Re: Pat Ritter. Books
Posted: Mon Feb 08, 2016 9:44 pm
'His Life Worth Living' - Page 61:
FRI AUG 7: Nothing of interest during day but most interesting talk by Engineer officer from ship picked up in Indian Ocean. Gave us all the news current before he left and opened up some interesting highlights on the campaign as seen in Australian eyes. Found that we were expected to hold Japs with very little trouble but everything seems to be over-estimated. When the Js were halfway down Malaya then papers seem to realize seriousness of situation and did not even then hold out much hope for Singapore or even Java. What seems to have stirred them up more than anything was the 5 subs in Sydney Harbour which shelled Sydney. The loss of the 2 battleships was regarded as national calamity. All Banking and Shipping rationalized. Judgement in Malayan campaign postponed until after war so evidently Gordon Bennett’s explanations were not accepted. Everything seems most satisfactory under Gen McArthur’s command and things now seem to be in a satisfactory condition. It appears that our next of kin have been informed that we are missing in Malaya and some believed prisoner. It must be all very worrying for our wives and mothers but what a thanksgiving at when we leave.
SAT AUG 8: Nothing of interest in morning. Was paid 80c for money since we have been here, 10c which went towards hospital med supp. Then paid $3.15 for bal of money of Serangor Rd. All paid up to end July. 40c paid into mess fund. Went to talk on Police Work in Shanghai which was of very great interest. Different Jap in 1937 when China invaded than the Jap we are up against now.
SUN AUG 9: Church 8.30 and 10.15. Fellow from G. World Free leagues went back. Sergent came out for him in van. Same left considerable amount of tinned stuff for us. Tasted 2½ p bar choc for 6 mths and would not have sold it for dollars. Jars of marmite will be esp good. Sent most of it over to Hosp. First sign of generosity I have found in the Unit since I have been P.O.W. Most of fellows here would cut each others throats for tin of milk literally. Went to church in evening and heard very good sermon on environment. Certainly here is a very good example of being as near as possible to normal under an environment which is different to anything we have been used to. Still life and liberty is what one makes himself of a place.
MON AUG 10: Nothing of note. Very quiet day.
TUES AUG 11: Business as usual. Japan party still here. Living very well now with proceeds of wages and tins of marmite etc. which was brought from G & World. Feeling far more contented here than in Singapore – believe I am picking up a little condition. Certainly feel much better. Concert in evening which was enjoyed by all.
WED AUG 12: More wood today but I enjoy walking on trailer parties for it is only exercise I get. Dutch man who was bitten by snake, back home. Things not going so well. Solomon’s seen to be good as ours although hard fighting still going on. Successes in Burma and China. Went to interesting talk on Burma given by Eng Col. Would very much like to see place.
THURS AUG 13: Nips very busy in air today. 24 bombers in formation besides reac and fighter planes. Intense A.A. fire towards Singa, very likely practice. Heavy storm in morning first for several weeks.
FRI AUG 14: Did a bit of moving today. Have been a little lonely since I have been back here. With Jerry and Eric and Burnetts gone it is not the same place so I was invited today to join in the hut where most of the bty are. There are 4 of us and I think things will be a little better in future. I have found out to my cost that companionship is more to be desired than anything else on this earth. Japan party had to go to Eng lines this evening to be Med. examined. May be a move before long.
SAT AUG 15: Wood. Lot of talk of unrest among natives on mainland esp. Chinese. Food riots at K.L. and sabotage at German bridge blown up and train derailed. Talk of Japan party going away tomorrow.
Chapter 11
SUN AUG 16: Communion in morning. B party of Japan party going away today. Large party from English crowd. Special party of Officers gone. Church in evening, excellent sermon. Third of series on beatitudes. Blessed are they that do hunger and thirst after righteousness for they shall be filled. Inappropriate at this time of rice.
MON AUG 17: Nothing of importance. Same.
TUES AUG 18: Our talks in evening are getting more and more of an audience. Greater informed and we often yarn from 8pm until 11.
WED AUG 19: Parade today for new officer in charge, Changi. Had to parade three deep each side of rd and he and his regime drove down through then we had to form up on Padang where he addressed us. 15 words was all he spoke in Jap. Interpreted. In effect he would be kind and generous to us as far as regulations would allow. Four hrs in all on parade so we weren’t too pleased when we had to march past Black Jack adding another half mile to our journey. Red Cross food came from S. Africa and very welcome. Took form of 2oz maize meal, 2oz jam, 1oz soup per day. Excellent meals today. Maize meal for breakfast, tin herring between 4 for lunch for which we paid at tea. 10 vitamin A sweets besides Jap issue. We have 2 tins of pines each and tin of jam between 8. Everyone must learn morse and pass out today 4.00pm.
THURS AUG 20: I am only sig in R.A.A. Two others have knowledge of morse. I have to instruct 30 men. Found I had most interested group of men for other two classes refused to take it seriously. Will endeavour to keep same group of men and am confident 50% will learn it. Was issued with 10 sweets containing V.A. and were very tasty. Went to lecture or talk after tea given by capt who was at large 2 mths after capitulation. Very large crowd but could not hear everything. Sounded to have had some interesting experiences. Was helped by Chinese mostly. Was careful to avoid Malay and Tamils. Chinese very good to them helping, feeding, sheltering and guiding them as much as possible. Spoke of K.L. when battle had passed over and must have seen some shocking sights. All Chinese took to the jungle and women wore men’s clothes. Japs would call on Chinese to surrender then when they did under flag M.G. groups of 40-80. Some were made sport of by Jap officers who eventually lopped off head with sword. Was through Chinese they fell in Japs hands but was pointed out that he was individual. Best guides Sakis or wild Malay. Malay were only people to take payment for food.
TO DOWNLOAD THIS BOOK: CLICK HERE: http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/591980.
FRI AUG 7: Nothing of interest during day but most interesting talk by Engineer officer from ship picked up in Indian Ocean. Gave us all the news current before he left and opened up some interesting highlights on the campaign as seen in Australian eyes. Found that we were expected to hold Japs with very little trouble but everything seems to be over-estimated. When the Js were halfway down Malaya then papers seem to realize seriousness of situation and did not even then hold out much hope for Singapore or even Java. What seems to have stirred them up more than anything was the 5 subs in Sydney Harbour which shelled Sydney. The loss of the 2 battleships was regarded as national calamity. All Banking and Shipping rationalized. Judgement in Malayan campaign postponed until after war so evidently Gordon Bennett’s explanations were not accepted. Everything seems most satisfactory under Gen McArthur’s command and things now seem to be in a satisfactory condition. It appears that our next of kin have been informed that we are missing in Malaya and some believed prisoner. It must be all very worrying for our wives and mothers but what a thanksgiving at when we leave.
SAT AUG 8: Nothing of interest in morning. Was paid 80c for money since we have been here, 10c which went towards hospital med supp. Then paid $3.15 for bal of money of Serangor Rd. All paid up to end July. 40c paid into mess fund. Went to talk on Police Work in Shanghai which was of very great interest. Different Jap in 1937 when China invaded than the Jap we are up against now.
SUN AUG 9: Church 8.30 and 10.15. Fellow from G. World Free leagues went back. Sergent came out for him in van. Same left considerable amount of tinned stuff for us. Tasted 2½ p bar choc for 6 mths and would not have sold it for dollars. Jars of marmite will be esp good. Sent most of it over to Hosp. First sign of generosity I have found in the Unit since I have been P.O.W. Most of fellows here would cut each others throats for tin of milk literally. Went to church in evening and heard very good sermon on environment. Certainly here is a very good example of being as near as possible to normal under an environment which is different to anything we have been used to. Still life and liberty is what one makes himself of a place.
MON AUG 10: Nothing of note. Very quiet day.
TUES AUG 11: Business as usual. Japan party still here. Living very well now with proceeds of wages and tins of marmite etc. which was brought from G & World. Feeling far more contented here than in Singapore – believe I am picking up a little condition. Certainly feel much better. Concert in evening which was enjoyed by all.
WED AUG 12: More wood today but I enjoy walking on trailer parties for it is only exercise I get. Dutch man who was bitten by snake, back home. Things not going so well. Solomon’s seen to be good as ours although hard fighting still going on. Successes in Burma and China. Went to interesting talk on Burma given by Eng Col. Would very much like to see place.
THURS AUG 13: Nips very busy in air today. 24 bombers in formation besides reac and fighter planes. Intense A.A. fire towards Singa, very likely practice. Heavy storm in morning first for several weeks.
FRI AUG 14: Did a bit of moving today. Have been a little lonely since I have been back here. With Jerry and Eric and Burnetts gone it is not the same place so I was invited today to join in the hut where most of the bty are. There are 4 of us and I think things will be a little better in future. I have found out to my cost that companionship is more to be desired than anything else on this earth. Japan party had to go to Eng lines this evening to be Med. examined. May be a move before long.
SAT AUG 15: Wood. Lot of talk of unrest among natives on mainland esp. Chinese. Food riots at K.L. and sabotage at German bridge blown up and train derailed. Talk of Japan party going away tomorrow.
Chapter 11
SUN AUG 16: Communion in morning. B party of Japan party going away today. Large party from English crowd. Special party of Officers gone. Church in evening, excellent sermon. Third of series on beatitudes. Blessed are they that do hunger and thirst after righteousness for they shall be filled. Inappropriate at this time of rice.
MON AUG 17: Nothing of importance. Same.
TUES AUG 18: Our talks in evening are getting more and more of an audience. Greater informed and we often yarn from 8pm until 11.
WED AUG 19: Parade today for new officer in charge, Changi. Had to parade three deep each side of rd and he and his regime drove down through then we had to form up on Padang where he addressed us. 15 words was all he spoke in Jap. Interpreted. In effect he would be kind and generous to us as far as regulations would allow. Four hrs in all on parade so we weren’t too pleased when we had to march past Black Jack adding another half mile to our journey. Red Cross food came from S. Africa and very welcome. Took form of 2oz maize meal, 2oz jam, 1oz soup per day. Excellent meals today. Maize meal for breakfast, tin herring between 4 for lunch for which we paid at tea. 10 vitamin A sweets besides Jap issue. We have 2 tins of pines each and tin of jam between 8. Everyone must learn morse and pass out today 4.00pm.
THURS AUG 20: I am only sig in R.A.A. Two others have knowledge of morse. I have to instruct 30 men. Found I had most interested group of men for other two classes refused to take it seriously. Will endeavour to keep same group of men and am confident 50% will learn it. Was issued with 10 sweets containing V.A. and were very tasty. Went to lecture or talk after tea given by capt who was at large 2 mths after capitulation. Very large crowd but could not hear everything. Sounded to have had some interesting experiences. Was helped by Chinese mostly. Was careful to avoid Malay and Tamils. Chinese very good to them helping, feeding, sheltering and guiding them as much as possible. Spoke of K.L. when battle had passed over and must have seen some shocking sights. All Chinese took to the jungle and women wore men’s clothes. Japs would call on Chinese to surrender then when they did under flag M.G. groups of 40-80. Some were made sport of by Jap officers who eventually lopped off head with sword. Was through Chinese they fell in Japs hands but was pointed out that he was individual. Best guides Sakis or wild Malay. Malay were only people to take payment for food.
TO DOWNLOAD THIS BOOK: CLICK HERE: http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/591980.