William G Smith

Triumph of the Pawns William G Smith

Two travelers meet in the late 1930s crossing the Pacific to America's Philippine territory. They establish a life together just before World War II arrives in the commonwealth and find themselves abandoned by their government as mere pawns of war. Interned on the campus of the University of Santo Tomas in Manila by the Japanese with thousands of other civilians, they must create a completely new life. After a time the internment camp becomes a community and a sort of home. But as years pass and the fortunes of the Japanese Empire fade, life in the camp becomes a constant struggle against starvation and death. This is a heartwarming story of resilience, family ties and resourcefulness with a fascinating look at World War Two from the point of view of civilians caught in the middle.