A Cool Head in Hell
The Wartime Diaries of a British Doctor from Dunkirk to the Burma Railway
by Harry Silman (Author), Jacqueline Passman (Editor)
A Cool Head in Hell is a compelling historical narrative based on Harry Silman's diary, arguably the only contemporaneous account by a POW under the Japanese to survive WW2. In it, as well as in letters and later accounts, Silman details his experiences as a doctor in the British Army from the Dunkirk evacuation (in which he was amongst the last soldiers delivered to safety) to his deployment to Singapore and subsequent capture by Japanese troops.
Silman's vivid diary entries take us through his time as a detainee in the notorious Changi prison camp, and as a forced labourer on the Burma Railway. His calm manner, resourcefulness, resilience and positive nature during such cruel conditions, in which survival was a daily gamble, stand out – and his perspective is up-front, as he was tasked with care of so many ill, wounded and dying fellow combatants.
Harry's diary, compiled on scraps and hidden improbably under the threat of extreme sanction, offers rare insight into the survival strategies and medical challenges endured by the prisoners of war, and the deep bonds they formed. The narrative is rich with personal anecdotes, including Harry's enduring friendship with an Anglican padre and his leadership in organising Jewish services, providing a poignant look at faith, community and solidarity in horrific circumstances.
Astutely edited by Harry's daughter Jacqueline Passman, the book also reflects on the psychological and emotional aftermath of captivity, examining how Harry's experiences shaped him long after liberation.