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stations. The Japanese Officer spoke English and asked them to explain the working of both the upper and lower 4" guns, preparing for action, loading, firing, etc.
The gunners were models of ignorance; some "had always been numbers 5 and 6 and knew nothing of the mechanism, or the duties of other numbers; some had just joined the Volunteers (two actually had over three years service) and had not been taught anything about the guns". The sergeant and L/Bdr. could not claim such alibis so they asked for the breech - it was not there; the range finder it was not there; the D.R.F. everything had gone but the actual gun. This lack of actual and essential material so completely defeated the N.C.Os that they could hardly recognise the guns, let alone describe the mechanism.
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The Japanese Officer was very annoyed and expressed his annoyance in no uncertain manner. They were then asked if they knew anything about STANLEY. They knew where it was but were completely ignorant of its guns and defences. They were returned to camp and not questioned again.
B. NORTH POINT.
It is most difficult to obtain information about this camp on account of its being so carefully guarded.
1.
It is thought that this camp contains mostly Canadians. As most of the prisoners were seen stripped sunbathing, the source was unable to distinguish officers from other ranks and one unit from another.
2. On the whole food appears to be better than in any of the other camps. Prisoners now prefer friends to send in parcels containing sweets and sugar. During July parcels were stopped as a reprisal for an attempted escape.
The camp is surrounded with electrified barbed-wire and no one is allowed within 60 yards of the camp. All houses in the vicinity have been evacuated. A roll call is taken every evening at six o'clock.
DMI/3751/50/GSI(e).