Pages tagged:


(cigs, 4 pkts, Y1.80)

Classical concert (Talbot, Drown, Bicheno, Goodban, Heaseman) (Club)


((Following text not dated:))


Wolkenlich aber kein regen. Holz partei. Schwere arbeit und essen nicht genug. Um die Abendszeit mit Steve. Russe und Romania den Frieden abkommen schleissen? Japanosiche leute furchten den Burgerkrieg Ihre Damen und Kinder nach Kowloon kommen haben Sie.

(( Jill Fell writes:

"Cloudy but no rain. Wood party. Hard work and not enough to eat. With Steve around evening time. Russia and Romania make peace pact? The Japanese people fear civil war. Their women and children have come to Kowloon."


Mrs Henson died peacefully in hospital in the night.


Death of Mrs Edith May Henson, formerly of 6, Gun Club Hill, Kowloon, at the age of 65.

She and her husband Joseph, who had worked for the RASC Barrack Department at Shautakok, were helped by Charles Barham to escape to Hong Kong Island on December 8, 1941, the start of the fighting.

Some time in 1944 he sent his wife a postcard from Shamshuipo which ended with the injunction to 'Keep on smiling'. It's not known if she received it before her death.

 

Sources:


Wittenbach / Dow (“chastened and subdued moods”) (Psalm 4-2)

Death of Mrs. S.M. Henson (65)

Drown / Jenner


Schöner tag. Mehl fur brot gemahlt. Nmtg.an dem Dach ein wenig Sonn brennen. Abend mit Steve. Catolik Geistlicher spracht “Japan erwasten US troopen hierzokommen durch Mirs Bay

((Jill's translation:

Beautiful day. Ground flour for bread. Got a bit sunburnt on the roof in the afternoon. Evening with Steve.  A Catholic priest said that Japan expects US troops to come here through Mirs Bay.

))


Rec'd 1 pkt. Cigs for worker

Electricity off 11.10 am to 2.05 pm

all electric bells removed from districts (gongs in place) 

Jap. count and police interrupt ((spelling?)) concert ((spelling?))


Einer schöne Tag. Meine karte gegangen. Ich habe heute nichts getan. Abend mit Steve. 

(( Google Translate:

One beautiful day. My card went. I have done nothing today. Evening with Steve.

))


Rec'd Y5.91 from Jap., as worker


11 a.m. first alert long time. Little plane leading big one round but nothing more. No shooting.


Einer schöne Tag. Mehl für brot gemahlt. Deutche stunde. Sonnbade an dem Dach. Herr Zindel besuchte. Steve ging für Musik üben. Zwer Luft du griffen?

((Jill's translation:

A fine day. Ground flour for bread. German lesson. Sunbathed on the roof. Mr. Zindel visited. Steve went for music practice. Two air attacks? 

))


OBJECTIVE: Sea sweep over South China Sea

RESULTS: Two vessels are attacked at sea by the B-24DR “Sweepy Time Gal,” but no hits are scored.  “Sweepy Time Gal” strays off course on the return flight and flies into Victoria Harbor at low altitude, where it is shot down by Japanese fighter pilots.

TIME OVER TARGET: Precise times are unclear, but “Sweepy Time Gal” was apparently shot down during the early afternoon.

AMERICAN UNITS AND AIRCRAFT: Two B-24s from 373rd Bomb Squadron (308th Heavy Bomb Group)

AMERICAN PILOTS AND AIRCREW:


The Japanese begin Operation Ichigo, their last major offensive in China. 

One source claims that part of its rationale is to create a land route for supplies from South East Asia to Japan, Korea and Manchukuo because Allied bombers and submarines, sometimes armed with intelligence gathered in Hong Kong by the British Army Aid Group, have rendered the coastal supply route too dangerous.

By the time Ichigo finishes on December 31 it will have achieved some of its objectives and become the last significant Japanese success of the war.


Story big bomber attempted steal into Hongkong from easterly direction about 1 p.m. intercepted and shot down. Fell into sea and crew captured. We heard nothing. 


Nice day.

Zindel’s visit left very much to be desired. Parcels in a few weeks, he hopes, (Just a four day trip, why the few weeks). No allowance arrived and when it does it will be devoted to bulk supplies first. What is left, if any will be given to cases of malnutrition & other needs (This should include everyone). No repat. news.

Hungry as hell, down to bread & salt.

With Steve pm.

All fed up.


Picture of bomber published. Four engines. 


Lovely day.

Ground rice for bread.

German lesson.

Roll-call.

Air-raid (practice?)

With Steve pm.

Double ration today so felt fairly full for once.  

Men who vol. for Comm. gardening passed Med. boards.  

Small piece soft soap issued.


Issue of oil, c. powder, tea, sugar.

((undated comment at end of line, not clear to read:)) Internees working in Jap. Gardens to p?????? ?????? ???? ????? office ?????? ?? ????????? 


Overcast.

Gardening party commenced. (Japs say that this party was organized in order to provide extra work (no discipline) so that they could then issue extra rations.)

2 Jap fighters patrolled all day.  

With Steve pm.

Jap paper ridiculous in most of its reports especially re Burma & Mountbatten.

Peanut butter issued.

(Waffen still stand in Deutchland?)