Japanese bomb Kowloon
Heroes Remember
Japanese bomb Kowloon
Transcript
Description
Mr. Whitman describes seeing a flight of aircraft approaching and thinking they are American. However, exploding bombs convince him the Japanese have declared war.
Allan Whitman
Allan Whitman was born in Bridgeville, Manitoba on February 21, 1921. His father ran a general store in which he also worked. Feeling it was his duty, Mr. Whitman enlisted with the Winnipeg Grenadiers in September, 1939 and trained at Minto and Tuxedo Barracks. In Hong Kong, he fought in D Company until his capture. Mr. Whitman became ill with dysentery, and later beri-beri, the debilitating effects of which kept him in hospital in Hong Kong until the war ended.
Meta Data
- Medium:
- Video
- Owner:
- Veterans Affairs Canada
- Duration:
- 1:18
- Person Interviewed:
- Allan Whitman
- War, Conflict or Mission:
- Second World War
- Battle/Campaign:
- Hong Kong
- Branch:
- Army
- Units/Ship:
- Winnipeg Grenadiers
- Occupation:
- Infantry
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Mr. Whitman discusses boarding his train to leave for Vancouver and being denied visitors. After soldiers threaten to not go, their families are allowed to say goodbye. He arrives aboard HMAS Awatea just in time for another protest.
Japanese mortar assault
Mr. Whitman describes the Japanese zeroing in on his sentry post in a hotel, with knee mortars. The last and closest is fortunately a dud. He is restationed near the kitchen, where he has an unexpected feed of freshly cooked chicken.
Escape in sock feet
Mr. Whitman describes leaving the hotel in sock feet in an effort to be as quiet as possible. When a machine gun opens fire, being noisy ceases to be an issue.
March to Fort Stanley
Mr. Whitman describes not being able to keep up on the march to Fort Stanley, due to malaria induced fatigue. He describes being shot at, but not caring because he is so ill.
Heavy shelling
Mr. Whitman describes being pinned down by Japanese artillery after leaving Fort Stanley, and having to listen as men die in a nearby building which had been struck by shells.
Dysentery was horrible.
Mr. Whitman describes the filthy conditions in the POW camp's dysentery ward. He manages to be released from the hospital for his birthday, but after eating some meat, is hospitalized again.
Beri-beri symptoms
Mr. Whitman describes the debilitating symptoms of beri-beri, and taking shots of thiamine as an antidote. The side effects of the injections are almost as uncomfortable.
American air raid
Mr. Whitman describes the optimism spawned by American air raids, and having to curb his enthusiasm in order to not irritate the guards.
Insult to injury
Mr. Whitman discusses going out on the town in Manila after he's liberated, and returning to his camp to find all of his money and belongings stolen.
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