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Fukuoka-06D Tanoura Dispatch Camp |
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Fukuoka 6-D TANOURA (TOKAI DENKYO TANOURA KOJO) [Tokai Carbon] see company site (Near Higo Tanoura train station) KUMAMOTO-ken, ASHIKITA-gun, TANOURA Location Map Timeline: 13 Oct 1942: Established 12 Oct 1943: Aussie group arrives from Batavia departed Batavia approx 10 Sep 1943, (unknown ship) arrived Singapore 14 Sep 1943. Reloaded in Singapore on 21 Sep 1943 22 Sep 1943: departed on Seishin Maru 29 Sep 1943: arrive Manila bay 8 Oct 1943: arrive Takao Formosa 12 Oct 1943: Arrive Moji- transferred to Tanoura 30 Jun 1945: Camp closed- POWs transferred to Fuk-25B (shows roster) Brit: 4 officers, 383 other ranks Japanese Staff Source: diary & affidavit of New Zealand pilot William James Nesbit "Jim" MacIntosh. He described the camp as "Tanoura in the Fukuoka District- our camp being No. 6 Hakenjo. Lt. Yanaru- first commandant- gave other guards a free hand to beat POWs at any time and for no reason Kibabau Kihu- Also known as "Bullhead"- extremely brutal- carried a pick axe handle and relentlessly beat the men on detail #3. Directly responsible for death of Sgt William Heard. First Officer Jones of the ship Empire Dawn mentally collapsed under Kihu. Kihu was transferred to an ack-ack unit and disappeared. Sarudai Hoshima- Also known as "Freckles" - well built, about 5 ft 8 in- beat every man at least twice, favoring ju jitsu throws, fists and stomping with boots. Lt Fulsho- replaced Yanaru in summer of 1944- considered good compared to other guards |
Labor POWs used as slave laborers in a carbon plant. Approximately 100 men in 5 labor groups. MacIntosh was in group 3 filling and emptying the kilns. Hell Ship Seishin Maru- departed Singapore 22 Sep 1943 with some 1500 men on board Rosters British roster (survivors) posted on Fukuoka #25B-Omuta (Kohama) Three (3) British Dead: Thomas, Wilson David- died 15 Mar 1944- cardiac beri beri Burrows, William Leonard - 1119334, died 30 Apr 1944 of "right wet pleurisy" Herd, William John - died 11 Mar 1944 of "right wet pleurisy" per Japanese. Affidavits claim he was beaten to death. Note: we have an extensive diary and some photographs regarding this camp. When time permits, we shall post further information |