Hoten pow camp, mukden, manchuria - Prisoners of War of the ...

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At the new barracks Des had little contact with his boys, but, was
assisted by Sgt Herb Lock (NX26656 8 Div Signals), Cpl Jim
Clancy (WX 7122 2/4 MG Bn) and “Tiger” Scott (WX 6729 4 Res
Motor Transport Coy).
One Aussie POW George Harriss (VX 63990 2/10 Field Park)
spent time in the “Jug”(gaol). Apparently he was both the first
and the last inmate who spent time in the “Jug”.
The Japanese brought a propaganda unit into the camp on
occasions. The POWs were ordered to play sport and were
permitted to have a concert.
At one concert the men were punished for producing a drawing of
the then Australian flag.
On 8 December 1944 the camp was bombed by the allied aircraft.
There were 12 killed and many wounded, including chaps who lost
limbs. One American Bumgardner suffered a through and
through head wound, from which he recovered.
Around 11 August 1945 a Red Cross inspector by the name of Dr Marcel Junod
(a Swiss) accompanied by his wife Margherita visited the camp. It seems that
Des may have had contact with Junod. (see www.mitsubishisucks.com/slavelabour/linda-holmes/
)
This picture reproduced with the kind permission of Maurice Christie shows from left to right
John Horner, Jack Russell, John Hicks and Dr Brennan (my best effort at identifying these
men is as follows- John Horner seems to by Captain RB Horner Federated Malay States
Volunteer Forces (Muken no 30), Sergeant Jack Russell (RAMC (No1164), Lance Corporal
JN Hicks (RAMC (No 1162) and Captain Desmond J Brennan (AAMC (No 25)).
A further account of the experiences of William LG Bell as a POW in Mukden
will follow this article in due course. It is a matter of typing his hand written
record.
Other information can also be obtained by reference to links on my website-
Special Operations Executive- Far East- Mission Scapula.
www.m.a.christie.btinternet.co,uk
The war for Des as a POW finished when the Japanese capitulated in August
1945. However, he then spent some time as a member of the Russian Army
before being repatriated to Australia. On return to Australia he weighed 42 kg
and spent many months in hospital recovering. In 1947 he travelled to England
where he gained specialist qualifications as a member of the Royal College of
Physicians. He set up his medical practice in a suburb of Sydney. Des had many
other achievements which are too numerous to list here.