Went to mass early this morning before breakfast.
Around nine thirty, George came in and told me that the colonels and generals were leaving at ten this morning. At first I did not intend to go down to see the departure but finally went. I can’t say there was any tears on the part of the camp personnel remaining. I personally was choosy with whom I shook hands and Sharp was definitely not included, not that it mattered to him, but I’m not that much of a hypocrite I said good bye to Thompson, He said, “Mac you certainly did a fine job in this war down here. I’m proud of you. Hope we soon meet again.” There was much sarcastic comment from the camp spectators while the departees were being lined up by the Japs. The Japs commander from Malaybalay, a Lieut. Col. was present and made a short speech in Nipponese that was translated by the interpreter. I couldn’t hear exactly what was said but I got the gist to mean that he was wishing them a pleasant voyage. Then Sharp pulled a grandstand play. He asked the Jap to take good care of the personnel left and to try to increase the meat.allowance. (Seems to me this was a fine time to finally think of this. Why hasn’t it been taken up before. Then he had to add what was really on his mind. He wanted to know if the generals were to ride in a sedan. That old me again. They finally got into the transportation. There were four sedans, a truck for the strikers, and one truck for baggage which was certainly taken advantage of. One interesting sidelight was Vachon insisting on taking with him in his car a typewriter, a small. bag and a musett bag. His striker was carrying it. Vachon directed the boy to put it in the car and a Jap ordered the equipment to be taken to the truck, Vachon tried again and then again but the Jap won out and the baggage went into the truck. The reaction in camp has almost been hilarious. The mess hall was practically giddy this noon. I wondered if Lewis would sit at the round table but he didn’t, instead he ended the round table. This was his second decision. His first was to tell McGee to use the field OD orders for toilet paper thereby abolishing the office. Shortly after dinner, Burgess said to me, “I’ll bet you that within twenty-four hours Robinson will be around to pass the time a bit with you.” It wasn’t neat that long. While I was sitting in the PX talking to Tremaine, he came in, made himself most agreeable, greeted me in a most familiar manner, and gave me a piece of candy, after which he sat down and talked awhile about nothing. This incident shows who is the acknowledged leader in this camp. To add to SPY’s embarassment the Japs cancelled the movement order. I don’t know what caused it but it was a master stroke. I don’t know yet what will be the plan of action in the camp but I am ready for anything. Wilson let out a couple of cracks today that show he felt the cracks that burgess made last night after taps about his method of eating.
Perhaps it will have some effect. McGee is here playing chess with Burgess as I write this now. Weighed in, by order, this PM at the dispensary. I weigh 155 lbs. That is quite a drop in a year, very close to 50 lbs. It is five lbs. less than when I graduated.