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MUKAISHIMA Mukaishima Hiroshima Sub-camp #4 |
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NB:At end of war, the Japanese listed this camp as being part of the "Zentsuji" group of camps. This often led to confusion amongst researchers. |
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Location: Hiroshima 4-B MUKAIJIMA (Mukaishima) Employer: HITACHI ZOSEN [Hitachi Shipyard] HIROSHIIMA-ken, MITSUKI-gun, MUKAIJIMA Satellite View Map Street location Timeline: 27 Nov 1942-100 British POWS arrive from Singapore on Dainichi Maru. Established as YAHATA Provisional Fukuoka POW CAMP MUKAIJIMA Branch Camp 14 (Fukuoka-14B) 1 Jan 1943- Renamed FUKUOKA POW CAMP MUKAIJIMA Branch Camp 1 Mar 1943-Renamed Fukuoka 11-B 14 Jul 1943- Jurisdictional control transferred to ZENTSUJI POW CAMP 7 Sep 1944- 116 Americans arrive from Philippines on the Noto Maru. 13 Apr 1945- Established as Hiroshima 1-D (formerly ZENTSUJI POW CAMP 1-D) Aug 1945 Renamed Hiroshima 4-B Sep 1945 Rescue effected Short Overview: per Koshi Kobayashi. There were over 90 prison camps throughout Japan, and about 32,000 prisoners of war in all. Here in Mukaishima, the Hiroshima Prisoner of War Sub-camp No.4 was set up and the number of prisoners of war, including British and American men, totaled 216. First, in November 1942, 100 British airmen were shipped from Indonesia to Mukaishima on the Dainichi Maru, and put to work in the shipyards. Of these, 23 men died. Later, in September 1944, 116 American soldiers came up from the Philippines on the Noto Maru, and at the end of war all of these returned to their home country. |
Roster of deceased British
(From Memorial at camp site) Partial American Roster - 70+ men based upon name identification on camp photograph. Rosters not located yet. External Link: Japanese school in Mukaishima honors the men of this camp. Developed under the guidance of Koshi Kobayashi. Very detailed and well done. Camp Report (Gibbs Report) Camp Sketch External Link to camp overview by New Mexico Bataan Memorial Project Picture: Major William O. Dorris accepting the surrender of Japanese Camp Commander 80-G-346525: Former Japanese commandant of POW camp, Fukuoka #3, Major Rikatake, 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. Forbes Diary: Excellent diary detailing Tanagawa and this camp- while known at Fukuoka #11. Special: Article regarding Pvt Edwards testimony against fellow American at Courts Martial. Navy man, Hirshberg, accuse of collaboration and beatings of fellow Americans. (Pending) |
