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(Rose) / Alton

Another new month. I didn't write last week as I was disappointed - the blood count was no better despite my injection. I had another then and this time it was sore - very sore and ached all Saturday night and Sunday. This week the blood count is up to 3,340,000 with Haemoglobin a good 7%+. I'm to stay on the Diet Kitchen for another week. I didn't have another injection as Smalley thinks they haven't had their full effect yet.

OBJECTIVE: Secret interception mission in vicinity of Hong Kong and Canton

TIME OVER TARGET: ~11:20 a.m.

AMERICAN UNITS AND AIRCRAFT:  Three P-40E1 from 16^th Fighter Squadron (23^rd Fighter Group, China Air Task Force, 10^th Air Force)

AMERICAN PILOTS AND AIRCREW: 1^st Lt. Dallas A. Clinger; 2^nd Lt. Walter E. Lacy

ORDNANCE EXPENDED: None

RESULTS: Anticipated enemy aircraft did not appear

JAPANESE UNITS, AIRCRAFT, AND PILOTS: None

AIRCRAFT LOSSES: None

Rumours of more bombing, and of parcels coming in on Tuesday - let's hope so!

Betty Drown ((in room next to ours)) wasn't going to play tonight (she has a temperature) but when Mum told her Mabel was going out of hospital to hear her, she did play.  

Choir sounded nice at church.  

Mabel felt dizzy again yesterday, and today before she went to hear music.  

Meat cake today.

The Maryknoll Fathers have been released from Stanley and are living in Bethany:

(Today) the Japanese government issued orders that all shortwave radio sets must be turned in to be sealed, after which they would be returned to their owners. At that time there was no radio at Bethany, but we listened to a neighbouring one, the owner of which kindly opening his door wide and turning up the radio strong. After the first we still heard the radio news but from other sources.

All quiet, no raids or news.

All short wave radios prohibited by Japs.

Finished writing story - 'Limelight on the Lower Fifth', not very satisfied with the ending. Very flattered today – Mrs Pryde stopped me and talked about my poems. She likes 'School Magazine' best.

The Red Cross parcels are actually in the camp, brought by boat.

Betty Drown isn't well, she has flu and tonight Ian Heath played alone ((they often played duets)).

Parcels arrived by lighter & stowed in godown opposite St Stephen College.

Orders re blackout

Black-out

In the afternoon Y and I went to Christine Corra’s 21st birthday. I had made her an ash tray for the occasion. I cannot claim that the idea was original for I saw Hill making one first and it was he who gave me the principal piece of material, a rectangle cut from the shell case or cartridge of an AA shell. I don’t know the technical name for this metal or alloy, but I believe it is made from a compound of copper, tin and zinc.

OBJECTIVE: Reconnaissance flight over Canton, San Chau, and Hong Kong

TIME OVER TARGET: ~9:00 a.m.

AMERICAN UNITS AND AIRCRAFT: Two P-40E1s from 16^th Fighter Squadron (23^rd Fighter Group, China Air Task Force, 10^th Air Force)

AMERICAN PILOTS AND AIRCREW: 1^st Lt. Robert E. Smith; 2^nd Lt. Melvin B. Kimball

ORDNANCE EXPENDED: None

Parcel rumours much in the air - that there are only 900 of them, only bully beef and clothes.

We have been ordered to black out tonight.  Rumour has it that the Allies will be bombing heavily after today, and Chinese have been warned to keep clear of militry objectives.  Worried a little for ourselves and the boys at Shamshuipo, as we aren't lit up at night.

Mabel still in hospital, very bored.  I don't think she's looking quite so well either.

Future uncertain - will we be retaken by Allies, then bombed and interned again?

FROM HONGKONG

Eight personal messages from Hongkong— the first to be received —have reached Britain, the Red Cross announced yesterday.

They came via Russia,Turkey and Geneva, were sent off on July 15.

Source:

Daily Express, November 3, 1942, page 4 

Blackout enforced.

Parcels still coming in.

((G.))

Black-out, lights out 10 p.m.

We have to black out again tonight.  Lovely rissole for tiffin.   Had fried egg last night and tonight, really delicious.  ((Duck eggs sometimes for sale)).

Tale is that of loose Red Cross food, ((i.e., not in the small individual parcels)) we will each have 30 tins of bully, 25 lbs sugar, 25 lbs dried fruit, 1 & half lbs. of caramel, and of cocoa.   Lovely if true!

We have drawn a canteen ticket for tomorrow.  

Made a front cover for 'Limelight on the Lower Fifth.'

Two pieces of news involving the Red Cross today.

Extract from letter home:

...One cheering fact is that the International Red Cross is definitely established at Hong Kong. The man placed in charge I know very well and I have felt far happier and more encouraged ever since I learned of his appointment. He is a Swiss by the name of Zindel and was formerly connected with Arnhold and Company...

All Germans out of Stalingrad. Our Lybian advance slowed down due to landmines. Japs repulsed in attacks in Chekiang province. Russians manned Manchoukou border & Turks the Bulgarian border.

Taipo bombed.

Lights out at 10 P.M.

((G.))

Black-out, lights out 10pm, instead of 11 pm

Dr Y-E is going to tell Mabel tomorrow that she will have tonsils out the next day.

Welfare presented us with tinned fish liable to blow.  We had kedgeree at hospital.

Dorothy ((reading my school story)) is most enthusiastic about it.