturdee took that surrender from General Imamura and Admiral Kusaka, who handed over ceremonial swords to mark the end of hostilities by the Japanese South Eastern Army and Fleet.

“The entire ship’s company lined up on either side of the deck to witness signing of the surrender document,” continued Arthur, 79. “The Japanese leaders were made to walk the length of the flight deck before handing over their swords, it was humiliating for them.”

Arthur winckle in 1999.

Each service man on board Glory was given a copy of the surrender document and a series of photographs showing the historic moment.

Although we traditionally celebrate VJ Day on August 15, both official surrenders were signed in September. Four days earlier, on September 2, Japanese had accepted the authority of American General Douglas McArthur on board the battleship Missouri anchored in Tokyo Bay.

Arthur Winckle whist in the navy.

“The final surrender was a tremendous climax to the war, but there were no celebrations afterwards,” says Arthur. The air group was disembarked at Jervis Bay and the ship quickly prepared for repatriation trips over the next few months. Aircraft hangars were turned into makeshift hospitals for the wounded and ill-treated POW, who at last could think of home.

HMS Glory traveled 24,312 miles in the next three months carrying service men across the Far East and to Canada. “It was a very special time freeing prisoners. The camps were a disgrace and many of the men were on their last legs,” Arthur said.

Arthur, who joined the Navy in 1938, left his job as apprentice in Swindon’s railworks to see the world. He did not return until 1947, two years after the war had ended. “I remember, during the fighting you began to feel very isolated on board ship. There was no way of getting off if you were injured,” Arthur said.

Arthur went on to stay in the Navy until 1959 when he retired and moved back to Swindon to work at British Leyland. In 1990, Arthur visited Thailand and fell in love with Pattaya City at the first sight. He later moved and became resident of Pattaya City. Arthur got married with Tuk in 1993, and wishes to stay here until his last day.

“VJ Day may be remembered in August,” Arthur says, “but for hundreds of service men in the Far East, the war was far from over. It wasn’t until September 6 before you could really think there were no more battles and no more deaths,” Arthur concluded.

Our Friend Wayne

(In memory of Wayne Tischbern 1941-1999)

Wayne “Groupie” Tischbern was born on January 11, 1941 in South San Francisco, a child of the post war boom. He died in a hotel room in Bangkok under circumstances that still have not been explained to anyone’s satisfaction. It’s the time in between these two events that would probably tell the story. Except the details are not fully known.

San Francisco was a simple place then. It had the San Francisco Seals of Pacific Coast League in Baseball, something called the San Francisco 49ers in the All American Football League, a minor league hockey team, a lot of college football (Cal, Stanford, USF, Santa Clara, St. Mary’s), the Opera, a Labor friendly city government and a small time atmosphere. He grew up there with his parents and sister.

Then it was a tour of duty with the U.S. Navy where he may or may not have had his first introduction to Asia and the near East. He lived for a time in Southern California where he worked in the defense industry. Then it was on to the Oil Rich Kingdoms which spawn “ex-pats” from all the nations of the world.

His first choice was Beirut during its heyday. A glamorous place with plenty of action and excitement. An Uncivil War put an end to that. Then on to Thailand where he found his calling. He enjoyed everything about the country. He loved the easy excess to pleasure and the chance to start over from whatever had driven him from his home in America.

Along the way he acquired at least three wives. One of them a black lady in Southern California. He was a redneck without prejudices. He believed that whatever a person chose to do was their business and theirs alone. He settled into life in Pattaya the way a duck takes to water. He fit the city and the city fit his style.

He presided from his front row table over Soi Post Office the way the literary greats of the 20s ruled the Algonquin famous round table at the Hotel of the same name. He did it with just as much style and grace. The difference was that his table was located at Nacho Nois, the Wild Chicken and finally the Hare House. On the days when he didn’t show up in his T-shirts, shorts and “Zorro’s” the street seemed to be tilting. Something was not right. There was an imbalance. Now that situation will be permanent.

No one ever enjoyed talking more than “Himself”. He read a lot, was well versed about most all subjects and had strong opinions on everything. Although he hadn’t been back to the States in year’s he was keenly aware of what was going on. He once told a friend, “I’ll never go back.” And now he won’t.

Sitting with “Himself” at the “main table” was always a delight. At one establishment there were two tables, aside each other, in front. His was on the right. Many a time a person had come in and had to sit on the left until a seat at the “main game” opened. One time a person left the “main table” as he was also getting up to visit the restroom. This writer took one seat leaving “His” open. A newcomer came in and sat in that place. The person next to me left before he returned from the lou. He sat next to me. Looked at the interloper sitting in “HIS PLACE”. “He doesn’t know.”

He loved talk (about almost anything), he loved the HASH, he loved giving advice, directions and reminiscing about the old days. He loved a little Mekong (make that a lot), a good meal or a trip to the TQ. For a period of time he never left his seat overseeing activity on Soi Post Office. Yet he would still know everything that was going on in his city.

Those that don’t know will dismiss him as just another “ex-pat” who drinks too much and talks about “what was”. They would be wrong. He was more. Much more. He was Pattaya. He was every man who had fought the battle of life and somehow not won, as we all must lose. He made a place for himself in the country of his choice. He was special. He was special to all those that really knew him. He was our friend Wayne. We will miss him with all our hearts. We pray that he is now in God’s hands. We hope that God realizes what a treasurer he’s just acquired.

May you rest in peace.

Howie Reed, Lake Tahoe

Wayne “Groupie” Tischbern is survived by a sister, three daughters and one son, all living in the United States. Most recently, Wayne was married to “Nacho” Noi, though they had been amiably separated for several years.

Wayne was an avid member of the Pattaya Hash House Harriers with over 350 runs. He hared 8, and was legendary for his Songkran runs.

Many believe Wayne is now standing next to that old red hash truck in the sky, pouring down downs and admonishing hares Cabin Boys Bum Boy and Jesse Sandoval to “take the cups from the front!”

Police giving American’s death top priority Top cop on the case

Police Lt. General Wannarat Kotcharag, Commissioner of the Bangkok Metropolitan Police Bureau, is personally overseeing the case involving the suspicious death in Bangkok last week of long time Pattaya resident Wayne Tischbern. Wayne was found dead in his hotel room in the Dynasty Inn. Lt. General Wannarat, the highest ranking policeman in inner Bangkok, has been personally meeting with the investigative team, gaining updates every other day. He has ordered investigative officers of the Bangkok Metropolitan Police to give the case top priority. At press time, police were not releasing any details of the case because they are still “very active” in pursuing leads. Police are also examining forensic evidence. Wayne Tischbern was a resident of Soi Post Office for approximately 20 years. His business ventures on Soi Post Office included Nacho Noi’s, the Wild Chicken and most recently the Hare House. Wayne was active in the Pattaya Hash House Harriers and was highly regarded in the local expat community. Wayne is survived by a sister, three daughters and a son, all still living in the United States. The US Embassy in Bangkok has been working hard to contact all the next of kin. Pattaya Mail has also learned that the embassy has been in daily touch with the lead investigator and his investigative team at Lumpini Police Station in Bangkok. At press time, all the next of kin had yet to be contacted. It is necessary to do so before the body can be released for proper rites.

Louis Fassbind’s spirit lives on

The roll-up for the A.X. Fassbind memorial dinner, on the anniversary of his death, has shown that while Louis Fassbind may have gone to the great catering school in the sky, his spirit has not left Pattaya and there are those who have ensured he is not forgotten.

A stern looking Louis looks down upon his friends. “He didn't always look like that” said Bruno, “only when agents tried to get a cheaper price.”

Guests covered all the different areas of Pattaya as Louis Fassbind’s influence covered all those areas too. There were representatives from the Tourism Industry, both local and overseas, there were his staff who had supported him, there were his friends, there were his fellow Rotarians, there were those who had business dealings with him and there were those who just wanted to pay a mark of respect for someone who had given so much to this city.

Peter at it again! Expounding on the life an times of Louis to the many guests at the memorial dinner. The purpose of the Fassbind Foundation and how everyone should try to assist in any way they can.

His love of food and wine was reflected in the superb menu for the dinner concocted by Fredi Schaub and in the excellent wines selected by Bruno Forrer. At the many tables, the talk always came back to Louis Fassbind, his love of life, his largesse and his ability to get things done. How many times did he say, “Leave it to me...”? And it always happened, like clockwork.

The proceeds from the evening have been added to the A.X. Fassbind Foundation’s funds, to be used to continue his support for the Banglamung Home for the Aged and for scholarships for students in the Tourism and Hospitality Industry.

Copyright 1998 Pattaya Mail Publishing Co.Ltd.
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Updated by Chinnaporn Sangwanlek.