| Osaka POW Camp #3-D Yodogawa Dispatch Camp |
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| Location: 3-D YODOGAWA (YODOGAWA TEKKOJO), OSAKA-shi, YODOGAWA-ku Camp History: 22 Nov 1942: Established as YODOGAWA Branch Camp- 400 POWs arrived from Manila to Moji on the Nagato Maru hellship. [train to Kobe fromMoji.] 18 Feb 1943: Renamed 3-B YODOGAWA 10 Mar 1943: Renamed 3-D 18 May 1945: Camp Terminated; All POWs believed to have been transferred to 3-B OEYAMA Maps: Detail view Area view Between Osaka and Kobe, south bank of Yodogawa River. Adjacent to last bridge going out to bay. First occupied 26 Nov 1942 with approx 400 Americans (300-Army; 40-Navy; 60 Marines) Size: 60 ft x 80 ft with tin fence. One barracks bldg; 160 departed 20 Apr 1945. Aerial Sept. 1948 - courtesy of Japan Map Archives Sketch below by Robert Graydon Ragan, Cpl, 4th Marines (Source: NARA) Japanese Guards: Verdict on T. Akamatsu - Known as "Beast of Burden." See witness summary of Ray Baggett. Photos: This Flickr album contains images of various POW camps including Yodogawa, Tsumori, Rokuroshi, etc. PFC Louis Edward Sontag - International Red Cross card front - back (courtesy of LTC Paul White): Dated 2-21-1945, PFC Louis Sontag
died on 4-21-1945. Card is from Sontag's wife. From the sound of it, it
appears that English is a second language for her and the Marine
probably met her in Shanghai and then shipped out to the Philippines,
prior to being captured in 1942. From the records we found, PFC Sontag
must have changed his birth year to 1917, probably to join the Marines,
as the 1930 census data lists his birth year as 1918. He does not
appear to have had any siblings. Transcribed:
Nina A. Sontag
1220 Avenue Rd. House 54 Room 24, Shanghai Louis Edward Sontag, American Rank PFC Prisoner of War Osaka Camp Osaka Japan Darling Louis, How are you. Darling am very worried about you. Let me know about yourself. I am well. Have you news from mother. Love always your wife. 21st Feb 1945 Nina Sontag |
Hell Ship: Nagato Maru- departed Manila 6 Nov 1942- arrived Moji on Nov 25, 1942. Men from this ship were also sent to Tokyo #2-B Kawasaki (Mitsui), Hirohata and Tanagawa. Rosters: Roster of Americans & the Dead - From the Dr. Richardson records We have a spreadsheet of this camp that is available. Tab Text, XLS or QPW format. Work Locations: Details on each of the work areas and labor performed. Diaries and affidavits: Paul Edward Perry, Cox, USS Canopus [External Link] Reardon & Sontag Diary: Detailed diary from 26 Nov 1942 to 13 Jan 1943. This was one of the worst periods during captivity. Baggett, Ray: Summary of affidavit regarding murder of Virgil Byrd by guard Akamatsu. Wm. B. Reardon- archive listings at Univ of New Mexico Passage of Charley James, 200th CA F Battery Interview of John Kidd- discusses camp in detail (Center For Research) Frank Richardson diary (Part A - Part B - Part C - Part D) Notes in NARA files: RG 389, Box 2029 - excellent research guide for this camp |
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