☛ ... the most recent messages are on top !
From: John Hoyte
Sent: Sunday, March 23, 2025 6:20 PM
To: Leopold PANDER
Subject: Re: The Kill-all order
Thanks for all you are doing to keep our memories of Weihsien alive. You might like to take a look at my website [johnhoyte.com]. In the gallery there are some of my sketches in the camp as a 10 year old.
My memoir has a chapter on the camp.
Here is a recent painting.
Warmest wishes,
John
From: Leopold PANDER
Sent: Sunday, March 23, 2025 5:51 PM
To: 'John Hoyte'
Subject: RE: The Kill-all order
Dear John,
Glad to get a message from you. I guess that all is well 😊
Of course, I had a look at the Internet and found this: (attachment) ↓
… when at war, some rulers don’t make any difference.
Look at what’s happening now in Ukraine and in the Middle East !!
(... and maybe elsewhere too).
Most revolting !!
Best regards,
Leopold
From: John Hoyte
Sent: Sunday, March 23, 2025 5:23 PM
To: Leopold PANDER
Subject: Re: The Kill-all order
Leopold,
Was the Kill-all decree applicable to Civil Internment camps, such as ours at Weihsien, as well as to POW camps?
Who would know?
How close were we to that?
John Hoyte
From: Audrey Horton
Sent: Sunday, March 23, 2025 4:06 AM
To: Leopold PANDER
Subject: Re: Another question---the bell of Block 23 which was rung for German surrender---was that bell used for roll call--or only for the guards letting the Japanese outside of the camp that they were having problems within the camp
Thanks a million for your graciousness, time, help (...) and knowledge
Audrey Nordmo Horton
God bless you
From: Roy Campbell Subject: Re: Another question---the bell of Block 23 which was rung for German surrender---was that bell used for roll call--or only for the guards letting the Japanese outside of the camp that they were having problems within the camp
The bell in block 23 I ever heard ring was on the night of the day we heard that Germany surrendered.
It was rung by Bobby Grandon who felt we had to celebrate and was my sisters Isabel Harris boy friend.
It was the middle of a warm night and we were all called out for roll call.
The guards were very rough that night and the search lights were on us as we filed between them and our neighbour told us we were all taken out to be shot.
I guess they were sure someone had escaped.
The joke told afterwards that in the panic of counting they had extra numbers.
Yes I understand it was only to be rung when the Japs were having some trouble wih the internees.
We didn’t know at the time it was Bobby who rang the bell and it was very scary even if us kids thought it was a bit of an adventure that was the only time I heard that bell before liberation.
Maida Harris Campbell 15 at the time of liberation
Sent from my iPadFrom: Leopold PANDER
Sent: Saturday, March 22, 2025 11:12 AM
To: 'Audrey Horton'
Subject: RE: Another question---the bell of Block 23 which was rung for German surrender---was that bell used for roll call--or only for the guards letting the Japanese outside of the camp that they were having problems within the camp
Dear Audrey,
The Bell incident is mentioned in all the books written about Weihsien.
http://weihsien-paintings.org/books/index.php
http://www.weihsien-paintings.org/NormanCliff/Diary/BellIncident/BellIncident.html
The roll-call bell was in the garden behind the administration building ― Block-30
http://www.weihsien-paintings.org/ChSancton/paintings/index.htm#26
From what I have read on our website, the other bell in the tower of Block-23 was an alarm bell to let the Japanese army outside the camp know that there was a serious incident inside the camp.
Of course, we didn’t know that ― and I guess that our Jap Commandant must have lost face on that occasion.
The forced roll-call in the middle of the night that followed the incident was indeed very serious because now we know that the Commandant had written permission to kill all of us.
http://www.mansell.com/pow_resources/Formosa/taiwandocs.html
Furthermore, (…) it is because the OSS knew of the existence of those orders that we were freed by the Americans only two days after Hiro-Hito’s surrender speech of 15 August 1945.
Best regards,
Leopold
From: Audrey Horton
Sent: Saturday, March 22, 2025 12:10 AM
To: Pander Leopold ; Léopold Pander ; Pander Leopold
Subject: Another question---the bell of Block 23 which was rung for German surrender---was that bell used for roll call--or only for the guards letting the Japanese outside of the camp that they were having problems within the camp
Audrey Horton---gratefully
From: Leopold PANDER
Sent: Saturday, March 22, 2025 10:21 AM
To: 'Jessica Gauthier' ; 'Leopold PANDER'
Subject: RE: Weihsien photos and videos
Dear Madame Gauthier,
… thanks for your message.
I completed your .*pdf document on behalf of the ex-prisoners of Weihsien Camp.
Best regards,
Leopold
From: Jessica Gauthier
Sent: Friday, March 21, 2025 6:14 PM
To: Leopold PANDER
Subject: RE: Weihsien photos and videos
Hello!
Thank you, but I need your written consent to use the media from your site, please kindly sign the form through the link below so I may do so.
My story is on Audrey Horton, she was an 8-year-old student at Chefoo school who was amongst the 450 transferred to Weihsien. She is 92 now. My news station has a “Remarkable Women” campaign where we honor the remarkable women in our area, and I came across Mrs. Horton’s story and just had to share it.
I will be doing a TV news package that will air in our 6pm (central time) show on Tuesday, the 25th, along with a written article published around the same time with more detail and information and the article will have the video attached to it as well.
I can totally send it to you when it is completed!
https://nexstar.na1.documents.adobe.com/public/esignWidget?wid=CBFCIBAA3AAABLblqZhB6nSIixn1U6QJmIw4q1Up0Xxvf3VmQmHeJ22cj6MxG0KJV-JVNkoE4pbDosZzlQ7o*#stationCALL=WDHN&stationURL=&viewercontentURL=&StationContact=Jessica%20Gauthier&StationContactTitle=Anchor%20III%2C%20News&StationEmail=JGauthier@wdhn.com
From: Leopold PANDER
Sent: Saturday, March 22, 2025 10:00 AM
To: 'Ron Merritt' ; 'Leopold PANDER'
Subject: RE: passenger list of MS Gripsholm
Dear Ron,
Yes, why not ― thanks for suggesting.
I could add the m/s Gripsholm list to what we already have to complete Mrs. Wilder’s dairy given to us by Don Menzi
http://weihsien-paintings.org/DonMenzi/Gripsholm/LIFE/p_LifeMagazine.html
http://weihsien-paintings.org/DonMenzi/ScrapBook/1943-1015-AmericansArriveAtExchangePort.pdf
as for the second list, indeed, some prisoners present in Weihsien came from that University → Hummel, Gilkey, and maybe others … Not sure. I’ll have to check that.
Best regards,
Leopold
From: Ron Merritt
Sent: Saturday, March 22, 2025 3:11 AM
To: weihsien@proximus.be
Subject: passenger list of MS Gripsholm
Greetings:
I have a scanned copy (in pdf format) of the original 46-page manifest of all passengers whom left Goa on 22 Oct 1943 on the MS Gripsholm and arrived at New York City on 01 Dec 1943. I also have a pdf copy of the Yenching University Directory of 1932/1933.
Please advise if you desire me to email these two items to you to post on your web site www.weihsien-paintings.org
Sincerely,
Ron Merritt
From: Leopold PANDER
Sent: Friday, March 21, 2025 12:09 PM
To: 'Leopold PANDER'
Subject: FW: How many buildings were left at the Weihsien camp that the Chinese repaired--were there 7 buildings or what or which ones?
Dear Audrey 😊,
… the best I can do to reply to your question is by giving you the URL of page 210 of the ‘I remember’ albums …
http://weihsien-paintings.org/I_Remember/ALBUM/Book_2/2017-1207-Book2-WEB.pdf#page=47
… six yellow circles and two yellow rectangles with blocks 59, 60 and 58 where the Roman Catholic priests were herded next to that part of the wall where Father Scanlan (and others) did their black marketing with the local Chinese exchanging personal belongings and money for eggs mostly.
Hungry.
We were hungry !!
Remember?
… the biggest building, Block 23 was demolished and rebuilt by the Chinese. I remember going there in 2006 for my first voyage to China and Weihsien after the war. Our host was Mr. Sui ShuDe then and we were introduced to the n°2 Middleclass School’s headmaster and many other English-speaking teachers.
Mr. Sui is now retired but remains my Chinese friend from Shandong.
… the two Japanese villas ― and in 2006, the one o the right was a museum with already a lot of data about our camp in 1943-45.
The other villa was closed.
… the third Japanese villa in front of Block 50 just on the other side of the separation wall between the Japs and us is mentioned in Father Hanquet’s book. That is where, one night, he robbed a bag of sugar with the help of Father Palmers. The sugar was then distributed to families with children. Remember?
… Block 50 was a dormitory. In 2006 it was a rest home for ‘old-timers and I remember that there was a dancing class on the upper floor.
… in 2006, the Hospital was still a hospital and we didn’t visit it. It has since, been completely restored and now is number One Weihsien Museum in Weifang.
That makes 7 buildings. Your counting is correct.
… all the best,
Leopold
From: Audrey Horton
Sent: Friday, March 21, 2025 2:32 AM
To: Pander Leopold ; Léopold Pander ; Pander Leopold
Subject: How many buildings were left at the Weihsien camp that the Chinese repaired--were there 7 buildings or what or which ones?
Thank you from Audrey Nordmo Horton
From: Leopold PANDER
Sent: Friday, March 21, 2025 9:47 AM
To: 'Jessica Gauthier' ; 'Leopold PANDER'
Subject: RE: Weihsien photos and videos
Dear Madame Jessica Gauthier,
… our Weihsien-paintings’ website ― now twenty-five years old ― is free access and non-profit by definition. Yes, you are free to use all the data from our website, which is the patient work of so many ex-prisoners from all over the world. I just did the layout.
Please, tell us more about the story you are making for WDHN News and allow us add your story to our website. Thanks in advance.
Best regards,
Leopold Pander
(… from Belgium and 4 years old in 1945)
From: Jessica Gauthier
Sent: Friday, March 21, 2025 2:08 AM
To: weihsien@proximus.be
Subject: Weihsien photos and videos
Hello, my name is Jessica Gauthier and I work for WDHN News in Dothan, Alabama.
I am doing a story on a woman here who was a prisoner in Weihsien and I came across your website.
I see you have a lot of photos and videos on here and I'd like your permission to use them to better convey her story. It is such a moving topic, and I think having some imagery will help our viewers understand the gravity of the events that unfolded and everyone who took part in the heroic liberation. If you approve, please sign this form through the link below giving me permission to use the media on your site.
Thank you so much!
https://nexstar.na1.documents.adobe.com/public/esignWidget?wid=CBFCIBAA3AAABLblqZhB6nSIixn1U6QJmIw4q1Up0Xxvf3VmQmHeJ22cj6MxG0KJV-JVNkoE4pbDosZzlQ7o*#stationCALL=WDHN&stationURL=&viewercontentURL=&StationContact=Jessica%20Gauthier&StationContactTitle=Anchor%20III%2C%20News&StationEmail=JGauthier@wdhn.com
Jessica Gauthier
Evening Anchor I WDHN News
WDHN-TV
5274 E. State Hwy 52
Webb, AL 36376
334-793-1818 (office)
www.WDHN.com
From: Leopold PANDER
Sent: Wednesday, March 12, 2025 9:37 AM
To: 'Leopold PANDER'
Subject: FW: Sad news
Dear Jet,
On behalf of what is left of our family, i.e. Janette and me ― please accept our sincere condolences for the loss of your mother.
As time drifts ― inexorably ― we are all getting older (…)
Met vriendelijke groeten,
Leopold and Janette
From: Anneke Knüppe- de Jongh
Sent: Wednesday, March 12, 2025 12:34 AM
To: Leopold PANDER
Subject: Sad news
Dear mister Pander,
It is with great sorrow that I bring you the sad news of my mother's passing.
Anneke Knuppe - de Jongh died last saturday , 94 and a half years old. Her life was finished , she was extremely tired and immobile. We know that she longed for peace , but of course we miss her very much.
She was planning to write a farewell email to her weihsien friends , but lacked energy.
Thank you for all your work. It has been so important for her to share memories.
With warm greetings ,
Jet Knuppe , (from Anneke’s computer)
april 2022 in Holland → Angela's daughter and Anneke de Jongh
april 2022 in Holland → Angela Cox and Anneke deJongh
april 2022 in Holland → Angela Cox and Anneke deJongh
#
Sent: Saturday, March 22, 2025 12:10 AM
To: Pander Leopold
Subject: Another question---the bell of Block 23 which was rung for German surrender---was that bell used for roll call--or only for the guards letting the Japanese outside of the camp that they were having problems within the camp
Audrey Horton---gratefully
Sent: Saturday, March 22, 2025 10:21 AM
To: 'Jessica Gauthier'
Subject: RE: Weihsien photos and videos
Dear Madame Gauthier,
… thanks for your message.
I completed your .*pdf document on behalf of the ex-prisoners of Weihsien Camp.
Best regards,
Leopold
From: Jessica Gauthier
Sent: Friday, March 21, 2025 6:14 PM
To: Leopold PANDER
Hello!
https://nexstar.na1.documents.adobe.com/public/esignWidget?wid=CBFCIBAA3AAABLblqZhB6nSIixn1U6QJmIw4q1Up0Xxvf3VmQmHeJ22cj6MxG0KJV-JVNkoE4pbDosZzlQ7o*#stationCALL=WDHN&stationURL=&viewercontentURL=&StationContact=Jessica%20Gauthier&StationContactTitle=Anchor%20III%2C%20News&StationEmail=JGauthier@wdhn.com
Sent: Friday, March 21, 2025 6:14 PM
To: Leopold PANDER
Subject: RE: Weihsien photos and videos
Hello!
Thank you, but I need your written consent to use the media from your site, please kindly sign the form through the link below so I may do so.
My story is on Audrey Horton, she was an 8-year-old student at Chefoo school who was amongst the 450 transferred to Weihsien. She is 92 now. My news station has a “Remarkable Women” campaign where we honor the remarkable women in our area, and I came across Mrs. Horton’s story and just had to share it.
I will be doing a TV news package that will air in our 6pm (central time) show on Tuesday, the 25th, along with a written article published around the same time with more detail and information and the article will have the video attached to it as well.
I can totally send it to you when it is completed!
https://nexstar.na1.documents.adobe.com/public/esignWidget?wid=CBFCIBAA3AAABLblqZhB6nSIixn1U6QJmIw4q1Up0Xxvf3VmQmHeJ22cj6MxG0KJV-JVNkoE4pbDosZzlQ7o*#stationCALL=WDHN&stationURL=&viewercontentURL=&StationContact=Jessica%20Gauthier&StationContactTitle=Anchor%20III%2C%20News&StationEmail=JGauthier@wdhn.com
From: Leopold PANDER
Sent: Saturday, March 22, 2025 10:00 AM
To: 'Ron Merritt'
Subject: RE: passenger list of MS Gripsholm
Dear Ron,
Yes, why not ― thanks for suggesting.
I could add the m/s Gripsholm list to what we already have to complete Mrs. Wilder’s dairy given to us by Don Menzi
http://weihsien-paintings.org/DonMenzi/Gripsholm/LIFE/p_LifeMagazine.html
http://weihsien-paintings.org/DonMenzi/ScrapBook/1943-1015-AmericansArriveAtExchangePort.pdf
as for the second list, indeed, some prisoners present in Weihsien came from that University → Hummel, Gilkey, and maybe others … Not sure. I’ll have to check that.
Best regards,
Leopold
From: Ron Merritt
Sent: Saturday, March 22, 2025 3:11 AM
To: weihsien@proximus.be
Greetings:
Sent: Saturday, March 22, 2025 3:11 AM
To: weihsien@proximus.be
Subject: passenger list of MS Gripsholm
Greetings:
I have a scanned copy (in pdf format) of the original 46-page manifest of all passengers whom left Goa on 22 Oct 1943 on the MS Gripsholm and arrived at New York City on 01 Dec 1943. I also have a pdf copy of the Yenching University Directory of 1932/1933.
Please advise if you desire me to email these two items to you to post on your web site www.weihsien-paintings.org
Sincerely,
Ron Merritt
From: Leopold PANDER
Sent: Friday, March 21, 2025 12:09 PM
To: 'Leopold PANDER'
Subject: FW: How many buildings were left at the Weihsien camp that the Chinese repaired--were there 7 buildings or what or which ones?
Dear Audrey 😊,
… the best I can do to reply to your question is by giving you the URL of page 210 of the ‘I remember’ albums …
http://weihsien-paintings.org/I_Remember/ALBUM/Book_2/2017-1207-Book2-WEB.pdf#page=47
… six yellow circles and two yellow rectangles with blocks 59, 60 and 58 where the Roman Catholic priests were herded next to that part of the wall where Father Scanlan (and others) did their black marketing with the local Chinese exchanging personal belongings and money for eggs mostly.
Hungry.
We were hungry !!
Remember?
… the biggest building, Block 23 was demolished and rebuilt by the Chinese. I remember going there in 2006 for my first voyage to China and Weihsien after the war. Our host was Mr. Sui ShuDe then and we were introduced to the n°2 Middleclass School’s headmaster and many other English-speaking teachers.
Mr. Sui is now retired but remains my Chinese friend from Shandong.
… the two Japanese villas ― and in 2006, the one o the right was a museum with already a lot of data about our camp in 1943-45.
The other villa was closed.
… the third Japanese villa in front of Block 50 just on the other side of the separation wall between the Japs and us is mentioned in Father Hanquet’s book. That is where, one night, he robbed a bag of sugar with the help of Father Palmers. The sugar was then distributed to families with children. Remember?
… Block 50 was a dormitory. In 2006 it was a rest home for ‘old-timers and I remember that there was a dancing class on the upper floor.
… in 2006, the Hospital was still a hospital and we didn’t visit it. It has since, been completely restored and now is number One Weihsien Museum in Weifang.
That makes 7 buildings. Your counting is correct.
… all the best,
Leopold
From: Audrey Horton
Sent: Friday, March 21, 2025 2:32 AM
To: Pander Leopold; Léopold Pander ; Pander Leopold
Sent: Friday, March 21, 2025 2:32 AM
To: Pander Leopold
Subject: How many buildings were left at the Weihsien camp that the Chinese repaired--were there 7 buildings or what or which ones?
Thank you from Audrey Nordmo Horton
From: Leopold PANDER
Sent: Friday, March 21, 2025 9:47 AM
To: 'Jessica Gauthier'
Subject: RE: Weihsien photos and videos
Dear Madame Jessica Gauthier,
… our Weihsien-paintings’ website ― now twenty-five years old ― is free access and non-profit by definition. Yes, you are free to use all the data from our website, which is the patient work of so many ex-prisoners from all over the world. I just did the layout.
Please, tell us more about the story you are making for WDHN News and allow us add your story to our website. Thanks in advance.
Best regards,
Leopold Pander
(… from Belgium and 4 years old in 1945)
From: Jessica Gauthier
Sent: Friday, March 21, 2025 2:08 AM
To: weihsien@proximus.be
Hello, my name is Jessica Gauthier and I work for WDHN News in Dothan, Alabama.
https://nexstar.na1.documents.adobe.com/public/esignWidget?wid=CBFCIBAA3AAABLblqZhB6nSIixn1U6QJmIw4q1Up0Xxvf3VmQmHeJ22cj6MxG0KJV-JVNkoE4pbDosZzlQ7o*#stationCALL=WDHN&stationURL=&viewercontentURL=&StationContact=Jessica%20Gauthier&StationContactTitle=Anchor%20III%2C%20News&StationEmail=JGauthier@wdhn.com
Jessica Gauthier
WDHN-TV
5274 E. State Hwy 52
Webb, AL 36376
334-793-1818 (office)
www.WDHN.com
Sent: Friday, March 21, 2025 2:08 AM
To: weihsien@proximus.be
Subject: Weihsien photos and videos
Hello, my name is Jessica Gauthier and I work for WDHN News in Dothan, Alabama.
I am doing a story on a woman here who was a prisoner in Weihsien and I came across your website.
I see you have a lot of photos and videos on here and I'd like your permission to use them to better convey her story. It is such a moving topic, and I think having some imagery will help our viewers understand the gravity of the events that unfolded and everyone who took part in the heroic liberation. If you approve, please sign this form through the link below giving me permission to use the media on your site.
Thank you so much!
https://nexstar.na1.documents.adobe.com/public/esignWidget?wid=CBFCIBAA3AAABLblqZhB6nSIixn1U6QJmIw4q1Up0Xxvf3VmQmHeJ22cj6MxG0KJV-JVNkoE4pbDosZzlQ7o*#stationCALL=WDHN&stationURL=&viewercontentURL=&StationContact=Jessica%20Gauthier&StationContactTitle=Anchor%20III%2C%20News&StationEmail=JGauthier@wdhn.com Jessica Gauthier
Evening Anchor I WDHN News
WDHN-TV5274 E. State Hwy 52
Webb, AL 36376
334-793-1818 (office)
www.WDHN.com
From: Leopold PANDER
Sent: Wednesday, March 12, 2025 9:37 AM
To: 'Leopold PANDER'
Subject: FW: Sad news
Dear Jet,
On behalf of what is left of our family, i.e. Janette and me ― please accept our sincere condolences for the loss of your mother.
As time drifts ― inexorably ― we are all getting older (…)
Met vriendelijke groeten,
Leopold and Janette
From: Anneke Knüppe- de Jongh
Sent: Wednesday, March 12, 2025 12:34 AM
To: Leopold PANDER
Dear mister Pander,
Sent: Wednesday, March 12, 2025 12:34 AM
To: Leopold PANDER
Subject: Sad news
Dear mister Pander,
It is with great sorrow that I bring you the sad news of my mother's passing.
Anneke Knuppe - de Jongh died last saturday , 94 and a half years old. Her life was finished , she was extremely tired and immobile. We know that she longed for peace , but of course we miss her very much.
She was planning to write a farewell email to her weihsien friends , but lacked energy.
Thank you for all your work. It has been so important for her to share memories.
With warm greetings ,
Jet Knuppe , (from Anneke’s computer)
#