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Fukuoka
#17 POW Camp Stecklein affidavit regarding severe beating by guards |
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From Andrew Mason, fellow POW from Australia On 13 May, 1945, I was in charge of a detail working near Red cross boxes in the Japanese store, I refused to let the men steal but later one of them gave me a can of salmon, with which I was caught. I was investigated by American Officers, found guilty of stealing and taken to Japanese HQ together with 3 other members of the detail. The camp Commander immediately punched me in the face and kicked me many times on the shins. He then commenced to 'examine' me. I had to strip off all my upper clothing and kneel down; I was then terrifically beaten with a bamboo pole, 1 inch in diameter, with the end shredded. I was beaten until the whole of my back and shoulders were badly lacerated and bleeding. We were then taken and made to kneel down outside the guardhouse. Small rocks were placed beneath our knees and then pieces of timber placed under our shins, so that the whole weight of our bodies rested on a few sharp jagged points of rock. We were only a few feet from the guards and any movement on our part to try and relax our legs was immediately punished by kicks or punches. We were not allowed to sleep at any time during the four days of our detention. When our eyes closed from sheer fatigue we were immediately kicked into wakefullness. At 7 pm we were lined up and given about 6 strokes across the buttocks with a piece of timber two inches X two inches and four feet long. The guard used all his strength and swung the pole as one would swing a baseball bat. Each stroke left a great purple bruise. The bashing was repeated at 10:00 P.M. and every subsequent day at 7am, 7pm and 10pm. During the night the guards amused themselves by pouring buckets of icy water over us and taking turns to punch or kick us or crack us over the head or back with rifle butts. I was given the terrible task of plucking the moustache of one of the party. I refused and was beaten until I commenced to pluck it out hair by hair. At 10:00 A.M. the following morning, the new guard came on duty. They also took turns to beat us according to each one's fancy. Every thing was used on us, fists and heavy boots, sticks, heavy poles, straps, heavy leather belts and rifle butts. During the afternoon 'the Sailor', a notorious guard, known by everyone in camp for his brutality, went to work on me with a strap, double and doubled again until it resembled a cat o nine tails. I thought he would never stop. I begged for mercy but he kept on and on. All day and night we were kept bitterly cold by having water thrown over us at frequent intervals. The constant kneeling by this time had caused our feet and legs to become swollen to twice their normal size. To add to our discomfort we were tied to a post with our hands behind us fir the whole night - still in a kneeling position of course. Next morning we were forced to do calisthenics; owing to my badly swollen feet and legs I could not perform the exercises to the satisfaction of the guards. This resulted in another bashing by the Sailor. We were again bashed when the new gaurd came on at 10am and as usual during the day we received our quota of kicks, etc. Late that night one of the guards decided to relieve his boredom by practicing ju-jitsu. He flung me over his shoulder about 6 times onto the rough ground, besides subjecting me to several painful holds. About midnight a guard urinated in our faces. We were no given short heavy sticks and made to beat each other over the head. This continual beating was one of the worst features of our torture. On the morning of the 4th day we were given a drink from a trough which was being used for cement making. This dirty water was the first sustenance we had received since being turned into the guardhouse. About 10am I asked permission to speak to the Camp commandant with a view to the termination of our punishment. Immediately on entering the Commandant's room he slapped my face, kicked my shins and told me to kneel down. I was then given all sorts of instructions which I promised to obey and we were released after signing a declaration to the effect that we would never again cause the Japanese authorities any trouble whatsoever. During May the weather was cool, with very cold nights and frequent rain. The weather was an important factor, as we were kept outside the whole time. Even during heavy rain we were not permitted to seek shelter. As my back was badly lacerated from the first beating I was allowed to wear my shirt for the first day and night; after that I was stripped to the waist the same as my companions. In order to increase our discomfort our boots were also removed. When we were sent to the guardhouse we were classified as 'Light Duty Sick' but notwithstanding that fact the Japanese sent us to the mine with our shift at midday on the day of our release. Owing to the condition of our feet and legs we could hardly walk and as we could not perform our work to the satisfaction of the mine foreman we were reported to the guards at the mine who gave us a severe beating, mostly with a pole about 2 inches in diameter. I declare that the above is the truth without any exaggeration whatsoever. (signed) Frank C. Stecklein S/SGT U.S. Army |