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Home  Foreword Introduction The Road to Bataan The Bataan Death March The San Fernando Train Ride Camp O'Donnell Clark Field Concentration Camp Bilibid Prison The Hell Ships Japan The Nomachi Express Camp Nomachi Surrender, Liberation, and Repatriation Epilogue Governor Pawlenty State of the State Address Tribute KSTP TV Newscasts Duluth TV Newscasts KTIS Radio Interview Rick P./Paulette K. Alf's Christian Faith Alf's Letter to God Memorial: Alf R. Larson In Memory: Alf R. Larson Star Tribune MN Representative Erik Paulsen's Tribute Bataan Death March Route Map Philippine Department of Tourism Star Tribune: March of Time ("Article of Interest" for 4-6 Grade Basic Skills Reading Test Prep) Post/View Comments |
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Camp Nomachi
Was it difficult to maintain personal hygiene? It wasn't in the Philippines because we had cold running water and could wash any time. In Japan, we bathed once a week. The only thing we could look forward to was taking a warm bath on Friday night. The Japanese had a large wooden hot tub that fifteen to thirty people could use at one time. It was in a separate room and the Japanese used it every day. We could use it once a week, on Fridays, after they finished their daily bath. Did you have to use their water? (Jane) Absolutely. They bathed first. We could go in there after they were finished and soak for a certain period of time. The water was still warm. What did you use to shave? If you were lucky, you had a razor with one blade. I think I had two blades the whole time I was a POW. Of course, I didn't have much to shave, I'll tell you. I never did have a heavy beard, thank goodness! I'll bet some of them didn't bother shaving at all. A lot of men didn't shave. How did you cut your hair? We didn't cut our hair. We just let it grow because there wasn't a barber in camp. Were you able to brush your teeth? No. We didn't have a toothbrush or any toothpaste. You didn't brush your teeth the entire time you were in captivity? Your mouth must have felt awful not to say anything for your breath! You didn't mind it because everybody was in the same boat. We had bad breath you could cut with a knife. One time in the Philippines, someone ate garlic. Everyone had to eat some garlic to so they could stand the smell! You couldn't wash in the morning after you got up? No. You could go to the bathroom. The bathroom was a big long tank with a hole in it. The Japanese would collect our excrement and sell it to the civilians. They would use it to fertilize their fields. There was a funny side to this. Somebody sold the civilians on the idea that officers' excrement was worth more than anyone else's. The civilians paid more for excrement from the officers' toilet than excrement from our toilet!
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