Curtis Bertrand, a country boy with a camera, returned home from WWII in the South Pacific with over 600 photos. These never-before-seen pictures from his private stash, along with official battalion journal entries, and near-death experiences add drama, adventure, and expose the reality of war. Readers of Dad's War Photos will follow his photographic "breadcrumb trail" from home to war and back again with the help of 420 photos and 21 maps. Dozens of WWII aircraft with nose art, and photos of South Pacific natives in daily life are included. The book covers many aspects of Curtis's experiences in the war: leaving the farm in Opelousas, Louisiana, going to boot camp, being sent overseas, and eventually coming back home, all through the photos he took and his battalion's military records. Readers of Dad's War Photos will view pictures never seen before. They will feel the excitement and fear of sailing through enemy waters, they will come to know the loving bond of brotherhood and friendship among soldiers, and will encounter the grief and mourning when a buddy dies while on a mission.Â
Through Curtis's eyes and camera lens, readers will be virtual eyewitness to the New Guinea battle campaigns in Dobodura and Saidor; the little-known battle for Biak Island and capture of Mokmer Airdrome; the Philippine Islands campaign, and the Battle of Manila and its reconstruction.Â
Thus far, the World War II photo memories and story of Curtis Bertrand have remained private. Now these pictures, along with official battalion diary entries, are being made available to the public, bringing to life his battalion's camaraderie and their heartbreaking and harrowing experiences.Â
The 863rd Engineer Aviation Battalion was stationed in three Australian cities during the summer of 1943: Sidney, Brisbane, and Townsville. Brisbane became the Pacific headquarters of U.S. General Douglas MacArthur, Supreme Allied Commander, after the Japanese forced him out of the Philippines in December 1941. Each stop was necessary for the complex task of getting the numerous battalions organized, fully equipped, and putting the finishing touches on the engineering and battle planning strategy.Â
After that, it was on to the New Guinea Campaign, including Dobodura and Saidor. New Guinea was key in defeating the Japanese bases as laid down by General MacArthur's strategy called Operation Cartwheel. There are 81 photos depicting men building airstrips, camp life, native scenery, and more.Â
In a chapter on the Battle of Biak, the near death experiences of Curtis and his war buddies as their boat approached the island are graphically displayed. A photo taken of Curtis's good friend Clifford G. Wynne, Jr. is included, just weeks before he died on Biak. Another 60 historical images are contained within this section.Â
Finally, on December 21, 1944, the battalion arrived in the Philippines. 80 photos cover the destruction of the Battle of Manila and its reconstruction. Curtis's medals and souvenirs are depicted, along with the Japanese rifle and bayonet he brought home with him.Â
The homecoming and post war life chapters give an intimate view of what many returning soldiers faced. For Curtis it was getting back to work on the farm, meeting his lovely wife, and trying to put bad memories aside. Two appendices include extensive photo coverage of WWII aircraft nose art and the daily lives of natives in the South Pacific.Â
