[ARC5] historical note

[gordon white]

    One of the reasons there was so much new, never-used Command gear in 
surplus is that the production contracts were not canceled until 1 p.m. 
of V-J Day.

     There had been a stab at canceling contracts in the fall of 1944 
when it appeared Germany was about to collapse and Japan seemed to be on 
the ropes. The Japanese fleet had beenpretty much destroyed in the fight 
for the Philippines.

     But in November, 1944, the Japanese effectively deployed their 
Kamakase weapon and in December Germany struck back with their Bulge 
counterattack, indicating the war was not going to "be over by 
Christmas." The A.R.C. contracts were immediately reinstated and not 
halted until Japan surrendered.

  - Gordon White