Chapter 30: The Boiling City
1 B-29s coming over every night: Wall, p. 300.
2 The Bird tormenting men after raids: Louis Zamperini, telephone interview; Louis Zamperini, 1946 notes on captive experience.
3 Face slapping: Louis Zamperini, telephone interview; Louis Zamperini, 1946 notes on captive experience.
4 Louie clubbed on ankle: Louis Zamperini, letter to Edwin Wilber, May 1946.
5 Port closed, shipping hit: Wall, p. 300; “Jap Shipping, Planes Hard Hit in July,” Walla Walla Union-Bulletin, August 1, 1945.
6 Louie begs the Bird for work: Louis Zamperini, telephone interview.
7 “Goat die, you die”: Ibid.
8 Marvin steals rope: Ken Marvin, telephone interview, January 31, 2005.
9 Goat dies: Tom Wade, telephone interview, January 2, 2005; Louis Zamperini, telephone interview; Louis Zamperini, 1946 notes on captive experience.
10 The Bird forces Louie to hold beam: Louis Zamperini, telephone interview; Frank Tinker, telephone interview, February 20, 2005; Wade, p. 166; Tom Wade, telephone interview, January 2, 2005; Louis Zamperini, 1946 notes on captive experience; Affidavit, Louis Zamperini, from files on Mutsuhiro Watanabe (Sgt.), vols. 1–3, 1945–1952, POW 201 File 1945–1947, SCAP, Legal Section, Administrative Division, RAOOH, RG 331, NACP.
11 Thirty-seven minutes: Wade, p. 166.
12 B-29 flyover on August 1: “Record Raid Hits Four Jap Cities,” Walla Walla Union-Bulletin, August 1, 1945.
13 Biggest World War I raid by tonnage: Kerr, Flames, pp. 269–70. 296 Nagaoka civilians think napalm is rain: “Nagaoka Air Raid, August 1, 1945,” http://www.echigonagaoka.com/index.html (accessed October 5, 2009).
14 The Bird beats men on August 1: Louis Zamperini, telephone interview.
15 Skyline glowing: Wall, p. 300.
16 Leaflets, Japanese government forbids people from keeping, sharing leaflets: Josette H. Williams, “The Information War in the Pacific, 1945: Paths to Peace,” Central Intelligence Agency Center for the Study of Intelligence, May 8, 2007, https://www.cia.gov/library/center-for-the-study-of-intelligence/csi-publications/csi-studies/studies/vol46no3/article07.html (accessed April 29, 2010).
17 Louie sicker: Louis Zamperini, POW diary; Louis Zamperini, letter to Edwin Wilber, May 1946.
18 Boot licking: Louis Zamperini, telephone interview; Affidavit, Louis Zamperini, from files of Mutsuhiro Watanabe (Sgt.), vols. 1–3, 1945–1952, POW 201 File 1945–1947, SCAP, Legal Section, Administrative Division, RAOOH, RG 331, NACP; Louis Zamperini, POW diary; “42nd Bombardment Squadron: Addendum to Squadron History,” September 11, 1945, AFHRA, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
19 Push-ups over latrine: Louis Zamperini, telephone interview; Robert Trumbull, “Zamperini, Olympic Miler, Is Safe After Epic Ordeal,” NYT, September 9, 1945.
20 Bird threatens to drown Louie: Louis Zamperini, telephone interview; Robert Trumbull, “Zamperini, Olympic Miler, Is Safe After Epic Ordeal,” NYT, September 9, 1945.
21 Murder plot: Louis Zamperini, telephone interview; Louis Zamperini, interview by George Hodak, Hollywood, Calif., June 1988, AAFLA.
22 The Bird sees man sneering: Mutsuhiro Watanabe, “I Do Not Want to Be Punished by America,” Bingei Shunjyu, April 1956, translated from Japanese.
23 Hiroshima: Paul Tibbets, interview by Studs Terkel, 2002, http://dalesdesigns.net/interview.htm (accessed September 14, 2007); Matthew Davis, “The Men Who Bombed Hiroshima,” BBC News, August 4, 2007; “Paul Tibbets,” AcePilots.com, www.acepilots.com/asaaf_tibbets.html (accessed September 13, 2007).
24 Ferron Cummins feels effect of bomb: Knox, p. 435.
Chapter 31: The Naked Stampede
1 Civilians’ hands in fists: Frank Tinker, telephone interview, February 20, 2005.
2 Guard says Hiroshima hit by cholera: Louis Zamperini, telephone interview.
3 Civilian says one bomb destroyed city: Frank Tinker, telephone interview, February 20, 2005.
4 “electronic bomb”: Tom Wade, telephone interview, January 2, 2005.
5 Omori commander speaks to POWs: Milton McMullen, telephone interview, February 16, 2005.
6 Men discuss self-defense: Tom Wade, telephone interview, January 2, 2005.
7 The Bird in mountains: Wade, p. 166; John Cook, email interview, October 30, 2004.
8 Louie’s illness, weight loss: Louis Zamperini, letter to Edwin Wilber, May 1946; Louis Zamperini, POW diary; Louis Zamperini, telephone interview.
9 Louie struck by Ogawa: Louis Zamperini, letter to Edwin Wilber, May 1946; Louis Zamperini, telephone interview.
10 Japanese walk out: Ken Marvin, telephone interview, January 31, 2005.
11 Japanese at radio: Frank Tinker, telephone interview, February 20, 2005.
12 Marvin’s talk with Bad Eye: Ken Marvin, telephone interview, January 31, 2005.
13 Rumors: Ken Marvin, telephone interview, January 31, 2005; John Fitzgerald, POW diary, Papers of John A. Fitzgerald, Operational Archives Branch, NHC, Washington, D.C.; Wall, pp. 300, 304; “Letters Recall End of Captivity,” Idaho Press-Tribune, undated article from Idaho Press-Tribune archives; John Cook, email interview, October 30, 2004.
14 Naoetsu to be bombed: Louis Zamperini, letter to Edwin Wilber, May 1946.
15 Marvin’s thoughts: Ken Marvin, telephone interview, January 31, 2005.
16 Work crews dismissed: Wall, p. 304.
17 Louie vomiting, gets letters: Louis Zamperini, POW diary.
18 Town illuminated, POWs take shades down: Wall, p. 304.
19 “Look like skeleton”: Louis Zamperini, POW diary.
20 The Bird reappears: Louis Zamperini, telephone interview.
21 Rokuroshi: Emerson, pp. 80–84; Giles, pp. 154–57; Robert S. La Forte, Ronald E. Marcello, and Richard L. Himmel, eds., With Only the Will to Live: Accounts of Americans in Japanese Prison Camps, 1941–1945 (Wilmington, Del.: SR Books, 1994), pp. 260–61; George Steiger, “Captain George Steiger: A POW Diary,” http://www.fsteiger.com/gsteipow.html (accessed October 2, 2009).
22 Men told war over: Louis Zamperini, telephone interview; John Fitzgerald, POW diary, Papers of John A. Fitzgerald, Operational Archives Branch, NHC, Washington, D.C.; John Cook, email interview, October 30, 2004; Frank Tinker, telephone interview, February 20, 2005.
23 “The war has come”: John Cook, email interview, October 30, 2004.
24 Commander asks POWs to fight “Red Menace”: Frank Tinker, telephone interview, February 20, 2005; John Cook, email interview, October 30, 2004; John Cook, “Japan: C Force,” unpublished memoir. One published account of the speech gives a different version of events, stating that according to Cook, it was Fitzgerald who asked that the POWs of other nations join America in fighting the Soviets. But in Cook’s memoir, as well as his interview with this author, he stated that it was the Japanese commander, not Fitzgerald, who wanted POWs to join Japan in the fight against the Soviets. “The Camp Commander, through the Interpreter,” Cook wrote, “informed the POWs that the War with Japan was over and he appealed to them to join with Japan to fight the Red Menace. (Russia.)” This account makes far more sense, as America was not fighting the Soviet Union, then its ally, but Japan was, having seen its Kuril Islands seized by the Soviets two days before. According to POW Johan Arthur Johansen, the commander at Omori also asked the POWs to join Japan in fighting the Russians.
25 Flyover, reaction: Frank Tinker, telephone interview, February 20, 2005; Louis Zamperini, telephone interview; John Cook, email interview, October 30, 2004; Robert Rasmussen, “A Momentous Message of Hope,” National Aviation Museum Foundation Magazine, vol. 8, no. 1, Spring 1987; Louis Zamperini, interview by George Hodak, Hollywood, Calif., June 1988, AAFLA; Ken Marvin, telephone interview, January 31, 2005.
26 Clift: Robert Rasmussen, “A Momentous Message of Hope,” National Aviation Museum Foundation Magazine, vol. 8, no. 1, Spring 1987.
27 OUR TBFS HAVEN’T BEEN ABLE: Ibid.
28 Chocolate, cigarettes: Louis Zamperini, telephone interview; Ken Marvin, telephone interview, January 31, 2005; Wade, p. 169.
29 Pants drop from plane: Louis Zamperini, telephone interview; Louis Zamperini, interview by George Hodak, Hollywood, Calif., June 1988, AAFLA.
30 The Bird leaves: Frank Tinker, telephone interview, February 20, 2005.
Chapter 32: Cascades of Pink Peaches
1 End of war at Rokuroshi: Emerson, pp. 80–84; Giles, pp. 154–57; La Forte, pp. 260–61; George Steiger, “Captain George Steiger: A POW Diary,” http://www.fsteiger.com/gsteipow.html (accessed October 2, 2009).
2 Little food, no tobacco: John Fitzgerald, POW diary, Papers of John A. Fitzgerald, Operational Archives Branch, NHC, Washington, D.C.; Wall, p. 302.
3 Fitzgerald demands food: John Fitzgerald, POW diary, Papers of John A. Fitzgerald, Operational Archives Branch, NHC, Washington, D.C.
4 Cow, pigs brought: Ken Marvin, telephone interview, January 31, 2005.
5 Fitzgerald’s dispatch, fight with commander: John Fitzgerald, POW diary, Papers of John A. Fitzgerald, Operational Archives Branch, NHC, Washington, D.C.
6 Fighters fly over: Ibid.; Wade, p. 169; Wall, p. 302; “Letters Recall End of Captivity,” Idaho Press-Tribune, undated article from Idaho Press-Tribune archives.
7 “Wonderful?”: “Letters Recall End of Captivity,” Idaho Press-Tribune, undated article from Idaho Press-Tribune archives.
8 Commander gives in: John Fitzgerald, POW diary, Papers of John A. Fitzgerald, Operational Archives Branch, NHC, Washington, D.C.
9 Supplies drop, men gorge themselves: John Cook, email interview, October 30, 2004; John Fitzgerald, POW diary, Papers of John A. Fitzgerald, Operational Archives Branch, NHC, Washington, D.C.; Wade, p. 170; Wall, pp. 302, 304; Robert Rasmussen, “A Momentous Message of Hope,” National Aviation Museum Foundation Magazine, vol. 8, no. 1, Spring 1987; “Letters Recall End of Captivity,” Idaho Press-Tribune, undated article from Press-Tribune archives; Frank Tinker, telephone interview, February 20, 2005.
10 BOMBED HERE IN MAY 45: Wall, p. 302.
11 Louie sleeps in parachute: Louis Zamperini, interview by George Hodak, Hollywood, Calif., June 1988, AAFLA.
12 “ ’Tis about 6 p.m., and I’m lying here”: “Letters Recall End of Captivity,” Idaho Press-Tribune, undated article from Press-Tribune archives.
13 Kinney’s flyover: Byron Kinney, telephone interview, April 23, 2007; Louis Zamperini, telephone interview; Byron Kinney, A Mission of Mercy Touches Two Lives (Chicago: United Letter Service, 1995).
14 Harris taken to surrender ceremony: Whitcomb, p. 285.
15 Some 132,000 Allied POWs: Tanaka, p. 70; Brian MacArthur, Surviving the Sword: Prisoners of the Japanese in the Far East, 1942–45 (New York: Random House, 2005), p. xxvi.
16 Nearly 36,000 Allied POWs die: Tanaka, p. 70.
17 More than 37 percent versus 1 percent: Charles A. Stenger, PhD, telephone interview with author, October 17, 2009; Charles A. Stenger, PhD, American Prisoners of War in World War I, World War II, Korea, and Vietnam: Statistical Data, Veterans Administration Central Office, June 30, 1979, p. 20.
18 More than 215,000 other POWs: Tanaka, p. 2.
19 Death marches: Kerr, Surrender, p. 60.
20 Burma-Siam Railway: Children of Far East Prisoners of War, “SE Asia Under Japanese Occupation,” http://www.cofepow.org.uk/pages/asia_thailand1.html (accessed March 18, 2010).
21 Medical experiments: Tanaka, pp. 135–65; Gary K. Reynolds, U.S. Prisoners of War and Civilian American Citizens Captured and Interned by Japan in World War II: The Issue of Compensation by Japan, Congressional Research Service, December 17, 2002, pp. 17–19.
22 Cannibalism: James, p. 259; Tanaka, pp. 111–34; “Claim Japs Practiced Cannibalism,” Hammond Times, September 16, 1945; “Jap Soldiers Eat Flesh of U.S. Prisoners, Australia Discloses,” Abilene Reporter-News, September 10, 1945.
23 Sandakan: Tanaka, pp. 11–43.
24 Tinian massacre: 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, Fall 1998.
25 Ballale: Peter Stone, Hostages to Freedom (Yarram, Australia: Oceans Enterprises, 2006).
26 Wake: Major Mark E. Hubbs, “Massacre on Wake Island,” Yorktown Sailor, http://www.yorktownsailor.com/yorktown/massacre.html (accessed October 18, 2009); Daws, p. 279.
27 Tarawa: Daws, p. 278.
28 Palawan: Sides, pp. 7–17; Kerr, Surrender, pp. 212–15; V. Dennis Wrynn, “American Prisoners of War: Massacre at Palawan,” World War II, November 1997.
29 POWs giving supplies to civilians, guards: Kerr, Surrender, p. 273.
30 Kono hides in office: Wade, p. 169.
31 Kono’s flight, capture, trial: Hiroaki Kono records from the NACP: Hiroaki Kono et al., 1946–1947, File Unit from RG 331: RAOOH, WWII, 1907–1966, SCAP, Legal Section, Manila Branch (1945–11/1949) Series: Orders and Summaries, compiled 1946–1947; Narumi Oota et al., 1945–1949, File Unit from RG 331: RAOOH, WWII, 1907–1966, SCAP, Legal Section, Prosecution Division (1945–1949) Series: USA Versus Japanese War Criminals Case File, compiled 1945–1949; Hiroaki Kono, 1948–1953, File Unit from RG 84: Records of the Foreign Service Posts of the Department of State, 1788–ca. 1991, Department of State. U.S. Embassy, Japan. (04/28/1952–) (Most Recent) SCAP, Legal Section (10/02/1945–04/28/1952?) (Predecessor) Series: Japanese War Crimes Case Files, compiled 1946–1961.
32 Guard thrown from galley: Ken Marvin, telephone interview, January 31, 2005.
33 NO MORE—THANKS: Robert Rasmussen, “A Momentous Message of Hope,” National Aviation Museum Foundation Magazine, vol. 8, no. 1, Spring 1987.
34 one thousand planes, 4,500 tons of supplies: Daws, p. 340.
35 Cocoa hits office: Martindale, p. 233; Robert Martindale, telephone interview, January 2, 2005.
36 Louie washes shirt: Louis Zamperini, telephone interview.
37 Industrial machines in private houses: Ken Marvin, telephone interview, January 31, 2005.
38 Tinker buys record: Louis Zamperini, telephone interview.
39 fifteen hundred Red Cross boxes in storehouse: Ken Marvin, telephone interview, January 31, 2005.
40 Men find brothel: Wade, p. 170.
41 Marvin on bicycle and in bath: Ken Marvin, telephone interview, January 31, 2005.
42 Occupying forces don’t arrive: John Fitzgerald, POW diary, Papers of John A. Fitzgerald, Operational Archives Branch, NHC, Washington, D.C.
43 Fitzgerald hits official: Ken Marvin, telephone interview, January 31, 2005.
44 POWs walk to train: Wall, p. 304; Wade, p. 170; Louis Zamperini, telephone interview.
45 Fitzgerald stays: John Fitzgerald, POW diary, Papers of John A. Fitzgerald, Operational Archives Branch, NHC, Washington, D.C.
46 Japanese saluting: Wall, p. 304.