Shanghai, China
Oct. 16, 1945
Dear Folks,
Our mail is still fouled up, and I haven't heard from you since I last wrote. I've made several liberties in Shanghai, and it is quite an interesting place. The first few days after the fleet came in everything was dirt cheap, but, as usual, the American sailor started throwing his money around and spoiling things for himself. As a result, prices now are three and four times what they were a couple of weeks ago.
I had some pictures taken ashore and here is one of them. Yesterday the first group left the ship to go back to the states for discharge. There were about 60 and maybe you think they weren't a happy bunch. As for me personally, I am not breaking my neck worrying about it, mainly , because it wouldn't do any good, but also because I find this peacetime navy not to hard to take. I have an interesting job running the deisel generators. I don't work too hard and the liberty is good, (that is the most important point, I guess). Chow has greatly improved lately, we get more fresh provision and less dehydrated stuff. The weather has been perfect, just cool enough to be comfortable in blues. So, all in all, I'm not having to bad a time of it. Naturally, I will be glad to get home, but so long as I have to stay in, I'd just as soon be here as any place I've seen.
We are attached to the Yangtse Patrol Force of the 7th fleet. Among the ships in are the cruisers "Nashville" and "St. Louis," the repair ships "Dixie" and "Sierra,' the "Rocky Mount" and the hospital ship "Repose. British ships here include H.M.S. "Bermuda" and "Belfast."
I hope they get our mail straightened out, as I would like to here from you. As it is, I've about wrote myself dry so will close with
All my love,
Paul
Thursday, October 16, 1975
Wednesday, October 8, 1975
Postmarked October 8, 1945
Shanghai, ChinaOct. 6, 1945
Dear FOlks,
Well I went ashore in Shanghai yesterday and it is quite a place. The only trouble is you have to be a human adding machine to understand the finances. There are two kinds of money in circulation. First in China National Currently, which has an exchange rate of about 700 to one U.S. dollar. The other is Central Reserve Bank notes which were put out by the puppet Jap. govt. It has an exchange rate of about 150,000 to one American dollar. So, when we hit the beach, I headed for one of the numerous money changers booths, and for $5 I got a stack of $5000 and $10000 bills that would choke a horse. We then hopped a riksha and rode thru the streets of Shanghai. The street are jammed with Chinese trying to sell everything imaginable. You can't walk two steps without being mobbed and no matter how you chase them away tey still keep coming.
There are a number of cabarets and nite clubs operating.
The local beer is not too bad and costs anywhere from $60,000 to $80,000 a quart bottle. Russian vodka is also plentiful. The stuff is colorless, odorless and practically tasteless, but it really hits you a couple of minutes after you down it, as I found out.
I certainly hope you can send me that camera I asked for, as film is avaibale here, and I certainly would like to take some snap shots.
The weather is just perfect. We wear blues for liberty and sleep under blankets at nite So all in all, I have nothing to complain about , and as long as I have to be here, I can think of lots worse places to be. We have a Chinese tailor aboard to clean and press our blues and also a shoemaker.
I got you letter of the 25th Sept. and am glad to hear that Dotty is getting over her whooping cough. I'm glad you got the package off and I assure you its contents will be appreciated. That's about all, so I will close with,
All my love,
Paul
Friday, October 3, 1975
Enclosure Oct. 3, 1945: SOPA Instructions
1 October, 1945/
INFORMATION CONCERNING SHANGHAI QUOTED FROM SOPA* INSTRUCTIONS
*senior officer present afloat
Liberty Hours
Non-rated men - 1300 to 2230 daily
Rated men - 1300 to 2400 daily
Liberty expires on the dock at the above hours.
Uniform
(a) Enlisted Men - Undress whites with neckerchiefs and white hats.
(b) C.P.O.'s - Grey or Khaki, with neckties, coats optional.
Conduct Ashore
(a) Men ashore on liberty are to conduct themselves in such a manner as to reflect credit upon the United States.
(b) Men going ashore are to at all times be friendly and respectful in their relation with the Chinese. Chinese do not like to be touched and they have no respect for a man who becomes intoxicated.
(c) Men ashore should travel in pairs.
(d) Men ashore should avoid all contact with Japanese.
Restricted Areas
(a) The areas north of Soochow Creek is filled with Japanese and is out of bounds at all times.
(b) The Old Chinese ity is out of bounds after 1800.
(c) All brothels are out of bounds.
(d) The Cathay Hotel is restricted to officers only.
Liberty Landing
(a) this ship will land liberty parties at the Customs Jetty.
(b) Men are not permitted to use sampans for transportation to and from ships, unless authorized by the Commanding Officer.
(c) Men returning from liberty will remain off thepontoon until their boat is alongside.
Currency Exchange
A. Personnel of this vessel will be paid in U.S. money and personnel exchanging money do so at their own risk.
B. There are two types of currency in general use in Shanghai:
(a) Central Bank of China. This money is issued by the Chinese Nationalist Government. Current rate of exchange is about 400 to 1.
(b) Central Reserve Bank of China. This money was issued by the Japanese puppet government and is rapidly depreciating in value. Current rate is about 150,000 to 1.
C. Men going ashore should exchange only enough money for their immediate daily needs.
D. There are many money changes near the liberty landing.
1300 Shopping
The best shops are located on Nanking Road.
[End of Page 1]
[Page 2 is missing]
700 Health and Sanitation
707 Venereal Disease Control
Personnel going ashore should be issued prophylactic kits and warned to report to the nearest prophylactic station after exposure occurs. the following stations have been set up ashore and are manned from 1200 to 2400 daily:
(a) Mezzanine Floor, Glen Line Bldg. #2 Peking Road.
(b) Foreign YMCA, Nanking Road near the race tract. This is an army station.
[End of Page 3]
INFORMATION CONCERNING SHANGHAI QUOTED FROM SOPA* INSTRUCTIONS
*senior officer present afloat
Liberty Hours
Non-rated men - 1300 to 2230 daily
Rated men - 1300 to 2400 daily
Liberty expires on the dock at the above hours.
Uniform
(a) Enlisted Men - Undress whites with neckerchiefs and white hats.
(b) C.P.O.'s - Grey or Khaki, with neckties, coats optional.
Conduct Ashore
(a) Men ashore on liberty are to conduct themselves in such a manner as to reflect credit upon the United States.
(b) Men going ashore are to at all times be friendly and respectful in their relation with the Chinese. Chinese do not like to be touched and they have no respect for a man who becomes intoxicated.
(c) Men ashore should travel in pairs.
(d) Men ashore should avoid all contact with Japanese.
Restricted Areas
(a) The areas north of Soochow Creek is filled with Japanese and is out of bounds at all times.
(b) The Old Chinese ity is out of bounds after 1800.
(c) All brothels are out of bounds.
(d) The Cathay Hotel is restricted to officers only.
Liberty Landing
(a) this ship will land liberty parties at the Customs Jetty.
(b) Men are not permitted to use sampans for transportation to and from ships, unless authorized by the Commanding Officer.
(c) Men returning from liberty will remain off thepontoon until their boat is alongside.
Currency Exchange
A. Personnel of this vessel will be paid in U.S. money and personnel exchanging money do so at their own risk.
B. There are two types of currency in general use in Shanghai:
(a) Central Bank of China. This money is issued by the Chinese Nationalist Government. Current rate of exchange is about 400 to 1.
(b) Central Reserve Bank of China. This money was issued by the Japanese puppet government and is rapidly depreciating in value. Current rate is about 150,000 to 1.
C. Men going ashore should exchange only enough money for their immediate daily needs.
D. There are many money changes near the liberty landing.
1300 Shopping
The best shops are located on Nanking Road.
[End of Page 1]
[Page 2 is missing]
700 Health and Sanitation
707 Venereal Disease Control
Personnel going ashore should be issued prophylactic kits and warned to report to the nearest prophylactic station after exposure occurs. the following stations have been set up ashore and are manned from 1200 to 2400 daily:
(a) Mezzanine Floor, Glen Line Bldg. #2 Peking Road.
(b) Foreign YMCA, Nanking Road near the race tract. This is an army station.
[End of Page 3]
Postmarked October 3, 1945 - again
Oct. 2, 1945
Shanghai, China
Dear Folks,
We are now anchored in the swirling muddy waters of the Whungpoo River off that fabulous city of song and story, that teeming metropolis of the Orient, Shanghai.
The river is alive with junks, sampans, and bumboats etc. They come alongside in droves hawking everything imaginable. The only way we can get rid of them is to turn a fire hose on them. The inflation is terrific, the exchange rate is about 150,000 to 1, and changes every day. I haven't been ashore yet, but I will rate liberty tomorrow, so in my next letter I will tell you all about the city itself.
Effective yesterday I am motor-machinist's mate third class. Yes at long last the navy has finally come to appreciate my talents.
We haven't had any mail as yet, but I am hoping to hear from you soon. The place seems to be in pretty good shape. There is some damage along the docks and waterfront, but the city itself seems virtually intact, from what I can see of it.
We have three minesweeper alongside for repairs already so we have our work cut out for us.
That's about all, so I hope to here from you soon and I certainly hope you can send that camera & film and I would very much like to take some snaps.
With all my love,
Paul
Shanghai, China
Dear Folks,
We are now anchored in the swirling muddy waters of the Whungpoo River off that fabulous city of song and story, that teeming metropolis of the Orient, Shanghai.
The river is alive with junks, sampans, and bumboats etc. They come alongside in droves hawking everything imaginable. The only way we can get rid of them is to turn a fire hose on them. The inflation is terrific, the exchange rate is about 150,000 to 1, and changes every day. I haven't been ashore yet, but I will rate liberty tomorrow, so in my next letter I will tell you all about the city itself.
Effective yesterday I am motor-machinist's mate third class. Yes at long last the navy has finally come to appreciate my talents.
We haven't had any mail as yet, but I am hoping to hear from you soon. The place seems to be in pretty good shape. There is some damage along the docks and waterfront, but the city itself seems virtually intact, from what I can see of it.
We have three minesweeper alongside for repairs already so we have our work cut out for us.
That's about all, so I hope to here from you soon and I certainly hope you can send that camera & film and I would very much like to take some snaps.
With all my love,
Paul
Postmarked October 3, 1945
en route to
Shanghai, China
Sept.28 1945
Dear Folks,
By the time you get this we we be in that famous city of song and story Shanghai. We left Okinawa this morning and expect to arrive Sunday afternoon Sept. 30. We will probably be there for a good while, anywhere from 3 to 6 months. I hope to see some interesting sights, although after 8 years of Jap occupation I imagine the place is somewhat the worse for wear. At any rate it will be change in scenery from the endless monotony of coral atolls and cocoanut palms.
I went ashore at Okinawa and viewed the scene of perhaps the bloodiest battle of the Pacifac. I explored a couple of the caves in which the Japs had taken refuge and they were full of shattered bones and skulls and the smell was overpowering. I tried to find a fairly solid skull for a souvinier, but the place had been picked pretty clean and the few that were left were so battered as to be unrecognizable.
I got your letter of the 14 Sept. I'm glad that Dad enjoyed his vacation, and was sorry to hear about Dorothy's whooping cough. I hope she is over it by now.
We when we reach Shanghai, I will be as far from home as it is possible to get and still stay on this earth. I'll write when I get there and maybe send you a pair of chopsticks.
With all my love,
Paul
Shanghai, China
Sept.28 1945
Dear Folks,
By the time you get this we we be in that famous city of song and story Shanghai. We left Okinawa this morning and expect to arrive Sunday afternoon Sept. 30. We will probably be there for a good while, anywhere from 3 to 6 months. I hope to see some interesting sights, although after 8 years of Jap occupation I imagine the place is somewhat the worse for wear. At any rate it will be change in scenery from the endless monotony of coral atolls and cocoanut palms.
I went ashore at Okinawa and viewed the scene of perhaps the bloodiest battle of the Pacifac. I explored a couple of the caves in which the Japs had taken refuge and they were full of shattered bones and skulls and the smell was overpowering. I tried to find a fairly solid skull for a souvinier, but the place had been picked pretty clean and the few that were left were so battered as to be unrecognizable.
I got your letter of the 14 Sept. I'm glad that Dad enjoyed his vacation, and was sorry to hear about Dorothy's whooping cough. I hope she is over it by now.
We when we reach Shanghai, I will be as far from home as it is possible to get and still stay on this earth. I'll write when I get there and maybe send you a pair of chopsticks.
With all my love,
Paul
Wednesday, October 1, 1975
Samar Log October 1 , 1945 - March 6, 1946
For five months [Oct 1, 1945 – March 5, 1946], she remained at Shanghai to provide necessary services to ships supporting American forces there to oversee a peaceful turnover of power from Japanese to Chinese hands.
