CO129-585-1 Sino-Japanese conflict- attacks on shipping 25-1-1940 - 2-10-1940 — Page 183

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and their bodies.

We then tied the ropes and the trawler sailed

ahead and towed the KWONG HING

•

The four Japanese

remained on guard on the launch. One of the Japanese

pointed his rifle at me and then to the bell. I did not

ring the bell and the Japanese entered the engine room

and threatened the engineer and he started the engines.

I remained at the wheel and when half way to

SAM MUN the Japanese took down the British flag from the

stern of the launch. On the port and starboard sides of the

KWONG HING there is painted union jacks, these were covered

over by the Japanese with canvas and nailed down. They also

covered over the name of the launch on the port and starboard

sides at the bow with canvas and nailed it down.

We arrived at SAM MUN KWAN at 19.00 hours and went

alongside a battle ship on the port side. The Japanese on

my launch cast off the towing ropes and the trawler came

alongside my port side and tied up. Two Japanese came

from the battle ship dressed in blue and khaki uniform and

boarded my launch. The one in khaki spoke to me in Punti

and asked for my licence. He also asked me to prove that

the launch was British property. I produced my licence to

him. I was then asked where the Japanese trawler had

stopped the launch and where was I towing the junk to. I

replied that I was towing the junk from, PENG CHAU to Hong

k ik iz Kong and that I had been stopped near TAI LONG WAN which is

British Waters. He then asked what cargo was on board the

junk and I replied chickens, ducks, pigs and earthenware.

Another two Japanese dressed in khaki uniform came from the

battle ship on board my launch and carried out a search.

All four returned to the battle ship. The two Japanese

who first came returned after about 15 minutes. I was told

by the one who spoke Punti to call all the junk crew and my

own crew on deck. He then addressed us all and said "You