On March 10, 1942, pilot Mark Whittier and radioman second-class Forest G. Stanley joined 103 other planes from the Lexington and Yorktown on an attack on Japanese ships at Lae and Salamaua, New Guinea for some payback.
On its return to pearl Harbor, the SBD-2 Dauntless 2106 (wonder what its name was) was again put ashore until it was transferred to Marine Scout Bombing Squadron (VMSB) at Midway Atoll and arrived there with 18 other SBD-2s on May 26, 1942 on the aircraft transport Kitty Hawk (APV-1).
On the morning of June 4, 1942, 1st Lt. Daniel Iverson and Pvt. First Class Wallace Reid manning the 30 caliber machine gun in the aft-cockpit were one of 16 SBD-2s to launch an attack on Japanese carriers west of Midway at the beginning of that turning point battle.
They dropped a bomb on the Hiryu aircraft carrier at 800 feet and weer chased by four Japanese fighters. When they returned, Reid was wounded and 219 bullet holes were counted in the plane. They were one of just eight to make it back.
More to Come. --GreGen
The USS North Carolina (BB-55) My all-time favorite warship. As an elementary school student in North Carolina, I donated nickels and dimes to save this ship back in the early sixties.
Friday, February 22, 2013
Thursday, February 21, 2013
Jim Landis' Pearl Harbor Plane-- Part 2: Left Behind at Pearl
From the Naval Aviation Museum website.
The plane in question at the Naval Aviation Museum was built by Douglas Aircraft Co. on its assembly line in El Segundo, California on in December 1940. It was an SBD-2 Dauntless (Bureau Number 2106) and delivered to Bombing Squadron VB2 at NAS San Diego on December 31, 1940.
Starting the next year it flew with that squadron from the deck of the aircraft carrier Lexington (CV-2) and participated in military maneuvers in Louisiana.
In the first week of December 1941, the Lexington was ordered to deliver aircraft to the Marine Scout bombing squadron at Midway. While at Pearl harbor, aircraft, including 2106, were offloaded from the carrier to make room for others and left behind on Ford Island when the ship left port for Midway. That's where it was the day of the attack (and the lexington at sea heading for Midway.
It sustained no damage and was put back on board the Lexington when it returned.
That's Just the Beginning of Its Career. --GreGen
The plane in question at the Naval Aviation Museum was built by Douglas Aircraft Co. on its assembly line in El Segundo, California on in December 1940. It was an SBD-2 Dauntless (Bureau Number 2106) and delivered to Bombing Squadron VB2 at NAS San Diego on December 31, 1940.
Starting the next year it flew with that squadron from the deck of the aircraft carrier Lexington (CV-2) and participated in military maneuvers in Louisiana.
In the first week of December 1941, the Lexington was ordered to deliver aircraft to the Marine Scout bombing squadron at Midway. While at Pearl harbor, aircraft, including 2106, were offloaded from the carrier to make room for others and left behind on Ford Island when the ship left port for Midway. That's where it was the day of the attack (and the lexington at sea heading for Midway.
It sustained no damage and was put back on board the Lexington when it returned.
That's Just the Beginning of Its Career. --GreGen
Jim Landis' Pearl Harbor Plane-- Part 1
Earlier this week I wrote about Jim Landis whose plane was at Pearl Harbor during the attack and is now at the Naval Air Museum in Pensacola, Florida. Then, I wrote about six other Pearl Harbor survivors who went with him to that place for the 70th anniversary of the attack back in 2011.
One of them, Cass Phillips wrote, "When the attacks were over, all but two of the thirty-eight planes we had just brought over from the west coast were destroyed."
Was Landis' plane one of the two? And did Landis pilot the plane or was he charged with keeping it in shape to fly?
I found a history of the Naval Aviation Museum plane that might answer the question.
Was It? --GreGen
One of them, Cass Phillips wrote, "When the attacks were over, all but two of the thirty-eight planes we had just brought over from the west coast were destroyed."
Was Landis' plane one of the two? And did Landis pilot the plane or was he charged with keeping it in shape to fly?
I found a history of the Naval Aviation Museum plane that might answer the question.
Was It? --GreGen
No WWII Apologies at Japan Shrine-- Part 2
Continued from Feb. 11, 2013 blog entry.
Japan and its neighbors they invaded before and during the war, have long squabbled over past animosities and that continues to this day.
In Japan, the Yasukuni Shrine has re-emerged as a battleground over the war, especially when Shinzo Abe, a front runner to become prime minister visited the shrine on October. Most Japanese, according to polls view the years before and during World War II as a dark era for the nation.
In 1978, the shrine added 14 Class A war criminals who were tried and sentenced for what they did in the war. Among them was Iwane Matsui, commander of the troops that carried out the Nanjing (Nanking) Massacre, a six-week takeover of China's historical capital in 1937 that left hundreds of thousands dead.
Only two paragraphs at the museum/shrine cover it saying only that the Japanese Army occupied the city and carried it out to discourage "the Chinese from continuing their resistance."
Another big situation revolves around the use of "Sex Slaves" by the Japanese Army whereby Chinese and Korean women were forced to provide sex to the soldiers. They were referred to as "comfort women."
The Past Still a Hot Subject. --GreGen
Japan and its neighbors they invaded before and during the war, have long squabbled over past animosities and that continues to this day.
In Japan, the Yasukuni Shrine has re-emerged as a battleground over the war, especially when Shinzo Abe, a front runner to become prime minister visited the shrine on October. Most Japanese, according to polls view the years before and during World War II as a dark era for the nation.
In 1978, the shrine added 14 Class A war criminals who were tried and sentenced for what they did in the war. Among them was Iwane Matsui, commander of the troops that carried out the Nanjing (Nanking) Massacre, a six-week takeover of China's historical capital in 1937 that left hundreds of thousands dead.
Only two paragraphs at the museum/shrine cover it saying only that the Japanese Army occupied the city and carried it out to discourage "the Chinese from continuing their resistance."
Another big situation revolves around the use of "Sex Slaves" by the Japanese Army whereby Chinese and Korean women were forced to provide sex to the soldiers. They were referred to as "comfort women."
The Past Still a Hot Subject. --GreGen
Wednesday, February 20, 2013
Jim Landis and His Pearl Harbor Survivors Go There for 70th Anniversary-- Part 2
The seven Pearl Harbor Survivors Association who went there in 2011 for the 70th anniversary of the attack. These are their stories from that day.
JACOB GALLAWA-- "I was on duty as a radioman on the submarine tender USS Pelias, I kept running out on the deck whenever I could see what was going on."
BILL BRADDOCK-- "We were in the mess hall having breakfast on Ford Island when the silverware began jumping on the table. We ran outside and low and behold there weren't anything but airplanes all in the air with the red balls on the side of them.
I saw a Jap plane fly by with his shield pulled back. We saw him drop this big torpedo that was hanging down below his plane and saw it hit the water."
CASS PHILLIPS-- "I was up getting ready to go have breakfast, when we looked up and saw planes flying by. We thought that they were Army planes. I said 'Look they are really making this look realistic, they've got meatballs painted on the side of the planes.'
When the attacks were over, all but two of the thirty-eight planes we had just brought over from the west coast were destroyed."
The Story of One of Those Two Planes, Next. --GreGen
JACOB GALLAWA-- "I was on duty as a radioman on the submarine tender USS Pelias, I kept running out on the deck whenever I could see what was going on."
BILL BRADDOCK-- "We were in the mess hall having breakfast on Ford Island when the silverware began jumping on the table. We ran outside and low and behold there weren't anything but airplanes all in the air with the red balls on the side of them.
I saw a Jap plane fly by with his shield pulled back. We saw him drop this big torpedo that was hanging down below his plane and saw it hit the water."
CASS PHILLIPS-- "I was up getting ready to go have breakfast, when we looked up and saw planes flying by. We thought that they were Army planes. I said 'Look they are really making this look realistic, they've got meatballs painted on the side of the planes.'
When the attacks were over, all but two of the thirty-eight planes we had just brought over from the west coast were destroyed."
The Story of One of Those Two Planes, Next. --GreGen
Wilmington's Mothball Fleet-- Part 2
Generally, five of the ships weer kept at a high level of readiness and the rest were mothballed, which means coated with red-oxide paint, oil and varnish as preservatives to prevent rust.
The operation employed 296 workers with a $600,000 payroll. Most of them were employed as armed guards to prevent theft of copper and brass fittings. Others worked routine maintenance.
The ships were lashed and anchored in groups of five with each fifth one moored to pilings driven deep into the river bottom. Despite precautions, however, two freighters broke loose during Hurricane Hazel in 1954 and drifted into the channel, threatening to collide with the U.S.-74 bridge until a tugboat pushed them away.
On December 8, 1958, the SS Edgecomb, a Victory Ship, became the last vessel to be tied up in the Brunswick River. Beginning in 1958, the government began selling the older and less-fit ships for scrap with others being moved to the James River Reserve Fleet.
By 1964, there were only 152 left and just 15 by 1968. Many of the ones scrapped had it happen at Horton Industries in Wilmington, who could finish off two in ninety days (almost as fast as they could be built back in the war).
The last ship, the SS Dwight W. Morrow, was towed for scrapping Feb. 27, 1970.
After the War. --GreGen
The operation employed 296 workers with a $600,000 payroll. Most of them were employed as armed guards to prevent theft of copper and brass fittings. Others worked routine maintenance.
The ships were lashed and anchored in groups of five with each fifth one moored to pilings driven deep into the river bottom. Despite precautions, however, two freighters broke loose during Hurricane Hazel in 1954 and drifted into the channel, threatening to collide with the U.S.-74 bridge until a tugboat pushed them away.
On December 8, 1958, the SS Edgecomb, a Victory Ship, became the last vessel to be tied up in the Brunswick River. Beginning in 1958, the government began selling the older and less-fit ships for scrap with others being moved to the James River Reserve Fleet.
By 1964, there were only 152 left and just 15 by 1968. Many of the ones scrapped had it happen at Horton Industries in Wilmington, who could finish off two in ninety days (almost as fast as they could be built back in the war).
The last ship, the SS Dwight W. Morrow, was towed for scrapping Feb. 27, 1970.
After the War. --GreGen
Tuesday, February 19, 2013
Jim Landis and His Pearl Harbor Survivors Go There for the 70th Anniversary-- Part 1
From the 2011 CNN iReport "One Last Goodbye."
Seven of the Pensacola PHSA managed to go to Pearl Harbor for the commemoration.
The last entry, I wrote waht Jim Landis, one of the seven, had to say about his experience that 1941 day.
These are what the other six had to say:
GEORGE MILLS-- "We just couldn't believe it. All those planes flying down the harbor dropping bombs and torpedoes on the battlewagons."
JAY CARRAWAY-- "We were waiting for the mess cooks to bring us our breakfast, when someone called down 'General Quarters, man your battle stations.' We said, 'We don't drill on Sunday morning.' About then a bomb exploded near our ship and rocked it, putting everything into perspective."
FRANK EMOND-- "At five minutes to eight, we were on the deck of the USS California, waiting to play 'Colors', when I looked up to see a line of planes. One peeled off and dropped something that hit the ground and exploded. We saw the big red spots on the planes and we knew we were in trouble then."
GreGen
Seven of the Pensacola PHSA managed to go to Pearl Harbor for the commemoration.
The last entry, I wrote waht Jim Landis, one of the seven, had to say about his experience that 1941 day.
These are what the other six had to say:
GEORGE MILLS-- "We just couldn't believe it. All those planes flying down the harbor dropping bombs and torpedoes on the battlewagons."
JAY CARRAWAY-- "We were waiting for the mess cooks to bring us our breakfast, when someone called down 'General Quarters, man your battle stations.' We said, 'We don't drill on Sunday morning.' About then a bomb exploded near our ship and rocked it, putting everything into perspective."
FRANK EMOND-- "At five minutes to eight, we were on the deck of the USS California, waiting to play 'Colors', when I looked up to see a line of planes. One peeled off and dropped something that hit the ground and exploded. We saw the big red spots on the planes and we knew we were in trouble then."
GreGen
Monday, February 18, 2013
Jim Landis' Pearl Harbor Dive Bomber
From 2011 WKRG News 5, Mobile, Alabama.
The dive bomber Jim Landis was assigned to when the attack came at Pearl Harbor is on display at the Naval Aviation Museum at NAS Pensacola (Florida).
Jim Landis on the attack: "I was posting the watch that morning on Ford Island. When I realized we were under attack I ran to one of the SBD planes that I knew was loaded with ammunition. When I pulled back the canopy to get out the guns, a bullet went through my hand. Somehow I managed to get the guns out and did some shooting."
The Pearl Harbor Survivors Association was trying to organize a trip for seven of its remaining members to Pearl Harbor for the 70th anniversary.
I see that they made it to the anniversary.
The Greatest generation.
The dive bomber Jim Landis was assigned to when the attack came at Pearl Harbor is on display at the Naval Aviation Museum at NAS Pensacola (Florida).
Jim Landis on the attack: "I was posting the watch that morning on Ford Island. When I realized we were under attack I ran to one of the SBD planes that I knew was loaded with ammunition. When I pulled back the canopy to get out the guns, a bullet went through my hand. Somehow I managed to get the guns out and did some shooting."
The Pearl Harbor Survivors Association was trying to organize a trip for seven of its remaining members to Pearl Harbor for the 70th anniversary.
I see that they made it to the anniversary.
The Greatest generation.
Wilmington's Mothball Fleet-- Part 1
From the October 12, 2011, Wilmington (NC) Star News "My Reporter: Brunswick River harbored huge 'Mothball Fleet" by Ben Steelman.
There is a great aerial view of these ships. A reader had asked, "What was the 'mothball fleet'?"
Officially, it was named the National Defense Reserve Fleet and sometimes referred to as the "The Ghost Fleet" and anchored in row after row on the brunswick River, near its confluence with the Cape Fear River. It consisted of World War II surplus transport vessels.
So many were tied up that it was also called "the second largest ship graveyard in the world." The largest was in the James River, near Hampton Roads, Virginia.
After the war, the U.S. Maritime Commission established a "Reserve Fleet Basin" on the Brunswick River to house Liberty ships and others no longer made or needed. The first, Liberty Ship SS John B. Bryce arrived August 12, 1945. Between January and April 1946, 426 came to Wilmington.
Over the next several years, vessels moved in and out od "storage." Altogether, there were 628 at one time or another. The biggest number of them were Liberty Ships, with 542. These were mass-produced freighters like the ones built during the war at Wilmington's North Carolina Shipbuilding Company.
There were also 68 Victory Ships (an update of the Liberty Ships) and 48 others, including tankers.
I remember seeing them as a young kid.
It Was a Sight to See. --GreGen
There is a great aerial view of these ships. A reader had asked, "What was the 'mothball fleet'?"
Officially, it was named the National Defense Reserve Fleet and sometimes referred to as the "The Ghost Fleet" and anchored in row after row on the brunswick River, near its confluence with the Cape Fear River. It consisted of World War II surplus transport vessels.
So many were tied up that it was also called "the second largest ship graveyard in the world." The largest was in the James River, near Hampton Roads, Virginia.
After the war, the U.S. Maritime Commission established a "Reserve Fleet Basin" on the Brunswick River to house Liberty ships and others no longer made or needed. The first, Liberty Ship SS John B. Bryce arrived August 12, 1945. Between January and April 1946, 426 came to Wilmington.
Over the next several years, vessels moved in and out od "storage." Altogether, there were 628 at one time or another. The biggest number of them were Liberty Ships, with 542. These were mass-produced freighters like the ones built during the war at Wilmington's North Carolina Shipbuilding Company.
There were also 68 Victory Ships (an update of the Liberty Ships) and 48 others, including tankers.
I remember seeing them as a young kid.
It Was a Sight to See. --GreGen
National World War II's New Addition-- Part 2
The museum came into existence partly because of the flat-bottomed boats made in New Orleans by Andrew Jackson Higgins. These originally were used to maneuver through bayous, but it was found that they could just as easily be used to deliver troops directly to a beach.
By 1943, some 92% of the Navy's ships were these so-called Higgins Boats (of course, they were quite small compared to other ships) and many were used at D-Day.
General Eisenhower was quoted saying that they "won the war for us."
Historian Stephen E. Ambrose taught at the University of New Orleans and had the idea of having a "small" museum that was focused on D-Day. That "small" museum has frown to the present "large" one.
Again, Next trip to Nawlins. --GreGen
By 1943, some 92% of the Navy's ships were these so-called Higgins Boats (of course, they were quite small compared to other ships) and many were used at D-Day.
General Eisenhower was quoted saying that they "won the war for us."
Historian Stephen E. Ambrose taught at the University of New Orleans and had the idea of having a "small" museum that was focused on D-Day. That "small" museum has frown to the present "large" one.
Again, Next trip to Nawlins. --GreGen
Saturday, February 16, 2013
500th Post
According to the site master, this is my 500th post on World War II. I started this blog back on January 1, 2012. It grew out of my Cooter's History Thing Blog, which was essentially becoming a World War II blog by itself.
Of course, the fact that we are commemorating the 70th anniversary of the war until 2015 had a part to do with the decision to start this one. And then,there is the fact that we are losing so many of the Greatest Generation everyday. Their story needed to be written.
As a matter of fact, my sign-off for each entry, GreGen, comes from Greatest Generation. The "Tattooed On Your Soul" part of the blog name comes from Frank Curre who was at Pearl Harbor on the USS Tennessee and who died 70 years to the date, Dec. 7, 2011.
I write about the little odds and ends of the war that I find of interest, particularly anything naval.
I'll keep this running as well as I can, hopefully until at least 2015, the end of the war 70 years earlier.
GreGen
Of course, the fact that we are commemorating the 70th anniversary of the war until 2015 had a part to do with the decision to start this one. And then,there is the fact that we are losing so many of the Greatest Generation everyday. Their story needed to be written.
As a matter of fact, my sign-off for each entry, GreGen, comes from Greatest Generation. The "Tattooed On Your Soul" part of the blog name comes from Frank Curre who was at Pearl Harbor on the USS Tennessee and who died 70 years to the date, Dec. 7, 2011.
I write about the little odds and ends of the war that I find of interest, particularly anything naval.
I'll keep this running as well as I can, hopefully until at least 2015, the end of the war 70 years earlier.
GreGen
National World War II Museum's New Addition-- Part 1
Fom the Jan. 13, 2013, WWL TV .
This new addition is a $35 million, 26,000 square foot, addition to showcase World War II weaponry. It has six planes, including a Red Tail P-51, the plane of the Tuskegee Airmen, which flew 68 combat missions in 1945.
From the Jan. 11, 2013, New York Times "A Big Exhibition About An Even Bigger War" by Edward Rothstein.
This new hall is the National World War II museum's third building, now half-way to their goal of six. on their $325 million campus. They hope to be finished by 2016. So far, they have 178,000 square feet, aiming for another 100,000.
The new hall features a B-17 Flying Fortress, a Corsair fighter (Whistling Death) and two levels of catwalks.
There is also an enormous interactive database. One of them is of the 464 Medal of Honor winners from the war and another one of over 700 governmental leaders in it including George H.W. Bush, Gerald. Ford, Dwight D. Eisenhower, John F. Kennedy and Lyndon Johnson.
Something I'm Going to Have to See the Next Time I'm in New Orleans. --GreGen
This new addition is a $35 million, 26,000 square foot, addition to showcase World War II weaponry. It has six planes, including a Red Tail P-51, the plane of the Tuskegee Airmen, which flew 68 combat missions in 1945.
From the Jan. 11, 2013, New York Times "A Big Exhibition About An Even Bigger War" by Edward Rothstein.
This new hall is the National World War II museum's third building, now half-way to their goal of six. on their $325 million campus. They hope to be finished by 2016. So far, they have 178,000 square feet, aiming for another 100,000.
The new hall features a B-17 Flying Fortress, a Corsair fighter (Whistling Death) and two levels of catwalks.
There is also an enormous interactive database. One of them is of the 464 Medal of Honor winners from the war and another one of over 700 governmental leaders in it including George H.W. Bush, Gerald. Ford, Dwight D. Eisenhower, John F. Kennedy and Lyndon Johnson.
Something I'm Going to Have to See the Next Time I'm in New Orleans. --GreGen
Friday, February 15, 2013
Watch Where You Dig or Step in North Carolina
Still using the Charlotte Observer article which was really three-in-one stories.
Starting in 2006, explosives have been removed from around 225 homes and military sites in North Carolina, but only10-15 had the potential to explode. Many of these have been found in the state's Outer Banks.
Two have been found in Charlotte: one in a former Army missile plant on Statesville Avenue and the other on a 2,000 acre Naval shell-loading plant off Arrowhead Road. Both sites might also have ground contamination from chemicals used in manufacturing.
The shell-loading plant run by U.S. Rubber Company, at its peak employed 10,000 people, 70% women and one-third black.
A Lot Going On During the War On the Homefront. --GreGen
Starting in 2006, explosives have been removed from around 225 homes and military sites in North Carolina, but only10-15 had the potential to explode. Many of these have been found in the state's Outer Banks.
Two have been found in Charlotte: one in a former Army missile plant on Statesville Avenue and the other on a 2,000 acre Naval shell-loading plant off Arrowhead Road. Both sites might also have ground contamination from chemicals used in manufacturing.
The shell-loading plant run by U.S. Rubber Company, at its peak employed 10,000 people, 70% women and one-third black.
A Lot Going On During the War On the Homefront. --GreGen
North Carolina's Camp Butner-- Part 2
From Wikipedia and Town of Butner, NC.
Camp Butner was named after Army Major General Henry W. Butner (1875-1937), a native of the state, born in Surrey County, 1898 graduate of West Point and World War I colonel. He commanded Fort Bragg from 1928-1929.
It was purchased by the US government August 4, 1842. During the war, it was used as a staging and training area for unites headed overseas, including the 78th Infantry Division. Also artillery and engineers trained there.
In addition, there were rifle and artillery ranges as well as a POW compound, barracks and support services for 40,000 troops.
After the war, it was used for demobilization and deactivation for units like the 3rd US Infantry Regiment and 4th Infantry Division. Currently, some of the former camp is used by the North Carolina National Guard.
The abandoned hospital became the site of the John Umstead Hospital, a psuchiatric hospital, serving 16 counties.
Never Heard of This Camp. --GreGen
Camp Butner was named after Army Major General Henry W. Butner (1875-1937), a native of the state, born in Surrey County, 1898 graduate of West Point and World War I colonel. He commanded Fort Bragg from 1928-1929.
It was purchased by the US government August 4, 1842. During the war, it was used as a staging and training area for unites headed overseas, including the 78th Infantry Division. Also artillery and engineers trained there.
In addition, there were rifle and artillery ranges as well as a POW compound, barracks and support services for 40,000 troops.
After the war, it was used for demobilization and deactivation for units like the 3rd US Infantry Regiment and 4th Infantry Division. Currently, some of the former camp is used by the North Carolina National Guard.
The abandoned hospital became the site of the John Umstead Hospital, a psuchiatric hospital, serving 16 counties.
Never Heard of This Camp. --GreGen
North Carolina's Camp Butner-- Part 1
From Oct. 24, 2011, Charlotte (NC) Observer.This continues from yesterday's post.
For the past ten years, the Army Corps of Engineers has been digging up ordnance near the town of Butner, north of Durham, at the former World War II Camp Butner, a 40,000 acre Army post in Person, Granville and Durham counties.
When the war ended, Camp Butner was still in a largely rural and undeveloped area, and much of the explosive materials was simply buried and left behind when the Army left it. But, there has been a lot of growth and residents in new subdivisions began find explosives in their yards, and even beside their homes.
In the 50s and 60s, the Army came back and began looking for their explosives.
Mighty Neighborly of Them. --GreGen
For the past ten years, the Army Corps of Engineers has been digging up ordnance near the town of Butner, north of Durham, at the former World War II Camp Butner, a 40,000 acre Army post in Person, Granville and Durham counties.
When the war ended, Camp Butner was still in a largely rural and undeveloped area, and much of the explosive materials was simply buried and left behind when the Army left it. But, there has been a lot of growth and residents in new subdivisions began find explosives in their yards, and even beside their homes.
In the 50s and 60s, the Army came back and began looking for their explosives.
Mighty Neighborly of Them. --GreGen
Thursday, February 14, 2013
Explosive Bits of Past Found in North Carolina
From the October 24, 2011, Charlotte (NC) Observer "Gaston search turns up explosive bits of history" by David Perlmutt and Cleve R. Wootson, Jr.
To bombs were found in Gaston County woods, possibly training devices left over from a World War II plant in Ranlo, 20 miles west of Charlotte. One was found Friday and was turned over to Fort Bragg for detonation.
They are believed to be inactive and filled with sand or concrete and probably were used as practice bombs and likely made by the now-closed Cocker Machinery and Foundry Company. A local resident has said that he worked at the factory during the war and they made devices used for training.
Some War Leftovers. --GreGen
To bombs were found in Gaston County woods, possibly training devices left over from a World War II plant in Ranlo, 20 miles west of Charlotte. One was found Friday and was turned over to Fort Bragg for detonation.
They are believed to be inactive and filled with sand or concrete and probably were used as practice bombs and likely made by the now-closed Cocker Machinery and Foundry Company. A local resident has said that he worked at the factory during the war and they made devices used for training.
Some War Leftovers. --GreGen
Wednesday, February 13, 2013
Bits of War: Stalingrad's Back-- Vandals Damage WW II Ship
Some New News About an Old War.
1. STALINGRAD'S BACK-- From the Jan. 31, 2013, Washington Post. The southern Russian city of Volgograd will revert to its World War II name, Stalingrad, at least for awhile to commemorate the pivotal Battle of Stalingrad where the Red Army turned back German forces in one of the major events of the war. Feb. 2nd marked the 70th anniversary in the battle that resulted in some 2,000,000 deaths.
2. VANDALS DAMAGE WW II SHIP-- From the Feb. 2, 2013, Arkansas Online by AP. Four men were arrested for spraying fire extinguisher powder all over the destroyer escort USS Stewart, in Sea Wolf Park in Texas. Previously, much money had been spent on it to repair damages suffered in Hurricane Ike, Sept. 13, 2008.
GreGen
1. STALINGRAD'S BACK-- From the Jan. 31, 2013, Washington Post. The southern Russian city of Volgograd will revert to its World War II name, Stalingrad, at least for awhile to commemorate the pivotal Battle of Stalingrad where the Red Army turned back German forces in one of the major events of the war. Feb. 2nd marked the 70th anniversary in the battle that resulted in some 2,000,000 deaths.
2. VANDALS DAMAGE WW II SHIP-- From the Feb. 2, 2013, Arkansas Online by AP. Four men were arrested for spraying fire extinguisher powder all over the destroyer escort USS Stewart, in Sea Wolf Park in Texas. Previously, much money had been spent on it to repair damages suffered in Hurricane Ike, Sept. 13, 2008.
GreGen
Sunken World War II Ship Poses Oil Spill Threat
From Southern California Public Radio.
The SS Montebello was sunk shortly after Pearl Harbor, December 23, 1941, by a Japanese submarine off the coast of Cambria and was carrying 3 million gallons of crude oil at the time. What is strange, though, is that very little or perhaps none of the crude oil has ever come up from the wreck.
The mystery is, what happened to the oil? The ship lies six miles off shore in 900 feet of water.
Just Don't Let the Big Oil Investors Know About It Though As It Might Set Off a "Buying Panic" and Send Our Gas Prices Up Even Higher. --GreGen
The SS Montebello was sunk shortly after Pearl Harbor, December 23, 1941, by a Japanese submarine off the coast of Cambria and was carrying 3 million gallons of crude oil at the time. What is strange, though, is that very little or perhaps none of the crude oil has ever come up from the wreck.
The mystery is, what happened to the oil? The ship lies six miles off shore in 900 feet of water.
Just Don't Let the Big Oil Investors Know About It Though As It Might Set Off a "Buying Panic" and Send Our Gas Prices Up Even Higher. --GreGen
Tuesday, February 12, 2013
Wilmington's Maffitt Village
The residential area in Wilmington, North Carolina, called Maffitt Village was established to help handle the huge influx of workers in Wilmington for the World War II war effort. Many worked at the North Carolina Shipbuilding Company that built over 200 vessels, mostly Liberty ships, during the years of its operation.
The residents of it from the 1940s and 50s have occasional reunions.
It was named after noted Confederate Naval commander John Newland Maffitt.
All Part of the Homefront War Effort. --GreGen
The residents of it from the 1940s and 50s have occasional reunions.
It was named after noted Confederate Naval commander John Newland Maffitt.
All Part of the Homefront War Effort. --GreGen
The Dutch Navy in World War II-- Part 3: Submarine K XVI
Continued from Feb. 8, 2013.
The Dutch submarine K XVI was laid down in 1930 and launched in 1933 and commissioned in the Royal Netherlands Navy Jan. 30, 1934.
On December 24, 1941, it attacked and sank the Japanese destroyer Sagiri with two torpedo hits, causing the ship's own torpedoes to explode. Up to 121 died and 120 rescued.
Later that day, it made an unsuccessful attack on the Japanese destroyer Marakumo and a transport fleet that was in water too shallow for the K XVI to operate in.
On December 25, 1941, Japanese submarine I 66 torpedoed and sank the K XVI, becoming the first submarine to sink another submarine during the war.
In May 2003, an unsuccessful search was made for the K XVI. It was found October 26, 2011 as I reported in this blog back on Feb. 7, 2013.
A Dutch Navy? Who Knew? --GreGen
The Dutch submarine K XVI was laid down in 1930 and launched in 1933 and commissioned in the Royal Netherlands Navy Jan. 30, 1934.
On December 24, 1941, it attacked and sank the Japanese destroyer Sagiri with two torpedo hits, causing the ship's own torpedoes to explode. Up to 121 died and 120 rescued.
Later that day, it made an unsuccessful attack on the Japanese destroyer Marakumo and a transport fleet that was in water too shallow for the K XVI to operate in.
On December 25, 1941, Japanese submarine I 66 torpedoed and sank the K XVI, becoming the first submarine to sink another submarine during the war.
In May 2003, an unsuccessful search was made for the K XVI. It was found October 26, 2011 as I reported in this blog back on Feb. 7, 2013.
A Dutch Navy? Who Knew? --GreGen
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