Diary of Arthur Seaforth Blackburn, April 1942 - November 1944, Part 14 of 26

May 16^thSunday. Attended Church Service. Meals are getting 
steadily worse & with the absence of further Red Cross 
stores are becoming really serious. I am in a perpetual 
state of hunger the last two or three days. Today's mid- 
day meal reached a new low level. There was  
less than one spoonful of vegetables (nearly all green  
vegetable tops) in a bowl of warm water in which 
the vegetables had been cooked. In the evening the 
Officer of the day had a talk with the Nipponese 
O.D about it & he promised to come & inspect the 
breakfast meal tomorrow. Late in the afternoon 
the Nippon authorities came along with some 
bananas and I got three, which were very 
tasty & much appreciated. Today I traded one 
17^th tin of bully beef (to be delivered when bully 
is next issued) for ten packets of cigarettes so I 
have some smokes, at least, for a while. 
17^th This morning Nippon O.D. inspected our breakfast & 
agreed that it was very poor. He explained that this 
is the off-season for vegetables & there are practically 
none procurable in the market. He stated that they 
have sent up into the mountains to another 
village to try to ensure a 
steady supply of sweet potatoes as soon as the 
crop comes in. In the meantime he has promised 
to try to issue a little flour, meesos & soya-bean 
sauce to strengthen up the soups until the 
vegetable supply can be improved. He was  
questioned about Red Cross supplies & explained that 
he cannot do anything about that at present as 
it is the result of certain orders but that he 
hopes the position will clear up in a few 
days and the issues commence again. The  
midday meal was an improvement so far as 
the rice went, there being considerably more, but 
the soup was no better. However some soya 
beans have been issued for tonight's soup and 
so we are living in hopes of a real improvement 
now. Yesterday and today have been thundery with 
very heavy showers of rain. 
18^th Red Cross Store was opened up by the Nippon authorities 
this morning to get out the weeks sugar, cocoa & corned 
beef. It was immediately discovered that white ants 
have got at it very badly. At least ten Red Cross 
individual parcels have been damaged, the chocolate 
tea & in fact everything not in tins having been 
ruined. In addition the corned beef boxes were absolutely 
riddled with white ants. A fortnight ago there was 
absolutely no sign of them. In spite of the spoiling of 
certain parcels, they refused to give permission to 
issue the individual parcels although they have moved 
them to another store in the effort to combat the 
white ants. The corned beef boxes all had to be taken 
out and opened up. We each received an issue today 
of three 12 oz tins & three 8 oz tins of corned beef & one 
tin of M&V. There are two more tins of M&V to come but 
it represents the issue up to 14 June. I am afraid 
it will not last me up to  until that date as I 
am much too hungry to keep myself down to 2 or 3 oz 
a day. Played another round of the bridge tournament 
today against Gen De Fenery and Gov. Spitz. Finished 3560 
up. Another rainy afternoon after a very pleasant 
sunny fresh morning. Yesterday was Trott's 49^th 
birthday. We had planned to give him a small 
dinner party out of our Red Cross parcels but as we  
didn't have them, we couldn't do anything.

19^th Very wet dull day. Meals have undoubtedly been better 
since the inspection of the kitchen than it was before. There 
is a bigger issue of rice & the soup is a little better. Did 
a swop of a book today - gave Sir Shenton Thomas "The 
Amateur Gentleman" in exchange for "Anthony Adverse" 
Vigilant guard tonight 11.30 -12.30. Karenko camp Comdt 
came through the camp today. Rumor is that our Camp 
Comdt is to be taken away for two months owing to ill 
health & the Karenko man will take his place for 
this period. Usual issue of sugar & cocoa plus a salt issue. 
Have given up eating salt under advice from Maxwell 
20^th Another wet, cold day. As the Nippon authorities are 
issuing curry powder regularly to the kitchen, it  
was decided by the food committee to issue all 
curry powder in stock to individuals. It came to about 
¾ of a tin each. It is rather a pity in a way as 
it would be a very useful reserve to hold against 
a shortage of supply for the kitchen. Played Pearson & 
Richards in the bridge tournament. Lost by 680. 
Had a very bad dream again last night. All night  
my beloved was calling to me and was in terrible 
need of me but I could not get to her. I feel that 
something is horribly wrong either with her or the 
children or in some way and I get depressed 
beyond words at the lack of news from home. 
Today we had an illustration of how quickly food  
can be prepared when necessary. At 1600 hrs ten 
live ducks were brought into camp. At 1800 hrs 
we had very nice duck soup - and the pieces 
of duck in it were quite eatable & tender. 
21^st This morning without any preliminary warning the 
camp routine was changed. Reveille blew at 0600 
hrs and the call for morning roll call at 0620 
hrs. Later in the morning it was announces that 
in future that would be the procedure - reveille 
at six o'clock and roll call twenty minutes later. 
No explanation has been given of the reason. 
This morning the Nipponese authorities at last 
released another issue of Red Cross parcels 
which caused great excitement. It is really 
extraordinary the thrill there is in opening up 
a parcel. My parcel was practically 
identical with the last one, the only difference 
being that I got a tin of curried mutton instead 
of beef steak pudding. There is a report current 
throughout the camp today that fighting in 
North Africa has ceased and Rommel himself  
has escaped to Germany. We are all much 
cheered at the news which seems to be 
authentic. 
22^nd inspected by a staff officer today. he just walked around 
& hardly spoke to anyone so apparently everything was 
satisfactory. Weather is fining up a little. Tonight we 
were informed that a real black out would be 
required. The shades on the lights were inspected 
again & in many cases had top be darkened still 
further. opened a tin of M&V from my Red Cross stores 
today and used half of it. Still no signs of cigarettes. 
23^rd Glorious bright sunny day. Owing to the black-out 
the authorities would not let the kitchen fire 
be lighted at the usual time so we had no 
tea before morning Roll call. It is extraordinary 
what a difference a small thing like that makes.

May 23^rd  (contd) This morning the authorities unexpectedly came along 
with an issue of bananas & paw-paws. They also 
informed us that the debit for gramophone records 
which they supplied the other day, as 14-90 yen per 
officer - which is a very large amount. In spite 
of my previous resolution I did a "swop" from my 
Red Cross parcel today - gave up the apple pudding 
& tin of golden syrup for a tin of condensed milk. 
I hated giving up the apple pudding but felt that 
the food value of a tin of condensed milk was 
far greater than the other two articles. Nippon 
authorities announced that they were trying to get more 
clogs so that we can each have a pair of bath 
clogs which will be very handy as although I have 
a pair of bath clogs now, my others are nearly worn 
out in the containing strap. More papers up to 12^th  
May came in yesterday & it is evident from them that 
things are moving at last in Europe. 
Held the most remarkable bridge hand - both in cards 
& result- that I have ever seen. We were 60 in 
rubber game. I dealt & picked up A,K,J,10 XXX 
XX clubs & J XXX diamonds. As a shut out I bid 
four clubs. Man on my left passed, my partner 
went four spades held K,Q,J,10 XX spades Q clubs 
K 10 XX hearts XX diamonds. man on his left passed. 
I went five clubs. My partner went six clubs, 
It was doubled. Man on my left had Ace  
of spades bare so led it. He also had only 
one trump, I trumped the ace of spades and lead a  
club up to the Q in dummy. Led out the 
four spades upon which I discarded my  
four diamonds & took the rest of the tricks, 
thus getting seven over with three aces  
against me. 
24^th Beautiful bright day. Paw-paws issued today- one 
slice per man. A mild heat is developing in the  
camp. One officer was slapped in the face yesterday 
for not saluting an the Nippon O.D. (he said he didn't 
see him) and today Sir Percy McIlraine was slapped 
in the face with a bundle of papers. The general 
air of the place is also much tenser. Made 
a banana pudding yesterday - with crushed up 
banana & rice which I had hot last night. It 
was extremely tasty. Meals generally are a little 
better than they were. Tonights supper was quite 
good. Soup fish, rice & sweet potatoes cooked 
seperately. I had half a tin of bully beef with it 
& so made a really good meal. Today we played  
the last round of our bridge tournament against 
Sir Shenton Thomas & Gen Keith Simmonds. We won 
by 1480, & and thus have qualified for the pl final 
play-off by the leading eight pairs. Sir Shenton 
Thomas received a parcel yesterday which his 
wife had sent on to him from Changi, having received 
it herself from South Africa. We are all still 
anxiously awaiting mail of some sort - even if it 
is only one letter from home! 
25^th close, hot day. This afternoon we at last got a 
cigarette issue supply - seventeen packets of ten each 
per a man. This is the first supply for a long time 
and everyone is dreadfully short. There seems 
to be no promise whatever of a more regular 
May 25^th 
(contd) supply in the future. A lot of pork also came in today 
from the Karenko camp - portion of one of the pigs 
there. It was almost on the turn by the time it 
reached here but was nevertheless very acceptable 
& tonight we had a wonderful meal - rich 
pork soup with a lot of meat & vegetables in it. Rice 
cooked in pork fat & with fried onions etc in it & 
two sweet potatoes each. 
May26^th Had the best night last night since I arrived here, 
only having to get up once at 2.30 in the morning. 
It was a very hot oppressive night & I didn't 
need even a sheet over me. Usual weekly issue of 
sugar & cocoa today from Red Cross stores. I 
opened a tin of condensed milk from my parcel 
& did myself proud with a cup of cocoa with 
plenty of condensed milk in it. Had the misfortune 
to break off a tooth at breakfast this morning 
when I bit on to a small piece of bone in the  
soup. My eyes are getting rapidly worse & my 
reading now has to be limited to about half an 
hour at the most. 
27^th Last night Col Glattly from the Hospital staff forgot to put 
his boots away in the boot-room before roll call & 
there was a great to-do at evening roll call. Today 
the boot-room was kept locked all day which 
I presume was in the nature of a punishment upon 
all of us. I was consequently unable to have my 
usual walk. At evening roll-call yesterday the Nipponese 
O.D. asked if anyone was sick or ill or if our health 
was all right which was a new departure. Today 
a cart load of new potatoes - about 230 kilos - came 
in, so apparently the new seasons potatoes are coming 
in. We have great hopes of future supplies in view 
of this. Played the first match in Bridge tournament  
play-off (which is to be played between winners & 
runners up in each section) today. Won by 3550. 
Vigilant guard tonight - my first under the new 
scheme of 1½ hrs each - from 1.30 to three o'clock. 
28^th Very close & hot in the morning but overcast & dull 
in the afternoon. Boot room opened up today so 
could resume my walks. Made a pudding of 
rice & tomatoes from my Red Cross parcel. It was 
excellent and was easily the best thing I have  
managed to cook so far. 
29^th Heavy rain all night last night & most of today. 
The enlisted men in the camp were made to work 
through quite a lot of the rain yesterday afternoon 
& all day today. They are repairing a road 
from the camp to the main road. This morning 
they worked very hard for two hours with only 
ten minutes spells. They also worked all afternoon. 
They were however given an extra issue of rice 
making about double their usual issue. Meals 
have been very much better the last few 
days & tonights meal was the best since I reached 
Karenko (Feby 1^st) Very thick soup with - almost 
a solid stew - with pork & soya beans in it, a 
good supply of sweet potatoes & and the usual rice. 
Had a bad night last night - up four 
times. Had a liberal dash of salt with my 
midday meal, the first for about a month, 
this may have accounted for it.

May 30^th Sunday. Glorious bright day. Attended Church as 
usual. Nipponese authorities decided to kill four of 
our goats for tonight's supper but on catching  
them found they were all in "kid" so the scheme 
was naturally abandoned. Nevertheless the 
meals have been very good & vegetables very 
plentiful. Have a feeling that things are going 
on better at home now. For some reason I feel 
that Rose has been through some great trouble 
lately, but that things are improving. I have 
recommenced doing what I am afraid I have 
given up doing since I was a boy, that is 
praying every night. I pray always to God 
to look after Rose & the girls & keep them safe 
& free from worries & troubles. The future 
is all so uncertain for me but for one thing 
above all else I hope that I come through 
all this - and that is to try to tell to Rose 
how much I love her and how much she 
has meant to me through all my life, in spite 
of my many terrible shortcomings. At least 
whatever else I have done in my life, I can 
truthfully say that I have never been false 
to Rose and to my love for her, and 
I am conscious of an ever increasing desire 
to hold her in my arms again & tell her 
all I can put into words of that. 
31^st Very hectic day today. Early this morning we were 
warned of a coming inspection & to get everything 
ready. The enlisted men were put hard at work 
cleaning up all around the building. Then later 
in the day came the order that we must be prepared 
for inspection at 1600 hrs. Shortly after this the 
Camp Comdt. from Karenko appeared & walked 
around the camp. Then the inspection at 1600 hrs 
was made - but only by the Nippon O.D. 
However it is clear that something big is about 
to take place. 
June 1^st Early this morning, shortly after Roll call we 
were informed that a representative of the International 
Red Cross would inspect the camp today, Dr. Paravachinci 
a Swiss. Midday meal was put on to 1100 hrs & 
we were warned to be ready about 1330 hrs. 
Fourteen Senior Officers were selected & "drilled up" 
by the Nipponese as to what to ask etc. Gen 
Callaghan represented the Australians. About 1200 
he arrived & the fourteen Senior Officers were  
taken away to a marquee erected in the vicinity. They  
were there interviewed by the Dr. who was surrounded 
by a large number of Nippon officers & authorities. 
The interview was quite satisfactory & he explained 
that they were doing all they could. He said 
they had many hundred of tons of Red 
Cross stores available but transport for same 
could not be arranged yet. Mail was also 
in Japan in very large quantities & he 
hoped that that would be delivered shortly. 
Medical stores, clothing etc was being taken up 
with the Nipponese authorities & he hoped would  
be satisfactorily adjusted, He see later walked 
through the camp & inspected same. He seemed a 
very efficient man anxious to do his job to his 
interest. We were then warned for a parade at 
1500 hrs. On arrival there a complete surprise 
was sprung upon us as we were informed 
by the Karenko Camp Comdt. that the 28 officers, 
civilians & O.R.s referred to previously would be 
staying on in this camp & that all the rest of us 
would be going to another camp in a few days. 
In subsequent conversation with some senior officers 
he stated that we would return to Karenko  
for a few days & then move on to another 
camp. It is a damned nuisance to have to 
pack everything up again. About 1630 hrs 
they agreed to mo release all the balance of the 
Red Cross stores (except boots) including individual parcels, so we will all have large 
quantities of sugar, cocoa, bully beef etc to 
carry with us in addition to our ordinary 
gear. The report is that we will only be 
permitted to carry take with us what we can 
actually carry & that the rest will come on 
to us in our new camp. This will be very 
inconvenient as it will be difficult to find 
containers for loose sugar, cocoa etc & to pack it 
safely. However we must just wait & see what 
happens! 
June 2^nd Orders came through immediately after roll call to have 
all our heavy baggage packed by 1700 hrs. We were 
informed that we would return to Karenko where  
we would stay for about two days and then go on 
to the new camp. Our heavy baggage is to go 
seperately by steamer and we will not see it again 
until after we reach our new camp. Everything 
must be classed as heavy baggage which we are 
unable to actually carry with us. Later on in the 
morning this was amended by allowing those of us 
who have private mattresses keep them until we 
ourselves go. Arrangements were immediately made for the 
issue of Red Cross stores to the limit of what we could 
carry. We each received a double issue of sugar & treble 
issue of cocoa. Individual parcels, salt, boots & balance 
of our share of sugar, beef, M&V ration etc are to be carried 
in bulk. Spent a very busy day packing as I realise 
we may be two or three weeks without our heavy baggage 
& the question of what to carry in my pack took a lot of 
careful thought. 
3^rd Told this morning that everyone except the Dutch 
could write a letter home with no limit as to  
length except that it must be on one sheet 
& that the letter will not be censored. We presume 
this means that it will not be censored here but 
only in Tokyo. Letter had to be in duplicate & completed 
by tonight. Played Gen. Key & Brig Ballantine in 
Bridge tournament and were beaten by 1920. Weighed 
by the Japs today- 50.8 kilos 111.60 an increase of .8 
kilos. Two of our blankets were withdrawn today 
in preparation for the move. 
4^th Informed this morning that the move will be tomorrow. 
Remaining heavy blanket & mattress cover etc were taken 
this morning. Our tables & forms also went so we are 
living, eating etc on our beds at present. 
5^th Reveille 0500 hrs. Breakfast 0630 - moved off by train 
at 0930. Arrived Karenko after a hot trip at 1630 hrs. 
Issued with one loaf of bread each for the trip.

June 5^th (contd) Found all our friends still at Karenko but under 
orders to move on 7^th or 8^th Informed that we will have a three 
mile march to do so must travel light. Everything except 
what we can carry the whole distance to be packed up & 
ready to be taken by 0900hrs tomorrow. I am fortunate in 
having my mattress with me for tonight but most officers 
are sleeping on the floor. Found that Webb (Aust. Red Cross 
Commissioner) is in the cells, allegedly for disobeying an order. 
It appears that all officers were told to unpack straw  
mattresses etc. When the job was almost completed & 
there were far more officers there than there was  
work for Webb & a number of others went up to their 
rooms. B.P. followed them up with a sentry; went 
straight to the room where Webb & others were & placed 
him only under arrest & put him in the cells. Everyone feels 
the real offence is because he put in a strong 
letter about the use by the Camp Authorities of 
200 lbs of Red Cross sugar for ordinary ration purposes. 
Webb was released late this evening. Thyer had to go over 
to cells whilst Camp Comdt. spoke to Webb. It was made 
quite clear that real offence was his letter re Red 
Cross stores as Camp Comdt told him that be deserved 
severe punishment for writing a letter which reflected  
upon the honor of & integrity of the Nippon army.  Searle 
informs me that immediately prior to visit of representative 
of International Red Cross Society large notice was put on the 
window of one of the downstairs rooms showing an 
alleged price list of goods which could be purchased 
in the canteen in that room, together with hours of 
selling etc & fixing certain times of the week for the pur- 
chase of tobacco & cigarettes. Nothing ever was sold from 
the room but the Red Cross represent. saw the notice. 
As soon as he left, the notice as taken down. 
Spent the day seeing various friends. Enlisted men working 
hard packing up everything. 
6^th Heavy baggage of all sorts packed up today. The whole 
camp is being moved, including all tables & chairs, blankets 
furniture & even all the timber from the fowl-yards, pig-pens 
etc. Pigs have all been killed or sold but goats, fowls  
& rabbits are all to be crated & taken with us. Lorries 
running backwards & forwards all day to the railway station 
Very uncomfortable day as not even a bedstead or box left 
to sit on. Meals have to be served & eaten off the floor. 
Eyes very bad today - aching badly & sight particularly 
blurred. 
7^th Reveille 0500 hrs. Remaining one blanket packed up & taken 
by lorry. We moved off at 0950 & marched without a halt 
along a good bitumen road to the wharf at Karenko port 
arriving at 1055 hrs. Bo Embarked upon the Hanza Maru 
a very clean modern ship. We were sent to the 3^rd class 
accomodation only one deck down. The accomodation was 
excellent. Good clean mats to sit on & all portholes open so 
that we could look out & see where we were going. We 
hugged the coast along which we had driven when coming  
to Karenko & could see the road cut out of the face of 
the cliff. We arrived at Suo, the same railhead as when we 
came to Karenko at 1615 hrs, having left Karenko at 1200 hrs. 
We were landed in open boats, ship anchoring about 600-700 
yds off shore. The boats were large wooden barges 
which were towed ashore by motor & oil launches. The 
surf was fairly heavy but the landing was very 
skilfully done. The launch cast off when we were 
close to the beach & then natives rowed us in stern  
first when right in to the shore natives from the shore  
waded out & lifted the barge as the waves got 
under the bow until she was hard aground. A  
plank was then put from the stern to the beach & we 
filed ashore. All blankets, luggage (etc heavy) kitchen gear, 
live stock, mosquito nets etc as well as all personnel including 
the sick from hospital some of whom were stretcher cases 
were brought ashore in this manner & everything was completed 
by 1900 hrs which was a very creditable job. We then 
marched about 500 yds to the Railway Station & after waiting about 
¾hr. entrained, The train was crowded to capacity but everyone 
had seating accomodation & the carriages were 
comfortable & clean. Whilst walking to the train one of the 
guard pushed into my hands, three big paw-paws & ordered 
me to carry them for him in addition to my own luggage. 
When we got onto the train he came & got them from me & 
never even gave me a slice. We left Suo at 2030 hrs 
& travelled all night. After Before we started we were 
made to put up all shutters but soon after we  
started we were permitted to put down the shutters & look out
(it was quite dark of course) provided we  
put them up when slowing down for a station & 
until we started again. During the night the 
Camp Cmdt. came into our carriage & sat in our  
compartment & yarned to Trott, Webb & I for about an hour. 
He told us he had just done three years duty 
in South China. He discussed our new camp with us 
& was very pleasant. At one Station - I believe Taih 
Taiko Taihocku- the Col. in charge of prisoners in 
Taiwan came through the train. 
8^th We arrived at a Station  at 1030hrs & disentrained. we 
Then got into open trucks on a narrow gauge track &  
arrived at a village at 1300hrs. During the whole 
of this trip it was evident that the villagers had 
been told of our coming & officially turned out to 
see us. Not only the Adults were marshalled under 
an official but all the school-children lined the 
route under their teachers. They looked very pretty 
clean & well-nourished & their smiles were quite 
friendly. We got off the trucks & were informed that we 
had a march of two kilos. to camp. All who really 
felt that they were unable to carry all they had with them 
were permitted to dump it on the side of the 
road & it was brought on by trucks. We arrived at the 
camp at 1400hrs. Much of the camp was obviously 
newly built, pathways etc not being completed. It 
began to rain very heavily soon after we arrived 
& very soon everything was deep in mud. At first 
sight the camp seems very well laid out & promises 
considerable comfort. Gens & Brigs were put into a new 
building - two to a room. The rooms are airy & well 
lighted with big sliding glass windows & mosquito 
screens. In each room were pu two bamboo 
bedsteads, a table with two drawers & two pu  upholstered 
chairs. I am sharing a room with Gen. Callaghan. 
Soon after arrival we were issued with hot tea & 
after evening roll call, with 3 bananas. We were 
also supplied with one light & heavy blanket each. 
However the water was not yet connected up & we 
had to go to bed unwashed. As we had had no 
decent wash since leaving Karenko, it was a bit unfortunate. 
June 9^th Slept very well indeed from 2130 - 0530 without a break. 
Still no water. It rained all night & still raining today. 
Breakfast was very late, not until 0900 hrs, as water 
for the kitchen had to be carted in. We are going to 
have great trouble with ants. I opened a tin 
of meat for supper last night & left it on my shelf 
in a bowl. Within half an hour of putting it there it 
was crawling alive with ants & it is obvious that we 
will have to make ant proof shelves to put eatables 
on. Everyone has had the same experience. Another 
three bananas issued today. Each Officer has two 
wide, open, shelves to put belongings on.