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W. Earl Hall World War II stories, 1944
1944-08-28 Letter #14
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slug-Mass Raids -4 By W. EARL HALL Globe-Gazette Managing Editor Letter No. 14 Date 23 AUG 1943 London--(Air Mail)--If in all the world there is an organizational problem more complex than setting up a mass bombing raid on Germany, I can't for the life of me think what it might be. I arrive at this conclusion by taking what I have seen at a single important bomber group base within 100 of London and multiplying it by at least 50. I am not permitted to tell you what this base was or exactly where it was. But I can tell you some interesting things about it. One is that the first American-manned bombers to fly over Europe in this war--on July 4, 1942--had been based at this field. Another, Clark Gable of Hollywood fame hopped off on his first mission over the channel from this base. Still another--this establishment had been built and used to good advantage by the RAF before the Americans took over. And still another--it bears the proud name of "Hell's Angels" a name prompted by its seemingly indestructible ship bearing that title. It came home to roost here so many times that the number is almost forgotten. The group is under the command of Col. Kermit D. Stevens of Oregon, with Maj. Frank J. Doherty of Hoquiem, Wash., as his adjutant and Lt. Col. Behel of Chicago as executive officer. My traveling partner, Fred Christopherson of the Sioux Falls, S. Dak., Argus-Leader and myself were the special guests of Capt. Walter Donnelly of Bridgeport, public relations officer for the base. It would be well nigh impossible for me to list the many great courtesies and kindnesses received at the hands of Capt. Donnelly and his associate officers, say nothing of expressing my full appreciation. With a view obviously to avoidance of setting up a concentrated target area for the nazis, the scores of barracks and other buildings on the post were widely dispersed. Each of the 3 flying squadrons as a result is provided with its own little "city." Living and mess quarters are of simple design but wholly adequate. The Red Cross is there in a big way with its aero recreational hall and group theater, distinguished by its cloth covered seats provided by a Hollywood producer friend, is really distinguished among camp theaters in England. Movies are shown almost simultaneously with the first-run New York houses. Numerous interesting old villages--one of them the home of Samuel Pepys, the diarist, another the home of John Bunyan, another the home of Poet Keats--lie close at hand. But there is no sizable city. Recreation has to be provided on base, and it is being provided in a big way. Set down in a rich gardening country, soil is fertile in the base area. At least one of the squadrons has developed its own garden, featured by carrots and tomatoes. I stepped into it just long enough to pull one weed, which made me homesick for my own Victory garden. A weed would! During my visit to the repair station, the mess halls, the link trainer station, the photographic laboratory, and elsewhere, I met up with numerous non-flying personnel. For every man in the air, there are approximately 15 on the ground. Flying men can qualify for home leaves. It isn't easy but it can be done. Those doing the groundwork, even some of the high ranking officers, have no such hope as matters stand. Many of them have been here almost 2½ years and it looks like "for the duration" for them. Without detracting a whit from the glory which belongs to the men who face death day after day over Europe, I think I can refer to these ground people as the unsung heroes of this war. --30--
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slug-Mass Raids -4 By W. EARL HALL Globe-Gazette Managing Editor Letter No. 14 Date 23 AUG 1943 London--(Air Mail)--If in all the world there is an organizational problem more complex than setting up a mass bombing raid on Germany, I can't for the life of me think what it might be. I arrive at this conclusion by taking what I have seen at a single important bomber group base within 100 of London and multiplying it by at least 50. I am not permitted to tell you what this base was or exactly where it was. But I can tell you some interesting things about it. One is that the first American-manned bombers to fly over Europe in this war--on July 4, 1942--had been based at this field. Another, Clark Gable of Hollywood fame hopped off on his first mission over the channel from this base. Still another--this establishment had been built and used to good advantage by the RAF before the Americans took over. And still another--it bears the proud name of "Hell's Angels" a name prompted by its seemingly indestructible ship bearing that title. It came home to roost here so many times that the number is almost forgotten. The group is under the command of Col. Kermit D. Stevens of Oregon, with Maj. Frank J. Doherty of Hoquiem, Wash., as his adjutant and Lt. Col. Behel of Chicago as executive officer. My traveling partner, Fred Christopherson of the Sioux Falls, S. Dak., Argus-Leader and myself were the special guests of Capt. Walter Donnelly of Bridgeport, public relations officer for the base. It would be well nigh impossible for me to list the many great courtesies and kindnesses received at the hands of Capt. Donnelly and his associate officers, say nothing of expressing my full appreciation. With a view obviously to avoidance of setting up a concentrated target area for the nazis, the scores of barracks and other buildings on the post were widely dispersed. Each of the 3 flying squadrons as a result is provided with its own little "city." Living and mess quarters are of simple design but wholly adequate. The Red Cross is there in a big way with its aero recreational hall and group theater, distinguished by its cloth covered seats provided by a Hollywood producer friend, is really distinguished among camp theaters in England. Movies are shown almost simultaneously with the first-run New York houses. Numerous interesting old villages--one of them the home of Samuel Pepys, the diarist, another the home of John Bunyan, another the home of Poet Keats--lie close at hand. But there is no sizable city. Recreation has to be provided on base, and it is being provided in a big way. Set down in a rich gardening country, soil is fertile in the base area. At least one of the squadrons has developed its own garden, featured by carrots and tomatoes. I stepped into it just long enough to pull one weed, which made me homesick for my own Victory garden. A weed would! During my visit to the repair station, the mess halls, the link trainer station, the photographic laboratory, and elsewhere, I met up with numerous non-flying personnel. For every man in the air, there are approximately 15 on the ground. Flying men can qualify for home leaves. It isn't easy but it can be done. Those doing the groundwork, even some of the high ranking officers, have no such hope as matters stand. Many of them have been here almost 2½ years and it looks like "for the duration" for them. Without detracting a whit from the glory which belongs to the men who face death day after day over Europe, I think I can refer to these ground people as the unsung heroes of this war. --30--
World War II Diaries and Letters
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