SECRET CIPHER TELEGRAM.
From: -
Military Attaché, Chungking.
The War Office.
Rptd. C. in C., S.W. Pacific.
032427
२०
Desp. 2150, 10.2.42. Recd. 0129, 11.2.42.
C. in C., India (please pass G.0.C. Burma). G.O.C. Malaya.
MOST IMMEDIATE.
320. cipher. 10/2.
255
Following information conditions Hong Kong from telephone conversation with Lieut. Colonel (?Rhodes) R.A.M.C. who escaped on 9th. He guarantees reliability.
Lieut. Colonel G.D.R. Black Volunteer Medical Service, Captain Whitney R.A.M.C. and 3 British V.A.D. Nurses including Mrs. Be?g taken from (?Isolation) hospital and publicly (?word omitted). Other British nurses were then raped by Japanese troops. 50 bodies of British Officers and men seen bayonetted to death in one area their hands and feet first being tied. Colonel MacPherson R.A.0.C. among them.
Conditions in prisoners camp deplorable. Housed in wrecked huts without doors windows light or sanitation. 150 cases of dysentery and no drugs or medical attention. General Maltby and staff compelled to march to camp carrying belongings with troops. All officers and men, British, Indian, Chinese and Portuguese in common camp. Two bowls of rice and little vegetable only per man per day. No complaints possible. This studied barbarism undoubtedly employed with object of breaking morale. Presume you will handle publicity aspect.
(?Rhodes) now Kweilin awaiting passage to Chungking.
C.4 (Telegrams)
S. of S.
U.S. of S.
P.U.S.
A.G.
F.M.
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D.A.G.(A)
D.M.O.& P.
C.G.
D.G.A.M.S.
D.M.I.
D.F.(d).
To:- P.W.2. (for action). Copies to:-
M.I.L.
M.I.1, 9.
Cas. P.W.
P.W.1, 2, (3 copies).
I.P.3.
Dominions Office (Mr. Head).
Foreign Office (Sir David Scott).
Foreign Office (Mr. W. St. C.H. Roberts).
Colonial Office (Lt. Col. Cole).
India Office (Mr. Swinnerton).
Cabinet Offices (Col. Jacob).
High Commissioners for South Africa.
A.U.S.
D.P.W. D.D.P.W. D.D.M.I.(P.W.) M.I.(J.I.C.).
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