70 years ago: Hong Kong's wartime diaries

The other day, in the paper, it stated, quite blandly, that all Chinese eating houses had been ordered to erect wire netting round all upper floor balconies to prevent the numerous cases of suicide that keep occurring. The horrible truth is that many of these Chinese – the comparatively poor, though probably educated – come to a final end of all their resources and decide that oblivion and death is the best alternative. A man and wife, or perhaps the members of a family, will then go to a restaurant and wring their last natural satisfaction from cruel humanity by ordering and consuming a meal – the funeral feast – after which they evidently make a dash for the balconies and throw themselves over. Apparently by no means all of them die and I expect the authorities find these broken and maimed specimens of humanity are an encumberance.

Another appeal in the paper to the Chinese to cease burying their dead in waste ground, ruined buildings, cul-de-sacs etc., casts another sinister shadow. They say the Japanese authorities will assist the destitute properly to bury their dead. Good God! If in their fear, and their endeavour to retain the remains of their relatives in accordance with the Chinese customs of ancestor worship, they have been hiding the dead in those crowded slum areas, the danger of disease breaking out is alarming. No wonder the Japanese are waking up and doing something about it; for they are a meticulously clean and hygienic people.

To return to the question of our rations: four days before the end of August a notice was put up stating that our ration lorry had already consumed its petrol supply for August and therefore no further Canteen stores (including fruit and eggs) could be brought in for the time being. So evidently there is a great shortage of gasoline here. If the Japanese oil dumps have been hit, the situation seems serious. However, I really do believe the Japanese authorities are just mad about these raids and are simply taking it out of us because we are a small section of the enemy and in their power. At all events, to say they cannot send rations for a few days because the lorry has broken down is ridiculous. Surely it is not the only available lorry in HK! Any way, there is a bus service to Stanley and if necessary the Japanese could take over a bus for a day or two. But anyway, most of the stuff could be sent round by junk, so it certainly seems that there is a more important reason than a broken down lorry. Well, we shall know by today if Gimson’s vigorous protests have had any effect or not.

Pennefather-Evans and Whant (two of the eleven who were imprisoned some time ago) were acquitted and released from prison and returned to camp about 10 days ago.  Everyone, of course, wanted to hear what their conditions had been like in gaol, but the gendarmerie had made them sign documents swearing complete silence on pain of death. That itself speaks pretty eloquently of the conditions imposed on those unfortunates, and makes us apprehensive about the remainder.

After the death of Sir Vandeleur, Mr Gimson made a representation to the Japanese, asking that British prisoners should undergo regular medical examinations and that vitamins should be allowed in from camp for those suffering from vitamin deficiencies (principally vitamin B). He asked that two doctors from camp be allowed into the prison each month or, failing that, that the prisoners be examined by Japanese doctors and medical reports be sent to him. He asked for other concessions too, but I feel it is rather like asking for a slice of the moon. However, I believe the Japanese Civil Authorities were considerably perturbed at Sir Vandeleur’s death, so something may happen.

The trouble is that the Civil Authorities count little with the Gendarmerie, who are similar to the German Gestapo. We heard a story that Chungking had broadcast the news of Sir Vandeleur’s death on Sunday 22nd – i.e. the night before we heard the news in camp! They are alleged to have referred to it as, “The Murder of Sir Vandeleur Grayburn”. However, I’m inclined to think the tale is a little far fetched. I have no doubt that the Chungking espionage agents are well established in HK, but the transmission of the news of Sir V’s death in one day would be pretty rapid work – unless his illness had had them to expect his demise.

All last night and all this morning the wind has been simply howling about the buildings and driving rain right into our windows. The Bidwell’s and Isa had come in from the balcony and none of us slept for more than a couple of hours last night. The gusts are gradually increasing, though the typhoon (for typhoon it must be) seems to be moving very slowly. We are all cooped up in our rooms; there are so many beds that we have had to move the table out onto the verandah.

As a matter of interest, I will record how the ‘HK News’ reported last Thursday’s raid. There was a short article which said a formation of about 10 enemy fighters and bombers raided HK at 1.35 p.m. yesterday when several bombs were dropped. A fire was caused as a result of the raid, but no casualties were reported. The enemy raiders were soon driven away by the AA batteries!! Oh yes?