Diary of Arthur Seaforth Blackburn, April 1942 - November 1944, Part 15 of 26
June 10th Another good night. Slept on solidly until 0550 hrs.
Still raining & very wet & muddy. Meals fairly good
so far & hot water position improving. Yesterday we
got practically none & as we have been warned that
it is unsafe to drink unboiled water, it was a
bit uncomfortable. Today we received a bucket per
squad (about 30) 4 times. Mosquitoes very bad here & at
night we are almost eaten alive as there are no mosquito
nets yet until today when they were issued on basis of one
for 4 officers. This means carrying my bedding etc into another
room for the night but it is worth it. I am in No 1 squad
consisting of 16 American Gens & Brigs, 8 Dutch Gens, Callaghan,
myself, Taylor & Maxwell, Trott & Torrance. The squads are
of an awkward size for meals as it is difficult to serve
out for 30. I washed out my singlet and underpants today
as they were stiff with sweat & I have to no spares but the
rain started again at once & I couldn't dry them so had
to wear my pyjamas all the time.
The camp is a barrack for troops which has been added
to by necessary buildings & surrounded by a fence about
10 - 12 feet high built of bamboo. There are practically
no roads or pathways made. The camp itself is on the
bank of a small river and is very low - lying.
It is surrounded by trees & big bamboo & low hills.
The mountains started about two or three miles away.
We cannot see anything whatever of the surrounding
country as our immediate view is limited to the
confines of the camp. However whilst coming here in open
trucks we could see that it was good fertile country.
The whole way we were travelling through sugar cane,
sweet potatoes, peanuts & all sorts of other vegetables; also
extensive rice fields.
11th Still very wet & terribly muddy. Rained all day without
a break. Nippon authorities sent for Brig Trott today & told
him that from now on he will cease to have anything
to do with Red Cross stores. B.P. arrived today. Mattresses
filled with straw were issued. So far we have been
sleeping on the floor.
12th Vigilant guard started here last night. One officer in
each but has to go on duty at a time so we will each
get it about 1 night in 9 or 10 as we are going to do 1½
hrs each & there are 61 in this hut. Earthquake this
morning at 0530 hrs. Very wet again & a bit colder.
Spent the morning trying to clean the windows in my
room, scrubbing the table & floor etc. Had only one
small dirty rag & one handkerchief available so fully
realise now the difficulties of window cleaning.
For some reason I had an extremely vivid dream
about Malcolm & Mary last night. In my dream Rose
& I were rash enough to try to smooth out their
differences & disagreements - and remarkably enough
we succeeded in doing so & bringing them together
again. Rose & the children & Malcolm, Mary & Christine
were all extremely vivid. I only wish it were true !
The Nippon authorities again stated today that the
reason vegetables were a bit scarce was because
of the weunexpectedly wet weather.
13th Weather broke during the night & this morning by the time
we got up the rain had stopped, although there were
still plenty of clouds about. Immediately after breakfast
I again washed the few clothes I have here with me
or rather I rinsed them in cold water as I cannot spare
any soap at present. We get no hot water for washing
at all. It is becoming very difficult as my clothes, socks
etc were all wringing wet from sweat when we
arrived & the weather has been pretty " sweaty" ever
June 13th
contd since. Attended church service this morning.
14th Fine bright day, sun being really hot. Poor meals are
continuing. Order issued this morning that Nippon Authorities
forbid anyone to lie on their beds between reveille &
evening roll call. It seems a senseless rule as there is nothing
whatever to do in the afternoons for most of us & practically
no reading matter here until our heavy baggage arrives. The
Japanese papers which we see fairly regularly - the ones printed
in English - have been absolutely full lately of reports that we are
persistently bombing their hospital ships & also those of the
Italians & Germans. About the middle of May the papers set out
nine alleged cases of deliberate bombing of hospital ships
or attacks on them by submarines & say that Japan has filed
a protest through the proper channels. Had a real "bridge"
day today. Played from 0900 - 1130 & 1330 - 1715. Rumors are
current tonight of a good Red Cross issue tomorrow.
15. Another hot sunny day morning. Shortly after breakfast received
an issue of 1 lb sugar ½ lb salt 1 & 12 oz, & 1 8 oz tin of bully.
Worked for half an hour carrying stones & making a pathway
through the mud. Felt quite exhausted when I finished.
Went across to have a shower this afternoon as there is a nice
room with four good showers, but found that the water
was turned off. An unpleasant skin disease is spreading
throughout the camp. Boots were all called in & put into
a bootroom today.
16th Found this morning that ants had got into my sugar
in spite of all my precautions. made a strong wooden
tray & stood the legs in water & put my sugar on that.
Parade ordered for 1300 hrs. The original Camp Comdt from
Karenko addressed us & informed us that he would
live with us & work with us & endeavour to make our
conditions "like utopia" . He explained that communications
were poor but we were in a rich district. We
all hope this forecasts much more vegetables & fruit.
3 bananas per man issued today. Order issued that in
future there will be no hot baths but showers will
be working & we may take a shower whenever we like.
17th First outside morning roll call. Interpreter placed us
on parade facing in a certain direction. B.P. kept came
on parade to take the roll call & then kept us waiting
whilst he altered the whole parade around to face in
another direction. Fixed hours for drawing hot water
have now been arranged - 0800, 1030, 1315 & 1530 hrs.
The personnel in this camp are : -
from TAMASATA ( our previous camp
after we originally left KARENKO) 48 officers
From KARENKO 189 "
Enlisted men (total) 84
The name of this camp is and it is about
17 kilos from
The approx stacks of Red Cross stores still unissued are :-
corned beef 1955 lbs.
M & V 1066 "
sugar 4595 "
salt 950 "
Parcels 254 "
As we people from TAMASATA have had more of our
proportion of the Red Cross stuff issued to us than the
KARENKO people have, it is necessary to adjust same
by issuing the remaining stocks ( which the Nippons have
pooled) in greater quantity to the KARENKO people
than to us.
Heavy baggage started to arrive today. Only my
mattress roll arrived but none of my other. All
water was cut off at about 1400 hrs owing to a
breakdown in the artesian bore.
June 18th Water still disconnected & everyone feeling very dirty &
uncomfortable. Water was carried in during the night
by natives for breakfast which was served on time.
At about 0630 hrs a big tank on wheels arrived with
more for lunch soup etc but at about 0800 the water
service was restored. Very heavy rain commenced
about 0700 hrs & the place was very soon water logged.
meals were much improved today as a big supply of
sweet potatoes came in, Was Am on vigilant guard tonight
from 0430 - 0600.
19th Heavy baggage is arriving in small bits each day but so
far no more of mine until today when my kitbag
arrived absolutely soaked through. Still waiting for
my trunk. The lorries mostly bring in furniture, timber
etc & only occasional bits of baggage. Issue of ¼ of a
water - melon each & two bananas today. Order issued
today that if anyone was sent to hospital with
"diarrhoea due to not masticating their food properly"
they would not be permitted to receive treatments. No
indication given as to how this is to be decided.
Commenced serving the rice today in conjunction
with Bakkers. It is a big job serving for 30. As my
mosquito net was in my kitbag I returned to sleeping
in my own room tonight. Order out today that in
future "siestas" would be allowed from 1300 - 1500.
20th Very heavy earthtremor at 0830 this morning, the heaviest
we have yet had. It started with a single loud
explosion instead of the usual gradually increasing roar,
and there was no following roar, so it might possibly
have been a big explosion somewhere. Af Just before
Church Service today it was announced that everyone
must stand by for dental examination so services had
to be postponed. More baggage is arriving daily but
still no signs of my trunk. We were each issued with
1 12 oz tin of bully & about 3 lbs of sugar today also 2
bananas. "Banjos" are in a shocking condition, they are
overflowing into the open drains & the stench around
the camp is overpowering. My room is immediately opposite
& about 10 feet from the biggest banjo & there is now
a great pool of urine reaching almost to my window.
21st Earth tremor at 0600 hrs this morning. My trunk
arrived today. It is battered almost out of recognition.
I had to break it open as the locking device had been
so badly bent. Having forced it open it wont shut
again but I had everything tightly packed that
there was not a single breakage. I stopped the
interpreter as the he passed through our hut this
morning & got permission to move into a vacant room
on the opposite side of the passage so we moved
after lunch. The room has a much pleasanter
outlook onto trees bordering the small river which
runs alongside us & it away from the immediate
presence of the "Banjo". Very wet afternoon.
22nd. Uneventful day. Washed clothes in the morning. Went
to bed immediately after roll call & switched off the
light. A sentry came in immediately & made us
switch it on again as it wasn't lights out until
2100 hrs!
23rd. Order issued today when we complained about the light
incident last night that in future lights will not be
permitted to be turned off until 2100 hrs. Reported that
hospital will move into a new building which is
going up in one corner of the compound as soon as it
is finished & that then about 90 more officers with
it. Cols & Majors will be moved into the camp. W
All remaining Red Cross stores were issued today. It worked
out at about 6 lbs of sugar each. It was impossible to find
individual containers for this so it was put in the original
bags on a bedstead standing in tins of water & will be
gradually issued as required. We each got 3 tins of M&V &
3 parcels between 4. Callaghan & I being an odd two over got
1 ½ parcels between us. Three more bananas each today.
June 24th A proposal was made today apparently by some American
officers, that as a token of appreciation we should give the
Camp Comdt. 10 12 oz tins of bully beef out of our a
small surplus which remains. It is suggested that he is
cross with us over something & that this will propitiate
him. I am glad to say that the proposal was turned down
by an overwhelming majority in this squad & others.
3 more bananas today. Meals have become much
better the last few days & we hope that the lean
period is over for the present.
25.Fence around new hospital building shutting it off from rest
of compound was removed this morning. Two more bananas
each today & also ten packets of cigarettes each. It has
been raining practically every afternoon lately and so
I have started another method of cleaning my clothes.
I hav found a bucket "loitering" which apparently no
body claimed, so I put the dirty clothes in it & put
it where it catches the overflow from the roof & leave
them soaking in the rainwater all night & all day &
then after about 48 hours will take them out & rinse
them. Interpreter informed us on evening roll call that
there are already 15 cases of malaria in the hospital. 2
26 bananas each today.
26th First death in this camp occurred last night, Col.
Berecina of the U.S.A. who had been in hospital
at Karenko for a long time with heart trouble of
which he finally died. Uneventful day. Three more
bananas each & a basket of meat in the soup which
gave it quite a flavour. There are a large number of
baby rabbits here now & they are a sheer delight.
The rabbits are of a variety known as New Zealand
Whites. Long white fur & pink eyes. The young ones
are the sweetest things ever. They are allowed out
& hop all over the place. They have become completely
tame & don't in the least mind being picked up
& fondled. They come quite readily to you if you
hold out your hand & even the grown ones don't
mind being stroked. I have seldom seen anything
lovelier or more 'cuddlesome" than the baby ones. They
nestle against your body & twitch their noses &
their ears & look at one in the most engaging way.
27th Sunday. At Service this morning Brig. Gen Brougher introduced
an innovation. He delivered a very thoughtful & good
address on the subject "Blessed is the meek for they shall
inherit the earth". He pointed out that "meek" is synonomous
with our "humble" and eulanged on the virtues of proper
humility with appropriate reading of passages from the
New Testament. It was very much appreciated by all
except the "die-hards" who disapproved of any
variation from the established following of the C of E
service in the prayer-book. 2 bananas each.
28. Uneventful day. Three more bananas, Each. It is
becoming quite regular & is much appreciated. Vigilant
guard tonight from 2400-0130. Mosquitoes are
getting worse & worse. Bangos becoming full to over-
flowing everywhere. Ours has not been emptied since
we arrived here.
29. Malaria cases are steadily increasing. Four to five per day
are admitted to hospital & several in addition are being
treated in their own rooms. In addition to all this
it is reported that six of the Japanese staff are down
with it. It is rumored that the camp was closed
some time ago as a Japanese barracks owing to the
prevalence of malaria. A staff officer - a General
I believe - from Prisoner of War Bureau Tokyo
inspected us today. We all stood in our rooms
or quarters & he just walked along the corridor.
So far as I know he didn't speak to any of the
prisoners. managed to do an exchange today of
two 12 oz. tins of bully for three 8 oz. tins. The 8 oz. tins
suit me much better as I can make them
last only about two days in this climate.
30th. This morning at 0900hrs a Nippon Col. & various
other officers came through the came & inspected
us. No bananas today - the first day we
have missed for some time. Uneventful
day - very hot & with no rain. I finished my
spell as food server tonight. We are going to
do 14 days each division of the squad.
July 1st Water turned on today in our wash-place. It will
take a few days for the wooden cistern etc. to "take up" but and at present it leaks like a seive but it
is a great convenience as it gives us a place to wash
ourselves close to our rooms & is also right alongside
the "banjo". Two mangoves each issued today but no
bananas. They don't look very good mangoves.
Brig, Trott down with malaria this afternoon.
Camp authorities took 20 Colonels out to work this
morning which is the first tmie time they have had
compulsory work for officers for some time. Earth
tremor last night about 2100 hrs.
July 2nd. Ants got across my "defences" last night & this morning
my sugar was swarming in them. I had to spend a long
time cleaning it up & "persuading" the ants out of it. It
must be a terrible trial to housekeepers in this country!
Another inspection this morning by some Col. from the staff. A
very tall, pleasant looking officer. This afternoon I walked
down to the end of the passage to go into a room there & play bridge & got a very nice strong breeze blowing in. Something
in it, & do not know whether it was a scent of
something or what it as, carried me terribly, vividly
back home. It was so sharp that I nearly howled
with longing.
3rd Very hot clear day up to midday cloudy but still hot in afternoon Hottest sun we have
had so far. It is curious how unstable the earth's
surface is here. There is an earth tremor of greater
or less degree practically every 24 hours. Had an
acute attack of indigestion last night which
kept me awake for some time. It is the first I
have had since long before leaving JAVA so
am feeling a bit disappointed today. Have been
having the most phenomenal run of luck at
bridge lately. The My friends keep "twitting"
me with the old saying "lucky at cards, unlucky
in love", but I know better. I doubt if any
human being knows better than I do how
lucky I am in my love - with Rose for my wife.
Another inspection today. This time by a Major-Gen
from H.Q. at Faikoku, the capital of the Island.
He was a tall pleasant looking, soldierly looking
man.
July 4th. The glorious 4th July, so dear to the Americans. In celebration we were allowed to heat pudding, tinned
foods etc in the kitchen this morning, for midday
meal I heated a steak & tomato pudding out of my
Red Cross parcel. This afternoon we were issued
with a pan each & also a parcel of cookies, & seven
bananas. Tonight's soup was the best since we
have come to this camp, really thick & with quite
a bit of meat in it.
It is remarkable how touchy everyone gets in this
camp, leading the life we do. I think everyone
has periodical fits of deep depression - I know I
do. When one is in this state a chance joking
remark assumes terrible proportions & one is apt
to brood over them until one becomes so
miserable that he is a burden to himself & to
everyone else. It is quite noticeable to me
and tends to make me very careful in what I
say to other people. Am having a slight recurrence
of "tinea" on my feet & had to go to Col.
Derham & get them treated again today.
Attended the usual church service today.
July 5th All our chairs & tables were taken away today &
taken right out of the camp, which of course created
a flood of rumors as to a move. However late
this afternoon a fresh lot of tables & chairs
came in & were issued. We got a much better
table & chairs just about the same
so did well out of the change. An amusing
incident occurred over the chairs, which again
illustrates how "touchy" & suspicious this life
makes people. Our group of six Australians - or rather
5 Aust & 1 Canadian - got six chairs allotted to
us. Two good well sprung chairs, three chairs
with upholstered seats but no springs & one
plain hard wooden chair. We arranged them
in three groups - each of the sprung chairs with
an unsprung upholstered chair & the wooden
chair & and unsprung upholstered one making the
third group. We then cut cards for the order
in which we were to take our pick of the groups.
I cut lowest & with the remark "Well, I know
which group will be left for me" picked up
the wooden chair & took it into my room. I
was immediately accused by I. of putting a
'swifty" over him by walking off with the
wooden chair before he had had his pick!
I immediately offered him the wooden chair
in return for any other at all & he took up &
the incident closed.
6th Very hot humid day. Started working this morning
in constructing a path to lead to the "banjo" out of
the mud. After about a quarter of an hour the Interpreter
came along & ordered us to stop as they were going
to do that. Trott a bit off colour with "tummy" trouble
today. Inglis (my batman) has developed skin
disease & so has to go off all duty. A large body
of troops - looks about a Bn - marched today to
some barracks about ¼ mile away.
July 7th We got a little bit of excitement last night. At
evening roll call the interpreter informed us that a
typhoon was expected during the night & that
we must make sure that everything was securely
fastened, windows secured etc. It had been
getting more & more oppressive all day & by evening
there was a terribly black angry looking
sky. About 2100 hrs it started to rain but soon
stopped & that was all that happened. There
wasn't even a gentle breeze! This morning we
were warned that the Major Gen. in charge of
Army Police would inspect us at 0830 hrs. We got
all ready & waited in our rooms until 0930 hrs
when we were informed that the inspection was
postponed. This afternoon we were allowed to get
at out spare footwear which we had not seen
since leaving Tamasaka & to clean same. mine My
shoes had a coating of mould over them & were
a bit bent out of shape but were not in bad
condition.
8th Vigilant guard last night 0130-0300 hrs. Rain started
about midnight & continued all day night & today. Very
cool breeze, in fact the coolest day since we have arrived
here. Last scale training manoeuvres have been going on
around us yesterday, last night & today in spite of the
rain. Heavy firing (blanks of course) from rifles, M,GS
& artillery ga has been going on all the time. This
afternoon we were issued with sheets, blankets
etc. - 2 sheets each & two more blankets. They are all
pretty musty & dirty having been packed since coming
from Karenko but are very acceptable. For some reason
unbeknown to us roll call tonight was fixed for
1900 hrs. Owing to construction of drains etc. the path
which we made from our hut to the "benjo" was
rendered useless so we had to turn out & make
another. It was pouring with rain & I got wet to
the skin - with rain instead of the usual perspiration.
9th Manoeuvres are still going on, all last night in the
pouring rain & again today. Ten packets of Shiri
Saga cigarettes each were issues today. It is
rumored that quite a big supply came in but only
a few have been released. Afcs for Tamasata
camp have been worked out & posted up today. I
have been debited with 36 yen for April & 50 for
May.
10th Order issued today that we must put all books
which we have into a common library. Rules only
allow books to be kept out for 5 days so this practically
debars me from reading. My eyes are so bad that
I cannot read for long enough at a stretch to read
any ordinary book in 5 days. Gave a lecture
last night to some British officers on the "Syrian
campaign".
11th Sunday. Read the lesson at this morning's Church Service.
Fine day. Uneventful. Talked tonight to Australian Officers
from 8 Div. on the Commission of Control of Syria.
12th Our canteen cheques "notes" were issued today. From now on
instead of putting in an order for goods & then
receiving them & having our apcs debited with
certain amounts we are each to receive 50 yen's
worth of che 'notes” in various denominations
with which we can buy what we want to from
what the canteen has in stock. The only trouble
is that up to date the canteen has practically
nothing at all in stock - not even cigarettes. How-
ever we are hoping for stocks to come in. The notes
are marked on the face with the denomination
& the words "P.O.W. Canteen ticket" is printed across
them. Each of them is numbered & a record is kept of
the particular notes issued to each individual.
13th This morning's sunrise was the most beautiful one that
I have ever seen. The sun rises behind the mountains
& appearing over the top of the mountains before the sun
actually appeared was a perfect representation of
our rising sun in every conceivable shade of pink.
The rays stretched right across the sky from
horizon to horizon & with its background of
vivid blue, as the Clo clouds were so light as not scarcely to obscure the blue at all, made a
sight which was intensely interesting. Then
after a few minutes all the rays seemed to
concentrate on a great big mass of clouds
which appeared on the western horizon. These
clouds were a compact mass rising up to a
peak & they became successively vivid red, pink
in every shade & finally intense silvery bright.
The whole effect was absolutely marvellous.
14th Canteen started today but each individual's purchase
was limited to 250 Thiri Saga Cigarettes & two bottles
of Wakamoto. Capt McMillan who was with us at
Tamasata moved over to our hut today & was
put in one of the empty rooms.
15th This morning an order was issued that all bedding & all
clothes not actually being worn must be spread out
in the sun & aired. Practically every yard of ground, as
well as all posts, ropes, lines etc were very soon wi covered with blankets, mattresses, clothes etc.
I soaked a blanket which needed washing,
overnight & this morning took on the job of
washing it - in hard, cold water & with no
soap. It was a frightful job & I don't know
that I did much good. All my clothes which
are supposed to be white, vests & underpants, towels etc
are becoming a murky brown & I don't know how
to get them any cleaner. A lot of the rabbits have
died off in the wet rainy days & there are now only
three baby rabbits left. It is alleged that the grass
here is unsuitable & the enlisted men have been
working hard planting some special grass. We have
had no heavy rain for about 5 days & it has been
terribly hot in the sun, The nights, until about
midnight are always terribly close & stuffy. I am
in a constant bath of perspiration.
16th Starting serving the rice for the squad again today,
for a further 14 days. Today we got some really
heavy rain, the first for some time.
17th Entirely uneventful day. Vigilant guard last
night from 0430-0600 hrs.
18th It commenced to rain about 0300 hrs this morning
& has absolutely poured, without a pause, ever
since. All the drains are running bankers & the
small creek which flows alongside the camp
is now a swift muddy stream. Canteen opened
again today with some fruit syrup, shoe laces
& toilet paper. Church service had to be abandoned as
the Cols. were nearly all on working parties.
1943
July 19th Today we were to be inspected by someone who is either
our new Camp Comdt. or the o a new officer in charge of
all P.O.W camps in TAIWAN. However it was announced
on this morning's roll call that the inspection had been
postponed until tomorrow at 0830. Last night there
was a failure of the lights & we were in complete darkness
both for evening roll-call & subsequently all night.
20th The inspection was again put off until tomorrow but this
morning we were inspected by the camp commandant &
this afternoon we had a fire alarm practice. We
had to tell off the usual fire squads & the rest of
us had to fall in on the parade ground each carrying
a blanket where we stood in the sun doing
nothing for some time.
21st The great inspection is to take place today. Inspection
of barracks is at 0950 & this afternoon we are to go on
parade in full uniform & then do fire-drill
etc. It is a very still hot day & the humidity is
terrible. The inspecting officer was a colonel who 22nd The has evidently & from his decorations - seen very
considerable service. Everything seemed to go off
very well.
22nd Very dull wet day. Meals are getting worse
again & the soup has been particularly thin & poor
the last few days.
23rd This afternoon we had a terrible downpour of rain.
All the gutters & drains in the camp area were soon
overflowing & then the small creek running outside
the fence overflowed & came back inside the camp
area. The result was that the whole place was
soon under water. A stream five or six inches
deep & ten or twelve feet wide flowed right
under our barracks & we wondered if it would
wash it away. The rain stopped in about two
hours & we had an example of how quickly this
place drains as in about another twenty minutes
everything was normal.
A letter was put to the authorities yesterday from
the Senior Officer of each nationality drawing attention
to the serious state we are getting into through
the poor diet. I have developed a form of tinnea
on my feet & do not seem able to check it as it is
getting steadily worse in spite of ointments etc. supplied
by the hospital.
24th Last night we had an earthquake shock & today about
1100 hrs we had the severest one we have yet had.
The whole building shook severely & a bottle of fruit
syrup on my shelf was knocked over with the
severity of the trembling. It was accompanied - as was
a previous one - by a single loud explosion with
no preliminary or after subsequent rumbling. Rumors
are rife today that we are all to be made to go out
to work again shortly to establish a vegetable garden.
As we got nothing from the last one, nobody is
very keen on it. Tonight's meal was very much
better than they have been lately.
25th Today we were issued with half a pineapple each.
They were nice big juicy pineapples. The canteen
opened today with five packets of cigarettes each.
I also got a bottle of milk & an eraser. Bought a box
of cigars for mixing with cigarette tobacco for my
pipe - cost 16y 50 sen, Pork in the soup tonight.
Today a meeting of different groups was held to consider
the question of work, as apparently it has been stated
that we will be expected to establish a farm again.
In our Australian group we all felt it would be
useless to refuse to do the work unless we are
prepared to carry that refusal on to its logical conclusion
even to starvation a imprisonment or even death.
After much discussion our group decided they were
prepared to co-operate in such work as our age &
physical condition rendered us able to.
26th Work is going on for a new fence around the camp
just inside the present bamboo fence. Local
laborers have been in yesterday & today & have
put up a row of stout wooden posts about
5-6 feet high. It looks as though they are
the uprights for barb wire "curtain" fence.
At the same time a party of enlisted men from
the camp are being made to cut back all
the growth of trees & all, for a space of 15-20 yds
outside the present fence. Rumors are current
throughout the camp that 30 of the enlisted men
are to be moved from this camp to a working
camp. We at present only have 1 batman to
three officers & if this move comes off we will
virtually be without batman. Dick's birthday.
27th Vigilant guard last night from 0130-0300. Hospital
moved into its new quarters yesterday. It is very
crowded, only about one foot between beds. A large
number of fresh rabbits have been purchased as most
of the old ones have died. "Banyo" is still again in a
disgusting state. It has been overflowing for two days
now but no effort seems to be made to have it
emptied.
28th Canteen day. All that was available were two packets
of cigarettes per man, 1 bottle of fruit juice amongst two
and some bootlaces. Rumor that a prisoner has
escaped from one of the of the other camps & stayed at
liberty for two days before being re-captured.
29th Three pineapples per squad of 30 issued today in
addition to the usual bananas. My two bananas
today were quite green and uneatable but will
soon ripen up. I had the luck to draw a quarter
of a pineapple -we drew lots for them.
53.1 kilos
116.7 lbs
30th The camp authorities weighed us today. The
last weighing was on 3 June. I weighed 116.7
lbs today - an increase of nearly 5 lbs - no banana
issue today. yesterday another group of about
300-400 Japanese soldiers marched into the
barracks near here, apparently to do training
like the last lot & so we can expect to have very
little fruit & vegetables for the next few days.
The "Banyos" are still in a disgusting state,
overflowing everywhere. They have been like
that for several days now. It is almost
incredible that the Nipponese authorities
should allow such a dreadful state of
affairs to continue. We will be lucky if
we don't get a bd epidemic one of these
days because of it.
Jacqueline KennedyThis transcription item is now locked to you for editing. To release the lock either Save your changes or Cancel.
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