Summary

The American air attacks are almost continuous, leading to confusion about the war’s actual end. Because the attacks on the Japanese mean retaliation against the prisoners through reduced rations, the prisoners are also confused about what side they want to win the war. Because of the confusion, when the prisoners see some of the Japanese soldiers leave the camp, a few climb through the barbed wire, intending to escape. Later that day however, the Japanese soldiers return to the camp with the escaped prisoners, who have been severely beaten. The escapees tell of the confused disorder outside of the camp. Somehow, however, Basie and two other Americans manage to escape Lunghua later that night.

The Japanese troops are reinforced to deter more escapees. An announcement is made they’ll be moving the camp to a new location and can take one suitcase with them...