Smitty & the 11th Airborne in Japan
Just as General Douglas MacArthur said to Gen. Robert Eichelberger that it was a long road to Tokyo, so it was for Smitty. Yes, the stretch from Broad Channel to Camp MacKall and finally Atsugi Airfield was a long and arduous road, but here, the 11th Airborne Division arrives in Japan to begin the Occupation and to help start the rebuilding of a country.
With the initial arrival of the division, rarely was a female between the ages of 8 and 70 seen on the streets. The Japanese had heard their government’s propaganda for years as to the American looting and raping, so they were understandably afraid of the conquering troops. But many were confused about the peaceful attitude of the soldiers and a member of the 511th regiment was stopped one day by a Japanese officer, he asked, “Why don’t you rape, loot and burn? We would.” The trooper answered that Americans just don’t do that.
With the New Grand Hotel surrounded by troopers, the manager and his staff bowed to Gen. MacArthur and his party and directed them to their suites. Tired and hungry from their long flight, the Americans went to the dining room and were served steak dinners. Gen. Whitney remembered wanting to take MacArthur’s plate to make certain it hadn’t been poisoned. When he told the general his concern and intentions, MacArthur laughed and said, “No one can live forever.”
The hotel would become his headquarters and later that evening, MacArthur told his staff, “Boys, this is the greatest adventure in military history. Here we sit in the enemy’s country with only a handful of troops, looking down the throats of 19 fully armed divisions and 70 million fanatics. One false move and the Alamo would look like a Sunday school picnic.” (The fact that nothing happened, I believe, said quite a bit about Japanese integrity.)
The division Command Post was moved from the Atsugi Airfield to the Sun Oil Compound in Yokohama. This compound had about 15 American-style homes complete with furniture, dishes, silver and linens. The senior staff officers were not so fortunate. They were put up in warehouses on the docks, often without heat.
On the reverse side of this photo, Smitty wrote: “A picture of the General’s gang taken in the living room at Yokohama. Reading left to right – baker, first cook, Mess Sergeant, me headwaiter and on the floor, second cook. Those glasses you can see were always full. You can’t beat this Japanese beer.”
*********** ***********
In the Philippines, the Japanese emissary General Kawabe, finished their surrender talks. Kawabe’s aide, Second Lt. Sada Otake, introduced himself to a Nisei G.I. standing guard outside. The guard, in response, said his name was Takamura. Otake said he had married a Nisei by the same name and did he had a sister named Etsuyo? The guard nodded and Otake said, “I’m her husband. Look me up in Japan.” And the brothers-in-law shook hands. (Small world or fate?)
********** **********
On 1 September, newsmen Harry Brundige and Clark Lee, with the help of a Japanese newsman, located Tokyo Rose with her husband in their hotel, the Imperial. Brundige offered her $2,000 for an exclusive interview for “Cosmopolitan” magazine. She agreed and together they typed out 17 pages of notes. The editor of the magazine was so astounded that Brundige had made a deal with a traitor that he rejected the story. The notes were handed over to Lee, who wrote his own version of the story for the International News Service.
######################################################################################
Military Humor –
#######################################################################################
Farewell Salutes –
John F. Aranyosi – Hammond, LA; US Army, WWII & Korea, Sgt. (Ret. 22 y.)
J.D. Bishop – Anniston, AL; US Army, WWII, PTO, Purple Heart
Try A. Charles (103) – DeLeon, LA; US Merchant Marines, WWII, ETO, radioman/medic
Lionel J. Desilets (100) – Paradise Hill, CAN; RC Army, WWII
William H. Flowers (100) – Cambridge, MD; US Army Air Corps, WWII, B-25 flight instructor
Guy J. George – Barre, VT; US Army, WWII, CBI
William F. Gusie – IL; US Navy, WWII, PTO, Fire Controlman 3rd Class, USS Oklahoma, KIA (Pearl Harbor, HI)
Vernon Hermann – Seward, NE; US Navy, WWII, PTO, Pharmacist’s Mate / Korea, Observer Corps
Marvin Krauss – Redding, CT; US Navy, WWII, Corpsman
Richard M. Marshall – Gilbert, AZ; US Army Air Corps, WWII, PTO, 11th Airborne Division
A.N. Perry – Surfside, FL; US Coast Guard, WWII, PTO, LST radioman
################################################################################################
Posted on January 2, 2023, in Broad Channel, First-hand Accounts, Post WWII, SMITTY, Uncategorized and tagged 11th airborne, Army, Everett Smith, family history, History, Japan, Military, Military History, Smitty, WW2, WWII. Bookmark the permalink. 138 Comments.
Love to hear the moving background story of our military history. Thanks for sharing,
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I think eye-witness accounts are more dynamic and noteworthy than memorizing names and dates.
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Always so interesting and eye-opening!
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Having this peace was incredible, but if politicians would learn from this history and all it it took to get here – we would not have so many wars today. In My Opinion.
Thank you for reading these posts, Kerbey. I realize they are not as entertaining as your posts!!
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They preserve history and that is much more important! There is so much to learn from history, as you say. It is obvious that our leaders are not paying attention. The intricacies and moving parts and the characters of the men placed in power for such a time as WW II is endlessly fascinating. I shudder to think if the Allies had not had victory.
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I can’t even imagine that!!
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Great stories, and an interesting insight into how the world was rebuilt after 1945.
A friend of mine landed in Normandy a couple of days after D-Day and fought his way across Europe. He was then sent to India to train for landing in Japan and said that the news about the atom bombs was the best news he had ever had.
It’s all about perspective, and your words “We can’t use our 21st Century eyes to judge these episodes, we can only use them to learn from them.” sum this up perfectly.
And while I’m here – Happy New Year.
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Thank you for seeing what I was attempting to show in the post.
Happy New Year to you as well. I loved your beard with the ornaments!! 🤣
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You have to wonder who thought up the idea for “Beard Baubles” don’t you? 🙂
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That may go back to pirate days, don’t you think?
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It could do – I seem to remember tales of \Blackbeard plaiting smoking slow match into his beard now you mention it. . .
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And btw, happy new year, my friend!
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Same to you – All the very best!!
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Great stuff as always, GP! Smitty must’ve had lots of tales about Japan then. Truly fascinating.
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Thank you for reading it!
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I revisited a Netflix series on the Medal of Honor; one of these men was a Japanese American who passed on Dec 29th of last year. Here is his obit:
https://rafu.com/2022/12/obituary-hershey-miyamura-97-medal-of-honor-recipient-for-korean-war-heroism/
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I did a post on Mr. Miyamura myself. I appreciate you sending this, I will include him in a future Salutes and I’ll put this link on his page. Thank you.
https://pacificparatrooper.wordpress.com/2014/03/24/intermission-stories-5/
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Those photos are a treasure! Smitty was very fortunate to be part of this important historical event. And that was an amazing coincidence for the Japanese general and the Nisei G.I. to be brothers in law.
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My friend, Koji Kanemoto had family on both sides. Smitty may very well have been up against one of his uncles on Leyte and later worked with his father (Nisei translator during Occupation). His blog has quite a story on it.
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A fascinating post with lots of tidbits. I love the two brothers-in-law’s story and Tokyo Rose’s story. That generation is truly the greatest. Who would not pass an exclusive from Tokyo Rose? Amazing! Also, Americans just don’t do that! So proud of that generation!
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They certainly had character, didn’t they?!!
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What great photos of Smitty and the others. Thanks to you, I know more about Smitty’s war than I know about my own uncles and aunts, teachers and family friends who were in the fight at the same time. You and Smitty bring it to life, on both the good (and best) and bad (and worst) sides.
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I couldn’t possibly ask for a more complimentary comment, Brad. Thank you very much! It would be a shame to lose your family’s stories – nothing remains?
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Oh, no. Got the stories — some of them. Don’t have the letters, myself, although there may be some in the hands of various cousins. Smitty’s are pure gold, and you’re generous to share them. I have the photos of stern-looking, determined young aunts in WAC and other uniforms, stories from uncles on land and sea. One, a merchant mariner aboard the St. Lo, sunk by a kamikaze, October, ’44, Leyte Gulf engagement, went into the water, pulled out in fifteen minutes by a ship I can’t name, sorry. Sheer terror, beyond anything imaginable. I didn’t ask enough questions, did I? My bad. Now, I can no longer ask. Why we’re glad to have Smitty with us. Many of us have the stories. You and Smitty are a window on a world we’ve lost.
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I know how you feel. I didn’t ask enough questions either. Some I didn’t know enough to have a question about and other times my mother would abruptly stop me from asking.
The St. Lo The survivors were rescued from the water by USS Heermann, USS John C. Butler, USS Raymond and USS Dennis (which picked up 434 survivors).[5]
The wreck is located near 11.02°N 126.04°ECoordinates: 11.02°N 126.04°E.[6]
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Thank you. I’ll check with my cousin, who probably knows which ship got him. I knew him, but, as we say, I didn’t ask the questions. Carry on.
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Those photos from Smitty are great, GP. As for the humor section, I would not want that job either lol.
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Thank you, Bruce.
I can only hope that was staged, make-believe job!! Yikes!
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Happy New Year, GP! Sorry I am late—just catching up after the holidays. I was struck by the “Americans don’t do that” line. If only that were always true—the MyLai massacre is just one example of how it isn’t always true.
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The two incidents can not be compared. The comment made in peacetime Japan was from one generation, Vietnam was another. We need to look deeper. The replacements sent to finish the Occupation were not as respectful, despite their lack of combat experience. My Lai was considered a massacre, but bombing hundreds of thousands of civilians in Japan and Germany wasn’t? We can’t use our 21st Century eyes to judge these episodes, we can only use them to learn from them.
Thank you for the New Year wishes. I rang it in still recovering from pneumonia, so it can only get better!! haha
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Sorry about the pneumonia—and I hope you are fully recovered soon.
I wasn’t comparing MyLai to any other military massacre, just pointing out that the American military is hardly without blood on its hands when it comes to war crimes.
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And now that we have PC wars, they are never ending and no one wins.
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Happy New Year 😊
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It’s good to hear about the inside stories – not just the news reals. That’s what makes your blog so fascinating. Real people and how they felt. 🙂
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Thank you. I do try. That’s why I have so many books on the subject, as well as my father’s stuff.
https://pacificparatrooper.wordpress.com/2017/08/24/pacific-paratrooper-book-library-ytd/
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A great article. I loved the pics
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Thank you very much!
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You are very welcome
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Those “17 pages of notes” from Tokyo Rose would likely be worth a small fortune now. Or at least an interesting read.
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I’ll lay odds they are in someone’s attic or basement.
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An interesting view of the times. I can’t help but notice things would be quite different if it occurred in today’s world. No news media would have turned down an exclusive from Tokyo Rose!
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Isn’t THAT the truth!! People seemed to still have morals and character back then. I see very little of it today.
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Sadly, I agree. I’m glad I came from a generation that was aware of morals and integrity. The last two generations seem to have no knowledge of such things. I’m actually taken aback when I see it in someone of the younger generation.
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Isn’t that the truth, eh!! No one seems to have time to actually raise their kids.
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-Can’t believe that American and Chines soldiers are so kind to each other by first meeting.Great photos in this post
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Here it was Japanese soldiers. They were once enemies, but despite that, they respected each other.
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Sorry for my mistake,never forget it were japanese soldiers
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No problem, Mary Lou. I just wanted to be certain you were aware of the big difference in cultures.
Have a great day!!
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https://dilrangapereradrama.wordpress.com/
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So nice to read of a peaceful time between American and Japanese troops. Had to smile that someone would turn down a story on Tokyo Rose. The war was over but she had an impact.
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Tokyo Rose got a lot of men killed, I was surprised she was only sentenced to 10 years!
Yes, Smitty admired how the Japanese made the ‘about face’, but then again, their government had kept them in the dark for so long.
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I always look forward to your posts, the ‘insider’ look into the details of important times in our past.
Also, the ‘Cars’ dopey-faced Jeep was hilarious, we like seeing evidence of our troops finding humor in their daily lives in service, where there may not be much to smile or laugh about.
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It’s the ‘insider details’ that help give the whole story. Thanks, Katie.
I love military humor; they tell the truth with a laugh!
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Thank you for researching and posting, GP. The meeting of the brothers-in-law – yes, it is a small world in which Fate deals a hand now and then.
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My pleasure Lavinia. I appreciate all your visits!!
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That’s one story about Tokyo Rose that I had never heard of before.
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I couldn’t believe she was only sentenced to 10 years.
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Can follow my site ? Thanks Anita
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I don’t see why not. I’ll get over to your site later on today.
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Smith has been to many countries during his tour of duty; that must have been surreal to have been in Japan itself
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Yet, he always said he wished he could get back to Australia. That country really intrigued him.
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Wow; I bet Australia would be up there!
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A wonderful post, full of human interest and unknown details.
Happy New Year to you and yours, GP!
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Thank you, Dolly. I wish you and yours the very best!!
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Thank you very much, dear friend.
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An information-packed post GP. Interestingly, two heroes in the Japanese mind came out of the occupation. The first was MacArthur, and the second was W. Edwards Deming. MacArthur saved the culture and Deming the manufacturing ability of the Japanese. I enjoyed the Tokyo Rose story as well as the brother-in-law incident. Well done.
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Thank you very much. Tidbits of history we rarely ever hear about, I enjoy that.
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Nice to see someone else acknowledges Deming’s influence in Japan. Very few people know that we sent him there…what a gift.
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It is interesting that prior to going to Japan he was not that well received here in the US. Once the Japanese started beating our pants off in quality and efficiency he became a geru.
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Exactly!
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😊
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I agree, GP, that the fact that nothing happened to those greatly outnumbered occupation forces does say quite a bit about Japanese integrity. I never tasted Japanese beer, though I did stop in Okinawa on my way home from Vietnam. I didn’t drink alcohol at the time, but I DID buy a Seiko watch. 🙂
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Hey – did that watch hold up? haha Thanks for stopping in, TW. 😎
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It was stolen in the barracks at Fort Knox. Decades later, my wife bought me one just like it for Christmas.
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Too bad.
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I still have the one my wife bought me to replace it. It’s a really good watch. 🙂
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That is great to hear!
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Isn’t that fantastic!
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Propaganda works and hurts, then and now.
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That’s why governments use it.
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Yup. When shall we get that through our skulls?
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🙄
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How wonderful to have those photos from Smitty.
Happy New Year!
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Thank you. I do cherish them.
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Lulu: “Happy New Year!”
Java Bean: “¡Feliz año nuevo!”
Lulu: “Lots of interesting information about what happened in Japan! I wonder if that good Japanese beer was Sapporo. I hear our Mama is a fan of that, although she doesn’t drink it very often.”
Java Bean: “Why not?”
Lulu: “Something about calories I think, whatever those are …”
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Oh, you bet, those pesky calories tend to stick around too.
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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 welcome.
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Sending my best wishes to you and your lovely family, GP – may you all have a wonderful new year! 🤗🌹
Rosie
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Thank you very much, Rosie. That is very sweet of you.
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We were there in Japan, and we saw this Yushukan Museum. We enjoyed our time there in South Korea but the North side was a disaster. Thanks for sharing your photos.
Anita
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You must have some great historical memories from your visit. I appreciate you sharing that.
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Yes such historic and interesting site we saw. Thanks Anita
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It has always fascinated me that there was no attempted insurgency or atrocities carried out by the Japanese troops or civilians after the intital occupation. As your article says, it has to do with their culture undoubtedly, and the added shame that their country had surrendered unconditionally.
Best wishes, Pete.
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There were some young hot-heads, the type you find in any culture, that attempted to be trouble, but their own military took care of it.
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There was a well-staffed group of insurgents who came a lot closer to creating a civil war than I’d been previously aware. This 52 minute video details the crucial events of the final 24 hours of the war. Not young turks, these men were senior officers, prepared to murder their opponents and burn their homes. .
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Good article. That quote by MacArthur–I’ve never heard it before.
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I found that quote in “The Angels: A History of the 11th Airborne Division” by, Lt. Gen. E.M. Flanagan, Jr. on page 379. I was honored to have 2 opportunities to talk with the general on the phone.
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That sure breaths life into history. How wonderful.
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I never wanted to be like the History Channel and just follow the timeline with the ‘already known’ facts.
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The painting “Last Trip” always cuts deep into my emotions.
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I understand, Carl. It chokes me up every time.
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It’s kind of hard to hate foreign occupiers when they don’t rape, loot, and burn.
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Yes, the troops mostly did us proud. The newbie replacements were not quite as respectful.
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‘the Americans just don’t do that.’ -excellent response
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Yes, it was, but mostly relating to the combat soldiers – according to Smitty, the replacements were not so respectful.
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eek
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Still fascinating reading.
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Thank you, Pierre.
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That was a lucky combination of cultures…American restraint and Japanese obedience to authority. Your father bagged a cushy number at last!
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He sure did! He knew just how lucky he was too. He once drove an oil truck, here he drove a 3-star general! (and one that he respected!)
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It was especially interesting to see the ‘staff people’ — the cooks and such. I’ve never thought much about how many people it required to do the cooking, cleaning, laundering, and such. We mostly read about the officers, but there were plenty of others who helped those officers keep their focus on the mission.
The tale of Brundige and Lee is interesting, too. I suspect that “Cosmo” editor would have jumped at the chance to publish the story today.
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Dad was a driver, but was considered part of the service staff. He sure lucked out!
A Cosmo editor today would certainly jump at the chance for such an exclusive, but there were different principles back then.
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The vignette about Tokyo Rose is interesting. First because of the Cosmo editor’s decision to spike the original reporting in favor of another write-up. Secondly, Tokyo Rose most likely went along with the “rape, loot, pillage” mantra of the Japanese regime. There’s a lot to unpack in your last paragraph.
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I hope it all is interesting to you.
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It is.
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Looks like Smitty lucked out in the end. The story of the two brothers in law is fascinating. The toons are first rate. The Japanese were impressive in how they acted once they surrendered. I loved Mac’s response to the possibility of poison.
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I am so glad you found so much in this post interesting!!!
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Very much so.
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😀😎
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“Why don’t you rape, loot and burn? We would.” The trooper answered that Americans just don’t do that.”
That’s why I think that the possibility of an invasion of some type by the Soviets had a great role to play in the Japanese decision to surrender. American troops, by and large, come wiith a guarantee, but the Red Army doesn’t!
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That could be. We know that the Soviets wanted in on the Pacific War so they could claim territory for trouble.
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I have read that when Soviet troops approached Berlin, they withdrew thr troops that had been fighting and replaced them with less disciplined troops who they figured were more likely to rape and loot. No idea if this is true or not.
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I’m afraid I am not as “up” on the ETO part of the war as I should be, so I really can’t speculate. I do know that the soldiers were instructed to “rape” the country of all machinery, etc.
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That had to be an amazing experience, to go through that transition.
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Dad said it wasn’t too bad, if you listened to what MacArthur explained. Having lived in the Orient for so long, he understood the culture.
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So many fascinating details in this account of occupied Japan!
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They had been told quite a bit of propaganda.
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I can see that.
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Great photos, GP! They had arrived, but now the work begun. Sorry, i had another delay. I wish you and yours a very happy and blessed New Year! Best wishes, Michael
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Reblogged this on NEW BLOG HERE >> https:/BOOKS.ESLARN-NET.DE.
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Thank you, Michael.
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It was a pleasure for me, GP! Another story of how soldiers are seen by people.Mostly misunderstood!
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“Americans just don’t do that.” What a heart-warming comment. Many fascinating details in this post, GP!
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Thank you very much, Joy. From you, that means a great deal!
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Thank you, Ned.
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