Description:

JOURNAL OF A FUKUOKA CAMP P.O.W., WITH SKETCH FROM A MURDERED AMERICAN FLYER USED IN MEDICAL EXPERIMENTS
A historic book of original prisoner sketches as well as letters from home, collected by British soldier and prisoner of the Japanese John Picken, a British lance corporal in the Corps of Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (R.E.M.E.) born in Wolverhampton. Picken was interned at the dismal Fukuoka 17 Kyushu P.O.W. camp in Japan, situated at a mine, until August, 1945. Mistreatment of prisoners was the norm, with little shelter, medical support or food provided. In this harsh environment, any form of distraction from the horrific conditions was welcomed, and thus Picken sought relief through his gathering of sketches, poems, and autographs from his fellow prisoners - some American - to be added to his personal journal. The entries are held within a linen-bound journal-style book, 5.75 x 8.25 in., with the cover bearing his name. The journal contains 45pp. of superb artwork and skillful poetry and narratives. The contents include images of women, portraits of the camp and guards as well as natives, men toiling in the prison camp mines, a caricature of Churchill, scenes from his fellow prisoners while held in Java in 1942, and much more. Of the greatest importance is a signed sketch in blue ink by CPL. IRVING A. CORLISS (1920-1945) of Somerset, NH. Corliss served as a Corporal on B-29A #42-93953, 6th Bomber Squadron, 29th Bomber Group, Very Heavy. Corlis executes a grotesque caricature of a Japanese officer with thick glasses, pencil moustache and jagged teeth. Beneath the image, he signs his name with rank, his squadron and group, and home address. Corliss would have one of the most awful fates of any prisoner of the war. After being held at Fukuoka 17, he was handed over to Kyushu Imperial University medical faculty, along with seven other airmen. Once there, they were inhumanly treated, subjected to experiments including having their blood replaced with seawater, had portions of their livers and brains removed, and had heart surgery and stomach operations. It is widely believed that these operations were conducted while the prisoners were alive, and there is also evidence that parts of the prisoners' livers were consumed. All eight prisoners succumbed to this terrible treatment, and their remains have never been located. The autograph material in the album comes in the form of poems – many well-written – a short story, and a number autographs Picken collected, many with sentiments. Picken has also tipped-in a poignant letter from William G. Atkinson of the 874th Bomber Squad, 198 Bomber Group, which participated in the liberation of the camp. Dated Ube, August 3, 1945, it reads in part: ‘…We felt pretty damn lucky to be able to help you fellows now that the fracas has subsided. Believe me, we [would] really appreciate a word from at least one of you when you get state side again…'. Also included in this lot are Picken's release papers, including his ‘Soldier's Release Book Class ‘A', containing a ‘Release Leave Certificate' which notes that Picken was a ‘…highly skilled fitter…', instructions-related paperwork after his release; his ‘Joining Order' which confirms that as an ex-POW, Picken is not in possession of the British Army's Soldiers Service and Pay Book ‘AB64, Part I and II'; Picken's Navy Department Patient Identity Tag noting that he is free of disease; and a telegram sent by Picken on Oct. 24, 1945 presumably to family, reading ‘ALL WELL LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING YOU SOON'. Rounding out the archive are 17 letters from Picken's family dating from 1943-1945, two photographs of a unit during happier times, presumably Picken's, and three books: ‘Bomber Command', ‘Front Line 1940-1941', and ‘The Eighth Army'. Condition varies in this lot, with pages with sketches and writing overall very good.

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March 26, 2026 10:00 AM EDT
Elkton, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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