15 Dec 1941, Sheridan's diary of the hostilities

We hear on a portable radio that a Japanese party flying a white flag came across the Harbour from Kowloon in a motor launch. They came to discuss surrender terms. They were met by a Major Boxer for GHQ who speaks Japanese.

We later hear that there is to be no surrender. But many of us know that the Japs have a great advantage in superior numbers and resources. They have control of the main water supply from the Shing Mun Dam over on the Mainland and which is piped across the harbour. In the present dry season the small reservoirs on the Island would not keep this teeming population going for long.

Jap planes fly over and drop propaganda leaflets printed in English, Chinese, Urdu and Hindustani. They are very crude affairs and cause a lot of amusement. I notice the Chinese have thrown them on the oven fires. The Jap planes have been over again today. Two Navy torpedo boats had entered the Bay and were spotted. The Japs dropped a few bombs but no hits, the boats were away out to sea rapidly. When the air raids are on I have told the Chinese to watch me when to run for cover, but they always beat me to it. Considering that they are non-combatants they have stuck to the job, whereas many of the Supply Depot labour have faded away.