This text was obtained via automated optical character recognition.
It has not been edited and may therefore contain several errors.


Baxter 5
ordered to the stockade grounds, lined up in columns of twenty or more, and ordered to attention. A small wooden platform was brought out by two Japanese soldiers and placed directly in the center front of the P.O.W.'s, the columns of prisoners facing east toward Mt. Fuji. After three loud cries of "Banzai!" from the Japanese soldiers, Lt. Yoshida strutted to the platform, drew his Samurai sword from the scabbard, and shouted for all prisoners to fall to their knees and bow with reverence to the "Divine Emperor."
LT. MASATO YOSHIDA'S WELCOMING ADDRESS
0600 hours, October 12, 1943:	"I	am Lt. Masato Yoshida, your commandant.
You will listen to me and heed every word and order I give. Your country America is defeated, your president Roosevelt is stupid and a dying old man. The Imperial Japanese Army and Navy have destroyed you on land and sea. You may have the foolish idea that you are prisoners of war, but you are not. You are cowards; you disgraced your country by surrendering. That is why the Japanese soldier is so superior. The Japanese soldier would never surrender, for to surrender is to dishonor your country and family. Therefore you cowards deserve nothing; you will work and slave for the Japanese Empire until you die. You will never see your home or loved ones again. Now we will take your pictures for identification, and then you will go to work. You must work diligently, and obey all Japanese soldiers and guards. If you do not obey and fill your day's work guota, you will be punished severely. Now, you will be dismissed, and you will not be fed until noon, for no one eats until he has worked."
ADDITIONAL ALLIED P.O.W.'S
On October 20, 1943, five American officers and three army medical corps-men arrived led by Major Francis Fellows of the Field Artillery, who had been captured on Corregidor. He now became the senior officer in charge of the P.O.W.'s


Baxter, J.C Joseph-C.-Baxter-Memoirs-005
© 2008 - 2024
Hancock County Historical Society
All rights reserved