Fukuoka Camp No. 9

27^th August 1945

REPORT ON BEATING OF OFFICERS BY CAMP COMMANDANT.

            On June 22^nd 1945, when working on the farm, I was attacked by a guard named Yama, who thrashed my bare back with a bamboo and raised many bloody weals.  On return to the Camp, Capt. Radcliffe, the Senior British Officer in the Camp, who had interceded at the beating and who had received several blows himself, decided to report the matter to the Camp Commandant direct.  Capt. Radcliffe, Mr. Furness, whose head had been split open by the same guard, and I, went to the Nipponese Office, accompanied by the Dutch Interpreter.  Capt. Radcliffe then started to make his report to the Nipponese Sergeant; there was much interruption from other Nipponese NCO’s., and others who were in the office, which attracted the attention of the Camp Commandant.  Capt. Radcliffe endeavoured to explain the position to him, but although he must have seen my lacerated back which had been bared for exhibition, his only action was to strike Capt. Radcliffe, Mr. Furness, and myself violently in our faces, and to say that we would be punished if we did not work hard.  Capt. Radcliffe received about 6 heavy blows in the face and Mr. Furness and I about 4.  He then dismissed us.  His attack was quite unjustified, and he did not listen to the complaint either before striking us or afterwards.

E.S. Thomas Lieut. R.E.

Witness………….Harold Radcliffe Capt. R.A.

(Senior British Officer)

D.

REPORT ON ILL-TREATMENT OF NO 1614712 L/BDR. CHILTON, F. DURING CAPTIVITY AS P.O.W. IN JAPAN.

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            On a certain day in the first quarter of 1944 at No. 1 sub-camp, Kasii, Fukuoka P.O.W. Camp, the undersigned officers were witness to a brutal assault on the above-mentioned L/Bdr. Chilton by the Camp Commandant, Sakamoto, Lt.  L/Bdr. Chilton was marched into the camp before the Commandant, who thereupon attacked him, and incidentally other members of the working party, with a bamboo pole and fists, beating him over the head and body until he was felled to the ground.  The Commandant then kicked him in the body, and finally kicked him behind his left ear, until he lost consciousness.  The Commandant then ordered two Nipponese guards to pick him up and carry him into the hut and throw him on the bed.

W.M. Craig Capt. R.A.

A.M. Simpson Lieut. R.A.

27^th August, 1945.