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Dooby The Ferret

Mr. Atkinson describes how his buddy Dooby managed to steal sugar, which was then smuggled back to Niigata camp to be shared with everyone, including the medical staff and their patients.

Bad guard - good guard

Mr. Atkinson describes the punishments he and a comrade received after being caught smuggling stolen soybeans into their camp in Niigata. They are beaten, branded as thieves, and forced to stand at attention all night. The following day, they're back to work as usual. When their guard at the shipyard finds out what had happened, he allows them to sleep for the day.

Stealing Food was Worth the Risk

Mr. Atkinson describes himself as becoming an experienced thief while working in the Niigata shipyard. He feels the rewards of stealing food for himself and the other prisoners far outweighed the consequences of getting caught.

Psychological Consequences of Disease

Mr. Atkinson translates his hospital experiences into the theory that married men who had left young families behind were the least likely to survive disease.

Diphtheria Hospital

Mr. Atkinson describes being 'volunteered' by his officer to work in North Point Camp's diphtheria ward. He talks about one of the patients in his care who dies while sitting on his bedpan, and how he feels in some way responsible.

Ration Issues

Mr. Atkinson describes North Point's meager rations, made worse for the lower ranks because their own officers were skimming the better food for themselves. He describes how the regiment's doctors interceded to obtain better provisions for the rank and file soldiers.

Restoring Discipline at North Point Camp

Mr. Atkinson describes his officers ordering the POW’s to become disciplined again, and to wash and shave as best they could, given the camp's modest plumbing.

March to North Point Camp

Mr. Atkinson describes being tethered together with wire during their march to North Point Camp. One soldier, badly enough wounded that he can't keep up, is cut out of the line and bayoneted.

The Road to Captivity

Mr. Atkinson describes being marched to Stanley Gap by the Japanese. During the march, two men are pulled from the line, and are later tortured within earshot of the other prisoners. That night Mr. Atkinson has an unlikely reunion with his brother.

The Final Battle, Part 3

Mr. Atkinson describes being attacked at a defensive position on the Stanley Reservoir. Because of his unit's mounting casualties, his officer decides to surrender. He is shot to death despite showing the white flag of surrender.

The Final Battle, Part 2

Mr. Atkinson recalls the sight of thousands of Japanese waiting to advance, while at the same time engaging in a grenade fight with an advancing enemy. He describes the loss of a Bren gunner and his No. 2, and having to abandon a badly wounded officer during their retreat from a hopeless position.

The Final Battle, Part 1

Mr. Atkinson describes his unit's movements around Wong Nai Chong reservoir as the battle begins. A scout identifies camouflaged enemies advancing towards them, and the officer gives the open fire order. Mr. Atkinson admits to ”wetting his pants” when faced with having to fire at another human being.

Date modified:: 2019-02-19