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Riot Breaks out Over Tripe

Riot Breaks out Over Tripe

Mr. Friesen describes the food related embarkation riot in Vancouver, and the Awatia’s not-so-secretive stop in Honolulu, Hawaii on the voyage to Hong Kong.

Hong Kong was Pretty Primitive at that Time

Hong Kong was Pretty Primitive at that Time

Mr. Friesen gives some impressions of Hong Kong and discusses preparations for the expected Japanese attack.

Among Japanese Bombing Forces

Among Japanese Bombing Forces

Mr. Friesen describes how heavy Japanese bombing forces the Allies to surrender Hong Kong.

Fooled in Buying a Carton of Milk

Fooled in Buying a Carton of Milk

Mr. Friesen describes his first POW experience at Sham Shui Po and being conned by the local Chinese.

You Knew you had to Drink It

You Knew you had to Drink It

Mr. Friesen describes various diseases in the camp and the attempts to curb them with meagre medication and rations.

Desperate Measures for Survival

Desperate Measures for Survival

Mr. Friesen describes the desperation of some of the Kai Tek labourers, minimal medical facilities in Hong Kong, and his personal vow to survive.

Decision to go to Hong Kong or Japan

Decision to go to Hong Kong or Japan

Mr. Friesen discusses the choice of either staying in Sham Shui Po or joining the labour draft to Japan. He describes his voyage to Niigata.

Rewarded With Food for Working Hard

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.

Tragedy When Beam Collapses

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.

Getting Beat Up

Getting Beat Up

Mr. Friesen describes being beaten by his guards

Powdered Milk Saved our Lives.

Powdered Milk Saved our Lives.

Mr. Friesen describes the fact that stevedores routinely stole food and drink, with deadly results on one occasion.

The Reaction of People on our Return Home

The Reaction of People on our Return Home

Mr. Friesen describes being concerned about coming home, being debriefed, regaining his health, and ultimately being offered and accepting a job with Shell Oil.

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