Diary Major John Kevin Lloyd - 14 Aug - 3 Nov 1945 - Manila - Jan 1946 - Part 8

Conflict:
Second World War, 1939–45
Subject:
  • Documents and letters
Status:
Awaiting approval
Accession number:
AWM2022.6.45
Difficulty:

Page 1 / 7

HRSOAO FRIOMY OCF. 19 Ken Buggs is firmy with his companson of the thip dong Wather was werse than yesterday but so har I herre omanies be boud ranty. He goe on the boat dick early t see the not felt sea-sick. Investigahed the ship. We have for is O eaverkell, Eagleston ate and of care four Kong-nere Losse, claas passingers a dinn woom lounge with pians, a sopt the fittred themselves therre are rank onturders others have the rg mostwan the bether on some is 6604on, woudell lead in the I duish bay cabeen, and boad daik, one babble if bewr is given weight her age, some telres are difficult to being to the bagieer ho each if us daily, with rum subslitubed, oclasionad le dred fe dance but the relley of the shlf was too great Cigareths and hipe tobuces are rationed. Herling is the FEIDAL OC126 cutum used. Played virdgewith new cards Read march Weather will first and rough. Boat will is no a the blerives "Dig?- the stay of the Burbe and wills expegition of the bast. inspection, is still made, at 1930hs. the amplifin Had a ivvery night with Herre, Edwards, Winz hie been theen is very po. We hear vews about evey mand day iuperintendent, L cwilisin, lex; etc. attended a picture show, SAHRDAY OCT SATURDAY DET 20 dispected the enguire room. Nearly all machen is centiation Founded the moth of turnation and saw labong Istand (Ifro are amaging place with its fwen 4 cylender Docford enguirie on the honzon. Weather has calmed. I am still heir fits water coolng, sit pressue and supply, compressed in stater pmegency pumps, elletuce ayti, repligerating plant, steam Turpatient to reach have. theater. the SUNCAL OCE2 SUpAY OCT 29 tshpd land at daylight, and deapped anher a few unite of Mass in the cineine hall net M Beatly, a Dutchwaie wt is married so an austialian, Also Mr Bioohmate, a French widow int heen wtle at 06.00 his. cillled in to the wharf, about ocvolin. Two has girls in their teens, I have a battle of ben or a bet of ren Iatrangely abpected by the famliar rights of andubon men and beachtnigh agont 1800 his with wae and sanetimes Blown awene a blass bane, dushalian cuubari havy buildings etc a the familtes of Wa boy were delightful to watch. They kichation I like a bot of ruin. One feels as if, are is walkng eventually beake down the barrion Land would go mad with fanr for an hein or two afterwards. Brassen the equaber about i joy where they first sighted their boy. Ken Lut and his 4047OF22 wther were there to meet in, Thy casine aboard for a drugh tresh and to one who has been and taken drove un via a river erplanade to the bort the weathr so for hus beer nour it There dix who was wk me and mused calle fim the hropies for fie man it is deligbtfire. We have had no on eales the ship is pitthing all the kine. as a wult oir Charles Geeen. We lett him about weddy bo chand a yune an pheabick. I myhelf reem to be a good sailor I enjoy the matit in the eity but the hotels could not bake ys in exenbual the case an is we obtered a misl at the Shyllis Dian, inifibube. There we ans have ntt prissed i my shin a lat of good. threee daily I receive attention with calamn aton met two wAA mases dorissand another, the g phon look sibeh warried sisfor Mr Burston whose husband is Dr Bursben and some green colound spirit. When paited all over lche of Looiah Road Cambewell, and after assores changed Fargan comcreplaged. attended my jirst piture shew and sai Indiame in tchricctour friens as ante? Clpe Bentar was the newen we wit ns Beriston and gione out to coino beach, fom there we TUESDAY OOT 23 drve baily be the proreiss for ba. the girls father is chief simple. I hese about seven tatfastaavdita of Dalgetys, Phunk varry and furlue gunt d daily sentr is Fin saying anything which wild suit such an accesicl. Her eight and then read wirth and my war nates and ther plbap anovil or I plas a gaie of budge. After titlen at 1355 hrs vouesnced ridhly will and youn ann spote lit yain with d weem an advilt. I was staggent. Went bo the Rendes gvons for well time at 1800 ders. the a teferenen or tread altain untie 40 aritorie people, dane for an hary participabed in hal as eaben at $1900 in again carly books or ayain witic 2200 ts. a walk on the boat halt ter, boodcast durten which Rix and I wire wellging have and were put on the bus by uoun Idlcl several times a day is my ony exererse. There are 71 caars and heabland of the wanery land ariny arried agane of in the ship they are regregated and importunatel in the and joined a part of wen in the calan of the OC koop ease received a letter from Wany, one of the few. at last I dra ANESDAY OCF24 Ianterd to spt had a becal with marg. It was a loully day, the weathe ttarted talher French to M Bostman a frd dally with her. It has given onfidine way, tire, the night are like were, the garding bealitying t
MONOAL OCT29 bulled out about OO3oli, the weather is perfect. Resieved shebnary, lean van Loph and the annhy Had bo charrge cabires to glue room to a TB anfarce offieer nard barion, am naw in with col iadderle yaured with the thep Capain. Had pususs of a georers sunbath in the burret of the worket thrower. Law a whole. TUESDAY OCTSO Law the last of N.A. It tooked tike same mountainans istands on the horison. Am reading Trink bunes, Dig, the stary of the Burbe and wills expeditions. The weakn is beshering and the ship has a lat of movement, yis sur furst really cold day. Have seen, severe ahatases. Cary. Toose, wondell and WDonald gan a cocured wuthday party, a very bright party indeed, I remarnld rober. WEPUESDAY OCTSI The rongness weas yet. However I do not feet the teart but te sick, I have been the same for the whole hip. nearly every afternoon before dinnice & havke a very pleasant glass fo with ot hoom oc draps & Warrae. A soldier ngured bochlan committed secse by jumping ovuboard at dush. Leont & bush were dispped the sonp shopped and a lifeboat party pit off and wate a wart without suches. Went to the preture and saw Holy narimary A stor of the pantr who pesis as yis dead butler. Re-read for the umpteeth time all of Harrey's letters THURSDAY, NOV attended ws at 0900 hs Went to ponfission, I am in a grand state of excihment. The next two done will never pass tothing sum so warey me, in fact everything seems so pleasant ti of the carring se-urrion veer and oun again and, hup isuiti every detare bf my meeting my fimily. Ifeel that Saturday wxt will be the happiest day of anry life. FRIOAY NOV2 dead all day to keep my mind off the morrow. Am crn more excited than yestig The coast cause into view during the maning and ive senvee Cape stwway in the early afternoo attended a picture shew at night antered the heads along sooobys itis impossible to discube adquatee, te effect seeing the light of cortri Lavents and theen -elesui atche betory be ship deoppy qmber off Williamstonen at 2309 he Theugut would not sleep, out fell off almost immediatel SATRDAY NOV3 up at osooten. Had a good took at Helbenmn from the way, the first of my great wibus fulfilled at last, said various good-byes the ship burthed at 5800 his and I went off about ogoo his
with Mjer HS Williams friendly, bur best cabin where the FPIOAY TANIE, Left Enendon auodiam on a c47 at 0930 h iid at BIAK theessenges were nosply aushlim with a low dmencans and a minture of anstiatii RApt and A wnal, a shewe an hom, after darte and landed go ing wakened in along Inter. We saw the norther suboules of rborin, you yun, and an went bo vid une a marquitonet kinglake range when in flew wto slongs and stayed there mitnight and so I changed my shetiher almest to Budney saw some of the ferests routh of the city thes tydney itsild Landea at Marcor 1300hs had samne coffey and SUNORY SAW20 sandidiches and took off again at 1450. flew over the City, the the rain wele we at 0425 hs and I get a night as we sheads, seanly, The Hawtisbry thesery kangeg and 204 to Busbane mo to pullent at 0430. Welse everybody and they discovend could pihout the town Hall and hetera Budge across te that I had not put my wabeh back Sar Hour, soake off in the Brisbarre dever although it is 19 years since I last sesited the pea this small island and flew wath over the sea landed at archfield and yau denvery, into the city ey stapt tat You alr active volcans as we approaig MOROTAL We had or Club. at the Affficis went I met Gray Tchueider and Butil tba mneyd the plart in the bar and had a yoin together. Phosnie wcCawly but the 15urimtes there and Williais! and I nearly was away in Lydvey are wwell nat be back for a few days, land as we were watching the wireliss speraton, at work, Hew on delegiam to Narrels and went to the theake to tree National vilvet ad dumps and saw neme A1F on a ccube, main, te car Lawse few lett the Choub at 2330 bey Arhfuld. the trip. Pn timaly the aslanks is mmor native willages and samne, plantations. Passing MI40AN40, 1sltst SADROAY JAN 19. rock off at 0200 hus in an ApA plene unter on our pat side we reguted LEXTE after a bely rough bu tharter to os an loice with only 8 passingers and sentral large crates, atty ane reem to stieth to 4 Brivee light landed about noon at 44cL00AW arfield any bid beer horgen. kept till sboots wthen we passes over sounelly and in an awverican canteen, a very oce preali m sanded tad a shee and senquch and hoch off at 0600 atter Biaten plains and, landing yeft are very se chaning 3 of the persenges who had strayed array Put out to se illed wntd the sea clarei mestly and passed over valin Illand ane on to the Barrice bief. The charned now we have all AWA higcts agd as very beautifue. Lighted New Guna jurt bank of last moute S eity it quite large, several earge, wlch or and was sifersed to finld little sunale on the coartal vilt. The ppe out among rous of shop and but and there is mnountairy loamed up ahead dark with forest and we dimbed w in the harbn. Nater arteft is also 4 to 15000 feet to clear them, just ovr the Rahoda Pars. Opid en style of hich hap shaped is G. Phillappines themselves and he wate wtte and the cale wthat out deceasse of the highn prisure an an aild ale fiot inside at that bught brathing is not easy and the pilsts used few anuicaer vegls houps for intutamment,I a mykel should have been it onygon wasks. Clerirg, the Temnnla going due meith we that William out to rea and sighted Turehover. It is sebelabed out on a at BIAK to mabe way, bor intre peticl lent the staff in inturately, The bet to MANILA was fi praniatary. there will wert swall thit died up at two what ment wo picturisgue ti my fist view of the great spatolity at ane roint dumps were noticiable alrong the rons of hich. was a thrill. We landed at Weilton dix-field abjent 1600 a landed wpel had bine a ishment, changed our new this place is thick with planes and thrucanlds of cratys and toab off at Mooks. The hup up the wart is really ale atl on undesembled, wachines, Gleat canvas hangers are in evidenc fue. Watie villages can be seen, Son oh We were driving into the city, and I was srhocked and or the veaside Corvaind peentations were spant appated at the terrible destinction and the inevitable jungle. the deop into Holandia is very satiful ane are car dirty of the city., We were diected from the City Hall hee the great extent of building, which housed at oe time our billet ind the TERALTA FLATS,d g-story biilding among a great base. Ha lawfr. These New tu banes are but their is dmenday achut and dibpis queete sg fine men shele there are happy enough but ont could which shands setatively intait, in a reofyoe cantien there is a expense boubed or lunt out tums. and we bad a wwall battly of veer each for so centares not help writeng that thy wild soon go bne to austla and went for a shorl walk with Williams but roon reaised americe, at Hollandeg i took on same 5 heap mablecla then is nothing to see. Returned to our that which we are men. The thaft wat of tovemn onfie and US TeW is sharing with 6 05 alagers and yourd with one 1ECk, a really ffrcient? caw a shoal of parposses. The se eruing is 2000 faet and the sheet a regular arnry oftien Eubie eight is laid on ane with Womiln inan feelen very fit but a little hae wrary, Have was to got and stildned is tunning in the bathroam, some French, I have been able to spene a let of tire in the pilch
the court Oramnt nos interpeti are sheet hand. MONOAY SAN 21 machenishs comprised the rest of the court. in the andrence up at 0630 and walked over to the NANILA HOTEL for creakfast as PERALTA dining room closed last night, Thy there was one one Filipins and twe two who were not Is woble is one of the best buildings still standing and is arny and anforce pusonnd. Camira mere, and schaters, were everywhere and, we came ur for a certain ambunt of arpatted withbullend ell hales, but has oen clamdakention as anshalians. We had is pase for a monee situated as the witnfunt. Likse every other plane it is fcamera. Homma is the Jah general who was in command of opuations gaainst the Phillippines from 8 Dec 1941. He is up and is habitible. Hoth places are reserved the oftice officer incluting the bombirg then we went to which includes their nurses ellarged with hame 150 cun marhea, declared upen by nacarthi by broakcast, the the appretinar fction of the Wartns and exchanged halhfull and is going, to eliminate all gap war eemaefual to accept Wainwights surrende on, 4 May 19th50 thoughts o our business with Lt bol Terguson. He is my be Death sarct dispread hape, the originator of thhe invendied garrison and io on. Wairught, did abd alley held elsewn. Tntil tm is done we are fire cheef confident for tn years, Ltbol PUGH, diry re the city. Went to the City Hall and wet there mdge from WASHINGTON east wight and took the witness stand TIGHE the anst leason offidr here, also in the vinlder the arst, ligual leetig and past office, under a Li copho, are bid on the chist of all speapers un MeVect, Sighe drove us to the Fnancet Lection, when we the Court. He hold dnew the 1s Toius withdrew from the then o so the Cx realtsatien sales where I cought a ple AFAAN pensuar ho four islands at the andem of changed our pounds for pesss receiving 6.45 per freund al island being CoARICOR Manila Boy, the prir ray 6 at 1050 his and at half homr infervats Wainivrata Us officers thoes for 7.20 pesss. Retuened to Feiguson in the broadcent a missage to the Japenise, that be considered T+c building, were given a lieut THO MAS and his jeep further unlance useless. te eleven thousand were being show us arquire Hald an early lunch and drove south alon willed at the rate if 5p to 100 dayly and had been livin an TAFT ave which huns parallet to, the sea and oe block half rations sirree 19th rearch. There were over a tansdn away from it. The devistation is terrific. all public b wvsiluded cheltging in a large sunviel. He said be would which appear, to have been first class ehifiers are complite hoist a white, flag at noon and would order bs were recived. Te gaps blisted and duent what was left of each He proceeded. building afeer being shelled by Vsartilley and before the to day down their gin primulpanianng todo this and vent a staff offieer to a specified mew left. The damage is unbelievable. Tigapal is relable to confact any gatwho would came there so meet ailbact, by comparisen. Business houes and finres, chcts him the gaps refered to freas with tis offier an and sthools, were teated in the same way, There is no demanded to re Wainwight. It was neursan for this bilding intail, and large areas are just a mays of rubl commender to go by boat to the mainland and with and lish, now wisted. all tearcars, are distroyed and far road may Genl BEEBY, OCOL BUaH Majers BOOLEY and LAWRERCE, be. have been built oun the harks. Treat amerian camps will sonard at a swall gause about midnight. and dumps speawe every where and are the only clean place He handed his vicher a weithen unconditional indiender in the city. I have never seen, before such large dumps under, Homn estynd to acres and saces of rubbin by pettol food, che undr and said he wished to accept the surtender as he maintained, that it was anly tarpantim,, and surrounded by bailed wire. We shopped for the frm islands. He insisted that Waiwe at an old yauch Church. built in 1610. the walls are marly should rurender for the whole of the Purllipened., The feet thiek and are enflussed by guatgullars of bluster herefused to do as he said he had given ordrrs ho anxailiabely if was locked up. s werything else in this et Gent SHARPonRAINDANAO ho cousider huenself a reparabe has bo lee for piotilion agatnst thieves, then we drove commender and responsible, to sacarther who had bel to are the lilghlight of the day- the brise of General Hamma. there in tearch). Horme and his stapp stalfred out of the the bearng is hathing place in what is left of an old cour be corrigider bouse on the waterfiant. all aroune is desolation and the house and dione off. Maineright and inld a confirencd at 5900 harges be again init some fap wan responsible io favng rehebution for his many crimies, stalf officies and drove to manifa sivadiabling stabig Atside, Hanila Bay is littered, with hundreds of ship hile he boadeast a messarge to SHARP and ho by other, standing will out from the thore and many gredt B29 alding and esewhere. He also draved overhiad throughout the whole heccedings. End two polencls who were sent a long iversage to SHAR by an officer in a sap bfane under the Us and Tilipons plags, sat the Catimission grusided i the kime of hushanil to cymply wiith ove by rear give poworad arsoed by 4 others. Hemie sat en askin Hommer wishes. This was done late that appeniton, the the left with 4 counses for the lfence. He was drissed in a there piece gey wit with soft, collar. He is almoss ball particular charge against teming is that during these an cools like a benevolent old Japerriac gentlemen. He negotabion and apter the white flag had been buisted chathed with his counsils- O5 arly ofhirrs, beyfore enbelu
he had continuet to boub and whill the troops who had truchs, mostly used for parsinger servie, the taxes are tibe eard dowen their arms. The case for the pissecution was miniature buses with a door at the back and room for fau and very diity Garry's are faill numous and the pieries carclded and counsil for defence asked for a tendar Thainess is heavely onamented with brass. Many square adjournment. He was given to 28 gan, We drove bath nare, bought fom carkers of ugagethed for a pews ann gogge miles of wund and aleas, on open fields have been made into timmertse camps or dimps, or tansport lines, I have been for 2125 and of couse a babble of nd veer! sighe aroue sacres and acces of hood, of tyres, of oil, of general eqnipinen, I his to the remaining aftrices quarters. ELENA FLAFB, for ding hen vehicles did so or, as I write this offiters quartered the only unusual dish was the soncrow o vigitable. There and now deikone in the club on the ninth, flor mm hame and meate to Varrey are thiswing beer bothles into the ruins of an emply bath room in the adjoining block, a diop, of eight stories. He who TUESORY SANEE places one into what was oirce the inner sanitum ttearly, had bealifast at the Marrily Hebil and foot collects all round. To far no one has been billed. the tty bits to the T before 5800 lm. Worlaed hard all day THURSOAY YANE4 on one lish, with a b for cnch with Col Tergugn Woikd usual trours until, 1600 hrs. I have read hoi of at the avenue Hotie, wajer themas drove us arsusd the the files on atocitys, and they make me mad, Everywhere city and dined with, us at the nanila. We baught sam there pap beaut went, from Uanchyuia to New Guinea, Burnas e ciquettes and a fguptain perP s0. then we saw to the admiralty Iseands, they feft behind them a hearl of anchar awaigh in hichnicold with Gene Kelley massace, unude, Theatings to death. beheadings, raper cruelty. kindea hooled an at the dence on the 9th flear in the starvation, looking and distruction. The chimes against buildeng and thenr wrote to awn, humanity are i widespread that one can came only to one conclusion- that it was a policy directed from wohn, NEONESOAY VAN2 walked bact through inteamurts. The wall ane immensit natea tgi again, all day. Met yesterdos wajer wilde At. which and beached in several places. 5oo0 shells tall yts lapt Bole of the Har Crinis Hition Read a hiw of the court thiscity and almost wiped it out. I visited the only bulding on Jah atiscitys- they are beastia Borght two eversharp pe still ishabited-the church and attached menabtery of Ldin for 15 peaes each, Feelabsolutily fit. Marlila was bombed ty angustan convited in 386 at Caithage. I signed in the borh the faps when they were, conquering the P.J. and sae dawing wdde a donation and was shown wto the invercourt. was dore, every though the city had been declared of in. The or what is left of it. Very large paintings, all of hely subjects paps on the other hand carrudent a deliberate wreking and line the fair walls of the cloister which sebercund the court wdening of the city before they were driven ont in tilen. the tebulldingsntwo er apposite each other are a mass city is almost a cauplete ruin. There is not one builden ruins si donther ride is the usidenhial partion and on the unteathed. All main duildings were dimaniited or built fouth side - the church. The red camp ovens inside. The altar before the were forced out. Shelling accoudts for alot of Laneg as plain with beaten silver lining the wall above it. around and mist buildings are spattered inside and out by MG each wall are side altors in alcoves, each with its statue some bullets The assimely and other public buildings are sutipe diessed+ memorine peates to the dead. Great chandilabias hang a mars of corrciete udge and lin? Even the arretent walls fuen the roof. Ond abnd half the floar is covered with seats ground the walled City Entimuros gre breached. Neary all Near the back are the hand earts which vear a statue for churches, and sitoals, Dowinican, De La Lally, ete rhang the a procession. The stations are rather povr. The organ is anxot same fate. Te of these were pixceless old buildings. There but very good excepting that the tilipands have, sholen the are agres and ands of completed, trient out areas, few brus motar. Emmense parchment books more than two feet squire are lett ttanding and evenywhere te geass, is running wild and six enches, which stand on a revelving pidistal, the wne Declved hancars line the streets ard the Vs aury bad made and words in eaten, are so by that the choar, can see them from niew roods over the beacks, all budges are damaged or wraken. any part if the loft. the roof is 12 meties thich thinng to one the civil, eleckic light peant was distroyed. Water is tunning in metic at the tap. Heatly earll qualsy proof. Unfortunahel everyth some of the biildings, mostly occupied by the arny Eveuher lols old, neglicted, duily almest towdry, ther is a bill tober is dirt, Lilly deauts, pover of wald dust, and ruibbled the above, I yained with the Spenish priest - dressed in white. He banking due near where I wish faned nt so badly. The Honghor said that bis congugation now is entirely myde up of arm & Uhankar Bank however was busilt ont, the heappe of aru pingungs He is very ataunch in his support o narleo! Ontrll wehiely is territie. the rule if the road were witee July lasti the church is almost surrounded by ameriein negis camps to keep to the light and I have great difficulty an getten and N.T. Yards. Ehanged, went to the Manila for dinner and used to it as I din duen accund in jeeps. There are a a picture show, walked dowen leven in hime to see the considerable number of civilian whicles and bought ary clubs cloring at 2230 bis and came heane to bed,
Communion wit aaay carried their babies and a candle whilst the city is full of amercan officer, soldiers, saildrs and arrmen their diess is fairly unifarm they wear their shiil sleeves long and pther young children wander aundeasly accund their mathers beeming to be wonderin what it is all about. The cangugat the rpswear beliets. Hibchliking seems to be the recognised thas frill access to the span arand the altar and nuse thing and there are peaars set aside for it. leeps by the ther darke in and, olt the havier hiffie which consus of same aemar talt there or wandered in and snt - dury many. a girl endmons vehicles. The men are avery misced nt from whitepooh up one of the collections, alone, wandery i as each werch in ben. But fa may beation windows the church, is. to black, yellow ho red. There are many amyiean bein ncit intail Combnion was given after alay and the hus who are called visie, at night, the opplees aut ir the hatit that to distinguish between communicant and the woman who and clubs-amid the ruing - abbuert man's enlished personne funial at the Pearls for the whole of mass. The figuee of the wech diversion wound the lighted portion of the city with its hot doy tables, and night-chubs. On the whole the are will kaviou care a it dressed in black iabes, the wanten geta net or burchess over their hair. Returnn to the hamily Hohil behaved hor breatfast and then was dewven e Lient themas for a day EEIRAY PAW 25 uby. We drove south for some 35 wiles through closel Waik all day. Became a visiting member of the army and davs rettled caue, produn rice, sugar, coen, sall I frt and blib and spent the overong there! It was mast enjoyable, a bottle Pofbeer in the bay then a bey tarty four course denner witha poitly, shearly of the rree is donely the simplet means Tilipins bane playing sweel dinner wsie later to be followati in tier I most huves me, or corvant, or coph, andhr by dani mursie. prospecad out on mat to diy. It was a delight to leave the riued and due itho. the dive along Lagung de bay, was pichug SAWROAY TAN 26 called at a lap POW curp for lunch with hient Apenie, the warked until narly 1gophy to finish the job. Went as conteast with what I experienee as a POW was must markis. a quest of majer Peek to the AHN Ellil for a peasan your the have electiv liy and siry water camp ittibeys, about faild dinner Laber returnd to see the great chaivd at the Idinner dance. The Vifipenss are going through a rather bard ti thet ho a man, well equipped and willl stocked bitchery thy are short if clothing and manyy everymtn wears a5 umpfand a panciana of instintai, lates and countyrade, there are several compounds wretudy special ony for very hgh want for part unifaitn. on the whole the are shably and a good iary ing officer was cumnals, women (about 00) officers and are dirly. Tew of the woan shill wear, the headitioal dreas wrth its besuse of hansharent nt a voie with high shoulders, Larding Pows. The sows do all the wrt for the amenian sost warran however tadopt wishen dress-ofa ather taps and grow all vegetables. I saw yamashitas bat in the cendenined to death rection. Drove on so the for simple hope. Both sexes, particularly the workan, are ther purt of Batanrgas in the routh of the island and had a weh and deimply. They have no heavs or beams and are now at the shippuly. There are man tanding ciatt shill whha dependentad all rast of bebily for their beanspart from of the water where the were sunk in the attack. Toldgers bought, &s any truchy dod sup to miniature veser and por garrys they have built thersleves shanties amided the ruing thronged the street coming from the innunnable camp and drimg all along the rood; a vottle fbur cont me 4/6 on are huddlerg in eviner of large demorihed buildings. The continue aloy the wast through borers which for a chayge are carrying on un quat difficulties, taundris, fur dunin had not been destoyed the war, some contain ancar eavoury, willing foornng is. boldoge catting plen churches indominabl positions. Cabble, carabou + bealmin of speets; a fair amount of tirned abubh bough or stolen, frigs and poult were quite plenhiful. We saw two flain the 1s di, fishing work clrical prsition wihfight aranas and hundreds if wen ever when cam Wsarry, providing NPS. Abe. the bist hightes to a neighbour ar to the archa Darlmen fell before wt could reach Labe Laal and the Loal Visbe hostel SunorY Sp27 Returned to ranila and had coffee and sandwiches at the cut went fashing bo teass in the Auizon Ctrich, founder in 1586.I was an enlightene experience. Bobths selling all wark of the MONDAY SANES bt her Birgbane. Icatled almont subunded te church. At the doors sbood candle sill Williams left before wase d letter oto marl, then I had my first ane a blind man squally in the wriddle, of the way with his at the office and good lorh of the boven. I wandered for lners through all wife god children sgilath peaudl behind him in a chaight tart of shreep and allerways, went into, dozer of shops and it. tside, the chluch, was rralvded with both rexes. there wisited two chirrities, there are plenst of goods for sale nail was conabent monement of people evrry or going or even walk all arnerican. Native banticiapt is exchnhl laid and artificial through for a shart cut! the most amaziny feature were the The geans shirks which are being pressed on the 4t are simpt wemen who lined at the doer and wish their w on their not worn. The americans wanted to believe that the Tiliper snces eight up the cisle to the eather upon upou at the vewen were thnoe things and so these people have wade
them for the amicans. There are a few locall made grass the coctpit. Sayed there about 30 minabe lavy at 0730 hr withn boas, that che and ornamenbally calued clogs, that is all bythy to eat. The 05 Ridcions sutfil bad moved out since I was here a fabuigly ago. arrived worstar about noon for another and pirey are pishibitive. Beer is of per estble but in the PXS it casp one 20 centavos. A finewire silver broach cost sominib refulling. Purbid on to Brak giring there at 1700 Pei5 in the skops but onl PS3 in the PK. blothing, jerilly paid went unty the siew to be quartired by the saus. Had sue boot convenies, Truit (mangors $2.50 each) tined foods ate theese sandwiches and coppe but wp able to see the fily ar shaw everywhoe but all four or five finys dearer than Malla in the Fun (the arreuican in staly) and injoyed a shwer in sulbourned the city is extumely dinty if the main wa10A7 FF81 ns doubt, the inhabitants, mns unpae shilfer but that is tall they have done, Piles of hast live the stieeb, and are ve Rove at 04o0lers and look off at $5500 without buahfast. faw added to daity, The canals are black and filled with filth, Hollandia came into view from the coppit, a nally waguifin and piople are livn in incenceivable duty areas, I have never views Found an amencan gasmast of the lehst mudil and seent siteh a dirt city and do yot want bo go back into porsession if it for young Hobndy, adrived at Tunhaven and was it again. I virited the Church of Faur Tabistio, rather new fole to get sare food thereo Toob iff at 1300 hus and arrund oun and deemingly intait, The stamid geass windows, the high, altarponenel about 1700 lm. I had a epandid ver of the hover of glass with light behind, the heave silver panils and lamfwhich surrounds a small ridge about 1,000 fiel high hept the standards, the sature carriage,, the roof, the stations. the at 1900 and landed at Arhfuld Brisbane at 2300 lm. are rather well daire. It rains to be any clearr cool and wholsomre place in a city of dirty I had bo pay P87 to tee BAIUROAY FERE Had to wait until 0100 for a gar to the Officers blub Joke Oramps. Had dinner with thee the queer building. amerlian seagers at the Club and went to ved about 2030ln offierty searched the plavee but ad us. the city. Custans, Got to sleep alout 8200 but, was thoroughe hard. we, wen all soldiers peakered at 5045 by, tright sumbirn and the neise if the city TURSDAY TAN 29 aman a roan with two other officers. Phand Narrey, at H Received a litter from tane and I am sorry now that I hardaly and to be hold she had left only half an ther am not on my wax house. I am kinding it difficult to before sent a teligeam instead -with tlase number. I am wait for Thredg, ivening and am centered, about the feeling my matarial aches again and am, dging myself with pibability of getterg a seat in a plane on that day. Patabein. Than wCaueley bet he was out. Tynan is in Calin collected two beversaily frem the A/F camp bongtht seme visited the anding, and wet erey behunder in ente. an stamps and photes, bad lunch at the manla and wert interely disirien of seeing varry again and any very impatient back bo my apartment for a read and a sleep., Had anr an to be on by way. Wy lave fox her, and my admiration for her denner at the elil, went dowen b, the whaints he see come giows shonger wich by wret, I hope nevter to be parthed from theirsands o hoops going aboard a broopship, on their wa her again. baine - and it nagdmnet mere hemith than ever, the ships trave uo purthotes whatsoever, Law a preture at he arenila and went homne ho write thrs at 0930 his. WEDNESDAT YAN3O ttade arrangement, for my departue from tanity on the Kmorrow, Drove vill to that wac wac dut for ACUESAC officyrs and I had a surm in a delightful pool. Dozen of awrucan offieer in in and white singliss were playing gilf caldied by swall Hilipino bays. Becarne acquainted with a vley good diver who Witarted a conversation by ashrg me, had I dene which surming my life. The net ordered for my retain failed to report and I juirful a thully filled with Vilipins ueveyses. The eastern suburles are not much damaged and the club was an asis of cleantiness and green lave. Paiked after dinner and went be by THURSDNY TAUSI have at 5200 his, drove off at 0300h and boct off from Weil Fuld at 0500 bin with only 8 passengers. Lam Laclsban from

FRIDAY OCT 19

Weather was worse than yesterday, but so far

not felt sea-sick. Investigated the ship. We have for 1st 

class passengers a dining room, lounge with piano, a soft

drink bar, canteen, and boat deck. One bottle of beer is given

to each of us daily, with rum substituted occasionally.

Cigarettes and pipe tobacco are rationed. Sterling is the

currency used. Played bridge with new cards. Read Frank

Clunes "Dig" - the story of the Burke and Wills expedition.

Had a nice night with Henri, Edwards, Wining, Red Cross

superintendent, 2 civilians, Rex, etc.

SATURDAY OCT 20

Rounded the north of Sumatra and saw Labang Island

on the horizon. Weather has calmed. I am still terribly

impatient to reach home.

SUNDAY OCT 21

Mass in the cinema hall. Met Mrs Beatty, a Dutchwoman who

is married to an Australian. Also Mrs Brookman, a Irish woman with

two girls in their teens. I have a bottle of beer or a dot of rum

each night about 1800 hrs with McCrae and sometimes Brown or

Nicholson. I like a bit of rum. One feels as if one is walking on

air for an hour or two afterwards. Crossed the equator about now.

MONDAY OCT 22

The weather so far has been fresh - and to one who has been

in the tropics for five years it is delightful. We have had no oily

calm. The ship is pitching all the time. As a result nearly all 

seasick. I myself seem to be a good sailor. I enjoy the movement 

and have not missed any meal. The cool air is doing my skin

a lot of good. Thrice daily I receive attention with calomine lotion

and some green coloured spirit. When painted all over I look like

Tarzan camouflaged. Attended my first picture show and saw

"Indiana" in technicolour.

TUESDAY OCT 23

My daily routine is very simple. I rise about seven, breakfast at

eight and then read french and my war notes, and then perhaps

a novel or I play a game of bridge. After tiffin at 1300 hrs

I yarn with a woman for preference or read again until

beer time at 1800 hrs. The evening meal is eaten at 1900 hrs and

again, cards, books or a yarn until 2230 hrs, a walk on the boat

deck several times a day, as air and exercise. There are 71 cases of

VD on the ship. They are segregated and unfortunately on the

increase.

WEDNESDAY OCT 24

Started talking French to Mrs Brookman. I intend to spend

a period daily with her. It has given me confidence already. 

THURSDAY OCT 25

Ken Briggs is funny with his comparison of the ship board

romances to horse racing. He goes on the boat deck early to see the

forms, Ring-nose Toose, Coverdell, Eagleston etc and of course

the fillies themselves/ Some are rank outsiders, others have the race'

almost won, the betting on some is 6 to 4 on. Everdell leads in the

weight for age, some fillies are difficult to bring to the barriers

etc. Tried to dance but the rolling of the ship was too great.

FRIDAY OCT 26

Weather still fresh and rough. Boat drill is now a thing

of the past. Inspection is still made at 1030 hrs. The amplifying

system is very poor. We hear news about every second day

Attended a picture show.

SATURDAY OCT 27

Inspected the engine room. Nearly all machinery is centralised.

It is an amazing place with its twin 4 cylinder Doxford engines

its water cooling, oil pressure and supply, compressed air starter,

emergency pumps, electrical system, refrigeration, plant, steam heater, etc.

SUNDAY OCT 28

Sighted land at daylight and dropped anchor a few miles off

Fremantle at 0600 hrs. Pulled in to the wharf about 0800 hrs. I was

strangely affect by the familiar sight of Australian men and

women, a brass band, Australian wharves, trains, buildings etc.

The families of WA boys were delightful to watch. They

eventually broke down the barriers and would go mad with 

joy when they first sighted their boy. Ken Smith and his

brother were there to meet us. They came aboard for a drink

and later drove us via a river esplanade to the foot of

Mount ST. There Rex who was with me and myself called

on Charlie Stern. We left him about midday to have a meal

in the city but the hotels could not take us in. Eventually

we obtained a meal at the Phyllis Dean Institute. There we

met two WAAFs Nurse Morris and another. The former phoned

her waitress sister. Mrs Burston whose husband is Dr Burston

late of Toorak Road Camberwell, and sister Mrs Morris changed

friends at air HQs (hope Burton was the newcomer) we met Mrs

Burston and drove out to Como beach. From there we

drove back to the Morris's for tea. The girl's father is Chief

auditor of Dalgetys. Phoned Nancy and found great difficulty

in saying anything which would suit such an occasion. Her

voice sounded richly sweet and young Ann spoke like

an adult. I was staggered. Went to The Rendezvous for

airforce people, danced for an hour, participated in a

half hour broadcast during which Rex and I were

welcomed home and were put on the bus by Morris

and Scotland of the womens land army. Arrived aboard 

and joined a party of men in the cabin of the OC troops.

Received a letter from Warren, one of the few. At last I have

had a break with mail. It was a lovely day, the weather

was fine, the night air like wine, the garden beautiful

with flowers.

 

MONDAY OCT 29

Pulled out about 0630 hrs. The weather is perfect. Received

3 telegrams, from Nanny, Soph and the Aunts. Had to change

cabins to give room to a TB airforce officer named

Cameron. Am now in with Col Madden. Yarned with the

Ships captain. Had two hours of a glorious sunbath in

the turret of the rocket thrower. Saw a whale.

TUESDAY OCT 30

Saw the last of WA.  It looked like some mountainous islands

on the horizon. Am reading Frank Clunes "Dig", the story of the

Burke and Wills expedition. The weather is freshening and the ship

has a lot of movement. It is our first really cold day. Have seen

several albatross. Carey, Toose, Everdell and McDonald gain a combined 
birthday party, a very bright party indeed. I remained sober.

WEDNESDAY OCT 31

The roughest seas yet. However I do not feel the least bit sea-

sick. I have been the same for the whole trip. Nearly every

afternoon before dinner I have a very pleasant glass of beer with

CC troops, OC draft & McCrae. A soldier named Coghlan committed

suicide by jumping overboard at dusk. Light & buoys were dropped, 

the ship stopped and a lifeboat party put off and made a search

without success. Went to the pictures and saw Holy Matrimony the

story of the painter who poses as his dead butler. Re-read for the

umpteenth time all of Nancy's letters.

THURSDAY NOV 1

Attended Mass at 0700 hrs. Went to Confession. I am in a grand

state of excitement. The next two days will never pass Nothing

seems to worry me, in fact everything seems so pleasant. I think

of the coming re-union over and over again. and keep visualising

every detail of my meeting my family. I feel that Saturday next

will be the happiest day of my life.

FRIDAY NOV 2

Read all day to keep my mind off the morrow.  Am even more 

excited than yesterday.  The coast came into view during the 

morning and we rounded Cape Otway in the early afternoon, 

attended a picture show at night.  Entered the heads about 

2000 hrs.  It is impossible to describe adequately the effect of 

seeing the lights of Portsea, Sorrento and then - Melbourne.  Retired 

before the ship dropped anchor off Williamstown at 2300 hrs.  

Thought I would not sleep, but fell off almost immediately.

SATURDAY NOV 3

up at 0500 hrs.  Had a good look at Melbourne from the bay.  The 

first of my great wishes fulfilled at last.  Had various good-byes.  

The ship berthed at 0800 hrs and I went off about 0900 hrs.

 

FRIDAY JAN 18

Left Essendon aerodrome ^with Major H J Williams on a C47 at 0930 hrs

The passengers were mostly Australian with a few Americans and 

Dutch. We saw the northern suburbs of Melbourne , Yan Yean and

Kinglake range when we flew into clouds and stayed there

almost to Sydney. I saw some of the forests south of the city. Then

Sydney itself landed at Mascot 1300 hrs, had some coffee and

sandwiches and took off again at 1430. Flew over the city, the 

Heads, Manly, The Hawksbury, McPherson Ranges and so to Brisbane.

I could pick out the Town Hall and Victoria Bridge across the

Brisbane River although it is 19 years since I last visited the place.

Landed at Archfield and were driven into the city by staff

Club. At the Officers Club I met Gray Schneider and Butch McCaffery

in the bar and had a yarn together. Phoned McCawley but he

was away in Sydney and will not be back for a few days. Sent
telegram to Nancy and went to the theatre to see National Velvet.
Left the club at 2330 for Archfield.
SATURDAY JAN 19.  Took off at 0200 hrs in an ANA plane under
charter to US Air Force with only 8 passengers and several large crates.
Brisbane lights are very pretty and seem to stretch to the
horizon. Slept till 0600 hrs when we passed over Townsville and
landed. Had a shave and sandwich and took off at 0800 after
chasing 3 of the passengers who had strayed away. Put out to sea,
passed over Palm Island and on to the Barrier Reef. The colour
was very beautiful. Sighted New Guinea just South of Port Moresby
and was surprised to find little jungle  on the coastal belt. The
mountains loomed up ahead dark with forest and we climbed
to 15000 feet to clear them, just over the Kokoda Pass. Opened
water bottle and the cork burst out because of the higher pressure
inside. At that height breathing is not easy and the pilots used
oxygen masks. Clearing the peninsular going due north we put
out to sea and sighted [[?inehoven]]. It is situated out on a
promatary. There were several small ships tied up at tow wharfs
and some dumps were noticeable among the rows of bush.
We landed safely had some refreshment, changed our crew
and took off at 1400 hrs. The trip up the coast is really
wonderful. Native villages can be seen, many all on rivers
or the seaside. Cocoanut plantations were sprinkled in the
jungle. the drop into Hollandia is very beautiful and one can
see the great extent of building, which housed at one time
among a great base, HQ Pacific. These New Guinea bases are
quite new but there is evidence of tremendous activity and

expense. The few men still there are happy enough but one could
not help wishing that they would soon go back to Australia and
America. At Hollandia we took on some US troops mostly colored
men. The staff work of Movement Pacific at the US TCW is
really efficient. Saw a shoal of porpoises. The usual cruising height
is 8000 feet and the speed about 140 miles per hour. Am feeling
very fit but a little travel-weary. Have read a lot and studied

some French. I have been able to spend a lot of time in the pilot
cabin where the view is best. The crews are very friendly being

a mixture of Australian RAAF and ANA pilots. Arrived at BIAK 

an hour after dark and landed safely. Had a meal, a shower

an went to bed under a mosquito net. The bugs wakened me about

midnight and so I changed my stretcher.
SUNDAY JAN 20

The rain woke me at 0425 hrs and I got a fright as we

were to pull out at 0430. Woke everybody and then discovered

that I had not put my watch back an hour. Took off in the

dark from the small island and flew north over the sea

Saw an active volcano as we approached MOROTAI. We had only 

15 minutes there and Williams and I nearly missed the plane

as we were watching the wireless operators at work Then over

the camp and dumps and saw some AIF on a route march.

The trip along among the islands is memorable. Saw a few

native villages and some plantations. Passing MINDANAO ISLAND

on our port side we sighted LEYTE. After a very rough trip

landed about noon at TACLOBAN airfield and had lunch

in an American canteen, a very nice meal with cold drinks.

Broken planes and landing [[?]] are very much in evidence

are mostly pulled into the sea close inshore. Crew

changed - now we have all ANA pilots and no RAAF. The 

city is quite large several large brick or stone buildings stood

out among rows of shops and banks and there is much shipping

in the harbour. Natives well is also in evidence with a new

style of fish shop shaped as [hand drawn diagram, see original document]. Phillippinos resemble Malays

and are fighting among themselves and killing a

few American Negro troops for entertainment. I was told

that Williams and myself should have been offloaded

at BIAK to make way for more petrol but the staff work

went wrong fortunately. The trip to MANILA was very

picturesque and my first view of the great sprawling city

was a thrill. We landed at Neilson air-field about 1600

This place is thick with planes and thousands of crates of

unassembled machines. Great canvas hangars are in evidence

We were driven into the city and I was shocked and

appaled at the terrible destruction and the inevitable

dirty of the city. We were directed from the City Hall to

our billet in the PERALTA FLATS, a 9-story building

which stands relatively intact in a sea of debris of

bombed or burnt out ruins. There is a P store (canteen)

and we had a small bottle of beer each for 20 centaves

Went for a short walk with Williams but soon realised

there is nothing to see. Returned to our flat which we are 

sharing with 6 US Majors and yarned with one PECK, a

regular Army officer. Electric light is laid on and water

is running in the bathroom.

 

MONDAY JAN 21

Up at 0630 and walked over to the MANILA HOTEL for

breakfast as PERALTA dining room closed last night. This

hotel is one of the best buildings still standing and is

situated on the waterfront. Like every other place it is

spatted with bullet and shell holes, but has been cleared

up and is habitable. Both places are reserved for officers

which includes their nurses. Then we went to the office

of the Apprehension Section of the War Crimes and "exchanged

thoughts" on our business with Lt Col Ferguson. He is very

helpfull and is going to eliminate all Jap war remnants

already held elsewhere.  Until this is done we are free to

see the city. Went to the City Hall and met their Major

TIGHE, the Aust liaison officer here. Also in the building

is the Aust Signal Section and post officer under a Lieutenant

McVish. Tighe drove us to the Finance Section where we

changed our pounds for pesos receiving 6.45 per pound

then on to the PX realisation sales where I bought a pair 

of US Officers shoes for 7.20 pesos. Returned to Ferguson in the

T & C building, were given a Lieut THOMAS and his jeep to

show us around. Had an early lunch and drove south along

TAFT Ave which runs parallel to the sea and one block

away from it. The devestation is terrific. All public buildings

which appear to have been first class edifices are completely

ruined. The Japs blasted and burnt what was left of each

building after being shelled by US artillery and before they

left. The damage is unbelievable. Singapore is relatively

intact by comparison. Business houses and homes, churches

and schools were treated in the same way. There is no

building intact and large areas are just a mass of rubble

and tin, now rusted. All tramcars are destroyed and tar roads

have been built over the tracks. Great American camps

and dumps sprawl everywhere and are the only clean place

in the city. I have never seen before such large dumps, 

acres and acres of rubber trees, petrol, food etc under

tarpaulins and surrounded by barbed wire. We stopped

at an old Spanish Church built in 1610. Its walls are many

feet thick and are buttressed by great pillars of bluestone.

Unfortunately it was locked up, as everything else in this city

has to be for protection against thieves. Then we drove

to see the highlight of the day. the trial of General Homma.

The hearing is taking place in what is left of an old court

house on the waterfront. All around is desolation and this

man responsible is facing retribution for his many crimes.

Outside, Manila Bay is littered with hundreds of ships

standing well out from the shore and many great B29

droned overhead throughout the whole proceedings. Inside

under the US and Filipino flags, sat the Commission presided 

over by Maj Genl DONOVAN assisted by 4 others. Homme sat on

the left with 4 counsel for the defence. He was dressed in

a three piece grey suit with soft collar. He is almost bald and looks like a benevolent old Japanese gentleman. He

chatted with his counsel - US army officers, before entering

the court. Prosecuting officers, MPs, interpreters and short hand

machinists comprised the rest of the court. In the audience

there was only one Filipino and we two who were not US

army and airforce personnel. Camera men and reporters

were everywhere and we came in for a certain amount of

attention as Australians. We had to pose for a movie

camera. Homme is the Jap general who was in command of

operations against the Phillippines from 9 Dec 1941. He is

charged with some 50 crimes including the bombing of

Manila declared open by MacArthur by broadcast, the 

refusal to accept Wainwright's surrender. On 6 May 1942,

widespread rape, the originator of the Death March of

the surrendered garrison and so on. Wainwright did and

chief confidant for ten years Lt Col PUGH, arrived by air

from WASHINGTON last night and took the witness stand.  

Microphones are tied on the chest of all speakers in 

the Court. He told how the US Forces withdrew from the

BATAAN peninsula to four islands at the mouth of

Manila Bay, the principal island being CORRICOR. On

May 6 at 1030 hrs and at half hour intervals Wainwright

broadcast a message to the Japanese that he considered

further resistance useless. [[His ?]]eleven thousand were being

killed at the rate of 50 to 100 daily and had been living on

half rations since 9th March. There were over a thousand

wounded sheltering in a tunnel. He said he would

hoist a white flag at noon and would order his men

to lay down their arms simultaneously. He proceeded

to do this and sent a staff officer to a specified point

to contact any Jap officer who would come there to meet

him. The Japs refused to meet with this officer and

demanded to see Wainwright. It was nuisance for this

commander to go by boat  to the mainland and with

Maj Genl BEEBY, Col PUGH, Major DOOLEY and LAWRENCE and

with HOMMA. At a small house about midnight

he handed his victor a written unconditional surrender

and said he wished to surrender. HOMMA refused to

accept the surrender for the whole of the Phillipines. This

he refused to do as he said he had given orders to

Genl SHARP on MINDANAO to consider himself a separate

commander and responsible to Macarthur (who had left

them in March). Homma and his staff stalked out of the

house and drove off. Wainwright returned to [[?]]

and held a conference. At 0900 hrs he again met some Jap

staff officers and drove to Manila Broadcasting Station

where he broadcast a message to SHARP and the other

two Colonels who were holding out elsewhere. He also

sent a long message to SHARP by an officer in a Jap plane

asking him in the name of humanity to comply with

Homma's wishes. This was done late that afternoon. This

particular charge against Homma is that during these

negotiations and after the white flag had been hoisted

 

he had continued to bomb and shell the troops who had

laid down their arms. The case for the prosecution was

concluded and counsel for defence asked for a ten day

adjournment. He was given to 28 Jan. We drove back 

home, bought four cartons of cigarettes for 4 pesos, some goggles

for 2.25 and, of course, a bottle of iced beer. Tighe drove 

us to the remaining officers quarters, ELENA PLAYS, for dinner.

The only unusual dish was the soucrow(?) vegetable.

Returned home and wrote to Nancy.

TUESDAY JAN 22

Up early, had breakfast at the Manila Hotel and took

the ferry bus to the T & C before 0900. Worked hard all day

on our lists, with a break for lunch with Col Ferguson

at the Avenue Hotel. Major Thomas drove us around the

city and dined with us at the Manila. We bought some

more cigarettes and a fountain pen (ps 1.20). Then we saw

"Anchors Aweigh" in technicolour with Gene Kelley and 

Sindra. Looked in at the dance on the 9th floor in this

building and then wrote to Ann.

WEDNESDAY JAN 23

Worked hard all day. Met yesterday Major Wilde AIF, &

Capt Cole of the War Crimes Section. Read a few of the counts

on Jap atrocities - they are beastial. Bought two Eversharp pens 

for 10 pesos each. Feel absolutely fit. Manila was bombed by

the Japs when they were conquering the P.I and some damage

was done even though the city had been declared open. The

Japs on the other hand carried out a deliberate wrecking and

burning of the city before they were driven out in turn. The

city is almost a complete ruin. There is not one building

unscathed. All main buildings were dynamited or burnt

before the Jap were forced out. Shelling accounts for alot of damage

and most buildings are spattered inside and out by MG &

bullets. The Assembly and other public buildings are simply

a mass of concrete, iron and tin. Even the ancient walls

around the Walled City. Intemuros are breached. Nearly all

churches and schools, Dominican, De La Salle etc shared the 

same fate. Some of these were priceless old buildings. There are

acres and acres of completely burnt out areas, few trees

are left standing and everywhere the grass is running wild.

Destroyed tramcars line the streets and the US Army have made

new roads over the tracks. All bridges are damaged or broken.

The civil electric light plant was destroyed. Water is running in 

some of the buildings, mostly occupied by the Army. Everywhere

is dirt, filthy drains, pools of water, dust, and rubbish. The

banking area near where I work fared not so badly.  The HongKong

& Shangai Bank however was burnt out. The traffic of army

vehicles is terrific. The rule of the road here since July last is

to keep to the right and I have great difficulty in getting

used to it as I am driven around in jeeps. There are a

considerable number of civilian vehicles and bought army

trucks, mostly used for passenger services. The taxis are like

miniature buses with a door at the back and room for four

and very dirty. Garrys are fairly numerous and the ponies

harness is heavily ornamented with brass. Many square

miles of burnt out areas or open fields have been made into

immense camps or dumps, or transport lines. I have seen

acres and acres of food, of tyres, of oil, of general equipment, of

broken vehicles and so on. As I write this, officers quartered

here and now drinking in the club on the ninth floor

are throwing beer bottles into the ruins of an empty bath

room in the adjoining block, a drop of eight stories. The who

places one into what was once the inner sanctum

collects all round. So far no one has been killed.

THURSDAY JAN 24

Worked usual hours until 1100 hrs. I have read some of the

files on atrocities and they make me mad. Everywhere 

these Jap beasts went, from Manchuria to New Guinea, Burma

to the Admiralty Islands, they left behind them a trail of

massacre, murder, beatings to death, beheadings, rapes, cruelty, 

starvation, looting and destructions. The crimes against

humanity are so widespread that one can come only to one

conclusion; that it was a policy directed from Tokyo.

Walked back through Intramuros. The walls are immensely

thick and breached in several places. 50000 shells fell into

this city and almost wiped it out. I visited the only building

still inhabited - the church and attached monastery of Saint 

Augustan, converted in 386 at Carthage. I signed in the book, 

made a donation and was shown into the inner court

or what is left of it. Very large paintings, all of holy subjects

line the four walls of that church which surrounds the court.

The buildings on two sides opposite each other are a mass of

ruins. On another side is the residential portion and on the

fourth side - the church. The red lamp burns inside. The altar

is plain with broken silver lining the wall above it. Around

each wall are side altars in alcoves, each with its

dressed memorial plates to the dead.  Great chandelabra hang

from the roof. Only about half the floor is covered with seats.

Near the back are the hand carts which bear a statue for

a procession. The stations are rather poor. The organ is around

but very good excepting that the Filipinos have stolen the

motor. Immense parchment books more than two feet square

and six inches thick stand on a revolving pedestal. The music 

and words in latin are so long that the choir can see them from

any part of the loft. The roof is 2 2/3 metres thick, thinning to one

metre at the top, really earthquake proof. Unfortunately everything

looks old, neglected, dirty almost tawdry. There is a bell tower

above. I yarned with the Spanish priest- dressed in white. He

said that his congregation now is entirely made up of Army

personnel. He is very staunch in his support of Franco.  Outside

the church is almost surrounded by American negro camps

and MT Yards. Changed, went to the Manila for dinner and

a picture show, walked down town in time to see the night

clubs closing at 2230 and came home to bed.

 

The city is full of American officers, soldiers, sailors and

their dress is fairly uniform they wear their shirt sleeves long and

the MPs wear helmets. Hitchhiking seems to be the recognized

thing and there are places set aside for it. Jeeps by the thousand

dash in and about The heavier traffic which consists of some

enormous vehicles. The men are a very mixed lot from white 

to black, yellow to red. There are many American born Japs

who are called Nisie. At night, the officers sit in the hotels

and clubs - amid the ruins - whilst many enlisted personnel

seek diversion around the lighted portion of the city with

its hot-dog tables, and night-clubs. On the whole they are well

behaved.

FRIDAY JAN 25

Worked all day. Became a visiting member of the Army

Club and spent the evening there. It was most enjoyable, a bottle

of beer in the bar, then a very tasty four course dinner with a

Filipino band playing sweet dinner music later to be followed

by dance music.

SATURDAY JAN 26

Worked until nearly 1900 hrs to finish the job, Went as

a guest of Major Peck to the A&N Club for a pleasant beer

and dinner. Later returned to see the great crowd at the

dinner dance. The Filipinos are going through a rather hard time.

They are short of clothing and nearly every man wears a US uniform

or part uniform. On the whole they are shabby and a good many

are dirty. Few of the women still wear the traditional dress

with its blouse of transparent net or veil with high shoulders.

Most women however adopt western dress of a rather poor

or simple type. Both sexes, particularly the women, are short

and dumpy. They have no trams or trains and are now

dependent on all sorts of vehicles for their transport from

bought US Army trucks and jeeps to miniature buses and pony

garrys. They have built themselves shanties amidst the ruins

or are huddling inn corner of large, demolished buildings. They

are carrying on under great difficulties, laundries, bus driving, labouring, selling foodstuff, curries, hot dogs, clothing, plenty of spirits, and fair amount of tinned stuff bought or stolen

from the US army trucks and jeeps, fishing and  in clerical positions with the

US army, providing MPs, etc

SUNDAY JAN 27

Went fasting to Mass in the Quizon Church, founded in 1586. It

was an enlightening experience. Booths selling all sorts of things

almost surrounded the church. At the door stood candle sellers

and a blind man squatting in the middle of the way with his 

wife and children squatting, placed behind him in a straight

row. Inside the church was crowded with both sexes. There

was constant movement of people coming or going or even walking

through for a short cut! The most amazing feature were the

women who kneel at the door and make their way on their

knees right up the aisle to the rather open space at the

communion rails> many carried their babies and a candle whilst

other young children wander aimlessly around their mothers

seeming to be wondering what it is all about. The congregation 

has full access to the open space around the altar and

women knelt there or wandered in and out- during Mass. A girl

took up one of the collections. Alone, wandering into each 

bench in turn. But for many broken windows, the church is 

almost intact> Communion was given after Mass and the priest

has to distinguish between communicants and the women who

kneel at the rails for the whole of Mass. The figure of the

Laveau carries a cross is dressed in black robes. The women wear

net or kerchiefs over their hair. Returned to the Manila Hotel

for breakfast and then was driven by Lieut Thomas for a days

outing. We drove south for some 35 miles through closely

settled country, producing rice, sugar, corn, salt, fruit and

poultry> Thrashing of the rice is done by the simplest means

and in front of most houses rice or coconut, of coffee, or corn

is spread out on mats to dry. It was a delight to leave the

ruins and dirty city. We drove along Laguna de Bay was picturesque
Called at a Jap POW camp for lunch with Lieut Spencer. The

contrast with what I experienced as a POW was most marked.

They have electric light and running water, camp stretchers about

5 feet to a man, well equipped and well stocked kitchens

and a panorama of mountain, lakes and countryside. There

are several compounds including special ones for very high ranking

officers, war criminals, women (about 400) officers and

ordinary POWs. The POWs do all the work for the American

staffs and grow all vegetables. I saw Yamashitas but in

xxxxx the condemned to death section. Drove on to the

port of Babangas in the south of the island and had a look

at the shipping. There are many landing craft still sticking out

of the water where they were sunk in the attack. Soldiers

thronged the street coming from the innumerable camps and

dumps all along the road. A bottle of beer cost me 4/6d.

Continued along the coast through towns which for a change

had not been destroyed by the war. Some contain ancient

churches in dominate positions. Cattle, carabou & brahmins,

pigs and poultry were quite plentiful. We saw two

cockfighting arenas, and hundreds of men everywhere carrying

the best f

 

ighters to a neighbour or to the arena. Darkness

fell before we could reach Lake Taal and the Taal Vista hostel.

Returned to Manila and coffee and sandwiches at the club.

MONDAY JAN 28

Williams left before daylight for Brisbane. I called

at the office and wrote a letter to Mary. Then I had my first

good look at the town. I wondered for miles through all

sorts of streets and alleyways, went into dozens of shops and

visited two churches. There are plenty of goods for sale nearly

all American. Native handicraft is extremely rare, and artificial

The grass skirts which are being pressed on the GIs are simply

not worn. The Americans wanted to believe that the Filipino

women wore those things and so these people have made

 

them for the Americans. There are a few locally made grass

bags,, hats etc and ornamentally carved clogs. That is all,

and prices are prohibitive. Beer is P1 per bottle but in the

PXs it costs 20 centaves. A fine wire silver brooch costs

Ps 15 in the shop but cost P5.3 in the PX. Clothing, jewellry,

books, souvenirs, fruit (mongos cost P2.50 each) tinned goods etc,

on show everywhere, but all four or five times dearer than

in Melbourne. The city is extremely dirty off the main roads

No doubt the inhabitants must improvise shelter but that is

all they have done. Piles of trash line the streets, and are been

added to daily. The canals are black and filled with filth.

and people are living in unconceivably dirty areas. I have never

seen such a dirty city and do not want to go back into

it again. I visited the Church of Lan Labishan, rather new

and seemingly intact. The stained glass windows, the high altar

of glass with light behind, the heavy silver panels and lamps

are rather well done. It seems to be one clean cool and

wholesome place in a city of dirt. I had to pay Ps1 to see

the queer building of Jose Cramps. Had drink with three

American Majors at the Club and went to bed about 2030 hrs

thoroughly tired.

TUESDAY JAN 29

Received a letter from Nancy and I am sorry now that I

am not on my way home. I am finding it difficult to

wait for Thursday morning and am concerned about the

probability of getting a spot in a plane on that day. I

collected two haversacks from the AIF camp, bought some

stamps and photos, had lunch at the Manila and went

back to my apartment for a read and a sleep. Had an early 

dinner in the club, went down to the wharves to see some

thousands of troops going aboard a hosp ship on their way

home - and it made me more homesick than ever. The

ships have no portholes whatsoever. Saw a picture at the

Manila and went home to write to Mim at 0930 hrs.

WEDNESDAY JAN 30

Made arrangements for my departure from Manila in the 

morrow. Drove out to the WAC WAC Club for AFWE&AC officers and

had a swim in a delightful pool. Dozens of American officers in

brown and white singles were playing golf caddied by small

Filipino boys. Became acquainted with a very good diver who

started a conversation by asking me had I done much swimming in

my life. The jeep ordered for my return failed to report and I

jumped a truck filled with Filipino surveyors. The eastern

suburbs are not much demand and the club was an oasis

of cleanliness and green lawns. Packed after dinner and went to bed.

THURSDAY JAN 31.

Rose at 0200 hrs, drove off at 0300 hrs and took off from Neila

Field at 0500 hrs with only 5 passengers. Ian Tacloban from

the cockpit. Stayed there about 30 minutes leaving at 0730 hrs without

anything to eat. The US Red Cross outfit had moved out since I was

here a fortnight ago. Arrived Morotai about noon for another

30 minutes refuelling. Pushed on to Biak arriving there at 1700

and went with the view to be quartered by the US Army. Had cut

cheese sandwiches and coffee but was able to see the film

"Walk in the Sun" (the American in Italy) and enjoyed a shower.

FRIDAY FEB 1

Rose at 0400 hrs and took off at 0530 without breakfast. Saw

Hollandia come into view from the cockpit , a really magnificent

view. Found an American gasmask of the latest model and took

possession of it for young Johnny. Arrived at Finchaven and was

able to get some food there. Took off at 1300 hrs and arrived over

Townsville about 1700 hrs. I had a splendid view of the town

which surrounds a small ridge about 1000 feet high. Left there

at 1900 and landed at Archfield Brisbane at 23 hrs.

SATURDAY FEB 2

Had to wait until 0100 for a car to the Officers Club

in the city. Customs officers searched the plane but not us as

we were all soldiers. Got to sleep about 0200 but was

wakened at 0645 by bright sunshine and the noise of the city,

Am in a room with two other officers. Phoned Nancy at Point

Lonsdale only to be told she had left only half an hour

before. Sent a telegram instead - with phone number. I am

feeling my malarial aches again and am dosing myself with

Atabrin. Phone Alf McCawley but he was out. Symons is in Cairns.

Visited the gardens and met Grey Schneider en route. Am

intensely desirous of seeing Nancy again and am very impatient

to be on my way. My love for her and my admiration for her

grows stronger week by week. I hope never to be parted from

her again.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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