17 August 1945

Roll Call at 6:30 instead of 6 o/clock.

Got 1 1/2 bowls of pap with a fair stew for breakfast.

The latest rumour is that all of the Japanese Staff will leave the day after tomorrow and the Military Police will take over.

It is expected that a portion of the Red + will be released today. Later 802 parcels were released, the remaining 200 odd are being sent to another Camp tomorrow, if those released we are getting the following items per head:
1 tin milk, 3 tins butter, 1 tin jam, 3 pkts chewing gum, 2 tablets soap.

The balance of tinned meats have gone to the Cookhouse issue and there will be enough to have a small portion for about 16 meals running.

Got quite a good issue of rice and portion of bully beef for mid-day and immediately after we got our tinned milk etc. I finished off the meal with a mug of hot milk and some jam on a half loaf of bread that I had saved, so feel quite refreshed now.

A party of 10 Dutch Other Ranks who have been attached to an Aerodrome for work have just returned to Camp, they are supposed to have brought the following news -

That a party of Americans have already been repatriated. That some Australian Armed Forces have already landed, they waved and shouted, "Cheer up boys, Australia in four days". Personally I think this is a bit premature.

Another rumour is that we will be getting as much rice and pap as we can eat tomorrow. Just had another mug of milk. Boy, was it good!

The CofEs had a service this morning to give thanks for our deliverance and about half a dozen of us RCs got together this afternoon and said the Rosary and a few prayers for like purpose.

Had quite a fair issue of rice with a portion of Red + meat and a good stew for the evening meal. I made the most of it by having half the rice with the meat and the other half with some milk and jam. Well, not counting Red +, I guess we've had about twice as much food today as we used to get for a working day.