WR Lynch WW II Diary Days 134 and 135

Will Lynch again comments on the shortage of food.  He says the Japanese are diverting food to Japan and thinks there will a crisis soon, unless food is permitted in more than now.  Roselyn


April 20, 1942.  Monday.  134th Day.
     Nice weather.  Got a pass and went downtown.
     Japanese soldiers and police were chasing all off Szechuen Road.  Seems Wang Ching Wei (China's Benedict Arnold--a traitor) was to pass that way.  Sad situation when a country's No. 1 must be thusly guarded!
     I had intended going to Canidrome to watch dogs being trained (he did not live far from the race track) but got back too late.  I got only the long walk downtown and back.
     Rummy score was 1-1.  JBS said it was his wedding anniversary and so would win.


April 21, 1942.  Tuesday.  135th Day.
     Nice weather.
     Via radio the Japanese admitted bombing of Japanese towns, but belittled, say damage was slight and that objects hit were hospitals and school!  Oh yeah, say we here.
     Seems provenance of bombers is unknown, apparently from Shangra-la.
     Seems repatriation may be possible ere long, via East Africa, as announcements via radio are more frequent lately.
     Food situation in Shanghai is becoming more acute recently.  Seems the Japanese are diverting food to Japan, paying for it in China with printed money.  Likely a crisis here shortly, unless food is permitted in more than now.


     

WR Lynch WW II Diary Days 131, 132 and 133

Will Lynch hears that US bombers from Australia hit Corregidor.  He says hot water is non existent now.  He continues to win at games.  Except for the boredom, I wonder why anyone plays with him!  I remember him as being a boastful winner and very poor loser!  Roselyn


April 17, 1942.  Friday.  131st Day.
     Still cold, but sunny.  Beat JBS 2-0 at rummy.
     Notice was circulated to observe the 10:00 - 4:00 "free" hour in future, as Japanese Consul notified their Gendarmes complained of slackness thereon.  So what!
     Rumor, via short wave, hath it U.S.A. bombers raided from Australia as far as Corregidor and took off some 20 odd officials.  More power to 'em.


April 18, 1942.  Saturday.  132nd Day. 
     Still chilly, but sunny.  
     Had a pass.  Saw movie, "Romeo and Juliet" for second time.  Excellent.  Returned SALOME to M. Byrd
     Ship chandler wants Ch $115.00 for one small and one large duffel bag.
     Noon hot water at hotel is fini!  Coal is scarce and said to be Chinese $1500.00 a ton? and very little arriving.
     Seems Japanese ships are being sunk, and our evacuation a bit problematical.  Well, selah!
     Notice today advised we are to sail May 25, 1942.  But I doubt.  


April 19, 1942.  Sunday.  133rd Day.     
     Cool and a bit wet.
     Had tiffin with A.M. at Winter garden.  Chinese $5.00 each and fare was not very good, but chow now is hard to get.
     Calder at supper announced Tokyo, Yokohama and Kobe had been bombed by U.S.  Wonder if it is true.  Whew!
     No pass today.  Probably due to my applying yesterday after 4:00 p.m.

WR Lynch WW II Diary Days 128, 129 and 130

Will Lynch notes that Consular officials and missionaries have arrived. He worries about France.  Roselyn


April 14, 1942.  Tuesday.  128th Day


     Lousy rainy chilly weather.  Ugh!
     Got passes for 3 to Cathay, and A.M. and I saw "Out of the Fog".  Fair, but acting good.
     Gave Mgr. Howe a bunch of razor blades as sort of a quid pro quo.  (I wonder, did he trade those for the tickets?).
     Radio says a bunch of Consular officials and missionaries have arrived today from Chefoo.  Paper says a bunch enroute from Canton.
     Beat JBS at rummy 3-0.  He declined to finish last game.


April 15, 1942.  Wednesday.  129th Day.


     Still rainy and chilly.
     Saw a movie.
     No good news yet.  Seems France might go "haywire" as Laval is to be Premier.
     Nothing to note.  Saw Nieh Kwan Chen.


April 16, 1942.  Thursday.  130th Day.


     Cold!  But no rain!
     Has "shore leave".  Got back blue trousers from tailor.  Better fit now.
     Saw "Bad Lands of Dakota" at Paris.  Not so good.
     Beat JBS 2-0 at rummy.
     No good war news yet, except possibly France may not go "haywire".
     "John Haig" at Wing On's is Chinese $200.00 a bottle.
     Read "Salome" by Oscar Wilde.  Ugh!


     

WR Lynch WW II Diary Days 125, 126 and 127

Will Lynch says war news is "lousy".  Bataan has fallen.  Roselyn


April 11, 1942.  Saturday.  125th Day.
     Nice weather.  Saw G. Giliberto re house.
     In afternoon had good Chinese chow at Mr. J.'s.  L. Ritter and A. Murphy were there.  Quite a combination.  Problem!  Nertz.
     Beat JBS at Rummy.
     War news continues lousy.  Seems Bataan Peninsula has passed, but Corregidor holds--and likely will for some time, I opine. Looks bad in India.


April 12, 1942.  Sunday.  126th Day.
     Cooler--but nice weather.
     Saw Dorothy Lamour in "Jungle Princess".  Fair.
     Have heard Japanese are bringing from outposts about a thousand enemy nationals for repatriation.  Whew!


April 13, 1942.  Monday.  127th Day.
     Sunny and cool.  
     Watched greyhounds in 17 training races at 11:00-12:00 a.m.  Very interesting.
     Saw .......ex Boston there and gave him some razor blades which pleased him.
     Beat Brookhart 2-1 and JBS 2-0 at rummy.
     No outstanding news a la war.

WR Lynch WW II Diary Days 123 and 124

Will Lynch got a pass to go to the Ballet Russe in the Grande Theater.  This theater was originally built in 1928 and has been completely redone in 2008. Roselyn.




April 9, 1942.  Thursday.  123rd Day. 

The Grande Theater built in 1928 and remodeled in 2008.
It was called "The Best Theater in the East"
Click on photo to enlarge.

Rear terrace of Grande Theater--was built in 1928 making
it very modern for that time. Note the Customs House
with the clock in the rear skyline.
Click on photo to enlarge

 Sunny and warm.  Put on a light spring suit.  Saw Ballet Russe at Grande. They put on "Lights and Shadows" and "Cleopatra".  Very small audience.  Music was ok.
     Seems our repatriation ship is a month late.  Rumor has it the intended ship has been sunk.  Radio says Bataan has "sued" for peace or terms.  Seems war is still going against us.  U.S. $ has hit 33.


April 10, 1942.  Friday.  124th Day.
     Sunny and cold.  Used spring suit and winter heavy overcoat.
     Chem Chong Fan and I completed Dec. 1-6, 1941, accounts and turned them over to Bg.  He has to get banker's rate certificate signed.
     Been sick.  Chen and I had Chinese tea at King Awa. Then I had an apple.  Was sick for several hours.
     Stanton says promised opening of Consulate for finals next week has been postponed, as sailing and April postponed.  Seems something awry.  Have heard ship sunk, which is ok.






     

WR Lynch WW II Diary Map of Shanghai

This is a map of Shanghai 1945, after War II was over. I thought you might like to  look for places mentioned in Will Lynch's diary.   Roselyn

Map of Shanghai in 1945
Click on map to enlarge picture. Number 4 may be the place called Cathay Mansions earlier.  Number 10 is the Grande Theater where he attended the Ballet and other cultural events. Number 12 is the Foreign YMCA where he checked out books.  Number 15 may be another place he stayed.  Number 20, the Metropol is the first place he was kept after he was taken prisoner.  Number 24 is Hamilton House, the apartment where he lived for many years while working for the Consular Service. 

WR Lynch World War II Diary Days 120, 121, and 122

 Will Lynch continues to wonder when American diplomats will be exchanged.  Roselyn.


April 6, 1942.  Monday.  120th Day.
     Sunny and a bit keen.  Got Masonic receipt.
     Had tea with two Russian women.  Russians sure do celebrate Easter.
    Much fewer alcoholics than usual, due to high prices.
    Re-wrote, as of April 8, 1942, statement in triplicate of my assets and WILL in quadruplicate.


April 7, 1942.  Tuesday.  121st Day.
     Sunny and nice.  Got a pass and went downtown.  Got a hair cut--Chinese $2.10 plus 20 cent tip--2.30--US$0.13.  Almost bought a canvas duffel bag for Chinese $48.00--about US$20.  If no trunks are allowed on repatriation ship, I'll likely need a duffel bag.
     Mr. Kay said he had heard the ship would be a month late.  That means leave end of May.
     Got typewriter back from S.V.C. and put it in No. 15.


April 8, 1942.  Wednesday.  122nd Day.
     Nice weather.
     A.M. called.  Also Mrs. James and they went out for chow and a show.
     Rumor has our boat won't be in till well in May.  I doubt it by then--if boat losses continue, and here's hopin'.