In the fall and winter of 1944 we knew we were winning the war. The more intelligent Japanese also knew it. In spite of their bravado and ‘face saving’ the higher ups were preparing an out. American planes were now seen in broad day light in perfect formation, heading to and returning from Tokyo. The Jap workmen in the shipyards whispered furtively of what had happened there. We knew it would not be long before it happened to us. The majority of the prisoners accepted this with a certain amount of fatalism and grim satisfaction.
We could not visualize any ending of the war that would set us at liberty before the Nips has vented their spleen on us. But having survived so far, we were content to let the perils of the day and, as the bombing became more intense, those of the night suffice.
Around our compound we dug funk holes as air raid shelters. Just a hole covered with some old timbers and a pile of dirt. We went to this protection when the warning signal sounded, accompanied by our guards and carrying our scanty belongings and food supply, a few bags of rice.
The American pilots must have identified our camp. This was quite a feat for we were right in the middle of the factory district, being in fact quartered in the yard of an oil refinery and steel works. Again the Jap was using us to protect himself and his equipment for making war. It speaks well for the American Bomber Command that they spared this refinery and steel works to save the prisoners. American reconnaissance planes would sweep low over our camp, wave their wings and dart away.
One night in July a large-scale attack with firebombs was made in our district. The ack-ack was terrific. The whole world seemed aflame. In spite of the efforts of our guards to keep us from witnessing the sight we stood and gazed at the conflagration. Only a river running nearby and the fact that our huts had tiled roofs saved our quarters from the fire. Smoke and sparks were all around. I saw a terrible sight that night. I watched a string of American bombers, in line astern formation, following their leader. The lead aircraft made for the very center of the ack-ack fire and at this point burst into flames. Plane after plane followed to the same point and were shot down. Altogether I counted five. I felt sick. We all prayed for those gallant lads.
One of the Jap guard, like quite a few Japanese who prided themselves on their esthetic qualities, got quite a kick out of seeing his home town destroyed. He stood gazing on the burning city in rapt ecstasy and then raising his arms to the sky he turned to us and said in English, “ Drama! Drama.” he was convinced he had a front seat at a good show, all for nothing. He appeared quite mad and if he had a fiddle like Nero I’m sure he would have played us a tune.
For several days following the bombing we saw long files of civilian refugees filing past our camp trekking into the hills. The Japanese Officials had cleared the whole district of its inhabitants. The remaining hovels and dwellings that had survived the firebombing were pulled down to prevent the further spread of the fire but little was left to save.
The Nips had a kind of Red Cross organization, which took part in the evacuation of the population. All those, who had lost everything were given an emergency parcel, a gift from the Emperor, to enable them to carry on. It consisted of a tin of salmon, one small package of army biscuits, one ‘G’ string and a pair of white cotton socks, a box of tooth powder, a bamboo tooth brush and a small towel, and finally a paper flag to wave. They were packed off to the hills to live and starve in holes and caves. Docilely they went carrying the bodies of their dead loved ones.
It was three days before we returned to the shipyards. Our yard had suffered only minor damage as the buildings were spread out and many of the workmen had disappeared. The Japanese workers that were left appeared thoroughly frightened and told us the missing workmen were either burned out, dead, or sent away. Surprisingly the Japanese workmen did not seem to hold us responsible for the holocaust.
I asked one Jap workman how he made out. He smiled and replied, “ Wife dead, two children gone!” He reached out, patted me, and then walked away.
Some of the prisoners took delight in informing the Japs that this raid was nothing. The Japanese listened popeyed as they were told of the sky black with planes and of blockbusters so huge that everybody would be blown to smithereens. At the time they said this to impress the Japs but in actuality came very near to the truth.
