WR Lynch WW II Diary re Japanese Take-Over in Shanghai China. Days 68 and 69.

Will Lynch is approached by a "strange" character trying to get back to America.  Roselyn


February 13, 1942.  Friday.  68th Day.
     Coldest so far.  Woke about 4:00 .m. and had to don a pair of "longies" and close window tight.  
     At breakfast the talk was chiefly by staff who have lost personal cars to Japs and how to get paid.
     On returning to my room, was met in the corridor by Dr. Erben, a naturalized strange character.  Said he wanted to "get back to U.S.A." on a Portuguese passport he could buy and wanted advice whether such might "queer" (give problems) to his American nationality.  I declined to advise, and JBS told Erben to register first at Room 927, Japanese liason office, before he, JBS, could talk with Erben on the subject.  It is a strange case, and I wonder what is Erben's real purpose.
     A.M. called in afternoon.  Darn.  News gets worse.


February 14, 1942.  Saturday.  69th Day.     
     St. Valentine's Day.  I got no Valentine.
     Snowed.  Good omen, per Chinese, as tomorrow is Chinese New Year, via lunar calendar.
     Cold, cloudy, overcast.  Hard on the beggars.  Many perish.
     Beat Mr. G. 3-2 at cribbage.  Beat Brookhart 2-0 at Rummy.
     Much conviviality at dinner tonight.  Had turkey.
     War news is bad.  What next?  Is it via the Russia of 20 years ago?  God forbid.
     Had roast turkey on tonight's menu.  (Games to pass time and food were important to the captives--Roselyn)
     

WR Lynch WW II Diary re Japanese Take-Over in Shanghai China. Days 65, 66 and 67.

Will Lynch gathers bedding for destitute Americans in Shanghai.  Roselyn


February 10, 1942.  Tuesday.  65th Day.
     Cold.  Walked in morning and afternoon down Cardinal Mercier to Rue LaFayette, thence to east end of French Park and back, a total of about 2 1/2 miles.
     Am still reading "G.W." by R. Hughes.
     Beat JBS 2-0 in Rummy.
     No news re repatriation.  Japs claim their troops have landed on Singapore Island, and will ere long take Singapore.  If they do, it'll be bad for the Allies.
     German radio local broadcast claims they are winning in North Africa and Europe, but their claims are a bit too one-sided to my mind, to be all truth.


February 11, 1942.  Wednesday. 66th Day.
     Sunny but very cold.  My room is cold, and I have to keep on my overcoat.
     Walked out both morning and afternoon.  Beat Brookhart 3-0 in hard fought Rummy.
     Radio claims Singapore about to fall.  American dollar is quoted at 17.20, highest for some time.
     Shanghai American School (SAS) is being readied to care for destitute Americans.


February 12, 1942.  Thursday.  67th Day.
     Cold, sunny and nice--if warmly clad.  
     Got a pass, got some bedding from my gear in room 406 at Consulate, to wit:  3 blankets, 2 or 3 towels, 4 sheets, 3 or 4 pillow cases.  Brought them to Rte. Legendre, Passage 316, House 3, for A.M., a refugee.  
     Walked many miles.  Am tired.   War!  looks bad.  Apparently Singapore has fallen to the Japs.

WR Lynch WW II Diary re Japanese Take-Over in Shanghai China. Days 62, 63 and 64.

Will Lynch visits an American school that is making preparations to take in Americans who need a place to stay.  Picture of him was taken a couple of years before he became a diplomatic hostage in Shanghai, China.    Roselyn

Will Lynch ca 1939
Click on picture to enlarge

February 7, 1942.  Saturday.  62nd Day.
     Excellent Chinese chow at 4:00 p.m. at M. J's, 10 Petain.  Four femmes (females) and me.  I omitted chow at hotel at noon, and by 4:00 p.m., I was ready.  Ate my fill--plus.
     Visited American school near our host's house.  Preparations being made to take in Americans who are "up against it" against their agreement to pay later.
     Rainy and cold.


February 8, 1942.  Sunday.  63rd Day.
     Sun out a little in morning.  Saw Japs helping (looting) brothel of Akron O.--American--at foot of Cardinal Mercier, near LaFayette.  Weil was with me.  
     A bit cold.


February 9, 1942.  Monday.  64th Day.
     Nine weeks ago this morning began this fracas.  Japs claim to be winning everywhere.
     H. Smith in 812, "threw a party" 7:00-8:00 p.m.  Much demon liquor.
     Walked out in the "free zone", both morning and afternoon.
     I am to get bedding next Thursday at 10:30 a.m., from room 406 in Consulate for use at American School.  (It was opening for Americans needing a place to stay).  
     I am reading Ruper Hughes' "George Washington".  Very interesting.  Old George was a human and a bit of a sport.
     Talk of repatriation seems pessimistic.






     

WR Lynch WW II Diary re Japanese Take-Over in Shanghai China. Days 60 and 61.

Will Lynch writes that they are given a little more freedom.  Is reading an interesting book about medical research.    Roselyn


February 5, 1942.  Thursday.   60th Day.
     Cold and sloppy.  Walked a bit.  Called  (??????-can't read).  
     Seems we can now go to Cathay Cinema without a pass.  Several today saw "Alamo of the South Seas", a la Dorothy Lamour.
     Lost cribbage today to Mr. Groves, but nearly missed skunking him one game.
     News?  American via KGEI would indicate Navy is active but local Domei (Jap) Havas (French-German controlled) and Transocean (German) show Axis powers are winning.  Corregidor still holds--so does Singapore.
     Am reading a most interesting book, "Microbe Hunters" by P. deKruif.  I have lots of reading time on my hands--more than my eyes can stand.


February 6, 1942.  Friday.   61st Day.
     Cold but no rain.   Cloudy.  No sun for many days.
     Walked about 2 miles or more today.
     Local radio and papers claim Japs and Germans are still winning but give hardly any news of what Allies are doing.
     Our "free zone" is now extended to two blocks more west on Joffre.
     Finished "Microbe Hunters".  A most interesting book.
     Turned in my census card today.  Seems a census of Shanghai is being taken.

WR Lynch WW II Diary re Japanese Take-Over in Shanghai China. Days 58 and 59

Will Lynch goes out on a pass to eat and see a movie.  Hears that they may have repatriation in the ocean outside of East Africa.  Not pleased.   Roselyn


February 3, 1942.  Tuesday.   58th Day.
     Very cold.  Bought a large bottle of Listerine for Chinese $22.50.  Had "liberty" today.  
     Sold binoculars for Chinese $250.00 (about US $14.00), and gave Langley Chinese $20.00 for putting the deal over.  Originally cost, in 1936, Chinese $70.00 or about US $21.00.  I can use the present money better than the binoculars.  They were not strong enough, to wit, 6 x 30   E. Leitz, plus leather case.
     Had Chinese chow at Sun Ya with A.M.  We'll likely have Chinese chow again next Sat. Feb 7th, at May James'. 
     Saw movie today at Nanking, "Father Takes A Wife". A. Menjou and Gloria Swanson, fair comedy.
     JBS won at Rummy 2-1.


February 4, 1942.  Wednesday.  69th Day.
     Cold and sloppy.
     Paper says arrangements for repatriation via Lourenco Marques, East Africa, progressing.  Some of the gang don't relish such a long trip and possibilities of being sunk, to say nothing of shark infested waters.  Ugh!

WR Lynch WW II Diary re Japanese Take-Over in Shanghai China. Days 56 and 57

Will Lynch and other Consular people are put in the top floors of another hotel.  Roselyn


February 1, 1942.  Sunday.   56th Day
     We're still (settled?).  British have 6,7 and 8th floors.  They have wives and babies.  Americans have 9th floor.  All of us are fed in one small dining room.  Some eight of us Americans have put 3 or 4 tables together and dine "a la gang" (meaning together).
     Met two British gals today.  Seem to be governesses--and an affable sort.  
     We have a free zone of several blocks, including French Park, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.  Otherwise, must get a pass, applying a day in advance.
     Food is better here at Cathay Mansions than at Metropole Hotel.  Dining room is on the 11th floor.


February 2, 1942.  Monday.  57th Day.
     Walked this a.m., alone for an hour, and in p.m. with Brookhart in the "free zone".  Drizzily this morning.  Beat Brookhart badly at Rummy in afternoon--much to his chagrin.
     Am going out on a "pass" tomorrow.
     Colder.  Lots of beggars perish on the streets.
     Papers say Marine, formerly at Peking and Tientsin, are to arrive shortly.

WR Lynch WW II Diary re Japanese Take-Over in Shanghai China. Days 54 and 55

As you can see, Will Lynch was an avid game player and was not a gracious winner!  He spends time packing for the move to another hotel the next day.   Roselyn


January 30, 1942.  Friday.   54th Day
     Sloppy out, but streets dried by night.  
     Beat Mr. Groves 4 straight at cribbage.  Three were "skunks".  One was 3 holes short of a "double skunk".
     Move tomorrow to Cathay Mansions.  Packing tonight.  Dambdest job.
     Finished packing about 12:00 midnight.  Shaved.  No hot water.  Heard Customs clock strike 2:00 a.m.
     Set my Baby Ben for 6:50 a.m.   ( From Roselyn--Baby Ben was a small alarm clock.  I took one to college with me and still have it).


January 31, 1942.  Saturday.  55th Day
     Alarm clock alarmed as per 6:50 a.m.  
     Baggage smashers called 8:00 a.m. and got my nine pieces of baggage.
     I had tiffin (luncheon) at Metropole and with 2 Consular Japs and 4 or 5 others of U.S.A.
     Consulate came by crowded French bus to Cathy Mansions and arrived about 3:00 p. m.  My room is 903, too small.  Stanton says he thinks he can arrange to change to 605, a much nicer room.  I'll inspect first.
     A.M. called.  
     Inspected 605, but it seems to be occupied.
     Opened a can of Chesterfields, 50s.  (Cigarettes?).  I'd had for over 2 years.  Were in good condition.
     Registered at hotel desk and filled in several cards.  Required to show my occupation.  So I put down "diplomat".