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H. PAUL BREHM
WWII VETERAN
INTERVIEW |
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Hyuga Veterans Gathering: Kure, Japan
1999
As a result of his research about the 1945 airstrikes against the
battleship Hyuga, Paul Brehm came to be invited to visit Japan and meet with
 several of Hyuga's
former crew. His arrival was greeted by local press and there were several
private meetings - including one with a former Hyuga officer - before a smaller
group visited the site of the airstrike at Nasake Shima Island near Kure. The
waterborne portion of the trip was conducted courtesy of the modern day Japan
Maritime Self-Defense Force who supplied a vessel for the ceremony. One of the
better photos of Paul was taken on-board the Japanese Navy
ship.
Afterward, while visiting the Japanese naval museum and archives
in nearby Kure, the four participating crewmembers surprised Paul by displaying
their ship's battle flag, which has been kept safe all these years. The flag
and many one-of-a-kind historical artifacts are carefully preserved at the
museum. They are not normally accessible to the public, but for this visit the
veteran crewmen were allowed to pose with the flag that flew on Hyuga during
World War II, including the day that Paul's squadron attacked. According to
Paul, the flag has numerous shrapnel and burn marks.
Although there was
a considerable language barrier, local translators from the Hiroshima
Friendship Center kindly volunteered their services and conducted all
translations for both American and Japanese veterans for the duration of the
visit.
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Introduction
Interview
Hyuga Strike
Tone Strike
Veterans
