Some photos from Owi to the Philippines (83)

    Here are a few photographs from Gene's collection.

On Owi:

Lt. Joseph Davis getting his mail from Sgt. Ahern on Owi,
Dutch New Guinea

A hut on Owi, Dutch New Guinea, at sunset

Officers' tents on Owi, Dutch New Guinea

In the Philippines:

Ruined bakery in San Fabian, the Philippines (note Gene accidentally
reversed the negative)

Turnips for sale at the market in Guimba, the Philippines

Gene's washstand (a device to hold his helmet) in Baguio, the Philippines

Cub ambulance service airplane in Baguio, the Philippines: "Goldberg's Angel of Mercy sponsored by the students of Goldberg Elementary School, Detroit, Michigan"

Bilibid Prison in Manila, the Philippines

A line of Igorot girls looking for lice in Caba, the Philippines

Granary in Caba, the Philippines

A view of Mount St. Tomas from Caba in the Philippines

Gene Offered Pay of Lt. Colonel (71)

Maj. Eugene Pfile was a modest, capable, quiet man, but with his own opinions!


June 27, 1945  Starting the 3rd year [in the army]!  No word about leave.  We may move to the lowlands.

June 28, 1945  We are to turn over our patients to the 41st Field Hosp. on Sunday, July 1st, and trade cots and blankets.  Then we move to Caba, near Buang and Aringay.

Japanese shrine near Baguio

June 29, 1945  In the process of closing down.  Again, after being here almost 2 months.  We hate to leave this cool climate.  I took pictures of Jap shrine.

June 30, 1945  Our last day here in Baguio.  Lt. Col. Coulter of the 32nd Div. [according to Wikipedia, the 32nd Division logged more days of combat than any other division in WWII] offered me the job of Division Surgeon, or C.O. of the Med. Bn. [medical battalion], either on a Lt. Col. pay.  I refused, feeling myself not capable of that.

Modified Rand McNally map showing Caba and
San Fernando

July 1, 1945  Moved to Caba, right on the beach, a nice area.  I drove the jeep.  [Maj.] Hi [Armstrong],   [Maj.] Sparky [Adams] and Gentry [an enlisted man?] being with me.

July 3, 1945  3 years and here I am near Caba, La Union Province, Luzon - only 67 points and hoping for a leave in the States!  But healthy, thank goodness.

July 4, 1945  Some jellyfish in the water are causing painful reactions to some of the swimmers.  Still setting up.  The natives like to sight see in our area.

July 5, 1945  Damn the menagerie of dogs that we have - bark all night!  The old sow and 6 pigs were moved from our area last evening.

Pig sty where pigs were kept in the middle of the 92nd Evac Hospital

July 7, 1945  Still no word of leaves.  We have fresh potatoes to eat.  Also ice cream.  Not receiving patients yet.


July 13, 1945  [Col.] Huey went to San Fernando 6th Army Hq to see if he could get the natives out of here and to see about more leaves.  The suspense is terrific!  Apparently it lies between Max and I [sic].

July 14, 1945  This is a bad day!  Donovan won the draw.  Darn the luck!

Chance for Leave to the States? (70)

     Gene was promoted to major on April 22nd.  Turn around time for letters must have been about three weeks

May 15, 1945  Received the first letter from Beth addressing me as Maj.!  My but I'm pleased at her being so pleased!

Photo taken by Max Vinicor and sent with a
letter to Beth about Gene's promotion to major

May 17, 1945  All set for a big inspection by 4 star [General] Krueger, an English general and 1 star [General] Haggins of the MC [Medical Corps].   [And they waited!]  Finally Haggins came to see us, just at supper time!

May 21, 1945  No rain last night.  Took pictures from Dominican Hill, and in cemetery (where fighting took place).  I'm starting in with a cold.

May 22, 1945  No rain!  Wonderful weather.  I operated on  F.[Filipina] woman with a grenade fragment in her brain.  She died of pulmonary edema [fluid in the lungs] just after we finished.

Cemetery in Baguio where fighting took place

May 25, 1945  On the point system (for discharge) I have 67 points - not many.

May 26, 1945  I began to observe the art of cystoscopy [before fiberoptics, cystoscopy was a delicate procedure of the urinary bladder that involved insertion of a rigid, lighted instrument into the bladder through the urethra].  Maybe I can learn it in 10 easy lessons!  Weather still dry.  I bought a PX [fountain] pen for P6.50 [$3.25].  Given an Igorot wood carving [the Igorot are a primitive ethnic group living in the mountains around Baguio and other areas, who are still known for their wood carvings].

Igorot women working with the clean up crew

May 27, 1945  A quiet Sunday.  A bit of rain in the late afternoon.  I took the P6.50 [pen] back and got the P12.00 one.  It has a better point, but probably isn't worth $6.

May 29, 1945  We saw a propaganda film, "2 down 1 to go" today, attendance by roster! ...

June 1, 1945  [Col. Paul] Ireland [the Colorado doctor who organized the 92nd Evac Hospital in 1942] here on a visit.  Also heard [4 star General] Stillwell ["Vinegar Joe" Stilwell] is around.  I helped Si [Maj.? Cy? Burroughs who was slightly injured in the attack on the 92nd Evac that left five men dead (see post #44) and the only doctor in the 92nd to receive a Purple Heart, but not a very popular fellow] on a chest-liver diaphragm wounds and a belly case. 

June 4, 1945  Up until 2:30 A.M. working.  Not many cases but lots of waiting.

June 6, 1945  Up until 1 A.M. working.  I had a guerrilla with the symphysis and both pubic rami [the pelvic bones on the opposite side from the spine] fractured and bladder completely opened, urethra cut.

June 7, 1945  Worked on 2 brain cases - one a major shot thru the R. side of the head with Jap rifle.  ...  The rumors of a move are starting.

June 9, 1945  Rumor has it that we'll be alerted for a Sept. 15 operation [invasion of Japan?].  Also, that we may have to move down to the beach near Buang, at a spot the 41st Field Hosp. was to have.

     Several of the doctors were sick: Maj. Ray Nethery had fever, chills and aching, but it was determined not to be malaria; Capt. Joe Davis, Capt. John Yount, Maj. Arnold Neimeyer, Capt. (?) Nigg and possibly Maj. Si Burroughs had potentially life-threatening amoebiasis (in his account for the 92nd Evac reunion, Dr. Davis said McDaniels, Klochner, Varley and Huey were also suffering from it).  Gene said he took salts (probably Epsom salts as a laxative) and his stool was negative.
     A fairly new addition to the 92nd Evac, Maj. (?) Ives, who spent 20 months in Sydney and about 16 in Finschhaven, neither close to the front, got to go home on the rotation plan, much to the annoyance of the doctors who had spent much of their time close to the fighting.  The unpopular head of the 92nd Evac, Col. Free was also scheduled to go home on leave (Gene writes "What a hornet's nest that stirs up.  Personally, I'll bet he doesn't return")

June 17, 1945  Beautiful half day.  Not very busy.  I'm officially on the surgical service as General Surgeon.

June 20, 1945  More excitement - will I get to go home on leave?  Of course that means coming back for 8 months at least.

Gene, as all of the others in the 92nd Evac, is so very hopeful of getting a break after almost two years overseas.

20 June '45
Dear Folks [Beth's sister's family],
     First of all I must give you some disappointing news, Jack.  The Jap helmet won't be in the box when you receive it.  I was unaware of the existing censorship regulations that helmets were forbidden.  I know that once they could be sent, as well as bayonets.  Don't ask me why - it is one of those obscure regulations.  I heard that it is because they want to collect all the helmets, bayonets, guns, etc. for purposes of identification training.  If all they want is Jap helmets, I can show then where dozens and dozens of new ones are!  In some storage caves near here is quite a stock.  Darn their regulations!  I had a bayonet to send but the box wasn't large enough.  Now I'm glad I didn't send it!  So I'll save it until after the war.
     My big news, as possibly Beth will have told you by this time, is that I stand a chance for a leave in the States later on this Summer of Fall.  I'm afraid to build up any hopes, but maybe so I'll be lucky.  At least it is a step in the right direction by the Powers that Be!  I know of instances where men were told they were going home on Rotation, and then were pulled back and sent into battle and killed.  That sort of thing is doubly tragic.
     I received your nice long letter a few days ago, Mary X.  I think you are the one who writes the interesting letters!  I'm glad you had a nice tea with all the folks.
     Maybe it is odd, but in my first burst of enthusiasm, my thoughts keep turning to the chance of leave!  If I do get to go, it will mean returning for at least 8 months longer.  But that doesn't worry me in the least.  With my 67 points, I'll be over here for quite a while anyway.  If I do go, I'll probably sell my camera when I leave, John, and hope that you or I will be able to get hold of one.
     Thanks very much for getting the developer and sending it.  It may still reach here before I get home!  I haven't been taking any pictures lately.
     Our weather continues partly cloudy and cool.  The other evening we had a sustained heavy downpour for several hours.  With a west wind from the ocean, the load of moisture can be dumped in a seemingly endless rain.  Most of our passageways are repaired and our large mess hall is now finished.  And speaking of mess - our food has been much better lately - fresh meat, fresh eggs, fresh butter - very good.

92nd Evac Hospital mess hall at the Philippines Military Academy in Baguio

     I saw a beautiful mass of bougainvillea the other day.  The vines had climbed a fairly tall pine tree and [it] was a brilliant mass of blooms as only a bougainvillea can be.  The house, unfortunately, had been blown flat by a bomb.
     Love, Eugene


Will he or won't he?

Baguio and Camera Discussion (69)

The 92nd Evacuation Hospital is moved to a place recently vacated by a Japanese military hospital.

May 3, 1945  Moved to the P. Military Institute at Baguio [Philippine Military Academy, which was in Baguio].  It took us 3 1/2 hours, we were such a line of trucks.  Officers have cottages.

Aerial view of the Philippine Military Academy in May 1945

May 4, 1945  I was cold as the dickens, especially my feet, last night even with 3 blankets.  Nice quarters.

May 5, 1945  The rainy season must be early!  We've had at least 4" this afternoon.  The buildings all have holes in the roofs from bombing and leak like a sieve.  I have a dry spot.

May 7, 1945  Rained hard this evening about mess time.  We dry out clothes by the fire.  I have a ward - #9 in the farthest building.

"X" marks the cottage that is Gene's quarters in the Philippine Military Academy

May 8, 1945  VE Day, and it scarcely excites us!  Wonder when VJ day will be - this year? ...

May 9, 1945  Althea Williams won the 150 guilders on the day VE [but she told me while I was interviewing her for the Memorial Day post that they took the award away from her because of an international dateline complication!]

14 May '45
Dear Folks [Mary X, Beth's sister, and John; and their teenage son, Jack],
     In about 2 or 3 months, Jack, you can begin expecting a package.  It is all things I've picked up around here.  I tied it up and took it to our local APO, so it should start on its way within the week.  We have to have G2 permits on all Jap equipment, but I was able to get that here.  The box contains the following: Jap helmet, sun helmet, cartridge box (leather) for belt attachment, leather medicinal corps belt box with an ampoule of medicine (probably atabrine [an anti-malaria drug]), clips of 5 - .25 caliber cartridges (powder removed and caps snapped - the censor might possibly remove them), coconut shell dipper and handle (I had to cut off a few inches of the handle), bamboo candle-lantern, toothbrush, and 2 panes of the "window pane clam shell" - this is not a Jap item.  Typical windows here are made from this shell.  I have a number of Jap family and personal photographs, but they can't be mailed.  Also, I have 2 Jap negatives I'll print sometime.  Oh yes - and a pack of 1000 peso Jap notes.  I forgot to list them on the permit, so they may be removed.  However, I have a bundle of them and can send them by letter.  In fact, I'll enclose a few with this.

Print from Japanese negative Gene found:
former hospital staff members

          Your V mails came a few days ago, Mary X, and your letter, John, at the same time.  I appreciate your data on the cameras, John.  I'll be darned if I know what I want!  The Contax II [a professional-quality, German camera], which will take a telephoto lens, is about $225 and that is more than I want to pay at present.  I know how difficult it is for you to get a line on cameras.  I read the ads.  Today I had a letter from my former tent mate, George Christie from Canon City.  He expects to go home for a month's leave, this month.  He could bring it back and get it to me.  So I have to make a decision, even though it may not be possible for you to act on it at such short notice.  This is it - a [Kodak] Bantam Special (f 2) or anything similar in your judgement.  Probably you won't be able to find one quickly.  If not, just let it go, and in that case maybe you could send me some descriptive literature on the various Eastman [Kodak] cameras (miniature class), and Leica and Contax for I don't know much about them.  I don't care especially about a range finder, for I've tried lately to use the depth-of-focus data and remember it, and focus is usually sharp.  One fellow's wife purchased an Argus [a low-cost American camera] for him at the Gary Camera Company, 619 Washington, Gary, Indiana, without trouble.  Possible they might have something.  (No, I wouldn't want an Argus, or any off-brand.)  It took 6 months to reach him!  Maybe you could get me some DK 20 (1 gallon size or other five grain [photographic] developer).  Beth hasn't been able to get it.  I'll enclose a request, both for a camera, and for mailing any developer you could get me.  Beth will reimburse you.
     Our weather continues cool and rainy.  No doubt it will be that for the next 4 or 5 months if we stay here.  But how I enjoy the coolness.  We don't have to be out in the rain very much, fortunately.  As soon as we have electricity in our cottage, I'm going to make a "dry cabinet" with a light going continuously.  Fortunately things don't seem to mold very much.  I've seen several cameras in which the lens was etched by mold.
     Thanks for the offer about the typing.  Next time we move and I have some new territory to describe, I'll take you up on it.  It would save Beth a lot of trouble.
     About the machete.  I meant that you ought to get one after the war, because they are such a handy item.  It isn't a knife.  It is bigger than that.  It is about 2 feet long and 2 1/2 inches wide at the widest part.  All the fellows here seem to have knives but I'll keep it in mind about your knife.  I'm enclosing some duplicate negatives for you.  Beth has similar ones.  Most of these are of out present area.  2 are of buildings down town.
     We haven't been very busy since we came up here.  There'd be a lot of time for pictures if the weather were right.  As it is, there is rarely more than about 1/2 hour of good conditions, every 5 or 6 days.  And later there will probably be none.  In spite of the cool climate, I've had a bit of trouble with fungus infection of my feet.  We are sitting around the fire, with a gasoline lantern for light and blankets across the windows.  Very cosy!  Now and then a few shells go overhead, just to remind us that the war is still going on.
     Love, Eugene

Enclosures (evidently not used because they were with the letter!):
14 May '45
Subject: Purchase of a camera
To: Camera Dealer
     I am stationed in the SWPA, in an Evacuation Hospital.  I would like to purchase a camera for general use, including that of photographing clinical cases for scientific purposes.
                                                                                    E.F. Pfile, Maj. M.C.
                                                                                    0-45677
                                                                                    92nd Evac. Hosp. (SM)

Postmaster,
     Please allow Mr. Barrett to send me some photo chemicals.
                                                                                   Maj. E.F. Pfile
[This was stamped Freeport Ill. May 28, 1945]