2.
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junction of Tai Hang and Broadwood Roads. He was arrested and handed over to the Military Authorities.
There were occasional reports of rioting at rice and food dis- tributing centres but none turned out to be of any importance. When in- vestigated it was proved that the reports were generally prompted by nervous clerks anxious to lock up and go home."
6.
In
Mr. L.A. Searle, Assistant Superintendent of Police, No.1 Sub Area Commander states:- "Daily sniping by fifth columnists in Upper Levels district took place during the war in various parts of the district. spite of full investigation no offenders were located. (ii) Aberdeen was under continual shell fire throughout the war owing to its close proximity to Aberdeen Naval Headquarters at the Aberdeen Industrial School.
7.
Mr. ES.C. Luscombe, Assistant Superintendent of Police in charge of regular duty work in Hong Kong and later No.2 Sub Area Commander, states:- "Many reports on fifth columnist activities were received but none were substantiated in subsequent investigation. I was, myself, however, fired on twice by fifth columnists, once at Pedder street and Queen's Road junction when a Chinese male standing near me was killed and secondly when I was in my car near the Club de Lusitano.
(2) There was very little looting.
In this respect, Central, Eastern and Western districts were very quiet. None of it. was on an or- ganised scale. The only incidents I noted were (i) two rice shops at Shaukiwan, (ii) the Imperial Chemical Industries Godowns in front of our front line, (iii) the French Store near Central Market, (iv) Rice godowns on the Western water front."
8.
Mr. F. W. Shaftain, Assistant Superintendent of Police, Director, Criminal Investigation, states:- "After the evacuation from Kowloon the Chinese detectives deteriorated and became practically useless, owing to defeatist propaganda spread by fifth columnists, by vested interests", and at first by Triad Societies. (N. B. The co-operation of the Triad Societies was obtained on the 11th December, see entry No.62 of 11.12.41)
(2) Owing to the break down of the Chinese Detective staff an outside organisation had to be formed. Members of the Triad Societies were able to buy over certain Wang Ching Wai personnel and valuable in- formation was continually obtained which led to numerous raids and drastic action against subversive elements."
9.
Mr. G.W. Wright-Nooth, Assistant Superintendent of Police, Assistant Commander of No.1 Sub Area, states:- "There was little crime in Central and Western districts and not until after the surrender when Police had been withdrawn did wholesale robbery and looting take place. Police carried out continuous patrols throughout the 24 hours, guarded Vital Points and food depots and controlled crowds at fires and in rice queues. In the Central district there was a little looting of shops and houses damaged by shells and bombs but none in Upper Levels district. In the Western district Police had a great deal to do preventing damaged godowns on the water front being looted.
(2) The complete break down of Food Control arrangements led to difficulty in feeding Police and their families. It took a week for Police to make, in lieu, their own arrangements which was only done under the prevailing circumstances with difficulty and by ingenuity.
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10.
Mr. Chesterwoods, Acting Assistant Superintendent of Police, Officer in Charge Police Food Control, points out the difficulties under which he worked:- "(i) The utensils etc., indented for about seven weeks before the war started were never received, (ii) The Food Control in Kow- loon was never properly organised or completed and never put into opera- tion, (iii) The Land Transport failed to supply vehicles indented for through the Traffic Inspector, Hong Kong. A bare sufficiency was even- tually obtained but no light transport was available which would have been useful. The lorries were on several occasions damaged by shell fire, (iv) Only Central received rice, salt and beans free of indent. (v) Chinese Police claiming non-existent families were inclined to sell the free extra rations which they obtained to outside Chinese, (vi) The Indians had to continue to use kitchens at Central even after the move to the Glouces- ter Building. (vii) The impossibility of issuing "Sung" to Police families led to discontent, (viii) Police from out stations arriving successively at the Gloucester Building on evacuation, (ix) Men sent to Dispersal Points and the Station Supply Officers concerned not being informed, (x) After the surrender no more food was received from the Food Controller so Police
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