Robinson, Ira: my wartime experiences (February 25, 2007)
PublicAn interview/narrative of Ira Robinson's experiences during World War II. Dr. Robinson served with the United States Navy. Interview took place on February 25, 2007.
ABSTRACT: Dr. Ira Miles Robinson As a 17 year old from the Bronx, Ira attended Wesleyan College, Connecticut, in the Naval Officers Education program. The attack on Pearl Harbor that year (1941) was what sparked Ira's Naval service until 1946. Ira served as an Ensign on the USS PCER 848, which became a signal ship for US Army landings in the South Pacific. Ira saw service in New Guinea (1944), the Battle of Leyte Gulf (1944), the largest naval battle in history, and Japan (1945). Being attacked by Kamikaze planes in the Gulf battle, and dodging sea mines on the way home from Japan have left a lasting impression. Notwithstanding these harrowing times, Ira (having attained the rank of Lieutenant Junior grade) had many positive experiences, including travel, meeting wonderful people, and to quote Ira, 'I grew up'. After demobilization, Ira worked in Washington DC, followed by attending University of Chicago (school of planning) and PhD at University of British Columbia (planning for developing nations). Ira taught in California, Calgary and Bangkok. Ira and his wife Ruth have been in Victoria since 1996. Ira's fleet was told to prepare for the invasion of Japan. On route in the Pacific they endured a terrible typhoon that lasted one week. When they finally arrived in Japan they learned that atomic bombs had been dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The Pacific War was over. They were ordered to sail to Tokyo Harbour and were present on Sept 2, 1945 for the ceremony of the surrender of Japan. Ira and a few sailors were invited to tour Hiroshima, which they did readily, never realizing the radiation danger. They were stunned by the devastation. Battle of Leyte Gulf The Battle of Leyte Gulf, also known as the Second Battle of the Philippine Sea, was the largest naval battle in history. It was fought in the Pacific Theater of World War II, in the seas surrounding the Philippine island of Leyte from 23 October to 26 October 1944 between the Allies and the Empire of Japan. The Japanese attempted to repel or destroy the Allied forces stationed on Leyte after the successful Allied invasion in the Battle of Leyte. Instead, the Allied navies inflicted a serious defeat on the outnumbered Imperial Japanese Navy. The battle was the last major naval engagement of World War II. The Allies had 212 ships of all descriptions plus many PT boats, submarines, fleet auxiliaries and about 1,500 planes. They suffered 3,500 lost personnel and six ships. The Japanese had 66 ships and 200 planes. They lost 10,000 personnel and 27 ships.
Interviewee: Robinson, Ira
Interviewer: Fitch, Edward and Sharon
- In Collection:
- 1 sound recording (MP3)
- 48.4359, -123.35155
- Original sound recording (DVF) also available.
- Canadian Military Oral History Collection
- RI_553
- Special Collections Finding Aid: https://uvic2.coppul.archivematica.org/edward-fitch-collection
- August 28, 2012
- Digital sound recording in .wav format at 16 bits and 44 kHz. In .mp3 format at 56 kbps and 24 kHz. Interview recorded in digital format for UVic Special Collections in 2012. Migration metadata by KD and MT.
- Rights
- This interview has been posted with the understanding that it may be used for research purposes only. Should the interviewee or their heirs have any objections to this interview being accessible on the Internet, it will be removed promptly. Contact UVic Special Collections for permission if using for other than research purposes: speccoll@uvic.ca
- DOI
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