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World War II Travel Diary
This World War II medical officer kept a journal during many of his trips. Through this journal you are able to see World War II through the eyes of this Hospital Ship Platoon Medical Officer during a 3 year period.
The Transcription:
Sept 29 — stories told by Pts. in Ward 17
Doughten — orthotic -gave me Jap one pound occupation note.
Many stories 1) In foxholes nude Jap woman appeared beckoning
to men, few men licking lips, about to move out. Capt threatens to
shoot first man to move, turns and shoots woman, she falls, and 2 hand
grenades slip from her arm pits and explode on ground, blowing her
apart. 2) Lying in fox hole with buddy. 2 shelter halves, standing his
half of half and half guard when zoom! Jap jumps in bayonets sleeping
companion to death. Doughten picks up BAR (Browning Automatic
Rifle) and cuts Jap in half. 3) Doughten as advance scout, dead
American lying in road, 12 men group to move body, Jap has machine
gun trained on the spot, holds string 10 yards away, pulls string to
trip trigger, 12 men dead, Doughten sees the Jap and string, kills Jap,
another one springs to gun, other scout gets him, another sprang up,
shot, dead are marked for future burial, on ahead 4) By another Pt.
Men barricaded in certain area, sniper shoots from tree, finally get
him. Next night another sniper in this big tree get him. Same thing
next night. Marvel at this, tree environ is surrounded completely by
American territory. 5 nights they shoot a sniper from this tree, squad
of men investigate, find 8-9 more Japs and officer living in trunk, have
medical and food supply there.
The Transcription:
personally drawn by Kelly and me long before its corroboration. It seemed that I had left the tent ward about 2:15 after doing some history and physicals and clearing up rounds. I was very sleepy and took a nap. Kelly came in and was outside when I heard the Col. bawling him out for not being on the ward in no uncertain terms. I hastily arose, eyes sleep drenched. The Col. went up and down tent row looking for more trespassers — found me. He was almost apoplectic, with suppressed rage. Immediately to the wards! We went without a word and because we talked with each other about his disproportionate anger over such a matter came the parting of our paths, at which we lingered in earnest discussion. Up pops the Colonel again, full of disgusting rage about our delay en route. This time we really went. Spoken to next day by Capt. Riehm, my immediate boss, about it and about. We sure tread easy around there after that. Of course we achieved a violent dislike, based on our prejudiced attitude. But the expressed opinion of so many was quite abusive and amazingly frank at times. Let me mention the category of ineptitudes I have compounded thru discussion. The treatment of us platoons was most miserable, the responsibility being his, since betterment could have come from there. Co. Miller was living in his splendidly isolated thatched hut, with running water, shower and orderly service, and his 2 subordinate Lt. Cols, both elderly men also, were still in tents, still had to chase after water do occasionally minor washing in helmet. The garden about the hut was reclining.
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