Rumors of peace began in August and suppressed excitement seemed to be troubling the Japs. When we were around they kept looking over their shoulders with apprehensive glances, they were afraid. One morning we were told that we didn’t have to work and then we knew the end was near. All punishments were stopped and the camp staff, including the Japanese Sergeant, suddenly became considerate and obliging. Even ‘Frog Face’ kept his distance and left us alone.
A few days later the ‘Child’, the camp Commandant, called the white officers to his office and told them that Japan had made peace with America due to the fact that America had developed an atomic bomb which he stated was much worse than gas, “Which you know,” he added, “is outlawed by all nations. Therefore to ensure the survival of the Japanese nation a peace has been arranged.”
Our officers were told that they must be responsible for the conduct of the men in the camp as the situation was delicate owing to the threat of the uprising of the civilian population and the break down of communications. At the time there did not seem to be any direct communication by radio with the Americans.
When Captain Reid and Lieut. Finn returned, they advised us to be patient and not to break camp. The Japanese military still supplied a guard and roll call was still taken every morning. But the prisoners were impatient to be released. All the pent up disappointment and bitterness of four long years was now finding expression. The prisoners demanded more food and threatened to raid the stores. The Japanese had already reopened the stores to reissue our boots, uniforms, and overcoats. Captain Reid and Lt Finn called the men together and listened patiently to their complaints. The men were asked to appoint delegates to take up these complaints. The most clamorous were expected by the men to head this committee of complaint. However those who had made the most noise and trouble did not step forward. They did not want to be held responsible for the actions of a mob they had little or no control over. The result was that with the loyal support of most of the NCOs a certain amount of order was maintained.
Our jailers and taskmasters slunk around furtively and the worst of them like the ‘Frog’ simply disappeared. Captain Reid told the Jap Commandant that if these particularly hated individuals were not removed he would not be answerable for what the prisoners might do. The Jap still clung to his authority expressed by the armed guards at the gate. The Commandant did not yet know the score, as the Americans had not landed yet. How impatient we were and rumors became rife. The British and Dutch had re-imposed military discipline by parades and drills.
Our own disciplinarian, Lieut. Finn, excused the Canadians these parades upon the assurance that the boys would make no trouble. In spite of this assurance long suppressed disputes erupted among the men. For the next few days Lieut. Finn was kept busy running around settling these disputes.
The men had determined to break into the stores in spite of the Jap guard when we saw our first American plane. It was a fighter and as it circled high above our camp we all ran out into the compound. It made a long loop over the hills then dived on the camp. Six hundred men went wild. We could plainly make out the red, white and blue and the white American star. A little figure leaned out of the cockpit making the ‘V’ sign. Over come with joy, naked figures dressed only in G-strings jumped and sprang around like a bunch of savages. Men slapped each other, shock hands and cried. It was true. It was really over. Our liberators were here. Now we would be free.
The little fighter disappeared and returned shortly with a whole squadron. They dove all around us, did stunts, and were as wildly excited in the sky as we were on the ground. We danced, waved blankets, shirts or any rage we could find. Men climbed onto the roofs of the sheds signaling and waving their arms. The fighters dropped several notes giving the names of the pilots and the number of their squadron and telling us that soon planes would be back with supplies. They also asked that we identify the men and their numbers by making the roofs of the huts.
With the sun shining on their silver wings each plane would dive skimming the roofs of the huts. The pilot would slide back his canopy and lean out waving and making the sign for victory. They were so close and powerful I was certain one of the pilots would fall out. We marveled at the cohesion and control the pilots had of those splendid little planes and the gallant figures waving so cheerfully. They were God’s own angels sent to liberate his people. They meant freedom and happiness. It was a beautiful day … the best day of my life!
