Diary of Arthur Seaforth Blackburn, April 1942 - November 1944, Part 16 of 26
1943
July 31st Finished my tour of duty as rice - server today.
Papers are long overdue & now persistent rumors
are current that we are not going to receive
them any longer. This can only, we assume, be
because the news in Europe is so good from our
point of view but what good it can do them -
or what harm it can be for us to see the news-
papers & learn what is happening, it is difficult
to see. Rumors are also persistent today that
a "heat" is to be turned on from tomorrow. I
hope that is not true! Last night a main
fuse in the electric service blew out & the
whole camp was in absolute darkness for
several hours.
Aug 1st Church service had to be put off again today as tb
80 Cols. (including those whose turn it was to conduct
the service) had to report at 0800 hrs this morning
for work. They only received very short notice.
Another pineapple (1 to each 4 officers) issue today
& also pork in tonight's soup. Today about 150
more books arrived for the camp library. They
were sent apparently by the YMCA in Japan.
2nd Warned today that tomorrow we will be inspected
by the C.O. of Prison camps in Taiwan & the day after
by the G.O.C. Taiwan. This afternoon we all had
to turn out & work at cleaning up the camp
but a heavy shower of rain came & we were
all sent in. 8o colonels per day are being made
to work around the camp doing odd jobs. meals
still very bad & no more fruit today.
3rd Today's inspection was fixed for 1530 hrs & we all
stood by at that time after a practice parade at
1300 hrs. However heavy rain started at about
1515 hrs & the inspection today was put off. This
evening major Gen Overraker was taken away
out of the camp together with a Dutch Col who
had also served in SUMATRA. They only received
notice when they were on evening roll call
parade. They were taken straight to their
rooms, made to pack one suitcase under the
supervision of a Nippon officer & guard & all
their papers were confiscated. They asked if they
were going to a hot or cold climate but the nippon
officer would not tell them. They were not
allowed to speak to anyone but were told their
luggage would be sent on after them.
4th This morning we were told that Overraker was
permanently off the strength of this camp. Gen
Ando the G.O.C Taiwan inspected us in our quarters
at 0830 hrs this morning. meals today have
reached a new low level record - not enough
vegetables in any of the meals to fill a big
sized spoon.
5th Uneventful day. meals still very poor. Am getting a
very sore left eye. It feels a bit like a Sy Stye (if
that is how you spell it) only very much worse.
Vigilant guard tonight 2400-0130 hrs.
6th Preparations seem to now be completed for the arrival
of more officers. Enlisted men have been working
all day filling mattresses & the end barracks
have been cleaned up & roped off & put out
of bounds. Started a new treatment for my feet
today - bathing in hot Condy's fluid. Eye still very
sore & swollen.
7th Dull, wet day. Eyes still very inflamed & painful.
Nippon medical Corporal examined them today & Col
Derham made application for Vitamin A tablets &
for glasses for me to wear in lieu of my present
ones which are quite inadequate, To both
requests he stated that it was impossible as the
articles required were not available. Have also
developed a slight cold.
8th Small amount available in canteen today - 2
wakamotos, 1 box powder & 1 pair underpants. The latter
were priced at 1 yen 75 sen & were made out of
flour - bags stitched together. Meals still very bad.
no bananas today. Also received a shaving
mirror which I had ordered.
9th This morning the Camp Comdt. took the morning roll call
parade himself - the first time it has happened. A.V.M
Maltby tackled him after the parade & complained about
the very poor meals we have been having, as a result
the Camp Comdt. when across to the kitchen &
inspected the soup. unfortunately it was the best soup
we have had for about 10 days. Still it was
explained to him that it was far better than usual
& we are hoping for some results within the next
day or two. This afternoon a party of 21 Senior officers
& O.Rs arrived here from Hong-Kong. They are at
present isolated & we have no details of them or of
any news which they may have.
10th Have developed a terrific attack of sneezing. It doesn't
feel like a cold but more like cattarrh. I sneeze
sometimes 10-15 times in succession & my nose
absolutely runs at times. I have neither of the
ordinary signs of a cold so far. This afternoon
the nipponese sent for me to identify the things I had
handed in to them at Karenko as the labels had
come off. All they could find of mine was my
tableknife, my compass & my torch. Have organized
a duplicate bridge match for tomorrow between
teams of English, Dutch, American & Dominions. I am
playing with Trott.
11th Played the duplicate match this morning. We came third.
Americans won, with British second. Unfortunately it
had to be cut short as the nipponese sent for all
the Java party at 1030 hrs to have their second Diptheria
inoculation. Meals a bit better today & banana
issues have started again. Today we could each
purchase up to 350 cigarettes & 22 cigars through
the canteen. Cold still pretty heavy.
12 Cold very heavy today with a bit of sinus trouble. Am
also getting a skin irritation on my face. My skin
is evidently in a very bad state as the slightest scratch
or abrasion - or even one of the countless mosquito,
midge or ant bites which are unavoidable here -
tends to swell up & itches terribly. My right eye
is also very sore & irritable tonight so altogether
I am feeling pretty cheap.
13th Cold a good deal better today, no bananas issued
today but one pineapple amongst five.
14th The Hongkong party were released from quarantine
today. One Major Gen - A.V.M Maltby's brother, three
Brigadiers & a naval Commodore moved into our
quarters so every cubicle is now fully occupied
1943
Aug. 14(contd) As a result of this food has to be served in our rooms
& our room drew the first week of rice issue. It is an
awful nuisance as 34 bowls of rice have to be
dished out, out of a bucket & it is impossible to do
this without dropping a certain amount on the
table & floor. This attracts flies & ants & altogether it
is going to make the room in a hell of mess.
However, once I have finished this week I wont catch
it again for about 8 weeks so it is not so bad
then.
15th Sunday. Usual church services. Am having an
uncomfortable time with skin troubles. Every mosquito
ant or midge bite now comes up immediately into
a little hard lump which lasts for days & itches
like the devil. At times I can hardly restrain
myself from scratching myself to pieces!
16th B.P. left camp this morning to go to another P.0.W.
camp. In his place we have another office who
for a time was at Karenko & whom the officers
that were under him found very just & fair.
Yesterday at the canteen we could each buy 1 bottle
of fruit syrup, 1 bottle tomatoe sauce, 1 bottle
curry powder & 1 tin of pepper. Manoeuvres are
going on again in the neighbourhood at present.
Had a disturbed night last night being up
four times.
17th Uneventful day. Very little rain. At last the
authorities have issued material for filling our
pillows & they also issued mattresses to the
Col's squad. Rumors that 120 more officers
& men are being brought to this camp but
no indication where they are coming from.
18th Persistent rumors that we are about to be moved
again to another camp, that is Gens & Brigadiers, but
do not think there is anything in it. Have
developed a bad back ache this evening. It is
an ache - not a pain like lumbago - and do not
know what has caused it. Canteen had on
sale Wakamoto, boot polish, pens, shoe-laces etc
today.
19th Backache pretty bad today. Col Derham thinks it is
only muscular & not due to any kidney trouble
but he is going to watch it carefully. Fine hot day
& the first for some time when we have had
no rain at all.
20th 125 more officers & men due into this camp some
time tonight. We are unable to gather any
news as to where they come from or who they
are. Vigilant guard tonight 2230 -2400.
21st New party arrived about 1930 last night. They are
all English or Dutch and are from Haito camp &
a copper-mining camp in the north of the Island.
Many of them are in very bad shape indeed. One
man for example previously weighed 16 stone 10 &
now weighs 6 stone! They describe the conditions
in this camp, accomodation, food etc as absolutely
glorious - so one can imagine what it must have
been like in their previous camps.
22nd Purchased 1 bottle tomato sauce, 1 bottle syrup, 1 tin
dried fish flakes & 1/4 lb coffee at the canteen this
morning. Usual church service held at 1100 hrs
23rd. Very hot day. Persistent rumors that all the Generals
& Brigadiers are to be moved very shortly to another
camp.
24th Unpleasant incident occurred today. Gen K was struck
in the face yesterday on morning parade by a nippon
N.C.O because he gave his squad "stand at ease" before
the whole of the inspecting party had passed his squad.
The officer of the day had gone on but not all the others.
He put a complaint in about it & today was taken to
the O.D's room where the N.C.O. interviewed him and told
him he would show him what happened to people who
complained in the nipponese army. He thereupon knocked
him down seven times. Owing to water shortages, the
water has had to be restricted & it is only turned
on now at certain hours, mainly just in the early
morning, just after meals & before evening roll
call.
25th Entirely uneventful day. Backache is still pretty bad
and doesn't seem to be improving at all. We have
been re-arranged in squads but they haven't
altered the squads of the Gens & Brigs. Food is still
pretty bad but is a little better now than
it was a week ago. Have used the last of my
bulk Red Cross sugar & only have a few ounces
in small tins now.
26th Today a special parade of all prisoners was called for
1300 hrs. The Commandant addressed us and told
us that the personnel of the camp was now fixed
& we must settle down to make the camp as
convenient as possible. He went on to say that
he knew each of us were confident that we
were going to win the war. Japan was equally
certain that she would win. Japan had a
hundred million people regimented & a billion
Asiastics behind this and even if Germany &
Italy were beaten Japan was still confident
of victory. However as it was war, the result
must rest with God. In Japan every man
woman & child was working. We P.O.W s were
the only people not working & so he had
decided to establish a farm where we could
raise livestock & grow vegetables etc.
27 We were all medically examined today very
thoroughly by our own M.Os, we believe, to classify
us for work on the farm. I was found to be
physically fit but owing to the very large amount
of weight I have lost (28 kilos) I was put as
class 3. The enlisted men started on the farm
today. They report it is a large flat area which
looks as if it had once been paddi fields. At
present they are working on drains to dry it off
a bit & natives are ploughing it up. Were
given permission today to write a letter home
same to be handed in by tomorrow evening. Still
no letters from home and no newspapers yet.
28th This morning nos 1, 2 & 3 squads were suddenly ordered to parade
at 0830 hrs. We were then marched out of camp & put to
work cutting scrub for three hours - with 3 breaks. It
was really quite pleasant but a little bit too
long. No bananas for two days now. I seem to have
developed a tendency for catarrh - just like Dick used
to have it.
Aug 29th Usual church service this morning. Have felt most
horribly depressed all day today. Cannot get any
interest in anything & except everything seems to go wrong. Cannot
even sit in comfort as have developed a nasty
boil on my "tail". Quite a good soup tonight with a
little bit of meat in it.
30th Working party today of 4 squads of officers - worked
for 3 hours this morning & two this afternoon. A
number of letters from Holland, written in April, arrived
today for various Dutch officers & men.
31st 8, 9, & 10 Squads out working all day today. Vigilant
guard last night 20:30 - 2400. Hot oppressive day.
Had dinner in the evening with Brig. Selby (his birthday)
& Brig Pierson.
Sept 1st Taken out to work today at 08:30 & remained out until
1100 hrs with 2 breaks for Smokeoh. Out again at 1430 until
1730 with only one break. Hard solid work with
hoes etc in a very hot sun. Too hot & tired to eat
much by the time I got in. Very unpleasant incident
occurred today out at work. Gen Callaghan was resting
on his rake when Taylor sang out to him "Do some
work there you lazy bastard. You do nothing but
pole on your mates" Several of us expressed horror
& instantly Taylor turned on us & said "I don't want
any comments from any of you. I say what I think."
It was said in the hearing of a crowd of English &
Dutch Gens & Brigs. & left a very poor impression
of Australians I am afraid. If it had been under
normal conditions I would have placed him
under arrest & charged him myself, but what can
one do here in a P.O.W. Camp?
2nd Uneventful day. Had a bad night last night. It
was terribly closed stuffy and a terrific thunder
storm passed over but without clearing the air
or raining. Didn't get to sleep until nearly one
o'clock.
3rd Examination by nipponese NC.O. of all officers alleged by
our M.O.'s to be unfit for heavy work. N.C.O. retains
the right & exercises it - of completely overriding the
opinion of a medical officer & ordering anyone
out to work if he sees fit. As a result of the
examination "working lists" have been prepared &
it looks as though we can expect heavy & steady
work in the near future. Rain this afternoon for
the first time for 4 or 5 days. It has been unpleasantly
hot & muggy & the rain has cooled things down
considerably.
4th Work this morning from 0830 - 1130 hoeing up grass in
a very stony patch about 1/2 mile from camp. Extra
work rice this evening.
5th Sunday. Warm - muggy day. Grp. Capt. Rice died in
the camp hospital today.
6th Memorial service etc for Grp. Capt. Rice. He was buried in
a cemetery which has been established about 1
mile from camp. Heavy rain in the afternoon. as a is Electric lights failed this evening and as
a result we were in complete darkness until
about 2100 hrs.
7th Very sore arm today. Am afraid I am getting a
nest of 5 or 6 boils in my arm-pit. Am going on
sick parade in morning to see if nipponese N.C.O.
will excuse me from work. Had a bad attack of
cattarh or hay-fever also today. Could not stop
sneezing & my nose absolutely ran for about two hours.
Start water serving for a week as from tomorrow.
8th Squads 1, 2 & 3 were taken out to work today from
0830 - 1145 & from 1500-1800. It was a very hot
day. I had to go on sick parade because of the
boils under my arm & the nipponese N.C.O.
directed that I should be put upon "red ticket"
i.e., no work. Extra work rice was issued
this evening. 25 packets of cigarettes & a few
cigars for officers were available in the canteen
today. The cigars worked out at 1/3 of the
amount ordered.
9th Very heavy earthquake shock at 0200 hrs this morning.
The whole building shook & rattled more than it has
done before & the shock lasted for several seconds.
I am on vigilant guard from 0300 - 0430 hrs tomorrow
morning.
10th Boils under my arm are still pretty bad although
one of them broke this afternoon. Large issue of
extra rice today. We have had no bananas or
other fruit for over a week & no newspapers dated
since 5th July.
11th Obtained 1 tin fish flakes, 1 tin vegetables (pickled & very
salt) & 1 bottle A vitamin pills amongst three today.
Boils under my arms very bad today. Another has
broken but others are not yet ready & it is
most uncomfortable.
12 Boils a little better today. 1 Wakamoto made available
through canteen. A little meat in the soup tonight
but meals still pretty poor.
13. Boils much improved. Squad taken out to work
today from 0810 - 1130 & 1300 - 1530. Camp was
inspected by an outside staff officer.
14. Today has been a day of promised & promising
events. This morning there was a general parade
& the Camp Comdt. & the Staff officer who was
introduced to us as the Col. in Charge of P.O.W.
admin in TAIWAN addressed us. The Camp
Comdt. explained that he was anxious to do
all in his power to improve our conditions. It
was for this reason that the farm was being
started. In the farm sweet potatoes cucumbers
cabbages, melons etc would be grown & used to
improve our diet. Fowls & ducks a number of pigs
were to be procured so as to improve our
diet. The hill outside the camp area which we
had cleared would be laid out as a park for
our benefit. He explained that we must not
consider this a sign of weakness or that Japan
was being beaten but if we would co-operate
to the limit of our power he would do all
he could to help. The Col. spoke on similar lines.
Then at 1330 hrs ab a number of officers, 3
British, 3 Americans, 3 Dutch & two Australians
(Major Gen Callaghan & Col Thyer) attended at
Jap HQ. They were then given tea, fruit,
biscuits etc & treated with great courtesy. The
Camp Comdt explained that he had got them
1943
Sept 14 cont together to have a talk over matter affecting our
welfare. In reply to various matters raised by the
officers he explained that he was doing his best
to improve our diet & hoped for great results from the
farm. In the meantime he would procure more
vegetables to the limit of his powers. Newspapers had
not been deliberately withheld but there had been
a change of policy from Tokyo whereby they sent papers
instead of him buying locally. Unfortunately there
had been a long hold-up. One lot had arrived
from Tokyo but were for the last period over which
he had already bought & supplied. However he
was hoping for another shipment very soon. Fruit
bananas etc were not reaching us because there
was a cholera scare & we were being isolated in
many respects but he hoped this would end
very soon. mail was in Tokyo & all he could say
was that he was hoping for it to arrive any day.
Sugar had been bought & was only awaiting transport.
He was endeavouring to arrange for a civilian dentist
Winter clothes would be issued to us soon. Altogether
Gen Callaghan got a very favourable impression.
This morning "Coolie hats" were made available
at 35 sen each. This afternoon half the goats were
killed + we understand will be in the soup
tomorrow. The soup tonight was better than it
has been for some time.
15 Already some of the promised benefits have eventuated. We
got hot water after supper tonight & todays working party
worked in shifts of half working & half resting. In
addition particulars were taken for an optician to
visit us. Finished water serving today. Have
developed another boil on my left elbow this
time. Soup today had great meat in it & was
very delectable.
16. Large contingent of articles came in for the canteen
today but I do not know yet what they consist
of. More letters arrived for some of the Dutch officers
today from Holland, dated up to 25 May.
17 Squad out working today 0815-1130, 1430-1715. Hot
steamy day. Tenea again flaring up on my feet
& under my arm pits.
18. 1 Bottle syrup, 1 of tomato sauce & one of savoury salt
available today from the canteen. It has made
a wonderful change to the rice. We are going
through another water shortage. It has been
turned off all day, over in the bathhouse & the
only means of washing ourselves & our dishes
etc has been by drawing water out of a
not too clean well. This afternoon we were
all ordered to sign a paper reading as follows:
"We the following members of Group --- swear
that we will obey the rules and regulations of this
this camp especially with regard to escaping &
further we avow that we will voluntarily &
mutually warn each other in case any
violation of the said rules & regulations are
observed." Newspapers - July 5 - 20 - arrived
& were distributed today. Was weighed today -
52 kilos - a loss of 1.1 kilos.
19. Sunday usual church service this morning.
It has been quite a bit cooler the last day or two.
Bit of meat in the soup tonight which made
a pleasant change. Water turned off all day
again except for about 1 hour this morning.
20. Water shortage very acute today. No water
to wash ourselves or our dishes until
about 1600 when were each issued with
one cup of washing water. Vigilant guard
tonight 2100 - 2230.
21. Water shortage still continuing - no water today for
washing. Inspected by a Gen today - the Chief of Staff
of the Taiwan Command. Banana issue has
started again now & I hope it will continue.
Balance of the goats were killed this
afternoon. 500 kilos of sugar were brought in
today & now we are waiting for an issue
of same. Squads 1, 2, 3 & 4 worked all morning
but they sent four other squads out this
afternoon
22 20 ozs of sugar & half a bar of soap issued to
each of us today. This morning fatigue parties
went out of camp to a nearby well & brought
back buckets of water for washing dishes etc.
About half a bucket each it worked out at.
Squad was out working at the farm from
1430 - 1715.
23 Squad worked today from 1430 - 1835 out at
the farm. My boils have cleared up now
& my red ticket was passed in today so I
go out to work in future. New rule put
out by the nipponese today: In future vigilant
guard will visit each room twice in each
period he is on duty, switch on the light &
inspect every sleeper & see that he is properly
covered. Sleep will be impossible if the rule
is strictly carried out. Two big cups of
water per person were issued today for
washing. Have been dreaming of Margie
a tremendous lot lately. Night after night
she comes into my dreams. However the
dreams are all very pleasant nearly
always bringing in Rose & Wodie too, so
I really enjoy them.
24 Water carrying fatigue from 0820 - 1040. This
afternoon we had a visit from our representatives
of our protecting powers - the Swiss Consul of KOBE
for British & American the Swedish Consul - or one
of his staff - for the Dutch. One representative from
each country (chosen by the Japanese) met them
& some plain speaking took place. The representatives
of our powers were apparently very helpful &
gave the impression of being anxious to help.
The Camp Comdt put his point of view
justifying various things & denying some of
our assertions. The Chief matters raised
were work, poor food, mail & lack of medical
supplies.
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