Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience and Redemption (67 page)

39

Ashio:

Roger

Mansel ,

“Ashio

POW

Camp,”

Center

for

Research,

Al ied

POWs

Under

the

Japanese,

http://www.mansel .com/pow_resources/camplists/tokyo/Ashio/ashio_main.html, Palo Alto, Calif. (accessed September 19, 2009).

40 Phil’s letter burned: Russel Al en Phil ips, letter to Kelsey Phil ips, April 1944; Kelsey Phil ips, “A Life Story,” unpublished memoir.

Chapter 21: Belief

1 Sylvia crying: Sylvia Flammer, telephone interviews, October 25, 27, 2004.

2 Zamperinis coping: Ibid.; Peter Zamperini, telephone interviews, October 15, 17, 19, 22, 2004; Peter Zamperini, letter to Louis Zamperini, June 3, 1943.

3 Louise writes to General Hale: Louise Zamperini, diary notes, July 13, 1943; Louis Zamperini, telephone interview.

4 Louie’s trunk arrives: Louise Zamperini, diary notes, October 6, 1943.

5 Gifts for Louie: Louis Zamperini, letter to Edwin Wilber, May 1946.

6 Christmas card for Louie: From papers of Louis Zamperini.

7 “The entire island”: Eastern Mandates (Washington, D.C.: Center for Military History Publications, 1993), p. 14.

8 Wood slat: Louis Zamperini, telephone interview.

9 Papers on Kwajalein: John Joseph Deasy, telephone interview, April 4, 2005.

10 “I was happy”: Ibid.

11 Condolence letter: Henry Rahaley, letter to Reverend and Mrs. Phil ips, June 16, 1943.

12 Oak-leaf clusters: Reverend Russel Phil ips, letter to Cecy Perry, July 28, 1943.

13 Reverend Phil ips’s plaque: Reverend Russel Phil ips, letter to Martha Heustis, March 17, 1944.

14 “I think I have”: Reverend Russel Phil ips, letter to Martha Heustis, August 4, 1943.

15 Smitty’s letter to Cecy: George Smith, letter to Cecy Perry, June 19, 1943.

16 Cecy moves to D.C., visits fortune-tel er: Terry Hoffman, telephone interview, March 6, 2007.

17 “This year sure”: Delia Robinson, letter to Louise Zamperini, June 23, 1944.

18 “We thought surely”: Mrs. A. J. Deane, letter to Louise Zamperini, June 27, 1944.

19 Death notice: Sylvia Flammer, telephone interviews, October 25, 27, 2004.

20 “None of us”: Ibid.

21 Plan to find Louie: Peter Zamperini, telephone interview, October 19, 2004.

Chapter 22: Plots Afoot

1 Escape plot: Louis Zamperini, telephone interview.

2 Rations cut: John A. Fitzgerald, POW diary, Papers of John A. Fitzgerald, Operational Archives Branch, NHC, Washington, D.C.

3 Louie stealing food, starching shirts: Louis Zamperini, telephone interview.

4 Barbering job: Ibid.

5 Official says POWs wil be kil ed: John A. Fitzgerald, POW diary, Papers of John A. Fitzgerald, Operational Archives Branch, NHC, Washington, D.C.

6 Stealing map from Mummy: Louis Zamperini, telephone interview.

7 Getting info about Saipan: Ibid.

8 Sasaki’s sudden change: Ibid.

9 Murder on Tinian: Eric Lash, “Historic Island of Tinian,” Environmental Services, October 2008, vol. 1, 2nd edition; Major General Donald Cook,

“20th Air Force Today,” 20th Air Force Association Newsletter , Fal 1998.

10 Infestation, leeches, “You should be happy”: John Fitzgerald, POW diary, Papers of John A. Fitzgerald, Operational Archives Branch, NHC, Washington, D.C.; Louis Zamperini, telephone interview.

11 Fitzgerald sees stealing: John Fitzgerald, POW diary, Papers of John A. Fitzgerald, Operational Archives Branch, NHC, Washington, D.C.

12 Putrid fish, Quack beating: Louis Zamperini, telephone interview; Louis Zamperini, 1946 notes on captive experience; Louis Zamperini, interview by George Hodak, Hol ywood, Calif., June 1988, AAFLA.

13 Murder of Gaga: Louis Zamperini, telephone interview.

14 Louie thinking of home: Ibid.

15 Plan to escape by boat: Ibid.

16

Doolittle

raid:

Kennedy

Hickman,

“World

War

I :

The

Doolittle

Raid,” About.com,

http://militaryhistory.about.com/od/aerialcampaigns/p/doolittleraid.htm (accessed October 15, 2009).

17 Kindness of civilians: Boyington, pp. 304–05.

18

Murder

of

Chinese

civilians:

Chang,

p.

216;

Kennedy

Hickman,

“World

War

I :

The

Doolittle

Raid,” About.com,

http://militaryhistory.about.com/od/aerialcampaigns/p/doolittleraid.htm (accessed October 15, 2009).

19 Average Japanese soldier five foot three: “Battle of the Pacific: How Japs Fight,” Time, February 15, 1943; Tar Shioya, “The Conflict Behind the Battle Lines,” San Francisco Chronicle, September 24, 1995.

20 Civilians attack POWs: Milton McMul en, telephone interview, February 16, 2005; K. P. Burke, Proof Through the Night: A B-29 Pilot Captive in Japan—the Earnest Pickett Story (Salem, Ore.: Opal Creek, 2001), p. 88; Fiske Hanley I, Accused American War Criminal (Austin: Eakin, 1997), pp. 68–69.

21 Preparations for escape, “a fearful joy”: Louis Zamperini, telephone interview.

22 Suspension of plan: Ibid.

23 Newspaper theft, Harris beating: Ibid.; files on Sueharu Kitamura, RG 331, RAOOH, WWI , 1907–1966, SCAP, Legal Section, Administration Division (10/02/1945–04/28/1952?), NACP; Glenn McConnel , telephone interview, June 8, 2007; John A. Fitzgerald, POW diary, Papers of John A.

Fitzgerald, Operational Archives Branch, NHC, Washington, D.C.; Gamble, p. 328.

24 Sasaki’s advice: Affidavit, Louis Zamperini, in file of Nakakichi Asoma, 1945–1952, RG 331: RAOOH, WWI , SCAP, Legal Section, Administration Division (10/02/1945–04/28/1952?), Charges and Specifications, 1945–1948, NACP.

Chapter 23: Monster

1 Appearance of Omori: Bush, p. 150.

2 POW likens Omori to the moon: Wade, p. 83.

3 No birds: Ray “Hap” Hal oran and Chester Marshal , Hap’s War (Menlo Park, Calif.: Hal mark, n.d.).

4 Watanabe’s appearance: Weinstein, p. 228; Tom Wade, telephone interview, January 2, 2005.

5 Liken to paws: Draggan Mihailovich, email interview, August 3, 2007.

6 Louie meeting Watanabe: Louis Zamperini, telephone interview.

7 This man: Frank Tinker, telephone interview, February 20, 2005.

8 Building fire: Louis Zamperini, telephone interview.

9 Watanabe’s history: Martindale, pp. 92–93; Wade, pp. 103–04; Yuichi Hatto, written interview, August 28, 2004; James, p. 278; Mutsuhiro Watanabe (Sgt.), vols. 1–3, 1945–1952, POW 201 File 1945–1947, SCAP, Legal Section, Administrative Division, RAOOH, RG 331, NACP; “From Chief of Hyogo Prefectural Police Force,” November 21, 1950, report, from papers of Frank Tinker.

10 Japanese sign but don’t ratify Geneva Convention: Tanaka, p. 73.

11 Slavery: Martindale, p. 90; Wade, pp. 97–99, 129; Bush, pp. 152–53; Johan Arthur Johansen, Krigsseileren, issue 3, 1990, translated from Norwegian by Nina B. Smith.

12 Lifting thirty tons a day: Wade, p. 99.

13 Men paid ten yen per month: Martindale, p. 111.

14 Those who don’t work receive half rations: Bush, p. 160.

15 Food at Omori: Martindale, p. 120; Bush, p. 159.

16 Nicknames: Ernest O. Norquist, Our Paradise: A GI’s War Diary (Hancock, Wisc.: Pearl-Win, 1989), p. 293; Bush, p. 205.

17 Watanabe’s first days: Wade, pp. 103–05; Tom Wade, telephone interview, January 2, 2005; Bush, pp. 176–79.

18 Hatto thinks Watanabe mad: Yuichi Hatto, written interview, August 28, 2004.

19 “He suddenly saw”: Tom Wade, telephone interview, September 17, 2005.

20 “He did enjoy hurting”: Yuichi Hatto, written interview, August 28, 2004.

21 Watanabe’s behavior: Mutsuhiro Watanabe (Sgt.), vol. 1, 1945–1952, POW 201 File 1945–1947, SCAP, Legal Section, Administrative Division, RAOOH, RG 331, NACP; Martindale, pp. 95–110, 130, 144–55; Robert Martindale, telephone interview, January 2, 2005; Norquist, pp. 277–79, 283

–84; Wade, pp. 103–08; Weinstein, pp. 228–33, 247, 256; Derek (Nobby) Clarke, No Cook’s Tour (Hereford, Eng.: Authors OnLine, 2005), pp. 114

–16; Donald Knox, Death March: The Survivors of Bataan (San Diego: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, 1983), p. 377; James, pp. 277–83.

22 Watanabe’s fame: James, p. 278; Affidavit, Arthur Laurence Maher, from files on Mutsuhiro Watanabe (Sgt.), vol. 1, 1945–1952, POW 201 File 1945–1947, SCAP, Legal Section, Administrative Division, RAOOH, RG 331, NACP.

23 “punishment camp”: Martindale, pp. 104–05.

24 “the most vicious guard”: Affidavit, Arthur Laurence Maher, from files on Mutsuhiro Watanabe (Sgt.), vol. 1, 1945–1952, POW 201 File 1945

–1947, SCAP, Legal Section, Administrative Division, RAOOH, RG 331, NACP.

25 “He was absolutely”: Knox, p. 379.

26 Beating POW, then becoming placid: Weinstein, p. 230.

27 Forcing men to be his friends: Martindale, pp. 149–50; Clarke, p. 116; Robert Martindale, telephone interview, January 2, 2005.

28 Watanabe despised by guards: Bush, p. 200; Yuichi Hatto, written interview, August 28, 2004.

29 “tense, sitting-on-the-edge-of-a-volcano”: Clarke, p. 116.

Chapter 24: Hunted

1 Louie enters main body of Omori: Louis Zamperini, telephone interview.

2 Lessons on avoiding the Bird: Norquist, pp. 278–79; Wade, p. 124; Bush, p. 187; Weinstein, pp. 228–33; Clarke, pp. 114–16; J. Watt Hinson, email interview, July 26, 2004.

3 The Bird’s office: Martindale, p. 78.

4 Louie not registered with Red Cross: Louis Zamperini, telephone interview.

5 Attacked every day: Louis Zamperini, telephone interview.

6 “number one prisoner”: CBS Television, “48 Hours: Race to Freedom,” 1998.

7 “After the first few days in camp”: Louis Zamperini, telephone interview.

8 The Bird forces officers to work: Clarke, p. 114; Martindale, p. 97; Louis Zamperini, telephone interview; Weinstein, p. 249.

9 Cleaning benjos: Louis Zamperini, telephone interview; Martindale, pp. 99–100; Lewis Bush, p. 186; Clarke, p. 114.

10 “The motto”: Martindale, p. 100.

11 Sabotage, stealing: John Fitzgerald, POW diary, Papers of John A. Fitzgerald, Operational Archives Branch, NHC, Washington, D.C.; “42nd Bombardment Squadron: Addendum to Squadron History,” September 11, 1945, AFHRA, Maxwel AFB, Ala.; Louis Zamperini, telephone interview; Milton McMul en, telephone interview, February 16, 2005; Martindale, pp. 127–28, 156–72; Wade, pp. 97–99, 129; Bush, p. 161; Johan Arthur Johansen, email interview, March 26, 2005; Weinstein, pp. 243–45; Gloria Ross, “A Singular Man,” Airman, January 1982; Tom Wade, telephone interview, January 2, 2005.

12 “University of Thievery”: Martindale, pp. 168–69.

13 Stealing ingredients for cake: Ibid., p. 128.

14 Louie gets sugar for Tinker: Frank Tinker, telephone interview, February 20, 2005; Louis Zamperini, telephone interview.

15 Only two deaths after school created: Martindale, p. 169.

16 Louie beaten: Louis Zamperini, telephone interview.

17 Sakaba watches beating: Ibid.

18 The Bird holding power over superiors: Norquist, p. 279; Wade, p. 120; Weinstein, p. 255.

19 Watanabe’s impunity: Yuichi Hatto, written interview, August 28, 2004.

20 Kind guards: Bush, p. 200; Yuichi Hatto, written interview, August 28, 2004; Boyington, pp. 302–03; Martindale, p. 195; Norquist, p. 288; Gamble, p. 336; Yukichi Kano, “Statement of Yukichi Kano Tokio P.O.W. Camp H.Q. (Omori),” undated, from papers of Robert Martindale.

21 Red Cross inspection: Martindale, p. 123; Louis Zamperini, telephone interview.

22 Louie’s defiance: Louis Zamperini, telephone interview.

23 Postman Calls: E. Bartlett Kerr, Surrender and Survival: The Experience of American POWs in the Pacific, 1941–1945 (New York: Wil iam Morrow, 1985), pp. 189–90; “The Zero Hour,” Glasgow.com, http://www.glasglow.com/e2/th/The_Zero_Hour.html (accessed September 25, 2009).

24 Radio message: E. H. Stephan, postcard to Zamperini family, October 18, 1944.

25 Louie knew nothing of broadcast: Louis Zamperini, telephone interview.

26 Message in Trona: E. H. Stephan, postcard to Zamperini family, October 18, 1944, stamp on card.

Chapter 25: B-29

1 Louie taking wheelbarrow to Tokyo: Louis Zamperini, telephone interview.

2 State of Tokyo: Milton McMul en, telephone interview, February 16, 2005; Bush, pp. 213, 222–23; Weinstein, p. 248.

3 Graffiti: Louis Zamperini, telephone interview.

4 B-29: “Boeing B-29 Superfortress,” Military Factory, http://www.militaryfactory.com/aircraft/detail.asp?aircraft_id=82 (accessed October 15, 2009).

5 Steakley’s flight: E. Bartlett Kerr, Flames over Tokyo: The U.S. Army Air Forces’ Incendiary Campaign Against Japan, 1941–1945 (New York: Donald I. Fine, 1991), p. 92.

6 Earlier B-29 raids on mainland Japan: Ibid., pp. 57–60, 64–68.

7 B-29 flying over Omori: Louis Zamperini, telephone interview; Tom Wade, telephone interview, September 17, 2005; Frank Tinker, telephone interview, February 20, 2005; Martindale, pp. 166–67; Wade, pp. 138–39; Clarke, p. 147; Robert Martindale, telephone interview, January 2, 2005; Tom Wade, telephone interview, January 2, 2005.

8 “It was not their Messiah”: Martindale, p. 176.

9 Smuggling newspapers: Milton McMul en, telephone interview, February 16, 2005.

10 Distortions in Japanese press: Weinstein, p. 242.

11 Plane downed with rice bal : Louis Zamperini, telephone interview.

12 “Lone enemy B-29 visits Tokyo area”: Norquist, p. 287.

13 FLED IN CONSTERNATION: Louis Zamperini, telephone interview.

14 “Niju ku!”: Wade, p. 139.

15 The Bird beats Louie with belt: Louis Zamperini, telephone interview; Robert Trumbul , “Zamperini, Olympic Miler, Is Safe After Epic Ordeal,” NYT, September 9, 1945.

16 The Bird forces Maher to burn letters: Affidavit, Francis Harry Frankcom, from files on Mutsuhiro Watanabe (Sgt.), vol. 1, 1945–1952, POW 201