References to VD, Brothels, etc in WW2

From Ray Lambert's Every Man a Hero.

"Our roles as medics meant we were responsible for the general health and well-being of the troops. That turned us into inspectors -- of food and sanitation, and what back in the states would be called 'houses of ill repute.'

"Whorehouses would be a cruder but more accurate term.

"I went out on these inspections, escorted by the local gendarmes. Most of these places, which had apparently been functioning for quite a while had apparently been functioning for quite a while before our arrival, were located on a single street, while a handful of others sprinkled nearby. We'd inspect the houses themselves for cleanliness, then line up the girls and check them for sores and other telltale signs of disease. They all had, or were supposed to have, doctor's papers declaring that they were healthy. Without those, they wouldn't work.

"I remember designating one house off-limits, but otherwise every place we checked were in order.

"I also had to designate one home for officers, where enlisted men would be barred. That was easy. The officers got the house with the ugliest women."

 

I've seen reports regarding the "sporting houses" in Honolulu. On paydays the line would stretch around the block if the fleet was in port.

And after the attack the ladies turned up at the bases and volunteered to help take care of the wounded. (The lightly wounded were filling up tents on hospital grounds as quick as the Army could throw them up.)

The governor didn't quite come out and thank "all the whores for their help" but everybody knew what he meant.

 

I read the same about the women of loose virtues of Honolulu. Their occupation did not hinder their patriotism and they rushed to Pearl Harbor to assist the wounded. During the war the military ran the whorehouses in Hawaii and stationed MP/SPs outside. The MP/SPs not only provided order, but also kept the local police out since the establishment was a "military" site not subject to civilian police oversight.

BTW, the presence of women nurses improves morale and aids recovery. We learned that during the American Civil War.

 

Major General Charles "Uncle Charlie" Gerhardt commanded the 29th US Infantry Division in North West Europe. He was a controversial commander whose callous disregard for casualties attracted criticism. His soldiers reckoned that he commanded three divisions:. One in the field, one in the hospitals and one in the cemeteries. At the end of the Second World War he was reduced to the rank of Colonel, partially as a comment on his tactics, but more because of his lack of morals in that after the break-out from Normandy, Uncle Charlie established a brothel called the Blue and Grey Riding school. This lasted only a few hours before 12th Army Group noticed.

 

We also learned that you could remove a leg in less than two minutes, but some of your team would lose fingers.

 

Clara Barton, bless that lady!

Been a few times when I woke up and a nurse was standing there ... just in case. USN nurses are the best.

 

My old instructor always said, "Happiness is WREN (Women's Royal Navy) shaped". I never had the pleasure of finding out.

 

There was a booklet put out and made mandatory reading about the role of WAVES in the USN. Reading between the lines it must have been pretty bad for that level of response.

 

"We call it the same thing in Nebraska"

 

M. Rowland was among the Navy burses who attended to Nimitz after his surgery in Oakland (or was it Alameda, CA). She told me that he was, while asleep, was sleep talking and reliving the Japanese surrender aboard the Missouri.

 

I was on New Jersey when Missouri was undergoing overhaul at t he same facility, Long Beach Naval Ship Yard. I had to go over and ask to see the plaque. The OOD gave me permission and then said "are you from Missouri by any chance?" "Just born there, sir." "Okay."

I eyeballed the plaque and went back to the quarterdeck. There was a Lt. Cmdr. standing there.

"You were born in Missouri?"
"Yes sir."
"And you were aware of the plaque?"
"Yes, sir."
"Want to be ship's company?"
"Oh, hell yes, sir."
"I'll be on the phone before you get back to New Jersey."
Cross-decked the next day, shortest travel time ever. When I checked in to Personnel the Lt in charge said "You're Jewell?"
"Yes, sir."
"Petty officer Jackson, this man has just reported from Norfolk. Handle travel pay accordingly."
Didn't argue with him, he was an officer after all.

 

Good thing I had my POV* in my duffel.


*Privately owned vehicle.

 

Just after war's end (Sept '46), but here are some fairly frank words from Major J.R. Dirs commanding the Hong Kong Signals Coy, Royal Signals:

Behaviour in Public.

The consorting of Armed Forces of the Crown wearing the King’s uniform – with prostitutes on main thoroughfares, B.O.R.’s, Naval Ratings and I.O.R.’s bargaining and competing for the purchase of the women in public, renders it difficult for C.O.’s and O.C.’s small Units to maintain the highest standard.

Attached as Appendix “A” is an extract of an address which I considered necessary to give to I.O.R.’s of this Unit. As a matter of interest, I have an Officer, usually myself, walk through the “bad areas” in order to take action against any O.R. of this Unit consorting with or approaching a prostitute in public. The action consists of telling the man not to be a “B.F.”, pointing out the degradation involved and getting him on a tram back to barracks. This has produced 1st class results and there have been no cases for over a month.

[I take "B.F." to be "Bloody Fool"]

Appendix 'A' (Translated from Urdu):

“I have had a great deal of experience observing you up close. You are fully acquainted with the customs, habits, and cultures of various nations. Yet there are some things in you that do not align with the moral standards of those countries.

You should be certain of one thing: the teachings of your religion (Islam) are very ancient, and you must never allow impure thoughts to take root in your hearts.

I say with honesty that at times I have found the conduct and behavior of some of your Englishmen and other Commonwealth soldiers to fall below the standards of your own country. This reflects poorly on your nation in the eyes of people from other countries.

When you treat others in such a way that it brings disgrace upon your country, you effectively strip your homeland of its honour.

Therefore, it is extremely important that you always remember that people from other nations judge your culture and moral character by your behaviour and conduct.”

The literal translation of the third paragraph is:

“ap log is tarah in logon ko apne bartao ki wajah se apne mulk ko badnami ka dhabba lagate dekhte hain…”

“in this way, through your behaviour, you are causing your country to be stained with disgrace in the eyes of others.”

 

He might have had a shot at leprosy if he took the passion wagon into Kowloon.



This is Francis Festing, later (the final) CIGS.