Guam

Mopping up’ the Japanese on Guam in late 1945.

This fascinating map of Guam was sent by Captain Bevin Smith to (presumably) his wife in New York in December 1945. A message on the verso reads “Darling – a map of Guam – Please pass on to RB later.” Captain Smith was a member of the 331st Bomb Group stationed on the island, where he flew B-29 missions attacking Japanese military installations and supplying prisoners of war. Apparently, in the postwar months, Bevin had some extra time on his hands and took accompanying photographs of several locations – sadly they are lost.

The map was sent after the Japanese high command had declared unconditional surrender, though this did not immediately mean the cessation of danger on Guam. Printed text in the south indicates ‘Japanese still lose in this area’ while a handwritten note in the north shows ‘where 23 Japs surrendered last month.’ Other interesting locations include a wrecked Jap freighter, various military installations, and the site of the U.S.S. Oregon anchorage (used as a storage hulk). The ‘Insuperable Great Divide’ amusingly appears to delineate the geographic extent of Army and Navy responsibilities.