CHAPTER 10
BOMB ATTACKS
136. From the end of July, when the effects of the constant Police raids on communist centres began to make itself felt, communist en- thusiasm for the cause of confrontation steadily deteriorated; soon only the 'hard-core' were left to continue the struggle. Money was running out; in October a fund was set up to meet the continuing commitment of 'strike pay' for those who were dismissed after the stoppages of June, and there were reports of compulsory levies on businessmen with communist interests. There was little hope of assistance from China by way of direct intervention.
137. In August a communist newspaper published a list of prom- inent members of the community who were said to be marked for assassination. Bombs placed in rolled up magazines were delivered through the post to the Hongkong and Shanghai Bank and to Jardine Matheson & Company, but they roused suspicion, were investigated and rendered harmless. A senior Government servant was sent a live bullet through the post. However, the only victim of this terrorism was a popular Chinese commentator on Commercial Radio who had spe- cialized in ridiculing the communist efforts. On 15th August he and his cousin were attacked in a well-laid ambush. His car was stopped by what appeared to be labourers engaged in road repairs, the pair were dragged out of their car, drenched with petrol and set alight. They both died later in hospital.
138. Attacks were also made against individual policemen, mainly with the purpose of stealing their firearms. On 3rd September a Pro- bationary Inspector was stabbed and seriously injured; on 6th November a constable at Yuen Long was over-powered by three men and had his revolver stolen. On 28th November a Police constable on duty at Berwick Street was attacked and killed by three men. On 9th December another constable was killed at Kam Tin in the New Territories.
139. There were also further street demonstrations, which occa- sionally erupted into violence; but the main communist efforts until the end of the year were engaged in bomb attacks. This weapon was first used against the Police in mid July in the form of 'fish bombs' (that is crude explosive devices used, illegally, by fishermen) and from selected targets it gradually spread to the quite indiscriminate planting
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