NOTE: Unless otherwise indicated, letters from John, Pete and Mark were to our parents and sister, Ruth; letters from Paul were to his wife, Miriam. Brackets [ ] are used to insert detail not in original text owing to censorship restrictions. PAB
PAUL – [Hoechst, GERMANY] – 2 JUN 1945
Let's see dear, I was going to tell you about the place where I live. To begin with it is about 20 minutes walk from the office. It is a house owned by a German doctor who evidently was quite successful. It is located on the edge of town and the view from my window is lovely. The local inevitable vegetable garden starts just across the road, then more farm fields and in the distance, the hills. These are almost small mountains and in early morning or late evening they are purple. Occasionally the smooth line of hills is broken by a castle or large building which seems to grow out of the soil like a huge strange plant.
How do we get a house? Well, usually they are obtained in groups, for it is not the intention to allow troops and civilians to live in the same neighborhood. To begin with when houses were requisitioned, advance notice was given to the occupants. This proved unsatisfactory because the houses were stripped before we moved in. Now the system is as follows: The billeting officer drives around in a neighborhood where houses appear to be what is wanted. He then marks off on a map what blocks he wishes to evacuate. Then patrol and scout cars throw a cordon around the district; a notice is nailed on each door; someone knocks on the door and calls the attention of the occupant to the notice and leaves. People are given 5 hours to get out and stay out. They are permitted to take bedding, food, clothes but not furniture. People usually double up with friends. Some scenes are sad of course. Some say they will commit suicide. Others weep. Some try bribery to gain permission to remove forbidden items. The other day we had to get an ambulance to move a basket case: a veteran without arms and legs. But all in all everything goes off smoothly and the MP's usually extend the time a little to give people a chance. Then special permission can be obtained to go back for things they have forgotten: like medicine.
In most cases the lady of the house chooses to accept the job of keeping the house clean. That way she can look after their things. They come in at 0900 after we are gone, and leave at 1700 before we return, so we see little of them.
In our house – the Navy got on the good side of the Army billeting officer – the plan is to have 3 Lt. Comdrs. I am the only one in it except for a couple soldiers who are there temporarily as guards. Naturally I've picked the best room (there is nothing like liking your own folks).
Downstairs is a lovely library, a dining room, sun porch (closed in), half bath, kitchen. Upstairs are some secondary bedrooms which we will not use at present. The other two bed rooms and bath are on the first floor (one flight up) with my room. For eating we have taken over a club near the office and have fairly good meals – simple Army food well cooked. So far we have no gas so yet no hot water. However we have also taken over a tennis club and we can go there for showers. That is only 2 or 3 blocks from my house.
So you see we are getting nicely taken care of. The house we have would normally be used for 3 colonels or It. cols, but as I said we in the Navy usually do a little better rank for rank. Apartments have been taken over for junior officers.
Excuse this pencil honey. I ran out of ink and we aren't set up here in the office yet. In fact I am just waiting here for the architect to bring me some plans. My job for the moment is to get the office laid out and organized for the time the admiral comes.
OFFICIAL NAVY WAR DIARY – USS HOGGATT BAY (CVE 75) June 7, 1945 (Time Zone - 9)
HOGGATT BAY, with T. U. 32.1.1, steamed in an area off the Sakishima Islands, making course and speed changes as directed by OTC. The ship went to Torpedo Defense Quarters at 0430 and all guns were manned throughout the day because enemy air attack was expected. At 0637, while the ship was zig-zagging on base course 155 ° (T), at speed 14 knots, a Jap plane of unidentified type was seen to dive into the flight deck of the NATOMA BAY (station 2.5000). General Quarters was sounded, the Task Unit formed disposition 5 V and executed an emergency turn to course 300° (T). Speed was increased to 16 knots. At 0638 another Jap plane, a Judy, was observed in a shallow dive at the SARGENT BAY (station 2.5060). Our port battery opened fire and 40MM hits were made. The plane was observed to change its path and it crashed into the water ahead of the SARGENT BAY. Position of the attack: L-24°-41'N. L-126°-36'E. No ships had bogies on their radars. It is believed that the planes carried IFF. At 0903 condition of readiness I Easy and modified material condition Able were set. General Quarters was again sounded at 1015 because of a bogie which approached to 20 miles. At 1053 condition of readiness I Easy and modified material condition Able were set. At 1303 General Quarters was sounded because of a bogey reported over the formation. At 1310 modified material condition Able was set and at 1314 condition of readiness I Easy. At 1520 a bogey was detected at 20 miles and the ship went to General Quarters. It was identified as friendly at 1524 and condition of readiness I Easy were set. At 1645 disposition 5 RM was formed. At 1736 U.S.S. JOHN D. HENLEY (DD 553) came alongside to pass mail. Zig-zag plan 6 was used for the following periods: 0000 to 0452; 0914 to 0959; 1400 to 1451 and 2010 to 2400. Air operations are summarized as follows: 56 sorties over the target area and 4 LCAP sorties. 152 100 Ib. bombs and 20 500 Ib. bombs were dropped on Ishigaki airfield. A reported radar station was bombed. Gun positions were rocketed and strafed. Window was used and, though no results could be ascertained for certain, the only damage to our planes was one small hole in the stabilizer of a TBM. T.U. 32.1.3 had operated in this area previously, without use of window, and their damage had been much more severe. Ammunition expenditures included 231 5" rockets, 44 500 Ib. bombs and 156 100 Ib. bombs. 40,000 rounds .50 caliber ammunition were also expended. Positions: 0800 L-24°35'N. L-126°-36.5'E. 1200 L-24°-10.5' N. L-126°-20'E. 2000 L-24°-53'N. L-127°-18'E.
MARK TO PAUL – USS HOGGATT BAY (CVE 75) Steaming vicinity Okinawa – 9 JUN 1945
I don't know which of is in arrears in letters (probably me) but I do know it is high time that we get together again, for a few moments at least. Since I certainly have more spare time it is only correct that I come to you. I received your mimeographed diary-letter on the affairs of P.A.B. in France and found it very interesting, if a bit formal. Thanks.
Life here in the Pacific does not have quite the 'social' tinge that you are subjected to. (We don't have to wear our dress blues to impress the Japs – if a Jap gets close enough to see our uniform, we find it more profitable to impress him in other ways. I don't intend this to sound melodramatic because I had not seen a Jap yet myself – but only because I am kept inside the ship during the interesting period of the day.
I suppose you have been told by various and sundry people, perhaps even myself, what sort of a life I am leading here aboard the Hoggatt Bay. I will therefore be brief. Being a salty navy man yourself, you of course are cognizant of the fact (I have no dictionary as you probably are painfully aware of by now) that a CVE is an escort carrier. Ours is that in name only. We do not escort – we fight. That is, the pilots fight, I am sort of a paid passenger of good will, you might say. Anyway, a newspaper would call this a fighting ship. We have had a few tense, exciting moments, but (thank God) they have been very few and far between.
My job aboard is to see that the ship's radar (I should capitalize that last word out of sheer respect, I suppose) is kept in operation. This puts me in sort of a mechanic's position. However, generally, my staff (ahem) of three petty officers, one of whom is a chief, take care of the petty details, which leaves me the rest of the work to do – which laid end to end would cover an amoeba at point blank range. However, once in a while something does break down exceptionally well and I give out with the old college (MIT) try. Offhand I would say I am not useless more than 90% of the time. It is a rare privilege to be aboard a ship and not stand a 1 in 4 watch. There are rumors and rumbles in CIC, which you probably understand to mean "Combat Information Center," but which comes closer to meaning "Christ I'm Confused." However, these rumors have not affected my health or well being, and if, by some twist of fate, they should crystalize into reality, I will throw the shoulders back and chest out and take it like a Borel. (After all, I guess I could get along on only 10 hours sleep a day, if absolutely necessary.)
Being out here away from home, with no job in prospect and a family to support can do queer things to one's sense of proportion. For instance, I have lately been very seriously considering accepting an offer by Pete to join forces with him, Dad and John after the war. There are certainly many personal advantages in this. For one thing, I have never had and will never have the drive and confidence necessary to impress strangers as you have always been so successful doing. This is a shortcoming which I have not been able to overcome, and am sure I never will. I am just as sure that I do have a certain amount of ability which would be an asset to the company I worked for. I do have Pete's confidence, for some reason, and thus am offered a job with, I think, exceptional possibilities.
The company is definitely no longer an infant. It is worth at least $100,000. We have a large cash fund which is aching to be invested by a couple of smart investors. Pete is full of big ideas and what is more I think he will make good. In short, I think with proper management there is a fertile little business to work on. I realize I know nothing at all about the business and I certainly don't intend to ever learn any material. But still, I'm sure there is a job I can do there, and I'm sort of hankering to make a try of it. So I have the two basic necessities of life's work assured (1) Security (2) Possibility of expansion.
I admit that this may all be off on a tangent from the true situation. If you care to, I would appreciate any advice you can offer.
Regardless of what I do, I first will go to school one more semester to get my business degree – I never did get it, you know. This should not be much of a financial burden with the government help which will be forthcoming.
Miriam has written me two nice letters and sent some photographs of your little family. (I shouldn’t use the word “little” when you have twice as many children as I.) The letters are charming and the photos are delightful. Both Nancy and Elaine are really terrific. So is Miriam, Paul. I don't think you could have done better for a wife if you had designed and manufactured one using God as your machine. I'm sure you are well aware of Miriam's charm without any persuasion on my part, however.
My own wife is quite the charmer herself these days. She is getting very maternal and it becomes her a great deal. David is evidently a healthy, chubby, even good looking little fellow. (However, one photo I have of him looks alarmingly like Edward G. Robinson, just between you and me.) However, he could run into an electric fan and be an improvement on his old man.
I would certainly appreciate hearing from you and learning of your work even if via a mimeographed survey, Paul, since you are the ranking officer of our family. (That wasn't very hard to accomplish, was it?)
I think I've taken enough of your time for now. And so I leave you with the words of our late Commander-in-Chief, I hope to hear from you "again and again and again."
JOHN – [Iwo Jima] – 11 JUN 1945
Most of the Japs here have been killed. A few taken alive. We still have to have 30 guards on hand to make sure that those sleeping within the camp will be safe. We have had some trouble with air raids, but so far all is well.
I had a bad dream the other night, which had me sweating for some time. The boys in the tent said I took a few years off their lives. We all get off our heads once in a while. But as for my health, I am well. Heat does cause my skin to break out. It's the dust and sweat.
I sure wish Pete could get out of the service and go back to help Dad out.
The picture sent with this letter is of my home when we first hit this island. We found the canvas and the sand bags. The towel you see is no longer white. I take my bath from one helmet of water. First, I wash my head. And does it get dirty. Then my body, legs and afterward my feet – with the same water. In case I have a handkerchief that needs cleaning, I give it a washing. By that time the water is really brown.
Boy, would I love to be able to take one of my showers at home like I used to. Remember? Well, that day will come I'm sure and it won't be too long.
I love you all so much and think of you always. In October it will be four years in the Army. September 10th it will be 3½ years overseas.
PETE – Kingsville – 14 JUN 1945
I have a new job now. Our material officer – a It. j.g., is leaving and they have put me in his place. I have a bigger desk and a softer chair than before now. My new title is Material Chief and I'm in charge of supplies and plane parts for the squadron. I have 7 assistants, two of these being Waves. I think I will like this job better than my last one as it will keep me more busy. . . .
JOHN – Iwo Jima – 27 JUN 1945
After 29 months in Hawaii we left for Oahu where we had our jungle training and worked for seven months. Some took furloughs but you have to sign your life away to get it. So we still wait. Don't get me wrong, Mother, I think we have a wonderful Army, but for myself, I've got enough of it. It gets so hot. All we do is sweat.
I was just thinking – if I could be with Paul, Pete and Mark, I would stay until the end. But they're in the Navy and I'm in the Army. Still, I've done what I could. And I've learned that life has very little beauty in it. I hope Marie won't be disappointed in me.
I hope the Japs don't get us up again tonight. Love from your third son.
JOHN – Iwo Jima – 8 JUL 1945
This has been a very hot day, but it's cooling off a bit. Also, this is my first day off since we landed. We are near the water now. New foxholes against air raids. Same tent.
The boys left for home last week for 45 days of rest and I could have been with them. But I would not sign up for the end of the war plus six months.
I’ve never seen a place like this for dust. Dust all day. It gets you so dirty, and of course when we sweat all day in this dust you wouldn't know me. At this time I'm washing myself in the ocean with what they call sea soap.
They seem to think that there are very few Japs left on this island. We haven't had any trouble so far and don't expect any.
I suppose you get tired of my writing about our troubles, and of what we wish would happen. But there's nothing to take our minds off [these things]. May this war end soon so my brothers can return to where they belong.
MARK – [USS HOGGATT BAY, San Pedro Bay, Leyte] – 8 JUL 1945
. . . The past 10 days or so I have been in a harbor and going ashore about every other day. There are about 3 or so islands close by and they are rather pretty – at least interesting – and of course it is always nice to feel the earth under your feet.
The ship has become a part of me, though, and I have grown to feel a deep affection for her. I feel strange while away and always look forward to coming aboard her. I imagine if I were in the crews' quarters and not so comfortable I wouldn't feel this way. (I think I could leave the ship to go home without too much pain, however!)
* * * * * * *
The other day while ashore I ran across a friend of mine who was at K.U. while I was there and belonged to my fraternity (Sigma Nu). We had a nice talk together and it brought back fond memories. I spend little time living in the past, however, but a great deal in the future.
I received another letter from Pete and I think everything is settled between us that I will work for Jules Borel & Co. after I receive my degree from K.U.
PAUL – Berlin – 12 JUL 1945
Dearest Miriam:
When I left you yesterday I hadn't told you much about the Berlin trip. Actually there is not much to tell yet and I don't know whether there will be at all but you'll be interested in the unimportant things as well. We left the airport at Hoechst at about 2 o'clock, Tuesday, July 10. Three Naval officers and two enlisted men were involved in the move although naturally there were quite a number of Army officers too. In all we loaded eight planes. The other two officers, a captain and a commander with driver, drove up by car. My Yeoman Brown and I went by plane. We couldn't take much stuff with us so much of my luggage was left behind (always a dangerous thing to do). It was a very hot day and it wasn't until we were underway with a few ports open that we got cooled off at all.
There wasn't much to see on the way. Most of the time it was the usual crazy-quilt produced by intensive cultivation on comparatively small estates. We flew over a considerable portion of the city before reaching the airport and it was increasingly evident that newspaper accounts of the extensive damage done to the city were no exaggerations. It was as if one were looking at the barren shell of a walnut whose meat had been removed. We arrived at Templehof Airport in the U.S. Zone at 4:30 p.m. There we were met by truck and taken to register for billets.
There was no indication that the town was deserted. People bustled in the streets and formed long queues at the occasional store which had things to sell.
Our first billet was in a schoolhouse. The Gertraudenschule it was called. We had the second deck (floor to you). The auditorium was set aside for office space and desks were lined up in masterful formation. The former offices and lecture rooms were converted to bedrooms. Each man had a canvas cot and was to have brought his own bedding. Below us and above us children were still going to classes and we could hear shouts and peals of laughter as they were let out for recesses. Meals were served in an apartment some twenty minutes away by foot.
It became evident that the arrangements left something to be desired. Hence on the second day, with the billeting plans moving a little faster than had at first been thought possible, most of the field grade officers and up (major up) had been assigned quarters (still temporary) in various houses near the mess. Further, our offices were moved to the same locality also. It was every man for himself getting together office furnishings and we were busy carrying desks and chairs around.
At present I have a very nice little room which is much overcrowded with furniture as all German rooms are. The bed is barely six feet long so that usually my feet hang out or my head bumps the top of the bed. And the mosquitoes are quite a nuisance too. There are two other fellows in the house, both majors. Each house in Germany probably has an interesting, and often horrible, story to tell if it could but speak. In the case of our house, it has the pall of death over it. A few weeks ago when the Russians were ransacking this neighborhood the owner of the house, his wife and two children, went down to their basement and all hung themselves. They are now buried in the garden in our back yard. This house is no longer the home they once loved.
But I must leave you with a more cheerful thought. It is that old saw: I love you. But it never seems trite or get old when we say it to one another.
Your own, Paulus
POTSDAM CONFERENCE (17 JULY - 2 AUG 1945)
James F. Byrnes, Speaking Frankly, (p. 67-69 passim).
We wanted to reach agreement on four major issues: first, the machinery and the procedures for the earliest possible drafting and completion of peace treaties; second, the political and economic principles which would govern the occupation of Germany; third, plans for carrying out the Yalta Declaration on Liberated Europe, with the hope of ending the constant friction which had prevailed over Russian policy in eastern Europe since the Crimea Conference; and, fourth, a new approach to the reparations issue in view of the inability of the Reparations Commission to reach agreement.
There were other goals, also. Among them was our desire to speed Italy's entry into the United Nations in recognition of the part her people played in the last year of the war in Europe and her declaration of war against Japan. Then, we had a plan for insuring free navigation of all of Europe's inland waterways.
* * * * * * *
Shortly after lunch, we left for the first of our many three-mile drives to Potsdam and to Cecilienhof Palace where the meetings were held. As always, when they are hosts, the Russians had made painstaking preparations. Cecilienhof Palace had been the country estate of the former Crown Prince Wilhelm, and provided ample accommodations for the conference. It is a two-story brown- stone mansion beautifully situated,on Gribnitz Lake. Its four wings form a square with a courtyard in the center, which the Red Army had brilliantly carpeted with a twenty-four-foot wide Red star of geraniums. Each head of government was provided with a suite of rooms for his personal use and each delegation had a conference room and offices for its staff.
The conference room itself was impressively large and pleasantly bright. At one end a huge window reached up the full two-story height of the room, letting in light and giving the conferees a sweeping view of beautifully landscaped gardens.
The group that sat down at the large oaken table at 5:10 p.m. on July 17 included, besides the President and me, former ambassador Joseph E. Davies, Admiral Leahy and Chip Bohlen from the United States delegation; Prime Minister Churchill, Foreign Minister Anthony Eden, Mr. Attlee, Sir Alexander Cadogan, and an interpreter from the United Kingdom delegation; and from the Soviet Union, Generalissimo Stalin, Foreign Minister Molotov, Mr. Vyshinski, Mr. Andrei A. Gromyko, who was then the Soviet Ambassador in the United States, the Soviet Ambassador to Great Britain, F. T. Gousev, and Mr. Pavlov.
Charles L. Mee, Jr., Meeting at Potsdam, (p. 114).
Stalin had properly trapped Chruchill and Truman: They could not wriggle out from under the principle that Russia was entitled to one-third of the German fleet. Whereas Molotov could not even get Eden to discuss the subject, Stalin had moved quickly from a share in the Japanese was to a share of the German fleet. The ships were his; the bargaining was ended; Eden was again annoyed that Churchill had handled the question so badly and given away the fleet yet again – and this time definitively. Whereas intentionally or not, however, Churchill had managed to drag Truman into the debate. Truman had lost, too; the first blood had been drawn.
PAUL – [Hoechst, GERMANY] – 2 JUN 1945
Let's see dear, I was going to tell you about the place where I live. To begin with it is about 20 minutes walk from the office. It is a house owned by a German doctor who evidently was quite successful. It is located on the edge of town and the view from my window is lovely. The local inevitable vegetable garden starts just across the road, then more farm fields and in the distance, the hills. These are almost small mountains and in early morning or late evening they are purple. Occasionally the smooth line of hills is broken by a castle or large building which seems to grow out of the soil like a huge strange plant.
How do we get a house? Well, usually they are obtained in groups, for it is not the intention to allow troops and civilians to live in the same neighborhood. To begin with when houses were requisitioned, advance notice was given to the occupants. This proved unsatisfactory because the houses were stripped before we moved in. Now the system is as follows: The billeting officer drives around in a neighborhood where houses appear to be what is wanted. He then marks off on a map what blocks he wishes to evacuate. Then patrol and scout cars throw a cordon around the district; a notice is nailed on each door; someone knocks on the door and calls the attention of the occupant to the notice and leaves. People are given 5 hours to get out and stay out. They are permitted to take bedding, food, clothes but not furniture. People usually double up with friends. Some scenes are sad of course. Some say they will commit suicide. Others weep. Some try bribery to gain permission to remove forbidden items. The other day we had to get an ambulance to move a basket case: a veteran without arms and legs. But all in all everything goes off smoothly and the MP's usually extend the time a little to give people a chance. Then special permission can be obtained to go back for things they have forgotten: like medicine.
In most cases the lady of the house chooses to accept the job of keeping the house clean. That way she can look after their things. They come in at 0900 after we are gone, and leave at 1700 before we return, so we see little of them.
In our house – the Navy got on the good side of the Army billeting officer – the plan is to have 3 Lt. Comdrs. I am the only one in it except for a couple soldiers who are there temporarily as guards. Naturally I've picked the best room (there is nothing like liking your own folks).
Downstairs is a lovely library, a dining room, sun porch (closed in), half bath, kitchen. Upstairs are some secondary bedrooms which we will not use at present. The other two bed rooms and bath are on the first floor (one flight up) with my room. For eating we have taken over a club near the office and have fairly good meals – simple Army food well cooked. So far we have no gas so yet no hot water. However we have also taken over a tennis club and we can go there for showers. That is only 2 or 3 blocks from my house.
So you see we are getting nicely taken care of. The house we have would normally be used for 3 colonels or It. cols, but as I said we in the Navy usually do a little better rank for rank. Apartments have been taken over for junior officers.
Excuse this pencil honey. I ran out of ink and we aren't set up here in the office yet. In fact I am just waiting here for the architect to bring me some plans. My job for the moment is to get the office laid out and organized for the time the admiral comes.
OFFICIAL NAVY WAR DIARY – USS HOGGATT BAY (CVE 75) June 7, 1945 (Time Zone - 9)
HOGGATT BAY, with T. U. 32.1.1, steamed in an area off the Sakishima Islands, making course and speed changes as directed by OTC. The ship went to Torpedo Defense Quarters at 0430 and all guns were manned throughout the day because enemy air attack was expected. At 0637, while the ship was zig-zagging on base course 155 ° (T), at speed 14 knots, a Jap plane of unidentified type was seen to dive into the flight deck of the NATOMA BAY (station 2.5000). General Quarters was sounded, the Task Unit formed disposition 5 V and executed an emergency turn to course 300° (T). Speed was increased to 16 knots. At 0638 another Jap plane, a Judy, was observed in a shallow dive at the SARGENT BAY (station 2.5060). Our port battery opened fire and 40MM hits were made. The plane was observed to change its path and it crashed into the water ahead of the SARGENT BAY. Position of the attack: L-24°-41'N. L-126°-36'E. No ships had bogies on their radars. It is believed that the planes carried IFF. At 0903 condition of readiness I Easy and modified material condition Able were set. General Quarters was again sounded at 1015 because of a bogie which approached to 20 miles. At 1053 condition of readiness I Easy and modified material condition Able were set. At 1303 General Quarters was sounded because of a bogey reported over the formation. At 1310 modified material condition Able was set and at 1314 condition of readiness I Easy. At 1520 a bogey was detected at 20 miles and the ship went to General Quarters. It was identified as friendly at 1524 and condition of readiness I Easy were set. At 1645 disposition 5 RM was formed. At 1736 U.S.S. JOHN D. HENLEY (DD 553) came alongside to pass mail. Zig-zag plan 6 was used for the following periods: 0000 to 0452; 0914 to 0959; 1400 to 1451 and 2010 to 2400. Air operations are summarized as follows: 56 sorties over the target area and 4 LCAP sorties. 152 100 Ib. bombs and 20 500 Ib. bombs were dropped on Ishigaki airfield. A reported radar station was bombed. Gun positions were rocketed and strafed. Window was used and, though no results could be ascertained for certain, the only damage to our planes was one small hole in the stabilizer of a TBM. T.U. 32.1.3 had operated in this area previously, without use of window, and their damage had been much more severe. Ammunition expenditures included 231 5" rockets, 44 500 Ib. bombs and 156 100 Ib. bombs. 40,000 rounds .50 caliber ammunition were also expended. Positions: 0800 L-24°35'N. L-126°-36.5'E. 1200 L-24°-10.5' N. L-126°-20'E. 2000 L-24°-53'N. L-127°-18'E.
MARK TO PAUL – USS HOGGATT BAY (CVE 75) Steaming vicinity Okinawa – 9 JUN 1945
I don't know which of is in arrears in letters (probably me) but I do know it is high time that we get together again, for a few moments at least. Since I certainly have more spare time it is only correct that I come to you. I received your mimeographed diary-letter on the affairs of P.A.B. in France and found it very interesting, if a bit formal. Thanks.
Life here in the Pacific does not have quite the 'social' tinge that you are subjected to. (We don't have to wear our dress blues to impress the Japs – if a Jap gets close enough to see our uniform, we find it more profitable to impress him in other ways. I don't intend this to sound melodramatic because I had not seen a Jap yet myself – but only because I am kept inside the ship during the interesting period of the day.
I suppose you have been told by various and sundry people, perhaps even myself, what sort of a life I am leading here aboard the Hoggatt Bay. I will therefore be brief. Being a salty navy man yourself, you of course are cognizant of the fact (I have no dictionary as you probably are painfully aware of by now) that a CVE is an escort carrier. Ours is that in name only. We do not escort – we fight. That is, the pilots fight, I am sort of a paid passenger of good will, you might say. Anyway, a newspaper would call this a fighting ship. We have had a few tense, exciting moments, but (thank God) they have been very few and far between.
My job aboard is to see that the ship's radar (I should capitalize that last word out of sheer respect, I suppose) is kept in operation. This puts me in sort of a mechanic's position. However, generally, my staff (ahem) of three petty officers, one of whom is a chief, take care of the petty details, which leaves me the rest of the work to do – which laid end to end would cover an amoeba at point blank range. However, once in a while something does break down exceptionally well and I give out with the old college (MIT) try. Offhand I would say I am not useless more than 90% of the time. It is a rare privilege to be aboard a ship and not stand a 1 in 4 watch. There are rumors and rumbles in CIC, which you probably understand to mean "Combat Information Center," but which comes closer to meaning "Christ I'm Confused." However, these rumors have not affected my health or well being, and if, by some twist of fate, they should crystalize into reality, I will throw the shoulders back and chest out and take it like a Borel. (After all, I guess I could get along on only 10 hours sleep a day, if absolutely necessary.)
Being out here away from home, with no job in prospect and a family to support can do queer things to one's sense of proportion. For instance, I have lately been very seriously considering accepting an offer by Pete to join forces with him, Dad and John after the war. There are certainly many personal advantages in this. For one thing, I have never had and will never have the drive and confidence necessary to impress strangers as you have always been so successful doing. This is a shortcoming which I have not been able to overcome, and am sure I never will. I am just as sure that I do have a certain amount of ability which would be an asset to the company I worked for. I do have Pete's confidence, for some reason, and thus am offered a job with, I think, exceptional possibilities.
The company is definitely no longer an infant. It is worth at least $100,000. We have a large cash fund which is aching to be invested by a couple of smart investors. Pete is full of big ideas and what is more I think he will make good. In short, I think with proper management there is a fertile little business to work on. I realize I know nothing at all about the business and I certainly don't intend to ever learn any material. But still, I'm sure there is a job I can do there, and I'm sort of hankering to make a try of it. So I have the two basic necessities of life's work assured (1) Security (2) Possibility of expansion.
I admit that this may all be off on a tangent from the true situation. If you care to, I would appreciate any advice you can offer.
Regardless of what I do, I first will go to school one more semester to get my business degree – I never did get it, you know. This should not be much of a financial burden with the government help which will be forthcoming.
Miriam has written me two nice letters and sent some photographs of your little family. (I shouldn’t use the word “little” when you have twice as many children as I.) The letters are charming and the photos are delightful. Both Nancy and Elaine are really terrific. So is Miriam, Paul. I don't think you could have done better for a wife if you had designed and manufactured one using God as your machine. I'm sure you are well aware of Miriam's charm without any persuasion on my part, however.
My own wife is quite the charmer herself these days. She is getting very maternal and it becomes her a great deal. David is evidently a healthy, chubby, even good looking little fellow. (However, one photo I have of him looks alarmingly like Edward G. Robinson, just between you and me.) However, he could run into an electric fan and be an improvement on his old man.
I would certainly appreciate hearing from you and learning of your work even if via a mimeographed survey, Paul, since you are the ranking officer of our family. (That wasn't very hard to accomplish, was it?)
I think I've taken enough of your time for now. And so I leave you with the words of our late Commander-in-Chief, I hope to hear from you "again and again and again."
JOHN – [Iwo Jima] – 11 JUN 1945
Most of the Japs here have been killed. A few taken alive. We still have to have 30 guards on hand to make sure that those sleeping within the camp will be safe. We have had some trouble with air raids, but so far all is well.
I had a bad dream the other night, which had me sweating for some time. The boys in the tent said I took a few years off their lives. We all get off our heads once in a while. But as for my health, I am well. Heat does cause my skin to break out. It's the dust and sweat.
I sure wish Pete could get out of the service and go back to help Dad out.
The picture sent with this letter is of my home when we first hit this island. We found the canvas and the sand bags. The towel you see is no longer white. I take my bath from one helmet of water. First, I wash my head. And does it get dirty. Then my body, legs and afterward my feet – with the same water. In case I have a handkerchief that needs cleaning, I give it a washing. By that time the water is really brown.
Boy, would I love to be able to take one of my showers at home like I used to. Remember? Well, that day will come I'm sure and it won't be too long.
I love you all so much and think of you always. In October it will be four years in the Army. September 10th it will be 3½ years overseas.
PETE – Kingsville – 14 JUN 1945
I have a new job now. Our material officer – a It. j.g., is leaving and they have put me in his place. I have a bigger desk and a softer chair than before now. My new title is Material Chief and I'm in charge of supplies and plane parts for the squadron. I have 7 assistants, two of these being Waves. I think I will like this job better than my last one as it will keep me more busy. . . .
JOHN – Iwo Jima – 27 JUN 1945
After 29 months in Hawaii we left for Oahu where we had our jungle training and worked for seven months. Some took furloughs but you have to sign your life away to get it. So we still wait. Don't get me wrong, Mother, I think we have a wonderful Army, but for myself, I've got enough of it. It gets so hot. All we do is sweat.
I was just thinking – if I could be with Paul, Pete and Mark, I would stay until the end. But they're in the Navy and I'm in the Army. Still, I've done what I could. And I've learned that life has very little beauty in it. I hope Marie won't be disappointed in me.
I hope the Japs don't get us up again tonight. Love from your third son.
JOHN – Iwo Jima – 8 JUL 1945
This has been a very hot day, but it's cooling off a bit. Also, this is my first day off since we landed. We are near the water now. New foxholes against air raids. Same tent.
The boys left for home last week for 45 days of rest and I could have been with them. But I would not sign up for the end of the war plus six months.
I’ve never seen a place like this for dust. Dust all day. It gets you so dirty, and of course when we sweat all day in this dust you wouldn't know me. At this time I'm washing myself in the ocean with what they call sea soap.
They seem to think that there are very few Japs left on this island. We haven't had any trouble so far and don't expect any.
I suppose you get tired of my writing about our troubles, and of what we wish would happen. But there's nothing to take our minds off [these things]. May this war end soon so my brothers can return to where they belong.
MARK – [USS HOGGATT BAY, San Pedro Bay, Leyte] – 8 JUL 1945
. . . The past 10 days or so I have been in a harbor and going ashore about every other day. There are about 3 or so islands close by and they are rather pretty – at least interesting – and of course it is always nice to feel the earth under your feet.
The ship has become a part of me, though, and I have grown to feel a deep affection for her. I feel strange while away and always look forward to coming aboard her. I imagine if I were in the crews' quarters and not so comfortable I wouldn't feel this way. (I think I could leave the ship to go home without too much pain, however!)
* * * * * * *
The other day while ashore I ran across a friend of mine who was at K.U. while I was there and belonged to my fraternity (Sigma Nu). We had a nice talk together and it brought back fond memories. I spend little time living in the past, however, but a great deal in the future.
I received another letter from Pete and I think everything is settled between us that I will work for Jules Borel & Co. after I receive my degree from K.U.
PAUL – Berlin – 12 JUL 1945
Dearest Miriam:
When I left you yesterday I hadn't told you much about the Berlin trip. Actually there is not much to tell yet and I don't know whether there will be at all but you'll be interested in the unimportant things as well. We left the airport at Hoechst at about 2 o'clock, Tuesday, July 10. Three Naval officers and two enlisted men were involved in the move although naturally there were quite a number of Army officers too. In all we loaded eight planes. The other two officers, a captain and a commander with driver, drove up by car. My Yeoman Brown and I went by plane. We couldn't take much stuff with us so much of my luggage was left behind (always a dangerous thing to do). It was a very hot day and it wasn't until we were underway with a few ports open that we got cooled off at all.
There wasn't much to see on the way. Most of the time it was the usual crazy-quilt produced by intensive cultivation on comparatively small estates. We flew over a considerable portion of the city before reaching the airport and it was increasingly evident that newspaper accounts of the extensive damage done to the city were no exaggerations. It was as if one were looking at the barren shell of a walnut whose meat had been removed. We arrived at Templehof Airport in the U.S. Zone at 4:30 p.m. There we were met by truck and taken to register for billets.
There was no indication that the town was deserted. People bustled in the streets and formed long queues at the occasional store which had things to sell.
Our first billet was in a schoolhouse. The Gertraudenschule it was called. We had the second deck (floor to you). The auditorium was set aside for office space and desks were lined up in masterful formation. The former offices and lecture rooms were converted to bedrooms. Each man had a canvas cot and was to have brought his own bedding. Below us and above us children were still going to classes and we could hear shouts and peals of laughter as they were let out for recesses. Meals were served in an apartment some twenty minutes away by foot.
It became evident that the arrangements left something to be desired. Hence on the second day, with the billeting plans moving a little faster than had at first been thought possible, most of the field grade officers and up (major up) had been assigned quarters (still temporary) in various houses near the mess. Further, our offices were moved to the same locality also. It was every man for himself getting together office furnishings and we were busy carrying desks and chairs around.
At present I have a very nice little room which is much overcrowded with furniture as all German rooms are. The bed is barely six feet long so that usually my feet hang out or my head bumps the top of the bed. And the mosquitoes are quite a nuisance too. There are two other fellows in the house, both majors. Each house in Germany probably has an interesting, and often horrible, story to tell if it could but speak. In the case of our house, it has the pall of death over it. A few weeks ago when the Russians were ransacking this neighborhood the owner of the house, his wife and two children, went down to their basement and all hung themselves. They are now buried in the garden in our back yard. This house is no longer the home they once loved.
But I must leave you with a more cheerful thought. It is that old saw: I love you. But it never seems trite or get old when we say it to one another.
Your own, Paulus
POTSDAM CONFERENCE (17 JULY - 2 AUG 1945)
James F. Byrnes, Speaking Frankly, (p. 67-69 passim).
We wanted to reach agreement on four major issues: first, the machinery and the procedures for the earliest possible drafting and completion of peace treaties; second, the political and economic principles which would govern the occupation of Germany; third, plans for carrying out the Yalta Declaration on Liberated Europe, with the hope of ending the constant friction which had prevailed over Russian policy in eastern Europe since the Crimea Conference; and, fourth, a new approach to the reparations issue in view of the inability of the Reparations Commission to reach agreement.
There were other goals, also. Among them was our desire to speed Italy's entry into the United Nations in recognition of the part her people played in the last year of the war in Europe and her declaration of war against Japan. Then, we had a plan for insuring free navigation of all of Europe's inland waterways.
* * * * * * *
Shortly after lunch, we left for the first of our many three-mile drives to Potsdam and to Cecilienhof Palace where the meetings were held. As always, when they are hosts, the Russians had made painstaking preparations. Cecilienhof Palace had been the country estate of the former Crown Prince Wilhelm, and provided ample accommodations for the conference. It is a two-story brown- stone mansion beautifully situated,on Gribnitz Lake. Its four wings form a square with a courtyard in the center, which the Red Army had brilliantly carpeted with a twenty-four-foot wide Red star of geraniums. Each head of government was provided with a suite of rooms for his personal use and each delegation had a conference room and offices for its staff.
The conference room itself was impressively large and pleasantly bright. At one end a huge window reached up the full two-story height of the room, letting in light and giving the conferees a sweeping view of beautifully landscaped gardens.
The group that sat down at the large oaken table at 5:10 p.m. on July 17 included, besides the President and me, former ambassador Joseph E. Davies, Admiral Leahy and Chip Bohlen from the United States delegation; Prime Minister Churchill, Foreign Minister Anthony Eden, Mr. Attlee, Sir Alexander Cadogan, and an interpreter from the United Kingdom delegation; and from the Soviet Union, Generalissimo Stalin, Foreign Minister Molotov, Mr. Vyshinski, Mr. Andrei A. Gromyko, who was then the Soviet Ambassador in the United States, the Soviet Ambassador to Great Britain, F. T. Gousev, and Mr. Pavlov.
Charles L. Mee, Jr., Meeting at Potsdam, (p. 114).
Stalin had properly trapped Chruchill and Truman: They could not wriggle out from under the principle that Russia was entitled to one-third of the German fleet. Whereas Molotov could not even get Eden to discuss the subject, Stalin had moved quickly from a share in the Japanese was to a share of the German fleet. The ships were his; the bargaining was ended; Eden was again annoyed that Churchill had handled the question so badly and given away the fleet yet again – and this time definitively. Whereas intentionally or not, however, Churchill had managed to drag Truman into the debate. Truman had lost, too; the first blood had been drawn.
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