Statement by Mr V I G Petersen, dated 30th September 1943:
I am a Danish subject and Resident of Hongkong since January 1938. I was General Manager for the Far East of the following companies:
Insurance Co of North America, Philadelphia, USA.
Automobile Insurance Co of Hartford, Conn, USA.
General Insurance Co of Zurich, Switzerland.
World Auxiliary Insurance Co of London & Switzerland.
I joined the Auxiliary Fir Service in Hongkong about March 1940, and was appointed assistant Quartermaster for the A.F.S. and the regular Fire Brigade in early 1941. I served in that capacity during the hostilities in Hongkong.
After the fall of Hongkong, being classified as Third National I was not interned. I applied for a permit to make a short business trip to Macao which was granted in July 1943. Since then I didnt return to Hongkong, but with the help of British Consul I escaped from Macao on 10th September 1943 at about 10.00 p.m. on board a small fishing junk, reaching Sanchun (Free China) at about 9.00 next morning, and walked to To Fook, arriving at 12 midnight. On 12th left To Fook for Toishan by chair and to Samfou by motor boat and arrived at the latter place at 8.00 p.m. the same day, and stayed there for 2 days. At 11.00 a.m. on 15th, with a guide provided by Captain Wright of BAAG, left Samfou by boat for ?? and Chong Sing, arriving at the latter place at 8.00 a.m. on 16th. From this place took chair to Tinchuen, Sankiu, stopping over night in each place, left Sankiu by junk on 18th morning, arriving at Siuhing the same afternoon. From Siuhing changed into Tow boat and touching Wuchow, Kweiping, arrived at Taiwan at about 2 p.m. on 23rd. Next morning at 6.30 a.m. took train to Liuchow, and eventually arrived at Kweilin at 6.30 a.m. on 25th.
Signed: V I G Petersen, BAAG Headquarters, Kweilin.