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REVIEWS
DARKROOM SOLDIER: PHOTOGRAPHS AND LETTERS FROM THE SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER WORLD WAR II
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by Frederick H. Hill, with George Venn
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| Photosmith Books, La Grande, Oregon, 2007. Photographs, maps, bibliography. 300 pages. $49.95 paper. |
| Readers interested in World War II history can select from a deluge of books on the subject, mostly harrowing tales of tank battles, extermination camps, seaborne invasions, aerial bombings, and other phases of the conflict relating to the front lines. The rear echelon generally has been ignored, although the work of the many men and women who manned those jobs was vital. Also, many authors of war books were not participants in the conflict. |
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Now the story of a United States soldier in the army's support ranks, Frederick H. Hill of La Grande, has been printed — reproducing a cache of letters and more than 250 pictures saved by Hill's wife Martha, a Boeing Co. riveter. Hill, a sergeant in a photo lab of the Seventeenth Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron, processed film brought back on planes from combat missions in the Pacific. Although he was a sergeant, he also was called on for numerous drab duties. Hill explains he was "just another dogface to haul garbage, wash greasy pots and pans or saw lumber" (p. 62). |
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Hill did find time to write 315 letters to Martha about his daily routine and observations, and stressing his love for her. In addition, he mailed to her numerous photos of life in the Pacific, showing that the activity in the rear areas could be considerably interesting, for the right observer. From New Guinea, Hill wrote that, for too may GIs, "life has become boring, uninteresting, detested," but "I always find some new beauty, some new thing to learn, some new joy to live and always to take good pictures to bring as much of this life back to you as I can without your ever needing to undergo the hardships of seeing it" (p. 108). |
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The subjects of Hill's photos range from Native people in garish garb to makeshift military camps, cartoon insignias on American planes, Hill's comrades, and numerous other subjects. They provide a detailed look at scenes along the squadron's route from October 1943 to V-J day in August 1945, the end of the war. |
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The route followed by Hill's squadron was a long one, heading generally north as United States forces gradually gained ground against the enemy. The Japanese army and naval forces were being forced backward in the Pacific, toward their homeland. For a while, Hill's unit was based in New Guinea, and later he accompanied his unit to the Philippines, where he found a variety of new picture material. The residents were enthused about the return of the Americans, and they relished the opportunity to barter with and otherwise benefit from the visitors. Hill's photo subjects there range from water buffaloes pulling sleds to U.S. airborne troops landing at Corregidor, cock fighting, and numerous other scenes. Some of his most interesting material relates to the Filipinos in the waning days of WW II. |
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Throughout his correspondence, Hill is effusive in his love for his wife and stresses his hopes for the day when they could be reunited. The New Heathman Hotel in Portland was selected for the couple's rendezvous after Hill finally arrived in Puget Sound via the USS Cape Victory. |
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The number and quality of the photos in this book, unusually large for any volume on the subject, ensure that readers of all ages will find it interesting. |
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| Ted Van Arsdol
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| Vancouver, Washington |
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