World War II Photos:
John Charles Pope – Overseas
The realities of combat descended on John C. Pope on 1 February 1944. He landed under fire on the island of Namur; within twenty four hours, he was well acquainted with sudden death. In the next thirteen months, Pope would fight on Saipan, Tinian, and Iwo Jima. He and Jim Rainey would suffer many close calls, and lose many more friends, but both survived the war intact.
This collection of photographs is a glimpse into the Pacific war through the eyes of an ordinary Marine. The amateur photographer who recorded the battlefield scenes took a great risk in bringing his forbidden camera overseas, and the limits of his technical skill are readily apparent. However, what the photographs lack in artistic merit, they make up for in personality – even intimacy – as a record of what one man chose to retain for posterity.
In every encounter with the enemy, John “shot first as he was trained to do.” And while he came through the war alive and in one piece, very few of his friends could claim the same.
- Served With: Dog Company, Headquarters Company
- Collection Timeline: February 1944 – July 1945
- Locations: Roi-Namur, Saipan, Iwo Jima, Camp Maui
Roi-Namur: February, 1944
We were the only ones to see the enemy up close. He was one of the many figures moving about in front of you. He was intent upon killing you. He was brave, well trained, and well armed. You could see the expression on his face as he advanced toward you…. He might shoot as he advanced or he might be intent on pushing his bayonet through your chest. Lots of bullets are flying and your bullet might or might not be the one that killed him. You could see the expression on his face change as he went down. Adrenaline flowed strong in your veins. The noise was deafening. You felt nothing as you shifted to another target….
Camp Maui: Spring of 1944
Saipan & Tinian: June – August 1944
One morning, one of the sergeants and I were sitting on a log eating our rations. A Jap killed himself with a grenade right in front of us. A piece of his blown-off hand landed right at Sarge's feet. The guy's fingernails were shining in the morning sun. They were strangely white. Sarge was eating with his big knife and he noticed two green flies land on the hand. He swore at the flies, reached down with his knife, stuck the hand and flipped it over his shoulder. We kept on eating.
A Morning With The Mortars
This series of photos appears to show a relatively quiet morning for the 81mm mortar platoon of First Battalion, 24th Marines. Crews clean their mortar tubes and personal weapons; NCOs and officers confer over notebooks; Doc Munski treats an injured hand; men chat and snooze in the sun. Their mortars are deployed with ammunition nearby but covered to keep out dust and rain. The Marines are bunched together, relaxed, smiling. Clearly, they are not near the front – and they do not seem to be expecting combat in the immediate future.
While the date is not known for certain, these pictures were likely taken in the latter part of June, 1944 as the battalion spent a few days in reserve on Saipan’s Kagman Peninsula. These are the only known shots of the 81mm mortar section on any Pacific battlefield.
The Ox Cart Men
Our 81mm mortar platoon also used the day advantageously to augment their string of labor-saving oxen, complete with carts. Saipan boasted large numbers of these powerful heavy brutes, and by nightfall the platoon "owned" a train of half a dozen two-wheeled carts with the necessary oxen. The sight of a platoon advancing with this primitive baggage train was reminiscent of many an old-time battle painting, minus the camp followers. Improvised whips and cattle calls soon appeared, and a few of the "experts" even rode their steeds in the attack – as long as all was quiet!
At night they were picketed, bit occasionally broke loose, and one midnight we awoke to find two of them pawing up the center of a company C.P., their horns locked. For the moment it was more fearsome than the Japs, and some man was carted away suffering from distinctive hoof prints. But the animals' worth was amply demonstrated by the heavy volume of accurate fire which was never lacking when called for, and which would have been almost an impossibility without the train.
Return To Maui: Fall 1944
Iwo Jima
When you are going eyeball to eyeball, the adrenaline takes over and you are so busy you're not thinking: just doing what you'd been trained to do.
On the other hand, when you're being shelled you have to lie down and wait for one to land close enough to kill you while you watch your friends being blown to bits.
It's much better to be busy, especially if you are giving more than you're getting.
Last Trip To Maui: War's End
I guess I had grown up in the Marine Corps and now I found myself in a strange world. I decided to go for a walk in the desert. The sage smelled like heaven. The quiet was pure bliss. Standing there alone I suddenly felt like crying. I felt like it would be a tremendous relief but I couldn't make it happen. I had forgotten how to cry.
I sat there for a long time and tried to realize the war was over. I was still alive, and would never again have to worry about being blown to bits....
