Although Portugal was neutral in World War II, most Macanese were swept up in the suffering. Those from Shanghai and Hong Kong took refuge in Macau. Of the hundreds of young men who had enlisted in the army to defend Hong Kong, 33 were killed and almost all the remainder endured years of harsh confinement in Japanese prisoner-of-war camps. Here we present a collection of stories and personal accounts from those turbulent and uncertain years.
Embora Portugal fosse neutro na Segunda Guerra Mundial, a maioria dos macaenses foi afetada pelo sofrimento. Os que vieram de Xangai e Hong Kong refugiaram-se em Macau. Das centenas de jovens que se alistaram no exército para defender Hong Kong, 33 foram mortos e quase todos os restantes suportaram anos de dura prisão nos campos de prisioneiros de guerra japoneses. Apresentamos aqui uma recolha de histórias e relatos pessoais desses anos turbulentos e incertos.
Adeus Macauby Nuno Loureiro d’Eça This memoir was originally published in the UMA News Bulletin Nov-Dec 1998 The late Nuno Loureiro d’Eça lived in New Zealand after the war. The end of Macau as a Portuguese-administered territory is fast approaching and before that chapter closes I would like to express my sentiments and to relate […]
Alex 25th December 1941Joyce Osmund Van LangenbergChristmas 1941 was one of the greyest and grimmest in Hong Kong’s history, distinctly lacking the flavour and frivolity of Christmases past. Streets and pavements were devoid of last minute shoppers as the spirit of Christmas dwindled to a dim memory now that the battle in Gin Drinkers Line,
Autograph Book of Luis Gonzaga “Luigi” Gosano Livro de autógrafos de Luis Gonzaga “Luigi” Gosano This booklet, a priceless relic from Shamshuipo Prisoner-of-War Camp, Kowloon, Hong Kong, was given to me for safekeeping by Luigi’s good friend, Filomeno “Meno” Baptista. Some of the drawings – like this frontispiece – are unmistakeably the work of the
Bela Vista – Recollections of a Wartime Childhood Raquel de Carvalho Remedios First published in UMA Bulletin Spring 2013; reproduced here with links to people’s personal pages and with the addition of a photo from Escola Particular Idália da Luz It was Monday morning, December 8, 1941 and our amah, Ah Say, was trying her
Prison Camp Album Index The images in this section were from an album of Marciano Francisco de Paula “Naneli” Baptista MBE, mostly of his own drawings when he was a prisoner-of-war in Shamshuipo Camp, Kowloon, Hong Kong. His nephew Filomeno Marciano “Meno” Baptista kindly gave permission for them to be included in this website. Marciano “Naneli” Baptista (1896-1957) was
From Macau through China to India and Burma Hong Kong Portuguese in the Chindits Anne Ozorio February 2003When Hong Kong refugees poured out of Hong Kong after its occupation by the Japanese in December 1941, many were destitute. In Macau those who could claim any kind of British connection were supported by the British Consul,
Autobiography Oscar Jorge Collaço I was baptized at St. Peter’s Church in Shanghai by Rev. Père R. de Chalain with godfather uncle Gilberto and godmother aunty Mary. At age 3 I was taken to Day Care at a Portuguese lady’s home at Park Apts. I was born on a cold clear Monday on March
One man’s covert war mission changed Hong Kong historyIn August 1945 Roger Lobo – later a Hong Kong lawmaker – carried from Macau official confirmation war was over, allowing Britain to re-establish its rule and forestall a Chinese takeoverJason Wordie, SCMP 22/8/2015 Sir Roger Lobo (left) with retiring director of health Dr Thong Kah-Eong, in
by Daniel R Gomes Originally published in the UMA News Bulletin Spring 2009 Praia Grande During the 17th Century, Macau was the “Venice” of European trade with China, Japan and South East Asia. Here is a picture of Praia Grande, with the stately homes of the traders of that era.After the Opium
Escape from Shamshuipo Camp January 1942 by Joyce Osmund Van Langenberg “Shit!” swore aloud. “What kind of crap place is this?” He gazed in disgust at the devastation around him. In peacetime Shamshuipo Barracks provided amenable accommodation for thousands of men particularly from The 1st Battalion, the Middlesex Regiment. More comfortable than most barracks, it was
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