From the Dec. 4, 2011, Indianapolis Star "Pearl Harbor: A Rediscovery" by Alex Farris.
The new Pearl Harbor Memorial Museum and Visitor Center on Oahu has a replica oscilloscope showing what the radar technicians saw just before the attack. An American sailor describes climbing out of the stricken USS Oklahoma, but his buddies died. The new center places much emphasis on the personal side of the attack,
The new facility took five years to build and cost $56 million and, at 24,000 square feet, doubles the old one.
For the next twenty years after the attack, nothing was done at Pearl Harbor other than simple flag-raising ceremonies. In 1962, Elvis Presley held a concert to raise money for the Arizona Memorial, which, even then, had no interpretation. It wasn't until 1980 that the National Park Service built the old visitors center.
Pearl Harbor survivor Robert Kinzler was a private at Schofield Barracks during the attack and has volunteered to work at the memorial ever since 1985.
The Day of Infamy. --GreGen
The USS North Carolina (BB-55) My all-time favorite warship. As an elementary school student in North Carolina, I donated nickels and dimes to save this ship back in the early sixties.
Thursday, February 28, 2013
Wednesday, February 27, 2013
Bombing of Darwin Remembered
From the Feb. 19, 2013 Global Times.
Darwin, the capital of Australia's Northern Territory had a commemoration February 19th to remember those killed in Japanese attacks 71 years ago.
The commemoration in Darwin included the opening of a new memorial wall at Darwin Military Museum lists the name of all 1,672 people killed during Japanese attacks on the Northern Territory, Queensland and Western Australia.
In 2011, the Australian government proclaimed February 19th thenceforth as a national day of observance to be known as Bombing of Darwin Day.
GreGen
Darwin, the capital of Australia's Northern Territory had a commemoration February 19th to remember those killed in Japanese attacks 71 years ago.
The commemoration in Darwin included the opening of a new memorial wall at Darwin Military Museum lists the name of all 1,672 people killed during Japanese attacks on the Northern Territory, Queensland and Western Australia.
In 2011, the Australian government proclaimed February 19th thenceforth as a national day of observance to be known as Bombing of Darwin Day.
GreGen
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
Last Toast for WW II "Last Man's Club"
From the Feb. 19, 2013, Rochester (NY) Post Bulletin by Matthew Stolle.
A small group of old men will uncork a bottle of champagne and raise their glasses one last time as this group officially disbands later today.
The Last Man's Club formed in the 1960s of World War II veterans at one time had about 100 members as a subgroup of American Legion Post 92. Only a handful are left, all in their upper 80s, lower 90s. According to instructions drawn up decades ago, they were to do this when membership was down to six.
One member, Kendall Heins served in the Aleutian Islands during the war.
The Department of Veterans Affairs says that 16,112,566 served during World War II. Of that number, 405,399 died in combat, 670,847 were wounded. As of November 2011, the last time numbers were counted, an estimated 1.7 million were still alive That number is probably below 1.4 million now.
The Last Man's Club was a social one connected to the Legion. There was a joining fee, but no dues for the group which met twice a year at first and then later just once.
In the 1960s, a World War I veteran who also owned a liquor store in Rochester, donated a bottle of champagne. That bottle disappeared and another was bought and for many years housed in display case.
And, I intend to keep writing about these World War II veterans as long as I can.
Sad to Have That Happen. --GreGen
A small group of old men will uncork a bottle of champagne and raise their glasses one last time as this group officially disbands later today.
The Last Man's Club formed in the 1960s of World War II veterans at one time had about 100 members as a subgroup of American Legion Post 92. Only a handful are left, all in their upper 80s, lower 90s. According to instructions drawn up decades ago, they were to do this when membership was down to six.
One member, Kendall Heins served in the Aleutian Islands during the war.
The Department of Veterans Affairs says that 16,112,566 served during World War II. Of that number, 405,399 died in combat, 670,847 were wounded. As of November 2011, the last time numbers were counted, an estimated 1.7 million were still alive That number is probably below 1.4 million now.
The Last Man's Club was a social one connected to the Legion. There was a joining fee, but no dues for the group which met twice a year at first and then later just once.
In the 1960s, a World War I veteran who also owned a liquor store in Rochester, donated a bottle of champagne. That bottle disappeared and another was bought and for many years housed in display case.
And, I intend to keep writing about these World War II veterans as long as I can.
Sad to Have That Happen. --GreGen
Some More 70th Pearl Harbor Anniversary News
From the Dec. 5, 2011, St. George (Utah) Spectrum.
Pearl Harbor survivors from Washington County.
Harrison Hammersmith, retired naval officer, has 400 shipmates who died during the war.
Other survivors:
Lee R. Warren
Carl Allan, Garth Sawyers
Wendell Jenkins
Dick Werner
The Utah Dixie Chapter #2 Pearl Harbor Survivors Association has 29 deceased members.
The Dec. 5th Washington Olympian.
Larry Lydon, 93, had just taken a seat for breakfast on the USS San Francisco, "At Pearl Harbor, the Marine and I were eating breakfast when something outside went 'boom' and my plate went on the floor.
Seven Pearl Harbor survivors were at the museum for the 14th annual Pearl Harbor/World War II Veterans remembrance Day.
GreGen
Pearl Harbor survivors from Washington County.
Harrison Hammersmith, retired naval officer, has 400 shipmates who died during the war.
Other survivors:
Lee R. Warren
Carl Allan, Garth Sawyers
Wendell Jenkins
Dick Werner
The Utah Dixie Chapter #2 Pearl Harbor Survivors Association has 29 deceased members.
The Dec. 5th Washington Olympian.
Larry Lydon, 93, had just taken a seat for breakfast on the USS San Francisco, "At Pearl Harbor, the Marine and I were eating breakfast when something outside went 'boom' and my plate went on the floor.
Seven Pearl Harbor survivors were at the museum for the 14th annual Pearl Harbor/World War II Veterans remembrance Day.
GreGen
Back in 2011: Rhode Island Honoring Six Pearl Harbor Survivors
From Dec. 5, 2011, WPRI News.
The six survivors were:
Gilbert Haekins-- East Greenwich
Raymond Haerry, Sr.-- East Greenwich
Ralph Churchwell-- Portsmouth
Daniel Hunter-- Cumberland
Wilmor Stevens-- Wakefield
Bernard Chreswick- Warwick
The Greatest Generation. --GreGen
The six survivors were:
Gilbert Haekins-- East Greenwich
Raymond Haerry, Sr.-- East Greenwich
Ralph Churchwell-- Portsmouth
Daniel Hunter-- Cumberland
Wilmor Stevens-- Wakefield
Bernard Chreswick- Warwick
The Greatest Generation. --GreGen
Monday, February 25, 2013
Salamaua- Lae: A Follow-Up
This past Feb. 22, I wrote about Jim Landis' plane at Pearl Harbor attacking the Japanese in March at Salamaua-Lae. I had never heard of the operation, so Wiki here I come.
This was in connection with the Japanese invasion of Salamaua-Lae from March 8-13, 1942, while Japan was still on the offensive in the Pacific. Their intention was to build a base and airfield there.
The March 10th attack from American carriers, one of the planes being Landis' (and, I'll finish that plane's history tomorrow), covered 201 miles. The Lexington's SBD Dauntlesses hit at 0922. The Japanese transports Kongo Maru, Tenyo Maru and Yokahoma Maru were sunk and several other ships were damaged..
GreGen
This was in connection with the Japanese invasion of Salamaua-Lae from March 8-13, 1942, while Japan was still on the offensive in the Pacific. Their intention was to build a base and airfield there.
The March 10th attack from American carriers, one of the planes being Landis' (and, I'll finish that plane's history tomorrow), covered 201 miles. The Lexington's SBD Dauntlesses hit at 0922. The Japanese transports Kongo Maru, Tenyo Maru and Yokahoma Maru were sunk and several other ships were damaged..
GreGen
70th Anniversary of Pearl Harbor Remembered-- Part 2
Mr. Mahoney continued, "We had to walk almost into the fires, and we're slipping and sliding on the deck with a thirty degree list with blood, oil, water."
He discovered the bodies of five friends with whom he had eaten breakfast just that morning. "They were incinerated. The bomb had exploded underneath them. That is why I could never go back to Pearl Harbor. Memories are on my mind all the time.."
His brother was also on the Curtiss and they were so covered with soot and blood that they didn't recognize each other at first. "We just stood there and hugged and cried, like the kids we really were."
At one time, there were 700 survivors of Pearl Harbor living in New Jersey, and, as of the 70th anniversary in 2011, that number had dwindled to 4 or 5.
Tom Mahoney still has a piece of the scorched Arizona.
It Was a Rough Day. --GreGen
He discovered the bodies of five friends with whom he had eaten breakfast just that morning. "They were incinerated. The bomb had exploded underneath them. That is why I could never go back to Pearl Harbor. Memories are on my mind all the time.."
His brother was also on the Curtiss and they were so covered with soot and blood that they didn't recognize each other at first. "We just stood there and hugged and cried, like the kids we really were."
At one time, there were 700 survivors of Pearl Harbor living in New Jersey, and, as of the 70th anniversary in 2011, that number had dwindled to 4 or 5.
Tom Mahoney still has a piece of the scorched Arizona.
It Was a Rough Day. --GreGen
70th Anniversary of Pearl Harbor Remembered-- Part 1
From the CBS "Stories from Main Street: Union's Tom Mahoney Among NJ's Last Pearl Harbor Survivors."
Mr. Mahoney said that he "looked out the porthole, put my head out. About fifteen feet from the ship, [there] was this plane coming around out of a turn and he had a huge torpedo underneath him, and he dropped that torpedo into the old Utah. I turned around in the mess hall and I yelled loud and clear 'Go to your battlestations!'"
He was from Union, New Jersey, and, at age 19, was an electrician on the USS Curtiss, which took a direct hit.
Four decks were on fire. The ship was a hell of a mess. We're fighting the fires, being strafed by planes constantly." He ended up manning a hose for eight and a half hours.
Getting the Stories before They're Gone. --GreGen
Mr. Mahoney said that he "looked out the porthole, put my head out. About fifteen feet from the ship, [there] was this plane coming around out of a turn and he had a huge torpedo underneath him, and he dropped that torpedo into the old Utah. I turned around in the mess hall and I yelled loud and clear 'Go to your battlestations!'"
He was from Union, New Jersey, and, at age 19, was an electrician on the USS Curtiss, which took a direct hit.
Four decks were on fire. The ship was a hell of a mess. We're fighting the fires, being strafed by planes constantly." He ended up manning a hose for eight and a half hours.
Getting the Stories before They're Gone. --GreGen
Saturday, February 23, 2013
Follow-Up: USS Hull (DD-350)
From Wikipedia.
The last entry concerned Buck Beadle of Hart. Michigan, who was on the destroyer USS Hull at Pearl Harbor, Dec. 7, 1941. Here is a follow-up on that ship.
The USS Hull (DD-350) was a Farragut-class destroyer named after the War of 1812's commander of the USS Constitution in its fight against the HMS Guerriere. It was commissioned in 1935.
At Pearl Harbor, it was tied up next to the tender USS Dobbins (AD-3) undergoing repairs. Destroyers weren't high on the Japanese priority list to attack and the ship came through without being hit. The next day, it went out and escorted the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CV-6) into Pearl Harbor.
In the next several months, it screened the aircraft carrier Lexington (CV-2) to the Solomon Islands (Jim Landis' plane was on that ship, another follow-up. The Hull was at Guadalcanal, the Aleutian Islands and other Pacific campaigns until it was sunk by Typhoon Cobra on December 19, 1944. Part of this sinking gave Herman Wouk the story for his book "The Caine Mutiny."
Little Ship, Big Story. --GreGen
The last entry concerned Buck Beadle of Hart. Michigan, who was on the destroyer USS Hull at Pearl Harbor, Dec. 7, 1941. Here is a follow-up on that ship.
The USS Hull (DD-350) was a Farragut-class destroyer named after the War of 1812's commander of the USS Constitution in its fight against the HMS Guerriere. It was commissioned in 1935.
At Pearl Harbor, it was tied up next to the tender USS Dobbins (AD-3) undergoing repairs. Destroyers weren't high on the Japanese priority list to attack and the ship came through without being hit. The next day, it went out and escorted the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CV-6) into Pearl Harbor.
In the next several months, it screened the aircraft carrier Lexington (CV-2) to the Solomon Islands (Jim Landis' plane was on that ship, another follow-up. The Hull was at Guadalcanal, the Aleutian Islands and other Pacific campaigns until it was sunk by Typhoon Cobra on December 19, 1944. Part of this sinking gave Herman Wouk the story for his book "The Caine Mutiny."
Little Ship, Big Story. --GreGen
Remembering the 70th Anniversary of Pearl Harbor: Buck Beadle on the USS Hull
From the Dec. 5, 2011, White Lake (Michigan) Beacon.
Buck Beadle of Hart, Michigan was there. It was a beautiful warm and sunny day at Pearl Harbor and the 21-year-old US Navy metal smith First Class was reading the funny papers on the USS Hull, a destroyer.
He heard an anti-aircraft gun, "When we heard that going we knew something was wrong." Then, he heard bombs, "We were lucky not to get hit. The Japanese were strafing us. We were able to get a few guns and shot back."
"We could see the Arizona, to our left. It was on fire. So was the Solis, one of our hospital ships."
GreGen
Buck Beadle of Hart, Michigan was there. It was a beautiful warm and sunny day at Pearl Harbor and the 21-year-old US Navy metal smith First Class was reading the funny papers on the USS Hull, a destroyer.
He heard an anti-aircraft gun, "When we heard that going we knew something was wrong." Then, he heard bombs, "We were lucky not to get hit. The Japanese were strafing us. We were able to get a few guns and shot back."
"We could see the Arizona, to our left. It was on fire. So was the Solis, one of our hospital ships."
GreGen
The USS Princeton (CVL-23)
From Wikipedia.
The Independence-class light aircraft carrier was lost at the Battle of Leyte Gulf in 1944. It was laid down as a Cleveland-class light cruiser Tallahassee CL-61 by the New York Shipbuilding Corp. of Camden, NJ on June 2, 1941 and reclassified as the CVL-23, in Feb. 1942 and renamed Princeton in March.
Launched Oct. 18, 1942, sponsored by Margaret Dodds, wife of Princeton University President Harold Dodds.
The new aircraft carrier was 622.5 feet long with 71.5-foot beam, weighed 13,000 tons, capable of 31 knots and crew of 1,569 officers and men and could carry 45 aircraft.
It was sunk Oct. 24, 1944.
This is a follow-up to my March 7, 2012, blog entry on the death of Harold T. Berc, 92, who served as fire director on the USS Princeton when it sank and was awarded a Bronze Star for his efforts.
GreGen
The Independence-class light aircraft carrier was lost at the Battle of Leyte Gulf in 1944. It was laid down as a Cleveland-class light cruiser Tallahassee CL-61 by the New York Shipbuilding Corp. of Camden, NJ on June 2, 1941 and reclassified as the CVL-23, in Feb. 1942 and renamed Princeton in March.
Launched Oct. 18, 1942, sponsored by Margaret Dodds, wife of Princeton University President Harold Dodds.
The new aircraft carrier was 622.5 feet long with 71.5-foot beam, weighed 13,000 tons, capable of 31 knots and crew of 1,569 officers and men and could carry 45 aircraft.
It was sunk Oct. 24, 1944.
This is a follow-up to my March 7, 2012, blog entry on the death of Harold T. Berc, 92, who served as fire director on the USS Princeton when it sank and was awarded a Bronze Star for his efforts.
GreGen
From the Desk of Der Fuehrer: A Letter to "Dennis"
From Nov. 1, 2011, Yahoo! News by Ian Shapira.
In the CIA Museum there is a letter from a father to his three-year-old son. The gold-embossed letterhead with a Swastika which also bears the name Adolf Hitler.
"Dear Dennis" it begins.
"The man who 'might' have written on the card once controlled Europe, three years ago when you born. Today, he is dead, his memory dispised, his country in ruins. He had a thirst for power, a low opinion of man as an individual, and a fear of intellect and honesty.
He was a force for evil in the world. His passing, his defeat-- a boon to mankind. But thousands died that it might be so. The price for ridding society of bad is always high."
Love, Daddy"
That Dennis, is Dennis Helms, now 69 and a New Jersey lawyer. His father was Richard Helms and was CIA Director during the Vietnam War and Watergate eras.
Right after Germany's surrender, Lt. Helms, sneaked into Hitler's Chancellery in Berlin and pilfered his stationery. He dated the letter "VE Day" for May 8, 1945.
I don't know, the CIA director stealing something?
Putting No-Longer Needed Stationery To Good Use. --GreGen
In the CIA Museum there is a letter from a father to his three-year-old son. The gold-embossed letterhead with a Swastika which also bears the name Adolf Hitler.
"Dear Dennis" it begins.
"The man who 'might' have written on the card once controlled Europe, three years ago when you born. Today, he is dead, his memory dispised, his country in ruins. He had a thirst for power, a low opinion of man as an individual, and a fear of intellect and honesty.
He was a force for evil in the world. His passing, his defeat-- a boon to mankind. But thousands died that it might be so. The price for ridding society of bad is always high."
Love, Daddy"
That Dennis, is Dennis Helms, now 69 and a New Jersey lawyer. His father was Richard Helms and was CIA Director during the Vietnam War and Watergate eras.
Right after Germany's surrender, Lt. Helms, sneaked into Hitler's Chancellery in Berlin and pilfered his stationery. He dated the letter "VE Day" for May 8, 1945.
I don't know, the CIA director stealing something?
Putting No-Longer Needed Stationery To Good Use. --GreGen
Friday, February 22, 2013
Japanese Midget Submarine Found
From the Oct. 28, 2011, UK Mail Online "Japanese World War II midget submarine found under water in a harbour" by Chris Parsons.
The 66-foot long midget sub was found in 180 feet of water at Simpson Harbor, Rabual, Papua New Guinea, partially buried in the sand. This harbor was a major Japanese base in the southwest Pacific. These submarines were manned by one or two men. It may have been destroyed by an American air raid, a naval bombardment or perhaps scuttled.
It was thought it also might be the Australian submarine AE-1 that sank during World War I.
It is thought that around 65 Japanese submarines were sunk during the war at Simpson Harbor.
Finding the Past. --GreGen
The 66-foot long midget sub was found in 180 feet of water at Simpson Harbor, Rabual, Papua New Guinea, partially buried in the sand. This harbor was a major Japanese base in the southwest Pacific. These submarines were manned by one or two men. It may have been destroyed by an American air raid, a naval bombardment or perhaps scuttled.
It was thought it also might be the Australian submarine AE-1 that sank during World War I.
It is thought that around 65 Japanese submarines were sunk during the war at Simpson Harbor.
Finding the Past. --GreGen
Jim Landis' Pearl Harbor Plane-- Part 3
On March 10, 1942, pilot Mark Whittier and radioman second-class Forest G. Stanley joined 103 other planes from the Lexington and Yorktown on an attack on Japanese ships at Lae and Salamaua, New Guinea for some payback.
On its return to pearl Harbor, the SBD-2 Dauntless 2106 (wonder what its name was) was again put ashore until it was transferred to Marine Scout Bombing Squadron (VMSB) at Midway Atoll and arrived there with 18 other SBD-2s on May 26, 1942 on the aircraft transport Kitty Hawk (APV-1).
On the morning of June 4, 1942, 1st Lt. Daniel Iverson and Pvt. First Class Wallace Reid manning the 30 caliber machine gun in the aft-cockpit were one of 16 SBD-2s to launch an attack on Japanese carriers west of Midway at the beginning of that turning point battle.
They dropped a bomb on the Hiryu aircraft carrier at 800 feet and weer chased by four Japanese fighters. When they returned, Reid was wounded and 219 bullet holes were counted in the plane. They were one of just eight to make it back.
More to Come. --GreGen
On its return to pearl Harbor, the SBD-2 Dauntless 2106 (wonder what its name was) was again put ashore until it was transferred to Marine Scout Bombing Squadron (VMSB) at Midway Atoll and arrived there with 18 other SBD-2s on May 26, 1942 on the aircraft transport Kitty Hawk (APV-1).
On the morning of June 4, 1942, 1st Lt. Daniel Iverson and Pvt. First Class Wallace Reid manning the 30 caliber machine gun in the aft-cockpit were one of 16 SBD-2s to launch an attack on Japanese carriers west of Midway at the beginning of that turning point battle.
They dropped a bomb on the Hiryu aircraft carrier at 800 feet and weer chased by four Japanese fighters. When they returned, Reid was wounded and 219 bullet holes were counted in the plane. They were one of just eight to make it back.
More to Come. --GreGen
Thursday, February 21, 2013
Jim Landis' Pearl Harbor Plane-- Part 2: Left Behind at Pearl
From the Naval Aviation Museum website.
The plane in question at the Naval Aviation Museum was built by Douglas Aircraft Co. on its assembly line in El Segundo, California on in December 1940. It was an SBD-2 Dauntless (Bureau Number 2106) and delivered to Bombing Squadron VB2 at NAS San Diego on December 31, 1940.
Starting the next year it flew with that squadron from the deck of the aircraft carrier Lexington (CV-2) and participated in military maneuvers in Louisiana.
In the first week of December 1941, the Lexington was ordered to deliver aircraft to the Marine Scout bombing squadron at Midway. While at Pearl harbor, aircraft, including 2106, were offloaded from the carrier to make room for others and left behind on Ford Island when the ship left port for Midway. That's where it was the day of the attack (and the lexington at sea heading for Midway.
It sustained no damage and was put back on board the Lexington when it returned.
That's Just the Beginning of Its Career. --GreGen
The plane in question at the Naval Aviation Museum was built by Douglas Aircraft Co. on its assembly line in El Segundo, California on in December 1940. It was an SBD-2 Dauntless (Bureau Number 2106) and delivered to Bombing Squadron VB2 at NAS San Diego on December 31, 1940.
Starting the next year it flew with that squadron from the deck of the aircraft carrier Lexington (CV-2) and participated in military maneuvers in Louisiana.
In the first week of December 1941, the Lexington was ordered to deliver aircraft to the Marine Scout bombing squadron at Midway. While at Pearl harbor, aircraft, including 2106, were offloaded from the carrier to make room for others and left behind on Ford Island when the ship left port for Midway. That's where it was the day of the attack (and the lexington at sea heading for Midway.
It sustained no damage and was put back on board the Lexington when it returned.
That's Just the Beginning of Its Career. --GreGen
Jim Landis' Pearl Harbor Plane-- Part 1
Earlier this week I wrote about Jim Landis whose plane was at Pearl Harbor during the attack and is now at the Naval Air Museum in Pensacola, Florida. Then, I wrote about six other Pearl Harbor survivors who went with him to that place for the 70th anniversary of the attack back in 2011.
One of them, Cass Phillips wrote, "When the attacks were over, all but two of the thirty-eight planes we had just brought over from the west coast were destroyed."
Was Landis' plane one of the two? And did Landis pilot the plane or was he charged with keeping it in shape to fly?
I found a history of the Naval Aviation Museum plane that might answer the question.
Was It? --GreGen
One of them, Cass Phillips wrote, "When the attacks were over, all but two of the thirty-eight planes we had just brought over from the west coast were destroyed."
Was Landis' plane one of the two? And did Landis pilot the plane or was he charged with keeping it in shape to fly?
I found a history of the Naval Aviation Museum plane that might answer the question.
Was It? --GreGen
No WWII Apologies at Japan Shrine-- Part 2
Continued from Feb. 11, 2013 blog entry.
Japan and its neighbors they invaded before and during the war, have long squabbled over past animosities and that continues to this day.
In Japan, the Yasukuni Shrine has re-emerged as a battleground over the war, especially when Shinzo Abe, a front runner to become prime minister visited the shrine on October. Most Japanese, according to polls view the years before and during World War II as a dark era for the nation.
In 1978, the shrine added 14 Class A war criminals who were tried and sentenced for what they did in the war. Among them was Iwane Matsui, commander of the troops that carried out the Nanjing (Nanking) Massacre, a six-week takeover of China's historical capital in 1937 that left hundreds of thousands dead.
Only two paragraphs at the museum/shrine cover it saying only that the Japanese Army occupied the city and carried it out to discourage "the Chinese from continuing their resistance."
Another big situation revolves around the use of "Sex Slaves" by the Japanese Army whereby Chinese and Korean women were forced to provide sex to the soldiers. They were referred to as "comfort women."
The Past Still a Hot Subject. --GreGen
Japan and its neighbors they invaded before and during the war, have long squabbled over past animosities and that continues to this day.
In Japan, the Yasukuni Shrine has re-emerged as a battleground over the war, especially when Shinzo Abe, a front runner to become prime minister visited the shrine on October. Most Japanese, according to polls view the years before and during World War II as a dark era for the nation.
In 1978, the shrine added 14 Class A war criminals who were tried and sentenced for what they did in the war. Among them was Iwane Matsui, commander of the troops that carried out the Nanjing (Nanking) Massacre, a six-week takeover of China's historical capital in 1937 that left hundreds of thousands dead.
Only two paragraphs at the museum/shrine cover it saying only that the Japanese Army occupied the city and carried it out to discourage "the Chinese from continuing their resistance."
Another big situation revolves around the use of "Sex Slaves" by the Japanese Army whereby Chinese and Korean women were forced to provide sex to the soldiers. They were referred to as "comfort women."
The Past Still a Hot Subject. --GreGen
Wednesday, February 20, 2013
Jim Landis and His Pearl Harbor Survivors Go There for 70th Anniversary-- Part 2
The seven Pearl Harbor Survivors Association who went there in 2011 for the 70th anniversary of the attack. These are their stories from that day.
JACOB GALLAWA-- "I was on duty as a radioman on the submarine tender USS Pelias, I kept running out on the deck whenever I could see what was going on."
BILL BRADDOCK-- "We were in the mess hall having breakfast on Ford Island when the silverware began jumping on the table. We ran outside and low and behold there weren't anything but airplanes all in the air with the red balls on the side of them.
I saw a Jap plane fly by with his shield pulled back. We saw him drop this big torpedo that was hanging down below his plane and saw it hit the water."
CASS PHILLIPS-- "I was up getting ready to go have breakfast, when we looked up and saw planes flying by. We thought that they were Army planes. I said 'Look they are really making this look realistic, they've got meatballs painted on the side of the planes.'
When the attacks were over, all but two of the thirty-eight planes we had just brought over from the west coast were destroyed."
The Story of One of Those Two Planes, Next. --GreGen
JACOB GALLAWA-- "I was on duty as a radioman on the submarine tender USS Pelias, I kept running out on the deck whenever I could see what was going on."
BILL BRADDOCK-- "We were in the mess hall having breakfast on Ford Island when the silverware began jumping on the table. We ran outside and low and behold there weren't anything but airplanes all in the air with the red balls on the side of them.
I saw a Jap plane fly by with his shield pulled back. We saw him drop this big torpedo that was hanging down below his plane and saw it hit the water."
CASS PHILLIPS-- "I was up getting ready to go have breakfast, when we looked up and saw planes flying by. We thought that they were Army planes. I said 'Look they are really making this look realistic, they've got meatballs painted on the side of the planes.'
When the attacks were over, all but two of the thirty-eight planes we had just brought over from the west coast were destroyed."
The Story of One of Those Two Planes, Next. --GreGen
Wilmington's Mothball Fleet-- Part 2
Generally, five of the ships weer kept at a high level of readiness and the rest were mothballed, which means coated with red-oxide paint, oil and varnish as preservatives to prevent rust.
The operation employed 296 workers with a $600,000 payroll. Most of them were employed as armed guards to prevent theft of copper and brass fittings. Others worked routine maintenance.
The ships were lashed and anchored in groups of five with each fifth one moored to pilings driven deep into the river bottom. Despite precautions, however, two freighters broke loose during Hurricane Hazel in 1954 and drifted into the channel, threatening to collide with the U.S.-74 bridge until a tugboat pushed them away.
On December 8, 1958, the SS Edgecomb, a Victory Ship, became the last vessel to be tied up in the Brunswick River. Beginning in 1958, the government began selling the older and less-fit ships for scrap with others being moved to the James River Reserve Fleet.
By 1964, there were only 152 left and just 15 by 1968. Many of the ones scrapped had it happen at Horton Industries in Wilmington, who could finish off two in ninety days (almost as fast as they could be built back in the war).
The last ship, the SS Dwight W. Morrow, was towed for scrapping Feb. 27, 1970.
After the War. --GreGen
The operation employed 296 workers with a $600,000 payroll. Most of them were employed as armed guards to prevent theft of copper and brass fittings. Others worked routine maintenance.
The ships were lashed and anchored in groups of five with each fifth one moored to pilings driven deep into the river bottom. Despite precautions, however, two freighters broke loose during Hurricane Hazel in 1954 and drifted into the channel, threatening to collide with the U.S.-74 bridge until a tugboat pushed them away.
On December 8, 1958, the SS Edgecomb, a Victory Ship, became the last vessel to be tied up in the Brunswick River. Beginning in 1958, the government began selling the older and less-fit ships for scrap with others being moved to the James River Reserve Fleet.
By 1964, there were only 152 left and just 15 by 1968. Many of the ones scrapped had it happen at Horton Industries in Wilmington, who could finish off two in ninety days (almost as fast as they could be built back in the war).
The last ship, the SS Dwight W. Morrow, was towed for scrapping Feb. 27, 1970.
After the War. --GreGen
Tuesday, February 19, 2013
Jim Landis and His Pearl Harbor Survivors Go There for the 70th Anniversary-- Part 1
From the 2011 CNN iReport "One Last Goodbye."
Seven of the Pensacola PHSA managed to go to Pearl Harbor for the commemoration.
The last entry, I wrote waht Jim Landis, one of the seven, had to say about his experience that 1941 day.
These are what the other six had to say:
GEORGE MILLS-- "We just couldn't believe it. All those planes flying down the harbor dropping bombs and torpedoes on the battlewagons."
JAY CARRAWAY-- "We were waiting for the mess cooks to bring us our breakfast, when someone called down 'General Quarters, man your battle stations.' We said, 'We don't drill on Sunday morning.' About then a bomb exploded near our ship and rocked it, putting everything into perspective."
FRANK EMOND-- "At five minutes to eight, we were on the deck of the USS California, waiting to play 'Colors', when I looked up to see a line of planes. One peeled off and dropped something that hit the ground and exploded. We saw the big red spots on the planes and we knew we were in trouble then."
GreGen
Seven of the Pensacola PHSA managed to go to Pearl Harbor for the commemoration.
The last entry, I wrote waht Jim Landis, one of the seven, had to say about his experience that 1941 day.
These are what the other six had to say:
GEORGE MILLS-- "We just couldn't believe it. All those planes flying down the harbor dropping bombs and torpedoes on the battlewagons."
JAY CARRAWAY-- "We were waiting for the mess cooks to bring us our breakfast, when someone called down 'General Quarters, man your battle stations.' We said, 'We don't drill on Sunday morning.' About then a bomb exploded near our ship and rocked it, putting everything into perspective."
FRANK EMOND-- "At five minutes to eight, we were on the deck of the USS California, waiting to play 'Colors', when I looked up to see a line of planes. One peeled off and dropped something that hit the ground and exploded. We saw the big red spots on the planes and we knew we were in trouble then."
GreGen
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