From the September 29, 2013, Fox News "Denmark marks 70th anniversary of World War II rescue of 7,300 Danish Jews."
The ceremony was held at a Copenhagen synagogue.
They dodged German patrol boats across a waterway to neutral Sweden and survival. Some 481 elderly and sick Danish Jews were unable to leave and were deported to a concentration camp in Czechoslovakia where 53 died.
--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.
Thursday, June 25, 2015
Wednesday, June 24, 2015
Partying With the Young Folks in Wilmington at Club Poinsettia
FROM THE OCTOBER 6, 1943, Wilmington (NC) Star- News. Many young people were working at the shipyard and Camp Davis. This led to big business keeping them entertained when off work (and also provide a place to drink).
One of these places was Club Poinsettia at 814 Market Street in Wilmington. This dare they advertised Key Scales and his 12-piece orchestra. (Remember, this was still the era of Big Bands and Swing Music.) Admission was $1.25 (quite a lot back then).
Club-style tables were promised for everyone. However, stags (men without dates) were not allowed except if they were in a party with ladies.
I tried to find out more about this club and band. I could find nothing about Key Scales and his 12-piece orchestra or anything about Club Poinsettia other than its address at 814 Market Street which is today the site of the Cape Fear Museum.
Party On. --GreGen
One of these places was Club Poinsettia at 814 Market Street in Wilmington. This dare they advertised Key Scales and his 12-piece orchestra. (Remember, this was still the era of Big Bands and Swing Music.) Admission was $1.25 (quite a lot back then).
Club-style tables were promised for everyone. However, stags (men without dates) were not allowed except if they were in a party with ladies.
I tried to find out more about this club and band. I could find nothing about Key Scales and his 12-piece orchestra or anything about Club Poinsettia other than its address at 814 Market Street which is today the site of the Cape Fear Museum.
Party On. --GreGen
Tuesday, June 23, 2015
Wilmington, N.C., at War
From the October 1, 2013, Wilmington (N.C.) Star News "Back Then."
SEPTEMBER 17, 1943-- Lt. Frank C. Adens, former reporter of the old Wilmington News-Dispatch and a member of the War Shipping Administration Overseas Correspondents had a long article in the Newsweek magazine.
SEPTEMBER 17, 1943-- Advertisement, "hear exclusive news from Walter Winchell tonight on WMFD at 9 p.m..
--GreGen
SEPTEMBER 17, 1943-- Lt. Frank C. Adens, former reporter of the old Wilmington News-Dispatch and a member of the War Shipping Administration Overseas Correspondents had a long article in the Newsweek magazine.
SEPTEMBER 17, 1943-- Advertisement, "hear exclusive news from Walter Winchell tonight on WMFD at 9 p.m..
--GreGen
Monday, June 22, 2015
First USS Oklahoma Remains Exhumed
From the June 10, 2015, KFOR 4 News.
In April the Defense Department announced that the remains of up to 400 unaccounted USS Oklahoma crew will be exhumed and examined with the process starting June 8.
The first set of remains was exhumed. Altogether, the bones are buried in 65 caskets at 41 grave sites with a total of 388 sets of remains.
As each set is disinterred there is a special ceremony held to honor them.
The remains will undergo months of DNA and forensic work.
--GreGen
--
In April the Defense Department announced that the remains of up to 400 unaccounted USS Oklahoma crew will be exhumed and examined with the process starting June 8.
The first set of remains was exhumed. Altogether, the bones are buried in 65 caskets at 41 grave sites with a total of 388 sets of remains.
As each set is disinterred there is a special ceremony held to honor them.
The remains will undergo months of DNA and forensic work.
--GreGen
--
Stevens Point Pearl Harbor Survivor to Be Honored
From the June 12, 2015, WSAW TV News, Wisconsin.
Will Lehner, 94, was on the USS Ward which fired the first U.S. shot in the war at a Japanese mini sub is one of only two men from that ship alive today,
Sixty years later, he, along with the National Geographic magazine and well-known undersea discoverer Bob Ballard spent 14 days looking for the submarine with no success. Two years later, divers from the University of Hawaii found it right where Lehner said it would be.
There will be a ceremony to honor him.
--GreGen
Will Lehner, 94, was on the USS Ward which fired the first U.S. shot in the war at a Japanese mini sub is one of only two men from that ship alive today,
Sixty years later, he, along with the National Geographic magazine and well-known undersea discoverer Bob Ballard spent 14 days looking for the submarine with no success. Two years later, divers from the University of Hawaii found it right where Lehner said it would be.
There will be a ceremony to honor him.
--GreGen
Deaths: Dr. Alan Green: Followed Patton Across Europe and Delivered 10,419 Babies
From the June 7, 2015, Chicago Tribune.
DR. ALAN GREEN, 102 (1913-2015)
Died May 21, 2015. Paid his $100 per semester tuition at the University of Illinois Medical School by waiting on tables at fraternity houses and at the 1933 Century of Progress World's Fair in Chicago. During his career, he delivered 10,419 babies during his long career. Born and raised in Chicago, attended Crane Technical High School, the Univ. of Illinois and U of I Medical School. Graduated in 1936 and started medical practice in Chicago.
Drafted into Army. In 1942 shipped to England and there until the invasion of Normandy. As a captain of a medical company attached to the 6th Armored Division, followed Gen. George S. Patton across France and into Germany, operating a field hospital responsible for the care and triage of the wounded.
Dr. Green was with the first troops to enter the Nazi concentration camp in Buchenwald, Germany.
Quite a Life.
DR. ALAN GREEN, 102 (1913-2015)
Died May 21, 2015. Paid his $100 per semester tuition at the University of Illinois Medical School by waiting on tables at fraternity houses and at the 1933 Century of Progress World's Fair in Chicago. During his career, he delivered 10,419 babies during his long career. Born and raised in Chicago, attended Crane Technical High School, the Univ. of Illinois and U of I Medical School. Graduated in 1936 and started medical practice in Chicago.
Drafted into Army. In 1942 shipped to England and there until the invasion of Normandy. As a captain of a medical company attached to the 6th Armored Division, followed Gen. George S. Patton across France and into Germany, operating a field hospital responsible for the care and triage of the wounded.
Dr. Green was with the first troops to enter the Nazi concentration camp in Buchenwald, Germany.
Quite a Life.
Saturday, June 20, 2015
Quad-City Vets Return to Pearl Harbor in 2013
From the Oct. 7, 2013, Quad-City (Iowa) Times by Barb Ickes.
Alvis "Al" Taylor, 90 and Eldon Baxter, 93 are two of the three-known Quad-City Pearl Harbor survivors and they are flying back there on December 4 for the 72nd anniversary commemoration.
Baxter remembers more about Pearl Harbor than anything else he's ever experienced. He was in the USS West Virginia when he saw a torpedo coming at him. A rescue boat pulled him out of the water.
Al Taylor was in the Army and in charge of dozens of ambulances used to transport the wounded.
--GreGen
Alvis "Al" Taylor, 90 and Eldon Baxter, 93 are two of the three-known Quad-City Pearl Harbor survivors and they are flying back there on December 4 for the 72nd anniversary commemoration.
Baxter remembers more about Pearl Harbor than anything else he's ever experienced. He was in the USS West Virginia when he saw a torpedo coming at him. A rescue boat pulled him out of the water.
Al Taylor was in the Army and in charge of dozens of ambulances used to transport the wounded.
--GreGen
Friday, June 19, 2015
Deaths of Two More Pearl Harbor Survivors in 2013
From the Oct. 9, 2013, Pittsburgh Trib Live "Work was way of life for Pearl Harbor survivor" by Debra Erdley.
Nelson Ferguson, 93, died Oct. 6, 2013,. He was one of 11 children who joined the CCC at age 17 and sent part of his earnings home to support his family.
He joined the Army in 1940 and was in the Signal Corps in Hawaii that day. He later served in northern Australia and Dutch New Guinea.
From the Oct. 3, 2013, Paducah (Ky) Sun. Carl E$. Golightly was born in 1924 and died Oct. 1, 2013. He joined the Navy at age 17 in April 1941 and was on the USS California during the attack.
Nelson Ferguson, 93, died Oct. 6, 2013,. He was one of 11 children who joined the CCC at age 17 and sent part of his earnings home to support his family.
He joined the Army in 1940 and was in the Signal Corps in Hawaii that day. He later served in northern Australia and Dutch New Guinea.
From the Oct. 3, 2013, Paducah (Ky) Sun. Carl E$. Golightly was born in 1924 and died Oct. 1, 2013. He joined the Navy at age 17 in April 1941 and was on the USS California during the attack.
Thursday, June 18, 2015
Pearl Harbor Survivor Celebrates 99th Birthday Back in 2013: Looking For the Tall Gals
From the Oct. 12, 2013, Appeal-Democrat.
Joe Langdell of Yuba City celebrated his birthday on Saturday and was at Pearl Harbor on that day.
"The boys were looking for the girls, and the girls were looking for the boys. I was looking for the girls, tall ones," he remembered.
He was asleep at the Bachelor Officers quarters on Ford Island with serious plans for an afternoon beach party with the girls when he awoke to the sound of planes.
He would have died had he been on his ship at the time. That ship was the USS Arizona where his battle station was in the ammunition room under turret No. 2.
A Close Call. --GreGen
Joe Langdell of Yuba City celebrated his birthday on Saturday and was at Pearl Harbor on that day.
"The boys were looking for the girls, and the girls were looking for the boys. I was looking for the girls, tall ones," he remembered.
He was asleep at the Bachelor Officers quarters on Ford Island with serious plans for an afternoon beach party with the girls when he awoke to the sound of planes.
He would have died had he been on his ship at the time. That ship was the USS Arizona where his battle station was in the ammunition room under turret No. 2.
A Close Call. --GreGen
Wednesday, June 17, 2015
Saltwater Crocodiles Feast On Japanese Soldiers
From the March 2015, Smithsonian magazine "Crikey" by Franz Lidz.
An article about saltwater crocodiles in the Pacific.
There are lots of stories about "salties" as they are called, killing humans.
But the worst devouring was reported in 1945, during the Japanese retreat in the Battle of Ramree Island in the Bay of Bengal. British soldiers encircled swampland through which Japanese soldiers were withdrawing. Nearly 1,000 of them are believed to have been munched to death by resident salties.
Don't Go Near the Water (There Or "Jurassic World"). --GreGen
An article about saltwater crocodiles in the Pacific.
There are lots of stories about "salties" as they are called, killing humans.
But the worst devouring was reported in 1945, during the Japanese retreat in the Battle of Ramree Island in the Bay of Bengal. British soldiers encircled swampland through which Japanese soldiers were withdrawing. Nearly 1,000 of them are believed to have been munched to death by resident salties.
Don't Go Near the Water (There Or "Jurassic World"). --GreGen
Tuesday, June 16, 2015
Fort Armstrong, Hawaii
From Wikipedia
This was a follow up on my October 2, 2013, entry on the death of Pearl Harbor survivor Gordy Caza.
Coast Artillery fort built in 1907 and named after General Samuel C. Armstrong.. Built in Honolulu in fill over a reef to protect the harbor.. It had one named battery and spread out over 64 acres.
Battery Tienon had two pedestal mounted 3-inch guns from 1911 to 1943.
The 1st Coast Artillery Company and then the 104th Mine Company was based there, the latter operating the Honolulu Harbor mine defenses.
The 185th Coast Artillery Company later was there.
Operations continued at the site until 1950, when it was abandoned. It is now part of the container port facility.
One person commented, "During that fateful morning, I was tending to my newly planted grass at my new house at Lime Street. Suddenly O heard 'boom, boom' sounds and saw puffs of smoke appearing in the sky. This must have been artillery firing from Fort Armstrong attempting to shoot down the Japanese warplanes."
--GreGen
This was a follow up on my October 2, 2013, entry on the death of Pearl Harbor survivor Gordy Caza.
Coast Artillery fort built in 1907 and named after General Samuel C. Armstrong.. Built in Honolulu in fill over a reef to protect the harbor.. It had one named battery and spread out over 64 acres.
Battery Tienon had two pedestal mounted 3-inch guns from 1911 to 1943.
The 1st Coast Artillery Company and then the 104th Mine Company was based there, the latter operating the Honolulu Harbor mine defenses.
The 185th Coast Artillery Company later was there.
Operations continued at the site until 1950, when it was abandoned. It is now part of the container port facility.
One person commented, "During that fateful morning, I was tending to my newly planted grass at my new house at Lime Street. Suddenly O heard 'boom, boom' sounds and saw puffs of smoke appearing in the sky. This must have been artillery firing from Fort Armstrong attempting to shoot down the Japanese warplanes."
--GreGen
Monday, June 15, 2015
Follow Up on Pagan Island-- Part 2: Many Bombing Attacks
After the war, Pagan island was under U.S. occupation and became part of the U.N. Trust territry of the Pacific before receiving U.S. Commonwealth status. the U.S. Navy maintained a small presence for awhile.
From Pacific Wrecks site:
Pagan island came under near constant U.S. bombing and aerial attack near the end of the war. Most missions were launched by the U.S. 7th Air Force. The first attack took placeJune 23, 1944 and two HellCats were lost. Those were the only losses recorded during the 79 attacks.
The last attack was made by USMC planes.
The Japanese troops on Pagan Island surrendered to Commodore Vernon F. Grant and the USS Rhind (DD-404) on September 2, 1945. The Rhind was named for Alexander Colden Rhind, a naval officer who commanded the USS Keokuk at Charleston which was hit by 90 Confederate shells and later sank during the Civil War. He also commanded Gen. Butler's powdership Louisiana at the First Battle of Fort Fisher in December 1864.
--GreGen
From Pacific Wrecks site:
Pagan island came under near constant U.S. bombing and aerial attack near the end of the war. Most missions were launched by the U.S. 7th Air Force. The first attack took placeJune 23, 1944 and two HellCats were lost. Those were the only losses recorded during the 79 attacks.
The last attack was made by USMC planes.
The Japanese troops on Pagan Island surrendered to Commodore Vernon F. Grant and the USS Rhind (DD-404) on September 2, 1945. The Rhind was named for Alexander Colden Rhind, a naval officer who commanded the USS Keokuk at Charleston which was hit by 90 Confederate shells and later sank during the Civil War. He also commanded Gen. Butler's powdership Louisiana at the First Battle of Fort Fisher in December 1864.
--GreGen
Follow Up on Pagan Island-- Part 1: Japan Took Control During WWI
From Wikipedia.
Back on June 6th, I wrote about the USMC proposal to use this island in the Pacific for large-scale amphibious landing practice. First, back in the 70s it was desert warfare training, now this. Are they trying to tell us something?
Anyway, some background on this island I'd never heard of before.
In 1914, during World War I, it was captured by Japan who was awarded control of it after the war by the League of Nations under the South Pacific Mandate.
An airfield was built on it in 1935 and the Imperial Japanese Navy garrisoned it in 1937. In June 1944, 2150 Imperial Japanese Army soldiers arrived and were cut off by the Allied offensive, receiving supplies only occasionally by submarine. Facing starvation, several hundred died of malnutrition.
--GreGen
Back on June 6th, I wrote about the USMC proposal to use this island in the Pacific for large-scale amphibious landing practice. First, back in the 70s it was desert warfare training, now this. Are they trying to tell us something?
Anyway, some background on this island I'd never heard of before.
In 1914, during World War I, it was captured by Japan who was awarded control of it after the war by the League of Nations under the South Pacific Mandate.
An airfield was built on it in 1935 and the Imperial Japanese Navy garrisoned it in 1937. In June 1944, 2150 Imperial Japanese Army soldiers arrived and were cut off by the Allied offensive, receiving supplies only occasionally by submarine. Facing starvation, several hundred died of malnutrition.
--GreGen
Saturday, June 13, 2015
10 Wacky Experimental Nazi Weapons
From the Sept. 22, 2013, Listverse.
10. HEINKEL He 162-- 116 made, unsuccessful
9. PANZER VIII MAUS-- Largest tank ever built
8. JUNKERS Ju 322 MAMMUT-- Replacement for cargo planes
7. ROCKET U-BOAT-- Sub with rockets to attack the United States. The U-511 was the first one.
6. FIESLER Fi 103R-- A piloted rocket where the pilot parachuted out at the last minute.
5. FLIEGERFAUST-- Portable ground-to-air rocket launcher.
4. ZEPPELIN RAMMER-- A plane to be towed by another plane.
3. TAIFUN-- A rocket for use against bombers.
2. KRUMMLAUF-- Allowed a rifle to fire in many directions and, for infantry, could fire around corners.
1. THE SUN GUN-- A giant mirrot sent into orbit to boil seas and burn cities down.
Those Germans. --GreGen
10. HEINKEL He 162-- 116 made, unsuccessful
9. PANZER VIII MAUS-- Largest tank ever built
8. JUNKERS Ju 322 MAMMUT-- Replacement for cargo planes
7. ROCKET U-BOAT-- Sub with rockets to attack the United States. The U-511 was the first one.
6. FIESLER Fi 103R-- A piloted rocket where the pilot parachuted out at the last minute.
5. FLIEGERFAUST-- Portable ground-to-air rocket launcher.
4. ZEPPELIN RAMMER-- A plane to be towed by another plane.
3. TAIFUN-- A rocket for use against bombers.
2. KRUMMLAUF-- Allowed a rifle to fire in many directions and, for infantry, could fire around corners.
1. THE SUN GUN-- A giant mirrot sent into orbit to boil seas and burn cities down.
Those Germans. --GreGen
Memorial for the HMCS Alberni in Canada
From the September 9, 2013, Comox Valley (Can.) record " Memorial for Sunken World War ship finds home in Comoc" by Earl Couper.
The Alberni Project-- HMCS (His Magesty's Canadian Ship) Alberni Memorial opened in Comox Centre Mall on September 1st. It is run by TAP, devoted to the preservation of the events of the battle between the Canadian corvette HMCS Alberni and the German submarine U--480.
Also in the exhibit is the role of Canadian women in the war.
The HMCS Alberion sailed from Esquimalt through the Panama Canal and joined the Royal Navy's Atlantic Fleet in Halifax in 1941. and was assigned to the Newfoundland Escort Force protecting Allied convoys across the North Atlantic, including Convoy SC42 and others.
In 1943, the Alberni was assigned to Operation Torch in the Mediterranean and later Fleet Operation Overlord (the invasion of Normandy) in the spring of 1944.
The ship was torpedoes by the U-480 in the British Channel 25 nautical miles southeast of St. Catherine's Point, Isle of Wight at 11:45 a.m. on August 21, 1944, while escorting a convoy.
Fifty-nine crew died after the torpedo struck the port side of the engine room and it sank in less than a minute.
--GreGen
The Alberni Project-- HMCS (His Magesty's Canadian Ship) Alberni Memorial opened in Comox Centre Mall on September 1st. It is run by TAP, devoted to the preservation of the events of the battle between the Canadian corvette HMCS Alberni and the German submarine U--480.
Also in the exhibit is the role of Canadian women in the war.
The HMCS Alberion sailed from Esquimalt through the Panama Canal and joined the Royal Navy's Atlantic Fleet in Halifax in 1941. and was assigned to the Newfoundland Escort Force protecting Allied convoys across the North Atlantic, including Convoy SC42 and others.
In 1943, the Alberni was assigned to Operation Torch in the Mediterranean and later Fleet Operation Overlord (the invasion of Normandy) in the spring of 1944.
The ship was torpedoes by the U-480 in the British Channel 25 nautical miles southeast of St. Catherine's Point, Isle of Wight at 11:45 a.m. on August 21, 1944, while escorting a convoy.
Fifty-nine crew died after the torpedo struck the port side of the engine room and it sank in less than a minute.
--GreGen
Friday, June 12, 2015
Parbuckle Salvage Used Raising the USS Oklahoma
From Wikipedia.
I came across a photo of the Navy raising the USS Oklahoma in Pearl harbor during the war. This meant turning it over to an upright position and the caption mentioned Parbuckle Salvage as the method used.
Parbuckle Salvage uses rotational leverage and is commonly used on smaller vessels that a battleship, but has been used on larger ones.
In 1943, the USS Oklahoma was rotated nearly 180 degrees. It was also used on the USS Utah, but as it was being rotated, its hull caught the harbor bottom and it slipped toward Ford Island and the effort was abandoned.
Parbuckle Salvage was also used to right the ocean liner MS Costa Concordia in the Mediterranean recently.
--GreGen
I came across a photo of the Navy raising the USS Oklahoma in Pearl harbor during the war. This meant turning it over to an upright position and the caption mentioned Parbuckle Salvage as the method used.
Parbuckle Salvage uses rotational leverage and is commonly used on smaller vessels that a battleship, but has been used on larger ones.
In 1943, the USS Oklahoma was rotated nearly 180 degrees. It was also used on the USS Utah, but as it was being rotated, its hull caught the harbor bottom and it slipped toward Ford Island and the effort was abandoned.
Parbuckle Salvage was also used to right the ocean liner MS Costa Concordia in the Mediterranean recently.
--GreGen
Pearl Harbor Survivor Edward Wentzlaff Died in 2013: "Some Moments Are Too Ghastly"
From the September 11, 2013, Minneapolis Star-Tribune obituary by Kevin Giles.
It is believed that Edward Wentzlaff, 95, died Sept. 10, was the last Minnesota USS Arizona survivor. He farm,ed near Milaca for most of his life and revisited Pearl Harbor at least ten times. H
Joining the Navy in 1937, he was on the forward deck of the Arizona awaiting for church service to begin.
He credits his survival on a split-second decision to run to his battle station instead of going below deck (where the explosion took place) He recalled: "Some moments are too ghastly to remember. Some are so horrible that they defy forgetting."
Ten years ago, Mr. Wentzlaff returned to Pearl Harbor where only ten Arizona survivors attended.
There are only a few Pearl Harbor survivors still living in Minnesota. Richard Thill was on the USS Ward and says it is hard to count survivors because so many have relocated to nursing homes.
The Greatest Generation. --GreGen
It is believed that Edward Wentzlaff, 95, died Sept. 10, was the last Minnesota USS Arizona survivor. He farm,ed near Milaca for most of his life and revisited Pearl Harbor at least ten times. H
Joining the Navy in 1937, he was on the forward deck of the Arizona awaiting for church service to begin.
He credits his survival on a split-second decision to run to his battle station instead of going below deck (where the explosion took place) He recalled: "Some moments are too ghastly to remember. Some are so horrible that they defy forgetting."
Ten years ago, Mr. Wentzlaff returned to Pearl Harbor where only ten Arizona survivors attended.
There are only a few Pearl Harbor survivors still living in Minnesota. Richard Thill was on the USS Ward and says it is hard to count survivors because so many have relocated to nursing homes.
The Greatest Generation. --GreGen
Thursday, June 11, 2015
Death of Pearl Harbor Survivor George Smith in 2013: "Waved At Me and Took Off"
From the September 17, 2013, Stars and Stripes, from the Tacoma (Wash) News-Tribune "Pearl Harbor Survivor Smith dies" by Adam Ashton.
George Smith died Sept. 13, 2013, at age 89 in Olympic, Washington.
He ran away from his home in Chicago and rode trains to relatives in Seattle. At age 17, he dropped out of high school and joined the Navy to see the world.
He was on the USS Oklahoma at Pearl Harbor and had just finished his night watch shift. He remembered, "One plane came in, circled, came right down to us. The guy opened the hatch to his plane and dropped his torpedo, waved at me and took off. The next thing I knew there was a big explosion."
Mr. Smith swam over to the USS Maryland and spent the rest of the battle there, clad just in his underwear.
Another thing he recalled was reaching for wounded men in the water only to grab severed limbs.
--GreGen
George Smith died Sept. 13, 2013, at age 89 in Olympic, Washington.
He ran away from his home in Chicago and rode trains to relatives in Seattle. At age 17, he dropped out of high school and joined the Navy to see the world.
He was on the USS Oklahoma at Pearl Harbor and had just finished his night watch shift. He remembered, "One plane came in, circled, came right down to us. The guy opened the hatch to his plane and dropped his torpedo, waved at me and took off. The next thing I knew there was a big explosion."
Mr. Smith swam over to the USS Maryland and spent the rest of the battle there, clad just in his underwear.
Another thing he recalled was reaching for wounded men in the water only to grab severed limbs.
--GreGen
Britain's Shadow Facories
From the September 22, 2013, Daily Mail "In pictures: The eerie factory tunnel safe from German bombers where workers built the military might for Britain to defeat Hitler."
Britain's Birmingham Longbridge site, p[ride of Britain's auto industry. Shadow Factory tunnels planned by Lord Austin. Where Merlin engines were produced that powered Spitfires and Hawker Hurricanes.
At the peak, there were 26 Shadow Factories. Expecting war, Britain started building them in 1936.
After the war, the tunnels were abandoned.
--GreGen
Britain's Birmingham Longbridge site, p[ride of Britain's auto industry. Shadow Factory tunnels planned by Lord Austin. Where Merlin engines were produced that powered Spitfires and Hawker Hurricanes.
At the peak, there were 26 Shadow Factories. Expecting war, Britain started building them in 1936.
After the war, the tunnels were abandoned.
--GreGen
Wednesday, June 10, 2015
Sunken War Bird Emerges From Lake Michigan-- Part 2
Some 17,000 pilots trained at Glenview Naval Air Station outside of Chicago during the war. Two lakes passenger liners were converted into aircraft carriers for them to practice landings and takeoffs. Lake Michigan was used for this training because it was safe from enemy submarine attacks. Former President George H.W. Bush also trained here and had his plane crash into Lake Michigan.
Taras Lyssenko and A&T Recovery Co., out of Michigan, has pulled dozens of World War II planes out of the Lake Michigan depths over the years. Pilot error (they were learning after all) was part of the reason, plus, the planes they used were often not in good shape).
William Forbes said the ship pulled his plane's tail off as he went down, then ran over him.
All sunken planes still belong to the Navy
Lake Michigan is the perfect preservative for these planes, but quagga mussels are degrading the planes.
Forbes died in 2008 at the age of 85.
I Bet He Would Sure Have Liked to Have Been Around for His Plane Getting Pulled Out of the Water. --GreGen
Taras Lyssenko and A&T Recovery Co., out of Michigan, has pulled dozens of World War II planes out of the Lake Michigan depths over the years. Pilot error (they were learning after all) was part of the reason, plus, the planes they used were often not in good shape).
William Forbes said the ship pulled his plane's tail off as he went down, then ran over him.
All sunken planes still belong to the Navy
Lake Michigan is the perfect preservative for these planes, but quagga mussels are degrading the planes.
Forbes died in 2008 at the age of 85.
I Bet He Would Sure Have Liked to Have Been Around for His Plane Getting Pulled Out of the Water. --GreGen
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