Peace Bombers Arrive
From the most thorough researchers on the Pacific War…..
The title and written content of this week’s post come to you from the 63rd Squadron, 43rd Bomb Group’s history. Once again, we’re focusing on that August 19, 1945 flight that stopped over in Ie Shima on the way to Manila to discuss the Japanese surrender.
On August 19th, the men on Ie Shima witnessed history in the making, as at 12:30 p.m. two white Jap Bettys approached the island escorted by hordes of P-38s, 2 PBYs, two B-25s and other elements of our efficacious air force. After making two trips around the island, the Bettys landed gracefully on Mocha strip which was lined up with M.P.s and thousands of curious soldiers. As the ships taxied down the runway, their bespectacled engineers stood half out of their open top hatches. They were bedecked in most elaborate flying attire—leather jackets, flying helmets, and goggles. One couldn’t help but think how uncomfortably…
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Posted on February 2, 2019, in Uncategorized, WWII and tagged aviation, Betty bombers, History, Japanese surrender, Military, Military History, WW2, WWII. Bookmark the permalink. 54 Comments.
Pacific Paratrooper 
I couldn’t believe it! Those Japs were allowed to carry their swords!
I doubt they’d have treated the Yanks with the same respect if they had been victorious and don’t doubt that they’d have found plenty of use for those self same swords.
That was a fine post Thanks for reblogging it GP
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They knew were defeated and we allowed them (up to a point) to maintain some pride. I think that shows a gracious winner.
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What a wonderful piece of footage, a joyous occasion indeed after all the gut wrenching slog of battle.
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Here’s a link for Michael. I know it is difficult to receive notice of his reblogs, so it is best to follow him and then you will see him on your Reader page.
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The end of a Feudal culture trapped in their own outdated ideals – that killed millions on it’s way out. Was there any evidence they had shame for what they did?
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In their eyes, the country was justified in its actions for survival, plus all it learned from the US and European countries. Individuals did feel shame for some of their own actions during the war.
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The video is awesome! I read about this scene somewhere before and I’m telling you the folks back home were ecstatic beyond belief that the war was over.
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I can say I know how they felt but I can sure imagine that the relief was incredible!!
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I bet it was! 🙂 I enjoyed the video. The passage of time has gone so quickly. I won’t be that long before the end of the war was 100 years ago.
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I don’t think I’ll be seeing that anniversary, but you’re right about how time flies by.
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I was told my oldest relative was 106 when they died. If I got those genes and manage to avoid pestilence and catastrophe, I just might live to see that day. 🙂
Live long and prosper, GP! 🙂
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Not so lucky with my genes. Dad passed at 74 years old and he was the oldest.
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My father passed away, just shy of 71, from mesothelioma, asbestos exposure. He was also the oldest of his siblings.
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I don’t know if I want to be over 100 although Mom is still around at 96. Her marbles are still intact and she sounds strong every time I called her. I’m pretty healthy, knock on wood so you never know.
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Just wonderful history. Thank you
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The IHRA are a group of outstanding researchers. Any post is informative and their books are treasures!
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That must have felt like they were really taking part in ‘history’, GP. No surprise that the Japanese servicemen were determined to look their best, even up to the last days.
Best wishes, Pete.
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They represented their country in this part of history, as sad as it was for them, they needed to show dignity.
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Loved the video input GP. Thanks!
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Thank you for watching this piece of history.
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Their pride never vanished to the very end it seems.
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They hadn’t been defeated in 2000 years and they felt Allied soldiers were nothing but mercenaries, while they fought for the Emperor and homeland – didn’t seem logical they would lose.
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I don’t know if you’d want to publicize this, GP, but I thought I’d mention it. An Army combat engineer who served in Guam, the Philippines, and Saipan during WWII is turning 93 in April. He loves mail, but rarely gets any, so his family is asking people to send him a card between now and his birthday. You can read the article here. His name is Recil Troxel, and his address is 2684 North Highway 81, Marlow, Oklahoma 73055. It’s legit. If you do a search for his name, the reports about it are all over the tv stations and so on.
He’s suffering from cancer, too. I’ll put a card in the mail this week. It’s not often we actually can do something for a veteran like this.
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Of course, Linda. Often we want to do something for them, but don’t know exactly what! I’ll get my card out too!
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You may have some new readers, too. I gave your blog a bit of publicity on social media, and a few people were interested. It’s always nice to expand the circle!
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Always!! Thanks, Linda. When people think WWII, they picture Europe. When the Pacific War is mentioned they think of one or two USMC battles and that’s about it. If I can change that for one person – I’m a success!!
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I visited and left a comment — not only because the video was interesting, but also because I remember Ed Herlihy. I would have recognized his voice immediately, even if I hadn’t been able to put it with a name. He not only did newsreel narration, he also pitched Velveeta cheese, back when it came in a balsa wood box.
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Yes, a well-known voice. And Velvetta, it still goes on my shopping list – creamier and tastier than American cheese in my book.
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Best work, great information! Thank you GP! Best wishes, Michael
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They are something else! Thanks for reading it, Michael!
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🙂
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Hi Michael, cannot find a link to your site.
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Here’s one of yours….
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It appears I’m locked out, as Michael says, because of some issue, so it only ever goes to a blank page, so thanks anyway GP appreciate the effort.
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I’ve always followed Michael, so I had no idea.
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Yes, I lost contact when the rules changed for him. Thanks we at least made contact.
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Good to hear!
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Hello Paul,
the blog is privatisized. I will send you an invitation. Michael
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Ah, I see, and for the reasons you’ve said earlier.
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Glad you enjoyed reading about this bit of history!
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Yes, very good. Appreciate it. Have a great week. Michael
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That video is amazingly sharp and clean.
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The cameramen could stay still and no bombs were dropping, no snipers shooting at them either.
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Probably made a nice change!
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Oooohhh … he’ll get growled at! You’re not allowed to call them ‘Japs’ these days. Tut!
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I can’t help how they talked back then and i won’t apologize for them either. What can I tell you?! 🙂
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I’m sure a lot of Filipinos still called them Japs. My generation especially. I’m one of them.
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I understand. I don’t myself, but in was and for brevity sake, I can see why they did.
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Admiral of the Fleet Lord Fisher said:
“Never explain, never apologise”
You don’t have to, Sir, to me—
—I am often the receiver of “Gasp! Shock! Horror!” for being honest. I tread delicately through minefields of PC and try desperately not to hurt the feelings of the innocent (as we all should) (won’t happen though …) and love to pop the bubbles of the smug, the self-righteous, the complacent, and especially the wannabe controllers. Control the ‘thinking’ and you control the person; which is not good. For him.
Anyone who does what those bast— people(?) … routinely did are in my own mind sub-human vermin. No matter how clever, or ‘brave’.
Thankfully enough of them were exterminated to force a rethink on the part of their controllers.
Japs, Nazis, krauts; why may we not call a spade a spade? Why is thinking these days being cunningly misguided; so as to rewrite history?
I’ve been (briefly) to Japan and/but have looked into their culture sufficiently to (a) ask WTF? and (b) to stand in absolute awe …
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Fascinating history, GP. Thanks for sharing.
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IHRA are a great bunch. If it’s in their books, you know it has been fact-checked!
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Way to go IHRA!
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Thanks! We cover this story thoroughly in our book Warpath Across the Pacific, but here’s an overview of the B-25s that accompanied the Japanese aircraft to Ie Shima that day: https://airwarworldwar2.wordpress.com/2015/08/19/the-345ths-final-show/
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Thanks. Appreciate the info. Pat.
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