General MacArthur arrives at Leyte Island, Philippines, October 1944.

Source: National Archives (111-SC-349595)

Smoke builds over Manila as MacArthur's forces take back the city. February 4, 1945. Sascha Weinheizer and her family would soon be liberated from their prison camp.

Source: National Archives (111-SC-200314)

The dome of the State Capitol rises above a tree lined street in Sacramento.

Source: Sacramento Archives and Museum Collection Center (83-01-10,436)

Outside Santo Tomas prison camp in Manila, children climb the tanks that arrived to liberate them. Philippines, 1945. Sascha Weinzheimer was held here during the Japanese occupation.

Source: Sascha Jansen

The main building at Santo Tomas prison camp, formerly a university. March 14, 1945. Sascha Weinheizer and her family would be liberated when MacArthur returned.

Source: National Archives (111-SC-374453)

After conquering the Philippines, the Japanese converted Santo Tomas University in Manila into a prison camp. Prisoners built private shacks for their families around campus buildings.

Source: National Archives (208-AA-292-DD-10)

Japanese officers question Filipinos at the Santo Tomas prison camp in Manila, Philippines.

Source: National Archives (208-AA-292DD-13)

The chow line at Santo Tomas prison camp, Manila, Philippines.

Source: National Archives (208-AA-293-N-4)

After conquering the Philippines, the Japanese converted Santo Tomas University in Manila into a prison camp. Prisoners built private shacks for their families around campus buildings.

Source: National Archives (208-AA-292-DD-14)

Cpl. Lonnie Warren gives candy to children in the nursery at Santo Tomas internment camp in Manila, recently liberated by General MacArthur's troops, February 1945.

Source: National Archives (208-AA-292DD-12)

Women's quarters at Santo Tomas. After conquering the Philippines, the Japanese converted Santo Tomas University in Manila into a prison camp.

Source: National Archives (208-AA-292DD-17)

Shortly after liberation, General Douglas MacArthur is received by internees at Santo Tomas University, a Japanese prison camp. February 6, 1945.

Source: National Archives (111-SC-203020)

General Douglas MacArthur visits the recently liberated prioners at Santo Tomas in Manila, February 10, 1945.

Source: National Archives (111-SC-202153)

Internees at Santo Tomas prison camp gather around a record player. Manila, Philippines. POWs sometimes received news hints through what music played over the loudspeakers in the morning

Source: National Archives (208-AA-293-N-12)

Internees prepare a meal in a makeshift kitchen set up outside at Santo Tomas prison camp. Manila, Philippines.

Source: National Archives (208-AA-293N-3)

Internees at Santo Tomas. After conquering the Philippines, the Japanese converted Santo Tomas University in Manila into a prison camp.

Source: National Archives (208-AA-293N-5)

After conquering the Philippines, the Japanese converted Santo Tomas University in Manila into a prison camp. Women wash their hair in bathtubs outside the dormitory.

Source: National Archives (208-AA-292-DD-15)

A shot of Sascha Weinzheimer and her brother, Buddy, staged by their Japanese captors to suggest that prisoners at Santo Tomas are well treated. 1943

Source: Sascha Jansen

Sascha Weinzheimer was born February 7, 1933. The daughter and granddaughter of wealthy planters with extensive holdings in California and the Philippines, she lived with her sister and brother, father and mother, uncle, aunt and cousins on a vast sugar plantation in Canlubang, Laguna Province, on the island of Luzon, . . .

Samples from the diary of Sascha Weinzheimer