In this letter, Roscoe mentioned the attempts made by himself and his tent mates to listen to the news and some entertainment on the radio. They heard some Japanese propaganda over the airwaves. Today we know more about these broadcasts. The Japanese attempted to lower the morale of the American soldiers far from home.  They played American music and they tried to manipulate the homesick boys. Several young, English speaking Japanese women were forced to broadcast under the pseudonyms of “Tokyo Rose” and “Orphan Ann.” The above audio clip is a small sample from an “Orphan Ann” broadcast. For more information about two of the real Japanese women involved in Japanese war propaganda who were captured after World War II, click here.

Letter transcription:

Nov. 6, 1942

Dear Mother,

I’m writing this in the middle of the P.M. Shortly after chow. I made the rounds saw my 27 patients (all male). Came back took a bath and am now flat on my back on the bunk with all sides of the tent up and only my trunks on – almost forgot – house slippers. The sun is hot out so it’s better to stay in the shade although a blanket and sheet is still necessary at night. In fact this must be climate very much like California. And I’ve been told it was a sort of a resort during normal times. Just raised up. I can’t write very well on my back.

I just wrote Ruth M. and may try to write another or two today. The Walkups & Allgoods is depends on my vim after I get this done. Got one letter this A.M. Yours of Sept. 1 wasn’t very interesting after getting all the latest later ones. It did recall though – on that day we came into harbor here and it was something to think back what you were doing at that time.

It sure doesn’t seem like fall of the year here and I can’t seem to realize that we are nearing the Christmas season. Of course, that is some time

[page 2] yet but it will be here before we realize it.

In Mom’s letter yesterday she told of how long it took my letters to come etc..and many of the boys say it takes only 8-10 days for their letters to get home. Hope you will give me the dope in that regard as I asked you the other days. So far my letters have been among the latest and the boys ask me how long it takes mine to get there and I can’t tell them.

The wind blew so hard last night it seemed the tent might not hold but so far we haven’t lost one although we do take a beating from the side flaps. It would seem all the mosquitoes would be bashed to death but apparently they just ride along on the waves. The netting keeps them away only once in a while one takes a nip before one retires into the sack.

Our news comes in well each night but the programs that are supposed to be very entertaining to the boys of the South West Pacific are not what I would call the best. In fact we generally try to get Japan to see what they are saying about us. It’s not bad entertainment in a crude sort of fashion. They sing “Home Sweet Home” at the beginning and end

[page 3] of their program and it doesn’t seem to have much affect on our moral coming from where it does – Stopped for a little engagement on the hillside. Guess I’ve been drinking too much beer.

Since I started it’s been an hour or two and it is now cloudy and the wind still blowing pretty hard. Looks like we might have some rain again.

Just noticed in the J.A.M.A. of the death of two of the Drs. we knew in Norfolk. They were in an airplane accident in Virginia. Seems strange that they there should have something like that happen. Right in the heart of U.S.A. but one never knows.

Hope you and the boys are making out OK. My biggest worry is the furnace. I’m afraid it will fill up and break one of the pin that feeds the coal in. The clinkers should be cleaned out well each day and that should be done when the furnace isn’t running. I always turned that thermostat on the front of the furnace back. That would stop it. Then hang something on the draft in the pipe to close it – that caused a draft and the smoke didn’t come out the fire door. Of course, one had to be careful to reverse the process when finished. So if you try to do those things yourself maybe that will help – but have someone come out about once each month and give it a real going over. Guess maybe the babes diapers will keep the moisture up.

Well, my space is all gone
Lots of Love
Daddy

©2013 copyright owned and written by Deborah Sweeney

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