Japanese Betty Bombers 24

Japanese Betty Bombers 24

Airplanes

Military uniforms

Written on envelope: "Jap Betty Bomber Crew being photographed by 2 photographers taken by Dick Baxter, the third photographer, on Ie Shima while Jap diplomats were in Manila - 17th Tact Recon Sqdn" From "Darkroom Soldier": "Mitsubishi and Crew. Under a hot noon sun, Military Police (right) guard one of the surrender planes as a photographer (left) crouches to record the crew of the parked Mitsubishi Bomber (G6MIL2). After landing, Japanese pilots and mechanics inspected their planes for engine problems. Hill's fellow soldier observed that 'They are well-dressed, neat, and clean, and their attitude would make one think that they had won the war rather than lost it.' As they worked on their planes, 'they paid very little attention to the horde of [American] men eagerly stretching to get a glimpse of them.' These pilots and mechanics stayed on Ie Shima until the envoys returned from Manila two days later. Eventually, mechanical problems with both planes would lead to delays, repairs, and a ditching in the sea en route to Tokyo." ("Darkroom Soldier" caption authored by George Venn)

Baxter, Dick

8/19/1945

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2010.1.805