The Occupation Olympiad

11th Airborne troopers attempting to fix a coal-burning vehicle.

 

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.

The camp entrance.

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.

The post NCO Club.

In the fall of 1945, an Olympiad 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”

Japan

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.

Smitty on far-right.

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 – 

‘I TOLD YOU GUYS,,, TO GO BEFORE WE LEFT!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Farewell Salutes –

Albert D. Accurzio – Utica, NY; US Army Air Corps, WWII, PTO, Co A/675 Artillery/11th Airborne Division

George H. Anderson – Brockton, MA; US Army, WWII

Carroll Bierbower – Los Angeles, CA; US Navy, WWII, USS Comfort, hospital ship

Harding Bossier (102) – Baton Rouge, LA; US Army, WWII, PTO, Signal Corps

Harold E. Conant – Wyandotte, MI; US Merchant Marine / US Army Air Corps, WWII, (Ret. 20 y.)

Jack E. Dutton – Gardena, CA; US Army, Vietnam, Pfc.

Kenneth Fuller – Bacolod City, P.I.; US Army Air Corps, WWII, PTO, 511/11th Airborne Division, MP

Jane Hansen (101) – Portersville, PA; US Army Air Corps WAC, WWII, dietitian

Adeline Ney – Wilkes-Barre, PA; Civilian, WWII, ammo production

Frank C. Roop – Fairfax, TX; US Army, WWII, ETO, tank gunner

Ida (Mitchell) Wongrey – Nova Scotia, CAN; Canadian Civilian Navy Intelligence

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About GP

Everett Smith served with the Headquarters Company, 187th Regiment, 11th A/B Division during WWII. This site is in tribute to my father, "Smitty." GP is a member of the 11th Airborne Association. Member # 4511 and extremely proud of that fact!

Posted on March 6, 2023, in First-hand Accounts, Post WWII, SMITTY, Uncategorized, WWII and tagged , , , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink. 112 Comments.

  1. No one but you and I can see your comment until I approve it, so – you can tell me right here where your comment is and will delete ALL you have written here.

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  2. Thanks for your like of my post, The Kingdom Of God – The Pretribulation Rapture (Part 1);” you are very kind.

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  3. ‘“Joe, I don’t know whether to court-martial you or commend you.” (Later on, he was commending Swing.)’ That was a good story. I can just picture that! 🙂

    I had never heard of coal burning cars. They sound almost like mini locomotives. Must have been steam powered from burning coal?

    Liked by 1 person

  4. Thanks for your like of my post, “The New Covenant (Part 3);” you are very kind.

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  5. Thanks for your like of my post, “Kristi liked your post The Kingdom Of God – The New Covenant (Part 3) you are very kind.

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  6. I really enjoyed this post. I think General Swing was a role model for leaders. What a great guy. No wonder your dad held him in high esteem.

    Liked by 2 people

  7. GP, just got more information on the Armed Forces Editions from my old boss. Thought you might enjoy the short read. I’m also buying the book that is mentioned. Will let you know how it is. https://www.bookbub.com/blog/the-librarian-of-burned-books-inspiration

    Liked by 1 person

  8. prolificwritersacademy

    Lovely! Mind checking out my blog?

    Liked by 2 people

  9. A fun post. Glad his decision worked out for General Swing. An advantage the US military has over others is the “ability to take action to change or adapt planning and execution to alleviate the inherent uncertainty, friction and fog of war.”

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  10. Thanks for your like of my post, “The New Covenant, Part 2;” you are very kind.

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  11. I suspect General Swing realized something else about his men. After being so intensely engaged in all aspects of the war, they needed some kind of competitiveness to keep them mentally as well as physically sharp. I really enjoyed learning about that ‘coal car.’ When I was a kid, ‘coal cars’ were a standard part of trains, so it makes sense that some ingenious folks would try applying the technology in a new way. I grew up in the soft coal region of Iowa, and many people still had coal furnaces. We kids would spend time out at the rail tracks leading from the mine, where we’d pick up spilled coal and carry it home for use in the furnace. My gosh — what would today’s kids think?

    Liked by 2 people

    • haha, Today’s kids probably don’t know what coal is, unless they happen to stumble over it. Besides fuel, years ago we had an antique store near here and the woman’s late husband had worked in a mine. He was also quite the artist and she had his coal sculptures on display – but not for sale. They were remarkable!!

      Liked by 1 person

  12. Great info and insight here, GP. I too have to admit coal-running cars never showed up on my radar. That’s a new one for me!

    Liked by 1 person

  13. Thanks for your like of my post, “The New Covenant (Part 1);’ you are very kind.

    Liked by 1 person

  14. This amazing photos caught my attention. Thanks for sharing these words. Anita

    Liked by 1 person

  15. A book recommendation for you: The Generals by Thomas Ricks. I think you’ll enjoy it.

    Liked by 2 people

  16. theburningheart

    As always a great tale GP

    Liked by 2 people

  17. I never heard of a coal-burning car, but if a train could run on coal, I’m sure a car could too. Love Gen. Swing, always taking care of his men.

    Liked by 2 people

  18. I’m trying to imagine how a coal-powered car works! I presume it creates a gas of some kind that is combustible. The ladies looked exotic in their kimonos. 🙂
    Best wishes, Pete.

    Liked by 2 people

  19. Excellent post, GP. Once in a while, good leaders come along, like Gen. Swig, and their bravery shows when their bosses first want to court marshall
    them for doing the right thing.

    Liked by 2 people

  20. Fortunately, there was a general who did not forget what the trouppers had done and who wanted to reward them for all their efforts and ensured that there was a place so that they could relax

    Liked by 2 people

  21. General Swing did his best to take care of his troops. Nice to know they had some pleasant moments during their stay. Had never seen a coal burning jeep before!

    Liked by 2 people

  22. I don’t know why I can no longer receive Pacific Paratrooper in my email. I’m glad I found this. I loved the Special Service shout out (which has since become Morale, Welfare, and Recreation –MWR). I worked for Special Services before I went to library school at the Naval Training Center in San Diego. I worked for MWR Libraries at Ft Story, Ft Ord, and Ft Myer. I was also an MWR specialist volunteer in Hungary. I remember the MASH football scenes in that movie. Hoowah, MWR/Special Service.

    Liked by 2 people

  23. I like the way Gen Swing takes care of his men. I’m sure that had to contribute to them completing missions even though they were a smaller size unit.

    Liked by 2 people

  24. I’ve never heard of a coal-burning car… 🤔

    Liked by 2 people

  25. That they named a venue “Schimmelpfennig” (miser) is rather amusing itself.

    Liked by 2 people

  26. This is a fascinating glimpse into occupied Japan!

    Liked by 1 person

  27. That is amazing. Who ever heard of ‘conquering heroes’ caring so much for the conquerees?

    Liked by 2 people

  28. General Swing sure took care of his men.

    Liked by 3 people

  29. I loved your first photograph. It must have been very strange for Americans to see a vehicle that ran on coal. Here in Merrye Englande, lots of smaller vehicles ran on gas, which was stored in a big balloon contraption on the roof. In 1944-1945, the desperate Germans even made an aircraft engine that ran on coal and it worked very well. Unfortunately, by then they had hardly any planes left to try it in!

    Liked by 3 people

    • The Japanese had not perfected the coal engine transformation, hence they broke down a lot and often to referred to Toonerville Trolleys.
      I can not prove it, but when I enlarged this photo, the soldier driving almost looks like Smitty,

      Liked by 1 person

  30. Reblogged this on .

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  31. Excellent post GP always love reading Smitty’s adventures.

    Liked by 4 people

  32. Cool that they had an Olympiad. Like you said, they have to stay in shape, but I bet they had fun while doing it. Not abnormal that Swing was threatened with a court-marshal when he used unorthodox methods, despite the great outcome. Good that he was commended in the end. 🙂

    Liked by 2 people

    • He was also almost overruled when he wanted to have a fully parachute and glider trained division – Eisenhower insisted it would never work, and he almost had the Chiefs of Staff convinced – hence the Knollwood Maneuvers that proved Gen. Swing could pull it off!!! 👍

      Liked by 1 person

  33. Gwen M. Plano

    Incredible photos, GP. Loved the story! Plus, your military humor is crazy funny.

    Liked by 2 people

  34. That photograph suggests that Costa Rican working practices are not confined to its borders…one to do it and a committee to supervise.
    Swing was a real commander….but it tends to take a war to get rid of the dross and get competent people in charge. War over…back to the bureacracy.
    You know George MacDonald Frazer’s books…if you have read the McAuslan series you’ll remember the football team’s tour of the Mediterranean bases – sounds as if the ‘Angels’ were rather more organised!

    Liked by 2 people

    • I am familiar with that author, but I have not as yet read that book. Sounds like one I’d like too.
      Thanks, Helen.

      Liked by 1 person

      • It follows ostensibly the doings of the dirtiest soldier in the regiment, McAuslan, when the regiment is stationed in north Africa post war, but in reality shows the peacetime life of a junior officer, told with a great deal of humour. There are three books, I think, or a compendium of the lot. You will be relieved to know that there is a glossary explaining Scottish language usage!

        Liked by 2 people

  35. We could use a lot of General “not one to wait for all the red tape” Swings in command at government and corporate bureaucracies

    Liked by 2 people

  36. Down time turned into good times. I think the general deserved to be commended.

    The second cartoon is funny, but it made me think about how long it must have been between letters back and forth, and how families had to deal with just not knowing.

    I hope you have a great week, GP.

    Liked by 2 people

  37. I love that they had an olympiad

    Liked by 1 person

  38. Pierre Lagacé

    I wasn’t sure I had read this one. I just saw I did.

    Liked by 2 people

  39. More good marks for the General. And now I know how many paratroopers it takes to fix a coal-burning vehicle.

    Liked by 3 people

  40. Thank you, Ned.

    Like

  41. Thank you for sharing this post.

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