
This photo taken during the war, by the Japanese in 1943, shows a garden and POW barracks at Cabanatuan.
Courtesy of John Eakin
Cabanatuan 6

Cabanatuan garden
In another photo taken by the Japanese in 1943, an unknown POW takes a break from chopping wood at what was referred to as Major Fitch's Kitchen. The kitchen was under the immediate command of T/Sgt. James S. Grossman, 19th Air Base Squadron, 10th Air Base Group. Maj. Alva R. Fitch was with the 23rd Field Artillery, Philippine Scouts.T/Sgt. James S. Grossman died in the sinking of the Arian Maru.
Maj. Alva R. Fitch survived the war and served in Korea. He became a Lieutenant General.Courtesy of John Eakin

Cabanatuan POW Band performed concerts for the POWs. On one occasion they played a song that came out after they ha become POWs which alerted the Japanese there was a radio in the camp. The Japanese never found the radio.
cabanatuan_band

It is believed this is a depiction of the beating of Lt. Col. Briggs, Lt. Col. Brighton, and Lt.(jg) Roy D. Gilbert, Which took place in September 1943. The three men were later taken three miles from the camp and shot.
Cabanatuan Beating

A POW digs his own grave at Camp O'Donnell while a Japanese officer prepares to cut off his head.Courtesy of Ben Steele©
His own graveCourtesy of Ben Steele©

POWs share the load by carrying two five gallon cans of water on a pole on to Camp O'Donnell. The reason was the camp did not have an adequate water supply.
Courtesy of Ben Steele ©
POWs share the load

POWs carry a load of rocks while building runways on a work detail.Courtesy of Ben Steele ©
POWs carry a load of rocks

While two POWs fight because one took the other POW's quan, the remaining POWs watch knowing the men are too weak to hurt each other.Courtesy of Ben Steele ©
POW Fight

POWs who were selected to be sent to Japan saying their goodbyes. Those sitting state that they heard that the Arisan Maru is a good ship.Courtesy of Ben Steele ©
POW Transfer to Japan

On a work detail most likely to build a runway at an airfield, the undernourished POWs attempt to move a car full of rocks.Courtesy of Ben Steele ©
Work Detail

"We can add mongo beans to your diced rat and there would be enough for the three of us!"Courtesy of Ben Steele ©
Cabanatuan Food Sharing

POWs combine food with each other to get a little more food.Courtesy of Ben Steele ©
A little more food.

POWs carrying containers for water since Camp O'Donnell had an inadequate water supply.Courtesy of Ben Steele ©
POWs carrying containers for water.Courtesy of Ben Steele ©

POW being beaten for not following directions. The Japanese liked to single out POWs who were tall or had bond or red hair.
Cut Prisoner Beating 2
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