What follows is a synopsis of a lecture presented at the Brookdale Community College by the Center for World War II Studies & Conflict Resolution.
“Burned by the Hiroshima bomb
then to Nagasaki was chased down
A double-survivor I have become
A Nagasaki native never undone.”
On the morning of August 6, 1945, Mr. Yamaguchi Tsutomu, a Nautical Design Engineer for the Nagasaki Mitsubishi Ship Building Corporation was heading to work. He was finishing up a three month assignment and was looking forward to going home to see his wife and 5 month old son. As he walked across a potato field, he heard the sound of airplanes overhead. They were sounds the residents of Hiroshima had been hearing for weeks, the American B-29. He watched as several parachutes descended to the ground (they were carrying a variety of scientific equipment to measure the effects of what was going to occur). A few moments later, his life changed forever.
“Standing with my entire body,
Scorched by pika-don, (flash-boom)
I looked up to the sky to see,
a giant mushroom cloud,
staring back at me.”
One of the planes was the “Enola Gay”, which carried a new type of bomb. The bomb was known as “Little Boy”. It was the first uranium bomb and was making its first appearance on the battlefield.
Mr. Yamaguchi was knocked unconscious from the force of the blast. When he awoke, he felt a burning sensation on his left side and was now deaf in his left ear. As he staggered to his feet, he watched the giant mushroom cloud grow. He began to walk toward work, to look for his colleagues. Everywhere he looked, he saw the devastation the atomic bomb has wrought. Buildings half standing, fires running wild and unchecked, bodies, in parts and whole, were littered among the wreckage. He saw firsthand the people who had died and those who survived the attack. He found a few colleagues and began to plan for tomorrow.
The next day, he and his fellow survivors began the long walk to the refugee train at the station, which was headed to Nagasaki. They walked through the irradiated city, still burning, filled with the cries of the living and dying and many corpses, whole and in parts, lying in the ruins of this once vibrant city. The smell of burning flesh lingering in the air.
Hiroshima is a delta city; build along the coast, with many tributaries emptying out into the Inland Sea. The men had to cross over streams and rivers to make it to the station. And here, in his own words, is what Mr. Yamaguchi saw and felt.
“The “black rain” that falls in my dreams.
The “human raft” that blocks the streams.
The after effects of the pika-don that consume my being.”
Corpses clogged the waters, floating together like “human rafts”. The men tried to walk over the bodies, but began to sink. Mr. Yamaguchi did not want to expose his injuries to the water. They looked for shallow areas so they could cross safely. It was a long, slow walk, surrounded by death, despair, and destruction. Eventually, they made it to the station and boarded the train to Nagasaki.
When they got to Nagasaki on August 8th, it found a mostly empty city. Because before the train arrived at the station, an air raid siren had sounded and the citizens of the city were hiding in shelters. Mr. Yamaguchi made his way to the Mitsubishi company hospital for medical attention. There he found a doctor who drained his arm of pus and cleaned and dressed his wounds.
On August 9th, Mr. Yamaguchi decided he had to go into work, to tell his bosses about what he had seen. His boss dismissed the story; basically telling him that as an engineer how could it be possible to build a bomb that causes so much damage?
At 11:02am, flying overhead was “Bockcar”, which dropped “Fat-Man”, plutonium based nuclear weapon. Once again, Mr. Yamaguchi witnessed firsthand the giant mushroom cloud overhead. But this time it was different, as the death and destruction had come to the city he called home.
This is just a small part of the story of Yamaguchi Tsutomu, survivor of two atomic blasts, husband, father, teacher, poet, and peace activist. His story and poems were presented by Chad Diehl, doctorial candidate from Columbia University, who translated and published the poems of his friend. His book, “And the River Flowed as a Raft of Corpses” is a series of poems which were written in tanka style and now are available. Tanka poems contain 31 syllables which carry a great deal of expression. They consist of five lines and are tightly composed. Mr. Diehl went on to tell us why, after years of silence, Mr. Yamaguchi spoke up about his experiences and shared his poetic voice with the world.
“My life is a dewdrop.
Living for fifty years after the atomic bombing.
I am still wishing for a nuclear free world.”
This was the first lecture presented as part of the 10th Anniversary Series at the Center for World War II Studies and Conflict Resolution. The center’s mission is to educate and inform students, teachers, and life-long learners of the historical, political, social, economic, cultural, and military aspects of the World War II era. The center presents a variety of topics and speakers each year who explore different aspects of the great conflict. The directors of the center are Dr. Paul Zigo and Dr. Laura Neitzel. For further information about the 10th Anniversary Series, go to www.brookdale.cc.nj.us and click on the World War II Center link on the left hand side.
History is always best when shared.
*Original poems written by Yamaguchi Tsutomu, translated by Chad Diehl. Published by Excogitating Over Coffee Publishing, 2010.
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Friday, August 27, 2010
A Day at Camp Evans: First Annual InfoAge World War II Symposium
Driving down Marconi Road in Wall Township you see a small, weathered sign, “Welcome to Camp Evans.” Visible from the road is a large brick building and a cyclone fence. There is the customary sign asking that all visitors check in at the guard house. And from there, the amazingly excellent volunteers of InfoAge lead you on a voyage of discovery & knowledge.
Judy greeted me at the guard house with a smile and welcomed me to the Science History Learning Center. Even though I’m a bit early, like by two hours, she is at her post, ready for business. Once she found out that this was my first time on the base, she got Steve to take me on a tour of the facility, starting at the Marconi Hotel.
This magnificent building, currently being restored, houses several exhibits. We walk down the hallways, where newly discovered pictures of the bases illustrious past are on display. These pictures show the base in its infancy and how it grew and developed over the years. Originally, this was the Marconi Receiving Station and was taken over by the US Navy during World War I. Its purpose was to receive messages from Europe and make sure they got to the proper authorities. As a matter of fact, this is where word of the armistice ending World War I was received and driven down to President Wilson in Washington DC.
As Steve & I walk down the halls, he opens doors to show me the various displays of early RADAR components and radios. Among the items on display are an old Hot Wheels Radar Gun and the GI Joe Normandy Pathfinder edition soldier. He explains how troops went ashore several hours ahead of the main forces with special radios to help guide the gliders and paratroopers make a safe landing behind enemy lines. The radio they carried, to emit a homing signal, had a self-destruct switch, just in case, so it wouldn’t land in the hands of the Germans.
We walked into the Shipwreck Museum and looked at the various pieces recovered off the coast of New Jersey. Steve explained that this museum was being moved to another larger building on the base in the near future. The new space would allow for larger, interactive displays. The cannons, ancient diving equipment, china, and other artifacts on exhibit currently tell a fascinating story of times gone by.
Then, modern technology took over as Steve’s cell phone rang and he had to set-up for an Eagle Scout presentation. But before he left, he introduced me to Nels Warren, the person who rebuilds and restores the military vehicles on display.
As Nels led the way, the first vehicle I was an amphibious assault vehicle, large enough to carry a Jeep. He told me the “duck” frame is still in use today by cities that have land-sea tours. Also on display were Willy’s Jeeps, Ford Jeeps, Deuce & ½’s, ambulances that saw action in m World War II, Korea, and Vietnam. Also on display was an officer’s car. These vehicles were discontinued because after awhile even the enemy knew that these vehicles carried officers and were targeted by them.
In another room were the German military vehicles. As Nels explained, it is disrespectful to display those vehicles in the same room as the American vehicles. One of the restored vehicles was a Kubel, the Nazi equivalent of the Willy’s Jeep. It looks like the old Volkswagen Thing and does run, as do most of the vehicles.
I also learned that several of the vehicles restored at Camp Evans are on display at the Smithsonian Museum. These vehicles still have the original paint. The faded look is necessary for the authenticy of the vehicle. Many of these vehicles were donated by veterans from their private collections who didn’t want the vehicles sold on e-bay.
Another gentleman walked in and began to look at the vehicles. Nels excused himself to talk to him. I thanked him for his time and began to walk around the base, eager to see what else I could discover.
I met Dan and his son Daniel by the front gate and we began to talk. Somehow, the conversation got around to our favorite holiday, Halloween and I found out about the Haunted Hotel & Hayride. InfoAge runs this event on Fridays and Saturdays in October and it is one of the most successful fundraisers for the base restorations. And off we went, on a tour.
It was while we were walking that I learned that Judy is the main coordinator of the Haunted Hotel. Also, the students from Shore Regional, Neptune, and Wall Township volunteer their time and are actively involved in creating the displays, making short films, and acting as various Halloween ghosts, ghouls, monsters and creatures. I don’t want to spoil any surprises that are coming this year, but from talking with Dan, Halloween at Camp Evans is going to be a spook-tacular spectacle (go to www.infoage.org to see pictures from the previous Haunted Hotel and Hayride).
Since I was there for the symposium, I would be remiss if I didn’t tell you about it. Three of the presentations dealt with the importance of radar; its development, deployment, usage, and countermeasures. I learned what happened at Pearl Harbor, how it wasn’t a technology failure, but a series of human circumstances and breakdown in communications that caught us unaware. Ray Chase, a Radar Historian, informed us about the details of December 7, 1941 and more importantly, the people involved.
We learned how radar was used to devastating effectiveness during the Battle of Britain. It was in this lecture that we also learned how applications of existing and new technology eventually minimized the effectiveness of the German radar. John Cervini and Fred Carl of InfoAge gave us an in-depth look at how radar worked and what was done to counter it.
Captain Dan Cromwell presented a documentary he made about the USS Murphy. This destroyer was vital to our war efforts and served with distinction as a convoy transport, during the invasion of Sicily, at the landing of Normandy, as transport for the King of Saudi Arabia where he met with FDR after the Yalta Conference. His film told us the story of how, on a return trip from Europe, the ship collided with a tanker and that the bow was sheared off. We learned the bow rested for over 60 years off the coast of New Jersey. The interviews with the crewman who served aboard the warship put a face to the efforts of the brave men of the “greatest” generation who served with courage and distinction.
Another aspect of how advanced in technology made an impact was in tactical communications. Al Klase of the NJ Antique Radio Club taught us about how frequency modulation, quartz-crystal frequency control, and the use of the very high frequency spectrum improved communications. This presentation, while very detailed and at times technical, was fascination.
The last speaker of the day was Evan Koblentz, the President of the Mid Atlantic Retro Computing Hobbyists. The brief presentation told us about the scientists who played a role in the development of digital computing at Camp Evans. It’s too bad that the symposium ran tight on time for it was the development of computers that greatly aided the development of post World War II industry and space exploration.
The InfoAge Science History Learning Center at Camp Evans is open on Sundays from 1:00pm till 5:00pm and is located off Route 18, Exit 7, on Marconi Road in Wall, NJ. For more information about the center and future events, such as the Haunted Hotel and Hayride, go to www.infoage.org.
Judy greeted me at the guard house with a smile and welcomed me to the Science History Learning Center. Even though I’m a bit early, like by two hours, she is at her post, ready for business. Once she found out that this was my first time on the base, she got Steve to take me on a tour of the facility, starting at the Marconi Hotel.
This magnificent building, currently being restored, houses several exhibits. We walk down the hallways, where newly discovered pictures of the bases illustrious past are on display. These pictures show the base in its infancy and how it grew and developed over the years. Originally, this was the Marconi Receiving Station and was taken over by the US Navy during World War I. Its purpose was to receive messages from Europe and make sure they got to the proper authorities. As a matter of fact, this is where word of the armistice ending World War I was received and driven down to President Wilson in Washington DC.
As Steve & I walk down the halls, he opens doors to show me the various displays of early RADAR components and radios. Among the items on display are an old Hot Wheels Radar Gun and the GI Joe Normandy Pathfinder edition soldier. He explains how troops went ashore several hours ahead of the main forces with special radios to help guide the gliders and paratroopers make a safe landing behind enemy lines. The radio they carried, to emit a homing signal, had a self-destruct switch, just in case, so it wouldn’t land in the hands of the Germans.
We walked into the Shipwreck Museum and looked at the various pieces recovered off the coast of New Jersey. Steve explained that this museum was being moved to another larger building on the base in the near future. The new space would allow for larger, interactive displays. The cannons, ancient diving equipment, china, and other artifacts on exhibit currently tell a fascinating story of times gone by.
Then, modern technology took over as Steve’s cell phone rang and he had to set-up for an Eagle Scout presentation. But before he left, he introduced me to Nels Warren, the person who rebuilds and restores the military vehicles on display.
As Nels led the way, the first vehicle I was an amphibious assault vehicle, large enough to carry a Jeep. He told me the “duck” frame is still in use today by cities that have land-sea tours. Also on display were Willy’s Jeeps, Ford Jeeps, Deuce & ½’s, ambulances that saw action in m World War II, Korea, and Vietnam. Also on display was an officer’s car. These vehicles were discontinued because after awhile even the enemy knew that these vehicles carried officers and were targeted by them.
In another room were the German military vehicles. As Nels explained, it is disrespectful to display those vehicles in the same room as the American vehicles. One of the restored vehicles was a Kubel, the Nazi equivalent of the Willy’s Jeep. It looks like the old Volkswagen Thing and does run, as do most of the vehicles.
I also learned that several of the vehicles restored at Camp Evans are on display at the Smithsonian Museum. These vehicles still have the original paint. The faded look is necessary for the authenticy of the vehicle. Many of these vehicles were donated by veterans from their private collections who didn’t want the vehicles sold on e-bay.
Another gentleman walked in and began to look at the vehicles. Nels excused himself to talk to him. I thanked him for his time and began to walk around the base, eager to see what else I could discover.
I met Dan and his son Daniel by the front gate and we began to talk. Somehow, the conversation got around to our favorite holiday, Halloween and I found out about the Haunted Hotel & Hayride. InfoAge runs this event on Fridays and Saturdays in October and it is one of the most successful fundraisers for the base restorations. And off we went, on a tour.
It was while we were walking that I learned that Judy is the main coordinator of the Haunted Hotel. Also, the students from Shore Regional, Neptune, and Wall Township volunteer their time and are actively involved in creating the displays, making short films, and acting as various Halloween ghosts, ghouls, monsters and creatures. I don’t want to spoil any surprises that are coming this year, but from talking with Dan, Halloween at Camp Evans is going to be a spook-tacular spectacle (go to www.infoage.org to see pictures from the previous Haunted Hotel and Hayride).
Since I was there for the symposium, I would be remiss if I didn’t tell you about it. Three of the presentations dealt with the importance of radar; its development, deployment, usage, and countermeasures. I learned what happened at Pearl Harbor, how it wasn’t a technology failure, but a series of human circumstances and breakdown in communications that caught us unaware. Ray Chase, a Radar Historian, informed us about the details of December 7, 1941 and more importantly, the people involved.
We learned how radar was used to devastating effectiveness during the Battle of Britain. It was in this lecture that we also learned how applications of existing and new technology eventually minimized the effectiveness of the German radar. John Cervini and Fred Carl of InfoAge gave us an in-depth look at how radar worked and what was done to counter it.
Captain Dan Cromwell presented a documentary he made about the USS Murphy. This destroyer was vital to our war efforts and served with distinction as a convoy transport, during the invasion of Sicily, at the landing of Normandy, as transport for the King of Saudi Arabia where he met with FDR after the Yalta Conference. His film told us the story of how, on a return trip from Europe, the ship collided with a tanker and that the bow was sheared off. We learned the bow rested for over 60 years off the coast of New Jersey. The interviews with the crewman who served aboard the warship put a face to the efforts of the brave men of the “greatest” generation who served with courage and distinction.
Another aspect of how advanced in technology made an impact was in tactical communications. Al Klase of the NJ Antique Radio Club taught us about how frequency modulation, quartz-crystal frequency control, and the use of the very high frequency spectrum improved communications. This presentation, while very detailed and at times technical, was fascination.
The last speaker of the day was Evan Koblentz, the President of the Mid Atlantic Retro Computing Hobbyists. The brief presentation told us about the scientists who played a role in the development of digital computing at Camp Evans. It’s too bad that the symposium ran tight on time for it was the development of computers that greatly aided the development of post World War II industry and space exploration.
The InfoAge Science History Learning Center at Camp Evans is open on Sundays from 1:00pm till 5:00pm and is located off Route 18, Exit 7, on Marconi Road in Wall, NJ. For more information about the center and future events, such as the Haunted Hotel and Hayride, go to www.infoage.org.
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