Rice ration reduced
Hosp. in urgent need of a drug known as LEXTRON.
Jail show (Second stretch).
Pages tagged:
News very good.
1lb flour issued.
((G.))
Learning to dance.
It was our turn for the Canteen this morning so I have been busy buying sugar and peanuts etc. This afternoon is free so I thought I'd write a little. There is a Concert on tonight and I have a ticket for tonight - we have all got different coloured tickets and can then only go on the night that colour is drawn for. I may go if I can get away early enough to get a seat - I couldn't stand all that time!
2. STANLEY INTERMENT CAMP:
Hongkong News of 13 Jan. 43 reports mails from U.S.A. were delivered to internees.
4. ESCAPE OF FREE BRITISH SUBJECT (THIRD NATIONAL - IRISH):
Jail show cancelled.
((This didn't appear in the Weekly Intelligence Summaries, but was a separate set of documents with information about radio sets in Stanley Camp. Thanks to Elizabeth Ride for sending these from her collection of wartime material.))
OFFICE OF H.M. MILITARY ATTACHE,
BRITISH EMBASSY,
CHUNGKING.
Reference: MA/133/3/F. 29 January 1943.
O.C., B.A.A.G., Kweilin.
SUBJECT:- Stanley Radio Set.
This paper is nearly finished now - it has lasted fairly well. I've got some other stuff now and can always get some at the C.S.O.
The Hong Kong University Court meets for the only time during internment. It receives the minutes of the Council meeting of January 23, 1943 and expresses deep regret at the deaths on active service of two of its members, Lt-Colonel G. D. R. Black and the Hon. T. E. Pearce.
Source:
Lindsay Ride, in Clifford Matthews and Oswald Cheung (eds.), Hong Kong University During The War Years: Dispersal and Renewal, 1998, 18.
Things go on very much the same as usual the only thing that keeps us bright is the news leaking into the camp and it is very good indeed and is often confirmed in the daily Hong Kong rag so that the rumours are not all 'bull'. The Russians are doing very well and pushing ahead the work in Africa is nearly cleaned up which is first rate. It would appear that the Home Front has to be cleared and finished before the real thing commences against the Japs. We can take it and don't mind waiting a bit longer.
4 R.L. $2.40 (Y250).
Cookhouse.
Cig issue.
((G.))
Dance til 10pm.
Sandbach / Ponting, S.A.
Finished sink in A1.
Hear row afternoon.
Good dinner by Allson ((Probably Mr Allison.)).
((G.))
Dance til 10pm.
On or about this date what was sometimes called the 'Reign of Terror' begins. Today's entry discusses the meaning of the phrase and its appropriateness. For incidents related to this theme see e.g. the entries for February 10, February 11, February 18, February 20, February 23, May 2-7, October 29 (all 1943)
((G.))
Drew I.R.C. rations.
Club Committee meeting.
Saw S pm.
((G.))
Many rumours re Germany packing up.
What remains of the German Sixth Army surrrenders at Stalingrad. About 91,000 Axis troops are taken prisoner.
About six months of brutal fighting have cost the Russions 750,000 casualties - killed, captured or wounded - in the city itself; the number of civilians killed in the surrounding areas is unknown.