Prisoner of War Evacuation from Jap
By CHAPLAIN J. A. KNIGHT, USNR
The Navy chaplain on board the USS Sanctuary writes about his experiences and observations in the evacuation of allied prisoners of war from Japan.
"To proclaim liberty to the captives, and the wanted to talk about their faith that pulled them throw
opening of the prison to them that are their gratitude for life, their hopes and plans for bound." ISAIAH 61:1. future. I purposely refrained from scattering relig literature over the wards. Instead, I only let it be k
THE evacuation of allied prisoners of war from Japan that I had in my possession an abundance of Bibles, N was a thrilling and dramatic task performed joyously Testaments, and other religious material. If they as
by both Army and Navy personnel. The USS Sanctuary for religious literature, then I knew they wanted it (AH-17), the Navy's newest hospital ship and my parish would use it. I was swamped with requests for relig since its commissioning, played a major role in evacuating material. And the literature was used. A number of the liberated prisoners from Wakayama, the debarkation had entered camp with Bibles, but one of three things point for all prison camps in the southern half of the happened to them-they were destroyed by the Japan
Island of Honshu, and a smaller part at atomic-bombed lost, or worn out from heavy duty.
Nagasaki, the evacuation point for the Island of Kyushu. The prisoners came to church-many who should
The prisoners of war were of all nationalities. The remained in bed. They sang, they prayed, they listene.
American servicemen were those captured on Wake, awe to our Hammond electric organ. When we sang Guam, Bataan, Corregidor, Java, and from many of our Country 'Tis of Thee," they cried. I did my best to pra ships and planes which were lost. worthwhile sermons to them, but in my heart I was o
Strange as it may seem, these prisoners from America whelmed with humility, for these fellows' lives pread
and the allied nations were in good spirits and not espe- the noblest sermon I had ever heard. They had been tes cially bitter. Their physical condition was ghastly. Their and had not been found lacking in spiritual stren faces bore the marks of the horror they had endured so "Could we have endured likewise?" was the question long. For those who survived, the past three and a half our lips. I used every minute to counsel with these fell years were a nightmare filled with disease, biting cold, about their problems and their future plans. Many starvation, punishment, and hard work. I talked and asso- them had not heard from home for months or even ye dciated with hundreds and hundreds of these prisoners in Home was to them not a reality but a rosy dream. Japan and on the trips out of Japan. They talked freely remembered only the good, the fine, the beautiful at and without hesitation about their past, and the interesting their homes. Without being pessimistic I told them stories got from them will be remembered always. The things had changed at home. They should be prepare lives of these fellows-their courage, their endurance, accept heartache as well as joy. A number of these their faith, their prayers, their appreciation and knowledge tients would have to be hospitalized for a long time, of the essentials of life-were a cleansing experience and they expected to go straight home. I kept telling th a challenge for all of us. that I knew they would win in every way, for a per
Facilities were established on the beach for processing who had survived the treatment in a Japanese prison c
all prisoners as they arrived by train or truck. Before being surely would not be defeated by problems of adjust
transferred to the ships, the prisoners were fed, deloused, to normal living.
bathed, clothed, medically examined, given the opportunity of sending a cablegram home, and interviewed by the ELIGION IN THE PRISON CAMPS
War Crimes' Commission, a representative of each pris- Those of us who are interested in the value of relig oner's country, and a chaplain of the man's faith. in life, and especially in a crisis, immediately ask quest About the actions and reactions of the believers and THE LIBERATED ABOARD THE SANCTUARY unbelievers who dwelt in the dark tombs of imprisons
The chaplain's work aboard ship with the liberated "Were there mass conversions in the prison camps?" "i
prisoners was varied and challenging. In the realm of the Japanese permit the holding of religious services recreation we offered the complete facilities of the ship. "Who conducted services, if they were permitted?" '
Since the prisoners had not tasted ice cream since their a dozen other questions spring into the mind!
captivity, we furnished it between meals everyday. They There were services of divine worship held in all were given air mail stamps, stationery, magazines, books, prison camps. In some camps the Japanese forbade and games in abundance. They listened to the latest holding of religious services. When this happened, s phonograph recordings and were shown movies, given ices were held in secret. In some camps only the reat band concerts, and led in group recreation. of the Bible and the offering of prayers were allowedThese people were hungry for spiritual guidance. They preaching and no singing. "We missed our hymn-sing
8 The Army and Navy Chap!