Major Arthur C. Peterson Testimony Major Peterson's testimony begins at the surrender of Corregidor and ends shortly after his liberation on May 21st, 1945. He lists numerous names of prisoners who were on the Oryoku Maru with him, then the Enoura Maru and finally on the Brazil Maru. In many instances he gives dates and manner of death of some veterans, including notables such as Colonel Barr and Major Tom Smothers. The document contains the following note, unfortunately without attribution: - "Major Peterson was liberated shortly after this diary ended. He weighed about 85 pounds at that time. When he visited my mother and me (he was married to my mother's sister) at Virginia Beach just after his liberation, he had literally fistfuls of meat rationing coupons -more than we had seen for the whole war! Shortly after that, rationing was discontinued. After his liberation he was always quite reluctant to speak of his POW days -unless he were with another POW - then the memories might flow. Gleaned from those conversations came the very poignant memory of the first night of their capture as they were being held in a compound at the Malinta Tunnel. They were wet, cold, discouraged and at the far end of the compound someone started singing "God Bless America" and that song swelled and traveled the length of the compound in a breathtaking display of patriotism. I also learned that while imprisoned, the POW's were able somehow to gather the makings of a camera and while waiting in line for food, to the count of one-two-three moved into position for a picture while another person moved to snap that picture. As you can read they were fed mostly rice. Pete said that the
Japanese would polish the rice and of course, thereby they would lose some of the precious nutrients, so the prisoners made pretty sure that the rice polishing machine was permanently on the fritz! He was raised to the rank of full Colonel and retained that rank until he retired. He worked for the Army Security Agency in various places and died in 1969 in Frankfurt, Germany. This diary was used by the (then) War Department to verify the deaths of some individuals listed herein." Bob Hudson Posted at: http://corregidor.org/journals/acp_01.html
MAJOR ARTHUR C. PETERSON 60th C.A. (AA) At twelve o'clock noon May 6, 1942, I fell into the hands of the Japanese Imperial Army at Fort Mills, P.I., as a result of the surrender of that stronghold. That afternoon Japanese troops entered Malinta Tunnel, location of the Antiaircraft Defense Headquarters, and took over. The Japanese soldiers immediately began to relieve us of our rings, watches, currency and other valuables appropriating them for personal use and failing to issue receipts for this personal property. The artillery and aerial bombardment of Corregidor continued throughout the 6th and 7th despite the efforts of the American commander to effect a surrender. For the next few days we were confined to the Tunnel and subject to continued stripping of jewelry and other items of value by the Japanese soldiers. No organized effort was made to feed us but most managed to get along on canned goods surreptitiously obtained from our Quartermaster storerooms. After a few days of this we were all formed, except for the General officers and certain staff officers, and marched to the 92nd C.A. garage area. There some 8000-9000 were crowded into a very small area lacking water and sanitary facilities or any description. Organizations were broken up making it extremely difficult to carry out any orderly measures for feeding, sanitation and necessary control under those trying circumstances. Prisoner of War groups of 1000 men subdivided into ten further subdivisions of 100 men each were formed and all prisoners numbered upon direction of the Japanese. All efforts of Colonel Bunker, senior officer at this area, to ameliorate conditions and provide a necessary measure of control were met with studied insolence and completely ignored. The Japanese made every effort to break down the officer-enlisted man relationship of the prisoners increasing our problems many fold. On May 23, 1942, we were loaded on several ships with such hand baggage as we could carry. The next morning we proceeded to the beaches off Pasay and placed aboard landing barges and ferried to a few yards off shore where we were forced to jump into the water and wade ashore. The Japanese aboard the landing barges again searched the majority of us and seized all valuables they could discover. When ashore we were formed in a column of fours and paraded through Manila to Bilibid Prison under Cavalry escort. As a result of this march Lt. Col., W.B. Short, CAC died from exhaustion and many
others suffered from heat prostration. We remained in Bilibid for several days getting a fair sized portion of steamed rice three times a day supplemented by an onion occasionally. The prisoners were then sent to Cabanatuan in 1500 man groups daily. On May 28, my group was loaded into the small box cars of the Manila R.R. with over 100 men and baggage per car and proceeded to the city of Cabanatuan, arriving the same afternoon. The trip was most arduous due to lack of water and overcrowding. We spent the night in the rain the Cabanatuan municipal corral for stray animals, everyone getting thoroughly soaked. The next day we hiked 15 kilometers to Cabanatuan Camp #2 with the Japanese guards beating all stragglers with rifle butts and bamboo rods if prisoners had difficulty in maintaining the rate of march. Some of the more serious cases were picked up by trucks if authorized to fall out by a Japanese officer. Upon arrival at the camp it was found that no water was available so we were moved to Cabanatuan Camp #1 on June 1st, and assigned to barracks in this camp after several hours delay. The water facilities at this camp were extremely limited and we had to stand in line for hours to get one or two canteens of water per day. The daily ration consisted of rice and a think soup of greens which was occasionally fortified with a few shreds of carabao meat. Medical supplies were not available and no efforts were made to provide for the comfort and care of the prisoners. Again the American officers were given no opportunity or aid in improving the conditions of the prisoners. After I had been at Camp #1 for several days American prisoners from the POW camp at O'Donnell began arriving, most of them being in pitiful condition. (These men were Bataan survivors). Badly needed medical supplies were still lacking despite available stocks at the Bataan hospitals and Manila. The death rate jumped and ran from 25 to 50 or so deaths daily, mostly from malaria, dysentery and malnutrition. By August a diphtheria epidemic was in full swing and on September 3, 1942, I was admitted to the hospital section of the camp with a diphtheric throat infection. Up to this time many had died of diphtheria due to lack of antitoxin but I was fortunate in getting one fourth of the normal dose and was among the few survivors. This illness left me with a postdiphtheria paralysis which lasted for approximately four months due to lack of proper food and necessary medicines. It was a pitiful sight to see so many young men die for lack of adequate facilities and supplies when we all knew that necessary medicines, drugs, medical equipment and food supplies were at hand a few miles away. Efforts of Filipino charitable organizations to furnish supplies, aid and comfort to the American prisoners were blocked by the Japanese on the flimsiest pretexts. In December 1942 British and American Red Cross packages were given to
the prisoners. Each man received two and a fraction boxes plus some bulk food which was issued through the mess. The Japanese food issue had also improved about Thanksgiving time. The death rate immediately began to drop off and by the spring of 1943 was down to practically normal proportions. Also in December 1942 the Japanese began paying the officers and medical personnel effective from August 1942 but credited most of the pay to Postal Saving Accounts. This pay, however, did much to improve the food situation as a commissary had been started which was able to get various food items and tobacco for sale to the prisoners. The arrival of this Red Cross food and the granting of pay saved many lives as many were dying daily of malnutrition alone due to the discouraging outlook of a slow death by starvation. I was discharged from the hospital section in April of 1943 although my general condition was still very poor. The Japanese made every effort to keep the number hospitalized to a fixed maximum and physical condition was not necessarily the determining factor to whether a prisoner was marked duty or carried in the hospital. The prisoners were operating a farm as part of the camp and upon my return to duty status I found myself assigned to work detail on the farm. My health soon broke down again as I had not fully recovered from my prior illness. The Japanese guards on the farm detail took unusual delight in beating prisoners whenever an opportunity offered. Many were seriously injured; although the crops of this farm were theoretically for the POW camp very little found its way to our messes. Most of the vegetables were shipped out of camp by truck. When we did get vegetables from the farm it was after they had become tough or rotten in most cases. During the Christmas of 1943 and early spring of 1944 we received our second lot of Red Cross boxes amounting to two and a fraction boxes but no bulk food this time. A few clothes and enough shoes for the majority of the camp were issued at this time also. The additional food was most welcome as the amount issued by the Japanese was steadily decreasing. From this time on I steadily lost weight and never again approached my normal weight while a prisoner of war. About February 1944 I was detailed as part of a large detail from the Cabanatuan camp to work on the Cabanatuan airport nearby. We had about 500 men daily working at leveling and constructing a 1500 meter runway using primitive homemade shovels, picks and wheel barrows. The treatment of the workers at this project by the Japanese was good for a change as the Japanese supervisor was very anxious to get as much work done as possible. This work went on until summer when I was shifted again to work on the farm.
In August of 1944 while working in his private garden within the prisoner compound 2nd Lt. Robert Huffcutt, Signal Corps was killed by rifle fire by one of the boundary guards on the pretext that had gone beyond the boundary line. It was a case of deliberate murder. First Lt. Toshino, JIA was the officer of the day when this incident took place as I believe the Japanese major in command of the camp was away at the time. While I was working on the farm weeding rice paddies on Sept. 21, 1944, we saw our first American planes since the surrender. Scores of carrier based planes appeared over the mountains to the east and proceeded to the vicinity of Clark Field and the Manila area. Needless to say the Japanese did not send us back to the farm that afternoon. Our morale jumped up a thousand percent. By this time outgoing drafts for Japan began to leave at frequent intervals. The Japanese were cleaning our Cabanatuan except for cripples and seriously sick. On October 12th I was part of the draft which was sent to Bilibid Prison in Manila by truck. We arrived during an air alert period and found that the place was empty except for the permanent overhead and sick. A large detail of approximately 1800 officers and men had left the night before to be transferred to Japan. We were immediately put on a starvation ration of two meals per day consisting of two light mess kits of rice and occasionally a half canteen cup of this soup made chiefly of green vegetable tops. We remained at Bilibid being joined by the remaining personnel from Cabanatuan and other details forming a draft of approximately 1600 men. By December we had all lost an average of twenty pounds and found ourselves in an extremely debilitated condition. During this time we saw frequent carrier based raids on the Manila area and felt confident when we learned of General MacArthur's landing in Leyte that the Japanese would not attempt to get us out of the Philippines. How sadly we were mistaken. At this point I wish to continue the narrative in diary form in order to make full use of my notes covering the period which to me constitutes one of the greatest crimes in history; Wednesday, December 13, 1944. Shortly after 8:00 a.m. we were formed and started for Pier 7 but due to an air raid alert we were returned to Bilibid. We finally left about 10:30 a.m. and sat on the dock at Pier 7 most of the afternoon while the ship was being loaded with supplies, troops and civilians including many women and children. The ship was the 'Oryoku Maru' built in 1937, and had no identification marks other than its name. It was a first class passenger ship and must have been capable of about 20
knots. We boarded about 6 p.m., 1626 officers and men including a few British and Dutch. At about dusk the ship cast off and moved away from the pier. We had been crowded into several hold, my hold being the rear one. We were beaten into holds with rifle butts and swords to crowd us into the limited space allowed us. We were so jammed that there was not enough room for everyone to sit down much less lie down. No air could get into the hold except through the small entrance hatch so the air rapidly became foul and hot. A meal of rice and fish sauce was lowered to us in buckets but no water was supplied. Due to the crowded condition in the hold men in the rearmost part of my hold received no supper as it was impossible to get a man forward to get the food buckets due to the crowded conditions. Similarly it was impossible to get near the latrine buckets which were in the forward part of the hold, which did not help sanitary matters any. The oxygen in the air was rapidly being exhausted and men were going off their head in large numbers. We tried to circulate air by fanning mess kit covers in unison which seemed to be of some help. Men began to die of suffocation and the insane were knifing anyone available to suck the blood of the victim to satisfy their thirst. By daylight there were several score dead either from suffocation or by murder. It was the most horrible experience imaginable and practically unbelievable to the civilized person. Thursday December 14, 1944 Early in the morning we were spotted by a carrier based scouting plane. As we were off the Zambales coast we were bombed and strafed all day long undergoing 17 attacks in 5 different raids. At the first attack many of the prisoners tried to climb the ladder to get above decks which caused the Japanese guard to empty his rifle in the hold wounding several of the prisoners. The screams of the women and children on the upper decks added to the confusion. An attempt was made to unload the women and children after the first attack. One of the life boats tipped in the process, spilling all the occupants in the water. The upper decks were covered with dead and wounded. The ship put about and returned to Subic Bay and proceeded to unload the Japanese during the night. All prisoners were left aboard however and the night of the 14th was a repetition of the night of the 13th in all its horror. Stennis, Neiger and Koster were among those who died of suffocation. MacNair was one of the insane that had to be killed by the prisoners themselves in self defense. We were told that we were to be unloaded in the morning and to be prepared to go ashore with what we could carry on our persons. It was a crime not to unload the prisoners that night.
Friday, December 15, 1944 Between 7:00 a.m. and 8:00 a.m. before we were unloaded from the ship we were raided again with three passing attacks. This resulted in several bomb hits, one of which killed scores in my hold. I was wounded in the head and was left for dead when the evacuation of the prisoners began about 9:15 a.m. Some time later in the morning I regained consciousness when a gust of wind cleared some of the smoke from the hold. After pushing my way out of a pile of bodies and debris I found a bomb hold in the side of the ship and dropped into the water making my way to shore with the aid of a piece of hatch cover. Upon gaining the shore I was immediately seized by several Japanese soldiers and sent to join a large group of prisoners in the vicinity of the tennis court at Olongapo. There my head wounds were dressed by Captain Don Hanes and Major Glassburn who happened to have some sulfanilamide powder and a first aid kit. This was all the medical treatment I ever received for this wound; none was ever given by the Japanese. The ship was subjected to two more raids at 2:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. during the afternoon setting the holds at the stern and amidships afire. We were not fed. Saturday December 16, 1944 We were all assembled in the tennis court at Olongapo; about 1340 survivors of the 1626 that left Manila on the 13th leaving 286 unaccounted for. Conditions at the tennis court were so crowded there was not room for everyone to lie down, the majority were naked except for a single items such as a G-string, or a pair of drawers or some such garment. The sun was torrid and no shade available. Everyone had sore eyes due to manure in the holds and bomb dust. There were many cases of blisters and sunburn in additional to the wounded; also many were covered with oil as a result of the swim to shore. Again we passed another day without being fed. U.S. carrier based planes bombed and strafed Olongapo and the 'Oryoku Maru'. A few prisoners were wounded slightly by stray fragments. Ineman died this date. Ineman died this date??? Can’t find Ineman on manifest. Sunday, December 17, 1944 The previous night was cold and rainy. Lacking adequate clothing and cover we all were extremely miserable and sleep was impossible for most. With the coming of the daylight the sun was terrific. The men were crying for food
and an adequate supply of water. We were given 1 sack of uncooked rice amounting to 2 1/2 spoons of dry rice per man and also a little water. This was the first food issued since the 14th despite the fact that we were at Olongapo where plenty of food was actually available in the vicinity. The wounded had to be dressed using pieces of old stove pipe and rags for splints and dressing. Wounds were becoming gangrenous. Three men died. Monday, December 18, 1944 At 6:00 a.m. a truck load of clothing, mostly worn out Japanese underwear arrived and was distributed but the amount was insufficient for even one garment per prisoner. I received a pair of long under-drawers. About 10:00 a.m. 100 of the most sickly patients were permitted to leave the tennis court to spend the heat of the day under the shade of a nearby grove of trees. Our ration again consisted of 1 sack of rice for over 1300 men. Some prisoners were regaining hope and were expecting that the entire group would be returned to Bilibid. Tuesday, December 19, 1944 Scorched by the sun during the day and freezing at night, the men were getting so weak that walking was a difficulty. The daily sack of rice plus a teaspoon full of salt per man still constituted our ration. No medical or other supplies were issued. The Japanese finally allowed the dead to be buried in a shell hole on the south side of the tennis courts toward the bay. Everyone is a mass of bruises and aches. Wednesday, December 20, 1944 One man, Rice died. Issued a sack of rice and salt. 30 trucks arrived to take us away - to Bilibid we hoped. 681 moved by truck to the jail at San Fernando, Pampanga, each truck used carrying 40 men plus supplies. 6 men have died to date at the tennis court and were all buried in the same hole south of the courts. A total of 6 sacks of dry rice and 3 sacks of salt had been issued the prisoners since the last cooked meal on the 14th of December. Thursday, December 21, 1944 One man died in the night. Chaplain Duffy handled burial detail. The remaining personnel at the tennis courts were trucked to a theater building in San Fernando, Pampanga. The group at the jail received two cooked meals of
steamed rice totaling 125 grams per person. This was the first cooked meal since December 14th. There are many case of "runs" and dysentery and no medical supplies available. The wounded are not improving due to malnutrition and lack of medicines and dressings. A crust has formed over my head wounds so I think that the sulfanilamide power sprinkled on my scalp at Olongapo is preventing infection. This sulfanilamide was brought off the "Oryoku Maru" by Captain Hanes so I can give thanks to him for a fortunate healing. Edison has the "runs" badly. MacNair, Crawford, Bosworth, Haggerty, Mitchell and many other Corregidor friends are among the 286 no longer with us. Friday, December 22, 1944 300 grams of steamed rice today with adequate water. Lt. Col. Harry Harper, F.A. died. 15 of the seriously wounded and deathly sick were sent to Bilibid (we understood) by truck, 12 from the jail and 3 from the theatre. Edison, Freney and Peoples were included in the 15. They moved out at 10:00 p.m. I am still part of the hospital group which is arranged in several large cells on one side of the compound. Feeling rather desolate as my last few crumbs of tobacco were stolen during the previous night. There is no longer a normal sense of decency in 90% of the prisoners. It has reduced to a fight for survival and nothing barred. Saturday, December 23, 1944 300 grams of steamed rice and camotes today, giving everyone two canteens cups full. Everyone is expecting to be moved shortly, and hoping it will be a return trip to Bilibid despite the starvation ration there. Everyone is still practically naked, many have colds, dysentery is breaking out in many previous arrested cases, and the wounded are getting weaker. Sunday, December 24, 1944 After a night of hectic coughing on the part of most of the prisoners we were awakened at 3:00 a.m. to move out. The two groups from the jail and theatre were joined at the railroad station totaling about 1311 prisoners and 50 or more guards. Of the 1340 accounted for at Olongapo, 10 died at Olongapo, 4 died at San Fernando, Pampanga, and 15 were sent out by truck, presumably to Bilibid. At 9:00 a.m. we were loaded on 10 small type boxcars loading 120 to 160 men per car. Each car was so crowded that very few could sit down. The heat was unbearable as there was no ventilation except by means of one door which was blocked off by four guards. Some of the more seriously wounded were
placed on top of the boxcars for the trip. At about 10:00 a.m. the train finally started and we noted with sinking hearts that we were headed north and not south. Clark Field was undergoing an air raid by American planes as we passed. The train was stopped and the guards got off the train and scattered but kept the prisoners aboard the train. The train was not attacked however and we proceeded to San Fernando, La Union arriving some seventeen hours later. Approximately five prisoners died en route. We arrived after dark and spent the rest of the night sleeping on the concrete of the station platform. This was also another foodless day with no water issue either. Monday, December 25, 1944 (Christmas Day) What a sad Christmas Day! After daylight we were marched about two miles to a school yard in San Fernando, La Union. There we were fed a half cup of rice and a tablespoon of salt in the morning and a half cup of rice and camotes in the afternoon. This was the first food since Saturday the 23rd. A small amount of water was also issued. At about 10:00 p.m. we were counted and marched about three miles to the beach, carrying the sick and wounded, where we bedded down on the sand trying to avoid the wind and cold. Tuesday, December 26, 1944 After a cold and windy night on the sand we were fed a rice ball at 5:00 a.m. About 300 men did not get one. We also received 5 spoons of water each. We were allowed to bathe in the ocean in groups of 100, this being the first opportunity since the 13th of December for most of the prisoners, to get a bath. We suffered terrifically from the sun with only five spoonfulls of water to slake our thirst. Col. Edmonds died on the beach. A tablespoon of dry rice was issued per prisoner. Wednesday, December 27, 1944 Shortly before dawn we were awakened and loaded aboard a large empty horse freighter with the exception of a small group of about 259 under Lt. Col. Harold K. Johnson, Inf. which boarded another freighter. Fourteen sunken ships were visible in the harbor. Our convoy appeared to consist of two destroyers and about six freighters. We got under way while under an air raid alarm. A second air raid took place during the afternoon but our ship was not damaged in any
way. We were given one meal consisting of 1/3 canteen cup of rice and 1/2 pint of tea. Lt. D. C. Brown was shot trying to jump overboard in an attempt to escape. Thursday, December 28, 1944 Remained at anchor most of previous night due to moonlight and fear of submarine attacks. We were so crowded in our hold that it was necessary to lie down in relays. Air was plentiful; in fact it was getting to be considerably cooler. We passed the northern tip of Luzon about 10:00 a.m. Our ration amounted to 1/3 cup of tea and 1/3 cup of rice and fish. Three torpedoes were fired at us - all missed. On Lt. Col. Johnson's boat Snyder died of dysentery. Johnson's boat will be referred to as Boat #1 hereafter and my boat as #2. The information concerning boat #1 was obtained from notes kept by Chaplain Nagle. The ration aboard boat #1 amounted to 3/4 of a canteen cup of rice and 1 tablespoon of fish. On the 27th they were given 2 tablespoons of rice and no water. Friday, December 29, 1944 At anchor for eight hours during moonlight, cooler and rain. Men use all type of utensils in effort to get rainwater. Two men died on my ship. Gunnery practice was held in the early evening hours. We were not issued water and received 1/3 cup of rice per man. Those on Boat #1 received about 1/5 cup of rice per man. Everyone is filthy and miserable. The Japs still refuse to make our medicines available to us. In fact they will not even permit us to get salt water to bathe the wounded. Saturday, December 30, 1944 Three deaths on my ship. Food for the day was 1/3 cup of rice, 5 spoons of soup and 1/2 pint of water. Ships guns were in action from 8 to 9 p.m. Men on other ship given 1/2 cup of rice scraps. Sunday, December 31, 1944 Three more deaths; fed 1/2 cup of rice. Night very cold. Apparently undergoing torpedo attacks all night long as the guns were firing and depth charges were dropped all throughout the night. Men on other ship not fed but were given 1/2 cup of water after 9 requests. Arrived at Takao Harbor during
night. Monday, January 1, 1945 Aboard ship in harbor. We were given two small meals of rice but no water. The ship is filled with millions of flies. The men are dying of dysentery, starvation and lack of water. On the other boat the men were given 5 1/2 moldy hardtack rolls and 3/4 cup of water. We lost the old Jewish Cantor, Kolawski and old Johnson, chief clerk making a total of 3 deaths on boat #1. They are also suffering from exposure, dehydration and starvation and wondering how long they can last. Who is this Johnson? Tuesday, January 2, 1945 Four more deaths on my ship ration, for the day was 1/3 cup of rice and 1/3 cup of water. On ship #1 they were fed 2/3 cup of soft rice, 1/2 teaspoon of fish and no water. The weather is still cold and the lack of clothing is severely felt. The hold is a filthy mess of diarrhea, flies, and gangrenous wounds. Wednesday, Jan 3, 1945 We are still at anchor in Takao harbor. Air raid alarms accompanied by 3 inch and machine gun fire from the ships on three different occasions between 8 and 9:30 a.m. We were fed 3 spoons of uncooked rice. 1/3 cup of cooked rice 1/4 cup of soup and 1 pint of water. Doctor Lambert held a sick call but no medicines were available. We have had two buckets of salt water in 6 days for medical use to wash the wounded. The men are reaching the state of animals. Four died on Boat #2 and Joe English on boat #1. Thursday, January 4, 1945 Night was a little warmer with soft rains. We had one meal with a little soup and water. There are still no medicines and dressings and the Japs refuse to make any available to us although we know they have some of our Red Cross supplies aboard. 3 men died on my ship making, I believe a total of 34 deaths since leaving Olongapo. On ship #1 they were given 3/4 cup rice and 8 spoons of water which was their first food since Tuesday noon.
Friday, January 5, 1945 Beginning of 6th day in Takao harbor having arrived December 31, 1944. We are about 300 yards from shore. Issued 1/2 cup of rice and a little water. 6 more died on my ship bringing total to 40 since leaving Olongapo exclusive of deaths on #2 ship. On #1 ship they were given 1/2 cup water, 1/2 cup lugao (soft rice) and 1/2 teaspoon of fish. Mr. Ascheim died of starvation, exposure and dehydration on boat #1. Saturday, January 6, 1945 Still in Takao harbor. Supplies (sugar) were being loaded all day long. The group on boat #1 under Lt. Col. Johnson came aboard our ship and we were all put together in one hold. They noted twelve ships in the harbor while being transferred. Four more died. There are about 1275 left now. We are so crowded that each 20 men have a space of 6 by 9 feet. We were fed two meals of 1/2 and 1/3 cup of rice respectively. Also issued 1/2 cup of water and a small amount of soup. Sunday, January 7, 1945 Recapitulation -- Deaths: 10 at Olongapo; 5 at San Fernando, Pampanga; (including train trip) 2 at San Fernando, La Union; 5 on boat #1; and 33 on boat #2. 279 lost in bombing of "Oryoku Maru" at Subic Bay with about 1340 getting ashore at Olongapo. 15 patients were sent to Bilibid from San Fernando, Pampanga including Lt. Col.'s D.D. Edison CAC, Sam Freney, Marine Corps, and Peoples, Ordnance and Lt. Sherman, QMC. They were loaded on trucks and we understood they were to be returned to Bilibid. About 1308 boarded the two ships at San Fernando, La Union on Dec 27, 1944. Commander Ports, senior officer, died today and one other. 55 deaths since arrival at tennis court at Olongapo on December 15, 1944. The hold we are in is a two decker with the joining of men from ship #1 it has been necessary to reorganize in order to squeeze everyone in. Commander Bridges is in charge of the lower hold and Lt. Col. Shreves above. Dysentery is spreading and the flies are out of control entirely. There are literally millions of them. The bulkheads appear to be a moving mass of black and green. We were fed two meals and given a little water.
Monday, January 8, 1945 Still in Takao Harbor. We were taken above decks in order to shift holds because of the ships loading of supplies. We were separated into two holds but are just as crowded as ever. It is still necessary to sleep in reliefs due to lack of space. We were fed 1 meal and 1/4 cup of water. Tuesday, January 9, 1945 37 Dutch and British under Sgt. Maj. deHaan (Dutch) were sent ashore to a Taiwan POW camp. These were survivors of a previous sinking who had joined us at Cabanatuan and Bilibid and were part of the original detail that sailed from Manila December 13th. Under air raid by U.S. carrier planes. We were raided three times. The second raid at about noon got direct hits on the ship in the front hold. 70 or more were hit in the rear hold, many bleeding to death. I was wounded slightly in the right ankle, nothing serious unless infection sets in. The forward hold is a mass of wreckage and dead. We cannot get to them. Four ordinary deaths. One meal of 1/3 cup rice -no water. The calmness of the men when under air attack is miraculous. There is no excitement despite the fact there is no way to get out of the hold if the ship is hit unless the ship is blown open. All hands help with the wounded during the raids and try to give what little help that can be given. Most of them are rather fatalistic about the whole show anyway and would just as soon be blown up by Uncle Sam's planes as starved to death by the Nips. There is no ill feeling towards our own flyers. Everyone feels that it is just one of those things. Wednesday, January 10, 1945 There are many dead in the forward hold, piled three deep. Of about 470 in that hold there are an estimated 250 dead. Nothing has been done to help them and no aid had been given us by the Japs up to this time. Finally, more than 24 hours after the bombing some Jap medical corpsmen came aboard with iodine and bandages and applied a few dressings to the wounded. It was almost ridiculous. The wounded and dead all around us. Given 1/2 cup of water and 2 meals of rice. Thursday, January 11, 1945 Cleared dead out of holds. 224 out of 473 men killed in forward hold. 42 walking cases of wounded in forward hold. 45 killed in rear hold (the one I was
in at time of bombing). A roll call shows 970 left and 135 wounded. 5 cases of diphtheria suspects showed up this a.m. The walking cases and uninjured in the forward hold were consolidated with us in the rear hold. Fed 1/2 cup rice, two small pieces of fish and 1/2 cup water. Friday, January 12, 1945 Very cold night - still no clothing. No water available for washing or to clean wounds. Two deaths in rear hold and eight more up forward. There is little hope for the seriously wounded as we have no medical equipment no supplies. The stench of gangrene is overpowering. The Nips are patching up the holes in the ship to keep it afloat. 150 bodies were cremated ashore. Fed two meals of the usual rice. Saturday, January 13, 1945 150 more bodies unloaded. We were all transferred (except for those in the forward hold that could not be moved) to an old freighter - all in one hold. This ship is also unmarked and appears to be of World War I vintage or older. I don't believe she can make more than eight knots. Fed one meal and no water. Sunday, January 14, 1945 Completed transferring all wounded (about 108) out of forward hold by derrick and sling to the old freighter. This old freighter is referred to as the "third ship" by the prisoners, the first sitting on the bottom at Subic Bay, and the second being abandoned at Takao Harbor. Moved out to sea in convoy during the a.m. and headed in a northerly direction. Fed one meal consisting of 1/4 cup of rice, but again no water. Monday, January 15, 1945 Steamed north all day. Given two meals but no water. Men are dying of thirst, starvation, exposure and unattended wounds. Tuesday, January 16, 1945 Stopped most of the night - extremely cold. Still steaming northwards.
Many dying. Wednesday, January 17, 1945 A roll call was held to see who were still alive. 32 men died last night from exposure, starvation and dehydration. Thursday, January 18, 1945 Sailed north all day. Anchored at night. Two light meals and 6 ounces of water. It is extremely cold. We all huddle together "spoon fashion" trying to retain each other's body heat. The sea is very muddy and yellow. There are many barren looking islands to the starboard. Friday, January 19, 1945 Two light meals and two issues of water (about 7 spoons each). Anchored last night and steamed generally northward all day. Saturday, January 20, 1945 Sailed all day and anchored again at night. They didn't like our submarines at night. Very cold. Two meals and one issue of water. Men continue to die at the rate of about 40 per day. Sunday, January 21, 1945 Two meals and one issue of water. Sailing north. Clear green seas. Two meals and one issue of water. Usual number of deaths. The hatch cover is the only open space. The hold continuously has a pile of 40 to 50 emaciated bodies which are removed above decks once a day and buried at sea. Father Cummings holds a short devotional service every night despite the fact that he is a dying man. He won't last much longer. When a man gets the "runs" he lasts about 5 days and passes out. It is impossible to recognize your best friend on the death pile due to emaciation, etc. It makes the identification of the dead extremely difficult. Frequent roll calls are our only check on the living and they are subject to frequent errors due to the fact many are too weak to answer to their names.
Monday, January 22, 1945 Still extremely cold. 10 hours underway. Two meals and one issue of water. The filth and misery is indescribable. Tuesday, January 23, 1945 Snowing today - sailed north all day. One meal. Wednesday, January 24, 1945 - Still snowing. Sailed all night and today. Men are freezing to death. They have no clothes and too little strength to withstand the bitter cold. Lt. Col. Freddie Saint died today. He bled to death from a wound received at Takao. It opened during the night and could not be stopped in time. The service lost one of its best. Two meals and one water issue. Thursday, January 25, 1945 Extremely cold - usual number of deaths (about 40). Two meals and one water issue. The meals consist of 1/4 cup of rice. The water issue is from 6 to 8 spoonfulls. Friday, January 26, 1945 Anchored 4 hours during the night. Sailing through large group of islands. Two meals and no water. Saturday, January 27, 1945 Anchored all day. 1 meal and 1 water issue. Many still dying of starvation and exposure. Capt. R. A. Smith, 91st CA died in my arms during the night. Sunday, January 28, 1945 Underway at 6 a.m. Deaths increasing. Captains Eichlin and Ronnie Pigg are dead. Also Lt. Col's "Polly" Humber, Bill Maverick, Lt. Wint---
Youngblood, Captains Calvert, and Callaway. Lt. Col. Elvin Barr of the 60th died today. Fed two meals. Monday, January 29, 1945 Attacked by submarine during the night. Escaped damage. Anchored at our destination about dawn. We held a roll call of survivors and found we had 497 our of the original 1626 that had sailed from Manila on Dec. 13, 1944. Two meals and one water issue. Tuesday, January 30, 1945 Finally issued some clothes on deck during a.m. Disembarked at Mogi, Kyushu and were divided into four groups. Group 1 of 100 men under Lt. Col. O. O. Wilson. Group 2 under Lt. Col. C.T. Beecher, Marine, consisted of 192 men. Group 3 of 95 under Chaplain Major J.E. Duffy. A hospital group of 110 men under Major A. J. Van Oosten. Group 1 was sent to Fukuoka Camp #3. Group 2 was sent to Fukuoka Camp #1. Group 3 was sent to Fukuoka Camp #17. The hospital group was sent to Mogi Military Hospital. I, being in Group 1, went to Fukuoka Camp #3 just outside of Mogi where we arrived at dusk. We were given hot coffee and cigarettes by the prisoners at Camp #3 and it was the best cup of coffee I ever had in my life. There are about a little over a thousand POW's here, about half American and the remainder British, Dutch and what have you. Major Bill Davis of the 200th CA (AA) is the senior officer at this camp and I find many men from Cabanatuan. It is evidently filled with the detail that left the Philippines in July of '44. Chaplain Donald is here. Also Captain E. C. Miller, M.C. and lt. Blyth, Lt. Gordon and several others. Thursday, February 1, 1945 Have the runs. Thank goodness they didn't start on the boat. Very cold here. Meals good but nausea prevents my eating very much. I am under 100 pounds. We are quartered in wooden barracks with inadequate stoves for heating. It is necessary to stay wrapped up all day in blankets to keep from freezing to death. The hospital facilities at this camp are limited hence many who should be in the hospital are still in barracks. The Nip major in charge of this camp seems to be a decent chap for a change. He is helping us in every way he can. Of course the means at his disposal are rather limited but he does seem interested in our welfare. We are treated by our own doctors which are here at
the camp. Sunday, February 11, 1945 Major Sommerville and myself admitted to hospital. Both so weak we had to be carried over. Sommerville died during the night. I managed to hang on by a thread. I get down a few mouthfulls of rice at each meal despite constant nausea but cannot seem to get the runs stopped. The meals here consist of 3 bowls of thin green soup and 460 grams of steamed rice per day. Every week of 10 days a small piece of fish is added to one of the meals. Most of us have such weak stomachs that we cannot get much of the food down. Deaths continue. Lt. Col's Montgomery and MacDonald, Captain Fred Sherman and Lt. Senior Grade (Navy) Charles F. LeCompte died on the 5th. Lt. Col. Byrd and Captain W. A. Scrivener died on the 7th. 1st Lt. Paul D. George died on the 8th. Captain Augustus J. Cullen died on the 10th. February 11 - April 11, 1945 Still fighting diarrhea. Air raid alarms are frequent. Planes usually pass on to north. B-29's show up daily about 10 a.m. apparently doing reconnaissance work. Major S. L. Barbour died Feb 13th and Lt. Burt C. Gay died Feb 16th. Ensign L. H. Strand died Feb 17th. Captains Harry W. Schenck, Raymond G. Sherman, Major Owen E. Jansen USMC and 1st Lt. Hugh H. Tistadt, USMC, died Feb 21st. 2nd Lt Will S. Gordon died the 23rd, and 1st Lt. William J. Ellis on the 27th of February. Captain Leland W. Cramer died March 2, Captain Clyde E. Ely and Major Francis W. Williams, USMC died March 6th. Major Edmund Stark died March 25. Lt. Col. Edward C. Mack died April l9. April 11 - 25, 1945 Back in barracks but still considered a hospital case. Runs slowing down. Weather becoming milder. Rumors of transfer to Korea. Beginning to get my appetite back. Wednesday, April 25, 1945 We were gotten up early, given 3 meals (cups?) of cooked rice and after a thorough search left Camp #3 at 8:00 a.m. We arrived at Fukuoka Camp #1 the same afternoon after a train trip and march. Saw Capt. Jack Gulick, Abston, Major Frank Kriwanick and many others. Learned that Shiley had died here.
We were joined to Lt. Col. C. T. Beecher's Group 2 and hiked to the port of Fukuoka where we boarded ship at dusk. When we left Camp #3 in the morning we left Captains Frederick L. Barry, John M. Fowler, 1st Lt. Russell Hutchinson, and 2nd Lt.'s Sidney L. DeBriere and James D. Kell in the camp hospital. While at Camp #3 of the original 100 that arrived 24 had died and 5 were left there when we departed 71 strong. About 52 of Lt. Col. Beecher's 192 had died at Camp #1. Of the 110 men hospital group 76 died in the hospital. Of the enlisted group about 15 died. The hospital group left 4 in Japan. To the best of my knowledge the enlisted group remained in Japan at Camp #17. After eating supper aboard ship we were disembarked due to an air raid. We spent a cold and uncomfortable night on the dock and re-embarked the next morning. Thursday, April 26, 1945 Crossed the straits to Fusan (Pusan) during an air raid escorted by seaplanes, making a very fast run. We spent the night in a theatre building in Fusan after being fed a good meal. Major Thomas B. Smothers, Jr., died during the crossing to Fusan. Lt. Col. Beecher's group 2 of about 140 moved out shortly after midnight - probably for some destination in Korea. They were told to expect a 12-hour train trip. Amoroso, Kramer, Kriwanick, Gulick, Abston, Cornall, Englehart, and Gard are with this group. Friday, April 27, 1945 Left Fusan about 8:00 a.m. for Mukden -90 men to a coach. Meals good - binto (obento) box lunches. Saturday, April 28, 1945 En route. Passing many trainloads of soybeans and corn being sent to port of Fusan. Sunday, April 29, 1945 (Emperor's Birthday) Arrived at Hoten 1:30 a.m. Spent rest of night at RR Station and proceeded to Hoten POW camp the morning of the 29th. We were well received. Saw Major
Hankins, Lt. Carl Weeks and many Corregidor men. Monday, May 21, 1945 The Colonels and Generals that had been captured in the Philippines, Malaya, etc., came to Mukden. All except the very senior ones which excluded Generals Wainwright, Moore and King of the American group. Learned that this group had been quite fortunate in its death rate, losing only a very few in Formosa. ------------------------------------------------------------ (Major Peterson was liberated shortly after this diary ended. He weighed about 85 pounds at that time. When he visited my mother and me (he was married to my mother's sister) at Virginia Beach just after his liberation, he had literally fistfuls of meat rationing coupons - more than we had seen for the whole war! Shortly after that, rationing was discontinued. After his liberation he was always quite reluctant to speak of his POW days -unless he were with another POW - then the memories might flow. Gleaned from those conversations came the very poignant memory of the first night of their capture as they were being held in a compound at the Malinta Tunnel. They were wet, cold, discouraged and at the far end of the compound someone started singing "God Bless America" and that song swelled and traveled the length of the compound in a breathtaking display of patriotism. I also learned that while imprisoned, the POW's were able somehow to gather the makings of a camera and while waiting in line for food, to the count of one-two-three moved into position for a picture while another person moved to snap that picture. As you can read they were fed mostly rice. Pete said that the Japanese would polish the rice and of course, thereby they would lose some of the precious nutrients, so the prisoners made pretty sure that the rice polishing machine was permanently on the fritz! He was raised to the rank of full Colonel and retained that rank until he retired. He worked for the Army Security Agency in various places and died in 1969 in Frankfurt, Germany. This diary was used by the (then) War Department to verify the deaths of some individuals listed herein.
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