Mr. Bowen describes the atmosphere in Ottawa the day that the Second World War is declared, through the eyes of a fifteen year old paperboy.
Preparing to go to sea
Mr. Bowen describes his basic training and becoming a telegraphist. He describes a ‘novel’ approach to being taught Morse Code.
Women love a man in a Navy uniform.
Mr. Bowen discusses how shore leave was enhanced by the appeal of the Naval uniform to women.
Battle station or prison?
Mr. Bowen describes his action station, a small room directly above the screws, when his frigate was in a combat situation. He reflects on the fact that there would have been no escape had the vessel been torpedoed astern.
The North Atlantic could be very rough.
Mr. Bowen describes in very clear terms the violence wreaked by a North Atlantic storm, and the impact such storms had on a convoy.
Hunting down a U-boat
Mr. Bowen describes attacking a U-boat in the English Channel, and how the shallowness of the water resulted in the depth charges also rupturing the bottom plates of his frigate.
Rescuing victims of torpedoed vessels
Mr. Bowen describes the experience of seeing a ship torpedoed and the difficulty of rescuing oil-soaked survivors. He also describes two very emotional events, a terrible rescue and heartwarming Christmas gift.
German V2 rockets attack London
Mr. Bowen describes being personally affected by a V2 rocket attack while on shore leave in London, and goes on to offer his admiration of the resolve of British citizens in the face of these attacks.
Comparing Navy and Army life
Mr. Bowen describes feeling that the Army recognized and rewarded the efforts of its members far better than did the Navy.
Becoming a paratrooper
Mr. Bowen discusses in detail the physical training necessary to become a paratrooper, and describes the emotional turmoil that sometimes resulted from jumping out of an aircraft.
Korea was a different war.
Mr. Bowen describes general conditions in the Korean war zone, and the overwhelming numerical superiority of the Chinese.
War isn’t always honourable.
Mr. Bowen describes his role setting booby traps for the enemy. He describes in detail eliminating an enemy stronghold on a hill nicknamed ‘Guerty’.