Dear Yuichi:

Your letter of 10/21 arrived last week, but I could not answer it promptly because I was busy editing the first galley proof. This was a chore I have been dreading. Fortunately, there were not very many errors which needed correcting. It just took a long time to accomplish. I hope I did not miss any other errors. Now I want to answer several of the letters which have accumulated on my desk during the past two weeks.

You certainly had a wonderful and eventful trip. I had been hoping to get to that area of the world this Fall or next Spring, but it looks like I will not be able to get to Europe until nest Fall. I must get to California soon, perhaps next week, because my uncle died and I want to visit with his son. The funeral was while I was in Louisiana week before last. I also want to see A.L.Hankin because he was most helpful in answering some of the questions I had about Tojo's visit.

Your suggestion about contacting the American Embassy for assistance in getting the book published in Japan is worthy of investigation. I do know some people who were there for years after the war. They may be able to provide assistance. I will make sure the Embassy gets a copy of the book.

I am returning the 10,000Y to you because I will be sending you at least three extra copies for your use. This will be a small and and partial token of appreciation for your assistance. I want Sam and Nakajima to have complimentary copies. I will write about this matter later.

I am also encloing some extra copies of the flyer as you requested. I was not very happy with it because I wish the publisher had included more information about the contents of the book and less about me.

Now to the main reason for getting this letter to you as soon as possible. Earlier I asked you if you would be willing to give the pulishersome good comments about the manuscript and you consented to do so. The usual procedure is to send a corrected copy of the galley proof to each person who is reviewing the book. However for you, I do not believe it will be necessary because you have read the original manuscript and are familiar with most of the corrections which have been made ( you provided most of them ). I did have to correct some of the facts about General Tojo's visit. Joe Alexander's comment made me think and remember more accuractly about this incident. The telephone conversation with Hankin helped in clarifying and recalling memories more accurately. Will you please write the publisher directly and give him your frank and honest comments about the book. The address is:XXXXX U.S.A.

Sincerely
Bob
Robert R. Martindale




THE 13th MISSION
by
Robert R.Martindale

The author's 13th mission as a co-pilot of a B-24 was on January 20,1943, when the ten-man crew of the bomber left Port Moresby, New Guinea, for what was expected to be a routine reconnaissance mission over the Bismarck Sea, but the near-crash on take-off indicated otherwise. The plane was unexpectedly engaged in combat by Japanese Zero fighters over Wewak, New Guinea, which were there to protect the small ship convoy entering the harbor. The badly damaged bomber had to crash into the sea.Eight survivors managed to clear the plane before it disappeared. The author was trapped in the cockpit before being able to swim to the surface. The men spent two and a half days clinging to a small four-man life raft until landing on an island where they lived with the natives for nearly two months. The natives took them by canoe along the chain of island to near the mouth of the Sepik River in New Guinea. There, a Japanese patrol captured the eight Americans. It was Friday, March 13th.

The captives were eventually taken to Wewak and then to Rabaul, New Britain. The author was fortunate to be included in a group of nine prisoners to be sent by ship to Japan where he served as a Barracks Commander and Camp Work Officer in the Omori Prisoner-of-War Camp near Tokyo until the Allied fleet entered Tokyo Bay and freed the POWs on August 29,1945.

The contents of the book includes, besides the author's own experiences and feelings, some descriptions and comments about specific occurrences and subjects. The fate of some of the missionaries in the New Guinea area and the prisoners remaining in Rabaul. Comments about the various nationalities and personalities in the camp. How the POWs stole and smuggled food. Sabotage done by the men. How Sergeant Watanabe created a "Reign of Terror" and made Omori become an "Officer's Punishment Camp" while he was assigned there. How some Japanese befriends the POWs. The treatment of the B-29ers and the others classified as "Special Prisoners"; including Major Greg "Pappy" Boyington. How we watched Tokyo burn.General Tojo's visit to Omori. Why the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki saved the lives of all prisoners held by the Japanese.

The author utilized over 125 personal interviews with other X-POWs in the United States, Canada, England and Scotland; extensive correspondence with others in New Zealand, Australia and Norway; post-war interrogation reports and documents from the National Archives; and materials from private sources.

The original manuscript was read by several X-POWs, the historian of the 90th Bomb Group, and by a former Japanese Pay Sergeant in Omori in order to insure greater accuracy of facts.