Journal of Roy C. Hilton, Note Book No. 9, November 9, 1944-October 27, 1945
Title
Journal of Roy C. Hilton, Note Book No. 9, November 9, 1944-October 27, 1945
Description
This journal recounts Hilton's experiences as a prisoner of war in Beppu-Kyushu, Japan and in Manchuria from November 9, 1944 until his release and return home in October 1945.
Creator
Source
A2010.26
Publisher
The Citadel Archives & Museum
Rights
Materials in The Citadel Archives & Museum Digital Collections are intended for educational and research use. The user assumes all responsibility for identifying and satisfying any claimants of copyright. For more information contact The Citadel Archives & Museum, The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, 29409.
Relation
Roy C. Hilton Collection
Format
application/pdf
Language
English
Type
Text
Identifier
https://citadeldigitalarchives.omeka.net/items/show/833
Date Valid
Audience
Text
[Page 1]
Note Book
No. 9.
Life at Camp Hoten (Mukden).
North of Mukden, Manchukuo
(Chen-Chia-Kun). - - - -
and at Mukden. (after 5/21/45).
Roy C. Hilton (P.W. No. 1657).
Col. U.S. Army
Laurens, S.C. U.S.A.
[Page 2]
[Blank page.]
[Page 3]
1.
Life at Camp Hoten - South of Harbin, Manchukuo. (see note book No. 8.)
Nov. 9, 1944. All P.O.W.’s at Beppu, Kyoshu, Japan, were assembled on school grounds for organization for travel to Manchuria. Maj. Tokado, P.O.W. rep. from Tokyo, here to conduct us to new destination. He represents his chief - Gen. Hamado - for our safe voyage. He is a grad. of Columbia Univ. and lived ten years in U.S.A. I’m in Capt. McMillan’s (U.S. Navy & Ex. Gov. of Guam) group for travel. We’re stopping at the Nichi Man Inn, a 4th class Nip hotel. There are 359 of us - Colonels of the American, British & Dutch, & Australian armies of the Far East - plus 3 civilians and about 63 enlisted men - orderlies - of the Allied armies. The General officers, from Taiwan, of the Allied armies have preceded us by one week.
11/10/44. Left our hotel at 3:00 P.M. and took train at 5:30 P.M. for travel. Arrived at Hakata, Japan, via Kuroto, at 9:30 P.M. and took street cars for dock. Embarked on ship, large ferry passenger ship, at 10:45 P.M.
[Page 4]
Nov. 11, 1944. Sailed at 8:20 AM. westward. Arrived at Fusan, Korea at 5:00 P.M., travelled crowded into steerage. Debarked and marched to a cold unused theatre for food and waiting for a 11:00 P.M. train. Observed one minute of silence at 11:00 AM - Armistice Day.
Entrained and left Fusang at 10:20 P.M. for travel north through Korea. Floyd Marshall is travelling on a stretcher suffering from a recurrence of T.B. and hemorrhages of lungs. Good, but cold, box lunch served at Fusang: rice, fish & cold vegetables.
Nov. 12, 1944. Travelling through Korea, a destitute land, on a steam heated train. Ice and frost along route. Natives struggling for existence. Small patches of cotton - ⅛ to 1 acre of small cotton on grassy hill slopes. Stalks pulled up and piled to open and to make space for another crop: rice patties everywhere. Thatched ill-heated hunts, poor cows (male & female used as beasts of burden. Scarcity and poverty everywhere
[Page 5]
3.
Nov. 13, 1944.
Crossed Yahu River, boundary between Korea and Manchukuo, about noon and entered city of Antone. Yahu is about one mile wide. Antone looks like a good industrial city. Snow flurries passed through in afternoon, about 1-2 inches on ground.
11/14/44. Arrived Cheng-Chia-Kun, South of Harbin & North of Mukden, at Camp Hoten, at 3:30 P.M. and marched to cold ground outside our barracks for about one hour of speech making and signing oaths not to escape. Temperature about 23° F. while almost freezing in cold. We were told to be careful about our health in this climate. Col. our new comd’t spoke to us. Attitude of Nips. seems much more humane. Since our arrival at Beppu, we have not been harassed and have been treated kindly. Food - ¼ loaf of wheat bread and heavy vegetable soup twice daily and a large bowl of corn meal mush (yellow) for breakfast - is a big improvement over former meals. We should fatten some on this. Must have lost ten pounds during our cramped travel of 37 days
[Page 6]
to make a 4 ½ to five days journey.
We found the Allied General officers had arrived here about three weeks ahead of us. We were glad to greet them again.
We have here in one large barracks of brick heated with large coal stores - a total of 354 P.O.W.’s. A good brick hospital adequated [sic] heated is also here. The breakdown is about as follows
[See chart on original document.]
[Page 7]
5.
11/18/44.
After about 12 hours of fire building, we got this cold dirty barracks warmed up and partly cleaned up. ‘Tis comfortable now except crowded. Twelve of live in one room about 25’ x 25’ - about 50-sq. Ft. each. We have six blankets, an iron cot, straw mattresses, pillow of straw and a sheet. Some winter clothing including overcoats, Nip. winter breeches, and a wool British uniform [illegible] were issued us en route on train. I have two overcoats, enough to keep warm. We eat, sleep and live in our rooms. A large area is available for exercising. Temp. lately is below freezing but nice and cold for exercising. Sunshine warms up area some during daytime. We in a wired-in compound with block houses on each corner. A few sentries are outside our inclosure but do not disturb us. Roll call still twice daily. Reveille at 7:30 A.M., meals at 8:00, 12:00, & 6:00. Taps and lights out at nine P.M.
Several hundred library books have arrived and are available to us. A barber shop is operating (P.O.W. barbers). Gen. [Illegible] has signed for 1328 individual pkgs. of Red Cross food stuffs, some of which we
[Page 8]
hope to receive soon. The General officers have been authorized to write a 400-word letter to their families. Our last letter homeward was early in August.
Mail delivery was promised to be expedited to us by the POW rep. from Tokyo when he left here a few days ago.
We should fare much better here than at former camps.
Some news of war was given us by a Nip. press representatives at Fusau and more gotten from some N. papers. Germany seems almost out by now and Allied offensive is into Germany. Italy, Romania, Bulgaria, Finland are out and some of them are fighting on side of Allies.
11/22/44. Official weight today (59.5) 130.9 lbs Height 172.9.
11/25 - My new P.W. number here is 1657. The Taiwan number was 53 at POW camp but (no. 70) for all of Taiwan. We had barley cakes with soup and bread last night and tonight. Not bad.
11/28 - Weather getting colder daily. Reported as below zero F on 11/26 and has been
[Page 9]
7.
around zero for several days. I walk about one mile in the open air each day. Trying to acclimate myself to our great change. About all of us have colds and terrible coughs. Josh Stausell (from S.C.) is in hospital with pneumonia. Others have fever - flu, malaria, etc.
Food is adequate in quality. We have corn meal bread, or barley cakes almost each day with wheat roll and heavy vegetable soup.
11/30 - Thanksgiving Day. Went to visit Gen. King who fell a few days ago and broke his hip. Also visited Col. Josh Stausell who is in hospital with pneumonia. He seemed cheerful. Walk about a mile each day around the area. Have a camel hair overcoat with fur collar (wool) which is warm. Made a wool cap and gloves from an old blanket.
12/1/44. The Senior General officers (Amer., Br., & Dutch) and civilian governors left us a [sic] daybreak today for a new camp - supposedly a few hours by train from here. Rearranging rooms today with ten Colonels to a room (19’-4” x 19’-4”). Warm bath every three days. Red Cross pkgs. still in hands of Nips. about 9 ½ pkgs. for each of us are here in storage.
12/5/44. Col Richards to hosp. with pneumonia on 12/2. Soap, towel, tooth brush & t. Paper issued today - also tooth powder. Beans for supper since Dec. 3rd.
[Page 10]
December 10, 1944.
Temperature around 8° below zero F, last few days. I walk a mile outside about every other day. Our barrack rooms terribly dusty, smoky and inadequately heated from large soft coal heaters. Almost all of us have sore throats and terrible coughs.
First Red Cross issue yesterday from our approx. nine individual R/C pkgs. each. We got, each, two pkgs cigarettes and ½ can (pound can) of powdered milk. Milk can was partly opened and can must be returned next few days. Looks like individual items are to be issued us.
Woolen clothing issued today - helmet, gloves, socks, underwear, sleeping trousers, shirt.
12/16 - Temp. still below zero daily. Charlie Steel and I made some chocolate ice cream today using R/C powdered milk, sweet chocolate, and sugar. ‘Twas excellent. We gave our room-mates - Williams, Atkinson, Curtis, Morse, Townsend, Worthington, Mixson and Ausmus, a taste.
12/20. Oily fish yesterday made several officers sick. Food incl. R/C now adequate. Inspection by a Nipponese Maj. General today. (C. G. Central Manchurian Sector).
12/21 - First day of winter. Walked about one mile outside. Temperature about 20° F. A flight of our planes reported overheard this A.M. We had an air raid alarm for them.
[Page 11]
9.
December 25, 1944 (Christmas).
An unusual day - too much food. For breakfast: corn meal mush and a wheat flour roll (I toasted and buttered it - four slices with cheese from R/C)! For lunch: a large bowl of pork and beans and a roll (I sliced, toasted and buttered the bun): For dinner - 5:30 P.M.: pork and vegetable stew (large bowl); a large piece of corn bread (buttered from R/C butter); a large piece of Yorkshire pudding (meat and dumplings), and a large bowl of pork and ice cream which I made from R/C chocolate and powdered milk - an excellent day of meals in contrast to most others we’ve had. A sunshiny day of below freezing temperature. Played bridge using for first time the deck of cards which came in my personal package last July. No mail since September. No letters written home since about August 5th. Received from R/C packages today - ½ lb cube sugar and 2-oz. double strength coffee; also two pkgs. of Nipponese cigarettes. Also for dinner - a large piece of well flavored apple pie (ate it a’ la mode).
[Page 12]
January 1, 1945.
A beautiful sunshiny day. Temperature about 20° F. Last night we had skits and songs, instrumental music, etc. ‘Twas a fair exhibition only. For dinner this evening (our big meal) we had bean soup, a wheat bread roll, a cornmeal slice of bread (large size) and a kafficorn pati (tasteless). The corn bread with butter and grape jam from R/C supplies was good. I made another chocolate ice cream today - ‘twas fine.
1/17/45. We’re getting contents of individual Red Cross pkgs. by items; two items every two or three days. Meat cans and other cans are punctured before issue to us, and cans must be turned back to Nips. after being emptied. Made another chocolate ice-cream today - about one pint. I freeze it on our window sill. Temperature averages about 15°-20° F. these days. We get a hot bath twice each week. Soup is plentiful now with R/C issues. I’m reading and playing bridge these days. Time is getting monotonous with no news, no mail, and no letter writing to our families.
[Page 13]
11
1/25/45.
Clear, dry, cold and dusty weather. Temperature of late: nights to -32° F; days to +20° F. 248 of our individual R/C pkgs taken away for interned civilians, missionaries, etc., including some Americans according to Nips. We still get R/C articles of food at rate of one pkg. of 16 items about each three weeks. Rumor that Germans are driving successfully against Allies in Holland and Belgiums. Russians seemed to have stopped their offensive. Last news papers 4/23/44. Last letters to families Aug. 5, 1944; last mail received about Sept 15, 1944.
Feb. 5, 1945. Have had several light snows of late. The ground has a light covering of snow. Temperature ranges from -20° F to about +20° F. There are many crows or black ravens and large magpies here; sparrows and snow birds, rabbits and pheasants are also around here. (At Taiwan we had pheasants, large hawk-like kites, white herrons, sparrows, bats, and canary-like birds). Meals are adequate in quantity - beans, Kaffi-corn, vegetable soup, corn meal mush, and wheat rolls. Red Cross supplies issued about four times weekly.
[Page 14]
February 7, 1945.
We were vaccinated against small pox today. Had a terrible tooth-ache yesterday, right lower rear molar, and soreness today. Dentist is here occasionally but many emergency cases ahead of me.
2/13/45 - Had treatment and temp-filling to three molar teeth today. One of them has been aching intermittently. The Nip. dentist did the fillings. The C.O. of Mukden P.O.W. camps from Mukden is here now. We are expecting mail while he is here. Rumors re- heavy fighting in the P.I; bombings of Taiwan; a Nip. naval defeat at Muccasar Bay; Germany defending on German soil; - and about an end to the war soon. Walked about two miles around our area today. Temperature moderating, snow disappearing; Temp. about 20° F today. Sunsets are beautiful (violet coloring, from burning red)
Feb. 18th. Inspection by Nip Colonel - C.O. of Mukden area P.O.W. camps on 2/16. He granted an audience to our senior officers (Amer. - Br. & Dutch) re- war news, and sanitation; he said, “Don’t worry about them; re- mail, he said, no mail is at
[Page 15]
13
Mukden - it will be delivered to us when it arrives here; re- ant-mail, he said, censoring is very slow; he said we should show more courtesy. His attitude was courteous. Information given to us amounted to naught. He said we are getting same rations as Nip. army. He took back three of our rolls to compare in size with those at Mukden because he thought ours were larger than those at Mukden. He slowed down our Red Cross issue. Weather getting warmer, snow about gone, days clear and sunshiny.
2/22/45. We were inoculated for typhoid and para T. yesterday. I have had a sore tooth and a splitting headache all day - probably from inoculation.
My official weight today is 140.5 lbs. A strong wind from N. makes it colder today.
2/25. Had two teeth treated and temp. Filled yesterday. Feel well today - still have a little facial swelling. We have been issued dark (whole-wheat?) bread since about 2/22 - in lieu of white bread.
Discussions are being held re- our digging fox-holes since about 2/20. The Nips. are demanding this for our protection from bombings. Br. & Dutch officers volunteered, Amer. offs. did not
[Page 16]
March 1, 1945.
Second shot of typhoid & p. typhoid rec’d. today. About ¾ inch of snow today. Unsanitary condition of benjos is terrible.
3/3/45. Benjos unsanitary condition growing worse. Rumor re- 51 German submarines surrendering at Toulon, France - and re- Germany asking for peace. Reading “Treasure Island.”
Our second Duplicate Bridge Tournament here about finished. Ansmus and I (& Steel & Worthington) defeated Air-Vice Marshall Malty & Gen. McLeod’s team today. We won 10 and lost 3 games to tie for second place (or third place).
3/7/45 - Americans began their bomb protection trenches this week - ours began today - in hard earth which is frozen 18” deep.
3/15/45. Snow today and a blizzard. Warmer and clear late in P.M. - rumors last few days re- Germany surrendering - and that we will be free in 60 to 90 days. Ground thawing fast. Wrote letter home on 3/12 - to be typed and returned for signature.
3/19/45. Sending a 127-word radio to my wife today. Heat was discontinued on rooms on south side of our barracks on 3/17/45. Temperature still below freezing. Winter clothing of Nips. being taken up this week. (our clothing of M.’s)
[Page 17]
15.
March 23, 1945.
Spring was ushered in by a strong wind with some snow and rain. About ½ inch of snow fell last night. We had doughnuts for bkfst yesterday morning and cornbread for supper last night. Plenty of food now, mostly soya beans and Kafficorn. My official weight today: 145.86 lbs.
3/27/45. Winter underclothing turned in to Nips. on 3/25. My typed letter to Ruth (written 3/12) was signed and sent out today. Authorization for collections of Ruth’s insurance witnessed as of 4/1/45.
Hundreds of wild geese and ducks, flying north over us yesterday; also other birds appearing. Crows and magpies building nests, or rather repairing last year’s nests here.
My radio to Ruth being typed - and made ready for sending out! (See personal letters)
3/28 - Our enlisted medical attendant at hospital was washing blood out of used absorbent cotton for re-use, a few days ago. Heavy frost this A.M.
April 1, 1945 - Easter. Attended church service this A.M. - Brig. Gen. Brougher conducted. Easter in 1943 we held services at Karenko - Lt. Gen. Percival conducting: Easter 1944 - services on hill in our park at Shira Kawa, Capt (Chap) Binderman (Australian), conducting. Wind and dust for last three days. Fire for heating discontinued on N. side of our bks this AM (disct’d on S. side on 3/17). (over)
[Page 18]
4/1/45. (cont’d) For supper tonight we had pork gravy - with enogh [sic] grease left of another such meal.
4/3/45 Temperature was freezing - no fires.
4/6/45. Still near freezing - no fires, no winter underwear, - some of us wear overcoats indoors to keep warm.
4/9. Starting 4th year of imprisonment today. The end of this must be near. Weather warm enough to be outside w/o overcoats; still two blankets for cover at night.
4/11. Nips are sealing our heating stoves with paper strips to prevent use of them. Nips. are recommending stock farm & vegetable farm again. The Comd’t says work is voluntary but food may be scarce - threat. Amers. 100% against this work: Brit and Dutch have some volunteers. The Nips had plowmen to scratch the top soil for garden - evidently expecting all to volunteer. They asked for names for those not volunteering, and said the Comd’t expected all to cooperate or food might be meager later.
4/12 - a pig was electrocuted on our charged wire fence this morning. Flocks of geese and ducks still flying northward.
4/18 - The Comd’t met with sqd leaders again yesterday to try to force us to volunteer for work on veg. garden. Amers. & brit are 100% against - Comd’t said he had no intention
[Page 19]
17.
of forcing us to work - but food may become scarce. Plot available for graden is about 3’ x 7’ for each of us - size of a table. Weather has been warm enough to sun outside without overcoats lately. Today is a miserable windy and dusty day. Sun is blotted out and is blue through the heavy dust. We are getting enough food of its kind. viz: corn mush and wheat bread for bkfst.; Kaffi corn, carrots and bean soup for dinner and supper, with wheat bread roll for dinner and cornbread (now) for supper. About 24 crows nest are being built in trees just outside our windows. Their work on them is interesting. Some of them steel [sic] from others and some are repairing old nests. Red Cross fruits, candy, coffee, sugar, meats etc - are fine.
Fires in wash room discontinued today. A new Nip. officer (Comd’t?) arrived here today. We still have hot water in bath house each afternoon.
4/20 - A Nip. Captain came here from Mukden today to get us to start a farm for vegetables. He was told that we would not volunteer for work. The proposed garden started (in conversation) with a small plot, in our compound. Today, 3 acres outside were mentioned; the officer said at Mukden 3 acres were started which grew to 10 acres. Still windy and chilly. No overcoats, no fires, no winter clothing.
[Page 20]
4/20 (cont’d) The visitor said a Nip. ship with R/C supplies coming from U.S.A. was sunk by an Amer. sub. En route here on the 18th and that we would get no more R/C.
4/21/45. A beautiful balmy sunshiny day - after several windy and unpleasant dusty days. On April 19th in a regular bridge game here Col. Manees dealt a hand to Col. Quintard containing 4 aces, 4 kings, 4 queens and the jack of spades - a regular legitimate deal of a T.N.T. hand.
4/27/45. Our Enlisted men started working on the farm inside our compound yesterday. Report is they broke 17 of 18 hoes issued them - ground is hard dry clay and hoes are frail: a plow team has scratched surface. Nip. gd. started gardening outside compound today. A few days ago the last of the fires (laundry etc.) were discontinued and a box of matches (small) was issued each room of ten officers (first matches we’ve been allowed. Since we failed to volunteer for farm work R/C issued have been cut to make the two remaining individual (each) last to Dec. 31st instead of June 30th. (Nus.) Russ & Alys have met at famus [sic] China [illegible] town in G. there cutting G. into about three pts. Alys still adv’g. Weather clear and balmy yesterday & today.
5/2/45: Cold and rain shower today. Yesterday we had a shower (Manchurian cloudburst) with a heavy peal of thunder, the first thunder since our arrival.
[Page 21]
19.
(Copy of Nip. order for POW Enlisted Men) 5/2/45.
April
Regulations Covering Vigilant Guard Duty. (POW’s Enl.)
1. The vigilant guards will be on duty every ‘hours’ shift during the period from light out in the evening to reveille on the following morning. 2. The shift of duties will be done by the four (4) vigilant guards both on and off at the Eastern side porch of the bottom floor.
3. The vigilant guards on duty will continuously patrol through the barracks (one man up stairs and the other down stairs) and be attentive to precautions against fire, sanitation and specially be precautious not to let any escaper or absconder out of the camp.
4. When a vigilant guard should discover any fire or anyone who has escaped or is trying to escape, will cry out loudly to announce all the men to that effect and take adequate measures immediately.
Detailed Regulations
1. The V. Gd’s will be prohibited to sit down, lie down, sleep, go for nature, read and smoke.
2. Any action infringing and violating any V. Gd’s duties will be forbidden.
3. In case any escaper or absconder should go out, the V. G’s on duty during that time will be regarded as the very sympathizer and conspirator and inflicted severe punishment.
4. The V. Gd’s -
Remarks. The procedure of report.
Fushin-Ban Kinmu-Shu Ijo-Animasin
May 2, 1945.
Camp Commandant
1st Lt (N.I.A) Ikeda.
[Page 22]
May 4, 1945. Orders issued that all P.O.W.’s will salute all Nip. officers and Enlisted men, and civilians of the camp staff, sentries etc, yesterday. Rations reduced today to two loves [sic] of reduced sized bread instead of three loves [sic] effective today. Heat seems to be on acc’t. our voting not to work on a farm. A good shower of rain and cooler yesterday. Today fair & cool.
5/9/45. Col. Worthington climbed to our nearest crow’s nest (rook’s nest), which he started for the rooks, and found five (5) eggs today. Two of these nests outside our windows are about 4, or 5 feet apart. Some of these nest are not over 20 ft. from our windows. Our E.M. are planting cabbage and pumpkin seed. Food is getting scarcer - meal mush and small roll (dark flour) for bkfst. - dessecated [sic] carrot soup with little bits of s. potatoes for lunch - and bean soup, Kafficorn pate and small roll for supper. R/C issues almost nil.
A letter of protest was sent thru our Comd’t. re saluting Nip E.M. and re reduced R/C issues. Our Comd’t held a conciliatory meeting of our Admin. Officer (Trott) for info. of all. Saluting Nip E.M. not being enforced upon officer P.O.W.’s.
5/11 - Natives are cultivating fields around our compound. There are seen 6, or 8, natives drawing a plow and three natives drawing a harrow; also 8, or 10, horses and 20, or 30, sheep grazing around us. Food was ordered reduced yesterday for us and upon complaint the order was rescinded. Our Manchurian bkfst is a loaf of dark bread (small roll) and a bowl of corn-meal mush.
[Page 23]
21.
May 13, 1945. We were notified today to prepare to leave here by May 20th. Sent in a draft of a letter to Laura Anne - for typing and mailing. Extra food issued for tomorrow. Nip. & other visitors are expected tomorrow. Plenty of speculations and excitement.
5/15. We are about packed up. Report of Roosevelt’s death by assassination in Frisco on Apr. 12th. Report or rumor, re- armistice conf. In D.C. We’re being treated human - with double recent food issues.
My balance of local deposit (of ¥50.00 per month) as of May 15th is ¥325.73
5/18. Our tables and benches turned in for shipment on 5/15. The C.O. of P.O.W. camps here today.
May - 1945 - Mukden, Manchukuo
May 22, 1945. Left Camp Hoten, about 200 miles N.W. of here at 2:15 P.M. on May 20. Got up at 4:00 AM to leave at 2:15 P.M. Turned in beds and bedding at 5:00 AM and bkfst at 7:00. For the next four meals we had one dark wheat bun for each meal (4-buns). We were packed into 3d cl., old. pass. cars at rate of 120 officers per car of 80 capacity; - we send 60 E.M. in such car. In addition to crowded personnel, our heavy baggage was packed into isles, on baggage racks, and in ends of coaches. We were 6 officers per section. Arrived here at 1:15 PM on 5/21 - stopped in hot closed cars for 7 hrs at Ry Junction N. of here and spent 5-hrs in coaches at Mukden before leaving for this camo (about 5-6 miles N.E. of Mukden)
[Page 24]
5/22 (cont’d) Met many of our other P.O.W. Amer. friends here and heard their stories. One [illegible] about our bombing of Nip. ship (Orinoco Maru) and another ship to which P.O.W.s transferred - both ships bombed out of commission - and of submarine attack and damage to 3rd ship to which these P.O.W.s transferred - their trip was P.I (Luzon) to Moju Kyushu. Weather (Jan ‘45) when they arrived was below zero and many of them in underwear and bare-footed from swimming ashore of Orinoco Maru at Olongopo - little food and water for almost a month - about [illegible words] Hardee and Compton died among about 1400 of the 1800 to start their trip (above) 400 survivors.
May 29th. About 980 P.W.’s here when our 320 arrived - addition to ours. Weather cool and windy of late; rain yesterday. We were issued one pkg Nip. cigarettes and a pkg of caramel (?) candy yesterday. R/C issues on a small scale start on 5/31. Double-deck bunks here makes rooms about ½ the space of our last camp. Last mail from home was dated 3/11/44, rc’d about Aug., or Sept. We are playing bridge and chess - and reading some, but light is not suitable for reading. Good bath here; food fair; some shoe and tailor repair work available.
June 8th. My weight on 5/23 was 130 lbs, same as for April. It is reported that mail for us in camp - to be delivered within a week. My last letter from home was dated 3/11/44. R/C food is being issued us in driblets - yesterday we got ½ cake chocolate, 2 lumps sugar, 1 pkg. Gum.
[Page 25]
23.
June 13, ‘45.
Have had dysentery for past few days. Better today. Believe raw onions the cause. Weather fair and warm - to cool and rainy. Mail reported for us in camp - due to be delivered.
6/19/45. We turned over R/C issue of ½ lb of raisins and two lumps of sugar on 6/16 and had raisin pudding on Sunday 6/17. It was fine. I had about a quart of it and had some for bkfst today the last - in my corn mush. Most officers turned over (to the kitchen) only half their issue and had half the pudding that I and a few others had. We are over-crowded here with double-deck bunks (straw mattresses on floors and w/o standing room except in center of rooms. Forty (40) of us eat, sleep and live in a room about 24’ x 48’ with a hallway through center. Our food is chiefly soya beans. Kaffi corn and corn meal; one dark roll of bread (cornmeal and whole wheat, or millet, flour) for each meal. Mail is supposed to be in camp for us, but no issue of it yet. Last letter from home dated 3/11/44.
June 27. A Nip. General (Lt. Gen. - inspected our camp yesterday is still here about. In five P.O.W. camps in, or around Mukden there are 1330 Americans, - 279-offs.; 1050 Enl.; & 1-civilian.
July 3, ‘45. Rc’d six letters today - 4 from Ruth , 1 fr. Ruthie & 1 from Lollie for Oct., Sept., Nov., & Dec., 1943. Have rec’d, about 8 months ago, a letter dated March, 1944 (3/11/44).
[Page 26]
July 7, 1945. Col. Pigdon, Aus. M.C. died here at 4:10 AM the 6th; funeral services this A.M. I have had an upset stomach - feeling weak for 3 days, probably some fever yesterday.
7/16/45. Thirteen (13) Amer. Individual pkgs. were delivered here on 7/13 - vintage of 1943 - badly broken up.
Records were kept by Nips for about a month in May-June 1943 of the time it required for each of us to consume our meals - bowl of rice and a bowl of veg. soup. Each of us were required to kill and turn in 10, or 20, flies each day at Shira Kawa during bad fly period. Weather here now is cool nights (one blanket) and hot in midday. Usually a breeze from West, or S.W. Most of daytime is cool and breezy in quarters and hot outside. Some rains. We still must salute Nip sentries as they come around - Bopping of offs. has ceased. Flys are bad and mosquitos are getting bad. We rise at 5:30 A.M. and to bed at 9:00 P.M. Sanitation bad. Food is corn meal mush & corn bread for bkfst; bean and Kafficorn soup with corn meal roll for dinner: and same as dinner with a sour pickel [sic] for supper. We must turn in to Nips all R/C tin cans - all cigarette wrappers (R/C and Nip) and paste board cartons. R/C news magazines for 1943 & some of 1944 just rec’d. Haven’t felt well or strong for last few days.
[Page 27]
25.
July 21, ‘45. Arrived here two months ago today. Our bread rolls (corn meal) were reduced from 3 to 2 each day about July 16th. Letter mailed to Laura Anne yesterday. Cool breezes parts of each day and at nights - hot most of day.
July 24. My weight today 130.9 lbs (59.5 - K)
Aug. 3 - ‘45. Rains once or twice each week. Food decreased and I’ve lost more weight. Many good rumors re- war situation. More rain this year than for last two years here at this time.
Aug 6, 1945. Red Cross Rep. & his wife here yesterday. Were steered aroun [sic] and permitted to speak little to P.O.W.’s. Went through one E.M. Bks while men were out at work - & then hospital.
[See chart on original document.]
[Page 28]
[See chart on original document.]
[Page 29]
27.
[See chart on original document.]
[Page 30]
8/9/45. The chief noise here is the breighing of jackasses, day and night. At our last camp noises came from crows (rooks) nesting in trees around our building. Air- raid sirens (training this A.M.) and sirens and turn-out for dug-outs again at 11:00 P.M. (night).
8/15/45. Col. Floyd Marshall died of T.B. here at about noon today. He has been hospitalized for a year, or more. Some of our P.W.’s from other nearby camps are arriving here.
8/16/45. Col Marshall buried in P.W. Cem. here this A.M. I was an honorary paulbearer [sic] representing Gen. King’s Luzon Force Staff. Cemetery is about 12-15 miles N.W. of here; - 240 P.W.’s are buried there. We had a symblance [sic] of a Masonic burial for Floyd. Other P.W.’s from nearby camps are arriving today, including some aviators (recent P.W.’s) fr. China.
Aug. 17, 1945. The grand news was officially given to us by Gen. Parker this morning about the Armistice. Just three years after our arrival in Kerenko, Taiwan. Five letters just rec’d from my family dated Dec., 1943; March, 1944; & Feb., 1945 (3). Much excitement and happiness here. Food doubled for supper tonight. The aviators who arrived
[Page 31]
29.
here on on august 16th were from Gen. Weidermeyer’s headquarters in China, sent here to contact the P.O.W.’s and establish communication between us and Weidermeyer. Two of these aviators are Major Henessey CAC, and Maj. (Lamar). They had to land with their equipment - including radio set - by parachutes. They were immediately taken over by Nipponese troops and threatened with harsh treatment. It is reported that local Nips. did not know of the Armistice. Later in the day these air arrivals were brought to our camp and went in conference with Nip. Camp Comdr. here - were treated humanely here. The Contact (new arrival) officers slept in the city (Mukden) here overnight.
8/18/45. The Contact officers from Weidermeyers headquarters in China came and talked with us last night while we were celebrating Armistice news. Gave us lots of news of world events that we did not know. Some of us were up all night last night talking, getting radio news broadcasts and celebrating. I got about three hours sleep. We’re getting all the food we can eat now, incl. ⅔ box of individual Red Cross issue. We go under American control in camp today.
[Page 32]
Got one more letter from home yesterday postmarked 3/1/45 from Ruthie at Greenville S.C. The aviator P.O.W.’s (14 of them) who were in a separate camp within sight of us and about ¼ mile away arrival in our (the Main) camp this morning. One of them - Capt. Campbell - is from Eastover, South Carolina. I talked to him a while ago. All are happy over the prospect of starting homeward within a week. Weather clear, cool and fine. My weight today is 127 pounds - about the same as that of the day of our surrender on 4/9/42.
Americans were reorganized by units and [illegible] today. Last check by Nips was at reveille today.
8/20 - Periodic radio international news being received daily. An American B-24 was over camp this P.M. - it saluted in response to hat waving of P.O.W.’s (From China Hq.)
An important and impressive chapter in our P.O.W. history was written here this afternoon and evening. While we were attending a musical program by our P.O.W. orchestra, three Russian officers arrived including a 31 year old Maj. General. They
[Page 33]
31.
first called for the senior officers of each nationality - Amer., Br., and Dutch - and a few minutes later, had us all assemble (we had just finished singing the three National Anthems of our countries). When we had assembled, the Russian General made us a speech of congratulation (Amers) for our victory over Japan. He then said, “From this moment, I declare you free” (7:25PM). He spoke through an interpreter to Americans, only - although three nationalities were present. He said that in 10-days the Russian army had advanced 1000 kil. over country of hills and valleys and with or without roads. They took over Mukden this P.M. before arriving here.
After the speech, the Russians had the Nip. guard here marched in the center of our compound, disarmed them, issued their rifles to Americans as guards, and then amid much shouting by us, paraded the Nips. by our line of spectators. As they passed, he announced, “They are leaving this compound, forever.”
8/22/45. American (former P.O.W.’s) were guarding and working our former Nipponese guards yesterday - had them digging irish potatoes for our meals
[Page 34]
and having lots of fun with them. At meal time two Nipponese P.O.W.’s appeared at the kitchen to carry their food for the meal (two men for one bucket). The guard informed these Nips, - “Oh, no! One of you carry two buckets” - as they have formerly had our food carriers do. Some Chinese broke into a Nipponese factory or warehouse within view of us here yesterday and began looting supplies like ants at work. The Russians rearmed some of the Nipponese and placed them around these store house to prevent such looting.
The sick Americans are due to leave here by plane this morning for China. Maj. Lamar (med. - new arrival) visited Gen. Wainwright and his senior officer and civilian Governors camp about one hundred miles from here and returned here yesterday. Gen. Wainwright and party did not know the war was over until informed by Lamar.
We have been able to keep fairly well up on news by clandestinely bringing in local papers - in the hollow heel of a shoe - and having them translated by two of our officers who were students in Japan before the war (Hoffman & Wood). We’re getting a variety of good food now.
[Page 35]
33.
Aug. 23, 1945. Small arms firing was going on throughout yesterday and last night around this camp (incl. Automatic weapons); probably Chinese vs. Japanese. Disorders are in progress in Mukden also, I understand. Russian troops in large numbers have not arrived here yet. Morning radio news says MacArthur’s occupying force will begin entering Japan by air on 100-mile front beginning Sunday, Aug. 26th with MacArthur in command.
Maj. Watson, U.S.A., has arrived here as in charge of our evacuation by Wedermeyers headquarters. Tentative plans are for us to leave by air for China - and then by air to the U.S.A.
Aug. 24th. Thirty two (32) of our sick ex-P.O.W.’s left here today by airplanes for China - the first evacuees. Today is the first day we’ve been permitted to leave camp. We may go out now from 7:30 A.M. to 7:30 P.M. There is still firing going on during night hours. Russians are increasing in number and in authority in the city. Some of them are around here daily. They are quite friendly.
[Page 36]
Aug. 29, 1945. Gen. Wainwright and senior Generals and Governors left Mukden by plane for China on morning of Aug. 27th. About 20 senior officers & A.D.C.’s went with the party from our camp. Gen. Wainwright was heard over radio last night from Chunking.
8/30/45 Four American B-29 planes dropped food, clothing and medical supplies here for our camp yesterday. More than 50% of these supplies are reported to have been destroyed in dropping - too low. These planes were unable to land at the airports in Mukden - too large. Fifty-eight (58) more ex-P.O.W.’s left here this A.M. - 30 senior Amer & Dutch officers and 28 sick.
Departure from here is changed now. Lt. Col. Donovan has arrived and assumed command - former P.W.’s are [illegible]. Departure priority is: 1 sick: 2 By lot prorated between all ranks.
More B-29’s with supplies here today (2).
Sept 1, 1945.
Two more B-29’s with food and clothing - by parachutes - were here yesterday - totalling about eight, so far.
[Page 37]
35
Our first moving picture in about 3 ½ years was shown here in open-air on Aug. 30th. Machine and films came from China by plane. ‘Tis chilly - two blanket nights lately. Fleas are terrible and getting worse in our bunks.
Sept. 4, 1945.
More of our comrades are leaving by plane today. This makes over 200 of our 1760 to leave.
On Sept. 1, I saw “Hollywood Canteen” on our movie program-machine brought here by plane. Last night we had Judy Garland in “Meet me in St. Louis” a 1903 scene. Both were very good. Combat scenes in Europe also are being shown. I’m going into the city to dinner with a Russian family today.
Population of Mukden: 2,000,000 (about 200,000 Japanese)
9/10/45. Left Mukden by rail at 8:00 P.M. - arrived Dairen 7:00 P.M. 9/11/45 (about 220 miles). Boarded the U.S. Navy Hospital ship “Relief” at 8:00 PM.
[Page 38]
9/12/45. Left Dairen for Okinawa about 6:00 A.M. - weather perfect.
The good looking nurses aboard the “Relief” are the first white women we’ve seen in about 3 years.
9/13/45. Cake & ice-cream today - first in over 3 ½ years. Excellent meals aboard the “Relief”.
9/15. Arrived Buckner Bay - Okinawa - 5:00 P.M. Hundreds of ships in Bay.
9/16. Typhoon approaching. We moved back to S.W. part of Okinawa - north of Naha, arriving at 12:00 noon - thence N.W. to sea to avoid typhoon. Rough sailing 16th & 17th.
9/18 - Returned to Machinato (Okinawa) about 6:30 A.M. Landed by steel landing boats at 3:00 P.M.
9/19. Awakened at 1:30 and went to airfield for travel by air to Manila. Left by air about 6:00 A.M. and arrived Manila about 12:05 P.M. at Nichols Field via C-46 plane (30 of us aboard incl. Seven Dutch officers. Stopped at the apartments.
[Page 39]
37
9/20/45. Being processed, incl. Med. exam, partial payment etc, today. My blood pressure is 210-147.
9/21 - Visited GHQ (Old USA 77E) and spoke to Maj. Gens. Stivers, Marquatt, & Marshall. Had dinner with Col Bill Purdy (Provo-Marshall) and went to the “Beautiful Sky” night club. Danced and ate.
9/22 - Got luggage to travel by air “Service Pak” and Bombadier’s kit
9/23 - Had Bill Purdy to dinner with me. He is going to Tokyo today by air. We have excellent meals at my aptmt.
9/24 Sent radio message to Ruth for her birthday.
9/25. Boarded the Navy Transport at 7:00 P.M. - the “Storm King” - to sail about noon the 26th. Some of our Colonels group went back to shore account - poor accommodations on board. I’m going to take this chance for home.
9/26/45. Sailed about noon. Due to arrive ‘Frisco on Sept 15th or 16th. Eight Colonels are assigned to one small stale room. Meals good. We use Ship’s Captain’s Deck.
[Page 40]
9/30/45. Passed within sight of Ulithia - Naval anchorage station tonight. Travelling S.E. to 10° Lat. South of Guam.
10/1/45. Fired on a floating mine and sank it. Delayed about 1 ½ hrs. Manila to Pearl Harbor about 4842 miles. P.H. to ‘Frisco 2050 miles via our route.
10/4 - Passed 70 miles S. of Wake Island at 7:00 A.M. - making about 16 knots (384 miles per day)
10/6 - Crossed InterNat’l. Date Line 7:45 this A.M. (Having two Saturdays)
10/7. Arrived Pearl Harbor 3:00 P.M. Leave ashore until 10:00 A.M. 10/8 - Visited Col. & Mrs. P.M. Smoat (A.G.O. Hawaii) night of 10/7.
10/8/45. Left P.H. 2:00 P.M. today for ‘Frisco The “Dickman” which left Manila a day ahead of us with some of our group arrived and left P.H. - one day behind us. We had the laugh on them.
10/15/45. Arrived ‘Frisco 10:30 A.M. and went to Letterman G.H.
10/18 - Left Letterman G.H. via Hosp.
[Page 41]
39
train for Oliver G.H. at Augusta, Ga.
Spent Oct 22nd P.M. with Gen & Mrs E.P. King in Atlanta - and talked to Ruth in Augusta from there.
10/23/45. Arrived in Augusta at 2:00 A.M. The joyful meeting of my family at the station. Spent night in Richmond Hotel with family and went to Hosp. about 9:00 A.M. 10/23.
10/23 (cont’d) Terrible headach [sic] and in bed at Hosp. today.
10/24 - Med Exams., [illegible]; Blood pressure 220-125.
10/27 - 90 - day sick-leave from Oliver G.H. Arrived home (Laurens, S.C.) today. Feeling pretty weak, but happy. All is well.
Note Book
No. 9.
Life at Camp Hoten (Mukden).
North of Mukden, Manchukuo
(Chen-Chia-Kun). - - - -
and at Mukden. (after 5/21/45).
Roy C. Hilton (P.W. No. 1657).
Col. U.S. Army
Laurens, S.C. U.S.A.
[Page 2]
[Blank page.]
[Page 3]
1.
Life at Camp Hoten - South of Harbin, Manchukuo. (see note book No. 8.)
Nov. 9, 1944. All P.O.W.’s at Beppu, Kyoshu, Japan, were assembled on school grounds for organization for travel to Manchuria. Maj. Tokado, P.O.W. rep. from Tokyo, here to conduct us to new destination. He represents his chief - Gen. Hamado - for our safe voyage. He is a grad. of Columbia Univ. and lived ten years in U.S.A. I’m in Capt. McMillan’s (U.S. Navy & Ex. Gov. of Guam) group for travel. We’re stopping at the Nichi Man Inn, a 4th class Nip hotel. There are 359 of us - Colonels of the American, British & Dutch, & Australian armies of the Far East - plus 3 civilians and about 63 enlisted men - orderlies - of the Allied armies. The General officers, from Taiwan, of the Allied armies have preceded us by one week.
11/10/44. Left our hotel at 3:00 P.M. and took train at 5:30 P.M. for travel. Arrived at Hakata, Japan, via Kuroto, at 9:30 P.M. and took street cars for dock. Embarked on ship, large ferry passenger ship, at 10:45 P.M.
[Page 4]
Nov. 11, 1944. Sailed at 8:20 AM. westward. Arrived at Fusan, Korea at 5:00 P.M., travelled crowded into steerage. Debarked and marched to a cold unused theatre for food and waiting for a 11:00 P.M. train. Observed one minute of silence at 11:00 AM - Armistice Day.
Entrained and left Fusang at 10:20 P.M. for travel north through Korea. Floyd Marshall is travelling on a stretcher suffering from a recurrence of T.B. and hemorrhages of lungs. Good, but cold, box lunch served at Fusang: rice, fish & cold vegetables.
Nov. 12, 1944. Travelling through Korea, a destitute land, on a steam heated train. Ice and frost along route. Natives struggling for existence. Small patches of cotton - ⅛ to 1 acre of small cotton on grassy hill slopes. Stalks pulled up and piled to open and to make space for another crop: rice patties everywhere. Thatched ill-heated hunts, poor cows (male & female used as beasts of burden. Scarcity and poverty everywhere
[Page 5]
3.
Nov. 13, 1944.
Crossed Yahu River, boundary between Korea and Manchukuo, about noon and entered city of Antone. Yahu is about one mile wide. Antone looks like a good industrial city. Snow flurries passed through in afternoon, about 1-2 inches on ground.
11/14/44. Arrived Cheng-Chia-Kun, South of Harbin & North of Mukden, at Camp Hoten, at 3:30 P.M. and marched to cold ground outside our barracks for about one hour of speech making and signing oaths not to escape. Temperature about 23° F. while almost freezing in cold. We were told to be careful about our health in this climate. Col. our new comd’t spoke to us. Attitude of Nips. seems much more humane. Since our arrival at Beppu, we have not been harassed and have been treated kindly. Food - ¼ loaf of wheat bread and heavy vegetable soup twice daily and a large bowl of corn meal mush (yellow) for breakfast - is a big improvement over former meals. We should fatten some on this. Must have lost ten pounds during our cramped travel of 37 days
[Page 6]
to make a 4 ½ to five days journey.
We found the Allied General officers had arrived here about three weeks ahead of us. We were glad to greet them again.
We have here in one large barracks of brick heated with large coal stores - a total of 354 P.O.W.’s. A good brick hospital adequated [sic] heated is also here. The breakdown is about as follows
[See chart on original document.]
[Page 7]
5.
11/18/44.
After about 12 hours of fire building, we got this cold dirty barracks warmed up and partly cleaned up. ‘Tis comfortable now except crowded. Twelve of live in one room about 25’ x 25’ - about 50-sq. Ft. each. We have six blankets, an iron cot, straw mattresses, pillow of straw and a sheet. Some winter clothing including overcoats, Nip. winter breeches, and a wool British uniform [illegible] were issued us en route on train. I have two overcoats, enough to keep warm. We eat, sleep and live in our rooms. A large area is available for exercising. Temp. lately is below freezing but nice and cold for exercising. Sunshine warms up area some during daytime. We in a wired-in compound with block houses on each corner. A few sentries are outside our inclosure but do not disturb us. Roll call still twice daily. Reveille at 7:30 A.M., meals at 8:00, 12:00, & 6:00. Taps and lights out at nine P.M.
Several hundred library books have arrived and are available to us. A barber shop is operating (P.O.W. barbers). Gen. [Illegible] has signed for 1328 individual pkgs. of Red Cross food stuffs, some of which we
[Page 8]
hope to receive soon. The General officers have been authorized to write a 400-word letter to their families. Our last letter homeward was early in August.
Mail delivery was promised to be expedited to us by the POW rep. from Tokyo when he left here a few days ago.
We should fare much better here than at former camps.
Some news of war was given us by a Nip. press representatives at Fusau and more gotten from some N. papers. Germany seems almost out by now and Allied offensive is into Germany. Italy, Romania, Bulgaria, Finland are out and some of them are fighting on side of Allies.
11/22/44. Official weight today (59.5) 130.9 lbs Height 172.9.
11/25 - My new P.W. number here is 1657. The Taiwan number was 53 at POW camp but (no. 70) for all of Taiwan. We had barley cakes with soup and bread last night and tonight. Not bad.
11/28 - Weather getting colder daily. Reported as below zero F on 11/26 and has been
[Page 9]
7.
around zero for several days. I walk about one mile in the open air each day. Trying to acclimate myself to our great change. About all of us have colds and terrible coughs. Josh Stausell (from S.C.) is in hospital with pneumonia. Others have fever - flu, malaria, etc.
Food is adequate in quality. We have corn meal bread, or barley cakes almost each day with wheat roll and heavy vegetable soup.
11/30 - Thanksgiving Day. Went to visit Gen. King who fell a few days ago and broke his hip. Also visited Col. Josh Stausell who is in hospital with pneumonia. He seemed cheerful. Walk about a mile each day around the area. Have a camel hair overcoat with fur collar (wool) which is warm. Made a wool cap and gloves from an old blanket.
12/1/44. The Senior General officers (Amer., Br., & Dutch) and civilian governors left us a [sic] daybreak today for a new camp - supposedly a few hours by train from here. Rearranging rooms today with ten Colonels to a room (19’-4” x 19’-4”). Warm bath every three days. Red Cross pkgs. still in hands of Nips. about 9 ½ pkgs. for each of us are here in storage.
12/5/44. Col Richards to hosp. with pneumonia on 12/2. Soap, towel, tooth brush & t. Paper issued today - also tooth powder. Beans for supper since Dec. 3rd.
[Page 10]
December 10, 1944.
Temperature around 8° below zero F, last few days. I walk a mile outside about every other day. Our barrack rooms terribly dusty, smoky and inadequately heated from large soft coal heaters. Almost all of us have sore throats and terrible coughs.
First Red Cross issue yesterday from our approx. nine individual R/C pkgs. each. We got, each, two pkgs cigarettes and ½ can (pound can) of powdered milk. Milk can was partly opened and can must be returned next few days. Looks like individual items are to be issued us.
Woolen clothing issued today - helmet, gloves, socks, underwear, sleeping trousers, shirt.
12/16 - Temp. still below zero daily. Charlie Steel and I made some chocolate ice cream today using R/C powdered milk, sweet chocolate, and sugar. ‘Twas excellent. We gave our room-mates - Williams, Atkinson, Curtis, Morse, Townsend, Worthington, Mixson and Ausmus, a taste.
12/20. Oily fish yesterday made several officers sick. Food incl. R/C now adequate. Inspection by a Nipponese Maj. General today. (C. G. Central Manchurian Sector).
12/21 - First day of winter. Walked about one mile outside. Temperature about 20° F. A flight of our planes reported overheard this A.M. We had an air raid alarm for them.
[Page 11]
9.
December 25, 1944 (Christmas).
An unusual day - too much food. For breakfast: corn meal mush and a wheat flour roll (I toasted and buttered it - four slices with cheese from R/C)! For lunch: a large bowl of pork and beans and a roll (I sliced, toasted and buttered the bun): For dinner - 5:30 P.M.: pork and vegetable stew (large bowl); a large piece of corn bread (buttered from R/C butter); a large piece of Yorkshire pudding (meat and dumplings), and a large bowl of pork and ice cream which I made from R/C chocolate and powdered milk - an excellent day of meals in contrast to most others we’ve had. A sunshiny day of below freezing temperature. Played bridge using for first time the deck of cards which came in my personal package last July. No mail since September. No letters written home since about August 5th. Received from R/C packages today - ½ lb cube sugar and 2-oz. double strength coffee; also two pkgs. of Nipponese cigarettes. Also for dinner - a large piece of well flavored apple pie (ate it a’ la mode).
[Page 12]
January 1, 1945.
A beautiful sunshiny day. Temperature about 20° F. Last night we had skits and songs, instrumental music, etc. ‘Twas a fair exhibition only. For dinner this evening (our big meal) we had bean soup, a wheat bread roll, a cornmeal slice of bread (large size) and a kafficorn pati (tasteless). The corn bread with butter and grape jam from R/C supplies was good. I made another chocolate ice cream today - ‘twas fine.
1/17/45. We’re getting contents of individual Red Cross pkgs. by items; two items every two or three days. Meat cans and other cans are punctured before issue to us, and cans must be turned back to Nips. after being emptied. Made another chocolate ice-cream today - about one pint. I freeze it on our window sill. Temperature averages about 15°-20° F. these days. We get a hot bath twice each week. Soup is plentiful now with R/C issues. I’m reading and playing bridge these days. Time is getting monotonous with no news, no mail, and no letter writing to our families.
[Page 13]
11
1/25/45.
Clear, dry, cold and dusty weather. Temperature of late: nights to -32° F; days to +20° F. 248 of our individual R/C pkgs taken away for interned civilians, missionaries, etc., including some Americans according to Nips. We still get R/C articles of food at rate of one pkg. of 16 items about each three weeks. Rumor that Germans are driving successfully against Allies in Holland and Belgiums. Russians seemed to have stopped their offensive. Last news papers 4/23/44. Last letters to families Aug. 5, 1944; last mail received about Sept 15, 1944.
Feb. 5, 1945. Have had several light snows of late. The ground has a light covering of snow. Temperature ranges from -20° F to about +20° F. There are many crows or black ravens and large magpies here; sparrows and snow birds, rabbits and pheasants are also around here. (At Taiwan we had pheasants, large hawk-like kites, white herrons, sparrows, bats, and canary-like birds). Meals are adequate in quantity - beans, Kaffi-corn, vegetable soup, corn meal mush, and wheat rolls. Red Cross supplies issued about four times weekly.
[Page 14]
February 7, 1945.
We were vaccinated against small pox today. Had a terrible tooth-ache yesterday, right lower rear molar, and soreness today. Dentist is here occasionally but many emergency cases ahead of me.
2/13/45 - Had treatment and temp-filling to three molar teeth today. One of them has been aching intermittently. The Nip. dentist did the fillings. The C.O. of Mukden P.O.W. camps from Mukden is here now. We are expecting mail while he is here. Rumors re- heavy fighting in the P.I; bombings of Taiwan; a Nip. naval defeat at Muccasar Bay; Germany defending on German soil; - and about an end to the war soon. Walked about two miles around our area today. Temperature moderating, snow disappearing; Temp. about 20° F today. Sunsets are beautiful (violet coloring, from burning red)
Feb. 18th. Inspection by Nip Colonel - C.O. of Mukden area P.O.W. camps on 2/16. He granted an audience to our senior officers (Amer. - Br. & Dutch) re- war news, and sanitation; he said, “Don’t worry about them; re- mail, he said, no mail is at
[Page 15]
13
Mukden - it will be delivered to us when it arrives here; re- ant-mail, he said, censoring is very slow; he said we should show more courtesy. His attitude was courteous. Information given to us amounted to naught. He said we are getting same rations as Nip. army. He took back three of our rolls to compare in size with those at Mukden because he thought ours were larger than those at Mukden. He slowed down our Red Cross issue. Weather getting warmer, snow about gone, days clear and sunshiny.
2/22/45. We were inoculated for typhoid and para T. yesterday. I have had a sore tooth and a splitting headache all day - probably from inoculation.
My official weight today is 140.5 lbs. A strong wind from N. makes it colder today.
2/25. Had two teeth treated and temp. Filled yesterday. Feel well today - still have a little facial swelling. We have been issued dark (whole-wheat?) bread since about 2/22 - in lieu of white bread.
Discussions are being held re- our digging fox-holes since about 2/20. The Nips. are demanding this for our protection from bombings. Br. & Dutch officers volunteered, Amer. offs. did not
[Page 16]
March 1, 1945.
Second shot of typhoid & p. typhoid rec’d. today. About ¾ inch of snow today. Unsanitary condition of benjos is terrible.
3/3/45. Benjos unsanitary condition growing worse. Rumor re- 51 German submarines surrendering at Toulon, France - and re- Germany asking for peace. Reading “Treasure Island.”
Our second Duplicate Bridge Tournament here about finished. Ansmus and I (& Steel & Worthington) defeated Air-Vice Marshall Malty & Gen. McLeod’s team today. We won 10 and lost 3 games to tie for second place (or third place).
3/7/45 - Americans began their bomb protection trenches this week - ours began today - in hard earth which is frozen 18” deep.
3/15/45. Snow today and a blizzard. Warmer and clear late in P.M. - rumors last few days re- Germany surrendering - and that we will be free in 60 to 90 days. Ground thawing fast. Wrote letter home on 3/12 - to be typed and returned for signature.
3/19/45. Sending a 127-word radio to my wife today. Heat was discontinued on rooms on south side of our barracks on 3/17/45. Temperature still below freezing. Winter clothing of Nips. being taken up this week. (our clothing of M.’s)
[Page 17]
15.
March 23, 1945.
Spring was ushered in by a strong wind with some snow and rain. About ½ inch of snow fell last night. We had doughnuts for bkfst yesterday morning and cornbread for supper last night. Plenty of food now, mostly soya beans and Kafficorn. My official weight today: 145.86 lbs.
3/27/45. Winter underclothing turned in to Nips. on 3/25. My typed letter to Ruth (written 3/12) was signed and sent out today. Authorization for collections of Ruth’s insurance witnessed as of 4/1/45.
Hundreds of wild geese and ducks, flying north over us yesterday; also other birds appearing. Crows and magpies building nests, or rather repairing last year’s nests here.
My radio to Ruth being typed - and made ready for sending out! (See personal letters)
3/28 - Our enlisted medical attendant at hospital was washing blood out of used absorbent cotton for re-use, a few days ago. Heavy frost this A.M.
April 1, 1945 - Easter. Attended church service this A.M. - Brig. Gen. Brougher conducted. Easter in 1943 we held services at Karenko - Lt. Gen. Percival conducting: Easter 1944 - services on hill in our park at Shira Kawa, Capt (Chap) Binderman (Australian), conducting. Wind and dust for last three days. Fire for heating discontinued on N. side of our bks this AM (disct’d on S. side on 3/17). (over)
[Page 18]
4/1/45. (cont’d) For supper tonight we had pork gravy - with enogh [sic] grease left of another such meal.
4/3/45 Temperature was freezing - no fires.
4/6/45. Still near freezing - no fires, no winter underwear, - some of us wear overcoats indoors to keep warm.
4/9. Starting 4th year of imprisonment today. The end of this must be near. Weather warm enough to be outside w/o overcoats; still two blankets for cover at night.
4/11. Nips are sealing our heating stoves with paper strips to prevent use of them. Nips. are recommending stock farm & vegetable farm again. The Comd’t says work is voluntary but food may be scarce - threat. Amers. 100% against this work: Brit and Dutch have some volunteers. The Nips had plowmen to scratch the top soil for garden - evidently expecting all to volunteer. They asked for names for those not volunteering, and said the Comd’t expected all to cooperate or food might be meager later.
4/12 - a pig was electrocuted on our charged wire fence this morning. Flocks of geese and ducks still flying northward.
4/18 - The Comd’t met with sqd leaders again yesterday to try to force us to volunteer for work on veg. garden. Amers. & brit are 100% against - Comd’t said he had no intention
[Page 19]
17.
of forcing us to work - but food may become scarce. Plot available for graden is about 3’ x 7’ for each of us - size of a table. Weather has been warm enough to sun outside without overcoats lately. Today is a miserable windy and dusty day. Sun is blotted out and is blue through the heavy dust. We are getting enough food of its kind. viz: corn mush and wheat bread for bkfst.; Kaffi corn, carrots and bean soup for dinner and supper, with wheat bread roll for dinner and cornbread (now) for supper. About 24 crows nest are being built in trees just outside our windows. Their work on them is interesting. Some of them steel [sic] from others and some are repairing old nests. Red Cross fruits, candy, coffee, sugar, meats etc - are fine.
Fires in wash room discontinued today. A new Nip. officer (Comd’t?) arrived here today. We still have hot water in bath house each afternoon.
4/20 - A Nip. Captain came here from Mukden today to get us to start a farm for vegetables. He was told that we would not volunteer for work. The proposed garden started (in conversation) with a small plot, in our compound. Today, 3 acres outside were mentioned; the officer said at Mukden 3 acres were started which grew to 10 acres. Still windy and chilly. No overcoats, no fires, no winter clothing.
[Page 20]
4/20 (cont’d) The visitor said a Nip. ship with R/C supplies coming from U.S.A. was sunk by an Amer. sub. En route here on the 18th and that we would get no more R/C.
4/21/45. A beautiful balmy sunshiny day - after several windy and unpleasant dusty days. On April 19th in a regular bridge game here Col. Manees dealt a hand to Col. Quintard containing 4 aces, 4 kings, 4 queens and the jack of spades - a regular legitimate deal of a T.N.T. hand.
4/27/45. Our Enlisted men started working on the farm inside our compound yesterday. Report is they broke 17 of 18 hoes issued them - ground is hard dry clay and hoes are frail: a plow team has scratched surface. Nip. gd. started gardening outside compound today. A few days ago the last of the fires (laundry etc.) were discontinued and a box of matches (small) was issued each room of ten officers (first matches we’ve been allowed. Since we failed to volunteer for farm work R/C issued have been cut to make the two remaining individual (each) last to Dec. 31st instead of June 30th. (Nus.) Russ & Alys have met at famus [sic] China [illegible] town in G. there cutting G. into about three pts. Alys still adv’g. Weather clear and balmy yesterday & today.
5/2/45: Cold and rain shower today. Yesterday we had a shower (Manchurian cloudburst) with a heavy peal of thunder, the first thunder since our arrival.
[Page 21]
19.
(Copy of Nip. order for POW Enlisted Men) 5/2/45.
April
Regulations Covering Vigilant Guard Duty. (POW’s Enl.)
1. The vigilant guards will be on duty every ‘hours’ shift during the period from light out in the evening to reveille on the following morning. 2. The shift of duties will be done by the four (4) vigilant guards both on and off at the Eastern side porch of the bottom floor.
3. The vigilant guards on duty will continuously patrol through the barracks (one man up stairs and the other down stairs) and be attentive to precautions against fire, sanitation and specially be precautious not to let any escaper or absconder out of the camp.
4. When a vigilant guard should discover any fire or anyone who has escaped or is trying to escape, will cry out loudly to announce all the men to that effect and take adequate measures immediately.
Detailed Regulations
1. The V. Gd’s will be prohibited to sit down, lie down, sleep, go for nature, read and smoke.
2. Any action infringing and violating any V. Gd’s duties will be forbidden.
3. In case any escaper or absconder should go out, the V. G’s on duty during that time will be regarded as the very sympathizer and conspirator and inflicted severe punishment.
4. The V. Gd’s -
Remarks. The procedure of report.
Fushin-Ban Kinmu-Shu Ijo-Animasin
May 2, 1945.
Camp Commandant
1st Lt (N.I.A) Ikeda.
[Page 22]
May 4, 1945. Orders issued that all P.O.W.’s will salute all Nip. officers and Enlisted men, and civilians of the camp staff, sentries etc, yesterday. Rations reduced today to two loves [sic] of reduced sized bread instead of three loves [sic] effective today. Heat seems to be on acc’t. our voting not to work on a farm. A good shower of rain and cooler yesterday. Today fair & cool.
5/9/45. Col. Worthington climbed to our nearest crow’s nest (rook’s nest), which he started for the rooks, and found five (5) eggs today. Two of these nests outside our windows are about 4, or 5 feet apart. Some of these nest are not over 20 ft. from our windows. Our E.M. are planting cabbage and pumpkin seed. Food is getting scarcer - meal mush and small roll (dark flour) for bkfst. - dessecated [sic] carrot soup with little bits of s. potatoes for lunch - and bean soup, Kafficorn pate and small roll for supper. R/C issues almost nil.
A letter of protest was sent thru our Comd’t. re saluting Nip E.M. and re reduced R/C issues. Our Comd’t held a conciliatory meeting of our Admin. Officer (Trott) for info. of all. Saluting Nip E.M. not being enforced upon officer P.O.W.’s.
5/11 - Natives are cultivating fields around our compound. There are seen 6, or 8, natives drawing a plow and three natives drawing a harrow; also 8, or 10, horses and 20, or 30, sheep grazing around us. Food was ordered reduced yesterday for us and upon complaint the order was rescinded. Our Manchurian bkfst is a loaf of dark bread (small roll) and a bowl of corn-meal mush.
[Page 23]
21.
May 13, 1945. We were notified today to prepare to leave here by May 20th. Sent in a draft of a letter to Laura Anne - for typing and mailing. Extra food issued for tomorrow. Nip. & other visitors are expected tomorrow. Plenty of speculations and excitement.
5/15. We are about packed up. Report of Roosevelt’s death by assassination in Frisco on Apr. 12th. Report or rumor, re- armistice conf. In D.C. We’re being treated human - with double recent food issues.
My balance of local deposit (of ¥50.00 per month) as of May 15th is ¥325.73
5/18. Our tables and benches turned in for shipment on 5/15. The C.O. of P.O.W. camps here today.
May - 1945 - Mukden, Manchukuo
May 22, 1945. Left Camp Hoten, about 200 miles N.W. of here at 2:15 P.M. on May 20. Got up at 4:00 AM to leave at 2:15 P.M. Turned in beds and bedding at 5:00 AM and bkfst at 7:00. For the next four meals we had one dark wheat bun for each meal (4-buns). We were packed into 3d cl., old. pass. cars at rate of 120 officers per car of 80 capacity; - we send 60 E.M. in such car. In addition to crowded personnel, our heavy baggage was packed into isles, on baggage racks, and in ends of coaches. We were 6 officers per section. Arrived here at 1:15 PM on 5/21 - stopped in hot closed cars for 7 hrs at Ry Junction N. of here and spent 5-hrs in coaches at Mukden before leaving for this camo (about 5-6 miles N.E. of Mukden)
[Page 24]
5/22 (cont’d) Met many of our other P.O.W. Amer. friends here and heard their stories. One [illegible] about our bombing of Nip. ship (Orinoco Maru) and another ship to which P.O.W.s transferred - both ships bombed out of commission - and of submarine attack and damage to 3rd ship to which these P.O.W.s transferred - their trip was P.I (Luzon) to Moju Kyushu. Weather (Jan ‘45) when they arrived was below zero and many of them in underwear and bare-footed from swimming ashore of Orinoco Maru at Olongopo - little food and water for almost a month - about [illegible words] Hardee and Compton died among about 1400 of the 1800 to start their trip (above) 400 survivors.
May 29th. About 980 P.W.’s here when our 320 arrived - addition to ours. Weather cool and windy of late; rain yesterday. We were issued one pkg Nip. cigarettes and a pkg of caramel (?) candy yesterday. R/C issues on a small scale start on 5/31. Double-deck bunks here makes rooms about ½ the space of our last camp. Last mail from home was dated 3/11/44, rc’d about Aug., or Sept. We are playing bridge and chess - and reading some, but light is not suitable for reading. Good bath here; food fair; some shoe and tailor repair work available.
June 8th. My weight on 5/23 was 130 lbs, same as for April. It is reported that mail for us in camp - to be delivered within a week. My last letter from home was dated 3/11/44. R/C food is being issued us in driblets - yesterday we got ½ cake chocolate, 2 lumps sugar, 1 pkg. Gum.
[Page 25]
23.
June 13, ‘45.
Have had dysentery for past few days. Better today. Believe raw onions the cause. Weather fair and warm - to cool and rainy. Mail reported for us in camp - due to be delivered.
6/19/45. We turned over R/C issue of ½ lb of raisins and two lumps of sugar on 6/16 and had raisin pudding on Sunday 6/17. It was fine. I had about a quart of it and had some for bkfst today the last - in my corn mush. Most officers turned over (to the kitchen) only half their issue and had half the pudding that I and a few others had. We are over-crowded here with double-deck bunks (straw mattresses on floors and w/o standing room except in center of rooms. Forty (40) of us eat, sleep and live in a room about 24’ x 48’ with a hallway through center. Our food is chiefly soya beans. Kaffi corn and corn meal; one dark roll of bread (cornmeal and whole wheat, or millet, flour) for each meal. Mail is supposed to be in camp for us, but no issue of it yet. Last letter from home dated 3/11/44.
June 27. A Nip. General (Lt. Gen. - inspected our camp yesterday is still here about. In five P.O.W. camps in, or around Mukden there are 1330 Americans, - 279-offs.; 1050 Enl.; & 1-civilian.
July 3, ‘45. Rc’d six letters today - 4 from Ruth , 1 fr. Ruthie & 1 from Lollie for Oct., Sept., Nov., & Dec., 1943. Have rec’d, about 8 months ago, a letter dated March, 1944 (3/11/44).
[Page 26]
July 7, 1945. Col. Pigdon, Aus. M.C. died here at 4:10 AM the 6th; funeral services this A.M. I have had an upset stomach - feeling weak for 3 days, probably some fever yesterday.
7/16/45. Thirteen (13) Amer. Individual pkgs. were delivered here on 7/13 - vintage of 1943 - badly broken up.
Records were kept by Nips for about a month in May-June 1943 of the time it required for each of us to consume our meals - bowl of rice and a bowl of veg. soup. Each of us were required to kill and turn in 10, or 20, flies each day at Shira Kawa during bad fly period. Weather here now is cool nights (one blanket) and hot in midday. Usually a breeze from West, or S.W. Most of daytime is cool and breezy in quarters and hot outside. Some rains. We still must salute Nip sentries as they come around - Bopping of offs. has ceased. Flys are bad and mosquitos are getting bad. We rise at 5:30 A.M. and to bed at 9:00 P.M. Sanitation bad. Food is corn meal mush & corn bread for bkfst; bean and Kafficorn soup with corn meal roll for dinner: and same as dinner with a sour pickel [sic] for supper. We must turn in to Nips all R/C tin cans - all cigarette wrappers (R/C and Nip) and paste board cartons. R/C news magazines for 1943 & some of 1944 just rec’d. Haven’t felt well or strong for last few days.
[Page 27]
25.
July 21, ‘45. Arrived here two months ago today. Our bread rolls (corn meal) were reduced from 3 to 2 each day about July 16th. Letter mailed to Laura Anne yesterday. Cool breezes parts of each day and at nights - hot most of day.
July 24. My weight today 130.9 lbs (59.5 - K)
Aug. 3 - ‘45. Rains once or twice each week. Food decreased and I’ve lost more weight. Many good rumors re- war situation. More rain this year than for last two years here at this time.
Aug 6, 1945. Red Cross Rep. & his wife here yesterday. Were steered aroun [sic] and permitted to speak little to P.O.W.’s. Went through one E.M. Bks while men were out at work - & then hospital.
[See chart on original document.]
[Page 28]
[See chart on original document.]
[Page 29]
27.
[See chart on original document.]
[Page 30]
8/9/45. The chief noise here is the breighing of jackasses, day and night. At our last camp noises came from crows (rooks) nesting in trees around our building. Air- raid sirens (training this A.M.) and sirens and turn-out for dug-outs again at 11:00 P.M. (night).
8/15/45. Col. Floyd Marshall died of T.B. here at about noon today. He has been hospitalized for a year, or more. Some of our P.W.’s from other nearby camps are arriving here.
8/16/45. Col Marshall buried in P.W. Cem. here this A.M. I was an honorary paulbearer [sic] representing Gen. King’s Luzon Force Staff. Cemetery is about 12-15 miles N.W. of here; - 240 P.W.’s are buried there. We had a symblance [sic] of a Masonic burial for Floyd. Other P.W.’s from nearby camps are arriving today, including some aviators (recent P.W.’s) fr. China.
Aug. 17, 1945. The grand news was officially given to us by Gen. Parker this morning about the Armistice. Just three years after our arrival in Kerenko, Taiwan. Five letters just rec’d from my family dated Dec., 1943; March, 1944; & Feb., 1945 (3). Much excitement and happiness here. Food doubled for supper tonight. The aviators who arrived
[Page 31]
29.
here on on august 16th were from Gen. Weidermeyer’s headquarters in China, sent here to contact the P.O.W.’s and establish communication between us and Weidermeyer. Two of these aviators are Major Henessey CAC, and Maj. (Lamar). They had to land with their equipment - including radio set - by parachutes. They were immediately taken over by Nipponese troops and threatened with harsh treatment. It is reported that local Nips. did not know of the Armistice. Later in the day these air arrivals were brought to our camp and went in conference with Nip. Camp Comdr. here - were treated humanely here. The Contact (new arrival) officers slept in the city (Mukden) here overnight.
8/18/45. The Contact officers from Weidermeyers headquarters in China came and talked with us last night while we were celebrating Armistice news. Gave us lots of news of world events that we did not know. Some of us were up all night last night talking, getting radio news broadcasts and celebrating. I got about three hours sleep. We’re getting all the food we can eat now, incl. ⅔ box of individual Red Cross issue. We go under American control in camp today.
[Page 32]
Got one more letter from home yesterday postmarked 3/1/45 from Ruthie at Greenville S.C. The aviator P.O.W.’s (14 of them) who were in a separate camp within sight of us and about ¼ mile away arrival in our (the Main) camp this morning. One of them - Capt. Campbell - is from Eastover, South Carolina. I talked to him a while ago. All are happy over the prospect of starting homeward within a week. Weather clear, cool and fine. My weight today is 127 pounds - about the same as that of the day of our surrender on 4/9/42.
Americans were reorganized by units and [illegible] today. Last check by Nips was at reveille today.
8/20 - Periodic radio international news being received daily. An American B-24 was over camp this P.M. - it saluted in response to hat waving of P.O.W.’s (From China Hq.)
An important and impressive chapter in our P.O.W. history was written here this afternoon and evening. While we were attending a musical program by our P.O.W. orchestra, three Russian officers arrived including a 31 year old Maj. General. They
[Page 33]
31.
first called for the senior officers of each nationality - Amer., Br., and Dutch - and a few minutes later, had us all assemble (we had just finished singing the three National Anthems of our countries). When we had assembled, the Russian General made us a speech of congratulation (Amers) for our victory over Japan. He then said, “From this moment, I declare you free” (7:25PM). He spoke through an interpreter to Americans, only - although three nationalities were present. He said that in 10-days the Russian army had advanced 1000 kil. over country of hills and valleys and with or without roads. They took over Mukden this P.M. before arriving here.
After the speech, the Russians had the Nip. guard here marched in the center of our compound, disarmed them, issued their rifles to Americans as guards, and then amid much shouting by us, paraded the Nips. by our line of spectators. As they passed, he announced, “They are leaving this compound, forever.”
8/22/45. American (former P.O.W.’s) were guarding and working our former Nipponese guards yesterday - had them digging irish potatoes for our meals
[Page 34]
and having lots of fun with them. At meal time two Nipponese P.O.W.’s appeared at the kitchen to carry their food for the meal (two men for one bucket). The guard informed these Nips, - “Oh, no! One of you carry two buckets” - as they have formerly had our food carriers do. Some Chinese broke into a Nipponese factory or warehouse within view of us here yesterday and began looting supplies like ants at work. The Russians rearmed some of the Nipponese and placed them around these store house to prevent such looting.
The sick Americans are due to leave here by plane this morning for China. Maj. Lamar (med. - new arrival) visited Gen. Wainwright and his senior officer and civilian Governors camp about one hundred miles from here and returned here yesterday. Gen. Wainwright and party did not know the war was over until informed by Lamar.
We have been able to keep fairly well up on news by clandestinely bringing in local papers - in the hollow heel of a shoe - and having them translated by two of our officers who were students in Japan before the war (Hoffman & Wood). We’re getting a variety of good food now.
[Page 35]
33.
Aug. 23, 1945. Small arms firing was going on throughout yesterday and last night around this camp (incl. Automatic weapons); probably Chinese vs. Japanese. Disorders are in progress in Mukden also, I understand. Russian troops in large numbers have not arrived here yet. Morning radio news says MacArthur’s occupying force will begin entering Japan by air on 100-mile front beginning Sunday, Aug. 26th with MacArthur in command.
Maj. Watson, U.S.A., has arrived here as in charge of our evacuation by Wedermeyers headquarters. Tentative plans are for us to leave by air for China - and then by air to the U.S.A.
Aug. 24th. Thirty two (32) of our sick ex-P.O.W.’s left here today by airplanes for China - the first evacuees. Today is the first day we’ve been permitted to leave camp. We may go out now from 7:30 A.M. to 7:30 P.M. There is still firing going on during night hours. Russians are increasing in number and in authority in the city. Some of them are around here daily. They are quite friendly.
[Page 36]
Aug. 29, 1945. Gen. Wainwright and senior Generals and Governors left Mukden by plane for China on morning of Aug. 27th. About 20 senior officers & A.D.C.’s went with the party from our camp. Gen. Wainwright was heard over radio last night from Chunking.
8/30/45 Four American B-29 planes dropped food, clothing and medical supplies here for our camp yesterday. More than 50% of these supplies are reported to have been destroyed in dropping - too low. These planes were unable to land at the airports in Mukden - too large. Fifty-eight (58) more ex-P.O.W.’s left here this A.M. - 30 senior Amer & Dutch officers and 28 sick.
Departure from here is changed now. Lt. Col. Donovan has arrived and assumed command - former P.W.’s are [illegible]. Departure priority is: 1 sick: 2 By lot prorated between all ranks.
More B-29’s with supplies here today (2).
Sept 1, 1945.
Two more B-29’s with food and clothing - by parachutes - were here yesterday - totalling about eight, so far.
[Page 37]
35
Our first moving picture in about 3 ½ years was shown here in open-air on Aug. 30th. Machine and films came from China by plane. ‘Tis chilly - two blanket nights lately. Fleas are terrible and getting worse in our bunks.
Sept. 4, 1945.
More of our comrades are leaving by plane today. This makes over 200 of our 1760 to leave.
On Sept. 1, I saw “Hollywood Canteen” on our movie program-machine brought here by plane. Last night we had Judy Garland in “Meet me in St. Louis” a 1903 scene. Both were very good. Combat scenes in Europe also are being shown. I’m going into the city to dinner with a Russian family today.
Population of Mukden: 2,000,000 (about 200,000 Japanese)
9/10/45. Left Mukden by rail at 8:00 P.M. - arrived Dairen 7:00 P.M. 9/11/45 (about 220 miles). Boarded the U.S. Navy Hospital ship “Relief” at 8:00 PM.
[Page 38]
9/12/45. Left Dairen for Okinawa about 6:00 A.M. - weather perfect.
The good looking nurses aboard the “Relief” are the first white women we’ve seen in about 3 years.
9/13/45. Cake & ice-cream today - first in over 3 ½ years. Excellent meals aboard the “Relief”.
9/15. Arrived Buckner Bay - Okinawa - 5:00 P.M. Hundreds of ships in Bay.
9/16. Typhoon approaching. We moved back to S.W. part of Okinawa - north of Naha, arriving at 12:00 noon - thence N.W. to sea to avoid typhoon. Rough sailing 16th & 17th.
9/18 - Returned to Machinato (Okinawa) about 6:30 A.M. Landed by steel landing boats at 3:00 P.M.
9/19. Awakened at 1:30 and went to airfield for travel by air to Manila. Left by air about 6:00 A.M. and arrived Manila about 12:05 P.M. at Nichols Field via C-46 plane (30 of us aboard incl. Seven Dutch officers. Stopped at the apartments.
[Page 39]
37
9/20/45. Being processed, incl. Med. exam, partial payment etc, today. My blood pressure is 210-147.
9/21 - Visited GHQ (Old USA 77E) and spoke to Maj. Gens. Stivers, Marquatt, & Marshall. Had dinner with Col Bill Purdy (Provo-Marshall) and went to the “Beautiful Sky” night club. Danced and ate.
9/22 - Got luggage to travel by air “Service Pak” and Bombadier’s kit
9/23 - Had Bill Purdy to dinner with me. He is going to Tokyo today by air. We have excellent meals at my aptmt.
9/24 Sent radio message to Ruth for her birthday.
9/25. Boarded the Navy Transport at 7:00 P.M. - the “Storm King” - to sail about noon the 26th. Some of our Colonels group went back to shore account - poor accommodations on board. I’m going to take this chance for home.
9/26/45. Sailed about noon. Due to arrive ‘Frisco on Sept 15th or 16th. Eight Colonels are assigned to one small stale room. Meals good. We use Ship’s Captain’s Deck.
[Page 40]
9/30/45. Passed within sight of Ulithia - Naval anchorage station tonight. Travelling S.E. to 10° Lat. South of Guam.
10/1/45. Fired on a floating mine and sank it. Delayed about 1 ½ hrs. Manila to Pearl Harbor about 4842 miles. P.H. to ‘Frisco 2050 miles via our route.
10/4 - Passed 70 miles S. of Wake Island at 7:00 A.M. - making about 16 knots (384 miles per day)
10/6 - Crossed InterNat’l. Date Line 7:45 this A.M. (Having two Saturdays)
10/7. Arrived Pearl Harbor 3:00 P.M. Leave ashore until 10:00 A.M. 10/8 - Visited Col. & Mrs. P.M. Smoat (A.G.O. Hawaii) night of 10/7.
10/8/45. Left P.H. 2:00 P.M. today for ‘Frisco The “Dickman” which left Manila a day ahead of us with some of our group arrived and left P.H. - one day behind us. We had the laugh on them.
10/15/45. Arrived ‘Frisco 10:30 A.M. and went to Letterman G.H.
10/18 - Left Letterman G.H. via Hosp.
[Page 41]
39
train for Oliver G.H. at Augusta, Ga.
Spent Oct 22nd P.M. with Gen & Mrs E.P. King in Atlanta - and talked to Ruth in Augusta from there.
10/23/45. Arrived in Augusta at 2:00 A.M. The joyful meeting of my family at the station. Spent night in Richmond Hotel with family and went to Hosp. about 9:00 A.M. 10/23.
10/23 (cont’d) Terrible headach [sic] and in bed at Hosp. today.
10/24 - Med Exams., [illegible]; Blood pressure 220-125.
10/27 - 90 - day sick-leave from Oliver G.H. Arrived home (Laurens, S.C.) today. Feeling pretty weak, but happy. All is well.
Collection
Citation
Hilton, Roy C., 1892-1950, “Journal of Roy C. Hilton, Note Book No. 9, November 9, 1944-October 27, 1945,” The Citadel Archives Digital Collections, accessed May 3, 2024, https://citadeldigitalarchives.omeka.net/items/show/833.