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Kobe House POW Camp Camp completely destroyed in incendiary raid; this was the Swire and Butterfield warehouse previously used by the American civilians captured at Guam. Location: Kobe POW Camp 2-B (NIPPON TSUUUN) KOBE-shi, FUKIAI-ku, WAKIHAMA-cho History and Timeline: 23 Sep 1942: Established as KOBE BRANCH CAMP at KOBE-shi, KOBE-ku, ITO-cho 28 First men were Royal Scots & English ex Lisbon Maru- arrived few days after 23 Sep 1942 13 Oct 1942: First Americans arrive ex Rykuyo Maru 18 Feb 1943: Renamed 1-B 7 June 1943: Australians arrive ex Wales Maru 5 Jun 1945: Destroyed by air-raid; POWS moved to MAYASHIDA-ku, MARUYAMA-cho 2-1 21 Jun 1945: Moved to WAKIHAMA-cho (West side of Kobe) [Photo-external link-slow loading] Aug 1945: Renamed Kobe 2-B September 1945: Rescue Effected 50 American men were sent up to Japan on the Rykuyo Maru on 13 Oct 1942 (not the later sailing in 1944) and were sent to "Kobe House", a former warehouse of the Butterfield-Swires Company. The 50 men included 15 volunteers from the convalescent ward at Bilibid plus 30 officers and five enlisted men gathered from Leyte, Illilo and Panay Island. They joined the Australians already present. Affidavits: We have scans of affidavits of Cmdr Harrington and Col Fliniau; our File Nara 5 RG 331 Box 946. Transcribers needed Camp Layout Japanese Camp Staff: A partial list of Japanese staff, mostly the nicknames. Supplied by Simon Harmon, son of British POW Alan Harman PICTURE of Guards Camp Photographs & Sketches List of deceased at Kobe House Photographs Camp and records destroyed in fire bombing |
Primary Labor Use: Stevedores on Kobe docks Hell Ships: Lisbon Maru- carried Royal Scots & British from Hong Kong [Recommended book] Rykuyo Maru - carried Americans from Philippines Wales Maru (Weills Maru- Byoki Maru) - carried 250 men, 2nd of 30th Aussies to Kobe Time Line: from Japanese Osaka Records, PW Information Modern day Location Map NOTE: Kobe Hospital was a separate camp in the foothills on the north end of Kobe. Camp Report and Deceased roster also lists the men injured in the June air raids - link to Kobe Hospital. After it was burned down in the 5 June 1945 air raid, the patients and staff were moved to Kobe Kawasaki Camp. Kobe Hospital Summary Special link: History of the 2nd-30th AIF men- excellent story of these gallant Aussies. Particularly good account of htis unit and a complete nominal roster. Camp Rosters: Unknown number of Royal Scots and British survivors of the Lisbon Maru were present when Australians arrived. No roster found yet. Australians: "J" Force Americans: General interim roster Americans: - Liberation Roster British POW Alan Harman, Royal Arty- ex Lisbon Maru. Books Describing Life at Kobe House 1. The best book is the compiled "History of "J" Force" by Alex Dandie. Dandie summarizes all events in logical order with many first person accounts. If you can find a copy under US$200.00, consider it a bargain. Simply the best POW camp compilation ever produced. A major contribution to history. 2. Equally rare is Arthur Locke's "Kobe House P.O.W. No. 13" which relates his story from capture on Batann and ultimate rescue in Kobe. Well written and very factual. 3. Sinking of the Lisbon Maru- the story of the men who were transported to this camp. |
