A Streetcar Discovery from WWII

[Ocklawaha]

Just had to share this little gem. The photo is a letter sent by Imperial Japanese Army Lt. General Kuribayashi, commanding all Japanese forces on Iwo Jima at the time of the American assault on that island. He was considered by the US Marines the best field commander in the Japanese Army.  Though he pushed his men relentlessly and micro managed every detail of the islands defense, he had a warm human side. In this letter to his wife Taro, he is describing the most wonderful things about the United States, he was stationed in Buffalo, Washington and Canada in the early 1930's.

Japan had an extensive railroad system even at that early date and it's own streetcars can be seen in many old photos or film clips.  Nevertheless, Kuribayashi the Imperial commander took the time to illustrate an American streetcar and taxi in this letter. One has to wonder if he were to visit Jacksonville today, what would he write home about?  Wanna bet it wouldn't be the JTA system we have today?  Thankfully a new director could point us in a whole new direction and who knows maybe future visits by Japanese officers will be illustrated with our own streetcars.

KURIBAYASHI'S STORY IS TOLD IN CLINT EASTWOOD'S MOVIE, 'LETTERS FROM IWO JIMA.'

[BridgeTroll]

His illustration seems to  suggest a steam powered street car... or at least some kind of engine.

[Dog Walker]

Did any street cars have coal stoves in them for heat maybe?  Ock?

[Ocklawaha]

Yes, the larger cars on northern Interurbans typically had the traditional pot bellied stove.  This does seem to be what he was illustrating.  There are actually several other illustrations but this one is unique with the streetcar.  The little scene below is the staff of his Buffalo office waving goodbye as he caught the cab to the train station on his way to Washington. This offers a rare glimpse of a human side to one of the leaders of a ruthless military establishment, as he said in his farewell message to Tokyo, "So sad to fall in battle."