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Captain Wilke’s Diary - Fukuoka 25B - 1945:-
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01/01/45
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Commenced tightening discipline. For many offences the punishment will be the forfeiture of Japanese cigarette issues for which no A.F. B252 will appear as this not a punishment under the Army Act. In cases where immediate effect is desired, however, it is our only means of punishment and as no offence can be punished twice no additional action under the Army Act is possible.
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05/01/45
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Postcards to relatives typed out and handed to I.J.A. Also a few letters Radio Broadcasts and telegrams.
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08/01/45
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PoW punished by I.J.A. for stealing from his comrades. Five days gaol. No official action taken.
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09/01/45
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Capt. Wilkie ordered by Sgt. Shionozono to report all crime to him for punishment. Refused but no repercussions.
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10/01/45
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PoW beaten up by his room mates for stealing cigarettes and soap. No official action taken.
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12/01/45
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Issue of American Red Cross boxes. (300) I.J.A. demanded one box per man Capt. Wilkie refused and was ordered to distribute all boxes to the men but that all tins were to be opened, emptied of contents and given to I.J.A. by 1800 hrs. same day. Deemed wiser in view of this to accede to I.J.A. request for “present”.
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Distribution:- I.J.A., complete boxes 8
Remainder one per man for 292 men less contributions from 76 boxes. To make up another four boxes to provide for five men to arrive from Moji Hospital on 16/1/45. i.e. 300 – 8 equals 292 plus 4 (made up) Equals 296.
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16/01/45
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Five men arrived from Moji Hospital. Complete party strength now 296; two men go into hospital, one suspected T.B. and one crippled from hip dislocation. Other three lame but able to walk by themselves.
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21/01/45
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Issue of clothing, said to be Red Cross by I.J.A. but undoubtedly some of it is captured American Army stores.
Blankets 50 Sweaters 47 Shirts 50
Socks 93 Gloves 46 Pyjamas 48
Vests 48 H’chiefs 93 (13 to IJA) Caps and helmets 50
Pants 48 Boiler Suits 50 Towels 43
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Dubbin issued for three months – 4 gallons.
Above distributed as evenly as possible amongst all ranks. Thefts of Red Cross food increasing during last few days but spirit and morale of camp shows general improvement due :-
(a) to Red Cross issues (b) tightening up of discipline which has taken place since New Year. Most N.C.O.s and all W.O.s except B.S.M. Smith continue to be very unsatisfactory in their failure to accept their responsibilities that go with their rank. Shall commence tightening up on them. Have proved beyond all doubt that punishment in the way of stoppage of Red Cross and other amenities (such as I.J.A. cigarettes issues is the only way of bringing the men to realize their duties to the Army and their fellow men. In this the opinion of Capt. Matheson and Lt. Miller and the better men in the camp agree.
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22/01/45
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PoW jailed for four days by I.J.A for stealing salt from factory. Salt was first stolen by Japanese workmen.
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25/01/45
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Lt. Miller ordered by Kawaii to strike men who had lost Face-masks. Was struck by Sarawaterei.
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26/01/45
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Main work in air-raid shelter construction completed. Main shelter seeps water badly being below water level.
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06/02/45
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52 Housewifes, 105 tins boot polish, 12 Razor Blade sharpeners, 104 Safety Razors each with 5 blades, 205 tubes of shaving cream issued.
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10/02/45
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PoW gaoled for five days for cutting Red Cross blanket to make slippers. PoW gaoled for five days for stealing Red Cross chocolate and Anti-scorbutic tablets from store.
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12/02/45
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PoWs gaoled for five days for stealing rice. Issue of Red Cross food-stuffs.
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10/02/45
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Issue of Red Cross, 14 boxes to I.J.A. Only certain articles for issue direct to men. Remainder issued through cook-house. Issues to be piecemeal and to last about six weeks for this lot of boxes.
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13/02/45
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Issue of Red Cross Food-stuffs also 296 packets of I.J.A toothpowder.
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16/02/45
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Issue of Red Cross Food-stuffs.
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18/02/45
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General I.J.A. Audit plus inspection of camp. Beri-beri becoming worse. Can-not get rice-polishings or beans from I.J.A.
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19/02/45
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Issue of items of Red Cross Food-stuffs. Thieving has lessened and general morale better.
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12/02/45
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General attitude of Nips, never markedly antipathetic, now much more friendly.
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23/2/45
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Considerable increase in Beri-beri and vitaminosis cases. No Vit.E Food-stuffs available.
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24/2/45
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Issue of items of Red Cross Foot-stuffs. Basic diet still on short side for working man.
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26/2/45
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15 letters, 6 Postcards and 20 broadcast messages issued, written and passed to I.J.A.
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29/02/45
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Issue of items of Red Cross Food-stuffs.
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01/03/45
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Issue of items of Red Cross Food-stuffs.
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06/03/45
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Issue of items of Red Cross Food-stuffs. Thieving again on increase. Boils and abcesses becoming more and more frequent. Increases of instances of men fainting at work. Few beans added to diet.
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07/03/45
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Meat and fish issue very seldom now.
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09/03/45
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Issue of items of Red Cross Food-stuffs.
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10/3/45
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PoW found stealing. Dealt with by the men. 2nd. Offence.
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12/3/45
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PoW convicted of theft. Dealt with regimentaly. PoWs imprisoned for five days for breaking into stores and stealing rice. The theft was discovered by us and could probably, at least for a time, have been concealed from I.J.A. However, considering the liability of risk of (I) repercussions on the whole party by collective punishment and (2) loss of confidence by the I.J.A. in our administration was too great to make concealment worth while. In view of this the men were handed over to I.J.A. for punishment. L/Bdr. Carpenter punished on two similar occasions by I.J.A. This man is a very bad character and a definite evil influence on weaker-willed men. Original 100 Red Cross books despatched to another camp. 150 newly arrived books issued.
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16/3/45
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1055383 B.S.M. Johnson A, 859663 Bdr. Laity T, 853316 Bdr. Lawrence A.S. and 1115654 Gnr. Fenn G, were burned at a blow-out of the furnace at the factory. Johnson and Lawrence badly burned and with Laity were admitted to hospital. Cause would appear to be overloading furnace . This occurrence happens every year when this type of furnace is in operation. Diet:- Meat and fish becoming increasingly scarce and issues smaller. Beans added to rations. Health :- Lately has shown considerable increase in boils and abcesses. I.J.A Guard. Cpl. Convicted of thieving P.O.W.s cigarettes from kit in rooms whilst occupants were out at work.
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17/03/45
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Noted bad characters isolated in room by themselves and confined to certain parts only of the building.
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18/3/45
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Air raid shelter used for the first time.
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Remainder of March
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No event of any importance occurred during the remainder of the month. Air raids fairly frequent. Rations of very poor variety. Bread now being made in new oven which was finished about this time. All surplus wood stripped from building in case of incendiary bombs. Changes in I.J.A Administrative personnel:
Cpl. Okuda “Q” left
Messing Cpl. Left and was replaced by a Sgt. Hirado, Cadet Doctor, left and was replaced by a I/Lt.
Red Cross food boxes – the last of the current issue was finished at the end of the month.
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April
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First half of month quiet with no untoward incidents. Increasing pressure on men to wash clothes but soap issue wholly inadequate, being two pieces per month. Following Okuda’s leaving, sugar issues ceased to prisoners but I.J.A. personnel had increased rations.
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15/04/45
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Approximately two acres ground part planted with vegetables. Taken over as camp vegetable garden. Work on this done by light sick.
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20/04/45
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Further supply of American Red Cross Foodstuffs arrived and put in stores. We are told that a Japanese Red Cross supply ship of 14,000 tons has been sunk by the Americans so this supply must last for a longer period than previous ones. No word as to when we shall be given them. Told we must wait. Sacking clothing changed with a lot of fuss. The attitude towards clothing is completely un-understandable.
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23/04/45
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The loss of two Army issue caps and theft of another reported. Every man’s kit searched by guards but no solution reached or caps found.
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24/4/45
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All men on knees on square. Threatened to be all night there unless thief owned up to taking cap. Rations to be cut to half for indefinite period. Saruwaterei (wounded by machine gun in Rt. Shoulder in Singapore. Also fought in China. Now employed by Government as clerk) throwing Beales (cobbler) and also kicking him. Increases of ill-treatment and bullying by former. Attempt to extract bread from cook house under threat because rations are cut by half. Reports of ill-treatment to Camp Commandant I.J.A. ineffective. Commenced bribing Saruwaterei to induce him to treat men better by threatening to report bribes to I.J.A. Commandant.
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25/4/45
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Ashes of the four dead men placed for safer keeping in a Buddhist cemetery.
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26/4/45
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Capt. Wilkie has interview with Japanese Camp Commandant and gets the full scale of rations reinstated. Issue of 45 pairs of Red Cross socks.
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27/04/45
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All men vaccinated. Sugar ration – since the change in administration this supply has dropped from, originally, a kilo per day until there is only sufficient now to keep the yeast supply alive, with occasional small issues to the hospital
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30/04/45
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Rice ration cut by 18 kgs. per day. This cuts down two of the meals each day to half a bowl of rice per man. The haversack ration for working men kept as it is.
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01-
02/5/45
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45 pairs of Red Cross socks of very poor quality issued. PoW caught in the cookhouse by a Japanese sentry. He was eating bread which he said was old cabbage stalks. He gave the wrong number to the sentry. Placed in the guard room and sentenced to 14 day imprisonment. This man has been an increasing source of trouble to the whole camp. The bread he was eating was stolen from one of his room-mates.
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02/05/45
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The above mentioned in the morning tried to kick his way out of his cell. During remainder of day was tied hand and foot and twice beaten for telling lies. At night commenced screaming and screaming. Was given a blanket and drink of water. Quietened down of a while. He then asked to go to the latrine and when released began kicking and screaming and calling for Capt. Wilkie, who on two occasions went to see him. He was perfectly rational each time and his only excuse was that he could not sleep. He was eventually gagged and during that night tried to hang himself with the gags, but it was quite apparent even to himself that the rag would not hold his weight. In the morning when Capt. Miller went to see him, he was very sorry for himself.
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03/05/45
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Factory shirts and pants issued.
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05/50/45
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Cut in rice ration now only xx kgs. per day. Sugar ration now only averages 0.2 xxxx per day.
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08/05/45
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Army shirts and pants handed in. 500 pieces of soap 0.21 Yens issued.
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10/05/45
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Saruwaterei threw down and kicked No. 136571 Dvr. Maco Y.L. Dragged him to his feet and knocked him with three blows of his fist. Reason: Dirty clothing. Capt. Wilkie told I.J.A. Sgt. He would have Saruwaterei shot after war.
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12/05/45
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Cigarettes in part and chocolate issued from Red Cross. (Boxes).
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14/05/45
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Cheese and raisins as above. PoW released from imprisonment but on my orders, to continue to live in guard room on full rations and with all clothing and bedding. Allowed in the dining hall from 1800 to 2000 hrs daily.
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15/05/45
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PoW gaoled for breaking into and stealing sugar from Nippon stores.
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16/05/45
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Coffee and sugar from Red Cross boxes.
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23/05/45
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PoW handed over to be gaoled for five days for refusing to obey an order given him by B.S.M Tawso C. and Lt. Miller W. This man has given considerable trouble in past and was recently sentenced to 14 days detention for receiving stolen rations. This to take effect after release.
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24/05/45
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No. 331072 Gnr. McQuarrie M., 9C.D.Regt. R.A. enlisted for 4 years with colours and 8 years with Reserve. This expired on 22.10.41. Owing to intervention of war, re-engagement papers were lost. He has today applied for re-enlistment. Balance of coffee, sugar, raisins, chocolate from R. Cross boxes issued. By order of the I.J.A. all tinned foods will be retained in stores temporarily
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25/05/45
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Odd instances of lice reported. Commenced boiling blankets.
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31/05/45
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Cigarettes issued 16.2. are not payment and 15.6 are free. 20 cigarettes per man less than the previous month. Boiling of blankets as anti lice precaution completed.
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04/06/45
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No.5769717. Pte. Wren 5th Bat. Norfolks. 18 years time expired 17.3.45. Applied for re-engagement to 21 years. Letter written to unit. Part of rations (Barley) removed to another store outside camp. said to be an air raid precaution.
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05/06/45
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Balance of Red Cross stores, I.J.A. clothing and a quantity of other packages (contents unknown) removed to stores as above.
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09/06/45
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Rice and barley being moved out of camp every day. Same as above. About 20 cases of Typhus fever reported in the town, We have very few lice, but arrangements being made to steam all clothing.
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12/06/45
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Alterations to buildings in camp commenced. This is pending arrival of more men. Said to be 100.
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14/06/45
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Details of new arrivals given – 2 M.Os. 1 American , 1 British 100 British troops, one of whom is an American.
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17/06/45
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Suffered a rather heavy incendiary raid on this area. Spent the night in the shelter but had a few men assisting in fighting the fire. The camp suffered no casualties but the surrounding district was ablaze. The camp was completely ringed with fires.
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18/06/45
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No work was done at the factory. Some clothing of the men which was left in the factory was burned.
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19/06/45
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The men went to the factory as usual. Mainly cleaning up work.
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28/06/45
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Started cleaning up for new arrivals. Previous Nip buildings completely evacuated and new buildings occupied.
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30/06/45
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1 Officer, 1 M. Officer, and 98 men arrived from [[No.]] 6 P.O.W. camp Details attached. General condition of men much better than our own people and morale much higher. Accommodation and issue of sacking clothing completed.
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-2/07/45
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Killed a pig today – we received approx. 4 kilos of meat.
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03/07/45
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New men taken to factory for the first time. Mori, civilian clerk from No. 6. Camp, arrived.
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04/07/45
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PoWs gaoled for 10 days by the I.J.A. for gambling.
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06/07/45
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Some improvement in the vegetable rations etc.
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12/07/45
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PoWs released early.
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13/07/45
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A new quartermaster – a Cpl. – arrived. w.e.f. 2.7.45 No.850493 Bdr. Kirkpatrick promoted to the rank of Acting / Unpaid Sgt. whilst acting as N.C.O. i/c cookhouse.
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20/07/45
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PoW goaled for breaking into biscuit store at factory – Sentence 3 days.
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22/07/45
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PopW goaled for failing to obey an order, scavenging and improper behaviour in the Dining Hall. Sentence unknown. On his second day he attempted to show desperation by making an effort to escape. This was done by breaking from the guards and running out of the gate. He stopped just outside and was brought back and tied hand and foot. He was allowed no food for two and a half days. This an order from the I.J.A.
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23/07/45
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Guards changed today, after 4 months stay. A/B Childs released from gaol
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25/07/45
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Saruwaterei leaves camp today. We are told he is going first to the front.
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27/07/45
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Another incendiary raid lasting from 0001 to 0300 hrs approx. Much more concentrated than last. Fire picquets were placed at points within camp but at first had great difficulty in operating owing to guards. These were terrified and insisted on keeping our men in small pits at each fire point. Eventually Capt. Wilkie managed to get us operating freely on our own initiative which was done successfully. In all 16 small and 4 large incendiaries were dropped on the camp but were successfully dealt with. One of them penetrated the roof of the shelter. One end of the hospital was hit and slightly burned but was not rendered uninhabitable. The town is practically laid waste but for a small area round the camp. The factory was not damaged much but the area next door was gutted. Work has been greatly deranged mainly through lack of electricity and supervising labour. Everyone was in bed at the time and had to dash for the shelter but no panic occurred.
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30/07/45
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The numbers of air raids have greatly increased during the last few days.
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05/08/45
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High level air raid bombing attack on locality. On the factory, some of our men injured. Factories about 3 to 4 miles distant received weight of attack. One engine bomber received a direct hit from A.A. One of the crew took to parachute and landed in sea near-by. He was dead when found. Remainder of crew perished in plane.
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07/08/45
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PoW released from gaol. Was put in on 4.8.45 for stealing duck eggs from duck pen.
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08/80/45
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Spent about four and half hours in air-raid shelter. Very heavy concentration of planes (4 engine bombers) passed over close to our camp at about 1200 to 1400 hrs. men at factory told 750 planes took part, the object being a strip of coast 60 miles by 3 miles on the main island. No action except serial combats around this locality.
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10/08/45
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Rice ration down to approx. 520 gms. per man per day. Vegetables very short. Complaint made to I.J.A. Commander.
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12/08/45
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PoW gaoled for having a fight with a Japanese sailor at the factory. This man can almost be classed as a mental case but when put under observation, did not prove serious enough for isolation. Had been under observation in Hospital in Singapore but had been dismissed. Veg. ration improved slightly. PoWs gaoled for trying to steal a bag of salt from the factory.
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13/08/45
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All five above have done 24 hours kneeling in the guard room without food.
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14/08/45
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PoW released from gaol.
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15/08/45
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At the factory today about 1200 hrs. there was a radio broadcast after which the Nip. Workers were assembled and addressed by the factory official. In the middle of his speech he broke down and
cried. When the siren sounded a little earlier than this the men were told not to worry that American planes would not bomb Nip. workers, and women did not take cover on this raid. No work was done in afternoon.
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17/08/45
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Told this is a big day of mourning in Japan, when they mourn the war dead.
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18/08/45
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Commenced issuing Red Cross foodstuffs and cigarettes. Killed off pigs and some chickens. No doubt in anyones mind now that war is over.
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19/08/45
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Nothing of import happens today.
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20/08/45
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Complete clothing issued to all men Japanese clothing. Old clothing handed back. Capt. Wilkie put in hospital. Remainder of Red Cross food parcels issued.
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21/08/45
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Declaration of cessation of hostilities of 15.8.45 read out first time. Swimming party taken out today. Normal conditions carried on.
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22/08/45
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Arrangements made for Kiddies party on 24/08/45.
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23/08/45
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Valuables returned to men with no losses.
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24/08/45
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Kiddies party very successful. Revert to our own drill today.
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28/08/45
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1700 hrs Relief foodstuffs dropped from one B.29 plane. Buildings slightly damaged with canisters. One man slightly injured with the flying splinters of wood. One other superficial cut. One house outside camp damaged (unoccupied ). No other casualties Foodstuff damaged but mostly salvaged.
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29/08/45
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Target area for above marked out in white line on garden patch 100 yds. East of Camp. Should be easily picked out. Two men left camp tonight without permission. A picquet was sent out but failed to find them. Japanese guards were also turned out to search for them. They however returned by themselves, quite sober and properly dressed. They were arrested however and placed in the guard room for the night.
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30/08/45
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The above two men were tried by Capt. Wilkie and sentenced to confinement in our own guard room until such time as we are taken over by the Allies.
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30/08/45
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A British guard room and Police Staff of 18 men arranged. They will police the main gate by day and patrol Camp perimeter by night.
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02/09/45
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Official handing over from the Nips. We now take over the Camp
and all stores. In the evening an official ceremony was held when the American and British National anthems were played.
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03/09/45
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Walking out leave was to have started today, but owing torain no one went out. Capt. Wilkie visited Camp 17. and conferred with Major Shott, Commanding Officer.
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04/09/45
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Had four airdrops on this camp today. No one injured except one civilian woman who had slight cut on arm. One house damaged by a canister.
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05/09/45
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The American and British flags hoisted over the camp for the first time today.
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Back to Fukuoka 25B
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