COPY
48
Chungking,
25th May, 1942.
Brief report of the impressions gained in regard to the conditions prevailing in Hongkong during the three months following its fall on December 25, 1941.
On
Hongkong surrendered at about 3 p.m. on December 25, 1941. January 1st, I was in town for the first time after the fall of Hongkong and walked from Causeway Bay to the Queen Mary Hospital. Queen's road from the market near Happy Valley to as far as the University was a mass of moving people, the crowds were so thick in some places that one could hardly make any headway. The town, especially the part that saw actual fighting from the East to Wanchai and Wanchai area itself - were in a pitiful state. Tramway wires loose, streets full of refuse, badly damaged buildings. All the shops were closed. Foodstuffs were sold in hawkers' style on the streets- good part of them apparently looted from some shops.
The majority of foreigners lived in the central district making use of the offices and hotels for their quarters; nobody was able to return home. Hongkong and especially Kowloon were at the mercy of Chinese looters during the disorder immediately following the withdrawal from Kowloon and then the surrender of the island. Organized bands were raiding numerous residences, especially if the owners were away doing war work, etc., and carried away everything they could lay their hands on personal effects, furniture and even fixtures. The Army, Navy and the Volunteers were interned, but the civilians and the plice were free at that time. Everybody looked gloomy. Main topics of conversation were "Have you heard anything about so and so" and "How much money have you left and for how long do you think you will be able to feed yourself - and what then".
Ch
I have been to
Red Cross
All "enemy nationals" i.e. British, Americans, Dutch, etc. were rounded up on January 3rd and 4th and interned in various Chinese hotels on Des Voeux and Queen's roads. one of these hotels to visit some of my friends armband gave me the admission. This was one of the smaller hotels about 200 yards along Queen's road, west of the King's
It was guarded by an Indian policeman and run by It was badly congested there were about 7 - 8 men and women in each small room. Sanitary conditions were bad, Those who had money food poor mostly rice and vegetables. could buy some foodstuffs through the guards and for a certain charge. Roughly a fortnight later all the civilians were taken to Stanley transportation was mostly by junks.
theatre.
Chinese.
Government
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For the first two and a half months, Hongkong and Kowloon were apparently governed by the Army (all the official
The Civil Affairs orders were signed by the army authorities).
department/
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