Q) Deliverance - "The Navy is Here!"

Deliverance

Almost suddenly, in August, rumours began to fly round the Camp that the war was over. The Formosan guards first disclosed the news, and it was confirmed when the Japanese commandant sent for the Representative of Internees to inform him (as he put it): “We have lost and you have won.” Internees – ex-internees one can call them now – were warned not to indulge in demonstrations of rejoicing, which might lead to unpleasant incidents before the Japanese handed over to a relieving force. People were reminded that “the Japanese are now experiencing that feeling of humiliation which was ours in December, 1941.” And to give their feelings some consideration in the changed circumstances.

A few days later news came that Admiral Harcourt and the Relieving Force were outside the harbour. Just as the evening rice was coming over from the cookhouse (in the two babies’ baths which were the only containers our section of the Camp had), word was sent round: “Admiral Harcourt is visiting the Camp and is on his way!” Back went the rice to the cookhouse to be kept hot, and everyone made for the Camp Centre. Within a few minutes came a bodyguard of marines, husky fellows, who looked as though they would stand no nonsense from anyone. They were packed into a strange vehicle, which we learned was a ‘jeep’ – a new word to us. The Admiral’s and the staff’s cars followed. In a few words to the cheering throng, Admiral Harcourt told us that it was the thought of the sufferings, of those held prisoners by the Japanese, which had inspired the Forces of the United Nations in the efforts they had made to bring the war to a successful end. As we gazed upon these sturdy representatives of the Relieving Force, the first of our kith and kin we had seen for nearly four years from the outside world – real people instead of walking skeletons; and listened to the Admiral’s comforting words, the whole assembly was overcome with emotion. No man wished so speak to his neighbour until he had regained control of his feelings.

“The Navy is Here!”

From that time forth, the Navy got down to the practical problem of feeding us. They baked us bread and unloaded tons of good food upon us until it was necessary to call a halt lest digestive systems, geared down for years to the assimilation of slops, gave way under the strain of unaccustomed plenty. Simultaneously, the sorting out of the people for repatriation by hospital ship or ordinary transport put the Camp on the way to liquidation. Soon everyone will be recuperating and “getting the barbed wire out of his system.”