Description:

Very informative lot of five decoded mimeographs from the headquarters of the U.S. Army Forces, Pacific Ocean Areas, bearing messages from the Japanese Imperial Government shortly before their surrender. These mimeographs were certainly created from original teletypes as 'reading copies' for use by government and Allied military officials. Too extensive to effectively summarize, just a small sampling of the most notable quotes includes: '...In Manchuria, Inner Mongolia and North Korea, the disarming of our forces is making progress...certain localities disarmed Japanese forces and civilians are being made victims of illegitimate firing, looting, actions of violence, rape and other outrages...The situation is certain to get out of control...it is requested to permit our forces to retain the necessary arms...until Japanese residents have been removed...the Japanese headquarters wishes to draw your attention to attacks on Japanese shipping still continues...the submarine engaged...belongs to the Soviet Union and did not reply to the signals sent...the Japanese Armed Forces...may be required to use the least necessary amount of unarmed airplanes...for various important liaison matters in connection with the prosecution of surrender requirements...There are in China at present, substantial numbers of Japanese subjects such as sick and wounded soldiers, the aged and women and children...either suffering from illness or wounds or from the lack of food or are exposed to the danger of plunder and violence...' Much more content. Sold with a typed message in cipher taken from the headquarters, 1p. 4to., stamped 'PRIORITY' at the center and reading 'ALASKA COMMUNICATION SYSTEM' at the side, not decoded by us. Potentially a great find. This lot was taken from a large number of teletypes and mimeographs 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, sold with a photocopy of a letter of provenance.

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

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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