Lot 179

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Description:

AMERICAN PROPAGANDA ARCHIVE FROM THE BATTLE OF OKINAWA
Historic, large archive of material relating to the surrender of Okinawa, the capture of which was one of the bloodiest engagements of World War II. This material was compiled by American soldier Milton W. Lindahl who was attached to Headquarters, 10th Army, Adjutant Generals Section, likely in a propaganda department. The majority of this grouping is comprised of 17 different printed leaflets, some illustrated, dropped or otherwise distributed on the island, ten intended for Japanese soldiers and officers, seven for the local population (which was of course also Japanese). This appears to be the complete run of leaflets save one, as all are numbered. Leaflets aimed at soldiers explain how to surrender, promise good medical care and food, and explain the futility of resistance. In part: "...If you try no tricks, we will give you kind, dignified treatment...unconscious Japanese soldiers...will be treated as the brave warriors they are...soldiers have been amazed at American kindness and generosity...you fight a futile war which the militarists of Japan started. Here you fight to die, there they live...Do you think that a few suicide units can destroy the powerful fleet and air forces of the United States?...Japanese suicide planes are destroyed at the factories...killing many warriors of the suicide units...attacked by great numbers of superior planes...there is no hope for a Japanese victory...Saipan, Leyte and Iwo Jima...they died a dog's death...no hope of your rescue...caves and other hiding places will be blasted by flamethrowers...you will be killed by flaming oil or you will face a miserable agonizing death...a defeated Japan will be permitted to rebuild...your worst enemies are your officers...". The Americans made particularly good use of the fact that Lt. Gen. Mitsuru Ushijima rejected the offer to negotiate surrender with Gen. S. B. Buckner. Leaflets given the residents of Okinawa advise them to keep away from Japanese and American installations, ask that men return home to their families, and so on: "...The American Army is the friend of all...reveal the identity of all Japanese soldiers hiding among you...never resist American troops...Come out of your caves and other hiding places, all of you...". Also present is a Japanese leaflet which claims that kamikaze planes had sunk 70% of the American carriers and 73% of the battleships, causing 150,000 casualties and directly leading to Roosevelt's death. There are also six double-sided 8 1/2" x 11" propaganda newspapers, Ryoku Shuho ("Ryoku Daily News"), dropped on Japanese forces between April 29 and May 28, 1945. The papers include a mix of war news, a few general interest and sports stories, and a cartoon featuring Japanese soldiers. The stories are generally even-handed, describing everything from massive bombing raids on Japan to Babe Ruth predicting the growth of baseball worldwide. Of course, most of the news concerns Japan, and most is gloomy in nature. A special edition announces the surrender of Germany and the destruction leading up to the country's fall. Also included is a 10th Army Okinawa field-printed Japanese "Surrender" signed in print by Nomi, Takada, Kato and Stilwell; a Tenth Army publication describing the surrender of the Ryukyus ceremony, 10pp. 4to., ca. Sep. 7, 1945; a flimsy one-sheet Christmas card sent from Okinawa, Christmas, 1945; printed thanks for service with facsimile Truman signature issued to Lindahl; mimeographed booklet with names and home addresses of those who served in the Okinawa adjutant's office with Lindahl, and a sm. folio map showing distances from Okinawa to other South Pacific locations and a view of the island itself. All leaflets bear full contemporary translations, newspapers bear summaries. Overall fine. The attack on Okinawa was the largest amphibious assault in the Pacific. The 82-day-long battle lasted from early April until mid-June 1945.The battle resulted in the highest number of casualties in the Pacific Theater. Japan lost over 100,000 troops killed, captured or committed suicide, and the Allies suffered more than 65,000 casualties of all kinds. Simultaneously, tens of thousands of local civilians were killed, wounded, or committed suicide. This archive documents American efforts to induce Japanese surrender and protect the lives of the Okinawans in the face of intense Japanese propaganda warning of potential rape, torture and murder at the hands of "barbarians".

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May 8, 2012 11:00 AM EDT
Stamford, CT, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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