70 years ago: Hong Kong's wartime diaries

The war news is simply stupendous. There is a rumour, which the Chinese newspaper announces, that our troops have entered Saarbrucken, the first town on German soil. Anyway, we know they have gone through Arras, Donai to Mons in Belgium, and have reached Sedan further south. The southern army in France have chased the Germans out of Lyons now. The German retreat has developed almost into a rout. This precipitate retreat must mean vast concentrations of men and materials along their supply or communications routes and in the virtual absence of their own air force it must mean that they are at the mercy of our bombers. If only they would pack up now and shorten the inevitable end, what wholesale slaughter they would avoid.

We hear that British and American bombers are engaged daily on the ‘carpet bombing’ of Germany. It makes me shudder to think of it. I know what bombing is like when only 250 lb bombs are used. When it comes to 1, 2, 3, or even 4 ton bombs it does not bear thinking of. I cannot help remembering that the majority of Germans wanted to remain friendly with Britain. I hope and pray that a far sighted and constructive Peace Treaty will be made this time. Finland, Bulgaria and Rumania are now out of the war and the German forces in Italy are in a critical position. The Russians have now started a great offensive against East Prussia. No one expected the Anglo-American forces to reach Germany before the Russians. This advance must have been the fastest in the history of the world. It has made the trench warfare of the last war look silly.