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October 6, 1944

We can spend nothing but time now — our money is certainly no more good. My pay P 35 will buy 3 cups of corn or 1/3 of a chicken. Strange sounds make us think the Yanks might have been nearby this noon but we saw them not. First Jap planes in evidence today for some time. My teeth are all fixed up again but I infer from Dr’s talk that I will always have trouble and that it will be often. Another month’s qtrs. yesterday and 10 more
B1 shots. I am glad in a way that I do not work for we get no replacement from our diet for muscle protein lost. We are still eating from our garden –today we had a succotash with corn (meal), okra and soy beans — using a Vitamin A tablet once a week to try to avoid eye trouble of ’43. Some survivors, 65 out of 1300 prisoners who were aboard a transport bombed by Yanks off Zambales, came into camp this week. They are Limeys and Dutch from Singapore and Java. They had been aboard since June — all boarded ship fit for work and when bombed 400 were paralyzed from beri-beri; all suffering badly from malnutrition. We help them out as best we can but can do but little for them. We hear that 2222 American POW’s went aboard ships in Manila a few days ago — we pray they do not suffer likewise. Many letters from home, 25 word variety; one says “______ did not surpass distance” which is very informative. Work details are still light. Hope to get to find out what really happened at Singapore from some of these Limeys. Jap C.O. has just returned to camp having been absent for a week — his return has before brought outgoing details, etc. We anxiously await news of this return. I often wonder if some of the people here ever were any good — there aren’t many men left that are. They have a small amount of knowledge which is always dangerous. Many mental kinks are being developed here. I hope to have none –right now of course I hear planes day and night because I long to hear them so. Last night I dreamed of food and that was a real nightmare — we are always hungry; it is not a pleasant feeling either. All real Nipponese “fell in” and bowed toward south at 1600 yesterday — we all wonder why.

“A good name is rather to be chosen….” — people here seem to prefer the riches. So far my conscience is completely clear — my integrity has stood the strain so far. I think it can last now. Again Look Up! It might be again tomorrow.