11-12 December 1941

Nervousness had kept me pouring coffee down my soar throat as I waited anxiously for the attack by the Japs and no sooner did it come when I swallowed the last drop in the pot. Their primitive war cry could be heard for mikes away and gunfire filled the air with chaos and devastation. What we did not expect were the tanks. How did they manage to get them through that basted jungle? Damm! All is lost. We were not prepared even after four days for their well-planned attack. They first took out our roads for food and cut off our water supply by blocking the stream. They slowly shelled us day and night until all was left were two buildings and a tent. We managed to escape from them as soon as the scout reported the tanks but leaving the ammunition behind was the worst thing we could have done. What I didn’t realize till it was too late was that I left the map showing all of the Queens defenses next to my dear coffee pot, which I too miss. This was going to be a hard fight and one we have little chance to win until we get to Singapore.