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
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
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
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.
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
Ottly’s birthday. Wrote letter to her. Bataan folded. At about 3 PM. the Japs opened artillery fire on the Rock from Bataan.
Many barcas [bancas] and small boats from Bataan bringing survivors.
Capt. Webster C. Sayers, Medical Corps, joined my battery from Bataan.
Private Plank [?] from Battery [?] committed suicide at 8 AM.
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,
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.
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
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
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
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
Leave pier #7 at 11 AM, breakwater at 1:30, pass Corregidor 4 to 5 PM. [The Philippine portion of the diary ends here.]
Camp C. O. told us at 4 PM that the war has ended. What a birthday – my 41st but I try to rationalize that
Gutter, Spoor, George, Seymour, Wilson return to work in galley. Watch reduced to 2 men.
We were told at 10 AM that tomorrow a plane will drop comfort kits. Painted P O W on roof.
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
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
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
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
Final payment of wages ¥ 1947.84. Canteen fund ¥ 30. Col. Unruh, Capt. Lineberry, Lt. Gus Johnson, Jack Ryder left for Kyoto by truck 11
Kyoto party returned 10 PM with truck load of surplus supplies from other camps. Everyone up the rest of the night distributing and eating.
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
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
Still painfully abed but much interesting reading in state-side magazines. Miss the ads, deleted from special overseas editions.
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.
Hemorrhoids a little better. Parachute material divided among us. Local Nips grudgingly turn over arms after some argument. Lt. Ole Johnson visited camp.
Major Orr and Lt. Wilson left for Osaka for food and information.