This is a catchall page! Based on my disorganized method of assemblage (is that a word?). You want to contribute something and don't have a good idea of where to put it- this is where it may wind up!!!
And I really want some contributions. Photos from the POW camps in Taiwan??? Anyone have THEIR OWN - I can find lots on line - this OUR site! You want a military humor page?? Let me know!
Comrades:
Capt. Ed Freeman - medal of honor.
Sgt Jack Edwards (UK-HK) - The only western author that I have found that wrote about the Japanese POW camps in Taiwan. POWS in German hands suffered a mortality rate of about one in twenty, POWS in Japanese hands throughout the Asia suffered a mortality rate of more than one in three* - and this does NOT include the one in ten (estimated - no clear statistics) that died within 5 years of release due to treatment received from the Japanese. Well.... I can't think of a good reason why this is included in 'our' VFW site, other than I was totally absorbed by his Book and recommend it to everyone - especially the Japanese Board of Education, who still deny these things happened!!!
*U.S. Veterans Administration figures - not based on faulty Japanese records.
Captain Ed Freeman - Medal of Honor recipient
for rescue actions November 11, 1967. You can find the details of his actions
in the Medal of Honor citation - a friend of mine owes his life to Capt. Freeman and
thus included here.
Died August 20, 2008, Boise, Idaho, at age 70.
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BANZAI YOU BASTARDS
by Jack Edwards. Suggested reading for those interested in W.W.II POW history.
This gem is occasionally available from Amazon. Jack Edwards was a
British prisoner of the Japanese and put to work as a slave laborer in a Taiwan gold mine.
The existence of POW camps in
Taiwan run by the Japanese and their Taiwanese ally is a seldom mentioned in western
written history. Those of us in Posts 9957 and 727 have made Taiwan our home, and
occasionally a book of particular significance to our location and common interest arises
- this is one of those! The publication of this book reveals for the first
time a copy of the Japanese High Command order to massacre all
POWs and 'leave no traces'. A similar document uncovered by the author
- the Japanese high command also issued a secret order 5 days afer their surrender -
(official translation)
Personnel who mistreated prisoners of war and internees or who are held in extremely bad sentiment by them re permitted to take care of it by immediately transferring or by fleeing without trace. Moreover, documents which would be unfavorable for us in the hands of the enemy are to be treated in the same way as secret documents and destroyed when finished with.
This was addressed to several armies including Taiwan.
To learn more about Mr. Edwards click here. Mr. Edwards was very active in identifying and bringing to justice many war criminals and a firm believer in 'Forgive - maybe; Forget - NEVER!' I highly recommend this book!
It should be noted that not all of the identified Japanese War Crime Criminals were caught including some "class A" criminals such as Mutuhiro Watanabe - who managed to escape detection for several years until general amnesty was given. Watanabe, "The Bird", was interviewed in 1997 when he boasted that he may have a little "harsh" in enforcing the rules.
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While on books - most of us have seen Band of Brothers, and The
Pacific and read some of the books from the glut of publications after Band of Brothers
was aired. Some were informative, and some were..... cashing in on the popularity of
HBO's airing of Band of Brothers. The Pacific took a different direction to
basically follow three individuals. Though well done, I heavily fault the
writers and producers for not included the views and inputs of an accomplished author -
who also survived the island invasions as an enlisted Marine cannon fodder - William
Manchester.
GOODBYE DARKNESS by William Manchester worthy
reading from a history professor, author, and ex-Marine. Mr. Manchester
has a unique ability with words and manages to portray an inkling into the fears each of
these Marines experienced and the horrors they witnessed. I recommend ANY book
by William Manchester - but especially this one and AN AMERICAN CAESAR.
Enjoy!
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May issue of the VFW magazine front paged Frank Buckles (above from VFW magazine), the last World War I veteran. This past February 27, Frank Buckles died peacefully at his home. Hopefully, you read his remarkable story - especially the part where as a civilian, he was taken prisoner by the Japanese in the Philippines and spent three years two months in a typical Japanese starvation POW camp. Frank Buckles was 110 years old when he died.
And Jim Wood provided us with photos from 1968 - this was his 'home' in Nui Dat, Det C.
And a photo of his regular patrol transportation -
Thanks Jim for sharing these with your comrades.
