It Takes a Lot of Money to Fight a War

Submitted by Dick Martin
Here is clipping from the Springfield Times in November of 1944:

                            
                                 Our War With Japan
The Sixth War Loan marks a new turn in the war both on the fighting and the home fronts.  It points our tremendous war effort definitely in the direction of the Pacific.  During the first five war loans Americans were primarily thinking in terms of beating Hitler.

Now our government asks us for a loan of 14 billion more dollars of which five billion dollars must come from individuals.  Why?  Haven’t we nearly finished off our so-called Number 1 Enemy?  Can Japan hold up our powerful war machine very long?  Your son, brother and friend in his Pacific foxhole wouldn’t raise such questions because they are up against realities, not day dreams. They kill or are killed.  They pray every waking moment for a sky-darkening cover of friendly plane.  They thank America for giving them the finest medical care in the world when their rendezvous with destiny in a Pacific jungle is at hand. They know the war with the Japs is just beginning.

Here are some other Pacific realities so that you will understand why there must be a Sixth War Loan and why it is absolutely necessary that it be a success:

The Allied Military Command has estimated that it will take years, not months, to lick Japan.  Japan’s present army numbers about 4,000,000 with 2,000,000 more men available and fit for military service who haven’t been called up to date.  Another 1,500,000, between the ages of 17 and 20, are not yet subject to the draft.  The Jap Air Force is growing.

In addition to millions of native workers, Japan has a potential slave force of 400,000,000 conquered people.  50% of Japan’s labor force is made up of women.  Another 25% boys and girls under 20, the balance men.  The Jap workday is twelve to sixteen hours with two days off a month.  The Jap cannot leave his job, change it, or strike.  The highest daily wage equals about three American dollars—30% to 75% of which goes to taxes and compulsory savings.

The Jap, as our men in the Pacific know, will fight to the death.  As far as the Jap is concerned, the outer Empire—and the men who defend it—are the expendables.  The Jap will fight the Battle from inside the inner Empire.  The Jap believes that we shall weary of war too easily and too early.

In the invasion of France, supply ships had an overnight  run to make.  In the coming Battle of Japan, ships in the Pacific will have long-reached round trips that often take five months to make.

These realities are worth thinking about before you keep your home front rendezvous with a Victory Volunteer.  Perhaps you will feel that the national personal Sixth War Loan objective—purchase of at least one extra $100 War Bond— is entirely too small for you.

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