70 years ago: Hong Kong's wartime diaries | Gwulo: Old Hong Kong

70 years ago: Hong Kong's wartime diaries

Shows diary entries from seventy-one years ago, using today's date in Hong Kong as the starting point. To see pages from earlier dates (they go back to 1 Dec 1941), choose the date below and click the 'Apply' button.

  • 25 Jun 1944, R. E. Jones Wartime diary

    Submitted by Admin on Wed, 2014-05-21 15:57
    Book / Document: 
    R. E. Jones Wartime diary
    Date(s) of events described: 
    Sun, 25 Jun 1944

    Overcast, squally & muggy.

    Paper news very heartening even as printed by Japs. We are advancing on all fronts. The “new weapon” seems to have been accounted for, 19,000 tons of bombs on the release area in two days has quietened them down somewhat. Japs stress vital importance of Saipan, 1,268 naut. mls from Tokyo & 1,500 from the Phillipines [sic]. Russians started new offensive in Vitebsk area. Japs significantly silent about Imphal.

    Local conditions not so good for Japs due to lack of cooperation on part of residents. Pork, hard to obtain, Y34 per catty, chicken Y40 = 2/4d per oz. Gold up in value & foreign currency too since Chinese heard the good news.

    Iceland broke off from Denmark & declared own independence.

    Rained heavily all night.  Houses collapsing due to being under-run by so much water.

    Beach not very popular this year due to bad weather and lack of energy.

    No canteen orders coming in.

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  • 25 Jun 1944, Eric MacNider's wartime diary

    Submitted by Admin on Tue, 2014-06-24 20:42
    Book / Document: 
    Eric MacNider's wartime diary
    Date(s) of events described: 
    Sun, 25 Jun 1944

    Brown (“They hated me without cause”)

    Med. exam. wt. 130 ½ ; bl.p. 105

    Johnston ((not sure which Johnston)) / Drown 

    b.o 9pm raid

  • 25 Jun 1944, Harry Ching's wartime diary

    Submitted by Admin on Wed, 2014-07-02 18:34
    Book / Document: 
    Harry Ching's wartime diary
    Date(s) of events described: 
    Sun, 25 Jun 1944

    ((Following text not dated:))

    Several night alerts. Sound of planes. Kids very scared. Twice on 13th, second time about 2 a.m. no all clear so went to bed.

    Handcart built on two motor tyres with five rows of seats for ten passengers is pulled by four coolies Causeway Bay to town. Fifty sen per section.

    Coolie calls to take away power meter. Decent old bird. He removes and places on ground and I notice U device has scratched inside of wire outlets. Rushed upstairs for small tin black paint and Chinese pen. Then followed him from distance waiting chance. Eventually he places meters on pavement and goes inside entrance of house. Quick painting job while he busy.

  • 25 Jun 1944, Diary of George Gerrard in Stanley Internment Camp Hong Kong

    Submitted by Alison Gerrard on Sat, 2019-06-22 11:53
    Book / Document: 
    Diary of George Gerrard in Stanley Internment Camp Hong Kong
    Date(s) of events described: 
    Sun, 25 Jun 1944

    Thank you Dearest for your dear and glorious loving letters of 20th June '43, 16th June and 14th June '43 received on 21st June. I am so glad that you are well and still liking your job in Inverness and not finding it too heavy for you, you are very plucky Nell.

    I'm terribly sorry that you are not receiving word from me but hope that you'll receive some of my postcards one day just to let you know that I'm still in the land of the living. It must be a very great strain on you.

    I must say that I have been very fortunate compared with others both in the room and in the camp at the number of letters I have received from you. Some have only received one or two letters from their loved ones during the whole time here.

    The news is better and better in every way and Nimitz and his Navy are drawing closer to Japan with his huge Armada, Saipen has fallen and the Marianna Islands are now in our hands. Oh Boy! Oh Boy!

    Chinese newspapers are now allowed into the camp and they give a lot of more startling news than the Hong Kong News gives. 


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