Cap Mandrake
Posts: 23184
Joined: 11/15/2002 From: Southern California Status: offline
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****Reparations Tribunal, Government of the Pillipines in Exile, Jolo, June 30, 1943****** Plaintiff's Atty.: Your Honor, The Historical Preservation Society of Mindoro names, as defendants, Mr. Franklin Roosevelt, General Marshall, General Short of Southwest Pacific Command, General Kenney of Fifth Air Force, Colonol Cathcart, commanding officer of <consults notes> 90th Bombardment Squadron, United States Army Air Force and the men and officers of 90th Bombardment Squadron. We allege that by design or neglect, said defendants did cause the destruction of the 355 year old Spanish lighthouse at San Jose on the evenening of June 27, 1943. USAAF Counsel: <forgets himslef briefly> Phhht. Your Honor that is prepsoterous. Judge: <looks sternly at the young lawyer> Lt., you may think it funny to destroy an historic buidling but I grew up on Mindoro and I can tell you it was a beautiful buidling and played a large role in the entire identity of the city adn island. <tears begin to stream down his cheeks> USAAF Counsel: <soto voce to aide> I think we are in trouble. Judge: What is that, Lt.? Do you have something to say to the Court? USAAF Counsel: Well, Your Honor, it is the position of 5th Air Force that collateral damage is inevitable in wartime, and, although unfortunate, is necessary to evict an evil occupier of this land. Judge: The Empire of Japan is not a party to this case. USAAF Counsel:Maybe they should be, Your Honor. Judge:Don't be impertinent with me, Lt. USAAF Counsel: I am sorry, Your Honor, but the idea of holding individual enlisted men and junior officers culpable for actions taken in the heat of battle is outlandish. There must have been 150 planes involved in that attack. Can you imagine the effect on morale? Judge: Let them have Parchisi boards then. Plaintiff's Atty.:Your Honor, regarding the 90th Bombardment Squadron, we do have an eyewitness.......
< Message edited by Cap Mandrake -- 6/20/2009 7:55:56 PM >
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