Dec. 25, 1942 - Friday - Cloudy We left at 0700 and decided to bivouac in the jungle close to the ration depot. At 0700 we ate breakfast and at 0800 M/Sgt. Konagai and five men went out to butcher some cows. That left only two of us here. I slept till noon and more in the afternoon. I had a fever and felt very tired. I slept under a mosquito bar till evening. When I'm sick I worry about the folks back home and men in the company. We ate supper on the grass in the coconut grove. Since today is Christmas, no enemy planes came.
Dec. 26, 1942 - Saturday - Afternoon rain About 0400 an enemy gunboat came about 100 meters from shore and fired at the beach with machine guns. In the forenoon enemy planes were very active, but there was no damage on our side. I went to the ration depot but there is no chance of getting provisions. M/Sgt. Konagai and four men left at 1400 to get papayas and bamboo sprouts. We planned on going back tomorrow so we went to get yams again in the rain. About 1700 M/Sgt. Watanabe of the regimental headquarters - formerly of the 5th company - arrived so we asked him to stay with us. I couldn't sleep for worrying about the men who went for papayas as they did not return.
Dec. 27, Sunday - Clear Today we had fine weather all day. In the morning I went to see Lt. Loike and he said that a battleship would bring in provisions tonight. For lunch we cooked papayas and bamboo sprouts. Today I have a fever and feel tired. There isn't much enemy air activity. Cpl. Okada and 24 men arrived and at the same time M/Sgt. Konagai returned with plenty of yams. I could not sleep all night with enemy planes reconnoitering. At 2300men from the company left to get more yams.
Dec. 28, 1942 - No entry
Dec. 29, 1942 - Tuesday - Clear At 0800 M/Sgt. Konagai and Cpl. Okada went to see about provisions and returned at 1300 with a sack and a half of rice. It was so little that it was pitiful and tears came into my eyes. They say that provisions will come in regularly from now on. I decided to leave here at 2300. Cpl. Okada and five men will remain as liaison. Superior Pvt. Kirata and two men have sore legs so I ordered them to leave tomorrow. We departed at 2330 and since the men were tired we took a break every 30 minutes.
Dec. 30, 1942 - Wednesday - Clear In the afternoon we had a squall. We continued on our march safely and at 0330 we passed the grassy plain. I ordered the unit into the jungles where we usually stop. Then I went to visit Oaki's grave. At 0830 M/Sgt. Konagai and two men left in advance. The soldiers went after coconuts, bringing back over 100. We boiled yams all day and ate. In the afternoon it rained for awhile. At 1050 we departed expecting to sleep near where the Myushu Maru sank. I felt refreshed when we got to the beach. In the evening Kirhea and two men caught up with as and this made me very happy.
Dec. 31, 1942 - Thursday - Clear We left at 0230 and at 0300 we arrived at Maruyama Road near Tassafronga where we bivouacked at 0800. I met Lt. Yamaguchi and turned over 8 of my men to him. We departed at 1000, arriving at battalion headquarters at 2300. The battalion commander is worried about provisions. Everybody is hoping they will arrive soon. I went to visit the graves of five men who died from sickness in my platoon to honor their souls. Today is the last of 1942. Katsumata went to draw rations. I felt very thankful.
Jan. 1, 1943 - Friday - Clear I awoke at 0400 and went to the stream to bathe. At 0600 we gathered together and with the battalion commander leading, we cheered the Emperor, ending the ceremony with obeisance to him. Here it is new years and I felt depressed as there is no food. From our company, three more men died from sickness. 1st Lt. Yamaguchi's ration detail returned without a thing. As it is new years, everyone's spirits are high. We expect to keep our spirits high until Guadalcanal falls. I wonder what theyare doing at home.
Jan. 2, 1943 - Saturday - Clear We went with Lt. Inouye to get coconuts. Matsumata went up two trees helping us bring back 35 nuts apiece. I felt very sick after returning to the company so I slept all day. Received a call from a sentry saying Kiriji Najima was very sick and at 1600 he passed away. This makes six persons we have lost from our platoon, and I hope it will be the last.
Jan. 3, 1943 - Sunday - Clear In the morning I went to the sentry post to bury the men who died yesterday. Today I was feeling bad so I slept. While I was sleeping at noon an order came from the battalion on Mt. Austin. At 1200I became the transmitter of orders and went ot division for them. They told me they didn't need anyone like that so I received this order and returned to the company. While I was there I received cigarettes from the company commander. I also had Karinto (fried dough cake) from the division commander and chief of staff. I was ordered to be acting battalion adjutant.
Jan. 4, 1943 - Monday - Clear This morning at 0830 I went with the battalion commander to divisional headquarters. I was introduced to the regimental commander for the first time and he received me very cordially. They gave me some comfits. Received 1.8 gallons of hardtack from Suguira Company. 61 men from the Butai arrived at 1500. We decided to bivouac at the present place tonight. I met Makusame for the first time in a long while. He was healthier than I thought he would be. We were both overjoyed to tears.
Jan. 5, 1943 - Tuesday - Clear We left regimental headquarters at 0400. We received orders to advance from the entrance of Maruyama Road. The mountain is very steep and bad so I think the unit will be very late in reaching its destination. We arrived at 1300 at the headquarters of Lt. Butai. I met Lt. Okajima of the 8th company and we were very happy to see each other. I was deeply indebted to M/Sgt. Nishijima for everything he did for me as I stayed at the 8th company at their bivouac area.
Jan. 6, 1943 - Wednesday - Clear Around 0800 the machine guns came up from the rear and were taken to the 8th company. Nine men and myself were ordered to report to the headquarters of the Oka Butai. The road was so bad our advance was difficult and slow. At 1400 we arrived at headquarters and immediately were placed under the command of Major Nagaki and left for the front. We exchanged news and he said the enemy was constructing a position on top of Nageyama (Bald Mt.). I decided to go see Major Inagaki tomorrow. I slept well as I was fatigued. It poured during the night.
Jan. 7, 1943 - Thursday - Clear I went with Lt, Abe to the front lines to see Major Inagaki. The nemy is 100 meters beyond us, so rifle fire was terrific, especially around 1600. From evening we started receiving enemy artillery fire. We rested all day. My legs were sore, but at night I slept well. I hope we'll execute a night attack as I want to eat enemy food.
END OF DIARY It was taken from a Japanese Prisoner at Vella Lavella Sept. 10, 1943
_________________ Slava Ukraini!!
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