Mr. Chiasson details the responsibilities of a wireless operator and the unfortunate loss of communication due to the jamming of radios by the Germans.
Training for D-Day
In preparation for D-Day, Mr. Chiasson explains the training regimen that would encompass a four year period.
Quite a Feeling Going Overseas!
Mr. Chiasson expresses the feelings he had on the journey overseas, the start of what would become their 5 ½ years of war.
Trained and Headed to England
Upon completing his training, Mr. Chiasson speaks about boarding the Duchess of York with 3,000 onboard and only then finding out their destination as they were set to sail.
One Big Family
Mr. Lecouffe has high esteem for his fellow soldiers, especially those raw untrained recruits from the inner cities, as well as for his association. He regards them all as family.
Food Drops
Mr. Lecouffe notes a new friendliness among the Japanese guards, only to find that they all soon disappear. The Americans begin a non-stop food drop which Mr. Lecouffe deems more frightening than a real bombing raid.
Risking Extra Food
Mr. Lecouffe describes sneaking out of camp after dark and raiding local gardens for extra food, which, although suspicious, the Japanese guards were never able to find.
Working in the Sendai Coal Mine
Mr. Lecouffe describes a fourteen hour work day in the coal mine, where the men were expected to meet a tonnage quota of coal every day.
Tokyo is Firebombed
Mr. Lecouffe describes the costly American air raid which leveled Tokyo. Ironically, the camp guards are forced to protect the prisoners from locals incensed by the devastation.
Working in the Shipyard
Mr. Lecouffe describes being paraded to the shipyard and how risky it was to weld with no eye protection. He has high praise for two of his honchos, who helped the POWs and shared information about the war at risk of death should they be caught.
Voyage to Japan
Mr. Lecouffe describes being in a ship's hold, jammed in like cattle, with no toilet facilities for men still suffering from dysentery. He eventually reaches Japan and is sent to the Yokohama shipyard.
Diseases
Mr. Lecouffe describes several of the diseases which afflicted the POWs, and attributes his relative immunity to the vitamin he'd received during his recent recuperation.