Journal of Eric H. Germann: Holograph, 1942

File — Box: 6, Folder: 15

Identifier: III

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

Covering the period of February 12 to 14, 1942, Germann's journal is written in pencil over or around entries on two pages taken from a Dutch record book.
Germann, an American brewer working in Singapore, writes about leaving Singapore in company with about 250 other refugees aboard the "Vyner-Brooke." He describes the daily events and some of the people aboard ship. The "Vyner Brooke" was one of a number of ships sunk by the Japanese in the Bangka Straits in February of 1942. Germann describes the bombing and events afterward until his lifeboat, towing some rafts, landed on Bangka Island.
February 14, 1942
"...About 1:30 pm. 6 Nippon bombers approached from south....No hysteria but uncertainess [sic] on what to do on nearly everyone's part. All available men began lowering boats (3 on either side) as ship began to list heavily to starboard....During the next 5 1/2 hours we rowed for Banka [sic] about 15-20 miles off, picking up about 9 more women....we touched Banka [sic] about 8 pm.

Dates

1942

Conditions Governing Access

Twenty-four hour advanced notice encouraged. Materials must be used on-site. Access to parts of this collection may be restricted under provisions of state or federal law.