"Romance and thoughts of home..."

[anteros_lmc]

Not AoS, but I love this photograph from The National WWII Museum, New Orleans.



I think the cataloguer was rather fond of it too...

146. Photograph. “File No: SAC-R-7-205343. January 18, 1944. Carrier ‘concert’—Romance and thoughts of home intermingle in the minds of crewmen listening to a musical shipmate’s selections (on an accordion) on the forward turret of a five inch gun aboard the USS Saratoga – en route to battle.” 18 January 1944

I wonder how many of them returned from battle?

Comments

[aletheiafelinea.livejournal.com]

I wonder how many of them returned from battle?
Chilling thought indeed...

[anteros-lmc.livejournal.com]

Isn't it? They look so carefree here...

[eglantine-br.livejournal.com]

I once went to the Coast Guard Academy, to visit for some reason, and they had a map on the wall of all the ships, of all the Navies, that were sunk in the Pacific theater, of just WW2. There were little spots, of different colors for the ships of Britain, of Japan, of USA, and others. I stood there for ages, nearly in tears. The whole map was awash with spots. It was horrible.

Some things don't change. Sailors and ships don't change much. I gave the thought to Captain Keene. 'War is a waste and waste is a sin.'

Nice to see, on a more cheerful note that sailors are inclined to lounge around in their underoos...

[anteros-lmc.livejournal.com]

Captain Keene was right. All war is a waste, but there is something about the loss of life at sea that is just unutterably tragic.

But yes, sailors lounging in their unmentionables always raise a smile.

[nodbear.livejournal.com]

I look at that accordian player and wonder what his song was and what the boys were dreaming of ... and wonder if George had his bassoon on board and if Joseph E played sad songs and stirring ones as they sailed enemy waters...

and of Ned and what the name Saratoga meant for him ...

OK I admit it - that was not the first thing that caught my eye *goo*
Archie icon expresses thoughts on the latter!

[anteros-lmc.livejournal.com]

The songs may be different, but I think the dreams of sailors never change, whatever the era.

of Ned and what the name Saratoga meant for him ...
Gosh yes, I hadn't thought of that.

[vespican.livejournal.com]

An early version of "steel beach picnic!" Although this Saratoga's flightdeck would have been of wood. (My last at sea experience was a short at sea period aboard the more recent USS Saratoga, CV-60. Also got my one and only helo flight from her deck.)
Dave

[anteros-lmc.livejournal.com]

Steel beach picnic - what a great phrase! I did wonder if you had ever served aboard any of the Saratogas.

[vespican.livejournal.com]

99% of my at sea time was aboard Constellation (CV-64) and Forrestal (CV-59). After my last deployment on Forrestal, the aviation squadron I was attached to was scheduled to deploy in Saratoga. I and a couple other individuals went aboard Saratoga to evaluate squadron spaces. The ship had just come out of the yard and was on sea trials.
Dave

[nodbear.livejournal.com]

I wonder how many returned ...I had a quick look to see Sartogas list of WW2 casualties unsuccessfully for a quick search but I did discover this elderly gentleman whose shipmates these were
he was 100 in 2009 so surely is gone by now but thought people might like to see
http://www.troyrecord.com/general-news/20090723/oldest-vet-served-on-uss-saratoga

[anteros-lmc.livejournal.com]

Thanks for sharing this. I know very little about the war in the Pacific. I wonder what it feels like to be the last of the veterans, like George Cadogan?

[nodbear.livejournal.com]

I realised on that quick look that I also know very little about it too though I think my naval uncle- by- marriage was out there -sadly he is long since gone.

yes it was George of whom I was thinking too- if only his correspondence archives had survived!

the USS Saratoga was a successful ship I think in those war years -she brought home over 29000 returning soldiers to their families at the end of the war apparently:)

[mylodon.livejournal.com]

How beautifully wistful.

[anteros-lmc.livejournal.com]

I thought you would like this.

[shepet.livejournal.com]

What a touching picture!
I saw an startling poem in Russian about 'Saratoga' the other day.
Here's approximate translation.

[anteros-lmc.livejournal.com]

Oh my! This is a beautiful poem! Is this your own translation? If so, you have translated it beautifully, some of the imagery is just gorgeous. Thank you for sharing this with me, it's really moving.

[shepet.livejournal.com]

Oh no, not my own. It is a translation made by my friend. He will be very flattered by your feedback :)

[anteros-lmc.livejournal.com]

Oh yes, please pass on my thanks for this wonderful translation, it's beautiful :)

[shepet.livejournal.com]

Thanks:) I'll pass.