14 May 1945

V-MAIL

438^th AAA AW BN

APO 230 % Postmaster, N.Y.

14 May, 1945      0930

Germany

Dearest sweetheart –

After writing you the city we’re in – I find we’re not allowed to do that – tsk! tsk! – so I’ll have to omit it from my heading. But we’re still here, dear. I’m late today and I’ve got lots to do – thus the V-mail.

The weather stays fine and we’re looking for a place to go swimming – if we have the time. Went for a walk with the dentist yesterday evening – where were you, darling! Gee – it’s nice boy and girl strolling time. Well – soon maybe we’ll be able to do that and I’ll be able to say nice things, sweetheart – among which will be the following: I love you, I want you, I missed you so, Did you miss me? When will you marry me? etc. All for now – dear – Regards – and

All my love

Greg

* TIDBIT *

about Occupation Zones in Germany

An article in TIME magazine (Vol. XLV, No. 20) published on 14 May 1945 begins to address the setting up of occupation zones for the British, French, United States and Soviet governments. The article was titled, "Victory in Europe: Housekeeping in Hell". Here is that article...

A flaming stake had been driven through Germany's heart, and by the laws of sorcery this should quiet the beast. In outward appearance Germany, once the most highly integrated nation of the Old World, was a quartered corpse. Perhaps 50% of Germany's proud cities were wrecked. Moreover, the machine shop of Europe was shut down. The Ruhr had received 150 tons of bombs per square mile. (Battered London averaged only twelve.)

But it was not easy to estimate the degree of Germany's physical destruction. The long arm of Allied bombing and the progress of the Armies had destroyed much of Germany's productive apparatus, notably the railroad system, had left much else spectacularly untouched. Quite possibly both the appearance of Germany's destruction and the appearance of her survival were deceptive. But soon for the health of her democratic neighbors, Germany must be restored to some sort of controlled existence in which her collieries and mills could produce, her crops grow and be distributed. The problem before the Allies seemed, in its complexity, greater even than the problem of striking Germany down.

First Steps. Any day now the victorious powers would set up the Allied Control Commission in Berlin, and Germany would formally come under the rule of foreigners for the first time since 1806. But, planned as it was, this first stage revealed the confusion that lay ahead. Instead of being a cohesive unit, the Control Commission would be a loosely organized coalition, and the administration of Germany's four different zones might each be conducted according to four different ideas. The zones were agreed upon in principle at Yalta, but the precise boundaries had not been revealed, and in one instance (the French zone) there was some doubt as to whether they had been determined.

The Russians supposedly were to have eastern Germany, the British the northwest, the Americans the southwest, and the French an area somewhere between the British and the Americans.

The Housekeepers. The U.S. occupation team for Germany will at the outset be headed by General Eisenhower as chief of the American section (with Field Marshal Harold R. L. G. Alexander as his probable opposite number for Britain); Major General Lucius Clay as his deputy and administrative chief of staff; the State Department's Robert Murphy as political adviser (with sharp-eyed Ivone Kirkpatrick his counterpart for Britain, and purge-trial prosecutor Andrei Vishinsky for the Russians); and Lieutenant General Leonard T. Gerow as commander of the U.S. Fifteenth (occupation) Army. While these top four will probably stay in Berlin, American administrative headquarters will be located within the U.S. zone, probably at Frankfurt.

The American zone may possibly be less of a problem than others. It was formerly almost self-sufficient in food, and the Nazi disease was never as deeply rooted there as in north Germany. Nevertheless, stern measures have been laid out. The latest plan for its control, "revised directive 1067," laid on President Truman's desk only ten days before war's end, followed closely the Morgenthau or "goat pasture" plan. Southern Germany would largely revert to agrarian economy. All industry capable of producing armaments (a broad definition) would be destroyed or transferred, the remainder controlled by the occupation forces. The educational system would be overhauled.

Said FEA's Leo Crowley, who had a part in drafting "revised directive 1067": "We are going to have a tremendous policing job and we will be busy at it for years. I predict that some people will get mighty tired of it, and there will be a campaign to get us out of Germany."

Some indications of preparations for this cleansing of the Augean stables:

Although a formula for trying war criminals had yet to be announced, the U.S. named its chief counsel for the international tribunal that would handle the cases: Supreme Court Justice Robert H. Jackson, who opposes judicial proceedings to execute military or political policy, favors trial and punishment by military agencies set up for the express purpose.

Psychological Warfare Division of SHAEF announced that it was ready to move into Germany, take over radio stations, presses, publications, cinema studios, recording facilities, and operate them under military control, thus beginning the re-education of Germany. The Germans would be given news from outside, but would have no medium of expression.

Biggest problem of the Reparations Commission, now being organized in Moscow: balancing the demands of each Ally for the products produced in zones controlled by others; e.g., the Russian zone formerly supplied food surpluses which Britain, France and the U.S. may need in their zones to feed the starving people of other countries. In almost every undertaking there would be conflict of purpose. The Americans from the start had opposed censorship of foreign correspondents operating in postwar Germany. The British had reservations but finally agreed to the American policy. What the Russians will do remained a secret; at week's end they still had not allowed Allied newsmen in Berlin. This was a minor conflict, but more important issues would follow. How well the Allies would work together in postwar Germany was one of the big questions of the peace.

13 May 1945

438^th AAA AW BN

APO 230 % Postmaster, N.Y.

13 May, 1945      0930

Leipzig, Germany

Dearest, darling, Wilma –

I’m off to a late start today and it isn’t because I slept late either. As a matter of fact – I’ve been sleeping very poorly lately – and I don’t know exactly why. I’m tired enough. I get to bed usually about 2300 hours and sleep until about 0500-0530 and not too soundly either. It must be an excitatory reflex that keeps me keyed up – and the more I think about it, the more I’m inclined to believe that you are the reflex, darling.

Well – it sure has been hot here and everyone’s lazy. But I’ve had to hop around on this physical survey I’m doing. It wouldn’t be so bad – but we have perhaps 20 men in one city, 40 in another etc – all over the map. And they’re too busy to come to me, so I have to go to them. I’ve wanted to take a good look around this city but haven’t had time as yet. There are some beautiful buildings here – most of them connected with the University.

Oh, before I forget it, dear. You mentioned that package with a variety of items in it – glasses, ash trays etc. You didn’t mention a little copper box – which is what I was especially interested in, dear. If you’ll look closely – you’ll note that it is 200 years old. It’s really a very pretty thing.

CLICK TO ENLARGE
   
Copper Box and Inscription: GHW 1745

I have your letter here in which you tell me Mother A had heard from me in Paris and that Sunny Rodman’s mother heard that I looked fine. Well – I’m glad he’s a diplomat, dear – because I must have looked pretty rough at the time. For one thing – all we had for clothes was combat stuff, and secondly, we had had a long hard ride by truck and train. Anyway – as long as my mother got the right impression, I’m satisfied. Yes, Paris is a place in which to get rooked. As I’ve probably written you already, dear – the attitude was much different this time than when I was there in August. You could have the city for a dime or nothing. Now they’re out for blood. Buying gifts is a problem involving lend-lease proportions. I managed to get some perfume for Mother A, B. and Ruth and a kerchief for you and Eleanor – all of which I hope has arrived by now. But if I hadn’t had some extra money with me – I couldn’t have paid for a thing except entertainment. If you buy a sandwich (I didn’t) – it costs 600 francs – $12.00! Just imagine that, dear – and everything else is proportionately priced. We had come from Germany where we had hundreds of bottles of wine – for nothing – and we had to pay 700 fr for 1 bottle. Yes, dear – ‘rooking’ is the word. Brussels was a bit better – but not much.

Well – it’s getting to be late morning sweetheart and I’ve got to go. Might travel down by Weimar today and do a few more physicals. But wherever I go, darling, I’ll be thinking hard about you, loving you and dreaming of the not too distant future when I’ll be with you. That’s all I think about now – and it’s so pleasant, too!

Love to the folks, dear – so long and

All my sweetest love –

Greg

P.S. Enclosed is part of a letter from Carolyn Gardner - I had mentioned the reference to you some time ago. Love, G.

* TIDBIT *

about A Crash in New Guinea

NPR Books, a web site of National Public Radio, wrote about Lost in Shangri-La, written by Mitchell Zuckoff, a professor of journalism at Boston University.

      
Lost in Shangri-La          and Mitchell Zuckoff

Here is their review...

The story is set against the unforgiving backdrop of New Guinea's high mountains, dense rain forests and thick clouds. At the time of World War II, much of the island was uncharted — hundreds of planes crashed there, and few were ever found. "New Guinea was sort of a graveyard for planes," Zuckoff explains.

His book is the story of one of the few crashes in New Guinea where survivors lived to tell the tale. The flight began as a sightseeing tour on 13 May 1945, when 24 men and women stationed in New Guinea boarded the Gremlin Special to fly over a hidden valley that had been nicknamed "Shangri-La."

"It's an enormous valley," says Zuckoff. "Forty miles long, 8 miles wide, and inhabited by anywhere near 100,000 to 120,000 tribesmen who were living basically a Stone Age existence."

The plane flew in low between the mountains so that the passengers could see the valley and the native villages and fields. The exact cause of the crash is unknown, but low-lying clouds obstructed the pilot's view and the plane slammed into the side of a mountain. One of the few survivors, John McCollom, was an Army lieutenant.

"The tail of the airplane had been broken off," he recalls, and "the fuselage had been flattened out to the point I could not stand up."

Seeing that the fuselage was on fire, McCollom wasted no time in jumping out of the plane and into the remote valley. "Standing around, I looked at my watch and said, 'This is a heck of place to be, 165 miles from civilization, all by myself on a Sunday afternoon.' "

But McCollom was not alone — four more passengers had also survived, though two of them later died. As a lieutenant, McCollom was the highest-ranking officer to survive; he was also the only passenger not to be injured. Zuckoff says that McCollum quickly took charge and made all the right decisions — even though his twin brother was among the dead.

"He knew his brother's body was burned inside the Gremlin Special right near him and he knew that he had to put that aside and make decisions," says Zuckoff.

McCollom led the two other injured survivors, Cpl. Margaret Hastings of the Women's Army Corp and Sgt. Kenneth Decker, on an arduous trek in search of a clearing, where they would have a better chance of being seen. After a journey through a dense jungle and down a steep, treacherous gulley, they finally reached an open area where they were spotted by rescue planes.

It was then that they first encountered the residents of the valley. Rumor had it that the local tribes were cannibals and headhunters, so McCollom was initially cautious as he approached their leader.

"There was a log running across this little gulley and he walked out on the log and I walked out on the log and we got closer together," McCollom recalls. McCollom instructed the group to smile, and luckily, the tribe leader smiled back. "He finally got real close and I reached out and grabbed his hand ... and he grabbed my hand ... and from then on we were all friends."

While the survivors were making friends with the men and women of the valley, rescue plans were getting under way. Filipino-American paratroopers under the command of Capt. C. Earl Walter Jr. volunteered to parachute into the valley and bring the survivors out — but there was a catch: Once the rescue team was dropped into the valley, there was no way to get them out.

But the paratroopers were determined to help. "They said bahala na was their gung ho motto, which means, 'Come what may,' " says Zuckoff.

By then, the story of the crash and the survivors had caught the attention of the media — journalists were particularly intrigued by the attractive young corporal, Hastings. Reporters joined the flights that showered provisions on the contingent of survivors and rescuers on the ground. And finally one day, documentary filmmaker Alexander McCann parachuted in, emboldened by a few drinks.

"He screws up his courage with a little bit of liquid courage, [and] just dives out the plane. He's swinging like a metronome because he is dead drunk on the way down," says Zuckoff. "He literally lands flat on his back in the valley and he starts filming almost the minute he is sober enough to open his eyes."

There, on the ground with the survivors, McCann was able to document the final rescue. After much consideration, it was decided that the only aircraft that could get in and out of the valley were gliders. At first, it seemed an unlikely choice, says Zuckoff. "Who among us said, 'OK, we have no way out, let's drop gliders into this valley a mile up off the ground?' "

Not ideal, but it was the best solution they had. Multiple gliders were sent down into the valley, and the survivors and paratroopers were strapped into them. The rescue mission then sent tow planes overhead, with hooks on their bellies, to snatch the gliders up into the air and bring the wounded survivors to safety.

Decker, Hastings and McCollom shortly after rescue

It was a remarkable end to a remarkable story. Many years later, Hastings would tell an audience that when you have no choice, you have no fear — you just do what has to be done. That is, in many ways, the very definition of survival.

Click to go to NPR's report as told on All Things Considered.

12 May 1945

438^th AAA AW BN

APO 230 % Postmaster, N.Y.

12 May, 1945      0830

Leipzig, Germany

My dearest sweetheart –

We’re really having some ‘tough’ weather – i.e. tough to take without your being around to take care of the mood, darling. It’s much like what we had in Sherborne – last year this time – but there are many differences. The most important one is that when I long for you now, dear, I’m so much nearer the opportunity of having it fulfilled. Boy – am I glad this past year is behind us!

All the fellows who are engaged – and there are 5 or 6 of us here at Hq. – are discussing the pros and cons of getting married as soon as they get home – and it’s a riot just to listen to the conversation – most of it not becoming repetition. The language is very expressive – is what I mean dear. Up until the other day, darling, when the war ended – I didn’t feel so strongly about marriage as I do now. I believe it was because I tried to fortify myself because the war was dragging out so. When I say I didn’t feel strongly about marriage, darling, don’t get me wrong. I feel strongly about that – the question when? was the thing I wouldn’t pin down in my own mind. I’ve changed and although I don’t know exactly how you feel about it dear – I know I’ll try my best to make you see my side. As I see it – the Army has a definite policy now – and regardless where one is – when he reaches a certain period of time put in – he gets sent back to the U.S., and is reassigned. Whether I’m ready or not – I don’t know. My one argument is that I’m almost 3 yrs. with the same outfit and entitled to a change. However – with my overseas time to my credit – it won’t take long for me to be reassigned from any category whatsoever.

The whole point being that regardless of how much time I have back in the States on this trip back – I know that I should get back soon after. If that is so – I don’t see why we should waste time in getting married – because – all this time we’ve been apart, sweetheart, we might just as well have been married. Too bad I didn’t meet you soon enough to marry you; too bad we didn’t have a child, too – because then – I’d really have a chance to be rotated – because the fact is darling – my one big handicap now is that I’m single and have no dependents.

Well – I’ll be interested in what you have to say, dear. Got two swell letters from you yesterday – 30 Apr, 1 May. I was glad to read about the packages you got – 1 from me and 1 from Dad A. I’m really surprised when I read what I’ve sent you, darling – because once it’s sent – I forget about it. That particular one was sent when we were in the Chateau on the Rhine – across from Bad Godesburg.

And now I’ve got to do some more physicals. Are you interested? – Oh excuse me, darling – but you can see where my mind is. Well – stop blushing, honey! Oh hell – I’ve got to go, dear.

Love to the folks – and

All my everlasting love to you –

Greg

P.S. Just found these pictures – taken by one of the boys. I waited for some enlargements – but they never came thru. Will you give one to Mother A please dear?

Love, G

* TIDBIT *

about the "Point System"

The Adjusted Service Rating (ASR), also known as the “Point System” was initially proposed by General George C. Marshall and was amended by Secretary of War Henry L. Stimson. Details of the point system were announced to troops and to the public at noon on 10 May 1945 and governed the discharge of more than 1,300,000 soldiers over the following 12 months.

The point values were:

1. One credit for each month of Army service since 16 Sep 1940.

2. One credit for each month served overseas since the same date.

3. Five credits for each bronze service star and for each decoration.

4. Twelve credits for each child under 18 years, up to three children.

The service stars were awarded for participation in each battle or campaign. The list of decorations included:

Army – Distinguished Service Cross, Legion of Merit, Silver Star, Distinguished Flying Cross, Soldiers Medal, Bronze Star Medal, Air Medal, Purple Heart and Bronze Service Star.

Navy – Navy Cross, Distinguished Service Cross, Legion of Merit, Silver Star Medal, Distinguished Flying Cross, Navy and Marine Corps Medal, Bronze Star Medal, Air Medal and Purple Heart Medal. (The mention of Navy decorations does not mean that Navy personnel were included in the plan. They were not. It refers only to Navy and Marine Corps decorations which may have been awarded to Army men.)

Foreign – Awards and decorations of foreign countries accepted and worn under War Department regulations.

Since a Purple Heart decoration was awarded for each wound, five credits were earned for each wound suffered. The Army had announced earlier that any holder of the Medal of Honor was eligible for immediate release.

Enlisted men of the Army ground, air and service forces became eligible for discharge immediately if their total credit score was 85 or more. WACs with total credit scores of 44 points were eligible for immediate discharge. The total credit scores were designated as “interim scores.” Immediately after the scores of all soldiers were compiled, the number of soldiers with each point total in every theater was reported to the War Department and revisions were possible.

Scores were compiled on the basis of points earned as of Saturday, 12 May 1945. Decorations and battle credits awarded after that date, but earned prior thereto, were counted. Children born on or before May 12, whose births were not known to their fathers at the time the scores first were compiled, were counted in revised scores. Service in the Army was computed from the date the soldier reported to his reception center and took his oath. Odd portions of the month of 15 days or more counted as a whole month. The point system for discharges covered men in all parts of the world – not merely those who served in Europe.

"Immediate eligibility for discharge" did not mean "immediate discharge". It was expected to take nearly a year to bring the 1,300,000 eligible men home, although they would be coming home by hundreds of thousands in ensuing months. And any given man – even though he had more than the necessary number of credits for discharge – could be kept in the service if his work was deemed vital to the war against Japan.

Re-deployment regulations, issued on 12 May 1945 had theater commanders assign each of his units to one of the following categories:

(I) units to occupy areas of Europe;
(II) units to be used in the war against Japan;
(III) units to be inactivated within the theater;
(IV) units to be returned to the United States for inactivation.

Category II was broken down into

(A) units to be shipped to the Pacific direct;
(B) units to be shipped to the Pacific by way of the U.S.;
(C) units to be shipped to the U.S. and placed in strategic reserve.

Critical Scores for Medical Officers, received by the end of May 1945, varied with the Corps – for Hygienists and Dietitians the figure was 62 Points, for Physical Therapists, 65, for Nurses, 71, for Medical Administrative Corps Officers, 88, and for Medical Corps Officers, 85 and more (according to Specialty). As a preliminary to redeployment, high score men were to be transferred to Category III and IV units, while units placed in Category II were to be staffed with officers and men whose points were below the critical level. High-score men in Category III units were to be returned to the United States as casuals after disbandment of their organizations. High-score personnel deemed nonessential were to be withdrawn on a continuing basis from all units and returned to the United States as casuals. Where enough low-score officers were not available to staff outgoing units, "essentiality" became the overriding consideration.

Although many difficulties arose owing to the disproportionately large number of high-score men in medical units, the program laid down in May was carried out faithfully until the end of July. By that date, however, the demands for shipping to move men and equipment to the Pacific were so great as to preclude the movement of medical units to the United States for disbandment. Early in August, therefore, it was decided to inactivate Category IV units in the theater. All transfers to the Pacific were abruptly halted with announcement of the Japanese surrender on 14 August, and personnel thereafter were shipped to the United States as rapidly as possible on the basis of point scores alone.

None of this was easy to understand. Lloyd Wagner wrote in "And There Shall Be Wars", printed in 2000:

I tried to explain to the folks at home how the point system worked, since they, as farmers, just thought that since I'd been gone so long, I should be among the first to come home. The point system was a little more complicated, though, as it had been devised by Army intelligence rather than farmer intelligence.The point system ran this way: any outfit which had men with at least 85 points got to send the same amount of men home as outfits who had men with more than 85 points. Though I had 104 points, Army intelligence did not consider that to be any more than 85 points, or to put it another way, they considered 104 to be equal to 85. It was hard to explain that to the folks back home, as I could hardly figure it out myself.

11 May 1945

438^th AAA AW BN

APO 230 % Postmaster, N.Y.

11 May, 1945      0830

Germany

Wilma, darling –

We’re having somewhat of a heat wave over here – and it’s most unusual. We still wear our woolens of course, and I suppose we’ll continue to, because we’ve worn them ever since we left the United States. So far – the only change in our uniform is that we don’t have to wear our helmet, but only our helmet liner – which is quite light and comfortable. Also – of course – we don’t have to worry about carrying gas masks. I personally had given that up a long ago because I felt certain no gas would be used. Other then that – things are the same here, dear.

Our battalion is still working hard with ex P.W.’s of all nationalities – and how long we’ll have that mission, I don’t know. Meanwhile I’ve got a bit of a job on my hands: I have to do a physical on everyone in the outfit – which in itself is quite a job even if we were altogether. As it is – I’ll have to do a bit of traveling around and it’s going to take me some time. But if it weren’t physicals, it would be an inspection of this or that – so it makes very little difference to me what I do now – as long as I can keep busy until we sail for home. Oh happy day!

Point systems and all that – were announced yesterday – and as usual – they don’t affect the officers. The biggest break comes to those who have a wife and particularly – a child. Darling – we’ll have to have one of those right off! I don’t suppose I’ll know where I stand for some time – because even when they publish the officer set-up – the Medical Corps will still be in another category. If the bulk of MC’s have to go – well – I’ll have to go, too – but if I get to find out that a lot of MC’s are hanging around while I’m still stuck with a line outfit for 3 years – well – you can believe me, darling – I’ll blow my bloody top. I don’t mind doing my legitimate share – but I’ve done a good bit of it already.

I got a nice V-mail from you yesterday, sweetheart – 24 April and one from Lawrence. The latter is still doing his darndest to get overseas and I guess there’s just nothing that’s going to change his mind. I’ve tried – but it has had no effect. I guess he’d have to go eventually – and the earlier he goes – the quicker he’ll comeback.

Meanwhile, dear, my only thoughts now are of you and me. It was always so – but now I’m thinking harder and with the realization that the war is – in fact – over and my chances of seeing you soon are so much better than ever before. It’s going to be a tough wait – but sweetheart – one of these days I will be back and there we’ll be – together! Does it seem possible? Yes – it surely does. And boy – am I going to love you!! No answer, dear – that was rhetorical.

All for now, love to the folks –

And all my deepest love

Greg

* TIDBIT *

about the USS Bunker Hill
and Mementos Returned


USS Bunker Hill - Spring of 1945

On 11 May 1945, the US Navy fleet was in the sea 76 miles east of Okinawa with the flagship the USS Bunker Hill (CV 17). The first wave of 25 carrier-based airplanes had taken off for Okinawa, and the second wave (30 airplanes), and the third wave (48 airplanes) were preparing to take off. The fleet represented the strength of the U.S. Navy with abundant goods and weapons.

At the same time, the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) was sending kamikaze pilots to the U.S. fleets in Okinawa every day. By the time the U.S. fleet got to Okinawa, the U.S. Navy had worked out countermeasures against kamikazes, making it difficult for the kamikazes even to get to the target fleet. Faced with such a difficult situation, the IJN carried out a massive kamikaze mission called "Operation Kikusui No. 6". In the early morning, young pilots took off from their base, saying farewell to those who were sending them off. Among those pilots were Lieutenant Junior Grade Seizō Yasumori and Ensign Kiyoshi Ogawa. That day they both flew Zeros, in a sortie dedicating their precious lives to their loved ones. Ogawa held letter to his parents, a picture of his comrades, and a tanka (a structured lyrical poem) in his chest pocket.

       
Seizō Yasumori                                       Kiyoshi Ogawa

Kiyoshi Ogawa was born in 1922 in the Gunma Prefecture in Japan. He studied at the prestigious Waseda University and became a student-soldier, gakuto, after graduation. He was trained as a pilot and was assigned to the 306th Fighter Squadron of the 721st Kokutai with the rank of ensign in the Japanese Navy. Near the end of the war, he volunteered to be a Special Attack Force pilot.

At 10:04 on the morning of 11 May, Marine pilot Captain James E. Swett, an ace pilot of the USS Bunker Hill, having accomplished his task to shoot down Japanese planes, was about to land on the carrier when he reported two Japanese fighters approaching. Yasunori struck first, releasing his 250 kg (550 pound) bomb which tore through the entire ship and exploded in the sea below. Following the bomb drop, he fired at the deck from his Zero, destroying the planes full of fuel and causing a big fire on the ship. He then flew over the deck and fell into the sea. It was a very brave attack.

About 30 seconds later, at nearly a vertical dive, Ogawa dropped his 550 pound bomb just before his plane crashed into the flight deck near the control tower at about 10:05 hours. The bomb penetrated the Bunker Hill's flight deck and exploded on the hangar deck. Gasoline fires flamed up and several explosions occurred. In the two attacks on the Bunker Hill, 373 crew perished, 264 were wounded and 43 were missing. Enough serious damage was caused to the carrier to place her out of commission for the remainder of the war.

Photos of the fire, dead, wounded and damage
from attack on USS Bunker Hill

CLICK TO ENLARGE


   

Ogawa's aircraft was not destroyed. Mr. Robert Schock, a US Navy diver and crewman of the USS Bunker Hill, was working on the carrier after the attack. In the carrier, he found Ogawa's Zero, which had remained without catching fire.

Ogawa's Wrecked Aircraft on Flight Deck of USS Bunker Hill

He also found Ogawa's mementos. He brought the mementos of the pilot back to the United States and kept them carefully. When Shock passed away on 17 November 2000, his grandson, Mr. Dax Berg, discovered the mementos while arranging his grandfather's belongings. He talked with Mr. Paul Grace, a superior in the company Schock was working for, on what to do with them. Mr. Berg first thought of selling the mementos on auction; however, he decided to return them to the bereaved family of the kamikaze pilot. Coincidentally, Mr. Grace's wife was Japanese. With his wife, Mrs. Miyuki (Mickie) Grace to take the leading part, a very difficult project to return the mementos of a kamikaze pilot to his family began.

Mickie Grace, one of the top translators in the United States promoted the project vigorously while doing her job as a translator. Fortunately, the Defense Agency of Japan was among her customers. The Defense Agency began to research and soon found out the name, the date of the sortie, and the birthplace of the pilot. By 19 December 2000, they discovered the squadron the pilot belonged to, and the address of his bereaved family. Mrs. Grace wrote a letter to Ensign Ogawa's family on 24 December. Although Ensign Ogawa's family had already moved out, and his father, whom Mrs. Grace wrote the letter to, had deceased, the letter got to Ensign Ogawa's family on 30 December. Later, with the cooperation of Ensign Ogawa's classmates, they found that the tanka Ensign Ogawa had been holding was sent by Mr. Iwama. They also found the names of Ogawa's companions in the photograph.

On 27 March 2001, the mementos of this Japanese soldier from World War II were given to Yoko Ogawa, Kiyoshi Ogawa's grandniece, Yoko's mother, and Masao Kunimine, an old college friend of Kiyoshi Ogawa in a Japanese restaurant in San Francisco. His letter to his parents said this:

"I will make a sortie, flying over those calm clouds in a peaceful emotion. I can think about neither life nor death. A man should die once, and no day is more honorable than today to dedicate myself for the eternal cause.... I will go to the front smiling. On the day of the sortie too, and forever."

Below is footage from the aftermath of the attacks, showing rescue efforts and damage done, followed by notes connecting
actions with "TCR" times shown on the video.

NOTES:

10:45:09 Men tend USS BUNKER HILL (CV-17) wounded on the deck of USS THE SULLIVANS (DD-537).
10:45:15 Pan of USS Osberg (DE-538.
10:45:24 Injured on DD-537.
10:45:42 Men lying on raft in water, swimmers w/ lines pulling to ship.
10:45:49 Hospital ship stack w/ red cross & US flag at half staff (?). MS Men in stretcher transferred from DD-537 to hospital ship, USS BOUNTIFUL, (AH-9) w/ MS nurses & officers at ship's rail. Carrier & AH-9 alongside.
10:46:55 Left Side USS BUNKER HILL burning & trailing large smoke cloud.
10:47:27 Close-up of damaged BUNKER HILL w/ sailors cleaning up & inspecting damage seen from ship alongside.
10:48:46 Debris in water.
10:49:04 Men swimming in water seen from above w/ men hauling them in. Pan of men in water. Whaleboat moving among them.
10:50:02 Survivors in motor whaleboat alongside ship; men helping survivors. into whaleboat. Man in life vest swimming. Man helped over side of DD.
10:51:50 Men in bosun's chair transferred from CV to DE. Pan of men watching from above on carrier.
10:52:22 Men on bow of DE (?) watching jettisoning of wreckage from flight deck of BUNKER HILL.
10:53:04 BUNKER HILL burning & passing close; large flames, smoke.
10:54:09 Men in water.
10:54:22 Bunker Hill burning. Flak in sky. Burning BUNKER HILL.

10 May 1945

438^th AAA AW BN

APO 230 % Postmaster, N.Y.

10 May, 1945      0830

Germany

My dearest sweetheart –

Well– another beautiful day and I’m settled at battalion and it’s not bad at all. If I can only keep track of the various places we’ve had our C.P. – dear – it would in itself make an interesting story, I think. We’ve been up and down the scale – and branched off too. Right now – we’re in a factory; I was led to believe it was an ammunition factory – but I’ve found that it was one of the largest wool factories in Europe. Now it must seem strange to you dear when I say we’ve got a good set-up – but it’s true. This is a very modern factory; the top floor is devoted to offices and we’ve got some beauties. Then there’s a long corridor lined by separate rooms the whole length of it – and each officer has his own. Mine is about the size of your living room, dear and it’s well furnished. There’s a sink in the room and plenty of plugs for radio, desk-lamp etc. Our kitchen is in the cafeteria and the officers have a separate room. My dispensary is the factory aid station and it’s excellently equipped and all in white. We have a shower room, projection room, etc etc and so you can see, darling, that it’s comfortable here.

Incidentally – my mentioning radios reminds me – since we now have electricity – I don’t use my little portable. I’ve got a swell electric set – which I picked up (with the help of a couple of my men.) It’s a beauty, dear – and takes 2 men to carry it. I got it in Halle and the price was right.

Well, sweetheart, when I got here yesterday, I found the topic of conversation to be the same as everywhere you go: do we get a chance to get to the States? When? How much red-tape? Could they possibly send us to the CBI without sending us home first? How long will we be in the States? What’s it like in China? etc. etc.

And when there are no more questions – the conversation goes like this: I heard about such and such outfit and they’ve been broken up; or – I heard such and such were going to be occupation troops, or another outfit is being relieved of this assignment and being given that one etc. etc.

I mention that sweetheart – so you’ll know that each of us is doing the same thing here that you are doing at home. In all discussions – I’m not sure where I fit. Will I stay with this outfit or will there be a reassignment? I’m going to float along and see what happens. My own guess is that with or without the outfit – I’ll get home for a vacation – anyway – and for whatever else you want to dear. Frankly, I’d like to get married. I wish I had known you a bit longer and we could be married already. Well – we’ll have to sweat that out – and this time, darling, the big decision will come from you. It’s nice to think about anyway – and while you’re thinking – just remember to think that I love you, darling, more than anything or anyone in the world – and I’m prepared to keep on loving you the same way for always. All for now, dear – love to the folks – and

All my sincerest love –

Greg

* TIDBIT *

about Choosing Targets in Japan

In September 0f 1942, Brigadier General Leslie R. Groves, Jr., was appointed director of the effort to invent a nuclear weapon, known later as the "Manhattan Project". Groves selected J. Robert Oppenheimer to head the project's secret weapons laboratory.

J. Robert Oppenheimer
April 22, 1904 – February 18, 1967

Oppenheimer and Groves decided that for security and cohesion they needed a centralized, secret research laboratory in a remote location. Oppenheimer suggested and championed a site that he knew well: a flat mesa near Santa Fe, New Mexico, which was the site of a private boys' school called the Los Alamos Ranch School. The Los Alamos Laboratory was built on the site of the school, taking over some of its buildings, while many others were erected in great haste. There Oppenheimer assembled a group of the top physicists of the time, which he referred to as the "luminaries". The joint work of the scientists at Los Alamos resulted in the first nuclear explosion at Alamagordo on July 16, 1945, which Oppenheimer named "Trinity." Having proved their concept worked, a larger scale bomb was built.

Truman, unwilling to risk the huge amount of lives that might be lost on both sides should the Allies invade the Japanese home islands, ordered the usage of the new technology. The scientists presented them with two such weapons, while the military sought uranium to produce a third.

But prior to the trials and eventual development of the bombs, Oppenheimer led a committee which came up with a list of cities most potentially suitable as targets of atomic attacks, among other issues.

The second meeting of the Target Committee convened at 9:00 AM 10 May 1945 in Dr. Oppenheimer's office. During the course of the meeting panels were formed from the committee members and others to meet in the afternoon and develop conclusions to items discussed in the agenda. The concluding meeting was held at 10:00 AM 11 May.

The agenda for the meeting, presented by Dr. Oppenheimer, consisted of the following items: [Click here to read the entire agenda. Items D through H are reported below the list.]

A. Height of Detonation
B: Report on Weather and Operations
C: Gadget Jettisoning and Landing
D: Status of Targets
E: Psychological Factors in Target Selection
F: Use Against Military Objectives
G: Radiological Effects
H: Coordinated Air Operations
I: Rehearsals
J: Operating Requirements for Safety of Airplanes
K: Coordination with 21st Program

D. Status of Targets

1. Dr. Stearns described the work he had done on target selection. He has surveyed possible targets possessing the following qualification: (1) they be important targets in a large urban area of more than three miles in diameter, (2) they be capable of being damaged effectively by a blast, and (3) they are unlikely to be attacked by next August. Dr. Stearns had a list of five targets which the Air Force would be willing to reserve for our use unless unforeseen circumstances arise. These targets are:

(a) Kyoto - This target is an urban industrial area with a population of 1,000,000. It is the former capital of Japan and many people and industries are now being moved there as other areas are being destroyed. From the psychological point of view there is the advantage that Kyoto is an intellectual center for Japan and the people there are more apt to appreciate the significance of such a weapon as the gadget. (Classified as an AA Target)

(b) Hiroshima - This is an important army depot and port of embarkation in the middle of an urban industrial area. It is a good radar target and it is such a size that a large part of the city could be extensively damaged. There are adjacent hills which are likely to produce a focusing effect which would considerably increase the blast damage. Due to rivers it is not a good incendiary target. (Classified as an AA Target)

(c) Yokohama - This target is an important urban industrial area which has so far been untouched. Industrial activities include aircraft manufacture, machine tools, docks, electrical equipment and oil refineries. As the damage to Tokyo has increased additional industries have moved to Yokohama. It has the disadvantage of the most important target areas being separated by a large body of water and of being in the heaviest anti-aircraft concentration in Japan. For us it has the advantage as an alternate target for use in case of bad weather of being rather far removed from the other targets considered. (Classified as an A Target)

(d) Kokura Arsenal - This is one of the largest arsenals in Japan and is surrounded by urban industrial structures. The arsenal is important for light ordnance, anti-aircraft and beach head defense materials. The dimensions of the arsenal are 4100' x 2000'. The dimensions are such that if the bomb were properly placed full advantage could be taken of the higher pressures immediately underneath the bomb for destroying the more solid structures and at the same time considerable blast damage could be done to more feeble structures further away. (Classified as an A Target)

(e) Niigata - This is a port of embarkation on the N.W. coast of Honshu. Its importance is increasing as other ports are damaged. Machine tool industries are located there and it is a potential center for industrial despersion. It has oil refineries and storage. (Classified as a B Target)

(f) The possibility of bombing the Emperor's palace was discussed. It was agreed that we should not recommend it but that any action for this bombing should come from authorities on military policy. It was agreed that we should obtain information from which we could determine the effectiveness of our weapon against this target.

2. It was the recommendation of those present at the meeting that the first four choices of targets for our weapon should be the following:

a. Kyoto
b. Hiroshima
c. Yokohama
d. Kokura Arsenal

3. Dr. Stearns agreed to do the following:(a) brief Colonel Fisher thoroughly on these matters, (b) request reservations for these targets, (c) find out more about the target area including exact locations of the strategic industries there, (d) obtain further photo information on the targets, and (e) to determine the nature of the construction, the area, heights, contents and roof coverage of buildings. He also agreed to keep in touch with the target data as it develops and to keep the committee advised of other possible target areas. He will also check on locations of small military targets and obtain further details on the Emperor's palace.

E. Psychological Factors in Target Selection

1. It was agreed that psychological factors in the target selection were of great importance. Two aspects of this are (a) obtaining the greatest psychological effect against Japan and (b) making the initial use sufficiently spectacular for the importance of the weapon to be internationally recognized when publicity on it is released.

2. In this respect Kyoto has the advantage of the people being more highly intelligent and hence better able to appreciate the significance of the weapon. Hiroshima has the advantage of being such a size and with possible focusing from nearby mountains that a large fraction of the city may be destroyed. The Emperor's palace in Tokyo has a greater fame than any other target but is of least strategic value.

F. Use Against "Military" Objectives

1. It was agreed that for the initial use of the weapon any small and strictly military objective should be located in a much larger area subject to blast damage in order to avoid undue risks of the weapon being lost due to bad placing of the bomb.

G. Radiological Effect

1. Dr. Oppenheimer presented a memo he had prepared on the radiological effects of the gadget. This memo will not be repeated in this summary but it is being sent to General Groves as a separate exhibit. The basic recommendations of this memo are (a) for radiological reasons no aircraft should be closer than 2-1/2 miles to the point of detonation (for blast reasons the distance should be greater) and (b) aircraft must avoid the cloud of radio-active materials. If other aircraft are to conduct missions shortly after the detonation a monitoring plane should determine the areas to be avoided.

H. Coordinated Air Operations

1. The feasibility of following the raid by an incendiary mission was discussed. This has the great advantage that the enemies' fire fighting ability will probably be paralyzed by the gadget so that a very serious conflagration should be capable of being started. However, until more is learned about the phenomena associated with a detonation of the gadget, such as the extent to which there will be radio-active clouds, an incendiary mission immediately after the delivery of the gadget should be avoided. A coordinated incendiary raid should be feasible on the following day at which time the fire raid should still be quite effective. By delaying the coordinated raid to the following day, the scheduling of our already contemplated operations will not be made even more difficult, photo reconnaissance of the actual damage directly caused by our device can be obtained without confusion from the subsequent fire raid, and dangers from radio-active clouds can be avoided.

2. Fighter cover should be used for the operation as directed by the 21st Bomber Command.

Clearly, the effects of these bombs were grossly under-estimated if follow-up incendiary raids were considered!

09 May 1945

V-MAIL

438^th AAA AW BN

APO 230 % Postmaster, N.Y.

9 May, 1945     0825

Germany

My dearest sweetheart –

I missed you a terrible lot last night and if mental messages do have any power at all – you must have realized it. The war was over – and late p.m. 2 of our officers and an M.C. from another unit near here, dropped in. Well we decided to drink – that being the only way to commemorate a rather notable day. The day and evening were balmy and a good part of the evening I leaned out of the window and up into the sky – filled with stars. And I looked all the way across – to you, darling – and gosh – I would have loved to have been with you. Chalk up another Holiday we missed and which we’ll make up. It was strange, by the way, to have no black-out up and see the light from our window shine outside – and no one yelled “Put out that light!”

Am packing this a.m. and going up to Leipzig – so I haven’t much time – except to say – I love you. Love to everyone, dear.

All my deepest love,

Greg

VICTORY ORDER OF THE DAY
from General Courtney H. Hodges,
Commander of the U.S. First Army,
Distributing the Message from the Supreme Commander,
Dwight D. Eisenhower

CLICK TO ENLARGE




Now, typed for easier reading:

HEADQUARTERS
FIRST UNITED STATES ARMY
APO 230

9 May 1945

SUBJECT :      Victory Order of the Day
TO            :       Corps, Division and Separate Unit Commanders

       The following Victory Order of the Day issued by the Supreme Headquarters is to be delivered to every member of all headquarters and units under your command:

I

      "MEN AND WOMEN OF THE ALLIED EXPEDITIONARY FORCE:  THE CRUSADE ON WHICH WE EMBARKED IN THE EARLY SUMMER OF NINETEEN FORTY FOUR HAS REACHED ITS GLORIOUS CONCLUSION.  IT IS MY ESPECIAL PRIVILEGE, IN THE NAME OF ALL NATIONS REPRESENTED IN THIS THEATER OF WAR, TO COMMEND EACH OF YOU FOR VALIANT PERFORMANCE OF DUTY.  THOUGH THESE WORDS ARE FEEBLE THEY COME FROM THE BOTTOM OF A HEART OVERFLOWING WITH PRIDE IN YOUR LOYAL SERVICE AND ADMIRATION FOR YOU AS WARRIORS.

      "YOUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS AT SEA,  IN THE AIR,  ON THE GROUND AND IN THE FIELD OF SUPPLY,  HAVE ASTONISHED THE WORLD.  EVEN BEFORE THE FINAL WEEK OF THE CONFLICT,  YOU HAD PUT FIVE MILLION OF THE ENEMY PERMANENTLY OUT OF THE WAR.  YOU HAVE TAKEN IN STRIDE MILITARY TASKS SO DIFFICULT AS TO BE CLASSIFIED BY MANY DOUBTERS AS IMPOSSIBLE.

II

      "YOU HAVE CONFUSED,  DEFEATED AND DESTROYED YOUR SAVAGELY FIGHTING FOE.  ON THE ROAD TO VICTORY YOU HAVE ENDURED EVERY DISCOMFORT AND PRIVATION AND HAVE SURMOUNTED EVERY OBSTACLE INGENUITY AND DESPERATION COULD THROW IN YOUR PATH.  YOU DID NOT PAUSE UNTIL OUR FRONT WAS FIRMLY JOINED UP WITH THE GREAT RED ARMY COMING FROM THE EAST,  AND OTHER ALLIED FORCES,  COMING FROM THE SOUTH.

      "FULL VICTORY IN EUROPE HAS BEEN ATTAINED.

      "WORKING AND FIGHTING TOGETHER IN A SINGLE AND INDESTRUCTIBLE PARTNERSHIP YOU HAVE ACHIEVED A PERFECTION IN UNIFICATION OF AIR,  GROUND AND NAVAL POWER THAT WILL STAND AS A MODEL IN OUR TIME.

      "THE ROUTE YOU HAVE TRAVELED THROUGH HUNDREDS OF MILES IS MARKED BY THE GRAVES OF FORMER COMRADES.  FROM THEM HAS BEEN EXACTED THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE;  BLOOD OF MANY NATIONS -- AMERICAN,  BRITISH,  CANADIAN,  FRENCH,  POLISH AND OTHERS -- HAS HELPED TO GAIN THE VICTORY.  EACH OF THE FALLEN DIED AS A MEMBER OF A TEAM TO WHICH YOU BELONG,  BOUND TOGETHER BY A COMMON LOVE OF LIBERTY AND A REFUSAL TO SUBMIT TO ENSLAVEMENT.

III

      "NO MONUMENT OF STONE,  NO MEMORIAL OF WHATEVER MAGNITUDE COULD SO WELL EXPRESS OUR RESPECT AND VENERATION FOR THEIR SACRIFICE AS WOULD PERPETUATION OF THE SPIRIT OF COMRADESHIP IN WHICH THEY DIED.  AS WE CELEBRATE VICTORY IN EUROPE LET US REMIND OURSELVES THAT OUR COMMON PROBLEMS OF THE IMMEDIATE AND DISTANT FUTURE CAN BE BEST SOLVED IN THE SAME CONCEPTIONS OF COOPERATION AND DEVOTION TO THE CAUSE OF HUMAN FREEDOM AS HAVE MADE THIS EXPEDITIONARY FORCE SUCH A MIGHTY ENGINE OF RIGHTEOUS DESTRUCTION.

      "LET US HAVE NO PART IN THE PROFITLESS QUARRELS IN WHICH OTHER MEN WILL INEVITABLY ENGAGE AS TO WHAT COUNTRY,  WHAT SERVICE,  WON THE EUROPEAN WAR.  EVERY MAN, EVERY WOMAN,  OF EVERY NATION HERE REPRESENTED, HAS SERVED ACCORDING TO HIS OR HER ABILITY,  AND THE EFFORTS OF EACH HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO THE OUTCOME.  THIS WE SHALL REMEMBER -- AND IN DOING SO WE SHALL BE REVERING EACH HONORED GRAVE, AND BE SENDING COMFORT TO THE LOVED ONES OF COMRADES WHO COULD NOT LIVE TO SEE THIS DAY.

SIGNED DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER."

COURTNEY H. HODGES,

General, U.S. Army

Commanding.

* TIDBIT *

about Victory Day in the Soviet Union

 

Searchlights and Fireworks over Red Square
9 May 1945

The German capitulation to the Allied nations in Reims was signed on 7 May 1945, effective 23:01 CET 8 May. This date is commonly referred to as the V-E Day (Victory in Europe Day) in most western European countries. However, the Soviet Union's only representative in Reims was General Ivan Susloparov, the Military Liaison Mission Commander. General Susloparov's scope of authority was not entirely clear, and he had no means of immediate contact with the Kremlin, but nevertheless decided to sign for the Soviet side. Susloparov was caught off guard; he had no instructions from Moscow. But if he did not sign, he risked a German surrender without Soviet participation. However, he noted that it could be replaced with a new version in the future. Joseph Stalin was later displeased by these events, believing that the German surrender should have been accepted only by the envoy of the USSR Supreme command and signed only in Berlin and insisted the Reims protocol be considered preliminary, with the main ceremony to be held in Berlin.

Shortly before midnight on May 8, a second unconditional surrender was signed in the outskirts of Berlin, Germany. The signing ceremony took place in a villa in an eastern suburb of Berlin called Karlshorst. Representatives of the USSR, Great Britain, France, and the United States arrived shortly before midnight. After Soviet Field Marshal Georgy Zhukov opened the ceremony, the German command representatives headed by General Field Marshal Wilhelm Keitel were invited into the room, where they signed the final German Act of Unconditional Surrender entering into force at 23:01 Central European Time, which was 9 May by Moscow's time zone and calendar.

From The Independent UK, published on 9 May 2005, comes this:

In London they danced in the fountains but in Moscow they were too shell-shocked, too exhausted and too battle-weary to manage such high jinks. Up to 30 million soldiers and civilians were dead, the Soviet Union had lost a third of its national wealth, cities such as Stalingrad had been reduced to lunar landscapes, and an entire generation of men had been decimated.

That is not to say there was not euphoria though. Searchlights illuminated a city that a few years earlier had almost fallen to the Germans, cannon-fire and fireworks exploded over the Kremlin and relieved citizens crowded into Red Square to share their enormous collective relief.

A large and apparently grateful crowd gathered outside the US embassy in Moscow and revelers on Red Square danced, kissed, sung and chatted excitedly. One Soviet captain was overheard saying, "Pora jit" (It's time to live).

But Josef Stalin was not in celebratory mood and reportedly became annoyed when his then underling, Nikita Khrushchev, telephoned him to congratulate him on his victory. "Why are you bothering me?" he is reported to have snapped. "I am working." The night before, one of the USSR's most respected radio announcers had reported the German surrender.

This is Moscow. On May 8th, 1945, the representatives of the German High Command signed in Berlin the Act of the Unconditional Surrender of all German troops. The Great Patriotic War waged by the Soviet people against Nazi invaders has been victoriously concluded. Germany has suffered a total defeat. Eternal glory to the heroes who fell in the battles for the freedom and independence of our Motherland. Long live the victorious Red Army and Navy!"

It would not be until 24 June 1945, that the USSR held a proper victory parade, in torrential rain. On that day, one by one, soldiers lined up to toss the defeated German army's banners and standards, including Hitler's own personal standard, into a sodden mess at Stalin's feet beneath Lenin's tomb.

General Zhukov salutes the Red Army soldiers
during the Victory Parade on 24 June 1945

and downed and thrown German flags (below)

 

Rainy Day Parade

The parade was particularly poignant because just a few years earlier, when it looked as if Moscow itself might fall to Hitler, soldiers had marched straight from Red Square to the front. The circle was complete.

During the Soviet Union's existence, May 9 was celebrated throughout the USSR and in the countries of the Eastern Bloc. After the fall of Communism in Central and Eastern Europe, most former USSR countries retained the celebration as a national holiday even though it was not openly celebrated by some of them. Today and traditionally, ceremonial military parades are held on the day, such as the one in Moscow on the Red Square.

08 May 1945

438^th AAA AW BN

APO 230 % Postmaster, N.Y.

8 May, 1945      0825

Germany

Dearest sweetheart –

Happy V-E day to you and the family! I guessed wrong – but I’m glad my error was one month to the good. Despite the fact that the past week’s events made the end undramatic – the full impact of what this all means is difficult to analyze. But it’s a wonderful feeling, darling, and – I hope you get the same reaction I got: I somehow feel immeasurably more close to you now. Up to today – it has always been a question of how I’ll get home – after the war over here is over. Now, dear – the war is over, and I’m so ready for the next move! They can’t help but send us back to the States – regardless of what they do with us afterwards. Eleven months of continuous combat is hard to beat in any theater – and we should be given a break. And even it it’s a question of the Pacific afterwards – and I’m hoping that the M.C.’s will get a further break – we’ll still be in the States a few months, I’m sure. The point is that after a 21 day leave or furlough, they have to re-equip, retrain etc – at some Camp – and from what we’ve heard – that’s about a 10 or 12 week job.

But, darling, I’m getting way ahead of myself. I may be all wet; well, I’d rather paint the worst possible picture and then be surprised. Right now – the one big thought in my mind is – ‘when do I get back to you?’ Gosh – sweetheart – that will soon become a reality. Does it frighten you a bit? It if does – shake it off and remember that through all these months of waiting, we’ve been constant, we’ve been in love – we’ve been each other’s prime interest. And we were that before I left. I’m going to see you, hold you, kiss you and tell you I love you – and it’s going to be the most natural thing in the world, too. And why shouldn’t it be, too, when all I’ve thought and dreamed about is you and us?

Good Lord – to be home, see familiar places, wear a shirt – even Army – with a tie, to wear a cap and not a helmet, to ride around and feel free for a while – even – all that and you, sweetheart – hell – I’m already overcome. Now I’m sorry I sold my car because I won’t have anything to run around in – but I’ll get something.

And we’ll have so much to discuss – just the two of us. Marriage – as far as I’m concerned – will have top priority – I mean the subject of marriage. I don’t know exactly how you feel or will feel, darling. I know there’ll be a half-a-hundred ‘ifs’. But that’s something you’ll have to decide. I know I’ve changed a lot in that respect – as have so many of the other officers who aren’t married and have fiancées. The fact is I’d love to marry you pronto, darling – but as I’ve just said – you’ll have to do the rationalizing. A soldier coming home to his fiancée after a long time away – isn’t quite capable of good rationalization.

And all this because V.E. day is finally here this p.m. at 1500 when Churchill speaks – the two other officers and I are going to start drinking. Yes, I know dear – there doesn’t seem to be any point – and yet – VE comes once in a lifetime, and I want to remember it – one way or another.

Here is Churchill making that speech...

Right now – I’m going to drive up to Battalion and see what’s new there. I should be leaving here officially – in the next couple of days, I think.

Meanwhile – sweetheart – I can with justice say – sit tight just a little while longer – because I’m sure to be coming home to you soon. Hold on, honey, hold on!!

So long for now, dear, love to everyone at home – and

All my sincerest, deepest love to you

Greg

P.S. And I really love you !!

Route of the Question Mark


[CLICK TO ENLARGE]

(A) Helfta to (B) Halle to (C) Leipzig, Germany (25 miles)
16 April to 30 April 1945

Leipzig... The War finally came to an end, and we celebrated V-E Day by drinking the cognac, wine and assorted liqueurs that we had been carrying with us for weeks in anticipation of this event. The first three graders pulled guard that night so all felt quite secure. It was fitting for the War to end here as our quarters were the grandest we ever had, the luxurious offices of the directors of Stöhr & Co., a great textile firm. Steam heat, electric lights, running water, rugs, typewriters for everyone, desks and chairs in our rooms, almost private and (hold on to your hat) an elevator, the best addition ever; a swimming pool with Pfc [Leonidas W.] ZOIS in charge, assisted by Pvt [John] CUTTER [Jr] and Pvt [George] JOHN; a softball team that is still trying to win a game; The Polish pianist providing music with our meals; the kitchen crew and its famous quotation... Lt [Michael C.] MALANE asked, when he saw a fly trap rapidly filling, "What are you going to do with the flies now that the trap is full?" Answered a cook, "Why we take the trap outside, open the top, and let them go!" Now I ask you! T/5 [Marvin E. or Walter B.] JOHNSON left us for the States, 100 points to his credit and the envy of everyone. 1sr Sgt [Stanley F.] KOWALSKI, T/Sgt Albert W. or Roland C.] WRIGHT, T/Sgt [Manuel C.] OLIVIERA and Pfc [Donald E. or William K.] SMITH, are sweating it out, all have over 85, Good Luck and Happy Landings! Cpl [James E.] DOWLING and Pvt [Dennis J.] HAYES, both over the 42 age limit, have signed their five page request for discharge. Pfc [Daniel] HOLZER, blowing taps every night, lulling us all to sleep. T/5 [George W.] CHEETY wished he had given his correct age when inducted into the Army, 40's not close enough to pay off. Yes, it's over, as we have all the time in the world to do NO fraternizing.

From the Normandy beaches
to Leipzig, Germany...
Distance travelled --- 1425 miles!!!!

Never a Dull Moment!

THE END

* TIDBIT *

about Stöhr & Co. and a Board Member,
Walter Cramer

Stöhr & Co. Aktiengesellschaft (AG) was founded by Eduard Stöhr in Leipzig in 1880. It was also incorporated in 1880 and is headquartered in Mönchengladbach, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany. Today top quality yarn for customers all around the world is produced at the certified locations Mönchengladbach and Famalicao (Portugal). The success of this ongoing work at a high standard is reflected not least in the development of new, additional capacities.

Stöhr & Co. - Quarters described in The Route of the Question Mark
with Front and Side shown below

   

The dynamic development of Stöhr & Co. AG resulted in the establishment of Kammgarnspinnerei Stöhr GmbH in 1976, which since that year has been the umbrella for all worsted yarn activities of the AG (company limited by shares). Stöhr is one of the 100 largest companies in Germany and all Europe. The company is active in Germany and exports its products in The United Kingdom, Turkey, Portugal and France. Its production operations in Romania are carried out by Stoehr Rom Srl; in Portugal, by Stöhr Portugal-Companhia Industrial Textil, Lda. In addition, the company’s German subsidiary, Kammgarnspinnerei Stöhr GmbH, produces worsted yarns, both pure and dyed, from 100% wool or a combination of wool and other materials such as Lycra, polyester, viscose, linen, mohair and polyamides. The products are used in the manufacture of women’s, men’s and children’s clothing, automobile interiors and cushions and pillows.

Wilhelm Bernardo Walter Cramer was a German textile merchant from Leipzig. In 1919, Cramer became managing director of the Kammgarnspinnerei Gautzsch AG, a worsted yarn spinning mill. Four years later, in 1923, he was on the board of directors of the Stöhr Worsted Spinning Mill (Leipziger Kammgarnspinnerei Stöhr & Co. AG), another corporation in the same industry. Walter Cramer had a wide range of contacts both in Germany and abroad.

After 1933 he dissociated himself from the National Socialists. In the first half of the 1940s, Cramer took part in civilian resistance against the Nazi régime with his friend, Leipzig's former mayor, Carl Friedrich Goerdeler (1884-1945).Cramer was married to Charlotte Weber, with whom he had two daughters and a son. He was well acquainted with some of the generals and officers involved in the plans for a coup, and increasingly condemned Hitler’s conduct of the war. In his firm Cramer distributed copies of the sermons of Cardinal von Galen opposing the National Socialists’ murder actions against mentally ill people. Cramer made intensive efforts to help persecuted Jews in Germany, as well as Jewish employees in his firm’s branches in southeastern Europe.

At Goerdeler’s request, Cramer offered his services for the planned coup as political commissioner in military district IV (Dresden). After the unsuccessful assassination attempt on Adolph Hitler at Wolf's Lair in East Prussia on 20 July 1944, Cramer was arrested in Leipzig on 22 July 1944. He was brought from Dresden to the prison at 3, Lehrter Straße in Berlin and subjected to severe maltreatment in the Gestapo headquarters at 8, Prinz-Albrecht-Straße. Later he was transferred to Tegel Prison in Berlin. Walter Cramer was found guilty of treason and high treason and was sentenced to death by the People’s Court under Roland Freisler on November 14, 1944. He was hanged at Plötzensee Prison in Berlin the same day.

Walter Cramer
1 May 1886 - 14 November 1944

In 1945, a street in the Gohlis neighbourhood of Leipzig was named Walter-Cramer-Straße after him. The City of Leipzig also honored Walter Cramer with a monument in the Johannapark in 1996.