kwselke
Member
VE-Day today. Homer's entry for this date 1945 onboard the Yolo:
May 8, 1945
The weather was bad! No attacks developed during the night. All had a good night's sleep. This morning a dispatch was hand¬ed me by the radio operator on watch announcing the end of the war in Europe. VE Day was greeted with little emotion and few words. The end was expected so there was no surprise or celebration. Among the crew comments were few. In the wardroom quite a bull session developed. It lasted throughout the day and into the evening. Around the anchorage and on the beaches things remain the same. Now the Pacific is the theatre of activity! As for future problems and strategy the sailor knows little, cares less and thinks only about going home. Still VE Day did not go unnoticed. All hands listened to President Truman announce the termination of the war in Europe. Thanks¬giving services were conducted on many ships. At exactly 1200 one round from every gun ashore accompanied by a gun salvo from all fire support vessels was directed at enemy targets in recognition of the victory.
In spite of the rain, ships moor to Yolo in ever increasing numbers. Since April 2nd, 280 vessels have been serviced. Again Yolo is low on both dry and frozen stuffs and the waiting list for ships desiring supplies grows longer. Some types of vessels have priority. Always there is the repeated refrain from all wanting more of this and that. To handle vessels on an around the clock basis would require far more crew. By supplying ships only during daylight hours the crew has some rest. At night a regular watch with rifles and machine guns patrol the deck. A rotation was worked out so that all share the burden. The watch is alert for swimmers and small boats.
May 8, 1945
The weather was bad! No attacks developed during the night. All had a good night's sleep. This morning a dispatch was hand¬ed me by the radio operator on watch announcing the end of the war in Europe. VE Day was greeted with little emotion and few words. The end was expected so there was no surprise or celebration. Among the crew comments were few. In the wardroom quite a bull session developed. It lasted throughout the day and into the evening. Around the anchorage and on the beaches things remain the same. Now the Pacific is the theatre of activity! As for future problems and strategy the sailor knows little, cares less and thinks only about going home. Still VE Day did not go unnoticed. All hands listened to President Truman announce the termination of the war in Europe. Thanks¬giving services were conducted on many ships. At exactly 1200 one round from every gun ashore accompanied by a gun salvo from all fire support vessels was directed at enemy targets in recognition of the victory.
In spite of the rain, ships moor to Yolo in ever increasing numbers. Since April 2nd, 280 vessels have been serviced. Again Yolo is low on both dry and frozen stuffs and the waiting list for ships desiring supplies grows longer. Some types of vessels have priority. Always there is the repeated refrain from all wanting more of this and that. To handle vessels on an around the clock basis would require far more crew. By supplying ships only during daylight hours the crew has some rest. At night a regular watch with rifles and machine guns patrol the deck. A rotation was worked out so that all share the burden. The watch is alert for swimmers and small boats.
Practically spent the entire afternoon in the Titanic Museum! 
It is well with the money spent for the visit, will need to bring the granddaughter back in about 5 years. 
