New Year’s Day 1942

Carl Mydans, “Life” mag. photographer

While the people of Japan celebrated New Year’s Day in their usual fashion, debts were paid, people thronged to the Meiji Shrine to throw coins at midnight and for good luck, red daruma dolls were purchased, all this was topped off with the news of military success against the Allies.  But all this gaiety did not please the military.  They were aware of just how arduous the war was going to be and strict discipline must be maintained.  General Muto said:  “The first step is to replace Shigenori Togo as Foreign Minister.” [similar to the US Secretary of State] –  (Togo had been opposed to the military aggression.  He had to go.)

Japanese visiting Yasukuni Jinja during the New Year’s period.

The Japanese in the Philippine Islands celebrated differently.  They closed in on Manila from two directions.  The southern troops were slowed about 40 miles out due to the amount of bridges that had been dynamited, but they were receiving very little opposition.  General Homma, only 17 miles away, halted his troops to prepare themselves in tight and clean formations to parade into the city.  MGeneral Koichi Abe, in the north, led his 48th Division into Manila in front of sullen Filipinos.

Luzon trenches; taken by: Carl Mydans

Carl Mydans, a photographer for Life magazine, and his wife Shelley, watched the influx of Japanese from their Bayview Hotel window as the invaders looted warehouses and homes.  They saw 3 companies of soldiers and sailors form ragged lines on the lawn of High Commissioner Francis Sayre’s residence.  Three cannons boomed as the American flag lowered and a sailor stepped on it.  He then put the Rising Sun in its place on the pole.  A band played the Japanese national anthem, Kimigayo.

Route to Manila

The Emperor’s reign will last

For a thousand and then 8 thousand generations

Until pebbles become mighty rocks

Covered in moss.

A cable arrived from Carl’s employer: “ANOTHER FIRST-PERSON EYEWITNESS STORY BUT THIS WEEK WE PREFER AMERICANS ON THE OFFENSIVE.”  Mrs. Mydans sent the reply: “BITTERLY REGRET YOUR REQUEST UNAVAILABLE HERE.”

Click on images to enlarge.

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Political Humor – 

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Farewell Salutes – 

William Anderson – Warwick, RI; US Navy, Korea

Ingeborg Buonomo – Lecanto, FL; WAC, WWWII

Norman Helfrich – Rabbit Lake, CAN; RC Army, WWII, ETO

Jery Kaas – Anthem, AZ; US Navy, WWII, USS Carolina

Lee Patrick – Niles, IN; US Navy, WWII, USS Cacapon

Brian Henry Senn – Auckland, NZ; RNZ Air Force # G83335, Flight Lt.

Tommy Shaw – Huntsville, AL; US Air Force, Korea, control tower operator

John Swett – Chicago, IL; US Army, WWII, ETO, POW

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