Hellions Of Hirohito: A Factual Story Of An American Youth’s Torture And Imprisonment By The Japanese

This is a factual story of a young American civilian imprisoned and tortured by the Japanese when they conquered Hong Kong. In a foreword by General Russell Hearn, who was instrumental in organizing the quasi-military Flying Tigers, there is an interesting personal reaction to the events described in the book in which he states for the record that “I believe there is no race of people on this earth quite as treacherous as the Japanese. Theirs is a treachery veiled by soft words and cunning smiles.” Harman’s account mostly mirrors this sentiment. The book itself dwells on the inadequacy of the Allied defense in Hong Kong, the brave efforts of the volunteers and civilians to hold the city, and the brutal acts committed by the victorious enemy against British and American civilians. Harman found himself stranded when the city fell, having worked for several years in the East on behalf of the United China Relief agency. Reporting on the beatings, the inadequate food, even the wanton incidents of Japanese soldiers raping women, he tells a story told before, including bouts of dysentery and afflictions of beri-beri while in captivity. Eventually, Harman describes his return to safety in America when he was exchanged for a Japanese national stranded in the United States.—Great Stories of World War II