WWII Photos

Re “Vivid Images of WWII Combat See Light of Day,” Dec. 3:

No detraction meant regarding the World War II photos; however, the accompanying article was in error. Many of the military had cameras even in combat. The restriction was that the exposed film had to be sent to a base censor and the photos passing censorship would then be returned to whoever had sent the film in. The finished photos (no charge) carried the censored stamp on the rear.

My own Kodak folding 616, which took hundreds of photos prior to combat, was stolen by the ones who were to guard our possessions. The next patrol, I took out an enemy who also had a private camera. This little gem was a Fuji that had three openings on the rear to regulate the size of finished photos, and one got six, nine or 12 photos, depending upon the opening used. A few days later six rolls of film for that camera were found in a cave. The only problem I had was in sending the first roll in for developing. The first four photos were of enemy soldiers and the rest were Americans! Many of those old photos are at hand.

The enclosed photos, including one of me with natives of Kiriwina Island, passed the censor’s inspection. Many taken in combat passed inspection. The ones not passing were not returned.

HAL BRAUN

Hollywood

* I’d just like to encourage Roy Morris to continue developing the photos he took while in the South Pacific during World War II. My daddy was one of the many Army “grunts” who served there and he would never speak much of his experience. Now he has Alzheimer’s and those stories are gone forever. I would be the first in line if Morris was to put together an exhibit or publish a book of his “canteen camera” pictures.

KIM FRANKLIN

Downey

* I simply do not believe that the Marines landed on Peleliu in 1944 wearing heavy, woolen Army overcoats. Nor do I believe the Navy landing boat crewmen wore foul-weather gear, wool caps and mittens.

JOHN A. McGOWAN

(Landing craft coxswain, 1942-45)

San Diego

* A postscript to your fine report on the television series “Victory At Sea,” Dec. 3: In addition to all its U.S. showings, the series was broadcast in almost every country around the world and in some for repeated runs over the years. It was particularly gratifying to have sold it to TV networks in Germany and Japan.

GERALD ADLER

Los Angeles