The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1942-02-05

sister, Mr.. and Mrs. George
Johnston Island, west of the Ha-
waiian group. Scheduled to arrive
at Johnston on Dec. 7, the Explorer
halted and lay off Johnston about
80 miles when word of the bombing
of Pearl Harbor came to them by
radio. The Explorer was unarmed
and with her white hull and buff
superstructure made an excellent
target for enemy guns, SO the cap
tain took no chances by going
nearer.
Ran Into War
The captain of fhe Explorer,
while lying out Of sight off john
ston, decided about seven o'clock
that evening to 60 into the Island
harhor the next morning. About
eight O'Clock the same evening the
ships operator picked up two S.
o. S. calls from two American
ships struck by Japanese fire and
sinking in the harbor. The unarmed
Explorer was helpless. to aid the
sinking vessels and Immediately
pulled out for Honolulu, landing
there three days later Here in just
day and a half, the ships men
repainted the entire ship in battle
ship grey.
For three weeks the Explorer
waited in Honolulu for slow con-
voy to escort her back to the main
land. Klehm said the return trip
turned out to be uneventful but
that they were not especially ex-
pecting an attack. He reported
that American planes were over
head all the way in to San Fran
cisco.
During the Explorers three
weeks stay in Honolulu, Klehm Wis
tied number Of times with Mr.. and
Mrs. Bill Kienitz at their home on
Diamond Head His visits were linn
tied by alert regulations which or
dered every member of the crew
and staff, all officers included, to
report in person at the ship every
two hours and at each noon hour.
No leaves were granted after sun
down.
Not Much Damage Seen
Klehm spent Christmas on board
ship and New Years afternoon he
went dancing at the Civic center on
Waikiki beach during a special lib
erty leave from 1890 to 4:30. He
stated there wasn't much evidence
of damage done by bombing down
town or in residential sections. Mil
itary guards were everywhere and
blackouts and air raid drills con-
tinued. +.
Discussing the reactions of Homo
lulu residents to the attack by
Japan, Klehm reports the raid was
such complete surprise to the peo-
pie that many would not believe a
raid was on and others did not
know an actual attack was under
way until it had been in progress
better than two hours.
Residents were used to the noise
of zooming training planes and gum
merry practice and as one family
said 1T was just like another Or
son Welles production" One man
/ told Klehm how he had turned on
his radio and when he heard some
thing about the bombing of Pearl
Harbor had turned it off, never
suspecting this was the report of an
actual attack rather than another
discussion of defense matters.
Marine Shoots Down Jap Plane
Among stories related by Klehm
was one told to him by marine
regarding his bringing down Jap
anese single-seater ground straffing
over an airfield The marine was
standing guard on patrol duty at an
airfield when the Japanese pilot
dived so low to machine gun the
road, that the marine could see the
expression on his grinning face.
Raising his rifle, the marine shot
the Jap between the-eyes When
the attack first began in the har-
Dor" continued Klehm, "a motor
car with four japanese passengers
7 pulled up and blocked gateway to
| Pearl Harbor. When they failed to
move as ordered. a marine shot all
four pushed the car out of the
road and put up this sign, This il
an example
r