This diary is the fourth of five kept by Colonel James C. Hughes during his time as a prisoner of war in World War II. The diaries were started by Hughes one year after his capture and they managed to survive the war. The Japanese did not approve of journals or diaries, even for senior officers, and were subject to confiscation. Hughes had his diary seized several times. For this reason, prisoners had to censor what they wrote. They could not express their true feelings towards their captors or living conditions without harsh repercussions. Despite the censorship Hughes' diaries still covered his mental health, daily routine, camp food, capture, work, sickness, boredom, disease, moving to new camps, fellow soldiers, receiving letters and Red Cross boxes, and the occasional camp entertainment. During the later years they even contain wishful rumors about an end to the war.