Camp Liberation

Feb. 3 marks the 50th anniversary of our liberation from Santo Tomas internment camp, Manila, Philippines. I am writing to express our deep appreciation for the members of the 1st Cavalry who effected our liberation.

For 37 months we had endured hardships, hunger, sickness and innumerable petty torments inflicted upon us by the Japanese. We welcomed the return of Allied planes, which bombed Manila steadily from September until the end of January, 1945. Food became increasingly scarce until we were reduced to 600 calories a day. Starving is not easy but it is 10 times worse when you watch your children cry for food.

The story of our liberation is so fantastic that it reads like a book. The official camp interpreter was an English missionary, cordially hated by everyone, as he was so friendly with our captors. None of us knew, of course, that he was a British intelligence officer.

The Japanese were so desperate as the Allied forces pushed them back that they had determined to put all the men into one building, destroy it, and use the women and children as hostages. Our interpreter saw the orders, and got word to the guerrillas to tell Gen. Douglas MacArthur. The result was that 750 members of the 1st Cavalry fought their way 60 miles south and burst into the camp at 9 p.m. on Feb. 3.

Not only did they give us every scrap of food they carried, but these gentlemen were the most gallant and humane soldiers. They showed us unbelievable courtesy and kindness. We owe them a debt we can never forget.

God bless the 1st Cavalry and God bless the United States.

KATHLEEN C. WATSON

Pasadena