CO129-585-1 Sino-Japanese conflict- attacks on shipping 25-1-1940 - 2-10-1940 — Page 209

- 2

209

shoulder. Ropes were produced from the trawler and the Japanese tied the ropes to the bow of my launch and the trawler steamed out ahead taking my launch in tow. The Japanese in blue uniform stayed on the bridge and signalled to the other one who had entered the engine room to start the engines. One of the Japanese armed with a rifle came onto the bridge and threatened me with his rifle. I refused to ring the engine room bell so he shouted to the engine room and the engines were started.

I remained at the wheel and when half way to SAM MUN the British Mercantile Marine flag which was flying at the stern of the launch was taken down. Un each side of the

bridge is two boards 5 feet by 4 feet permanently fixed. On these boards is painted the Union Jack. I had these put on when I took charge of the KWONG HING two years ago. The Japanese nailed a piece of canvas over the Union Jack on the port side.

On the starboard they nailed a piece of matting over the Union Jack. The piece of car vas was cut from the awning and the matting was taken from my fokis bed. Two other pieces of canvas were cut from the awning and nailed

over the name "KWONG HING" on each side of the bow.

We arrived at SAM MUN KWAN about 19.00 hours and

my launch was taken alongside a battle ship. The trawler

then lay alongside my launch and the junk lay at the stern of my launch. Two Japanese one dressed in blue uniform and

one in khaki came from the warship on my launch.

The one

in khaki spoke to me in Punti and asked for my licence

which I showed to him.

He asked me where i was towing the junk to and also

1 informed the

to prove that it was British property.

Japanese that I was towing the junk to Shaukiwan and that my

licence was British. Another two Japanese dressed in khaki

came on board and searched my launch but removed nothing.

They did not ask or even tell me that they were going to search