|
Captivity:- August 1942
Saturday 1st.
Working with ½ boot, trousers falling off, no shirt and smoking worm eaten cigars in sunshine of tropical splendour – what a queer contrast to our actual state of needy poor.
Sunday 2nd.
Jap general visited drome today, inevitably escorted by 25 fighters, possibly from Singapore.
Left later headed north again. Six bombers also arrived. The heavy escort surely means that they expect some of our planes probably to be operating nearby. Good sign of outside events.
Monday 3rd.
Large numbers of natives have been rounded up for work – wild and uncivilised type who carry their parangs with them for battle and also keep long nails to tear out the veins in a fight – such are our fellow workers.
Tuesday 4th.
And at last the rains came – with a vengeance. For 4 days we were without water to wash with and were in a filthy condition, providing breeding ground for the numerous lice which infest our clothes.
Wednesday 5th.
Truly we are most grossly abused by the Japs. Heard news that the situation in Egypt better and Russians holding own.
Thursday 6th.
Rattlesnake killed in hut today, rats abound in large numbers and walk over us during the night. Little did I know I had to suffer this as a prisoner of war.
Friday 7th.
Natives still supply us with an ample market of home baked wares. Salt per block – a course salt, value less than 1 penny costs us 80 cents, but we sorely need some to give our body healing vitamins for the many sores and blemishes our skin is heir to out here.
Saturday 8th.
Several Dutch men beaten up by guards today – countless weals remained over their backs, the flesh cut and bleeding badly. Such is the treatment meted out to us by our Nippon masters.
Sunday 9th.
New Jap guard arrived today consisting of very young men, mostly lads of 20 and under. They appear very quiet and timid and in truth little wonder when they look at us wild, tall, bearded prisoners of war. Native killed on truck during afternoon.
Monday 10th.
A serious outbreak of typhoid has taken place in the camp – 10 cases already down with this dread disease, mostly marines. Thus already the scarcity of water and proper hygiene has taken its course. Hope I will not contract same.
Tuesday 11th.
The guard has nailed down the lid of the piano, one of our only means of enjoying some music. This action is typical of the barbarians we serve.
Wednesday 12th.
Great air activity this afternoon. A few allied planes flew over the drome, but dropped no bombs – nevertheless, a very heartening thought to know they are within range.
Thursday 13th.
All guns, etc are now manned day and night, so something may happen in the near future to terminate our spell as prisoners.
Friday 14th.
Heard news today that Turkey had declared war on Germany and that Yanks have started the big push in these islands. At present have extremely bad cold.
Saturday 15th.
Amusing incident of a native having defecation beside pool. Loyd throwing clod splashing his naked stern much to the annoyance of the Indonesian.
Sunday 16th.
“Bug (Big?) Whiskers,” No.1 Nippon slave driver arrived back from Singapore and gave the lads some newspapers in English, inspired by the Japanese. Everything looked very black indeed! - so they say.
Memo
I noted that the Japs did not disclose the names of prisoners of war, for strategic reasons.
Monday 17th.
No half-day today for some unknown reason. Several bombers arrived here escorted by fighters. The scare of a few days ago is still fresh in their minds.
Tuesday 18th.
Rumour has it that we are moving out of this slave hut back to Palembang tomorrow – I hope it is true and that our labours at the airfield are finished which, however I doubt. Six months prisoner already.
Wednesday 19th.
Moved today from the airfield to Mulo School Camp among the idle officers. All split up. Dutch, Army and RAF and Navy going to separate camps.
Thursday 20th.
We are now back once again to all the old red tape and palavers, which almost break one’s heart. Not only so, they have already started tampering with our pay – the little we do get.
Friday 21st.
Officers and corruption seem always to go hand in hand here. So far they refuse to give us our pay of 15 cents per day, keeping back 25 % for no apparent reason. It is a sorry state of affairs indeed to be treated thus by our own officers.
Saturday 22nd.
At the airport camp, the Japs despite their harsh, brutal treatment never tampered with our pay. Heard of the raid on Dieppe led by Lord Lovat and of its success.
Sunday 23rd.
These snatches of good news give us great encouragement and keep our spirits high. Out working today building AA gun emplacements above the river and dock area and almost into the jungle.
Monday 24th.
Weather still very warm and although without a shirt, I am able to withstand the sun’s fiery rays alright. A few ships in the river today – not with stores, but to take all the loot off the island.
Tuesday 25th.
Spent day in camp making bamboo beds, which I hope will be at least, much softer than hard concrete floor – strange to say, I never slept a wink.
Wednesday 26th.
Heard that the Duke of Kent was killed in an accident when his plane was shot down by German fighters.
Thursday 27th.
Situation in Russia very serious – Germans in Stalingrad., pushing quickly on to the oil of the Caucasus.
Friday 28th.
Stubbs sick today. Out working on golf course on searchlight sites and had drive through the Dutch quarter of town, a really beautiful, suburban area with flowers and small ponds.
Saturday 29th.
At docks today working for Nippon and had a very easy day in regard to work. Issue of old, worm- eaten, cigars again today. Feeling sick and suspect malaria coming on.
Sunday 30th.
The Japs sprung a surprise on us today requesting us to sign the following:- “ I, the undersigned hereby solemnly swear on my honour, that I will not under any circumstances attempt escape.” A somewhat suspicious document which we have no intention of signing.
Memo
If the signature is given we will be allowed a parole, but we are well acquaint with Jap promises now.
Monday 31st.
In addition it is against the laws of the government, all military principles and those who sign will be punished severely once the war is over. As a result, no English prisoners signed the document but, our gallant Dutch allies signed to a man – one can not trust a foreigner.
|
|
|
|
|
|
![wh_l_arr[1]](../assets/images/wh_l_arr_1_.gif "wh_l_arr[1]")
|
Previous Page
|
Next Page
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
