I am now considered on the Permanent Government Staff, subject to medical exam. ((Having served 3 years)).
No real news or rumours except that the Volunteers are coming in to the Prison, and Stalingrad still holding.
Diary pages from this date
Extract from letter:
Morale here is excellent. The Chinese have no doubt of the ultimate result. The only thing we wait longingly for is the advent of some American planes on a bombing trip. Despite the risk, the more the merrier. I have an odd bottle in reserve to celebrate...
Source:
The Hong Kong Fellowship Newsletter, No. 2, June 1943, 7-8
Note:
Understandably the Newsletter does not say anything about the provenance of this letter. It obviously wasn't sent through official channels, and I suspect it was smuggled out either by a repatriated American or through one of the BAAG routes that began to be established in July 1942. See the entry for July 2.
The writer didn't have to wait long - the bottle was probably drunk on October 25, 1942 when the internees saw the first American raid.
Drop of Chinese wine with Steve.
Played cards for cigs PM.