NOTE:Publication of the Occupation Diary, First Cavalry Division (1945-1950) will appear, as installments, on the Historian Corner on a continuing basis as time and space permits. Each installment will be subsequently moved to the History Annex Page when a new installment is published. Therefore, if an installment is missed during the period it was published, it may be viewed on the History Annex Page.

Continued: Installment 6:

June came to a close with a little more "stateside" atmosphere around Camp Drake and the Tokyo area. This was brought about by the arrival of the first ship-load of dependents to Japan for the occupation forces. "Operation Diaper" ended June 24th, when the Fred C. Ainsworth docked at Yokohama bringing seven wives and four children of members of the First Cavalry Division to make their homes in Japan for a year or more.

July of 1946 began with an impressive Fourth of July ceremony in Tokyo by elements of the First Cavalry Division. All separate squadrons, troops and regiments were represented by over 3000 troopers. They were formed in line on the Palace Plaza for the formal presentation of the new colors and unit flags to the respective commanding officers by the commanding general of the division.

The balance of the month continued without noteworthy incident. Operations continued as in prior months, beaches in the 1st Cavalry Brigade area yielded eight tons of grenades, and the division went on a command post exercise on July 19.

Oriental architecture combined with the first heavy snow of 1950 produced this effective scene of the Division Command Post at Camp Drake.

To the troopers of the First Cavalry Division who had "sweat out" D Day a year ago, August of 1946 in Japan revealed an era that showed little resemblance to the vast military machine they had conquered piece-meal on their island hopping campaigns of the Pacific

The wheels that turned for war in every fac-and shop were now truly turning in ways of Except for the bomb-scarred sections of Tokyo, even now mercifully covered with weeds or tiny gardens plots, little evidence remained of war. It was hard to imagine the nightly horror like B-29s or the tramp of Tojo's war-crazed men. One year of occupation by the First Cavalry Division had proved a success.

On August 14, elements of the division conducted a review at the Imperial Palace Plaza, Tokyo, where once, the proud armies of Japan were reviewed by their Emperor. This ceremony commemoration was reviewed by Major General Charles W. Ryder, commanding general of IX Corps.

Adequate housing for dependents of First Cavalry Division troopers eligible to have their families with them evidenced by this modern duplex home in Momote Village, near Camp Drake.

Patrolling during August, for the purposes of intelligence, security and police, showed an increase over that in July. A total of 2,331 patrols were dispatched. A large number of these were for the purpose of enforcing rules of conduct at recreational areas throughout the division zone of occupation and in Shizuoka Prefecture. Many ;intelligence patrols were also dispatched in searching out the hiding places and seizing precious metals, illegally-held and hidden in violation of SCAP directives. A patrol of the 5th Cavalry located 16 aerial bombs at Mirawa Mura early in the month and a 12th Cavalry patrol located a large quantity of 14-inch projectiles, mines and torpedoes cached in the Kami Karskona Primary School for use against our forces when troopers were to "hit the beaches" the previous year.

The division training program was highlighted by weapons demonstrations held at the maneuver grounds at Camp Weir, Camp McNair and Camp Palmer, which were attended and conducted by elements of all divisional units.

During the month of September 1946, training exercises were of paramount interest. On September 3, the 1st Cavalry Brigade conducted a weapons demonstration at Camp Weir. The exhibition was witnessed by many elements of the division. Cannon Troop of the 5th Cavalry Regiment fired a 105mm service practice at Camp Weir on September 9. The culmination of many weeks training at Division Artillery was the participation of the several artillery battalions in a command post exercise on the ll th.

Bowling alleys operated at most camps of the division afford healthful recreation and exercise for the Cavalry ten-pin enthusiasts. Seventh Cavalry troopers, above, try out their new alleys in Tokyo as they were opened in the Spring of 1949.

The individual training phase of an amphibious operation was continued during the month. On September 23, advance parties comprised of the medical collecting troop, shore party and the operations detail, reported to the Yokosuka Amphibious Training Center, where they were submitted to intensive training activities preparatory to the actual landings scheduled to take place later in the year.

The division also completed further demilitarization of former Japanese war plants with the removal of 150 tons of war making ordnance materials and supplies from the 1st Tokyo Arsenal, Kawagoe.

The critical losses in personnel continued to hamper the duties of the division during the period. However, the effort of all personnel then present, who had full knowledge of the job to be accomplished, did much to bring about successful completion of all missions and assignments.

Until the middle of October, planning and advance preparations were being made for the amphibious training exercise scheduled to begin on the 23rd. But it had long been apparent that unless replacements were immediately received, it would be useless to attempt a training exercise of the scope contemplated. Nevertheless, plans went forward until word was finally received from IX Corps that the First Cavalry Division amphibious exercises were indefinitely postponed.

Summertime brings First Cavalrymen out in droves to the division's many outdoor pools for a cooling swim. Three Camp Drake men here are enjoying the Club Cavalcade pool and strike a pose for an alert photographer.

The number of guarded installations showed a marked decrease. From a total of 85 at the end of September, the number fell to a new low of 60. This was a far cry from the 252 shown on the operation report of January 5, when demilitarization activities were at their peak. But it was no inconsiderable number either, with man power at such a premium.

A welcome attachment to the division came towards the end of October, when Company B, 511th Parachute Infantry Battalion was attached for guard duty in Tokyo. These llth Airborne men were housed with the 8th Cavalry at their quarters in the 3rd Imperial Guard Barracks, Tokyo, and soon had taken over five important guard posts including the Imperial Palace in conjunction with the British guards.

Demilitarization of war plants and factories and the seizure of illegally-held weapons and war-making implements continued on a lesser scale. Very few caches of arms were to be found and nearly all war plants were now engaged in necessary peace time pursuits. The huge 1st Tokyo Military Arsenal was finally cleared of all arms and ordnance supplies during the last week of the month.

Boxing tournaments discover leading regimental and division contenders for the year's titles in all weight classes. Here, two light heavyweights battle out three fast rounds at Cornelius Field House, Camp Drake.

Training suffered along with other occupational duties, due to the critical replacement situation, but the commanding general kept training going, in spite of all difficulties. Certain units were filled by concentration from others, so that replacements could be given their required individual and basic training in a near-to-full troop, prior to assuming their specialist and detailed occupational duties. A two-week review period covering replacement center subjects was initiated prior to completion of the last five weeks of the required War Department Mobilization Training Program. The training program for the division as a whole was readied for anticipated reception of replacements on a large scale in weeks to come.

The month of November brought real fall weather, the inevitable rain and a crop of replacements to bolster the diminished man power of the First Cavalry Division.

The demilitarization of 34 war-plants was completed during November, thereby accomplishing a part of one more aim in the occupation. Even though the total number of war-plants completely demilitarized ran into the hundreds, many still remained to be converted.

A battery of the 61st Field Artillery Battalion, First Cavalry Division Artillery fires the 17-gun salute to the Joint Chiefs of Staff on their visit to Tokyo February 2, 1950.

The first week of November found units of the division starting their Mobilization Training Program. This consisted of a two-weeks review of the first eight weeks of basic training followed by the last five weeks of the respective branch, 13 week program repeated in full. As units were brought to at least 75 per cent strength, they started their training. By the end of December, it was anticipated that all division reserve units would have this training completed.

During this month, the Royal Welsh Fusiliers were attached to the division for guard duties, replacing the 2nd New Zealand Cavalry. The incoming British unit assumed guard duties for 18 posts in Tokyo and participated in a formal guard mount ceremony and inspection at the Imperial Palace Plaza.

Mid-November found elements of the division polished to the last button for the inspection of War Department Deputy Chief of Staff, General Thomas T. Handy, and Eighth Army Commander Robert L. Eichelberger, accompanied by their respective parties.

Basketball, a favorite late fall and winter sport, is a highlight on the sports program of every First Cavalry Division unit. Here is the start of a fast game at Cornelius Field House, Camp Drake.

The 8th Cavalry Regiment celebrated its 80th birthday anniversary on the 23rd.This day was observed with a holiday atmosphere and impressive ceremony at the Imperial Marine Barracks,the regimental command post.

December of 1946 brought with it the second occupation Christmas for the First Cavalry Division and was a far cry from that somber 25th day of December a year before. Hard, bitter combat men who saw that day a year ago had been replaced by an eager group of newer and younger soldiers. Between the gay festivities of the holiday season, which was enhanced by the efforts of all social groups to provide a Christmas more like the one friends and relatives were spending at home, and the exceptional fine display of decorum by the occupation personnel did much to manifest and spread the spirit of good will, peace and democracy to the Japanese nation. This holiday season was well and fruitfully spent by members of the First Cavalry Division.

During the month, 43 more war plants and factories underwent the prescribed process of demilitarization and the discovery of bullet proof glass and quantities of aircraft instruments was made during an inspection of the Tokyo Diecasting Limited Partnership, Kawasaki Branch.

Reports also brought forth the disclosure of 100 kilograms of Japanese mustard gas which was immediately destroyed. The 8th Cavalry Regiment located and disposed of large amounts of small arms ammunition and anti-tank rocket shells in addition to destroying 200 kilograms of Japanese phosgene and lewisite gas at the 6th Japanese Military Laboratory in Tokyo, a former army chemical warfare plant.

General Omar Bradley, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, "troops the line" accompanied by Major General Hobart R. Gay, First Cavalry Division Commander and commander of troops for the review held in Tokyo February 2, 1950.

To Be Continued...