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only able to do so at high tide. At the same time the plane dropped lower and made narrow circles over the town. The Middle School lies just behind the hospital with the Preparatory School on one side and as the plane flew low over one of the buildings a small machine gun opened fire on it. The plane immediately came back, and having thoroughly inspected the position dropped a bomb which blew up a house near us, the machine gun again opened fire and this time the bomb was not so accurately placed and unfortunately fell in our garden, breaking down the wall and making a deep pit about 12 feet within our hospital premises. The plane after dropping a few more bombs flew away, and we found on inquiry that the gunboat with the 2 motor launches had also retired after setting fire to several junks which however had been deserted by the occupants. After about half an hour the plane again returned and released several bombs over the town one of which hit the middle school, demolishing one of their houses alongside our precincts breaking down more of our wall, shattering most of the glass in the doctor's house and covering the garden with broken bricks, large fragments of bomb shells and dust.
As far as we know there has been nobody injured. Although we had repeated alarms the plane did not return until 2.30 p.m. when it dropped 4 more large bombs on the Middle School compound, completely demolishing 2 more large buildings.
The only good result from this episode was the fact that our young new doctor took fright and ran away in spite of his contract.
September 12th, 1939
We have many air raid alarms during the day and sometimes during the night, but the planes pass over us to other destinations.
My family arrived in Hongkong August 25th, but has not yet been able to get here. I am glad to have them out from Europe under the present circumstances. They like to have a rest after a long and adventurous journey. They are staying as guests in the Bishop's House.
Please continue your prayerful support of our work in China and do all you can to help us.
Yours sincerely,
EUGEN MILCH.
NOTES AND QUERIES
227
only able to do so at high tide. At the same time the plane dropped lower and made narrow circles over the town. The Middle School lies just behind the hospital with the Preparatory School on one side and as the plane flew low over one of the buildings a small machine gun opened fire on it. The plane immediately came back, and having thoroughly inspected the position dropped a bomb which blew up a house near us, the machine gun again opened fire and this time the bomb was not so accurately placed and unfor- tunately fell in our garden, breaking down the wall and making a deep pit about 12 feet within our hospital premises. The plane after dropping a few more bombs flew away, and we found on inquiry that the gunboat with the 2 motor launches had also retired after setting fire to several junks which however had been deserted by the occupants. After about half an hour the plane again returned and released several bombs over the town one of which hit the middle school, demolishing one of their houses alongside our pre- cints breaking down more of our wall, shattering most of the glass in the doctor's house and covering the garden with broken bricks, large fragments of bomb shells and dust.
As far as we know there has been nobody injured. Although we had repeated alarms the plane did not return until 2.30 p.m. when it dropped 4 more large bombs on the Middle School com- pound, completely demolishing 2 more large buildings.
The only good result from this episode was the fact that our young new doctor took fright and ran away in spite of his contract.
September 12th, 1939
We have many air raid alarms during the day and sometimes during the night, but the planes pass over us to other destinations.
My family arrived in Hongkong August 25th, but has not yet been able to get here. I am glad to have them out from Europe under the present circumstances. They like to have a rest after a long and adventurous journey. They are staying as guests in the Bishop's House.
Please continue your prayerful support of our work in China and do all you can to help us.
Yours sincerely,
EUGEN MILCH.
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