During the past year, we have explored various places on the island in an effort to locate some of the other former Japanese Prisoner of War camps that were located here during World War II.
     After many trips to libraries and archives - pouring over old records and maps from the Japanese era, and with the remembrances of many of the former POWs interned there, we have been able to locate a number of these former camps.

     When Jack Edwards was with us in the spring of 1997 we took a trip out to the Hsintien area with Hugh Stephens in search of the former "jungle camp" described in Jack's book. We were able to find the location of the camp area with help from the local residents, and later, on subsequent visits, the area where the POWs planted sweet potatoes and peanuts was also located.
      A more detailed exploration of the campsite was undertaken in the fall of 1998 by the writer. Then when the POWs came in November we were able to take them out to the site for a look. As one commented, "It is wonderful to be able to retrace one's steps taken so many years ago - this is a very moving experience for me".

      Early last year during the Chinese New Year holiday on a trip to Hualien, we were able to confirm the location of the former KARENKO CAMP where the senior British, Dutch and American officers and the former governors of Singapore and Hong Kong were held for a time. Further south at YuLi, the location of the temporary TAMAZATO holding camp, was also identified.

      Since three of the five ex-POWs who came to Taiwan for last November's remembrance service had spent time in the TAICHU CAMP near Taichung, I wanted to try to locate this camp in advance of their coming so we could take them to see the location of their earlier internment.
       After much research - and just two weeks before they arrived, we were finally able to locate the camp, which was later verified when the POWs saw it again for themselves. Sid, Ben and Maurice were delighted to be able to stand on the bank of the river where they had laboured more than 50 years before, and the memories and friendships from that former time came flooding back.

      One of the POWs - Stan Vickerstaff, had spent considerable time in the TAIHOKU CAMP (the former name for Taipei) before being sent to Kinkaseki near the end of the war. With his help during the visit, we were able to find the approximate site of one of the former camps that were located here in Taipei. The search for the Taihoku camps has been made all the more difficult due to the fact that Taipei and area has changed so much over the past 50 years. The search is ongoing at this time.
       There are still more camps to locate and a lot more research to be done, but I feel that they can all be found in time and with perseverance. This is a great challenge for a historian - to explore and see history come alive once again. It is also very rewarding, for when the POWs come back to Taiwan, we can show them their former camps again.
       If anyone can provide further information in this regard or knows or any other sources of information, please contact us. Your assistance will be appreciated - and acknowledged.