Notice of Death in Battle (by Haikaishi)

My brother was second class of national military service. But the tide of war become worse, he levied to Kure marine. He had some education as a new soldier and sent to South.Asia. At 1945 June 19TH he died by underfed situation on or around Shougi valley of Phillippine. He was 31years old.

This notice of his death was copied to new paper and photographed by me. Now almost half century was past and quality of the paper was not good.

I feel very sorry for my brother as he died in strange county without any food. His remains in white box with only small paper written (Soul) was sent back to us June next year. An authority indicate that only families shall receive the (sole). It was rather lonely funeral.

As it is rather difficult to read, I will show you the statement of the Death in Battle.as follows.
_________________________________________________________
KURE no 5-33912
1946 June 15　　　Kure Local Demobilization Personnel Section Manager


The Notification of the War Dead

Please notify the followings to the survivors family.
Domicile: Oosaka-shi Yodo-ku Daininn Hnnmachi 1choume 12-2
Current Address: Same as above.
War dead: Navy second ground crew Ueda Eiichirou
The official report was received that The above died on 1945 June 19th at Phillippine (underfed ; Shougi valley).We express our sincere condolences to the family.

(notice) Kindly refer to the above reference number in case of the all inquiry or notification concerning this matter.










　　　
　　　Haikaishi

Dear Haikaishi,

Thank you very mach for your kind conversation on the party after the study meeting of the other day.

I saw your writings about the Death in battle of your brother. As I was on Phillippine at the same time, I wish to report the war situation shortly for your reference.

1. Navy second ground grew was the staff for the aircraft adjustment.
2. I think your brother landed at Lingaen bay and belong to the air force
at the Clark base on the middle of philippines.

At 1944 Decembers war situation, Japanese air force aircraft was decreased by the attack to the American task force. For reinforcement, rest of the pilots
was scheduled to send back to Taiwan.

For the defense of the Luzon island three groups of units such as shoubu group(north) kennbu group(center) sinnbu group(south) was organized.
And navy force belong to the kennbu group was formed for the defense of the Clark base. On 1945 January 15000 navy soldier had to do the unaccustomed land battle without good weapon. At the Pinatubo mountain site they had to battle under the malarial fever without enough food.

On August 1945 Clark base navy force survivors was 450 men only three percent of the force started.
In my case I arrived Philippine on September 1944 and returned to main land on December 1944 for the reorganization of the air force. So to say I narrowly escaped from the passing away.

If you need further detailed data, please do no hesitate to contact me.
I do sincerely prey for the peacefulness of the soul of dead soldier.

Scupper

Dear Scupper Good day.

Thank you for your detailed report for my brothers death time.
Only three percent survivor left, such situation was rather harder than the situation of Guadalcanal or Imphal battle.

I checked again my brothers paper. I found some detailed information.

My brother entered on 15th July 1943 to Kure navy base, and immediately transferred to Tukishiro navy air force base in Kyushu. He had a some new soldier education and then sent to South East Asia.

Last letter we got was from kyabite naval port on early 1944. The name of Unit belonged to was Kure post office te21u74u222 or te21te9. It was long time away from now, nothing certain for me at this time.

Thank you very much for this times your kind report under the special relations of Japanese navy.

I am looking forward for your further assistance to the matter.

Haikaishi

Dear Haikaishi,

Last my report written under mainly Clark base information was a bit off the point. If you got letter from your brother from kyabite navy port, your brother might have engagement at some base quite near to Manila.
As kyabite port is south part of Manila bay. Around Manila there were eight air base. Near Kyabite port there were Nicolas air base.

If your brother were there, there were following possibility.
On 5th February 1945 there were following record that Colonel Furuse unit head of South navy was reported withdraw from Nicolas to Mackinley.

It looks due to American attack,they might withdraw from Nicolas. On 26th Feb.1945 Head quarter of Bagio ordered that Manila district navy unit all organized under colonel Furuse Manila east navy defense unit. That unit would be under Sinnbu army group and immediately transferred to east coast Infanta district. They had to defend that district and collect the food for army.

All the pilots were moved to Taiwan. Rest of ground adjustment crew were organized this sort of units and had to fight unskillful land battle without any good weapon and any food. They suffered heavy malaria Shoubu group of north district was army unit under general Yamashita. So they were no relation with your brother.

As to last site of Shougi valley, I checked lot of materials. I found Kusu valley Ichi valley 13 valley Kiga valley but no shougi valley.

My classmate who belonged to Kennbu group and returned safely after the war said to me that he has no memory about this.
As to military mail and symbol mark{u74} I have no memory about this.

Above are the result of my entire research at this moment. If I find any more fact, I will let you know.

Scupper

Dear Scupper. Good day.

Thank you for your detailed report about the situation of that time.

My brother second class of national military service- such a weak soldier was wandering around east of Manila mountain district and died without any help due to armys irresponsible policy. It is very much pity for me.

As to Shougi valley , almost 60 years has past from that time, it is understandable that your classmate have no memory about this.

Thank you again for your kind repot of this time.

Haikaishi

Dear Haikaishi,

My classmate to whom I made inquiry about this matter telephoned me.

He recollect the other classmate died in battle on 2nd January 1945 and Around kyabite navy port. 936 air unit belonged to this kyabite. this air unit was water plane unit for scouting operation. My classmate died by accident.

I feel some possibility that your brother might belong to this unit. It is now not so useful to discuss the unit that your brother belonged to. But I myself feel rather uneasy to my classmate that only I survived.
May be I myself shall be more dry for this fact.

I remember that about white wood box which in case of aircraft unit we have almost nothing to put in such as remains. As once we took off from the base it is difficult to know for us to die in heave or sea.

We who were left behind collect his belongings and made white wood box saying this would be my case tomorrow.
That is out of our point of our discussion. Anyway we do not want to feel such a sad feeling again.

Scupper

Dear Scupper, Haikaishi, good day to you all

I was born in the middle of war, I have no memory at all. But knowing this sort of discussions I feel very strongly that current Japan has been established on the strong pains which had been suffered by Hikaish sans brother.

I wonder that the kyabite navy port was American nary port before the war? The other day I read following articles.

On 10th December 1941 by the attack of Japanese aircraft 233 torpedos of kyabite navy port was destroyed and American navy was under deep trouble for the shortage of torpedo.

On the other hand, Japanese navy did not know this nice result. It looks the weakness of Japanese intelligence were shown here as well.

Anmitsuhime

Dear Scupper and Anmituhime Good day all.

Thank you very much for you to give me a lot of information and word of sympathy for my late brother. I was looking forward to visiting the place concerned but my daily several things did not allow me to do so until now.

Now that only I can do for my brother is to visit my brothers tomb on the memorial day of his death and twice a year summer and winter to sweep his tomb.

I will visit his tomb on coming summer to report the information given by you to me this time.
Thank you very much for your kind corporation.

Haikaishi