Lot 402

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Description:

WWII Escape & Evasion Report, (Jan. 11-20, 1945)

5pp, measuring 8" x 13", Luzon, Philippines, dated January 11-20,1945. A typed report of Lt. Fred John Thomas Stock, USNR, Torpedo Pilot of Composite Squadron Eighty-Seven, who was shot down over San Fernando harbor and had to escape capture by the Japanese forces. Stock had been aboard the U.S.S. Salamaua and was engaged in Lingayen action, offering Arial support. He and another pilot were directed to attack "targets of opportunity" in San Fernando harbor. When his plane was hit by enemy fire (the port side wing was ripped off), Stock was forced to parachute out and landed in the harbor. He then swam to shore and escaped into a coconut plantation outside of town. From there, Stock was aided by natives and guerilla fighters to travel to San Juan and San Gabriel, and he was finally able to return to his ship on January 20, nine days after his crash.

Included with a report was a typed message, dated January 12, 1945, from a Captain Herbert F. Blank, addressed to "The Luckiest Man in the World." Capt. Blank's message to Stock is as follows: "1. Sorry to hear that your plane crashed and that you had to bail out in Carlatan, but I am glad to learn that you contacted our forces and are safe. Sincerely hope you did not sustain any injuries upon landing. I have instructed the 1st Bn. to send you immediately to our Regt'l CP which is not very far off (From San Juan to here takes 1 & 1/2 hours), also to have your carried in the event you are injured or unable to make the trip on foot. The trip toward our CP will not take long and you need not worry enroute as the people are 100% loyal, and there are no Japs in the vicinity. Our accommodations here are better, there are more medical facilities, the girls are prettier, the food is better and the Basi (native wine) packs more punch and I speak from experience. Besides these important reasons I would also like to meet and talk with you. I myself will, in a very short time, be reporting to HQ, 6th Army, as a Liaison Officer from our forces, so you can accompany me when I go and should shortly be up in the air again bombing hell out of San Fernando. 2. Hope to see you tonight. Good luck." The report and message have been stapled together. With flattened folds, moderate toning, and an ink staining (possible redaction) on page 4 when the report says the USS Salamaua was hit by a bomb on January 13. Minor creasing at the corners. Soiling and fingerprints on verso of last page.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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