72 years ago: Hong Kong's wartime diaries |
| 11 Mar 1942, Chronology of Events Related to Stanley Civilian Internment Camp Posted: 11 Jan 2012 06:48 AM PST Book / Document: Chronology of Events Related to Stanley Civilian Internment Camp Date of events described: Wed, 1942-03-11 Former Colonial Secretary Franklin Gimson arrives in Stanley, declares himself the representative of the King and the London government, and calls on the internees to accept his authority. He finds a Camp in which many people are bitter at the Colonial Government for its perceived failure to prepare properly to resist the Japanese and for other shortcomings. As a result, he was, in his own later words, 'Not welcomed universally'. In fact, a sometimes bitter power struggle now begins, as Gimson attempts to impose his authority on Stanley.
After an exhausting truck drive from Kweiyang {Guiyang} Phyllis Harrop finally reaches her goal, China's wartime capital: We arrived at Chungking {Chongqqing}about seven o'clock...desperately tired and flithy with dust and grime. She meets Colonel McHugh of the US Army and gives him news of his freinds from Hong Kong. She sleeps like a log.
In London the British papers lead on Eden's speech of yesterday: The Daily Express launches the slogan 'Remember Hongkong', and, then reports: JAP ATROCITIES HORRIFY WORLD Two of the most terrible revelations made by Mr. Eden in the House of Commons yesterday were these :— Fifty British officers and men were bound hand and foot and then bayoneted to death. Women, both European and Asian, were raped and murdered. One entire Chinese district was declared a brothel, regardless of the status of its inhabitants. In Canada the news was also met with horror. From the same Daily Express report: There were shocked cries when Premier Mackenzie King read the statement in the Canadian Parliament. "Words cannot begin to express our sense of outrage and feeling of bitter resentment," he said. "Retribution for this barbaric behaviour will follow in full measure in due course." Sources: Philip Snow, The Fall of Hong Kong, 2003, 136 Phyllis Harrop, Hong Kong Incident, 1943, 188 Notes: March 11 is also given as the date of Gimson's arrival by Alan Birch (G. B. Endacott and Alan Birch, Hong Kong Eclipse, 1978, 51). However, Geoffrey Emerson, citing the Stericker Papers, gives March 13 (Hong Kong Internment, 49).
Harrop's text gives March 10 for her arrival but the Chapter sub-heading has March 11 which fits in better with her other dating.  |
| 11 Mar 1942, R. E. Jones Wartime diary Posted: 10 Feb 2012 12:15 AM PST Book / Document: R. E. Jones Wartime diary Date of events described: Wed, 1942-03-11 Cressell ((sic.)) caused trouble in kitchen & staff walked out.  |
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