POW Supply Missions to
Hiroshima Division Camps
1 ~ 9 September 1945
Hiroshima #1 Zentsuji
POW REPORT NO. 28
Camp: ZENTSUJI 3413N - 13346E
Mission No.: 73 POW M13
Date Flown: 8 September 1945
Camp is located in a small town and is surrounded on all sides by buildings
of similar type. It lies in a rectangular fenced-in area in an E-W direction.
One gate is located at the E end of the compound with guard posts at the
gate. Major buildings in camp are: 2 large two story buildings, 12 smaller
one story buildings. Large buildings are placed end to end and one of them
is marked with PW.
N of camp on the edge of the town is a field which is indicated by a large
PW as the area to drop supplies.
Supplies dropped in area indicated. One bundle noted to have broken loose
from chute. Ten POW's seen in camp area. Assigned target.
Hiroshima #2 Niihama
POW REPORT NO. ??
Camp: No. 298 3357N - 13316E
Mission No.: 73 POW M6
Date Flown: 4 September 1945
Square camp surrounded by fence and located on reclaimed land. Four large
barracks type buildings, six smaller buildings. Signs on top of two largest
barracks read "PW, DROP RADIO PLEASE, THANKS YANKS, AUSSIES".
Approx 100 POW's visible. All supplies landed approx 300 feet east of the
camp. Assigned target for this mission.
POW REPORT NO. ??
Camp: No. 298 3358N - 13316E
Mission No.: 313 POW M5
Date Flown: 7 September 1945
POW camp consists of two long narrow buildings and other buildings of various
sizes. Sixteen chutes observed in open field adjacent to camp. POW's observed
in area. Roof of buildings well marked with "Thanks Yanks," "Aussies," "Thanks,"
"PW", "VT.VF 34". Camp is enclosed with fence. Forty packages dropped on
target.
POW REPORT NO. ??
Mission No.: 313 POW M6
Date Flown: 8 September 1945
No camp at briefed location (3347N-13314E)
Dropped at 3347N-13314E. Camp identified by letters "POW" on roofs of two
buildings and "THANKS YANKS AUSSIES" on roof of second long warehouse type
building. Approx 40-50 persons are within compound, and an additional 25-30
are outside the enclosure. Camp is enclosed by board fence and consists of
two long one-story buildings and 5 or 6 lesser buildings or sheds. 40 bundles
were dropped with 18 chutes observed in flight. Accuracy of drops unknown.
Hiroshima #3 Tamano
POW REPORT NO. 104
Camp: HIROSHIMA No. 3 3128N - 13357E
Mission No.: 313 POW M4
Date Flown: 6 September 1945
Camp is located on water front near entrance to bay. Two large warehouse
type buildings have PW markings. One of those is enclosed in compound by
a high fence. Compound consists of this one large building and 5 smaller
ones. PW is also marked in clearing near the water's edge. 40 bundles were
dropped - 16 visible in the air. Accuracy of drop unknown. No chutes were
visible on the ground.
POW REPORT NO. 37
Camp: HIBI Exact location unknown
Mission No.: 73 POW M14
Date Flown: 9 September 1945
the camp is located on water's edge E of a small plant and lies in an EW
position. Immediately E of camp is a mine entrance. the camp is surrounded
by a high wooden fence and one gate opens on the S side. One large barracks
building and seven smaller buildings are in the area. the large building
and a large warehouse, S of the compound, are marked PW. W of the warehouse
is a large stock pile. A narrow gauge RR leads from camp area to plant.
Supplies probably landed in plant area. Approx 30 persons seen around the
compound. Not an assigned target for this mission.
Hiroshima #4 Mukaijima
POW REPORT NO. 112
Camp: MISKOJIMA 3423N - 13312E
Mission No.: 315 POW M3
Date Flown: 1 September 1945
Camp consists of several barracks type buildings adjacent to a small river.
On the roofs of two of the buildings the markings "PW", "PW", "X 23 CREW
HERE". The camp lies next to a factory having a saw tooth roof. No persons
visible.
This was an assigned target.
POW REPORT NO. 102
Camp: HIROSHIMA No. 2 3421N - 13312E
Mission No.: 313 POW M4
Date Flown: 6 September 1945
Dropped on PW camp in vicinity of Kanmoshi on Mukai Island at 3424N - 13313E.
This camp identified by a circle enclosing an X, and "23" "CREW HERE" marked
on the roof of one building. Camp is situated alongside the waterfront and
appears to have been part of industrial plant. Fence is visible on waterfront
side. There are 4 saw tooth type buildings alongside marked building.
40 packages dropped - 14 visible in air. None on ground. Accuracy of drop
unknown.
Hiroshima #6 Omine
POW REPORT NO. 106
Camp: HIROSHIMA No. 4 3411N - 13110E
Mission No.: 313 POW M5
Date Flown: 7 September 1945
Camp is identified by an arrow superimposed on a circle on the ground just
outside the compound. Six one story barracks are arranged in rows and joined
on one side by a covered passageway. A high fence surrounds the area. 117
packages were dropped of which 11 chutes visible in the air. Accuracy of
drop cannot be determined. This was an assigned target. Photo coverage limited
to corner of camp.
Hiroshima #7 Okinoyama?
POW REPORT NO. 65
Camp: Ube North 3357N - 13108E
Mission No.: 73 POW M13
Date Flown: 8 September 1945
Barracks area is irregular in shape and extends along the coast. South section
contains conventional type barracks. North section has barracks with four
gabled entrances on one side of building and latrine at end of each building.
Signs on roofs of three large barracks buildings read: "SUPPLY PW 400, DROP,
PW". Arrows point to an open space to the east.
No POW's observed. Not known where supplies landed. Not an assigned target
for this mission.
POW REPORT NO. 80
Camp: HIROSHIMA No. 5 335530N - 1311600E
Mission No.: 313 POW M9
Date Flown: 10 September 1945
Camp located on reclaimed land in UBE Harbor near a coal mine. The words
"Here Please" and three indicating arrows are visible just west of a mine
building.
This camp is several miles west of briefed area, but it is believed to be
Hiroshima No. 5.
forty packages were dropped, 15 of which can be seen falling toward "Here
Please" sign.
POW REPORT NO. 72
Camp: Ube 3356N - 13111E
Mission No.: 315 POW M3
Date Flown: 1 September 1945
Two POW camps in vicinity of Ube, consists of the following.
1. Camp is located in a city, and consists of a small enclosed area with
approx 13 barracks type buildings within. Two gates are located on opposite
sides of the camp. Two "PW" signs, "Thanks" and "STOP" are painted on the
roofs and ground. Few persons are standing inside the fenced in area while
considerably more are outside the inclosure.
Eight chutes are falling in the vicinity of the camp.
2. Camp is located near body of water (as indicated from small wrecked or
dismantled boats on ground). Twelve chutes falling in vicinity of camp. Two
large signs are visible through haze "PW" and "STOP". No further interpretation
due to hazy photos.
No photo reference.
POW REPORT NO. 99
Camp: HIROSHIMA No. 5 3358N - 13117E
Mission No.: 313 POW M6
Date Flown: 8 September 1945
Dropped on camp located at 335610N - 1311700E since no camp was apparently
located at above coordinates for Hiroshima No. 5. Photos do not show camp.
60 bundles were dropped - 16 visible in air. Accuracy of drop unknown. Part
of load dropped at 335530N - 1311130E on tip of peninsula 21/2 miles SW of
mouth of Kato River. No further details revealed by photos.
No photo reference.
Hiroshima #8 Motoyama?
POW REPORT NO. 105
Camp: HIROSHIMA No. 5 3356N - 13111E
Mission No.: 313 POW M5
Date Flown: 6 September 1945
No packages were dropped on briefed camp. One A/C briefed for this camp dropped
on the following:
Reference: C13098 LITHO MOSAIC 90.321841, UBE COAL LIQUEFACTION CO. 335530N
- 1311120E.
The unidentified camp is situated on the southern tip of the peninsula south
of Onoda. A large cleared area extends westward into the water, and upon
it are the letters "PW" and the word "THANKS", at which 5 large arrows point.
A tall silo-like structure is situated on the east side of the open area,
while a wire fence forms the eastern boundary. The camp buildings are east
of this area, but the photo coverage does not allow a detailed description.
A flag resembling that of the U.S. is visible in the camp area.
Approx 17 persons are standing along the water's edge.
Eight supply parachutes of 20 dropped fell in the open area, and about eight
chutes are visible on the ground east of the fence.
Hiroshima #8-D Higashi Misome
POW REPORT NO. 44
Camp: HIGASHI MISONE 3356N - 13120E
Mission No.: 73 POW M12
Date Flown: 7 September 1945
the camp is situated at the base of a peninsula. Sign on point, with arrows
pointing to it from four directions, reads "PW, THANKS." Camp area is irregular,
consisting of many barracks shaped buildings extending north along the shore.
Several buildings with checker board roofs and a slag pile visible at northern
end.
No POW's observed in area. Some supplies landed in water, others in area
at edge of barracks. Not an assigned target for this mission.
Tokushima
POW REPORT NO. 17
Camp: TOKUSHIMA A/F 3409N - 13436E
Mission No.: 73 POW M6
Date Flown: 4 September 1945
A/F shows severe damage resulting from bombing and strafing. No POW's visible.
All supplies landed on A/F. Not an assigned target for this mission.
Hiroshima Division Camps
Location Unknown
POW REPORT NO. 115
Camp: UBE (Probable) 3344N - 13056E
Mission No.: 315 POW M3
Date Flown: 1 September 1945
Possible POW camp in the vicinity of Ube consists of 60 buildings. The area
is apparently only partially fenced in. Eight chutes are dropping on the
country side near the camp. No markings are visible.
No photo reference.
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