For Three years we had been used as slaves,
since surrendering to the Japanese.
We’d been starved, beaten and abused
and lived in filth and misery.
We’d heard they planned to **** us all
once it was clear they’d lose the war.
We’d lived in fear, like Damocles,
waiting for the day Japan would fall.
Then came the news of Victory
and our tormentors disappeared.
More eager, then, to save themselves
Than carry out the order we had feared.
Beneath my bunk a treasure hid,
concealed there from the Japanese.
It was saved from the fall of Singapore,
then passed through several hands to me.
We struck down their flag, the rising sun,
for we were sure their sun had set.
We replaced it with the Stars and Stripes,
Around that banner we rallied yet.
Hearts filled with pride, we stood as men
and saluted the red white and blue.
We were like scarecrows dressed in rags,
but we knew that this ordeal was through.
Our air force dropped us food supplies
and shortly after we entrained.
We’d made a bonfire of the camp
to consume the memory of our pain.
(Japan did not abide by the provisions of the Geneva Convention regarding prisoners of War. The captured Americans, British and Australian servicemen were used as slaves, poorly fed and subject to regular beating and abuse from the guards.
Approximately thirty five percent of the Prisoners of war held by the Japanese died from starvation disease and exposure. In some documented instances the Japanese committed mass ****** of prisoners to prevent their rescue by advancing allied forces