Flight from Hong Kong

Even after Kai Tak was bombed on 8th Dec 1941, flights between Hong Kong and Chungking continued for several more nights. Here's Colonel Harry Owen Hughes' description:

The first air raid occurred at 8 o’clock over the Docks and Kai Tak Airport, destroying several aircraft and rendering any chance of an early departure impossible.  I spent the morning first at the Bank, trying to get Chinese currency even from Sir Vandeleur Grayburn the Chief Manager but without success, the Chinese Banks were not open, and then at Command HQ where we concocted a brief code whereby I could convey to Hong Kong information about the Chinese troops and the situation in Kwangtung, which I would have conveyed personally after a visit.

I was able to go home to lunch, and to say farewell to my marvellous parents.  They had been in the Colony since 1900, and had experienced all the pleasures and the difficulties of our Colonial life, in particular the problems of separation, as the welfare of the children was their first concern.  Now they were together for this last chapter of their married life.  Until yesterday they did not know that I was leaving, and their only concern seemed to be for my welfare.  The last I saw of my father was striding down the garden path in ARP uniform, upright as ever.

I then went to Corps HQ, which at that time was just above the Cathedral, and collected revolver ammunition and my badges as a Lieutenant Colonel.  Then in my car across the harbour by vehicular ferry, the other passengers being trucks containing ammunition.  Halfway over there was an air raid warning, but it was a false alarm.

It struck me that the people were remarkably calm on both sides of the harbour.  At Kai Tak Airport they were repairing damage done in the morning raid, but were quite uncertain about when we would fly off.  The Airport Manager let me leave my baggage in his office, and I went to see my former Company (No 1 Coy HKVDC), who had very recently been posted to a new LMG Anti Aircraft job at RAF, and were also reinforcements for Gin Drinkers Bay [Line?].  They were furious.  They had no Anti Aircraft tripods in the morning when the raid took place, and as to their other task, thanks to fifth column and the rapid Japanese advance, Gin Drinkers cracked too soon for reinforcement to help.

Penn, Redman and I dined with the RAF, who unhappily had no part to play, and then they took me to the airport in my car, which I left with them.

At midnight I received an urgent message from Boxer, asking that room be found on the plane for General Chen Chi Ming (a very senior Chinese Intelligence Officer, recently arrived from Singapore).  Some wealthy Chinese lady had to stand down.  At 2 am we boarded CNAC No 47 ( a DC), General Chen clinging to me like a leech.  We passed near to the Japanese Fleet in Mirs Bay, with their lights shining bright, and landed at Chungking at 6.30 - a very delicate process.

Thanks to Elizabeth Ride for these notes. She writes: "[This extract comes] from my collection called 'Hongkong Volunteers at War' which will add a bit to the discussion as to what planes left Kai Tak after the Japanese attack."

Hughes was one of the founders of the British Army Aid Group, together with Elizabeth's father, Col. Lindsay Ride.

Regards, David