70 years ago: Hong Kong's wartime diaries
2 May 1942, R. E. Jones Wartime diary
Submitted by Admin on Mon, 2012-04-23 21:37Book / Document:Date(s) of events described:Sat, 2 May 1942King Victor Emanuel taken over Govt of Italy. More allied troops landed in Belgium.
Fine day.
Dance at St Stephens.
Jap casualties arriving by launch.
2 May 1942, Chronology of Events Related to Stanley Civilian Internment Camp
Submitted by brian edgar on Thu, 2012-11-22 18:54Book / Document:Date(s) of events described:Sat, 2 May 1942At 10.30 a.m. William Hunt says goodbye to his fellow internees. The 'genial and efficient' Council chairman is due to leave for Shanghai with the Kadourie Family at 4.30 p.m.
Source:
Maryknoll Diary, May 2
Note:
Bill Hunt was a controversial figure, but undeniably effective as leader of the Americans. Wenzell Brown (Hong Kong Aftermath) portrays him as a gangster, while the Maryknollers, Emily Hahn, and British sources like George Wright-Nooth are much more positive. American oilman Norman Briggs (Taken In Hong Kong) calls him The Brain and seems equally admiring and disapproving.
He seems to have managed to get repatriated from Shanghai as Gwen Priestwood's Through Japanese Barbed Wire, published in 1944, contains statements he made about the events the day after her escape, and he provided information about radios in camp to the British Army Aid Group.
02 May 1942, Eric MacNider's wartime diary
Submitted by Grace on Wed, 2015-04-29 11:21Book / Document:Date(s) of events described:Sat, 2 May 1942Dance S.S.Coll. Hall
Sir Elly Kadoorie, Mr. & Mrs. L. Kadoorie, Mr. W. Hunt left.
(Molestation & assaults on internees by Ind. guards) (see page 35)
02 May 1942, Barbara Anslow's diary
Submitted by Admin on Tue, 2016-04-05 16:08Book / Document:Date(s) of events described:Sat, 2 May 1942Mum still improving. To Dance in evening with Tony and Olive.
