163d LANGUAGE DETACHMENT REPORT NO. 0223.

The 163d Language Detachment was attached to Headquarters I Corps, U.S. Army, in the Philippines. Report No. 163LD-1 0223 is titled, “Combined Enemy Preliminary Report,” and dated 21 May 1945. Classified Confidential, declassified 6/6/56. 

This is an Interrogation Report of five Korean Comfort Women captured by U.S. Forces in Luzon, Philippines in May, 1945. Their ages are: 19, 22, 24, 28 and 28. Two pairs are sisters.

Portions of interest are quoted in italics. Parts of special interest are highlighted in bold letters.

“Nationality : Korean.

Status : Prostitutes in employ of Jap Army.

Place of Capture: Vic of Dingalan Bay, Tayabas Prov, Luzon.

Date of Capture: 19 May 45”

 “The families of all the women were extremely poor and in order to save their families the expense of caring for them, they were sold to a Geisha House in Korea. They were sent to Taichu City, Formosa (present Taichung, Taiwan) and placed in the employ of the Army. The returned to Korean and on 29 Apr 44 left with 62 other women of both Jap and Korean nationality for the Philippines. They were still in the employ of the Jap Army. Upon arrival in the Philippines they were split up into small groups and sent to various army camps. 10 women, including subject EAs (enemy aliens), were sent to Higuchi L of C unit near Clark Field where they stayed at a Geisha House run by Mr. Taniguchi. From here they were sent to Sector Hq, Clark Field. Sometime in October 1944 they were sent to South San Fernando and joined Nakamura L of C Unit. 10 Jan 45, they withdrew from South San Fernando and enroute (sic) met up with Col Suzuki and his force. Col Suzuki told them that if they were captured they would be a disgrace to Japan (the Japanese military considered being taken POW as a disgrace), therefore they had better tag along with him. They went to Ipo. During the march Army personnel would go on ahead leaving two or three soldiers with the women. One woman died enroute and two others were left in Ipo  because of illness. Late Jan 43, left Ipo and arrived Iloilo sometime in Apr 45. They saw many soldiers fall out and die from starvation enroute. About two weeks ago Col Suzuki took approx 300 able-bodied men and proceeded  towards Umiray. They thought men were armed with rifles. Men headed up towards the mountains and not along the coast. Two of the women went with the group but the five EA decided to go off and fend for themselves. They followed the coastline northward. 18 May 44 they saw an LCM off the coast firing up into the hills above them. They waded out into the water and waved their arms and shouted. The crew of the LCM picked them up and took them to Dingalong Bay.”

All contents above are copied from

“WAR TIME MILITARY RECORDS ON COMFORT WOMEN”

 (Compilation of U.S./Allied/Dutch/Japanese Military Records)

[by Archie Miyamoto, Lt Col, U.S. Army, Retired February, 2016]