WW2 Chapter 62 - Hospital (Part 1)

Letter of January 19

1/19/45

Dear Dad,

    Am no longer on the front lines – have been sent to the rear for the first time since we landed. However, there seems to be much work to do here.

    It’s wonderful to be clean – to no longer be “sleeping” in all that mud and rain; or digging that goddamn foxhole every night. There isn’t that constant fear of some Jap shooting your way – or of a counter-attack at night. No guard to stand – where one’s imagination can do strange things with shadows and sounds.

    One of the men described this fighting quite accurately when he said – “taking each ridge is like making a beachhead;” – just one machine gun on the opposite ridge – placed to fire into the draw, can hold up an entire battalion.

     To me, the most unpleasant job was to carry our own dead – a man you saw alive and talked to you just a short while ago.

    In returning, was surprised to find that electric lights had been installed most everywhere – vehicles were driving at night with lights; open-air theatres, radios – you wouldn’t know that there was a war – back here. Areas that we fought for – that were so overgrown it was necessary to clear in order to give us at least a limited field-of-fire, have grown into “cities” – the old area practically impossible to recognize.

    Been getting better food here, too – had my first piece of pie the other day – and cake yesterday.

Much love,

Franklin

WW2 Chapter 63 - Hospital (Part 2)

Letter of February 2

2/2/45

Dear Dad,

     A red-headed Red Cross girl just gave me this paper -- maybe she'll have stamped envelopes tomorrow. Was sent to the hospital a short while ago because of various infections on my feet, and for something that was called chronic diarrhea [probably amoebic dysentery]. My feet have been rather slow in "responding", so I'm now going to be served chow in bed instead of going to the mess hall for it (such luxury). This is probably the only way I'd ever get a rest -- was terribly tired when I first arrived.
~~~~
     Have a swell nurse in my ward -- a cute little thing (blonde) whose home is in Bristol, Conn. (she was just as surprised as I was).
~~~~
     About those chickens -- it takes time for them to lay again after going thru a period of molting. As for culling, if Dave is uncertain, the Rocks are probably the best to keep.

     Have often wondered why the coal ashes couldn't be used for making "that road" to the back lot.

     Could you get for me a safety razor? Think that there might be one at the Lake -- in that "table" in the dining room.

Much love,

Franklin

WW2 Chapter 64 - A Letter to Dave (and Evacuation)

Letter of February 22

2/22/45

Dear Snodgrass,

     So you didn't do so well in geography -- it's not important anyway.

     In my letter to Dad, I mentioned that I expected to be evacuated. Am now in the Netherlands East Indies [Indonesia] -- came by airplane. It wasn't much like that trip back in the states. Except for a couple with dysentery and infected feet, they were all litter patients [on stretchers]. Most of them were infantrymen -- there's an occasional engineer or artilleryman, etc. -- but otherwise it's all infantry.

Large map of war events, kept by Franklin's parents on kitchen wall (copy)

 
     Have been to quite a few places here in the Pacific. Perhaps Dad will point them out to you on the map. Hawaiian Islands, Marshall Is., Admiralty Is., Peleliu, and now Netherlands East Indies. Think I'd be able to get a good mark in your geography test of the South Seas?

     Thank you, Dave, for the birthday card and valentine -- they were pretty swell [he turned 20 on Feb. 5].

     How are the bantams -- pullet laying, yet? Your old hens should soon be laying well.

     Suppose you've been doing some skating. Would like to make for you that "skating rink" in the back yard. We used to make artificial rinks when I played hockey in school -- it's not very hard; and the temperature need only be below freezing.

Much love,

Watty
 

WW2 Chapter 65 - His Mother's Birthday

Letter of February 26

2/26/45

Dear Mother,

    Happy Birthday!

    We had real potatoes, today! Never thought that there would come a time when something so simple as a baked potato could taste better than any chocolate milk ever did. As for food -- more than anything else, I'd like a cold glass of milk.

    There's a soldier, here, who comes from Maine. He was stationed, for some while in Australia. He met a pretty nice girl there, and married her.

     Don't guess I'll ever get any mail until I get back to my outfit. They sent me no mail during the last two weeks I was in the Philippines, so they sure as hell won't send it a couple thousand miles.

    After three days, I discovered that the soldier a couple beds from mine was in my outfit at Roberts. He seemed to look just a bit familiar, but when you've met thousands of people, it's hard to be sure; -- and he didn't recognize me either. He's also an infantryman -- and in the 7th Division.

    The Red Cross came around last Saturday, with some ice-cold Coke.

With love,

Franklin

WW2 Chapter 66 - His Father's Birthday (and Possible Redeployment)

Letter of March 3

3/3/45

Dear Dad,

    This money situation can certainly present one helluva problem. Dutch money is the accepted currency, here -- but I had only Philippine. The difficulty was to figure out the relationship centavos, pesos, and gilders have to American money; and also what part of a gilder is equivalent to how much in pesos and centavos. There's one advantage to this system -- most of the time a person doesn't know when he's being swindled.

    As for money -- the government owes me five month's pay. Without deducting my life insurance, at $75 per month ---

    Until today, I've been on a diet called ulcer colitis [for dysentery] -- which means no bread or jam -- but toast and butter; no pastry; no eggs; no powdered milk with cereal; no fruit -- but plenty of fruit juices; no vegetables -- that's all I can think of at the moment.

    Had a couple of x-rays this morning -- sort of a final check-up. Expect to leave in a day or so -- then back to the front lines. Five and one-half weeks in the hospital -- and it's been a wonderful "vacation", -- with no Japs to worry about.

    Ran into one of the men from my company. He's got one of those tropical diseases that can't be cured [possibly schistosomiasis], and is now waiting on transportation to the states.

    Also "met" a soldier whom I became acquainted with one night in St. Louis. It doesn't much matter where you go, there always seems to be someone that you've known before.

    Hope that you have a most Happy Birthday, Dad ---

With love,

Franklin

P.S.  Who makes the odograph-?-- It's an instrument installed in jeeps, and records the distance and direction the vehicle has traveled.

WW2 Chapter 67 - Franklin Receives Mail

Letter of March 7

3/7/45

Dear Mother,

    It was quite a day, yesterday -- had 48 letters. Hate to get them that way, but there's not much that can be done about it -- the important thing is to get them.

    Thank you for all the news articles -- and the many photographs that you enclosed (and Loomis bulletin) -- was particularly interested in those concerning the snow.

    The nurse came around this morning with a limited supply of clean sheets and towels. It doesn't happen often, so naturally everyone had a "story". Some tried to bribe her with that "I'd gladly mow your lawn if you had a lawn to mow" type of line.

    Was glad to note that in your report of the band popularity contest, there were none of those so-called "sweet swing" orchestras, such as Danny Kaye and Guy Lombardo and Kay Kyser.

    That's a pretty nice dog chain. Since the tags were so heavy, I had formerly been "wearing" it in my button hole -- the tags in the pocket. Am wearing this new one, with your silver plate.

    Say hello to Snodgrass. Tell him he'll soon have a letter approaching.

Much love,

Franklin

P.S. Miss Hitchcock (sp?) is the name of that nurse from Bristol, Conn.

WW2 Chapter 68 - Banana Trees and Foxholes

Letter of March 10

3/10/45

Dear Dad,

    All your pictures have been swell. You've certainly had considerable snow. Liked very much that one of the recording instrument.

    Kind of miss having the Filipino girls working about the wards. They spoke "correct" English, and their attempt to adapt American slang was often rather amusing. Then, too, they wore dresses -- some of which were quite pretty.

    This hospital is spoiling me -- now we've even had an orange.

    Would like to have some American bananas -- even after all those I had in the Philippines. Banana trees are an unusual tree -- they consist entirely of giant leaves -- the largest are perhaps six feet long, and one and one-half wide. It used to get pretty damn cold at night -- and terribly much so when you were wet, or it was raining -- which was practically all the time. I'd cover myself with these leaves -- and it's surprising the amount of "heat" that could be obtained from them. Also used grass -- but I was always too tired to cut it. Course it hardly does much good when your foxhole fills with water. There were nights when I bailed with my helmet, and still couldn't keep the water out -- and it actually overflowed. Then there were other nights in those goddamn rice paddies, where we couldn't dig foxholes.

    They certainly give MacArthur a helluva lot of undeserved credit and publicity. Wonder if he knows how much the soldiers dislike him.
~~~~
    Never know quite what should be said on these occasions -- so I'll just say, Happy Birthday Dad!

Much love,

Franklin

WW2 Chapter 69 - A USO Show

Letter of March 18 (censored)

3/18/45

Dear Mother,

    There was a U.S.O. [United Service Organizations] show here last evening. One girl sang and played an accordion; another tap-danced; and the third sang and danced. There were also two men; -- the "master of ceremonies" -- who was a rather good ventriloquist (alimony - taxation without representation; bachelor - one who thinks before he acts, and then doesn't act); and the other played various musical instruments (using a bow string, he played one song on a cross-cut saw).



Photo of a USO show

    Afterwards, there was a movie -- which was very poor; -- mostly about pregnant women and babies.

    We had a real New England thunderstorm last night. Saw some heavy clouds approaching when I was at the theatre -- but didn't think much about it until the thunder woke me.

    It has rained considerably this last week -- almost as bad as it was on [Leyte]. Don't ever want to go thru another operation like that one.

    This hospital has received a large supply of joke books. They were made by high school and grammar school kids of western states -- a Junior Red Cross of some sort. There are scrap books filled with cartoons -- and in some of them there are drawings made by 6, 7, and 8 year olds. Some of them are "house" pictures -- of children, the kitchen, the front porch, the wife baking a cake, etc. ---

Much love,

Franklin

WW2 Chapter 70 - A Letter to Dave (and Dismissal from the Hospital)

Letter of March 30

3/30/45

Dear Snodgrass,

    Two nights ago, I went to a movie that you wrote to me about in one of your letters -- "Meet Me in St. Lewis". It was certainly a good show, wasn't it?



Movie Poster

    In the last letters I received, your bantam pullet had laid about four days straight -- and the old hens were doing quite well. That's wonderful.

    Have been dismissed from the hospital -- finally -- after more than two months. Am now waiting on transportation back to my outfit.

    The day after arriving here at the casualty camp, I was on a detail unloading and stacking oil drums -- remember a similar experience back in Honolulu.

    A package was sent to you a few days ago -- by air mail. It's a pocketbook (there's a "secret pocket" on the inside) which I made at the Red Cross craft shop. Mary is a very pretty Red Cross girl I met, and had some dates with. She's in charge of this craft shop. I told her about you -- and she suggested the pocketbook. If you don't understand all this, you will after you receive the package.

    Goodnight, Snodgrass ---

Much love,

Watty

WW2 Chapter 71 - Battle of Okinawa (April 1 - June 22, 1945)



Island of Okinawa

On April 1, 1945, the Allies launched a major amphibious landing on the island of Okinawa, 325 miles southwest of the Japanese mainland. The battle was carried out by two divisions of U.S. marines and four divisions of the U.S. army, including Franklin's 7th Infantry Division. Most of the men were seasoned veterans from other Pacific battles against the Japanese.

The Japanese military knew that, if the island was captured, the Allies would use it as a base for a full-scale invasion of the Japanese mainland. They were therefore determined to defeat the Americans at all costs, even while recognizing that their own defeat in the war was now becoming inevitable.

During the next 82 days, the Battle of Okinawa would become the bloodiest battle of the Pacific Campaign. The U.S. suffered over 50,000 casualties, including over 12,000 deaths. In addition, the Allies lost 768 aircraft and 27 ships, mainly from enemy kamikaze attacks. About 107,000 Japanese troops and up to 150,000 civilians also lost their lives.

Okinawa News, April 21

In addition to the large number of casualties, about 26,000 of the men experienced serious mental breakdown due to the strenuous battle conditions. For almost three months, the troops had to endure constant bombardment from enemy artillery and mortars, and, due to monsoons and muddy conditions, thousands of bodies littered the island which could not be removed or buried.

Although the island of Okinawa was actually part of Japan, the Japanese considered its civilians an inferior people. The Japanese committed numerous atrocities against them, including using them as human shields and forcing mass suicides. The civilian atrocities further affected the mental condition of the U.S. troops.

The severity of this battle (along with Iwo Jima) would become a major factor in the U.S. deciding to use the atomic bomb to end the war six weeks later. An invasion of mainland Japan would have otherwise been inevitable, and would have likely been far costlier (for both sides).



Okinawa News, April 9

During this time, Franklin's family followed the news from Okinawa closely, especially any information about his 7th Infantry Division. For the first 11 days, they may not have been sure whether he had joined in this new offensive. According to Franklin's most recent letter, dated March 30, he had been dismissed from the hospital and had been waiting to be transported back to his unit.

On April 11, Nancy received a letter from Franklin dated April 2, which would have confirmed that he was still in Indonesia at that time. However, because he was still waiting for orders to be redeployed, his family probably waited anxiously for each new letter. For some reason, however, the orders would never come.

During this battle, Franklin probably felt badly for not being able to rejoin his unit on Okinawa. However, in later years, he acknowledged that his illnesses may have actually saved his life, as many of those in his unit had been killed during this battle.

WW2 Chapter 72 - A Letter to his Mother (and News of Okinawa)

Letter of April 11

4/11/45

Dear Mother,

    Worked with an ordinance outfit yesterday -- on the other side of the island [in Indonesia] -- loading ammo into vehicles. There's one advantage to these details -- wherever we go we eat better -- much better -- than we do here.

    My sun tan is returning -- lost much of it during those many weeks in the hospital. Those atabrine pills that we take every day [to prevent malaria] turn the skin yellow -- and it's especially prominent if your skin isn't tanned.

    You must have read that the 7th division is now fighting in Okinawa. Was informed of the coming operation while I was still at Leyte -- when and where -- so you can imagine how I felt when the time came making it impossible for me to be present. However, it's most unfortunate that they have to fight with those goddamn marines.

    Now have six months pay coming to me.

    Was one of the lucky ones that worked last night. It's really amazing how you can go a night without sleep -- and still feel no "ill effects" the next day. As soon as the sun comes up, I'm O.K. Could never do it as a civilian. Actually, I suppose it's all in being able to relax -- to be able to take advantage of even just a few moments.

    Am at the Red Cross, again -- waiting on an engineer orchestra. There's a good movie tonight, but this is better.

Much love,

Franklin

WW2 Chapter 73 - A Letter to his Father (April 17, 1945)

4/17/45

Dear Dad,

    Paid another visit to the hospital, the other day -- and there was mail there for me; -- three weeks since the last. It was all about two months old -- yours were Feb. 12th and 19th; -- and thanks, Dad, for the Easter card.

Have at times wished that we had somehow found more "time" to do things together -- though it was probably pretty much my fault.

    Saw "Objective Burma" -- don't know why, except that that happened to be the only show that night. Thought it was well done -- though parts of it were a bit artificial; and some parts of it were done too much "according to the soldiers handbook". The picture tried to stress Jap cruelty. The Americans wiped out the Japs at that radar station -- but when they (the Japs) did something similar to the G.I.s in that village, it was "cold blooded murder". The G.I.s aren't exactly angels; -- we never took live Japanese -- and we killed those that were wounded or defenseless.

    Whenever working with ammo, I think of how we had to handle it back in the states -- so carefully, so gently, so easily. Over here the way we throw it on and off vehicles, or off stacks, it might just as well be a sack of flour.
~~~~
    The Japanese on [Okinawa (censored)] are giving my outfit a bad time -- the casualty list must be very high.

Much love,

Franklin

WW2 Chapter 74 - Competing with the Censors

Letter of April 23

4/23/45

Dear Mother,

    Certainly wish that that Middlebury post office would get a new stamp. When I receive many letters, I'm unable to open them in order, since the date is always invisible.

[Censored]

    Met a very nice colored soldier. Have played cards, and gone to the theatre with him several times.

    One of the wonderful things about this island, is that there's no mud -- the "soil" is coral - except [censored], but it still rains like hell.

    Was up at the hospital again today -- had a dozen letters. One of yours was addressed to the hospital (April 14th).

    Though we've had many "air raids" on the island, only once have we been bombed.

    Visited my friends there at the hospital -- and the nurse in my ward. She made up some iced fruit juice for me. I used to help her prepare and pass out medicine and pills, etc. to the patients. We've had long talks about New England -- her home is in New Hampshire -- and she has often visited in New Milford. She's been overseas 3 years.

    Then I visited that Red Cross girl -- and she gave me more "supplies". She's been pretty nice to me -- even gave me various canned goods. And if I had wanted it, there was beer. I've got enough of all kinds of toilet articles to last a long time. Then there's towels, wash cloths, this pen, checker games, card games, dates -- and I danced with her a couple times (on the coral -- to a record and a G.I. swing band).
~~~~
    There are certainly a lot of rackets in this army. The [censored].
~~~~
    Another two months has gone by -- and I've had another haircut ----

Much love,

Franklin

    My address is on the envelope.

    Remember me to Snodgrass -- tell him that was a very nice Easter card.

    Notice the A.P.O. on the cartoon -- that's the island where I'm at -- on which there are nurses, Red Cross, and Wacs [probably the Women's Army Corps].

Enclosed Cartoon (click to enlarge)

Franklin included this last sentence and enclosed the cartoon in order to secretly get a message through the military censors and let his family know where he was. The "APO 920" on the envelope in the cartoon (bottom right) referred to Army Post Office 920, located on the island of Biak in Indonesia.

WW2 Chapter 75 - End of European War (and Back on Leyte)

Newspaper, May 8, 1945

5/11/45

Dear Dad,

     It's over -- finally. Now maybe after a few months, we'll get some of those badly needed supplies, planes, and men. I'm glad that the Russians took Berlin -- and I hope they gave them hell. We would have been too easy on those Germans. The men over here are damn sore about the freedom allowed the Italian and German prisoners back in the states. Whoever is responsible for it seems to have forgotten that they were once killing American soldiers -- and if they weren't there they'd be killing American soldiers -- and if they could have escaped, they'd still be killing American soldiers.

     We didn't do any celebrating -- don't think I heard anyone even cheer. The war is over --- As far as expressing emotions, it might have been announced that there was to be mail call, or good chow, tonight, or the Russians had advanced 20 miles, or we were to get a three day pass. The same with men shipping home. I've often wondered how I'd feel if and when the time ever came. I've been with and known many men who were fortunate to go home -- I've helped to carry them aboard ships; and again it might be that three day pass, or good chow tonight. It seems strange, doesn't it -- but it's true.

     Have sent you two issues of "Yank" magazine. There's nothing special in them -- thought you might like to look them over.

     It doesn't rain as much as it did last fall -- only at night -- when we want to go to the theatre. Unfortunately, it still manages to get as hot as ever [on Leyte]. The rain is accompanied by thunder and lightning -- and all day the air feels like it does at home just before a thunderstorm.

    Have you been able to get any more cigarettes? At this place, we are rationed four packs of cigarettes a week. Haven't seen any matches since I've been here -- or any beer.

     Been down at the finance office -- having my money exchanged. When we were at Biak (just off New Guinea, and part of N.E. Indies), we could spend Dutch, Filipino, English, and American money -- but only the Philippine is good, here.

Much love,

Franklin

WW2 Chapter 76 - A Letter from Nancy (May 17, 1945)

Nancy in 1945 (from a color slide)

5/17/45

Dear Dad,

     Just a line, but I wanted you to be the first to know that I have been elected president of camera club for next year. This year's president just came in to tell me the final results from the election. I'm quite thrilled about it and hope I will do a good job. You will have to give me lots of pointers on taking pictures and developing them this summer so that I will be worthy of the office I will hold next year.
~~~~
     After dinner I went down to look for my mail and I had a long newsy letter from Franklin. That just topped this wonderful day. It couldn't have ended better. You no doubt have heard from him also. My letter from him was written on May eighth from the Philippines. He told of his trip over on the boat and about his living conditions now. He apparently isn't in any action. I'm so glad that he isn't in Okinawa. He mentioned that a mother hen and her four chicks just walked through his tent while he wrote to me.



Nancy's Letter of May 17

     I want to write to Franklin before I go to bed. Will be seeing you in eighteen more days.

Lots of love,

Nancy


WW2 Chapter 77 - Machine Guns

Letter of June 1

6/1/45

Dear Mother,

     We've just been discussing the possibilities of the forthcoming meal. The conversation, though, is not in terms of whether the eggs are fried, boiled, or scrambled; or if the meat is beef, pork, or ham; or if the potatoes are boiled, fried, or mashed -- instead it's: -- "are the eggs fresh or powdered; is the meat c-ration, bully beef, or is it fresh; and are the potatoes dehydrated or fresh?

     Have now got 8 months back pay coming to me -- which is somewhere around $475. And for that same length of time, there is an additional $66.66 of war bonds (at maturity value).



Machine gun covering a river crossing on Leyte

     I hope when I get back to my outfit, I won't be assigned to another "position" -- such as to a machine gun. As much as I dislike the prospect, it is certainly a great weapon. During those night attacks, the deep, steady thud of the heavy machine gun was like beautiful and wonderful music to your ears -- it seemed to give out a feeling of "safety" and "security". But when it stopped, it was as if a button were pushed -- bringing to every man a sense of terrible fear.

     My buddy is making plans to be home by Christmas. A short while ago, a report came out to the effect that all men over 40 were to be discharged. He'll be 38 in August, so he expects to be in on the next "lowering".

     The news from China has been damn encouraging, of late. They've certainly been sadly neglected. Another six months will make considerable difference. And by that time, Russia ought to have completed her "summer training", and give us a little assistance. Russian assistance, though, can hardly be hoped for until after we make a landing in China.

Movie Poster

     The movie tonight is "Practically Yours" -- it ought (?) to be good.

Much love,

Franklin

WW2 Chapter 78 - News Reports



Letter of June 15

6/15/45

Dear Mother,

     We've been having some rather interesting newsreels, lately. Unfortunately, though, they are all four, five, and six months old.

     You might like to know a little something about our living conditions. We live in "20 man tents" -- which are 30 feet x 15 feet. Then there is one 15' x 15' that's for 8 men. This climate raises hell with them, and it's only a short while before they leak.

     Our showers are made from old oil drums -- these being "mounted" on top of an 8 foot framework. They are naturally filled by hand; -- the water comes from a hole behind the shower.

     A period of more than seven weeks without mail has ended -- received one letter. Except for a couple addressed to the hospital, your last letter (most recent one) was postmarked middle of March. Since the first week in September, I don't believe I've had mail on more than 20 separate days.
~~~~
     The reason eastern newspapers contain less news about the Pacific is because -- whether you believe it or not -- most of the people aren't interested in it. To them, the Pacific is just a poor "second feature". For proof -- the newspapers. All the large print concerned Europe -- I've seen them. I'll admit, though, that the liberation of Vienna, Paris, Rome, and Warsaw make much more attractive reading than the invasion of another goddamn island which nobody ever heard about. In the west, the people, for one reason or another, are more closely connected with the Pacific war -- and in the west coast newspapers, it's the Pacific war that hits the headlines.

Much love,
Franklin

WW2 Chapter 79 - A Letter to Dave (and Their Egg Production)

Dave in 1945

6/30/45

Dear Snodgrass,

     Have just received your two letters of March 18th and April 5th. Noticed that you addressed the envelopes -- that's swell. Was most interested in the report of your military tactics -- where did you learn it all?

     What's the idea of calling me Birdbrain? Anyway, at least I'm not just a Burnt-Egg.

     Have been studying the egg chart which you enclosed -- the old hens seem to be doing quite well; -- and the bantams extremely well. However, you forgot to tell me how many hens you still have -- and how those pullets you hatched last year turned out.

     Heard that you set a number of bantam eggs. Will be most anxious to hear of the results. I've never seen bantam chicks, so be sure to send me some pictures of them.

     And speaking of pictures, I have some grand ones of you holding Benny and Judy; and comparing eggs. I like best the one that was taken by your home plate -- you are in your "working clothes", and are standing with your hand in your pocket.

     So, Snodgrass -- keeping a tortoise in my room, are you --- hmmm ----

     Hope you've also set some hen eggs. You have a good flock, now, which will produce excellent chicks. And from what I've been made to understand, your young rooster is a superior bird (you should get 90-100% hatch). Besides, some of those hens will be too old, so you'll need replacements.

     Did you "take care of" that boy that punched you -- I hope so. Don't ever let anyone get away with anything like that, and you'll soon build for yourself such a reputation that even the bigger and stronger boys will be afraid to bother you. Don't forget that.

     Well, Fearless Fig-newton -- your school newspaper seems to be quite a learned piece of work. I read every bit of it this morning. Naturally the story you wrote was the best -- and very humorous. Thanks so much for sending it to me. Do you have any other stories?

     I miss you too, Dave -- all the time. You're the swellest brother anyone could ever have.

Much love,

Watty



Enclosed Cartoons

WW2 Chapter 80 - Assignment to Trucking Company



Letter of July 24

7/24/45

Dear Mother and Dad,

     I'm going to try and give you some idea about what the story is. Tell me if anything is cut out, or what it is, and I'll explain in some other way.

     If you've noticed my address, you can see that I'm now a U.S.O. soldier -- a base commando; -- and am on the same island. After leaving the 4th Replacement (259th), I was shipped to a base headquarters casualty camp. From there, I was shipped to this outfit with a group of reclassified veteran infantrymen. Naturally the situation might change, but as things now stand, we are temporarily assigned to this outfit until we go thru sort of a "familiarization process" or "period of training". Then we're to establish our own company, with our own vehicles, etc.
~~~~
     That's rather general information -- I don't know much more, myself. So for now, anyway, my address is: -- 5250 Q.M. Truck Co. (P), A.P.O. #72  [located in village of Tacloban, Leyte].

Much love,

Franklin
 

WW2 Chapter 81 - Dave's 11th Birthday (and Possible Japanese Surrender)

8/10/45

Dear Snodgrass,

     Happy Birthday -- maybe next year I'll be able to help you celebrate it.



Kay Kyser Band

     About a week ago, Kay Kyser presented a show at the navy theatre. I was working that night at a supply dump just opposite the theatre; -- but once -- when my vehicle was third in line to be unloaded, I got to see a part of it. Had various "differences of opinion" with a few S.P.s [security police] when I jumped the fence -- but nothing came of it. I stood at the rear of the theatre (only a few others were there), and had a grand view. Since the exit was also at the rear, I even had the honor(?) of standing beside the four girls that were in the show.

     After all I've said about the frequent "showers", here -- you will be surprised to know that until about three days ago, there had been a period of some 12 days without rain. Unfortunately, however, that resulted in considerable dust. Before that particular road was "oiled", it was so dusty that it was necessary to travel with the headlights on -- even though it was noon, and not a cloud in the sky.

     Yesterday, I visited a little Filipino school. It consisted of two rooms. It's difficult to guess the age of these people -- but they were probably from 6 - 10 years. The teacher was a young girl -- and she was showing them how to read English. She wrote short sentences on a blackboard: -- "Nena has a little brother. His name is Pinto". They pronounce the "a" in has as "ah" (they say Americans swallow their words).

     Afterward I "tested" some darn good sling-shots that some of the boys had made.

     Well, Dave, I'll again wish you a most Happy Birthday.

Much love,

Watty


Letter of August 10

     A short while ago -- while at the theatre -- it was announced that the Japanese were willing to surrender. Though not confirmed, it can't be much longer. And to think that something so important occurred on such an important and wonderful day -- your birthday.

W.

WW2 Chapter 82 - End of the War (August 15, 1945)



Newspaper, August 15, 1945

After defeating the Japanese at the Battle of Okinawa, the U.S. and its Allies issued the Potsdam Declaration on July 26, requiring Japan to "surrender or suffer prompt and utter destruction." Although the Japanese leaders recognized that defeat was now inevitable, they refused to surrender.

Based on the horrific experiences in fighting the Japanese on Iwo Jima, Okinawa, and other Pacific islands, the U.S. knew that an invasion of mainland Japan would result in countless additional casualties. Therefore, on August 6, the U.S. dropped an atomic bomb on the city of Hiroshima.

Three days later, despite the enormous devastation and loss of life from the first bomb, the Japanese leaders still refused to surrender. The U.S. then dropped a second atomic bomb on the city of Nagasaki on August 9.

Life Magazine photo from Times Square

On August 15, Japan finally announced that it had conceded. By that time, it had been 3 years and 8 months since the attack on Pearl Harbor, and more than 111,000 Americans had been killed and 253,000 wounded during the Pacific campaign. Celebrations were held all over the world.



Japanese Surrender, September 2

On September 2, a military ceremony was held aboard the battleship USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay, where Japan formally accepted the terms of the Potsdam Declaration. The day was designated V-J Day for "Victory Over Japan."

After learning of the surrender, many Japanese soldiers, devastated by the defeat, committed suicide. In addition, over 100 American prisoners of war were murdered.

After the war, the U.S. and its Allies occupied Japan for seven years. During this time, they helped the country recover from the effects of the war and successfully enacted widespread military, political, economic, and social reforms.

Despite the end of the war, some Japanese soldiers continued to fight on isolated Pacific islands for many years, with the last one finally surrendering in 1974.

Interestingly, Franklin does not provide any comments about the end of the war in any of his forthcoming letters.

WW2 Chapter 83 - Franklin's Truck



Letter of August 18 (with oil stains)

 8/18/45

Dear Mother and Dad,

     Did you notice the address on the envelope? Have moved again (still the same island). This is my 14th army address -- and I hope it'll be my last.

     We have just taken over a colored truck company. The general condition of the area and living quarters are about as good as anywhere. We have six-man tents -- with wooden floors, and one light.

     Most of the vehicles are in rather sad shape -- though that is partly due to long service. I haven't yet taken my vehicle on the road, so it's difficult to tell much about it; but the engine sounds fairly good -- though the body is quite bad. However, I think I'm going to enjoy fussing around and trying to fix it.

Photo of a GMC CCKW 2 1/2-Ton Cargo Truck

     I have a steel-top type of cab on my truck. It's similar to the civilian models - with doors and "comfortable" seats -- but it's extremely hot. The other type is a sort of roadster effect -- with canvas top and removable side curtains. The seats are as comfortable as a folded blanket -- and you get wet when it rains -- but the big advantage is that it's cool.

     Received my license, last week. It permits me to drive 1/4, 3/4, 1 1/2, and 2 1/2 ton vehicles (mine is 2 1/2).

     You already know what I think of the marines. Though it's a small outfit and hasn't done much fighting, here are some interesting figures concerning the casualty list in the Pacific: --

     Army      77,100
     Marines  77,093
     Difference    7

     Mother -- last January you sent me some butterscotch cookies. Have just received them -- but unfortunately they were bad. Also received Jan., Feb., and July issues of the "Recorder". And a very nice bracelet and watch strap. My former watch strap I made from bamboo -- somewhere near Ormoc. The first few times I reached for my watch, I was "surprised" to find such a swell strap. Thanks very much for all.

Much love,

Franklin

3449 Q.M. Truck Co.
A.P.O. #72 [located in Tacloban, Leyte]