Description:

WWII Japan
Tokyo, Japan, September 25, 1945
ALS from Naval Eyewitness to Tokyo After Atomic Bombs "90% of it is completely leveled or bombed out..."
ALS
A fascinating autograph letter signed by a Naval seaman, detailing his eyewitness accounts of Japan one month after the dropping of the atomic bombs. 4pp, measuring 7.25" x 10.5", Tokyo, U.S.S. Ticonderoga, dated September 25, 1945. A letter from Lieutenant James "Jim" W. Neighbours USN to Miss Betty M. Keely. Neighbours writes about his recent two-week stay in the Tokyo region and describes in detail the destruction he saw as well as the feelings of the Japanese citizens towards Americans. The letter is accompanied by the original Air Mail envelope, illustrated with a Tokyo and Tokyo Bay map. With flattened mail folds and light toning. Expected wear and soiling to the envelope. Very fine overall. A remarkable letter written just after the world witnessed the horrors of the atomic bomb.

Reading in part:
"…Our ship anchored just off Yokohama. The famous Mt. Fujiyama made a very impressive sight when it was clear enough for us to see it!! I went ashore a few times, and got into Tokyo twice. Each time I went to Yokohama first, then caught the train to Tokyo. The train is an electric one, a lot like those used by the N.Y. railroad in the subways, or by the Chicago 'El.' Anyway, the trip is about 12 to 15 miles long, and is through what once was a thickly settled industrial area… about 90% of it is completely leveled or bombed out. In Tokyo proper a few small sections appear to have been missed completely, and some of the large modern buildings proved to be fairly bomb-proof and fire-proof. Even so, about 3/4 of the town is in bad shape. A few of the stores were open for business, but they had very little to sell. Apparently the Japs went 'all out' for the war, and produced no luxury goods for personal comfort…In Tokyo I was amazed to see that the people went about their business as if nothing unusual had happened. A lot of them appeared curious and the kids followed us around begging for candy and chewing gum. Some of the young men - in their late teens and about my age - had the look of hate in their eyes. These few are going to require some re-education…

…After seeing all this destruction - and pictures of the area where the atomic bomb fell - one can easily see why the Japanese gave up. And it wasn't just from the 'atomic ache'!! Seriously though, I hope the principles of the San Francisco conference can be carried out to such an extent that the world can be kept from wars as this…"

From March 9-10, 1945, the U.S. Military conducted a series of raids, codenamed Operation Meetinghouse, on the city of Tokyo. It was the single most destructive bombing raid in history, destroying 16 square miles of central Tokyo, killing 100,000 civilians, and leaving an estimated one million homeless. The firebombing of Tokyo on the night of March 9th alone was the single deadliest air raid of World War II, greater than Dresden, Hamburg, Hiroshima, or Nagasaki as single events. The destruction and damage to Tokyo's morale were severe, with many citizens realizing that the war had been lost, even prior to the dropping of the atomic bombs.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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  • Dimensions: 7.25" x 10.5"
  • Medium: ALS

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