CO129-592-4 Reports on current situation- Police 14-11-1945 - 1-7-1946 — Page 37

Date

District.

Time.

22.

11. 12.41

37

and told them to take a copy to each station and to "go like Hell". As a result of information received at Headquarters both the Senior Superintendent of Police Kowloon and Chief Inspector Smith thought at the time the chances of the Police main body in Kowloon getting away without capture were very small. (The Stations were evacuated as follows:-

Yaumati. The despatch rider arrived with the

evacuation order and the Station evacua- ted to the Kowloon Godowns.

37. Tsim Sha Tsui. 12.30

38. Taumati.

39. Water Police.

40. Water Police.

41. Police Head-

quarters.

Kowloon City.

Hung Hom.

-

ditto

-

The despatch rider arrived with the evacuati on order and the Station evacua- ted via the Vehicular Ferry. Sub Inspec- tor Kemedy the Officer in Charge, claims that he received orders from Mr. Booker, Assistant Superintendent of Police whom he met at the junction of Jordan Road and Canton Road to evacuate via the Vehicular Ferry, though Mr. Booker does not himself agree he gave this order.

Police Evacuation took place under orders from Training the Senior Superintendent of Police, School. Kowloon, via the Kowloon Godowns. Tsim Sha Assistant Superintendent of Police, Kow- Tsui. loon, was notified by the Senior Superin- tendent of Police, Kowloon, and instruct- ed station to evacuate via Kowloon Godowis

Sham Shui As already described the station was PO.

evacuated by the Divisional Inspector, Sham Shui Po, on his own initiative be- fore the arrival of the Despatch Rider and personnel proceeded via the Vehicular Ferry.

Mong Kok. As already described the station was

evacuated before the Despatch Rider arri- ved and personnel proceeded via the Vehicular Ferry.)

Assistant Superintendent of Police, Kowloon, was instruc• ted by the Senior Superintendent of Police, Kowloon, that Kowloon Police were to evacuate. After making nece sary arrangements for his Sub Area he took post at the Star Ferry barricade with the Chief Inspector Kowloon, Inspector Cunningham, and Police party arranged to guard it. The Indians shortly afterwards deserted their post leaving the Europeans to carry on duty at the barrier. 12.30 Second Assistant Superintendent of Police, Kowloon,

received orders by despatch rider to evacuate Kowloon forthwith. After making necessary arrangements for his Sub Area he took post at the Vehicular Ferry with Police party to guard the barrier. The Indians later deserted their post due to bombing and shelling leaving the Europeans in the party to carry on duty.

12.30 Nos. 1, 2 and 3 Cruising Launches were recalled to assist

in the evacuation of Kowloon.

12.30 Coxswain No.100 was severely wounded by shrapnel on No.5

Police Launch while on duty in the harbour. (Rumour reports that he subsequently died in hospital.)

13.00 Messrs. Wilson, Luscombe, Fay and Wright-Nooth, Assis-

tant Superintendents of Police, attended at the water front to assist in collecting Police evacuating from Kowloon on their arrival and despatching them to pre- viously selected stations and dispersal houses.