FO371-46258 — Page 144

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Page 6 of Commander-in-Chief's, Hongkong No. C. in C. Hongkong 5/67/3 of 6th October, 1945.

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General Pan, Colonel Williamson and Colonel Lew came to stay at Government House, Captain E.W. Billyard-Leake, DSO, RN (Retd.), Naval Attache at Chungking also arrived for a short visit.

11th September.

33. During the forenoon of 11th September H.M.C.S. ONTARIO, H.M.Ts LLAN STEPHAN CASTLE and GLENGYLE and H.M.S. STRIKER arrived with the 3rd Commando Brigade under the command of Bri gadier C.R. Hardy, DSO, RM. Taking passage in ONTARIO was Major General F.W. Festing, CBE, DSO, General Officer Commanding Land Troops, Hongkong, and a small staff. The Commando Brigade commenced disembarkation at once, two Commandos going to Kowloon and one to Victoria.

12th September.

340 On 12th September I convened a meeting of the several Landing Force Commanders, General Festing, Brigadier Hardy and other Commando officers to arrange for the Army to take over certain areas now patrolled by the Navy and R.A.F. Major General Festing took over control of all forces employed on the preservation of law and order.

35.

13th September.

On 13th September at 2100 a proclamation was issued re-introducing the Hongkong dollar at the rate of 1/3d sterling the following day. The Hongkong dollar was in no way tied to the Japanese Yen which had been current until now. The supply of actual dollar notes was small and limits were imposed an the amount that could be drawn from banking accounts and by the Services. The basic rates for day by day labour were fixed at $1 for unskilled labour, $1.50 for semi-skilled, domestic servants, etcetera, and $2.00 for chargehands. The price of rice was fixed at 20 cents a catty.

14th September

36. It was half expected that there might be trouble on 14th September over the introduction of the new currency and consequent inflation of the Military Yen, but although most of the shops were closed, there were no incidents.

37.

DUKE OF YORK arrived and secured to the only buoy afloat in the harbour. She was wearing the Flag of Admiral Sir Bruce Fraser who was returning from the surrender ceremonies at Tokio.

38.

A detachment of Commandos went by train, run by Naval and R.A.F. personnel, to Fanling, rounded up about 800 docile Japanese troops and brought them back to Kowloon.

15th September

39. On 15th September I took Admiral Fraser for a tour of the Colony, the Island of Hongkong in the forenoon and Kowloon in the afternoon.

40. Some light was thrown on the continued delay in obtaining permission to sign the formal surrender by a signal from London to Chungking showing apparent misunderstanding in co-ordination, However, this was cleared up by a further signal during the night and the ceremony for which we and the Chinese and American representatives had waited so long was fixed for 1600 the following day.

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16th September

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