Occupation – Olympiad and Comfort !
While some of the troopers continued to await the arrival of the good ole’ American jeeps to replace the coal-burning vehicles in Japan, General Swing was striving to make the occupation as bearable as possible. They had endured some horrendous hardships and accomplished more than anyone expected from them and he felt they deserved whatever he could provide. On his orders, a Japanese auditorium was transformed into the 11th Airborne Coliseum. The complex was large enough to hold a theater that would seat 2,500, four basketball courts, a poolroom with 100 tables, a boxing arena that held 4,000 spectators, six bowling alleys and a training room.
Aside from the sports theme, the coliseum contained a Special Services office, a snack bar, a Red Cross office and a library. I can just picture my father spending some off-duty time in the poolroom or bowling alley. When I was growing up, we had a pool table in the basement and Smitty would teach me how every shot was related to angles and geometry. My aim improved – once I figured it out.
In the fall of 1945, an Olympian was held in Tokyo for all the troops stationed in Japan and Korea. Football became the highlighted game. The 11th A/B Division coach, Lt. Eugene Bruce brought them to winning the Japan-Korea championship. They then went on to take the Hawaiian All-Stars in Mejii Stadium with a score of 18-0. This meant that the 11th Airborne Division held the All-Pacific Championship. The troopers went on to win in so many other sports that by the time the finals were held for the boxing tournament at Sendai, the headlines read in the Stars and Stripes sports section:
Ho-Hum, It’s the Angels Again”
On the reverse side of the photo seen above, Smitty wrote, “This is the hotel where we are now staying. That dot in the driveway is me.” The 11th A/B commander had made his home here on 16 September. After the occupation, it re-opened for business as a hotel, but unfortunately was destroyed by fire on 2 March 1969.
The division had a reputation for mission accomplishment despite being nearly half the size of other divisions. This was often attributed to their somewhat unorthodox methods. This carried over into their occupation of Japan. General Swing converted an old Japanese factory and had it turning out American-style furniture for the troops. General Headquarters wasn’t very happy about the project because they wanted the Japanese to build furniture for the entire command. But Swing was not one to wait for all the red tape. After General Eichelberger inspected the better-than-GHQ- standard brick barracks under construction, he said to Swing, “Joe, I don’t know whether to court-martial you or commend you.” (Later on, he was commending Swing.)
Click on images to enlarge.
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Military Humor –
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Farewell Salutes –
Verne Budahn – Mankato, MN; US Air Force, Korea, Airman 2nd Class, KIA
Harvey Dumsday – Toronto, CAN; RC Navy, WWII, ETO
Edward Fischer – Park Forest, IL; US Navy, WWII, LST Quartermaster
Lyman Hale Jr. – Syracuse, NY; US Army, Korea, Medical Corps
Leo Latlip – Hallowell, ME; US Navy, WWII, PTO, USS Missouri
Walter McGill Jr. – Norwich, CT; US Navy, WWII, PTO / Korea
Ray Rigby – Rexburg, ID; US Army Air Corps, WWII, B-29 Flight Engineer
Clarence Roberts – Brownwood, TX; US Navy, WWII, USS Wisconsin
Philip Schwhitzer – York, PA; US Army Air Corps, WWII, PTO, Medical/221/11th Airborne Division
Ebert VanBuren – Monroe, LA; US Army, WWII, PTO, 96th Infantry Division
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Posted on July 8, 2019, in SMITTY, Uncategorized, WWII and tagged 11th airborne, 1940's, Army, family history, History, Japan, Military, Military History, Pacific War, WW2, WWII. Bookmark the permalink. 98 Comments.
Hi, maybe off subject. I’m retoring a Ford GPW ’42 and need information on bumper markings for 11th AB during the Philippine campaign. Pictures would be wonderfull.
Thanks a lot
Stefaan
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I’ll see what I can get together.
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Hi, glad to hear you received more info.
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Did you get the info I left at the bottom of my next post?
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Didn’t want you to think I forgot, I am just having trouble finding trucks with markings. The problem is, the 11th Airborne entered the P.I. as a secret unit. They did not have 11th A/B on their helmet until they started out for Japan. I am still searching – have a few more places to check and I’ll contact the 11th’s association as well. Hope your project is going along smoothly otherwise.
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Stefaan, I have 2 photos, but i don’t know how much they will help you. One is from New Guinea and the other is when they were training at Camp MacKall. It was on the 188th Reg. yearbook page. They will be situated at the very end of tomorrow’s new post. I’m still waiting for contacts to come through with something clearer for you.
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Did the pictures and info from Matt help you at all?
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Still trying to get hang of how the site works. I have not seen Matt’s pictures.
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That’s why I think I’ll create a post for it. Is the week of the 23rd too late for you?
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Try this and let me know.
http://www.lonesentry.com/panzer/jeep-markings.html
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After devoting some time to navigating the blog, i’ve got the hang of it. My bad for not seeing Matt’s post immediately. My error has been corrected.
Look forward to reading more.
Keep up the good work!
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I try Stefaan. All I ask of you is to send me a picture of the truck when it’s done and I’ll share it with Matt!!
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I’ll be sure to do that.
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I just wanted to mention – I think your journey (along with your wife) would make an outstanding post(s). If not for me – at least for yourself, make certain to take pictures as your projects proceeds and possibly keep a journal. What do you think?
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I like Swing’s unorthodox methods of getting done what needed to get done.
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Smitty would have gone through Hell for that man and the books and stories I’ve read since – the other men agree with him.
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Don’t know whether to admire that Coliseum gp, or view it as a bit of overkill under the circumstances in a defeated country, then again it demonstrates a military mindset in caring for the soldiers at the time.
Cheers
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They played against other troops, even those in Hawaii.
Have a great weekend, Ian!!
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You should compile your posts and publish them into a book!
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Thank you, Kally!!
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I really love this blog!
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How very nice of you to say !!!!!!
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GP, this is a great R&R post. You hooked me with the caption on the first photo. WWII steampunk! Excellent!
You do a great job of showing so many different aspects of the era. Hugs.
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Thank you, Teagan.
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Reblogged this on Dave Loves History.
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Thank you very much!
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That’s an extensive set up they had, it would almost make it a pleasure to be there!
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I think it must have been later on. For these vets, it made the waiting to go home a bit easier.
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This was wonderful! What an amazing thing to do for out troops. I had no idea there were vehicles run on coal. Great post, GP.
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That was about all they had left for fuel. They had been at war for so long and the FDR sanctions really took its toll.
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That makes sense. Why we dragged our feet to get involved and help England… but that’s another story. Thanks, GP.
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Sure thing, Jennie.
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Churchill was not the genius of military actions he thought himself to be. We were deep into the Great Depression that FDR promised to get us out of in every term of office, and despite his campaign promises, FDR did try to get Hitler to declare war on us, but he wasn’t into that – these are just a couple of reasons why most Americans were isolationists.
Perhaps starting here will explain more…..
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I knew much of this, in pieces, so it was great to read your well put-together post. Big business and politics always play a large role. It makes me wonder about my grandfather, who took his honeymoon in Japan in 1919. His father was head of the Pennsylvania Railroad, and opened coal mines in PA and WV. Surely my grandfather had business dealings in Japan.
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Oh, I’m sure he must have. How interesting that you found a connection with your own family. Thank you for the compliment. I try in that series to further explain how it all went wrong.
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You do that very well, GP!
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Thank you very much.
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🙂
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Maybe Smitty could have improved my play
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I wouldn’t be surprised!!
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Great story as always
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Thank you, Rick. You are always so complimentary.
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Your dad was lucky to have served under General Swing. He certainly stuck up for his troops and tried to make life a bit more enjoyable for them.
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The way I’ve heard him described and how Smitty felt, he was the ideal leader. He brought a large percentage of his men home compared to other generals too – so Yes, I am glad he served under him as well! Thanks, Bev!
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Reblogged this on John Cowgill's Literature Site.
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Much appreciated, John!!
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You are welcome.
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The sport and entertainment program for the troops is incredible; great to learn about it, GP.
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Thank you for taking the time to stop by, Dolly!!
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Always my pleasure, GP.
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I have watched every episode of MASH.
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Wasn’t that a terrific show!! They used stories from Korean War veterans, and some from WWII vets. It was based on an actually unit too!!
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It was my FAVORITE show of all time!! Excellent!! ♥️
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That must have been a huge auditorium. It must have felt so good to relax after everything they’d been through.
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I know Dad worked everyday, being on Gen. Swing’s staff, but I’m certain he’d find time to “goof off”!!
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Great details, GP.
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Thanks, John!
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Even with the end of fighting, it is clear there was a lot to do, when they got home they must have gotten used to weariness. But they were an inventive and energised lot.
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That they were. I know Dad immediately got a job after his return home, and you are right, they were inventive!!
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No time for slouching!
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These facilities allowed American soldiers to enjoy the amenities of America at no or low cost to them, and were a welcome service even to this day. My only complaint against them is they also helped create the barracks rat, a person who could be stationed abroad and never take a chance to experience those other cultures.
One of my roommates in Germany was a barracks rat. He worked as a supply clerk during the day, ate all his meals on the Kaserne, never experienced more of Germany than a bus trip across Kaiserslautern from Kleber Kaserne to Vogelweh on the other side of town, wherre there was an additional larger PX and other servives. What a waste!
We tried to include him when we went out for a restaurant meal on the economy or day trips to places of nearby interest – Schloss Heidelberg, the Deutsche Weinstrasse, even the nearby Pfaelzerwald, with its pleasant nature walks – but he never joined us, never gave a n reason more than he just didn’t want to!
Other than a few German nationals working in the company and the guy who collected fares on the city bus, he barely encountered a single German during his entire time in the country.
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I’m sure there were some who just couldn’t adjust to working side by side with someone who used to be the enemy. The only complaints I heard from my father were about the replacements. They had had no experience with respecting the formidable enemy they had been up against. No experience in combat and had very little training. To put it mildly, Smitty had no respect for the way the replacements showing up in Japan acted. He would have wanted them to be barracks rats.
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I have no problem understanding how those who fought against the Axis soldiers, especially the Germans and Japanese, might have a different attitude about them than replacements who didn’t experience the fight. It must have been especially odd how the Japanese went from being suicidal SOBs to passive little puppies in an instant. Of course, some in the outposts didn’t give up the fight for decades, but mostly the surrender seemd to go without much resistance than one might expect. The US troops who experienced the suicidal SOB’s, reasonably, might question just how pacified they post war Japanese were. The replacement troops would be moire interested in experiencing the geisha houses and the tourist aspects of the occupioed country, I imagine. As for Germany, I think the occupation forces experienced more resistance from former Nazis.
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I would agree. The Japanese reversal was odd to some, but those who listened to their superiors trying to explain the culture would grow to understand their obedience to the Emperor – and being as they had been at war far longer than the U.S., they were tired and ready for change. The replacements came in with the attitude that they were conquering race and the Japanese were beneath them, they were arrogant and rude – that did not sit well with Smitty at all.
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That’s true! And, of course, MacArthur recognized the importance of leaving the emperor in place, though there was some interests whoi wanted to try him as a war criminal,if I recall my history.
A friend gave me a LIFE magazine with the same cover date as my day of birth in March 1948. In it, there was a long article about a poetry contest sponsored by Hirohito each year. It was generally positive and respectful. I guess Americans by then were more open to Japan and its culture by then. No more “Jap” this or that. Of course, that was the year the Berlin airlift started, which helped shift the attitude about the Germans toward a more positive place.
Interesting how the most vicious enemies of that war turned around and became staunch allies in subsequent years, and the Soviet allies became our biggest adversary! Says a lot about the American diplomatic leadership that chose to help our vaquished enemies rebuild instead of approaching the war’s end as a chance to further destroy their economies through decades long occupations, reparations, and confiscations of factories, like the Soviets did on their side of the Iron Curtain.
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You remember your history quite well, Doug! I know our military Brass didn’t exactly trust the Soviets, I’ve often wondered why our government went into such an alliance. Can you tell me?
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Especially since the Soviets had been allied with the Germans up till the Germans attacked the USSR…! I guess we felt the benefit of a second front to defeat the Axis was more than the stench of associating with the monster, Stalin.
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Thank you!
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I’m old enough to remember the latter year or two of WWII. I much appreciate seeing these recollections.
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I don’t even like being as old as I am, but still, I’m jealous of you for having that experience!!
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What a wonderful thing for the troops over there. I have to say, I am always impressed with the facilities on military bases. El Paso is just amazing–and open to the community. And Okinawa was wonderful. Soldiers get a little bit of home even far away.
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I’m happy to hear that. My better-half’s niece married a Navy corpsman now stationed on Okinawa with the Marines.
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I learn things from reading your blog that I could never learn in a history book (maybe a well written historical novel, but..) Have you considered some historical fiction?
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I tried once, but I just don’t have enough imagination I guess.
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You might do fine with creative nonfiction–feature Smtty as you imagine him.
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I’ve always had trouble describing him. It’s hard to make him sound human instead of a super hero.
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Make him a super hero and see where that takes you
That is what a rewrite is fior.
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Maybe after this blog is finished.
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I don’t see this blog ending anytime soon, unless you are no longer around to do it.
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Well, I certainly hope that’s not the case!! I still have many posts up my sleeve, but there is only so much room.
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General Swing certainly knew how to take of his troops. Providing decent living conditions, sports and entertainment is the best reward after the job is done. My interest always perks up when you show pictures and tell stories about your dad, GP.
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And that remark means the world to me, Peter!! He was certainly one of a kind and the best Dad anyone could ask for!
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Great memes today GP! The radio one is very relatable!
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Thanks, Jeff. I know that if anything weird could happen, it would surely be in the Army. 🙂
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Swing was a good chap!
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My Dad said the entire unit would go into hell for him.
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The soldier on the phone with his mom? I am positive that happened!
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Can you imagine how happy everyone was?
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Wow, were all those amenities already in the Coliseum or did they have to be added? I wonder how long it took to make all these renovations.
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I can’t say how long it took, but everything had to be brought in.
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I remember my father who was in the Eighty First Division mentioning General Swing, but not sure why he did. 🙂
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He might have crossed Swing’s path on just about any island the 81st went to. He may have participated in the ‘war games’ in North Carolina or Louisiana. And Swing had commanded quite a few units. I’d have to look into it further to say for certain.
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You don’t read much about what they did after the fighting stopped. Glad to read your account of what accommodations and activities they had during the occupation making them feel at home. Most of them probably just wanted to head home. Love the cartoon with the soldier talking to his mom.
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Glad you enjoyed the post, Rose!!
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Once again you have unearthed some fascinating and interesting details of their life at the time. Thanks as always.
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Thank you for that. I appreciate you taking the time out of your day to read about them!!
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It is so interesting to get this insight into the extensive arrangements made for the occupying forces. I had never imagined that the top brass went to so much trouble to make the men feel at home.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Everything was mostly peaceful – no need to rock the boat with bored veterans who were used to daily rigor.
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