RALPH W. WALDEN'S POW DIARY
Covers the last seven months as a POW of the Japanese

1945
Jan 22   Sailed from Tiawan bound for Japan.

Feb 11   Landed at an unknown port in Japan. (it was Moji)
Feb 12   Arrived by train at Kobe, Japan. Issued clothing.
Feb 13   Received one small Red Cross box for two men.  Weighed all men. Weighed 125 pounds.
Feb 25   Received second Red Cross box for two men.

Mar 1   Started working detail number four.
Mar 14   Stopped number four and started number five.
Mar 19   Received number three Red Cross box for two men.
Mar 17-18-19   Air attack.  Much burned.
Mar 18   Cracked wheat in soup.  Work number one.
Mar 31   Capt. Wilson left camp.  Checked weight 126 pounds.

Apr l   Started detail number four again.
Apr 7   Received fourth Red Cross box for two men.
Apr 10   Ran a knife almost through my left hand.
Apr 28   Received fifth Red Cross box for two men.

May 11   Sixty bombers over Osaka area.  Bombed railroad station at number five detail.
May 13   Received one Red Cross box per man.
May 17   All details stopped work.
May 20   Moved from Kobe to Maibara.
May 26   Received seventh Red Cross box for two men.

Jun 13   Issued 57 cigarettes.
Jun 22   44 heavy bombers raided this area.
Jun 26   100 or more heavy bombers raided this area.  Present weight 128 pounds.

Jul 1   Went to work at number one place but sat all morning.  Came in for dinner and rested all afternoon. Alert signal at 1400.  Bread issue one loaf.
Jul 2   Rested on account of rain.  Issued 28 1/2 Red Cross cigarettes and one half box of cheese.
Jul 3   Worked on air raid shelter.  Bread issue one and a half loaf.  Quit smoking. Traded Scala twenty cigarettes for five rations of rice, one half ration per day starting tomorrow.  Alert at 0015 hours.  Air raid at 0030 hours. Air alert at 2330.
Jul 4   Worked morning on rail at number one project.  Alert at 0130, 0945 and 2300.
Jul 5   Alert at 0200. Barley in place of Keebee.  Alert at 0930.  Worked at number two detail.  Supper was mashed spuds and carrots.
Jul 6   Alert at 2330.  Worked at number two detail.
Jul 7   Bread issue of one loaf per man.  Worked number two detail.  Very cold wind from west.  Rice with fish and soy for supper.
Jul 8   Worked at number two detail.  Alert every day.
Jul 17   Worked in afternoon.  Rained.  30 cigarettes.
Jul 19   Work as usual.   Much rice planting and air raids.

Aug 16   Official rest day.  30 butts.  1/4 cup coffee.  Corned beef supper.
Aug 17   Official rest day.  Milk, sugar and lougou for breakfast.  Issued 1 can butter and five buns.  No air raids for two days.  Rumors of peace.

August 15 was the last day that I worked.