Description:

Very informative pair of decoded mimeographs from the headquarters of the U.S. Army Forces, Pacific Ocean Areas, bearing messages from the Japanese Imperial Government regarding Allied prisoners of war weeks before their surrender. These mimeographs were certainly created from original teletypes as 'reading copies' for use by U.S. military, government and Allied military officials. The first, 3pp. 4to., insists upon POWs remaining obedient to camp officials, reading in part: '...it is quite necessary to pay particularly careful attention...to maintain perfect order by continuing the satisfactory cooperative relations between the camp authorities...and the prisoners...prisoners held in the Kobe prisoner of war camp have since...begun to refuse to listen...they ran away...broke into the store houses...annoyed women and girls...several men went to the Osaka prisoner of war camp and instigated the prisoners held [there]...military authorities of the Allied Powers very speedily issue such necessary orders as will make prisoners of war...obey orders of their leaders...and to restrain themselves after their release...' The second, 2pp. 4to., refuses to allow American personnel into Japanese POW camps, adding: '...With the cooperation of the Swiss and Red Cross officials the prisoners and internees are being adequately provided for...it seems unnecessary for the United States to send special personnel...it will, as a matter of course, be impossible for us to bear responsibility for the safety of such personnel...' This lot was taken from a large number of teletypes brought home by Charles F. Hoff, a 'cryptographic message center officer' stationed at Headquarters Army Forces Middle Pacific, charged with sending and receiving messages from Washington to the Pacific, as well as coding and decoding classified documents. Consigned by a direct linear descendant, and sold with a photocopy of a letter of provenance delivered from our consigner to our offices.

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May 22, 2021 10:00 AM EDT
Elkton, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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