CHAPMAN, A.F. 1945 HANDWRITTEN JOURNAL OF COAST GUARD MINESWEEPING DUTY IN WORLD WAR II OCCUPIED JAPAN OF A.F. CHAPMAN Occupied Japan 1945
8 x 5 Inches Manuscript This is a highly detailed private, handwritten journal of A. F. Chapman, [the first page bears his name in signature and the year 1945], a member of the U.S. Coast Guard. Chapman is stationed in Occupied Japan, there to assist in the dangerous job of mine sweeping. The journal itself was issued blank by the Coast Guard, and the front reads "NCG 2106 U.S. Coast Guard". Here are some excerpts: "Sept 22 - It has been 12 days now since we arrived here at Kii Suido and as far as I am concerned - and I think this opinion is shared by the rest of the Officers and men - it has been 12 days we would gladly forget. There has not been the satisfaction in coming to this conquered land I had anticipated. But even at that, if we must put in more time out here before returning home, this is probably just as good as any other. No place in this remote part of the world can compare with the homeland….I wouldn't swap one square inch of loveable and green North - by God - Carolina for the whole kit and kaboodle of Japan." "The typhoon…was the most terrifying thing I have ever experienced. The wind was piling up…swells that were running hire than the LCI bridge….[after 4 or 5 pages of storm]….we were lucky to come out of the storm with such a negligible loss as an anchor and cable. Apparently we had done the perfect thing without planning for it and we can thank our lucky stars - and I do----." "When the natives crowded around us on the beach I felt like a giant in some fairy tale. I don't think any of them were more than chest high to me. It was very much like I was standing in the middle of a group of 10 year old boys back home." Chapman packs a lot into 39 numbered pages especially given that the last noted date is Oct 3rd being a mere two weeks after he began the diary. He makes each word count and proves himself an intelligent, tough and sensitive individual. This 8 x 5 inch journal has some rubbing to the boards and some spotting on the edges. The first couple of pages are torn from the book, but were not a part of this man's journal, so they do not affect it. Good+
$C399
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