Search
Search
Search Results
435 results returned within campaign Hong Kong
Shelling at Wan Chai Gap
Mr. Gerrard describes seeking refuge in a building in the Gap during a Japanese shelling. While inside, a shell bursts, blowing him backwards from the doorway of a room he was about to enter. He soon finds the room is full of dead and wounded men. A wounded soldier whom he helps evacuate later dies.
The Attack on Sham Shui Po Barracks
Mr. Gerrard describes the first air raid at Sham Shui Po which destroys the barracks. He is moved up to join the 1st Scottish Regiment's signal corps. With the threat of being overrun by the Japanese, a chaotic evacuation sees him move to the island of Hong Kong.
The Voyage to Hong Kong
Mr. Gerrard discusses the diet of mutton aboard ship and how pervasive its odor was. He describes his role as a signalman during the voyage overseas and on the difficult approach to Manila in pitch black conditions.
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.
Chronic Diarrhea
Mr. Lecouffe survives a near death experience with chronic diarrhea. As a last resort, he is treated with opium and vitamin injections, which set him on the road to recovery.
- Date modified: