4-2-45

My dear:

Robbie popped his head in about 11.30 a.m. to tell us that the war in Europe was over, Father Rutherford was here and the news received happily, but even yet we can’t react to it whole heartedly as there is always the possibility of it being a little premature. But in the light of the news given in the Chronicle of 27, 28 & 29 Jan, there is no doubt that Germany will not be able to carry on through Feb. Yesterday, 3-2-45 heard Stettin had fallen. It is 65 miles from Berlin. In one of the papers Goering is supposed to have appealed to the Allies to stem the Russian advance. There must be in stark fear of what the Russians will do - or have done.

Father de Jaeger gave a short sermon on Charity, basing it on S Paul’s letter to the Corinthians, I was much impressed, and I hope that I will be able to cull from it sufficient strength of purpose to apply it to my daily life. You and Marie are my very dear friends and to whom I feel I have acted and felt un-neighbourly at times, simply because I lacked that patience which is the mother of understanding. Please forgive me. I will truly mend my ways.

Yesterday I swapped with Mrs Bonner, 1lb of American coffee for 1lb Nitloh tea I am pleased with the exchange although Sid and the Robbies say I was the loser because I gave six 2oz tins, which equal double their weight due to strength.

Last night Appleboom came and offered 1lb of Nithol for 10 pkts American cigarettes and 1tin American powdered milk. We have not made the bargain yet as it is too one-sided for Blossom.

The thermos flask for which I paid $250 in December, yesterday an identical one is costed at $700.

Kitchen No 1 Employment Bureau came to find out whether I was ready to go back to vegetable preparation. I said ‘no’ as I do volunteer cake preparing and in this way I put in more hours than if I did ‘veg,’ - besides I am more useful on cake making – the hours too are not popular, more often than not on a Sunday afternoon and evening have to be devoted to cake making.

Cheers Ida

February 5, 1945 ...

5 – 2 – 45

My dear:

We feel a little deflated - Egger has been in and he says that war is not over but that the Russians are 30 miles outside Berlin. He says too the war will be over in 2 months including the Far Eastern.

Can you imagine how wretched it is to sit around in the semi obscurity and cold. I feel as if I can’t bear it any longer, but of course I find myself bearing things because there is nought else to do. The peanut oil lamps do not give much light and it is just the last straw to set my temper off, when it means washing up, tidying up, washing and putting the children to bed. Every night the lights have failed.

Ron Chapman, as Engineering issued his first notice - to advise as that there will be no more coal issues until Thursday when taxed with it, he said that the No 2 Mr Adgan, had gone around the campus and found sufficient coal stacked to warm the home for a couple of days!

Well cheers, my dear, see you v. soon.

Ida

February 8, 1945 ...

8-2-45

My dear:

This is the umpteenth night in succession without electricity, it seems to me the Japanese will now ignore the fact that this camp was ever illuminated by electricity. It comes hard on the peanut oil issues, as each person big or small is only entitled to one portion of peanut oil per month, the portion consisting of 1lb at $66. Today we bought peanut oil at $39 per lb. We were hoping to make peanut butter but with food shortages, peanuts will have to be eaten to fill the cavities.

Manila has fallen, this news was carried by the Japanese papers yesterday, Wednesday 7- 2-45. I am longing to see Jane Ashby - what thrilling stories she will have to tell about the capture and fall of Manila. She has seen life in capital letters.

Today we hear that Berlin is surrounded, the Nazi Gov. transfered to Munich, and that three spearheads have bye passed Berlin. How we are anticipating the fa1l of Germany.

Had the elevenses guild in our home yesterday I offered the girls a date apricot and raisin pie hot, then sliced TANG on sliced bun. Vi and the others seemed to have appreciated my efforts. I was so busy being hostess I missed the topics of conversation, excepting that Ethel was being cross-examined by Watanabe & Co in an effort to obtain confirmation of their suspicions brought in the premature news of the fall of Germany. Little do they realise that it is their own who is responsible.

Father Fletch came in on his monthly visit to the Fathers here, contrary to his usual welcome, when he used to be received by the Commandant and plied with cigars tea etc he was compelled to remain at the guard house and see one priest at a time. Despite the vigilance of four pairs of Japanese eyes several letters were received. We feel that probably Father Fletch will no longer visit the Camp.

The train fare from Tsinan is $300 and rickshaw here from Weihsien city is $100 Heard several days ago that there has been street fighting in Tsinan between Japanese & Chinese, eventually the former had to retire. Perhaps it was news such as these that the Japanese were averse to acquainting the camp with.

The Weihsien Mayor visited the camp on several consecutive days, and Mannellis is acquainted with his chauffeur, last year when he came he told Marinnellis that we would be here another year, a couple of days ago he assured Mannellis that within 2 months he’d be out. Seems too good to be true now that we have waited so endlessly long.

Whilst unpacking the medical supplies from the Red Cross, Dr Grice asked Itara if he could have some stout ropes. When told upon inquiry that they wanted for fuel in the hospital, Itara replied that it would be better if they kept as they would come in useful for packing up his belongings for Tientsin. Now that seemed particularly encouraging, but we now feel depressed, the severe cold after a prolonged winter of chores may have something to do with it.

Christine is down with the ear & throat epidemic. Sid doesn’t seem to be so well either. So far I have been able to ward off the cold which is hanging over me. Must do.

As there was no bread for tea, I made Mary Jamieson’s scones. They are delicious but were unfortunately insufficient will have to double recipe. Can’t struggle with this light any more.

Goodnight. Love Ida

February 11, 1945 ...

11-2-45

My dear:

Our guards and authorities are jittery. Yesterday three planes over flew the camp, which even a Japanese guard told Marshall as being Spitfires. On Thursday our planes bombed 3 locomotives and 13 were killed. Johnny Milne at the Coal queue at 2.00 heard machine gunning & detonation. We haven’t had lights for over a week now, and the story of the cause is that the Chinese guerillas sabotaged the plant. Today every local cart, fou-fou coolie is accompanied by a Japanese Guard. When the flour carts came in, Watanbe went into the bakery and after due enquiry as to whether the bread was being taken in or out, ordered the bakers out to facilitate the Chinese taking the flour into the store room.

Heard from Preston Lee that you had been up to Tientsin for Xmas and received Red Cross Comfort parcels - I am happy.

Cheers, Ida

February 13, 1945 ...

13-2-45

My dear:

Last night we were to have had lights but none came on, so we are now resigned to spending our evenings by peanut oil lamp, ‘tis a nuisance and extremely trying but I suppose we’ll have to put up with it.

Heard that on Friday night a Japanese guard had been ambushed and his throat slit. Hence the precautions. Hear too that six police dogs are in, the guards must be scared stiff. Heard that Tsinan had been visited by a solitary plane, the Japanese headquarters bombed & machined gunned, subsequently four planes went up to intercept it but they were shot down. Three Drummond planes over flew on Friday, which caused much excitement amongst the guards.

Hear today that Berlin has fallen. Wonder how long more the isolated Germans are going to hold out. A task force landed in Tsingtao. Bought 5lbs Tang hsi at $42 per and cigarettes 280 for $102 – and now butter at $320 per lb - this latter is to be drawn for.

We received out toiletries fron the Red X Comforts - we have 2 tooth brushes, 2 tooth powder, 1 comb, 1 sewing kit, 1 pkt toilet paper, 1 shoe polish, 1 razor, 1 pkt blades, 2 Barbazol shaving cream, 2 pieces Naptha Fell Soap. ‘Twas nice indeed!

Last week we bought peanuts at $32 per lb and dates at $24 - our comfort money has been quite used up.

Love Ida

February 15, 1945 ...

15-2-45

My dear:

The Chinese New Year burst in a glory of delightful weather. It was so warm that we were able to sit in our room with the door wide open.

Yesterday, St. Valentines Day went to Eileen Calvert’s Elevenses, found a whole crowd there, as Clemmie & Eileen were birthday girls. Clemmie does not look very cheerful. She should snap out of it I feel as it might affect the infant's temperment - repression cannot be good.

Meta Jones went into hospital owing to a miscarriage so I have volunteered to bath the baby and get her ready for the day, then in the evening get her ready for bed. ‘Tis quite simple. But it fills my day just that much more.

Heard that a Jap guard was found with his throat slit on Saturday morning. Much excitement. All night King Kong and others running around shouting all night. Now they deny all rumour of such a story, but nevertheless De Zutter got up early on Saturday morning and saw the truck bringing in a coffin. Mrs de Zutter (they live in the flat above Ed Cooke’s) saw the truck bearing the coffin away by the usual1y closed gate.

So!! Now six police dogs are in too.

Another Allied plane flew over yesterday noon. Hear guerillas assembling 30 miles from here, are they going to act simultaneously with an Allied landing at Tsingtao? Heard Russians warned Germans that every city, man, woman and child will be destroyed henceforward until they capitulate.

Understand Tokyo told North China’s Japanese they will have to look after themselves. Had parents meeting invoked by Education & Discipline Committee to find means to combat growing laxity in children morals. I suggested Juvenile Court and policing of hitherto popular places, behind assembly wall, towers, lavatories etc.

Heard Mrs Pederson is the criminal in capital letters. Badar became anxious about his sons anxiety to attend a series of daily football meetings. He broke in upon the P. home, found one boy in bed with each girl, and Mrs. P. inciting 2 lads, whilst 2 others undressed awaiting their turn!

Must stop as Japanese very serious about lights out. Must wet slack fire and get ready for bed.

Yours Ida.

February 22, 1945 ...

22nd/2/45

My dear

We have had a tragedy. Last night at 9.20 Eric Liddell died from a brain tumour. Robbie is rather distressed, as he thought he was suffering from neurosis and did not diagnose the trouble, although even if he had, wou1d not have altered the march of life. Donald H.G. is blethering that he had diagnosed it a fortnight ago and no attention was paid. Joyce Stranks visited him every, and yesterday Eric wrote a Red Cross letter to his wife. The Stranks are going to send it to her after the war.

Bonins and Corrigador have fallen!

At last, since Tuesday we are having electricity, on the unofficial understanding that we’d have it every other day, so on Tuesday we had it, on Wednesday we did not expect it so kept it off, when lo and behold after struggling with peanut oil lamp for half an hour I noticed the street lights were on. Only then did we know the lights were on. Sunday not.

Am unwell in bed.

February 24, 1945 ...

24-2-45

My dear.

I am all a flutter as the parcels are in and we are expecting one from the Walravens. Hear too that 16 are completely broken. I am hoping that ours is not included!

Helped to make shortbread in the kitchen for 3 hours and finished in record time. Sid came home in a rage as he was baking, I was making short bread and Christine & Peter fooling around in there. Peter was blamed as he auto suggested to Xtine that I was in there.

However alls well that ends well!

Meta returned home from the hospital this p.m. got Carmen ready for bed as I had done previously. Will have to probably go again tomorrow and the morning after, as she doesn't seem to strong yet.

Eric Liddell’s funeral today. Gay assisted with service. How sad, how sad! So young, when there are so many helpless old ‘uns left. Old Mrs Lavers, who lives in the Old Ladies Home, under the care of 2 stalwart females, is over 92 and completely living in the past, how unfair that Liddell in the prime of his youth with so much to live is dead I don't believe he has even seen his youngest child born since his wife was evacuated.

Understand from paper of the 11th Feb that at the Moscow meeting of Stalin, Churchill & Roosevelt, Stalin stated that he would wipe Berlin off the map.

‘Twas mail day, but no mail has been handed out! Living in hope for tomorrow.

Love, Ida.