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Transcript diary relating to the Second World War service of SX6962 Temporary Brigadier Arthur Seaforth Blackburn, Black Force (Java), Netherlands East Indies, Taiwan and China, 24 April 1942 - 3 November 1944.
After serving as lieutenant colonel in command of the 2/3rd Machine Gun Battalion in February 1942, Blackburn was posted to Java to bolster Dutch forces and stall the advance of Japanese forces. He was appointed brigadier and commander of an ad-hoc unit of approximately 3,000 men named "Black Force" after its commander, with which he opposed the Japanese on Java, including at the Battle of Leuwiliang. On 11 March 1942, Blackburn surrendered his forces to the Japanese and became a prisoner of war.
This diary documents the surrender of forces under his command and his subsequent internment. Entries cover the period from 24 April 1942 - 3 November 1944, and describe the treatment of prisoners by the Japanese and conditions encountered in the camps. Topics include the conditions in the camps, beatings by the guards, mail being withheld, the organisation of the prisoners, disease and illness, forced signing of oaths of allegiance, shortages of food and medicine, work parties, air raids, and the low morale of the internees. Blackburn documents multiple changes in location including being moved to Changi in late December 1942, subsequent transfer to various camps in Taiwan through 1943 before being moved to Chen Cha Tung in Manchuria via Japan and Korea in September-October 1944.
This transcript was compiled by Blackburn's daughter, Rosemary Wighton, in 1991. Wighton wrote a prologue and epilogue, adding context including the operations of Black Force, other statements by Blackburn on his capture and imprisonment, and some of his activities following the war.
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This collection is comprised of the diary and letters written by Lieutenant Colonel Arthur Blackburn, VC during his command of the 2/3rd Machine Gun Battalion. The letters cover the period of the batt
Diary relating to the Second World War service of SX6962 Temporary Brigadier Arthur Seaforth Blackburn, Black Force (Java), Netherlands East Indies, Taiwan and China, 24 April 1942 - 3 November 1944.
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Diary relating to the Second World War service of SX6962 Temporary Brigadier Arthur Seaforth Blackburn, Black Force (Java), Netherlands East Indies, Taiwan and China, 24 April 1942 - 3 November 1944.
This collection is comprised of the diary and letters written by Lieutenant Colonel Arthur Blackburn, VC during his command of the 2/3rd Machine Gun Battalion. The letters cover the period of the batt
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