| Fukuoka
POW Camp #25 Shinkai-machi, Omuta |
| Fukuoka #25-B Omuta (DENKI KAGAKU KOGYO OMUTA KOJO) FUKUOKA-ken, OMUTA-shi, SHINKAI-machi Satellite map - precise location, now site of Denka Company dormitory Aerial (Nov. 1947; courtesy of Japan Map Archives) Area map - located on bay northeast of Nagasaki Timeline: (Source: Wilkie Diary) 31 Sep 1944: Established with 289 men; 11 of the Wilkes party were left at Moji Hospital 06 Jun 1945: Two Medical Officers (1 American; 1 British) arrive; also one American enlisted man 30 Jun 1944: 100 men arrive from Fukuoka-06D-Tanoura includes 2 officers 01 Nov 1944: Six men arrive ex Moji Hospital; camp now has 291 men. 16 Jan 1945: Five more men arrive from Moji Hosp; camp total now 296 03 Mar 1945: Four men badly burned in furnace "blowout" at factory: Johnson, A.; Laity, T; Lawrence, A.S.; Fenn, G. 27 Jul 1945: Major fire bombing raid- camp saved by POWs 17 Aug 1945: Informed war is over 21 Aug 1945: Announcement war has ended. 28 Aug 1945: First food drops 04 Sep 1945: British & American Flags raised 16 Sep 1945: POWs depart by train for Omuta Note: All of the original 289 men at camp opening were survivors of the Kachidoki and Rakuyo hellship sinkings. The secound large group of approx. 100 were from Fukuoka #5 Tanoura. Photos: Original blueprints: IMG 2006 FUK-25 camp plans IMG 2007 FUK-25 camp plans IMG 2032 FUK-25 camp plans side views Strategic Bombing Survey data: Targets Omuta Page 23 Targets Omuta Page 24 Targets Omuta Page 70 Targets Omuta Page 74 Targets Omuta Page 100 Guards - Fukuda, Shioyazono, Shieiri, Kawai, Saruwatari: FUK-25 Guards |
Labor: Slave laborers at a carbide mfg. plant, Denki Kagaku Kogyo (Electro-chemical Industry Co., now Denka Company Limited). Rosters: Total = 390 POWs (388 British, 2 American; 4 deaths) British (Original roster) Americans: One officer (Dr) Capt William R. Brenner and one enlisted man, Gilbert Cotner. Original roster FUK-25 Rosters 1946-02-16 Deaths: (4) All British 9 Oct 44: Lae, Ronald Percy, Gnr, 1115278, 88th Field Regt; died of injuries received at sea, exposure and malnutrition. Diaries: Diary of British Captain Wilkie is now transcribed and on the British Imperial War Museum web site. A MUST read to understand this camp. Memoir of Cpl Alastair K Uruquart, Gordon Highlanders. Excellent description of battles in Malay, survival from sinking of Kachidoki Maru and camp life. Newspaper coverage of his visit to San Francisco to see the USS Pampanito, the sub that sank the hellship. |
