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ANTHONY V DI BARTOLO [?] : 1940s ORIGINAL GROUP OF DIARIES [2] AND EPHEMERA RELATING TO A NAVY SERVICEMAN SERVING IN THE PACIFIC THEATER REPAIRING SHIPS

12mo - over 6¾" - 7¾" tall. On offer is a collection of WWII period American military ephemeral. The collection consists of a 1945 diary kept by a naval rating, a diary kept by either a marine or army soldier [likely ANTHONY V DI BARTOLO as noted in one book], a Riot Control handbook, 2 large-size black and white photographs, a printed handbook about the U.S. Naval Training Center, a copy of a U.S. Army Field Order, a second 1945 diary, a 1949 diary, an address book, a tax return form and an appointment form to the United States Civilian Conservation Corps. The various documents are in good condition. They are not the property of one person but rather are items for the WWII and early post-war era. The 1945 navy sailor's diary contains 52 pages in a week-at-a-glance format plus some memoranda pages. It is approximately 20% complete. The author is unidentified. From an entry in March, we know that he is married and has a baby. From context, it appears that he is working at a U.S. Navy dry dock /repair base in the Pacific theatre. His first full entry states "... Working on USS Pringle. She took a suicide dive in Leyte Gulf..." [Jan 6]. This reference is to the successful kamikaze attack on Pringle on Dec 30th, inflicting serious casualties and damage. He makes references to alarms and GQ (General Quarters): "... Rumours of a mast job knocked off by a 'Betty". Plenty of work" [Jan 9]. A "Betty" was the nickname for a Japanese Mitsubishi G4M long-range bomber. "Turn To Underway GQ Passed islands off New Guinea Fixed all guns and worked on ships motors ..." [Feb 19]; "Passed convoy of LST's that left Manus Saturday morning ..." [Feb 21]. He mentions several ships he worked on including USS Borie, USS Haynsworth, USS Randolph and USS Leutze. The second diary is more of a journal. Its owner was Anthony V Di Bartolo of Lawrence, MA. Casual research has not turned up any additional biographical detail. The diary has 365 pages plus memoranda and is about 10% complete. Its printed year is 1943 but that has been struck out and 1947 substituted. It is tempting to suggest that entries date from 1943 but U.S. forces did not invade Guam, which is mentioned in the book, until 1944. The book was used as a notebook/journal. It contains comments, drawings and reference notes that clearly indicate that he was a private soldier, most likely in the U.S. Marine Corps. "We started off this morning 0730 with light marching packs helmets and rifles we were learning scouting on the march we went 5 miles into the jungle mud and clay up over our leggings we was guarding the body of troops from the right flank. ..." [Jan 21]. He mentions a base on Guam: "... I hitchhiked up to Agana that is the capital of Guam ..." [Jan 24]. Other pages contain lists and checklists. There are hand drawings of grenades and mortar shells and diagrams of various types of marching configurations. He has a detailed drawing of a ruck sack and the location of each piece of kit that it contains. The field order is a 1 page, 8 inch by 14 inch typed movement order dated Feb 13th, 1943 signed by a Captain Odell. This movement order relates to a training exercise on the Massachusetts Military Reserve, confirmed by specific geographic references in the order: "180 th F.A dismounted less detachments will prevent penetration of enemy reconnaissance patrols SOUTH of line: RR BRIDGE - BOURNE BRIDGE - GREAT POND - WOOD ROAD - ROUTE 130". The order goes on to detail the movements and responsibilities or individual units. The United States Civilian Conservation Corps certificate details the appointment of John Sullivan as an Assistant Leader. The commission is signed by FGE Carlson, USNR, Commanding Officer of the 1153rd Company. The Civilian Conservation Corps was one of the most successful New Deal programs of the Great Depression. It existed for fewer than 10 years, but left a legacy of roads, bridges, and buildings throughout the United States. Between 1933 and 1941, more than 3,000,000 men served in the CCC. The two black and white photographs measure about 9.35 inches by 8 inches (landscape). They are not annotated. The depict aerial views of what appear to be two islands. The Riot Control Handbook is an army training manual detailing riot control methods: "This manual presents the problems of riot control from the viewpoint of the platoon, company or battalion that suddenly finds itself pitted against a mob" [p vii]. It deals with theory, equipment, manoeuvres, training and examples. It is an excellent example of the type of training that a military organization would develop. The printed handbook about the U.S. Naval Training Center is interesting in that although it it's a glossy printed volume 5.5 inches by 4 inches, its cover is actually a mailing cover. Marked with the insignia of the U.S. Naval Training Center, Sampson, NY, it was mailed by Joseph Ciampo to Mrs Joseph Ciampo in Winthrop, MA. Casual research has not found any additional biographical information on Joseph Ciampo. It contains 32 pages of text and black & white photographs It is an explanation of the training and routines of the U.S. Navy and the Training Center. Interestingly, it is written in the 1st person and appears designed specifically for family members of recruits. There is a SEPARATION CENTER brochure from the U.S. War Department Personnel Center at Fort Devens, MA giving information to members leaving the U.S. military at that base. The second 1945 diary, the 1949 diary and the address book are all blank, the US income tax return is blank. There is also a catalogue from a military surplus/supply firm that is dated 1984. The remaining documents are a Blue Cross brochure and an unidentified page listing locations apparently in Europe, some flight times and some codes. Altogether, this is an interesting collection of ephemera. It gives historians and researchers a fascinating look into some of the day to day experiences of an ordinary sailor and soldier in wartime. The U.S. Naval Training Center Handbook gives a very clear description of the expectations and experiences of a U.S. naval recruit. The Riot Control manual outlines in detail what the role of the military would be in helping maintain order in a civil dispute up to and including the use of deadly force.. Illustr.: /. Manuscript. Book Condition: Good

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