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LT. CMDR. ROBERT CARR, MD : 1943 - 1944 ORIGINAL ARCHIVE OF MANUSCRIPT DIARIES [2], PHOTOGRAPHS AND EPHEMERA OF A SENIOR MEDICAL OFFICER WHO SADLY OBSERVES AND DETAILS HIS OFTEN GRUESOME DUTIES IN THE SOUTH PACIFIC THEATRE

12mo - over 6¾" - 7¾" tall. On offer is a sensational group of World War II relics including original manuscript diaries [2], maps, photographs and related ephemera handwritten and compiled by Lieutenant Commander Robert [Manning] Carr, a senior medical officer on the USS Sangamon from September 1943 until November 10, 1944. [Casual research finds Carr was a native of Junction City, Kansas and a graduate of Northwestern University in Chicago.] The Sangamon was an escort carrier (providing fuel and planes for support of the fleet and men on the ground). The ship took part in many battles including Marshall Islands, Guam, The Philippine Sea, and The Battle for Leyte Gulf. The first diary begins September 17th, 1943 and ends June 29th, 1944 while the second diary begins June 30th 1944 and ends on November 10th 1944. There are nearly daily entries. The doctor deals with common things (influenza, appendicitis) and then of course the more gruesome occurrences war. Many of the injuries the soldiers survived were terrible burns from the aircraft fuel, either from accidents on the flight deck (one famous one that the doctor actually saw from the air as he was flying with one of the other pilots) or from Japanese Suicide bombers. His angst at treating these soldiers is evident throughout. He also talks of burials at sea and the capture of the first Japanese pilot who tried to fly into their ship (he was treated and then sent to the brig even though the doctor thought he should stay in sick bay.) Historians and researchers and collectors of the American war effort in the Pacific will have a treasure trove of his keen personal observations as the doctor describes many of the famous battles the Sangamon and her crew took part in. The diaries are crammed full and the included ephemera such as copies of telegraphs from the high command congratulating the crew on a job well done and a good number [25+] 8" by 10" glossy photographs taken of the destroyed cities, ports and villages after the occupation. A few of them are also quite gruesome which all add depth and breadth to the narrative. The journals end abruptly on Nov 10, 1944. The USS Sangamon was eventually hit by a Kamikaze and badly damaged. It was being repaired when the war in the Pacific ended. The ship was sold and eventually scrapped. In all this is a very intimate look at life on an active ship during wartime from the key vantage point and perspective of a senior medical officer. Unnumbered but almost 150 pages in all. Overall G+.. Manuscript. Book Condition: Good+

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