April 18, 1942*

There has not been much doing for the past few days, not even a good rumor to make note of. However, this morning shows signs of renewed war activities and there are a number of Jap planes overhead, flying high and in the direction of Corregidor. The paper says Corregidor is weakening and they expect it’s fall any time now.

It is also reported that there is a shake-up in the U.S. Cabinet and Hull, Knox, Stimson and others are being kicked out and are responsible for the heavy American losses. It would be interesting to know if there is any truth in this report. Personally, I doubt it. As a matter of fact I don’t believe a damned thing I hear these days.

Probably the reason for inactivity during the past few days is the heat wave we have been going through, which just about reduces one to a mere grease spot. Yesterday it was 101.5’ and that is about as hot as it ever gets in these parts.

The air raids by our boys on Sunday and Monday are the last we have heard of so guess the heat has absorbed their ambition too. We learn that these two raids were made by flying fortresses from Australia and all returned to their base except one which developed engine trouble near Australia; the crew bailed out and were rescued but the plane was lost. There is plenty of work to be done here and the sooner they get started, the better we’ll like it. Stop me if you have heard that last phrase before. The European news is all good; the Russians are going strong and the collapse of Germany is predicted to take place within 45 days. I hope this is true, for if they do, the situation out here will be changed considerably. Information reaches us this morning that General McArthur made a speech over the radio from Australia that the Philippines were the first objective and that they intended going to work in a big way in the very near future. We have heard this several times before but hope they really mean it this time. This camp life is getting rather monotonous.

Although the food we get on the line is very meager and not too good, the Japs seem to think we are eating too well so commencing today they have taken over the Red Cross bodega and kitchen and intend trying to starve us. This morning we had our usual allotment of cracked wheat and a liquid called coffee, same as before, so will wait for tonights meal and we’ll know more about it. The Japs have taken all the canned and powdered milk to be found, for their injured leaving the Red Cross only a very small supply to take care of babies bare requirements for a short time. When this is gone we’ll have to figure out a new one some way. We hear from people on the outside that they are using a condensed cocoanut milk and getting by, so as long as the cocoanuts hold out we will be O.K. I never realized before how important a part milk is to war time rations, not only for infants but adults.

As I said before, there are all kinds of people in this camp; entertainers, professional galblers, business executives, newspaper men, and just about any lines you can think of. The result of this conglamoration is that we have a weekly newspaper called the "Internews" which really has no news at all except goings on in camp. Not much of a paper but am attaching a copy to this so you can see for yourself.

Every Saturday night the entertainers from the various night clubs (now interned) put on a show in the patio of the Main building. I never was much on this even when half “oiled” and don’t believe I could sit through one of their performances stone sober, so have not bothered to go to one of their shows since we have been locked up. Others say they are pretty good, so will have to take their word for it. Just about every one in camp goes to these shows which leaves things exceptionally quiet in our building so I stay here and enjoy the quiet much more than I would the show.

The young fellows in camp have organized a number of softball teams and put on a game most every morning and afternoon. Not being particularly interested I do not play but do spend quite a little time in the bleachers giving the boys the ol’ “razzberry” when they fumble. They all take it in good spirit and makes one forget their present plight. They also have basket ball, volley-ball and horse shoes. The latter is about my speed and I take my daily work-out this way. An old mans’ game, but then, I’m getting no younger fast, and can work up a good sweat, which is not hard to do these days, so that is all that is necessary.

*Interestingly, this is also the same day of the famous ‘Doolittle Raid.’