24 August 1945

No letter today. Just this:

Here are a few more pictures taken in Nancy...

Greg (left) with Lieutenant Colonel William A. McWilliams
and Chaplain Joseph A. Turgeon


The Staff at Officers' Quarters in Nancy


Greg in Nancy


Greg in Place de la Carriere, Nancy

* TIDBIT *

about Midori Naka


Midori Naka

Midori (Japanese for "green") Naka was born in the Nihonbashi district of Chūō, Tokyo in Japan, the third of four daughters of a military officer. She graduated from Osaka Jogakuin College, before joining the Asakusa samurai drama group in 1928. In 1931, she entered the newly-formed Tsukiji Little Theater and distinguished herself as an actress of the Shingeki style, especially for her performances as the title character in the production of Lady of the Camellias.

In the mid-1930s, she helped her sisters run a coffee shop in the Asakusa district in Tokyo. In 1940, the Tsukiji troupe was shut down by the police. She joined the Kuraku-za (Pain and Pleasure) theater company in 1942. Tokyo air raids made activity difficult, and the troupe disbanded in January 1945. In March of 1945, the Asakusa district was badly damaged in the firebombing of Tokyo. Also that month, Naka became lead actress in the Sakura-tai (Japanese for "Cherry Blossom Unit"), a newly-formed mobile theater group organized by actor Sadao Maruyama.

Together with the Sakura-tai troupe, Naka moved to Hiroshima on 7 June 1945, intending to spend the season there. The nine members of the troupe rented a house that was located about 2,130 feet (650 meters) from "ground zero" of the atomic bombing of 6 August 1945. They shared this house with members of another theater troupe of six members, the Sangoza.

Naka and sixteen of her colleagues were at the house in Hiroshima on 6 August 1945, when an atomic bomb detonated over the city. Thirteen of the seventeen actors were killed instantly. Naka survived, along with Sadao Maruyama, Keiko Sonoi and Shozo Takayama. Naka later described her experience:

When it happened, I was in the kitchen, since it was my turn to make breakfast for the company that morning. I was wearing a light housecoat, colored red and white and had a scarf tied about my head. When a sudden white light filled the room, my first reaction was that the hot water boiler must have exploded. I immediately lost consciousness. When I came to, I was in darkness and I gradually became aware that I was pinned beneath the ruins of the house. When I tried to work my way free, I realized that apart from my small panties, I was entirely naked. I ran my hand over my face and back: I was uninjured! Only my hands and legs were slightly scratched. I ran just as I was to the river, where everything was in flames. I jumped into the water and floated downstream. After a few hundred yards, some soldiers fished me out.

A few days later, thanks to her status as a famous actress, Naka was able to find a seat on one of the rare trains that were then travelling to the capital. On August 16, Naka entered the hospital of Tokyo University where she was examined by some of the best doctors in the country, including Dr. Matsuo Tsuzuki, arguably the foremost radiation expert in Japan at the time. In the hospital, she was given repeated blood transfusions by the doctors in an attempt to save her life. At the beginning of her hospitalization, her body temperature was 37.8°C (100.0°F) and her pulse 80. In the following days, her hair began to fall out and her white blood cell count sank from the normal count of 8,000 to 300-400 (other sources indicate 500 to 600 white blood cells), much to the surprise of the doctors. Her red blood cell count was at the 3 million level (against a normal count of 4.2 to 5.4 million).

By August 21, her body temperature and pulse had risen to 41°C (105.8°F) and 158 respectively. On August 23, twelve to thirteen purple patches appeared upon her body. The same day, Naka maintained she felt better. However, she died the following day, on 24 August 1945. She was the last surviving member of Sakura-tai; all three other survivors had already perished by then, also due to radiation poisoning.

Midori Naka was the first person in the world whose death was officially certified to be a result of "atomic bomb disease" (radiation poisoning). Journalist Robert Jungk argues that the publicity surrounding the illness of Midori Naka, owing to her status as a public figure, was instrumental in catapulting the so-called "radiation sickness" to the public eye. Until Naka's story came forward, there was confusion and obscurity surrounding the mysterious "new sickness" from which many of the atomic bombing survivors were suffering. Jungk argues that, thanks to the prominence of Naka and her personal story, proper investigation and examination of the radiation poisoning phenomenon commenced, potentially saving the lives of many of the people exposed to radiation during the bombings.

On 11 September 1945, the results of 37 autopsies of bomb victims conducted by the scientific team of Kyoto University were confiscated by the US Army General Thomas Farrell. The confiscated material removed to the United States included the remains of Naka. Her remains were carefully studied and were returned to Japan in 1972, in a set of glass preserving jars. They are now exhibited in the Hiroshima Peace Memorial.

Midori Naka's Preserved Remains

23 August 1945

438^th AAA AW BN

APO 513 % Postmaster, N.Y.

23 August, 1945

Nancy

My dearest sweetheart –

Remember the one about raining cats and dogs and stepping on a poodle? Well it’s one of those days today – thoroughly cold and miserable; the kind of day I’d love to have you here with me in a quiet room, the radio playing softly and no one to disturb us. Gee – when that time does come – it will be wonderful. Just think how much talking we have to do to catch up on each other; the questions I want to ask, and you too; the details still missing to complete our knowledge of each other. Counting the long time out for each episode of a little close lovin’ – well – it seems as if it’ll take years, but I don’t suppose it will.

I’m a little off the track – but nicely so. The fact is that this is a real old lousy New England day and only a New Englander knows what I mean. And Frank Morse was supposed to come down to Nancy today; it’s pretty rough for driving, though, and it’s a little over 100 miles.

It started raining last night and we decided to stay in. I don’t remember whether I’ve told you or not – but I have access to a clarinet – thru Special Service and I’ve been practicing up the past week. Last night the fellow in our outfit who plays the piano – and I – had a little fun playing some old songs. He’s much too good for me, played for years with a jazz orchestra; but he’s tolerant and slows down for me. Anyway, squeak or no squeak, darling, we have a lot of fun and last night we covered all the old songs from the “Sheik of Araby” all the way to “Lullaby of Broadway”. And after that – we played 3 rubbers of Bridge. It was a nice quiet evening at home. I got into bed at 2300 and slept well.

Let’s see – I’ve got to keep you up to date on the rumors, sweetheart. Here they are, not in order of importance – but as I think of them: 1) All Category IV outfits will be home no later than October. 2) There’s no such thing as a Category IV classification. There will be a new classification of A, B, C, D. Everyone with 85 or over = A, 75-84 = B, 60-74 = C and 1-59 = D. There will be a readjustment so that an outfit will be made up of 100% of one class. (This battalion has 70% of its men in the 75-84 group – so we’d end up as a B group and since there are only a few left now in the 85+ class, we’d go home soon. 3) As far as possible, medical detachments are being left intact and will go home with their outfits, and 4) there’s been no decision as yet as to how outfits will go home. There you are, dear; take your pick. I’ll tell you the way I’ve got it figured out. There were – at VE day – about 3½ million soldiers here. Since V.E. day – ie. in 3½ mos. – one million have gone home – leaving 2½ million. About ½ million remain as occupation troops, leaving 2 million. They expect to send another one million home in the next 3½ months. Now I don’t see why our outfit doesn’t fit into the upper half of that last two million. If it does – the 438th – if it remains intact – ought to be home by late November or December – or is this all wishful thinking on my part. I assure you, darling, that I have nothing at all specific to go by – all above is purely hypothetical.

Well – so much for that. The point is that I love you dearly, sweetheart, and I find myself – all day, every day – thinking of the time when I get home to you. Waiting is terrible these days – but I keep working on different possibilities in my mind. The above is just one example. But it’s coming, darling, – and closer all the time. This is surely the last lap and then – happiness.

I’ll close now, dear. Love to the folks – regards from Pete – and you have –

All my deepest and everlasting love –

Greg

* TIDBIT *

about More from Hump EXPRESS

The following three articles were published in Hump EXPRESS (Volume 1, Number 32), published by the India China Division, Air Transport Command on 23 August 1945.

Ghost Ship Gets Signals from 1333, Lands Elsewhere

1333 BU, Chabua, Assam - A plane was returning from China one night recently when this field was closed in by heavy fog. The pilot called the tower.

"Request landing instructions - ship is affirmative!"

The tower operator scanned the skies with his field glasses. "Landing northeast, blink your landing lights, please."

"They're blinking!" came the voice from the plane.

"We can't see you!"

"We're on final approach. Give us a green light!"

Again the tower operator searched the skies and saw nothing. He was trying to contact the plane when he heard the mystifying report from its pilot, "Where do I park her?"

The tower operator was frantic. "We didn't see you pass the tower."

"I'm on the steel mat in front of you!"

If this were some pilot's prank. it was time to become indignant. "No plane has passed the tower and none is parked on the steel mat!"

At another base several miles away, another tower operator was trying desperately to contact a strange plane which approached its runway without landing instructions and parked in front of the tower on the steel mat.

Navy Trick Fools Japs
Third and Fifth Fleets Are Same; Only Admirals Different

Washington (ANS) - Now that the shooting is over, it can be revealed that the U.S. Third and Fifth Fleets were, for all practical purposes, the same, changing numbers as two admirals alternated in command.

When Adm. William F. Halsey bossed the fleet, it was the Third and when Adm. Raymond Spruance and his staff took over, it became the Fifth.

The two-name system was devised to keep the Japs worrying over the location of the Fifth Fleet when the Third Fleet was in action and vice-versa.

A fast carrier task force was the central striking element of the fleet and here again the Navy pulled a double. In Halsey's Third Fleet it was Vice Adm. John McCain's Task Force 38 and when Spruance commanded, it was Task Force 58 under Vice Adm. Marc A. Mitscher.

And finally, kudos to the Air Transport Command.

Made Hump Famous, Says Commanding General of China
Hump Cargo Credited With China's Survival By General

Hq., Calcutta - "The United Nations are proud of the contribution made by the Air Transport Command to the final defeat of Japan," stated Lt. Gen. A. C. Wedemeyer, commanding general, China Theater, in a wire to Lt. Gen. Harold L. George, CG, ATC, and Brig. Gen. Tunner.

"Among your congratulations and praise, none will be more heartfelt and sincere than those which I tender you on behalf of all the Chinese and Americans in China," Gen. Wedemeyer continued.

"Upon their cargoes (ICD planes) China as a nation survived for three years when there was no other contact with the world. Your fliers made the Hump the most famous mountain range in the universe. Over these lofty and jagged ridges ATC lifted the gasoline, arms, bullets, bombs and other materials that made it possible for China to carry on the fight. A salute to your pilots, to your flying crews and to your ground personnel."

Along the same theme, Gen. George credited the personnel of ATC with an "accomplishment that has brought a new meaning to air power and a new era to aviation. This achievement belongs to everyone in this command," the general added.

Said Gen. H. H. Arnold:

"At this moment of final victory I extend congratulations to your command (ATC) for the far-reaching contributions you have made in bridging the endless miles separating our forces throughout the world. Your untiring effort and unselfish devotion to duty have been essential factors in the final collapse of our enemy."

22 August 1945

438^th AAA AW BN

APO 513 % Postmaster, N.Y.

22 August, 1945

Nancy

My darling fiancée –

Colds and coughs are a dime a dozen over here right now, so please take care of yourself – or doesn’t that exactly make sense? We’re having the wave of upper respiratory infections that we usually see in New England in October. The weather here is terrible.

I don’t suppose this will reach you before you leave for Canada – but I hope you had a swell time, anyway. I’ve been into Canada, but not very far. It’s a lovely country and it should make a swell trip for you. I liked your discussion about gowns, tuxedos, the neighbors’ plans – etc. It sure reminded me of the good old days and what’s more important, those days are just around the corner. It’s still hard to conceive. It must be easier to comprehend at home because things have changed – according to what I read in the papers. Here – it’s absolutely the same – uniforms, ‘foreigners’, daily duty and the usual amount of Army ‘chicken’. But we’ll be able to appreciate the change back to the States, all the more. And I want to feel it and know it to the utmost.

Yes, dear, we watch the embarkation dates of the various divisions – without exception outfits with much less time than we have – and we wonder where we fit. No one seems to know a thing about separate battalions, which is what we are. But they’ll just have to come to us, darling, because we have a fairly high average in points – as a battalion. At the present time – 70% of the battalion has over 75 points; that’s not bad.

The day before yesterday Frank Morse called me – in the p.m., but I was out. I didn’t get around to calling him back until yesterday morning. He’s trying to come down to Nancy to stay a day or two with me – along with another fellow whom I know quite well – Harry Lewis – the anesthetist for the 16th General. They can get a ride down and I’ll be able to drive them back. I hope they can make it. I wonder where Frank stands when it comes to being essential. It’s going to be tough for some of these fellows to get out.

I did get to see that picture “Weekend at the Waldorf” and I found it quite enjoyable. It certainly made for good entertainment. There’s something else on tonight – “Ten Cents a Dance”. I don’t know yet who is in it.

By the way, sweetheart, you once mentioned the subject of double or twin beds, promised to take it up more fully in another letter – and you never did! And here I’ve been all the time – caught between the two ideas. It’s exhausting! Actually I don’t know what your preference is; I’ve heard the subject matter discussed in the past by various couples (married, of course) and there seems to be pros and cons for each side. Frankly – whatever will suit you – will be O.K. with me. I’m positive I can make the adjustment in either case. What a lovely problem to be ’troubled’ with.                     The space was for a lean-back and a long sigh, darling. Gosh darn it, let’s get going!! Boy, am I going to love you, dear! Because I love you so much now – and actually being with you – well, it may leave me spellbound, but I’ll bet it won’t leave me muscle-bound!! I think I’d better stop right here and now. Love to the folks, sweetheart, and

All my sincerest love is yours –

Greg

* TIDBIT *

about the First Japanese Post to Surrender

The following came a former Destroyer Escort Sailor Association's web page titled "First Japanese Surrender On Board USS Levy DE 162".

On August 22, 1945 USS Levy DE162, was host to the first formal surrender of Japanese territory as World War II ended. Although the Japanese Empire signed the Unconditional Surrender terms September 2 aboard Battleship Missouri, the historic beginning of the end came aboard DE Levy in the lagoon of little-known but strategically important Mille Atoll in the Marshall Islands group.

Chuck Hays, a crewmember of the Levy, recalls

We went over to the island in the whaleboat, five or six of us...I think this was on the 18th....we had a .50 caliber mounted on the bow...and they started shooting, rifle fire...it came close but no one was hit. We returned fire and so did the ship.

Soon the situation was corrected and the truce term were to be worked out. Japan had capitulated August 15 (Japanese time). Four days later, on the 19th, a Japanese party from Mille boarded Levy to discuss surrender terms and left after about three hours saying that it had to discuss the specifics with Tokyo.

When the island was ready to formally sign, the Japanese would signal that they were giving up by building a cross out of white sheets and uniforms and place it where Navy patrol plane pilots would observe it. That signal was viewed on the 20th. Sporadic shelling of the island took place in the span, recalls Woody Story, crewmember of the Levy. He added, "We were trying to shoot out the tops of their trees to reduce their food supply."

Levy entered the lagoon early on the 22nd and awaited the arrival of Capt. H. B. Grow, commander of Majuro, by PBM. Grow had been present at the meeting aboard Levy on the 19th. Grow was taken by whale boat to the DE and then the ship's boat went ashore to pick up the Japanese party. The signing began at noon and was completed within an hour. Hays recalled

Generally the mood aboard the ship was one of happy relief. The captain used the PA to pass the word of what was going on as it happened. Not a lot of shouting and such, just back slapping and congratulating each other among the crew. There was a saying in those days in the Pacific: Golden Gate in ‘48...well we knew we wouldn't have to wait that long anymore to get home.

After the surrender was signed, the Japanese were given five days to make the island safe for the occupying force. On the 28th of August the American Flag was raised on Mille Atoll. Here is a picture of that flag-raising.

U.S. Flag flies over Mille Atoll - 28 August 1945

The following photographs came from the National Museum
of the U.S. Navy's Naval History and Heritage Command's page
on the Surrender of Mili Atoll, 22 August 1945


Boarding the USS Levy on 22 August 1945


Negotiating Surrender of Mili Atoll on 22 August 1945


Negotiating Surrender of Mili Atoll on 22 August 1945 (Close up)


Signing Surrender of Mili Atoll on 22 August 1945

21 August 1945

V-MAIL

438^th AAA AW BN

APO 513 % Postmaster, N.Y.

21 August, 1945

Nancy

My dearest darling Wilma –

And early this morning, too, I love you more than anyone and anything. A good start then for another day, dear. I received two letters from you yesterday, 12 and 13th August – not bad. The big news seemed to be the wedding in Canada. I don’t blame you for sounding keen about it – it sounds like a swell all around trip and I sure hope you make it. From here I can’t see why not.

Glad you found the 7th Corps booklet interesting. Don’t remember why I didn’t mention Gen. Rose. I should have. Did you know he was Jewish – one of the few on an active front and in command of an armored div? His father was a Rabbi in Denver. One of our batteries, by the way, made the sweep with the task force which helped close the Rose Pocket.

All for now, sweetheart, except that I want to tell you again that I love you and only you! Love to the family.

All my sincerest love,

Greg

* TIDBIT *

about the End of Lend-Lease


Roosevelt Signs Lend-Lease Act

The Lend-Lease Act, an act of Congress passed during World War II authorizing the President to “sell, transfer title to, exchange, lease, lend, or otherwise dispose of . . . any defense article” to any country whose defense was deemed vital to the defense of the United States. The act was approved on March 11, 1941, while the United States was still officially neutral. The program ended 21 August 1945, a few days after the surrender of Japan. Lend-lease aid totaled $50,205,230,000, of which $31,392,361,000 went to Great Britain and other members of the British Commonwealth, $11,297,883,000 to the Soviet Union, and $3,233,859,000 to France.

President Franklin D. Roosevelt proposed the program in order to make the United States “the arsenal of democracy” at a time when Great Britain was fighting the Axis Powers alone. Opponents denounced the proposal as “an act of war.” Those supporting the President insisted that the best way to defend America was to give aid to its friends.

Aid was rushed to Great Britain, and was soon granted to China, which had been at war with Japan for several years. After Germany attacked the Soviet Union in June, 1941, the USSR began receiving vast quantities of aid, especially in the form of badly needed transportation equipment. Altogether 44 countries were made eligible for lend-lease aid, but only 38 nations requested it. An amendment to the original act permitted aid to be granted in the form of services as well as supplies.

Agreements regulating the program were signed with the various countries. Many of the countries in return provided supplies and services to the United States. This “reverse lend-lease” amounted to $7,345,747,000, mostly from the British Commonwealth countries.

President Roosevelt created the Office of Lend-Lease Administration in 1941. Edward R. Stettinius, Jr., was the administrator. In 1943, the office was consolidated into the Foreign Economic Administration headed by Leo T. Crowley.

After the war most countries agreed to make repayments, amounting usually to a few cents on the dollar. After years of negotiations, the Soviet Union agreed in 1972 to repay $722,000,000, but only if granted most-favored-nation trade status by the United States. Congress refused, finding this demand unacceptable, and the Soviet Union canceled the agreement.In 1948 Great Britain agreed to repay $615,000,000 in 50 annual installments. The British Treasury at the time Lend Lease was terminated was virtually empty. The British economy was in shambles. Large areas of London and other cities were in ruin. Britain wanted an American recovery grant. Eventually a long-term loan was negotiated – the Anglo-American Loan. America provided very generous terms – 2 percent interest with repayment over a 60-year period.

Here is the White House Release dated 21 August 1945:

The President has directed the Foreign Economic Administrator to take steps immediately to discontinue all lend-lease operations and to notify foreign governments receiving lend-lease of this action.

The President also directs that all outstanding contracts for lend-lease be canceled, except where Allied governments are willing to agree to take them over, or where it is in the interest of the United States to complete them.

The Foreign Economic Administrator furthermore is instructed to negotiate with Allied governments for possible procurement by them of lend-lease inventories now in stockpile and in process of delivery.

If the military needs lend-lease supplies for the movement of troops or for occupation purposes, the military will be responsible for procurement.

It is estimated that uncompleted contracts for non-munitions and finished goods in this country not yet transferred to lend-lease countries amount to about $2 billion and that lend lease supplies in stockpile abroad amount to between $1 and $1-1/2 billion.

20 August 1945

438^th AAA AW BN

APO 513 % Postmaster, N.Y.

20 August, 1945      0930

Nancy

My dearest sweetheart –

Well we all read the Stars and Stripes closely, listen to AFN news on the hour, every hour, listen to the story of ‘this’ officer here or ‘that’ officer there – and what does it all add up to ? A few high point officers and enlisted men are going home. We lose yet another officer this morning – 111 points and we’re starting to feel the pinch. Including the Colonel, that makes 4 officers. Personally, I’m sure of one thing only and that is that I won’t have to go to the Pacific. Of course – a few weeks ago that positiveness would have been quite comforting – and it only goes to show that all things are relative. Anyway, darling, we can certainly feel with more reason that I’ll be home in some months and even if I’m not discharged immediately, I’ll at least stay in the U.S. If you want my honest-to-goodness guess – I’d say sometime in the middle of the winter. I have nothing at all with which to base my guess except that winter is midway between now and next summer – when all troops will have been returned, and somehow I feel I ought to be in that middle group.

Yesterday it rained most of the afternoon and evening. We played Bridge in the p.m. finally ending at 6400 to 6000 – roughly and since we play 5 francs per 100 fr, you can see, dear – that I won 20 francs. Our matches of late have always been that close. It makes for keener competition and rather careful bidding. The evening went quietly and I had a good night’s rest. There’s a new movie in town tonight and we’ll probably go – something with G. Rogers, L. Turner – and the “Waldorf”.

I reacted the same way you did in reference to Nat Stone and his “success”. It just gripes me, that’s all. And when we get back – people will make no consideration whatsoever as to who gave service and who didn’t. And the fellow who sat back and cleaned up – is just that much ahead. We have a few such birds in Salem and they’ve become tremendously rich in the past 3 years. But what the hell, I certainly wouldn’t have been completely happy had I stayed out of things. I’ll make up for the lost time, darling. I’ve got lots of energy, I’ll have you to help me – and I still have friends in Salem. Frankly I’ve about given up the idea of surgery. I’ll always be able to do minor surgery and simple practice work – and I’ll have to be content with that. I’ve talked with a few fellows in hospitals and also with Frank Morse when I saw him last. It would take me between two and three years of interning and residency to qualify as a Class A surgeon and I just don’t feel I want you or myself to give up that much time. Furthermore it would be impractical from an economic standpoint. It isn’t that I’ve lost any of my original drive and zeal by being in the Army, sweetheart; it‘s just that I’ve already lost 3 yrs and with some more months to go. That time is irretrievable. But so long as you have confidence in me – I’m satisfied. I feel pretty certain I’ll do all right. After all – I did have two years of it and that background is worth something.

Pretty serious this morning, aren’t I, dear? Well, I can be that way, too, and practical. But most of all right now – I’m interested in getting home to you and marrying you. The rest, I think, will follow along nicely – and I know we can be happy and successful in life, together. That, after all, is what we want, sweetheart.

I’ll say ‘so long’ for now, dear. My love to the folks, say ‘hello’ to Gr. B. and Mary.

All my love is yours for always –

Greg

* TIDBIT *

about War Production and Reconversion
Facts and Figures


Cover of TIME magazine - 20 August 1945

WAR PRODUCTION
In the 20 August 1945 publication of TIME, (Volume XLVI, Number 8), the following article, "PRODUCTION - The Winner" was written:

Marshal Stalin's famed Teheran toast to U.S. industry — "Without American production the United Nations could never have won the war" — was never more appropriate. The war was ending, and the record was in.

In the five years since the fall of France, U.S. industry and labor had turned out:

• 299,000 combat planes (96,000 last year);
• 3,600,000 trucks;
• 100,000 tanks;
• 87,620 warships (including landing craft), 5,200 merchant vessels;
• 44 billion rounds of ammunition;
• 434 million tons of steel;
• 36 billion yards of cotton textiles for war.

Despite this, U.S. home-fronters had remained the best housed, best clothed and best fed people in the world. But U.S. basic resources had suffered what might be an irreparable drain. Said an anxious Mead Committee report fortnight ago: war has left the U.S. with only enough oil for twelve years (at present production rates), enough iron ore for eight years, a seriously depleted timber supply.

RECONVERSION: Facts & Figures
Reconversion from military to civilian production had been an issue as early as 1944. However, the actual process of reconversion only began in earnest in early 1945, accelerating through V-E Day and V-J Day.

After World War II, the government released 12 million Americans into the job market while simultaneously slashing government spending. Yet in a dramatic refutation of Keynesian economic theory, the market absorbed the workers and unemployment never rose over four percent. This was in part due to industry's ability to reconvert its military production into domestic production.

In the 20 August 1945 publication of TIME, (Volume XLVI, Number 8), the following article, "RECONVERSION - Facts & Figures" was written:

This week 30,000 telegrams tersely canceling the bulk of Army war contracts were ready to be sent to U.S. industry.

With one swoop the Army would wipe out:

• More than 95% of its orders for carbon and alloy steels, copper, aluminum, artillery, tanks, guns, railroad rolling stock, telephone, radio and telegraph equipment.
• More than 75% of its orders for cotton and wool textiles, leather, lumber, shoes.
• More than two-thirds of its orders for tires.

That would make reconversion a fact, not just an overworked word. Total industrial production, now humming along at the rate of over $130 billion a year, could be pushed down almost one-third.

Industry was ready for the cancellations. It had discarded the notion that a tapering-off in war orders would cushion the reconversion shock.

How quickly industry could regain its equilibrium depended upon how quickly it could:

1. clear its plants and set up peacetime assembly lines;
2. obtain a steady supply of raw materials;
3. get a firm pricing policy from OPA.

The reconversion outlook for some representative U.S. companies:

GOODYEAR TIRE & RUBBER CO. Output of tires and plastics for civilians can begin immediately. Estimated postwar employment: 30% greater than the prewar peak of 28,561, but only 30% of their 1942 wartime employment peak.

BENDIX AVIATION CORP.Sales-smart Bendix was busy during the war lining up a nationwide distribution organization while its factories were spouting $2.8 billion of war goods. Soon these distributors will have something to sell. Bendix plants making auto parts will be in mass production by late fall. New type AM and FM radio sets can roll off the assembly lines immediately.

GENERAL MOTORS CORP. G.M.'s problem is typical of all auto manufacturers. It needs new machine tools, must rid its plants of heavy war machinery. G.M. must also accumulate a huge supply of raw materials (steel, textiles, etc.) in a fiercely competitive market. Once these problems are licked, G.M. has high hopes for the future. Its ultimate employment goal: 400K factory workers (1939 high: 201,000); 200K distributors (1939 total: 150K).

WESTINGHOUSE ELECTRIC CORP. Cancellation of its $400 million backlog of war orders will free Westinghouse for a quick changeover to refrigerators, electric irons, and other appliances for civilians. Two new postwar products: a deep-freeze unit for home use, a dishwashing machine to sell for less than $100.

E. I. DU PONT DE NEMOURS & Co. Nylon and Nylon yarn for stockings, Neoprene synthetic rubber, most chemical products and plastic materials can be switched to civilian use as soon as the cancellation telegrams reach Wilmington.

ALUMINUM COMPANY OF AMERICA. War orders will be sorely missed. Alcoa has delivered $2.2 billion of aluminum and magnesium since war began, still has a backlog of war orders totaling $200 million. But orders on hand from civilian industries amount to a mere $26 million—equal to two weeks' present aluminum production.

OWENS-ILLINOIS GLASS Co. Anticipating a boom in the marketing of glass-packaged foods, medicines and beverages, Owens-Illinois will keep all of its workers, rehire its 5,325 employes now in uniform. Two new plants to produce glass containers will be built after the war.

PULLMAN-STANDARD CAR MANUFACTURING Co. From the car-hungry railroads Pullman-Standard has orders for $78 million worth of rolling stock. But full production of superdeluxe streamlined coaches and sleepers cannot get under way until Pullman-Standard finds several thousand more workers for its shops.

19 August 1945

438^th AAA AW BN

APO 513 % Postmaster, N.Y.

19 August, 1945

Nancy

Dearest darling Wilma –

I was pretty lonesome last night, dear, and I just couldn’t shake the feeling. We had somewhat of a party but somehow I couldn’t quite enter into the spirit of the thing. I know why, too. Another one of our officers is leaving for home, today, on the point basis. He has 116. I just felt kind of envious although by no means do I begrudge him his good fortune. He’s a pretty nice guy – Fred Ellis – and he lives in South Portland, Maine. We’ll be able to visit him; he has a cute wife and a little girl 3 or 4.

This is a drab Sunday morning, typically Fall-ish. I remember your once telling me you don’t like the Fall. I do – when it’s bright and cool and crisp outside. It’s anything but that here. There won’t be much doing today but I guess I’ll just sit around and relax. This morning the French are having a rather elaborate parade in Stanislaus Place. A famous French Esquadrille that fought in Africa, Germany, and with the Russians for a time – is being decorated by a French General and the Place is really be-decked with flags. The French really love this stuff and there’ll probably be a big mob downtown this morning. I may take a picture or two if I’m through here in time. [See pictures posted on 01 August 1945.] It’s now 0920 and the boys are still drifting in; it makes me mad. Most of the complaints are insignificant but they just love to come in on Sunday morning, because they have little else to do.

Say I forgot to mention your reaction to Austen Lake’s article about MC’s, rotation – etc. No doubt a good deal that he had to say was true – but the mere fact that he said it – detracts from the whole story. I used to think he was pretty good – but he’s bungled a good many stories and the most recent one concerning that “poor, mistreated” G.I. from Worcester was a lulu. Lake pops off too soon without knowing the facts and he went to bat for the soldier. But the G.I. went on and made a sucker of everyone who helped – showing that the Army, in fact, did know what it was doing. What he wrote about doctors is true enough – but writing about it in a newspaper column isn’t going to help one bit; it only serves to aggravate those at home. The damage has been done, darling, and there’s not a thing to do about it. Excuse me for popping off on Lake – but I felt like popping off on someone and I just happened to think of him – poor guy. And that reminds me – what in hell happened to our Braves and Red Sox? The latter were right up there for awhile and then they collapsed. It’s most discouraging – particularly when my MAC officer happens to come from Detroit! You see, dear, how difficult life can be?

But you could really make my life a lot easier, sweetheart, by being with me – or should I be with you? Yup – I guess that will be more practical at that. Gosh dear – you’ll have to listen to all the gripes I’ve built up in 3 years. I hope you can take it; but once they’re out of my system – I’ll be completely normal – I promise – and I’ll be able to devote myself entirely to loving you and being the husband you want me to be. Because I do love you more than anything else in the world, darling, and promising that to you is going to be very very easy for me.

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

All my sincerest love

Greg.

* TIDBIT *

about the August Revolution


Ho Chi Minh in 1946

The aspiration for national independence had long burned deep in the heart of every Vietnamese through many generations. They had experienced their share of ups and downs under the millennium-long rule of northern feudalism and the century-long rule of western colonialism. On the web site called "BookRags", the following research article about the August Revolution by Richard B. Verrone was once available:

In Vietnamese history, the August Revolution was the proclamation of a sovereign Vietnamese government in August 1945. The Japanese occupied Vietnam during World War II and allowed the French, who were the colonial power in Indochina (present-day Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia), to continue to administer the region. In May 1941, at Pac Bo in northern Vietnam, the Vietnamese Communists, led by Ho Chi Minh (1890–1969), formed a national front organization, the League for Independence of Vietnam, to fight against both the French and the Japanese. The League, better known by its Vietnamese abbreviated name, the Viet Minh, sought to enlist any Vietnamese citizen who would fight for national liberation from the French and Japanese.

When Japan surrendered at the end of World War II in the wake of Allied victory, Ho stepped in on 16 August 1945 and proclaimed himself president of the provisional government of a "free Vietnam." The Allies had other plans: they had agreed that Britain would occupy the southern part of Vietnam and the Nationalist Chinese would occupy the northern portion of the country. Before the Chinese troops arrived, the Viet Minh marched in and seized power in Hanoi on 19 August 1945. The emperor of Vietnam, Bao Dai (1913–1997), complied with Ho's demands and abdicated and left for exile in France. On 24 August in Saigon (present-day Ho Chi Minh City), Tran Van Giau declared insurrection underway in the south. On 27 August Ho convened his first cabinet meeting in Hanoi, at which it was agreed that 2 September would be set as National Independence Day. On that day Ho publicly announced the formation of the Provisional Government of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam (DRV) with its capitol at Hanoi.

In subsequent negotiations with the French, who were allowed to reoccupy Vietnam, Ho agreed to the return of 25,000 French colonial troops in the north for a five-year period rather than face occupation by the Nationalist Chinese. Ho placated his disgruntled comrades with reassurances that colonialism was dying and that the French would have a difficult time reestablishing permanent rule, and reminded them that the Chinese had occupied Vietnam in the past for over a thousand years and were the greater threat. The DRV and the French soon clashed over administrative and military issues after the French returned to Vietnam, resulting in the eruption of the First Indochinese War.

18 August 1945

438^th AAA AW BN

APO 513 % Postmaster, N.Y.

18 August, 1945      0915

Nancy

Dearest darling Wilma –

Boy – this month’s tearing right along but it’s probably because so many fateful events have occurred this month. To all intents and purposes the summer has been over here since last week. The mornings and evenings are very chilly and when the sun does come out, it’s not very strong. They have a really cold winter here and I just hope I’m not around for all of it.

Yesterday p.m. – I was busy moving again, dear, – but this time only from one room to another. With the Colonel gone, the Major took over his apartment and George Thiessen, now executive officer, moved in with him. That left a nice room vacant and since I’m next in line in seniority, I took it. It’s a nice room with adjoining wash-room etc. Just think, though, darling – I’m actually 3rd ranking officer in a whole battalion – and still a captain. Well – it doesn’t make much difference now. Anyway – I’ve got the room all fixed up and it’s quite comfortable. In the evening we were going to go to the movies but ended up at the Red Cross having coffee – instead. Today, Saturday, is another half-day and I guess I’ll just rest and take it easy. We never did celebrate the end of the war and there doesn’t seem to be much point to it; but you never can tell what will develop on a Saturday night in this outfit.

By the way – today is 21 months and two days since we left New York Harbor. What a long grind it has been, but how nice to have behind you! Looks like we’ll certainly have at least 4 overseas bars on our left sleeve before we make it back, and yet we still see – in this town – outfits with six bars. One such outfit is the General Hospital here – the Second General. I don’t know why they haven’t gone home yet.

I didn’t receive any mail yesterday so I’d better catch up on some of the items you’ve mentioned in some of your previous letters, dear. About those pictures being brown – we never have the same place develop pictures, darling, and sometimes they just foul them up, that’s all. So far – I’ve been pretty lucky; that “car” in Leipzig – I didn’t know what it was either – but that was typical of the variety of vehicles to be seen in Germany today.

I was interested in your comments about work, the summer vacation, your plans for the Fall, etc. I honestly don’t know what to advise you, sweetheart. A course in nurses’ aide is difficult and particularly so at the B.C.H. [Boston City Hospital]. A good many women I know took it at Salem, including several doctors’ wives. As for your phobia about things medical, dear, particularly blood, I wouldn’t worry one bit about that. I see no reason why you’ll ever have to have much contact with it – although if I should have an office in conjunction with our home – as is the custom in Salem – I don’t know. It’s hard to advise you what to do from this vantage point. I know what I’ll do with you when I get home. I’m going to marry you, sweetheart, and I’m going to keep you busy loving you day and night. You won’t have much time for anything else – I promise you, dear. So you can think about that angle. I’ve been telling you on paper for a long time, now, darling, how much I love you. What a thrill to be able to show you. And the day draws nearer.

All for now, dear. Love to the folks and regards from Pete.

All my everlasting love and devotion –

Greg.

* TIDBIT *

about Another "My Day" by Eleanor Roosevelt



18 August 1945

NEW YORK, Friday — The last two days of holiday I have been privileged to spend in New York City. I use the word privileged advisedly, for it has been a privilege to see joy on so many faces.

I don't think I have ever seen so many young people walking hand in hand up and down our city streets. Many of the men are still in uniform, but as I sat in a bus the other afternoon a young couple got in, both looking radiant. The man was in a new civilian suit, wearing his honorable discharge button, and they were laughing and chatting together in the way that indicates, not the forced gaiety that accompanies a man on leave when war is on, but the complete, natural abandon of happy children. It was good to see. And on the same day I saw a mother greet her son who, for the first time in nearly five years, was dressed in civilian clothes. I knew she felt a great thankfulness, since during that time he had flown almost continuously on dangerous missions.

* * *

During a taxi ride, however, my driver seemed to be rather short of temper for such happy days. When a chance came I said: "This is a wonderful day; all of us must be happy!" He turned around and said: "It sure is. But I've still got a boy, a lieutenant in the air force, and I don't know yet if he is safe. I've got a son-in-law in the army and many nephews, so that there have been plenty of worries with us." The worries were evidently still uppermost, as they must remain for many, many people until we hear from the far ends of the world that V-J Day has really come on the islands in the Pacific and in the jungles of Burma.

Nevertheless, the atmosphere of our city has changed, and I am sure that is so of cities and villages all over the United States. The old troubles that accompany the daily round of living will be back with us all too soon. We will have to be reminding ourselves that the big trouble, the weight that has clamped on our hearts and kept our spirits down, has really been removed. We are not free from the accidents of death and disease and misfortune, and sorrow will be with us often, since that is the lot of man. But the war is over. We will not be engaged in the business of killing each other. Mass murder is ended, and we can rejoice.

* * *

On Sunday we will go to our respective churches, or sit at home and listen to our radio services, or perhaps just read our prayer books and speak with our hearts our thanksgiving to God that this terrible period in the history of mankind is past.

Now, we turn to the ways of peace, and coupled with our prayer of thanksgiving I hope there will be a prayer that each one of us may do his full share to bring about the change in mankind and the world that must come in this new atomic era if we are not to destroy humanity. We cannot say any more, "if" we have peace, or "will it be possible to keep peace," since we know that unless we have peace there is no future possible for mankind.

E. R.
(COPYRIGHT 1945 BY UNITED FEATURE SYNDICATE, INC.)