R adhakrishnan, Pillai and Natarajan were ready to escape in early May. The timing was driven by many factors, including the fact that at this time Captain Mohan Singh was ramping up volunteering for the INA. Pillai did not want to sign up, but knew that if he refused, there would be unpleasant repercussions.

He had already got himself into trouble by refusing to form the infamous 323 Unit—the Japanese had asked for various work parties to be formed with this exact number of men. Suspecting it was the size of a Japanese unit and fearing they would be incorporated into their army if they did, Pillai and many others refused. But this would not be tolerated for long. He knew he had two choices—escape or face the consequences.

The reversal on 1 May of the ban on civilians travelling to M

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