From the August 1, 2013 Stars and Stripes/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel by Meg Jones.
William Forbes didn't like cold water and especially didn't relish the idea of taking a swim in frigid Lake Michigan even more so in December.
On December 28, 1944, he powered his Grumman FM-2 Wildcat engine along the deck of a converted ship made into an aircraft carrier. Just as he reached the end of the flight deck, his engine died and he and his plane went into that really cold water. The plane sank to 200 feet.
This past December, that very same plane was hauled out of Lake Michigan. Its rusted remains are on display at the EAA Air Show in Oshkosh this week. It is proving to be quite a popular exhibit.
--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.
Wednesday, June 10, 2015
Tuesday, June 9, 2015
Digging for WWII Munitions or Just Junk at Fort Sheridan, Illinois-- Part 2
Aimee Collins says, The fort has lots of areas on it that during the military days they pushed garbage into a pit and covered it up."
The excavation site, known in military parlance as the "former anti-aircraft artillery battery firing point B," was used for training from 1930 through 1950, primarily to support activities in Europe during World War II. The 61st Coast Artillery fired at targets in Lake Michigan. (Meaning there likely are live shells out in the water.)
The project costs about $400,000 and is funded by the Department of Defense
If explosives are discovered, further study will be made.
Got Junk? --GreGen
The excavation site, known in military parlance as the "former anti-aircraft artillery battery firing point B," was used for training from 1930 through 1950, primarily to support activities in Europe during World War II. The 61st Coast Artillery fired at targets in Lake Michigan. (Meaning there likely are live shells out in the water.)
The project costs about $400,000 and is funded by the Department of Defense
If explosives are discovered, further study will be made.
Got Junk? --GreGen
Digging for WWII Munitions or Just Junk at Fort Sheridan-- Part 1
From the June 2, 2015, Chicago Tribune by Greg Trotter.
More than 1,000 "suspected anomalies" lie beneath the ground of a two-acre field overlooking Lake Michigan. This area used to be part of the Army's Fort Sheridan, north of Chicago. Exactly what these are is unknown, but there is a slight possibility some might be munitions are explosives left over from World War II
The Army Corps of Engineers has contracted companies for a five-day dig to take place between June 15 and 19 this month. Just to be sure, a few nearby homes will be evacuated and a popular trail nearby closed.
The site was used for military target practice during World War II, but those "anomalies" are most likely utilities or construction debris from buildings which used to be on the site.
--GreGen
More than 1,000 "suspected anomalies" lie beneath the ground of a two-acre field overlooking Lake Michigan. This area used to be part of the Army's Fort Sheridan, north of Chicago. Exactly what these are is unknown, but there is a slight possibility some might be munitions are explosives left over from World War II
The Army Corps of Engineers has contracted companies for a five-day dig to take place between June 15 and 19 this month. Just to be sure, a few nearby homes will be evacuated and a popular trail nearby closed.
The site was used for military target practice during World War II, but those "anomalies" are most likely utilities or construction debris from buildings which used to be on the site.
--GreGen
Monday, June 8, 2015
Marine Raider Reunion in Wilmington
From August 14, 2013, WWAY 3 ABC, Wilmington, N.C. "World War II Marine Raiders reunite in Wilmington" by Holden Kurwick.
Japan surrendered on this date in 1945.
The first special forces unit in U.S. military history was the Marine Raiders.
PFC Kenneth "Mudhole" Merrell, "It was a tough outfit. That's all it was. I wasn't tough, but the guys I served with was, I guarantee you."
PFC Charles Meachem said they were the first to have dog handlers and Navajo Code Talkers.
A total of 8,000 served in this unit over the course of the war and just 4,000 returned.
--GreGen
Japan surrendered on this date in 1945.
The first special forces unit in U.S. military history was the Marine Raiders.
PFC Kenneth "Mudhole" Merrell, "It was a tough outfit. That's all it was. I wasn't tough, but the guys I served with was, I guarantee you."
PFC Charles Meachem said they were the first to have dog handlers and Navajo Code Talkers.
A total of 8,000 served in this unit over the course of the war and just 4,000 returned.
--GreGen
Battled Subs From a Blimp-- Part 3
Blimps were equipped with radar for use on the surface and also had Marine Air Detection which enabled them to "see" to the bottom of the sea. They charted a lot of sunken ships with it.
"The first time I saw a torpedoed ship-- it was four in the morning-- just daylight. I tell you, that's a sight you'll never forget,"said Dick Wrigley.
Blimps were armed with 50 caliber machine guns and carried ten 100-pound depth charges or four 450-pound depth charges.
--GreGen
"The first time I saw a torpedoed ship-- it was four in the morning-- just daylight. I tell you, that's a sight you'll never forget,"said Dick Wrigley.
Blimps were armed with 50 caliber machine guns and carried ten 100-pound depth charges or four 450-pound depth charges.
--GreGen
Saturday, June 6, 2015
U.S. Military Plans to Use Pagan Island-- Part 3: Why Not Tinian?
Some people say the Marines should use Tinian which is already mostly leased by the military, but the Marines insist they couldn't practice full-scale landings there.
Tinian, about twice the side of Pagan Island, is best-known as the take-off point for the U.S. planes that dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August 1945.
Today, there is a casino on it.
Under Attack Again. --GreGen
Tinian, about twice the side of Pagan Island, is best-known as the take-off point for the U.S. planes that dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August 1945.
Today, there is a casino on it.
Under Attack Again. --GreGen
U.S. Military Plans to Use Pagan Island-- Part 2
The Marine Corps says Pagan island is the only island available with beaches large enough for major amphibious maneuvers. They will repair the old Japanese runway to ferry in supplies. Bombing targets would be set up on Mount Pagan.
Some 5,000 Marines are due to move to Guam in the next decade, but Guam is too heavily populated for large-scale war games.
War also might return to the Pacific with China building up its amphibious landing capability and becoming more assertive in its islands claims.
--GreGen
Some 5,000 Marines are due to move to Guam in the next decade, but Guam is too heavily populated for large-scale war games.
War also might return to the Pacific with China building up its amphibious landing capability and becoming more assertive in its islands claims.
--GreGen
U.S. Military Plans to Use Pagan Island Again-- Part 1
From the May 20, 2015, Chicago Tribune "Pagan Games" by David S. Cloud.
"Saipan, Northern Marianas-- The tiny Pacific Island of Pagan is a lost world of deserted black sand, feral pigs and huge fruit bats. Two active volcanoes, one at each end of the spoon-shaped isle, rise over a deep blue horizon.
"A rusting Japanese Zero fighter lies near a derelict Japanese-built runway still pock-marked with craters from an American bomber attack seven decades ago in World War II."
Now, the USMC wants the island to go to war again on a regular basis. The Pentagon had proposed leasing the entire 18-square-mile island for use in live-fire amphibious invasion practice.
There is some question as to why the Marines need amphibious practice since they haven't done one since the invasion of Inchon in Korea 65 years ago.
But, there are plans for practice at Pagan Island at least 16 weeks a year. Troops from Japan, Australia and South Korea might use it as well. Imagine American and Japanese troops operating together this time.
--GreGen
--
"Saipan, Northern Marianas-- The tiny Pacific Island of Pagan is a lost world of deserted black sand, feral pigs and huge fruit bats. Two active volcanoes, one at each end of the spoon-shaped isle, rise over a deep blue horizon.
"A rusting Japanese Zero fighter lies near a derelict Japanese-built runway still pock-marked with craters from an American bomber attack seven decades ago in World War II."
Now, the USMC wants the island to go to war again on a regular basis. The Pentagon had proposed leasing the entire 18-square-mile island for use in live-fire amphibious invasion practice.
There is some question as to why the Marines need amphibious practice since they haven't done one since the invasion of Inchon in Korea 65 years ago.
But, there are plans for practice at Pagan Island at least 16 weeks a year. Troops from Japan, Australia and South Korea might use it as well. Imagine American and Japanese troops operating together this time.
--GreGen
--
Friday, June 5, 2015
Battled Subs From a Blimp-- Part 2: Low and Slow
Richard Wrigley spent three months learning about blimps. He was assigned to Fleet Airship Wing 2, ZP-21 based out of Richmond Lighter Than Air Station, 20 miles south of Miami, Florida, where he spent most of his time patrolling off the coast of Florida and in the Caribbean Sea.
German U-boats had to surface for eight hours to recharge their batteries which they did mostly at night while on patrol.
German submarines were well-armed with anti-aircraft guns by 1943 and would even fight B-24s.
Only one blimp was shot down by the Germans during the war.
Blimps had a crew of eight and flew, as they said, low and slow, usually just 750 feet above the water.
--GreGen
German U-boats had to surface for eight hours to recharge their batteries which they did mostly at night while on patrol.
German submarines were well-armed with anti-aircraft guns by 1943 and would even fight B-24s.
Only one blimp was shot down by the Germans during the war.
Blimps had a crew of eight and flew, as they said, low and slow, usually just 750 feet above the water.
--GreGen
Battled Subs From a Blimp-- Part 1: Joined Navy Because Friends Did
From the July 27, 2013, My Desert "World War II veteran battled subs from his blimp."
Richard "Dick" Wrigley was flight engineer aboard a Navy blimp on anti-submarine patrol. He enlisted in 1942 because all of his buddies also joined the Navy.
The training camp in San Diego was full, so he was sent to Farragut, Idaho, where he had to battle temperatures of 40 degrees below zero.
In January 1943, he was sent to Memphis Naval Air Station in Tennessee where he became an aviation machinists' mate and went into the Blimp Service.
There were ten main blimp bases, five along the Atlantic coast, three along the Pacific coast and two in the Gulf of Mexico.
Wrigley was sent to Naval Air Station Lakehurst in New Jersey, site of the famous 1937 Hundenburg disaster. Six years later, the spot where the Hindenburg had caught fire and crashed was still visible and the ground charred black.
--GreGen
Richard "Dick" Wrigley was flight engineer aboard a Navy blimp on anti-submarine patrol. He enlisted in 1942 because all of his buddies also joined the Navy.
The training camp in San Diego was full, so he was sent to Farragut, Idaho, where he had to battle temperatures of 40 degrees below zero.
In January 1943, he was sent to Memphis Naval Air Station in Tennessee where he became an aviation machinists' mate and went into the Blimp Service.
There were ten main blimp bases, five along the Atlantic coast, three along the Pacific coast and two in the Gulf of Mexico.
Wrigley was sent to Naval Air Station Lakehurst in New Jersey, site of the famous 1937 Hundenburg disaster. Six years later, the spot where the Hindenburg had caught fire and crashed was still visible and the ground charred black.
--GreGen
Grandson Works to Clear Officer's Name in Pearl Harbor Attack
From the August 5, 2013, Clarion-Ledger.
Rear Admiral Husband Kimmel and Army Major General Walter Short were called "solely responsible" for the disaster at Pearl Harbor and both were demoted.
Tom Kimmel says his grandfather was a scapegoat.
After the attack, a special commission was set up and found the officers guilty, but those findings have since come under attack and scrutiny.
Now some historians are saying that Kimmel and Short were no the recipients of important military intelligence which might have led to better preparation.
--GreGen
Rear Admiral Husband Kimmel and Army Major General Walter Short were called "solely responsible" for the disaster at Pearl Harbor and both were demoted.
Tom Kimmel says his grandfather was a scapegoat.
After the attack, a special commission was set up and found the officers guilty, but those findings have since come under attack and scrutiny.
Now some historians are saying that Kimmel and Short were no the recipients of important military intelligence which might have led to better preparation.
--GreGen
Thursday, June 4, 2015
Pearl Harbor Survivor Jack Leaming Died in 2013-- Part 2: Dodging Friendly Anti-Aircraft Fire
About an hour into the flight, he heard, "Don't shoot. This is an American plane." A few seconds later his pilot say, "Get the rubber boot, we're going in." Nine of the original scout planes were lost, some shot down by friendly fire.
The canopy of the plane was open when they approached Oahu and could smell smoke and see it billowing up even before they could see the harbor. They had to dodge friendly anti-aircraft fire as they approached Ford Island and then they landed safely at Ewa Marine Corps Air Station.
Three months later, his dive bomber was hit by Japanese anti-aircraft fire and they were forced to ditch near Marcus Island and captured. he was beaten and held at different prison camps before being liberated at Osaka, Japan, on September 6, 1945.
--GreGen
The canopy of the plane was open when they approached Oahu and could smell smoke and see it billowing up even before they could see the harbor. They had to dodge friendly anti-aircraft fire as they approached Ford Island and then they landed safely at Ewa Marine Corps Air Station.
Three months later, his dive bomber was hit by Japanese anti-aircraft fire and they were forced to ditch near Marcus Island and captured. he was beaten and held at different prison camps before being liberated at Osaka, Japan, on September 6, 1945.
--GreGen
Pearl Harbor Survivor Jack Leaming, 93, Died in 2013-- Part 1: Escorting USS Enterprise to Pearl Harbor That Day
From the August 12, 2013, Las Vegas Review-Journal.
Jack Leaming, 93, Pearl harbor survivor died August 4, 2013. He spent three and a half years as a Japanese POW.
He is the third Pearl Harbor survivor to die in the last three months. Clifton E. Dohrman died June 16 and William Simshauser, Army Air Corps, died July 16. Only a handful of Pearl Harbor survivors still remain in Las Vegas.
Jack Leaming was born Dec. 6, 1919, in Philadelphia and always wanted to be an aviator.
As a radio/gunner, one day past his 22nd birthday, he and pilot Dale Hilton took off from the USS Enterprise on December 7, 1941. His plane and 17 others fanned out west of Oahu to escort their ship to Pearl Harbor. By order of Admiral William F. "Bull" Halsey, they were flying under radio silence.
--GreGen
Jack Leaming, 93, Pearl harbor survivor died August 4, 2013. He spent three and a half years as a Japanese POW.
He is the third Pearl Harbor survivor to die in the last three months. Clifton E. Dohrman died June 16 and William Simshauser, Army Air Corps, died July 16. Only a handful of Pearl Harbor survivors still remain in Las Vegas.
Jack Leaming was born Dec. 6, 1919, in Philadelphia and always wanted to be an aviator.
As a radio/gunner, one day past his 22nd birthday, he and pilot Dale Hilton took off from the USS Enterprise on December 7, 1941. His plane and 17 others fanned out west of Oahu to escort their ship to Pearl Harbor. By order of Admiral William F. "Bull" Halsey, they were flying under radio silence.
--GreGen
Wednesday, June 3, 2015
Six World War II Propaganda Broadcasters
From the August 13, 2013, History Channel.
The Allies and Axis both used the radio for propaganda purposes. Most broadcasts were aimed at their own populations, but others were there for their enemy. Their jobs was to spread hisinformation and foster discontent.
GERMANY-- Axis Sally (Mildred Gillars)-- from Maine
GERMANY-- Lord Haw Haw-- William Joyce-- very popular in Britain.
JAPAN-- Tokyo Rose (Iva Toguri)
BRITAIN-- Sefton Delmer
GERMANY-- Philippe Henriot-- Occupied f
France.
GERMANY Fred W. Kaltenbach
--GreGen
The Allies and Axis both used the radio for propaganda purposes. Most broadcasts were aimed at their own populations, but others were there for their enemy. Their jobs was to spread hisinformation and foster discontent.
GERMANY-- Axis Sally (Mildred Gillars)-- from Maine
GERMANY-- Lord Haw Haw-- William Joyce-- very popular in Britain.
JAPAN-- Tokyo Rose (Iva Toguri)
BRITAIN-- Sefton Delmer
GERMANY-- Philippe Henriot-- Occupied f
France.
GERMANY Fred W. Kaltenbach
--GreGen
Veterans of Ploesti Raid Held 70th Anniversary Reunion in 2013
From the July 30, 2013, Montreal gazette "Veterans of World War II's Ploesti Raid holding 70th anniversary reunion in Ohio" by AP.
It was a low-flying raid on the German oil fields and the survivors still alive will be arriving at the National Museum of the Air Force near Dayton, Ohio. The 70th anniversary of the raid will be on Thursday and there will be a public memorial service and a chance to meet the veterans.
Code named Operation Tidal Wave, it was an attack on oil fields in German occupied Romania. B-24 bombers attacked in the daylight, some only yards above ground. Nearly 1/3 of the 177 planes were shot down and 1/3 of the men killed, captured or missing in action.
The 44th Bombing Group received the Distinguished Unit Citation.
The last reunion, held in Salt Lake City in 2003, drew 85 veterans and now there are fewer than 70 still alive. This is likely their last reunion.
--GreGen
It was a low-flying raid on the German oil fields and the survivors still alive will be arriving at the National Museum of the Air Force near Dayton, Ohio. The 70th anniversary of the raid will be on Thursday and there will be a public memorial service and a chance to meet the veterans.
Code named Operation Tidal Wave, it was an attack on oil fields in German occupied Romania. B-24 bombers attacked in the daylight, some only yards above ground. Nearly 1/3 of the 177 planes were shot down and 1/3 of the men killed, captured or missing in action.
The 44th Bombing Group received the Distinguished Unit Citation.
The last reunion, held in Salt Lake City in 2003, drew 85 veterans and now there are fewer than 70 still alive. This is likely their last reunion.
--GreGen
Tuesday, June 2, 2015
Marijuana "Reefers" Sold, Air Medal, Labor Unrest
From the July 30, 2013, Wilmington (NC) Star-News "Back Then."
Seventy years ago.
JULY 25, 1943: Three men were in jail for selling marijuana cigarettes to soldiers and civilians in the vicinity of Camp Butner near Durham.
Undercover agents bought 32 "Reefers" at 35 cents apiece.
JULY 30, 1943: The Air Medal was presented by FDR to Lt. (jg) Lloyd D. Hollingsworth for meritorious achievement as a seaplane pilot during the invasion of North Africa in November 1942. He is the son of Margaret Hollingsworth and currently listed as MIA.
JULY 31, 1943: There are Labor Relations problems at the Wilmington Shipyard and across the country. The War Labor Board denied a general wage increase to more than one million shipyard workers at 188 shipyards across the country.
Seventy years ago.
JULY 25, 1943: Three men were in jail for selling marijuana cigarettes to soldiers and civilians in the vicinity of Camp Butner near Durham.
Undercover agents bought 32 "Reefers" at 35 cents apiece.
JULY 30, 1943: The Air Medal was presented by FDR to Lt. (jg) Lloyd D. Hollingsworth for meritorious achievement as a seaplane pilot during the invasion of North Africa in November 1942. He is the son of Margaret Hollingsworth and currently listed as MIA.
JULY 31, 1943: There are Labor Relations problems at the Wilmington Shipyard and across the country. The War Labor Board denied a general wage increase to more than one million shipyard workers at 188 shipyards across the country.
Bits of War: PT-109-- Death of Pear Harbor Survivor
1. PT-109: August 2, 1943. PT-109, commanded by LT (jg) John F. Kennedy, was rammed by the Japanese destroyer Amagira off the Solomon Islands. Two crew were killed and Kennedy led others to a nearby island.
2. DEATH OF PEARL HARBOR SURVIVOR-- From 7-31-13 Kitsap Sun. William Payne Powell, 95, of Bremerton (Dec. 1, 1917 to July 18, 2013). On USS Dale at Pearl Harbor and served on submarines in the war. His ashes were scattered at sea from the submarine USS Michigan.
--GreGen
2. DEATH OF PEARL HARBOR SURVIVOR-- From 7-31-13 Kitsap Sun. William Payne Powell, 95, of Bremerton (Dec. 1, 1917 to July 18, 2013). On USS Dale at Pearl Harbor and served on submarines in the war. His ashes were scattered at sea from the submarine USS Michigan.
--GreGen
USS Indianapolis Survivors-- Part 3: Hunter Scott
Continued from May 27th.
Hunter Scott was also at the reunion. His 7th grade history project as a student in Pensacola, Florida, led to a reassessment of the court martial of the ship's commanding officer, Rear Admiral Charles B. McVay III who was tried for not zig-zagging his course as a protection against enemy submarines.
He was found guilty.
But, because of Hunter Scott's efforts, in 2000, 32 years after his suicide because of the guilty finding, Congress passed an act clearing his name.
Hunter Scott is now 28-years-old and a Navy helicopter pilot.
--GreGen
Hunter Scott was also at the reunion. His 7th grade history project as a student in Pensacola, Florida, led to a reassessment of the court martial of the ship's commanding officer, Rear Admiral Charles B. McVay III who was tried for not zig-zagging his course as a protection against enemy submarines.
He was found guilty.
But, because of Hunter Scott's efforts, in 2000, 32 years after his suicide because of the guilty finding, Congress passed an act clearing his name.
Hunter Scott is now 28-years-old and a Navy helicopter pilot.
--GreGen
Monday, June 1, 2015
World War II Poster for June: British Forward to Victory
Poster shows crew of an anti-aircraft gun fighting during a nighttime German air raid with searchlights in the background. Two of the searchlights cross and make a "V".
Forward to Victory, British World War II.
The British Victory or V Campaign" proved a successful drive during World War II.
The "V" became not only a symbol of victory, but also resistance. People throughout German-controlled Europe painted the "V" on almost any flat surface. The German military responded by prosecuting 6,200 people in Paris alone for using the symbol to demonstrate defiance to the occupation.
"V" Me. --GreGen
Forward to Victory, British World War II.
The British Victory or V Campaign" proved a successful drive during World War II.
The "V" became not only a symbol of victory, but also resistance. People throughout German-controlled Europe painted the "V" on almost any flat surface. The German military responded by prosecuting 6,200 people in Paris alone for using the symbol to demonstrate defiance to the occupation.
"V" Me. --GreGen
Failed Attempt to Return 10 Japanese Photographs-- Part 3
But Tomohiro Harada didn't give Bib Brown much hope that the families of the the subjects would be found., citing the many years that had passed.
This turned out to be the case for Mr. Brown. A couple months ago, he received a letter from the Japanese government saying they had been unable to find the families.
They offered to send the photos back but he said, "Keep them." But asked what would happen, hoping they would just be tossed into the trash. Their reply was most likely they would go to a museum or archive.
Last month, he was moved by Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe apologizing for his nation's actions during World War II.
So, on this Memorial Day, Bob Brown was going to pl;ace an American flag on the grave of his father and give thanks to all veterans. But, at the same time he was going to think about the rank-and-file Japanese soldiers who dearly loved their country and died following it.
This turned out to be the case for Mr. Brown. A couple months ago, he received a letter from the Japanese government saying they had been unable to find the families.
They offered to send the photos back but he said, "Keep them." But asked what would happen, hoping they would just be tossed into the trash. Their reply was most likely they would go to a museum or archive.
Last month, he was moved by Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe apologizing for his nation's actions during World War II.
So, on this Memorial Day, Bob Brown was going to pl;ace an American flag on the grave of his father and give thanks to all veterans. But, at the same time he was going to think about the rank-and-file Japanese soldiers who dearly loved their country and died following it.
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