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Wilkins Clothing etc. Report Fuk-07B-Okinoyama |
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Source: RG 331 Box 933 (NARA
7- Fuk-07-Okinoyama) Wilkins Camp Report Transcription by: Faye Powell, daughter of Australian Robert Bede "Bob" Moore, captured at Hong Kong. Clothing Report - Food Report Recreation Report REPORT ON JAPANESE ISSUES OTHER THAN FOOD IN (FUKUOKA) CAMP 7 The most important of the other Japanese issues were the clothing issues, both army and mine-company. The army issued wintercloths, i.e., old winter uniforms, which were handed out on October 1943 and taken in again in May 44, to be reissued again in Oct. 44 till May 45. Although old these uniforms were satisfactory and filled a need properly. During the same periods winter underwear was issued, shirt and long drawers of some cottony material, the majority being in very bad repair and the rags turned in in 44 were used again for the winter 44-45. Overcoats were issued in 44 from old Jap. Army stock, while in Oct. 45 warloot coats, Australian and British G.I. were issued and allowed to stay in possession of the men. The mine company was responsible for the issuing of working cloths and here the position was far less satisfactory: The main items were a shirt, shorts, leggings, rubbersoled shoes and waterbottles. The changing of worn out material became more and more difficult as time went on while the quality of the goods deteriorated rapidly so that they never lasted the specified time. In particular the footwear became very poor, while also the proper sizes were often lacking. The last months rubbersoled shoes could no more be issued and shoes made out of ricestraw, that barely lasted a single shift were given instead. The generally poor condition of footwear was a cause to many troubles like athletes foot etc. Also the shirts and shorts became of extremely poor quality: being made out of extremely flimsy material like some poor grade of silk and even thin 25lb flourbags. This very thin covering was the only thing the men were supposed to wear in midwinter, as officially the winter uniforms were not supposed to be used in the mine. Other issues like soap, toothpaste, toothbrushes, laundrysoap, toilet paper were also extremely irregular. At one time we were deluged by toothpowder issues, but at all times the issue of soap was far from sufficient, so that half the time the men did not have sufficient soap to wash themselves. Cigarets were issued sparingly, while a certain quantity could be bought, but the total has never exceeded about 5 or 6 cigarets per man per day, and this was only during the last three months of 1944. At all other times it has been less. /S/ J.F.Wilkens, Res 1st Lieut. D.A.F. |