Nov. 14, 1944
November 14, 1944
Same as 13, must be destroying many ships in bay; also the air fields are on fire; there are not many Jap planes now to
Carl E. Rice
(1877 — 1950). Veteran of Spanish-American War; served in Immigration Service; Senior Administrative Assistant in the Manila Base Quartermaster Depot. Married to a Filipina, he was eventually interned in Santo Tomas.
Nov. 19, 1944
November 19, 1944
This was a big one, seven waves, bombs and machine gunning, at night also.
Nov. 25, 1944
November 25, 1944
Bombing air field at Grace Park just north of Camp, beyond Cemetery del Norte and Laloma, was indeed a circus with reserve seats, our buildings
Nov. 1, 1944 to Nov. 25, 1944
November 25, 1944
I will pause in the battle reports and pick up a few incidental routine items: November 14 received letter from Ada dated April 3, 44
Nov. 25, 1944
November 25, 1944
As we crowded the windows we could see our dive bombers slide down without any Jap resistance except maybe a few ack-ack and machine gun
Dec. 7, 1944
December 7, 1944
Relieved from kitchen hot water detail, no gas, not enough wood; Japs forbid cutting any more trees in front compound as they use them to
Dec. 11, 1944
December 11, 1944
Japs moved us out of our old room 209 into room 214, only 18 could move in as room is small. The sick old men
Dec. 14, 1944
December 14, 1944
Big raid at 7:56 until thru the night, much machine gunning of Grace Park and all north of Manila suburbs. Japs raided our room and
Dec. 15, 1944
December 15, 1944
Bombers are back at 7:45am, all day affair, little resistance, our building frequently trembles and threatens to fall. CHOW GETS LESS AND LESS
Dec. 15, 1944
December 15, 1944
Bombings continue, very little resistance, even machine gun air fields and bay, also the district east of town; distant fires and explosions; rumors of landings
Dec 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 1944
December 21, 1944
Bombing and machine gunning. We are in very poor condition, when we line up for roll call many stay in bed and are tipped off
Dec. 23, 1944
December 23, 1944
Here is the real thing, now we know the rumors were true, the boys have landed in P.I. —for today the big four motored bombers
Dec. 23, 1944
December 23, 1944
Jap Military Police from Ft. Santiago came into camp today and arrested Camp Chairman Grinnell, Duggleby, Robison, and Larsen, we don’t know the reason, they
Dec. 24, 1944
December 24, 1944
We have a loud speaker broadcasting by which Camp orders are announced, it tells us when can go to chow and how, announces time for
Dec. 25, 1944
December 25, 1944
***XMAS, 1944—Today for breakfast we had mush, coconut milk, SUGAR, Chocolate flavored hot drink, and a spoonful of jam. Tasted real good for we have
Dec. 26, 27, 28, 1944
December 28, 1944
Bombings and fires, also night and day have many explosions about Manila and suburbs, Japs are evidently destroying supplies and the piers.
Dec. 29, 1944
December 29, 1944
F.G. Wilson (Woody) died last night about 12:00, midnight, he fought a good fight but starvation, beriberi and heart disease were too much; he was
Dec. 30, 31, 1944
December 31, 1944
Bombings and fires, night flares and glare of distant fires.
Jan. 1, 1945
January 1, 1945
This is not what I would call a happy new year but at least it is a hopeful one; indications are that Japs are going
Jan. 6, 1945
January 6, 1945
This was a big raid, bombing and machine gunning, explosions all night. Jays in here are packing up to leave; embassy has gone, they are
Jan. 7, 1945
January 7, 1945
Ate my breakfast of mush under continuous machine gun fire at the airport just north of us; 64 motored bombers made the Camp tremble and
Jan. 8, 1945
January 8, 1945
The four motored bombers were working over the bay and south side today; one plane received direct hit and went to pieces, pilot circled over
Jan. 9, 1945
January 9, 1945
We are sure our troops have landed up north. Heavy bombing of Port Area and of the Maraquina Valley. Large fires and explosions.
Jan. 10, 1945
January 10, 1945
Many bombers going north; heavy bombings here, our building trembles daily from the explosions; my bunk by the window face south east, I am too
Jan. 11, 1945
January 11, 1945
Heavy bombings in the Valley; at noon as we lined up for weak soup, some of our planes flew low between buildings a few feet