You Only Blow Yourself Up Once: Confessions of a World War Two Bomb Disposaleer [Paperback]

J. Frank Durham (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 16, 2003

Following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, the U.S. Navy started a crash program, gathering information and educating personnel to deal with enemy bombs, land mines, and other explosive ordnance. Figuring "lawyers make the best cannon fodder," recent law school graduate J. Frank Durham was among early volunteers for this dangerous and highly-classified work. Graduating with a perfect grade from the navy's new Bomb Disposal School, he was retained on staff to help the operation expand, then dispatched to Guadalcanal, where Americans were fighting the pivotal battle of World War Two. While learning how to handle explosive devices, Durham endured bombing, shelling, and an unexpected encounter with the enemy, but tales of suspense and danger are balanced by a humorous perspective on everyday life as an enlisted man. He describes "unofficial" enterprises, manufacturing souvenirs from brass shells in the captured Japanese ammo dump, and making moonshine from anything available, to sell to the troops. Eleanor Roosevelt's visit to the field hospital inspired a pithy comment about a painful loss from a wounded marine, and a classic riposte from the First Lady. Excerpts from captured Japanese diaries provide rare insight into the other side of the conflict.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

J. Frank Durham volunteered for Bomb Disposal shortly after Pearl Harbor, and was commissioned as an officer on Guadalcanal. After the war, he started a family, flew small planes, worked the farm and became a civic leader in Greencastle, Indiana, where he maintains an active law practice and busy life.

Product Details

• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: iUniverse, Inc. (November 16, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0595295436
• ISBN-13: 978-0595295432
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #157,582 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great WWII Iwo Jima narrative from a man who was there., May 19, 2004

By 

L. Boots McMacon "Boots" (Western, MD United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: You Only Blow Yourself Up Once: Confessions of a World War Two Bomb Disposaleer (Paperback)

I started reading this book on Sunday and didn't put it down until two days later when I finished it. It is a great historical perspective of Navy bomb disposal experts and their role in the Pacific during World War II. Lots of personal insights on the battle for Iwo Jima. I strongly recommend it for history bluffs and those who enjoy reading a great biographical tale from a foot soldier (or foot sailor) of one of the greatest battles in our nation's history. Captain David E. Meadows, U.S. Navy and author of Sixth Fleet & Joint Task Force series. http://www.sixthfleet.com

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Personal Account of a Disposaleer, July 26, 2010

By 

Bomb Man58 - See all my reviews

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This review is from: You Only Blow Yourself Up Once: Confessions of a World War Two Bomb Disposaleer (Paperback)

J. Frank Durham and Doug Hay have put together a great personal account of Bomb Disposal (BD) operations in the Pacific during World War 2. BD became an exacting and unforgiving military science due to the experiences of the British BD Officers and their teams during the London Blitz. These early experiences of making large aircraft bombs safe so they could be safely removed from around vital infrastructure and safely disposed of commenced a 'tit for tat' exchange between the fuze makers and the BD personnel;as fuze design became more sophisticated and deadly. Also a fair few fuzes failed to function through mass production means and (possibly) poor quality control.

Since the Second World War, BD has continued to become more sophisticated and demanding on personnel as white phosphorous, chemical munitions and sophisticated rockets and missile systems have been added to the inventory of the BD operator. Some militaries refer to these personnel as EOD Technicians now. However the rules are the same and selection of personnel is based upon an exacting (and unforgiving)process.

The authors have related a great account of BD operations in the Pacific and trace the experience of J. Frank Durham from his induction into the US Navy through his BD training and on to operations in the South Pacific. He was subsequently transferred back to the United States and completed the war as a BD Instructor.

I liked this book because it gave an account of personal experiences of a person who saw a different perspective of the Second World War, while near the front line, BD work is another confrontation with the enemy and, as the title states, only allows you to make a mistake once and usually not live to experience another. This work also give an account of BD work in another theatre of war, distinct from the European theatre and its (probably) more familiar operational experiences.

The book gives an account of journey through training to the early Pacific battles and how the newly arrived BD operator was soon forced into attending to various confrontations with all types of ordnance ranging from naval torpedoes to landmines. In addition to rendering ordnance safe, he was also involved in gathering various examples of fuzes and ordnance for inerting and sending back to the BD school for instructional purposes. The author also goes on to relate his extra curricular activities of setting up a souvenir business with various items fashioned from ordnance like ashtrays, paperweights and lamps. I could relate to these activities personally as BD/EOD personnel tend to have very active minds that can not just 'shut off' and need to have a form of 'release' from their exacting and very stressful work.

In summary, a well written account of BD work in the Pacific during World War Two, the book also contains a number of humourous cartoons and photographs of the experience of the narrator. The book focuses more on personal experiences rather than a strictly historical account of factual data and the writing style should bring a smile to any reader. Some readers may be shocked or bemused by the experiences contained within, however a guaranteed 'good read'. Well done, J. Frank Durham and Doug Hay!

5.0 out of 5 stars A fun and enlightening book, September 19, 2008

By 

P.G. - See all my reviews

This review is from: You Only Blow Yourself Up Once: Confessions of a World War Two Bomb Disposaleer (Hardcover)

This book is simply fun to read. The author provides first person accounts of his training and service as a bomb disposal technician on Guadalcanal during World War II. It is a book filled with stories, humorous cartoons, and some pictures. From ducking for cover to building a still, this book is an enjoyable and enlightening experience.