May 9, 1942

Time marches on! Was busy yesterday making a table for a friend so again this was neglected. By keeping busy the time fairly flies and I don't seem to get around to doing half the things I should. Have sent outside for some tools and hope to go into the carpentry business and pick up a little small change now and then around camp. Have also been busy making home brew from pineapple cuttings. Bottled the first batch this morning and it's not bad either, although a few days more might do it some good. We are not allowed any liquor in here so quite a number have been making their own. I hope to get in a little "alky" to spike it then we'll really have something - Or go blind - either one - What does it matter?

The fall of Corregidor is definite. Yesterday the Japs were parading all around town on band wagons celebrating the occasion, and the morning paper shows General Wainwright surrendering. At last nights rumor session we hear that Corregidor had run out of both food and ammunition. This is surprising as most every one was under the impression that they could hold out for at least two years. This appears to be another example of poor management or judgement on the part of our forces. It is going to be a most interesting story to read after this is all over.

The European situation appears to continue toward the final climax which we all hope will be soon. It is my opinion that we here in the Philippines have seen the last of actual warfare and fighting and that the decisive battle grounds will be Japan. We know of only two air raids on Japan to date but expect there will be plenty as soon as Germany folds up.

Now that the Japs have complete control of the Philippines many believe that we will soon be let out to shift for ourselves before the rainy season sets in. Unless the States banks open in which we have money, I don't see that it will do us much good as the Japs have taken over all our properties, business money and jobs. We understand that the Red Cross expense for feeding us in here, two damn slim meals per day, is P1.20 [pesos] or U.S. $.60 (sixty cents). I'd like to know who is getting the fifty cents, for the meals surely can not cost more than a dime at the very outside. Personally I believe the big shots in the Red Cross are making a fortunate [sic] on this. One of the directors happens to own a business in Manila that has been taken over by the Japs so guess he is trying to make up for it at our and the Red Cross' expense. It must be the nature of the beasts to be always on the look-out to gyp some one out of a dime even in critical times such as these. One of Bill's friends.