EXTRACTS FROM DIARY WRITTEN BY PHYLLIS HAKROP FROM HONGKONG;
7th December 1941.
191
The last week has been a nightmare. Tensión is almost at breaking point. Since my trip out to San Wei last weekend and the hurried evacuation of the camps, I cannot help but think that this time the balloon will burst. Yesterday after my conversation with H. and C. and the fact that neither of them could come to the Ball, I feel that my last hopes are fading,
La t night at 10.30 our party was suddenly interrupted by telephone calls that Staff return to Staff H.Q. Major L. left immediately, Captain Bush half an hour later. and Colonel Hennessey never arrived at all, Major L. told me what had happened and I passed on the information to Pennefather Evans (Commissioner of Police), who consulted with Scott but apparently did nothing further. as P.E. and I left on the same ferry after the dance was over. I telephoned C. from the Peninsula Hotel. but he could tell me nothing further. except that all G.OmC. staff had been called in,
This afternoon both H. and C. advised me to get in a further supply of food in spite of the fact that I have at lea t three month's supply. Spent the afternoon packing all my silver and valuables and clothes. in order that they would be out of the way and ready to move to a safer place if it is necessary, H. also sent in two large trunks of his silver and his wife's clothes, Everybody appears to be worried.
8th December 1941.
Telephone wakened me at 5.0 a.m. H, calling to tell me the worst had happened. Reported to Police H.Q. at 6.30. The next hour was spent getting orders out to the various stations and personnel. 7.45 a,m, the first air raid. Nobody took any notice of it. nobody took it seriously. Indians and Chinese thought it was a practice raid until they heard the bombs explode. Kai Tak was their first objective. News came in rapidly from New Territory stations as to damage and movements of troops. Several raids followed at intervals all day.
Andrew Gilmour of Singapore C.S. attached to the Shipping Board. came in to office about 2.0 and wanted to see Charles Boxer. I am the only person on the staff with a Naval Permit so took him over in the car. Later went up to C.P.s house to colledt some blankets and clothes for the night. Decided to sleep in station tonight. We turned in eve tually aƒ about 2.0 am, Last raid was about 9.30 pm. We were too busy all day to think about food and none of us had anything to eat since this morning.
9th December.1941.
After a very restless and uncomfortable night. telephones ringing all through the night and messages coming in. we got dressed at 6.30. first raid at 6.45 caught me without any clothes. went down to shelter wrapped in a towel and C.P.s greatcoat.
Several raids during morning. could not get any work done. Orders given that during raids gas masks must be worn in prɔpar manner. Awful waste of time putting them on and taking them off, decided to leave mine on. No food all day until about 4.30 when could not go on any longer went home. C.P. decided I should sleep at home tonight. Spent the evening packing everything of any value so that flat could be used for evacuees if necessary and in order to minimise loss in case of bombing. Went to bed early but could not sleep. Stonecutters opened up and I watched the flashes of gun fire for quite a long time,
10th December 1941.
Arrived at office at 7.30 am. just got in when first siren went. hope they continue to be so regular. C.P. decided we should move down into battle H.Q. Got busy shifting desks etc,. and marking out places for telephones. 5 to go in. 2 on C.P.s desk. 2 on mine and 1 extra on tale.