20 September 1945

Reveille 4am. Parade 5:30am. Entrained 6am. Left Miyata 6.24. Reached Nagasaki 12.50.

It is absolutely incredible but Nagasaki is in a worse condition than Quetta was after the earthquake (1935). In the whole town, which is very extensive, there are not the shells of half a dozen buildings standing. Everything has just been blotted out, the only things semi-standing are the metal frameworks of huge buildings and these are twisted and distorted beyond recognition, and this, I understand, is the result of one small atomic bomb.

Japan only just gave up in time as it would not have needed many of these bombs to have completely destroyed the whole of Japan.

Had a wonderful reception from the Americans. The band played some popular lively airs as the train steamed in. Had coffee and doughnut rings.

Stripped of everything except those items, more or less souvenirs, which we wished to keep and which we put into one large kitbag with our names stuck on.

Bath, disinfected, new clothes issued and given all kinds of necessaries such as dental cream and shaving cream, tooth brush etc, even rosary beads for Catholics and finished up with two sandwiches and a can of iced cocoa.

Then went aboard the United States Naval Landing Ship Tank No 674. Got a two berth cabin with another Officer.

It's hard to believe that we have left the land of exile, filth, fleas, barbaric cruelty, starvation and misery and are really free and on our way home.

Both the Officers and Crew are real good fellows. Had a very fine supper followed by the luxury of a good cigar and a cinema show on deck. I certainly have not had such a good hearty laugh without fear of being beaten up for, well, it seems a lifetime.