Rebecca "Becky" Lovato was a Taos mother in her late 20s and teacher at Taos High School when World War II began. She was married to three-term former Taos mayor Phil Lovato. On the day Pearl Harbor was bombed, she began keeping a diary until the war ended. Their eldest son, Corky, was a young boy then. Becky's brother Otto Noeding, a former Taos principal and owner of Bent Street Gallery and Museum, served in the war.
Following are excerpts from Becky Lovato's diaries, transcribed by her daughter-in-law Kay Lovato. Her diaries describe the often incongruous nature of wartime - usual daily life in a small town like Taos while across the seas people they know battle, suffer and some die.
The diary covering years 1943-1944 are with a different family member in Singapore and Kay plans to transcribe them as soon as she receives them.
The complete diaries will be posted on the Taos News website at taosnews.com.
By Becky Lovato
Dec, 7, 1941
World War II started for the U.S. today. After church and our usual peaceful Sunday dinner, we heard the announcement that Japan had bombed Honolulu, the Philippines, Wake, Singapore and other places.
During the past two years while the struggle in Europe had been going on, I've kept hoping that somehow the U.S. wouldn't be involved. When it finally came, I had to weep. Louise's son was born yesterday. She will someday tell him he was born the day before the Second World War. I'm glad my son is only 7. But still there are Phil and Otto.
Several hundred casualties were reported from Hawaii. Costa Rica, Dutch East Indies, Canada and Nicaragua have already declared war on Japan. I wonder how many others will follow.
We stayed up late listening to one news flash after another.
Dec. 8, 1941
At school the children are buzzing with war talk. They seem to be pretty serious. At 10 o'clock we all went to the gym to listen to President Roosevelt's message to Congress. The children were all quiet and there wasn't the usual job of trying to keep order.
The president's message was brief and to the point. He reviewed the immediately preceding events and then asked Congress to declare war on Japan. It was just about three hours later that he signed the resolution. The declaration was unanimous except for one vote - some woman from Montana, I believe. Britain declared war immediately following the U.S. as she had agreed.
Rumor says that San Francisco had a genuine air raid last night, I wonder if it's true. West Coast radios were off the air about three hours.
We have been planning a vacation in California over the Christmas holidays. I hope we can go in spite of all this. It's our first real vacation since we've been married.
Dec. 9, 1941
Tonight at 8 o'clock, President Roosevelt talked for about half an hour. He gave little war news, but explained some of the sacrifices each person would have to make. He said all news would be given to us after two requirements had been fulfilled: 1. The news was verified; and 2. It would not help the enemy if it were released.
Many of my former pupils are in the Philippines and Kate's husband is there, too. The papers say Fort Stotsenburg has been bombed.
Dec. 10, 1941
Today is Phil's and Mother's birthday. Phil is 30.
Rumors were flying fast today. Jack Boyer, one of the Taos men in the Philippines, was said to be seriously injured. However, his family has not been informed, so who else would know?
The Taos Home Guard left at 3 o'clock this afternoon for El Vado Dam. They will be on guard duty for a number of days. Bill Parr, one of the teachers, left with them so he will be out of school for a while.
This evening I wrapped Christmas presents. If we do go on our vacation, I will have to have all this done early.
Louise's baby is beginning to look more like a human being and less like a little mouse!
Corky is enthused over the prospects of a sled for Christmas!
Dec. 11, 1941
The war news this morning is that Germany and Italy have declared war on the U.S. It didn't take long for them to do so. All this seems to have been thrust on the U.S. without our having much to do with it. I suppose it is the result of our Lend-Lease aid to the democracies.
Los Angeles and other West Coast cities have been having air raid alarms. No one seems to know if it's just practice or the real thing.
By noon, Congress reciprocated by declaring war on Germany and Italy. That means we'll be at war on two fronts. I wonder how well prepared the U.S. is for that.
This morning Pearl Bond got a cable from Dow saying all the Taos boys were OK. That makes everyone feel better.
I went to out to see Louise at the hospital this evening. Phil came home overnight. He's on his way to Ratón to meet the sugar-beet man from Washington, D.C.
Dec. 15, 1941
For several days war news has been rather indefinite. Guam and Wake Islands seem to still be in U.S. hands. Full reports of casualties in the Hawaiian Islands were given tonight by Secretary of the Navy [William Franklin] Knox. About 3,800 are reported to be dead in both the army and navy. Five warships were sunk. An investigation is supposed to be held to ascertain, if possible, why the U.S. forces were caught so insufferably off guard.
The Rose Bowl football game has been cancelled by the Army. There goes our California vacation! Oh, well.
Today is the 150th anniversary of the Bill of Rights. I tried to explain it to my pupils today and to make them realize how lucky we are to live in a land such as ours.
There was an interesting program on the radio about the Bill of Rights and Roosevelt talked.
Dec. 16, 1941
I finished reading "Inside Latin America" by John Gunther, tonight. I've also read during the past year or so "Inside Asia" and "Inside Europe." They're all interesting and are crammed full of thousands of facts. Writing a book like that must be a terrific task.
Tonight's paper had a whole page devoted to explanations of what to do in case of an air raid. It all seems like a bad dream.
Jack Boyer sent a cable today saying the Taos boys in the Philippines are still OK.
War news states that Russia is still pushing back the Germans from Moscow. In the Pacific, the U.S. seems to be on the offensive after its serious setback on Dec. 7 - the day of surprises.
Christmas is about a week away. Packages and Christmas greetings are coming. It looks like we'll have Christmas as usual, in spite of everything.
Dec. 22, 1941
I spent the past weekend in Las Cruces with Phil. I drove down Saturday for the State Office party at Juárez, México.
We really had a grand time. We went to a place called Lobby No. 2. There were about 40 people present. I enjoyed knowing and meeting some of the people Phil works with.
It was so warm in Las Cruces, while here in Taos it was snowing. Juárez was so warm. Boys on the street were selling corsages, gardenias and roses. It smelled like spring.
At the border, officials were stricter than in the past. I suppose because of the war.
The Philippines are being invaded by a large number of Japanese. Eighty transports landed troops about 150 miles north of Manila. I wonder how near Fort Stotsenberg that is.
British troops seem to be having a hard time in the Far East. German troops are still retreating in Russia. The paper tonight said this was the second famous retreat from Moscow - Napoleon - and Hitler. Hitler announced that he has taken personal command of the army.
Phil is taking a two-week vacation. It's good to have him home. Corky has the measles!
Dec. 24, 1941 - Christmas Eve
We are spending Christmas very quietly at home since Corky has the measles.
Christmas seems strange this year with war so close to us. The afternoon news broadcasts show that things are pretty bad in the Philippines. We felt rather depressed all afternoon. I thought of the homes in Taos in which dads and husbands and sons were far away this Christmas Eve and the worst part seems to be that they really are in danger. The Japs are landing in far superior numbers and driving toward Manila.
Winston Churchill is in Washington conferring with Roosevelt. Both talked for the annual ceremony for lighting the community Christmas tree on the White House lawn.
It's snowing tonight - a beautiful Christmas Eve - carols are beautiful, too, as they come in on the radio - "Peace on earth … Goodwill towards men" - and somewhere out there, there are now two groups of men bent on only one thing - massacring each other!
Dec. 27, 1941
Phil's folks had Christmas dinner with us. All the excitement of Christmas is over - presents put away and so on. Corky is almost over the measles and I'm as anxious as he is to try out his new sled.
Yesterday - the day after Christmas - Winston Churchill talked to a joint meeting of Congress. He seemed to be well-liked and received much applause.
News came to Taos of the first casualty. Martin Trujillo was seriously injured. He was in high school last year and his sister is a fellow teacher.
Fierce fighting is still going on in the Philippines. The American soldiers seem to be greatly outnumbered. Manila was declared an "open" city, in hopes of saving it from bombings, but the Japs evidently aren't paying any attention to that - there was a three-hour bombing raid today - and many casualties.
There evidently is a great deal of news we aren't getting. Time magazine said today that for the first time in 19 years of publication they are unable to tell its readers frankly all the things they know.
It snowed overnight and this morning there was about 6 inches of snow. It was beautiful.
Jan. 1, 1942
A new year - 1942 - and yet I can't work up my usual enthusiastic anticipation of a new year. Maybe I'm an ostrich - sticking my head in the sand - or [it's] "escapism" as Prof. Bajima used to talk about in psychology. But, nevertheless, I hate to think what this year is going to bring. It won't be anything pleasant I know.
News from the Philippines is very bad. Greatly superior Japanese forces are driving back the Americans and Philippine forces. The enemy is about 30 miles from Manila. Japan has control of the harbors and air, evidently. Where in heaven's name are the reinforcements? It's a month, almost, since war was declared and it seems some help should have gotten there by now. Oh, well - I don't know much about the military aspects - "Ours not to reason why - ours but to do and die."
I keep thinking of all the Taos boys there. They're right in the worst of it. How many are dead by now? Phil's mother worries about Bill, our brother-in-law.
Sunday and Monday we went sleighing. We tied Corky's sled to back of the car and had lots of fun. We went out to Chamisal and spent several days with Phil's folks. The drive over U.S. Hill was beautiful. There are several feet of snow up there. On each side of the road, tall pines held inches of snow on their branches. Dark tree stumps looked like chocolate cake with high fluffy "seven-minute" frosting on top. Here and there, were tracks across the smooth snow - some tiny, like squirrels, and others huge - perhaps those of a bear.
Last night we had a little party here, Louise and Ted, Mary and Simmy, Otto and girlfriend and us. We had enchiladas. Afterward we moved out the rugs and danced.
Today - New Year's Day - has been designated as a World Day of Prayer among the Allies.
Jan. 4, 1942
On Jan. 2, I got measles! I couldn't believe my eyes. I thought just kids had measles. Well - I've been quite sick and I have measles all over - not just a mild ash, like Corky had. I feel some better, today. The worst thing has been not being able to read - it's supposed to be hard on the eyes.
The war news is that Manila has been taken. It seems a bad blow. Cavite, the harbor stronghold, was also taken. Before withdrawing the army blew up and destroyed all of value: Some $9 million worth was destroyed. [General Douglas] MacArthur's forces seem to be holding out in the mountains somewhere. No one knows for how long!
Jan. 8, 1942
Well, our long, pleasant Christmas vacation ended. I'm finally over the measles and went back to school yesterday. Phil left this morning for Las Vegas.
President Roosevelt gave his message to Congress on Tuesday. Plans seem to be in progress for an eventual invasion of Europe from the British Isles. The Philippines are still holding out. Evidently the U.S. is not going to the rescue of the poor outnumbered army in the Philippines.
Jan. 19, 1942
Phil got a marvelous promotion last week and nice raise in salary. We were both so thrilled and happy. He called me on Wednesday evening the 14th, to tell me about it, but I was at the show. When I got home, I called him and got all the details. Now I can quit and raise a family (?).
Otto went to Santa Fe on Wednesday and again on Saturday to get into the Naval Reserve. His eyes are too poor. So on Sunday, with 100 others, he took his second or final physical exam in Santa Fe and passed. George, too, passed. Otto was the only one of the 100 who qualified for any special training. Whether or not he'll get into this depends on the action of some board or other in Santa Fe. He's still teaching today.
MacArthur's men in the Philippines are still holding out well. U.S. fliers are reported finally to be in Malaya. The "line" above Singapore seems to be stiffening. We don't hear much. Prisoners taken by the Japs at Wake arrived in Japan.
Carole Lombard and 20 others crashed and were killed in Nevada several days ago.
Jan. 21, 1942
Registration for a new semester at school today. I hope this will be my last!
The paper tonight says the Japs are but 60 miles from Singapore. A number of Jap ships in the Pacific have been sunk. The Germans are still retreating before the Russians.
Mrs. Roosevelt predicts a sugar shortage. No one can buy tires except doctors, ambulances, etc. No more tires but fortunately ours are practically new. No more cars or trucks will be made for private use. A.W.V.S. [American Women's Voluntary Service] is registering women in Taos.
Jan. 23, 1942
Phil is in Denver for a meeting where sugar beet affairs are discussed. He went by train and tomorrow I'm to meet him in Las Vegas.
Felipe Trejo was killed in action in the Philippines. He used to be caretaker at the (National Guard) Armory here. I know his wife rather well. It's getting uncomfortably close to home.
Jan. 24, 1942
This is America: A humble farmer shuffling to the front of the room to talk in plain, unadorned English, perhaps a "cuss" word slipping in now and then. A smooth well-dressed lawyer from Washington, mentally keen and alert and ably presenting his government's side of the problem. A poor, uneducated laborer from the sugar beet fields, embarrassed at suddenly having the limelight, being able to have his "say," telling in halting sentences of his life and living conditions. A cigar-smoking, confident factory owner …. A young Mexican, up the hard way, having lived in the U.S. about 15 years, getting up and in excellent English, pleading for better things for the worker.
This is democracy at work. - This is America.
(Written after Phil's description of a conference in the House of Representatives' room in the state capitol at Denver. The conference was one discussing sugar beet production problems.)
Feb. 3, 1942
Otto leaves for the army on the 23rd of this month. Mother plans on coming out for a visit before he goes. He's really anxious to go, I think.
The U.S. seems to have finally gone into action in the Pacific. Marshall Islands (Jap) and several others have been bombed. MacArthur has broken up an attempt to siege Manila Bay. That fellow really is good. He's fighting what's supposed to be a "delaying action" - but what a delaying action!
The British have completely withdrawn from Malaya and just hold Singapore island itself. They blew up the causeway across the mile of water separating Singapore from Malaya. Everyone wonders now how long it can hold out.
The German U-boats have sunk many ships along the Atlantic Coast. The Germans are recapturing lost territories in North Africa. Things look very bad for the Allies all over the world except at Bataan.
Feb. 11, 1942
The news from the war fronts is all bad his morning. The fall of Singapore is predicted to occur in a few hours. Just what have the British got? Singapore was supposed to be the one stronghold that wouldn't be captured. When they retreated to the island and blew up the causeway, everyone felt it at least would hold out for some time. Now in but a few days the Japs have repaired the causeway while artillery fire protected the workers. They've landed on the island and are said to be nearing Singapore city. The city's water supply is somewhere on the middle of the island. They'll have to surrender as soon as this reservoir is taken.
Of course, if the Dutch East Indies and Singapore fall, so will the Philippines. They'll be stranded way out there alone. MacArthur's defeat seems certain. That seems pitiful after the courageous and thrilling way he has held out. All the Taos boys, too, will be done for.
In Africa, the German commander is regaining lost territory from the British. Russia, alone, seems to be accomplishing something.
Feb. 13, 1942
Friday the 13th! Perhaps today will be the unlucky day that sees the complete collapse of Singapore. There's hand-to-hand fighting in the streets. The British are still holding out but actually don't have a chance.
Feb. 16, 1942
Yesterday Churchill announced the fall of Singapore. The past week has been called Black Week for the British. On Thursday a number of German ships which have been blockaded in the harbor of Brest, sneaked out right through the English Channel - past the noses of the British. When they were finally discovered they were almost past the channel, but it was too late for the British to stop them. Now these ships will be able to join the rest of the German ships in the Atlantic.
Most of the men are supposed to have been evacuated from Singapore to the Dutch East Indies.
A new offensive is being shaped up by the Japs against MacArthur and his men. The Japs have also begun their drive for the Dutch East Indies.
Phil was home for the weekend. Otto leaves Sunday.
Feb. 23, 1942
Yesterday Otto left for the army. At noon I had everyone over for dinner for him: Simmy and Mary, Ted and Louise, Mama, Otto, Phil, Corky and myself. He left at 5:30 with 18 others. I didn't realize how much Otto meant to me until he had to leave. One couldn't help but have the thought that you might never see him again. Mother took the whole thing very hard. Altogether, it was a torturous day and I felt that last Dec. 7 when I wept like I did, I must have had a premonition that things would be bad like this. There was a large crowd of people to see the boys off. They were to drive all night and get to Fort Bliss, Texas, at 5 this morning. Otto was put in charge of the men until they got to Fort Bliss.
Phil was home for the weekend.
March 12, 1942
I don't seem to be getting much writing done in this. Too many school duties.
Otto has been placed in the Medical Corps. He rather seems to like it. The rest of the men are more congenial. They are in barracks and the food is better than at the Reception Center. He will stay at Fort Bliss for 13 weeks training, I believe.
Java has fallen to the Japs and with it the entire Dutch East Indies. Australia is the last foothold of the Allied Powers and it seems to be next on the list. Burma is also in the Jap hands and with it the Burma Road. The Russians are still doing alright by themselves.
March 30, 1942
Clipping in diary with Taos News headline: "Taos Boy on Gunboat Sunk off Java Coast."
"William Douglas Wetsel, son of Murrel Wetsel, was a seaman on the gunboat, Asheville, reported as lost last Saturday in enemy action off the coast of Java."
Billy was a former pupil. He's been writing to me ever since he joined the navy. He was on the Asheville and the last letter from him was from the Philippines. I had been listening for news of the ship. Last Saturday night, the newscast said the Asheville had been sunk and all on board must be considered lost. It could be that somehow he escaped. I remember now the time I whipped him. He was an awfully ornery rascal!
April 5, 1942
Easter Sunday! War - Chinese and British are holding back the Japs in Burma. The Japs tried another sneak this Sunday morning on the island of Ceylon. But unlike Dec. 7, Ceylon was ready. 30 Jap's ships are supposed to have been downed and 30 others are said to be crippled.
I've been down in Albuquerque. The town is full of uniforms. Time says 1 in 10 men are in uniform now.
Hitler is getting ready for his big offensive which is supposed to be getting underway from the Arctic to the Black Sea.
While sitting in the hotel lobby in Albuquerque, players of pinball machines brought on the following:
Pinball Insanity
Someday historians of the 20th century must surely tell of that species of man which our generation has produced - namely, the "pinball nut."
To sit here as a spectator and watch a theoretically normal man play a pinball machine is an experience which can only lead one to doubt man's complete sanity.
Regular habitués of this entertaining pastime get a disease which can only be described as the "jerks." No matter what control the gentleman has he can't seem to be able to help letting wishful thinking be transferred to various parts of his anatomy. As that small steel ball goes careening on its way, his desire for it to hit the correct knob, makes him frantically jerk a shoulder in the direction he wants it to go.
If his shoulders aren't lurching this way and that, his head is wig-wagging with a series of jerks fit to crack his spinal column. Another devotee of this game whams his fist down on the machine in a series of muscle-racking blows.
The variations of this theme are indefinite, but come and see for yourself! Human beings are "nuts"!
April 9, 1942
Today that long-feared and yet expected event occurred - the fall of Bataan. The past four or five days the American and Philippine troops have been slowly retreating and drawing back toward Corregidor. As they draw back they were cut off and many were killed.
This is an awful blow to New Mexico. 2000 men from New Mexico are in the Philippines. I can't help thinking of Dow Bond, Jack Boyer, Ray Gonzales, Kate's husband, Bill, Tommy Santistevan and many others who were former pupils. Casualty lists will be out in a few days - or rather death notices to the relatives.
May 11, 1942
Corregidor, the island fortress in Manila Bay, surrendered. They put up a long, brave fight but lack of ammunition and food and a land attack by the Japs complete its downfall.
The paper listed the 106 men who had escaped from Bataan to Corregidor. Several were from Taos County, but they are now as bad off as the rest.
Madagascar, the French island east of Africa, was taken by the British to prevent its falling into Axis hands. That's one place where the Allies got there first.
George, Phil's brother, leaves Thursday for the Army. His baby was baptized Sunday.
"Missing in action," the message said,
And yet I know you are not dead.
Our dream can't end - my love says so!
If you were gone - my heart would know!
I scribbled off the above few lines in school today after reading a good article on the fall of Bataan in the Reader's Digest.
June 12, 1942
I get worse and worse about writing. Lots of exciting war news has been broadcast since I last wrote.
There has been a big naval battle in the Pacific. The Japs tried to take Midway and land on Oahu, one of the Hawaiian Islands. The U.S. claims a smashing victory. The battle lasted about five days.
On June 3 the Japs bombed Dutch Harbor, Alaska. This was the first time enemy bombs had fallen on North American territory. There are rumors that there is fighting in the Aleutians.
Fighting in Libya seems to be going in favor of the enemy,
Reinhard Heydrich, the Nazi "hangman," was assassinated in Czechoslovakia. Hundreds have been shot in reprisal.
I went to Albuquerque last week and spent four days with Phil. We had a lovely time.
June 23, 1942
The war news is all bad. Tobruk in the Libyan Desert has surrendered to the Germans. About 25,000 Britons went, too, as prisoners. The Germans are about to take Sevastopol, too, which will bring them one step nearer the oil in the Near East.
The Oregon coast was shelled by a Jap submarine Sunday night, June 21. The Japs have occupied another of the Aleutian Islands, bringing them 250 miles closer to Dutch Harbor.
In China, the Japs are steadily making gains.
Well, after six months of war, could things look blacker??
Sometimes all the war sees like a dream - something that I've read in a history book. I go about my usual unimportant tasks - mowing the lawn, clipping borders, weeding the garden and other things.
Corky and I are going with Phil tomorrow for about five days.
July 18, 1942
Louise and Ted, Phil, Corky and I are out camping in the mountains for several days. We're in La Junta Canyon, near Tres Ritos. We're about as far from human habitation as one can get - yet it's only about 25 miles from Taos.
Our camping site is a secluded one - we had to drive through the river to get here. We're in a little clump of trees and the river is but a few steps away. There are high hills on either side of the valley.
When we got here last night Phil and Ted got out their axes and roamed up and down the hills searching for wood. Louise and I made supper. How delicious food tastes out here. That coffee!
Then we cut pine branches and made a thick layer to put under our mattress. We kept a big fire going all night.
This morning Corky caught his very first fish. He's tried so hard before. He was so thrilled he could hardly land it - a fair-sized trout.
It seems hard to realize there's a war and all kinds of trouble in the world. Here it's all so calm and peaceful and beautiful.
July 29, 1942
I have the strange feeling of sitting on top of a volcano, waiting for the top to blow off! I don't know why. Maybe it's due to the fact that both Otto and George have been transferred from their respective camps, destination unknown. George is on Angel's Island in San Francisco Bay, waiting for transport to some far place. Otto is to be moved but he doesn't know where.
Then, too, the situation in Russia is such that one has the feeling something has to happen. The Russians continue to retreat, but experts claim they can't be defeated.
The U-boat toll in the Atlantic up to now is 401 Allied ships!
Aug. 10, 1942
There have been many interesting headlines in the last few days.
For the first time in this war, the U.S. has initiated an offensive action in the Pacific. The U.S., in connection with Australian troops, has made a surprise attack on the Solomon Islands. These islands have been held by Japan and were a menace to Allied supply lines. So far no one knows the results. Very heavy fighting is going on.
At the same time, a start is being made on ousting the Japs from the Aleutians. Kiska has been bombed and attacked by a sea force.
Other sectors have news that isn't very good. The Germans continue forward in the Caucasus and some oil fields seem to be already in German hands.
In India, Mahatma Gandhi is creating a furor. His has evidently decided the present is the time to try to get free from England. Unless he got immediate freedom from England, he promised mass non-co-operation all over India. To forestall this, British authorities arrested him and a number of other leaders. Even though he's in prison, riots are flaring up all over India. While many are sympathetic toward the desire of the Indians to be free, now seems a poor time for an unprepared and defenseless country to be open to attack - with Japan waiting just across the border in Burma.
Aug. 23, 1942
Brazil has declared war on the Axis. A number of Brazilian ships have been sunk lately.
In the Solomon Islands, the Marines have definite hold on three islands and "mopping up" operations are in progress. A raid was made on one of the Gilbert Island groups.
The raid on the French coastal town of Dieppe was an exciting affair. About 15,000 men are believed to have taken part. This part of the coast is heavily fortified. The beaches are guarded by big guns. News writers went along on this raid and have given good descriptions of the affair. Losses were heavy. One small group of 12 men was racked by machine gun fire as they ran across the beach. Only five got through. Air protection was good. This raid has shown that a hold can be obtained on the continent, but if a 2-mile front (as this was) needed 15,000 men, the whole European front will need millions.
In Russia, the Germans continue advancing.
On the whole, though, things look a little better. It seems that finally, slowly but surely, we are beginning to take the offensive.
Sept. 6, 1942
This week begins the fourth year of the war, as far as Europe is concerned. On Sept. 1, three years ago, Hitler marched into Poland. He still seems to be going strong.
The Germans are up to the outskirts of Stalingrad. The battle for this city is said to be the bloodiest of history.
[German general Erwin] Rommel tried a push in the Egyptian desert but was repulsed and driven back. This is a decided change from what has been going on there recently.
A number of Taos boys are in England. George is out on the Pacific somewhere. He sailed from San Francisco. He's been writing home every day and now it's been over two weeks since they've gotten a letter, which indicates he's gone. Otto is still at Fort Bliss.
Sept. 30, 1942
San Geronimo Fiesta has been in full swing the past two days. Phil couldn't be here, so we haven't done much celebrating. There seem to be few outsiders and tourists at the celebration this year. Corky was in the parade yesterday, dressed as a soldier in his new uniform.
On Nov. 22, gas will be rationed all over the U.S. About 4 gallons a week will be our allotment. Phil will probably get a little more for his work.
Stalingrad still holds - but is in grave danger.
The Japs are being driven back in the Owen Stanley Mountains, away from Port Moresby. They were driven back 10 miles in the past few days.
Oct. 25, 1942
I seem to be forgetting to write in this. Since I last wrote Stalingrad has been again heavily attacked, but the Nazis seem to be making no gains. The Japs are making a big effort to retake the Solomons, but so far we hear little of what is actually taking place.
Yesterday, Oct. 24, things suddenly seemed to all take a cheerful turn. The British have begun a big offensive in the Libyan Desert. Many U.S. troops have been landed in Liberia and between the two, perhaps the Axis will be driven out of Africa. Maybe this is the beginning of the long-awaited "Second Front." Maybe they will drive up through Italy and Southern Europe and Russia and Britain will attack from their respective sides.
Wendell Willkie returned about a week ago from a world-circling tour.
Harris Johnson, a fellow I went to college with, was killed in the Solomons. He was a Marine.
Nov. 3, 1942
The big action seems to be taking place in the Solomons. Things looked bad a few days ago but now the U.S. troops seem to be holding them and even driving them back. The Aussies have taken Kokoda in New Guinea. In the Libyan Desert the British are driving back the Axis troops. We don't hear much from Russia.
Coffee will be rationed the 28th, gas the 22nd. - Meat and other things, the first of the year.
Nov. 14, 1942
A series of sea battles are taking place round the Solomons. Results have not yet been given. In New Guinea, MacArthur's troops continue to drive the Japs out of the island.
In North Africa, all that remains is a fight for Tunisia. Hitler doesn't seem to want to give up all hold on North Africa without a struggle. He's rushing troops to Tunisia.
Tomorrow Phil's family is coming to help me celebrate my birthday.
Eddie Rickenbacker, World War I ace has been rescued from a life raft, after floating about for 23 days. He has more lives than a cat!!
Nov. 16, 1942
Results of the big sea battle in the Solomons have been announced: The U.S. navy has won the biggest victory of the war. The large Jap fleet has been driven back and 23 large vessels sunk. Thus, it seems another attempt of the Japanese to retake the Solomons has been thwarted. 30,000 Jap troops are said to have gone down on some of the transports. This victory even outshines that of the Midway battle.
In North Africa, U.S. troops have tangled in the battle with German troops for the first time in this war. The Axis is racing to get troops and materials into Tunisia to help hold it. Rommel is expected to make one more stand somewhere to give the Axis time to get more men into Tunisia.
Nov. 26, 1942
Thanksgiving Day! We really have much to be thankful for. No bombs falling on us - no one in our immediate family yet a casualty of the war. And we've got plenty of everything.
The final battle for Tunisia is about to begin. The Allies will try to take Bizerte and Tunis.
The really big news is the large Russian offensive. The Germans have to weaken their power on this front - especially air power - to send help to the African front. The Russians claim to have killed or captured 100,000 German troops. They are coming in below and above Stalingrad - in a pincers movement - and hope to cut off large numbers of Germans. Anyhow, the siege of Stalingrad has ended.
In New Guinea, Australian and U.S. troops have driven the Japs down to Buna - but now large numbers of Japs have been landed as reinforcements.
In North Africa the Allies seem to be slowly pushing ahead.
Dec. 3, 1942
Gas rationing began on Tuesday. We've gotten "B" card - meaning Phil will get some gas above the basic A rationing. No more pleasure trips! Coffee rationing began on Monday. So far coffee and sugar are our only rationed foods.
Dec. 7, 1942
Well, one year ago today this mess began. In this year much has happened. Most of the time the Allies have been taking it on the chin and only in the last few weeks have we begun to be "offensive." Let's hope the next year will be different.
Right now our offensive in Tunisia seems to be slowing down. The Germans are holding them back, and have even retaken two towns. However, these difficulties are to be expected. Rumor says the Axis have fortified Sicily in case they're completely driven out of Africa.
The Russian counteroffensive continues forward, with many Germans being killed and taken captive.
Paul McNutt has been made head of the [War Manpower Commission]. No more enlistments of any kind will be allowed. Men for all services will be gotten from the draft.
Dec. 17, 1942
[British Field Marshal Bernard] Montgomery in Egypt has again gone on the march against Rommel. The Germans were expected to make a stand at El Agheila, but they mined the place and then retreated. Today Montgomery is supposed to have cut Rommel's troops in two. In Tunisia, too, the Allies are getting needed reinforcements and planes.
Last night I saw the movie "Remember the Day." It's about a teacher and her influence on her pupils. It had a profound effect on me. I can't explain why.
Christmas is in the air - with long lines at the post office - people carrying home Christmas trees. At least two Taos homes will be happy. After nearly a year of suspense, Bonds and Boyers heard their two men are alive and prisoners of the Japs. They've been afraid they were dead after the fighting in the Philippines. Being a Jap prisoner is the lesser of the two evils - we hope! The rest in Taos haven't heard. The Japs are releasing 50 to 60 names each day to the Red Cross.
1943-1945 diaries have yet to be transcribed.
Jan. 12, 1945
Last Tuesday the island of Luzon was invaded. Americans went ashore at Lingayen Gulf, the same spot the Japs attacked in 1941. So far, Jap opposition has been light. They seem to have been fooled. They sighted our large convoy several days before it went in, but the convoy passed Lingayen Gulf during the day, as if headed for Formosa, and then turned back during the night. They (our forces) have taken over 200 square miles of territory.
In Europe, the German counteroffensive seems to have been turned back. The large German bulge into Belgium has been reduced. They are still counter-attacking successfully around Strasbourg. The casualties on both sides are reported to be immense. So far figures haven't been released.
Phil's brother-in-law was killed in France Dec 20. They have five children.
B-29s continue to make daily raids over Japan.
Jan. 27, 1945
About 10 days ago the Russians started their big winter offensive. In this short time they have taken Warsaw, Krakow and are now 90 miles from Berlin. Their advance has been positively sensational! They have cut across north to the Baltic Sea and cut off East Prussia with many Nazi soldiers.
In the Philippines, we are 40 miles from Manila. Yesterday Clark Field and Fort Stoltenburg were captured. This is where the Taos boys were located at the beginning of the war. One prison camp has been taken - Camp O'Donnell. The Japs had burned down the buildings, moved the prisoners and all that was left was graves - several hundred American and several thousand Filipino.
Feb. 4, 1945
Today the Americans entered Manila! They captured the Santo Tomas prison camp first in order to protect the prisoners from possible Jap retaliation. Last Tuesday, some U.S. Rangers made a dash behind Jap lines and freed over 500 American prisoners at Cabanatuan. One - Dr. Vinette - was from Taos.
The Russians are 40 miles - officially from Berlin.
Feb. 15, 1945
Phil's nephew was announced as being one of the American prisoners rescued in the Philippines. How happy his half-sister must be.
On the Western front and the Eastern, too, progress is being made toward Berlin. Stettin, Berlin's Baltic seaport, is being approached by the Americans.
In Manila, Japs still hide out and must be dug out. Fighting is in progress on Bataan and Corregidor is bombed - sounds like the beginning of the war all over again.
The big news tonight was that carrier-based planes have hit Tokyo - for the first time since [James] Doolittle's token raid. The Japs said the raid was still in progress after two hours.
March 21, 1945
The first day of spring! And it really is beautiful outside.
The big news today is the carrier-plane raid on Japan and upon the Jap fleet, which has been in hiding. Seventeen large ships are supposed to have been sunk. During the past two weeks, fire raids have been made on Tokyo and other large cities.
Iwo Jima has been captured after a bloody campaign of about a month. Many Marines were casualties.
On the European front, the Rhine bridgehead has been enlarged, although the bridge over which the crossing was made (at Remagen) has collapsed as the result of long shelling by the Germans. German resistance west of the Rhine has practically ended. [General George S.] Patton's Third Army has been making spectacular gains.
April 4, 1945
The way things are going in Europe it can't be long until the end. Since crossing the Rhine, Allied troops are going ahead at an unbelievable rate. Patton's troops are now 140 miles from Berlin and only 160 miles from the nearest Russians. German soldiers have been surrendering at the rate of 20,000 per day.
In the Pacific, we have made a landing on Okinawa, one of the Ryukyu islands just south of Japan proper. That's really getting into their backyard. Three new islands in the Philippines have been invaded.
A number of survivors of Bataan have returned to their homes in New Mexico. Just one was formerly from Taos, and his family has since left here. It seems like a dream that these boys are finally beginning to come home. Their families must be delirious with joy. Some have children they've never seen.
Simmy is back in the U.S. at a hospital in Illinois. His wounds seem to be serious. Mary and Jimmy have been to see him. What a reunion that must have been!
April 12, 1945
Today our president died. At 4:35 Eastern War Time, he died of a cerebral hemorrhage at Warm Springs, Georgia. Since the Yalta conference, he has been unwell and exhausted.
It seems impossible that he is gone, so close to his heart's desire - victory. But he will always be remembered by us - the common people. He led us from depression to prosperity - through war to peace. His famous smile, his cigarette holder tilted to a cocky angle, his "My friends" - will be long remembered.
April 21, 1945
The long quiet Italian front is coming alive. Bologna was finally captured.
Ernie Pyle, the soldiers' favorite correspondent, was killed on Okinawa Tuesday. After reading his "Here Is Your War" and "Brave Men," I feel as if I know him. His home was in Albuquerque.
The fighting on Okinawa is going slowly and casualties are going to be heavy. B-29s raid Japan almost every day.
Val Casados was reported dead in a German prison camp. Probably starved to death.
May 8, 1945
Today a deep silence hangs over the battlefields of Europe. All is quiet. The thud of bombs, the scream of shells, the crash of cannon are stilled. The mad jumble of devastated cities and the twisted steel of the machines of war are the only reminders of the fighting which so recently swept across the continent. The war in Europe is over!
Today the official announcement came. Admiral Karl Doenitz arranged for the surrender of all German forces. The Nazis were thoroughly beaten. Berlin had fallen to the Russians, all the large cities are in ruins, and there was no resistance at the end. Hitler is supposed to have died in Berlin. Goering has been taken prisoner, Goebbels is said to have died in Berlin by suicide. So far there is no sign of Himmler.
June 11, 1945
After the war in Europe ended, I seem to have relaxed so completely I even quit this spasmodic scribbling.
Well, since that time, the beginnings of Allied rule in Germany have been made. Britain, France, Russia and the U.S. each have an occupation zone. There are many problems for these governments to solve - food, clothing, rebuilding, reeducation, etc. The first schools have reopened for the four lowest grades in a few cities. Germany's industries are to be done away with. It is now thought Hitler is still alive somewhere.
In the Pacific, the battle for Okinawa continues. It should end soon. The Japs are putting up their usual resistance -- having to be dug out of each cave and hiding place. Their suicide fliers have sunk a goodly number of our ships. These fliers crash their planes onto our vessels.
News has finally been released that the Japs have been sending small balloons over the U.S. - they are 30 feet in diameter and carry a bomb. They are very inaccurate but have started forest fires, etc. Ted saw one last week over Santa Fe, but the papers make no mention of it - it would give information to the Japs.
Our B-29s continue heavy raids on Japan. Much of Tokyo is in ruins. Fighting continues in parts of Luzon.
Ray Gonzales is reported dead. The Japs killed him shortly after the fall of Bataan because he was found to have some Jap coins in his pocket. They shot him! This news depressed us for some days. He was a good friend of ours.
Aug. 7, 1945
Yesterday, the world's first atomic bomb was dropped on Japan. In an instant the city of Hiroshima was destroyed. This is a bomb based on the long sought idea of splitting the atom. The Germans were working on this, too, and their work was ahead of ours. Thank God, we got it first. It is a horrible weapon, but it is going to end the war sooner.
This bomb was worked on at Los Alamos, near Española. We've all known about this secret work at the Los Alamos, but no one knew what it was - not even those working on it. Just a few top scientists were aware of the importance of the work. The bombs first trial was made out in the desert near Alamogordo. The scientists who observed it stayed 5 miles away. The flash of light was seen hundreds of miles away.
Aug. 14, 1945
Today the war ended! At 5 p.m. Mountain War Time, President Truman announces this thrilling news to the world. The Japs have agreed to our terms - unconditional surrender.
And so at long last, the world is at peace again. It is hard to realize - it can't be grasped yet. But there is wild rejoicing across the nation. Yet in many hearts there must be loneliness, sorrow and bitterness. Their thoughts turn to a lonely Pacific island with its white crosses in a forlorn cemetery - or to a grave in Europe or Africa.
We, as a family, have been lucky. Simmy is the only one who has been wounded. He has been in a hospital many months now. But there are many others, friends, former pupils and others who will long linger in our memories.
There was Capt. Ray Gonzales, shot in cold blood after the surrender at Bataan because he had a Jap coin in his pocket. There was Billie Wetsel who wrote to me from many countries after he joined the navy. His ship was sunk and all on board lost. There is Bill, Phil's brother-in-law, a prisoner of the Japs all these years, whose fate is not yet known. Another brother-in-law was killed in Europe in December, 1944. ... Tommy Santistevan, a good student full of fun, with black curly hair and mischievous eyes, also a prisoner, but lost when our planes sank the ship which the Japs were using to transport prisoners to Japan. And many others.
My fervent prayer is that somehow in the years to come, the world will learn to live in peace and that my sons will never know the horrors and suffering of war.
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