Crayon of sketch of Robinson while interned at Santo Tomas University by Casanave
A boat carrying Hugh L. Robinson slides past a concrete battleship in Manila Bay. He has fled China over growing concerns of war with Japan. His family was sent away earlier and were waiting for him back in the states. Six hours after his arrival in the Philippines, Japanese bombers would fly over Pearl Harbor.
Robinson briefly worked for the US Army at a base hospital, using his medical expertise to aid efforts to evacuate and treat the wounded. However, the Japanese soon after captured Manila along with Robinson and many other Americans. He was interned at Santo Tomas University where he quickly coordinated with other doctors to create a medical service for their fellow prisoners. Classrooms were converted into outpatient centers, and a children’s hospital was organized. They were able to receive medical supplies from the local Filipino community and fellow doctors. The efforts of Robinson were lauded by his fellow inmates after the war. They remarked upon his, “superb work at the camp, taking care of all the internees–and with a pitiful shortage of medical supplies”.
Likely due to his connections to circles in Shanghai, Robinson was selected to be part of a prisoner exchange with the Japanese. He was notified of this on July 22, 1943, and eventually in September he was sent, along with 1500 others to Goa where he was exchanged on the Gripsholm.
Newspaper clipping reporting on Robinson’s latest whereabouts in Manila
Photograph of Robinson in newspaper telling of his internment in Manila