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ITEM FORM
Item title: Morale and economy in Japan from letters to a soldier
Title (kanji)
Location:Australian War Memorial (AWM55 5/33)
View information about obtaining a copy of this document
AJRP details
AJRP module: Australian War Memorial official records
AJRP series: Allied Translator and Interpreter Section (ATIS) publications
AJRP sub-series: ATIS enemy publications
AJRP folder:
Location details
Institution: Australian War Memorial
Call number: AWM55 5/33
Inst. series: AWM55
Inst. sub-series: AWM55 5/-
Item: EP-371
Item qualities
Quantity / desc: 15 pages
Access: Open
Item type: Unpublished, Private
Category: Correspondence
Item content
Creation date (d/m/y): 13/5/1945
Conflict code: Pacific War (1941-1945)
Keywords:SHIPWRECKS, MORALE, WAR - HOME FRONT, WAR - CIVILIAN EFFORT, WOMEN IN WARFARE, ECONOMIC CONDITIONS, CONSCRIPTION, CONSUMER GOODS, CORRESPONDENCE
Australian unit names:
Allied unit names:
Japanese unit names:Malaya Expeditionary Force Oka 10413 Force
Names: NAGAMATSU, Isami
Languages: English
Area:Luzon [Philippines]
Kagoshima [Japan–Formosa, Kyûshû, Kagoshima Prefecture]
Content: This is an Allied Translator and Interpreter Section (ATIS) translation of a Japanese publication captured in Luzon on 23 January 1945 during the US campaign to recapture the Philippines. This item is a collection of personal correspondence dated 21 April 1943 to 6 June 1944 belonging to NAGAMATSU, Isami, Malaya Expeditionary Force, OKA 10413 Force. Most of the extracts are from Mrs NAGAMATSU in Kagoshima to her husband. The letters explain the shortages of housing and commodities (fish, meat, fruit, rice, soap, ink, confectionary, paper, cooking oil, firewood, charcoal, clothing) being experienced in Japan. They also mention that compulsory military service now included men up to the age of 40 and men over 40 if they had undertaken active service. The letter also tells of strict travel restrictions and worsening morale: "I cannot sleep at all because I worry...When I think of the hardships you and other soldiers have to endure, I cannot complain of the shortages of rice, etc. I must work hard to help in winning the war."

This item was of interest to ATIS because it provided an insight into the state of the economy and morale in Japan.
Other information
Notes:              
Last modified:03/05/2009 09:06:35 AM
Source:AJRP staff



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