Food and Water: Most of the time we were very hungry - although there were several times that we were given more food than we could eat. China was on a war policy of only two meals a day. (11 AM and 8 PM) so even when food was available, this left us hungry. For most of the trip we ate whatever the guerrilla could beg (or take) from the peasants. The main items were eggs, millet, manhole covers and gristly meat. The manhole covers were like the dough part of a pizza - except hard as a rock. The meat was like a hamburger - made from whatever was available?! In between these so called staples we lived on peanuts, goat’s cheese, persimmons, and rice - whenever any of them were available. Our only drink was boiled water - otherwise we could not risk drinking it. At headquarters we got wine - on special occasions.

Weather and Temperature: During February and March it was bitter cold - zero and below, especially higher up in the mountains. At times we had to get off the donkey (if we had one) and walk to keep from freezing. Only Morrison had frost bite. We all wore longjohns and GI shoes (both required uniform) and hats and wore towels around our faces. The coldest times were on night marches and while trying to sleep. When we had snow it was usually light. The weather warmed up some in April.

Terrain: It was all up and down - one mountain after another. It was very rocky - even the trails, which we tried to follow. Thank God we had the GI shoes which held out to the end. Most of the rivers were frozen so we crossed on the ice. Toward the end we waded across or used rafts. We poled across the Yellow River in open boats.

Method of Travel: Mostly walked and climbed. Also at times we had some donkeys and mules. We moved a lot after dark, but in safer areas we walked in daylight. Sometimes we had 300 - 400 guerrilla as escort and other times only the interpreter. Railroads were well guarded so we usually crossed them at night and when possible under bridges.

Japs and Security: The Japs knew our general location all the time but, thanks to the guerrilla, were never able to pin us down. We would go on long marches - or hole up for a couple of days - to throw them off. Sometimes the peasants (traitors) would tip them off. The Japs had our names and serial numbers because the guerrilla had sent that information by radio (in the clear) when we first went down. They lived in block houses at night and usually came out only in daylight. Till we finally crossed the Yellow River, we were always very concerned about them - but we placed all our faith in the guerrilla. Without them I am sure we would have been captured.

Sleep: If the area was fairly safe and the peasants friendly then the guerrilla would take over one of their houses for us. Otherwise, we slept in caves, fields, chicken coops, barns, etc. The closest thing to a toilet was an outhouse - which was rough with the snow and zero temperature. Their beds (kong) were made of wood with a solid front (no mattress or springs). They cooked at the end of kong and the heat would go under the bed. No fire - you froze. A big fire - it got too hot to even sit on. We used a canteen or our shoes for pillows. Try sleeping on the floor with nothing under your head.

Injuries and Sickness: We had a little bit of everything - bowel problems, sprained ankles, frost bite, Morrison’s eyes, Fall’s asthma, upset stomachs, saddle sores and bruises from falling. Morrison and Double suffered the most. We also worried about what would happen if someone came down with something serious - such as appendicitis!.