Pacific Atrocities Education - The Untold Stories of Pacific Theater of World War II

Uncovering Pootung- Part 5: A Businessman’s Account—John Robert de Lara’s Testimony

6/14/2025

by Jenny Chan

The narratives of John Van Almer, Albert Edward Alsop, James E. Aurell, Den W. Purns and Floyd Crowder have revealed the multifaceted struggles of Pootung Assembly Camp, from physical violence and starvation to public humiliation and internal divisions. Now, the testimony of John Robert de Lara, a highly educated American businessman, adds another layer to this complex history. Recorded by the Judge Advocate General’s Department in February 1946, de Lara’s affidavit details the camp’s deteriorating conditions, including freezing winters without heat, inadequate sanitation, and a diet so meager it left internees too weak to exercise. His account also exposes the camp’s perilous proximity to Japanese military targets, highlighting the constant threat of air raids. In Part 5, de Lara’s meticulous observations, shaped by his background in insurance and business administration, offer a sobering perspective on the systemic neglect and dangers faced by Pootung’s internees, further underscoring the urgency of preserving their stories.

Uncovering Pootung- Part 4: A Soldier's Witness and A Film Representative's Critique-Den W. Purns and Floyd Crowder

6/13/2025

The testimonies of John Van Almer, Albert Edward Alsop, and James E. Aurell have illuminated the physical and systemic hardships of Pootung Assembly Camp, from starvation to neglect. Yet, the narrative expands further with the accounts of Second Lt. Den W. Purns, a military internee, and Floyd Crowder, a film industry representative, whose statements reveal the public spectacle of internment and internal tensions among internees. Purns’ affidavit, sworn in 1943, recounts the humiliating march through Shanghai’s streets and the camp’s initial conditions, while referencing a detailed medical report by Dr. George Thorngate. Crowder’s interrogation statement exposes the Japanese scrutiny of anti-Japanese propaganda and critiques the preferential treatment of camp representatives, shedding light on the complex dynamics within Pootung.

Uncovering Pootung- Part 3: A Banker's Perspective- James E. Aurell's Testimony

6/11/2025

by Jenny Chan

The voices of John Van Almer and Albert Edward Alsop paint a vivid picture of Pootung’s brutal conditions, from physical violence to starvation rations. Yet, the story of this forgotten camp deepens with the testimony of James E. Aurell, a 34-year-old employee of the National City Bank, whose affidavit, recorded by the Judge Advocate General’s Department in 1946, offers a meticulous account of the camp’s systemic inadequacies. Aurell, a well-educated American with years of experience in Asia, provides a unique perspective as a civilian “assemblee,” detailing the dilapidated facilities, inadequate medical care, and relentless harassment under the camp’s Japanese administration. His testimony, captured in Palm Beach, Florida, underscores the collective struggle of internees to improve their conditions—whether by leveling rubble for a recreation space or pooling scarce medical supplies. Part 3, Aurell’s account, presented below, amplifies the chorus of voices demanding recognition for Pootung’s overlooked history.

Uncovering Pootung- Part 2: Voices of Survival—Albert Edward Alsop’s Account

6/10/2025

transcribed by Jenny Chan

John Van Almer’s affidavit lays bare the physical and emotional toll of Pootung, but his is not the only voice that echoes from this forgotten camp. Another internee, Albert Edward Alsop, a naturalized American and ship’s steward aboard the SS President Harrison, provides a complementary perspective through his own affidavit. His testimony, recorded by the Judge Advocate General’s Department in 1946, delves deeper into the camp’s deplorable conditions, from the insect-ridden rice to the freezing winters without heat. Alsop’s account also sheds light on the experiences of the President Harrison crew, a significant group within Pootung, and the brutal oversight of the camp’s commandant. As Pootung’s hidden history continues to be uncovered, Alsop’s detailed narrative enriches an understanding of the internees’ resilience and the systemic neglect they endured.

Uncovering Pootung: Shanghai's Forgotten WW2 Internment Camp

6/9/2025

by Jenny Chan

In the shadow of Shanghai’s modern skyline, where gleaming skyscrapers now dominate the Pudong district, lies a hidden chapter of World War II history: the Pootung Internment Camp. From February 1943 to August 1945, this makeshift prison, housed in dilapidated tobacco warehouses near the Huangpu River, held over 1,500 Allied civilians—men and later women—caught in the grip of Japanese occupation. British, American, and Dutch nationals, among others, endured overcrowding, malnutrition, and uncertainty, yet their resilience and ingenuity shone through in the face of hardship. Today, the site is unmarked, swallowed by urban progress, and the story of Pootung remains largely untold, overshadowed by larger wartime narratives.
Why does Pootung matter? Its obscurity belies the profound human experiences within its walls—stories of survival, community, and quiet defiance. While the camp lacked the infamy of other WWII internment sites, the personal accounts of those who lived through it offer a vital window into a lesser-known aspect of the war in Asia. Thanks to preserved affidavits from the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), the daily struggles and triumphs of the internees could be pieced together. These documents, some of which follow in this post, reveal the raw, unfiltered voices of those who endured Pootung’s harsh conditions, from scarce rations to beatings by the Japanese.

From Hell Ship to the Depths: The Tragic Tale of the Toyama Maru

6/6/2025

by Jenny Chan

The sinking of the Toyama Maru, a Japanese troop transport ship, on June 29, 1944, marked one of the deadliest maritime disasters of the war. Before its catastrophic end, this vessel also served a darker purpose—as a "hell ship," carrying prisoners of war under brutal conditions, including a harrowing voyage to Narumi Camp in Nagoya. Let’s explore the haunting story of the Toyama Maru, a ship that bore witness to both human suffering and a tragic finale in the Nansei Shoto.

Voices from Narumi POW Camp, Part 3

5/29/2025

transcribed by Jenny Chan

Interview of First Lieutenant Max C. Kissel, regarding the death of Waggoner.
Questions by Bernard J. McCrory
Q. Were you a prisoner of war?
A. Yes.
Q. At what places were your held and state the approximate dates.
A. I was captured by the Japanese on 10 April 1942 on Bataan. I was then taken to Camp O'Donnell, arriving there on 17 April 1942. I remained there until 4 June 1942 when I was transferred to Cabanatuan #1. I remained at Cabanatuan #1 until 17 July 1944 when I was transferred by boat to the Narumi War Prisoners Camp, Nagoya, Japan. I remained in this latter camp until our liberation on 4 September, 1945.

Voices from Narumi POW Camp Part 2

5/28/2025

transcribed by Jenny Chan

On the night of 29th June 1945, while I was imprisoned at Neuri[Narumi] prison of war camp, we were awakened in order that roll call could be taken. The Japanese guards discovered at this time that 1st. Class Petty Officer Wagner, U.S. Navy, who slept in the same barracks as I did, was missing. An immediate search was started but we were allowed to go back to bed. The next morning when we awake I saw Wagner standing in front of the guard house with a stick tied between his legs and his hands tied in front of him. The Japanese guards were kicking and beating this man and this torture continued for the next 72 hours. We heard through the Japanese guards that this man had been found in the kitchen and that he had stolen some food there. Wagner remained in the above described position for 72 hours and was beaten at the whim of the guards and on innumerable occasions. He had only a G-string and it was quite cold during the nights. During this 72 hour period, in addition to seeing the guards beat this man, I saw Lt. Karamira (phonetic) the Japanese commandant, beat this man and also saw Kamieko (phonetic), the civilian interpreter, beat him.

Voices from Narumi POW Camp: A Series on the Affidavits of Captured Allied Prisoners

5/27/2025

by Jenny Chan

During World War II, the Narumi POW Camp, officially designated Nagoya No. 2-B, stood as a grim testament to the brutal treatment of Allied prisoners under Japanese captivity. Located in Narumi, near Nagoya, Japan, this camp housed hundreds of American, British, Dutch, and Canadian prisoners who endured forced labor, starvation, and relentless cruelty. Among the many stories of suffering, the tragic fate of Doyle W. Waggoner, a U.S. Navy Aviation Ordnanceman 1st Class, whose mistreatment and death in July 1945 encapsulate the horrors faced by POWs at Narumi, stands out. This blog series highlights the affidavits and firsthand accounts of those captured, beginning with a chilling affidavit by Corporal Manuel Avila Cruz and an interview with 1st Lieutenant Max C. Kissel[1], which reveal the harrowing experiences of prisoners at Narumi, focusing on Waggoner’s ordeal, the systemic abuses under Japanese commandants, and the resilience of those who survived.
This post explores the brutal conditions at Narumi, where prisoners were forced to labor at the Nippon Sharyo factory[2], a major Japanese manufacturer of railway equipment and military materiel. Corporal Cruz’s affidavit mistakenly refers to this as the “Nissan locomotive ware,” likely a phonetic error due to the similarity between “Nippon” and “Nissan,” reflecting the challenges POWs faced in documenting their experiences. At Nippon Sharyo, prisoners built torpedo suicide boats under grueling conditions, endured collective punishments, and faced relentless beatings. Furthermore, Corporal Cruz mistakenly refers to the camp as “Neuri,” likely due to phonetic errors, as the similarity between “Narumi” and “Neuri.” The post recounts the specific events surrounding Waggoner’s attempted escape, his brutal punishment, and his tragic death, as witnessed by fellow prisoners. It also covers other incidents at the camp, including the death of Staff Sergeant Harry T. Cochran, the mistreatment of other prisoners, and the eventual liberation in September 1945. Through these accounts, this series honors the memory of those who endured unimaginable hardship and sheds light on a dark chapter of history.

General Honjo Shigeru: Architect of Manchuria’s Invasion and a Controversial Legacy

5/26/2025

This biographical report, prepared by the U.S. Department of State, examines the multifaceted career of General Baron Honjo Shigeru, a pivotal figure in Japan's military and political spheres during the early 20th century. Born in May 1876 in Hyogo Prefecture, Honjo rose to prominence as Commander-in-Chief of the Kwantung Army during the 1931 Mukden Incident, a defining moment that fueled Japan's imperial ambitions in East Asia. His subsequent roles, including advisor to the Imperial Rule Assistance Association and member of the Privy Council, underscore his significant influence. Tragically, following Japan's surrender in World War II, Honjo committed suicide on November 30, 1945, at his office in the Aoyama Staff College in Tokyo, approximately 24 hours after his arrest by the Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers for suspected war crimes. This report details Honjo's military achievements, political affiliations, and the controversial legacy that led the China Weekly Review to label him a "ring-leader" of Japan's militaristic policies since 1937, providing a comprehensive analysis of his impact on modern Japanese history.