15 August 1945

438^th AAA AW BN

APO 513 % Postmaster, N.Y.

15 August, 1945      0900

Nancy

My dearest sweetheart –

On this – VJ day – I love you more than ever before and I want you something fiercely. I must admit it finally, darling, I’m terribly impatient – more than I’ve ever let you know. With this happy day – there’s no more fighting to be done and I can actually look forward to a day of discharge, with no uniform, white shirt, colored tie and you! What a combination of words, sweetheart – but you know what I mean. Everything that return home and discharge mean, add up to you, and it’s just impossible for me, dear, to tell you how I feel when I know now that I can come home to you and stay – and furthermore – realize that I can get started again in practice. Suffice it to say that I’m tremendously happy that we’ve come this far together. The rest of the way is going to be easy.

We waited up until midnight last night – and still the news didn’t break. But at 0700 today I got BBC and there it was. Some of the boys wanted to celebrate last night but we held off. But today we’ll make up for it. VJ Day comes once in a lifetime and I want to remember it. Now no one knows how the deployment back home will work – but once they get rid of those outfits who are already in the staging areas – they’ll probably go by units and by priority – and this outfit is certainly up in the first third, I should say. So keep waiting, sweetheart!

I got a letter from you yesterday – 3 August – and a card from Dad A. The letter mentioned he had heard from Lawrence in Manila and I’m glad he arrived safely. He’ll probably have to sweat out the occupation of Japan – but at least it will be safe.

Your letter was sweet, darling, as are all of them. You mentioned the fellow from Portland calling you and your refusing to go out with him. What interested me mostly was your reasons for refusing, sweetheart – and I love your sincerity, faithfulness and patience.

Say, I had no idea you knew so much about the horses. I’m afraid, dear, you’ll find me very ignorant about that particular sport. I’ve just never cared for it – and I guess you’ll just have to classify me as a non-gambling man. However, if you want to go from time to time – we’ll go – if I can get away.

And now, darling, I’ll have to quit. There are still some patients to see. I wrote in between sick-call – because I couldn’t wait to tell you how much I love you and want you – and how happy I am that the day of our being together again comes closer now – by leaps and bounds. Sit tight, sweetheart – and I’ll be getting back to you.

Love to the folks – and

All my sincerest and deepest love –

Greg

* TIDBIT *

about The War is Over!!!

In the following video, Truman announces the surrender of Japan to the press in Washington, D.C. on 14 August 1945. The picture below the video shows the press listening intently...

In the following picture, British Prime Minister Clement Attlee (right) and Foreign Secretary Ernest Bevin are photographed at 10 Downing Street, London, UK at midnight on 14 August 1945. They had just announced, in a speech broadcast to Britain and the Empire, the news of the Japanese surrender.

Also on 14 August 1945, Japanese Emperor Hirohito recorded the news of Japan's surrender to his nation.

So it was that at noon on 15 August 1945, for the first time in history, the voice of the Japanese emperor was heard on the radio. His Imperial Majesty Hirohito had recorded the message the previous day, and he spoke to his people in the very formal language of the Imperial Court, which many of his subjects could not understand. Here is the beginning of his speech:

To Our good and loyal subjects: After pondering deeply the general trends of the world and the actual conditions obtaining to Our Empire today, We have decided to effect a settlement of the present situation by resorting to an extraordinary measure. We have ordered Our Government to communicate to the Governments of the United States, Great Britain, China and the Soviet Union that Our Empire accepts the provisions of their Joint Declaration.

To strive for the common prosperity and happiness of all nations as well as the security and well-being of Our Subjects is the solemn obligation which has been handed down by Our Imperial Ancestors, and which we lay close to heart. Indeed, We declared war on America and Britain out of Our sincere desire to ensure Japan's self-preservation and the stabilization of East Asia, it being far from Our thought either to infringe upon the sovereignty of other nations or to embark upon territorial aggrandisement. But now the war has lasted for nearly four years. Despite the best that has been done by everyone -- the gallant fighting of the military and naval forces, the diligence and assiduity of Our servants of the State and the devoted service of Our one hundred million people, the war situation has developed not necessarily to Japan's advantage, while the general trends of the world have all turned against her interest. Moreover, the enemy has begun to employ a new and most cruel bomb, the power of which to damage is indeed incalculable, taking the toll of many innocent lives. Should We continue to fight, it would not only result in an ultimate collapse and obliteration of the Japanese nation, but also it would lead to the total extinction of human civilization. Such being the case, how are We to save the millions of Our subjects; or to atone Ourselves before the hallowed spirits of Our Imperial Ancestors? This is the reason why We have ordered the Acceptance of the provisions of the Joint Declaration of the Powers...

The following video is typical of most showing the celebrations across the United States upon the surrender of Japan...

The following video has rare color images of the celebration in New York on 15 August 1945. It also has some sobering thoughts beyond that exultant day.

14 August 1945

438^th AAA AW BN

APO 513 % Postmaster, N.Y.

14 August, 1945      0930

Nancy

Dearest darling Wilma –

Having been away most of yesterday, I didn’t get a chance to look at my mailbox until this a.m. and what do you think – letters from you of the 4th, 5th, 6th of August – and if you don’t think those 3 letters put me right up there with all the fleecy clouds, well, darling, you’ve got something wrong with you. Yup – I feel swell; and why not? You love me, I love you and can you tell me a better combination?

As I wrote you yesterday, dear, I went down to St. Die. Today I’ve got to go to Toul. You see, darling, we have small M.P. detachments in various outlying towns and I’ve got to visit them from time to time. In the evening – we just stayed around. Most of the boys were still tired from Saturday night.

I was interested in your reaction to your visit to Norwood at the Kleins. I think a lot about where we’ll live – I mean what kind of set-up we’ll have – and I must admit, it isn’t quite fully crystallized as yet in my mind. My set-up was simple when I was in Salem, because I was single. The place where my office was – was a good spot and chances are I can have it back if I want it. It’s on a good street and near most of the doctors. Also – my former patients know where it is. One other very important feature is the telephone service. With Mrs. Tucker and Maude presumably still running the Nurse’s Agency – her phone is always covered and so would mine be. You realize of course, dear, how convenient that would be. That would mean then – that we would have to find a place for ourselves. The other alternative would be to find a place from the start that would take care of everything. It sounds difficult now – but in fact, sweetheart, it’s so nice to think about. The conversation around here recently has been about how much time the various fellows were going to take off – after discharge – before getting started again as a civilian. Hell – the way I feel now – I don’t want any time off at all. I’m just rarin’ to get started and build that practice up again. Hell – I’m going to have responsibilities, aren’t I?

Boy – I really feel on the ball this morning! I wonder why; could be I’m in love with you and those 3 letters, too; could be I’m very happy you love me, too; could be my thoughts of the future with you are very nice, bright and rosy. Yes – I‘m sure it’s all of that, darling – and let’s hope soon!

So long for another little while, dear, and my love to the folks – and – remember –

I’m yours alone for always

Greg

* TIDBIT *

about Toul, France

Toul is located between 12 miles (19 km) west of Nancy, and is situated between the Moselle River and the Canal de la Marne au Rhin. Consequently, it was once an important port. The barges known as péniches still navigate these watercourses commercially, typically carrying steel, though in the summer much more of the water traffic is for pleasure.

Map showing Toul (west of Nancy) and St. Die (southeast of Nancy)

Toul was known to the Romans as Tullum Leucorum. By the Treaty of Meerssen of 870, Toul became part of East Francia, the later Holy Roman Empire. During the High Middle Ages, it became a Free Imperial City. Toul was annexed to France by King Henry II in 1552; this was recognized by the Holy Roman Empire in the Peace of Westphalia of 1648.

The most striking features of Toul are its impressive stone ramparts. There appears to have been a fortified town at this location since the earliest recorded history. Those that exist today are the work of Sébastien Le Prestre de Vauban, Louis XIV's military engineer. In 1698 he designed a new enclosure and work began in 1699-1700. The fortifications were strengthened again after the Franco-German War of 1870. During the siege of 1870 during the Franco-Prussian War, the last time that Toul's defenses were used as a classic fortress, 64 guns opened fire at 6:00 a.m. on 23 September, and the fortress surrendered at 3:00 p.m. after 2,433 shells had been fired.

Rampart with water surrounding

Today, the ramparts encircle and define the old town. They are built of dressed white stone, and topped with grass, and in places are over five meters high.

Toul is surrounded by ramparts.

The city was also the primary base of the United States Air Service - predecessor to the United States Air Force - during World War I. As such, it was a base for many of the 45 war time squadrons. The former fortress town was rebuilt after World War II, during which whole sections were devastated by fire.

The old town's architecture is dominated by past glories in various states of decay, including a major Gothic cathedral, which is in a poor condition and is being slowly restored. Many of the houses were built as canonical residences in the Late Middle Ages and bear vestiges in the form of ornamental stonework. Notable churches that have survived including the restored cathedral of Saint-Étienne, dating from the 13th century, and the 13th–14th-century church of Saint-Genoult.

Saint-Étienne Cathedral's Gothic facade.


Cloister garden of Cathedral St. Etienne


Cloister Church of Saint-Genoult


Museum of Art and History

13 August 1945

438^th AAA AW BN

APO 513 % Postmaster, N.Y.

13 August, 1945

Nancy

My dearest sweetheart –

The French call it “somber lundi” instead of “blue” – but anyway, I just don’t feel like that this morning. It’s clear out and for some reason or other, darling, I’m all pepped up. Of course it could be because I’m so much in love with you and I know that one of these days you’re going to me mine alone! That’s a good enough reason for me – and I’m not going to look for another. Sweetheart – I do love you so – and I miss you – but not in the blue way I used to, dear. It’s probably because of the good news we’re getting these days. I miss your presence, your contact, you – but I know I’m going to have you with me and that feeling helps tremendously. You’ve been patient, darling – very patient – and don’t think for a moment that I’m not aware how difficult it has been for you. And I know, too, how easy it could have been for you to date from time to time. I could hardly have objected, either. But I love you all the more for your will-power and your determination to wait for me and me alone. But you’re going to have an awfully attentive and steady guy to date you once a certain fellow gets home. I’ll give you no more hint than that dear.

I’ve told you from time to time, dear, about the French, their customs, etc. I don’t think I’ve told you about the hair – I mean the color. The French women are crazy. Of course – a peroxide blonde is nothing – and even women of very respectable families bleach their hair. But when they start dying it different colors – well that’s too much. I’ve meant to tell you about it before and forgot – until this morning when I saw a new color – pink! Yes – a nice rosy pink and it looked weird. Up to now I’ve seen purple hair, steel blue, light blue and green! And some women streak their hair in combination colors – like blond – with a two inch path of green – or purple – etc. It’s absolutely bizarre.

Well yesterday we rested all day. The binge Saturday did materialize and we managed to get the Colonel highly plastered. Liquor was scarce but the variety was wicked and it didn’t take much to make a fellow high. I used to think my “Purple Jesus” was potent – but I know some other combinations that make that one seem mild. We sang, one of the fellows played the piano and everyone was gay. Incidentally – there was no one at breakfast except me. Sunday morning, I had to be at the Dispensary at 0800 to see a couple of sick guys.

And this morning we all said ‘goodbye’ to the Colonel and he took off for Reims. He’ll be there for awhile and then will probably fly back by way of Dakar.

This p.m. I have to go to St Dié and that will take most of the rest of the day, dear. I’ve got a couple of things to do now and then I’m going back to quarters and get ready. So for now, Sweetheart, I’ll say ‘so long’. Be with you tomorrow in writing – although I’m always with you in between. Love to the folks – and

All my everlasting love, dear

Greg

* TIDBIT *

about Saint-Dié and the Naming of America

Saint-Dié, France is located in the Vosges Mountains 50 miles (80 km) southeast of Nancy, on the Meurthe River.

Saint-Dié-des-Vosges, France

The center of Saint-Dié was largely destroyed by the Germans in November of 1944, although there was no military necessity to do so. This is about what it looked like when Greg made his visit.

Saint-Dié, France as Greg saw it in 1945


Saint-Dié, France: Then (above) and Now (below)

Due to the necessity of rebuilding, much of the city has a modern look with many properties featuring 1950s style facades. However, the history of Saint Die stretches back through many centuries.

In the early 1500's, Vautrin Lud, Canon of St-Dié in charge of the mines of the valleys, was the chaplain and secretary of René II, Duke of Lorraine. The Duke set up a very early printing-establishment at St-Dié and facilitated reflections on the theme of Earth representation, or, mapping. He convened a meeting with several scholars including the German cartographer Martin Waldseemüller and the Alsatian professor Matthias Ringmann, who would be called "geographers" today.

While having an edition of a Latin translation of Ptolemy's "Geography" produced in 1507, René II received the "Soderini Letter," an abridged account of the four voyages of Amerigo Vespucci. [It seems that in his accounts, Vespucci falsely claimed that he had discovered the continent which we now know was discovered by Christopher Columbus.] Lud had this letter translated into Latin by Basin de Sandaucourt. The translation was completed at St-Dié on 24 April 1507; it was prefaced by a short explanatory booklet written by Waldseemüller, entitled Cosmographiae Introductio. This booklet can be seen as the baptismal certificate of the New Continent. Waldseemüller and the scholars of the Gymnasium Vosagense then made a capital decision, writing: "...And since Europe and Asia received names of women, I do not see any reason not to call this latest discovery Amerige, or America, according to the sagacious man who discovered it".

The first and second printing appeared in August 1507 at St-Dié, a third at Strasburg in 1509, and thus the name of America was spread about. In 1513, Waldseemüller, having become better informed, inserted into other maps the name of Columbus as the discoverer of America. But it was too late to alter the name of the continent; "America" had been already firmly established.

Thus, Saint-Dié-des-Vosges is honored today with the title of "godmother of America," the city that named America.

12 August 1945

V-MAIL

438^th AAA AW BN

APO 513 % Postmaster, N.Y.

12 August, 1945

Nancy

My dearest darling –

Here it is early Sunday morning and I love you, I love you, I love you. And wonders to speak! – two (2) nice letters from you yesterday – 3 July and 1 August. You were blue in the former, darling, and I wish so much that I could be with you to forever banish that feeling. I know only too well, sweetheart, how you feel and I’m glad you’re still able to pull yourself out of it after a day or so.

But the news is so darned good I know you must feel much better now. Gosh – it’s still difficult for me to believe that it’s practically over.

By now, dear, you realize why I use V-mail more frequently now than ever before. It’s the only way you can keep up to date with me at all. But V-mail or no – I love you as strongly and yet as tenderly as I know how, darling, and I always will!

All for now. Love to the folks, dear and

All my deepest love to you

Greg

* TIDBIT *

about How the OWI Influenced Japan's Surrender

The US Office of War Intelligence (OWI) was responsible for using information warfare to promote distrust of Japanese military leaders, lower Japanese military and civilian morale, and encourage surrender. OWI was manned by civilians and supported by military liaison personnel. The Director, Elmer Davis, reported to Secretary of State James Byrnes.

From "Paths to Peace" by Josette H. Williams on the CIA's web site's "Studies in Intelligence" portion on the "Information War in the Pacific, 1945" comes this:

Japan had two governments in 1945: one was a military government determined to fight to the last; the other was a civilian government that had long recognized the need to surrender. The military clearly held the upper hand, rendering the civilian leaders impotent through political intimidation and threats of imprisonment.

Civil-military friction, disagreements within political factions, and inter-generational tensions resulted in a bewildering array of conflicting reports on current conditions being disseminated to the Japanese people. The job of the US Office of War information was to cut through the confusion in Japan and its occupied territories, and to convince the Emperor, the politicians, and the civilians that victory was already in the hands of the Allies.

There is little doubt that Japanese government agencies, military and civilian alike, realized by mid-summer 1945 that their country could not win the war. Japan’s cities were being destroyed almost at will. Although attempting to avoid the Emperor’s palace, the Allies had devastated the capital in only six hours of bombing on 9-10 March 1945, leaving 100,000 dead and over 1,000,000 homeless, an even worse toll than from the later atomic bombing of Hiroshima. The Japanese military maintained a defiant stance, even as they recognized the need to shift from aggression to defense of their homeland. They were well prepared, both psychologically and technically, for this final stand. The Allies never underestimated (as we, perhaps, sometimes do today) the desire of Japan’s military leaders to preserve their honor by fighting literally to the last man, woman, and child.

There are indications that the Emperor had long wished for an end to the war for practical and emotional reasons. Ascending to the throne in 1926 at the age of 25, Hirohito was an intelligent man, a distinguished marine biologist, and a rather quiet, shy individual. He remained in Tokyo throughout the war, witnessing personally the destruction that he knew to be indicative of what was happening to the rest of his country. According to various historians, he found the arguments of the militarists to be self-seeking and born of false pride. No doubt pressure from the civilian members of his Cabinet and other government officials strengthened his resolve to end the devastation.

When Secretary of State Byrnes sent his reply to the Japanese in Switzerland [see yesterday's post], OWI began to play its most dramatic role.

Technically, Japan had not yet surrendered. The war was not yet over. President Truman had ordered the continuation of Allied bombing runs over Japanese military installations. The people of Japan knew nothing of their government’s plan to surrender. Radio Tokyo still exhorted all Japanese to prepare defenses against an enemy invasion.

In a race to save the lives of soldiers still fighting, the Allies’ acceptance of Japan’s modification of the Potsdam surrender terms was radioed to OWI in Honolulu and Saipan at the same time that it was forwarded to Switzerland. The US War Department sent an urgent dispatch ordering OWI to inform the Japanese people directly, by leaflet and radio, that their government had offered to surrender and that the Allies had accepted the offer. The order, which originated from the White House, threw OWI personnel into high gear. The text for the message was prepared in Washington and dictated by telephone to Honolulu, where it was transcribed, translated into Japanese, lettered, and transmitted to Saipan by “radiophoto” within two hours. The 17 members of the OWI staff on Saipan were challenged to a previously unmatched degree. By mid-night on 11 August, less than 48 hours after Japan’s message was received in Washington, three-quarters of a million leaflets giving notification of the surrender offer had been printed on OWI’s three Webendorfer highspeed presses running continually. By the next afternoon, production of OWI leaflet #2117 totaled well over 5 million copies.

On 12 August 1945, aircraft runs departed Saipan at 1:30, 4:30, 7:30 and 11:30 p.m., delivering to the people of Japan the news of their government’s surrender offer. The 4” x 5” leaflets rained down by the millions, telling the Japanese people:

These American planes are not dropping bombs on you today. American planes are dropping these leaflets instead because the Japanese Government has offered to surrender, and every Japanese has a right to know the terms of that offer and the reply made to it by the United States Government on behalf of itself, the British, the Chinese, and the Russians. Your government now has a chance to end the war immediately. You will see how the war can be ended by reading the two following official statements.

Two paragraphs then gave the Japanese surrender offer verbatim and the Byrnes response indicating the Allies’ willingness to accept that offer. OWI repeated the same message continuously over station KSAI.

The significance of this information barrage cannot be overstated. For the first time the Japanese people became aware that their government was trying to surrender. And it was the first that Japanese officials knew of the Allies’ acceptance of their surrender offer, because the OWI notification preceded, by about 72 hours, the receipt of the official diplomatic reply sent through Switzerland.

11 August 1945

438^th AAA AW BN

APO 513 % Postmaster, N.Y.

11 August, 1945      0930

Nancy

My dearest fiancée –

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


Click to Enlarge

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."

10 August 1945

438^th AAA AW BN

APO 513 % Postmaster, N.Y.

10 August, 1945      1000

Nancy

Good morning, darling –

As a matter of fact it’s a lousy day here today – typical of a cold, windy, rainy day in New England – in October. They say we’ve had our summer here already, but I think we’ll have more warm weather.

The hottest news here is something I’ve already mentioned to you – namely the Colonel’s leaving. But it’s now definite, and he takes off definitely on Monday – 13 August. We have a few more high point men who will probably be going in the next several weeks. There are eleven of us with points below 85 – and we don’t know where we’ll go – or when. Anyway – on Saturday night we’re going to have a big brawl – i.e. tomorrow evening. He’s been a pretty good egg – somewhat on the style of Col Pereira. Now – temporarily at least – our Major – Hoag will take over. He’s a nice fellow – but not forceful enough. How much we’ll be pushed around is hard to say – but we’re kind of used to it by now.

1115

Well, sweetheart – I became busy for awhile. You know, dear – I’ve built up quite a little practice from outside units. We’re centrally located and we see a lot of transients. Last week a Sgt. came in – complaining of service he had been receiving at the hospital in town. He had a draining sinus on his buttock and they were just dressing it from day to day. Well it needed a little nick to open it up adequately and the thing cleared up in a few days. Now I’ve been referred business – pay is still the same, darling.

Gosh, dear – would you please write our Congressman and complain about the mail? C’est toujours la même – rien. C’est formidable! Honestly – it’s becoming very annoying – day after day – no mail – and that’s really all I have to look forward to from day to day – and you just can’t or maybe you can – imagine how lonesome a day is without a letter from you, sweetheart. I love you dearly and I love your letters and I miss so much not being able to read daily that you love me too.

Oh hell here come some more guys. They’ve been dropping in all morning – but I’m not so busy these days that I can’t see them.

I’d better knock off now, sweetheart – because it’ll be noon soon and I’d like this to go out. Whatever else I say or write, darling – I mean always to remind you that I love you and you alone – and I always will!

Love to the folks, dear – and

My deepest love is yours alone –

Greg

* TIDBIT *

about How Korea got Divided

Korea had been a unified country since the 7th century. During the 19th century imperialist nations threatened Korea's long standing sovereignty. After defeating China in the Sino-Japanese War of 1894-95, the Japanese forces remained in Korea, occupying strategically important parts of the country. Ten years later, they defeated the Russian navy in the Russo-Japanese War (1904-1905), contributing to Japan's emergence as an imperial power.　 The Japanese continued to occupy the peninsula against the wishes of the Korean government and people, expanded their control over local institutions through force, and finally annexed Korea in August 1910.

In November 1943, Franklin Roosevelt, Winston Churchill and Chiang Kai-shek met at the Cairo Conference to discuss what should happen to Japan's colonies, and agreed that Japan should lose all the territories it had conquered by force. In the declaration after this conference, Korea was mentioned for the first time. The three powers declared that "mindful of the enslavement of the people of Korea [we] are determined that in due course Korea shall become free and independent.”

For Korean nationalists who wanted immediate independence, the phrase "in due course" was cause for dismay. Roosevelt may have proposed to Soviet leader Joseph Stalin that three or four years elapse before full Korean independence; Stalin demurred, saying that a shorter period of time would be desirable. In any case, discussion of Korea among the Allies would not resume until victory over Japan was imminent. However, American leaders worried that the whole peninsula might be occupied by the Soviet Union, and feared this might lead to a Soviet occupation of Japan.

On 10 August 1945 two young officers – Colonels Dean Rusk and Charles Bonesteel – were assigned to define an American occupation zone. Working at extremely short notice and completely unprepared, they used a National Geographic map to decide on the 38th parallel. They chose it because it divided the country approximately in half but would leave the capital Seoul under American control. No experts on Korea were consulted. The two men were unaware that forty years previous, Japan and Russia had discussed sharing Korea along the same parallel. Rusk later said that had he known, he "almost surely" would have chosen a different line. Regardless, the decision was hastily written into "General Order No. 1" for the administration of postwar Japan.

         

                   Charles Bonesteel III                      Dean Rusk

The Soviet forces entered the Korean peninsula on 10 August 1945, but occupied only the northern half, stopping at the 38th parallel, per the agreement with the United States. A few weeks later the American forces entered Korea through Incheon. U.S. Army Lt. Gen. John R. Hodge formally accepted the surrender of Japanese forces south of the 38th Parallel on 9 September 1945 at the Government House in Seoul.

With the ending of World War II, the American victory over Japan very rapidly turned into a series of conflicts over the future of East Asia and the Pacific. Splitting Korea at the 38th Parallel, the United States and Russia began their Cold War game of influence and conflict just shy of all out war. Korea was the first test of their policies and resolve.

In December 1945, the United States and the Soviet Union agreed to administer the country temporarily. Both countries established governments in their respective halves favorable to their political ideology. In the process, U.S.-run elections supervised by the U.N. replaced an indigenous, left-wing government that had formed in June 1945 with one led by the right-wing politician and anti-Communist Syngman Rhee. The southern partition's left-wing parties boycotted the elections. The Soviet Union, in turn, approved and furthered the rise of a Communist government led by Kim Il-Sung in the northern part. The Allies said that Korea would be a unified, independent country under an elected government but failed to specify the details or how to make this happen. In 1949, both Soviet and American forces withdrew. This set the stage for a Korean Civil War which led to the Korean War (1950-1953) and the eventual creation of a four-kilometer wide buffer zone between the states, where nobody would enter. This area came to be known as the Demilitarized Zone or DMZ.

Still divided today, it is difficult to see how the Korean people will ever have the opportunity to be one again.

09 August 1945

438^th AAA AW BN

APO 513 % Postmaster, N.Y.

9 August, 1945

Nancy

My dearest sweetheart –

What with atomic bombs and the Russians declaring war on the Japs – it’s pretty difficult for me to write anything astounding, so I’ll have to say simply that I love you very much and miss you even more. With the rush of current events, things are really starting to look up and false hopes or no – the war should fold up. My own guess is that it will be within 10 weeks and if not then – in 10 months.

But to get back to the main subject – or as the French say ‘Revenon á nos moutour’ – I love you, darling, and if you’re not sure what that implies, I’ll tell you. It means that I think of you night and day, plan the things we’ll do together when I get back, reminisce about the past and dream of our future. And that goes on all the time, sweetheart – not just when I’m sentimental. That’s love, isn’t it?

Here – there’s not a thing to tell you about, dear. The days and nights are very unexciting. Last night we went to the movies and saw a farce. I was in the mood for it and enjoyed it. It was the “Royal Scandal” with T. Bankhead and I thought it ran off very smoothly. I don’t know whether or not we’re seeing recent pictures – but we’re getting a pretty good variety, anyway.

Ah – I was wondering when you’d start getting a bit jealous. I refer to “the blonde” mentioned in the itinerary of the 438th – as recorded in that little book you received, dear. Now I can tell all – she was very attractive – ahem – otherwise why should I have been so concerned about her welfare? But to tell the truth, darling, I don’t like blondes; I like brunettes – of a certain type – only – and the queer thing is that they have to live on 99 Mandalay Road only!

No mail again, dammit – although packages are coming thru, as well as periodicals. Boy I have a lot of letters from you still outstanding. But I can wait – so long as I know you’re still writing me and loving me. That’s what counts, sweetheart, the comfort of the thought.

Today it’s cold and drab – but if it warms up a bit this afternoon I’m going to play some tennis. I ran into a fellow who plays a good game and I think I’ll get a good workout.

No news from home either in some time – but I trust all is well.

I’ll stop now, sweetheart, and write again tomorrow. I sure hope I hear from you later today. My love to the folks, dear, and regards to Grammy B and Mary. For now – so long and

My deepest love and devotion –

Greg

* TIDBIT *

about a Bad Day for Japan

On 9 August 1945, the same day the Soviet Union invaded Japanese-held Manchuria, the United States dropped a second atomic bomb on Japan in the hopes that surrender would result.

Moments after impact of the atomic bomb in Nagasaki

From the "Hiroshima and Nagasaki Remembered" web site comes this:

On August 6, 1945, The Enola Gay had lifted off from Tinian Island in the Northern Marianas at two A.M. The flight had been uneventful, the weather had cooperated, and, at 8:15 A.M. bombardier Major Thomas W. Ferebee had released Little Boy. The Enola Gay had landed uneventfully at Tinian. The crew had been greeted by an excited crowd. Generals Carl A. "Tooey" Spaatz and Curtis E. LeMay had flown in from Guam. Pilot Paul W. Tibbets, Jr. had been awarded the Distinguished Service Cross by General Spaatz. Following the ceremony the fliers had been feted at a star-studded debriefing where General LeMay had told the men, "Kids, go eat, take a good shower, and sleep as much as you want!"

The Nagasaki mission couldn't have been more different.

When a second mission was approved, Kokura was the primary target Nagasaki was the secondary target. Originally scheduled for August 11, 1945, the mission was advanced to August 9 due to weather concerns. That day, when one would have expected all attention to be focused on the Nagasaki strike, yet another ceremony took place to honor Tibbets and the crew of the Enola Gay.

There was some confusion at the outset of the Nagasaki mission. Major Charles W. Sweeny was to command the mission in his plane The Great Artiste. But The Great Artiste was still outfitted with scientific gear left over from being the support plane for the Hiroshima mission and there wasn't time to outfit it to carry Fat Man. So Sweeney and his crew took over Captain Frederick C. Bock, Jr.'s plane Bock's Car, while Bock's crew switched to The Great Artiste.

Back (L-R): Capt Beahan, Capt Van Pelt, Jr.,
1st Lt. Albury, 2nd Lt. Olivi, Maj Sweeney
Front (L-R): SSgt Buckley, MSgt Kuharek,
Sgt Gallagher, SSgt DeHart, Sgt Spitzer

Sweeney and his crew were under orders to only bomb visually. When they got to Kokura they found the haze and smoke obscuring the city as well as the large ammunition arsenal that was the reason for targeting the city. They made three unsuccessful passes, wasting more fuel, while anti-aircraft fire zeroed in on them and Japanese fighter planes began to climb toward them. The B-29s broke off and headed for Nagasaki. The phrase Kokura's Luck was coined in Japan to describe escaping a terrible occurrence without being aware of the danger.

Nagasaki was a city on the west coast of Kyushu on picturesque Nagasaki Bay. It was famous as the setting for Puccini's beautiful opera Madame Butterfly. It was also home to two huge Mitsubishi war plants on the Urakami River. This complex was the primary target, but because the city was built in hilly, almost mountainous terrain, it was a much more difficult target than Hiroshima.

Clouds covered Nagasaki when Bock's Car arrived. Contrary to orders, weaponeer Ashworth determined to make the drop by radar if they had to due to their short fuel supply. At the last minute a small window in the clouds opened and bombardier Captain Kermit K. Beehan made the drop at 10:58 A.M. Nagasaki time.

Fat Man exploded at 1,840 feet above Nagasaki and approximately 500 feet south of the Mitsubishi Steel and Armament Works with an estimated force of 22,000 tons of TNT. Within a minute of Fat Man's explosion, a brilliant fireball boiled skyward. Sweeney banked sharply to avoid it. The two B-29s were battered by five successive shockwaves and the radioactive cloud surged toward them. Both planes turned away and headed home.

Cloud over Nagasaki as Bock's Car flew away

The crew of Bock's Car should have felt some release from tension, but they had only 300 gallons of fuel remaining—not enough to get them back to Tinian, and perhaps not even to Okinawa. Sweeney had his radio operator contact the air-sea rescue teams to alert them to the possibility of ditching. There was no answer. The rescue teams had shut down, apparently deciding Bock's Car had long returned to Tinian.

When they reached Okinawa, repeated attempts to raise the tower for landing instructions went unanswered. Sweeney watched other planes taking off and landing, but knew he didn't have enough gas for protracted circling. He set off flares and finally somebody on the ground noticed. Bock's Car landed at two P.M. local time. The number two engine ran out of fuel while they were on the runway. They had a total of seven gallons of fuel left. They refueled, took off for Tinian, and landed without further incident at 11:39 P.M. local time.

No one was on hand to greet them. There was no ceremony. No one had even thought to have food ready for the famished crews who hadn't eaten in almost twenty-four hours.

Unlike Hiroshima, there was no firestorm at Nagasaki. Despite this, the blast was more destructive to the immediate area, due to the topography and the greater power of Fat Man. However, the hilly topography limited the total area of destruction to less than that of Hiroshima, and the resulting loss of life, though horrifically high, was also less. The exact number of casualties was impossible to determine. The Japanese listed only those they could verify and set the official estimate at 23,753 killed, 1,927 missing, and 23,345 wounded. U.S. Strategic Bombing Survey figures were much higher, but still less than those for Hiroshima.

Like Hiroshima, the immediate aftermath in Nagasaki was a nightmare. More than forty percent of the city was destroyed. Major hospitals had been utterly flattened and care for the injured was impossible. Schools, churches, and homes had simply disappeared. Transportation was impossible.

Two years after the bombing, plants growing at ground zero presaged the frightening genetic aberrations in humans that were to come: sesame stalks produced 33 percent more seeds but 90 percent of them were sterile. For decades abnormally high amounts of cancer, birth defects, and tumors haunted victims.

Ground Zero in Nagasaki, today