Large Photo Archive of US Army 11th Airborne Division "Arctic Angels" Paratroopers in Occupied Japan

Large military photo archive of the 11th Airborne Division "Arctic Angels", stationed in postwar Japan, with many photos of paratroopers jump training and drills on base. Dating primarily from 1947. Consists of 217 black and white photos ranging in size from 2.25" x 2.5" to 4.75" x 6.5". Based on a ticket to the "EM Club", a socializing spot for the men part of the Yamagata Military Government Team, we glean that the photographer and main subject of many of these photos is a Jeff C. Wall, likely from North Dakota. The 11th Airborne, like other notable paratrooper divisions such as the 101st Airborne, was initially a reserve unit that didn't see deployment until June 1944, around D-Day. However, unlike the 101st, the 11th was transferred to the Pacific Theater, where they dropped into intense combat in the Battle of Luzon in the Philippines. They led the charge into Manila and broke through strongly fortified Japanese positions, sustaining heavy casualties. They also devised a heroic prisoner breakout by raiding the Los Banos internment camp. The 11th finished the war as a distinguished unit, with two of its fallen receiving Medals of Honor of their bravery. At the war's end, they were transferred to Japan as part of the postwar occupation force. It is likely that some of the men seen in this archive jumped out over Luzon and participated in the intrepid penetration into Japanese occupied Manila. While in Japan, the paratroopers were stationed in a variety of locations, ending up in northern Japan and Hokkaido. This archive appears to have been taken while they were stationed in the foothills of rugged, snowy country in Yamagata Prefecture. In 1949, the 11th were transferred back to the US, where they were eventually stationed in Alaska. They became known for their jump missions over the Arctic regions, earning their nickname "Arctic Angels".

This huge archive of over 200 photos catches the Airborne Division in action and on base. Includes 12 photos of paratroopers throughout the jump, from the intense single file drops out of a troop carrier plane, to wide angle shots of the 11th peppered throughout the sky on the descent with their parachutes drawn, and finally a few shots of their tumbling landings. Additionally, three photos depict the paratroopers with full gear lined up, preparing to board the planes. Many more photos depict the paratroopers around an array of aircraft, primarily transport and troop carriers, though in the vast hangar on base there appear to be other planes, including a fighter. Several photos depict paratroopers outside the command post of the 11th, showing its slogan "Shape Up or Ship Out!". The paratroopers were also trained to operate artillery and machine guns, as shown in four photos. There are even a few women servicemembers captured in this archive, including a nurse showing playing a round of cards with the troopers, and a kerchiefed woman on an airstrip who embodies the look of Rosie the Riveter. About a fifth of the archive depicts the men's camaraderie, with many shots of them palling around camp and posing for group photos. Around 15 photos also depict Mount Fuji in its grandeur, with a few other photographs of their camp and the surrounding landscape. The 217 photos in this archive are crisp and of high quality, depicting a wide array of characters, equipment, vehicles, and locales. In very good condition overall.