11th Airborne Division and the end of WWII / part2
General Swing, Commander of the 11th A/B, brought with him on the plane a large American flag and a banner painted, “CP 11th Airborne Division” to be fastened onto the roof of airplane hangar. He was dressed in battle fatigues and “11th A/B” was stenciled on his helmet. He carried a .38 pistol and a bandoleer of .38 caliber shells draped across his chest. (As ready for combat in Japan as he was on Leyte and Luzon.) A Japanese officer approached him as he departed the plane. The officer saluted and introduced himself as Lieut-General Arisuye, the officer in control of the Atsugi sector. He then asked the general what his current orders would be and Gen. Swing lost no time in telling him.
American POWs had been left unguarded at their prisons just days before. Two hours after Gen. Swing’s arrival, two POWs walked into the CP. (command post). They had taken a train from the prison to Tokyo. No Japanese soldiers or civilians approached them along the way.
Later that day, Colonel Yamamoto presented himself as the chief liaison officer; both he and his aide were still wearing their swords. Gen. Swing ordered them to remove their weapons. Yamamoto arrogantly protested and insisted on explaining that the sword was his symbol of authority. Swing repeated his order, but with a more firm and commanding tone of voice and the two Japanese men complied immediately.
The 11th A/B then proceeded on to Yokohama where the Allied Headquarters was to be established. The fifth largest city of Japan was now little more than a shantytown after the persistent Allied bombings. In fact, most of the towns and cities resembled the crumbled remains seen in Europe. Yokohama and Tokyo would become sites for the Allied Military Tribunal trials for the Japanese war criminals, similar to those held in Nuremberg for the Germans.
The trucks waiting for the men at Atsugi airfield to be used as transportation between Tokyo and Yokohama mostly ran on charcoal and wood. Only a few vehicles still operated on gasoline. They were consistently breaking down and the fire engine that led General MacArthur’s motorcade was said to look like a Toonerville Trolley.
Below, the photograph from the New York “Daily News” show the 11th A/B in front of the New Grand Hotel and on the right, one of the many vehicles that constantly broke down. The date written on the picture is the issue my grandmother cut them from the paper, not the dates the pictures were taken.
General Swing wanted to view his newly arriving troops farther down the runway from where he was, when he spotted a Japanese general exiting his car. Seconds later, ‘Jumpin’ Joe’ hopped into the backseat. The interpreter translated from the driver to Swing that the limo was reserved for the Chief of Staff of the Imperial Army. Swing roared in returned, “Goddamn it, we won the war. Drive me down the strip.” Once in front of his troops, Swing exited the car and the Japanese captain said, “Well sir, Generals are alike in all armies.”
The 11th Airborne band set up for the arrival of General Douglas MacArthur at 1400 hours. When the general’s plane the ‘Bataan’ landed, the five-star general paused at the door wearing his pleated khakis, his shirt unbuttoned at the neck and the garrison hat with the gold encrusted visor crown. (In other words – his typical attire). There were no ribbons clipped to his shirt, but the customary corncob pipe hung from his lips at an angle. He then descended, shook hands with Gen. Eichelberger and quietly said, “Bob, from Melbourne to Tokyo is a long way, but this seems to be the end of the road. This is the payoff.”
CLICK ON IMAGES TO ENLARGE.
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Military Humor –
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Farewell Salutes –
Curtis Becker – Warsaw, IL; US Army, Vietnam, F Co/41/101st Airborne Division, Bronze Star
August Dindia – Portland, OR; US Navy, WWII, PTO, LST navigator/signalman
Thomas W. Goodyear – Mount Holly Springs, PA, US Army Air Corps, WWII
George “Johnny” Johnson (101) – Lincolnshire, ENG; RAF, WWII, ETO, 617 Squadron (Last surviving “Dam Buster”), MBE
Clay Lair (100) – Harrison, AK; US Navy, WWII
Joseph E. Lescant – Cambridge, MA; US Army Air Corps, WWII, PTO, Pvt. # 11024358, 16 BS/27 BG, POW, KWC (Cabanatuan Camp, Luzon)
John F. Matousek – Centennial, CO; US Army, WWII, ETO, 508th MP Battalion
Arthur L. Pierce – Malden, MA, US Army, WWII, PTO, Pfc. # 11007114, 803 Engineering Battalion, POW, KWC (Cabanatuan Camp, Luzon)
Theodore F. Scarborough – Brooklyn, MS; US Army Air Corps, WWII, ETO, 2nd Lt. # 0-734985, B-24 bombardier, 345 BS/98BG/9th Air Force, KIA (Ploiesti, ROM)
Dale D. Thompson – Cherry County, NE; US Army, Korea, Pfc. # 17277010, Heavy Mortar Co./32/7th Infantry Division, KIA (Chosin Reservoir, NK)
Stanley Young – Mena, AR; US Army Air Corps, WWII, PTO, 11th Airborne Division, Bronze Star, Purple Heart
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I have a very early doctor appointment, so it may take me some time to get back to each of you.
Please be patient with me.
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Posted on December 12, 2022, in Post WWII, WWII and tagged 11th airborne, Army, Everett Smith, History, Japan, Military, Military History, Pacific, Pacific War, WW2, WWII. Bookmark the permalink. 129 Comments.
Thank you GP. Have a Happy New Year!!
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Same to you, Tim!!
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I hope you’re over the worst of the pneumonia and can celebrate the holiday.
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Thank you, I will make a point of it!!
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Nice Post, Sir.
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Thank you.
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“The interpreter translated from the driver to Swing that the limo was reserved for the Chief of Staff of the Imperial Army. Swing roared in returned, “Goddamn it, we won the war. Drive me down the strip.” Once in front of his troops, Swing exited the car and the Japanese captain said, “Well sir, Generals are alike in all armies.” This is the best part. I love and respect Gen. Swing! He could assert his authority even with the enemy. After all, we won the war!!
Feel better soon, GP. You need a lot of rest!
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Thank you very much, Rose!!
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Thanks for your like of my post on Matthew 22′; you are very kind.
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You are very welcome. You put together excellent posts.
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Thanks for your kindness
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General Swing knew how to command – whether it be his troops or the leaders of the opposition. He certainly played an important role during WWII but not a name you would normally hear. Thanks for all the stories about him and your dad.
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Thank you, Bev.
You have been missed, I hope all is okay by you.
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I’m well, just have been busy with coordinating 42 tour buses in November and December for our Dickens Victorian Village. There aren’t enough hours in the day.
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I can’t even imagine the logistics involved – Good for you, Bev!
I always enjoyed Dickens. I’m sure you’ve done an outstanding job!
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Amazing. I still get engulfed in your stories. they are truly from the heart! 🙂
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Thank you very much. Yes – they truly are.
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I hope you are fine. Together we all will grow just give look on my page.
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I will.
At the moment I am not fine, I’m fighting a bout of pneumonia.
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I am sorry to hear that, but I will pray for you for the recovery 🎈
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Much appreciated!
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I love the limo story. General Swing is a role model!
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His men sure thought so!!
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Yes, they did. That in itself says it all. Have you written about him after the war?
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I will conclude Japan with what I know of his career. Unfortunately, I do not know of any biography about him.
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Thanks for the update, GP.
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Anytime, Jennie!
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🙂
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That seems strange there is no biography of Swing. His life would make a very interesting read.
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That’s exactly what I thought. But knowing what Dad told me, he was more of an active leader, not one to talk about it.
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Nice blog
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Thank you.
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Welcome
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“Bob, from Melbourne to Tokyo is a long way, but this seems to be the end of the road. This is the payoff.” Indeed it was G. Thank you for all of your research and posts taking us taking us the whole way. It was a major endeavor. Much appreciated. Curt
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Now, clean-up isn’t as glamorous, but equally important.
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Another year at least, eh G. 🙂 Merry Christmas. We are at Safety Harbor with our son and family, enjoying Christmas. –Curt
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Wonderful photos by this blog
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Thank you, Lou. I feel they help to tell the story better than I do.
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Fascinating post highlighted by these great photos. Thank you!
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Thank you very much, Pam!!
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A nice share on a high note as we approach the year’s closing and a summation for a new usa agenda.
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I do wish we could have a new agenda again.
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There will be a new agenda. Brace yourself for what is about to come…the unexpected is coming.
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What did General MacArthur say when he left the Philippines?
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If you mean by the end of the war, I’ll have to look that up. It was quite clear Mac would be stationed in Japan for a while.
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I shall return, after he left earlier
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Correct and after freeing them from the Japanese, he moved on.
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Thank you. How many people know about this today? lol
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History is being forgotten and by some – erased.
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It is a shame
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I must say — I’ve come to really like General Swing through your posts. Obviously, he had a good sense of humor, as well as a firm sense of who he was and how best to use his position to gain advantage for his troops! I was sorry to hear about that peumonia, too. The good news is that it can respond very well to certain drugs; I hope your recovery comes quickly!
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Thank you, Linda. The men all respected Swing, some even called him ‘Uncle Joe’.
I hope this pneumonia goes away soon too. My head is foggy besides all the other symptoms!
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So the limo was reserved for the Chief of Staff of the Imperial Army, huh? I shared this on Twitter and LinkedIn. Take care of yourself, GP!
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Thank you very much, Joy. I really don’t understand why WP says I’m following you, but then never puts your posts on my reader page. I’m trying the no-follow and the follow again and see if it works.
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Reblogged this on .
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Thank you, Dave.
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Thanks again for the history lesson. I have seen many photos regarding the end of the war in Europe, not as much from Japan. You are always interesting.
Best wishes for a speedy recovery.
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Thank you very much. You are kind.
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Mac really was “America’s soldier”.
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He was the right man for the job!
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Good vintage photos with amazing historical facts.
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Thank you very much, Peter.
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Being selected for this important mission was a prestigious honor for the 11th A/B.
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It truly was. One that the Cavalry was pretty upset about not getting.
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Terrific story and photos, especially the one of Gen. Swing’s flag on the hangar — the perfect image for that moment of victory. Swing was one cool general.
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In the opinion of the 11th A/B – he still is. He may be gone, but definitely NOT forgotten.
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That caotain was right about all generals being the same….
Hope all is well with you.
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I guess by the time they are promoted that high, they feel they deserve the attitude. haha.
I’m not so hot at the moment.
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Goes to their heads, I suspect. Just wait till they get home to their wives and get deflated!
I’m sorry to hear that you are not on top form…do take care of yourself.
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I agree and yes – thank you very much for your concern.
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That picture from the NY Daily News is appreciated, GP. Helps envision what some of these final “steps” looked like.
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We both have to thank my grandmother for that. She cut everything out she could find on Mac and the 11th A/B.
(Thanks for the smile.)
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Excellent post, GP. Thanks for sharing it.
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Thank you, John. I appreciate you reading it.
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My goodness. After the years of fighting and death, now newer challenges arise. Not something you can really practice for or anticipate I’d guess?
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No not really, I suppose. Good observation!
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I like Gen. Swing. Hope your appointment went well!
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Thank you, Jacqui.
The initial diagnosis is double pneumonia.
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I had to DDG that one. Both lungs! OK. Get better, GP.
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Me too. I sounded like Lawrence Welk’s bubble machine. This was the first time I called a doctor without an appointment. I was put in isolation while they tested me for Covid and flu.
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Lulu: “General Swing! That’s my new favorite General name ever!”
Java Bean: “And the part about it being the end of WWII?”
Lulu: “Well that’s good too of course.”
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Cute, Dennis. It always helps when the animals agree with us.
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Swing sounds like my kind of commander. Taking no nonsense from the defeated Japanese. McArthur’s arrival seemed to really signal the end of WW2.
Best wishes, Pete.
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I never heard a bad word said about him. Very well respected.
Thanks, Pete.
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Always fascinating to read this again.
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Thank you, Pierre. I always appreciate your visits.
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This must have been quite a scene to witness:
“General Swing wanted to view his newly arriving troops farther down the runway from where he was, when he spotted a Japanese general exiting his car. Seconds later, ‘Jumpin’ Joe’ hopped into the backseat. The interpreter translated from the driver to Swing that the limo was reserved for the Chief of Staff of the Imperial Army. Swing roared in returned, “Goddamn it, we won the war. Drive me down the strip.” Once in front of his troops, Swing exited the car and the Japanese captain said, “Well sir, Generals are alike in all armies.”
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Such a good story and from someone who was there – I had to bring it to everyone.
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I’m glad you did!
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👍
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A great war was fought and won. It is so tragic the wars continued, and people are still waiting for peace on earth and goodwill among men.
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You said a mouthful there, Peter. Politicians should consult you!!
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Thank you. I really enjoyed that. It was really interesting to hear such momentous events in history described by people who were there. And there are lots of “little” details which make it come alive, such as the description of General MacArthur, and the perceptive words of the Japanese captain, “Generals are alike in all armies”.
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Thank you, John. I have to admit though that when I spoke to Gen. Ed Flanagan, he was so apologetic that he couldn’t help me on an item and the second time, he called me on Christmas Eve because he could he!!
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This was a great read, GP. I feel like I can hear General Swing giving those orders and making those comments. I had to chuckle when reading about wanting to be driven down the strip.
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I always get a kick out of that story myself. Thanks, Dan.
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Another great post, GP. Thank you for offering the historical story.
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My pleasure, Gwen. I have to stick to factual data, I don’t have an author’s imagination. 🤪
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Definitely the end of the road.
Good luck with your dr’s appointment, GP.
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Being the winner isn’t all fun and games, but at least the fighting over.
Thank you, Dolly, the initial diagnosis is double pneumonia.
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Speedy and full recovery, dear friend!
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Thank you so much.
Chanukah is just around the corner – ENJOY!! 🕎
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The more you tell us about General Swing, the more I like him.
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Terrific. I know my father thought the world of him. Many in the 11th A/B called him Uncle Joe.
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Reblogged this on John Cowgill's Literature Site.
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Thank you, John.
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You are very welcome.
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A momentous ending for such an earth-shaking conflict. It seems to have been handled as well as it could be.
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For such a large war, I think it was handled much better that more modern wars.
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I agree.
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Thanks for the insights, its a lot different than “history book” history. The 2 competing emotions they must have had: Relief that it was over vs how they felt as word of the atrocities came out. I knew a man who fought in that theater that wouldn’t have owned a Japanese car if you held a gun to his head, and it was so drilled into his kid’s heads they never did either. A lot of raw emotions for a long time.
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Oh yes there was.
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Love the Japanese quote about all generals being the same. Wonderful write-up GP.
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Thank you, Pat.
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awestruck
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Thank you.
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I like how General Swing firmly, asserted his leadership in no uncertain terms.
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Yes, he wasn’t giving them any slack. Especially since he had no idea what the expect the next few months.
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I really like the Flag Eagle, very clever and a strong patriotic image
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Thank you, Katie. I thought so myself.
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Relief all round I would think.
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Most certainly. Now – it’s time to rebuild.
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Thank you, John.
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Thank you.
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Thank you.
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