December 25, 1941 - Hong Kong

Black Christmas

We have surrendered. The Japanese are here to stay.
They’ve been bombing the city into submission for the past 18 days, and everyone fears for their safety. A few days ago, I was running home with my youngest brother, Ernie, carrying food and blankets, and we were caught in a bombing raid and had to jump into a ditch to save ourselves.
They crossed the harbour on the 18th and invaded the shore and the dockyards near where we live. They’re horrible and ruthless, and there have been reports of rape—some of them, girls I know from school. Father is taking every precaution and hiding my sisters and me on the roof, and the servant girls have taken to rubbing soot on their faces to make themselves unappealing.
I don’t know what will happen.