Sessional_Paper_1927 — Page 162

153

As we approached the suspect area we heard the doors of these houses being smashed in, and realized the raid had begun. The houses to be searched were all in the same street and quite close together, and were all being dealt with at the same time.

Several shots were then fired from a house, a little further up the street from where we were standing; but owing to the darkness, we could not see what had happen- ed. The Officer in Charge then came running up and told us that one of his officers had heen shot in the side. We went to the spot and found that while a party of soldiers were forcing the door of a house, a man had slipped the bolt from the inside and had come running out, firing with a gun from either hand, and had shot the officer.

On seeing this man run out, the officer in charge who was also standing outside the door, fired at him hitting him in the knee cap and thigh, and bringing him down. We found him lying on the ground unconscious but still alive. The officer in charge then or- dered a small soldier (about 14 years old) to despatch him, which he did by firing an- other shot into his chest. The dead man's house was then searched, but nothing of an incriminating nature was found except a few rifle and revolver rounds.

We then returned to the other houses which were being raided. The troops had some difficulty in breaking in the doors, as they all had wooden bars across them on the inside. Two or three men were then seen to be running along the roofs of the houses and were fired at but escaped! Twelve men found in the suspect houses were detained.

I then took photograph of the man shot and we returned to Nim Shan Market about 07.45 hours.

After breakfast the 12 men detained from Fan Lo Kong were questioned, but no useful information was gained from them. It was then decided to burn the house of Foong Yem Kow at Kwai Chau Village that morning, and that further raids on villages nearby would be carried out at dawn next morning.

About 09.30 hours Mr. Booth, Assistant Director of Criminal Intelligence, Lieut. Comm. Ingham, Lieut. Drake Brockman and Police Sergeant Chester Woods ar- rived. Lieut. Comm. Ingham then informed me that it was imperative for the St. Monance to return, that day to Hong Kong leaving Bias Bay not later than 15.00 hours. I pointed out to him that the operation had only just commenced and would con. tinue next morning at dawn. He however, replied that it was essential to return, so I had no option but to agree.

The new arrivals then asked to view the scene of the operation which had taken place that morning, so they were taken there. We then went to Hoi Chau Village where we embarked with 30 soldiers on 2 junks for Kwai Chau.

On arrival there we went to the house of Foong Yem and proceeded to burn it, despite wails and appeals from the rest of the villagers. We then embarked on the St. Monance and weighed anchor about 14.30 hours arriving in Hong Kong at 17.10 hours.

IV. Explanatory Note.

Shortly after the date of this piracy, hostilities began between General CHAN KWING MING and the "REDS". In the early summer the latter ousted him from Canton. but hostilities were still carried on in the WAI CHAU district and the pirate district round Bias Bay was most disturbed by internecine strife. It was not until the end of 1925 that the various gangs felt themselves free to return to their favourite occupation.