17 Aug 1945, Chronology of Events Related to Stanley Civilian Internment Camp

Franklin Gimson issues a statement saying that Stanley's Commandant, Kadowaki, has told the guards to lay down their arms and to treat internees with the utmost civility. Gimson adds that he's taken over responsibility for camp discipline, and that the British police will henceforth resume some of their functions. Most of the guards leave for town.

There's a Thanksgiving Service and St. Stephen's Hall is filled to overflowing.

But Hong Kong is in the hands of looters, the food's running out, there are no Allied troops anywhere close by - and no-one is sure what the Japanese military will do next. These are frightening as well as joyous times for the internees.

Sources:

Gimson: George Wright-Nooth, Prisoner Of The Turnip Heads, 1994, 245

Thanksgiving: Bill Ream, Too Hot For Comfort, 1988, 54

Note:

See also the entries for yesterday and tomorrow.