大象传媒

In my Japanese Prison Camp, there were seven long prison sheds to house the prisoners, each one divided into sections with rooms at strategic points. Running through each of them was a gangway with the toilets outside at one end. Around the sheds was an electric fence about five feet high with a four feet spread. The rooms were used by senior ratings and civilians. The officers, having their own shed.
Outside our compound was a road and further buildings where the Japanese quarters and the cookhouse were. Behind these was a ten foot high brick wall running all the way around the outside of the camp. On top of this wall was an electric fence. There were also guard towers placed at strategic places along it, manned for twenty four hours a day.
The Japanese Sgt Major started walking about the camp closely followed by a small chicken. This thing appeared to have a charmed life, for the electric fence was certainly active as the loss of a few prisoners had proven. We named the chicken Pedro. As the days got longer and longer, he began to look better and better. In fact, he looked so good that one day he disappeared.
The Japanese pulled the camp virtually to pieces in their endeavour to find out just who had been responsible for his disappearance, but all they found was a few feathers in such a position as to be unable to lay the blame at anyone鈥檚 doorstep so to speak. I never knew how he was captured, but I did know how he tasted, for the senior American civilians in one of the smaller rooms invited me in as a guest to his demise party. Although we did not have the benefit of roast potatoes and Brussels sprouts to accompany him, I can assure everyone that he tasted just as good.
The legend of Pedro gave us a good laugh and raised our morale considerably, and became incorporated in our camp songs.

This document was issued to Jim Mariner in January 1942 on boarding the Nitta Maru from Shanghai to Woosung. It was already, carrying American P.O.W.鈥檚 from Wake Island. A number were beheaded by order of Captain Saito the O.C. Troop executioners being Warrant Officer Yoshimura, Petty Officer Takamura and Chief Petty Officer Kohara.

The prisoners disobeying the following orders will be punished with immediate death:

1. Those disobeying orders and instructions.
2. Those showing a motion of antagonism and raising a sign of opposition.
3. Those disordering the regulations by individualism, egoism, thinking only about yourself, rushing for your own goods.
4. Those talking without permission and raising loud voices.
5. Those walking and moving without order.
6. Those carrying unnecessary baggage in embarking.
7. Those resisting mutually.
8. Those touching the boat鈥檚 materials, wires, electric light, tools, switches, etc.
9. Those climbing ladder without order.
10. Those showing action of running away from the room or boat.
11. Those trying to take more meal than given to them.
12. Those using more than two blankets.

Since the boat is not well equipped and inside being narrow, food being scarce and poor, you鈥檒l feel uncomfortable during the short time on the boat. Those losing patience and disordering the regulations, will be heavily punished for the reason of not being able to escape.

Be sure to finish your Nature鈥檚 call, evacuate the bowels and urine before embarking.
Meal will be given twice a day. One plate only to one prisoner. The prisoners called by the guard, will give out the meal as quickly as possible and honestly. The remaining prisoners will stay in their places quietly and wait for your plates. Those moving from their places reaching for your plate without order will be heavily punished. Same orders will be applied in handling plates after meal.

Toilet will be fixed at the four corners of the room. The buckets and cans will be placed. When filled up, a guard will appoint a prisoner. The prisoner called will take the buckets to the centre of the room. The buckets will be pulled up by the derrick and be thrown away. Toilet paper will be given. Everyone must co-operate to make the room sanitary. Those being careless will be punished.

Navy of the Great Japanese Empire, will not try to punish you all with death. Those obeying all the rules and regulations, and believing the action and purpose of the Japanese Navy, co-operating with Japan in constructing the new order of the Great Asia which will lead the world鈥檚 will be well treated.

Commander of the Prisoner Escort. Navy of the Great Japanese Empire.

Jim Mariner.
Bournemouth, Dorset.

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