Unit diaries relating to service of Geoffrey W. Fennell - Wallet 2 - Part 10

Stop press. 2000 (!) letters just arrived on "The Hill"! These were distributed

on Monday June 5th and everyone did well except Jacky Cooper who had still to

break his Duck. Early postcards have in some cases reached their destinations.

Latest letters received were dated August 1943. On June 6th a Red Cross

representative visited the camp and met British, US, Australian and Dutch representatives. He was a big Swiss who said that his chief job was to see to the issue of Red Cross Food, Clothing and Comforts, and to arrange for delivery of Mail, and arrange for cables in cases of death and urgency. The Camp representative brought up these points first and mentioned:

 

a. Inadequate Meats and Fats (b) Clothing supplied not enough to go round (3) Poor Mail Service (d) Lack of Hospital Supplies and Medical and Dental equipment (e) Books and particularly Technical Books, Communion Bread and Wine. We should like a visit from the representative of our Protective Power. The CCMA said "What for?" and was eventually told that we should like an answer to the letter given him on his last visit. Some of the parcels arrived incomplete, at which the CCMA took umbrage. He then said that the system of Exchange Ships had broken down. An English exchange ship was supposed to have sailed sailed about the same time as "The Cupsholm" but had not done so. A new method was being tried by which supplies would come once a month. By Trans-Siberian Railway??? All heavy clothing-quite rightly-had gone to Manchukuo where the camps were pretty bleak, I should imagine. He was empowered to spend money on local purchases - but the Co-Poverty Sphere had not got

what we really want! Mail Services should be more regular in future. There were

now Red X representatives in Java, Borneo, and Sumatra, and worked in with those in Hong Kong, and Shanghai. The CCMA said that any urgent cables could be sent at once. The Red Cross man, whose name I think was Dr Perosi, said he would do all in his power to help. Iced lemonade and pastries were served.

 

Col Jephson and Major Fennell got some news about Changi from which it appeared that any fit man of the Regiment would have been sent up country, so when the RAF officers passed through Singapore, only sick were in Selarang Barracks and Birdwood Camp was used as a transit camp only. From letters we heard that Major Don had gone to the Staff College. The Regimental Wives were all keeping in touch with each other, and swopping news.

 

On Saturday June 10th, an event of some importance took place. At the last visit of Col Sazaki he had said that we were being treated very nearly up to the standard of International Law. A letter was made out showing the differences, and a copy was attached of the Regulations regarding treatment of Italian Officer Prisoners in India. Apart from the food question the chief bone of contention was work. In international law work for officers is not compulsory, but if they ask for it, suitable work must be found. The letter was put up to Heoki who did not want to forward it. He understood our point of view himself and had certainly done all he could to make things

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as easy as possible. He was afraid that the Colonel would look at it from the

Oriental point of view, and treat it as a criticism of Nipponese methods. The letter was however forwarded.

 

Subsequent events showed the Heoki was right. On the day following the Red X visit (June 6th) te CCMA called on June 9th a very short conference in which he said the work was purely or health reasons, to pass the time, and to increase the rations from the farm. It was only fair that those who worked should get extra food. He refused to discuss it and more or less said "You can take it or leave it". On Saturday a form had to be submitted showing those who volunteered to work and those who did not want to work, no special mention being made of the farm. Each POW had to sign his name in the appropriate column. This caused a lot of discussion. There were many o us who were perfectly prepared to work on the farm under the old "Goonless conditions, as it was not too arduous and was quite pleasant in its way. On the other hand, there were a number of older officers who found the compulsory work a hardship. Also, having been hoodwinked so much in the past, we were not inclined to give them a blank cheque, which would cover them at any inquiry by the Red Cross or Protective

Power into our treatment in the past. Had they said "Who wants to work on the farm" and had made it clear that those who said they did not want to work would merely not draw working rice and not be victimised rather many would have said they were ready to 'work'. As it was, only six officers volunteered.

 

Sunday was a day of rest. On Monday June 12th the camp gates remained closed and it was evident that the Colonel had ordered a "Lock Out". All boots were returned to store and various regulations came into force as at "Taihoku:- no sitting or lying on beds, no smoking except at the tables, no music or cards except at weekends, constant visits by sentries, no siesta hour, no meetings, no working rice, no farm produce, and worst of all, no private chairs for 9 & 10 squads - why we couldn't make out! The sitting and lying down rule therefore only affected 9 & 10 squads to any real extent.

 

The Yasmai Park was also closed. There was a hut inspection and a few fish knives and illicit shoes were discovered; and the criminals were lodged in the guard room. It was obvious from Heoki's demeanour that he had received a rocket from the Colonel and he rather felt that his policy of conciliation had not paid. This situation still continued - rather stupid as it could easily be adjusted so as to satisfy both sides. Signatures are not really necessary and all that is required are the actual numbers who wish to take exercise in the form of farm work for 2½ hours a day, which is not harmful to anybody and certainly did pass the time. Having gone so far, however, the next move must come from them.

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A mail of over 1000 British letters arrived and was just going to be delivered

when a similar amount arrived in addition, so that they are going to issue

together. We hope that all outstandings up to August 43 will be cleared up by

this batch, and the "News Pool" should benefit accordingly. Heoki was asked

by the BORs if he had any news to give them. He said "No",but that they could

take it that No news was Good news-for us! The BORs are not affected by the

Lock-Out as no one was involved. The captor power can use other ranks for work. They are working on the farm and on pig-killing day received all the meat-less 20% for the Nips and some or the Hospital.

 

On June 27th two events occurred. The British Lt Cols over 45 in 8 Squad suddenly got orders to move into less commodious quarters in 6 Squad. At the same time 9 & 10 Squads had to furnish the names of those over 43. In the afternoon all officers in 9 & 10 over 43 of age, irrespective of rank, moved over into 8 Squad and found their new quarters more airy, and it was pleasant to get away from the Guard Room and the fence! At the same time it was sad breaking up old "table" and "bay" ties. There was also an issue of Mail, mostly old '42 stuff, but there is another batch to come after it has been censored, and it is believed to be of later date.

 

On June 28th the newcomers arrived from Taichao Camp and proved to be from 18 Div. Their Camp Staff had told them that the 2nd Front had started in May. This Camp had been used as a Hospital Camp, and were very sad to hear that Bdr Blankney (RHQ), Dvr Farmer F of 73, and Dvr Meggitt Signal Section had all died from Beri-beri.

 

July, to start with, was noted for some new, satisfactory War rumours regarding the opening of the Second Front. Sentries going through the bungalow pointed out Paris, Rotterdam, and Hamburg(?) The Interpreter tod the enlisted men "You have heard some of these rumours but you don't know the half of it!" Some very satisfactory ones referred to the land of the Pagoda ad one of the Dutch was told by Harold that Japan Proper had been bombed every day or the last three weeks by 100-200 planes. The Farm work was still being done by the BORs but now and then 9 & 10 Squads were turned out to pull up grass under "Grumpy" under the heading of Anti-Malarial Work.

 

There was quite a lot of malaria and also a form of flue, not to mention a recurrence of foot troubles owing to the damp ground and dirt. About the 9th we heard that 88 Canadian Red Cross parcels had arrived and also some more mail as there was no news of any more coming, it was decided to issue them out on the basis of 1 parcel among 6. The parcel contained the following items: 1 tin Salmon, 1 tin Milk, 1 Apple & Raspberry Jam, 1 Tin Bully, 1 tin Butter, ¼lb Tea, ¼lb Sugar, ¼lb Cheese, 7 ozs Raisins, 1lb Chocolate, 1 tin Sardines, 1 Bar Soap, 6 ozs Prunes, 10 large Biscuits: Tin Galantine, 1 packet Salt. Very nice for one person, but not much for 6, but still very welcome.

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Joe, the Goon, alias the Minister o Production, had been very active of late.

One evening he found Col Lynam, an Australian, flat on his bed reading a book.

He took his name off his ticket and rushed off for NCO of the Guard, and

Lynam went elsewhere. When he came back he couldn't see him and started enquiring for Col Edwards, who nobody knew! He had copied down the Christian name by mistake! Next day he tried again. Jerry "Squire" Dodson, Archer and Brown were sitting on the edge of the fire-well. Jerry wanted a cigarette so jumped in at the window to have one. Joe at once jumped to the conclusion that he had committed some crime so started to ask questions with the aid of Col Woods, the interpreter. As he couldn't pin anything down to him, he took him to the Guard Room but the NCO chased them away and Joe had a flea in his ear.

 

On August 14th Grumpy came on parade one day in a bad temper, when the Dutch Squad were going on Anti-malarial work. A young marine was not wearing boots. Grumpy asked why and was told that he was more comfortable without them but could do the work all right. Grumpy flew into a rage a started to hit him and also drew his sword. The Dutchman put up his hands to defend himself but he was pulled up to The Hill beaten up and put in the Guard Room or 10 days. 7 & 8 Squads had a roll call at once and were addressed by Rumbulus who said that on this occasion the offender would join the Guard Room, but future disobeyers would be treated as on the battlefield!! Rumbulus had seen no battles and we rather felt tat he was speaking out of turn. Fortunately there are no Harrovians in the Camp or they might be insulted by references to the Hill!

 

An American Gunner Colonel called Quintard had usually been in charge of most of 9 Squad during the working days, and had been very good to us. He was never worried and Jap-happy, ad incidentally got more work done than anyone else. Major Fennell said one day that we ought to make him an Honorary Englishman! The idea was taken up and Windy Forbes produced an illuminated Scroll complete with Red Seal giving him his Charter for considering himself an Honorary Member of the British Commonwealth of Nations and the British and Australians in No 9 Squad all agreed it. He was very pleased.

 

On July 24th there was a big issue of British Mail. Most of it was '43 but some

got Air Mail Postcards as late as May '44 a real improvement. It seems to point

out that the new Air Route via Russia and Siberia is working and we have the hope that Red Cross Parcels may be using the same route. If only we could get a parcel even every three months it would make such a difference. This month the vegetables have been very short and the stews of poor quality. However we have been told a long time ago that it would be so at this time. Owing to the "Voluntary Working Strike" we have not had any sweet potatoes from the Farm, which has made a lot of difference. Pork was also forbidden though on July 26th this was relaxed and we had some.

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"Childe" Harold, a very young Nip officer, had been rechristened the Boy Bastard, after a short time! He had apparently been reading the old mediaeval standing orders and one night he rushed into 9 Squad hut after Roll Call and prevented them going to bed until Lights Out and an order was sent round to tat effect. Very childish and will incidentally increase the malaria in all probability as the mosquitoes are very active at that time and we usually used to get away from them under our nets to read. Take care of your Health! The next time he was on it was noticed that the Guards were all wearing rubber shoes. Sure enough, between 8.45 and 9.30 they came through in shoals, but we were ready for them! We had a real good laugh and the Guards reminded us of Mr Charles Sidebottom's No 5 Company showing The Passing of the Roman Army in "The Sign of the Cross"with the same men going through again and again to indicate numbers!

 

After various rumours there was a surprise issue of Mail on August 6th. One

feature of it was that some officers including Capt Pearson received more Air

Mail postcards. On August 12th, there was a 2 days' inspection by the Colonel.

He was chiefly concerned with the Camp Staff and held a .......conference.

He brought orders from Tokyo but there would be no further issue of Newspapers, and also that the Rice Ration of Officers and the Civilian population in Taiwan were to be cut from 420-390 grams a day. At the same time we were told that the PX policy would be unaltered and although sugar was scarce we should get some if possible. The practical effect of the cut roughly worked out as follows. The amount of rice porridge for breakfast remained unchanged. For lunch we used to get a cylinder of rice from "The Sewell Rice Serving Machine" complete with plunger about 4 inches high and 3 inches across; this would be followed by a "leggy" about an inch thick, and some lucky ones on the roster would get another one. Under the new rules however we might only get a leggy every other meal.

 

On August 14th the old Sow decided that she had done her stuff and died in the

night! A post-mortem was held, and the Doctors fortunately decided that she had

not died of anything terrible, and therefore was fit to eat!!! The stew benefited

accordingly.

 

There had been a considerable tobacco famine and only those with reserves managed to keep going. This failure however ended on Aug 20th with 15 packets of Asaki a head and a fairly good ration of Nokos for them what wanted them. No sugar or syrup arrived, much to the sorrow of non-smokers and the sweet-toothed gentry.

 

On August 21st there was a weighing ad the weights showed a decrease. No working rice, "anti-malarial" work, and very poor vegetables no doubt contributed. However, the vegetable supply should improve before long. The last week of August there was no work for officers. It was generally understood that the Guard has refused 

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to take responsibility if we were sent outside the fence with only a few goons.

A good sign. There were also air raids at some time or other every night, and

they certainly did not have the appearance of being merely practices. The PX

lorry did not appear again until the last Friday of the month but contained Sugar

ad Syrup, Ketchup and sauce.. We get so much sauce that the owner of the firm

making it must have some connection with the camp! On Sept 5th the interpreter

told Col Pugh, O/C Farm that the chief vet in Taiwan was coming to castrate the

Pigs. Jim Fasson had already done it a month ago with a razor blade!

 

During the last 2 days Sept 1 & 2 there was a water shortage in spite of the rain.

We learnt that the exit from the Reservoir had become blocked up, but until it

was cleared, carrying parties were required as in the old days. Sept 1st produced some cold nights, very pleasant. The 5th Anniversary of the War found us very optimistic for hearing the joybells of Victory. The Holiday continued but in

the week commencing Sept 11th, inspectionitis started and on Monday there was a wholesale "policing". The Hill and the Guard had apparently come to terms ad on Tuesday, Wed, and Thursday, 90 officers went out in the morning and afternoons. The sick were not inspected by the Nips and it was left to Squads to turn out as big a quota as possible. I wonder if it will be the last time we clear Yasmai Park! 16 Rabbits were killed on Sept 12th. The Nips took 5, guts and entrails to TB patients, flesh to the BORs, bones to officers!! Two days the BORs went out wood cutting by lorry and the wood pile now looks quite good. General feeling of hunger as 3% of rice is not enough calories even to sit down and do nowt, so the doctors say.

 

On Friday and Saturday Sept 22 and 23, there was a medical inspection of Camp by a Doctor from Taihoku. Before this "Policing"and Anti-Malarial work without working Rice were the order of the day, but just before the inspection it chiefly consisted of sitting in the Padang armed with a Razor Blade! On Sept 23rd, Col Postumus, a retired Dutch Colonel died of Heart Failure just after evening Roll Call. He was 60 and found lie and his food much of a hardship at his age. A very interesting book called Tales from the North was widely spoken of and since the arrival of a number of Volumes of The Times Historian's History of the World, people have got very Historically minded and "Quizzes" now bristle with Historical Facts previously unknown. Another issue of Mail on Sept 14th and also at once 1000 more letters were reported as having arrived. They were mostly from England March-October 1943. Indian Mail seems to have ceased for the present, though in this respect Col Jephson and "Q" Horner are the only ones affected, Mrs Fennell and Mrs Pearson having gone Home. The end of September produced a first class excitement as 36 American, Dutch, Australian Generals got orders to move in 24 hrs. They were to take with them only

10kg of kit with the result that there was some frenzied packing problems as they were mostly well equipped with the world's goods. They left for Taihoku on Oct 1st, and it was generally expected that they would be flown to Japan. The British Generals

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expected orders to move, and sure enough they came, but they were allowed 30kg of Kit as a mistake had been made. The first party of 16 and 3 batmen left on Oct 3rd and the heavy kits of the first party went with them to be sorted out at Taihoku. Our old friend General Key was in this party and he told Major Fennell to be certain to get in touch with him later either in England or India, to tell him the full story of the Regiment after the puzzle had been joined together. Brigadiers Goodman and Rusher were both due to go. There was naturally a good deal of discussion as to the meaning of the move, but it was generally agreed that it would probably be a good thing for the Generals themselves, and also it indicated that things were approaching an end.

 

Just before the end of the month 3 members of 9, 10, and 12 Squads went down with paratyphoid fever. As a result they were moved down to Kagi Hospital and the squads were put into isolation, their foods and water being brought to them by 7, 8 and 11 squads. A large hole was dug outside the camp for the disposal of excreta. A large consignment of syrup arrived at the end of September, but the cigarette famine remained acute. The Goons told the BORs that they were now rationed to 7 a day. Plug Ugly turned up on escort duty and told us that all those left behind at Taihoku were well. Good news as we had heard rumours that Francis was ill. Oct 5th Great aerial activity all proceeding North East. What for! 5 Bloodhounds arrived on the 4th - or rather 5 very skinny pye dogs with every bone showing! They were chained up with barbed wire.

 

Excitements were not over as on Oct 9th the British and American and Dutch Colonels left a 4am! They were allowed to take 30Kg of Kit with them and warned that they were going to a very cold climate? Manchuria or Japan? Their heavy kit went by lorry and they carried the remainder with them to the Sugar Railway Station 2 miles away. On the 11th all Squads moved into the Colonels hut to form 4 Squads with No 2 a combined British, Dutch and Australian Squad. Col Jephson took over Col Pilets job as O/C Administration. On Oct 12th the Bombing Season started and Air Raid Red went on the whole day, also on the 13th and 14th. There were 3 or 4 heavy raids each day in the vicinity and judging by the noise, a number of planes must have been engaged. Anti aircraft and MG fire were distinctly heard and the crump of falling bombs made the hut shake. Kagi and aerodromes were probably the targets. It was a bit of a change to think that we were within 15000 ft of our FREE Kith and Kin! The last aircraft we had seen of our own were at Segamat 2½ years ago! Since the departure o the other parties the food had improved and a pig was killed on the 19th.

Dring raid alarms we were confined to the huts with the blinds drawn and have to be on our beds. No hardship!! The 2 Paratyphoid cases were released from Kagi Hospital for safety reasons so they were informed. Fortunately they turned out to be suffering from ordinary fever.

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The next excitement was that on Oct 24th a large party of about 35 officers and 

70 other ranks arrived from Haito. The officers were mostly Sappers from Malaya but a few had come from Thailand. They had been 3 months on the way after working on the Railway 180 miles long. 1 death to every 4 sleepers, 15000 Europeans and 50,000 Tamils dying from Cholera. They went by ship to Borneo when it broke down and was finally sunk in Manila. Officers and men worked alike. From the Regiment point of view the following arrived: Sgt Hay, Sgt Mason, Bdr Trew, LBdr Ellis, Gnr Dooley, Gnr Holmes, Gnr Ottaway, Gnr Styzacher, Gnr Pearce A J, Gnr Scriven. We heard of other men in Haito and that RSM Bishop was now in charge of the Camp Horse! They had seen the Generals pass through the camp. They were in a very poor state of health having had to push 5 ton trucks in the Taiwan Sugar Development Country which ran the Camp under the manager Tamaki.

 

The following evening a party of about 100 men arrived from the Mining Camp at Kinkasaki. They did not arrive until after dark, which was just as well as

even the few ones really sick from Haito did not look a very good advertisement

for rice diet! The Generals hut was converted into a Hospital annexe and their

worst cases were put straight to bed. They were all in a very poor physical condition and had there been more accommodation more would have been taken in. The chief diseases were dysentery, beri beri and malnutrition in general. The party were from 5 Field, 83 Anti Tank Regt and 155 Field Regt with a few Div Sigs, who were with us in Taihoku. They said that Taihoku was now a very good camp as "Typhoon" had turned out an excellent Camp Commandant.

 

The following men of the Regiment arrived: Sgt Elliott, Act/L/Sgt Scott, Bdr Noble, L/Bdr Ellis, L/Bdr Duff, L/Bdr Wersby, Gnr Clarke, RC, Gnr Casey, Gnr Dooley, Dvr Early, Signalman Gibbons (Sig Sec), Signalman Grubb (Sig Sec), Gnr Holmes J, Gnr Humphries A, Signalman Henderson (Sig Sec), Dvr Rowe F, Sig Rivers R C S, Dvr Robinson T, Gnr Waghorne.

 

They were all in an appalling condition of malnutrition and some of them had

dysentery. Sgt Elliott and L/Bdr Wersby were admitted to Hospital at once. There

was nothing wrong with their spirits and they were equally convinced as we were that the Japanese were on their last legs and that Germany was to all intents and purposes out of the war. One brought a message rom BQMS Penett that QM Horner's wife had arrived in India ad had heard that Q Horner was dead. A very unpleasant mistake. It probably referred to the Q Horner in 18 Div.

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THE PRISON CAMPS OF TAIWAN

It is now possible to mention and describe the other Camps in Taiwan as men in

the Regiment have been in most of them, and officers have been met who have been in the remainder. I will start with a general description of the Camps and will give a more detailed account of them later. Starting from the North of the Island, about 30 miles from Port Keelung.

 

A. Kinkasaki

This was run in conjunction with a large out of date Copper mine, which was worked at full speed for the Jap war effort, and was responsible for more illness, debility and accidents than any other. The Commandant were Capt Wakyama and later Capt Nomura who came from Shirakawa. The first occupants were from 80 Anti Tank and 155 (The Lanarkshire Yeomanry) but later parties were exchanged with the Regt and Div Sigs from Taihoku. After Lt Col Napier 80 Anti Tank Regt let for Shirakawa, Major Crossley of the same Regt took over and matters improved somewhat. Major Wheeler RAMC from Taihoku and Capt Seed RAMC both did first class work particularly the former, whose attention to accidents was beyond all praise. The Camp was made up to 1000 from other sources. The work was very unhealthy being mostly underground and falls of roof were very frequent.

 

B. Taihoku

30 miles from Keelung was Taihoku which has already been described. After the

officers left for Shirakawa, it was used as a transit camp for convalescents from

the mine and the work was agricultural.

 

C. Taichu

On the main line about 100 miles South of Taihoku. Nothing very much was known about this camp except that it was used for sick men eventually, previous to their removal to Haito. It was mostly occupied by Sappers and Infantry.

 

D.Shirakawa

6 miles from Kagi Station and already described.

 

E. Haito

Haito was 15 miles from the port of Takao and was run for the benefit of the Taiwan Sugar Development Company. It was originally occupied by the first party of 260 officers from Singapore, mostly Sappers, Corps HQ, Australians and the remainder were a mixed bag of all nationalities. 5 Field sent a party there under RSM Bishop. The trucks were 5 tonners as against 1 tonners at Taihoku, nuff said. Lt Tamaki was the Commandant.

 

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F. Tamasatu

On the East Coast. It was occupied by the Generals for 2 months during the period of the Red Cross Inspection. It was well got up, with hot water laid on so to speak. After the inspection they returned to

 

G. Karenko

Some 150 miles South of Keelung on the Coast where agricultural work was handed out to the Generals, Governors, Colonels etc. Capt Nomura was the Commandant. When Shirakawa Camp was opened, all were transferred there and the Camp was closed. The Tropic of Cancer ran close to Shirakawa.

 

DESCRIPTION OF HAITO CAMP

[See hand drawn diagram]

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