BAAG Naval Section Intelligence Summary, October 1942, ship repair, maintenance and movements

Elizabeth Ride has sent the Naval section of a British Army Aid Group (BAAG) Waichow Intelligence Summary (WIS No.8) dated 9th October 1942. This covers shipping movements in and out of Hong Kong during the Japanese occupation in World War Two during the very end of September 1942 (and possibly into October).

These reports also describes time spent by vessels undergoing repairs and maintenance in a number of Hong Kong shipyards.

They also offer a wide range of other information including that concerning the Japanese Army and Air Force and other aspects of life in Hong Kong during the Japanese occupation in which you may be interested. This is not usually included here. To see the full reports please refer to Further Information below.

HF: To aid research I have attempted to summarize and list the most salient points covered in the report under three sections:-

Firstly, Locations mentioned – both shipyards in HK and ports vessels have come from or are going to in South and East Asia.

Secondly, the names of Ships mentioned. This has not always been easy. My inability to read Chinese or Japanese is a clear hindrance. Plus even when in English whether typed or handwritten they are sometimes semi-legible. Any corrections or clarification would be helpful.

Thirdly, under Miscellaneous I have noted any items that I think might be of interest.

Further information regarding subjects mentioned in this report including images of the ships would be very welcome.

Locations: Kowloon Godown Wharf, Kowloon Dock – Dock 1, Shamshuipo / Sham Shui Po Dock

Ships mentioned:24 Sept 1942 Enemy convoy arrived in HK – one cruiser, one medium cruiser, four destroyers, six supply vessels, one transport and one Red Cross Ship No.238 – convoy left on 27/28 Sept

On 27 Sept 2,000 cavalry were seen marching to Kowloon Godown Wharf to embark on ships

Two types of patrol boats now operating in Hong Kong waters, Cutter No.100 – flag ship of the East River – previously a fishing boat, Kin Wa Maru – 8,000 tons, Kin Shan, one 3,000 ton motor ship, Tin Sang [2]- formerly a Jardine vessel [built 1922, in 1947 sold to Tientsin Navigation Co, Shanghai and renamed Tien Hsiang.]

Miscellaneous: La Salle College, Kowloon Dock – additional labour being put on with the sole purpose of having the new Empire ships finished

Apologies for the state of this report – white ants have been at work.

This article was first posted on 30th November 2016.

Further information: