The Unbroken: a World War II Story of Survival, Resilience and Redemption
By Laura Hillenbrand
Random House Pub.
Here is an inspiring tale of the War in the Pacific by the author of Seabiscuit, Laura Hillenbrand.
The story follows Louis Zamperini who was born in 1917 to an Italian family in New York; a child who was difficult to raise because he was fearless and disobedient. Even at the age of 20 months, his mother had a difficult time keeping track of him; he was an escape artist and a thief.
His teen years were full of mishap. His older brother Pete, saw in Louis a boy who needed attention and something to harness his boundless energy. He began training young Louis to run. By 1936 he competed at the Olympics in the 5000 meter race, and won. He wanted more of the same and trained hard.
In 1940 the world witnessed Japans invasion of China and Hitler’s march across Europe, the Olympics were cancelled. In 1941 Louis was drafted and trained as a bombardier.
When Pearl Harbor was bombed December 7, 1942 America went to war in earnest.
Louis and the rest of the crew were assigned a B-24 bomber they called Superman. The men were stationed on an island called Funafuti in the Marshall group of islands.
Losses in air battles were heavy and accidents were common. Between November 1st 1943 and May 25th 1945, 70 per cent of men “ killed in action” had died in accidents, not enemy action.
Superman was badly damaged in an air battle and a modified crew were assigned Green Hornet a plane with mushy controls and a haggard look, that no one wanted to fly.
They were ordered out on a rescue mission, which turned tragic. Green Hornet went down in the Sea, and only the Pilot, Alan Phillips, a tail gunner named Mac, and Louis made it into the life raft.
This is an exciting look at the Pacific War and it is well told. However, when the three survivors begin their harrowing journey in a rubber life raft, burning under the sun, starving and thirsty, accompanied by countless sharks, their ordeal is almost unimaginable.
Though hunger and the relentless sun take their toll, the psychological stress is terrifying.
Louis and “Phil.” begin to converse seriously about life, sharing anything, including recipes, poetry and Winston Churchill’s speeches, to keep from descending into madness.
Their sea journey eventually ends after 41 days, but starving and ill, they are taken prisoner by the Japanese, and their lives as Pow’s begins.
The brutality of the camps is truly unimaginable, but is a matter of record. For a personality like Louis, it became a challenge to be won. His fortitude cost him dearly, as the Corporal in charge Matsuhiro Watanabe, set out to terrorize him.
This is a true story, and a record of a sad time in history. Pearl Harbor, and Hiroshima, milestones of lost innocence in the world.
Peggy Freeman is a freelance writer living in Red Deer.