Do you know what Python leave was and why it had such an effect on the latter stages of the campaign in South East Asia? Python was the codename for the scheme introduced in January 1943 for home duty for long term veterans of overseas service. Prior to this date, a soldier could serve overseas for six years before being eligible for a posting back to the U.K.. When introduced, the time served overseas was 4 years and 9 months in a European theatre (including Tunisia, Sicily and later Italy), and 4 years in India and South East Asia. In September 1944, the qualification period for India and South East Asia was reduced to 3 years and 8 months, and then in May 1945, 3 years and 4 months. Python allowed for 28 days home leave (usually plus two weeks embarkation leave), then two months on duty in the U.K., before becoming eligible for posting to the British Liberation Army in N. W. Europe. In Parliament on the 8 June 1945, the Secretary of State for War announced the intention to reduce the qualification period still further to 4 years in Europe and 3 years in India and S. E. Asia, as soon as shipping accommodation allows. Suddenly, through a political decision, hundreds of soldiers were now able to claim Python leave, and the two British formations lost many senior, experienced, and therefore, key personnel. Repatriation proved difficult to achieve and led to some resentment amongst British troops serving in this theatre. Then the cessation of hostilities meant that many POWs required repatriation to the U.K.. There was not enough troop ships to accommodate everyone eligible to come home. Hence, the West Africans had to wait well into 1946 before they were able to get home. LILOP stood for Leave in Lieu of Python and was a form of extended home leave before return to the field, and LIAP was Leave in Addtion to Python. If you have something to add on Python, please let me know.
Posted on: Mon, 11 Aug 2014 14:02:29 +0000
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