Escape to Pagan: The True Story of One Family’s Fight to Survive in World War II Occupied Asia

by Brian Devereux

A gripping true story of survival set in Hong Kong and Burma, as one family struggles against overwhelming odds in World War Two. Divided by war, in order to see each other again they must overcome terrible danger. The beautiful landscape of Burma and the tragedy of war are evocatively portrayed in this haunting and moving book.

Hong Kong. Leading an attack on Golden Hill, Jack Devereux of the Royal Scots is shot through the head. A Japanese officer attempts to behead him, in order to blood his samurai sword; waking momentarily, he kills his would-be executioner. His head swarming with maggots, he survives capture as the Japanese are both impressed and fascinated by his wounds. Alive, albeit in a dangerously precarious physical state he then goes on to experience and escape the horrific and tragic incident of the sinking of the Lisbon Maru, in which hundreds of POWs drown, the sharks of the South China Sea, the mines of Nagasaki and the atom bomb.

Burma. Jack’s wife Kate Devereux, her infant son (the author) and mother Harriet desperately try to avoid the unstoppable advance of the Japanese; they flee their home, taking only what they can carry and walk the jungles foraging for food while avoiding predators, snakes and armed bandits (dacoits). Terrified Kate’s marriage certificate will be discovered by the Japanese, they adopt the guise of the Mons Burmese tribe. The once prosperous family becomes destitute and starving. Their chance of survival was slim; multitudes of people like the Devereux’s fleeing the Japanese died of exposure and starvation, were shot by dacoits or killed in bombing raids. They are kept alive by the author’s incredible grandmother, a strong-willed resourceful woman with a proud bearing, able to speak fluent Japanese but also to pass herself off as native Burmese. Their destination is the deserted and mystic city of Pagan. The beautiful but deadly landscape of Burma is the setting for their adventure-filled story.

Table of Contents

Foreword by Kim von Heintze
Map of Burma

Chapter 1 – The Temple Bells of Pagan
Chapter 2 – Golden Hill
Chapter 3 – The Telegram
Chapter 4 – The Perfumed Harbour
Chapter 5 – The Train Station
Chapter 6 – The Lotus Eaters
Chapter 7 – An Evil Spirit
Chapter 8 – The Attack
Chapter 9 – Wild Dogs in the Moonlight
Chapter 10 – Sham Shui Po POW Camp
Chapter 11 – A Ghost Town
Chapter 12 – The Lisbon Maru
Chapter 13 – The Toddy Drinkers
Chapter 14 – The Grouper’s Second War Patrol
Chapter 15 – Caught by Surprise
Chapter 16 – The Lisbon Maru is Attacked
Chapter 17 – Mango Showers
Chapter 18 – Pongyis
Chapter 19 – The Lisbon Maru Sinks
Chapter 20 – Journey to Tada u
Chapter 21 – The Cherry Blossom Islands
Chapter 22 – Typhoid and Cholera
Chapter 23 – The Lost Japanese Patrol
Chapter 24 – Froggy Comes a-Courting
Chapter 25 – Winter’s Bite
Chapter 26 – Liberation
Chapter 27 – Bed Bugs
Chapter 28 – The RSM Returns

Appendix

Genres: Nonfiction, History

320 pages, Hardcover

Published May 5, 2016

Reviews

[Shirley Revill · Rating 4 out of 5]

A true story set in Hong Kong and Burma how one family separated by World War two managed to survive. Their chance of survival was not high and the courage and determination of this family to be together one day gave them the courage to carry on.
A truly inspiring book that i really enjoyed reading.
Highly recommended.

[Trebor · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the beginning of WW II the Japanese army was basically unstoppable. They swept through the Indonesian peninsula and the far eastern territories stopping only at India. This books shines a light on their capture of Burma and the plight of several of the foreign residents living there. It also tells of the experience of some of the British troops (Royal Scottish Marines) who were captured by the Nipponese lord gods. In the form of a memoir or diary it provides insights into a relatively little reviewed aspect of the war. I loved how it was truthful about the British hubris and arrogance concerning the Japanese offensive. This unpreparedness led to the total subjugation of the allies in the early war years. Simply written and readable the story reveals much about survival and the disposition
of the Japanese during their occupation.

[Betsy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the stories, but sometimes found it a little confusing who was telling the story (it switches between Brian and his mother, interchangeably throughout the book. There was a symbol to indicate this switch, but sometimes I got confused as to whom the narration was switching.

[Joe Oaster · Rating 4 out of 5]

People often forget how brutal and cruel the Japanese were before and during WWII. Vivid account and struggle of survival. Good read

[Ilana · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting story, revealing relatively untold episodes of the WWII in Asia, particularly Burma/Myanmar. It focuses on a personal saga and the rhythm of the story may be sometimes pretty slow, but there are many observations and remarks useful for both the historian and the memoir lover.
Disclaimer: Book offered by the publisher in exchange of an honest review

[Polly Krize · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

For readers of WWII history, particularly the Burma/Myanmar area, this book is brutally written and pulls no punches. Its slow pace seems to stretch into infinity, but a well told story regardless.