DIY History | Transcribe | World War II Diaries and Letters | David R. Elder correspondence, August-September 1945 | 1945-09-13 Earnest L. Moothart to Dave Elder Page 1

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David R. Elder correspondence, August-September 1945

1945-09-13 Earnest L. Moothart to Dave Elder Page 1

Wakayama Wan, Honshu
13 September 1945
Dear Dave,
Japan appeared in a mist on the horizon, alto stratus clouds put Honshu in coverage. Through the glasses you could see the mountainous terrain similar to Okinawa Gunto. 
The land we have fought so long to capture lies approximately one mile off our starboard side. It appears as a serene island but the turmoil inside and the strife it caused cannot escape your mind. Wonder if our next destination is the land I love - U.S.A.
When we sailed into Kii Suido several hundred people gathered on the beach and appeared to be viewing our ships. There is a large factory (with 50 chimneys) located near shore. None of the buildings look damaged but several silo (I call them) structures have scaffolds build around them. This is a large harbor; several hundred ships could anchor here. Hope the Navy doesn't decide to assign us in this place. Gad, what a misfortune that would be.
After an average temperature of 83[degrees] at Okinawa, when the mercury fell to 72[degrees] I put on a jacket. The days are warm

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Wakayama Wan, Honshu 13 September 1945 Dear Dave, Japan appeared in a mist on the horizon, alto stratus clouds put Honshu in coverage. Through the glasses you could see the mountainous terrain similar to Okinawa Gunto. The land we have fought so long to capture lies approximately one mile off our starboard side. It appears as a serene island but the turmoil inside and the strife it caused cannot escape your mind. Wonder if our next destination is the land I love - U.S.A. When we sailed into Kii Suido several hundred people gathered on the beach and appeared to be viewing our ships. There is a large factory (with 50 chimneys) located near shore. None of the buildings look damaged but several silo (I call them) structures have scaffolds build around them. This is a large harbor; several hundred ships could anchor here. Hope the Navy doesn't decide to assign us in this place. Gad, what a misfortune that would be. After an average temperature of 83[degrees] at Okinawa, when the mercury fell to 72[degrees] I put on a jacket. The days are warm