| Hiroshima
2B formerly Zentsuji 3-B/ Fukuoka 13-B |
| Source:
Wes Injerd Zentsuji 3-D YAMANE (SUMITOMO KOGYO) EHIME-ken, NII-gun, SUMINO-machi, YAMANE Per IRRC: Niihama-shi, Ehime-ken Map: Satellite View (Google Maps) Topographic Map Street Map (Slow Loading) Timeline: 22 Apr 1943: Established as Fukuoka 13-B BESSHI EHIME-ken, NIIHAMA-machi 25 Apr 1943: First Dutch arrive ex Hawaii Maru 14 Jul 1943: Jurisdictional control transferred to ZENTSUJI POW CAMP 3-B 20 Jul 1943: Established at NIIHAMA-shi 8 Sep 1943: Red Cross officials supposedly "visit" camp; seen from distance only. No contact with POWs* * Note from Center for Research: IRCC took the word of Japanese officials as no actual visit was made. 14 Nov 1943: Moved to NIIHAMA-shi, ISOURA 10 Sep 1944: 300 men arrive ex Aki Maru per Vermin affidavit 13 Apr 1945: established as HIROSHIMA 2-B (SUMITOMO KAGAKU KOGYO) EHIME-ken, NIIHAMA-shi, ISOURA 28 Aug 1945: First food drops 10 Sep 1945: Rescue Effected Men sent by train through Zentsuji (picked up Yanks therein) then to port of Takamatsu thence ferry to Uno. Next train took men through Osaka to Wakayama. Photos: AWM Photo collection. Photograph PO2502.001; Shows former POWS lined up for food & delousing at nearby Wakanuri. AWM - enter search tern "Niihama" in collections, Many more pictures including Japanese guards sentenced to death. Reports: On the treatment of POWS in the Niihama Camp - includes medical report Report of Dutch Yamane party Links: Capt (Dr) David Hinder (Aussie) article relects on his experience at Niihama after the Atom bomb was dropped. Journals of Victor Johannes Maria Vermin; External Link Japanese Staff: Capt Murakami - Camp Commander "Lopper"; War Crime trial sentenced to death. Unknown guard: "Mickey Mouse" Oka San - "Happy" |
Labor: Employed by Sumitomo Yamane: Copper Mine & smelter Niihama: Casting Foundry for machine parts and a land reclamation project. Hell Ships: Hawaii Maru ex Singapore via Formosa; departed Changi 3 Apr 1943 and arrived Moji 24 April 1943. 300 men to Niihama included 250 Dutch per V.J.M Vermin (NEIA). Aki Maru ex Singapore, 4 weeks in Manila Harbor, Formosa and Moji. Departed Singapore 1 July 1944- arrived Moji 8 Sep 1944; 1250 POWs. Australians placed into Niihama Camp Book: Kurrah! An Australian POW in Changi, Thailand & Japan, 1942-1945 by F.W.G. "Bill" Power, Australia 2nd of the15th Camp consisted of 245 Australian men of whom 3 died; an unknown number of Dutch but almost all Australians ex-Thailand ex Changi. Deceased: External link (pdf) - slow loading Rosters: Australians: 245 include 3 deceased men; ranking man was Lt. Peter Selwyn Withycombe Dutch Roster: 352 men In early September, the POWS discovered a civilian camp nearby (see Vermin Journal) that had not received supplies and the POWS carried food to them. This was Aiko Health Facility, 1741-1 Miyoshi-cho, Futami-gun. It contained nurses and medical officers from captured Dutch vessel, Op ten Noort Total: 44 Additonal Research by Netherlands researcher, John Slootmaekers regarding Red Cross records. Intl Red Cross Committee: Zentsuji POW Camp No. 3 (questionnaire 21 April 1944) Address : Niihama-shi, Ehime-ken, Nippon Opened 22 April1943 329 POW's at date - Dutch, 4 officers and 325 Dutch enlisted from Java; Visit [by IRCC] to camp: none to date 3 Red Cross relief goods per person issued, no mail and other parcels to date. |