Fukuoka #7B Futase

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Location source: Wes Injerd Location & History: Fukuoka-07B-Futase (NIPPON SEITETSU KOGYO FUTASE KOGYO-SHO) Also known as "Shin-Iizuka" Location: FUKUOKA-ken, KAHO-gun, FUTASE-machi, Worker's Club Map: Courtesy of Wes Injerd; slow loading Satellite View - needs Google maps Relief Map- show relative location to other camps TIME LINE: May 1943: Established as Fukuoka #16-Branch 1 Dec 1943: Renamed 10-Dispatch camp Aug 1945: Renamed Fukuoka #7 Branch Camp 16 September 1945: Rescue Effected This slave labor camp was first occupied by at least 400 Dutch and 2 British prisoners in May of 1943. [Dutch Capt. Andrau's daughter also states her father traveled with "400 men" rather than 350 mentioned by numerous affidavits]. Just over 50 Dutch men died in this camp. The camp total of 552 was reached after the arrival of the American contingent and remained about the same until the camp was liberated. Reports: NARA Reports- RG389: partial list of significant affidavits and reports regarding this camp. Gives a good overview of available documents at NARA. Gibbs Report: A compilation of camp history based upon affidavits submitted by POWS Affidavits: Dutch Air Force Officer, J.F.Wilkens. He describes in detail the operational status of the camp: clothing & other issues, food & recreation. Special thanks to Faye Powell, daughter of Australian POW Robert Bede "Bob" Moore, captured at Hong Kong. Japanese Staff: Books about Futase: See link to American VERSAW on American camp roster. Outstanding story of the conditions aboard the hell ship, Nissyo Maru. From the Tokyo Weekender Magazine: "Two guards—indicated only by nicknames as 'Gorilla" and 'Blackjack," along with the medical assistant—were extremely cruel in their beatings of the prisoners, and, in most cases, the prisoners themselves did not know the reasons. The beatings of the prisoners, frequently into insensibility, were administered for the slightest cause, generally unknown to the offender, and were so cruel and damaging as to require hospitalization." This testimony comes from Fukuoka Camp No.10 at Futase on Kyushu. Malnutrition was the cause of many deaths of POWs. Interviews About Futase: We have a memoir by Harold L. Page describing the camp- not digitized. Care to volunteer?

Primary Labor: Slave labor in Coal Mining- shifts were run around the clock. Failure to meet quotas resulted in beatings, removal of food and extended work hours. Hell Ship: Nissyo Maru, August 1944 for the Americans. Large number of British known to have arrived 23 May 1943 from the Wales Maru. Rosters: American (Includes American deceased) Dutch - compiled and transcribed by Armand Leeuwendal British & Others (Not located yet) Lt Joseph Aidan McCarthy (RAAF MD) was camp doctor. After surrender, he worked on cremating the dead from the atom bomb and was rescued at Fuk-26. Deceased: Dutch Photographs & Maps Click for larger image Birdseye view near end of camp center of picture wooden fence around the camp 18 Sept 1945. Only photostat copies exist at NARA, RG 407. Today, it is the site of a golf driving range. View of gate area. Click pic for larger view View of bath house. Click for larger view More pictures of Futase posted on Wes Injerd's excellent site. Photograph of Medical Staff: Picture from the Corrigan collection- courtesy of noted military memoribilia collector, Kurt Stauffer Lynnwood WA Click for large image Corrigan in front row, third from left- click picture for more details...