28
Date
District.
Time.
3.
4.
Western.
5.
Yaumati.
6.
Emergency
Unit, Hong
Kong.
7.
Western.
Harbour.
13.
10.
12. 4!
The
managed to warn about 460 Chinese from various New Territories North villages, including A.R.P. personnel, to evacuate immediately. At about 08.00 hours the Police party started the villagers on their way. Al- most immediately the Japanese opened fire with machine guns and a panic ensued. The Chinese scattered setting off land mines. Sgt. McPherson and the Cantonese Sub Inspector who were guiding the villagers on the correct path to avoid land mines had to return to prevent some of the villagers crossing a mined bridge which they guarded until this danger was passed. The Cantonese Con- stable tried to run away but was held up by Cantonese Sub
Under Inspector Wong at the point of his revolver. heavy fire Sgt. McPherson and the Cantonese Sub Inspector actually managed to bring back with them 125 terrified villagers, men, women and children, across "no man's land" and through the wire past the British defence line, previously warned not to fire to Sha Tin Gap. Police party with the villagers could not return the way they came as it was impossible to pass the Machine Gun Post previously mentioned, and they had to retire by a circular route via the back of Sha Tin Police Stati on. The operation from the time of leaving the British lines to the time of return took about three hours and the greatest care throughout had to be exercised to prevent setting off land mines of which there was consirable risk Sgt. McPherson himself carried four children to safety. The 125 Chinese were eventually taken to Kowloon City Police Station. The G.S.O.I in making his request lead- ing up to the two expeditions had stressed to the Senior Superintendent of Police Kowloon the importance of re- moving the villagers both from a strategic point of view and for their own safety. The Military Authorities them- selves congratulated Sgt. McPherson and Cantonese Sub Inspector Wong on their work.
04.30 Dispersal of Civilians from West Point began with Police to assistance. They were to be moved to North Point with 06.30 the Western Market as a rallying centre, but the opera-
tion was later cancelled by the Director of Medical Services. The Emergency Unit, Hong Kong, assisted Western division police in this work.
07.00 Police Reservists at K.9, Yaumati Service Reservoir,
relieved by regular Police owing to the former becoming
nervous.
07.30 Compradore shops in Jubilee Street which had closed were
opened for sale to the public.
08.00 Shelling of division by enemy artillery in the New
No.23 Godown on the Water Front Two Chinese killed and three
Territories commenced. suffered severe damage. wounded.
Stone Cutters Island was shelled.
Sham Shui Po. 09.30 Lai Chi Kok Female Prison was completely evacuated.
Japanese aircraft were again busily employed bombing forts and batteries in division.
8.
9.
10.
11.
Kowloon.
Western.
Bombing of Kowloon and Stone Cutters continued. riots occured but Police overcame them and restored arder.
Rice
12.
Gough Hill.
13.
Emergency Unit, Reserve.
The Hong Kong Electric garage at entrance to station in Stubbs Road was taken over for Police Fire Engine. Several bombs were dropped resulting in damage to houses but the casualties were small.
Under A.S.I. Saddick the Emergency Unit Reserve were transferred to Western district with quarters at Nos. 347 and 349 Queen's Road West for duties consisting of:-
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