Rev. Buuck's autobiographical notes: View pages

June came and we were told that the U.S. and Japanese governments had worked out a plan. Japanese nationals in the U.S. would be exchanged head for head with Americans in the camp.

We were required to present all books, pictures, etc. for censuring. Very few pictures and only books containing no writing or maps received this approval.

Of extreme importance was the opportunity we were given to go to Hong Kong and open our safety deposit boxes. I was allowed to take some valuable Mission Treasury papers and some personal documents.

Back at camp we were ordered to pack our belongings, making sure not to try smuggling anything out which was on the forbidden list.

Our spirits soared when on the 28th of June, 1942, we were told that a Japanese ship, the Asama Maru, would pick us up the next morning.

((Undated, but these notes should refer to 29th June, based on other diaries' entries for these days.))

I recall climbing the ladder leading to the roof and scanning the sea. I am sure my heart skipped a few beats when I saw a tiny speck on the horizon. Yes, it was our ship coming in, destination-freedom. I hurried down to spread the good news.

It did not take long for us to get our baggage into line for inspection. Only two items caused us concern. One, the silverware, we did not try to hide completely but neither did we put it out in open sight. The other, my financial reports, I had written in ink, then torn into smaller pieces and put into the pockets of our clothing. Fortunately we were given only a superficial check.

I should mention that our sole possessions were contained in one rice sack, one wicker basket, one beat-up suitcase, one cardboard box, plus the coaster wagon which again came in handy getting our things to shore. Yet we were alive, in relatively good health, and together. We had much to be thankful for.

The Asama anchored some distance from the rather shallow dock so we had to board a smaller vessel and be ferried out to the ship which we entered via a cargo door just above water level. From here we went to one of the stations to be given room assignments.

Our spirits sank considerably when we learned that we would be in steerage, with the men and older boys on one side of the ship and the women, smaller children, and girls on the other. This could have been a disastrous arrangement but there was nothing we could do about it.

That night at supper we sat at a table and ate with knives and forks for the first time since January fifth. Although the Japanese were short of food in their own country, I must say that they did not do badly when it came to feeding us. Once again we had the taste of eggs, potatoes, ersatz coffee, different kinds of vegetables, even some bacon, and some other meat with the result that we began putting on a bit of weight again.

We men sat at long tables in the steerage dining room. I had Leonard and Laurence Ziegler with me while Ella and Mrs. Ziegler had all the little ones and girls.

After several days under way I started putting together my “jigsaw puzzle” namely, the financial report which I had carefully torn and hidden. This I did when I was quite certain that I would not be observed by any Japanese, which worked quite well and I soon had my report.

We were restricted as far as water was concerned. Water for washing and bathing was available only at certain hours, while we were expected to do our laundry in sea water. Usually we snuck a bit of laundry in when taking a bath which was quite often once we got close to the equator.

((I've used 3rd July, despite 4th July shown below. Ella Buuck records the people from Saigon boarded on the 3rd July. I think Ella's record is more likely to be accurate - she appears to have kept a daily diary at the time, whereas these notes were written up later.))

On July 4th, a beautiful day, we slowly made our way up the Saigon River to pick up the embassy staff from French Indo China, now S. Viet Nam ((now just 'Vietnam')).

Hawkers came along side the boat with all kinds of wares for sale. Wine and cigarettes were the “hottest” items; I doubt if either was very good.

((Dates approximate. Elsewhere a map has the legend "Combined Japanese Army and Navy aerial display on July 8".))

Now our voyage took us in the direction of Singapore. Anchored about 25 miles out for several days in calm, very hot weather we really felt the lack of water. While here, the Japanese sent over planes in many formations to impress us with their air power.

While our ship was riding at anchor, the Conte Verde, an Italian liner with the repatriates from the Shanghai and North China areas, joined us. From here to Africa the two ships traveled together, a beautiful sight, especially at night when, according to international agreement the ships were lit from bow to stern so all knew their identity.

((Dates approximate))

We passed through the Sundra Straits ((the Sunda Strait)), a narrow channel between Sumatra and Java and a disastrous area for the retreating Dutch at the beginning of the war. For the next 12 days we sailed across the Indian Ocean below the tip of India and Ceylon.

During this time we were given the opportunity of signing notes and receiving up to $100 for things which could be purchased on the ship, an arrangement worked out between our government and the Swiss.  Our family was allotted $500 but we only drew $50.

Joseph Alsop, the correspondent, had plans of leaving the ship and getting back into China where he had some connections with the Flying Tigers and needed extra money for sending cables to Washington, especially to Eleanor Roosevelt. I drew $100 for him; later on in the States his father sent me a check for $110.

((I've dated this entry to 22nd July, not the 23rd shown below. The 22nd is the date given in his wife's diary and other records of this journey for the ships' arrival at Lourenco Marques.))

On July 23rd our ships pulled into the inlet leading to the port of Lourenco Marques, Portuguese East Africa. What a beautiful morning - made all the more beautiful by the sight of a little tanker proudly flying the American flag and sounding its fog horn. Believe me, there was great cheering when we saw that flag which we had not seen for more than 6 months.

The Asama pulled along the pier with its stern about 30 feet from that of the Swedish liner, the Gripsholm, on which were the Japanese who had come from America. We felt sorry for some white American wives of Japanese men who would now be going into the turmoil of war. As soon as the steamers were tied up some of the crew of the Gripsholm began throwing fruit and cigarettes over to our ship. The excitement mounted among us as the moment of complete freedom neared.

Up to this point we still did not know which of our missionaries had come on the Conte Verde. This was joyfully answered when in the evening the Kleins, Thodes, and Zimmermanns appeared at our gangplank. This was a happy reunion and soon we would be together for the second half of the voyage of a month’s duration.

I don’t recall how much we slept that night but you can be sure that the next morning ((ie the 23rd)) we did not take very long to pack our few belongings and get to the promenade deck where the orders were given. We Americans would disembark via the bow gangplank and proceed on the left side of some boxcars on the pier; those from the Gripsholm, the Japanese, would walk on the other side of the boxcars and board the ship at the stern gangplank.

Once on board the Gripsholm we were told to remain on deck while the crew readied the cabins. What an unbelievable sight there was on the deck at noon… here were tables loaded with the choicest foods of every description - a smorgasbord fit for a king! With the wonderful ham and cheese sandwiches and meats of various kinds, one could have a refreshing bottle of beer. We had every reason to thank the Lord for this food which for the past months had been only a vague dream.

The next day ((ie the 24th)) we were given the opportunity of going to a certain place in the city where foreign nationals had collected some clothes for us refugees. Ella found a number of items for our family which was sorely needed.

The older children were given an outing by a foreign lady living in the port.

After being in port for 5 days, the Gripsholm, a ship about 700 ft long with a beam of about 75 feet, got under way with its 1200 passengers and crew of about 400.

The boys enjoyed making use of the elevator to its seven decks and the pool on the lowest level, which actually they were not to do but boys have a way of not noticing signs and getting away with it.

It took us several days until we were able to find our way around the ship without too much difficulty. Our cabin was toward the bow of the ship which at times gave us a bit of rough sailing.

The dining room for our section was one deck down and a thrill to behold with its tablecloths, napkins, and the best of silverware. Each morning the Swedish cooks prepared boiled eggs, fruits and delicious pastry; at lunch the fish, steak, potatoes, and olives were a real treat. We also had ice cream and the best of Swedish desserts. Now we really began to regain some lost weight and fill out our clothes.

The direction of our journey at this point was south, taking us around the Cape into the southern Atlantic, so that at the beginning of August we were in deep winter. Around the Cape the seas were angry and ran high so there were days when we were not permitted to be out on deck; however the closer we came to South America the warmer it got and the calmer the seas became.

One evening we noticed that the steamer was slowing down and making a turn. Everyone rushed to the top deck and beheld an eerie sight. We were circling a freighter, burned down to the water level, still smoldering. As they could find no survivors we sailed on.

((His wife's diary, written at the time, says this happened on 10th August. That's the date I've used for this page, not the 12th that he mentions below.))

Early on August 12th we entered the harbor of Rio De Janiero, truly one of the most beautiful in the world with Corcovado and Sugar Loaf dominating the scene. There was also a huge British troop carrier in port which we assumed to be the Queen Mary. Our little Gripsholm seemed like a toy in comparison.

We were able to get off the ship and do some sightseeing. Taking a walk along the shopping center, we purchased pictures made of butterfly wings, and an alligator skin purse and belt. We made a trip via tram to the top of Corcovado on which is a large statue of Christ overlooking the city and the harbor. The beautiful orchids and 7 story tall palms fascinated us.

In the evening we visited with our Lutheran pastor, who felt a bit uneasy since the South Americans were quite jittery during these war years.

The following day ((ie the 11th)) after food supplies had been taken aboard we were again under way.

((Dates approximate.))

We soon discovered that we had taken on more than food, as a contingent of F.B.I. men had also boarded in order to screen the passengers before the ship arrived in New York. We had to fill out some rather lengthy forms which the men examined and on the basis of which they later questioned us. Even before this they had investigated our background with our parent’s neighbors. The government was not taking any chances.

((Date approximate. On a map of the voyage there's the note "Docked at Jersey City August 25, 1942"))

The completion of our two month voyage, ending in freedom, was drawing near. As the New York skyline came faintly into view we began to see many many ships loaded with the implements of war headed for Europe, a reminder that war was still being waged. Now the thrill of a lifetime - on a beautiful morning our ship moved majestically past the Statue of Liberty, bringing tears of joy to all of us who had wondered if we would ever see this sight. Unfortunately, we were so busy telling our children about the meaning of this event that we missed a ceremony at the ship’s bow.

In the afternoon the F.B.I. men gathered around the table with us to review the questionnaire, a pleasant meeting which did not last long. We were glad our name began with a “B” which put us at the head of a number of lists. Also on this day we were given letters from home by Dr. Brand, the Mission Executive Secretary, here to meet us.

As we were admiring the tall buildings with their many lights we had a few anxious moments when the lights all around us began to go off. We were told that this was an air raid, something which did not make us feel very safe after the experiences of Hong Kong; actually it was only a drill.

Lined up on deck the next morning ((ie the 26th)), our belongings were checked by customs officials. After taking our passport, they also took a résumé or diary which they returned to us some months later. I think they were looking for helpful information such as maps, etc.

Leaving the ship was a frightening experience, especially for the children. Dr. Brand and Rev. Kleps were there which helped a bit, but the news and camera men almost pulled us apart. When we later saw our pictures in the New York paper, we looked like frightened rabbits.