The year 1944 was one of the double-flood years and the Nips excelled themselves. After the first flood had washed us out they presumed it was over again for a year. A month later, when the river was dangerously rising again and reports from above spoke of heavy rain – as heavy as in July – the Nips laughed and refused to take it seriously. Then, as was so typical, when the water was only eighteen inches from the top of the main river bank and coming steadily up, and when it was already touching the garden at the bottom end of the camp where the tributary had flooded two days before, they suddenly mobilised every man in the camp on night and day shifts to build the dams and bunds we had been asking for at least a week early. After 24 hours work, a continuous bund about four feet high and two feet broad on the top had been completed at the bottom end of the camp, but the efforts on the main river were obviously too late, and though another bund was made there about two feet high, it never looked like being strong enough to hold the main river.

A day after the first bund was made the water rose to within three inches of the top, and 180 British and Dutch were detailed under officers for two hour shifts all through the night. I relieved Henry at 4 a.m., in charge of a British sector of about 100 men. It was one of the most extraordinary night experiences of my life and not easy to describe.