Jun 12 at 12:00 PM - Sale 2708 -
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Sale 2708 - Lot 216

Estimate: $ 1,000 - $ 1,500
(WORLD WAR TWO.) O Tuk Jun. Narrative by a Japanese Army officer stationed in Hiroshima when the atomic bomb was dropped. 2 large manuscript sheets, each 15 x 17 inches, in Asian script (apparently a mix of Korean with some Japanese loan words?); three translated English phrases added in upper margin, folds, one ink smudge; both encapsulated in mylar. With related note and two partial translations into English. [Korea], circa October 1947
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Additional Details

In this haunting narrative, an ethnic Korean officer with the Japanese army recounts his experience in Hiroshima in August 1945. After decades of colonial occupation by Japan, many Koreans served in the Japanese Army during the war.

The narrative is addressed to Lieutenant Arthur William Fridl (1924-2013) of the United States Army, a 1945 West Point graduate from Brooklyn who was stationed in Korea shortly after the war; he later retired as a lieutenant colonel. Also included is a note in English, perhaps from the author of the narrative: "22 October 47. To: Mr. Fridl, from a Dumb Boy. I wish you Good Luck." It is also accompanied by two different translations into English, one in manuscript which appears to be more literal and detailed, but ends in mid-narrative; the other is a photocopied typescript of a looser translation.

From the pencil translation: "Upon the request of Lt. A.W. Fridl, FA US Army, I am going to describe my experience with the atom bomb. I am still bashful of the fact that I was once a Japanese Army officer. . . . During the battle for the Pacific, I was stationed in Hiroshima and had command over 159 soldiers and one officer. I had the duty of being officer of the day during the period of August 5-6. . . . At about 0815 while looking out of my window I noticed my men on the drill field and decided to inspect their training. As I was coming down the steps from the officer's quarters, I was distracted by a violently bright light coming from a corner of the corridor. It appeared to be from the explosion of an electron fire bomb which I had witnessed before, only much more intensive. It is needless to mention that due to my military training I immediately fell to the floor and sought shelter behind a nearby object. I had already become a casualty, but since I felt no pain I didn't realize it. In a moment I heard a thunderous noise which sounded like a 100 kilogram exploding nearby the barracks, which were almost completely demolished, were surrounded by smoke and gas. I took very little time in adjusting my gas mask, shutting my eyes while doing so to protect them."

Continuing from the typescript translation: "At a playground, I saw people's bodies stacked all around like mountains. Dying people were crying and weeping 'save me.' The ground still shook from this great explosion and it is difficult to stand up. I could still see the airplane flying in the sky around. . . . Then I climbed a hill and saw a lot of people dead on the road. All the clothing was gone and the bodies were all like negro. Many people were dying and were trying to escape to somewhere. I did not see any animals alive. All were dead. Many people who were injured jumped in a ditch and drink water. All died.

I found out that this was an Atomic Bomb. A new war weapon. Most citizens of Hiroshima were dead, and there was no police power in town for three or four days. No one came to this city to offer aid. They were afraid of the rays which burned people to death. I was burned about the arm. I went into a ruined building and applied grease to my arm. It was not sore but the flesh was eaten away. . . . About 2:00 a.m. of August 9th my arm suddenly became very sore. I was in a bad condition very close to death. . . . Doctors said my arm was so hot that it was 41 degrees hotter than my body. Still more planes bomb this city. I see them many times. They do not drop any more atomic bombs. After the fever left me, I recovered health. When the war was over, I left Hiroshima and went to Busan, Korea." The translation concludes: "The Japanese people are not good at scientific warfare. They wished for peace. This weapon is the worst weapon in the world. Maybe the 21st century a most deadly weapon will be found, and maybe it will be even greater than this. Signed: O Tuk Jun."

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