After repeated bombings at Thanbyuzayat, 30 Kilo became Base Hospital for No 3 Group, subject to strafing raids.

Notes:

British Sumtra Battalion

Mid May 1943

With the monsoons causing problems and the shortage of food, The Japanese rations were now at a starvation level and the food in the canteen was getting very expensive. It was at this camp the  battalion became known as ‘Appy’s Locusts’ as wherever they went the entire area was cleaned of anything edible.

The starvation diet was showing in the prisoners appearance, many had lost a lot of weight causing the skin to be stretched over their faces giving the appearance of them grinning as they bared their teeth. Tropical ulcers were being treated by Lieut/Col Coates.

Roving sentries were introduced and this caused many a beating when the prisoners were caught unaware and did not bow quickly enough.

The Japanese officer, Lt. Naito, would often get drunk on saki, causing more problems as he asked for a man at each hut who would be able to give him the exact numbers within, this was impossible as men were often out at the ‘call of nature’ and more beatings followed. Lt. Naito would often go round the camp with a pistol and sword in each hand, after a month of this he was suddenly moved with all the prisoners lining up to see him off, sitting in a armchair in the back of a truck.

The guards had been given nicknames, ‘Donald Duck’, ‘Gold Tooth’, ‘Liver Lips’, ‘Cats Eyes’, ‘Mickey Rooney’, ‘Silver Bullet’ and ‘Dillinger’.

Pre-printed cards were sent home, for instance: ‘I am working for pay’, ‘We are well fed’ etc.

On the 17th July the battalion was moved to the 60 Kilo Camp at Taungzun.

Information from British Sumatra Battalian by A.A. Apthorp

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