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Hundreds of POW's murdered
During spring of 1943, Japanese captors had believed that American were going to land on the Gilbert Islands. Due to this the captors had beheaded more than 70 POWs. "NO landing occurred, but in response to an Allied bombing, the japanese executed all of the POW's anyway, some seventy to a hundred men." -
Disappearance telegram
On this date, Louie is announced to be missing. The military had no trace of where Louie or his crew had gone. Louie's family had believed that Louie had still been alive however. Despite their neighbors gloominess, the zamperini's had known he was still out there. -
Letter to the Air Force
Louie's mom on this date had given a letter to Major General Willis Hale regarding Louie. In the letter she encourages him to not give up searching as she thinks he may still be alive. Unfortunately weeks later they had sent back a letter saying they had been unsuccessful. -
Ofuna
Louie transfers to Ofuna interrogation center a secret base with practically no rules. Prisoners at this center weren't considered prisoners, they were "unarmed combatants." Due to this all prisoners didn't have any sort of rights and weren't protected by international law. -
Christmas Letter
At this time Louie's mom, dad and brother keep Louie's gifts wrapped under the Christmas tree hoping he will return to open them. They later then write him a card telling him they miss him. Despite everyone offering sympathy they still hang on to the idea that he's alive. -
Night of a "thousand suicides"
The japanese had a system where may would rather fight to the death or commit suicide than to give themselves up as prisoners. On August 5th, rather than attempt to breakout hundreds of japanese were killed. -
Prisoners transferred
Louie and many other prisoners got transferred out of their old prison camp to a new one. The new one they transferred to was called Omori. At this camp is where Louie had met the infamous 'Bird'.