RG-113 Holmes / Bilibid Internment Camp Papers

RG-113 Papers of the Camp Holmes / Bilibid Internment Camps; 1 box (.5 Shelf Feet) Materials donated by former internees of the Japanese internment camp that held allied civilians in Baguio, Philippines, during World War II.

The city of Baguio is located in the mountains of northern central Luzon, Philippines. Designed by Americans during the colonial period, it was known as the summer capitol because of its cool climate. Baguio was one of the first major towns to fall to the Japanese after their invasion in December 1941.

Aerial view of the city of Baguio, ca. 1937 (RG-66: Earl Short Papers)

The round up of allied civilians began almost as soon as the Japanese entered Baguio. At first the civilians were taken to Camp John Hay and housed there.

Camp John Hay, Baguio, Philippines as seen in prewar scenes (RG-105: James J. Halsema Papers)

After a short time at Camp John Hay, the civilian internees were force marched to Camp Holmes located high up in the mountains around Baguio.

Camp Holmes was located high in the mountains near the city of Baguio.		The image at right shows the camp area after the war was over and the camp was destroyed.
(RG-105: James J. Halsema Papers)

Camp Holmes served as home for the Baguio internees from early 1942 until December 1944. While under the control of the Japanese civilian commander Rokuro Tomibe, life at the camp was tolerable. When the Japanese army took over in 1944, however, life changed drastically and the real hardship began. In December 1944 the prisoners were moved to Bilibid prison in Manila in preparation for the return of American forces as Baguio was very close to the invasion beaches at Lingayen Gulf, Luzon, Philippines.

At left, new arrivals to the Camp unpack their belongings for inspection by Japanese guards.		At right, women with newborns relax at the camp during the early days.
(RG-105: James J. Halsema Papers)

The Camp Holmes internees were liberated at Bilibid Prison, Manila, Philippines by the 37th Infantry Division on 5 February 1945.

Bilibid Prison, Manila, PI, as seen in this aerial view taken around 1945.	37th Division soldier with all the kids born in captivity.

DIARIES:  The diaries of many of the internees are among the items available among the collections.

Diaries of Camp Holmes internees Natalie Crouter and Ethel Thomas Herold are a few among many of the diaries included in the collection.

DOCUMNETS:  RG-113 contains many documents related to the Camp Holmes experience.

Camp roster of the Camp Holmes internees taken around the time of the move from Camp Holmes to Bilibid Prison, Manila. (RG-105: James J. Halsema Papers)

MANUSCRIPTS:  Also included in the Camp Holmes collection are many unpublished manuscripts by those who were interned at the Baguio camp.

Manuscript of Bessie M. Crim, who was a missionary in China, and then interned in Camp Holmes (Bessie Crim collection)

Donors to RG-113: Papers of the Camp Holmes / Bilibid Internment Camps

Irene Miller Browning

Bessie M. Crim

Fred Crouter

Betty Halsema Foley

James J. Halsema

Betsy Herold Heimke

Sister Louise Kroeger

Donald Mansell

John Ream

Katie Ream Sobeck