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Post by JohnEakin on Dec 4, 2010 23:31:24 GMT 8
Thanks for the usual great pictures and a wonderful tour of the island.
My wife happened to see the photos over my shoulder and she's ready for a visit. So keep the pictures coming and help me set the hook.
Best wishes for a very happy Christmas to all.
John
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Post by JohnEakin on Dec 1, 2010 21:07:49 GMT 8
Good work.
Never forget.
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Post by JohnEakin on Nov 29, 2010 5:14:11 GMT 8
That's amazing, thanks for posting it. I've read about the wards in the jungle, but it is hard to imagine until you see it. With a nurse in a starched white dress, of course. Wonder where her hat was (remember when nurses wore those?)
The 2nd General Hospital peaked around 7,000 beds and the only thing under cover was the OR and the nurses' stations where the charts were kept.
John
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Post by JohnEakin on Nov 9, 2010 9:50:25 GMT 8
Thanks for the update, Michael, that's good to know. I got a copy of DoD's "research package" concerning my cousin and the other nine who were buried with him and who are all now buried in Manila as unknowns. DoD is not to thrilled to have the families looking over their shoulders. I wonder if they would send me a photo of a specific plot with an unknown marker as I feel sure we know which grave he is in? I doubt that they can use the GI DNA sample as they also have to document the relationship to the missing, but the Army Casualty Office would be the one to give you a definitive answer. There's a page of DNA information at www.dtic.mil/dpmo/dna_information/with contact addresses at the bottom. FWIW, the DNA samples are now collected with a cheek swab rather than a finger prick ( I hate those). Best, John
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Post by JohnEakin on Nov 5, 2010 4:33:54 GMT 8
I'm way out of my league discussing history with the members of this forum, but something that surprised me was that - at least after they reached the camps - the military organizations continued to function. The unit roster of the 2nd General Hospital continues to record the comings and goings of the men up through August 1944. It reads like a morning report - so and so went to the guardhouse, someone was transferred to the hospital as a patient, transfers to work details (usually to Japan), and so on. Reading this, one gets the impression that this type of organization existed throughout the camp. In fact, the 2nd General Hospital was basically consolidated with the 1st General Hospital in the days after the surrender and they continued to operate a very large hospital on Bataan until May 30, 1942 when the last of them were moved to Bilibad, enroute to Cabanatuan. The unit roster records only 12 desertions on April 10, 1942 and 2 AWOL on May 25, 1942 when they started moving out. bataanmissing.com/2nd-general-hospitalI'm sure there was probably a lack of discipline right after the capitulation, but I was surprised that they felt the need to record such details. Likely, too, that the discipline varied considerably between various units. Best, John
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Post by JohnEakin on Nov 1, 2010 20:34:04 GMT 8
The plot thickens. <G>
Why would scrappers wish to burn holes in the barrels, especially near the breech and trunion? I'd think they'd be interested in making smaller pieces.
The photo looks like the hole was burned, and I can't imagine a torch big enough for that job. And an explosive would leave a different surface pattern and wouldn't go all the way through.
If it was thermite, a closer inspection - especially from the breech - should show "dripping" inside the barrel and perhaps below the exit hole. The presence of burn marks below the exit hole might indicate if the barrel was moved subsequent to the damage.
Frankly, considering the thickness of the metal, I can't even imagine a thermite grenade burning all the way through it. But if not something like thermite, why bother burning all the way through two layers of metal? Why bother with two holes in each barrel? If the object was to disable the gun, two holes all the way through was a bit of overkill.
Best,
John
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Post by JohnEakin on Nov 1, 2010 5:17:11 GMT 8
Thermite grenade?? en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ThermiteA classic military use for thermite is disabling artillery pieces, and it has been used commonly for this purpose since World War II. Thermite can permanently disable artillery pieces without the use of explosive charges and therefore can be used when silence is necessary to an operation. There are several ways to do this. By far the most destructive method is to weld the weapon shut by inserting one or more armed thermite grenades into the breech and then quickly closing it. This makes the weapon impossible to load. An alternative method is to insert an armed thermite grenade down the muzzle of the artillery piece, fouling the barrel. This makes the piece very dangerous to fire. Yet another method is to use thermite to weld the traversing and elevation mechanism of the weapon, making it impossible to aim properly.
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Post by JohnEakin on Oct 28, 2010 8:59:08 GMT 8
I plan to give it the same treatment that I have given "BUNKERS WAR". Any interest? You gotta be kidding. Can't believe you had to ask. <G> I can't wait. John
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Post by JohnEakin on Oct 24, 2010 7:40:18 GMT 8
Started the move in about June and was supposed to be complete by September. I think they still have some people in the old offices who didn't want to make the move. May be an improvement when everything gets moved. They built a huge new building for the entire Human Resources Command. Armor center moved to Benning.
You a Knox alumni, too? Basic. 1965. A-9-3.
Best,
John
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Post by JohnEakin on Oct 24, 2010 4:00:23 GMT 8
Michael,
That's about the same time frame they originally quoted me - however, when I asked for it prior to the family briefing, it magically appeared in record time. <G> So they can sometimes speed things up, a bit.
If you're dealing with the Army Casualty Office, be aware that their office has moved from the Washington area to Ft Knox, KY this summer. I spoke with one of the casualty officers a couple of weeks ago and she said they are moved in to the new offices, but a lot of things are still in boxes. She said not to be shy about reminding them if I was waiting for something. Nice people there. I don't always like that they don't have an answer for me, but the people are very nice to deal with. Same for the Navy and USMC casualty officers I've talked with.
I've seen some interesting things in the IDPF's of men who died in the camps, but I've never seen one from a hell ship death. Please let us know what you find.
Best,
John
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