Journal+Entry+1+MCBD


 * January 24th, 1937**



Today I’ve heard the news of my battalion being sent to Manchuria. I expected this notice as Manchuria is needing more men as time goes, but I didn’t expect my battalion will be called for it. Although I am part of the Imperial Army, I am actually worried that my men as it is certain that at least 5% of them will die off during the journey to reach Manchuria. Just like my motto, I will lead my men in a way so that there is least casualty as possible within the battalion. I hope Rin, who recently sent me this letter about her sons Daiki and Sora being enlisted. Sora is sent to Nanking, and Daiki will be sent to Manchuria with me. I hope Rin is doing well too as I haven’t seen or heard any news from her for a very long time. Also, I’m actually glad that I’ll be on the same continent as Sora although we won’t be able to meet each other.

I wonder how Rin is doing. After her marriage, she left our family to live her own life with her husband. The recent letter was quite refreshing just with the fact that she contacted me. She told me she is starting to work at a cotton factory and that she now has three children, two who have enlisted themselves for the army. It was quite glad to have other family members on the army too.

Although it has been many years since I joined the army and became an officer, leading a battalion, it still feels like it was only yesterday when me and my friends all talked about joining the army. Even though I should be designing a journey to avoid battle as much as possible, my family is keep coming into my mind. Somehow, just like all other families in Japan, our family’s men have joined the army too. I think that our ancestors will be proud for actions and I am glad for that. I heard many terrible and good news about Manchuria, from news of victories to some losses in men. I know there won’t be many cases of losing battles, but losing men is always a painful thing for me, seeing the group decreasing in number daily. Although I do not know how it will be a Manchuria when I get there, I know I will always have my family and my men in my heart.

Mitsuo.