Mr. Friesen describes the fact that stevedores routinely stole food and drink, with deadly results on one occasion.
Getting Beat Up
Mr. Friesen describes being beaten by his guards
Tragedy When Beam Collapses
Mr. Friesen describes the physical layout of Niigata camp, and describes the deadly results of his hut collapsing after a heavy snowstorm.
Rewarded With Food for Working Hard
Mr. Friesen describes feeling fortunate to have been selected for stevedoring as compared to steel or coal work. He describes underground trade with the coal crew.
My Legs Were Black, Blue and Purple.
Mr. Hunt describes his brother, and others, stealing rice from the Japanese.
Are you with the enemy, or are you with me?
Mr. Hunt describes a confrontation with his supervisor in the coal mine, and his brother intervening to save the Japanese.
The Dangers in the Mines
Mr. Hunt describes the frightening aspects of working in the Niigata coal mines.
Canadians, The Very Best!
Mr. Bérard reflects on his lifelong resentment of Japan, has harsh words about Canada’s military decisions but finishes by expressing his total respect for the officers and men with whom he served.
I was Charged With Sabotage, I Thought I was Finished
Mr. Bérard describes working in the Kawasaki steel yards and being beaten for alleged sabotage of a pipe elbow.
I was Right on top of the Engine.
Mr. Bérard describes being shipped to Japan, defiance of the Geneva Convention by the Japanese, and an entertaining arrival in Nagasaki.
I’ll Keep a Lookout for the Army
Mr. Barton discusses his work experience at the end of the war and the sometimes dangerous impact of the American supply drops.
He Had a Code of Honour and Wasn’t Going to Commit Me to Die
Mr. Barton describes both compassionate and brutal treatment by POW camp personnel.