Nigel Cawthorne
Page 19
When he was well again, Kubota decided that it was time to join the action.
29 January: We have made up our minds to march to Tarlac. There is no report of the fall of Bataan. Our aim is to reach Tarlac and send Corporals Iishi and Kawano to make contact …
30 January: We begin our march to Alakan. Tomorrow Corporals Kawano and Iishi go to the railroad headquarters to report. Soon transports leave Lingayen Gulf for Java, I hear. Lieutenant Tamai came by. He is one of my hometown folk. We feel very near each other. At last we are moving! It is the end of one month’s idle living.
1 February: Communication became better since the arrival of the Railroad Service Corps. There are 3,400 enemies remaining at Bataan and they are still fighting, according to the news. At last we are marching to join the men of the second camp.
In fact, there were some 80,000 men holed up on the Bataan Peninsula.
3 February: We left Alakan station at ten o’clock. We rested at San Fernando for three hours. At ten past three we left San Fernando for Tarlac. On the way we saw four or five destroyed automobiles. In 20 hours we arrived at Tarlac … I ordered our belongings piled up at the station, put a guard around them and took a rest for the rest of the day. I prayed that our men do their best and thus deserve to be honoured as children of the Emperor. Our friends and comrades already wounded at the front need our assistance. Come warriors, and meet the great opportunity to do your duty for your country.
The first members of his company were injured when two trucks collided, rolling one into a deep ditch.
7 February: Unfortunately we left two men in hospital … The whole day everybody rested. Tomorrow the 8th – 8 December was the declaration of war – we are advancing to the front. The men of my company and the truck drivers from the transportation corps eat together. Ten bottles of saké made everyone happy and gay.
After five weeks of anticipation and frustration since landing in the Philippines, Kubota was about to have his Bushido put to the test.
8
BUSHIDO: PUTTING THE MARTIAL CODE TO THE TEST
By February 1942 the Japanese had blockaded the Philippines, occupied Manila and confined the American–Filipino ground forces to the Bataan Peninsula, cutting off their lines of supply. However, they were meeting with fierce opposition from the defenders. Sub-Lieutenant Kumataro Kubota moved up to the coastal village of Maron on his way to the front.
9 February: I left Maron while hearing the roaring sound of the artillery. With the guidance of Top-Private Kurata, we climbed up a steep mountain. We got a terrific shelling from the enemy just as we reached a place where they keep horses for the field artillery of Nara Brigade. We were in hot pursuit by the enemy so we left that place right away. Took a breath at the place where they keep the food supplies of R Battalion. It was around six o’clock. There were so many casualties. It is a great tragedy to watch the wounded soldiers wobbling aimlessly along the paths. We received a shower of the enemy’s bullets during the night. I could not sleep well. Bullets and shells were thundering in my ears like popping corn.
10 February: Today is Kigensetsu [the anniversary of the ascension of Japan’s legendary first Emperor Jimmu, Japan’s Empire Day]. We are near the front line. The personnel of the company are well and their morale good. Sergeant Kurata gave me four packages of cigarettes when he left. I distributed them among the squad leaders. I reached Ishimoto’s brigade and reported to the regimental commander Watanbe … Every soldier at the front is glad we have arrived. We met many old friends. Sergeant Nishimura, platoon leader, the company leader and others welcomed us with a smile … Adjutant Fukuoa wants to hold my men back from the advance so there would be no repetition of the huge casualties sustained by the Tania Battalion.
11 February: I spoke to First Lieutenant Abe about the warning the Adjutant gave me yesterday. I sent our Kawano’s Squad to the three-forked road near the graveyard. Sergeant Yano who had already planned to advance with his squad has been shot in the ribs, so we sent him back to the rear.
12 February: Today we stayed at a place where Lieutenant Nakanishi is stationed. In the evening the enemy sent shells and bullets like rain. Private Shimiz of Inoue’s squad was injured by a hand grenade. Sergeant Morita and one private came back today from a position which had been completely encircled by enemy forces. Everyone expected the complete annihilation of 3 Company, which had been encircled, but some came out of the trap. Two of them, an officer and a private joined our brigade – then later two sergeants and a private. There is a report that one officer and six soldiers reached Blagu. I am wondering about the lives of Sub-Officer Shimamoto and the company commander and all the others. They have been without food for 13 days. We were told this by the three soldiers who subsequently escaped and returned to us. I pray to God that help will come to this group of brave men. I pray for the good fortune of this encircled company.
But Kubota had concerns closer to home.
13 February: I had a stomach ache since the 11th, but today I went out with the Iishi squad. Sounds of rifles and artillery echoed all around. Platoon commandeered 4 Squad to cover the group crossing a stream and the Iishi squad reached their destination safely. Now I will have to fight. This is a war and I will help to annihilate the enemy if the opportunity arises. About 3pm a Top-Private from the communication camp was injured in his right leg and chest. Sent him back to the rear.
14 February: My stomach ache is better. At 8.40pm I got a scratch from an enemy bullet. I was at the side of Private Ninaviva’s dugout. It must have come from a sharp-shooter. The men of our company are well and in high spirits. I am worrying about 3 Company and about the safety of 20 Regiment which is said to be retreating with her regimental flag intact.
15 February: No casualties so far today, but there has been a lot of shooting for about an hour. The enemy will start bombarding us with artillery soon, as the exchange of bullets has stopped. I fell to wondering if I was near Hell when the bombardment was going on. Both sides stopped the bombardment when the night ended and the sun began to show her face. Occasionally an enemy sharp-shooter sent a barrage of bullets from his Tommy gun. I heard a bird singing while the shooting was going on. I wondered if Sub-Officer Nakamura and Apprentice-Officer Matsunaga, who had lost their lives, were hearing that bird singing. I could not help shedding my tears for their deaths. Now I am praying that the Sub-Officer is still alive … The 20 Regiment flag came back with 300 men, all that remained of the regiment, along with 14 men from 3 Company. Some of 3-Company’s men are badly injured, yet they withstood 15 days without food or rest. Then they broke through the enemy’s encircling ring of iron. It is spirit that counts when it comes to life or death. Again I will spend the night hearing the roar of artillery and pray that my comrade Sub-Lieutenant Shimamoto is safe.
Eighteenth hour, 6pm: Tonight again begins with an exchange of bullets. Then came the fearful sight of a bombardment of shells, which became deafening. There are stars peeping through the leaves above our heads. Fireflies continue to fly as the shells burst along the valley and stream. I thought of my child and dream of home … We must fight harder. We are for our country and our country is our home. The enemy’s shells pass over our heads like a comet. They are fighting hard. Major Mizoguchi came tonight to take over command of the battalion. Major Shima’s condition is improved, so he was sent back to the rear.
That day, 15 February 1942, the British stronghold of Singapore fell to the Japanese after a week’s fighting, consolidating their invaded territory in resource-rich Malaya and giving them a strategic port. The victory was commemorated in a song, ‘Singapore Has Fallen’, the words of which were found among documents captured in the Buna area of New Guinea on 2 January 1943. Translated into English prose, they read:
Listen to the assault-tune of the century. The thousand millions imbued with the spirit of Asia are aflame and when the angry waves of the blood-tide raged, the American and British battle formations crumbled into dust. Ah, this deeply stirring triumphal song. Sin
gapore has fallen.
We have won, we have won, we have reduced it. The virile roar of righteousness, echoing in the haunted jungle and winding through crocodile-infested creeks, breaks into the enemy’s stronghold. Ah, this deeply stirring triumphal song. Singapore has fallen.
This day that we have waited and waited for. The history of aggression, blood-stained by the whip of America and Britain burning with selfishness. Look up as the sun sets on their withdrawal from their positions: the Sun of East Asia rises. Ah, this deeply stirring victory. Singapore has fallen.
Raise both hands high. Shouting the victory of East Asia, vowing the union of blood, the great march now goes on. May its rhythm echo through the world. Ah, this deeply stirring Greater East Asia. Singapore has fallen.
SONG FOR A DEAD COMRADE
On 16 February, Kubota wrote his own song for his dead comrade Sub-Officer Nakamura:
He was chasing the enemy when it happened;
The birds in the trees slowly stopped singing;
The sun’s glare merged into darkness.
Through the darkness, enemy shells
Burst above his head. He drew
His sword and shouted, ‘Come!’
That night of the 5th – the most
Memorable day of his life, the rain
Was falling on the jungle as the night
Covered all with darkness.
Shells from field artillery reared and
Splashed above his head. One struck a tree
Beside him. Together, they were scattered
Through the air like the petals of blossoms.
Alas, my friend is gone;
I call his name, but he answers not
Except the sound of rain.
Afterwards Kubota noted:
Again the bird is singing as I begin to pile the stones for his resting place. And it is a sorrowful sound to my ear. All the men at the front should realize that such a day as this will come to them. I am human. Losing a friend is a tragedy. I regret leaving you, dear friend, even though you will join the spirit of comrades at the shrine of Yasukuni. I left cigarettes on his grave.
He wrote another song for his friend Sub-Lieutenant Shimamoto, for whom he had been praying, then recorded more prosaic matters:
We received the order to move to the place where the brigade is stationed. We start at 23 hours. Private First Class Fusaichi Ono was killed at 11.30. He had such a nice personality and good character. The tragedy of the battlefield is deep and penetrating. We begin to retire from the front under cover of pitch darkness with 7 Company guarding our rear. The enemy feel their own strength and are shooting harder, due to the dead quiet of our front.
17 February: We begin our march very early in the morning. Kawano’s squad, who remained behind to the last with two engineer squads, left the front and joined us at about 13 hours. Up to today, we have lost 20 men and the company commander. Sixty-six are injured. Second Lieutenant Akaboshi is among them. Twenty-six are dead through illness. The sickness is due to lack of sanitation. Ill men have difficulty going to the toilet when bullets are scattered around them. Most of the sick are staying at the front. I am among them. I must go out to relieve myself as often as ten times at night. And each time one does this, one’s life is at stake … Today is so quiet. I prayed, ‘Please give good luck to our company.’
Although Kubota was ill and was out of the front line, there was no respite. On 18 February, he received a battalion order to go out and have a sign put up, saying ‘Nara Brigade’. He took with him Corporals Iiwo and Ando, and Private First Class Kato.
18 February: … All are brave and high-spirited. We came back at 8:30 (15.30 military hours). During the trip we faced shelling and bullets. Tomorrow our company goes to the front. Bad news – our troops at the front are retreating.
19 February: We started the forward movement. It is a difficult task. We must avoid being shelled by the enemy. As soon as the enemy see us, they shower us with bullets. During the march, I went out scouting and narrowly escaped the shells. Our company marches on. Everyone is covered with sweat and dust. Our force is only 85 out of the original 193 fighting men. But they are marching through the jungle paths. Their commander already killed and 20 under him, 67 disabled and 26 sick. There is always grief at the battle-front.
20 February: Our company are at last gathered at the bank of the Abuabua River. We will join Nara Division after four days of rest, and then engage ourselves in taking the enemy’s possession around Kaplar. The enemy’s shells are bursting all around us and bullets are passing above our heads day and night. The ground is shaking with explosions. The clear and ever-flowing Abuabua River, when will she become our friend?
Besieging the Americans now confined to the Bataan Peninsula gave Kubota time for reflection.
22 February: Two months have past since we landed. There is no sign of the raising of the white flag at Bataan. Our tactics against the enemy were just to fight and advance. We have paid a heavy price. Now we are blockading them. There will be fewer sacrifices, but a longer war than I can put down in this notebook. Bataan’s fall? It will be April or May. Private Shimizu and Ishikami have been sent back to the base. Our days are becoming more normal, but still the shooting is going on. Only the river flows peacefully. We do not know what tomorrow will bring. We have a life today but not tomorrow. Even the life of the next moment is no longer in our control. Each time a shell hits a tree, the leaves and splinters fly down and we get more light. But, with the roar of artillery in our ears, it is not a comfortable feeling. Now we must answer their call. We begin to fire. Firing becomes more fierce and through the smoke and dust we see our suffering comrades … The enemy throws their shells furiously as soon as the sun is down. Those giant tree tops splinter like matchsticks and a shell passes by with a whistling sound and strikes something behind us. Then the dust and stones fall like a rain storm. After a few moments’ silence, the word passes that everyone is safe and we heave our chests with a sigh of relief.
The next day, Kubota set out to get supplies.
23 February: … Started out with the truck. The road was a difficult one. There were many places exposed to the enemy’s artillery fire. We were shelled often, but there were no casualties. We were lucky. We arrived about five o’clock. I met Okura. He was suffering with a high temperature. I gave him medicine and cigarettes … We stayed over the food storehouse belonging to the division and Private Nakajima made us comfortable. Eighteen of our aeroplanes passed over our heads. As soon as they passed, we heard their bombs explode all over the enemy’s base. But the enemy is fighting hard. There is no let-up in their resistance. Yet it seems that their food supply is low …
NEW LAND OF PEACE AND SAFETY
Kubota went to 6 Brigade to get filing cabinets for his command post. On the way back, he came across a lot of enemy vehicles abandoned in the mountains. This provided fresh inspiration.
26 February: Wrote a letter home, the first letter from the front line. Now we must advance towards our ultimate objective. Wherever the flag of the Rising Sun advances will be opened up a new land of peace and safety. Come, men of the Philippines, do not depend on others for your own development. Try to understand the true meaning of one’s life and live independently. I went to your capital Manila once. It is a beautiful city. And she has escaped any serious war damage. I feel that new life will be put into her veins and she will come out more healthy and beautiful than ever before.
27 February: The enemy’s shells are falling briskly at position 142. A sorrowful but friendly voice visited my ear through the telephone. He tells me that Kojima is dangerously ill and that he himself sent two men to the clearing hospital to care for him. Sergeant Yamada is always kind, but this is the front line and everyone’s life is in danger. Yet Yamada has never forgotten that Kojima is my best friend and that I had asked him to look after him. I thanked Yamada deeply and told him I was thanking him for Kojima’s father and mother. It is not the first time that Yamada has saved Koji
ma from death. On one occasion he ordered Kojima to guard a gun position and thus avoid actual combat. Another time he put Kojima in a safe position, while he himself went into danger.
The fighting has shifted from the east shore to the west shore. We are ordered to join Nara Division. I had the opportunity of seeing Kojima. He was pretty sick. I left word that he should have better care. Private Kojima must get well, come from his sickbed and fight with me side by side. I knew that his whole family would go to Wakamiya Sama [their local Shinto shrine] and were praying for him. Last night we went to put out wires at our front and met an enemy. He ran away and disappeared into a cornfield. After an hour searching, we gave up.
28 February: At last February is at an end. Two enemies appeared near the headquarters. Private Kameda saw them first. We exchanged shots, but I saw that they were in danger of escaping, so I ordered Iishi’s squad to go around the enemy’s left. But the enemy must have thought it wise to escape without more fighting. We could not find any of them. It was 16 hours. Two days we have found the enemy and each time let them escape. We must do better.
Allowing the enemy to escape had its consequences, but Kubota looked forward to a new offensive.
1 March: Once this morning the enemy’s shells fell near our base. They must have found out our position. So far there have been no casualties. The date of the decisive battle is to be 10 March. It is Army Memorial Day and there will be quite a battle because the enemy is almost out of food. Malbal mountain with its well-fortified defensive system will not stand against our offensive. No one can win a war by being continually on the defensive. March is the time for a total offensive. By that time, the cherry blossoms will begin to bud, but here in the Philippines it is now midsummer. It is just before the rainy season. The battle will be a hard one, but the men are in high spirits. I too must do my best so the men will be proud of me.