28 Jul 1943, Diary of George Gerrard in Stanley Internment Camp Hong Kong

I completed and typed your letter and dated it Sat 24th July and posted it same day at the C.S. Office and I trust Nell that it arrives at you safely sometime. I am well and tho' down in weight, still I'm in fair condition.

On Friday we received 70Yen each which was very welcome as funds were low and even the banana comfort looked as if it would have to go west. However I'll now get something from the canteen on Tuesday.

Well Tuesday the 27th was a big day here when the paper gave us a late news extra to the effect that Mussolini had resigned and the virtual fact that Italy was out of the war. The newspaper comes in with the rations lorry and everyone went really crazy and all were talking at once like an Irish Parliament, bedlam let loose.

Yamaclita the superintendent took photographs and after two days of stinking fish we got mutton so everyone was happy and it would appear that the photo will be used for propaganda purposes saying how happy the internees are. Yes but it was because of Italy being out. This is the best news we have had yet. Attaboy.

Then at 5pm over came 6 bombers and 12 fighters belonging to us and oh boy did we get a thrill, the antiaircraft fire was pretty hot but our bombers never broke formation. They passed practically over the camp and then released their bombs over the harbour somewhere. It was jolly thrilling to us and with the Italian news has bucked us up tremendously.

We had the inevitable blackout at night. Then this morning about 9.30 more bombers went over doing their stuff. Is this the prelude to something of great importance. We hope so. I trust and think that the net is closing and the rope is getting tighter for the Japs and they and the Germans are going to have nasty time very soon, the sooner the better says all of us. We are now gluttons not only for chow but for more and letter news with a few more bombing raids by our lads conditions for us will be a bit more cheerful.