Life As An American Prisoner of War of the Japanese
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Word was passed throughout camp that four Americans were caught while trying to escape. They could be seen hog-tied at the main gate of the Jap guard shack. They were given a choice between seventy-two hours without food and water, or be shot. The men captured decided to take the seventy-two hours without food and water. They were put on display for all the other prisoners to see, but before they were put on display, they were severely beaten all night long while hanging tied from an overhead pole. I decided to see for myself. Sure enough there they were out in the sun hog-tied in a kneeling position with a piece of bamboo between their arms and legs. They were tied from their neck down to their arms and then to their legs. The bamboo not only made them uncomfortable, but cut off their blood circulation as well. The rope was tied in such a manner that if they fell asleep and fell over they would choke themselves. At any given moment a Jap guard would amuse himself at the prisoners expense. They would spit on them, slap or kick them, and made sure that they were constantly in the sun. The only shade they got was at night. I don't remember if it was one or two days that went by before they requested to be shot rather then to be treated so sadistically. It was late afternoon when I noticed four men digging on top of the hill not too far from my bamboo hut as a Jap guard stood over them watching. I didn't realize at the time that they were digging their own graves and that this was going to be the site of their execution. The following day, at about one o'clock, the four prisoners and a firing squad marched through our camp past my hut to their place of execution. From the time when the American prisoners first entered the main camp from the Japanese side, all other prisoners saluted them. They were about fifteen feet away from me as they passed by, but I couldn't quite make out the expression on their faces. I couldn't tell if they were tired, sad, worried, or just didn't give a dam because everything would be over shortly. Above all, not one of them cried, stumbled, or got hysterical as they marched on to their death. At the grave site on the knoll of the hill they were placed with their backs to their graves. Their hands were tied behind their backs and then they were blindfolded. When the firing squad got into position the Japanese officer in charge went up to them and gave them each a few puffs from a cigarette. It must have been the longest moment of their lives when he took the cigarette away from the last man and went back to the firing squad. Orders were given for the firing squad to fire. One soldier fell into the grave, another fell to his knees, and two remained standing. Again the order was given to fire. The second man fell into the grave, another to his knees and I could see the fourth man reeling from being hit but still standing. Orders were given once again to fire, and the third man fell into the grave and the fourth man went down to his knees. The Japanese officer went up to him and pushed him into the grave. He then took out his pistol and fired one round into each man in the grave to show that he had participated in the execution. Orders were then given to the firing squad to close ranks and march off. As the Jap firing squad passed by I didn't see one smile on any of their faces. As a matter of fact, there was one young Japanese soldier who must have been no more than eighteen years old who had tears in his eyes as he passed by. I couldn't believe what I had just seen, a Japanese showing remorse for a human being! This was unbelievable. I must confess that I did come across a couple of others, but it was far and few between.
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About the Book
A true story told as it happened by a prisoner of war of the Japanese during W.W.II. This is a descriptive and illustrated book of one person determined to survive the most grueling time of his life. Nothing is exaggerated or played down. All stories are true and described just how Charles Balaza witnessed them. From the very first chapter to the last, it is written in a way that makes you feel as if you are there and actually part of the action. It is possible that the hardships of his youth, helped to give him the determination and will to survive the horrendous three and one half years that he was a prisoner of war, or his strong faith in the Lord above? You be the judge.
About the Author
I was born in Jersey City in 1921; my parents were both Polish immigrants. I am one of five children, three brothers and one sister. After surviving the Great Depression, and the death of my mother when I was just ten years old, I joined the C.C.C. in 1937.
I enlisted in the US Army February 12, 1940 from the C.C.C. After basic training, I was sent to the Philippine Islands and was stationed on the Island of Corregidor. While stationed on Corregidor, the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor and started their sweep through the Pacific. A few months later, Corregidor fell and I was captured by the Japanese. I spent the next three and one half years as a POW of the Japanese. These were some of the most depressing, degrading and agonizing years of my life. After my liberation, I continued to serve my country in the US Army until my retirement in 1962.
I moved to Yardville, New Jersey with my family. My fourth child was born after my retirement. The New Jersey Turnpike employed me for the next twenty years as a heavy equipment operator until I retired in 1982.
Married for over fifty years to my wife Marie, I have four children and four grandchildren. I continue to reside in Yardville, New Jersey where I continue to work with other retired service personal on disability issues. I also appear with other W.W.II veterans at local schools from grades 4 through 12 to share our experience as POW’s with them. On occasion, I am a speaker for our new troops at Fort Dix, New Jersey on survival.