Tennessee (BB 43) - Naval Cruise Book

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tokyo tourists A young couple coming down the road turnished the patrol with their tirst glimpse ot Japanese lite. The woman, a dainty little creature, was bent over carrying an enormous load ot tirewood on her back while the man, presumably the husband, was walking erect and empty handed. As a matter ot tact the man was carrying a twig but upon seeing the Marines he added it to the wood pile on his wite's back. Smiling all the while, the couple passed on. At trequent intervals along the roadside there are shrines or holy places. On the outskirts ot Wakanoura the patrol visited a Japanese temple located on top ot a high hill, access to which was gained by climbing a long flight ot stone steps. A priest and two girls were in at- tendance. One ot the girls presented the patrol with some pictures ot the temple and in return she was given a bar ot soap. Money is practically worthless in this area. Neither American nor Japanese currency has any business value. Transactions are consummated by the barter system. The Americans exchange cigarettes, soap and sugar tor Jap- anese labor, wares or goods. For his services, our guide gladly accepted several packages ot cigarettes and con-- sidered himselt well compensated. The reconnaissance party returned to the beach at Wakanoura over a ditterent route than the one taken going out. The march covered about titteen miles and required approximately tive hours. In this short period ot time the patrol had gathered sutticient intormation to make a tairly comprehensive report and plot the data on a map. Following liberty in Wakanoura tor practically every- one, word was passed on the night ot October I that early the tollowing morning the TENNESSEE and its com- panions would get underway tor the tinal obiective- Tokyo. Anchoring in Tokyo Bay, near the tormer great naval base ot Yokosuka, men ot the TENNESSEE viewed the v remnants ot the Japanese Fleet, the NAGATO. The bat- tlewagon had been caught during an aerial attack by American bombers and although it was still atloat, it was in no condition to wage wartare. lt was manned by an American prize crew. Admiral Oldendort was still aboard the TENNESSEE and arrangements were made tor all hands to spend a liberty in the Japanese capital. Rain squalls blanketed the shoreline and obscured distant Euiiyama as smaller cratt carried men ot the TEN- NESSEE up the long bay to the Tokyo landing. The bombed and silent streets ot Tokyo regained some ot its tormer lite as otticers and men ot the TEN- NESSEE swarmed ashore. This was not the village scene observed at Wakanoura but one ot the world's great cities. Ginza, Broadway ot Japan, glistened in the rain as American sailors, hunched in black raincoats over dripping whites, hurried down its length. Desolate piles ot rubble showed where tire bombs trom B-29fs had done their work. Land-hungry Japanese had converted tiny plots ot ground along the tamous street into gardens. Tiny shoots sprouted through the rain-soaked soil. The odor ot night- soil tilled the damp and heavy air. Practically untouched were the Emperor's Palace and adjoining grounds, around which the devastation ot war had swirled. An occasional building, sturdier than the rest, had withstood the rain ot tire trom above and still stood almost untouched. Beneath the streets subway trains roared through the darkness, tilled with the silent people ot a deteated nation. The Imperial l-lotel, showplace ot the Orient, still re- mained intact. So too, was the American Embassy. That October day in Tokyo, Japan was a beaten nation. Years ot want and suttering, privation and penance still lie ahead betore it can again regain its tormer place in the society ot nations. The Rising Sun will rise no longer.

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