4 Jun 1942, Chronology of Events Related to Stanley Civilian Internment Camp

The crucial day in the Battle of Midway:

Beginning about 9:30, torpedo planes from the U.S. carriers Hornet, Enterprise, and Yorktown made a series of attacks that, despite nearly total losses, made no hits. Then, about 10:25, everything changed. Three squadrons of dive bombers, two from Enterprise and one from Yorktown, almost simultaneously dove on three of the four Japanese carriers, whose decks were crowded with fully armed and fueled planes. By 10:30, Akagi, Kaga, and Soryu were ablaze and out of action.

The decisive period lasted for little more than 5 minutes. At the end of it, the Japanese dream of destroying the American navy in the Pacific and forcing Washington to make a peace that would leave them in possession of most of their conquests was over.

From the internees' point of view, although there's a long way to go, the days of the 'Captured Territory of Hong Kong' are numbered. But how many of them will survive until liberation?

In Hong Kong City RASC Staff-Sergeant Patrick Sheridan begins his escape. Sheridan was sent to help the civilian bakers on December 19, and after the surrender he and his fellow RASC man Sergeant James Hammond were interned with them in Exchange House. When they were sent from there to the French Hospital on February 8, Captain Tanaka ordered them to leave behind all their army kit. Now effectively a civilian, Sheridan claimed Irish nationality, was granted a neutral's pass and then asked for permission to seek work as a baker in the French enclave of Kwong Chow Wan. This was granted on June 3, and, wasting no time, he sets sail today.

Sources:

Midway: http://www.nps.gov/history/NR/twhp/wwwlps/lessons/90midway/90facts2.htm

Sheridan: Sheridan's escape statements BAAG files

Note:

News of the Battle of Midway starts to get around Stanley within a few days, although few if any could have realised its significance: see the Jones diary for June 8 and the days following.