11 August, 2012

11 August 1945

438th AAA AW BN
APO 513 % Postmaster, N.Y.
11 August, 1945      0930
Nancy
My dearest fiancĂ©e –

Gee – the news has taken such startling turns in the past few days – it’s getting difficult to keep the emotions keyed up to the proper pitch. But isn’t it wonderful, and isn’t it difficult to make the mind realize that a state in the world can exist in which we’re not at war and you can think only about your own private world? I’ve been a soldier for 3 years only, darling, but honestly, I can hardly recall the feeling of freedom I used to have before I started wearing a uniform. And to think that things are happening right now that will close this cursed war and allow both of us to fulfill our most cherished desire – well, darling – it defies my imagination. I just can’t believe it.

I suppose there’ll be some delay – but one term or another – the end is here – and then what? Boy what bitching the Army will develop then! Who goes home first – and when? Who stays with the Army of Occupation? Etc. etc. – But I’ll get home, sweetheart – sooner or later and I won’t have to go away again. And just think – some day I’ll be getting discharged! That’s too much! I’ll have to stop for a couple of minutes and think that over!

Well – to get back to more immediate things, dear – no one got mail yesterday and this just about completes a full week without any delivery. No one knows why.

Yesterday p.m. – when the first “important announcement” came thru – we all left our offices and went back to quarters. It was a cold rainy day, anyway, with very little to do. We played cards for a couple of hours, ate, and then went to the movies and saw a first-class smelleroo – whose name escapes me for the moment – and may the moment continue! Tonight – Saturday – if we can dig up enough alcohol of one sort or another – we’ll have a little party for the Colonel. We’ve pretty nearly used up all the liquor we brought back from Germany. I [hope], darling, that you’re not alarmed at my frequent mentioning of liquor, parties, drinking etc. I’ve told you before and I’ll repeat now – I never liked the stuff, I haven’t made a habit of it – and I drink it from time to time to forget the present. I have learned how to drink a variety of liquors, liqueurs and wines – and someday, dear, we’ll try to have a well-stocked cabinet for our guests.

I love to think of the time when we’ll be living together, man and wife – in our own home – sweetheart. The thought is such a happy one and with the realization that it is within our reach – well – I can’t describe to you how happy it makes me. I can only tell you, darling, that I love you more than anything else in the world – and I’m going to do my best to make you forever happy.

All for now, dear – love to the folks – and

All my deepest love,
Greg

* TIDBIT *

about Japan Plans to Surrender


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On 10 August 1945 the Japanese Minister in Switzerland, upon instructions received from his Government, requested the Swiss Political Department to advise the Government of the United States of America of the following (as part of their message):

The Japanese Government are ready to accept the terms enumerated in the joint declaration which was issued at Potsdam on July 26th, 1945, by the heads of the Governments of the United States, Great Britain, and China, and later subscribed to by the Soviet Government, with the understanding that the said declaration does not comprise any demand which prejudices the prerogatives of His Majesty as a Sovereign Ruler.

On 11 August 1945, United States Secretary of State James Byrne replied:

Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge receipt of your note of August 10, and in reply to inform you that the President of the United States has directed me to send you for transmission to the Japanese Government the following message on behalf of the Governments of the United States the United Kingdom, the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, and China:

With regard to the Japanese Government's message accepting the terms of the Potsdam proclamation but containing the statement, "with the understanding that the said declaration does not comprise any demand which prejudices the prerogatives of His Majesty as a sovereign ruler," our position is as follows:

From the moment of surrender the authority of the Emperor and the Japanese Government to rule the state shall be subject to the Supreme Commander of the Allied powers who will take such steps as he deems proper to effectuate the surrender terms.

The Emperor will be required to authorize and ensure the signature by the Government of Japan and the Japanese Imperial General Headquarters of the surrender terms necessary to carry out the provisions of the Potsdam Declaration, and shall issue his commands to all the Japanese military, naval and air authorities and to all the forces under their control wherever located to cease active operations and to surrender their arms, and to issue such other orders as the Supreme Commander may require to give effect to the surrender terms.

Immediately upon the surrender the Japanese Government shall transport prisoners of war and civilian internees to places of safety, as directed, where they can quickly be placed aboard Allied transports.

The ultimate form of government of Japan shall, in accordance with the Potsdam Declaration, be established by the freely expressed will of the Japanese people.

The armed forces of the Allied Powers will remain in Japan until the purposes set forth in the Potsdam Declaration are achieved."

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