P.O.W Memories (Wairarapa) Traditional Cache
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P.O.W Memories (Wairarapa)
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P.O.W. Memories (Wairarapa)
During the Second World War in September 1942, at the request of the US military, an internment camp for Japanese army prisoners of war was established at Featherston, near Wellington.
Dreams of Warriors
By 1943 the camp held about 800 Japanese, mostly captured in the South Pacific. They were taken to the prisoner of war camp at Featherston, north of Wellington, where they were set to work weeding, planting and making furniture. While many accepted their situation, some refused to work, and in February 1943 they went on strike. This sparked a tragic incident where armed guards opened fire on the prisoners, killing 31 instantly; 17 died later, 74 were wounded and one New Zealander was killed and six were wounded….
The earlier arrivals generally accepted their lot, but some military prisoners regarded capture as the ultimate disgrace – the belief that it was deeply shameful to work for the enemy was instilled in childhood. Rather than return home as outcasts, they refused to work. Some wanted to commit suicide and on one occasion pressured officers to give us a lead’. A Japanese lieutenant told them that Japan needed them, but that he respected their positions. At this point the men decided not to take their lives.
A military court of enquiry exonerated New Zealand, but acknowledged the fundamental psychological and racial differences between captor and captive, and the lack of a common language. The Japanese government did not accept the court’s decision
Although the Japanese never did invade New Zealand, despite widespread fears, the tragedy remains a testimony to cultural misunderstanding. Today, a plaque commemorates the site with a 17th-century haiku:
Behold the summer grass
All that remains
Of the dreams of warriors.
The cache is a 1 Lt Systema Camo Container.
An assorted number of small treasures are contained within, including the necessary Log Book and pencil, and a pencil sharpener.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Sbyybj gur TCF, vg xabjf jurer gb ebpx ba!!