Fukuoka #3 POW Camp

80-G-346525: Former Japanese commandant of POW camp, Fukuoka #3, Major Rikitake, yielding sword to Major W.O. Dorris, USA, present commandant of POW camp in Tobata, Kyushu, Japan. [Fukuoka #3] 15 Sep 1945. Major Dorris was leader of the rescue team for the Fukuoka camps. Records indicate he was rescued in the Philippines in early 1945.

Fukuoka #3 [Tobata/Kokura] POW Camp Prisoner of War Information Bureau states first located in suburban section of city of Yawata (asa Yahata), new camp was then erected in suburb of Tobata, POWs always worked in Yawata steel mills. Area now the city of KITAKYUSHU. Exact location: the latitude and longitude of the camp are: 33 degrees 54 min 0 sec North and 130 degrees 51 min 2 sec East [Courtesy of John DeBriere] Location: Fukuoka-03-B KOKURA-shi, OAZA NAKAI, AZA YAKURASHIMO (NIPPON SEITETSU YAHATA SEITETSU-SHO) [Area MAP] and Exact location Satellite- Requires Google Timeline: 23 Sep 1942; Established at YAHATA-shi, NAKA-machi, Known as YAHATA Provisional POW Camp *[Also known as "The Citadel"]- Satellite View* Nov 1942: 36 US Marines arrive from Woosung. 1 Jan 1943: Renamed FUKUOKA POW CAMP YAHATA Branch Camp 1 Mar 1943: Renamed 3-B 15 Dec 1943: Moved to KOKURA-shi, OAZA NAKAI, AZA YAKURASHIMO 13 Sep 1945: Rescue effected Camp Layout: Sketch by Sgt Davis Sketch of camp location: by David Nash Bombing Raid: Description of the first B-29 raid over Japan- Target Yawata - excellent narrative of the first major raid over Japan. Interviews: Books (2) Describing Life at Fukuoka #3 Special: The Survivors from the submarine, USS Grenadier SS210. [EXTERNAL Link] Rescued at Tobata Camp Photographs Main Street, B-29 dropping food (shows handmade flags) and overview from nearby hill. *Private collection of Pat Hilley* and NARA Pictures Major William O. Dorris accepting the surrender of Japanese Camp Commander. 80-G-346525: Former Japanese commandant of POW camp, Fukuoka #3, Major Rikitake, yielding sword to Major W.O. Dorris, USA, present commandant of POW camp in Tobata, Kyushu, Japan. [Fukuoka #3] 15 Sep 1945. Major Dorris was leader of the rescue team for the Fukuoka camps. Records indicate he was rescued in the Philippines in early 1945. More Photos- External Link- slow loading; includes picture of first camp "The Citadel"- This is Wes Injerd's massive site about the Fukuoka camps.	Special Note: We have located and photographed all the rescue rosters, deceased rosters, reports, etc., for this camp. We need volunteers to transcribe same. Please contact us. Slave Labor: Slave Laborers at the Yawata Steel Mills (NIPPON SEITETSU YAHATA SEITETSU-SHO) Hell Ships: Camp had numerous survivors of the Oryoku Maru; Some men from the Clyde Maru; Asama Maru- carried survivors of the USS Grenadier from Singapore (Sept 1943); Wake CPNAB men arrived on the Tachibana Maru Gibbs Report: Tobata #3- Full summary of camp conditions and movements. Commentary by Sgt Kirk to correct the Gibbs mis-statements. Investigation Report (DOCX file) NARA Notes: About this camp, recorded during our research of Record Group 389 - very useful for personal research Secret Camera ! - Rare & startling pictures of POWS being deliberately starved. Taken by T.S. Kirk, USMC. Used with permission. More pictures of camp! Camp Affidavits, Statements and Testimonies Billie Emerick interview - Special biography produced by Emerick's nephew, Scott Proudfit. Camp Rosters at Liberation: Americans British: Military Civilians xls file of British Other Allies Deceased at Fukuoka #3 Rosters do not include men transferred to other camps- these are the rescue rosters. Note: We have scans of rosters for other nationalities pending transcription. Ask for copies. Japanese Camp Staff: Complete staff as of liberation Special Pages for all Fukuoka Camps - A must see!