George E. Steiger

(1905 — 1960), Captain, U.S. Army, stationed in Corregidor with 59th Coast Artillery. P.O.W. in the Philippines and Japan.

January 17, 1942

I wrote to Ottly in the evening. Went to Middle Sector command post with Lt. Keen to mail letters and take shower. Inspection in ranks

January 23, 1942

Philippine sunsets and cloud effects are the most beautiful I have ever seen. I sit on the parapet and watch the sunset every evening. [Note

March 24, 1942

Air raids resumed. From the battery we could see our barracks. Since we evacuated them, the Army engineers have stored five tons of TNT therein.

April 8, 1942

Big ammunition dump afire at Marivales [Mariveles]. Took one of my Lts. [Bruce Nixon] to the tunnel in an uncontrollable and violent state of combat

April 9, 1942

Ottly’s birthday. Wrote letter to her. Bataan folded. At about 3 PM. the Japs opened artillery fire on the Rock from Bataan.

April 10, 1942

Many barcas [bancas] and small boats from Bataan bringing survivors.

April 11, 1942

Capt. Webster C. Sayers, Medical Corps, joined my battery from Bataan.

April 12, 1942

Private Plank [?] from Battery [?] committed suicide at 8 AM.

April 15, 1942

We listen to KREI [KGEI] each night. The platitudinous nothings mouthed by the commentators about “China’s brave fight” make me sick. Why in the hell,

April 19, 1942

We had considerable amount of antiquated armament on the Rock and contrary to public opinion, we also had some very capable if not brilliant officers.

May 2, 1942

Battery Geary sustained a direct hit and was blown up. One of the gun barrels weighing fifty tons was lifted 100 feet and drifted laterally

May 5, 1942

A Jap battery on Bataan fired all afternoon. I finally got a fire mission and was able to reply with fifty rounds during the early

May 6, 1942

We moved from Topside to Middleside and spent four hours in Middleside Tunnel. At daylight we moved to Malinta Tunnel. Bob Glassburn’s battery was ahead

May 24, 1942

Left Corregidor at 6 AM. Landed outside Manila 30 feet off shore. Had to wade to shore and all got quite wet. We were marched

November 7, 1942

Leave pier #7 at 11 AM, breakwater at 1:30, pass Corregidor 4 to 5 PM. [The Philippine portion of the diary ends here.]

August 22, 1945

Camp C. O. told us at 4 PM that the war has ended. What a birthday – my 41st but I try to rationalize that

August 23, 1945

Gutter, Spoor, George, Seymour, Wilson return to work in galley. Watch reduced to 2 men.

August 24, 1945

We were told at 10 AM that tomorrow a plane will drop comfort kits. Painted P O W on roof.

August 26, 1945

Continued high wind and intermittent rain. Seems to be keeping planes away. Many disappointed. Plethoric issue tooth powder and brushes and toilet paper (now that

August 27, 1945

Other than a decided improvement in chow, life pretty much as usual. Much speculation regarding the time of departure and much discontent that we’re still

August 28, 1945

Walk for one hour AM and PM with Tom Sawyer, Ferris and Anse. Storm seems definitely over. B 29 flew over 3 PM. We were

August 29, 1945

A milk can full of beans and rice for breakfast. Remarkable! Walk to village 3 to 4 PM. Visit rice mills, crematory, shrines, etc. School

August 30, 1945

Final payment of wages ¥ 1947.84. Canteen fund ¥ 30. Col. Unruh, Capt. Lineberry, Lt. Gus Johnson, Jack Ryder left for Kyoto by truck 11

September 1, 1945

Kyoto party returned 10 PM with truck load of surplus supplies from other camps. Everyone up the rest of the night distributing and eating.

September 2, 1945

At 4 PM the United States flag was raised over our camp, now named Camp Mallette. Ferris asked me at 9 AM to work in

September 3, 1945

Labor day. I had to quit galley because I have worst attack of piles I’ve ever had. Plenty to eat, liberty to go about, and

September 4, 1945

Still painfully abed but much interesting reading in state-side magazines. Miss the ads, deleted from special overseas editions.

September 5, 1945

Coffee, hard-tack, cheese and jam in AM, celebrating Smitty’s wedding anniversary. People report 10 kilos weight gain, despite over eating and sickness of some.

September 6, 1945

Hemorrhoids a little better. Parachute material divided among us. Local Nips grudgingly turn over arms after some argument. Lt. Ole Johnson visited camp.

September 7, 1945

Major Orr and Lt. Wilson left for Osaka for food and information.