Tuesday, August 23, 2016

72 years ago: Hong Kong's wartime diaries

72 years ago: Hong Kong's wartime diaries

24 Aug 1944, Chronology of Events Related to Stanley Civilian Internment Camp

Posted: 04 Jun 2014 07:59 AM PDT

Book / Document: 
Chronology of Events Related to Stanley Civilian Internment Camp
Date(s) of events described: 
Thu, 24 Aug 1944

Paris is firing all its ammunition into the August night. Against a vast backdrop of water and stone, on both sides of a river awash with history, freedom's barricades are once again being erected. Once again justice must be redeemed with men's blood.

Albert Camus, novelist and philosopher, writing in the resistance newspaper Combat.

The Allied armies are getting closer, and there are those who argue that they should allow them to evict the Germans from the city, but some of the men and women who make up the resistance forces in the 'capital city of Europe' insist on playing a role in their own liberation, and on August 19 an armed insurrection began.

Tomorrow Camus will write:

This night unlike any other ends four years of a monstrous history and an unspeakable struggle that saw France at grips with its shame and its fury.

Those who never lost hope for themselves and their country are finding their reward tonight. This night is a world unto itself: it is the night of truth....Truth is everywhere on this night, which finds the people and the canon roaring in unison.

The Germans have surrendered and de Gaulle and the Free French have entered in triumph, although, as Camus's words suggest, sporadic fighting is still going on.

 

Six thousand miles away in Stanley Camp it's a different world, but one of the lessons of the war is that of human connection, and the news arrives quickly and plays its part in creating a brief period of relative optimism in the grim struggles of 1944. On August 27, in his weekly retrospective, diarist George Gerrard will write:

Things locally have become brighter for us and the period is known as the week of P's. 

Pheasants, Partridges, Parcels, Paris and Perhaps Peace. 

 

But back in Paris there's a sour note: under American and British pressure black troops are not allowed to take part in the victorious entry of the Free French.

No wonder that Camus will warn on August 30 that 'victory on the battlefield does not signify total triumph.'

Sources:

Camus quotations: Camus at Combat: Writing 1944-1947, 2007, 16, 17, 20

Black troops: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/7984436.stm

24 Aug 1944, R. E. Jones Wartime diary

Posted: 12 Jun 2014 05:14 AM PDT

Book / Document: 
R. E. Jones Wartime diary
Date(s) of events described: 
Thu, 24 Aug 1944

Dreamt that Germany had capitulated.

Fine day, low clouds wind N.

Chopped wood for boiler.

Oil & sugar issued.

Anglo, US line from St. Germain, W of Versailles down to Fontainbleu 21st. Germans have withdrawn their 15th Army from Calais area to support other parts of their line.

Chinese paper has even better news. US forces advanced S around Bordeaux. Jassy evacuated 21st. Vichy Gov't moved to Belfort. French Communists retire in all parts against Germans. V.Adm.Decoux given Dictatorial powers in F.I.C.

With Steve pm after he had been to Staff meeting re Stuart's promotion. A deadlock seems to have been reached in this case. He was promoted contrary to Gov't system, anyway nothing can happen until after the war.

Heavy storm 9 to 10pm forked lightning most vivid.

Commenced the 2  6oz rice meals, much dissatisfaction re quantity of cooked rice. Pheasant again.

24 Aug 1944, Eric MacNider's wartime diary

Posted: 01 Sep 2014 12:21 AM PDT

Book / Document: 
Eric MacNider's wartime diary
Date(s) of events described: 
Thu, 24 Aug 1944

Classical concert (Esther Barton, Talbot, Drown, Goodbane, Heasman)

a.m. Hill conference about chatties

Issue oil, sugar, curry powder  

"All produce of gardens for communal purposes" meal 

Pheasant stew for p.m meal
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