OBJECTIVE: Bomb docks, godowns, and gasoline storage facilities in Canton
TIME OVER TARGET: ~12:45 p.m.
AMERICAN UNITS AND AIRCRAFT: Five B-25s from the 11th Bomb Squadron (341st Medium Bomb Group) and four P-40s from the 23rd Fighter Group. All aircraft are from the China Air Task Force (10th Air Force).
AMERICAN PILOTS AND AIRCREW: Major William E. Bayse (B-25s); Major David “Tex” Hill, John Petach (P-40s)
ORDNANCE EXPENDED: American M-30 100-pound bombs and Chinese 17-kg fragmentation bombs
((Dates approximate. Elsewhere a map has the legend "Combined Japanese Army and Navy aerial display on July 8".))
Now our voyage took us in the direction of Singapore. Anchored about 25 miles out for several days in calm, very hot weather we really felt the lack of water. While here, the Japanese sent over planes in many formations to impress us with their air power.
While 2,500 people are wondering how they can follow the Americans out of Stanley, one brave man is trying to get in.
Daily Mirror, page 8:
‘HONG KONG’ BISHOP WANTS TO FLY TO PRISONERS IN CHINA
THE "fighting Bishop" of Hong Kong - the Right Rev. Ronald Hall—is fighting to get back to his diocese, to minister to thousands of Protestants who are prisoners in the hands of the Japanese,
I recall parking with an anchor out of sight of land, which Ella seems to confirm. At the time I did not know Singapore was over the horizon somewhere. Mr. Buuch's diary recently quoted said 25 miles offshore.
We anchored this a.m. when we reached the outskirts of Singapore where the Shanghai Conte Verde was anchored. She is also covered with white crosses and it’s exciting to see it so near. We shall make the trip together to Africa. We wonder if we can obtain any information as to whether our folks ((fellow Missionaries)) are on board.
We had to fill out papers to say who would pay our passage. What a business where one has no choice.
Settling down & getting kitchen gear together ready for a start within the next day or two. Held a meeting of all occupants. Willcocks elected Chairman. I’m to be a cook.
C.S. went to town. What for?
Sebastipool gone. Thrust on Kharkov by Germans.
Photos (by Japs) were being taken in the food queue today. ((Perhaps this was when this food queue photo which appears in some books was taken:
We are still here and is it hot! What a relief it will be when we once get moving.
They took on fresh water and allowed us to use it all day. They warned us that it would be our last chance for a bath. All people were busy washing etc. Only salt water baths in the future.
The white crosses are big and plain to see.
They fixed up slides on top deck for the children and they do have a swell time now. Bobby would go up and down for hours if I’d help him and stay with him.
Repatriation yarn all rot.
$75 parcels being issued.
Rec. $14 from Taylor. ((Barbara Anslow: The 'Taylor' who gave Mr Jones money would be Mr A.J.C. Taylor of the Hong Kong Treasury. I record in diary of 8th July that my sister Olive and I each received $15 from him, so this seems to have been an official handout to civil servants in camp.))
I received $15 from A. J. C. Taylor ((prewar HK Treasury, this must have been a Govt. handout)). So did Olive - a great help for canteen.
Death of John Webster McNaught in the French Hospital.
Greg Leck gives his age as 83, Tony Banham as 80 and the Red Cross as 84. The last of these states that ''Mr. McNaught apparently died of old age' and tells us that his possessions included Masonic Lodge papers and a pocket book of engineering formulae.. He was probably one of the aged or sick internees moved from Stanley in February.
Sources:
Greg Leck, Captives of Empire, 2006
It was a hot night. The fans stopped working in the dining room while we were eating and we just about passed out.
Many planes flew over us, 61 in all, Lorenz said, also claims they dropped bombs near Singapore. We are anchored 30 miles out. Don’t know whose planes they were.
Still plenty of rain knocking about.
The rebilletting is still in a mess.
(Lybian & Russian situations OK. We are using a new improved anti-tank weapon?)
Death of Oriana Elizabeth, 15 weeks’ old d. of Mr. + Mrs. John Barrow
Tony ((Cole)) invited Mabel and I to tea, he had had his $75 parcel. So generous of him, he had saved part of his yesterday's bread ration and we had toast and butter, and tea with sugar. Splendid of people to be so kind in days like this.
Mrs. Barrow's baby Oriana died this morning, of water on the brain. Mrs B ((a Govt. nursing sister)) took it very quietly, though had been expecting the death.
Death of Oriana Elizabeth Barrow, aged 3 months.
Eric MacNider transcribes a notice that is posted today:
The Council has approved of a resolution submitted by Blocks 8, 9 & 11, to the effect that Eurasian (crossed out) families should not be billeted in Block 11. The Council recognises that such a state of affairs would be highly undesirable, and, as this is a matter of extreme urgency the Camp Billetting Officer in small groups to other blocks as soon as opportunity occurs.
Finally we are on our way. It’s grand to be moving. The trip is very interesting for one sees islands.
Rommell’s lines of comm. cut?
Camp optimism on the upward trend again.
Rain & wind.
((Dates approximate))
We passed through the Sundra Straits ((the Sunda Strait)), a narrow channel between Sumatra and Java and a disastrous area for the retreating Dutch at the beginning of the war. For the next 12 days we sailed across the Indian Ocean below the tip of India and Ceylon.
During this time we were given the opportunity of signing notes and receiving up to $100 for things which could be purchased on the ship, an arrangement worked out between our government and the Swiss. Our family was allotted $500 but we only drew $50.
After Oriana's funeral, wrote poem:-
'I have seen the anxious and fearful eyes
Of a wife who knows that her husband lies.
I have heard the hopeless moan of despair
Of a woman whose man is no longer there.
I have stood by the open grave of a child
Whose mother stood by while the earth was piled.
Faithlessness, death – all the risks that attend
Attachments on which we would grow to depend;
I wonder, would this make me hesitate
Though all other voices say 'Marry thy mate' ?