|
I ,, \ SHAW AIR BASE NINTH AIR FORCE HEADQUARTERS NOVEMBER 9, 1994 WINTER 1995 Proud Ninth Air Force and P-47 Devotees dedicated the P-47 Replica whose trek to Ninth Air Force Headquarters we have all been following for the past six months. IT IS A THING OF BEAUTY MOUNTED IN FRONT OF NINTH AIR FORCE HEADQUARTERS. The Ninth Air Force Association is grateful to Cot Dick Uppstrom of Air and Space Museum in Dayton, General Mike Nelson, and General John Jumper (who missed the ceremony because of active duty assignment in the Middle East). Without their aid and enthusiasm this project would never have succeeded. Kudos also to the men and women of the: 20th Fighter Wing, Equipment Maintenance Squadron, Civil Engineering Squadron, Civil Engineering Support Plans, 20th Visual lnformation--Support Graphics (NINTH AIR FORCE) for recreating this replica in the War Image of the P-47 flown by Major Frank H. Peppers (362d FG) in his career of 125 missions in the ETO, achieving the distinction of designation by General Vandenburg as best overall fighter pilot in the Ninth Air Force, credited with 15 single and double span railroad bridges. With great pride, we dedicated the display to his memory and welcomed his widow, Grace, for her gracious participation in the program along with: Major General Tad. J. Oelstrom, 9th AF Vice Commander; 9th AFA President, Ed MacLean; Chaplain (Major) Wayne R. Knutson; David L. Rosmer, Chief, 9th AF Historian and Project Officer, and many P-47 Pilots. THE Published Quarterly by The Ninth Air Force Association EDITOR'S MESSAGE: This message is written with mixed emotions. This issue of the FL YER is the last one to be produced by me as Editor. The task of creating the FL YER has been thoroughly enjoyable and challenging. I will truly miss it and the correspondence with all of you which accompanies it. But Ed and I agreed several months ago that the vitality of the Association would best be served by the assumption of the responsibility by someone else, broadening the base of interest and service and bringing in other viewpoints and experience to this project which is a strong core of Association strength. The Association has been most fortunate in the willingness of FRANK CARNAGGIO, Journalist and Charter Member of the newly formed 9th AFA Chapter in Birmingham, to undertake the position of Editor. All future correspondence on the FL YER should be addressed to Frank at: Please accept my thanks for the cooperation you have extended to me, making the task achievable and the FLYER as well received as it has been. NINTH AIR FORCE ASSOCIATION, INC. Chartered as a Not-For-Profit Veterans Corporation in the State of Tennessee. Registered with and approved by the IRS as a 501-C-19 organization Its stated purposes are: A. To Preserve and Publicize the History of the Ninth Air Force, from its beginning in World War IL B. To Honor and Memorialize the sacrifices of our comrades and families. C. To Promote Fellowship among the survivors, families and descendants of all people assigned to the Ninth at any time. D. To Foster continuing quest for Individual Liberty and Love of Our Country. · Send all Address changes to: President Vice President/Membership Vice President Administrator/ Asst. Secretary Secretary Treasurer Asst. Treasurer Secretary/Bd. of Directors Page 2 Ed MacLean Jack Yarger Chuck Mann Marvin Rosvold Larry Gaughran Leonard Bennett Bernard Cirantineo Gordon Doule George Getchell Ed MacLean Charles Mann Vito Pedone John Peterson William Porter Marvin Rosvold Jack Yarger Casimir Sochocki Lloyd Johnson Bernard Cirantineo Laurence Gaughran OF ASSOC. 416 Bomb Group Retired Today's 9th Air Force 362nd Fighter Group 362nd Fighter <;Troup Troop Carrier Commd Path 366th Fighter Group 155th Night Photo Recon Sqdn 368th Fighter Group 406th Fighter Group 323 Bomb Group 50th Fighter Group 368th Fighter Group 405th Fighter Group 1995 SCHEDULE OF REUNIONS 9th AFA - 1995 - May 25-28, Washington, D.C. Contact Vido Pedone. 9th AFA - 1996 - Springtime, Las Vegas. Commemoration of Today's Ninth- 5th Anniv. Gulf War Convention. Contact George Getchell. 5th Biennial "SEWART AFB REUNION" (formerly known as 314th TCW/TAW) - May 24-30, 1995 at Marriott Hotel, Nashville, TN. For all personnel stationed at Sewart AFB in Smyrna, TN from 1948 to June. 1970. Contact M.N. Ledbetter at 29th T.C. Sqn., 313th T.C. Group - Reunion planned for Sept. 14-16, 1995 in Omaha, Nebraska. Contact Robert C. Kerr, 55th FG - August 1-5, 1995, Oshkosh, Wisc. Contact Ray Mull, 410 Bomb Group Assoc. - May 24-28, 1995, US Grant Hotel, San Diego, CA, 1(800) 237-5029. Contact Howard Aimes, The 79th, 80th, 81st and 82nd Squadrons of 436th Troop Carrier Group - October 5-7, 1995, St. Louis, Missouri. A joint business meeting and a joint banquet will be available, but each squadron will also do its own "thing". The goal of the reunion is to attempt to organize a 436th T.C. Group Assoc. For more information contact one of the following: 79th - James Hardt - 79th - Roger Airgord - 80th -Bill Elmendorf - 1 81st - Gale Ammerman 82nd - Robert Durant - 82nd - Larry Riordan - I ~I MESSAGE Life continues its good news-bad news pattern: Good News: two of our most dependable members have agreed to take on very important assignments: 1. LLOYD JOHNSON will chair CHAPTER AFFAIRS JOHN PETERSON will chair MEMBERSHIP 2. Your Board of Directors agreed unanimously to create a Ninth AFA Heritage Foundation. 3. There is a full size replica of a P-47 occupying the front lawn of the 9th AF Headquarters at Shaw Air Force Base. 4. Your 9th AFA will be sponsoring the May 7, 1995, ALLIED AIR FORCES VE DAY CELEBRATION BY THE 8th, 12th, 15th, RAF, RCAF, and Free French Air Forces in Rheims, France. 5. The Air Force Association (Washington, D.C.) honored the NINTH AFA at its annual conference in Washington, D.C. and the plaque will be on permanent display in 9th AF Headquarters, Shaw Air Force Base. 6. The 9th AF Headquarters, Shaw AFB has invited the 9th AFA to prepare a '42-'45 display to be exhibited in the Headquarters Reception area. 7. I experienced a personal high when my fellow members of the Board of Directors elected me as the Chairman of the Board. Bernie Cirantineo was elected Secretary to the Board of Directors at the same meeting. Bad News -- is NOT REALLY BAD NEWS, IT'S THE SORROW OF SAYING GOOD-BYE TO AN ERA: This issue of the FL YER is the last one to be edited by Genevieve MacLean. Genevieve is turning her Editor responsibilities over to Frank Camaggio. While the President's Message is generally addressed to the Membership, this part of my message is a personal message to our FL YER EDITOR: "Thank you, Genevieve for a job well done. You protected the integrity of our FL YER by having a good mix of subjects and a good balance of information and entertainment. Although you were not a volunteer, you did rise to the occasion and for that, the 9th AF A has reason to be truly grateful, as many communications to the FL YER confirm. ALL FUTURE COMMUNICATIONS REGARDING THE FLYER SHOULD BE ADDRESSED TO: FRANK CARNAGGIO by Chuck Mann, Chairman, Elections Committee Anyone who has said they feel "their" unit or command is not adequately represented on the Ninth Air Force Board of Directors should take action. Four Directors will be elected for a 3 year term starting in May 1995, as 1/3 of the Board is elected each year to assure continuity. This is the policy-making and planning body which shapes the direction and projects for your Association. As provided in our By-Laws, any Veteran or Family member in good standing who was a paid-up for the preceding calendar year, may submit their petition for nomination for election as a Director. Directors attend two major meetings per year at their expense and such teleconferences as necessary. Blank petitions are available from Chuck Mann, You will need signatures of 10 current members who approve of your candidacy. For our first 4 years, your Association has never had more nominees than openings on the Board. You can remedy this by filing or urging another eligible member to file. As in all elections, name recognition is important so those who run this year and don't get enough votes will surely be prime candidates for subsequent elections. Return the signed petitions to me by 2/1/95. This year you can also expect some proposals to amend the By-Laws in areas where four years experience has shown a definite need. Ballots with a bio-sketch on each candidate will be mailed to all currently paid-up (1995 Dues are due and payable January 1) Veteran and Family Members in time for votes to be returned and tabulated before the May 25 Arlington Convention. "FREEDOM FLIGHT AMERICA" July 22 to August 14, 1995 This once-in-a-lifetime event will be the greatest tribute to say THANKS to our WW II Vets and to all our nation for its sacrifices and successes. This will be the largest flight of WW II aircraft since VJ Day, 1945. Already over 570 aircraft are enrolled to make this mass flight from California starting July 22, stopping at ten cities along the way and the grand finale in New York on the 50th Anniversary of VJ Day as they circle the Statue of Liberty! Stay tuned for further announcements of the routes and cities where you can see this mighty armada of fighters, bombers, transports and liaison planes in this spectacular celebration to our nation. Page3 9th AF A Recognition by the Association The Air Force Association Annual Convention is conducted in September each year in the Washington Sheraton Hotel, Washington, D.C. The convention is first class in every respect. There are numerous corporate sponsors in evidence with their displays located on the lower level. There are many, many activities and awards ceremonies on the schedule which involve Air Force personnel. This attracts attendance of the blue-suit family of all ranks. President Bill Clinton said to the Air Force Association: "Your continuing efforts to recognize a whole generation of heroes who fought in World War II help to remind younger generations of the sacrifices these veterans and their fallen comrades made so that freedom might live." Those remarks were included in the Air Force Association Convention Opening and Awards Ceremonies brochure. President Ed MacLean was invited to represent the Ninth Air Force Association during the Opening and Awards Ceremonies on Monday, September 12th. AF A President Jim McCoy presents A ward of Excellence to 9th AFA President, Ed MacLean, September 12, 1994. NEW ALABAMA CHAPTER WELCOMED ABOARD Frank Carnaggio, Organizer & Director; Dr. Tom Flynn, Chapter President; Ed MacLean, 9 AF A President; Charles McEwen, Chapter Secretary & Treasurer. Page4 Members of the Board of Directors were also invited and encouraged to attend. Marvin Rosvold, Lloyd Johnson, Vito Pedone, Stan Stepnitz and others were in attendance. AFA President Jim McCoy recognized the Ninth Air Force, and the 9th Air Force Association, for their many fine accomplishments during and since World War II. President Ed MacLean was presented with the APA Award of Excellence and all members of the Ninth Air Force Association who were present in the Ballroom were asked to stand and be recognized. There were thirty or so 9th APA members. Dr. Sheila Widnall, Secretary of the Air Force, was the Keynote speaker for the Opening and Awards Ceremony. The Air Force Association is to be commended for its extremely high level of excellence. The plaque will be on permanent display at 9th AF Headquarters, Shaw Air Force Base. Lloyd Johnson Lloyd Johnson, Ed MacLean, Marvin Rosvold B.Co. 505 Pl R Stir Up Memories? 82nd Airborne Division Anthony J. Antoniou Miller Place, NY 117 64 "Politically Correct History" continues to rouse the ire of veterans and their families and friends A resolution was adopted by the 9AFA in November to address Congress with strong opposition to Smithsonian manipulating history and with a request to all concerned that the P-47 be restored to permanent display at the Smithsonian. Evidence that the 9AFA is in the mainstream follows: From Air Force Association News HISTORY TODAY Firestorm of Controversy Surrounds Planned Smithsonian Exhibit The Smithsonian Institution's prestigious National Air and Space Museum has become the focal point of a heated controversy over the context of a planned exhibit marking the fiftieth anniversary of the American A-bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Schedule to open in May 1995, "The Last Act: The Atomic Bomb and the End of World War II," will display for the first time the forward fuselage section of the Enola Gay, the B-29 Superfortress that carried the bomb dropped on Hiroshima on August 6, 1945. During the past ten years the historic-and in some eyes controversial-aircraft has undergone a $1-million restoration at the museum's Silver Hill, Maryland preservation facility. The furor has centered not on the Enola Gay, however, but on the interpretive displays that museum curators have also planned to provide perspective to the exhibit. After obtaining a copy of the initial 559-page script last January, the Air Force Association, veterans' groups, and some historians protested that the material presents an unbalanced, emotionally charged, revisionist viewpoint of history that portrays the Japanese as innocent victims and the Americans as ruthless aggressors. Particularly criticized was the planned display, in the "emotional center" of the exhibit, "Ground Zero: Hiroshima and Nagasaki," of dozens of horrifying photographs showing Japanese casualties of the bombing- without providing balancing context regarding Allied casualties and Japanese atrocities and brutality during the war. Further protests were lodged regarding curators' interpretations of President Harry Truman's motives in his decision to drop the bomb. Controversy increased this past summer after reviews by the Museum's Director and an advisory panel found lack of balance in the script but failed to produce substantive changes. A group of B-29 veterans collected eight thousand signatures on petitions demanding that the Smithsonian "display the aircraft properly or turn it over to a museum that will do so." Retired Air Force Force Brigadier General Paul W. Tibbets, Jr., who had piloted the B-29 on the historic mission, charged that "history had been denigrated, the Enola Gay has been miscast, and a group of valiant Americans have been denied a historically correct representation to the public." And twenty-four congressm~n wrote to the Smithsonian's secretary, protesting the "outrageous bias" of the planned exhibit. Responding to the pressure, on August 29 the Smithsonian announced that it would make additional changes and add an introductory section to the exhibit showing events in the Pacific that caused and led up to the overwhelming Allied response to Japanese aggression. The modified script has continued to draw critics' fire, however, as still being "a partisan interpretation that many Americans-and most veterans-will find objectionable." Headline from The New York Times 1011194 Headline from The SIS Tribune 1211194 Smithsonian Substantially Alters Enola Gay Exhibit After Criticism Time For The Smithsonian Brass To Walk The Plank MORE BAD NEWS Foundation's $3 Million Debt Puts Wall Of Liberty In Doubt by Mark Allen Peterson, Stars and Stripes Contributing Editor The Battle of Normandy Foundation is $3 million in debt, and a government report casts doubt on whether the foundation can carry out its proposed projects, including the Wall of Liberty Memorial Garden in Caen, France. "The report is exactly correct," said Thomas Barker, a spokesman for the foundation. The foundation's "precarious financial condition casts doubt on whether it can continue its operations, whether it can pay the current and future costs of operating and maintaining the memorial in Caen, and whether such projects as the Wall of Liberty in Caen will proceed," according to the GAO. by Von Hammerstein, Behind the Battle Lines Goebbels: "My Fuehrer, I congratulate you. Roosevelt is dead. It is written in the stars. The last half of April will be the turning point." 17 days later Hitler would take his own life and a day later, Goebbels and· his wife and 6 children would be dead. Page5 AF Archives Dean Delmus Williams and Dr. Stanley Akers·of the University of Akron gave presentations on the Archive Project during the Board of Directors November Meeting at Shaw Air Force Base. A wide-ranging discussion of details took place. There was general agreement that this project should be Top Shelf for 1995. Jack Barensfeld and Jack Yarger are expected to meet with the University personnel shortly to ascertain how 9th AFA volunteers can best assist U/A get 9th AFA History items into appropriate classification. Full guidelines and instructions as to how each of us can process our memorabilia for the Archives will be carried in the next issue of the FL YER. The Directors summarized that Museums/Memorials under consideration include: EAA - Oshkosh, WI; Pond Museum - Palm Springs; Memorial Wall - USAF Museum at Dayton; Traveling Exhibit; D-Day Museum at New Orleans. It was also agreed that up to $3000 would be provided to the Ninth AF for development of an historic display at Shaw. Any archival material should be addressed to: Ninth AFA Archives, c/o Dr. Stanley Akers Director of the University of Akron Archives Akron, OH 44325-1707 If at all possible, please identify the material as to source and content. Also, please send a list of materials submitted to Jack Barensfeld, 9th AFA, Organizations - Join? Veterans organizations are in need·· of membership. Their membership increases in times of crisis when it is popular to show that membership. After a war the military falls into disfavor with the public and government who both view it as a drain on the.economy. When this situation occurs, not only does the government try to disassociate from the military, but the public loses interest in veterans' organizations. Even many of those who served honorably in past wars start questioning themselves: "Why should I join (or renew my membership) in a veterans organization? I did not volunteer for the military. I did not want to be in a war and I did not enjoy myself when I was there." I did not realize, until years after I returned home, what my service meant to my family and country. I should be proud of my accomplishments and those of my comrades who went through the military experience. I now enjoy the friendship won by being a member of a rather elite group who suffered together at the call of our government. The older veterans of other wars make us see that the time sacrificed in the service keeps our country free, and that veterans organization fight for those who have not yet returned as fortunate as they were when they left. Veterans organizations all help to preserve the meager benefit which we owe to those who gave so much for all of us. The only power that these organizations have is numbers of members. This is why we should join, Veterans. Taken from Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs Bulletin. Victory in Europe At 0141 hour of 7 May 1945, the unconditional surrender of Germany was signed at Reims. At 0001 hours of 9 May 1945, the surrender became effective and WWII was over in Europe. Lt. General Hoyt S. Vandenberg, the Commanding General of the 9th Air Force recognized this victory. with the following order. To All Personnel of the Ninth Air Force. Order of the Day The unconditional surrender of all German Forces marks the attainment of our objective in Europe. It follows the complete defeat of the enemy on land, sea, and in the air. From friends and enemies alike has come evidence of the tremendous role of air power in accomplishing this historic success. In our pride, may we give humble thanks to Almighty God for the faith and strength he gave us in our cause, and pray His grace for those we Page6 have lost in the battle. Each man who fought and died is inseparable with those who fought and lived. By the strength of our faith and in your determination you have come thousands of miles to drive a powerful enemy from the skies, then turn your weapons against the foe on the ground to destroy his ability to resist. To each one of you is due this credit. Our force could not have fought without the untiring effort of the individual. We must guard against the illusion of final success. We must not only defeat our remaining enemy, but we must also insure future vigilance against the cause of war. this so the world may not again suffer under ruthless conquerors. It is in this ultimate success that we shall find the justification for those who have died as well as the work that has been accomplished by those who have survived. from C.J. McKilloys, Ventura, CA From THE SPIRIT- Shaw AFB Newspaper, 10114194 President deploys more troops F-16s join deployment while other Shaw people and equipment stand ready As of Tuesday, that response included deploying U.S. Air Force F-4s, F-15s, F-16s, A-lOs, F-117s, F-llls, C-130s and F-llls, B-52s, KC-135s and airborne warning and control system aircraft. The aircraft will join some 200 U.S. and Allied aircraft already in the Gulf region, said officials. About 7,600 U.S. Air Force members will deploy to the Gulf, joining some 3,857 airmen already in the theater. Another 1,151 airmen are on standby, officials said. Shaw launched 12 F-16s from the 78th and 79th Fighter Squadrons en route to Southwest Asia early Thursday morning while the rest of the base stands by for further orders. From 9th AF Public Affairs Office Might of Vigilant Warrior Stops Saddam Cold IN THE ARABIAN GULF REGION -- When Saddam Hussein, dictator of Iraq, once again threatened his neighbors a massive display of military might stopped him without a shot fired. Dubbed Operation Vigilant Warrior, aircraft, troops, ships and other war materiel deployed from bases in the United States and elsewhere convinced Saddam to retreat. As commander of all air forces in the USCENTCOM area of responsibility, Lt. Gen. John P. Jumper established the USCENTAF headquarters in the Middle East. He and about 85 members of the headquarters, including several key staff members, deployed with little notice to confront Saddam's tanks with air power. About half of the team comes from A-3/A-5. These people daily plan and execute operations in the area. About 25 % of the team is comprised of intelligence specialists from A-2. The balance spans a cross-section of support specialties including communicators, logisticians, personnel and administration specialists and a variety of other support people. Although the threat of direct confrontation with Iraq has subsided, the deployment provides an excellent opportunity for operational training. Members will be able to refine command and control procedures, train with coalition allies and sister services and refine contingency plans. A big benefit is the opportunity to conduct joint close air support training in Kuwait, said Col. Bill Hoge, US CENT AF Chief of Plans and Operations. In contrast to Operation Desert Storm, the Air Force now has extensive experience in the region's desert environment after continuous operations since 1990. During this deployment the Air Force. benefited from that experience, in placing support structure and from the use of preposition stockpiles of supplies and equipment. Aircraft have been flying daily over southern Iraq since 1992 when Operation Southern Watch began. OSW is the ongoing "no-fly zone" operation to monitor compliance with the post-gulf War sanctions. Most aircrews and a large portion of support forces have Desert Shield, Desert Storm or post-Gulf War Middle East experience. Many people have been deployed to that area more than once. Currently, the Air Force flies about 125 sorties per day. About 70-75 go over Iraq. When a Navy carrier is on station, combined sorties are about 200 per day with about 100 over Iraq. USCENT AF developed the plan and helped to tailor force packages to meet U.S. Central Command air requirements. The plan proceeded according to schedule, said Maj. Gen. Tad Oelstrom, US CENT AF deputy commander (Shaw Air Force Base). "Our deployment is going extremely well," Oelstrom said. "We were faced with a challenge and developed a plan to meet that challenge. I'm very proud of the people in this headquarters who have made this happen. Let's continue to do the best job we can here to make it easier for those people overseas so they can come home as quickly as possible." KUDOS TO CHUCK MANN You have begun to receive the magnificent photo album commemorating the Return for D-Day. We have begun to receive the glowing reports and thanks, Chuck. A limited number of additional copies will be available through the BX. Contact Leonard Bennett. Regarding the Video, which has been far more complicated than we anticipated because of the truly overwhelming number of videos made available, it ·is coming into existence shortly. An unexpected delay has been encountered because of the illness of the President, which seems to be coming to a happy conclusion, clearing the decks for action, but unfortunately not for Christmas-giving as we had expected. Page 7 8 Shaw Spirit, Nov. 22, 1994 ---------------------------------------------- Photo by SSgt. Jerry Boger Pieces of the P-47, still packed In crates, arrived at Shaw in early July. Photo by SSgt. Jerry Boger The2oth Equipment Maintenance Squadron, repair and reclamation section, made stands to support the aircraft: during assembly. TheP-47was restored to its original paint job by EMS structural maintainance. The shop worked all week on D-Day stripes and stars because each color had to be painted in steps while waiting for other colors to dry. Photo by SSgt. Jerry Boger By Capt. John N. Felsher 9th Air Force Public Atfairs ifty years ago, 9th Air Force fighters, the P-4 7 Thunderbolt, slashed across E rope to support Gen. George Patton's dri' into Nazi Germany during World War I . 'l'oday, 9th AF :fightero, like the A-10 Thunderbolt IIs and F-16 Fighting Falcons based at Shaw are not fighting a war but deterring one through the use of cor.centrated airpower as part of a coalition effort to make Iraq honor United Nations resolutions. The times, places, machinery and people have changed. The drive and determination to make and keep pecple free has not changed. That is still the ultimate mission. A ceremony Nov. 9 in front of the 9th AF headquarter3 helped bridge these two eras of aviation with the dedication of a WW II P-47 Thunderbolt fighter replica. Though the P-47 bears the name of Maj. Frank H. Peppers, who flew such an aircraft during the war, this commemoration honors all the men and women who fought for freedom in the colossal conflict 50 years ago. "It is a great honor for us to make that connection between Frank Peppers and this airplane today," said Maj. Gen. Tad J. Oelstrom, 9th AF vice commander. Oelstrom also pointed out that ' the aircraft was shipped from California and put together by volunteers from the 20th Equipment Maintenance Squadron and 20th Civil Engineer Squadron. These people worked during their own time putting the pieces together and painting it in its WW II colors. The fighter sports the colors ofthe·377th Fighter Squadron, 362nd Fighter Group to which Peppers belonged in 1944-4t:. He specialized in attacking ground targets like bridges, locomotives and troop concentrations to weaken the German army. Major Gen. Hoyt S. Vandenberg, then 9th AF commander, On Nov. 2 the P-47 was loaded onto a flatbed trailer called Peppers "the best tactical fighter pilot in the command." Vandenberg credited the 25-year-old pilot with destroying more than 15 bridges in his 125 ;,;ombat missions. The black and white stripes are 0;ecognition markings used by Allied aircraft over the 801mandy beaches during the D-Day invasion of <'ranre to avoid b2ing shot at by friendly forces. "Ninth AF during that time ( 1944) was the largest tactical air force ever put together and probably v..rill be the largest ever. There was no doubt the ATI8 (German) forces were in full retreat. There was no doubt about victory," Oelstrom said. The general was assisted in the ceremony by Grace Peppers of New York, Major Peppers' widow. Also assisting the general was Ed MacLean, president of the Ninth Air Force Association and a former P-4 7 pilot. MacLean represented the 9th AF A members who were holding their annual meeting at Shaw. The accompanying plaque reads in part, "All gave some, some gave all." "Most of us in the 9th AF who flew in the war have a recollection of some who gave all," Macl.,ean said. "For a brief moment, we dropped 50 years off our lives." MacLean then read from a plaque which he accepted on behalf of the 9th AF during the Air Force Association national convention in September. It was a special award honoring the 9th AF for its contributions to Allied victory in Europe during WW II. It reads, "In recognition of the 50th anniversary of the diversified air campaign carried out by the United States Army Air Forces' 9thAir Force. Designated the tactical air force for the invasion of the Continent the gallant members of the 9th, both operational and support units, contributed significantly to the Normandy assault preparation, were an integral part of support of the beach operations in June 1944 and played a major role in the drive that carried the Allies across France, eventually to end with victory over Germany." Photo by SSgt. Je1.y Boger o be transported the following day. Shaw Spirit, Nov. 22, 1994. 9 Photo by SSgt. Jerry Boger Members of the 20th Civil Engineer Squadron secured the aircraft to the concreto stand. Photo by A 1 C RGynaldo Ramon The P-47 sits at its final resting place in front of 9th Air Force Headquarters. Lehighton Never Forgotten WWII Comrades A Lehighton man deserves a medal for his efforts in securing World War II medals for his comrades. Staff Sgt. Marvin Diehl received the famous Air Medal in September 1993 after almost 50 years of waiting. After he secured his medal he thought about his comrades who never received their deserving honors. "Why not try for them also?" he thought. So he wrote again to General George Eade, who was his operationans officer, then a captain during the war, to intercede for 10 members who qualified for the honor. The General answered his letter and said he would inquire how to proceed with the Air Force. The Air Force personnel records department gave the go-ahea.d to have all qualifying applicants forward information. The entire process took about five months. Diehl was the historian for the 27th Air Transport group. Staff Sgt. Diehl wrote to all of his comrades who belong to the 17th organization association. They were told they would have to supply all information to Diehl, such as discharge date, flight time records, special orders or any records pertaining to their time with the 27thA.T.G. Through his research, Diehl determined that 66 pilots, co-pilots, radio operators or flight engineers never received the famous air medal from any group during World War II. He packed all the records of those recommended for the medal and sent them to General Eade, with a question about two members who might not qualify. General Eade agreed that those two had insufficient evidence and were deleted from the list. The General did add three more members, bringing the total to 67 members. General Eade commended Diehl for his dedication and perseverance in compiling the records. He then forwarded the records to the Air Force Personnel Records department at St. Louis, Mo. From St. Louis, the records were reviewed and approved by the Air Force Board at Randolph Field, Texas. General Eade was notified on Aug. 26 that all were approved. The announcement was made at a reunion in Denver, Colo. Aug. 25-27. The total number of Air Medals was 93, including four Distinguished Flying Crosses and a Purple Heart. Page 10 Article in THE TIMES NEWS, Lehighton, Pa. Fri., Sept. 9, 1994 By Gail Maholick, TIMES NEWS STAFF F.Y.I. There have been several references to airfield T-1 in the pages of the FL YER recently. For clarification please note that the designations El, Tl and A21C are all names for the same airfield: the one on the cliff at Saint-Laurent-Sur-Mer. This was the first fully-operational airfield built in Normandy. It was operational by the afternoon of June 7, 1944. Work on it progressed very rapidly. The enemy had denuded the cliff by removing buildings and hedgerows and by levelling it and shaving off high spots and filling in low spots. Their aim was to open up sight lines for their guns and to deny invading troops any cover. There wasn't even any tall grass on it All of their efforts were a great help to us All fighter planes used it for R & R, refueling and rearming. As fighter groups moved to France there was less need for fighter planes to use it. It was always used by C'47's. No surface was put on it because a heavy C-4 7 could rip up the square mesh track. The mission of the C-47s was troop carrier, supply and evacuation. They remained based in England throughout the Normandy Campaign so no air group was ever based on the field. The field started its career under the IX Air Force, then transferred to IX Engineer Command and ended its career under IX Service Command. It earned a DFC during the North Sea gale of June 19 and thereafter when it became the only point of contact with England for supply and evacuation. On another subject we have searched the print for reminiscences where we seek to answer the question of who did what first. After a lapse of a half-century memory has a tendency to telescope events and details become fuzzy. We must rely on documentary evidence to fix dates for events. It's the best we can do - even when documentary evidence is not final. The question as to which fighter group arrived in France first has recently been raised in the FL YER. My memory tells me that the 366 FG arrived at Al, Saint-Pierre-du-Mont on June 13, 1944 and flew missions on that date. My battalion history confirms my recollection and states: "Work progressed very rapidly on the ALG at Saint Pierre du Mont and by June 13 the first squadron of Allied planes to land in France since 1940 (American P-47's) touched down on the Field " - From "Thus We Served", a history of the 834th Engineers. If any of our readers have documentary information that another fighter group was in France before June 13, 1944, please bring it forward in the FL YER. Sandy Conti, 834 Engineers i .I Mailbag cont'd. from page 10 Dear Ed, Sandy Conti, with whom I served in the 834th Engineer Aviation Battalion, has asked me to drop you a few lines on my recollection of Colonel Augustine Little, Jr., who was the C-in-C of the 922nd Engineer Aviation Regiment. I was the Communications Sergeant and Battalion Historian with Headquarters and Service Company. Although some 50 years have intervened, I do have a good recollection of both Colonel Little and Lt. Colonel "Gil" Hall. Prior to D-Day, the 834th came under the control of the 922nd Engineer Aviation Regiment. The 922nd was strictly a headquarters with command over a number of Engineer Aviation Battalions including the 834th and the 819th. Prior to that our unit served under the 8th AF ' building an airdrome at Matching, England. In April (approximately) of 1944, the 922nd was activated under the 9th AF and both the 834th and 819th were designated as the spearhead Engineer Aviation battalions for constructing landing strips and airfields in Normandy and beyond. I met both Colonel Little and Colonel Hall when they visited our headquarters for consultations with, first our CO, Lt. Colonel Joseph A. Crist, and then with Colonel John J. Livingston who was in command prior to the invasion and then throughout the campaign in Normandy to VE Day in May of 1945. Colonels Little and Hall appeared often at our headquarters, right after D-Day and then throughout the Normandy campaign. My information is second-hand or third-hand, but I did learn of Colonel Little's and Colonel Hall's death, sometime prior to the liberation of Paris. My understanding is that both officers came under fire by a machine-gun nest somewhere outside Paris. Sandy has told me that Colonel Little was recorded as having died on August 29th, 1944. But, since Paris fell to the 2nd Armored (French) and the 4th Armored (US) on August 25th, and I had definitely heard of the ambush prior to the fall of Paris, then I must place the time the officers were attacked as before August 15th. Of course, it is possible Colonel Little died of his injuries later -- though we did hear at 834th HQ that he had died prior to the fall of Paris. The 834th remained under the command of the 922nd right up to our advance into Belgium in September 1944. Sometime after that and just before the Battle of the Bulge the battalion was returned to a point north of Paris (Beauvais and Pontoise) and was involved in renovating French and German airfields. About then, I believe, we came briefly under the command of the 926th Engineer Aviation Regiment, also an administrative HQ. In March of 1945 the 834th followed the infantry into Germany -- to Erfurt, Furth, Nuremberg, Pilsen (Czechoslovakia) and Schweinfurt -- involved in re~ovati.ng airfields for use by the 9th,Air Force. During this penod we were under the direct command of the 9th Engineer Command. The 834th built Matching Airdrome in England and detachments from Companies B, C were involved in airfield maintenance at Wilton, Gad by, and Great Barrington. In Normandy we built an airstrip (E-1) at St. Laurent, A-1 at St. Pierre du Mont, A-9 at Le Molay, A-6 at Chipelle, A-12 at Lignerolles, A-30C at Curtils, A-37 at LeMans, A-49C at Beille. Later we built Y-6 at Lyons (Oct. '44), repaired A-92 at St. Trond, Belgium. (Incidentally, the first Nazi V-2 rocket landed at St. Trond, creating a crater on one of the runways (Oct. 1, 1944). In Germany we rehabilitated some 20-odd airfields. Much of this information I gathered from the Battalion "yearbook" "Thus We Served." I wrote the narrative section for that volume. Should you wish further information on the 834th, I would be happy to furnish what I can recall or find in the History. Andrew Hertz New York City Re Item in FL YER Spring '93 from Bill Clark, Las Vegas Regarding the 155th Squadron ... they bunked with us in Gosselies, Belgium. Cliff Mackie lived to a ripe old age and died about 5 years ago in Newburyport, Mass. Conolly Anderson did not die on March 4, 44. I joined the 10 PR Group on July 22, 44 and I made friends with Anderson since he was from TX. The records of "Straight and Level" (Woodson, J.B.) notes that Conolly Anderson, 2nd Lt. John Kezziah (end for Clemson, All American) went down in the latter part of December (25), 44. Mackie transferred to the 33rd P.R.S. and finished the war with about 75 missions. Furthermore about the 155th Squadron, F3/A20. ·On October 29, Lt. Hulse, pilot, and Lt. Leavenworth, nav. were killed after having an engine shot out. Lt. Douglas B. Hardy made it through the war and went to medical school and became an M.D., lived a few blocks from me and then died last year. Julian Mar Dock Dallas, TX Page 11 Mailbag cont'd. from page 11 Politically Incorrect Accurate History Dear Mrs. MacLean, This is but one small effort to help set the record straight in at least one area: the enormity of the crimes against humanity at the German concentration camp BUCHENWALD. Today, for whatever reason, some are impelled to rewrite history. There seems to be a growing contempt for facts. There is a denial of Holocaust . . who assassinated President Kennedy .. that civilians and U.S. troops were tortured on the Manila death march .. that the dropping of the atomic bomb was an unnecessary act of violence . . and that all Americans are war-mongers using questionable acts of heroism of 50 years ago as being little more than propaganda based upon so-called facts that never happened. Thank God there are still veterans who were there ' who saw and experienced first-hand, and who owe it to our society and those who paid the supreme sacrifice to document the facts by film ("Schindler's List"), personal testimony, and the written word. Consider but one of these: the Holocaust. Those who deny that it ever happened by simply stating their claim loudly and often according to a recent Gallup poll have caused 33 percent of Americans to think that it seems possible that . extermination of Jews never happened. To say nothmg about the other political prisoners - Poles, Czechs, Russians, French, Rumanians, Hungarians, Italians, Belgians, and some Germans. In a subtle way, the attackers are putting history on the offensive. Denial becomes acceptance. History is not true, but rather stories concocted by the powerful on the weak. Make a claim repeatedly that events never happened and history can be rewritten to satisfy the ego and nationality of the perpetrators of the monstrous crimes many of us witnessed at first hand. As a sergeant in the 312th Fighter Control Squadron attached to General Patton's 4th Armored spearhead group, I witnessed first hand ~arbarous Camp Buchenwald three days after its liberation. With one of our captains, two other sergeants and myself, and a corporal, we visited this infamous camp of death located just outside Weimar, Germany 130 miles SW of Berlin. Here during its four years of operation the total dead numbered over 83,000. Of these, 51, 000 were executed by hanging, beating, shooting and electrocution. Let those who never saw it, witnessed its various methods of torture, spoke with half-naked bodies of the living dead, or saw the· stacks of bodies at six ovens in the crematorium awaiting cremation, tell those of us who did, that it never happened. Page 12 As a 23-year old tormer college student, I, like thousands upon thousands of others had seen enough of the wounds and death of war, but nothing of the barbarity of Buchenwald. I wrote a letter to my parents explaining what we had seen and urged them to see that it received wide distribution so others ,filight come to know the inhumanity that man was still capable of inflicting on others. The letter appeared in our hometown . paper (The Harvey Tribune), and was subsequently picked up by the AP and UP. Letters reached my parents from South America, Europe, and Australia, indicating that it appeared in their press as well. Those atrocities really did happen . . and tragically they still are happening today. We can't let those who ~ish to. rewrite history for their own agenda succeed by 1mpugnmg those of our generation. As a small contribution. toward this end, I am enclosing a copy of my earlier letter dated April 21, 1945. ** If you feel it has merit for THE FL YER, the 9th AF A museum, or for file at the University of Akron (Ohio), feel free to use it any any way you deem appropriate. Thanks for all the continued efforts of the officers and staff in furthering the history and singular accomplishments of the Ninth Air Force. Proud to be a member several years ago . . and prouder still to be a member of the Ninth Air Force Association today. Congratulations on your continued success in keeping the memories of a job well done alive by reunions and meetings. Clyde L. Krebs, Chicago, IL Editor's Note: **Being held for the Archives. Thank You! Nazi Family Hostage Law All male relations of an identified Resistance Fighter would be executed, female members sent to concentration camps and children placed in youth prisons. Issued in France 7/19/1942 Germany operated 30 Concentration Camps. P-47 Thunderbolt Advocates Formed The P-47 Thunderbolt Advocates is a new, non-profit organization established to "perpetuate the name, development, physical profile and combat record of the Republic P-47 Thunderbolt through the exchange of information among all people interested in the Jug." Additional information can be obtained by contacting P-47 Thunderbolt Advocates, Inc., 828 River Road, West Trenton, NJ 08628. · David Eldridge To Win The Winter Sky: The Air War over the Ardennes. 1-,..,,-A"'"""..J $29.95 GI Hardcover GI 0-938289 GI 528 pages GI 150 illustrations, maps GI 6"x9" GI VETS: $25.00 Battle of the Bulge: Hitler's Ardennes Offensive, 1944 .. 45 $34.95 GI Hardcover • 0'."938289-040-7 GI 320 pages GI 285 illustrations, 18 maps GI 9"xl2" GI VETS: $25.00 Send check or money order to COMBINED BOOKS, 151 E. 10th Avenue, Conshohocken, PA 19428. EIGHTH AIR FORCE BOMBER STORIES Eye-witness accounts from American airmen and British civilians of the perils of war by Ian MclAchlan NIGHT OF THE INTRUDERS First-hand accounts chronicling the slaughter of USAAF Mission 311 by Ian MclAchlan FINAL FLIGHTS Dramatic wartime incidents revealed by aviation achaeology by Ian M cwchlan Orders to: Cars & Trains, Boats & Planes Bookshop 15 Cowley Road, Oxford OX4 lHP (U.K.) Zenith Books, P.O. Box 1, Osceola, WI 54020 (U.S.) Mailbag cont'd. from page 12 Dear Mr. MacLean, You requested more information about the 133GAAAGUNBN (MBL). In early June 1943 the 133d was merely a number in the War Department files - a new unit to be activated later that month in the schedule for our expanding army. Lt. Col. John S. Mayer was to be its commanding officer. The 133d took basic training at Camp Edwards, Mass., advance training at Fort Bragg, N.C. In August 1944 the 133d was attached to the IX Air Defense Command and was assigned to the defense of Omaha Beach, Cherbourg and Reims, protecting the 17 AIB Division's strike across the Rhine, to protect the W adir Steel Mills in Luxembourg and to protect and defend the bridges across the Rhine at Bingen, Oppenheim and Aulhauser. With the ending of the conflict the Battalion's THUNDERBOLT ODYSSEY: WAR IN EUROPE by Kemal Saled Sand Springs resident Kemal Saled has written a fascinating memoir of his career as a P-47 Thunderb.olt pilot in Europe during World War IL The author pays tribute to the rugged construction of the P-47, affectionately called the "Jug" by its pilots and ground crew. The plane's massive engine and armor plating saved many a flier's life, while its performance enabled it to be used in multiple roles as a fighter, dive bomber and ground attack aircraft. Highlights . include missions over France, Belgium and Germany, with flying during the vicious weather of the Battle of the Bulge, reports of the capture of the Ludendorff Bridge at Remagen on the Rhine, which gave the Allies a vital bridgehead into the heart of the Reich. P-47 Crew Chief: "Thanks for the trust and credit you gave the ground crews. " 90th Inf. Solder: "We ground pounders owe a debt of gratitude to you fly-boys." P-47 Pilot: "I thought I was reading my own story." $12.95 each• P&H, 1st copy $1.35 GI add $.45 each add'l copy • foreign, add $3.00 for 1st copy• enclose MO or check (no cash) to: Stonewood Press, 3107 Summit Blvd, Sand Springs, Oklahoma 7 4063 NOTE: IF NOTICE OF BOOK PUBLISHING AND AV AILABILITY IS REQUESTED,we must respectfully ask that one copy of the book be sent to the 9th AF Association, care of the FL YER, Mailbag cont'd. primary mission of air defense and combat support was subjugated to another mission of importance, that of disarmament in south Germany and Austria. Thomas Williams, Manchester, NH Marvin Rosvold brings us a report on Wes Loegering - Great Warrior Wes Loegering - Great Warrior - has moved to California to a Senior Residence near to his daughter Susan. Regrettably he has lost much of his sight but is ambulant, without cane or walker. He travels on bus to YMCA about 3. times a week to work out in the pool in therapeutic regime. I learned for the first time that his brother Jack was a P-47 pilot with the 78th Fighter Group in the 8th Air Force and was downed in September 1944 to spend balance of war as a POW. Editor - Thank you, Marvin Page 13 Watching all the D-Day 50th Anniversary celebrations brought back a lot of memories and set me to digging through my scrapbooks, files and such. I have from time to time tried to find a photo of the event that took place at Widewing on Monday, May 15 as written by Captain Butcher in his book "My Three Years with Eisenhower- 1942 to 1945," pages 539-40, a copy of which is enclosed. I was with the 9AF Plans Section and working in an outbuilding and knew all the details of Operation Overlord, so I knew of this meeting and witnessed the end of it as they all came out and stood on the steps of St. Pauls School, still chatting away as they waited for their various staff cars to pick them up. I vividly remember thinking that if "Jerry" were to drop a bomb just then, the war would have been over in a single stroke. I have visited the Truman, Eisenhower and Roosevelt Libraries and also, in 1984, went back to the Hammersmith area looking for St. Pauls School but it went the way of progress. No picture was available or even to be seen. I have to think there has to be some picture of this momentous event and this is why a letter is coming your way. Hopefully the 9AF historical group can come up with one for me. May I hear from someone? Thank you. W.S. Swanson, In view to help in my search concerning allied downed aircraft in southwestern France during World War II, would you be so kind to insert advertisement in your association newspaper, to try to get in touch with the following person: MISSING IN ACTION - 28August1944- N. Bordeaux 70 miles - 9th A.F. - 370th FG - 401th FS p 38 42-67978 Pilot - 2/Lt. Christian CHRIST EVS Bernard Ballanger, It Works!! Thank you very much to send me "The Flyer." My quest about the airplane crashed in my village has resulted. Thanks to your help for the parution of my letter. Mr. Chuinard've been very kind to communicate me informations about this pilot KIA: William R. Perkins, 9th AF, Group 354th, Squadron 356th, Airplane P51B. Jean Torchio, Notre-Dame-De-Cenilly,France Page 14 I want to thank you for sending us the 9th Air Force FL YER newsletter. We presented the French medal to my brother over the July 4th weekend and while he doesn't talk much about the war he expressed a desire to find two 9th Air Force buddies. One was Frank Barone and the other Biaggio Schibetta. It would complete the circle if they could get in touch with my brother: Staff Sergeant Michael J. Sciarrillo Again, many thanks for allowing me at 62 to retrace my brother's steps of fifty years ago. I was only 12 but I wrote diligently and he called me "the apple of his eye." God bless you both. Anita and Peter Isaia Thank you for the opportunity to meet with members of the Ninth Air Force Association on the evening of June 3 aboard the QE-2 in Southampton. My wife and I enjoyed the whole evening very much indeed. We have just arrived home after spending two weeks in East Anglia during which time we visited several old U.S. Airfields in the area of Braintree and Stansted, also Matching and Chipping Ongar. During the evening on the QE-2 I met a lady whose name was Mary, her home was in N orthem California, unfortunately I do not know her surname. She and her husband had made visits to Wales. I would like to make contact with them once again to see if they care to correspond with us. One further clue was that I gave Mary a special D-Day 50 pence piece (coin). Please if you produce a newsletter, would you include my request, if possible. Eric Pepper, It has been two months since we met on the beaches of Normandy, an occasion which left me unforgettable memories. I hope that your stay in France was all you anticipated, together with your friends. In the framework of the creation of my book, entitled "MERCI, THANK YOU" I seek the witness of veterans who participated in the landings, an operation unique in the annals of our century. If you wish to send me personal photographic documents, I shall take the greatest care of them and, with profound pleasure, make you some copies. Thank you for your collaboration. Patrick Jean, Images Nouvelles I .. 1 Search cont'd. from page First may I introduce myself. My name is Andrew Taylor, a researcher and historian specialising in WW2 East Anglia. I am currently researching a book on the airwar over the Shotley Peninsula, near Ipswich in the county of Suffolk- 363d FG. I am keen to obtain first-hand accounts about: (1) On 25th March 1944 a P-51B from the 381st FS of the 363rd FG out of Rivenhall in Essex, crashed into the River Stour on the Essex/Suffolk border. Flown by 2/Lt. Newman E. Tyree, the aircraft broke up in mid-air while practice dive bombing on a target in the river. Sadly the pilot was killed. (2) On the 30th March 1944 a similar incident occurred when a P-51B from the 382nd of the same Group crashed into the Stour while dive bombing the same target. This aircraft also broke up in mid-air. The pilot, 2/Lt. George F. Parker, also lost his life. (3) Earlier in the month a P-51B from the 355th FS of the 354th FG out of Boxted had crashed on the Essex side of the River Stour in almost identical circumstances. The pilot of this aircraft was also killed. He was 2/Lt. S .J. Jones. Andy M. Taylor, Seeking stories with photos for a companion book to 8th AF Bomber Stories, dealing this time with the Fortunes and Misfortunes of American fighters in the ETO. Ian McLachlan - Aviation Historian, I am a member of a British Historical Aircraft Group and over the many years since we were first formed have investigated many WWII aircraft crashes. I and my colleagues are interested in finding out more details of the following aircraft: C47 - Dakota. 9th Air Force. This aircraft crashed at Kop Hill, High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, England at 10:30 am in October 1943 .. All 6 on board were killed and the crash happened in bad weather. It was carrying food - corned beef, etc. and also inner tire tubes. Unfortunately I have no further details - not even where the aircraft came from or was going. I am a member of the 9th Air Force Historical Society and found your address listed in their Station Contact List. I should appreciate any help you can give or failing that perhaps you can suggest who else I can contact. Johanna Sienkiewicz, This is a followup to our conversation in reference to any information pertaining to my father, First Lieutenant, Joe H. Brewster (serial number 0-558697, 9th Air Force, 19th Tactical Command, 1 OOth Wing, 367th Fighter Group, and 393rd Fighter Squadron). I would like to hear from anyone who knew my father. Joe H. Brewster, Brewster, Grove & Associates Family of Wm Ernest Warner, died 7/57, served as WW II pilot 53rd TCW in England and 81st TCW in France, anxious to hear from friends from WW Terry I. Russ (nee Warner), Following our Association D-Day trip the Chuck Manns and the David Childs - 362rd Group - went on a motor trip through France and into Germany - An incredible experience: Dave was shot down near Kaiserlautern in 1944. This mission was to search for the site where he parachuted in the snow and was captured and taken to a hospital - and where his P-47 crashed on a hill top. With the aid of USAF at Ramstein AFB, he not only found these sites but also met a German lady who had witnessed his burned parachute on the ground. Her son had recently helped excavate parts from his airplane - all of which were presented to Dave. What emotional impact! Folded Wings Calvin Brewer, Pilot 441st ATC ETO. James Aaron Swindle, 322d Bomb Group, 9/10/93 Marvin Holland, 406th FG Armament, Highland Park, IL (Veteran Life 2870), died 10/2494. His widow, Joan H. will take over his 9 AFA Life membership becoming FL2870. Charles McMahon, 409th Bomb Gp Photographer died 11/12/94. Author of D-Day 1944 story in Summer FL YER. His sister, Mrs. Helen Hastings, Rochester, NY will be offered his annual Charter membership. Charles' photos have been sent to James Tobin of Paris, KY, who has indicated they will ultimately go to 9AFA Archives. Bruce Pluth - 354 FG' died 6/10/94 Page 15 FIFTY YEARS AGO THIS MONTH: THE NAZIS WERE RETREATING, THE ALLIES COULD ALMOST TASTE VICTORY, BUT HITLER HAD ONE TERRIBLE SURPRISE LEFT: WW II'S FINAL BLOODY CONFLICT, LAUNCHING: THE BATTLE OF THE BULGE. And We were there. "THE BATTLE MUST BE FOUGHT WITH BRUTALITY" said Hitler. And it wa$. BUT THANKFULLY HIS DEFEAT IS HISTORY AND THE PEACE SIGNING AT REIMS THE ULTIMATE ALLIED VICTORY. Nothing may equal our memorable Return to D-Day, but that was Commemorative; this trip is celebratory. WE WANT TO BE THERE. TRY TO JOIN US. A wonderful reunion and camaraderie await you as you join the 9th AFA on this occasion that allows you to relive a time lost in memories when vision, determination, and grit went hand-in-hand to create a world of freedom and peace. OPTION#! VE-Day+ 50 Land for only $2,750 plus air/each Sunday, April 30, 1995 - Day 1 Leave the U.S. for your transatlantic flight to Frankfurt. Monday, May 1, 1995 - Day 2 Arrival in Frankfurt - private luxury air-conditioned motorcoaches for transfer from Frankfurt Airport to your hotel in Wiesbaden. WIESBADEN PENTA HOTEL (4 nights) Tuesday, May 2, 1995 - Day 3 Full Day Sightseeing Tour to charming Heidelberg. Wednesday, May 3, 1995 - Day 4 Optional Tours. Evening - German Wine Tasting Dinner at Weinhaus Meerschid in Oestrich-Winkel. Thursday, May 4, 1995 - Day 5 Full Day Sightseening Tour of the Rheingau area, lunch included, followed by a beautiful river cruise on the Rhine, passing many ancient castles from Rudesheim to the Lorelei. MILITARY PROGRAM: Friday, May 5, 1995 - Day 6 Farewell to Germany - motorcoach to Luxembourg. INTERCONTINENTALHOTEL (2 nights) Wine and dine at a beautiful chateau. Saturday, May 6, 1995 - Day 7 Morning briefing about the Battl~ of the Bulge. A typical Walloon buffet luncheon. Visit the Bastogne Historical Center. Private wreath-laying ceremony dedicated to the memory of fellow Air Force men who lost their lives here. THE NINTH AIR FORCE ASSOC., Inc. Office of the President Deliver at least one new member Center. Private wreath-laying ceremony dedicated to the memory of fellow Air Force men who lost their lives here. Sunday, May 7, 1995 - Day 8 Private motorcoach to Reims, France - champage reception and lunch in Reims, and a private ecumenical service at Reims Cathedral. Continue to Paris arriving late afternoon. HOTEL TERMINUS NORD (3 nights) Monday, May 8, 1995 - Day 9 Activities in Paris for the official ceremonies. Gala Dinner Dance at the Cercle National des Armees. Tuesday, May 9, 1995 - Day 10 Explore Paris on your own. Wednesday, May 10, 1995 - Day 11 Transatlantic flight home to United States. TRANSATLANTIC AIRFARE: New York/Frankfurt, return Paris/New York Economy Class on wide-bodied jets. $786.00 per person incl. trip cancellation insurance. OPTION#2 Return from Europe on the recently renovated Spectacular QE2, May 10-15, 1995. Mauretania - Transatlantic Class: M2-Inside $2,044 Includes economy BA air to London from most cities, Mauretania upgrade to BA Concorde for $1,099 per person. Included: One-way economy airfare from London to Frankfurt, Eurostar Chunnel Train from Paris to London, Cunard's private Oceanliner Express from London to Southampton. ASK FOR MICHAEL WHALEY For additional details NON-PROF1T VETERANS ORGANIZATION U.W. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT NO. 25 Additional copies of the FL YER will he available at $2.50 while supply lasts.
Click tabs to swap between content that is broken into logical sections.
Title | Ninth Flyer Winter_1995 |
Creator | 9th Air Force Association |
Date Original | 1995 |
Description | The quarterly newsletter, The Ninth Flyer, published by the Ninth Air Force Association, Inc. from 1991 through 2012. |
Subject Terms |
United States. Army. Air Corps. Air Force, 9th The Ninth Flyer Newsletters |
Type | Text |
Publisher | Ninth Air Force Association, Inc. |
Digital Publisher | University of Akron. Archival Services |
Date Digitized | 2014 |
Copyright Statement | This image is protected by copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code). Copyright to this image lies with The University of Akron which makes it available for personal use for private study, scholarship, or research. Any other use of this image including publications, exhibitions, or productions is prohibited without written permission of The University of Akron Archival Services. Please contact Archival Services at archives@uakron.edu for more information. |
Source Collection | 9th Air Force Association |
Medium | Document |
Collection Category | World War II |
UA College | University Libraries |
UA Department | Archival Services |
Website | http://www.uakron.edu/libraries/archives/ |
Contact Information | Telephone: 330-972-7670 Fax: 330-972-6170 E-mail: archives@uakron.edu |
transcript | I ,, \ SHAW AIR BASE NINTH AIR FORCE HEADQUARTERS NOVEMBER 9, 1994 WINTER 1995 Proud Ninth Air Force and P-47 Devotees dedicated the P-47 Replica whose trek to Ninth Air Force Headquarters we have all been following for the past six months. IT IS A THING OF BEAUTY MOUNTED IN FRONT OF NINTH AIR FORCE HEADQUARTERS. The Ninth Air Force Association is grateful to Cot Dick Uppstrom of Air and Space Museum in Dayton, General Mike Nelson, and General John Jumper (who missed the ceremony because of active duty assignment in the Middle East). Without their aid and enthusiasm this project would never have succeeded. Kudos also to the men and women of the: 20th Fighter Wing, Equipment Maintenance Squadron, Civil Engineering Squadron, Civil Engineering Support Plans, 20th Visual lnformation--Support Graphics (NINTH AIR FORCE) for recreating this replica in the War Image of the P-47 flown by Major Frank H. Peppers (362d FG) in his career of 125 missions in the ETO, achieving the distinction of designation by General Vandenburg as best overall fighter pilot in the Ninth Air Force, credited with 15 single and double span railroad bridges. With great pride, we dedicated the display to his memory and welcomed his widow, Grace, for her gracious participation in the program along with: Major General Tad. J. Oelstrom, 9th AF Vice Commander; 9th AFA President, Ed MacLean; Chaplain (Major) Wayne R. Knutson; David L. Rosmer, Chief, 9th AF Historian and Project Officer, and many P-47 Pilots. THE Published Quarterly by The Ninth Air Force Association EDITOR'S MESSAGE: This message is written with mixed emotions. This issue of the FL YER is the last one to be produced by me as Editor. The task of creating the FL YER has been thoroughly enjoyable and challenging. I will truly miss it and the correspondence with all of you which accompanies it. But Ed and I agreed several months ago that the vitality of the Association would best be served by the assumption of the responsibility by someone else, broadening the base of interest and service and bringing in other viewpoints and experience to this project which is a strong core of Association strength. The Association has been most fortunate in the willingness of FRANK CARNAGGIO, Journalist and Charter Member of the newly formed 9th AFA Chapter in Birmingham, to undertake the position of Editor. All future correspondence on the FL YER should be addressed to Frank at: Please accept my thanks for the cooperation you have extended to me, making the task achievable and the FLYER as well received as it has been. NINTH AIR FORCE ASSOCIATION, INC. Chartered as a Not-For-Profit Veterans Corporation in the State of Tennessee. Registered with and approved by the IRS as a 501-C-19 organization Its stated purposes are: A. To Preserve and Publicize the History of the Ninth Air Force, from its beginning in World War IL B. To Honor and Memorialize the sacrifices of our comrades and families. C. To Promote Fellowship among the survivors, families and descendants of all people assigned to the Ninth at any time. D. To Foster continuing quest for Individual Liberty and Love of Our Country. · Send all Address changes to: President Vice President/Membership Vice President Administrator/ Asst. Secretary Secretary Treasurer Asst. Treasurer Secretary/Bd. of Directors Page 2 Ed MacLean Jack Yarger Chuck Mann Marvin Rosvold Larry Gaughran Leonard Bennett Bernard Cirantineo Gordon Doule George Getchell Ed MacLean Charles Mann Vito Pedone John Peterson William Porter Marvin Rosvold Jack Yarger Casimir Sochocki Lloyd Johnson Bernard Cirantineo Laurence Gaughran OF ASSOC. 416 Bomb Group Retired Today's 9th Air Force 362nd Fighter Group 362nd Fighter <;Troup Troop Carrier Commd Path 366th Fighter Group 155th Night Photo Recon Sqdn 368th Fighter Group 406th Fighter Group 323 Bomb Group 50th Fighter Group 368th Fighter Group 405th Fighter Group 1995 SCHEDULE OF REUNIONS 9th AFA - 1995 - May 25-28, Washington, D.C. Contact Vido Pedone. 9th AFA - 1996 - Springtime, Las Vegas. Commemoration of Today's Ninth- 5th Anniv. Gulf War Convention. Contact George Getchell. 5th Biennial "SEWART AFB REUNION" (formerly known as 314th TCW/TAW) - May 24-30, 1995 at Marriott Hotel, Nashville, TN. For all personnel stationed at Sewart AFB in Smyrna, TN from 1948 to June. 1970. Contact M.N. Ledbetter at 29th T.C. Sqn., 313th T.C. Group - Reunion planned for Sept. 14-16, 1995 in Omaha, Nebraska. Contact Robert C. Kerr, 55th FG - August 1-5, 1995, Oshkosh, Wisc. Contact Ray Mull, 410 Bomb Group Assoc. - May 24-28, 1995, US Grant Hotel, San Diego, CA, 1(800) 237-5029. Contact Howard Aimes, The 79th, 80th, 81st and 82nd Squadrons of 436th Troop Carrier Group - October 5-7, 1995, St. Louis, Missouri. A joint business meeting and a joint banquet will be available, but each squadron will also do its own "thing". The goal of the reunion is to attempt to organize a 436th T.C. Group Assoc. For more information contact one of the following: 79th - James Hardt - 79th - Roger Airgord - 80th -Bill Elmendorf - 1 81st - Gale Ammerman 82nd - Robert Durant - 82nd - Larry Riordan - I ~I MESSAGE Life continues its good news-bad news pattern: Good News: two of our most dependable members have agreed to take on very important assignments: 1. LLOYD JOHNSON will chair CHAPTER AFFAIRS JOHN PETERSON will chair MEMBERSHIP 2. Your Board of Directors agreed unanimously to create a Ninth AFA Heritage Foundation. 3. There is a full size replica of a P-47 occupying the front lawn of the 9th AF Headquarters at Shaw Air Force Base. 4. Your 9th AFA will be sponsoring the May 7, 1995, ALLIED AIR FORCES VE DAY CELEBRATION BY THE 8th, 12th, 15th, RAF, RCAF, and Free French Air Forces in Rheims, France. 5. The Air Force Association (Washington, D.C.) honored the NINTH AFA at its annual conference in Washington, D.C. and the plaque will be on permanent display in 9th AF Headquarters, Shaw Air Force Base. 6. The 9th AF Headquarters, Shaw AFB has invited the 9th AFA to prepare a '42-'45 display to be exhibited in the Headquarters Reception area. 7. I experienced a personal high when my fellow members of the Board of Directors elected me as the Chairman of the Board. Bernie Cirantineo was elected Secretary to the Board of Directors at the same meeting. Bad News -- is NOT REALLY BAD NEWS, IT'S THE SORROW OF SAYING GOOD-BYE TO AN ERA: This issue of the FL YER is the last one to be edited by Genevieve MacLean. Genevieve is turning her Editor responsibilities over to Frank Camaggio. While the President's Message is generally addressed to the Membership, this part of my message is a personal message to our FL YER EDITOR: "Thank you, Genevieve for a job well done. You protected the integrity of our FL YER by having a good mix of subjects and a good balance of information and entertainment. Although you were not a volunteer, you did rise to the occasion and for that, the 9th AF A has reason to be truly grateful, as many communications to the FL YER confirm. ALL FUTURE COMMUNICATIONS REGARDING THE FLYER SHOULD BE ADDRESSED TO: FRANK CARNAGGIO by Chuck Mann, Chairman, Elections Committee Anyone who has said they feel "their" unit or command is not adequately represented on the Ninth Air Force Board of Directors should take action. Four Directors will be elected for a 3 year term starting in May 1995, as 1/3 of the Board is elected each year to assure continuity. This is the policy-making and planning body which shapes the direction and projects for your Association. As provided in our By-Laws, any Veteran or Family member in good standing who was a paid-up for the preceding calendar year, may submit their petition for nomination for election as a Director. Directors attend two major meetings per year at their expense and such teleconferences as necessary. Blank petitions are available from Chuck Mann, You will need signatures of 10 current members who approve of your candidacy. For our first 4 years, your Association has never had more nominees than openings on the Board. You can remedy this by filing or urging another eligible member to file. As in all elections, name recognition is important so those who run this year and don't get enough votes will surely be prime candidates for subsequent elections. Return the signed petitions to me by 2/1/95. This year you can also expect some proposals to amend the By-Laws in areas where four years experience has shown a definite need. Ballots with a bio-sketch on each candidate will be mailed to all currently paid-up (1995 Dues are due and payable January 1) Veteran and Family Members in time for votes to be returned and tabulated before the May 25 Arlington Convention. "FREEDOM FLIGHT AMERICA" July 22 to August 14, 1995 This once-in-a-lifetime event will be the greatest tribute to say THANKS to our WW II Vets and to all our nation for its sacrifices and successes. This will be the largest flight of WW II aircraft since VJ Day, 1945. Already over 570 aircraft are enrolled to make this mass flight from California starting July 22, stopping at ten cities along the way and the grand finale in New York on the 50th Anniversary of VJ Day as they circle the Statue of Liberty! Stay tuned for further announcements of the routes and cities where you can see this mighty armada of fighters, bombers, transports and liaison planes in this spectacular celebration to our nation. Page3 9th AF A Recognition by the Association The Air Force Association Annual Convention is conducted in September each year in the Washington Sheraton Hotel, Washington, D.C. The convention is first class in every respect. There are numerous corporate sponsors in evidence with their displays located on the lower level. There are many, many activities and awards ceremonies on the schedule which involve Air Force personnel. This attracts attendance of the blue-suit family of all ranks. President Bill Clinton said to the Air Force Association: "Your continuing efforts to recognize a whole generation of heroes who fought in World War II help to remind younger generations of the sacrifices these veterans and their fallen comrades made so that freedom might live." Those remarks were included in the Air Force Association Convention Opening and Awards Ceremonies brochure. President Ed MacLean was invited to represent the Ninth Air Force Association during the Opening and Awards Ceremonies on Monday, September 12th. AF A President Jim McCoy presents A ward of Excellence to 9th AFA President, Ed MacLean, September 12, 1994. NEW ALABAMA CHAPTER WELCOMED ABOARD Frank Carnaggio, Organizer & Director; Dr. Tom Flynn, Chapter President; Ed MacLean, 9 AF A President; Charles McEwen, Chapter Secretary & Treasurer. Page4 Members of the Board of Directors were also invited and encouraged to attend. Marvin Rosvold, Lloyd Johnson, Vito Pedone, Stan Stepnitz and others were in attendance. AFA President Jim McCoy recognized the Ninth Air Force, and the 9th Air Force Association, for their many fine accomplishments during and since World War II. President Ed MacLean was presented with the APA Award of Excellence and all members of the Ninth Air Force Association who were present in the Ballroom were asked to stand and be recognized. There were thirty or so 9th APA members. Dr. Sheila Widnall, Secretary of the Air Force, was the Keynote speaker for the Opening and Awards Ceremony. The Air Force Association is to be commended for its extremely high level of excellence. The plaque will be on permanent display at 9th AF Headquarters, Shaw Air Force Base. Lloyd Johnson Lloyd Johnson, Ed MacLean, Marvin Rosvold B.Co. 505 Pl R Stir Up Memories? 82nd Airborne Division Anthony J. Antoniou Miller Place, NY 117 64 "Politically Correct History" continues to rouse the ire of veterans and their families and friends A resolution was adopted by the 9AFA in November to address Congress with strong opposition to Smithsonian manipulating history and with a request to all concerned that the P-47 be restored to permanent display at the Smithsonian. Evidence that the 9AFA is in the mainstream follows: From Air Force Association News HISTORY TODAY Firestorm of Controversy Surrounds Planned Smithsonian Exhibit The Smithsonian Institution's prestigious National Air and Space Museum has become the focal point of a heated controversy over the context of a planned exhibit marking the fiftieth anniversary of the American A-bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Schedule to open in May 1995, "The Last Act: The Atomic Bomb and the End of World War II," will display for the first time the forward fuselage section of the Enola Gay, the B-29 Superfortress that carried the bomb dropped on Hiroshima on August 6, 1945. During the past ten years the historic-and in some eyes controversial-aircraft has undergone a $1-million restoration at the museum's Silver Hill, Maryland preservation facility. The furor has centered not on the Enola Gay, however, but on the interpretive displays that museum curators have also planned to provide perspective to the exhibit. After obtaining a copy of the initial 559-page script last January, the Air Force Association, veterans' groups, and some historians protested that the material presents an unbalanced, emotionally charged, revisionist viewpoint of history that portrays the Japanese as innocent victims and the Americans as ruthless aggressors. Particularly criticized was the planned display, in the "emotional center" of the exhibit, "Ground Zero: Hiroshima and Nagasaki," of dozens of horrifying photographs showing Japanese casualties of the bombing- without providing balancing context regarding Allied casualties and Japanese atrocities and brutality during the war. Further protests were lodged regarding curators' interpretations of President Harry Truman's motives in his decision to drop the bomb. Controversy increased this past summer after reviews by the Museum's Director and an advisory panel found lack of balance in the script but failed to produce substantive changes. A group of B-29 veterans collected eight thousand signatures on petitions demanding that the Smithsonian "display the aircraft properly or turn it over to a museum that will do so." Retired Air Force Force Brigadier General Paul W. Tibbets, Jr., who had piloted the B-29 on the historic mission, charged that "history had been denigrated, the Enola Gay has been miscast, and a group of valiant Americans have been denied a historically correct representation to the public." And twenty-four congressm~n wrote to the Smithsonian's secretary, protesting the "outrageous bias" of the planned exhibit. Responding to the pressure, on August 29 the Smithsonian announced that it would make additional changes and add an introductory section to the exhibit showing events in the Pacific that caused and led up to the overwhelming Allied response to Japanese aggression. The modified script has continued to draw critics' fire, however, as still being "a partisan interpretation that many Americans-and most veterans-will find objectionable." Headline from The New York Times 1011194 Headline from The SIS Tribune 1211194 Smithsonian Substantially Alters Enola Gay Exhibit After Criticism Time For The Smithsonian Brass To Walk The Plank MORE BAD NEWS Foundation's $3 Million Debt Puts Wall Of Liberty In Doubt by Mark Allen Peterson, Stars and Stripes Contributing Editor The Battle of Normandy Foundation is $3 million in debt, and a government report casts doubt on whether the foundation can carry out its proposed projects, including the Wall of Liberty Memorial Garden in Caen, France. "The report is exactly correct," said Thomas Barker, a spokesman for the foundation. The foundation's "precarious financial condition casts doubt on whether it can continue its operations, whether it can pay the current and future costs of operating and maintaining the memorial in Caen, and whether such projects as the Wall of Liberty in Caen will proceed," according to the GAO. by Von Hammerstein, Behind the Battle Lines Goebbels: "My Fuehrer, I congratulate you. Roosevelt is dead. It is written in the stars. The last half of April will be the turning point." 17 days later Hitler would take his own life and a day later, Goebbels and· his wife and 6 children would be dead. Page5 AF Archives Dean Delmus Williams and Dr. Stanley Akers·of the University of Akron gave presentations on the Archive Project during the Board of Directors November Meeting at Shaw Air Force Base. A wide-ranging discussion of details took place. There was general agreement that this project should be Top Shelf for 1995. Jack Barensfeld and Jack Yarger are expected to meet with the University personnel shortly to ascertain how 9th AFA volunteers can best assist U/A get 9th AFA History items into appropriate classification. Full guidelines and instructions as to how each of us can process our memorabilia for the Archives will be carried in the next issue of the FL YER. The Directors summarized that Museums/Memorials under consideration include: EAA - Oshkosh, WI; Pond Museum - Palm Springs; Memorial Wall - USAF Museum at Dayton; Traveling Exhibit; D-Day Museum at New Orleans. It was also agreed that up to $3000 would be provided to the Ninth AF for development of an historic display at Shaw. Any archival material should be addressed to: Ninth AFA Archives, c/o Dr. Stanley Akers Director of the University of Akron Archives Akron, OH 44325-1707 If at all possible, please identify the material as to source and content. Also, please send a list of materials submitted to Jack Barensfeld, 9th AFA, Organizations - Join? Veterans organizations are in need·· of membership. Their membership increases in times of crisis when it is popular to show that membership. After a war the military falls into disfavor with the public and government who both view it as a drain on the.economy. When this situation occurs, not only does the government try to disassociate from the military, but the public loses interest in veterans' organizations. Even many of those who served honorably in past wars start questioning themselves: "Why should I join (or renew my membership) in a veterans organization? I did not volunteer for the military. I did not want to be in a war and I did not enjoy myself when I was there." I did not realize, until years after I returned home, what my service meant to my family and country. I should be proud of my accomplishments and those of my comrades who went through the military experience. I now enjoy the friendship won by being a member of a rather elite group who suffered together at the call of our government. The older veterans of other wars make us see that the time sacrificed in the service keeps our country free, and that veterans organization fight for those who have not yet returned as fortunate as they were when they left. Veterans organizations all help to preserve the meager benefit which we owe to those who gave so much for all of us. The only power that these organizations have is numbers of members. This is why we should join, Veterans. Taken from Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs Bulletin. Victory in Europe At 0141 hour of 7 May 1945, the unconditional surrender of Germany was signed at Reims. At 0001 hours of 9 May 1945, the surrender became effective and WWII was over in Europe. Lt. General Hoyt S. Vandenberg, the Commanding General of the 9th Air Force recognized this victory. with the following order. To All Personnel of the Ninth Air Force. Order of the Day The unconditional surrender of all German Forces marks the attainment of our objective in Europe. It follows the complete defeat of the enemy on land, sea, and in the air. From friends and enemies alike has come evidence of the tremendous role of air power in accomplishing this historic success. In our pride, may we give humble thanks to Almighty God for the faith and strength he gave us in our cause, and pray His grace for those we Page6 have lost in the battle. Each man who fought and died is inseparable with those who fought and lived. By the strength of our faith and in your determination you have come thousands of miles to drive a powerful enemy from the skies, then turn your weapons against the foe on the ground to destroy his ability to resist. To each one of you is due this credit. Our force could not have fought without the untiring effort of the individual. We must guard against the illusion of final success. We must not only defeat our remaining enemy, but we must also insure future vigilance against the cause of war. this so the world may not again suffer under ruthless conquerors. It is in this ultimate success that we shall find the justification for those who have died as well as the work that has been accomplished by those who have survived. from C.J. McKilloys, Ventura, CA From THE SPIRIT- Shaw AFB Newspaper, 10114194 President deploys more troops F-16s join deployment while other Shaw people and equipment stand ready As of Tuesday, that response included deploying U.S. Air Force F-4s, F-15s, F-16s, A-lOs, F-117s, F-llls, C-130s and F-llls, B-52s, KC-135s and airborne warning and control system aircraft. The aircraft will join some 200 U.S. and Allied aircraft already in the Gulf region, said officials. About 7,600 U.S. Air Force members will deploy to the Gulf, joining some 3,857 airmen already in the theater. Another 1,151 airmen are on standby, officials said. Shaw launched 12 F-16s from the 78th and 79th Fighter Squadrons en route to Southwest Asia early Thursday morning while the rest of the base stands by for further orders. From 9th AF Public Affairs Office Might of Vigilant Warrior Stops Saddam Cold IN THE ARABIAN GULF REGION -- When Saddam Hussein, dictator of Iraq, once again threatened his neighbors a massive display of military might stopped him without a shot fired. Dubbed Operation Vigilant Warrior, aircraft, troops, ships and other war materiel deployed from bases in the United States and elsewhere convinced Saddam to retreat. As commander of all air forces in the USCENTCOM area of responsibility, Lt. Gen. John P. Jumper established the USCENTAF headquarters in the Middle East. He and about 85 members of the headquarters, including several key staff members, deployed with little notice to confront Saddam's tanks with air power. About half of the team comes from A-3/A-5. These people daily plan and execute operations in the area. About 25 % of the team is comprised of intelligence specialists from A-2. The balance spans a cross-section of support specialties including communicators, logisticians, personnel and administration specialists and a variety of other support people. Although the threat of direct confrontation with Iraq has subsided, the deployment provides an excellent opportunity for operational training. Members will be able to refine command and control procedures, train with coalition allies and sister services and refine contingency plans. A big benefit is the opportunity to conduct joint close air support training in Kuwait, said Col. Bill Hoge, US CENT AF Chief of Plans and Operations. In contrast to Operation Desert Storm, the Air Force now has extensive experience in the region's desert environment after continuous operations since 1990. During this deployment the Air Force. benefited from that experience, in placing support structure and from the use of preposition stockpiles of supplies and equipment. Aircraft have been flying daily over southern Iraq since 1992 when Operation Southern Watch began. OSW is the ongoing "no-fly zone" operation to monitor compliance with the post-gulf War sanctions. Most aircrews and a large portion of support forces have Desert Shield, Desert Storm or post-Gulf War Middle East experience. Many people have been deployed to that area more than once. Currently, the Air Force flies about 125 sorties per day. About 70-75 go over Iraq. When a Navy carrier is on station, combined sorties are about 200 per day with about 100 over Iraq. USCENT AF developed the plan and helped to tailor force packages to meet U.S. Central Command air requirements. The plan proceeded according to schedule, said Maj. Gen. Tad Oelstrom, US CENT AF deputy commander (Shaw Air Force Base). "Our deployment is going extremely well," Oelstrom said. "We were faced with a challenge and developed a plan to meet that challenge. I'm very proud of the people in this headquarters who have made this happen. Let's continue to do the best job we can here to make it easier for those people overseas so they can come home as quickly as possible." KUDOS TO CHUCK MANN You have begun to receive the magnificent photo album commemorating the Return for D-Day. We have begun to receive the glowing reports and thanks, Chuck. A limited number of additional copies will be available through the BX. Contact Leonard Bennett. Regarding the Video, which has been far more complicated than we anticipated because of the truly overwhelming number of videos made available, it ·is coming into existence shortly. An unexpected delay has been encountered because of the illness of the President, which seems to be coming to a happy conclusion, clearing the decks for action, but unfortunately not for Christmas-giving as we had expected. Page 7 8 Shaw Spirit, Nov. 22, 1994 ---------------------------------------------- Photo by SSgt. Jerry Boger Pieces of the P-47, still packed In crates, arrived at Shaw in early July. Photo by SSgt. Jerry Boger The2oth Equipment Maintenance Squadron, repair and reclamation section, made stands to support the aircraft: during assembly. TheP-47was restored to its original paint job by EMS structural maintainance. The shop worked all week on D-Day stripes and stars because each color had to be painted in steps while waiting for other colors to dry. Photo by SSgt. Jerry Boger By Capt. John N. Felsher 9th Air Force Public Atfairs ifty years ago, 9th Air Force fighters, the P-4 7 Thunderbolt, slashed across E rope to support Gen. George Patton's dri' into Nazi Germany during World War I . 'l'oday, 9th AF :fightero, like the A-10 Thunderbolt IIs and F-16 Fighting Falcons based at Shaw are not fighting a war but deterring one through the use of cor.centrated airpower as part of a coalition effort to make Iraq honor United Nations resolutions. The times, places, machinery and people have changed. The drive and determination to make and keep pecple free has not changed. That is still the ultimate mission. A ceremony Nov. 9 in front of the 9th AF headquarter3 helped bridge these two eras of aviation with the dedication of a WW II P-47 Thunderbolt fighter replica. Though the P-47 bears the name of Maj. Frank H. Peppers, who flew such an aircraft during the war, this commemoration honors all the men and women who fought for freedom in the colossal conflict 50 years ago. "It is a great honor for us to make that connection between Frank Peppers and this airplane today," said Maj. Gen. Tad J. Oelstrom, 9th AF vice commander. Oelstrom also pointed out that ' the aircraft was shipped from California and put together by volunteers from the 20th Equipment Maintenance Squadron and 20th Civil Engineer Squadron. These people worked during their own time putting the pieces together and painting it in its WW II colors. The fighter sports the colors ofthe·377th Fighter Squadron, 362nd Fighter Group to which Peppers belonged in 1944-4t:. He specialized in attacking ground targets like bridges, locomotives and troop concentrations to weaken the German army. Major Gen. Hoyt S. Vandenberg, then 9th AF commander, On Nov. 2 the P-47 was loaded onto a flatbed trailer called Peppers "the best tactical fighter pilot in the command." Vandenberg credited the 25-year-old pilot with destroying more than 15 bridges in his 125 ;,;ombat missions. The black and white stripes are 0;ecognition markings used by Allied aircraft over the 801mandy beaches during the D-Day invasion of <'ranre to avoid b2ing shot at by friendly forces. "Ninth AF during that time ( 1944) was the largest tactical air force ever put together and probably v..rill be the largest ever. There was no doubt the ATI8 (German) forces were in full retreat. There was no doubt about victory," Oelstrom said. The general was assisted in the ceremony by Grace Peppers of New York, Major Peppers' widow. Also assisting the general was Ed MacLean, president of the Ninth Air Force Association and a former P-4 7 pilot. MacLean represented the 9th AF A members who were holding their annual meeting at Shaw. The accompanying plaque reads in part, "All gave some, some gave all." "Most of us in the 9th AF who flew in the war have a recollection of some who gave all," Macl.,ean said. "For a brief moment, we dropped 50 years off our lives." MacLean then read from a plaque which he accepted on behalf of the 9th AF during the Air Force Association national convention in September. It was a special award honoring the 9th AF for its contributions to Allied victory in Europe during WW II. It reads, "In recognition of the 50th anniversary of the diversified air campaign carried out by the United States Army Air Forces' 9thAir Force. Designated the tactical air force for the invasion of the Continent the gallant members of the 9th, both operational and support units, contributed significantly to the Normandy assault preparation, were an integral part of support of the beach operations in June 1944 and played a major role in the drive that carried the Allies across France, eventually to end with victory over Germany." Photo by SSgt. Je1.y Boger o be transported the following day. Shaw Spirit, Nov. 22, 1994. 9 Photo by SSgt. Jerry Boger Members of the 20th Civil Engineer Squadron secured the aircraft to the concreto stand. Photo by A 1 C RGynaldo Ramon The P-47 sits at its final resting place in front of 9th Air Force Headquarters. Lehighton Never Forgotten WWII Comrades A Lehighton man deserves a medal for his efforts in securing World War II medals for his comrades. Staff Sgt. Marvin Diehl received the famous Air Medal in September 1993 after almost 50 years of waiting. After he secured his medal he thought about his comrades who never received their deserving honors. "Why not try for them also?" he thought. So he wrote again to General George Eade, who was his operationans officer, then a captain during the war, to intercede for 10 members who qualified for the honor. The General answered his letter and said he would inquire how to proceed with the Air Force. The Air Force personnel records department gave the go-ahea.d to have all qualifying applicants forward information. The entire process took about five months. Diehl was the historian for the 27th Air Transport group. Staff Sgt. Diehl wrote to all of his comrades who belong to the 17th organization association. They were told they would have to supply all information to Diehl, such as discharge date, flight time records, special orders or any records pertaining to their time with the 27thA.T.G. Through his research, Diehl determined that 66 pilots, co-pilots, radio operators or flight engineers never received the famous air medal from any group during World War II. He packed all the records of those recommended for the medal and sent them to General Eade, with a question about two members who might not qualify. General Eade agreed that those two had insufficient evidence and were deleted from the list. The General did add three more members, bringing the total to 67 members. General Eade commended Diehl for his dedication and perseverance in compiling the records. He then forwarded the records to the Air Force Personnel Records department at St. Louis, Mo. From St. Louis, the records were reviewed and approved by the Air Force Board at Randolph Field, Texas. General Eade was notified on Aug. 26 that all were approved. The announcement was made at a reunion in Denver, Colo. Aug. 25-27. The total number of Air Medals was 93, including four Distinguished Flying Crosses and a Purple Heart. Page 10 Article in THE TIMES NEWS, Lehighton, Pa. Fri., Sept. 9, 1994 By Gail Maholick, TIMES NEWS STAFF F.Y.I. There have been several references to airfield T-1 in the pages of the FL YER recently. For clarification please note that the designations El, Tl and A21C are all names for the same airfield: the one on the cliff at Saint-Laurent-Sur-Mer. This was the first fully-operational airfield built in Normandy. It was operational by the afternoon of June 7, 1944. Work on it progressed very rapidly. The enemy had denuded the cliff by removing buildings and hedgerows and by levelling it and shaving off high spots and filling in low spots. Their aim was to open up sight lines for their guns and to deny invading troops any cover. There wasn't even any tall grass on it All of their efforts were a great help to us All fighter planes used it for R & R, refueling and rearming. As fighter groups moved to France there was less need for fighter planes to use it. It was always used by C'47's. No surface was put on it because a heavy C-4 7 could rip up the square mesh track. The mission of the C-47s was troop carrier, supply and evacuation. They remained based in England throughout the Normandy Campaign so no air group was ever based on the field. The field started its career under the IX Air Force, then transferred to IX Engineer Command and ended its career under IX Service Command. It earned a DFC during the North Sea gale of June 19 and thereafter when it became the only point of contact with England for supply and evacuation. On another subject we have searched the print for reminiscences where we seek to answer the question of who did what first. After a lapse of a half-century memory has a tendency to telescope events and details become fuzzy. We must rely on documentary evidence to fix dates for events. It's the best we can do - even when documentary evidence is not final. The question as to which fighter group arrived in France first has recently been raised in the FL YER. My memory tells me that the 366 FG arrived at Al, Saint-Pierre-du-Mont on June 13, 1944 and flew missions on that date. My battalion history confirms my recollection and states: "Work progressed very rapidly on the ALG at Saint Pierre du Mont and by June 13 the first squadron of Allied planes to land in France since 1940 (American P-47's) touched down on the Field " - From "Thus We Served", a history of the 834th Engineers. If any of our readers have documentary information that another fighter group was in France before June 13, 1944, please bring it forward in the FL YER. Sandy Conti, 834 Engineers i .I Mailbag cont'd. from page 10 Dear Ed, Sandy Conti, with whom I served in the 834th Engineer Aviation Battalion, has asked me to drop you a few lines on my recollection of Colonel Augustine Little, Jr., who was the C-in-C of the 922nd Engineer Aviation Regiment. I was the Communications Sergeant and Battalion Historian with Headquarters and Service Company. Although some 50 years have intervened, I do have a good recollection of both Colonel Little and Lt. Colonel "Gil" Hall. Prior to D-Day, the 834th came under the control of the 922nd Engineer Aviation Regiment. The 922nd was strictly a headquarters with command over a number of Engineer Aviation Battalions including the 834th and the 819th. Prior to that our unit served under the 8th AF ' building an airdrome at Matching, England. In April (approximately) of 1944, the 922nd was activated under the 9th AF and both the 834th and 819th were designated as the spearhead Engineer Aviation battalions for constructing landing strips and airfields in Normandy and beyond. I met both Colonel Little and Colonel Hall when they visited our headquarters for consultations with, first our CO, Lt. Colonel Joseph A. Crist, and then with Colonel John J. Livingston who was in command prior to the invasion and then throughout the campaign in Normandy to VE Day in May of 1945. Colonels Little and Hall appeared often at our headquarters, right after D-Day and then throughout the Normandy campaign. My information is second-hand or third-hand, but I did learn of Colonel Little's and Colonel Hall's death, sometime prior to the liberation of Paris. My understanding is that both officers came under fire by a machine-gun nest somewhere outside Paris. Sandy has told me that Colonel Little was recorded as having died on August 29th, 1944. But, since Paris fell to the 2nd Armored (French) and the 4th Armored (US) on August 25th, and I had definitely heard of the ambush prior to the fall of Paris, then I must place the time the officers were attacked as before August 15th. Of course, it is possible Colonel Little died of his injuries later -- though we did hear at 834th HQ that he had died prior to the fall of Paris. The 834th remained under the command of the 922nd right up to our advance into Belgium in September 1944. Sometime after that and just before the Battle of the Bulge the battalion was returned to a point north of Paris (Beauvais and Pontoise) and was involved in renovating French and German airfields. About then, I believe, we came briefly under the command of the 926th Engineer Aviation Regiment, also an administrative HQ. In March of 1945 the 834th followed the infantry into Germany -- to Erfurt, Furth, Nuremberg, Pilsen (Czechoslovakia) and Schweinfurt -- involved in re~ovati.ng airfields for use by the 9th,Air Force. During this penod we were under the direct command of the 9th Engineer Command. The 834th built Matching Airdrome in England and detachments from Companies B, C were involved in airfield maintenance at Wilton, Gad by, and Great Barrington. In Normandy we built an airstrip (E-1) at St. Laurent, A-1 at St. Pierre du Mont, A-9 at Le Molay, A-6 at Chipelle, A-12 at Lignerolles, A-30C at Curtils, A-37 at LeMans, A-49C at Beille. Later we built Y-6 at Lyons (Oct. '44), repaired A-92 at St. Trond, Belgium. (Incidentally, the first Nazi V-2 rocket landed at St. Trond, creating a crater on one of the runways (Oct. 1, 1944). In Germany we rehabilitated some 20-odd airfields. Much of this information I gathered from the Battalion "yearbook" "Thus We Served." I wrote the narrative section for that volume. Should you wish further information on the 834th, I would be happy to furnish what I can recall or find in the History. Andrew Hertz New York City Re Item in FL YER Spring '93 from Bill Clark, Las Vegas Regarding the 155th Squadron ... they bunked with us in Gosselies, Belgium. Cliff Mackie lived to a ripe old age and died about 5 years ago in Newburyport, Mass. Conolly Anderson did not die on March 4, 44. I joined the 10 PR Group on July 22, 44 and I made friends with Anderson since he was from TX. The records of "Straight and Level" (Woodson, J.B.) notes that Conolly Anderson, 2nd Lt. John Kezziah (end for Clemson, All American) went down in the latter part of December (25), 44. Mackie transferred to the 33rd P.R.S. and finished the war with about 75 missions. Furthermore about the 155th Squadron, F3/A20. ·On October 29, Lt. Hulse, pilot, and Lt. Leavenworth, nav. were killed after having an engine shot out. Lt. Douglas B. Hardy made it through the war and went to medical school and became an M.D., lived a few blocks from me and then died last year. Julian Mar Dock Dallas, TX Page 11 Mailbag cont'd. from page 11 Politically Incorrect Accurate History Dear Mrs. MacLean, This is but one small effort to help set the record straight in at least one area: the enormity of the crimes against humanity at the German concentration camp BUCHENWALD. Today, for whatever reason, some are impelled to rewrite history. There seems to be a growing contempt for facts. There is a denial of Holocaust . . who assassinated President Kennedy .. that civilians and U.S. troops were tortured on the Manila death march .. that the dropping of the atomic bomb was an unnecessary act of violence . . and that all Americans are war-mongers using questionable acts of heroism of 50 years ago as being little more than propaganda based upon so-called facts that never happened. Thank God there are still veterans who were there ' who saw and experienced first-hand, and who owe it to our society and those who paid the supreme sacrifice to document the facts by film ("Schindler's List"), personal testimony, and the written word. Consider but one of these: the Holocaust. Those who deny that it ever happened by simply stating their claim loudly and often according to a recent Gallup poll have caused 33 percent of Americans to think that it seems possible that . extermination of Jews never happened. To say nothmg about the other political prisoners - Poles, Czechs, Russians, French, Rumanians, Hungarians, Italians, Belgians, and some Germans. In a subtle way, the attackers are putting history on the offensive. Denial becomes acceptance. History is not true, but rather stories concocted by the powerful on the weak. Make a claim repeatedly that events never happened and history can be rewritten to satisfy the ego and nationality of the perpetrators of the monstrous crimes many of us witnessed at first hand. As a sergeant in the 312th Fighter Control Squadron attached to General Patton's 4th Armored spearhead group, I witnessed first hand ~arbarous Camp Buchenwald three days after its liberation. With one of our captains, two other sergeants and myself, and a corporal, we visited this infamous camp of death located just outside Weimar, Germany 130 miles SW of Berlin. Here during its four years of operation the total dead numbered over 83,000. Of these, 51, 000 were executed by hanging, beating, shooting and electrocution. Let those who never saw it, witnessed its various methods of torture, spoke with half-naked bodies of the living dead, or saw the· stacks of bodies at six ovens in the crematorium awaiting cremation, tell those of us who did, that it never happened. Page 12 As a 23-year old tormer college student, I, like thousands upon thousands of others had seen enough of the wounds and death of war, but nothing of the barbarity of Buchenwald. I wrote a letter to my parents explaining what we had seen and urged them to see that it received wide distribution so others ,filight come to know the inhumanity that man was still capable of inflicting on others. The letter appeared in our hometown . paper (The Harvey Tribune), and was subsequently picked up by the AP and UP. Letters reached my parents from South America, Europe, and Australia, indicating that it appeared in their press as well. Those atrocities really did happen . . and tragically they still are happening today. We can't let those who ~ish to. rewrite history for their own agenda succeed by 1mpugnmg those of our generation. As a small contribution. toward this end, I am enclosing a copy of my earlier letter dated April 21, 1945. ** If you feel it has merit for THE FL YER, the 9th AF A museum, or for file at the University of Akron (Ohio), feel free to use it any any way you deem appropriate. Thanks for all the continued efforts of the officers and staff in furthering the history and singular accomplishments of the Ninth Air Force. Proud to be a member several years ago . . and prouder still to be a member of the Ninth Air Force Association today. Congratulations on your continued success in keeping the memories of a job well done alive by reunions and meetings. Clyde L. Krebs, Chicago, IL Editor's Note: **Being held for the Archives. Thank You! Nazi Family Hostage Law All male relations of an identified Resistance Fighter would be executed, female members sent to concentration camps and children placed in youth prisons. Issued in France 7/19/1942 Germany operated 30 Concentration Camps. P-47 Thunderbolt Advocates Formed The P-47 Thunderbolt Advocates is a new, non-profit organization established to "perpetuate the name, development, physical profile and combat record of the Republic P-47 Thunderbolt through the exchange of information among all people interested in the Jug." Additional information can be obtained by contacting P-47 Thunderbolt Advocates, Inc., 828 River Road, West Trenton, NJ 08628. · David Eldridge To Win The Winter Sky: The Air War over the Ardennes. 1-,..,,-A"'"""..J $29.95 GI Hardcover GI 0-938289 GI 528 pages GI 150 illustrations, maps GI 6"x9" GI VETS: $25.00 Battle of the Bulge: Hitler's Ardennes Offensive, 1944 .. 45 $34.95 GI Hardcover • 0'."938289-040-7 GI 320 pages GI 285 illustrations, 18 maps GI 9"xl2" GI VETS: $25.00 Send check or money order to COMBINED BOOKS, 151 E. 10th Avenue, Conshohocken, PA 19428. EIGHTH AIR FORCE BOMBER STORIES Eye-witness accounts from American airmen and British civilians of the perils of war by Ian MclAchlan NIGHT OF THE INTRUDERS First-hand accounts chronicling the slaughter of USAAF Mission 311 by Ian MclAchlan FINAL FLIGHTS Dramatic wartime incidents revealed by aviation achaeology by Ian M cwchlan Orders to: Cars & Trains, Boats & Planes Bookshop 15 Cowley Road, Oxford OX4 lHP (U.K.) Zenith Books, P.O. Box 1, Osceola, WI 54020 (U.S.) Mailbag cont'd. from page 12 Dear Mr. MacLean, You requested more information about the 133GAAAGUNBN (MBL). In early June 1943 the 133d was merely a number in the War Department files - a new unit to be activated later that month in the schedule for our expanding army. Lt. Col. John S. Mayer was to be its commanding officer. The 133d took basic training at Camp Edwards, Mass., advance training at Fort Bragg, N.C. In August 1944 the 133d was attached to the IX Air Defense Command and was assigned to the defense of Omaha Beach, Cherbourg and Reims, protecting the 17 AIB Division's strike across the Rhine, to protect the W adir Steel Mills in Luxembourg and to protect and defend the bridges across the Rhine at Bingen, Oppenheim and Aulhauser. With the ending of the conflict the Battalion's THUNDERBOLT ODYSSEY: WAR IN EUROPE by Kemal Saled Sand Springs resident Kemal Saled has written a fascinating memoir of his career as a P-47 Thunderb.olt pilot in Europe during World War IL The author pays tribute to the rugged construction of the P-47, affectionately called the "Jug" by its pilots and ground crew. The plane's massive engine and armor plating saved many a flier's life, while its performance enabled it to be used in multiple roles as a fighter, dive bomber and ground attack aircraft. Highlights . include missions over France, Belgium and Germany, with flying during the vicious weather of the Battle of the Bulge, reports of the capture of the Ludendorff Bridge at Remagen on the Rhine, which gave the Allies a vital bridgehead into the heart of the Reich. P-47 Crew Chief: "Thanks for the trust and credit you gave the ground crews. " 90th Inf. Solder: "We ground pounders owe a debt of gratitude to you fly-boys." P-47 Pilot: "I thought I was reading my own story." $12.95 each• P&H, 1st copy $1.35 GI add $.45 each add'l copy • foreign, add $3.00 for 1st copy• enclose MO or check (no cash) to: Stonewood Press, 3107 Summit Blvd, Sand Springs, Oklahoma 7 4063 NOTE: IF NOTICE OF BOOK PUBLISHING AND AV AILABILITY IS REQUESTED,we must respectfully ask that one copy of the book be sent to the 9th AF Association, care of the FL YER, Mailbag cont'd. primary mission of air defense and combat support was subjugated to another mission of importance, that of disarmament in south Germany and Austria. Thomas Williams, Manchester, NH Marvin Rosvold brings us a report on Wes Loegering - Great Warrior Wes Loegering - Great Warrior - has moved to California to a Senior Residence near to his daughter Susan. Regrettably he has lost much of his sight but is ambulant, without cane or walker. He travels on bus to YMCA about 3. times a week to work out in the pool in therapeutic regime. I learned for the first time that his brother Jack was a P-47 pilot with the 78th Fighter Group in the 8th Air Force and was downed in September 1944 to spend balance of war as a POW. Editor - Thank you, Marvin Page 13 Watching all the D-Day 50th Anniversary celebrations brought back a lot of memories and set me to digging through my scrapbooks, files and such. I have from time to time tried to find a photo of the event that took place at Widewing on Monday, May 15 as written by Captain Butcher in his book "My Three Years with Eisenhower- 1942 to 1945," pages 539-40, a copy of which is enclosed. I was with the 9AF Plans Section and working in an outbuilding and knew all the details of Operation Overlord, so I knew of this meeting and witnessed the end of it as they all came out and stood on the steps of St. Pauls School, still chatting away as they waited for their various staff cars to pick them up. I vividly remember thinking that if "Jerry" were to drop a bomb just then, the war would have been over in a single stroke. I have visited the Truman, Eisenhower and Roosevelt Libraries and also, in 1984, went back to the Hammersmith area looking for St. Pauls School but it went the way of progress. No picture was available or even to be seen. I have to think there has to be some picture of this momentous event and this is why a letter is coming your way. Hopefully the 9AF historical group can come up with one for me. May I hear from someone? Thank you. W.S. Swanson, In view to help in my search concerning allied downed aircraft in southwestern France during World War II, would you be so kind to insert advertisement in your association newspaper, to try to get in touch with the following person: MISSING IN ACTION - 28August1944- N. Bordeaux 70 miles - 9th A.F. - 370th FG - 401th FS p 38 42-67978 Pilot - 2/Lt. Christian CHRIST EVS Bernard Ballanger, It Works!! Thank you very much to send me "The Flyer." My quest about the airplane crashed in my village has resulted. Thanks to your help for the parution of my letter. Mr. Chuinard've been very kind to communicate me informations about this pilot KIA: William R. Perkins, 9th AF, Group 354th, Squadron 356th, Airplane P51B. Jean Torchio, Notre-Dame-De-Cenilly,France Page 14 I want to thank you for sending us the 9th Air Force FL YER newsletter. We presented the French medal to my brother over the July 4th weekend and while he doesn't talk much about the war he expressed a desire to find two 9th Air Force buddies. One was Frank Barone and the other Biaggio Schibetta. It would complete the circle if they could get in touch with my brother: Staff Sergeant Michael J. Sciarrillo Again, many thanks for allowing me at 62 to retrace my brother's steps of fifty years ago. I was only 12 but I wrote diligently and he called me "the apple of his eye." God bless you both. Anita and Peter Isaia Thank you for the opportunity to meet with members of the Ninth Air Force Association on the evening of June 3 aboard the QE-2 in Southampton. My wife and I enjoyed the whole evening very much indeed. We have just arrived home after spending two weeks in East Anglia during which time we visited several old U.S. Airfields in the area of Braintree and Stansted, also Matching and Chipping Ongar. During the evening on the QE-2 I met a lady whose name was Mary, her home was in N orthem California, unfortunately I do not know her surname. She and her husband had made visits to Wales. I would like to make contact with them once again to see if they care to correspond with us. One further clue was that I gave Mary a special D-Day 50 pence piece (coin). Please if you produce a newsletter, would you include my request, if possible. Eric Pepper, It has been two months since we met on the beaches of Normandy, an occasion which left me unforgettable memories. I hope that your stay in France was all you anticipated, together with your friends. In the framework of the creation of my book, entitled "MERCI, THANK YOU" I seek the witness of veterans who participated in the landings, an operation unique in the annals of our century. If you wish to send me personal photographic documents, I shall take the greatest care of them and, with profound pleasure, make you some copies. Thank you for your collaboration. Patrick Jean, Images Nouvelles I .. 1 Search cont'd. from page First may I introduce myself. My name is Andrew Taylor, a researcher and historian specialising in WW2 East Anglia. I am currently researching a book on the airwar over the Shotley Peninsula, near Ipswich in the county of Suffolk- 363d FG. I am keen to obtain first-hand accounts about: (1) On 25th March 1944 a P-51B from the 381st FS of the 363rd FG out of Rivenhall in Essex, crashed into the River Stour on the Essex/Suffolk border. Flown by 2/Lt. Newman E. Tyree, the aircraft broke up in mid-air while practice dive bombing on a target in the river. Sadly the pilot was killed. (2) On the 30th March 1944 a similar incident occurred when a P-51B from the 382nd of the same Group crashed into the Stour while dive bombing the same target. This aircraft also broke up in mid-air. The pilot, 2/Lt. George F. Parker, also lost his life. (3) Earlier in the month a P-51B from the 355th FS of the 354th FG out of Boxted had crashed on the Essex side of the River Stour in almost identical circumstances. The pilot of this aircraft was also killed. He was 2/Lt. S .J. Jones. Andy M. Taylor, Seeking stories with photos for a companion book to 8th AF Bomber Stories, dealing this time with the Fortunes and Misfortunes of American fighters in the ETO. Ian McLachlan - Aviation Historian, I am a member of a British Historical Aircraft Group and over the many years since we were first formed have investigated many WWII aircraft crashes. I and my colleagues are interested in finding out more details of the following aircraft: C47 - Dakota. 9th Air Force. This aircraft crashed at Kop Hill, High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, England at 10:30 am in October 1943 .. All 6 on board were killed and the crash happened in bad weather. It was carrying food - corned beef, etc. and also inner tire tubes. Unfortunately I have no further details - not even where the aircraft came from or was going. I am a member of the 9th Air Force Historical Society and found your address listed in their Station Contact List. I should appreciate any help you can give or failing that perhaps you can suggest who else I can contact. Johanna Sienkiewicz, This is a followup to our conversation in reference to any information pertaining to my father, First Lieutenant, Joe H. Brewster (serial number 0-558697, 9th Air Force, 19th Tactical Command, 1 OOth Wing, 367th Fighter Group, and 393rd Fighter Squadron). I would like to hear from anyone who knew my father. Joe H. Brewster, Brewster, Grove & Associates Family of Wm Ernest Warner, died 7/57, served as WW II pilot 53rd TCW in England and 81st TCW in France, anxious to hear from friends from WW Terry I. Russ (nee Warner), Following our Association D-Day trip the Chuck Manns and the David Childs - 362rd Group - went on a motor trip through France and into Germany - An incredible experience: Dave was shot down near Kaiserlautern in 1944. This mission was to search for the site where he parachuted in the snow and was captured and taken to a hospital - and where his P-47 crashed on a hill top. With the aid of USAF at Ramstein AFB, he not only found these sites but also met a German lady who had witnessed his burned parachute on the ground. Her son had recently helped excavate parts from his airplane - all of which were presented to Dave. What emotional impact! Folded Wings Calvin Brewer, Pilot 441st ATC ETO. James Aaron Swindle, 322d Bomb Group, 9/10/93 Marvin Holland, 406th FG Armament, Highland Park, IL (Veteran Life 2870), died 10/2494. His widow, Joan H. will take over his 9 AFA Life membership becoming FL2870. Charles McMahon, 409th Bomb Gp Photographer died 11/12/94. Author of D-Day 1944 story in Summer FL YER. His sister, Mrs. Helen Hastings, Rochester, NY will be offered his annual Charter membership. Charles' photos have been sent to James Tobin of Paris, KY, who has indicated they will ultimately go to 9AFA Archives. Bruce Pluth - 354 FG' died 6/10/94 Page 15 FIFTY YEARS AGO THIS MONTH: THE NAZIS WERE RETREATING, THE ALLIES COULD ALMOST TASTE VICTORY, BUT HITLER HAD ONE TERRIBLE SURPRISE LEFT: WW II'S FINAL BLOODY CONFLICT, LAUNCHING: THE BATTLE OF THE BULGE. And We were there. "THE BATTLE MUST BE FOUGHT WITH BRUTALITY" said Hitler. And it wa$. BUT THANKFULLY HIS DEFEAT IS HISTORY AND THE PEACE SIGNING AT REIMS THE ULTIMATE ALLIED VICTORY. Nothing may equal our memorable Return to D-Day, but that was Commemorative; this trip is celebratory. WE WANT TO BE THERE. TRY TO JOIN US. A wonderful reunion and camaraderie await you as you join the 9th AFA on this occasion that allows you to relive a time lost in memories when vision, determination, and grit went hand-in-hand to create a world of freedom and peace. OPTION#! VE-Day+ 50 Land for only $2,750 plus air/each Sunday, April 30, 1995 - Day 1 Leave the U.S. for your transatlantic flight to Frankfurt. Monday, May 1, 1995 - Day 2 Arrival in Frankfurt - private luxury air-conditioned motorcoaches for transfer from Frankfurt Airport to your hotel in Wiesbaden. WIESBADEN PENTA HOTEL (4 nights) Tuesday, May 2, 1995 - Day 3 Full Day Sightseeing Tour to charming Heidelberg. Wednesday, May 3, 1995 - Day 4 Optional Tours. Evening - German Wine Tasting Dinner at Weinhaus Meerschid in Oestrich-Winkel. Thursday, May 4, 1995 - Day 5 Full Day Sightseening Tour of the Rheingau area, lunch included, followed by a beautiful river cruise on the Rhine, passing many ancient castles from Rudesheim to the Lorelei. MILITARY PROGRAM: Friday, May 5, 1995 - Day 6 Farewell to Germany - motorcoach to Luxembourg. INTERCONTINENTALHOTEL (2 nights) Wine and dine at a beautiful chateau. Saturday, May 6, 1995 - Day 7 Morning briefing about the Battl~ of the Bulge. A typical Walloon buffet luncheon. Visit the Bastogne Historical Center. Private wreath-laying ceremony dedicated to the memory of fellow Air Force men who lost their lives here. THE NINTH AIR FORCE ASSOC., Inc. Office of the President Deliver at least one new member Center. Private wreath-laying ceremony dedicated to the memory of fellow Air Force men who lost their lives here. Sunday, May 7, 1995 - Day 8 Private motorcoach to Reims, France - champage reception and lunch in Reims, and a private ecumenical service at Reims Cathedral. Continue to Paris arriving late afternoon. HOTEL TERMINUS NORD (3 nights) Monday, May 8, 1995 - Day 9 Activities in Paris for the official ceremonies. Gala Dinner Dance at the Cercle National des Armees. Tuesday, May 9, 1995 - Day 10 Explore Paris on your own. Wednesday, May 10, 1995 - Day 11 Transatlantic flight home to United States. TRANSATLANTIC AIRFARE: New York/Frankfurt, return Paris/New York Economy Class on wide-bodied jets. $786.00 per person incl. trip cancellation insurance. OPTION#2 Return from Europe on the recently renovated Spectacular QE2, May 10-15, 1995. Mauretania - Transatlantic Class: M2-Inside $2,044 Includes economy BA air to London from most cities, Mauretania upgrade to BA Concorde for $1,099 per person. Included: One-way economy airfare from London to Frankfurt, Eurostar Chunnel Train from Paris to London, Cunard's private Oceanliner Express from London to Southampton. ASK FOR MICHAEL WHALEY For additional details NON-PROF1T VETERANS ORGANIZATION U.W. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT NO. 25 Additional copies of the FL YER will he available at $2.50 while supply lasts. |
|
|
|
A |
|
C |
|
D |
|
M |
|
P |
|
S |
|
U |
|
|
|