| Item title: | Anonymous Japanese officer's diary |
| Title (romaji): | Mumei shikan no nikki |
| Title (kanji) | |
| Location: | Australian War Memorial (PR00947) View information about obtaining a copy of this document |
AJRP details | |
| AJRP module: | Australian War Memorial private records |
| AJRP series: | AWM Japanese language material |
| AJRP sub-series: | Captured Japanese diaries |
| AJRP folder: | |
Location details | |
| Institution: | Australian War Memorial |
| Call number: | PR00947 |
| Inst. series: | Various |
| Inst. sub-series: | Various |
| Item: | PR00947 |
Item qualities | |
| Quantity / desc: | 7 pages, handwritten in ink |
| Access: | Open |
| Item type: | Unpublished, Private |
| Category: | Personal diary |
Item content | |
| Creation date range (d/m/y): | 1/10/1943 to 16/11/1943 |
| Conflict code: | Pacific War (1941-1945) |
| Keywords: | DIARIES, MALARIA, FOOD, FOOD RATIONS AND RATIONING, FOOD SUPPLY, IMPERIAL JAPANESE ARMY, JUNGLE OPERATIONS, PACIFIC WAR, TOBACCO |
| Australian unit names: | |
| Allied unit names: | |
| Japanese unit names: | 20th Division 78th Infantry Regt 20th Division 79th Infantry Regt 20th Division 80th Infantry Regt 16th Division |
| Names: | MATSUOKA Yôsuke, Foreign Minister |
| Languages: | English |
| Area: | Sattelberg Area [Melanesia (PNG, Irian Jaya & Solomon Islands), New Guinea, Huon Peninsula, Finschhafen Area] |
| Content: | This item is a handwritten translation of an anonymous Japanese officer's diary, which was allegedly found on his body on 17 November 1943. The diary covers the short period from 1 October 1943 to 16 November 1943. The author belonged to the 11th Company of the 80th Regment, 20th Divison, which was engaged in combat against American and Australian troops in the Sattelberg area. On 30 October 1943 he was transferred to headquarters. This diary describes military operations, heavy casualties, constant shelling from the enemy, bombing from American planes, scarcity of food, and ill health caused by malaria. In some places the author becomes very pathetic finding no hope to carry out the war. The author was well informed of the situation of the war during the last month and half of his life. He knew that the 78th Regment had suffered heavy losses in the Ramu River area, and also learned the news of the sinking of a new aircraft carrier coming from the Solomons. The diary also notes that MATSUOKA Yôsuke had formed a new cabinet and was a Prime Minister, even though MATSUOKA was in fact Foreign Minister during this period. |
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Other information | |
| Notes: | |
| Last modified: | 12/14/2000 04:54:24 PM |
| Source: | AJRP staff |
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