MAY 12, 1943 - 0155 CARRIER BASED PLANES FLEW OVER... FIRED AT IT. THERE IS A LOW FOG AND THE SUMMIT IS CLEAR. AIR RAIDS CARRIED OUT FREQUENTLY UNTIL 1000. HEAR LOUD NOISES. IT IS NAVAL GUN FIRING. PREPARED "A" BATTLE EQUIPMENT. Information: American transports, about 41,, began landing at Hokkae Misaki. 20 boats landed at Massacre Bay. It seems that they are going to unload heavy equipment. Days Activities: Air raid, naval gun firing, landin god U.S forces.

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May 13-Battle

The U.S Forces landed at Shiba Dai and Massacre Bay. The enemy has advanced to the bottom of Misumi Yama from Chiba Dai. Have engaged them. On the other hand, Massacre Bay is defended by only one platoon but upon the unexpected attack the AA machine cannon was destroyed and we have withdrawn. In night attacks we have captured 20 enemy rifles. There is a tremendous mountain artillery gun firing. Approximately 15 patients came into the field hospital. The field hospital is attached to the Arai Engineer Unit.

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May 14-Battle

Our 2 submarines from Kiska assisting us have greatly damaged two enemy ships. 1st Lieutenant Suyuke died from shots from rifle. Continuous flow of wounded in the field hospital. In the evening, the U.S Forces used gas, but no damage was done on account of the strong wind. Took refuge in trenches in daytime and took care of patients during bombardment. Enemy strength must be a division. Our desperate defense is holding up well. 

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May 15-Battle

Continuous flow of casualties to our field hospital caused by fierce bombardment of enemy land and naval forces. The enemy has a great number of negros and indians. The west arm units have withdrawn near Shitagata-Dai. In a raid, I was ordered to West-Arms but it was called off. Just lay down from fatigue in the barracks. Facial expression of soldiers back from the West Arm is tense. They all went back to the firing line soon. 

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May 16- Battle

Shitagata-Dai is occupied by the enemy, the fate of East Arms decided. So, burnt documents and prepared to destroy the patients. At that moment, there was an order from the Headquarters to secure unit. Proceeded to Chicagof Harbor by way of Umanose. 0100 in the morning, patients from Independent Infantry was lost so accompanied the patient. There was an air raid so took refuge in the former field hospital cave.The guns of a lockheed spitted fire and flew past our cave. 

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May 17-Battle

At night, about 1800, under cover of darkness left the cave. The stretcher went over muddy road, steep hills, of no man's land. No matter how far or how much we went, we did not get to the pass. Was rather irritated in the fog by the thought of getting lost. Sat down every twenty or thirty steps. Would sleep, dream, and wake up again. Same thing over again. The patient on the stretcher who does not move is frost bitten. After all the effort, met Sector Commander, Colonel Yamasaki. The pass is a straight line without any width and a steep line toward Chicagof Harbor. Sitting on the butt and lifting the feet I slide very smoothly and change direction with the sword. Slid down in about twenty minutes. After that, arrived at Chicagof Harbor ward after straggling. The time expended was 9 hours for all this, without leaving my patients. Opened a new field hospital. Walking is now extremely difficult from left knee rheumatism which reoccured on the pass. The results of our navy, the submarine and special underwater crafts in the vicinity of Chicagof Harbor since the 14th, battleship, cruiser, destroyer, airborne troops, transports 6. By the favorable turn since the battle of East Arm, reserves come back. Off shore at Shiba-Dai, 6 destroyers are guarding one transport. 

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May 18-Battle

The Yanegawa Detachment abandoned the East and West Arms and withdrew to Umanese. About 60 wounded came to the hospital. I had to care for all of the myself all through the night. Heard that the enemy carried out a landing in Chicagof Harbor Everyone did combat preparations and waited. Had two grenades ready. 2nd Lieutenant Omura left for the front line on Hokuchin-Yama. Said farewell at night. A patient came in in who engaged a friendly unit by mistake and who had received a wound in the wrist. The counter sign is Isshi Heke.

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May 19-Battle

At night, there was a phone call from Sector Unit Headquarters. In some spots of the beach, there are some friendly float planes waiting. Went into Attu Village Church-felt like some one's home. Some blankets were scattered around. Was told to translate a field order presumed to have been dropped by an enemy officer in Massacre Bay. Was ordered to evacuate a detailed map sketch of Massacre and Holtz Bay, which was in the possession of Captain Robert E Edward, Adj. of Colonel Smith. Got tired and went to sleep. 1st Lieutenant Ujiie is also in charge of translation. 

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May 20-Battle

The hard fighting of our 303rd Battalion in Massacre Bay is fierce, and it is to our advantage. Have captured enemy weapons and have used that to fight, mowed ten enemy moving under fog. Five of our men and one medical NCO died. Heard enemy pilots faces can be seen around Umanase. The enemy naval gun is firing near our hospital. War is fierce. drops around 20 meters away. 

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May 21-Battle

Was strafed when amputating a patient's arm. It is the first time since moving over to Chicagof Harbor that I went into an air raid shelter. Enemy plane is Martin. Nervousness of Cura C.O is severe and he has said his last word to his officers and NCO's that he will die tomorrow. Gave all his articles away. Hasty Chap this fellow. The officers on the front line are doing a fine job. Everyone heard this became desperate and things became disorderly. 

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May 22-Battle

0800 air raid again. Strafing killed one medical man. Medical man Obayaki wounded in right thigh and fractured arm, During the night a mortar shell came awfully close.

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May 23-Battle

17 friendly medium naval bombers destroyed a cruiser off shore. By naval gun firing a hit was scored on the pillar poles of tents for patients an the tent gave in and 2 died instantly. From 0200 in the morning until 1600 stayed in foxholes. Day's ration 1 go. 5 shaker (1.511lbs) nothing else. Officers and men alike in frost. Everyone looked around for food and stole everything they could find. 

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May 24-Battle

It sleeted and was extremely cold-stayed at Misumi Barracks alone. A great number of shells were dropped by Naval gunfire, and rocks and mud flew around the roof, and falls down. In a foxhole about 5 meters away Mayasaka, a medical man, died instantly by the penetration of shrapnel through his heart.

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May 25-Battle

Naval gun firing, serial bombardment, trench warfare, the worst is yet to come. The enemy is construction their position. Battalion commander dies. At Umanese they cannot fully accommodate all the patients. It has been said that at Massacre Bay district, the road coming to the Sector Unit is isolated. I am suffering from diarrhea and feel dizzy.

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May 26-Battle

By naval gun firing, it feels like the Misumi Barracks blew up and the thing shook up tremendously. Consciousness becomes vague. One tent has burnt down from incendiary bomb. Strafing planes hit the rest rooms-50 caliber shell. My room looks like an awful mess from the sand and pebbles that come from the roof. Kikose, 1st Lieutenant of medical corps, is also wounded. There was a ceremony of granting Imperial Edict. The last line of Umanose was broken through, No hope for reinforcement, will die for the Imperial Edict.

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May 27-Battle

Diarrhea continues. Pain is severe. Took everything from pill, poium, morphine.....strafing by planes. Roof broke through. There is less than 1,000 left from more than 2,000  troops. Wounded from coast defense unit, field hospital headquarters, field post office the rest are on the front lines. 

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May 28-Battle

The remaining ration if for only two days, our artillery has been completely destroyed. There is the sound of trench mortar--also of AA gun. The company at the bottom of Attue Fuji has been completely annihilated except one. Rations for about two days. I wonder if Commander Yenegawa and some of the other men are still living. Other companies have been completely annihilated except one or two. 303rd Battalion has been defeated. Yenegawa is still holding Umanose. Continuous case of suicide. Half od the Sector Unit Headquarters is completely blown away. Heard they gave 400 shots of morphine to the severely wounded and killed them. Ate half fried thistle. It is the first time I have eaten something fresh in six months. It is a delicacy. Order from the Sector Commander to move field hospital to island, but it was called off. 

 

May 29-Battle

Today at 2000, we assembled in front of headquarters, the field hospital took part too. The last assault is to be carried out. All the patients in the hospital were made to commit suicide. Only 33 years of living and I am to die here. I have no regrets. Banzai to the Emperor. I am grateful that I have kept the peace in my soul which Ehkist bestowed upon me. At 1800 took care of all patients with grenades. Goodbye Taeko, my beloved wife who loved me to the last. Until we meet again, greet you, God speed. Misaka who just became 4 years old, will grow up unhindered. I feel sorry for you Tokiko, born February of this year without seeing your father. Well be good Matsue, (brother) Koochan, Sukechan, Masachan, Miittichan, goodbye. The number participating in this attack is a little over 1,000 to take enemy artillery position. It seems the enemy is expected an all out attack tomorrow. 

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Personal History

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March 6th, 1929- Graduated from Kure Mille School, prefecture of Hiroshima

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March 1929- Graduated from Frazier English Academy

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September 15, 1929 Pacific Union College, Medical Department, Aqwin, California.

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 1, 1929  -to June 1937- "College of Medical Evangelist

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8 1929 - Received California State Medical License 

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January 10th, 1941- Inducted into 1st replacement 1st Imperial Guard Regiment

 

15, 1941 - Transferred into 1st Imperial Guard Infantry Regiment

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May 1941 -Ordered as Officer's Candidate, promoted to PFC Medical

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July 1st, 1941 Promoted to Superior Private, Medical Department

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20, 1941 -Ordered as Officer's Candidate

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August 1941- Promoted to Corporal

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September 1st, 1941- Entered Army Medical School

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October 24, 1941 Promoted to Sergeant Major- Ordered Prob. Officer

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December 1st, 1941- Acting Officer

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Translation of captured enemy diary from headquarters landing force**office of assistant chief of staff. Massacre valley, Attu Island, June 1st, 1943

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