Perils and Pearls: In World War II, a Family’s Story of Survival and Freedom

from Japanese Jungle Prison Camps

by Hulda Bachman-Neeb

Category: Adult Non-Fiction, 190 pages

Genre: Memoir / Japanese History

Publisher: BristleCone Press

Release date: September, 2019

“The story of our Dutch family being ripped apart isn’t unique. Millions suffered beyond description during the war. However, today, I have the opportunity to share our story with others so that they may know just how priceless their freedom is. That is my sincerest wish in bringing this book to the general public.” – Hulda Bachmann-Neeb

Synopsis

In World War II much of Asia fell under Japanese control after the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. All non-Asians were imprisoned in concentration camps until August of 1945, the end of the war in the Pacific. This is the story of a Dutch family, resident in the Dutch East Indies, that fell victim to the Japanese occupation and was interned in jungle camps throughout the war. It tells the journey from riches to rags, from fear and suffering, to the joy of freedom and recovery.

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Guest Post

Rootless

The first few years of my life, from my 2nd to my 6th, were not years a child psychologist might prescribe. My brother and I, both toddlers, were in Japanese concentration camps when the Second World War hit the Pacific Rim. Those years were chaotic, and very unhealthy, to say the least. It is a miracle that we survived, my mother, my brother and myself. My father was away in Australia with the Allied Army. The years after the camp continued to be chaotic. Where was our footing? We traveled back to the Dutch East Indies, back to the Netherlands, then to Dutch New Guinea. It did not help our learning capabilities, but my brother and I made it through school, with tutors and help.

All this traveling gave me no roots. I studied languages at the Interpreter School in Geneva and Munch, but still did not know where to settle, and especially why I needed to settle in a certain place. After a few jobs in Holland, that did not root me either, I contacted the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the Hague, hoping I could get a job at an Embassy. I was called for an interview and shortly afterwards received the message that I was accepted. I had the choice of Cairo, Baghdad or Damascus. I opted for Damascus. This was in 1963 when Damascus was still a city with many monuments and Syria a country with a lot of history.

Then, from 1963 till 1996 I traveled the world. I had 27 assignments, just to name a few: Moscow, New Delhi, Nairobi. Manilla. These assignments lasted from a few weeks to two to three years. On the way, I married my husband and for the last ten years of my career, we traveled together. I am not a tourist in that sense of the word, I don’t join call on travel agents, cruises or groups. I had the tremendous fortune of airline tickets, hotels, housing paid by my government, but especially I enjoyed the benefits of my daily life in these countries. It gave me the possibility to explore the culture, the customs, the religions. Through the Embassy I had access to many events and to many people of all walks in life. I returned to Holland every two years in between the longer postings. I was happy to be reunited with the family and happy again to be sent on to my next assignment. I have traveled, I have enjoyed it immensely and now I am well settled in the beautiful state of Colorado.

About the Author

Hulda Bachman–Neeb was born in Indonesia of colonial Dutch parentage two years before the Pearl Harbor attack on December 7, 1941. Because much of Asia fell under Japanese control, all non-Asians were imprisoned in concentration camps until August of 1945, the end of the war in the Pacific. As a member of the Dutch Foreign Service in her adult life, Hulda held assignments in twenty-five countries over a period of thirty-six years, retiring in 1996. She is married to an American, James Bachman, a historian and author, and has dual citizenship. Hulda and her husband live in Estes Park, Colorado.

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Giveaway

Prizes: ​ One of Four $25 Amazon Gift Card courtesy of Hulda Bachman-Neeb, author of PERIL AND PEARLS (ends May 8)

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