如水会 実務英語研究会

　 April 22,1993
　 Dear Yuichi;

I am most happy to be in contact with you. Your long letter was appreciated. It has been informative.

First, I believe it is necessary to clarify my position in Omori. I arrived at Omori on December 6 or 8th,1943 along with two other officers and six men from Rabaul.We were kept in the guardhouse until the evening of Dec.31st. The other two officers were sent to Bunka,the prpoganda camp. I was told I was too sick to be sent there, so I and the six men were released into Omori. Later, I was Barracks Commander of Barrack's No.5. In the Fall of 1944, I became the POW Camp Work Officer and held the job until the end of the war. I was responsible for all of the men while they were in camp. If they got in trouble, I was in trouble; therefore. I was always in trouble, especially with Watanabe.

You referred to a beating giving by Watanabe and Lt.Kato. The officer envolved was Capt. B.J Martin. He now lives in Corpus Christi, Texas, and is still suffering from the results of what was perhaps the severest beating given in Omori. Many people think it started over Martin's refusal to work with the men, which was in accordance with the Geneve Convention. This made him a hero. Actually, it started because Watanabe misinterpreted Martin's answerto a question. He took it as an insult to him and The Emperor.

Captain Charlton Wimer was our Canteen Officer.Wimer maintain our small library and sold the few articles which we ewere allowed to have for ourselves.He kept a double set of books. Each officer was allowed Ten Yen credit in the Canteen. Wimer gave us the money so that we could buy items which had been smuggled into camp by the men. One set of books was for the Japanese eyes and the other was for us. Many men did not like him as they thought he was too nice to the Japanese.Actually, he was trying to keep them from discovering what he was doing for us. We became good friends and were the Best Man in each other's weddings. He was from San Antonio, Texas. He became a millionaire, but died suddenenly from possible injuries received during the war.

Admiral Arthur Maher, the Senior POW Officer,is still alive and lives in Phoenix, Arizona. His memory is very bad. He does not even remember we shared a room for a year at Omori.

Lt.Meade has not been located in recent years. No one knows what happened to him.

Dr.Lloyd Goad is doing very well.

Thank you for identifying the soldier in the picture which I sent to you. I appreciate the explanation about the badge on the cap.

Thank you again for the pictures you sent me via Sam. I am now confused as to your identity in the photos. Sam identified you in the photo standing alone. The same person is on the left in the picture showing four men and a girl. You have identified the same person as being Sugawara and yourself as kneeling next to the girl. Which is correct?

I am having negative and copies made of the five pictures. I will also have an enlargement made from the one with the five people in it. It will show only Watanabe. I would like to have your permission to use it whenever my manuscript may be published.

My attitude towards Watanabe is not very "Saintly". Personally, I believe in "letting sleeping dogs lie". This is an American expression meaning not to create a disturbance. However, as an historian ( I use to teach History and Government in a College.) I am curious to hear what he has to say about the times in Omori. There are some questions I would like to ask him (none bad).

I sent you a hard copy of the picture showning the Omori Camp. This was sent four days ago.

I have been tempted to fly to Japan. As a Retired Air Force Lt. Colonel, I can fly on a Space Available bases on Air Force planes. That is how I go to Europeeach year. Being a single person now has made it easier for me to travel this way. However, the high cost of traveling in Japan has discouraged me from going there. I would like to see some of the beautiful gardens for which the Japanese are noted for developing.

Please tell Sam that I am having the copy of the newspaper made by the POW's Xmas, 1944,("OOSH") put on the computer. His inquiry propted me to get back to work on it.

I would have liked to see the TV "Christmas in Omori" program. It must have been interesting.

I msut close now as my son is coming tonight to spend the week-end with me. I have not seen him since Xmas. I have to clean-up this place before he gets here.

Thanks again,
Sincerely,
Bob


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如水会 実務英語研究会
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