16 August 1945
No Alarms during the night.
Another story comes that the Japanese Interpreter told the Dutch Officer who used to act in that capacity that Japan had submitted a White Paper to the Allies asking for an Armistice and something definite would be known within a week.
The miners had an easy time during their night shift last night.
From now on there is no doubt that stories will come in thick and fast.
There is one to the effect that hostilities ceased at 12 o/c yesterday.
The Dutch Skipper of the oil tanker who works at the mine boiler house and who has been on shift was told by his HONCHO (foreman) that it was definitely peace and that he was on his last shift at the Mine.
The Dutch Interpreter said there was every possibility of the release of the Red+ stores which are held in reserve; it is thought that he knows more than he has spilled.
The two fellows that have been in the Ice Box for some considerable time were released yesterday even although they still had another three days to do.
All the mine shifts, and permanent farm workers were fell in ready for marching off to work this morning but were sent back at the last minute and told there was no work for them.
The latest is that the Dutch Interpreter has been told officially that there is a serious epidemic raging outside and therefore nobody will be allowed outside the Camp for four or five days. Nobody is allowed in the vicinity of the Office and Guard Room.
One of the guards has just told one of the Officers that the war is over. It has been given out that we are now, immediately, to go onto the Military Scale of rations in accordance with International Conventions.
Our Squad Leader had a talk with the Japanese Interpreter who said the present situation was that America was dissatisfied with the war and negotiations were now going on between America and Japan through the medium of Russia, who was neutral, and further stated that he thought the negotiations would be carried through successfully.
Asked if the prisoners would be told if anything definite was reached, he replied he would make it his personal business to let everybody concerned know, as the whole world should know matters of that nature. I guess he must have lost sight of the news that the Russians within two or three days would have been in possession of the whole of Korea.
All PoWs who have handed in any valuables for safe custody and hold receipts for them are to now have them handed back.
Another piece of news is that the Japanese offered to hand back Manchuria, Korea and Taiwan, when handing in their paper for negotiations.
Food from tomorrow is being increased to 620 grams per head. Present ration on working days is 520 grams but this has been made up into 4 grades or scales, all are supposed to get the same basic ration of rice, ostensibly 400 grams - the balance being made into bread of which the men actually working down the Mine have been getting two loaves, morning and evening, the surface miners have also been getting two loaves , but a trifle smaller, Farm and Camp workers have had one of the down miners loaves and the sick either in Barracks or Hospital, no bread. This system is now to be changed and everybody will get the same.
The latest is that we stay here for about a week and then go to the Docks.
Joe, who used to be in charge of the Farm work met one of our Officers and asked how the Officers were, he was told they were very tired and had no cigarettes and could he do anything in that direction, he said we were getting cigarettes tomorrow, Red+ very shortly and home very soon and waved his hand in TaTa.
The corporal, now promoted Sergeant, who gave us the beating up has been on the go again assisted by the Guard Commander. They gave the men of one hut a real beating up for singing and playing music in their hut, I do hope these people get what is due to them before we leave.