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6 Hong Kong, Early January 1941 In Europe the “phoney war" was over.1 France and the Low Countries were overrun and England, bombed mercilessly from the air, was fighting for her life. In Hong Kong, it was widely expected that ]apan would soon join the war on Germany's side. Preparations for war were in full swing: women, not in essential services, and children were evacuated to Australia, air-raid shelters were built, and food stores were established for a long siege.2 In spite of this, life continued as before, seemingly normal, oblivious of the impending calamity. Although 1was a lieutenant in the Field Ambulance of the local territorial unit, the Hong Kong Volunteer Defence Corps, 1was allowed to continue with my medical work. However, 1 was required to attend military training and all field exercises. 1 had just completed two s眩-months' internships, in clinical medicine and pathology. Both were stimulating and rewarding, but also very arduous, allowing no time for leisure or recreation. 1 felt that 1 deserved a couple of weeks' rest before taking up my next residency as a house-surgeon. A trip to Shanghai to visit my brother Leo, whom 1 had not seen since 1936, seemed an attractive proposition. lt would also give me an opportunity to meet the parents of Sophie Patushinsky, a medical student at Hong Kong University whom 1 hoped to, and later that year did, marry. Leave from the Army was secured and 1 set about to arrange my trip. * In homage to Austin Coates. 1.“Phoney war" referred to a period in the Second World 就1ar， around October 1939-April 1940, when, following the conquest of Poland, there was little fighting on land. 2. This was gtoss over-estimation. Against vastly superior ]apanese forc白， Hong Kong fought bravely, but only lasted eighteen days. Described in “The Battle for Hong Kong, December 1941" essay. 74 Part 1 The Journey The Indo-China Steam Navigation Company, a subsidiary of}ardine, Matheson & Co. ran a passenger service between Hong Kong and Shanghai, a three-day journey. 1 obtained a passage on the SS Wing Sang, a small but comfortable passenger ship of some three and half thousand tonnes. We sailed in the first week of January. 1 was hoping for a peaceful and enjoyable sea trip. The weather was sunny and cool, the sea calm, and a mild refreshing breeze made it a perfect combination. The ship had only two widely contrasting classes: the upper deck with cabins and the lower deck, or steerage. The former accommodated about twenty passengers in comfortable cabins, mostly two to a cabin. The latter, an open deck, covered above only by a stretched canvas, seemed densely crowded with, 1 reckoned roughly, two hundred or more passengers, all as far as 1 could tell Chinese and obviously poo巳 lt was not a pleasant sight. The first day passed pleasantly enough. The weather continued fine, the sea calm and 1found the time very relaxing. 1met and exchanged casual remarks with other upper deck passengers. A friendly middle-aged Englishman, with whom 1 shared a cabin, asked me if 1 played bridge, and on being told that 1 did, suggested a game if we could find two more players. We did and had an enjoyable game after dinner. 1 went to bed pleased with the journey so far. At night the weather worsened and the ship was rolling and pitching a lot. When 1 came down for breakfast the next morning only about half of the passengers were up and about. The sky was overcast, the sea rough, and the ship was still rolling a good deal. 1 was glad that 1 did not seem to be prone to sea-sickness. When 1 looked down at the deck passengers below, some were huddled together, many were seasick and looked miserable. 1 felt sorry for them, but there was nothing 1 could do. At lunch the second officer approached me and introduced himself (1 cannot recall his name). He explained that his duties included basic medical care and taking charge of the sick-bay. On learning that 1was a doctor, he wanted to meet me. He had some duties to attend to presently, but would appreciate it if 1 could join him for dinner that evening. 1 said that it would be a pleasure. In the afternoon the weather improved, the sea became calmer, and there were occasional sunny periods. Most of my fellow passengers came out on deck...

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