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Brigadier E.W. Goodman, D.S.O., M.C. |
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Taiwan |
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16th August 1942 On the morning of the 16th two of the parties only – total 1,400 – were taken in buses to Singapore. I had plenty to carry: a pack, two haversacks and a water bottle; bedding, a suitcase and Hong Kong basket plus a kitbag going in a lorry. On the way we stopped at the Conference House where we got out and lined up in front of some Japanese general who made a little speech hoping we should be comfortable and assuring us that we need have no fear about our future. All very reassuring, and now we know what these speeches mean. Then we went on to the docks where we must have arrived about midday. The baggage out of the lorry was piled in one place for fumigating, which eventually meant spraying with a flit gun the packages on top. The Hong Kong basket was not improved by having a large box on top of it. We then went onto a ship where we had to undress and get into a large and evil-smelling disinfectant bath. It was a great sight seeing about thirty lieutenant-generals, major-generals and brigadiers all sitting down in a bath together. After that we dressed again to find that all our clothes and hand things had been put into a hot chamber for fumigating. Then we were given a cup of tea, got off the ship and waited several hours on the quay. About 4 or 5pm we were put in lorries, taken round to another part of the docks and put in a steamer, three holds being allotted to us. The congestion was appalling but we were there for the night. About 11pm some food and tea was produced, which was not easy to distribute – my job. The Army Commander protested about the accommodation, which resulted in the senior party of 400 being moved about 2pm. After more waiting about on the quay we were put into another ship and given one hold for the 399 as we actually were. The little plan attached gives the size of the hold. I cannot now remember the actual floor space I had but it was about 13 or 14 square feet or 7' x 2' 6" at the outside. I was in the top tier, the sides and one end being two tiers high. Head room was about 4' 3" to the deck plating, but the cross girders were I suppose 10" to a foot deep so head room under them was only about 3' 6". The last cargo the ship had carried was coal which had been indifferently swept out and one lived in a shower of rusty water which condensed on the underside of the deck plating. Light and air came through the hatch, which was generally open for about 12' at the end farthest from me. When it rained light came from black-out bulbs, which were few and far between and air didn’t come very much. There were two very slippery and steep wooden companion-ways at my end. On deck was a latrine, which was inexpressively filthy – four compartments I think altogether. On the opposite side was a grimy galley and that was all.
17th August 1942 We embarked then on the afternoon of the 17th. On the morning of the 18th could have been seen the unusual sight of Governors (the Governor of the SS plus three legal lights (two Chief Justices and an Attorney General) and a retired major-general IMS i/c Indian Red Cross had joined us from the gaol at Changi), generals, brigadiers, full colonels and batmen washing starko on the quayside at Singapore at a standpipe, there being no washing facilities on board. There was a Japanese Pontoon unit on board with us and some of their lorries were on our deck (the after one) so that there was very little room and not more than two-thirds of us could be on deck at a time. Incidentally that was why our hatch could only be opened about 12 feet. Food was distributed down below by 20s I think – rice with some sort of vegetable in it and buckets of weak tea. It was always very hot so that after every meal one just poured with perspiration. Tea was generally on tap and was often the only fresh water available for washing or shaving. Sometimes in the morning one could get a wash from the seawater hose or, if one was very lucky, from a leak in the pipe with which fresh water was put into the expenditure tanks. But very often neither was available and then one washed in a mug of weak tea or in any rainwater one could catch. Luckily there was a good deal of rain. We left the quayside on the afternoon of the 18th and anchored out in the roads where we were joined by our first ship. From the sea it is a very pretty place, quite a good front and island all round. On the 19th and thereafter only 25% were allowed on deck at a time so one only got about three hours up in the daylight and fresh air.
20th August 1942 We sailed on the 20th and had practically dead smooth trip all the way to Taiwan except for the last day when there was a little movement. It was a mercy that it was never rough or it would have been very bad down below and there would probably have been some broken legs. As it was some people had very nasty falls down the companion ladders, which were very slippery when wet. We anchored off Cape St. Jacques near the mouth of the Mekong River on I think the evening of the 22nd and sailed again on the 24th in a convoy of 6 or 7 ships. We arrived at the south end of Taiwan on the morning of the 30th. We stayed on board all that day but our heavy baggage was put off and on the morning of the 31st, after many orders and counter-orders, we disembarked about 8am, extremely glad to see the last of the ship where we had spent a most unpleasant 14 days. I had had no bedding and the planks were very hard to lie on. I was glad actually as everything got covered in rusty chips. Some days too we spent in darkness when the hatch was closed because of rain. There were very few books but luckily I had patience cards.
31st August 1942 Well on the 31st we disembarked and were disinfected by walking over a mat wetted with what looked like pinky pani [permanganate of potash] and having it sprayed over our legs with a flit gun.We were then marched by a roundabout way through the town to the railway station, the roads being lined with schoolchildren – girls dressed like girl guides and boys in a sort of khaki uniform, all sizes and ages and all looking very fit and well. There were a good many grown-ups too but nowhere the slightest sign of hostility. We eventually arrived at the station about midday after one halt of about a half hour, got straight into a train, where to our surprise we were given a loaf of bread, and went straight off. The journey lasted about 40 minutes and we got out at Haito. There followed another but shorter march through a town to another station on a light railway. Here we got into open trucks where we were made to sit on the floor packed like sardines. This part of the journey lasted about another 45 minutes and we arrived at Haito about 2.30pm. After much shouting and numbering and counting we finally got inside the camp which was not properly finished. Then we were fallen in and addressed by a Jap colonel who told us that they (the Japanese) had all but captured Australia and that we were defeated, that a haughty or intolerant attitude on our part would not be permitted (the inferiority complex showing itself), etc., etc. We were then told to sign a paper saying that we would not escape or try to escape. We refused at first, saying that we were not allowed to do so. They were adamant and finally Percival said we would sign it under protest; it was an act of duress on their part. So we signed, though ‘under protest’ was not allowed to appear on the paper. Two refused to sign on any account and were put in cells. We finally got to our barracks about 9pm, rather exhausted. We found wooden shelves to lie on with no mattresses, brick walls with I think palm leaf roof and bamboo partitions dividing the inside into bays for 8 and tables and benches down the centre. No windows but openings which closed with wooden shutters. We had a meal and so to bed. There were a few Americans and Dutch already there. We stayed at Haito until 7th September and experienced our first mild taste of Japanese treatment of POWs, which later we were told was according to the penal code of the army. Razors, books and cards were taken away from us, though we were allowed to draw razors to shave every second day. Our light kit, which was kept by the Japs, was pilfered by, I’m sorry to say, our own other ranks and soap, razors and food were taken. I lost a big bath tablet of Vinolia soap. Food was plentiful though not very good. But we got a much-needed rest and clean up. I’ll go on with this in note form as my writing gets worse and worse and if written out in full there would be such a lot of writing. Laziness! But I’ll be able to expand it verbally to you, if you want to hear about it.
7th September 1942 Left Haito about 6pm after a very poor supper at 4pm. Warned that if we tried to escape or did not obey orders we should be ‘kilt’! In the light railway to Haito main station. The heaviest rainstorm that I’ve ever been in and arrived at Haito wet through and sitting in half an inch of water! Changed to metric gauge and started for Sao about 7.30pm. Very cold but luckily had dry vest and pants in pack. Travelled all night and changed at Taikoku about 8.30am, thence straight through to Sao. By bus to quay where we were given tea. Then in lighters – crammed like sardines – to a small steamer which left for Karenko at 4pm. Very fair accommodation. Arrived Karenko 8pm. Disembarked and short walk to the station. After much counting and recounting finally got into a train for about a 20-minute journey. Many very sick and hardly able to walk. Arrived at Karenko, where already about 300 Americans – about 10.30pm. Address and search and to bed about midnight. Food very short – three meals each of cooked rice plus a bowl of thin, often very thin, vegetable soup. Very occasionally a little meat but not more than 2 ozs a head. Discipline fairly strict with many irritating little restrictions. I’m in a room of five (Simson, Evelegh, Rusher, Fraser) facing south and so the warm side. Many food camps and distribution not equal.
14th October 1942 First mention of a farm – to increase our vegetables. Routine: reveille 6am (winter 6.30am from about 1st November) – roll call 6.30am (7am) – breakfast 7am (7.30am) – lunch 12am – supper 5.30pm – roll call 8pm – lights out 9pm.
26th October 1942 Inside farm work begun.
29th October 1942 Digging morning and afternoon.
7th November 1942 Our photos taken with a large number on our chests.
9th November 1942 Allowed to write a letter and a broadcast.
11th November 1942 General Beckwith-Smith died – diptheria. Weather was coldish, especially at night, which we felt severely owing to our poor condition. We had 4 Nip blankets, 2 thick and 2 thin (the warmer) and were given a suit and a coat of wood fibre clothing.
5th December 1942 General Heath and Brigadier Maxwell arrived. Horrified at our condition.
17th December 1942 Twenty pigs arrived.
25th December 1942 Christmas with carols. A service with good singing. A loaf of bread (they tried to take our rice) and some meat in the soup, plus an orange, I think. Starting end of September we bought a little tea, ink, pencils, etc., etc.. and occasionally bananas. Since our arrival in Karenko our treatment has been bad. (Later I heard from an officer left at Haito that he had been told officially by the Nips that Tokio’s orders were that POWs were to be treated according to the IJA regulations for their own prisoners, ie detention barrack regulations.) Some points: forbidden to sit on beds – at the mercy of sentries who apparently could order what they wished – all, including governors and lieutenant-generals, had to salute all Nip ranks down to privates – sentries came into rooms and poked about and everybody had to stand to attention – officers forbidden to give orders to own men – officers had to fetch own food and hot water from kitchen – kept waiting on roll call parade anything up to 25 minutes because Nip officer late – had to bow to the Imperial Palace daily (stopped later) – many silly regulations about books not in room, clothes not on beds, towels not hanging up, etc., etc., suitable for recruits. Food entirely insufficient – Oh! I’ve put that in already I see. I had the impression that the Americans were much less stiff than we were – Percival was good but got no backing from Wainwright. Officers were definitely degraded vis-à-vis the men, amongst whom were some very bad characters. Not the least of our trouble came from ourselves – honesty was at a low ebb, clothes disappearing off drying lines, food from the kitchen; some squads very definitely got more than their share of food. Altogether a most unpleasant time and state of affairs. We had a good many books and my German was a great stand-by.
1st January 1943 After roll call were told to give 3 banzais for the Emperor which caused some amusement and was never repeated.
4th January 1942 New farm started ¼ mile from camp. 20 goats arrived and governors and lieutenant-generals had goats.
31st January 1942 Heat turned on. Many officers hit for not saluting invisible sentries, for trivial offences, etc., etc. At night especially the sentries had great game pouncing out – officers made to crawl into the banjo – had their nails inspected for length and cleanliness – officer made to hold a box at arm’s length over a pointed bayonet – officer knocked down for coming late on parade. It sounds nearly incredible now. |
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