Just After The Official End Of World War II, An Allied Soldier Writes Home From Japan: Aomori Was Bombed And It Sure Was Smashed And Burned. Well We Have A Few Japs Working In This Camp, And I Think As A Whole They Will Like Better From Now On That Ever Before. There Clothes Are All Patches

(WORLD WAR II IN JAPAN). ALS. 2pgs. October 1, 1945. Hirosaki, Japan. An autograph letter signed Dale [Christensen], written home by an Allied serviceman stationed in Japan shortly after the official end of World War II. Well I havent had a chance to write for some time. We made it up here O.K. but the ship sure was loaded. We landed at Aomori and this place is inland about 30 miles. We have had no trouble at all. We spent the first night at an airport and then moved to another Army camp the next day, then the third bn came up and took over here. I was in on the big thing at this camp, I came up with the first gen jeeps and saw the Jap General sign the camp over to us, then to top it all off I was picked to take the Jap General to his home. He talked to me all the way but I didnt know a thing he said. When he got out he saluted me. He seemed happy about the whole thing. The climate here is good and cool. We have a big mt right afore us and it looks just like Mt Fugiama [sic]. They say it sure gets cold here in the winter. The rice is just headed out and it is very pretty here but I hope I can soon come homeWe are cleaning this camp up now it sure needed it. I dont see how the Japs lived in it. Bugs and dirt all over. We sure are making a change in the looks of it. They say they might give each one of us a Jap Rifle and bayonet to take home, I dont think there is any thing to it. I sure would like to have one. They sure can grow the fruit and garden stuff here but they sure are way behind in the way to live. I think even behind the PhilippinesThe papulation [sic] of this place in 97,000 and Aomori 57,000. Aomori was bombed and it sure was smashed and burned. Well we have a few Japs working in this camp, and I think as a whole they will like better from now on that ever before. There clothes are all patches but they look healthy and happy. Well I will write more later. I hope we soon get a mail call. Tell Ann and the rest Hello. Everything is fine here. Write soon. Dale. The letter is in fine condition.