16 Aug 1945, Barbara Anslow's diary

Still tired and un-hungry.

Camp full of rumours and news of a truce, armistice and peace.

To choir practice to practise 'Te Deum'.

Fresh rumours have been coming in all day, viz:

• That news came on radio last night that armistice and cease fire was at 4pm yesterday.
• That Kadowaki smashed radio when he heard it.
• That Formosans were given iron rations last night.
• That there were various parties in camp last night (this last is definite - Brother Grimshaw was invited to one: there were 2 RC Brothers in camp, Bro. Grimshaw and Bro. Bonnici)
• That Jap officials have gone into town.
• That the Formosan gurds are running around in civilian clothes.
• That food ships are sailing from Manila as soon as peace is signed.
• That peace was actually made on Monday the 13th.

Latest (at 5.55pm) that Kadowaki is now with Gimson; and that the Formosan guards say the Emperor broadcast at 3 this afternoon and gave orders to prepare lists of internees etc. for embarkation - which we presume applies to those in Japan since it's said to be one of the peace terms.

We were each given a roll of U.S. toilet paper today. ((A very welcome 'first' for 3 & half years; the toilet paper supplied to camp came in large sheets of Chinese buff-coloured paper that had to be cut up)).