A number of days after the army occupied the island, an incident occurred when an army unit passing by fired at the island by mistake. Thereupon, Captain SENDA issued a directive in our name requiring training and study of the defence of the island and drew up a plan for such defence. Since I was a graduate of an engineering school, I had no knowledge, experience or training in that field, and since I had no authority to command, I immediately asked Captain SENDA to draft a plan. Therefore, until the arrival of the naval officer who was to be my commanders I adopted the plan as drawn up, and Captain SENDA and I made our decision without delay and signed our names to it. Several days later KANEHARA's company also came to occupy the island. I therefore transmitted the plan of defence to Lieutenant (s.g.) KANEHARA, and in my capacity as a naval commander I explained the purpose of it along with correction and corroboration. In Article 1. of the defence plan was the item which stated that if we were in danger of being caught directly in front of the enemy's landing, the prisoners would first of all be disposed. The method of disposal was to be with hand grenades. I remember that the task was assigned to one company (whose name I do not remember) of the army unit. That is clear from a glance at the written plan. After the arrival of Lieutenant KANEHARA of the Navy upon the island I put the revised defence plan of BALLALE Island into effect and issued it in the name of the commander of the naval garrison unit. According to this, my construction unit became a reserve and was to seek refuge on the side opposite the enemy's attack to await further orders. I do not remember how the other details, especially those dealing with the co-operation with the army, were agreed upon.
I commanded 800 non-combatant labourers and about 120 non-commissioned officers. My primary duty, to which I paid the utmost attention, was to minimize the casualties sustained by my subordinates.
I think it was in the beginning of January 1943 that Captain MIKI ( ) of the Navy arrived on the island to assume the supreme command of the army and navy forces on the island. In less than three months he was sent back to the homeland.
About the time of Captain MIKI's arrival at this post, the army units were shifted frequently. Therefore, I don't remember such details as the names of senior officer, unit members, etc., but I know that in general the personnel strength of the army decreased gradually. I thought that this was natural in view of the nature of the army's duties.
I do not know whether or not the details of the defence plan of the island were changed during Captain MIKI's command.
- Second of the important problems. As I mentioned previously, it was difficult for the prisoners to recover from the debilitated condition caused by diphtheria, chronic enteritis, etc., which they had contracted before they were sent to the island, and the number of deaths of the prisoners gradually increased. We, especially the personnel under the medical officer, did our best. However, enemy air raids intensified day by day and heavy casualties were inflicted on all units. There was much sickness in all units as a result of day and night bombing and from other causes. At that time out unit was the only naval unit which had a medical officer. Conditions among all the other companies were such that only first-aid men were available.
Our medical officer, assisted by one medical corps ensign, cared for all the navy personnel. Even in our unit there were times when more than half of the personnel were incapacitated by sickness. The situation was one in which everyone was being worked to death. I remember that soon afterwards the situation got out of control, and we had to call for the assistance of a medical lieutenant (j.g.) from the 1 Naval Base at BUIN and later for the assistance of a medical lieutenant (j.g.) from Lieutenant KANEHARA's unit, with whose help we finally passed through the crisis. The names of prisoners who died of sickness, the date of death, and the type of sickness should be recorded in reports and can be found with ease
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