Japanese Doctor's Diary

H. Hoshino - Graduate of Pacific Union College, Ca where he recieved a Medical License from California in 1938.
Killed during the battle of Attu.


May 13-0155
Carrier based plane flew over, fired at it. There is a low fog and the summit is clear.
Evacuated to the summit, air raids carried out frequently until 1000.
Heard land noise. It is Naval gun fireing. Prepared battle equipment.
American transports, about 41, begin landing at Hokkai Misaki.
20 boats landed at Massacre Bay, it seems they are going to unload heavy equipment.
Days activities - Air Raid, Naval Gun Firing and landing of American troops.

May 13-Battle
The U.S. Forces landed at Shiba Dai and Massacre Bay.
The enemy has advanced to the bottom of Missumi Yama from Shiba Dai.
Have engaged them. On the other hand, Massacre Bay is defended by only one platoon,
but upon the unexpected attack, the AA machine gun cannon was destroyed
and we have withdrawn. In night attack we have captured 20 enemy rifles.
There is tremendous mountain artillery gun-firing. Approximately 15 patients
came to the field hospital. The field hospital is attached Arai engineers unit.

May 14-Battle
Our two submarines from Kiska assisting us have greatly damaged two enemy ships.
The enemy has advanced to the bottom of Missumi Yama. First LT Suyuki died by
shots from rifle. Continous flow of wounded in the field hospital. Took refuge
in the trenches during the daytime and took care of the patients during bombardment.
Enemy strength must be a division. Our desparate defense is holding up well.

May 15-Battle
Continuous flow of casualties to our field hospital caused by fierce bombardment of
enemy land and naval forces. The enemy has a great number of negroes and indians.
The west arm units have withdrawn to near Shitigati Dai. In a raid I was ordered
to the West Arm but it was called off. Just lay down from fatigue in the barracks.
Facial expression of soldiers back from the west arm is tense. They all went back to
the firing line soon.

May 16-Battle
If Shitigati Dai is occupied by the enemy, the fate of east arm is decided. So burnt
documents and prepared to destroy the patients. At the moment there was an order from HQ
of sector unit. Proceeded to Chicago Harbor by way of Unanase, 0100 in the morning.
There was no air raid so took refuge in the former field hospital cave. The guns of a
Lockheed spitted fire and flew past our cave

May 17-Battle
At night about 1800 under cover of darkness, left the cave. The stretcher went over muddy
roads and steep hills of no mans land. No matter how far or how much we went, we did not
get to the pass, was rather irritated in the fog by the thought of getting lost. Sat down
after every 20 or 30 steps. WOuld sleep, dream and wake up again. Same thing over again.
The patient on the stretcher who does not move is frostbitten. After all the effort, met sector
comander Yeusaki. The path is a straight line without any width and a steep line toward Chicago
Harbor. Sitting down on the butt and lifting the feet I slid very smoothly and changed direction
with the sword. Slid in about 20 minutes. After that arrived at Chicago Harbor ward after straggling.
The expended was 9 hours for all this, without leaving any patients. Opened a new field hospital.
Walking is now extremely difficult from left knee rheumatism which occurred on the pass.
The results of our Navy, the submarine and special underwater craft since the fourteenth:
Cruisers 3, Destroyers, Air-born troops, and transports 6. By the favorable turn since the battle
of east arm, reserves come back. Off shore of Shiba Dai, six destroyers are guarding one transport.

May 18-Battle
The Yenegeuia Detachment abandoned east and west arms and withdrew to Umanese. About 60 wounded came
to the field hospital. I had to care for all of them by myself all through the night. Heard that the
enemy carried out a landing in Chicago Harbor. Everybody did combat preparations and waited. Had two
grenades ready. Second LT Omura left for the front. Said farewell. At night a patient came in who had
engaged a friendly unit by mistake and had received a wound on the wrist. The counter sign is "Isshi Hoke".

May 19-Battle
At night there was a phone call from sector unit HQ. In some spots on the beach there are friendly float type
planes waiting. Went into Attu village church-flet like someone's home. Some blankets were scattered around.
Was told to translate a field order presumed to have been dropped by an enemy officer in Massacre Bay. Was
ordered to evacuate a detailed map sketch which was in the possession of Capt. Robert I. Edward, Adj of Col. Smith.
Getting tired and am going to sleep. First LT Ujue is now in charge of translation

May 20-Battle
The hard fighting of our 303rd BN. in Massacre Bay is fierce and it is to our advantage. Have captured enemy
weapon and used that to fight. Mowed down 10 enemy closing in under the fog. Five of our men and one medical
NCO died. Heard enemy pilots faces can be seen around Umanese. The enemy naval gun firing near our hospital
is fierce-drops about 20 meters away.

May 21-Battle
Was strafed when amputating a patients arm. It is the first time since moving over to Chicago Harbor that I went
in an air raid shelter. Enemy plane is a Martin. Nervousness of our C.O. is severe and has said his last word to
his officers and NCOs that he will die tomorrow-Gave all his articles away. Hasty chap this fellow. The officers
on the front are doing a fine job. Every one who heard this became desparate and things became disorderly.

May 22-Battle
At 0600 air-raid again. Strafing killed one medical man. Olayaki was wounded in the right thigh and fractured arm.
During the night a mortar shell came awful close.

May 23-Battle
Seventeen friendly medium bombers destroyed a crusier off shore. By naval gun firing, a hit was scored on the pillar
pole of tent for patients and the tent gave in and two died instantly. From 0200 in the morning until 1600 stayed
in fox holes. The days rations L go. 5 Shakar (1.5 pounds) nothing more. Officer and men alike in frost. Everybody
looked around for food and stole everything they could find.

May 24-Battle
Naval gun firing, aerial bombardment, trench warfare, the worst is yet to come. The enemy is constructing a position.
BN Commander died at Umanese. They cannot accomodate their patients. It has been said that at Massacre Bay district,
the road coming through sector unit HQ is isolated. Am suffering from diarrhea and feel dizzy.

May 25-Battle
It sleeted and was extremely cold. Stayed at Missumi barracks alone. a great amount of shells were dropped by naval
gun fire. Rocks and mud fell all over the roof. It fell down, in a fox hole about 50 yards away Hayasaka, a medical
man, died instantly by a piece of shrapnel through the heart.

May 26-Battle
By naval gun firing it felt like the Missumi barracks blew up and things lit up tremendously. Consciousness becomes
vague. One tent burnt down by a hit from incendiary bombs. Straffing planes hit the next room. Two hits from a .50
caliber shell, one stopped in the ceiling and the other penetrated. My room is an awful mess from sand and pebbles
that have come from the roof. First LT from Medical Corps is wounded. There was a ceremony to (UNTRANSLATABLE TEXT)
No hope grant the Imperial Edict. The last line of Umanese was broken through. No hope for reinforcements. Will die for
the cause of Imperial Edict.

May 27-Battle.
Diarrhea continues. Pain is severe. Took everything from pills, opium, morphine, then slept pretty well. Straffing by
planes. There is less than a thousand left of more than 2000 troops. WOunded from coast defense unit field hospital HQ
field post office are here. The rest are on the front line.

May 28-Battle
The remaining ration is only for two days. Our artillery has been destroyed. There is sound of trench mortar also of AA gun.
The company on the bottom of Attu Fuji has been compeletely annihilated except one. Rations for about two days. I wonder
if Commander Yenegami and some of his men are still living. Other companies have been completely annihilated except one or two.
Three hundred and third battalion has been defeated. Yenegami is still holding Umanese. Continuous cases of suicide. Half of
the sector unit HQ was blown away. Heard that they gave 400 shots of morphine to seriously wounded and killed them. Ate half
fried thistle. It is the first time I have eaten something fresh in six months. It is a delicacy. Order from the sector
commander to move the field hospital to the island, but it was called off.

May 29-Battle
Today at 2000 o'clock we assembled in front of HQ. The field hospital took part too. The last assault is to be carried out.
All the patients in the hospital were made to commit suicide. Only 33 years of living and I am to die here. I have no regrets.
Benzal to Emperor. I am grateful that I have kept the peace of my soul which Ehkist bestowed upon me. Goodbye Faeke, my beloved
wife, who loved me to the last. Until we meet again grant you God speed. For you Fekike, born February of this year and never
will see your father. Is almost a thousand to take enemy artillery position. It seems like the enemy is expecting an all out
attack tomorrow.


That night the Japanese did an unsuccessful Banzai charge. Hoshima took part in this charge and was killed.
Thanks to John Mulioli for the diary and the accompanying photo album.

Here's a good site for reading about this battle:
http://www.cr.nps.gov/nr/twhp/wwwlps/lessons/7attu/7facts1.htm

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