December 7-8, 1941
December 8, 1941
Events Just Preceding 1942 Sunday, the seventh of December, being the first Sunday of month, was Union Sunday. Willie was at Cavite, and I was
Herman K. Beaber
(1907 -- 2001) American Protestant missionary; interned at Santo Tomas and Los Baños.
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Tues. Dec. 9/41
December 9, 1941
Nothing of importance occurred. We boys did a lot of walking around to see the different friends, and we got news of Japanese attacks on
Wed. Dec. 10/41
December 10, 1941
We decided to go to Pinagkaisahan and Guadalupe to see the friends and try to encourage them, as we know that most of the men
Thur. Dec. 11/41
December 11, 1941
The streets and roads leading out of the city were choked with people leaving. Some were in trucks; taxis, caratelas, calesas and some were just
Fri. Dec. 12/41
December 12, 1941
I went to Pinagkaisahan, and Cecil went to town to see if there was any mail. I got back all right, but Cecil got caught
Sat. Dec. 13/41
December 13, 1941
The news this morning was to the effect that more than a hundred planes came over central Luzon yesterday and attacked several military objectives. Eleven
Sun. Dec. 14/41
December 14, 1941
Had an air-raid warning during the night, one at daybreak and another just as I was getting ready to leave for Pasay. The all clear
Mon. Dec. 15/41
December 15, 1941
No raids last night, and we got a good rest. Small news dispatch coming from America admits that the damage to the fleet at Hawaii
Tues. Dec. 16/41
December 16, 1941
Cecil goes to market, and I go to Pinagkaisahan to see the folks there. They are to be evacuated by the Red Cross, as it
Wed. Dec. 17/41
December 17, 1941
Things are quiet. Filipino soldier came in yesterday to make sure we were not spies. We went to bed early, as it is impossible to
Thurs. Dec. 18/41
December 18, 1941
I wonder if we will have a raid today. Two days now with none and we are all breathing easier. Life is getting back to
Fri. Dec. 19/41
December 19, 1941
No raids last night! People are getting used to this life a little, and we see a few more peddlers around in the mornings and
Sat. Dec. 20/41
December 20, 1941
Had a quiet night. The enemy does not appear to like to bomb at night. Japanese landed on Victoria Island. (Hong Kong) Nothing new from
Sun. Dec. 21/41
December 21, 1941
Off to Pinagkaisahan, but find that every one of our friends have left. Return to Manila in time for the Meeting with Cecil and the
Mon. Dec. 22/41
December 22, 1941
Air raid at seven a.m. but it was short. Go to town to send a radiogram to Jack. Leo comes over to eat dinner with
Tues. Dec. 23/41
December 23, 1941
Leo and I go to town to register at the Consulate’s office. Got caught in a raid and stayed in the Elk’s club. Heavy fighting
Wed. Dec. 24/41
December 24, 1941
Cecil and I go to Pasay to talk things over with the other boys. Decide to move back to F. Fernando, as no use to
Thur. Dec. 25/41
December 25, 1941
Christmas Day. We do not feel like eating much breakfast. News is that the invaders are coming in on two or three sides, but our
Fri. Dec. 26/41
December 26, 1941
Had a quiet night except for the dogs. Cecil thought they were bad over on Rubi Street, but I think they are worse here. Air
Sat. Dec. 27/41
December 27, 1941
Cecil and I go to town to do a little business, and get home before the raid starts. Again they bomb the piers. Yesterday most
Sun. Dec. 28/41
December 28, 1941
Leo and I go to the Polo Club to attend a meeting at 8:30 a.m. of all the American men here in Pasay. Discussed a
Mon. Dec. 29/41
December 29, 1941
Manila pronounced an open city, but still the Port Area and other places were bombed yesterday. Blackout was done away with last night. The north
Tues. Dec. 30/41
December 30, 1941
Again we are assured that naval help is coming. But how or when we do not know. Corregidor was bombed for two hours yesterday. No
Wed. Dec. 31/41
December 31, 1941
Bombing raids on the city have ceased. Baguio is taken, and Americans there are interned. Ernest and I had a nice meeting at San Andres.
Thur. Jan. 1 1942
January 1, 1942
As Ernest and I were walking to Misos last evening for the meeting there, the sky was dark and foreboding with heavy clouds rolling up
Fri. Jan. 2/42
January 2, 1942
Stay pretty close to home, as we do not want to get caught on the street when the army comes in. The looting is terrible!
Sat. Jan. 3/42
January 3, 1942
Mr. Misos and Mr. Cruz came over to see us, as they know we must stay close to home. They tell us that looting still
Sun. Jan. 4/42
January 4, 1942
We stay home for Meeting, as we do not like to get too far away from the house. Mr. and Mrs. Hernandez are still here
Mon. Jan. 5/42
January 5, 1942
We stay home. Hear definitely that the Americans and British are being taken into concentration camps. What is in store for us? We pack a
Tues. Jan. 6/42
January 6, 1942
I phoned several places to try to find out what is expected of us. The city is still in confusion. No one is supposed to