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Shouting loudly the Japs would take their positions. It was a relief to hear the “all clear” signal after each alarm. The ship had taken a zigzag course during the entire trip to evade submarines.

It didn’t matter how happy we were when we came to a stop at the Makassar pier, the long hot day, filled with uncertainties, was not an easy one to look forward to.

Finally we left by truck. Where are we going? Nobody knew. It turned out to be Kampili, a former sanitarium. This complex consisted of a main building, a clinic, and several smaller houses for bedridden patients. A small house consisted of two rooms for 1 person each, and one long room for 2 sofas. The bathroom facilities were placed behind the house. This size house was now made available for 16 adults, or 20 women and children. Beds with a mat were placed above each other. I don’t remember what we had to eat that day of our arrival. The following morning we found rice in half an oil drum sitting over a hole on a concrete platform which was in the central kitchen of the main building. The fire under the drum was stoked with bamboo. With a few other women we cooked our morning rice porridge extra early because we were hungry.

When the Japs took us to Kampili natives guarded us. I told their commandant that I wanted to be called up at 4.30 AM the following morning in house no. 4A. I don’t remember how I slept.

“Bangun, bangun” (Wake up, wake up). I did not need a lot of time to get dressed. Because after the raid in Ambon we had nothing left. While it was still pitch dark I walked with him to the kitchen and woke the other ladies at the same time. Suddenly the commandant asked me: “Did you ever live on Sibolga?” “Yes”. “I served under the “tuan” (Sir).

When we came to the kitchen the fires were burning and the water boiled. The rinsed rice was added and stirred. The porridge was ready extra early.

Van Lochem: When we arrived in Makassar the men were loaded on trucks and taken to Pare-Pare. We did not see them again until the war was over. Women and children were taken to Kampili, a few hours drive south of Makassar. Originally Kampili was a TB sanitarium with a main building and about 5 duplexes, 2 small houses under one roof. There also was a building for the doctor who was the director of this sanitarium.

When we got there everything was empty. The Japs had placed two bamboo bunk beds in one room. The kitchens housed empty drums to cook rice in, some firewood and some kitchen utensils; and nothing else. We received pretty good food from the Jap kitchens, the next day food was carried in from somewhere else and after that we had to look out for ourselves.

A Jap commandant moved into the doctor’s quarters. We also had two female doctors and also a male physician because several wounded from Ambon were moved to our camp until they had healed when they also had to go to Pare-Pare. The male doctor, Dr. Marseille, stayed in our camp after the healed men had left.

PARE-PARE/ Badenbroek: The boys entered the camp in groups. I belonged to the Malino group. Later the Ambon group joined us, and then the “free boys”, those boys were picked up later by the Japs.

We were scattered all over, I was assigned to a barrack with other boys from Malino. We also shared these accommodations with 2 policemen, inspector Kettenis and chief agent Potger. The latter was enormously active and, thanks to him, some boys were in real good condition. We rose early and before we had roll call we would have done a series of gymnastic exercises. Mr. Kettenis was the boss of the sand crew. I had a lot of respect for him; he had an athletic build and had a lot of authority. Across from us was another nook which housed 2 more police men: Mr. Van der Pol, the police commissioner, and Mr. Cozijn. There also were a couple of high-ranking government officials. It struck me that these men showed no respect for each other. We were all equals, dressed only in a pair of shorts. Clothes make the man?

Camp life was no punishment for me. All right, we were not free to come and go as we pleased, but we, the boys, were pretty well taken care off. In the beginning there was no shortage of food, and in the evening we could get an extra helping. We usually got after 7.30 PM. There were plenty of eggs, and to make a cup of coffee tastier I added a well-beaten egg and sugar. There also was a lot of diversion. I learned to play bridge, my steady partner was Albert van Roon. Behind our barrack was a green spot, it was our sport field. There was a sandy area to practice distance jumping, poles for high jumping, and a field for hand ball games.

I won’t forget certain boys. Jan and Kobus den Hamer, because of their length, an Aussie, short, hairy, and very strong. If he threw a ball it became a projectile. He also could sing, and how! Especially when the moon was out he could stir me from being happy to melancholy. I heard “Waltzing Matilda” for the first time when he sang it. He couldn’t pronounce my name so Willy became Bill.

We formed small groups in the camp and we would gather after we had finished our chores. As far as I can remember my group consisted of the following: Rob Hartmans, Adri Stolk, Albert van Roon, Jan van Driest, and Frits Kroger. Did we earn anything extra? Oh, yes! Rice, eggs, and brown sugar still were for sale. Rice in a bucket, soaked in water for a night, drained in a cloth, tamp it until it becomes flour, then mix it with molten brown sugar, water, and a bit of salt to make a batter. Then these delicacies were fried in coconut oil and sold; a very good business. Everybody joined in.

You were assigned to work crew depending on your physical condition. Most of the time I worked under Mr. Kettenis our crew boss. We had to break up rocky ground and also haul things like rice, salt, salted fish, etc. to the ships. Of course several items got caught on our clothing. We also took turns taking slop to the pigs. The job was not a dirty one.

There also was a boy called Herman Zevering. He was about 6 years old and was in the camp with his father. We used a three-wheel carriage to carry the slop. So there we were, two boys, 2 or 3 garbage cans and Herman. We would go outside the camp and pick up garbage from the well-to-do natives. Herman was real good at getting cans. Next to the can with slop was a can for clean food and a lot of real good food was thrown into that can. The problem was how to reenter the camp with all that. The guard always searched us. Fortunately, he did not search very hard.

I am a Roman Catholic and masses were held. I was an altar boy together with Johan van der Haar, a tall blond boy. It must have been an odd sight. Johan 1m.70 cm. tall, and I 1 m.52 cm. One of my other leaders was Father van Vliet. We would meet so now and then. He tried to teach me the facts of life. In those days homosexuality was not ever mentioned. I didn’t know what it was all about. Father explained it very clearly and cautioned me about one of the Jap guards “Mietje”.

I also did chores with the wood crew, the leader was a young priest. This crew would not return for lunch, they stayed where they worked and brought the lunch with them, which was prepared on the spot. Morale was good, even the police guard was pleasant, and so now and then we were allowed to buy a thing or two.

We were forced to unload the Jap ships or load them with salt, flour, salted fish, rice, etc. It meant that we had to lift bags weighing anywhere from 25 to 50 kilo, or more, each.

Stolk: Adri too had worked for the wood crew. When he heard the story of Wil Badenbroek he remembered suddenly that once he was beaten underneath his feet so badly that it was nigh impossible to walk. He was allowed to hang on the backside of the cart so that his feet would clear the ground. The others steadied the front part of the cart. Just so the Japs wouldn’t notice.

Ten Haaft: After saying good-bye to my wife and children we were taken to the military barracks in Makassar. We had to join already filled to capacity buildings. For those who had been there for a while our arrival provided a pleasant break. The Morse code of our group told them about our experiences in Ambon. It was news for them. We benefited because they replenished our tattered clothing.

After a few days we were told that we would be taken to Pare-Pare. Trucks came and there we went. On the way school children and their teachers jeered us, but for those who wanted it, there was a chance to buy tobacco.

When we arrived in Pare-Pare we were counted, I don’t remember how often. After that we were marched to the military barracks which was not as large as the one in Makassar but there was room for us.

Then we were fed, and how! Father Goossen, who was the temporary camp commander, because the original one was jailed somewhere else, apologized for the food. Our first meal was rice, vegetables, a meat ball, fried fish, and sambal (hot relish). We pointed this out to each other: “Don’t fool yourself but this is meat, and this is fish.”

They had even taken care of sleeping places, although they had expected Ambonese men, because the cots were a bit too short for European men.

Here too no one knew what had happened in Ambon and the Japs had threatened to kill us if we’d tell. But it was not that bad, and we told everything. Often the comment was made: “Imagine, to have planes fly over like that”. Well, much later they did come, and that was considered to be dangerous too.

MAKASSAR/Booy: 3/2/43. Today 20 men had to make a funeral pyre, and at the same time 4 trucks brought a load of wood in.

3/7. It was a year ago when we arrived in Makassar and were jailed; that was a miserable month.

All kinds of things are made secretly, things that are important to POW’s, such as tobacco pipes, lighters, buckets, cigarette cases, etc. The work is pleasant now that all is quiet.

I just returned from the hospital with Yosh. Someone had an appendectomy and he wanted to watch the whole operation. The patient was locally anaesthetized. This was also a first for me. Yosh himself suffers from chronic appendicitis but won’t let a Jap doc touch him. He would like to have the operation done by Dr. Smits, our surgeon, but that is not allowed. It would be a slap in the face of his compatriots. (I wonder if that patient was my father, J. Ph. van Driest, because he underwent an appendectomy in that camp. OY)

3/13. We are busy putting a platform together of 2m by 2.1/2m. It is constructed in the camp opposite of ours where natives will be trained. To what purpose, they themselves don’t know.

Five minutes ago army sergeant Stoupe received a beating for an innocuous thing. You could feel it coming, Yosh was being very unpleasant.

The camp commandant visited all day. One of his 3 horses needed a new bit. He now wants to ride the horses with a bridle bit.

All of a sudden our hosts fear incendiary bombs, everyone who owns a bucket must keep it filled with water, and shovels are given to all the barracks.

3/14. Today we had our first fire drill. When the alarm was sounded Yosh yelled: “Booy, rumah, Booy rumah!” (Booy’s house, Booy’s house). As a result hundreds of men stormed towards my quarters and doused water against the walls and partly through the windows. Are our friends making trouble for the Japs?

3/19. We are getting another vegetable garden, outside the camp, next to the tennis field, which is behind the fence of the hospital. With men and might the ground is split and fertilizer is applied to our newest acquisition. The tennis field is cleaned up and lines are drawn. Rumor has it that the officers will be allowed to play in the future.

Yesterday 3 pigs were slaughtered and today we had brown beans and bacon. In one word, delicious!

So now and then pigs are sold to different groups in the camp. They are allowed to fix them in the kitchen. Sometimes it seems to be a vacation spot here.

We put a door in the fence behind the tennis field so that there is access from the field to the vegetable garden.

3/21 Yesterday evening the Japanese camp commandant, Sutadjo, attended the evening reveille for the first time. This resulted in the Yanks getting another building since their place too small. Of course a barbed wire fence needed to be put up, which took all of my Sunday free time.

A crew of 100 men works daily to lay sod and work in the new garden.

3/24. .Today 150 civilian prisoners from Ambon arrived. They were very much isolated, nobody could exchange a word. Following is the story that we were not allowed to hear: on the 27^th of January Ambon was bombarded for the first time. Gone are the rumors that Ambon was being bombarded for a year. Five days before they left, Ambon was attacked by flying fortresses and destroyed. A bomb hit the munitions dump next to the women’s quarters. There were 24 Dutch victims. The destruction was enormous. They had to work very hard before the bombing-raid, and after that they lived very well. They had to pay 1,500 guilders for their trip to Celebes. Dutch and Australian POW’s were carried off earlier. A small boy, 5 or 6 years old, was with them; he had lost his mother. The ladies were taken to another camp.

3/28. The most popular way to punish now is running. Sometimes whole groups can be seen running through the camp. It is better than being beaten.

It is Sunday again, and that means laundry, shaving, chess and reading. It seems that the harbor is full of ships.

3/31.A corn garden has been made in front of the stables. The corn is for the horses. The sport field remained clear for games.

According to the paper 7 Ambonese have been beheaded because they plotted against the “state”. Most of them were older military men. One of them had even been decorated; he really was faithful to the death.

MAKINO/Chabot: 4/8/43. Tension is great and peace to write does not come easy. For hours on end we hear airplanes in the distance. People who can see the sea when the weather is clear notice a lot of ships coming and going. Last week several truck loads with heavily armed Japs, with helmets and drawn bayonets on their rifles, drove around and left again. It is still not clear why they were here. The most believable rumor that came from above was that 5 Ambonese were slowly (14 days) tortured to death for sympathizing with the enemy. Others who confessed right away had to dig their own grave and kneel down while being killed with the bayonet.

Otherwise, more and more Japs are arriving in Makassar and food for the natives is getting scarce. Coupons, which afford several days for rice, are distributed. Coconuts have not been available for some time. The scarcity of food has resulted in higher prices for food here. Last month we could still fill 8 baskets, now we must do with 4 or 5. Then we had 2 bananas a day, while now there even is not one for the babies. While the amount of rice has not been lessened the shortage of other items is very noticeable, especially fruit.

Last week a Japanese civilian, who is in charge of us, called on us to give clothing to give clothing to Dutch people who had arrived in Makassar a short while ago, and who had only one set of clothing. The response was so generous that the car of this Jap was too small to take it all. This Jap was so touched by all this that he asked our representative and 3 female commission members to join him for dinner. These compatriots seem to have come from Ambon and Menado. A ship from Menado, which also had Jap soldiers on board, was torpedoed. They seem to fare very badly. While all food supplies in Ambon were destroyed, just like here, Ambon’s main food was sago. There seems to have been a great shortage of food and many Dutch, including the highest-ranking government officials, died. On top of all that, the camp where these people were housed was bombed during a raid of the harbor of Ambon. It is a riddle why these people were not taken here. Maybe their numbers are too great for this place, or maybe they can tell us too much.

Tensions increase. Outbursts between women and natives, for instance the drinking of rice wine in the swimming pool by natives who are officials, are becoming more frequent when the women object to the native’s obnoxious behavior.

PARE- PARE/Ten Haaft: “When Father Jansen rings the bell to begin a new day at 7 o’clock in the morning,” the start of one of our camp songs. Seven o’clock in the morning sounded nice enough, and nobody objected, for the kitchen crew had been busy long before then to fix our breakfast in the military barracks of Pare, it was even fried rice! But 7 o’clock here was really Tokyo time with a difference of 1 ½ hour. But the food was great and that was the most important thing.

After breakfast the wood crew started to assemble The cart with automobile wheels was readied and a salute was given, and the wood crew was on it’s way into the mountains.

Four men were needed to steer the cart and the others pulled on ropes to get the vehicle up into the hills One man sat in the cart. He cleaned the vegetables that we took with us, because he was the cook. In a while we will enjoy his culinary efforts. We did not doubt that the meal would become a disaster because he was an excellent cook and he also enjoyed the freedom we had in the woods. We did not have a Jap guard but several native policemen who were friendly towards us. They didn’t join us when we went higher up into the mountains, they stayed down and we would wake them when we return. They didn’t bother us and we didn’t bother them.

It was indeed a hard job to get the cart up the steep mountainsides. The cook had to get out of the cart but he didn’t complain, after all, he was one of us. The trees were inspected, and different crews were assigned, we could go to work. The tree fell with a groan, the saws were cleaned and the tree was cut in manageable pieces. Two men worked on each side of the tree so that four pulled the saw back and forth. Soon the ax could be used.

Of course we had some rest periods. The boss took care of that and the cook took care of the coffee. Sometimes there was something to eat, we could buy food along the road and at times Buginese brought us some food. When I think of it I can still taste the banana steamed in rice meal and packaged in a banana leaf. It did not cost a lot either.

The sun would indicate when it would be noon, the cook would have readied our lunch. Just a little while more and we could eat. After lunch we went into the surrounding area one by one.

We hunted monkeys and looked for fruit. The monkeys were too fast for us and the fruit we found was put in the cart; then we bought a few things. One of the things we bought were raw coffee beans, that was put in the cart too. Slowly we went back to work, this time we needed to stack the wood on the cart. Not just any one could do it, for the smuggled items needed to be stowed in the center in such a way that nobody could become suspicious. Also, the wood needed to be fastened securely, because the descent to the road below was not an easy one. This time the 4 that steered the cart when we went up the mountain were put in front. The rope was fastened so that it ran underneath the cart and the rest of the crew held on to the end of the rope to brake the cart. Once we reached the road to Pare-Pare we relaxed.

Our guards, who were supposed to look after us, were wakened, and after they had straightened out their clothing and appearance, we continued to our camp. Occasionally one of those who pulled had to leave but returned right away after he took care of his necessary body function. The cooperation between the members of the wood crew was excellent. Pull and brake, sometimes panting, we went down to Pare-Pare.

Once we had come down we took a muchearned rest before we pulled into our camp. A Jap stood at the gate, we stopped and delivered a neatly executed hypocritical bow which they demanded. Then came the critical event: would the Jap join us or not? If he did, we all needed to go to the bathroom. We pulled the cart up to the kitchen and disappeared. The Jap waited until he got tired and then returned to his post. This time he didn’t join us, which happened quite often. We felt no need to go to the bathroom anymore and unloaded the cart taking extra care of the smuggled coffee, and congratulated ourselves on a job well done.

MAKASSAR/Booy: 4/3/43. Today it is a year ago that we arrived here from the jail. We aren’t doing too badly, so long as this kind of life will not take years more.

Over the last two weeks 50 Englishmen came back from Mandai seriously ill with malaria. They looked dirty and miserable, apparently things aren’t too clean there. Yesterday and today another 100 Englishmen left for Mandai. Dutch men are not allowed to work there lest they contact the natives.

Eight pigsties are being build by us, the business is growing. Today a very large pig was slaughtered. Navy officers and 18 civilians bought it. Mr. Hips, a government controller, prepared the pig. He is a good friend and took very good care of us. We dined like kings.

Today we have a free day, I think it is the birthday of the first Jap emperor.

4/5. And this is my third note book which I will mess up with all kinds of unimportant events which an outsider would not understand. (Not really-TS) How much more would I have to add?

This morning a new order was issued: all mistakes that take place in the city will be punished in the camp too. Also, all officers must be saluted, when we march through the city. The whole camp will be held responsible for the mistake of one person.

We received 19 piglets plus….. yes, really, a crocodile! He is presently tied up and occupies an empty room.

4/9.We made a cage for the newest acquisition with a small basin in which he or she can lay down; it is 1m 75cm long. The last few days it has rained cats and dogs.

This afternoon we had to stand at attention at 6 PM because a Jap admiral came to visit. Such a visit takes only 5 minutes because they take that much time to drive through.

4/12. This afternoon there has been an attack on our commandant, Lt. Col. Gortmans. They took all his papers. The same happened to another officer and a soldier, they took 2 maps of Russia. Apparently they were looking for a possible source of contact with the outside world.

4/13. The results are so far noticeable that all officers who live next to the barbed wire are moved. This means that all navy officers and half of the army officers have to live in separate rooms in the barracks. I had 70 men help me to construct the new closures. We are far from finished today.

4/14. We now have to make new fencing for the hospital. The fear for communication contact is real. This evening more punishments were given out: 15 men had stolen cigarettes and they had already been beaten in Makassar yesterday. But apparently Yoshida heard about it today and repeated the beatings. The crew boss received 40 lashes, and the poor man knew nothing.

I suspect that nothing was found at Gortmans’ place, otherwise they would have hauled him away.

4/15. All enclosures are finished, altogether there are 6 doors. I am curious to see if we have to put locks on them.

We received a tremendous amount of red stones. According to Yoshida they are needed to build a trash burner. It seems that there will come a time that no one can go outside any more. A truck and 4 carts delivered loads of sheet metal for buckets destined for the fire department.

4/18. Sunday passed, that means playing bridge, chess, and a few pleasant hours with Couperus. The doors leading to no-man’s land had indeed put locks on them.

Yesterday we had another fire drill. The moon is almost full. It rained hard the last few days. Last year around this time it had stopped raining.

4/19. Our officers and civilians were road crews today. A lot of concrete pieces were left over from the building of the sties and they were used to improve the roads. All officers and civilians had to haul a road roller over the roadbed. Every day about 15 to 20 officers and civilians have to cut wood which comes of the trees which are taken down inside the camp. Then there are about 5 or 6 men who pound rice to make flour out of rice that was declared unfit for ordinary consumption. Right now 5 men are assigned to wash and ferment tobacco. The tobacco has been furnished several times but it is impossible to smoke. We don’t get too much in the way of smoking materials. Last week we got a package of 15 very old pre-war cigarettes. We all smoke Buginese tobacco, which we would not touch otherwise.

And so time passes. I entertain myself, even in this camp, because life itself is beautiful. It is difficult to explain, but I believe that I was born under a lucky star.

4/20 Yesterday evening I was called to the Lt. Col.’s quarters. This happens almost every day because Yosh is there and I need to clarify certain issues that he wants to take care of for the following day. When I arrived I was asked to take a seat and a bottle of port was opened. There were five of us, the captain, adjutant, Yoshida, the Japanese subordinate commandant, and I. Yoshida had already had too much but he still shared his portion. It was delicious. Later on that evening I sat outside with my room companion Mook, when Yoshida joined us after having left the Lt. Col. He wanted to discuss the garbage incinerator again. The moon was almost full on a very clear night. Yoshida told us that the cherry trees would be in full bloom now, it would be very beautiful over there. In return we said that when the war would be over, we would love to visit Japan. However, he said “Saja tida pergi kombali”. (I will never return). And we asked: “Why not?” He said: “Amerika bikin susah”. (America makes a lot of trouble). So we said “Yes, but we have had no problems here; and if bombs are dropped we will crawl in the gutter”. He grumbled, got on his bike and said “Ambon tida bagoes”. (Ambon is not beautiful).

We already knew that but it seemed to affect their nerves badly. Apparently a lot more is happening than we suspect or know. A few months ago they talked differently. They don’t seem to feel so safe anymore.

This afternoon at 1 PM I was called to his home to inspect a closet. There was nothing wrong and it did not take a minute. He gave me 6 large bananas and half a bottle of sake. This never happened before. Was he very ill in broad daylight? He said that in a few days nobody could work outside anymore.

This morning the camp was inspected. A high ranking Italian navy officer accompanied the team. I don’t think that he would feel at ease in the Far East.

4/21. Yesterday in the evening all of our Dutch currency was exchanged for Japanese money. It seems that our money is being taken out of circulation. I wonder what the “Pietersen” intends to do with it.

Some more news: Yoshida acquired a pair of bellows, which necessitates the making of a concrete fireplace right away.

4/24. The crocodile has been here for about 14 days but has not eaten anything. I wonder how long he can last.

Tomorrow is Easter. Next week, on the 29^th, we will celebrate the Mikado’s birthday again. I heard that there will be another cabaret show and extra food. We like that.

Ten minutes ago we had to run to fall in. When we stood at attention a Japanese colonel, who belonged to the staff, appeared with a translator to say good bye because tomorrow he would leave for Japan. His translator spoke such bad Malay that all we could understand was that he hoped that the war would soon be over and that we would be free. Also, we needed to take care of our bodies and stay healthy.

4/27. The day before yesterday we had to fall in because it seemed that a few people had paid with Dutch money in the canteen. These persons had to step forward. Yoshida said that there would still be time to turn in Dutch currency, and nothing would happen to those who did. A total of 24,000 guilders was turned in at this time while a lot more had been turned in previously, and this is on top of all the Japanese currency which is already in the camp.

We had to work on Sunday because the cooking areas in the kitchen had to be rebuilt before the 29^th.

Yesterday evening we had a black out period for more than an hour, but nothing happened.

Today it was announced that if the guard’s lights are turned off and on, all lights must be out and everyone was to stay inside. But if bombs would come down we would be allowed to dive into the gutters.

4/28. Today is clean-up day, 35 extra men have been added to clear everything out and clean up. Our home made smithy is ready and is in excellent working condition. This place resembles a bee hive today, everybody has a question and things need to be made right now, such as4 mouth pieces for musical instruments which were delivered this morning for the big party tomorrow. We can make them but it is questionable whether they can be used. The stage we made for the New Year celebration will be used for the first time tomorrow. We still need to attach a 4meter high screen to shade the actors. We will get 2 free days, which we really deserve. There has been a lot of work these last few days.

4/29.Today it is the birthday of the Mikado. The food was all right and we had a nice show in the afternoon.

4/30. We had the day off today, It was a day of prayer for the Nips and for us it was the birthday of Princess Juliana. May she be in Holland soon.

MALINO/ Chabot: May 1, 1943. A lot of excitement! An hour ago the news came that we were to leave for Kampili on the day after tomorrow. This is a compound about 20 km. from Makassar. From Barombong one can walk there in half an hour. About 5 years ago the Dutch Government built a sanitarium there for about 100 patients with lung diseases. The Japs seem to have built bamboo sheds about 2 km from the sanitarium where the women from Ambon and Menado are housed. For months rumors circulated that this place would be our destination. Personally I never believed it but others were so upset that they had their luggage packed and ready to go weeks ago. On the other hand is seems debatable that we will be allowed to take our suitcases. The “gentlemen” prefer that we carry our things wrapped in cloth. It is not known how much we may take with us and remains to be an important factor. It is also rumored that women without children will have to walk this distance of 50 km. on foot.

There will be plenty of problems such as the lack of electricity and running water. The water is carried from a canal in front of the camp and must be boiled prior to consumption. A second consideration is that the health of the women who are already there is bad because of dysentery.

We will have less freedom (no more schooling?) and will have to put up with constant Jap supervision; not to mention the hot weather.

On the other hand we will have a change of scenery and meet other people. If this move is politically motivated maybe we will be free soon.

The money, which we had to turn in earlier, and which supplied us with 15 cents a day, would be gone in three months. If we are going to an organized camp it would solve this dilemma. The delivery of food is assigned to the Rajah of Goa, a very old inhabitant of Makassar, who has access to agricultural means.

As far as we know the quality of the food is reasonable. Then we compare the inequity between us and the 50 women in Lombasang, the penal colony, who were forbidden to have contact with us for the last 8 months, and had no electricity during that time. Besides, it was never clear why they were being punished.

Maurenbrecher- Brain: Rumor has it that we are going to be moved from Malino to a camp of barracks in the plains. Suddenly the move is here and we must ready ourselves to leave.

The women in the penal colony are the first to go, but they are still unaware of the impending move. That night Annemarie Halewijn, and I, accompanied by two native boys, pass through a ravine and over a hill to inform them. It rained and we don’t know the way, but the boys do. We slide more than walk, but we reach the houses quietly. Everything is dark. We knock softly and tell of the move which will take place the next day. Intense activities follow and we return to Malino after having been thanked profusely. Imagine the surprise of the Japanese to find the women ready and waiting.

Stolk: We all get sick at times. Suddenly I was diagnosed with jaundice and had to follow a diet, no fat especially. It was a pity to lose those pounds; they disappeared fast and left me feeling weak. We had not seen much of the Japs, but at this time they seemed to shorten the reins and started to organize matters. In Malino we lived at a distance from each other making it difficult for them to keep an eye on us. Now that the men and the older boys were taken away we, too, would be transported elsewhere.

Seth Paul: Who doesn’t remember Malino? The smooth unpaved steps into the ravine next to the first aid station, which ended at a small unsteady bridge crossing a mountain brook, to continue upwards with fir trees to the left and a jungle to the right. Once you passed through the woods you reached an open field that needed to be crossed, just like the paved road a bit further down. We went this way to reach the market to do the daily shopping: rice, brown sugar, egg plant, fruit, and a native fern which grows on the river banks, for the vegetable stew. And who doesn’t remember the beautiful Mount Lompobatang and Mount Bawakaraeng, which usually are hidden from view by the low hanging clouds?

In this peaceful place the brutalities of war were not real.

KAMPILI/Joustra: On the 3^rd, 4^th, and 5^th of May transports left for Kampili. Not all people were leaving, because from time to time some women were released such as the German women who married Dutch men, and some others who had struck certain friendships with the Japs. Some of them were returned to the camp at a later date.

Wyers, I shall refer to him as the head leader in Malino, asked me to accompany the first transport and he would join the last one. Each transport consisted of about 400 people. We were allowed to carry one small suitcase that was to be put down in front of the house of departure. I put mine on the street in front of the KVK. This complex was vacated on the first day and someone would see to it that it would reach its destination. And that was the way it was done. Others were not as fortunate, because the impatient Japs simply left some luggage in the streets. Most of the time some kindly soul would load it on the next transport, which did not mean that they arrived and some pieces had a change of ownership.

There were no problems with the first transport. Like before, I occupied the last truck. We were preceded by a private car with “Mama Koen”, a nickname of the Japanese officer who drove. With him in the car were Tieltje Noll, nee Seth Paul, and her two small children who could get car sick. The caravan ended with a truck full of military personnel. People did not get out of the houses that we passed, but so now and then we would see a hand or a thumb in a window opening. Sometimes someone would just stick up a thumb and at other times a V sign was given. All of a sudden our truck stopped. To make repairs would take too much time, so we were loaded into the military truck behind us. It was very crowded. Although some of the soldiers remained with the broken down truck, we still had to share the space with others.

Mama Koen also stopped, and before we continued on he had bought a bunch of bananas and treated us with a pleasant, rather inane smile on his face.

I never heard this man utter any sounds other than Japanese. The only different words were Mama Koen and Mama Eddie, whence his nickname. I was told that he was slightly retarded, but attained his officer’s rank because he was related to nobility, which meant that he could still exert some influence. We profited from his presence.

Stolk: I don’t remember much about the trip to Kampili, just that I had jaundice and that we were crowded, or maybe we stood.

I seem to know that, because I was ill; I, and others who were ill, could sit on a mattress. I don’t remember any more of this trip, but Mrs. Joustra described it since she was with our group. Late in the afternoon we drove along a canal with brown water and turned right across a bridge and through a large gate to the place of our new home. There were grassy areas at either side of the driveway, which led to the main building where our luggage was unloaded.

There were women and children in the camp who welcomed us. They lived in the small houses to the right of the main building. To the left were two large groups of 6 long bamboo sheds each. The walls were made of split bamboo matting (bilik) and the roofs were covered with dried palm leaves (atap). Since we belonged to the first group we were assigned to the first sheds. The nuns and we from the KVK occupied shed no. 3. Each shed contained sleeping spaces for about 100 people. Of course on the first day things were very new, strange, and messy. And we were tired. The people from Ambon, who lived here already, had cooked for us, but of course there was no diet for me. I remember very well that, on that first day, I ate rice with forbidden side dishes. It tasted wonderful! I had not eaten that well since a long time ago and I declared myself cured from then on..

Joustra: We continued our trip after the very welcome banana treat. We did not succeed in joining the rest of the caravan. Suddenly the truck veered off onto a bumpy grassy shoulder, which was covered with deep tire ruts. There was a canal to the right and to the left, way down, there was a small stream and then a plain covered with rice paddies stretched behind it. We jostled and bumped into each other until we turned right and crossed a bridge over the canal onto the grounds of Kampili. I visited this place once before the war. Then it was a sanitarium for people with lung problems.

We arrived in a large cloud of dust and hobbled to where the other trucks stopped. The people and their luggage had already been unloaded and they stood around in small groups next to their possessions. In the background we saw a long line of women and children. These were the people who had come from Ambon and the other islands. Later on we heard that they had been transported to Kampili several weeks ago after the Tan Toeycamp on Ambon had been heavily damaged by air raids. While in Malino the Japs had requested clothing for them from us. We had no idea where the clothes would go.

When I got off the truck the Japanese took me to meet a statuesque lady with beautiful gray hair. They introduced her as “Kepala Ambon”, the head of Ambon. It was Mrs. J.C. Valderpoort-Wierts van Coehoorn, the leader of the Ambon contingent. The Japanese kept the other women and children at a distance. I was told that the Ambon kitchen had prepared meals for us and they would continue to it for another 3 days after which we would have to cook ourselves.

As far as I could decide these first few days, I assigned the nuns to shed no. 1 the KVK shed no. 3, and I chose shed no. 6 with a few others, because it was at the end of, what was called later, complex A.

Seth Paul: And there we went! Down the hill, past the nun’s house where I had picked a few pears off the trees sometimes. Then a sharp right hand turn along the coffee plantation of Abdul Rahman and then along a large bend in the road in front of the KVK. Several kilometers further we passed the entry to Benteng Tinggi on the right, where English and American missionaries used to stay. After coming down 93 curves we came to Lebong, a native village {kampong}, by the silver suspension bridge which crosses the Malino river, and where it is joined by the Jeneberang river, which carries the birth fluids from the ever pregnant Mount Lompobatang. Then we continue uphill and see eerily shaped hills to the right. At several points we have a gorgeous view of the Jeneberang River which holds a lot of river stones way down in the river valley to the left of us.

Already, the temperature begins to rise, you could feel it in Pakato, a village along the road which is hidden among the many langsep trees of which the yellow fruit with bitter pit (if you’re stupid enough to bite it), which I can remember very well. You grimace because the glassy flesh is sour, but not like the ganderia or the sour blimbing. {Both of them very sour fruits used in the Indonesian kitchens}. Next to me was Normiek Galstaun, actually we didn’t sit. In every turn we tottered like drunks. Normiek held on to a chicken, which could lay an egg any minute. He checked the egg’s progress by inserting a finger into the behind of the uncomfortable bird and called out every time: “Almost!” He placed his hand strategically so that he would catch the egg. I’ve never known a chicken to lay an egg under those circumstances, at least, as far as I know.

Chabot: The trip to Kampili had been divided into 3 groups of women and children and took 3 days to accomplish. We rode in military trucks without seats or roofs. On the first day 35 people were put on a truck, the luggage was carried in another vehicle. Because of inept stowing methods some luggage was lost During the following days the Japs took things in hand and tied the luggage down properly, there were also more vehicles which meant that there were only 26 persons per truck on the 3^rd day. Nobody obeyed the rule of only one suitcase per family, everything was taken with us. Mattresses were the only things that were refused. Ino himself inspected everything the first two days, and on the second day he apparently hit someone for trying to load a mattress. Experiences such as these made me cut my mattress into four pieces which I then put in pillow cases. This way Boudewijn and I can sleep on a relatively comfortable surface. Roek uses a mat under which I placed a plaid blanket. Several people can sleep on a thin mattress, but most sleep on a thin mat. The hard surface of a bamboo cot is bearable. A separate truck was used to carry animals like chickens, goats, ducks, and even a pig. Dogs were absolutely forbidden. Still, one of us managed to smuggle a tiny poodle with her and three times a day she would take him outside in his basket to exercise him. He never barked, an odd trait for a dog. However, he did not survive this kind of existence very long, three weeks later he died.

The native population along the road did not appear to be obnoxious like they were when the Dutch were transported from Enrekang to Malino. But with encouragement from the Japs they would shout: Belandaka!”. (“You Dutch!”). I rode through “our” Kampong and several girls recognized me.

While in this area I met a boy who lived with us in our house for months; we helped him get an office job and I spent many hours teaching him the Dutch language. We shook hands but he appeared to be very timid, he asked about Roek and I asked him about his wife. Apparently he delivers meat daily, which means that he works for the rajah who is responsible for food delivery to our camp. I imagine that he profits a great deal from this arrangement because we get considerably less for our 15 cents than we did in Malino.

We arrived here on the 5^th of May at 3 PM. The Japs had unloaded the trucks and had left the luggage laying around. Since I could not put all my clothing in my suitcase I wore the thickest garments: a pair of pants, a long sleeved blouse covered by a vest, a sports coat, and a raincoat which I kept on because I had stuffed several items in the pockets.

Fortunately a friend had reserved a nice space for me in shed no. 8, but after a few days I was moved to shed no. 11 because no. 8 had been reserved for foreigners: Indonesians, Americans, Iranian Jews, Chinese, etc.

A Jap took us to our sheds, but anyone who wanted to could move in elsewhere to be with friends or whatever. Then we had to drag our luggage to its destination, which was an inhuman task after having traveled standing up in this heat. For the first time in my life I felt that there was a limit to my strength and faced the problem that I could not expect anyone to pick me up if I would collapse, because everybody was burdened the same way I was.

There were some of us who had not taken enough drinking water with them and promptly started to drink the well water. The Ambon camp people cooked the first three meals for us. A lot can be told about these 300 people from Ambon; as little as we have seen of the war, they can relate plenty.

Maurenbrecher-Brain: The government body of Malino had seen to having food supplies stored in a large shed on the market. Annemarie Halewijn and I were assigned to transport the food to Kampili, but we didn’t have a truck. Annemarie had asked Ino for one. He was in charge of our move and he replied “If everything is placed alongside the road you will get a truck”.

Since all the women had left already I went to the jail where I had given the jailer my pistol for safe keeping. I asked him if he and the prisoners could help me with my task. Yes, he could do that, but we had to stay out of the way. After an hour everything was placed neatly at the side of the road, the storage shed had been cleared of sacks of rice, brown sugar, beans, flour, etc. In the meantime I had bought several baskets of tapeh ( fermented rice, a native delicacy), and saw to it that the prisoners got them. Ino kept his promise and trucks appeared. We had to sit on top of everything and had to hold on to a rope. We also took 2 dogs on our laps because the Japs wanted to take them. It was an anxious trip because the trucks were loaded very high and at every curve we leaned this way or that way. But our driver seemed to know me, he had been the chauffeur for Commissioner Ter Laag. He said softly: “Don’t be afraid, I shall drive carefully”. A Jap sat next to him and, so now and then, cast a look through the small window to see if they had not lost us.

In Kampili they were glad to see the food supplies. When I got off the truck I realized that my clothes were sticky in the back. I had sat on a sack of brown sugar, which had melted!

Seth Paul: I really can’t remember if this trip had been tiring. Everything went smoothly, given the circumstances. The heat took some getting used to after having lived in the cool climate of Malino. The trip went via Sungguminasa, the bridge over the Jeneberang river, in the direction of Takalar, then we turned left onto a dusty road with an irrigation canal to the right.

When we arrived we were greeted warmly by the people from Ambon. After a good meal we were housed in shed no. 8, the foreigner shed, because my Dad had been a native of Persia.

The same shed housed the American Mrs. Deibler who became our leader, she later became Mrs. Rose. Also there were English missionaries: Miss Marsh, Mrs. Woodward, Mrs. Snaith and her daughter Emerald. Armenians: we, and the families Paul, Galstaun, Galestin, and Marcar. Then members of the Chinese Consulate: Wang, Lie, and You, and others. The children spoke foreign languages and one learns to say foreign cuss words, which would be translated in exchange for a few marbles.

It was difficult to sleep that without a mattress that first night. But it passed. Also the company of rats which crawled over the bamboo skeleton of the shed, or your body at night took some taking used to.

Wendt: There were always rumors, where they came from remains a riddle, but they always held a grain of truth. Thus we heard that we would have to leave for a camp where electricity and running water were absent. It sounded ominous but it became reality. We were to leave in three groups to a camp that was named Kampili. I quickly ran to the hospital to find out if my parents knew about the move. They would move with the third group when all the ill people would go.

With what little I had I sat in a very crowded truck with many others. The trip did not last very long, but it was tiring.

The arrival in the camp was very depressing. There was tall grass everywhere and in the distance were the sheds. There were more people in the camp who had come from Ambon and were taken to Kampili. We were put in different sheds, and I landed in shed no. 1. There were 12 sheds all together. On the inside the sheds looked drab, no light and one bamboo bunk-bed after another. In between the sheds were wells from which we had to get our water. I was looking forward to the day that my parents would arrive. They finally came and being very happy to be reunited I started to run towards them but was restrained, because we were not allowed to talk to those who had just arrived. Even telling them that my parents were on the truck did not help.

My mother was assigned to shed no. 6; I still had not been able to talk to her. Every evening I would run to her with my evening meal, I would eat quickly because I had to be back in my barrack for roll call. Thank goodness, this situation did not last long. My mother asked if she could join me in shed no. 1 and it was Okayed. What a relief!

In the meantime my father had been taken to one of the stone houses with 5 other ill or wounded men. They did not stay very long in Kampili, they were moved to another camp. The good bye was very emotional. After all, he was ill, how would he fare in the other camp? Soon thereafter my mother came down with pneumonia, and in her weakened state she was hospitalized.

Joustra: On the afternoon after our arrival I walked through the camp with Mrs. Valderpoort and Mrs. Van Diejen who was in charge of the division of chores for the women in Ambon. Soon it became apparent that Mrs. Van Diejen’s ideas about specific assignments differed vastly from mine. Later it turned out that Mrs. Valderpoort too, had different ideas about essential points that pertained to the organization of the camp. The Ambon people felt that, since they were here first, we had to submit to their rules and regulations. This was unacceptable to me, especially since they lived in stone houses and we were housed in bamboo barracks with earthen floors and community latrines. They were 300, while we numbered more that 1,200. Also, they had money and we had hardly any.

It was a difficult beginning. Since Mr. Wyers and I had had a difference of opinion - he felt that I had overstepped my authority - I had told him that I would withdraw from a leadership position. The move to Kampili provided me with that decision. When he arrived on the 5^th of May with the last transport, the housing and the work assignments for the women had been taken care of. I did myself not assign myself to any task.

Because the Japanese regarded Kampili as 2 camps, one from Ambon under Mrs Valderpoort, and one from Malino under Mr. Wyers, I had been able to use the same proven methods that were applied in Malino to organize our group.

Several days later, I’m not sure of the exact date, a Japanese camp commandant named Jamadji became our commandant. Wyers had told me excitedly that he was a remarkable man. He wanted to place a cemetery in the middle of the camp where several children from Ambon had been buried. Jamadji always retained his interest for this cemetery.

This seems to be a fitting moment to describe Kampili. Along the North border runs an irrigation canal that was diverted from the Djeneberang River, several kilometers north from here. There is a bridge across the canal that provides access into our camp. Several meters from the canal a barbed wire fence runs all along the perimeter of the camp. If my memory serves me well, the North gate could not be closed off. To the right of the gate a wooden board displays a series of Japanese characters, which we could not read. The road into the camp measures about 50 meters from the turn off point from the road to the residence of the Jap commandant. To the left of the road stood a large building, our “gudang” (storage place). This is where our provisions were stored and distributed. To the right was a bumpy sandy field where several beautiful large trees grew. This field was made into a meadow for cows, for no matter how much we tried to pull up the “alang-alang” (wild grass), ordinary grass could not grow. Wherever trees are felled alang-alang will grow, making it impossible for real grass to take hold.

The drive into Kampili ended in front of the house of the commandant, we called it “the Post”. To either side of the Post, connected by a covered walkway, were two rectangular stone buildings. The one of the left was made into a women’s hospital ward, the other one became a pediatric ward. Next to the pediatric ward were about 10 small houses, the Ambon houses. Each one of them contained two small rooms, a kitchenette, a bathroom and a toilet. I think that the toilets were the kind that one needed to squat on.

Next to the women’s ward another 2 small houses were located, no.’s 11 and 12. An unpaved road ran in front of all these buildings. After some time the road became smooth because of all the foot traffic, and the commandant had stones and broken concrete applied to harden the surface of the road somewhat. Along this road and also along our sheds the commandant had coolies dig gutters to carry off rainwater. We constructed bamboo bridges over these gutters ourselves. There were also 3 other concrete buildings. One of them became the central kitchen where all the food was prepared. It was located behind the Post and was also connected with a covered walkway to the Post. Halfway between the Post and the kitchen was a large deep well, which was made of concrete. Opposite the well was a kind of water reservoir that was placed on an elevated structure. From here running water was provided for the Post and both hospitals through a water line. At first the other stone houses were connected to the main water line, but later on they were disconnected. The water needed to be pumped out of the well; this was quite a job.

Across the women’s ward were a first aid clinic and the sewing room with 200 manual sewing machines. The seamstresses were sewing everything from underwear to raincoats for the Jap forces, and they also took care of women’s and children’s wear.

Some years ago Kampili was designed to house patients with lung diseases. At that time the command post, first aid station, and sewing complex were the living quarters for doctors, nurses, and other personnel. The patients occupied both wards and the small houses. All of the terrain was covered with beautiful trees. When the war started the work at the sanitarium was halted and it stood empty for more than a year. Apparently the Japs thought that it would make a fine internment camp. They cut down most of the trees and built 12 barracks on the empty land. In between the barracks 3 more bamboo buildings were erected, the middle one was a well, where 150 women and children did their laundry and took their baths. The two buildings on either side of the well were storage areas; but since these could not be guarded or locked they were unsuitable to serve as “gudangs”. We used them for classrooms, children’s play areas for pre-schoolers,( and much later, as a meeting places for the older boys and girls) TS. In front of the barracks were the dining halls. They stretched all the way from the first shed of the complex to the very last one. There were long stationary bamboo tables and benches built in the dining area. The dining halls were also connected to the barracks with a covered walkway. The dining hall in front of barrack no. 1 and 2 was provided with a concrete water container. The water was carried to the water container from the wells or the small stream that ran along the Northwest border of the camp. Next to the water container was a cooking area where water was boiled over an open fire. Similar water and cooking places were placed in the center of the dining hall for shed no. 3 and 4, and at the end of the dining hall for barracks no. 5 and 6.

Towards the rear of the barracks was another covered walkway that was connected to the latrines back of the barracks. Concrete floors with raised concrete platforms for the feet were positioned inside the separate toilets. There were 8 toilets to one barrack. In order to use the latrines one had to haul water from the well to flush, since there were no flushing mechanisms in the latrines. The floors in the sleeping and living areas and in the dining halls were made of earth. These earthen floors were tamped down by many feet so often that they became very smooth.

Complex B, where barracks no.7 - 12 were located was identical to complex A. It was located on the Northeast side of the camp, behind the first aid station and the sewing room. In between these barracks stood an enormous bamboo structure with a curved roof; it was used for church services. Since it did not have any walls it blew down during the first storm.

Most of the wells did not have concrete walls, but next to barrack no. 1 was a deep concrete well which was called the Nun’s well. A similar well was located between shed no. 6 and the sewing room. This well was called the Nymph’s bath. A bit further down towards complex B was the men’s well for the three men in our camp. Next to shed no. 12 was the Malino well, a companion to the Ambon well, which was located in front of house no. 1, and served the people of Ambon. Most of the time these wells produced water but not during the dry season. They were dug out repeatedly and we finally could get water during most of the dry seasons.

Stolk: Mrs. Joustra lived in complex A. Here is an account of Mrs. Chabot who lived in complex B.

Chabot: In the middle of the 70 hectare where the camp stood were the original buildings of the former sanitarium, which now have been made into the hospital, command post, office, and housing for the more than 300 women and children form Ambon. These people have been here since the end of March. To the right of these buildings, 2 complexes with 6 barracks each have been built. The barracks hold 50 bunk beds each and are spaced about 1 ½ meter from each other. Each person is assigned one bed. Our shed holds 103 people, but since I have two children, I occupied two sets of bunk beds. The floors are made of sand. It seems that concrete floors were supposed to be put in, but for political reasons we had to be moved earlier than was anticipated. (Malino became a military camp.)

The same situation exists in the other barracks.

A Chinese contractor was supposed to build the whole camp for 40,000 guilders, and this apparently was not enough to provide the manpower to dig the wells any deeper than they were. Also, the walls of several structures and several doors of toilets blew down after three weeks. This is not so bad because a rattan screen for the walls is readily available, but the water situation is a major headache and the subject of most conversations right from the beginning. The wells next to the kitchen have never produced water, those by the toilets had water for 5 days before drying up, and the ones that were supposed to supply us with our bath water went dry after 10 days. Twelve hundred people assaulted the hospital wells that are centrally located. These wells were supposed to provide water for the kitchen, dish washing, laundry, and bath. The leadership did not take action to remedy the situation fast enough so that, after 2 weeks the wells were dry by 6 PM.

Presently only the kitchen is allowed to use these wells and we do the laundry at the Ambon wells, a walk of about 10 minutes from our barracks. Since these 2 wells are located in a field, modesty does not allow us to bathe there. Consequently, all the water I need for the dishes and flushing the toilet must be hauled from there. Each day I get 3 buckets of water at a coolie’s pace, it takes 25 minutes to get each bucket. I return sweaty with wonderfully muddy feet.

I am part of the kitchen crew and two of us wash rice for 100 people in a large tub. Nippon checked the water and found that it was loaded with bacteria. Now all the water that is to be consumed must be boiled for 10 minutes before it can be used. Boudewijn and many other children came down with bacterial dysentery, which did not make them too sick, thank goodness.

Joustra: Our camp hobbled along for several weeks. Several people from other barracks asked me why I was not part of the leadership. I replied that I wanted to resume my teaching career. This was true, small groups of children were being taught in open air. Jamadji condoned it.

I mentioned that the camp hobbled along. This could not last very long. One day Wyers approached me in my barrack and asked me if I could take on the marketing. I agreed reluctantly. Thus I met Jamadji repeatedly. His house, the command post, was at the end of the drive into the camp, and the storage place for provisions was located to the left as seen from the bridge across the canal. Shortly after I had accepted my new position Jamadji summoned me. He told me that several ladies had told him that I had been the leader in the barracks in Makassar and that I became the leader later on in Malino. He thought that I should be head of Kampili too. I protested and rejected his request decisively. Jamadji gave me a week to think it over after which he summoned me again and posed the same question. I said: “No, Tuan.” He then asked: “Don’t you want to help me?” to which I replied: “Oh yes, of course. ”Good,” he said, “then you are the head now.” There I was; Jamadji also decreed that instead of two camps there would be only one, Ambon and Malino.

Seth Paul: On the 29^th of May the Allies showed their presence in the air with an airplane that we had not seen before.

MAKASSAR/Booy: 5/3/43. This morning we had to fall in to be inspected by the replacement of the Lt. Col. who bade us farewell last week.

Nothing much is happening now. So now and then someone gets a beating. Yoshida swears and calls us names something awful, but that does not hurt.

Shoes are a problem. Those who still have them are the exception. Most of us wear a wooden board with a strap, the result is that many suffer wounded feet. Me too.

5/7.This morning we started a fire in the incinerator, it worked very well. I wonder how we are to process the rest of the refuse.

We received 110 new axes for which we needed to make wooden handles right away.

5/12. We need to add another pigsty, and on it goes. In order to build it we had to move the crocodile. He has been here about 7 weeks and still has not eaten anything.

This morning all officers and civilians had to pull grass on the football field for about an hour. When Yoshida showed up he saw my old boss, Captain Tulfen, watching the pigs. He hit the captain in the face and threw him down. Then a bucket of water was thrown over him. It was a sorry sight.

5/15. Yesterday afternoon 30 piglets plus 2 deer arrived, one of the deer was about two years old and the second one was still a fawn. They will be able to charge admission shortly for the Indonesians to show off all the animals. I can hear it now: “Ini binatang apa?” “Oh, itu binatang American dan jang disana binatang Belanda” (What kind of animal is this? Oh, this animal is an American and that one over there is Dutch.)

We made a pond for ducks that were brooded by chickens. This afternoon an army soldier died Willy Mesman. He repaired cars in the camp, and used to go to Bone a lot to buy or sell cars.

5/17.The day before yesterday and yesterday evening we had a complete black out for 2 hours because of an air raid alarm. The moon is almost full, which means that the evenings are very clear. I don’t know if the alarms were for real or whether these were just exercises.

The new pigsty is coming along well. We only wear shorts when we work, our upper torsos and legs are bare; we have never been so tanned.

5/19. Yesterday about 20 men were caught smuggling sugar and ting-ting (a native sweet) when they returned to the camp from having worked outside. They each received 10 lashes and had to run double time through the camp for 2 hours.

Around dinnertime Yoshida entered hall no. 10 and saw that the people there had sugar, salt, bananas, and papayas. After they were interrogated for half an hour at the house of the Lt. Col., they had to turn in everything and run at a fast pace around the camp 5 times. Half an hour later they could pick up everything to take home. It was a stormy afternoon.

5/20. A total of 14 planes flew over this morning, and that is a lot for Makassar, normally we see only two or three planes a day. I would love to see something happen here.

5/22. Presently we have quite a few odd jobs to do. We have to provide handles for 20 rakes, fix 100 buckets, and 100 knives to cut grass with. There are many other things to do such as making 8 troughs for the pigs, 6 large seed containers, etc. This has become quite a production. The incinerator works very well.

A large amount of clothing arrived. Everything was counted under supervision of a Jap officer. This never happened before. Could it be that they don’t trust Yoshida any more? A large amount of clothing goes to Mandai, to the 300 Englishmen there. They look like bums when they return here to get well.

5/24. This morning our camp commander Lt. Col. Gortmans, better known John War, was taken away in a car by 3 Japs of the Jap Gestapo. There probably is a connection with the search of his quarters that was conducted a short while ago. It doesn’t look good for Gortmans.

5/26. I am not allowed to walk, the sores on my right foot have become steadily larger. Actually, I should stay in my room, but Yosh will not have it. I shall and must stay with the production line. I now sit in a chair with an elevated leg.

Jan Oorlog (John War) still has not returned. His food is taken to him, he stays with a native doctor from Menado who continues to practice here in Makassar.

5/27. Today the Japs remember the attack against the Russians in 1905 at Port Arthur. We had a free day and we received a pack of cigarettes each.

Things are getting to be more fun. Yesterday evening a Dutch Naval officer tried to commit suicide. He did not succeed, and now all knives have to be turned in. After the points were broken off they were returned to us.

Jan Oorlog still has not returned; I fear that we won’t see him again. Not that they will subject him to the worst possible treatment, but that he may be sent to Java for instance.

5/29. Today something exciting happened. Early in the morning Jap fighters were high in the air. The alarm sounded at about 10 AM and a B 17 appeared about 4,000 meter high. The Japs opened fire courageously, the B 17 then went straight for the airfield and returned about 5 minutes later. Wow, the Japs really let go, but it flew on so calmly, as if nothing was happening. It disappeared to the West, but returned a minute later. The guards shot at it with machine guns and rifles. After all that the work crews returned home. It was a magnificent morale upper for the camp.

5/30. This morning the alarm sounded at 2 AM. The planes did not fly over Makassar though. When the Jap planes appeared over Makassar, everybody feared a bombardment, but now, we wish for that to happen. People are unpredictable. We all hope that they know that we are here. Otherwise it wouldn’t be any fun if they started to throw eggs around.

We still haven’t heard anything about Jan Oorlog. He was replaced by a Navy officer, Lt. Col. Nieuwenhuis.

KAMPILI/Joustra: How was the camp being run? At the top was the Japanese camp commandant Tadasji Jamadji. He was about 24 years old. He was assisted by one, sometimes two, Japanese military men. A small friendly Jap named Okazima stayed the longest time, he was nicknamed “Daantje”. Another who stayed relatively long was “Nine and a half” because he had nine-and-a-half fingers instead of ten. Another one was nicknamed “Apple cheek”, a very nice young Jap with rosy cheeks. We had to be careful around “Nine and a half”, he had a bad temper. Once he took after one of the women with a drawn sword. She, supposedly, had been flippant towards him. I stood in fear when such things happened because you never knew how these incidents would end.

The Japanese camp functionaries represented authority. They were the strong arm. Next to the head of the camp were three complex leaders. For complex A Zus van Goor was the first one, she was replaced by Tine Klay later on. For complex B Mrs. Noor van Mastrigt was first and, if I am not mistaken, Mrs. Jans Luyendijk followed her. For complex C, the Ambon houses, it was Mrs. Valderpoort.

Each barrack had a leader and the Ambon people had a leader for each house. They were responsible to see to it that the rules were followed and also that all would go smoothly. Each barrack had a nurse, who took care of the ill, brought them their food, and accompanied the doctor on his or her rounds. It was no fun to be a barrack leader and it took a considerable amount of reasoning to have someone appointed to that position.

Mrs. C. Voskuil - Limborgh, the aide to the camp leader, took communications from the commandant and the camp leader to those in charge of their departments. It was her task to have the responsible person’s initial the receipt of the communications, and the barrack leaders would then write the messages on a slate that hung in a visible spot in the barrack. Usually new orders were given orally to the rest of the women. Next in line were those women who headed a specific work crew, they saw to it that certain tasks were executed properly within their scope. For instance, we had a medical crew of two female doctors, Dr. Goedbloed and Dr. Feenstra. Nurses and aides assisted them. Dr. Marseille, the male physician had been assigned by Jamadji to oversee hygienic conditions. He was in charge of digging sewers, and the control of millions of flies. This was not an enviable position.

Then there was the landscape crew who was in charge of roads, drainage outlets such as gutters, bridges, and the grass fields. Sometimes they also took care of repairs to walls and roofs of the barracks. The kitchen crew worked in the Central Kitchen, CK, with a separate diet center. They cleaned vegetables, took care of pounding the rice or corn to make flour, and winnowing rice and corn. The drum crews saw to it that these were cleaned after having been used for cooking. The marketing crew bought provisions in the beginning, but they lost that privilege when we ran out of money. They took care of the distribution and unloading of the trucks that delivered the food, which the Minseibu, the Japanese office in Makassar, controlled. The hauling crew was part of the marketing crew. The marketing crew also was in charge of the distribution of clothing, soap, and footwear. Another part of the marketing crew was the garden crew that worked inside the camp, then there was the land crew that worked outside the camp.

There also was a pig sty crew that worked only for the Japs. Older person took care of knitting socks and embroidering cherry blossom insignias. A variety of women and older girls took care of splitting of mica. The sewing facilities sewed everything from underwear to rain coats for the Jap forces. Pre-schoolers, elementary students, and high schoolers all had their jobs. I’ll return to that later.

Some of the crews were assigned chores such as garbage removal, the provision of water, taking care of latrines, pulling grass, and cooking porridge. Who did what?

I was of the opinion that nobody should be forced to do anything except for the necessary chores. Everyone had his or her turn. In stands to reason that not everything was ready to go in the beginning. But my experience in Makassar and Malino were of great help. The need for the crews and other assignments came over a period of time. If a new service was formed we first looked for someone who could head this service, and then we asked for helpers. If there were too many volunteers, the most capable persons would be chosen. If there were fewer persons than were needed, we did with less.

Chabot: 11 June 1943. At 6 AM Japanese time, 5 AM Dutch time, we heard airplanes in the distance. The stars were still visible. At 7 PM Japanese time we could still hear them. Rumor has it that Makassar is being bombed every day. Sometimes we hear rumblings, which the Ambonese people say are bombs that exploded. How much is true?

Every day coolies enter our camp to work on the wells. Jamadji has made it clear that we are not to approach the wells as long as the coolies are at work. There also is a truck driver, who brings the provisions; he is a friendly man, who could possibly tell of his experiences. But all other news are nothing more than rumors. Is it true that the Americans bombed a camp holding 300 POW’s? Something we heard the day before yesterday. Since the women and children in Ambon were used as a shield for a bomb storage building, we consider everything. We had heard earlier that anti aircraft positions had been erected next to the barracks. The battle for Celebes will be hard and we must prepare ourselves.

Otherwise our lives are not bad. Two new wells have been dug and one of them is only 3 minutes from here. The bathing wells also have been dug deeper and provide water for the time being. It makes a difference of at least one hour a day to not have to get 3 or 4 buckets a day when you have to walk a 12-minute distance.

The food also has improved. When we left Malino the Japs took care of all our monies, which was about 1,200 times 15 cents for 3 months. In the beginning the Ambon people and we were catered to by a native chief. But the prices were such that we barely had enough rice, we were glad to find a green leaf in the sajur (vegetable stew) or a small half spoiled banana a day. We had to make do with 4 balls of native brown sugar for 100 people. Only the amount of meat, fish, and eggs was somewhat larger than what we had in Malino.

We pointed these inequities out to the Japs who became angry with the chief and began catering themselves. They sent a truck to Makassar several times a week. The amount of vegetables now is considerably more, and coffee, tea, sugar, and peanuts are also delivered in small amounts. The care the commandant extends to us goes far, there is a daily delivery of ice for the ill. The women from Ambon are being weighed on a monthly basis. This happened yesterday for the first time. The median weight is 52.4 kilograms. On top of the 4 lamps in the barrack, we also received some oil for our private lamps, so that I won’t be doomed to partake in conversations or playing bridge, but can read or sew in the evenings.

Living in barracks with 100 persons is less nerve wracking than living in a house with 30 people in Malino. Everyone has her own nook that may or may not have a cloth screen around it to give us some privacy. Walking into a shed resembles entering a Bombay shopping area. One notices the other 99 as much or as little as she wants. Everyone has his or her own window that can be closed or opened at will. This was subject for many spats in Malino. The noise is negligible. All the cloths, the bamboo, and the roofing help to dampen the noise. There is a required resting period form 1 PM to 3 PM where the barrack guards see to it that the children stay quiet during that time. It is also supposed to be quiet after 9 PM, but that does not always happen.

Another good thing that concerns the food supply here is that it is better than in Malino. Even if our money will run out, which will happen in about 6 weeks, (later for the people of Ambon) the catering would continue in much the same way, even although the Japs indicated that we will have to earn our keep. (People who came from Ambon and Ternate had to pay for their own travel expenses.)

The Japanese quickly initiated a daily regimen according to Japanese times: 6.45 AM-7 AM physical exercises, 7.15 AM - 8.00 AM work the land, 8 AM - 8.30 AM breakfast, 8.30 AM - 10.00 AM work the land.

Then we had a chance to have a cup of coffee and do our private chores such as the laundry. At 12.30 PM we had the noon meal, 1 PM - 3 PM required rest, after which we could work in the barrack, do some sewing and have tea. At 2.30 PM - 5.30 PM some more working of the land, 6.30 PM the evening meal, 7.30 PM roll call, and at 10 PM everybody should be home.

12 June 1943. Working the land is a story in itself. During our time in Malino the Japs insisted that we work the garden. Often we pointed out why that was impossible to do so, like a lack of water and the bad soil. But they kept after us that this would be one way how we could earn our keep when our finances would run out. When we arrived in Kampili 12 women volunteered spontaneously. The Japs allowed this for a while but it soon became apparent that it did not go fast enough for them, and they felt that we should be punished because our attitude was too cheerful and we did not bow deep enough. Working the soil redeemed our punishment. We were given a specific plot and were to make it arable, i.e. remove the wild grass. If we did not finish in the morning we had to resume in the afternoon. A large amount of people showed up and everything was cleared by 2 PM. There were plenty of tools, Nippon saw to it that there would be hoes and shovels. It was insane reality when I lifted a heavy hoe to break the hard soil. It went fine for an hour, but after that I needed to rest after every few hacks. Yet it was an improvement over the conditions that prevailed when the Ambon people came and the wild grass that bordered the houses had to be removed. They asked for tools: Tida ada. (there are none) These people went to work with bare hands and table knives. I saw them using bamboo stakes, several next to each other, to dig up the soil and remove the grass.

Shortly thereafter the days were arranged to include steady hours to work the fields. About 5 or 8 people per barrack would show up, about 100, to work the land. We explained to the Jap that the rest had to haul water or cook, take care of the kids, or they might be ill.

Indeed, whole areas were cleared and cassava plants and banana trees were planted. A professional figured out that if the whole area would be planted with cassava plants it would provide food for a day for 1,500 people. It is not clear how we can earn our keep this way.

The other kinds of work alter each week. Every Monday a new list is put out. I cooked the evening meal for a whole week together with 5 others. It was tiring to stand in front of hot smoky fires during the afternoon. The past week it was more pleasant when I was assigned to haul water. There were three groups of two people each who had to haul 10 tubs, 5 in the morning and 5 in the afternoon, from a well which was at a three minute distance from our barrack. We would start at 6 AM while the moon was still shining. It took less than an hour to haul 5 tubs, and the rest of the day was mine to do whatever I wanted. Overall our work is much less here than in Malino where it would take 7 adults to take care of 18 kids.

The kids receive better care too. A kindergarten was formed for children aged 2 to 6, and some kind of schooling (the Jap refuses to hear the word school) is being planned for children 6 to 13. There are about 300 children in this age group and most of them ran wild after not having been taught for 1 and ½ years. Adults used them to run errands for them and the kids found all kinds of excuses when something needed to be done, so they couldn’t be found anywhere. There is a search going on for 12 teachers who are supposed to teach the ABC’s to these kids within a short time, which won’t be easy without textbooks, papers, or pencils. These children still have to do their chores like chopping wood, emptying the trash, hauling provisions from the marketing storage place, in addition to getting some formal schooling. The leadership wants to make schooling mandatory, but what kinds of sanctions will be used against mothers who refuse to send their children to school? Would the small group of children, who continued their education privately for 1 ½ year, fit into classes where probably everything will be a repeat learning experience for them? Plenty of problems!

For children over 13 another plan is being prepared, and I will be included in this group. For the time being I am staying to math classes which I continued on request of the children. I started with 25 kids and only 14 are left. Not too bad considering the fact that 5 boys were moved to Pare-Pare when they turned 15.

Joustra: When people asked me why I did not take part in the leadership of the camp I replied that I would resume my career as a teacher. This was true. Small groups of children were taught in the open air. Jamadji condoned it. I taught my subject, the French language, and added to that physics, because no one taught it, and astronomy. These were my favorite subjects when I studied to be a teacher. There were no textbooks available.

There was a French book in the camp. The title was, if I remember well, “Symphonie Ceylonaise”. It described the trip from Europe to the Isle of Ceylon and the subsequent stay of the author on that island.

If it was appropriate, for instance if we happened to sit outside in the evening, I taught physics and astronomy for those who expressed interest. I chose 4 girls of the last two grades of high school for a physics lesson on “light”. I explained whatever I remembered from years ago, and accentuated the lesson by making drawings in the sand.

The astronomy classes also taught from memory. They were rounded out with a turning chart of the tropical heavens that I found among clothing and shoes, which were smuggled into Malino in a blue cardboard suit case by Loes Weiffenbach. The chart had been copied many times and we enjoyed the beautiful, starry nights throughout our camp years. Because of so much interest I spent many evening telling about the stars, light years, and other information I remembered.

Stolk: I can remember all this very well. I too, had a chart of the stars and spent many evenings looking up to identify the different star formations. The best way to do this was to go the large grass field in front of the command post and lay flat on your back to take in a beautiful, tropical night sky.

I also remember how we sat on that same grass field grouped around Mrs. Appelman who would cite beautiful poetry from memory. Those were delightful evenings, especially when the moon was full.

Chabot: 12 June 1943. The commandant showed his good will by ordering a celebration on a Japanese feast day about two weeks ago. Some refused to go (several protested because Dutch women had been raped on the isle of Sumba during this feast day), but most of us realized that it served no purpose to mope around and we would benefit from a fun evening. The Ambon women treated us to oliebollen (a kind of deep fried yeast ball, a Dutch treat) and hot coffee. At the last moment the commandant put two sticks of ice in the hot coffee to treat us to iced coffee, but it was not a success.

The evening resembled a native fair with a few oil lamps while we sat on mats. We still laughed a lot, and everybody dressed up for the occasion. All in all, these preparations were remembered as having been the most pleasant part of each party.

Several days later the commandant decided that he wanted to take us swimming in the afternoon by a flood control dam, about 3 km from here. Several adults, who were bothered by the barbed wire around us, enjoyed their imaginary freedom, while a more practical approach was that we saved enormously on bath water. The children were enthusiastic. Right now it does not happen every day any more, but we go at least 3 times a week, and there are still 100 of us thattake advantage of this outing. Tomorrow I will join them, maybe I will see some acquaintances from the kampong. Up till now women and children with tummy ailments have kept me from going. Which brings me to a chapter on health conditions.

Ten days after we arrived Boudewijn came down with dysentery. The designated part of the hospital for dysentery patients under the age of three was full, which meant that he could not be admitted, which made me very happy.

Diphtheria patients came with us from Malino. The infected persons rode in a separate car, but were put in a barrack. Quickly new cases of diphtheria broke out, among them a baby in our barrack. Then there were 4 cases of scarlet fever followed by eye infections that threatened to become an epidemic but was halted. There are barracks where new malaria patients appear every day. At least half of the people don’t have mosquito netting and since, our arrival in May, several of them have come down with temperatures over 40 degrees for the second time. Every day 100 people get 5 tablets of quinine.

It seems that out of 1,500 persons 200 are ill. There is a large group of women with chronic diarrhea, and it is blamed on the water, a shortage of animal fat in our diet, the shortage of vegetables, etc. If the Japs would give us some bacon to eat nobody could digest it.

If someone suffers from any of these diseases and then gets a tropical sore too, they really suffer. All this seems to have shocked the Japs. This week diphtheria vaccinations arrived for almost all the children. Also a large bottle of Lysol came, because we had run out of disinfecting solutions and dye materials for malaria preparations.

The Ambon camp had two doctors, one was moved to Pare-Pare. The one who stayed was a native Ambonese who had conducted him self in an exemplary manner during the bombing raid, and he was voluntarily interned because he considered himself to be on the side of the Dutch. There also are two medical technicians, a man and a woman. The three of them have their hands full with cases ranging from kidney stone removals to the inspections of the latrines.

6/13/43. When we had been here for about a week it seemed that the native police guard from Makassar was deemed insufficient, and a few Japanese were added to show them how things should be done and also to take care of us. It was not redundant because many, especially those with Indonesian backgrounds, had formed connections with the native police, and a lot of smuggling took place. In spite of the extra forces the smuggling continued until, on a Sunday afternoon, several were caught red-handed by the Japs. The offending native was caught with food articles and a note for his sweetheart. He was hauled inside the camp and was beaten terribly in front of the command post and in view of his sweetheart. The next day he was sent to Makassar and probably would have been punished even more. At his interrogation he refused to name the person who was the recipient of the note, but unfortunately he carried a photo. She, and others who smuggled, were not beaten, but they were severely admonished and they had house arrest for several days. Because of this incident new rules were applied: no one is allowed to approach the barbed wire, which meant that the cozy walks at sunset and on moonlit nights were no more. If someone gets caught she would be beaten without a hearing.

The commandant is trying to improve the quality of the food. The last token of his good will was the arrival of a minister. He came from Pare-Pare and had been a missionary in New Guinea for years. His wife was maimed during the bombardment of Ambon. The reason this man was chosen was because he had also been a carpenter and would now be available to do all kinds of jobs for the Japs from Monday to Saturday. He was specifically instructed to only preach on Sundays. Since he came from Pare-Pare the wives of the internees heard about the way their husbands lived. Their food is better, they have electric lights until 11 PM, there is a library, and they get 2 guilders and 50 cents a month. When we are finished with our chores, we have to take care of the kids and do the laundry.

Ino, a real policeman and everybody’s terror, went through our barracks and saw several books laying about. They had been taken secretly from Malino. The next day we were reminded that all books had to be turned in, except bibles and other religious reading material. However, our commandant allowed us to create a library so that the books stayed instead of having to be burned. Does anyone have the energy to risk a beating in order to have a book in her possession?

6/15/43 The sound of cannons in the direction of the sea made our day. Twice we heard a heavy rumble, like an approaching storm. The most fantastic speculations were offered. Tension is so great that only an immediate release is hoped for, and a return to the way we lived before the war started. A financial windfall for 18 months of back pay was also in our dreams.

Of late a lot of talk has been heard about food. Delightful meals were remembered and savored again.

Since the commandant heard the last garden crew sing happy songs, the Japs have forbidden us to sing except on Sundays. They think that we are making fun of them.

6/27/43.Several times we heard a muted roar, which may have been the roar of cannons at sea. On the 23^rd we heard sounds that could have been the noise of airplanes in the distance. This time it sounded different from the usual Jap airplanes. Soon we saw small black clouds of anti aircraft guns in the distance, which indicated that a dog fight was going on. This fight lasted two hours, and then coolies and truck drivers let on that Makassar had been badly hit. Our Allies had excellent information, for all the schools where the different Japanese forces were housed had been hit. This show of force made quite an impression on the natives. One coolie asked the head of our barracks if he could exchange his Jap money for Dutch currency.

Yesterday we received tobacco with cigarette paper and for those who did not smoke, delicacies were handed out, very thoughtful. To counteract this gesture we personally had to hand in 50 dead flies today to the commandant. Swarms bother us every day, but alas, for every dead one ten of them attend the funeral.

Seth Paul: It is the 23^rd of June. We were working in the alang-alang fields when the airplanes appeared. They flew in the direction of Makassar and conducted a bombardment. On the 28^th of June the Allies visited Makassar by night and bombed it after they threw flares.

PARE - PARE/Wiebe Seth Paul: I left Kampili on the 1st of June for Pare-Pare with several other boys. Fortunately I could join my father there. It soon became apparent that my Dad was part of an Armenian group and I shared a room with him and other Armenians. After a few days I understood the daily regimen and learned what our duties were: 6.30 AM wake-up, 7.AM roll call, 7.15 AM Physical Exercise, 7.30 AM breakfast, 8 AM chores, 9.30 AM rest, 9.45 AM work, 11 AM rest, 11.15 AM work, noon rest, 12.15 PM lunch, 12.30 PM rest, 2.30 PM work, 3.30 PM rest, 4 PM work, 5.30 PM supper, 7 PM roll call, 10 PM lights out.

It surprised me that, contrary to my experiences in Kampili, the boys, including me, did not do any heavy manual labor such as working the soil in the garden. Strong men did the real heavy work such as hauling wood, these men were called the wood crew. Then there were the sand crew, the kitchen and garden crew, the crap and water crew, the latter was assigned to fertilize and water the vegetable crops. Light chores included the repair of footwear, making wooden sandals, carpentry, etc.

Shortly after my arrival I became acquainted with the way punishment was meted out with the saying: “Satu salah, semua salah”, meaning that if one makes a mistake everybody pays. We then had to take a variety of positions in the hot sun for a certain length of time.

MAKASSAR/Booy: 6/3/43. Yesterday the alarm sounded again, however, nothing happened. Each one of us has a spot in the gutter. When the sirens sound 3 times we go to our rooms, when it sounds six times we enter the gully and go to our assigned spots. Being POW’s we land up in the gully.

Yesterday, just when roll call started, the alarm sounded 3 times. I don’t think much of a night raid. It does seem that certain actions have started to take place in this area. Presumably Kendari has been given the treatment. Everyone is optimistic and we hope that Celebes is important enough that it will be conquered.

6/6 This week we started on an air raid shelter for our hosts. It is one of the former shelters that have suddenly put back in service again. When they arrived they saw to it that all these shelters were filled up with dirt, while making snide remarks that they won’t crawl in the dirt like the Dutch. Times have changed!

In spite of the fact that it is Sunday everybody works. During yesterday evening the news came that all of us had to dig air raid shelters. All of a sudden it is very necessary. It seems that Kendari was annihilated.

6/9.Our hosts made it known that exercises will be held from the 7^th to the 13^th of June. We work as usual. On the 7^th the first alarm went off, an airplane trailing an air bag came over Makassar, but nobody fired. Our people are digging shelters for all Japanese departments. The crews that work outside the camp receive extra bananas and coffee, also rice. The higher echelon apparently appreciates the hard work these crews do.

A lot of exercising is going on these days. We all took part so that everyone has his spot in the gutter. This morning every worker received a pack of cigarettes. For the last two nights we sat in the dark and no one smokes outside. I believe that they are more afraid than we are.

6/11.The alarm yesterday was real, but nothing happened. The tailors are assigned to sew 3,000 shirts, 3,000 pairs of pants, and, for those who don’t have them, a pair of pajamas. As long as they won’t move us elsewhere I’m happy. A lot of work is being done outside, but the treatment is decent. Five men of my crew are working under the Jap Gestapo. They are making a masonry container for the political prisoners who are housed there.

6/13. Yesterday one of the Gestapo noncoms asked one of us if the Americans and English chopped off heads too. When the answer was “no” he asked “what about the Dutch”. One person answered appropriately: “They give bananas to their prisoners.” He then climbed on his bike and returned with a bunch of bananas and peanuts. It seems that their thinking has changed.

Again it is Sunday and every one works. We received 5 packs of cigarettes for our hard work these last days. We also got a Jap shop instead of the Chinese one, a flint costs 3 cents instead of 10. We are living so well that we don’t want to be freed.

6/17Yesterday morning the alarm sounded again. It lasted 2 hours. We heard explosions in the far distance, it resembled cannon fire. All the work crews returned to the camp during the morning.

Yesterday afternoon it was announced that the Sutadjo, the Japanese commandant would step down, and that the new Sutadjo would be a sub lieutenant who heads the Secret Police. He is a large, robust man with a dark complexion. Nobody knew what he was like, but the Japanese guards told us that he was very quick to hit.

Yesterday most of the pigs were taken away. The old Sutadjo seemed to have bought them and quickly got rid of them. Only 12 pregnant sows remain. He also said his good byes everywhere.

6/19 The new and the old boss rode around the camp on a bicycle.

Did you know that there are a total of 1,542 prisoners in Makassar? Among those are 250 English men who live and work at the airfield of Mandai. About 150 men are hospitalized; most of them are unfit for any kind of work and must stay in the hospital until the end of the war. There also are about 100 men whose tasks are light and they cannot work outside the camp. Most of them work for me and make baskets. About 500 officers and civilians also are not allowed to work out side of course, but they were allowed to have their own vegetable gardens. Then there are 25 translators who work for the Japanese Headquarters and work on things like customary laws and translate those into English and German. Every day more than 500 men go outside to work, and nobody should be in their quarters during working hours.

6/20 For the first time in 3 weeks we were allowed to rest. We were given 3 combs of bananas for 8 men, these were issued outside the food we get normally. This is the first time it happened. We do receive a bar of soap every week, which is barely sufficient.

6/23 In Europe summer has begun. They should start an offensive pretty soon, otherwise they’re going to be too late. Yesterday there was quite a racket in the camp, an American received 10 lashes.

At about 10.15 AM we watched three bombers overhead. I said: “Those look like Yanks.” Someone said: “No, you can see the red balls.” Less than a minute later the alarm sounded and before the last sound died away the first bombs started to fall. The raid took about 2 ½ hours, it seemed that the different formations took turns dropping bombs. No bombs fell in our camp, but plenty fell on Makassar. The harbor was hit the hardest. Large fires broke out. Several of our work crews were in town and one bomb came down 30 meters from one crew. Four English men fled and got lost. They were taken back later and received a beating after which they were put in a cell. This was the first real bombardment I have ever witnessed. Four cruisers in the harbor fired mightily. Maybe one airplane was shot down, but there was a difference of opinion about that. Large storage places were destroyed and the losses are heavy, also there seem to be many dead people. We would hear more, because I saw that thousands of pamphlets were dropped. Rumor has it that a cruiser was hit squarely. After the bombing we had roll call, but no one was missing.

6/24 It is about 3 PM. This morning the alarm started at 11 AM and lasted about an hour. However, nothing happened. We now know that about 500 natives were killed yesterday. A Jap transport ship was sunk. A work crew found parts of the American plane that was shot down. The native dead were placed by the swimming pool so that their family could identify them. The victims are still being dug up. Now it is said that the pamphlets warned all natives to get out of Makassar, because what happened yesterday was child play compared to what would happen 4 days from now. I don’t believe this story very much.

6/26 Today I was in the city. Yosh, four men, and I went to get some rattan. We went everywhere except into the bombed out areas. Very many natives are seen leaving the city in streams. The Japs allowed them to leave.

6/27.We worked with 40 men to dig a shelter for an officer of Headquarters. Tomorrow it needs to be finished.

6/28.. Today it is Monday and, being busy myself, I was not allowed to join them to build shelters, which made me happy. Eight one-man shelters were made for the Jap guards who need to come into the camp. Normally one stands at the gate and the other one walks through the camp. Since two days ago we have to salute every guard we meet. The guard is the highest representative of the Mikado and each civilian must remove his headgear and bow. Until now we never had to do this inside the camp, only outside.

6/30.Finally, June is over. Yosh said that the 200 English men, who left about 5 months ago, would return one of these days, 6 of them died of malaria, so 194 are coming back. We heard rumors that these 200 men had been put to work in a nickel mine, but nobody believed it.

KAMPILI/Chabot: 7/18/43. The experiences here do not happen in our wildest dreams: it is a beautiful moonlit night and behind our barracks ten women are hoeing a piece of land, while singing and dancing the Lambeth Walk. My inside berth is in the back of the shed. The commandant is carrying on a war of nerves, each day there are new orders. Today, Sunday, there were no church services and everybody had to work because high ranking officials will arrive tomorrow, so the areas around the barracks must be free of alang-alang, the grounds must be hoed, everything has to be in top order. The result was that I stood in front of fires at 5.15 AM to prepare the morning porridge. We finished at 7.30 AM, had breakfast, and swept the earthen floor with a sapulidi (a broom made from nerves of a palm tree). Then the bathrooms were cleaned up, and I dug out a drain from 9.00 AM to 9.30 AM. Then I worked in the fields from 11.00 AM to 11.30 AM, and now at 6 PM, I have been working on another drain for an hour. When the leader summoned us at 3 PM we balked, and we promised her we would do it this evening by the moonlight. Indeed, we are almost finished and the field looks a lot better; the only good result for the upcoming visit, which gradually became a nightmare for us.

Yesterday the order was given that we are not to use our own lamps, just the four barracks lights. That is bad, no reading, and no possibility for some quiet work in my little nook in the evenings. For a few nights we gathered around the barrack lights, but we are going to try to forget the order and overstep it. One bad thing is that the commandant has a very good memory. When he saw the people in the police barracks in Makassar, he remembers some having a sore foot, or having long hair instead of short hair like now. He is aware of personal feuds, last week he removed two women from the catering service and ordered them to work in the field. These two were known to have sabotaged the catering service.

Our money will run out in 3 weeks and we are curious to see if that will affect the quality of our food; probably not. They want to maintain a certain degree of health, because 1,500 of us get weighed every month to see if we maintain our normal weight. A possible solution might be that we would work for the community. There is a sewing room with 25 machines, and those who work there will earn one guilder a day, while others who sew by hand will get 40 cents. All is done for the community. It is not clear what the real purpose is, because surely the Japs would have enough money to take care of us.

Maurenbrecher-Brain: In the beginning all women who owned a sewing machine were ordered by the Japanese to sew uniforms for them. When we protested we didn’t eat for a day. Thinking of our children we reluctantly went to work. The soldiers would enter dressed in a loincloth and would leave fully dressed. Knitting socks and the embroidery of emblems was included in the work for a complete uniform.

Sister Bertilia headed the sewing room. The Japanese delivered materials by truck. Since an enormous rivalry existed between the Japanese Army and the Navy we realized that this could be of benefit to us. Our commandant belonged to the Navy. We were allowed to hold back certain amounts of poplin in different colors, and put aside white fabrics for underwear. We chose pink, green, blue, and khaki colors for our different work crews.

When the trucks came to deliver the goods to the warehouse, the Jap in command would write down how much was taken by us. The commandant watched. Each time a few bales of cloth disappeared behind a door it was not written down. The pile got higher and higher. At first the commandant laughed, but finally he signaled that it was enough. But we became such capable smugglers that we couldn’t stop, knowing that the commandant would not start a row openly. Threads, needles, etc. were taken. When the work crews would report for roll call in the morning in their colorful outfits, the commandant seemed very proud.

Chabot: The school is an enormous high point. The commandant agreed to allow 400 kids to attend elementary and High school grades. Lessons were given in storage areas while the children sat on mats. The children learned the rudimentary ABC’s, sometimes without paper and pencil. The high school lessons were given in the dining halls; almost all subjects use no text books. Several subjects cannot be taught because no appropriate teachers are available. There are quite a few certified teachers and, alas, I cannot say that about myself. A nun from Ambon and I teach math, and I also teach ethnology to the 4^th grade to girls aged 18 to 20. We don’t have a textbook for this subject either. There is no 5^th grade for lack of students.

The evening before classes were to begin the order was given: no school. Someone was caught talking to a native, which is strictly forbidden. Fortunately it was possible to reason with the commandant, and school has been in session for two weeks now. It remains a moot point. He knows that we are touchy on this subject. And we wonder if his superiors know what is going on. Tomorrow there won’t be any school because of a visit of high-ranking visitors. Our own people protested also because children would be pulled out of chores, which meant that they had to do more work. But eventually everybody worked together. If we could just persevere and the Japs would give us some paper.

MAKASSAR/Welleman: Halfway through 1943 we started a garden besides doing our other jobs. We did this with the help of Army and Navy officers, more or less. The garden was put on the campgrounds, which was as sandy as a beach. We had more to do, but most gents over 35 refused to get their hands dirty unless they had to get their food from the kitchen, which was passed out according to the barracks number. Their excuse was that if they were to take on work to lighten our jobs, the Japs would automatically see to it that they would issue more work orders. In spite of all this we would not collapse, even although the food is getting worse and worse.

Booy: 7/1/43. We are making 100 sleeping pallets out of old doors. This morning 18 Jap bombers flew over, they came from Mandai and are probably stationed there. Today we buried another comrade, a Navy man who suffered tuberculosis.

The downed American airplane has been fished out of the sea and the pieces are exhibited on the Koning’s square. A large board proclaims in the Malay language that this plane killed their friends and that the Yanks threw the bombs around like blind pigs.

7/2 I spent 3 hours in the city this afternoon. With 6 others we repaired a storage place behind the same house where we worked last Sunday. On the way home we met 7 Japs who came out of one of the many bordellos. One stood in the middle of the street pulling up his pants, and another put on his shirt. They were skunk drunk. A noncom with them held on to a bottle of Heinekens and insisted that we take it. The oddest thing that happened was that Yosh took him on and we got the beer. I have never witnessed such debauchery, I guess that this is the “new order.”

7/3. There was much unrest in the camp because the English had not arrived yet. This morning we were told that they would really come. The doctors had to make preparations to hospitalize 40 of them immediately.

Several days ago many received letters from their wives on Java, yesterday evening we were told that we could write to a. wives, b. children, c. relatives, and d. acquaintances. We were allowed to write one letter per person throughout all of the Dutch East Indies. It took 1 ½ years before this is finally allowed.

7/4. The alarm lasted for 2 ½ hours.

The Jap shop isn’t much. Normally there are no cigarettes, and sometimes 1 pack with 12 cigarettes at 4 ½ cent per man per week. Bamboo containing tobacco is not available any more so that we have to do with whatever tobacco the Japs provide. This tobacco has been washed and fermented by our civilians. It is a pile of junk and smells like horse urine. Flints are also not available.

7/7 Registrations were taken again over the last few days. All officers and merchant marine officers were re-registered. There are persistent rumors like 1. We will all be evacuated, 2. Only those who reregistered are going, 3. Russia and Japan are at war since June 28, 4. Germany is on the point of collapsing, 5. Java is being polished off by about 300 or 400 flying fortresses daily. That’s enough, for the time being. Oh yes, the downed airplane had two engines, and it showed the name Kendari. It has been taken to the harbor to be shipped somewhere else.

7/9. This afternoon the alarm lasted two hours. Since it sounded only three times we continued working. When it goes off six times we will dive into the gutter behind our industry.

The Japs must be remembering their dead because a lot of wreaths are being made in our camp. Today we made 6 tripods for the hanging of wreaths. Tomorrow 18 wreaths must be made. In between our jobs we are busy making 1,000 wooden sandals for the camp.

7/10.All officers and civilians are ordered to turn in their shoes except 1 pair. Instead they gave them away to the workers so that the eight of us now are the proud owners of shoes. I received a pair of brand new company shoes. It turned out later that they only had to list how many shoes they had. It is too late to ask for their return now. They didn’t think to give the workers shoes before.

We are going nuts because of all the rumors. Here are some of them: 1. Kendari is occupied by the Allies, 2. The Yanks are using Ambon as a base for their fighters, 3. A fleet has been sighted at Buton, which is one hour away by plane, 4. We will get red crosses in our camp with the words “prisoners of war”, 5. The Jap military will leave our camp and will be replaced by civilians, 6. 1 ½ million Allied troops are on the attack in Malakka, 7. Indo China and Flores are occupied. I believe that this is all. It is too good to be true; otherwise we would be freed today.

7/12. The Japs started an anti spy campaign. This morning cars drove by with large placards denouncing the spreading of rumors and spying. It is as if something is about to happen, but nothing will, probably.

7/13 The guards have a party every day. It does seem that the gents are going to leave. Josh tells everybody that he is really going to leave. Out of the few pigs we have left 2 are slaughtered. It is claimed that we will get civilians guards.

For some time seaplanes are seen in the harbor, probably for scouting purposes. There were ten, but one of them crashed, and the Japs lamented about the loss of two of them. For the last few days everything is hunky-dory in the camp, even Yosh behaves like a normal human being. All of a sudden the rumors have stopped, The war must be over, ahem!

7/15. I must write down that it is very quiet. Yesterday late in the evening the fire alarm sounded. When we arrived we could hear Yosh yelling. Usually I have to report to him with two of my roommates. However, I smelled a rat and stayed among the others in the group, and sure enough, he gave the translator an order in a Japanese dialect that the translator did not understand. Everybody could leave and Mr. Ketel, the translator, received 20 lashes. Yosh had been looking for him for a long time, and this was the perfect excuse to get him. Mr. Ketel has had a frank conversation with several Japanese dignitaries about certain camp matters. A fox may lose his fur, but not his tricks.

7/17.This morning Yosh asked if we could take the work sheds apart and erect them somewhere else; could we also move the added sleeping hall? He wouldn’t say where everything was going to be moved to. Moving plans are in the wind. I agree with everything as long as we can stay in Celebes.

Two of my metal workers sharpen sewing machine needles for sewing machines. It seems impossible, but they get the job done.

7/19. Well, we were given another dose of vitamins. Yesterday I had been asleep for half an hour, when the bombs woke me. Several of my roommates were still awake. The Jap seaplanes had been exercising early in the evening, and right after they landed we heard a deeper engine sound. There was a full moon; it was like daylight. The heavy drone passed twice over the city, the Japs apparently thought that they came from their own planes. However, a salvo of three bombs woke them, just like me. We all ran to the gutter and stayed there for 4 ½ hours. Nobody knows how many planes were involved, but it was certain that 120 bombs had been dropped, 8 on the airfield. There was a large fire afterwards, but we didn’t know what was hit. We could hear the bombs fall, and the ensuing explosions were tremendously loud. They also dropped 2 flares to get a better view. The planes remained invisible to us. The Japs used tracer ammo a few times, which seemed to be a poor choice, considering the short range for this kind of ammunition. The last bombs fell less than a kilometer from the camp. The leader of the group showed a pink light, ostensibly to lead the way. After the first raid and the “all clear” sounded, the Japs had us fall in for roll call to find out if some one was missing. We stood less than a minute when the alarm sounded six times and the bombs started to drop again. We counted the seconds between the flash and the explosion and the deep rumble of the bomb that we heard. The distances were varied, from 1 to 4 kilometers, except for the airfield. Two people, who came from the airfield to be taken to the hospital, told us that the bombs hit the roads and had not caused any further damage. And so I experienced my first night bombing raid.

7/20. Slowly we find out where the bombs were dropped. The last bombs dropped about 300 meter from the camp on the corner of the Bessie Road and the Generaal van Dalen road. That is the location of the Japanese Head Quarters. The bombs fell on the other side of the road and destroyed 15 houses. Furthermore, the crews loaded 500 kg. and 250 kg. bombs onto trucks. The bombs were taken out of a warehouse of Mainz & Co. on the other side of town. The bombs fell at a 20 to 50 meter distance from the warehouse. The information the Allies had was fantastically accurate. The Rumbia road has been partially destroyed too. On the whole it seems that all the targets had been missed. A kampong (village) behind the hospital also has been destroyed, as were gasoline storage places within kampongs. The hosts are rather unfriendly. The latest camp joke tells about the sirens that work automatically when the first bomb hits the ground. Pamphlets also have been dropped, this time in the Japanese language.

7/21. Today we already spent an hour in the gutter. Right after breakfast the alarm sounded 6 times and we jumped into the gutter. One flying fortress flew slowly over the city twice, probably to take pictures of the results of the raid yesterday.

The airplane flew at an altitude of about 4,000 meters and was attacked by a Japanese fighter. We watched as the fortress fired and downed the fighter. The fighter probably was not shot down but chose the easy way out. The plane then dropped a large fireball, the meaning of which nobody understood. We have caught their attention, that is for sure. Yesterday afternoon the alarm sounded, but it was a Jap airplane.

7/22. During the night, at about 4 AM, the alarm sounded 3 times, however, nothing happened. The results of yesterday’s air show were better than expected. Indeed, one fighter was shot down and a second one made an emergency landing and was carried off too. Those were the only fighters that were stationed here and they were gone within 5 minutes. The Japs admit to their failure to defend themselves and I just heard an English nurse from Mandai tell the same story. He came by car to get some medications. The roles are reversed. What will they do when 10 or more fortresses appear?

7/23. Suddenly all the Japanese shelters must be provided with openings in the roofs so that the outside areas can be watched from inside the shelter. Seven of these shelters are inside the camp. When an air raid occurs all the Jap guards stream into the camp and scatter all through the area shelters. The gents want to be shrapnel free too. All officers and civilians must participate in air raid drills and each Jap thinks that it should be done differently.

7/25. The air raid alarms go of on a daily basis in Makassar. The day before yesterday it happened twice and yesterday once. Apparently they hunt ships in these waters. Those that work on the outside must transport bombs and gasoline elsewhere, and officers and civilians must help to cover the shelters next to the hospital. These last few days the work is hard.

7/26.Now the officers and civilians must build 6 new shelters in the camp since the others are filled to over flowing. Nobody mentions the impending departure of the officers. We also don’t hear anything about the 200 English men who were supposed to have been on their way here. A Jap from the civilian Head Quarters mentioned that to be in Tokyo was very dangerous. When the commissioner said that Makassar was dangerous too, the reply was that Tokyo was more dangerous. Thus it seems that Tokyo is being over hauled too.

7/27. Already it has been a week since we saw the last American airplane. We can probably expect them soon again. We are now rebuilding another shelter. This one is for the camp commandant, the commandant of the guard, and several other Japs. It had been dug out to a one meter depth, but now it has been lowered to 2 meter. The surface is now even with the grass field. The fact that it would be filled with water in the rainy season does not bother them. Maybe they feel that it won’t last much longer. A double layer of coconut tree trunks is put over the top and 2 and ½ meter of soil will top it off. We have worked hard. The entrance has been reinforced with coconut tree trunks too.

7/30.All the work on the shelters is finished. Those that were worked on last time also have electricity. It is very hot inside the shelters.

7/31. Today marks the end of the month (habis bulan). But we do not get a treat. The latest fabulous rumors are that Southern Italy was invaded, Naples is occupied. Menado, Tarakan, and Mindanao have been invaded. Singapore has fallen. Can things be better? It cannot be. Nobody knows where the rumors started, but they will say anything that we want to believe.

KAMPILI/Chabot: 8/2/43. After I had finished my last writings, and I had gone to bed, I heard explosions in the distance. Bombs on Makassar. It was a clear, moonlit night and the raid lasted 2 ½ hours. We heard anti aircraft guns and saw tracer bullets. Then the Americans flew over our camp with their lights on. Such a show of might was something to hold on to! Now the anti climax: the dignitaries will not visit our camp tomorrow. From the few threads of news we get, it seems that several streets in Makassar are no more. Many victims were natives. Is all this necessary to undermine the reputation of the Japs in case Celebes will fall in the hands of the Allies? More than a week later we heard muted explosions, but could not figure out what they were.

Shortly after this bombardment, but possibly unrelated, schooling was stopped. Jamadji’s superiors in Makassar had vetoed it vehemently while he actually was in favor of a continuing school program. “Oh well, find your own solution,” he said.

The elementary school classes continue as always, scattered throughout the camp. The high school students must work the land for 45 minutes after which they are taught, part of the time under open skies. The four high school classes that were held in dining halls are forbidden. The concentration of the students, sitting outside in the sand, is disastrous. The environment in which these children have to learn, even a little bit, makes it very hard on them.

The resistance to fight off disease is at an all time low. For three months now we experience a wave of sicknesses as never before. In our barrack alone 3 adults are hospitalized, 15 more suffer from malaria, dysentery, jaundice, etc. I never knew that women could have a propensity for specific diseases such as heart problems, kidney problems, and a lighter form of tuberculosis, which becomes evident when leg sores show up, etc.

Last week we received more orders, more women will arrive and barrack no. 7 must be vacated. That means that 100 people must be housed elsewhere, they are going to be housed in barracks no. 8 to 12. In this part of the camp children don’t have their own bed any more, but must share one. Thus we have 116 people in our barrack.

A sewing facility has been opened. Each shed provides 2 women to sew 9,600 pants and 9,800 loincloths for the Japs. This afternoon the commandant was looking for knitters, what else awaits us? Several days ago large crates containing used European clothing were delivered. Most of us, including the kids and me, lined up to see what we could get. I got an old slip and several other things. Some of us recognized their old clothes; the natives had probably stolen these clothes, and they had to turn these clothes in.

Life goes on, not knowing what politicians decide, we are numbed by our daily chores. This afternoon I was assigned to work the land. I was busy hoeing when a team of Jap pressmen appears with cameras. As we were told before, I bowed deeply with the hoe in my hands.

Joustra: August 1943. I want to mention an event that took place during the first weeks of my leadership position. Jamadji wanted several people to work in the rice fields. There were not enough people who volunteered for this heavy work, while several who did, were totally unfit for this kind of job. They had volunteered to get a chance to go outside the fence. Those who were chosen by the complex leaders and me had to report in front of the Post. Jamadji was furious that there were less than 30 people. I explained that there were more, but that they were too weak to do such a heavy job. I had to get them, and now there were 28. Jamadji yelled that 2 more were needed. I looked at Noor and said: “Shall we?” She knew what I meant and both of us joined the group. For a moment Jamadji was speechless, then he burst out: “No way, that is not allowed, who will do your jobs?” We said nothing. “Well,” he said, “28 is enough.” And he marched them into the fields. It was a large wooded area with nicely built wooden houses, the way Kampili was before the barracks were built. It had been part of an insane asylum before the war, but was vacated at the onset of the war. An hour later the whole group returned headed by a happy Jamadji. When we arrived at the Post the women had to stand in line again. He then chose the youngest and strongest gals and dismissed the rest. He had made it clear to me that he was the boss and that he was the one who would make the final choice.

I failed to mention an important part of our governing body, “the office”. It was located inside the Post in the left front room from the entrance. There also was a time that this office was located in a back room of the building. I vaguely remember that this room also served as a place for the “second man”, he was the Japanese military individual who worked for Jamadji.

Chabot: 8/11/43 The number of ill people was on the increase. In the barracks next to us 15 were felled by dysentery, 8 adults were hospitalized. One afternoon a doctor approached the commandant and told him that the responsibility of caring for these people had become too great. All the heavy work had lowered the resistance to diseases. Our leader was summoned and he started thus: “Ini hari sudah berapa kali buang ajer?” (How often did you go to the toilet today?) The very idea, giving such answers a Jap! After the doctor had translated the sentence for her she responded: “14 kali.” (14 times) The commandant then agreed that, instead of 4 persons, only 2 would work in the fields. To counter act this we had to keep the grounds around the barracks picked up better, and in the morning all capable persons had to participate in a 15-minute exercise program. Everything seemed to go well until the doctors found the origin of these illnesses. They visited the barracks and inspected the empty beds of the dysentery patients. The conclusion was that these barracks were dirty, ergo dysentery. Tomorrow everything inside the barrack must be taken outside, even the bamboo framing that supported the bunk beds. Wyers could convince them of the impossibility to do this, but everything else had to go outside. We received a disinfectant to wash everything and spread lime around and under the beds.

Everybody started to take suitcases outside with the idea that that was all that was needed. Jamadji came at 10 AM. Among those barracks were 5 where the least Indonesians lived. He calmly said that not everything had been moved and then it dawned on them that they had to carry everything out, even the pictures on the wall. He didn’t return until 2.30 PM when we were allowed to put everything back. Now we know how to prevent the diseases in the future, and we don’t complain anymore. The doctors also received something: a 12 person garden crew that took care of plants only. The crew complained that it was impossible to water all these plants because the well was so far away. The commandant had a solution: every afternoon 4 men would carry the water to the garden. Protesting didn’t help. The sneaky ways of this little miserable little man were designed to set the men up against the women, just like he tried to turn the Ambon group against the Malino group.

In spite of everything it seems that they are concerned about our health. We received a second inoculation against dysentery today, and our weight also is checked regularly. We also received fabric netting for mosquito netting around our beds.

Last week two women were taken away suddenly. One was a nurse in the dysentery barracks who was not even allowed to take some clothing. She went in the car, just like that. The other one was returned that same evening, but she could not say anything. She only said: “This could happen to anyone.” The nurse was returned a week later and also kept quiet. They probably tried to milk a driver of a catering truck for news about the political climate in Makassar, and were betrayed by fellow internees in our camp.

Rumors are flying around. The commandant himself seemed to have said that nothing would be done for us during the monsoons. The drainage of the terrain leaves something to be desired; after one afternoon of rain the water stands where it fell. The deteriorating wells also are not being repaired the way the barracks are. Improvements are made on the central kitchen, and a pigsty that holds 200 animals. Kampili will not stay idle.

It was hard to believe when the commandant matter of fact announced that we were due for a celebration when the occasion comes. He said this during a casual chat he had with several women one evening. It so happens that on the 31^st of August our queen will have a birthday. It was not clear if he meant the 31^st, but it was generally accepted that it was. The majority felt that this was worse than hoeing a whole day.

In the meantime Wyers was replaced by Mrs. Joustra, he was assigned to work in the fields with the older boys. He discussed his dislike for a celebration and it was decided that the Queen’s birthday should become a solemn event. It would be a holiday and we would be allowed to sing our national anthem. A happier celebration will be held next Saturday when the moon is out. Nobody dared to believe that it really would happen until the 31^st actually will be here. In the morning and in the evening solemn religious ceremonies were carried out. Both Catholic and Protestant did it together, something that would have been unthinkable in Holland. It was unforgettable. A nun remembered the Queen, the nun’s choir sang heavenly, and the Protestant reverend held a sermon. Nippon saw to it that we had extra food. It was unreal! Not a Jap to be seen, a small piece of free Holland! The purpose of all this goodwill stays a mystery.

MAKASSAR/Booy: 8/1/43. We had the day off today, it was about time after having worked hard for 14 days. According to the Japs, an offensive was launched in Russia 14 days ago. The German lines have not been broken

8/4. A ship in the harbor carrying about 60,000 bags of cement has to be unloaded by our people. They return like Snow White.

8/5. A few Allied planes visited us during the night. It was very probable that they mined the channel into the harbor. Oddly enough, 2 of them exploded 30 minutes after the planes left. It scared us to death, I was already asleep and thought that large bombs had been dropped. This is becoming a mysterious war.

8/6. The fires in the kitchen must be covered in such a way that no lights show outside. These fires are outside the kitchen and they are started at 2.30 in the morning to cook rice. It is unbearable to be in the kitchen during that time, the cooks get choked up because of the smoke. We did everything we could to ease the problem, but it still is hell in there.

8/7. During the night we were visited again. We heard 2 airplanes for sure, and we could see the silhouette of one of them. It flew very low. Apparently they mined the channel again; they were exploded, however. The probable goal is to see to it that ships cannot enter the harbor. However, they still do, yesterday 3 torpedo boats entered with several other boats. I didn’t understand why they didn’t fire on the planes since they flew so low.

8/8. Yesterday evening was another bad one. Yosh stood by the kitchen when our company fell in for evening roll call. The cement crew had just come home and had not appeared yet. To make matters worse, 3 men ran up after roll call. These 3 were just late, and didn’t belong to the cement crew. Everybody had to fall in again, and the cement crew, who had already worked for 10 hours, had to run double time around the camp. The hall leaders received 4 lashes on their backs, and the 3 late comers had to continue running, while we had to stand at attention. From now on we have to fall in on the basket ball field and be counted there twice a day.

Today is Sunday, and with 10 carpenters and 2 masons, we erected a small garage for a motorcycle with a side car, that was for the use of the camp. We finished it just before dinner.

8/9. Today we had to cover up another shelter, and put a meter high pile of dirt on top. They resemble forts, this one is just outside the camp for the guards. While doing this kind of work thousands of curses are heaped upon us by military and civilians alike.

8/11. The paper announced that Mussolini was forced by the people to step down. Marshall Badoglio arranged an armistice. The Germans disarmed all Italian troops in the Balkan and at the Russian front, they occupy the cities of Fiume, Triest, and Dureczo. They cleared the Ural after destroying it. The ambassadors and envoys are back in Moscow. This is very good news. Rumor has it that the Russians are fighting at the Polish border and the Turks provided passage.

Today the alarm sounded 3 times within 8 hours. The Japs were very busy in the air.

8/16. We are supposed to make wooden barrels for the kitchen, but good quality wood is necessary for barrels, and that may pose a problem. The making of sewing machine needles is coming along just fine. Last week 50 needles were made. A lot of them are needed, for 9 tailors are busy making clothing. Right now they’re making uniforms for the hosts. All of us, except for the officers and civilians, have received 2 sets of underwear. However, these are being used like outerwear. Everyone wears patched clothing, even the highest-ranking dignitaries.

8/18. Yesterday evening at 9 PM the alarm sounded 3 times and a short while later 6 times. We all disappeared in the gutter. After some time it sounded 3 times, then 6 times and again 3 times. This lasted from 9 PM to 3 AM. We heard one plane only. It was rather cloudy. It’s possible that mines were dropped. We have an average of 1 alarm a day, but nothing happens. We are making small barrels from whatever is left over in the carpenter’s shop.

8/23. The first bathtub has been assembled, it was a pleasant job. The hosts have been very quiet the last few days. Persistent rumors maintain that Germany wants an armistice. Several Japs told crewmembers that Germany was ‘tida baik’ (not good). Yosh was shooting birds all day long. In the early evening Yosh gave me a bottle of tju, a kind of native jenever. This is the second time. The first time he thought that he would leave. Maybe he hopes that he will disappear for good this time.

8/27. The days pass very quietly. At a distance of 2 km a crew is removing coconut trees, a new camp is supposed to be built there. A drawing shows 44 bamboo barracks with roofs made of palm leaves. They haven’t started to build yet.

8/29. It is Sunday. Everybody who is supposed to work half a day on Sundays has to go to the coconut garden. More than 400 men worked in the afternoon. They all needed a hoe; we inspected them this morning. A work crew walking home on the Strand Road, heard a radio broadcast on a native radio that America and Japan are working out a truce in Chile. The whole camp vibrates with excitement.

8/31.To punish us for believing the story about the supposed truce we had a 2 hour alarm last night. This is the second time that we remember the queen’s birthday, and again we say that this is the last. On this very special day for us we learned about the following fantastic news: “ The krauts are retreating in an orderly fashion from the Russian front. Genoa and Naples were bombed by the krauts. The Allies do not belong to the civilized world any more, because they used incendiary bombs over Hamburg.” Beautiful, remember Rotterdam? And on and on. We seem to be in a much better position than we were last year.

KAMPILI/Chabot: 9/5/43. The pigs have arrived, 5 caretakers are assigned, and a new well has been dug for them.( We are bathing in mud now). They get meals twice a day and their housing facilities does not differ much from ours, everything is very basic.

Much has changed these last few weeks, a wave of optimism goes through the camp. And maybe there’s a reason for it this time. In spite of our complete isolation from the outside world, the leader of the Ambon camp took a Jap paper home with her. This was not just once, but every time she has received a copy. It is very difficult to read and interpret the paper of the enemy, but even so, there is not much to find that favors the position of the Japanese. This morning the leader of this complex read us the news out of last week paper. What does the commandant want to accomplish? Does he want to prepare us for a political turn about, or is he intent on improving our treatment so that we can point that out at a later date? More events may strengthen these theories: yesterday more trucks arrived with furniture and suitcases that were left behind. These will be divided among us. Anything to better our lives here.

Two weeks ago coolies swarmed over our terrain to dig a drain and elevate the terrain. Whenever it rained hard for an hour the water remained standing in large puddles. There now is a slight slope and we wait for the rains. The wells get worse each day.

It seems that our money is spent. This had been expected to happen earlier, but our leadership encouraged the women to turn in moneys that had not been turned in before. It is odd that the storage building is full of provisions at this time. Apparently we lived on less that 15 cents a day because of the Jap intervention to take care of our food supplies. The Ambon group has enough to live for another 5 months. Nippon wants us to share, but we will have the same problem in another month. It does seem to be certain that we will continue to get the same amount and quality of food as before.

However, the Jap will demand more and more from us in return. The sewing room personnel will increase to 45 ladies. They sew for the Japs and us. We get mosquito netting, and dark blue outfits for the kitchen crews and the land crews. The material is of very poor quality. (After one laundry these dark blue outfits turned gray. OY) Since three weeks ago white sport socks are being knitted for the Japs. About 100 pairs are to be delivered a month. The knitters earn 1 guilder and 50 cents per pair, which goes to the community. More and more people are being taken away from barracks duty but, according to the commandant, that is because the central kitchen will be in use tomorrow. To start out with, they’ll cook for 900 to 1,500 persons. We doubt if that many people can be enlisted for the kitchen. But no costs and trouble have been spared; we received good quality cook ware.

Stolk: Mrs. Den Hond became boss of the Central Kitchen. My mother worked there too. She had been issued a dark blue set of sleeveless rompers that turned gray after having been washed a few times. The blue dye stained her body and underwear after a day of heavy work. Indeed it was a hot and heavy job. The porridge was prepared in large oil drums. The ladies stood on a stool and several tiles to stir the pap with a large stick. Rice and sajur were handled the same way. Then shredded coconuts needed to be pressed to make the coconut milk. Everything was cooked in enormous portions. I liked to make rice flour in wooden containers. Three people usually did this, and you acquire a certain rhythm while dropping the heavy wooden pole on the rice in the pounding block. I have done it myself at times.

Wehrens: The girls working the land were recruited to do this regularly. We sang songs in ¾ tempo to avoid hitting each other’s pole.

Seth Paul: On the 11^th of September Makassar or the surrounding areas, were bombed after torches were set off. One airplane unloaded balls of fire, I didn’t have a proper name beforehand. Later on they were thought to be light bombs (?) or rockets. These fell behind our camp and caused a loud explosion. Japanese searchlights spotted a plane, but could not keep it in the cross lights.

In the meantime a butcher, Father Beltjens from Pare-Pare, joined us. He had never slaughtered a buffalo, cow, or pig, let alone skinning and cutting one up. But the camp needed a Catholic priest and Pare-Pare delivered one out of 130. Together with Frans den Hamer they slaughtered buffaloes and pigs. The blood of the pig was saved and made into a blood pudding for those who suffered from anemia.

Chabot: 9/15.43. We don’t get to read the paper anymore, it caused too much excitement. The reason for all these good deeds might have been this one: a few weeks ago the new head of the civilian administration, the minseibu, had arrived. He seemed to be more suited for the job. I had a chance to get more insight into the administration of our conquerors, when a gal I knew came here from the island of Roti together with about 100 people from the island of Timor. She first had been taken to Kupang with another lady. During the few weeks that she spent there, she got to know the Japs more than I did in 1 ½ year. They requested that they be returned to Roti and were housed with a Menadonese. When he appeared to be too good to them, they had to take care of a garden to support themselves. A Japanese ship would visit the island now and then. Only 6 weeks ago did the Japs begin to occupy the island, and they were taken to a women’s camp in Timor above Kupang. When the American aggression became too severe, they were transported here in a hurry. She told me that there were 5 branches of service: the Navy, the Army, the police, the civilian administration, also known as the minseibu, and the secret service, or the otori. The last service is separated from the others. Men who hate each other’s guts head the services.

When the house in Kupang, where the women were housed, was going to be transferred from the Navy to the Army, everything was taken out and burned. It amazed the Japs that the women didn’t understand this. When the women landed on Timor they were not taken to the camp right away because they fell under a different branch. The camp above Kupang was assigned to the Navy, a much more civilized organization. They were always allowed to read the paper and had their meals with the men 3 times a day, much different from the treatment here. The people from Roti knew that if they were beaten they would complain to the Navy. Someone like our commandant may have several bosses, and not know which one would be his boss now. That’s why he allows school one week, and not the next. It sometimes takes a long time before a definite decision is made. Once the decision is made, things are done as fast as possible lest someone else will change the rules again.

MAKASSAR/Booy: 9/3/43. Today the war started 5 years ago, and it is not until now that I believe that we will win. According to the paper Admiral Mount Batten is on his way here. He seems to be a fine chap.

The cooperage has delivered 10 barrels; they are watertight and look good.

9/8. As tumultuous as it is in the rest of the world, so quiet it is here. The Japs admit that Sicily is in our hands, and landings have taken place in Southern Italy, and by Pyreus next to Athens. They also admit that the Russians have broken through the lines. It still is confusing; nobody knows where the rumors get their start.

9/11. Another beating party occurred yesterday. This time the beatings were severe for the Army officers. The worst part of it all was that they themselves were the cause of it.

9/12. Last night the Americans gave us a firework show for 3 hours. Not much fell in the harbor this time, but a lot came down all around us. It was much too close for comfort. A series of explosives and firebombs landed close to us, and it seemed that they were right on top of us. Firebombs make noise like firework suns, and the bombs sound like a toppling wall. Towards the end of the show one plane flew about 100 meter high and machine-gunned the kampong next to us with tracer bullets. Since we were in the gutter right next to the kampong we could see the plane clearly. Our hospital, which is closest to the abused area, was slightly damaged because of the pressure the explosions caused. It took my carpenters the whole morning to repair the damage, 6 rows of tiles slid off the roof. The fence was also heavily damaged. The American crew boss, who works in the Japanese hospital, was taken to the mortuary where he was shown a white man in an American Army-Air Force uniform. Apparently a grenade hit the airplane and he was blown away. In the camp itself shrapnel hit 4 of us. We don’t know much about the damage in the city. This afternoon we have the day off because it’s Sunday.

9/13. According to the people on duty the raid was designed to spread terror.

All of a sudden my right knee swelled up to 1 and ½ times larger. I also have a fever.

9/14. Today the doctor declared that I had to stay in my quarters for the afternoon; in the evening he returned with Dr. Smits, our famous surgeon. Today I will be hospitalized because they need to cut on me.

9/15. Well, I’ve been in the hospital for one day. I had bursitis. My leg has been put in a splint so that it cannot move. It will be a while, before I can be up and about. Anyway, I now have time to read and to study.

9/16. All of a sudden our English friends returned. Of 200 men 184 are left. No one died because of bombing raids, all the victims had been ill. Only 18 can continue working, the rest is sick. They look miserable. They are not allowed to talk to anyone for a month. During the night we were visited again. However, no bombs were dropped. I crawled under my bed since I could not walk to the trenches. A mattress can protect me somewhat. It seems to go well in Burma, and there seems to be a lot of fighting on the Malay Peninsula.

9/19. It became known that Italy signed the Lisbon peace treaty. It was a question of a capitulation with grace and receiving mercy or a merciless surrender. Now I understand why the English are sending a large part of their fleet this way.

My knee is fine, a few days more and I can go home. Everybody worked on Sundays. They are unwilling to allow holidays anymore. The night before yesterday we had more visitors. An airplane flew over 3 times and disappeared. They are really interested in us.

9/21. Yosh is in a very bad mood. He knocked Dr. Bakker, the chief of the hospital, down twice in 3 days. Everywhere you can hear him rage and swear.

Fall started in Europe; I hope that they’ll beat Germany before winter sets in.

9/22. I have been moved to another ward. Here are the malingerers, excuse me, the patients. I can leave in a day or two.

Roosevelt declared that a quick end must not be hoped for since the Huns are difficult to beat militarily.

9/25. My knee is getting worse instead of better. I must rest more. A new rule has been issued concerning holidays, one holiday per 14 days, starting tomorrow.

The best tales are being told. I shine my shoes 3 times a day, just in case we will leave. I belief that I will have just enough pages to finish my diary.

9/27. Yesterday evening I stood guard from 9 PM to 11 PM. I was told that Mars would be visible. Since the planet did not appear by 11 PM, I decided to wait for another half hour, then Mars showed up clearly like a fiery point in the sky.

Smolensk and Kiev have been cleared off Germans, things are going well.

9/29. Tomorrow I will return to the camp. I have spent a restful 14 days and was able to finish a lot of reading.

The officers were told again to get ready to leave. They had to pack yesterday and today they were told to wait.

9/30. My departure from the hospital has been delayed. Last night I dreamt that the Colonel read to me: “This afternoon the war with Japan is at an end.” I woke up with a start, but didn’t hear anything out of the ordinary.

KAMPILI/Chabot: On the night from 11 to 12 October we heard another bombardment. Life here is less monotonous that in Malino. We were having a party when, all of a sudden, the alarm sounded. Nobody was allowed to stay in the barracks, and the drainage channel seemed to be an excellent place to hide in. (Maybe that was the reason why it was built). Again, it was a beautiful moonlit night, and again, the last plane flew right over us. We now understand that this is their good bye and a way to let us know that they know that we’re here, and that we don’t have anything to fear. My friend from Roti saw an American pamphlet three times. This showed that their intelligence works just fine.

10/16/43. There is a lot to tell. A week ago the monsoons started, which is earlier than usual. It had been very warm and dusty, and you could see the water level falling in the wells. Suddenly, last Sunday we saw a thunderstorm the likes of which we’ve never seen. Marble size hailstones fell, and we’ve had rain ever since. There is a chance that we may enjoy a long, regularly spaced monsoon season. Believers talk about God’s ways. The only bad thing is that the water drain had been buried by all the sand; it proved to be a good air raid shelter.

Seth Paul: I don’t remember what day it was, but during one of the rainstorms I saw lightning go straight through the barracks. Outside we saw small white balls dancing around. This was the first time I saw hail and, of course, I ran outside to pick up the rapidly melting ice.

Maurenbrecher-Brain: The monsoons had started and the drainage of the terrain was very bad. Next to the barrack was a large puddle of water, in which the kids loved to play. While walking through the camp one day, the Bokeh (commandant) overtook me and mentioned that we looked dirty. Watch your kids playing in the mud. I got angry and said that it was not our fault that the drainage was bad, and that our imagined malaria was caused by mosquitoes breeding in the morasses and stagnant waters behind the fields and under the trees outside the camp. He stood very still, looked at me and then to the woods, and roared: “You have been outside the camp, how could you know this otherwise?” I replied that those kinds of trees and buttresses could only grow in Celebes where there is water. He then said: “Come with me and show me.” I prayed when we crossed the rice fields to walk to the woods. The first pool had dried up, but a little further down a water buffalo was having a great time in a stagnant pool of water. The Bokeh squatted down and scooped up water in his hand. Was I ever relieved to see a squirming mass of mosquito larvae in his hand. He didn’t say anything, and I sneaked quietly back into the camp. (Later on another camp was built on a drained area in those woods. We stayed there after the Allies had bombed our barracks. I have no idea how it was drained, because the whole area was like a pool).

Chabot: Tomorrow I will go back to work. I became ill for the first time since our internment. I was sick for 3 weeks. In the beginning it was malaria, but it quickly turned into jaundice, which has become a problem of epidemic proportions among the older children and younger women. According to the doctor jaundice also occurred during WW I. I lost 5 kilos, and now weigh 48 kilos. When you are idle while recuperating, you begin to fantasize about the future, and you become impatient. It is better to work, because you don’t have time for that. I then got a toothache and a molar needed to be extracted. There is a female dentist from Ambon who has some tools and anesthetics. She limits her practice to pulling teeth, and cement fillings. The waiting room and treating room are in one room. You get over being finicky.

All of a sudden Boudewijn came down with a high fever this evening. He seems to have come down with a well-known camp illness: an infected mouth with swollen tongue. Maybe it was some kind of tonsillitis. Medication is almost unavailable, but a short while ago, a Menadonese woman, living in this barrack, had cured someone else quickly with a blend of herbs.

Last week everyone received a short note from their husbands in Makassar and Pare-Pare, but not from the 1,000 men who were transported elsewhere in October 1942. This was a first and it indicates that things are going well for us. Later on the Japs can say that they followed international laws by allowing this kind of communication. It became clear from this correspondence that obituaries had not been passed on. Someone wrote to his wife; she had died during Easter. It took the mail three months to get here. The commandant had everybody read her mail to us. We were allowed to write back, but we could not mention illnesses or where we were.

Yesterday afternoon, during a light breeze, the roof of our dining hall blew off. The shed was shaking but remained standing. These barracks have become life threatening after 5 months. For about 3 weeks now, the buildings are taken down and rebuilt in a hurry. Work is being done on 4 barracks at the same time, which means that more than 400 people sleep in the dining halls, storage places, in other over populated barracks, even in goat sheds. That is what the Mother Superior and her 70 nuns had to do. This week it will be our turn and I hope that Boudewijn will be cured by then.

MAKASSAR/Booy: 10/2/43. Well now, I’m back. I still took it easy yesterday, but I started today. The officers, also those with the merchant marine, left early this morning. The worst thing that happened was that the Japs had them unpack everything, and took away all written materials. Included were studies that were done over a period of 1 ½ years like notes of doctors, diaries, etc. This is really very bad. I wonder what would happen to all my notes, like my calculations of concrete with all kinds of formulas, and other papers.

The officers were told that they are going to Java. They took their money, but they will probably get it back once they land on Java minus the cost for the trip. They did that to the Ambon civilians too. Oh well, we spent the longest time here already.

10/4: After the officers left a lot of people moved within the camp. We first had government officials as neighbors, and now Army officers, warrant officers, and second lieutenants. The Jap guard now occupies the house in which the Colonel lived.

The rice portions are one third smaller than those we received before the officers left. In the morning we have rice porridge with half a tablespoon of sugar, it is the best rice we get. The rice for the other two meals tastes musty and contains a lot of hulls. During the last ten days we have had bacon three times, it is mixed with the vegetable stew and tastes great.

10/7. We are allowed to write again, except to internment camps. This is the third time, but we never received a reply from those we wrote to. A short while ago we wrote to Kampili, where the ladies are, but have not yet had a response.

The moon is waxing, one of these days we’ll be visited again. Now the vegetable stew has been lessened by a third too. It’s getting better all the time.

10/10. Oh yes, they’ve been here. At 7.25 PM the alarm sounded 3 times, and 5 minutes later it went off 6 times, we dove into the trench. There is a trench that carries off the laundry water next to our room; we can crawl underneath the laundry counters close to the trench. There is 8 centimeters of concrete above our heads, it is the best place to hide in the camp. This time the bombs did not fall close by, but almost all of them fell in the harbor and around the Konings Square. This time there is a lot of damage, among others, a direct hit on the jail. A few were wounded and truckloads of the dead were carried away. There was also a large fire. We could hear the people yell and scream. It will be a while before we’ll know what has been hit. The whole raid took three hours.

10/11. It seems that they destroyed more during this last raid than during all of the 3 previous raids. Behind the jail a square of about 4 kilometers disappeared. Those who witnessed the result of the bombing raid, said the damage was enormous. The craters were 2 and ½ meters deep and 12 meters wide; a 40-meter wide area around the bomb craters was laid bare. The bombs were dropped continuously.

A huge shelter, near the guards, must be repaired. We have to add 3 and ½ meter soil on top. The hosts apparently don’t like these raids very much. Dropped pamphlets proclaim that Makassar will be annihilated. The future will tell.

10/14. The rations are back to normal. Something new: we will be paid, the enlisted will get 10 cents a day, warrant officers 15 cents, 2^nd lieutenants 25 cents, lieutenants 90 guilders a month, and captains 120 guilders a month. The lieutenants and captains must pay for food, utilities, and rent. I must make a list of all those who worked for me since 1 September. This is going to be some search. Those who are ill, or have been doing indoor service don’t get paid at all. Oh well, 90 cents a week is better than nothing.

We must have shopping facilities, because right now there’s nothing to buy.

10/17. A metal worker and I opened 5 safes that had been stored with the guard. All we got was 6 guilders and 20 cents, and several keys. Yesterday we started to build a large oven for the kitchen. We will celebrate the 3^rd of November, just like last year, and cakes must be baked. We rested today and there were international boxing matches this afternoon. Although I don’t care for this sport it was OK. A small tent was erected for some Japanese officers. Yoshida said that we earned it because we had been working so hard.

10/18. We had roll call and Yosh appeared mad as all get out. It seems that someone had slipped a note to a native to give to his wife. Our translator, Mr. Ketel, became the dupe because Yosh hates him. He was beaten in front of 1,200 men. Our present camp commander, Captain Dieudonne, showed his best side. He invited Yosh to beat him up if something went wrong. However Yosh didn’t dare. It was a miserable situation.

10/19. This morning a Japanese doctor visited us. Those who are confined to the hospital because they’re sick, and those who perform light duties because of their physical conditions, were assembled in the hospital. There were a few hundred all together. The doctor had bandages removed from a surgery patient to inspect the wounds. The bandages were made of old washed rags. He immediately promised a supply of sterile bandages, gauze, 30 bottles of quinine, and other medications. That turned out well.

10/21. The promised medical supplies have arrived. It seems that all of New Guinea is in allied hands. The Russians broke through the Southern lines and also broke through on two places at the Polish border.

The Jap camp commandant, who used to live in town, makes his residence here from now on. Now that he lives here we were quickly given a lot of work to do. We had to fence off the front yard and cover a gutter. We also had to put in a vanity table.

We painted our glass windows black. Now we can have a small light in our rooms. There is just enough light for one person to read a book, so that one of us reads to us. Therefore we chose books that everybody in our group liked.

More articles were brought into the Jap store, they’re not much but cheap. Cigarette paper 2 cents a pack, we used to pay 15 cents. Then there are towels, notebooks, shoe laces, ink, and shaving soap. The total is taken out of your allowance; we don’t touch any money.

10/26. Last week 50 piglets were brought in; we now have a total of 100 pigs. We are building a new roof for the rice cookers in the kitchen. There are 7 fires necessary to cook our food and no light may escape at night. Because the present roof was built very low, one after another cook gets sick. Wooden fires produce a lot of smoke. I designed one that is higher and vented.

10/31 It was Sunday today and we didn’t have to work. We are supposed to have 2 or three holidays this week. We can sure use them.

KAMPILI/Lindeboom: The boys have taken a liking to ‘Herder’, ’Solingen’, and ‘Sheffield’ knives. We don’t know what the names mean, but those knives are made of hard stainless steel that can be honed to a razor sharp edge, which will stay sharp for some time. By repeatedly honing the knife on a whetstone it is shaped like a dagger, making it look like the real thing.

We lived in barrack no. 12 and when we had to get water in heavy buckets, we had to walk from the bridge across the road to the Post. The road was covered with sharp edged gravel that hurts your feet, especially if you were carrying heavy buckets of water. But after several months calluses would form on the bottom of your feet, so that the gravel would not bother you anymore.

The children had certain chores to do such as weeding, keeping the area clean, and getting water. However, they were not assigned to do regular chores like we. I had no idea how I came to work in Dr. Spreeuwenbergs carpentry department. Maybe it was because I liked to do manual work. Anyway, this preacher showed me the rudiments of wood working, and how to compromise, if regular materials are not available.

MAKASSAR/Welleman: We witnessed a sensational event in November, when a Japanese fighter crashed into our camp in the middle of the day, about 50 meters away from our area. He had been making some practice flights.

You could hear the impending crash coming: an irregular rattling sound at an angle above, immediately followed by the sound of breaking branches and trees, then a dull thud followed by an eerie quiet. Then the flames shot up, and the deafening noise of crackling and exploding grenades was followed by exploding ammo for machine guns and rapid-fire cannons. The fighter who, a little while ago, was engaged in mock aerial combat with a colleague high in the air, making dives and loops, was no more.

It was surprising that no one in our camp was killed or hurt by this incident, although several escaped by a hair. The plane crashed in the middle of a busy road next to a few buildings that were occupied by Dutch officers. It happened at about 9.30 AM, and most of the POW’s were working outside the camp.

Yoshida, also named the ‘tyrant’, immediately ordered that the guard sounded the firearm. The fire department, which had been organized some time ago, took all the fire fighting paraphernalia like buckets and shovels to the place of the accident. Those who were not involved in putting out the fire, needed to stand in front of their respective buildings, just in case their help was needed. A lot of fire drills had taken place in the past, usually after the head count at night, when it was pitch dark. These drills also were a reason for the ‘tyrant’ to hold beating parties.

When the trumpeter of the guard blew the alarm, we assembled two by two on the gravel in front of our quarters, under the command of block commander Bulow. We had a first place view of the burning wreckage about 50 meters away, which was billowing smoke high into the air.

We realized that our presence was too obvious to the Japanese who ran to the burning plane, and that their mood most likely was at a low point. Their mood did not improve when the fire fighters could not extinguish the fire. In the mean time the fire hose was put to use. We also realized that the still exploding ammunition could hit us, thus we moved to another side of our quarters, thereby protecting our backs from flying projectiles. However, our position didn’t improve much. We faced the entrance gate and we saw the ‘tyrant’ flying by, standing on the running board of a fire engine that had come from the outside. Then the Japanese of different ranks and files hurried by, and over and over again Bulow would roar: “Kiotske!” (attention) and “Yasmi!” (at ease).

Bulow was a retired assistant commissioner, a descendant of a Prussian officer who belonged to the old guard. Giving commands came natural to him, but together with all the noise and commotion, he drove us nuts.

While all this was going on, one of us, who could not stand much excitement because of a physical condition, fainted. He had a dark hole in his white shirt and I assumed that a ricocheting projectile had hit him. I hit the ground too. Self- preservation is a powerful urge and I followed that impulse. But it quickly became apparent that the dark spot on his shirt was caused by the dye of a blue undershirt he was wearing. The idea of flying shrapnel was discarded. Later on it proved to have been impossible for this man to be hit, considering where he stood.

Gradually the ammunition was spent, and the fire team could approach the plane. The Japanese also had taken cover behind trees and in trenches, and had ordered our men to do the same. Finally the fire was out and the damage could be surveyed. Now the cleaning up could begin and we were pressed into service. Not a trace of this accident was to be left, and while some were busy removing the remains of the plane, others had to remove the trees and the branches and carry those off.

I can remember this scene on our physical exercise field vividly, 15 or 20 men surrounding a heavy tree trunk and trying to remove it without success. Then the ‘tyrant’ appears with a rattan stick and goes to work on the rear ends of these men and, if by magic, a supernatural force lifts the heavy tree off the ground and it is carried to the road without any further problems. You could ask how we could laugh about this incident. But there were a few malingerers in our camp who wouldn’t do anything for the well being of us all, and pretended to have ailments that kept them from working.

It so happened that a few of them stood around that tree, but with a bit of ‘encouragement’ they were able to do the unthinkable, such as lifting that heavy tree.

All of a sudden we had to withdraw from the wreckage, because the remains of the pilot had been discovered in the burned up cockpit. The Japanese themselves had to remove the body. Without much ado the totally burned up corpse was moved to a waiting ambulance, and we continued with the clean up. Several tow trucks removed pieces of the plane and the engine that had to be dug out of the ground, then we cleaned up the rest of the ravaged spot.

We then were ordered to erect a memorial for the dead pilot. We built a small grassy pyramid on which the Japanese camp commandant placed a smooth, square wooden pole that was inscribed with Japanese characters. A small wooden box containing several bone fragments had been placed inside the pyramid. The bones belonged to the deceased, but could just as well have been the bones of a chicken.

At 4 PM several colleagues of the victim arrived to pay their respects. The ‘tyrant’ stood there like a shy schoolboy, his cap in his hands, as a witness to the ceremony. After he had exchanged some pleasantries with the visitors, he approached us and with a touching voice told us in Malay that the gentlemen thanked us very much. The comedian!

When the 5 men on duty returned to their quarters at 5 PM, nothing was left to see at the site of the accident except the monument and the disappearance of several coconut trees.

And so this memorable day has come to an end and there is one less enemy pilot. The sea of flames, the explosions of the grenades and the ammunition, and the hubbub surrounding it all, made an indescribable impression. Some of us were working in the garden when it happened, so they were even closer that we. At that time we were busy redesigning our mattresses, because we had heard that we would be moved to Pare-Pare and mattresses that could not be folded had to stay behind. Several of us saw the plane come down.

Booy: 11/1/43. The ovens were finished on time and we started baking the cakes.

11/2. This morning at about 9 AM a Japanese fighter crashed into our camp and came down only about 10 meters from our room. He first hit a tree outside the camp and continued into the camp and hit a coconut tree, where he lost the wings. He continued on an passed several trees then came to a halt when he hit a large tree and the plane immediately burst into flames. The gas tanks flew into the air, as did the munitions on board. Everybody in the camp came rushing in with shovels and water buckets. After the explosions stopped the fire was put out, and the pilot was removed from the cockpit. He was dead before he hit the ground. It happened two hours ago, and everything has been cleared from the accident site. The sand of the place where the plane came down has been sifted to retrieve pieces of aluminum. We were lucky; if he had come down a bit further he would have hit the barracks and everything would then have gone up in flames. He came down on the only open spot in the camp. May he rest in peace.

Everything was cleaned up by late afternoon. A small monument was put on the spot where he came down, and flowers were put down. Our captain also saw to it that a wreath was placed there. The people who returned home from the city could not believe that all that happened today, and that the only thing that was visible from the accident was the monument.

11/4. Yesterday nothing special happened, there were no festivities. The food for us was very good: breakfast as usual, porridge with half a spoon of sugar and a bit of salted fish, lunch with good vegetable stew and a piece of roasted chicken, our dinner was nasi goreng (fried rice). We worked as usual.

We will all get a bank account with a checkbook. Once in a fortnight we get paid 50 cents, the rest goes to the bank in the name of the Sutadjo. Boy oh boy, we are rich, with that kind of bank account!

11/6. The guards left 3 days ago and have been replaced by a much calmer bunch. These men don’t bother anyone. They seem to have come from Kendari, and speak almost no Malay.

11/8. We all expected another bombing raid during these last nights, but our friends mined the harbor. They came in at a very low altitude, we could hear the flapping of the parachutes. However, the minesweepers removed them all. This removing procedure causes tremors about twice a week.

On the 2^nd of this month 4 young men were caught while sneaking into a Japanese storage place and filling up their bags with merchandise. An officer nabbed them and, after having been punished on the spot, they received 25 lashes in the camp. After a week without mosquito netting and very little food, they were hauled out of their jail and were lectured by the camp commandant. An interpreter translated this. They were compared to cats and dogs, and if they did it again they would be beheaded. They received another 10 lashes in front of us. One of them fainted after the third one, but he was revived with buckets of water. Then they were locked up again.

11/12. Our 50 cents per 2 weeks was repealed. I believe this to be some kind of punishment. When we sign for being paid for our work we put a thumbprint down instead. For some time now, we are aware of another camp being built about 1 kilometer away. The ‘Pietersen’ told us that it would be our future camp. However, presently it is supposed to house 3,000 natives who are to work in a cotton factory. The Japs have started a cotton plantation on this island.

11/17. This morning 5 Yanks were brought in; after they were interrogated they were locked up. An officer, who was allowed to exchange a few words, was told the following: on the 24th of October Kendari they were shot down in their B 24. There was an 11-men crew, one man remained hospitalized in Kendari, nothing was mentioned about the other 5. They belonged to the 38^th Bomber Squadron. They would not reveal anything else, but said that the war was going well, another 2 or 3 years more. The thought alone to live like this for another 2 or 3 years is almost too much!

11/19. The Japs claimed that they landed on Bougainville. While we wait for the Allies to land, it is the Japs who do it. We wonder if it is true. The Yanks were hauled off early in the morning. On the 17^th, after roll call, a memorial service was held in honor of the American Gilbert, who died exactly a year ago while serving the Japs. A short while before that, one of the civilian leaders, Mr. Konig van de Capelle, was beaten up by Yosh because he did not execute an about turn smart enough a la Japanese. Things still are not very cozy, there will always be beatings.

11/22. A new word has been added to our camp terminology. Jasmi means “at ease”, but instead of rest we now must cut the grass, so Jasmi has become “grassme”.

This afternoon a young man received a beastly beating after he returned from work because he had smiled at a lady. No laughing is allowed on the outside, because it might mean that you are making signals to make contact. Life is becoming more difficult; we now have to inform the Japs how many rings and watches we own.

11/23. Last year we had a Jap celebration on this day, today everything goes on as usual. We are busy making wooden foot wear for the camp, the official POW sandals.

Tommie caught 3 rats yesterday and 7 this morning. Tommie is a dog in the camp that belongs to captain Dieudonne, our commandant. He catches the rats behind our room. The bad thing is that he is now beginning to kill cats, he also killed a cat this morning. There are plenty of rats underneath the woodpiles. The pigs and horses attract them; there is always enough food for them there. There are an awful lot of cats in the camp. A lot of wild cats are at our work place. A short while ago one of these cats give birth to 3 kittens in a bucket which was in a storage building. We prepared a wooden crate for her and placed it out of the rain. However, the mother keeps moving the kittens, and I keep moving them back to the crate. Right now only one is left, one is missing, and a rat probably ate the other. All I could found was the tail and the head. This was not a very nice scene.

11/30. This is a period for rumors again; the war is almost over, just like in Europe. There will be an end to all this and we will be grateful for everything we will receive after the war. I am resolved to maintain this attitude, but it remains to be seen whether this period of our life will have really changed us into being more honorable human beings. I doubt it! It is our nature to be egoistic and egocentric.

KAMPILI/Chabot: 12/12/43. I cannot believe anymore that there are places on this earth where people live a normal life, they can eat whatever they like, they own a radio and know what is going on in the world.

Yesterday, with a full moon, we heard an American or Australian, fly right over our barrack. He flew around for 2 ½ hours before selecting a target to drop his bombs. The alarm did not sound, so we did not have to go into a wet gutter. Several of us went outside to look; such moonlit nights are unforgettable.

Yesterday at 2 PM all the buildings, that had not been rebuilt yet, collapsed when a gust of wind came down. The marketing stand and the dining halls were downed. It takes a while for bamboo to collapse, so people had plenty of time to clear those areas that were going down.

The marketing stand held 2 months of provisions: about 30 tons of sugar, salt, onions, wood, etc. In spite of the rain efforts were made to move the provisions elsewhere. Everybody helped. It was a spontaneous effort shared by many to save whatever needed to be saved. We don’t think that wet onions will last very long, and the rice will be moldy in a month. This is bad, because the food already is of inferior quality. A minimum of meat, half-rotten salted fish, and a little bit of vegetables. That day a flood washed out a bridge between here and Makassar, therefore it was possible to buy 40 bundles of a green vegetable for 1,700 people on the local village market. For the last 3 weeks we haven’t had any sugar with our musty morning porridge. I was not the only one who came down with one of the camp sicknesses: a swollen tongue with sores, and large red spot on my legs. This was a real nuisance.

The monsoons continued much earlier than was anticipated. Our barracks are not leaking yet. As long as the winds won’t pick up, we’ll have a roof over our heads.

A bright point during this dark time was the St. Nicholas celebration on the 6^th of December. I was put in charge, and it took 4 weeks to prepare presents for 828 kids, aged from 0 to 16. A stiff white cotton fabric that was left over from the thousands of sets of underwear the sewing room made for the Japs replaced paper. We made notebooks, coloring books, children’s books, and embroidery books, peg games, etc. Bamboo was used to make doll cradles, cars, boats, doll furniture, benches, etc. An exposition was held on the 5^th of December to show all that was made; and it is a pity that no record could be kept of the ingenious ways the materials at hand were used to make such a variety of items. We outdid ourselves.

The new reverend/butcher who arrived from Pare-Pare was St. Nicholas. With the celebration being in full swing in the church barrack, with about 1,000 people present, we heard bombs fall a few kilometers away. Everybody stayed calm, the air force crews and we were busy doing what needed to be done during the war.

Stolk: I believe that my compulsion to save everything stems from this time. My family and friends laugh at me for saving everything ‘because I may be able to use it at a later time’. (Me too. OY). The odd thing is that I can use some of the stuff to mend something or repair it. Even in this throw away society. And I like doing it too.

We will now read about what our choir leader wrote about the choir’s show at Christmas and Easter.

Gretchen van Veen: I will relate to you how much music affected others and me in our camp. There were three European men in our camp: a reverend, a father, and a bacteriologist. All three carried out two functions in our camp.

It started when the reverend asked me if I could put a choir together for the Sunday services. I did not own a music book, but someone told me that she owned a choir book. We started out small, but soon others wanted to join, including several nuns, and pretty soon there were 60 people in the choir.

The different voice ranges from the book needed to be transferred, and that became my job, since it didn’t take me long to do it. The other women had to do their specific chores and take care of their kids, which left me to bear the sole responsibility to write the music. One of the problems I had was the shortage of paper. I wrote the music on the oddest rags. The nuns lent us a small organ for accompaniment.

We had specific practice times in the evenings, and everyone brought her own oil lamp. It was a wonderful sight to see these thin and tired women together, using strange illumination. They would become more enthused as they sang along . I stood on a soapbox and watched them unwind; all the cares of the day seemed to fall off their shoulders. We did not want to miss any of these practice sessions; these were the highlights of our existence. After the rehearsals we would exit the barrack and divide into small groups, chatting with each other while sitting on the grass. Those were happy moments. Under a starry sky someone would roll a cigarette for me and then we talked softly about what had been and what still was to be; even although the future still was a closed book for us. We always talked about the future; we were convinced that there would be a future that we could shoulder with our men next to us. It simply did not occur to us that things could turn out different. Our hopes were built on our optimism, we would be more optimistic than usual, especially after our rehearsals and often a laugh would break the quiet of the evening. When I realized the psychological uplift these women experienced by being part of the choir, I did my utmost to keep the group together. When the war dragged on and the women grew more tired they wanted to stop practicing, because they would be too worn out from the daily heavy work load to sing in the evenings. I was always successful in persuading those that wanted to quit to stay until the war ended and they could sing when we were freed.

We had planned something different for Christmas and Easter, while the stars were still in the sky, we would sing at dawn at different points in the camp. It was quite an event for us who sang, and for those who listened.

One day we had just finished our Christmas chorales when our leader came in during our afternoon rest period and told us that the commandant was unhappy that we had neglected him. I had not given it a thought. To avoid any problems we agreed to assemble in front of his quarters at 5 PM and repeated our chorales.

We arrived on the dot, the commandant appeared immaculate in a white uniform, cap, and his saber. He had someone bring a chair and when he was seated he gave a sign that we could start. You can imagine what we felt when we sang “Peace on Earth”, and “When shalt Thou free your people”. A much deeper meaning was given to these choir pieces when they were sung in times of need. When the performance was over I was told that the commandant wanted to see me. When I entered his office he stood facing the window and hands clasped behind him. I let him know of my presence, but he didn’t react. When I asked him if he liked our singing he turned around and growled “yes”, I saw tears in his eyes.

For a moment we stood there looking at each other, a bit scared, then he said that a pot of coffee was being brewed for us, and we would get extra sugar and a pack of cigarettes. It was our celebration, but my biggest joy was knowing that I had touched the heart of this Asian.

Chabot: On the eve of the 24^th of December, Christmas eve, several barracks celebrated Christmas together. It usually depends on different individuals to plan something like this. In barrack no. 8, the foreigner’s barrack the young American barracks leader Mrs. Deibler, told us of her fortune and her faith. This was all the more impressive since she was told by the reverend from Pare-Pare that her husband, a flying missionary, had died 3 months ago. Later on a night service was conducted for the Catholics with an improvised altar and a manger in the almost finished dining hall. Many non-Catholics were present. It was odd that a relatively large part of the people here and in Pare-Pare turned to some kind of faith. When dawn broke we heard several groups sing Christmas songs, a pleasant wake-up call.

Stolk: These events made such an impression that I remember them vividly, even today. We had our little nook in the front of barrack no. 3; the nuns lived in barrack no.1. At dawn on the 1^st Christmas day we heard seemingly heaven sent singing. These were the nuns singing: “In Exelsis Deo”. It was indeed, as Mrs. Chabot put it, a pleasant wake-up call.

Chabot: Later that morning there was a Protestant service, and in the afternoon the Catholics and Protestant parents came together to celebrate the event with their children. The Father started with a prayer, and the reverend told the Chistmas story, etc. Maybe the children felt a unity, but as adults we sensed the feelings of rivalry on both sides.

In the evening the 6 of us celebrated Christmas as usual. One of us cited several poems by the Christmas tree, a green branch covered with cotton balls, and we ate some goodies. On the 2^nd day of Christmas we watched a staged Christmas show. Mrs. Van Goor produced it; she has a knack for such things. A large choir of nuns sang Latin melodies accompanied by a small organ. This celebration stood out in our minds for a long time to come.

The New Year was celebrated with a performance in the large church barrack of a Dutch version of Punch and Judy, Thomasvaer and Pieternel, also produced by Mrs. Van Goor. A small choir sang Russian melodies that were taught by a Russian lady.

In the evening we celebrated the Old and New Year after the church service in our barracks. One of the women in our shed is a reverend, and she gave a religious service when the years changed over from 1943 to 1944.

MAKASSAR/Welleman: Toward the end of 1943 the alarms sounded often in the evening and during the night. We would hurry to the trenches that had been covered with mats of split bamboo after the first air raid. Those bombardments, about 8 or 10 so far, were no fun. One never knew if a bomb could be accidentally dropped inside our camp. It almost happened on time. The bombs fell close to the perimeter of the camp and shrapnel rained on us. Several of us were slightly wounded. The ever exploding mines in front of the harbor are also unnerving experiences. You would hear a loud rumble and the buildings would shake. All these things made our days monotonous and dreary, and one day was like the one before. The food had really worsened, but I was glad that I enjoyed good health, until the beginning of December ’43 when my health started to deteriorate. I had no appetite and finally stayed in bed for six days. During that time I didn’t eat. Nobody knew what ailed me. When I started to feel better I went into the hospital to gain my strength back, hospital food was much better. However, the environment there was dirty, cheerless, and not hygienic, so that I returned to my quarters still far from well.

Living next to the gate of our camp became hell for us. Almost all day long the Japs would rage, clamor and beat up on someone. The pervading atmosphere became unpleasant and nerve-wracking. The men who I saw the most of were Courtois, Van den Broek, Ohlenroth, and Hoogeveen. The five us had formed a kind of dinner club, and we helped each other with all kinds of things. We all formed different groups outside our regular crews. We will never know how rumors got started in our camp, but one thing is sure, some of them turned out to be true later on. Thus we heard that we, the civilians, would be taken to Pare-Pare in the near future. There already was a large contingent of civilians there from Celebes and other parts of the East, they had been there for some time.

Very often a rumor would start in the kitchen, where a ‘kitchen Jap’ would let go of a certain news item. And sometimes they would start with ‘radio gajung’, (a gajung is a receptacle that is used to dip water out of a water basin in a bathroom area. The water is then poured over the individual taking a bath. OY) when the crews took a bath after they returned from work, and would start fantasizing in the bathrooms.

We would not be able to take more than 2 pieces of luggage with us, and large mattresses would be left behind. It is possible that this was a ploy of the Bully to get rid of us. He can’t stand the sight of us, and this would be a way to gain possession of good mattresses. The Bully could then to give them away at a later date to someone else who would need one if it would please him to do so. There were quite a few in need of a good mattress in this camp.

We experienced something similar when he ordered everybody to turn in all their shoes except one pair. Secretly we gave our shoes to our military friends so that the Japs could not benefit. We had hardly given our shoes away when the order was rescinded and we felt that we were cheated out of our shoes.

It wouldn’t happen again with our mattresses and, although we had no way of knowing whether these rumors were true, almost all of us started to reduce our cherished mattresses to a thinner, narrower piece of bedding. It literally became an industry and kapok was seen flying everywhere.

The Bully was aware of what we were doing. He would bike around our buildings and watch us with his slanted, half-shut eyes, but he said nothing.

Without knowing what really would happen, our mattresses had become markedly smaller even so. Still, something hung in the air, and the fact that the Bully wanted to buy our watches could be an indicator that an eventual departure from this camp was imminent. Yoshida would like to pluck us of everything worthwhile before we left. He had his greedy eyes on an expensive watch of Courtois, but Courtois wouldn’t part with it, so the Bully missed the boat. He didn’t dare to openly confiscate it; he probably had his instructions from higher up. But the Bully wouldn’t be the Bully if he could not have his way. Several days later, after roll call, no one could return to his quarters right away. The first ones allowed to go were the English, then the Americans followed by the Dutch POWs. When it was our turn he asked us who had given us permission to redo our mattresses. The answer was: “Nobody. ” “Well,” he said, “what made you do it?” Our block commandant said: “Because we thought that we would go to Pare-Pare.” That did it. He raged and roared, and ordered us to stay where we were for the rest of the evening, and the following morning our mattresses had to be turned in. That was it!

I will not expand this kind of abuse, it is enough to mention that we stood there for hours on end, being attacked by thousands of mosquitoes, and if we dared to move we would be hit with a rifle butt.

The next morning we gathered up our mattresses and put them in front of Captain Dieudonne’s quarters, our military camp commandant. In the afternoon Courtois was summoned to the Bully’s office. He returned telling us that he had lost his watch. During this meeting the Bully was almost friendly. Courtois indicated that he didn’t want to let go of his watch because it was a memento of his father. “Oh,” Yoshida replied,” just like Japan.” In the end Courtois was forced to make a deal if he did not want to be subjected to more abuse. He received a bit of money and a suitcase. He didn’t have his suitcase yet, but it would be delivered in several days. One hour later our mattresses were returned. Several days later Courtois picked up his suitcase which had been delivered to the commandant’s quarters. But Jan Courtois returned to ask for help, the suitcase was a crate that would hold less than a cubic meter. There was nothing that could be done, we could use it to sit on, for the time being.

All of a sudden we were ordered to pack, I think that the date was the 28^th of December. We fell in with all our belongings in front of our quarters where the Bully and 3 or 4 more Japs were waiting for us. They inspected all the suitcases, crates, packages, and bags. All the papers that were not put away properly were removed, and they continued to remove anything they took a liking to. They put everything in their own pockets; their actions were worthy of a bunch of pickpockets. Most of us didn’t realize that anything was missing until we had arrived in Pare-Pare and we had started to unpack our belongings. The missing articles were removed right under our noses.

All our belongings were placed on the first truck and everyone, about 80 men, made a run for it. They wanted to make sure that their stuff would get on that truck. When the Japs saw that it was going to be a mess, because nothing was being loaded properly, the Bully ordered everything to be unloaded. The Japs themselves would place the luggage on the truck. First the heavy pieces, and then the rest. Coomans de Ruyter who had filled a brand new bucket with odds and ends wanted to be the first one to place it on the truck. The Japs yelled: “No, the suitcases go first”. “We’ll wait,” Coomans thought. In the meantime Courtois and Van den Broek struggled to get a large crate on the truck. Yoshida, while standing on top of another truck, did not seem to notice. However, his boss, the camp commandant, who hated Yoshida and knew nothing about the story behind the crate, kicked the crate, and Courtois and Van den Broek who could not hold on to it dropped the crate on the ground. The lid came of and the contents were all over the place. Van den Broek managed to get hit several times; the whole incident did not present a pretty picture. Coomans de Ruyter still had not managed to get his bucket on the truck, but at his third attempt Yoshida, grinning from ear to ear and showing his gold teeth, took the bucket. “Thank heavens, that is taken care of.” Coomans said, and took off to handle the rest of his luggage. But the Bully, with an unbelievably graceful gesture, threw the bucket with all its contents into a nearby flower bed, about 20 meters away. Cooman’s facial expression, at that moment, was indescribable. All books and papers, except bibles, were taken away. We were allowed to keep passports and bank reports. Whatever books I owned were gone, including a beautiful atlas and remarks I had written down about books I had read, as well as the notes I had taken during an ethnological course that was taught by Jan van Baal.

After a lot of noise, raging, and getting hit with sticks, we were on our way. This whole episode took several hours. We went through the gate, on to an unknown destination. But we were happy like children that we left this hell behind. About 20 of us stayed behind, but they would soon follow us. Almost all of the officers had left already, their presumed destination was Java. Officers belonging to the medical staff stayed in Makassar.

Booy: 12/3/43. Well, we have started the last month of the year. It continues to rain. We could buy 6 rolls of tobacco each. For a year we had asked to buy tobacco in quantity, so that smuggling would be unnecessary. Today a cart delivered parts for bowls. Rejects of carpentry. We will make containers for rice. Presently the rice is carried in our home made baskets, but those are difficult to clean, and a lot of rice is lost.

We finished two samurai swords; these are designed so that they can be used with both hands. We used the beautiful steel springs out of cars to make the swords. We manufacture a lot of odds and ends like sewing needles, delicate knives, lancets, and other instruments for the ophthalmologist. Also surgery needles for Dr. Smits. These are finished under a magnifying glass. Then we also make keys for suitcases and pouches. It has become an industry, and Yosh leaves us alone when we work, which is a good thing.

12/5. It is Sunday again, but no rest. The 8^th will be a holiday. Brown sugar has been delivered. A lot of rumors are making the rounds. It seems that the Japs look with awe at the might of the Allied Forces that are being assembled in the Pacific.

The gray kitten, which was the only one left out of the nest, has a home in our room. He is already used to his new surroundings. It is a tomcat.

My roommate Smith was dismissed from the hospital yesterday. He had an appendectomy.

12/8. It is two years ago that the Japanese started this period of disgrace against the Westerners. Last year it was celebrated, we now have a holiday, but nothing special was planned.

It has been a long time since I was in Makassar, I had to drive Yosh around. It looks very quiet.

12/11. We rebuilt the spa for the guard, it was hard work for a while, but now it is finished. This bath is located next to the outbuildings of the Sutadjo’s house. About 20 meters of fencing blew down. It rains and blows without letup.

Last night we spent in the trenches for the first time in 2 months. We kept on hearing the sound of airplane engines over the sea; they were probably dropping mines. After 4 hours they came over Makassar and dropped a few loads of incendiary bombs and other kinds of bombs. We had rain in the beginning of the evening but it cleared up later. We could clearly see the outline of 4-engine bombers. They received a lot of flak.

12/12. Members of the crews working in Makassar told us that there was a lot of damage in town. Five large warehouses with costly contents were totally burned down. The crews were loaded down with all kinds of goodies that were given to them. Something else should be mentioned: the Jap camp commandant gave a farewell speech in which he mentioned that we always worked well, and never caused any trouble. Several months ago he compared us to dogs and cats and that we did a poor job and that we would receive heavy punishments. Now we are the good boys!

12/13. This morning the new Sutadjo introduced himself, his first name is Mori, I don’t remember the rest of his name. He makes a quiet impression, and I believe that he will improve conditions in this camp.

Wonderful rumors are floating around the camp: Russian tank divisions broke through the lines at the Polish-German border, the Allies entered Southern France via the Alps. And the Japs declared that Celebes may be attacked any day now.

Last week the first horse was slaughtered, and we had horse steaks for dinner, the sauce and the meat didn’t taste bad at all. There are 4 horses for riding and 7 are pack animals. I wish they’d start on the porkers, there are more than 100 of them.

Yosh went into town to pick up a load of damaged goods from the burned out warehouses. He took 10 men and a truck. There was a large amount of wet cigarette paper that we hung out to dry. We often had asked for cigarette paper. We also got whetstones and painting supplies. There also was a large amount of boxed medication that the crew was ordered to take with them.

12/16. We spent most of the night in the trenches. the allies made only one bombing run.

12/18. Today we each received 7 rolls of tobacco; that will hold us over for ten days.

12/21. We are going to build a concrete wall around the small monument of the Jap flier.

A list is being made of those with an exemplary record for the last year and a half. The different outside crews and their bosses are eligible to be nominated. There are a few from the kitchen crew and 9 from mine. They are my room mate Sergeant Major Brouwers, who always takes care of the masonry work, Navy adjutant Moller, the metal worker, Dolf Droste, an apprentice airplane mechanic, and our English smith Mr. Lambert, better known as ‘Blacky’. Among the carpenters Sergeant carpenter Methorst from the Navy, a Scottish wood carver Jock Morrison, and a South African Harry Tait, also known as ‘springbok’. And of course there is me.

12/24. Rumor has it that pamphlets were dropped during one of the last raids. They proclaimed that the war in Europe will end soon, all isles East of the Philippines are in the hands of the Allies, and Makassar will go up in flames.

Two pigs were slaughtered for our Christmas dinner. This meat was added to our regular rations.

We made 5 wreaths, 1 for the monument in front of our room, 1 was placed down in our name for the monument of war which we built some time ago, and the second one was put down in name of the Japs. Then 2 more wreaths were put down at the Jap war monument in Makassar.

12/25. This day has passed. The food was unusually good; everybody had enough to eat. Everybody fell in at 8 AM and Christmas presents were passed around. They were 2 bars of soap from Yoshida, and 1 uniform, that consisted out of a pair of pants and a T-shirt. At 10 AM we had to fall in for a sadder event, we paid our last respects to sailor Zegers who had died of cancer.

The commanders of the 4th division each received a cake with their evening meals that was made for them in our name. The kitchen crew presented them. I received one too for the services I had provided for the kitchen. It was much appreciated; the seven of us had a large piece with a cup of coffee.

It was supposed to have been a holiday but two ships came in and 200 men had to report for duty. Tomorrow is Sunday, but everyone will work.

12/27. A persistent rumor claims that a 10,000-ton Jap cruiser went down by Pare-Pare, about 150 kilometers from here. This was supposed to have happened the day after the Allies visited us.

12/28. This morning all civilians, except 25, were taken to Pare-Pare. It was a very busy scene, books and papers were removed; the same scene we witnessed when the officers left. Those that stayed work for the minseibu group, the Japanese civilians. They are the translators together with 30 military men.

I just heard that, on the first day of Christmas, the monument for the Dutch had been covered with flowers by the native people.

The front in Europe runs from Konigsberger in East Prussia to Lemberg, and from there to Odessa. English troops are nearing Grenoble. A few months more and uncle Adolph is done for.

Finally, we can buy a few things. About 2 or 3 T-shirts, 1 bar of shaving soap for those who want it, and one handkerchief per person. Prices are reasonable. Everything is outrageously expensive in Makassar, a good pair of shoes sells for 20 guilders or more. A year ago the POWs bought clothing from the natives, it is the other way around now.

12/31. Well, 1943 is at an end, and we are in much better shape than we were a year ago. My hopes are up, and I guess that we’ll see an end to all of this on the 14^th of September 1944.

CAMPSONG PARE-PARE. Composed by Mr. J.L. Been.

When Father Jansen rings the bell at 7 to begin a new day,

Get out of bed with your good leg and start life with a laugh.

And if the rice is not done, don’t complain, but sing………..

Refrain: Don’t let the cares get to you, keep your hopes up in spite of the misery,

Really, things will get better, they really will,

This will last for just a little while, and freedom will be here.

What good will it do to complain and have a bad mood?

Have patience, we will come through.

Complaining will not make the time grow shorter

Don’t mourn, one growl and it is over.

A Dutch proverb states: “Bite through the sour apple”.

We’ll do that, and we will come through

Uncle Sam won’t leave us here.

Even although it doesn’t happen overnight

Freedom will return!……….. December 1943.

Olly van Driest - Young: This song was interpreted in such manner by me that its meaning would not be lost.

1944

KAMPILI/Chabot: Christmas and New Year are history. In contrast to Malino, Kampili is like one big family, this became very clear during the holidays. On the 2^nd of January ’44 the students of the English language assembled under the tutelage of an English lady from Singapore. She was always willing to teach us her language. However, this time it came to a bad end. One of the students gave her political views of the events of the last year. The commandant had been listening outside and asked for the written review. Thank goodness, he did not send it to Makassar, yet. But all assemblies, including choir practice were forbidden, and we have to be in our quarters by 9 PM, instead of 10 PM. We lost the English language lessons and the Saturday lectures, a big loss for all of us. Some don’t care for these assemblies any way, because they remind them too much of days gone by before the war. They would rather spend the time working to make time go faster. Most of us have reacted to our internment differently; some of us will probably start our impending freedom with a less rigid view.

The order of the day is: learn Japanese. Our leaders must learn how to give orders in Japanese, and go on from there. Each week we’ll learn a new set of new words. This rule would not end soon. But it is better not to think about it.

We did not get any further than the 1^st lesson of 4 words: ‘attention’, ‘salute’, ‘stay at attention’, and ‘dismissed’.

When a group of Jap officers visited the kitchen, the head of the kitchen crew roared: “Kiotske!” (attention), the officers jumped at attention except the kitchen crew.

Stolk: Properly spelled the words were: Kiwotsuke, it sounded like kiotske, Keirei (bow), which sounded like kayray, Naore, (stay at attention), which sounded like naore, and Yasume (sounded like yasmi), and meant at ease, Wakare (sounded like wakaray) and meant dismissed. I don’t know if the spelling is correct; I read this somewhere.

Seth Paul: It was not until the 12^th of January that the Allies visited Makassar. No bombs fell this time, but torches. It seemed that the Allies ran out of planes. There was hardly any kind of activity in the air.

It was the monsoon season, which meant that my two pairs of pants did not dry after washing. Before going to bed I would put a damp pair of pants between the mat and the bed frame, in the morning the pants would be almost dry.

Going to work at the pigsties, I would wear the wettest pants. Coming home through the rain, I would put on a dry pair of pants and put the damp pair under the mat again. This was a ritual that almost everybody had adopted. The only good thing about the monsoons was that the wells would get so full that you could almost scoop up the water with your hands. On the other side, no one escaped athlete’s foot, which was caused by a Candida or a yeast infection between the toes.

PARE- PARE/ Welleman: The trip to Pare went fine, and we stared at what was waiting for us in this “protected camp”. A large group of men with long hair and long beards surrounded the truck when he came to a halt on a square. It was a lively event; we shook hands with old acquaintances, the whole episode reminded us of freedom fighters. In Makassar we were not allowed to let our hair and beards grow, so we all looked bald next to these men. The mood in Pare was a much happier one compared to what we felt in Makassar. Discipline was more relaxed, probably because there were civilian Japs overseeing this camp. We were housed in the former guard’s quarters for the town. Each one of us had a space measuring 2 meters by 85 centimeters, the bunk beds were made of wooden pallets. The rebuilt rooms held 50 men each, very unpleasant surroundings. We lost on that score, but everything else was an improvement, especially the food. We met a set of new colleagues from Ambon, so there was a lot to talk about. Gone were the daily trumpet reveille calls and the Japanese orders. We even had to learn how to exercise in Japanese, but here in Pare-Pare it is still done in Dutch.

There was a large vegetable garden, corrals for pigs and water buffaloes, and a large work shed where everything was being manufactured. There was a pottery, a place for carpentry, a smithy, a footwear manufacturing site, etc. All in all, this was a place where miracles were created. Eventually the making of tobacco pipes also was included. There was also a shop where certain items were plentiful like tobacco, bananas, eggs, and brown sugar.

There were 7 complexes including ours. The reverend Bikker was the camp commandant, and our block commandant was assistant commissioner Israels. The retired assistant commissioner Bulow, a typical hold over from the old guard, who ruled with an iron hand, did not regain the position he held in Makassar. He arrived somewhat later, and probably deeply resented the fact that he was one of us now. He started his career as a Prussian officer, he loved to order everyone around, because it was in his blood.

The inhabitants of the camp were divided in different crews. I had joined an outside crew, but had to give it up since I was not entirely cured of my illness. On the 2^nd of January I was hospitalized because of amebic dysentery.

I had celebrated the New Year, although I still didn’t feel too good. We ate Dutch delicacies and drank coffee while listening to the camp band. To our amazement these men made their own musical instruments. It was a pity that the rain leaked through the roof and spoiled the event somewhat.

On New Year’s eve we heard the revival of the Christmas oratorio sung by the choir. I must admit that I was deeply touched after having been totally weaned of the fine arts for 2 years. The choir was magnificent. There was no music in Makassar, and no singing. The high points were a few boxing matches between the POWs, which were exciting enough.

MAKASSAR/Booy: 1/1/44. The first day of the year is gone. We had a holiday with good meals. According to Yosh we should have 3 holidays, but it is being said that we will have to go back to work tomorrow. The ‘Pietersen’ don’t celebrate the way they did last year. Six seaplanes gave a demonstration that was very good.

Jan. 4. Rumor has it that 22 airplanes were seen over Celebes yesterday. On New Year’s day we heard that the Yanks had landed on the Philippines with 400,000 men. We just discovered that this isn’t true. It is fantastic how many stories are being told.

We get 15 packs of cigarettes per man at 5 cents a pack. They’re a bit moldy, but you can smoke them. We don’t have to pay for the distributed cigarettes any more, but we put 2 ½ cents in a common pot. So now and then money is taken out to pay for sugar and salt. The officers are obliged to pay 5 cents a pack, this came to a total of 500 guilders, which is deposited in the common camp fund.

1/10. It seems that there were several failed attempts in Europe to form a 2^nd front in the West. They do admit that the Russians are in Poland. Rumors about 7 landings in the Philippines persist. It is said that the Sutadjo himself revealed this.

Plans are made to build air shelters above ground since the present ones are filled with rainwater. The last few days it rained cats and dogs.

During the last 3 days 9 cargo ships entered the harbor, 10 fighters escorted them, then they left again today.

1/11. Today we paid our last respects to an Englishman, W. Tink. Up to 14 days ago he was one of my steady basket weavers. He always looked bad. This is the 26^th Englishman to die. They all look bad and undernourished.

1/12. Today the 27^th Englishman died, Granwal. He had dysentery and malaria. Presently a lot of dysentery is going around, and there is no medication. Even Epsom salt is not available any more.

1/13. Last night we spent about 6 hours in the trenches with a couple of breaks in between. Two Jap night fighters were in the air, one of them made a crash landing upon his return, and landed in the soup. The Yanks came over several times, but dropped their bombs about 20 kilometers from here. All this happened 2 nights after the full moon, and exactly 4 weeks since their last visit. They should land some time, we’ve been locked up long enough.

1/15. Early this morning the last 25 civilians were taken to Pare-Pare. There are no more civilians here. One of them, Mr. Van der Plas, didn’t understand Yoshida and walked away. Yoshida became so angry that he administered 30 lashes, and he kicked him and hit him in the face until the victim fell to the ground. Yesterday Yosh hit the man who arranges the crew schedules, Sgt. Sprangers, in the face without cause. Our camp commandant jumped in to defend the sergeant and got into a real rhubarb with Yosh. He hit the captain in the face and mopped the floor with him. The captain was not afraid and told him what he thought of him, and that he would report him. Yosh became angrier, but walked away. I just happened to meet him, and he started to tear into me. This morning he showed his wrath again.

1/17. All officers and doctors have been moved, again. They want all the iron that form the corners of the fence, which leaves only one fence, while there should be at least 2. Our little cabin also was in danger of being removed but, for the time being, we can stay. All the guards have been replaced, and many rumors are flying around. I packed my crate again.

Today we were told that we are going to move to a new camp that is about a 15 minute walk from here. The bamboo buildings are ready, but drains, water, and lights are nowhere to be seen. The move to the new camp, including the front of our hospital, is designed to make contact with the outside world harder. They become more an more afraid. The Jap officers don’t show flags on their cars anymore. We heard a story that cars with flags are being shot at in the Philippines.

1/18. Today we are putting up new fencing. Part of the hospital has been moved, and this afternoon two wards will be emptied. One of these is the barrack that we added last year; it is being dismantled, and is probably going to be rebuilt in the new camp.

A transport plane went down near Sunguminassa three days ago, 3 crew members and 9 dignitaries died.

1/22. Rumors persistently proclaim that the war in Europe has come to an end. It comes from everywhere.

1/24. This morning we were given more salt. We usually have enough salt; the source of our salt deposit remains a secret.

Many bets are being made to see if the war in Europe has indeed ended. The bets are going up to 500 guilders. Payment is to be made after the war.

This evening a crew who had worked in the harbor had to fall in because 6 spoons were missing from a case. The thief came forward and was told by Yoshida that, if he needed anything, he could ask the captain for the item and he would see to it that Yosh would provide the needed item. Then they were dismissed. Something like this had never occurred before in our camp.

1/27. Two buildings have been dismantled and the wood is being sorted. Seven concrete floors, measuring 30 by 6 meters, must be broken up into 1 square meter pieces. These will be used to make the floors in the houses of the guards in the new camp.

1/30. Today I worked in the new camp with 16 carpenters and 40 Americans. We placed rails on a track from the campsite to the sea. Most of the camp must be elevated; it was a pleasant job.

1/31. I shall work in the new camp for the time being. Another 200 meters of railing must be put down, and some of the buildings must be altered.

KAMPILI/Chabot: 2/17/1944. Today we went through an inspection that had been expected for a long time. Rumor had it that the Red Cross would come. We spent 4 days clearing the surrounding terrain, washing the mosquito netting, cleaning our quarters, etc. Natives repaired broken doors and windows. We were told what to wear; we had to take a bath before putting on our uniforms. Our uniforms could be mended, but not torn. Make-up was not allowed, “kalau perlu sekali bisa pakai bedak sedikit”. (You can apply a little powder. TS).

Whoever did not have any chores to do, must be busy knitting or repair clothing, but sewing new clothing was not allowed.

The car arrived on the dot, exactly one hour later they left; they tore through the camp at break neck speed.

When the car exited the gate the commandant yelled: “Terima kassi.” (thank you) to the camp members and our receiving commission. The latter wore shoes. (How will I ever learn to wear shoes again). Yosh was very much relieved. He does not always respect his guests like this. Last week he had two boys, who were 14 years old, lead 5 Japs around. These boys worked as houseboys for him. He ordered them not to show the pig sties with 270 pigs. His cook, who was also an internee, had poured tea for the visitors, and was almost hit in the face for doing this, and she was fired on the spot.

More and more we notice that his remarks about his countrymen are derogatory. How much enmity exists between the different heads of the armed forces? A high-ranking officer spoke French with Mrs. Joustra. After that Jamadji asked her what language they spoke, did he speak it well, and did he observe Dutch customs. His antipathy showed up even more when two Japanese doctors spent months giving physicals to the 1,600 of us. One doctor specialized in checking blood samples, the other listened to our lungs, felt spleens, and all of our other organs. It was clear that these men knew what they were doing, but our commandant did not like them at all. Maybe he knew that they would write their opinions about our physical conditions. When they were finished he saw to it that their workroom was given another purpose as soon as possible. When he was asked what should be done with the paraphernalia that was left behind, like the scales, he said: “Buang sadja!” (throw it away.) The 5 Dutch nurses, who were appointed by Mrs. Joustra to help the doctors, were punished and they were to work in the pig sties, a job that was very unpopular because of the heavy work that was involved.

We are getting to be more independent. Trucks from Makassar arrive seldom anymore. Water buffaloes are being delivered by the natives, and slaughtered by the Father, the Reverend, and two ladies. Fortunately the doctor was shown mercy, and he is allowed to practice again.

It used to be that one buffalo had to last us for 2 or 3 days, but since a baby died last Sunday, we get one buffalo a day, and 3 portions of sugar a week instead of 2. It is a shame that something so sad had to happen before our situation was improved.

Stolk: Mrs. Joustra already described how the command post was used and what the office was for. The commandant had a regular staff that worked for him on a daily basis. One lady on the staff was “Bellemee”; she would ring the bell whenever it was necessary, including sounding the alarm. Mrs. Voskuil was the dispatcher who saw to it that new orders or items of importance were taken to the barrack leaders from the commandant. Mrs. Voskuil kept a diary, which was typed on 270 sheets of paper. Mrs. Voskuil’s brother gave those papers to Mrs. Joustra when Mrs. Voskuil died. Mrs. Joustra was going to write a book about the camp, but she gave me her notes and those of Mrs. Voskuil to me.

Voskuil: 2/29/44. “Slowie”, the second in command, left and was replaced by “ Bellefleur” also named “Appelwang” (cheeks like apples). Bellefleur is the name of a certain apple in Holland. OY.

MAKASSAR/Booy: 2/1/44. Well, the first month is past history. We had only one holiday, and that was the 1^st of January. Yesterday we didn’t get home until 7 PM; our work crew gets a large cup of coffee per person when we return in the evening. Today we had our lunch in the new camp. We helped ourselves to the coconuts in the trees.

2/2. After we put down 100 meters of railing today, we will need to dismantle the same amount tomorrow and put it down somewhere else.

KAMPILI/Voskuil: 3/1/1944. Treesje G. was summoned to the office to explain why she calls the no. 2 man Bellefleur. The commandant gruffly added: “He has a name, this nick name is ‘kurang adjar’, rude. Joustra explained that people in Holland with pink cheeks are called “Bellefleur”, and that no harm was intended. He didn’t believe it. Joustra reminded him, that he himself called a lady from Makale Mrs. Makale, and a lady with glasses Mrs. Kata Mata. Then Treesje is punished by being sent to the pigsties. Then he gets into a waiting truck and drives off to Makassar.

Stolk: In connection with the upcoming birthday of Mrs. Joustra, our camp leader, a meeting was held on the 3^rd of March to determine how this event was going to be celebrated.

Friday, the 3^rd of March 1944, t he meeting of the barracks leaders.

These were the ladies that were present: M.O. Arensburg, Wendt, Mol, Palland, Deckers, Lekkerkerker, Van Alphen, Deibler, Brune, Bakker, Nanning, Corten, Valderpoort, Bouman, Koop, Van Mastrigt, and Van Goor.

Together these ladies decided that a list of the day’s events should be posted in such a way, that each event would stand out on its own.

The celebration will begin with a morning ode sung by the children of barrack no. 6; These kids are barely out off diapers. They will form a choir, and the song’s most important attribute would be the strength of the voices, not the words or the melody. Next there will be a solemn proclamation that will be held in different corners of the barracks by the leader of barrack no. 6. The text is short and forceful: “Ladies, go inside. It’s time for roll call.” After this ceremony a cup of coffee will be served in rustic mugs and cups. Then the celebration is continued in the dining hall, where the birthday gal, surrounded by friends, will cast her discerning eyes on the many presents which have been made by individuals or groups of people.

At 8 AM the birthday person and everybody else will partake of an elaborate breakfast which exists of rice porridge with sugar, rice porridge with sugar, or rice porridge with sugar. For the connoisseurs there will be rice porridge without sugar, or water porridge. The members of the meeting realize that it is possible that some, who are not familiar with this kind of breakfast, would like to partake of sugar with rice porridge, but the market place guarantees that such orgies should not be an every day occurrence. At 8.30 AM the young of Kampili will assemble on the time honored cow meadow and they will be spurred on to further diligence by the elders. Then the procession will continue on to the church barrack where Mrs. Joustra will be honored with more song and sign language, and she will be given a commemoration gift from the departments of Industry, Art, and Domestic Arts.

After all this Mrs. Joustra will be given a short respite, which she can spend according to her own wishes in a pleasant and peaceful manner. Then she will need to be a referee in a dispute between excited and voluble ladies and look for several dozens of workers for the pigsty. She will then create another work arrangement to lessen the workload of each central or barrack worker, and she will thereby ignore the tasks of any other kind of worker.

At 11 PM the Grand Committee of barrack leaders will assemble to attend urgent business; the most important item to be handled is the emptying of a large size coffee pan.

While seated the committee will present Mrs. Joustra with a bamboo throne that represents the indestructible symbol of comfortable rest, the calm moderation, and the quiet peace in Kampili; all this distinguishes the life of Mrs. Joustra. The barrack leaders and heads of the different services will add a pillow to the throne, and in so doing they assure the camp leader that they will continue to strive to make her life as restful and peaceful as possible. There is a difference of opinion about how the presentation will be delivered. Some ladies, the emotional type, want to drape the throne with a cloth, or drop it while firing a pistol. Another possible idea was to present the throne on a silver platter, ignoring the fact that a platter of that size could not be found in Kampili, not even in the Mastrigt museum. The practical ladies won out by pleading that the best way to see how utile the throne was is to simply sit on it. Thus it was decided that Mrs. Joustra should take a seat without further ado.

Returning to the program, it was decided that a lunch at rustic bamboo tables would be in order. Putting the menu together would take some doing. Many ladies admitted to being addicted to hors d’oeuvres with caviar, venison roast, pheasant, trout, and other delicious dishes. Others opted for large beefsteaks, sausages buried in sauerkraut, pig’s feet in pea soup, cutlets and meat loaf. They continued with elaborate desserts such as baked Alaska, fruit ices, etc. Thank goodness, in the end, the most unique and original dish, which seemed to be the summit of culinary delight, was rice; this seemed to satisfy everybody.

All these decisions had tired out the assembly; they usually tackled items of greater importance, and they decided to retire in order to gather strength for the next agenda. The meeting was closed with the following decision: it will be the pleasure of the leaders of the camp to wish Mrs. Joustra a happy birthday in the name of all camp members. Circumstances forbid an exuberant celebration, but a simple observance to acknowledge Mrs. Joustra’s birthday was to wish her happiness, success, and great satisfaction while fulfilling her heavy task as our leader in Kampili.

The meeting is adjourned.

Van Breugel: I remember that Mrs. Joustra, the leader of our camp, received a real chair on her birthday. The boys and the men made it. It was a beautiful chair of bent bamboo, a work of art, with lovely pillows. It was unbelievable! She was also given a tea warmer, also a work of art. It resembled a bamboo barrack with a roof of palm leaves, and doors and windows embroidered exactly the way they looked. Something like this will never be seen again.

Voskuil: 3/6/1944. Jap no. 2 left at 12.30 PM. The commandant really didn’t want him to leave; it seemed that he liked him a lot. They embraced and looked into each other’s eyes. Jap no. 2 came into our office to say good bye. He spoke to us in Japanese with a smile on his face. The only word we understood was Makassar. Then he pointed to the floor and, while accentuating several sentences, we understood that he would return. The commandant tried to lessen his heartache by biking through the camp in his uniform.

We were curious who his replacement would be, but who do you think we saw getting out of the truck that evening? The same Jap that had left this morning and who bade to the commandant and us such a touching farewell. Bellemee was given some white material that needed to be made into a towel and a pillowcase for no. 2. She went to the sewing room, but the ladies refused to do it. Thinking that the items would be for Bellemee herself, they gave her thread and a needle. When the Jap saw that his request was denied he became angry. He was Nippon, he said, and he could beat someone if they didn’t want to help him. Bellemee was caught in the middle and asked me for advice. I ran to the sewing room with the fabric and explained the situation. I knew that you could not reason with an angry Jap. However, the threat of beating the head of the sewing room was rescinded after the sewing room sewed the pillow and the towel for No. 2’s use.

3/11/1944. The revocation of orders spoken in Dutch. There would be 2 inspections this month so all orders must be given in Japanese. The fun lasted for two days only.

3/13/1944. Jap no. 2 left again after having waited for the commandant for an hour. He filled the time playing with an unloaded rifle, but it soon bored him and he asked native police man, who just happened to pass by, if he could borrow his revolver. However, this piece also lacked bullets. When the commandant finally arrived he got a couple of cartridge cases and a metal container out of his room and gave these to Jap no. 2. Then Jap no. 2 said good bye again, this time it didn’t take so long, and he left for good.

In the evening a small, shy Jap arrived. When he accompanied the commandant on his rounds during roll call, the women could hardly suppress their amusement at seeing this little man. But he had his ways too. When he wanted you to do something for him, he would start out by saying that you’re pienter (smart). The best thing you can do is to deny it, otherwise he would show up regularly with something to do for you. When he told me that I was pienter, it turned out that he wanted me to embroider his name on 12 handkerchiefs. It took a great deal of convincing for him to finally abolish this idea. The no. 2 Japs may have different personalities, but they all have one thing in common: they all want to keep you extra busy for their convenience.

Stolk: From the accounts of Mrs. Voskuil it becomes clear that we are dealing with a commandant who is totally unpredictable and capricious. Following are some examples.

Voskuil:3/22/1944. During roll call the commandant told Joustra: “Everything must be cleaned up.” And to Bellemee: “Put 20 bottles of lemonade on ice.” This meant that dignitaries would come for a visit. Then he roared: “Who says there will be visitors, there aren’t going to be any.”

3/23/1944. Mrs. Joustra, Noor, and I sit in the office. There was a knock on the door and there was the commandant holding a tray of bananas in his hands. He says: “Share this.” We thank him and he leaves with a big grin on his face. I said: “He’s really a jewel.” “Well…. ” Joustra and Noor said in a doubting manner.

3/24/1944. The commandant enters the office and asks: “Who drew these plans?” Joustra called off the names. “And who can weave?” he asks. “Those two,” Joustra answered. “Who is smart?” he roared. “Those two also, Tuan.” The two in question are summoned, but the commandant starts cutting the grass with a pair of grass shears in his front yard. He is still busy cutting when the two ladies arrive. I tell him that the ladies are here, and he enters the Post by the back door. When he is told that they are waiting in the front he roars: “Let them wait!” And when we think that he will never come, he drives his car in front of the building and roars: “Get in!” They continue on to a village named Barombong where they watch the friendly villagers weave. The result of this visit is that a weaving crew is formed, at least yarns and looms are being ordered and a location for this newly formed department is chosen.

3/27/1944. The commandant asks for the letters that need to be sent to Makassar. We hurry to put everything in bundles and wrap a string around them. When Joustra brings him the mail and asks him if the items from the nursery school she has with her should be included, he says: “No, not those.”

3/28/1944. A truck arrives with bales of wet fabric. It is being announced that on Wednesday at 8.30 AM one person from each shed and three from Ambon must assemble under Mrs. Jans to dry out the fabric. The next day long strips of fabric cover the lawn in front of the Post and other open fields. The colors are chosen to resemble the Dutch flag, red, white, and blue, and orange, the color of the Royal house of the Netherlands. In front of the Post they form a V.

The following day several natives got a beating. They were taken to the commandant by one of the native policemen. It appears that they were thieves; they had made 2 shirts and a pair of pants out of a tablecloth, which they had on. But the real reason for the beatings was the bad humor of the commandant, which became apparent when he became enraged about a few innocent remarks by the Father. The remarks concerned the pump by the kitchen that didn’t work well. The Father said that he had followed the instructions of the commandant to the letter when he repaired it. several others had heard it, he added. The commandant was furious and ordered the Father to come to the office. Here he took a hoe and commanded the Father to follow him to the front of the building. (Mrs. Joustra said that Jamadji swung a bloody sinew of a water buffalo around. TS).

Joustra saw what was happening and she wanted to follow the commandant who gestured to no. 2, who grabbed the suspenders of her dress, so that she could not move. The head of the kitchen crew also realized what was happening, and she slipped by Mrs. Joustra and no. 2 just in time to grab the hoe out of the commandant’s hands. Then she turned the commandant around and said: “Don’t do it, don’t do it!” She pushed him in the direction of the door, tapped him on the shoulder and, by golly, he allowed her to lead him into the building where he took a seat. She repeated several times: “Don’t hit, don’t hit.” When she saw that he had calmed down she took the stick and disappeared into the kitchen.

To get rid of his anger he rode his bike all over the camp, causing consternation wherever he went, because everybody knew about his bad mood. Many thought that it was brought about by the colors that were displayed the day before.

In the meantime the Father still stood in front of the Post in his shorts and his wooden sandals. It was going to be dark soon and it was time for roll call and he was still there.

Joustra had to take roll call with no. 2, while the commandant was listening to his radio in his office. Then the head of the kitchen crew took a chance; she was the only one who could stay in the kitchen during roll call. The kitchen was located right behind the Post. She walked toward the office and knocked on the door. “Who is there?” he roared, still in a bad mood. But it didn’t scare her and she entered. “Pigi, pigi!” he yelled when he saw her. “OK,” she said, “but only when the Father is allowed to leave.” “No,” the commandant said, “he will stay all night long.” She then said: “OK, but I will stay here too.” “No, you will not!” he said, “Ajo, pigi!” (Go on, leave.) “I won’t leave until the Father leaves.” “All right, he can go!” he roared. Before he had finished she ran to the Father and elatedly called out: “You don’t have to stand anymore, you can go now!”

The whole camp heaved a sigh of relief.

3/29/1944. This morning the commandant left by truck for Makassar. He usually does this after his fits. He seems to be embarrassed.

Elly G. had refused to work in the pigsty and was being punished. She had to stand in front of the Post from 8 AM to 12 PM. But since the commandant was not around it was not that bad.

This morning 3 Japanese missionary’s came for a visit, they were very friendly and pleasant. Jap no. 2 showed them around, but before he got to them the missionary’s had walked into the hallway and, at the request of Mrs. Joustra, I asked them if they would kindly wait in the front room until no. 2 showed up. One of the missionaries was asked to write his name on a piece of paper: Paul Jamagneki, EMS Nagasaki.

3/31/1944. The same Paul returned this morning, he was accompanied by a man dressed in khaki. He wanted to talk to the Father; they had a very cordial conversation. The commandant was present, however, but he was not included in the conversation, he just listened. Paul wore the same high collar he wore yesterday; it went with his job. He was a Monsignor, and since Catholicism is a universal belief, it was a great blessing for the Catholics in the camp. Whether the blessing came from someone of a different race didn’t make any difference. After a long conversation with the father the Monsignor and he went to the bedroom of the commandant, who graciously opened the door for them. The Father made his confessions to the Monsignor. After about ten minutes the Father went to his quarters to don his own garment. Monsignor did the same thing in the front room and both of them continued to the nun’s barrack, they had been told that the Monsignor was on his way, and they were waiting on their knees to receive his blessings.

The commandant watched at the entrance of the barrack. Mother Superior thanked him and told him that the Catholics were very happy that this had happened. “Yes, yes,” he said shyly, he seemed to be touched by all this.

“Things sure can change,” said Bredero, “that goes for this case too. Two days ago the Father stood in his shorts in front of the office for punishment, and today he walks, ornately dressed, with a Japanese Monsignor.”

The following day the washed and dried fabrics were loaded and trucked to Makassar.

Joustra: Father Beltjens and the 91 nuns of different denominations had regarded the Japanese Monsignor with great respect, but this episode left the commandant greatly agitated. He could not understand how so much respect could be shown to the Monsignor by the camp residents, while our attitude towards him was generally cool. I tried to explain that the Catholics regarded the Monsignor as a Catholic, and not as a Japanese individual. It came as no surprise when Jamadji observed the Father’s conduct with eagle eyes; he does not care for the Father.

MAKASSAR/Booy: 3/21/44. Yes, there is a large gap, from February 2 to March 21. For the first time in my life I became very ill. I came down with a very high fever. It was not malaria, so the doctor said: “Oh well, this is a 5-day fever.” However, it continued after 5 days, and I was hospitalized. I seemed to improve after 14 days. I had not eaten a thing during that time, nor did I sleep. I started to feel better, but the fever returned several days later. After 5 days there was not much left of the old Kees. Of course I also got a few other things like an inflammation in my mouth, infections of the spleen and lymph nodes. I am still in the hospital, but I’m feeling pretty good.

Suddenly an illness called ‘illness of van Weyl’ broke out. There are 20 men on this ward; they were carried in one after another during the last few days. They are deathly ill, and so far 1 Dutch man, Riemer, and 1 English man have died. Since there are only 2 nurses the patients who can walk help out. Last night I had the watch from 2 AM to 4 AM. There are no lights, everything is done by the light of a 10 cents oil lamp. I never dreamt that I had to carry bedpans. There is only one. There is no serum for this illness; our doctors are doing a splendid job.

This week a shot was administered on another hospital ward by the light of a cigarette. The doctor who helped me so well, Dr. Nijhof, found a solution that makes the van Weyl germ visible under a microscope. Everybody in the camp received 2 cholera shots, (those who are ill get only 1), because someone in a hotel had died of cholera.

The new camp is almost ready, even the fencing has been erected. But running water and electricity are absent. It has rained very hard during the last few weeks; the outside crews returned home sopping wet. These boys did not have one free day since the 1^st of January, they often work until 9 or 10 in the evening, always in the trenches. These are usually filled with water that has been contaminated by rats. The results are in this ward.

Apparently the Americans have started an offensive and the Marshall islands, the Gilbert group, the Mariannes, and Jap island are in the hands of the Allies.

3/23. Last night an American, Charlie Frame, died in the TB ward. He had been ill for a long time. Our ‘Weyl’ patients are doing well.

3/26. It is said that we will move to our new camp on the 2^nd of April.

For the first time since the 1^st of January we had pork. The main reason for getting the pork is that the fat is removed for the Jap officer’s mess. We don’t get any fat.

Dr. Smits has decided that the infected gland must be removed. He didn’t know whether it should be done here or in the new camp.

Tojo must have said that the situation for the Japs is at a critical point.

3/29. Despite the fact that the work is very hard and takes many hours, the morale is high. There always is a lot of laughing going around and the men retain a sense of humor. Reveille sounds at 5 AM, at 5.30 AM roll call, at 5.35 AM breakfast, at 6 AM we leave for work and we don’t return until 5.30 or 6 PM. In the afternoon there’s a 2 hour rest period. Several crews don’t come home until 9 PM. All they do is making and strengthening trenches.

KAMPILI/Voskuil: Sunday, 9 April 1944. At 9.30 AM everybody must fall in on the meadow, and join the crew that they belong to. Mrs. Joustra tells the commandant which crew it is and he chooses the healthiest looking women from each group. They must stand to the side, 53 are chosen. Several nuns are included. These 53 are the reserves for the pigsties. The camp leader writes down their names and every one can go back home. We felt like we were on a slave market.

A few days later the commandant is in a bad mood. He is paying more attention to the administration. It seems that Makassar has ordered him to do so. He now spends all his mornings in the office, while he usually spends his days going through the camp.

One afternoon he went to Makassar and returned at 7 PM in a high state of excitement. He doesn’t have to eat. There will be high-ranking visitors, everything must be in order. His regular staff, Bellemee and the two boys must leave. Joustra and Noor must come right away. Laundry lines must be taken down, the area around the barracks must be swept, and the sewing room must be opened up.

This time the visitors do arrive: two cars carrying three rather slovenly dressed Japs. Judging by the nervous attitude of the commandant, these must be high-ranking men, but you sure couldn’t tell from the looks of them. They first walked to the Ambon camp, then they went by barrack no. 6, and then to the sewing room, the first aid station, and back to the office, where 7 glasses of lemonade awaited them. But without even looking at the lemonade they got in their cars and left.

4/13/1944. This morning the commandant came after the high school girls with a few harsh comments. He calls them ‘anak bis’ (anak=child, bis for HBS). Starting today they must work in the afternoons too, from 3 PM to 6 PM. The camp leader told him very politely that they wouldn’t be able to learn, which would mean that they wouldn’t be able to find jobs, and therefore they wouldn’t be able to earn their keep. He answered: “Itu dia!” meaning it was what he meant to do to European children.

Jap no. 2 has a photo on the table in his room. They show two older people who are obviously his parents. The father looks like an upstanding citizen, and his mother has a kind face. He often gazes at the photograph, chin on his hands.

At 5 PM a natty sports car comes up the driveway. In it are two Gestapo men and Truida L. She finally returned after having been gone for 7 weeks. She had to stay in the office while the commandant talked to the two Gestapo men. When they left he addressed her with a roaring speech after which she was allowed to return to her mother.

This evening Mrs. Noor told me that there would be an inspection tomorrow.

Friday, 14 April 1944. Well, we had our inspection, and what an inspection! The announcement had hardly been passed to the barracks, when a new one came in which rescinded all former directives, and an entirely new set of instructions took their place. At 2 PM we all were in the office, the commandant nervously biked back and forth. He finally disappeared into his bedroom and ordered no. 2 to call him when the visitors arrived. But he was the first one to hear the horn of the approaching car and ran to the front. It was an aide who announced the impending visit of the dignitaries. The commandant received him with great respect; he even removed the briefcase from the car for him. Sure enough, half an hour later another horn sounded. The commandant roared to Joustra and me to warn everybody that the visitors were here. Joustra ran to the first complex, I to the next. Before Joustra returned he was already calling for her. A general and two officers arrived in front of the building. The commandant offered them chairs and sat down too. No. 2 stood to the side, cap in his right hand, his left hand on his saber. Then they started their rounds; of course the pigsty was the first point of the visit. It started to rain while they were on their way, and their driver was ordered to fetch raincoats and umbrellas. Because of the sound of the rain we didn’t hear them return and all of a sudden they stood in front of us. The commandant moved aside so that the general stood in the door opening. We jumped to attention and bowed deeply while the commandant probably told the general, who we were and what we were doing. The general and his officers looked us over, and without saying anything they continued on to the front room. Their car then drove them to the warehouse and the different complexes, after which they returned to the front room.

A while later there were hurried steps in the hallway and the commandant ordered us to summon the ‘kepala anak’ (kepala = head, anak = child). We didn’t know right away who this was, but we figured out that it had to be the child of the leader of barrack no. 9, Jenny Brune. We sent Ann Herdes to call her, but it took too long for the commandant, and he sent me to get her. I was lucky to meet Jenny on the way over, so that it didn’t take us long to get back. Joustra was waiting impatiently and she and Jenny hurried to the front room. In the meantime a small package had been placed in the office. The general asked Jenny in fractured Malay where she was born and how long she had lived in Makassar. Joustra explained the Jap-Malay sentences to Jenny who didn’t understand a word of what was being said. A moment later the commandant runs into our office and grabs the package: “Bring it to child Brune,” and leaves.

When Mrs. Brune opened the package she found a couple of breakfast plates, 5 bars of chocolate, a small silver spoon, a bonbon server, and a bar of soap. A loud cheer went up, because everybody came running to see what was happening. But who sent the package? Mrs. Brune would ask the commandant if the occasion presented itself.

In the evening Jenny went to the commandant to thank him, and in his brusque manner he growled: “Hm, hm, ja, ja, sudah.”

The following day it was announced that school would be continued. The commandant went to Makassar, but returned a short while later with visitors he met on the way. In spite of the heavy rainfall they cruised the camp from one end to the other. One of the visitors had a rolled up paper in his hands. The native driver had to fetch umbrellas and raincoats. No. 2 was not aware of this, he was probably goofing off, as usual, but he jumped to attention and came up with two beautiful raincoats.

4/20/1944. The commandant is in bed with a fever and is perspiring profusely. Bellemee takes care of the household with 2 boys, who take turns with other boys each week. She likes this work because she and the boys eat the same food as the Japs. She feels obliged to issue a bulletin on the commandant’s health. The last one read: “Pa is doing better.”

4/22/1944. The commandant went to Makassar this morning and in the afternoon the sport car appears with 2 Gestapo men. They walked with no. 2 and left after a while. The commandant returned in the evening.

Sunday is a day of rest. The commandant orders the sewing room to sew 41 pairs of pants, special delivery. They were delivered, but don’t ask how; it was obvious that they were just slammed together, but the Japs accepted them.

In the evening 7 post cards and a money order were distributed. The next day large packages of used clothing were delivered, everything went to the clothing store, except for soap, sewing thread, and shoes.

Tuesday, April 25 1944 The Gestapo took two Americans Miss Kempf and Miss Seely, to Makassar. Their quarters had been searched first and they were allowed to take 3 sets of clothing. They left during the rest period.

Saturday, April 29, 1944. This is the birthday of the Mikado. The commandant orders free time for half a day.

Joustra stayed in her quarters because of loose bowels, and had eaten nothing else but a rice-water porridge. The commandant asked her to join him for dinner.

MAKASSAR/Booy: 4/8/44. Already it is the 8^th, and we still haven’t moved. I won’t write too much because this notebook is almost full, and I don’t have another one.

In the new camp the kitchen has been rebuilt and they are working on a new surgery room.

The Japs claim huge victories, therefore peace is at hand.

4/9. Thank goodness, I got a new notebook. Today is the first day of Easter. Of course everybody has to work. Yesterday a work crew had not saluted an officer. He brought in a complaint, and the whole crew got a beating when they returned home. All other crews had to wait at the gate to witness the punishment. It had been dark for a while before we could have dinner. This was another show of sadism. The Japs are suffering from their inferiority complexes; things must not go well for them.

Tomorrow I will undergo surgery; the OK was given. I will soon be healed. So far I rested for 2 months, and that is worth something too.

4/12. The surgery was 2 days ago, and the results are good. The gland was not infected; they were swollen because of another infection higher up. This was a new experience since I have never had surgery before. I was not allowed to eat in the morning and I was given an enema. Before I was placed on the operation table I received a morphine shot, and something else, to make me sleepy and lessen saliva flow. After I was tied down I was given ether. For a moment I had a stifling feeling, but just when I wanted to struggle I went under and could hear voices far in the distance. I had the strangest dreams, and I verbalized whatever came into my mind. All this happened after surgery, and I started to come to. The odd thing was that I remembered everything I said, which was pure nonsense. They laughed themselves silly. Dr. Smits was the surgeon, the first assistant was Dr. Van Inge Schenau, the anesthesiologist was Dr. Lubbers, and Dr. Lubbers handled the instruments. Then there was a Navy nurse, Sgt. De Bruyn, who does al the prepping. Because they did not get all of the infection they left a drain in the wound; it was removed yesterday. When I came to I didn’t feel sick, but the taste of ether stayed with me for about ten hours. They don’t make a big deal about surgery; they were laughing when they started. Right now I feel great.

Several inspections were conducted over the last few days. Every evening the crews are thoroughly searched. Yesterday evening there even was a captain who participated in part of the search. This captain gave a directive, which is now being circulated throughout the camp: “According to the Japanese military code of honor a soldier will fight to the death and won’t surrender. The people who surrendered to an overwhelming force at the beginning of the war have the sympathy of the Japanese. However, assaults will be harshly punished.”

Strange things are happening; it’s just as if something is going to happen

4.15.An Englishman died of anthrax three days ago. People seldom get it, but in this camp everything is possible.

Yesterday afternoon a doctor of eastern languages died of malaria and dysentery. His name was Esser. He was interred this morning. Several patients are in very poor condition.

The captain’s directive never mentioned the word ‘sympathy’, only many threats. A search is underway because a lot of thefts occurred in Makassar, and a lot of cigarette paper was sold to the natives. 32 Americans turned themselves in who said that they bought sugar, because nothing was being issued in the camp. We don’t know what will happen next.

4/17. This morning, 7 days after surgery, the sutures are removed. I am only bothered by a nerve in my under arm.

Yesterday morning another Englishman died. That’s the third death in 5 days. That may be the reason why the Japs sent 30 eggs to the hospital. We are saved now.

According to the rumors that are floating around, landings have been reported on the Malay peninsula and in the Philippines. The news has been favorable for our side for two years, but they don’t seem to get ahead much. Every item of news is contradicted.

4/19. Until now the paper sale turned out to be favorable for us. We were able to buy shirts. The worst ones cost 50 cents, while the better ones sell for 75 cents, or a guilder. The worst ones develop holes after the first laundry. We also received 250 gram of sugar with a speech by the Sutadjo that he will try to improve the food, and he hopes that this will stop the stealing and the smuggling. He also said that he will try to improve our food, and that he was sorry that so many of us had died over the last few days.

4/22. For the last few days we had raw onions with our evening meals We minced then and mixed them with our rice, very tasty. We even had a banana once. In the hospital 4 men eat together. Our friends in the camp send us a papaya so now and then. They grow in the camp so that we have fresh fruit almost every day. There is a small kitchen in the hospital where the 3 cooks try to prepare special diets for those who need it. These guys do a good job. Almost every day we get the leftovers so that the 4 of us eat pretty well. The men who came down with the ‘Van Weyl’ disease are doing much better, several of them were allowed to go back to their quarters. Again, there is a dysentery explosion, 20 cases in 3 days. The dysentery ward is full. There are now 130 patients in the hospital, 20 are here permanently, 40 dysentery patients, 14 ‘Van Weyl’ patients, and the rest suffer from a variety of illnesses. There are several men who are too old to live in the camp. Yesterday 2 men were admitted with pneumonia.

4/24.This morning, for the first time, we received letters from Menado. The food has improved. We still don’t know when we will move to the new camp. It was finished a long time ago, and if they wait too long it will collapse from neglect. Maybe they will move us there when they expect some action. The last few months have been so quiet that it is hard to believe that there is a war going on.

4/26. Another Englishman has been buried; he died of a lung disease. There always are 10 wreaths from the different departments on a grave. It’s awful to live in this kind of misery for 2 years and then have to die.

During the last few days we had fruit every other day, this never happened before. Having so many of us die must make an impression on them.

4/28. This morning an Englishman Stevens died. He was very thin and ate almost nothing; he threw up everything he ate. He seemed to be very indifferent to his fate. There are still 3 patients who are close to death. Several people suffer from a vitamin deficiency disease, they become bloated. The disease is caused by a shortage of egg whites. Now that I am right in the middle of all this sickness, I realize how much misery there is. The doctors do everything possible, but you can’t fight the lack of medications and the shortage of certain foods.

4/29. Today we witness the celebration of the Mikado for the 3^rd time. Everybody has a holiday. At 9 AM we bowed to the North and our food will also be better today. Because of the present political situation there will not be any other holidays.

4/30. Today is the birthday of Princess Juliana. I am curious if we have a little prince now. I wonder if the Motherland has changed her political views about the present situation, and if the people ever want to return to the old constitution.

KAMPILI/Voskuil: 5/1/1944. Presents are turned in at the office for Pare-Pare. The commandant will leave for Pare-Pare tomorrow. Fabrics did not arrive, thus no handkerchiefs. Also, a visitors are expected and we are to ordered to do some sweeping. All evening long Joustra has examined the gifts for contraband like letters and so.

5/2/1944 The commandant left this morning with all the presents. He trusted Joustra explicitly with the censure. The last few days he had been in a melancholy mood, almost like he had a death wish. There is nothing Santa like about him, maybe that will come in Pare-Pare. According to Bellemee he only took a toothbrush and soap, that means that he will stay overnight only.

5/3/1944 The commandant has not returned yet. No. 2 sits in front his parent’s photograph and tries to stay cool while waving his fan. To be homesick is a terrible thing for a Jap or for one of us. And this shy, gentle, little man does not look like a warmonger.

The commandant returned this evening with two gunni sacks full of wooden sandals, a portrait drawing of her husband for Mrs. Dee, and a glass plus a drawing for Mama Coen. That’s how he always calls the mother of Coen Van Geet.

5/5/1944. The sandals have been distributed. In the evening there was a dinner party at the commandant’s place for 20, in honor of boy’s day. All the leaders of the different work crews plus the complex leaders were invited. Then came the distribution of cigarettes, Mrs. Joustra did this. Several did not behave ladylike in their eagerness to put their hands on the cigarettes.

No. 2 Jap left for Pare-Pare in the afternoon to pick up 100 pigs, and 16 bags of wooden sandals.

On Sunday, the 7^th of May the sandals were handed over. Also, a self-portrait of Hofker, a well-known artist, and a portrait drawing of Mr. Blom by Mr. De Bruine were taken to Pare.

Chabot: It’s been too long since I wrote last. It’s been busy, with many birthdays. These have become important events. A regular birthday takes in 30 or 40 presents made the Kampili way. The most imaginative and fantastic things are created out of practically nothing, such as: a posy of flowers out of an old bathing cap, all kinds of thing are made from old sacks and mats, buttons are created out of coconut shells, etc. On such a day the birthday person treats not only her friends, but also the whole barrack, more than 100 people. They are being treated to coffee with sugar and a steamed cake. It is a Kampili recipe: fermented rice, some rice flour, lime rind, ginger, or cinnamon. This batter is steamed in large rice cooker drums and it is the only thing that can be made for a large amount of people. The sugar is saved up for months, from each distribution a little is saved. It always is a relief when the party is over. It still is a good thing that such days can be celebrated this way. They give some meaning to our existence, although it becomes harder and harder to find a way to make another present with our dwindling supplies.

We have learned from letters from Pare-Pare and Java that many officers in Makassar were moved to Java around the end of December. We don’t know if this has a political meaning and if so, why. We don’t understand it. We know and hear nothing, only that this is the first full moon without a bombing raid. Is it a bad omen? It takes a miserable amount of courage to accept this, or even to contemplate the possibility. The less we hear the wilder the rumors are. We are being taken to Australia via Timor and Dilly to be exchanged for Jap prisoners, etc. I wouldn’t like to leave Celebes. Henk must have hated it to leave us with the Makassar natives. But a change would have many plusses: to live in freedom!

Three days ago I changed my schedule. On the 5^th of May we have been here for a year and besides giving math classes in the afternoons, I also work in these quarters 8 times a week. I cook porridge and boil water, clean up the dining hall and the area around the well, and wash pans, etc. Most of the women work in central positions; the noon and evening meals are cooked in the central kitchen. They work in the garden with pigs and cows, in the sewing room, etc. But now I head a group of 83 girls, aged12 to 20, to work in the fields. These are the ones that attend school. They start at 8.30 in the morning and work until 9.30 AM, and then from 10 AM to 11 AM. Two of my predecessors fell ill (I will come back to this later), but I love this job. It gets really hot during the last hour, but his is a job with some responsibility. A lot depends on the spirit of these girls. Some of them still attend elementary grades, while the others are in the first three grades of high school. They all go to school from 3.15 PM to 5.30 PM. They have 20 minutes to eat before they have to water the cassava gardens that cover a very large area of infertile ground. Adult hands of women see to it that vegetables for 1,600 people are grown here. On top of doing their homework the girls also must do the laundry for their families, bathing brothers and sisters, taking over a mother’s chore like taking a daily bucket of water to the kitchen, etc. Some of the boys work with the girls, others help with the pigs and the cows, and again others assist with the butchering. And yet, according to the doctor, this is the only group in the camp that thrives. In contrast there are the women between 20 and 40 who suffer a variety of ailments such as rashes, heavy menstrual flow, bad eyes, dizziness, back aches, etc. Besides these physical problems complaints of general nervous collapse such as neuralgia, hart problems, being tired, and a general ‘I can’t go any further’ feeling, point to mental fatigue. These women are eventually hospitalized, and with a bit of care and better food, they are ready to tackle the world again.

There are those who have never been able to accept the social change, and find it perfectly normal to go to bed when they are tired and leave their chore for someone else to finish. For the most part, these are women without children and they have a much harder time than we. When they come home they can afford to think about being tired, and long for the sugar we don’t have.

Gretchen van Veen: My thoughts return to the time when I went into the hospital with heart palpitations and general exhaustion. Since I had never been really ill, once I outgrew the usual children’s maladies, this was a new experience for me. I disappeared in the hospital for several months. It was really not surprising, because I did a heavy load of work that day. I was assigned to the strong women’s crew; we handled the transportation of water to the kitchen. That meant that we had to get up at 5 AM and take an empty 5-pound can tied to a rope to haul water out of a large well. This water was used for the morning rice porridge in the kitchen, and dumped in the reservoirs for the kitchen and the bathrooms in the hospital. We worked in shifts, taking turns hauling water out of the well to fill up the waiting buckets that were carried in a chain like fashion to its destination. That way 380 buckets of water a day would go through my hands. I didn’t hate this job, because it was clean. I stood on the cool, wet cement with my bare feet, and it was wonderfully quiet. The moon and the stars shone until the east sky started to turn pink and soon the sun shot her first rays into the sky. I never tired of this ever-beautiful show. The tropical heat would soon replace the delightful coolness of the early morning. After our afternoon rest period the whole water hauling procedure was repeated. I did this for several months, but then things started to go wrong.

When I went into the hospital I was able to keep a thin mattress, fortunately. It was only then that I realized how tired I was. I slept almost all the time. When it was time for visiting hours my heart started to do flip flops, I didn't look forward to that time. Eventually all visits to me were stopped. While I usually loved to be with people, I now enjoyed the fact that I didn’t have to talk to anyone. I sank into my own thoughts and memories, and my feet, that had been split and gray from walking barefoot, started to look pink and whole again. The rough coconut fiber of the bucket caused my hands to be callused, but they too started to soften, and my split and broken nails started to look whole again too. In the morning at 7 AM I watched the girls getting ready for the fields with their rakes and hoes on their shoulders. I watched the pig tenders hurry on to their chores, and the seamstresses went to their sewing room. And a very dangerous thought crept surreptitiously into my head. I would almost say that it slipped into my subconscious mind. It started when I asked someone to bring my silk nightgowns that I had been saving for the great ‘come-back’. I enjoyed the touch of the crepe-de-chine, and admired the embroidery. I also used up my last bar of soap. Somewhere I didn’t believe that there would be a ‘come-back’. I had slid into a careless attitude and I just didn’t want to return to the treadmill of chores, where your daily schedule is decided by a bell. Soon the monsoon will start and we’ll wade through water like buffaloes through the mud. I closed my eyes to all this misery, and only wanted to feel the softness of my nightshirts. My God, I didn’t realize how dangerously close I came to sliding off the deep end.

Much later I learned that those who had given up hope were the ones who wouldn’t survive. They couldn’t or wouldn’t continue the struggle. Your mental processes are incredibly important while the body is healing. Courage, faith, and hope are bundled together to give you the needed strength to help you over the hump, and make you want to resume putting your shoulders under something that will prove to be worthwhile in the long run.

Early in the morning, on the first day of Easter, while the nurses were busy bathing the patients, we heard the choir sing in front of the hospital. They sang: “Oh, head covered with wounds”, my very own choir singing to me. I got up and walked to the window where I saw a small group of women. I couldn’t distinguish who had taken my place, or who kept the tempo. It was still dark, before dawn had come. I was deeply touched, and for the first time in all these years I started to cry. I walked back to my bed quietly and listened to the other songs. When the performance was over I got a second surprise: the whole choir group walked by my bed and everyone had an Easter surprise for me. It was put at the foot of my bed. The last choir member was the one who had been leading the choir in my place, she simply spoke the only words that could help me over my depression: “Come back soon, we need you so.”

Can anyone say something more worthwhile? You are really useless when nobody needs you. Of course they needed me, looking back critically on that performance I could tell that the tempo and the intonation differed from the way I had instructed the choir, and I decided to change that.

From then on I threw the cloak of lethargy off me and could hardly wait to stand in front of my choir again. I didn’t think about the poverty, the mud, and the misery anymore. The nurses were surprised about the complete change in me and helped me along with an extra portion of porridge, and a bit of extra meat, or liver. It was only a short while before I was back in my quarters where I took up knitting socks. I then was assigned to the sewing team; the heavy water service was history for me.

Voskuil: On the 11^th of May it was announced that Gortmans was executed by a firing squad. Joustra told the barrack leaders the American women would not be back soon. They were jailed because they had given cash donations of the mission to the natives. We were also told that additional barracks would be built; that meant that a lot of natives would enter the compound. It is strictly forbidden to speak to them or have any other kind of contact with them.

It seemed like it would be a quiet afternoon. The rain came down in buckets, and I had shown the list of patients to Joustra, she could stay home after that. It was not in the cards, however. At 5 PM, during a torrential rain, a car pulled up in front of the Post, and an officer stepped out. The commandant appears from the rear of the building, soaking wet, runs to the visitor, and stands in front of him in the most correct military position, stiff, with fingers on the outside seam of his pants, uttering repeatedly: “Hai, hai, hai.” (Yes, yes. TS) Then he runs to me, I must get Joustra, quick, quick! She comes with me right away. Before she had reached him, the commandant started telling her from a distance that a high-ranking group of people would arrive in 10 minutes. Great respect must be shown, remember ‘kiotske’. We hurry to straighten out the office. Everything must be cleaned up. We have to call all the crew heads together, everybody must be dressed neatly. Did Joustra understand that? Yes, she did. She enters the office; the commandant follows her while nervously fumbling with the buttons on his clean coat. He continues to talk to her excitedly.

Then we started running by all the barracks, but we didn’t make it. The visitors appeared 5 minutes later. They didn’t stay long, but when they left we stood more than ready in the drizzle. The visitors left for the pigsty in the car. When they returned some of them stayed at the Post and others accompanied the commandant on a tour to the kitchen and the hospital. An aide spoke in perfect French with Mrs. Joustra, he told her that one of the visitors was a squadron leader, and he asked if the women were doing well.

Then the whole group assembled in the front room. The commandant nervously told Joustra to serve lemonade, but Bellemee was present and she had told Dougie Marcar, who had the duty that day, to serve it to the guests. Then Joustra asked what the crew leaders needed to do, because they still waited behind the door of room no. 3. They had to bow deeply when the visitors left, and then they could return to their barracks. Just before the visitors got into the car, the commandant gestured to Joustra, they saluted her and got in the car.

No. 2 had to open and close the car doors quickly. The aide got into the third car after saluting us smartly. When this episode was over Jamadji thanked Joustra.

Friday, May 12. This was a day of horrors. The Gestapo (Kempetai) arrived in a motor coach and took 4 ladies with them: Darlene Deibler, Saartje Seth Paul, Bea de Graaff, and Jopie Banck. There were two Japs, one tall and skinny, with Mongolian features, the other was short and fat with a cruel expression on his face, which would soften when he smiled or laughed. He had a head of thick curls. While the ladies got their meager belongings together the two Japs napped on the beds of the commandant and no. 2. The thin one did some interrogating in the office. The commandant was present when the ladies arrived, but took off on his bike to the cassava fields. He returned at 5 PM.

The Japs had apparently been waiting for him to return because they told the women to get in the car right away. The native driver shared the front seat with Deibler and Banck, while Saartje and Bea shared the back seat with the two Japs. The luggage was in the rear baggage compartment. The Japs had discarded several items when they inspected their bags saying “ You don’t need this, this is all,” as if they would stay at a chic hotel.

When the commandant saw that a lot of people watched outside the barracks he became angry. He gestured to them to go away, but their curiosity wouldn’t let them. When the car took off they all waved. Then the commandant went to one of the houses close by and drove everybody outside and made them stand in front of the Post, because they had watched. He would beat them in a while, he said. He left them standing and rode on his bike to the cassava fields. He came back 1 and ½ hours later and hit a few of them.

The following day he was still angry and announced that we would not get any meat for a whole month as punishment.

Seth Paul: These were troubled times, especially since my mother and aunt, and several other ladies were taken away by the Kempetai to Makassar to be interrogated. The other ladies were Miss Seely, Margaret Kemp, and Darlene Deibler. . It was a dreadful moment; I was not ashamed to cry. Nobody knew why they were taken away. This episode might be connected to a visit my mother and aunt made to a camp of POWs. They had asked the Dutch leadership for the names of those who were imprisoned. I picked up the list, which then would be fastened to the barbed wire fence, and someone would take it to Malino.

The departure of my mother and aunt was different from the description of Mrs. Voskuil. First of all, the Americans left before my mother and aunt did. When they left my mother and Jopie Banck sat next to the driver and Bea de Graaff sat next to the two Japs. Out of fear she embraced her sister who sat in front of her. One of the officers didn’t like it and hit her while ordering her to release my mother. Both of them ignored the order. They did not hit her again but later……

Voskuil:

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