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November 17, 1944

Last night while we were eating supper at 6:00 p.m., a volley of bullets started flying. We all jumped up from the table and ran downstairs to the shelter. The shooting continued for a while, and then all was quiet, but one never knows when it will start again. After the shooting, John looked out from the back porch and he saw Japanese soldiers crawling in the rice fields towards the coconut grove (about 2 km from us).

The rest of the evening was quiet and we were able to sleep.

This morning we arose early (at 6:00 a.m.) and got dressed. Breakfast was served at 7:30, and since it was Junior’s birthday, everybody sang “Happy Birthday.” He no more than finished unwrapping his gift when the shooting erupted again! It did not last long, so we did not go downstairs. It’s a great life dodging bullets and I wonder how long it will continue!!

Today several planes (Americans) and numerous Japanese planes have flown over the whole day. The island of Negros is being bombed almost every day, and the big bombs are being used. The concussion of these bombs is so great that it causes bleeding from the nose and ears.