DOENTIAL
**
22
c/o British mbassy,
Chungking.
24th June, 1942.
ort made by Galter Philip Thompson, Superintendent
of Police, formerly stationed in Hong Kong.
On the outbreak of hostilities in Hong Kong on 8.12.41. I assumed general charge of uniformed, olice duties on the Island of Hong Kong, and continued this duty until 15.12.41. whon I was disabled during an air raid on Police leadquarters.
I was discharged from hospital on 22.12.41. at my own request, and resumed duty at Police leadquarters until the surrender on 25.12.41.
I was interned with the Police Force, at first in a Chinese hotel until 21.1.42 when we were removed to the Civilian` Internment Camp on Stanley peninsular.
On 19.3.42. I escaped from the internment camp accompanied by a lrs. G. E. Priestwood, reaching the protection of friendly guerilla forces in the Sai Kung district of the New Territories on 23.3.42.
Subsequently in the light of experience gained, we dis- cussed the possibility of being able to assist others to escape, and came to the conclusion that there were chances which delay might destroy. I took the decision of returning as soon as arrangements could be made for Mrs. Priestwood's safe passage onwards.
En route northwards through wai Chau, East River, I reported my escape by telegram to His Majesty's Arbassador on 26.3.42.
He reached Lung Chuen on the East River on 3.4.42., and after Mrs. Priestwood had left by lorry for Shiu Kwan on 4.4.42., I left southwards on 5.4.42.
Pausing only to make contact with certain guerilla officials in Wai Chau, I reached the Sai Kung area in the New Territories again on 12.4.42. During the noxt five days I com- pleted preparations to reach Stanley peninsular by sea, and rade three attempts to get round on 15th, 16th and 17th April. Owing to very adverse weather I was unable to achieve this object. I then decided that a personal attempt was not possible in the light of information received of precautions being taken at Stanley, and also because I was by then satisfied that my presence in the district was no longer a close secret.
I then transferred to the Sha Tau Kok area of the New Territories where I remained until 26.4.42. in close contact with certain guerillas, who I found sincerely anxious to help. this period I made plans for opening up contact with
a)
the internment oamp at stanley, certain loyal Indians in the Colony,
certain Chinese meribers of the Force who I
believed to have remained loyal,
Dr. Selwyn Clark, (former Director of Medical
Services) and certain other Europeans at large in the Colony.
During
I also made arrangements for a survey of an overland escape route from the Stanley internment camp, with a view to placing agents at various points on route, and securing the services of reliable boat people, so that in the event of an organised attempt succeeding, the escapee would encounter the minimum of fatigue and danger.
Having satisfied mysolf that I could do nothing further at the time in the way of foundation work, I returned to ai Chau,
arriving/..
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