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

AMERICAN PRISONERS OF WAR IN MANCHURIA WW2
Did you know that on 11 November (Remembrance Day, formerly Armistice
Day) 1942 around 1,400 American Prisoners of War arrived at a Prisoner of
War Camp in Mukden, Manchuria. These men, in very poor physical condition,
were from the Philippines, many having survived the Bataan March. Another
party of 100 had come from Singapore. This group comprised 81 British, 3 New
Zealanders and 16 Australians (including one Australian Medical Officer).
Amongst other work, the Prisoners were forced to work at a factory named
“Manchu Kikai Kosaku Kabushiki Kaisha”, but usually referred to as MKK. (a
machinery and tool factory). The prisoner’s accommodation (initial and
subsequent) was adjacent to the factory. The captives experienced extreme
climatic conditions, from 40 minus in winter to 100 plus (Fahrenheiht) in
summer.
Captain Des Brennan the Australian Medical Officer commented on the high
death rate amongst the Americans. One report says 300 died in the first winter
of 1942-43. On arrival in Mukden, the Americans were in much worse condition
than the others, who had come from Singapore. The work may not have been as
harsh as for those on the Burma Thailand Railway or in the industrial works
(mining, shipbuilding, foundries etc) in Japan. There were many difficulties, not
the least being bombed in December 1944 by allied aircraft. A significant
number of fatalities and injuries resulted from the bombing.
Parties of officers arrived from other POW camps in Formosa and Japan during
April and May 1945. Some of these were the senior officers who had been sent
away from Singapore in 1942. They did not experience a Mukden winter.
Although many of these people have written about their experiences in Mukden,
they really did not experience the worst period.
The prisoners were finally liberated by Americans around 16 August 1945
followed by the Russians 4 or 5 days later.
By Lt Col Peter Winstanley OAM RFD (Retired) JP
email pgwinstanley@cambraivillage.com.au website www.pows-of-japan.net