LETTER FROM A MEMBER OF CORREGIDOR'S "NEW YEAR TWENTY"
Nov 18, 2023 9:39:40 GMT 8
Karl Welteke, chadhill, and 1 more like this
Post by EXO on Nov 18, 2023 9:39:40 GMT 8
Mr. John Lindgren
Sept 16, 1987
Dear Sir,
Thank you for your letter of Aug. 27, 1987 and it is surprise and pleased to know that an enemy soldier who fought a desperate fight has similar battle fighting line records, only difference is that you were an officer of warm country and I am N.O.C. of defeated nation but both of us had same experience of so sad and miserable war. I feel like I knew you long before and think fondly and if I could meet, we should talk and agree that we should never repeat miserable war.
It is so grateful that you are healthy and working hard and I am too. The reason why I joined Japanese gov’t sponsored Remains Collection Party for Philippines Islands Area was bring many remains as possible together with it soul to home country which waited lonely over the years and pray for repose of soul with hope that I would be able to clear out bad war memories in my mind.
I was so gratified that when we surrendered to your army after we found war is over you have accepted and treated us so warmly and kindly we were prepared for death (to be killed). I thank you again that I could return to home and rejoin with family.
As to your questions, I can tell you about only my activities of at that time of war and that activities are so limited and narrow. The other information which I have maynot correct since it took over 40 years. However we will have big memorial service which will be held in coming May, 1988 for the remains we brought back and should like to have a gathering with our survivor group and some of those captured during the war and I would be able to get some more information which you might interested and hop your patience until then.
Best Regards
Yoshiaki Yokota
2-5 Wakabada, Higashi
Kasuga-shi, Fukuopka Pref. 816
-o-0-o-
My personal answer to your query:1. Due to heavy bombing which started early part of Jan, two batteries Ramsey were destroyed and lost many soldiers and total approx. 40 were alive. Commanding Officer of Hasegawa seriously injured. We have moved into Malinta Tunnel under the command of Warrant Officer Ichikawa with one rifle for two and five hand grenades.
2. Feb. 16 1945 heavy bombing and bombardment from warship started from early morning and we could go to look outside of the tunnel. Due to excitement and confusion in the tunnel, I could not count how long it took and after very quiet moment passed sudden heavy shooting of machine gun started at entrance of the tunnel and we take up challenge and everybody excited but we could not do anything with the rifle. It looked that no command or control were in the tunnels. We could not find our commanding officer Ichikawa. We suffered from thirsty and found no water but whisky and whisky makes more thirsty.
3. We heard that Nagasawa, a company commanding officer sent as scout but never returned and some confusion existing in the tunnel. One night (illegible) without any drink of water or food. More severe shooting and more confusion caused at entrance with those of soldiers who rush to get drinking water many of them were killed or heavily injured and it was looked like to see a hell on the earth. Again thirsty and hungry night came and we do not know who issued orders but those of soldiers who can fight, got out of the tunnel thru a hole in the top of tunnel, in the dark knight. I have joined in the group of attack with a rifle and hand grenade, and lead other soldiers as I have an experience of New Guinea and tried to reach enemy position but sudden shoot of an illuminating shell and searchlight lighted our charge like daytime action and machine gun, yellow phosphor bullets and we could not move and have lost many soldiers. I have injured left hand back. We have returned to the tunnel before the daybreak. Our company soldiers became few and the night of no water and no foods reaching and after dark four of us jumped out from the tunnel toward the direction of Landing Field underthe Trench Mortar fire. We did not know how long it took but finally we reached at beach near the Landing Field.
I told them to swim to somewhere where we can find our army. To my regret one of them who could not swim, committed suicide. I found a piece of log and jumped into sea and have no idea how long it took and found I am floating near Battery Pt. and daybreak reaching so I swimed toward James Valley before the torpedo find me out and machine-gun start shooting. At last, I could hardly hide myself at shade of a big rock and fell into sleep like dead, under the beautiful moon light.
Dreamed about my companion who committed suicide, fights at New Guinea, Parent, Brother, Sister in home country. Suddenly I heard sounds of footsteps and took position with hand grenade and hear Japanese conversation. There were two scouts and they took me to Army/Navy H.Q. at Battery Monja and were feeded with water and foods, after long days.
4. Information for afterward will be informed to you later as a group of action. The dates I have mentioned in the above may not match with archives.
P.S.
Your letter was translated into Japanese by High School Teacher who lost his father at Leyte War.
My draft letter to you was translated by Mr. R. Ishikawa, a member of survivor at Corregidor Is. And who found the war is over by picking up newspaper, magazine at beach in night and recommended the surrender.
-o-0-o-
K. ISHIKAWA, Ex Pfc., Japanese Army born March 1915.
The following is my career in the Army:-
1. Drafted by the army 15th June 1944 in Kawashki (I was exempted entry of Military Service at age of 20 years because of not qualified for the service) approximately 1500 drafted on the same day.
2. Shipped out 18th of July 1944 for Burma after one month training. A convoy fleet organized at Moji Harbor with regiments from Manchuria etc.
3. Due to heavy damage of the convoy fleet it was unable to proceed for Burma and landed at Manila on August 8th, 1944.
4. Bombing of Manila City by U.S. Air Force started early part of Sept. 44.
5. Our Infantry Battalion organized for defence of Manila Bay under the command of Defence H.Q. in sometime Oct. 1944.
6. Landed on Corregidor Is. On Nov 8, 1944.
7. Heavy air bombing and bombardment from warship started Jan. 1945.
8. Parachute Troop landed on Corregidor Is. On Feb 16, 1945 while I was near top side shelter as a runner from Sakai Company.
9. Surrendered to U.S. Army at Corregidor Is., on 1st Jan., 1946. (We thought it was 5th of Jan 46 as we celebrated New Year as we may be killed. Our calendar was 5 day ahead of actual one.)
10. Repatriated end of Dec. 1946.
11. Two more men of the same career mentioned in the above are in our SURVIVORS group except repatriated date.
-o-0-o-
1. As mentioned in my career statement, I am lowest rank of soldier and did not have any freedom to go around the island area therefore my observation and experience of was so limited area. I however, try to answer your question as much as I can.
2. (a) Your computed strength of 850 on Corregidor Is. may correct up to around Sept. I think reinforcement of strength was made afterward. There were no Filipino working as I have not seen any of them.
Since Manila City bombing started by U.S. Air Force, Manila Defence H.Q. organized Ichinosawa Battalion in Oct.44, with Officers locally drafted and the Battalion arrived Corregidor on Nov.8, 1944. This is the battalion which I belonged.
(b) There were NAVY Suicide Boat Group (attack U.S. boat in night with dynamite loaded boat) stationed. No idea when they arrived and No. of strength.
(c) There were poorly armed Navy Soldier group (one rifle for 4-5 men) landed in Dec.44 and Jan. 45, survivor of warship MUSASHI which sunk at Leyte War.
(d) Field Artillery company arrived in fall of 1944. I do not know strength of the company.
(e) It is said to be the total strength was 6850 when U.S. Army attacked.
3. We did not expect Parachute Troop attack on the small island top side but prepared for landing from North & South Dock and other area of sea.
4. The company I belonged, positioned at near the Power Station area.
5. While bombing continues most of them hidden in the shelters or MALINTA and were too late to find parachute troop’s landing.
6. Communication:- As far as our company concern the communication with H.Q. was maintained by telephone but after damage by bombing the communication kept by runners.
7. Navy kept good amount of good quality of food in shelter but the Army did not have as supplied from Manila with short interval.
8. Water:- After landing of U.S, force we depended 100% on spring water. The supply was serious problem and many of soldiers died because of water. I have no idea how water supplied before landing of American troops.
9. I have no idea of ENDO.
10. I was lucky because I equipped with old type of rifle while most of NAVY and Artillery had but one rifle for 4-5 men and others are equipped with spears.
11. We kept contact with our SURVIVOR Group with telephone or letter as required basis.
12. We do not have any particular organization but used have an annual gathering mostly in Spring Season.
13. We have, in our group some of veterans who captured during the war and sister or widows of the war. The gathering used to be 10-15 attendants including above 3 categories. Attendants of those surrendered of Jan 1, 1946 usually 6-7 as 4 of them already passed away. All together, 18 still alive but they are spread over the all Japan and some of them are sick or lost contact.
P.S.
I have visited the Corregidor Is. twice, one was Dec 1962 on the way back from New York and other was Jan. 1980 with wife to pray for the soul which died for Mother Country.
Regret writing with poor English but it is tiresome for old men to translate in English & Japanese.
Best Regard
K. Ishikawa
4-9-