Whats in a name??

Re:Whats in a name?? (Bob Watkins)

Wed, 27 Apr 2011 11:11:47 GMT

Hi Nick,
I've seen two issues of this patch, one depicting '1944' as shown, the other '1945'. My original thought on this piece was that it was what used to be called a Sweetheart Patch, something a guy would give to his girl (or girls) back home,
but there are people that insist that this was a legitimate unit moniker.
I've just about come to the conclusion that we're never going to see the second
volume of 'The Aleutian Warriors'. My guess is that there was about as much public
interest in this Theater of Operations now as there was during the war, and that the
publisher just dropped the project, which is a shame.
From what I've read, 'mobile brothels' appear to have been as common fixture with
the Japanese military and having them show on a place like Attu is no surprise, but
it leaves me wondering if the girls 'assigned' there received hardship duty pay.
That is one bleak environment!
Bob

Re:Whats in a name?? (buckeyeuk)

Wed, 27 Apr 2011 04:52:33 GMT

Bob did you notice the e-bay patch says "1945" and your image is "1944" ? Wonder what happened to part 2 of "The Aleutian Warriors", I've been looking forward to it for 20 years. John's first volume ended with the first missions to the Kuriles. "The Forgotten War" is good too but only one chapter on air ops.
I remember reading many years ago in a magazine (probably the 1950s) that the Japs set up a brothel on Attu when they occupied the island. No doubt the ladies were Korean or Chinese.
Nick

Re:Whats in a name?? (shooshoobaby)

Tue, 26 Apr 2011 13:33:52 GMT

Bob -
Glad to help - Nickname is Listed in Index .
Cheers,
Mike

Re:Whats in a name?? (Bob Watkins)

Tue, 26 Apr 2011 13:25:53 GMT

Mike,
I think that most of us familiar with the Aleutian's campaign would certainly
consider Mr. Cloe as something of an authority on the subject.
Guess maybe it's time I sit down and re-read his book again.
Thanks for the reminder, and the feedback on this subject.
Bob

Re:Whats in a name?? (shooshoobaby)

Tue, 26 Apr 2011 12:34:22 GMT

Bob -
The Aleutian Warriors by John Cloe lists the 54th FS
Nickname as " The Fighting 54th ".
Mike

Re:Whats in a name?? (Bob Watkins)

Tue, 26 Apr 2011 11:24:09 GMT

Nick,
The possible connection with the 54thFS is definitely worth following up.
The 54th operated from Attu from late 1943, so there could be something
to this, at least it provides a starting point for deeper digging.
Thanks for the links.
Bob

Re:Whats in a name?? (buckeyeuk)

Tue, 26 Apr 2011 04:24:04 GMT

Bob check out items 230598546055 and 300532431557 on E-Bay; no doubt highly unofficial but still interesting.
Regards
Nick

Whats in a name?? (Bob Watkins)

Mon, 25 Apr 2011 20:52:42 GMT

Both the 11th and 18th Fighter Squadrons had a nickname.
Does anyone if the 54th Fighter Squadron had one also?
Bob