World War II Database

1.  C. Peter Chen says:
18 Jul 2008 07:54:33 PM

English translation of this document, courtesy of David Stubblebine: AMERICAN PILOT TO OUR FRIENDS IN FRENCH INDO-CHINA: The carrier of this letter is a pilot (or air gunner) of American naval aeronautics. He comes to your surroundings to attack the Japanese occupying forces and to help to release you from the odious yoke which weighs on you and your country for too long a time. His arrival in Indochina is one of these unfortunate incidents which force the aviators to land far from their bases. If his ignorance of the language and the manners and habits prevents him from forwarding to you his call of sharp voice, may this letter be used as an intermediary and enable him to call upon your patriotism and your good heart. It is to the French people of French Indo-China, our comrades in arms, and our allies of the heart and in fact it is to the French people of the Empire of ANNAM, who became famous on our shores in the past, and which will revive these days of victory, Indochinese soldiers, and other companions of the days of glory of 1914-1918, that we call upon you as our comrades of the present. We count on your patriotism, on your pride of the common heritage as much as on your hatred of the Japanese and your natural compassion to come to the aid of a friend. Know that the day will arrive soon. The day of our deliverance and revenge, it will not be only the gratitude of an individual, but that of an entire nation, that will be the reward of your efforts and your sorrows. We only ask you to lodge our unfortunate comrade, hide him from the pursuing Japanese, our common enemy, and if needed, to look after its wounds. There are agents among you who are continuing the war, representatives of the FRENCH FREEDOM FIGHTERS, send a report of the emergency landing to them and they will come to you. THANK YOU WITH ALL OUR HEARTS