"Some of the best ocean swimming in the S. Pacific was off a barge at the edge of a coral shelf at Biak. Thigh deep out to the barge - 20' deep on other" From "Darkroom Soldier": "Swim Time. Before showers were set up, soldiers first bathed in fresh…
"Swimming off a sunken barge at edge of a coral shelf. Possible to wade to the barge and dive into 20 ft deep water on seaward side at Biak, Dutch New Guinea 17th tactical Recon Sqdn"
"Typical enlisted men's tent on Biak, Dutch New Guinea 17th Tact. Recon Sqdn" From "Darkroom Soldier": "Mokmer Village Home. Hill described his personal quarters on Biak as the most primitive of any of his ten sites. Here he records....a canvas tent…
"The cot and equipment of Sgt. Fred Hill. Two boards of salvaged lumber for a floor. 50 cal ammo boxes - with silica gel from engine boxes - kept film and personal cameras, and stationery dry. 30 cal carbine hangs from bedside. Loafer slippers from…
"The canoes that came out to welcome us as we arrived at Tacloban Leyte Oct 28 1944" From "Darkroom Soldier": "Invading Leyte. On October 20, 1944, four divisions of the U.S. Sixth Army, including the XXIV Corps from the Central Pacific, invaded…
"Traders came out in Dug-out outrigger canoes to Welcome US troops as ships waited for their turn at the 3 spaces at Tacloban Dock. They brought fresh fruit, chickens, even singing girls (good voices)"