pp 36 & 1:Spring 2007 4/11/07 3:28 PM Page 1 At the 60th Annual 2ADA Convention Official Publication of the: Air Force August 30 – September 3, 2007 Memorial Grand Rapids, MI SEE PAGE 19 Right: Volume 46 Number 2 Spring 2007 The Bronze Honor Guard. Before There Was an “Air Force” BY RAY PYTEL (445TH) he recent Air Force Memorial dedica- Below: T tion spurred several questions on the predecessors to the Air Corps, the Army Part of the granite Air Forces, and finally the U.S. Air Force. inscription honoring The USAF Historical Division has es- major donors at the tablished a concise official record as a reference tool for historians and re search - base of the memorial. ers in an official volume called Air Force Combat Units of WWII. Rather than tak- ing excerpts, we shall print the “Intro- duction to Early U.S. Airpower”: At the peak of its strength in World War II, the United States Army Air Forces (AAF) had more than 2,400,000 men and women in uniform. There were pilots, nav- igators, bombardiers, flight engineers, gun- The last American aircraft produced before the end of the First World War, the Standard E-1 entered service ners, and radio operators, clerks and typ- in early 1918 but never saw combat. Although it was stable and maneuverable, it proved too slow and under- ists, artists and flautists, teachers, mechan- powered for use as a fighter. Instead, the United States Air Service accepted it for use as an advanced trainer. ics, statisticians, and engineers — for it took many talents and skills to conduct States and Mexico were strained as a result on 18 July 1914, but the legislators pro- and support the war in the air. All these of a revolution in Mexico, there was no vided little money for the new service. persons, from privates to generals, had to aviation unit for service along the Mexi- Moreover, the Signal Corps naturally used be welded into an organization capable of can border. The Army, however, sent some the meager resources to develop aviation giving direction and coordination to their of its flyers and planes to Texas, and on 5 as a means of communication, observa- diverse activities. For combat the men March 1913 these were formed into the tion, and reconnaissance, rather than as were formed into squadrons, and squa - 1st Aero Squadron, a provisional organi- an in strument for combat. One company SECOND AIR DIVISION ASSOCIATION zation made up of two companies. Later of the 2nd Aero Squadron was organized in Non-Profit Org. drons into groups. Above the groups were EIGHTH AIR FORCE U.S. Postage wings, and wings were organized into com- that year, in December, after the provi- 1915 and sent to the Philippines. The fol- RAY PYTEL, JOURNAL EDITOR PAID mands, and commands into the 16 air forces sional unit had moved to San Diego for lowing year plans were made for five more P.O. BOX 484, ELKHORN, WI 53121-0484 Ipswich, MA 01938 of the AAF. The upper part of the struc- training, it was organized officially as an squa drons. One, the 7th, was formed in Permit No. 74 ture had to be built while the war was on, Army squadron. Following Pancho Villa’s Feb ruary 1917 for duty in the Panama but the foundation was old. Some of the raid on Columbus, New Mexico, in March Canal Zone. Another, the 6th, was organ- squadrons, two of the groups, and one wing 1916, the squadron joined the force that ized in Hawaii in March 1917. Three others, had combat records from the First World Brig. Gen. John J. Pershing organized to try the 3rd, 4th, and 5th, were being formed War. One squadron, the oldest in the Air to capture the Mexican bandit. Thus the in the United States at the time the nation Force, could trace its history back to 1913. 1st Aero Squadron, which provided com- entered World War I in April 1917. munication and reconnaissance services 1913-1917 during the Mexican expedition, was the WORLD WAR ONE The Army had established an Aeronau- first American aviation unit to take the Pershing, who became commander of FOLDED WINGS? tical Division in the Signal Corps on 1 Aug - field for a military campaign. the American Expeditionary Forces (AEF), CHANGE OF ADDRESS? ust 1907 and had acquired its first plane Meanwhile, although war had broken soon developed a plan for the deployment All information should be sent to: in 1909. Army men had learned to fly, but out in Europe, little progress had been of 260 combat squadrons to France. Later Evelyn Cohen for some time the aviators were not organ- made toward expanding the Army’s air the plan was revised with the number of 06-410 Delaire Landing Road ized into units for operations. Consequently arm. Congress created an Aviation Sec- squadrons reduced to 202, all of which Philadelphia, PA 19114-4157 in 1913, when relations between the United tion in the Signal Corps by an act ap proved (continued on page 29) pg 2 - Directory & TOC:Spring 4/11/07 3:40 PM Page 1 SECOND AIR DIVISION ASSOCIATION To the Editor: this issue. Be sure to mention us to your to the fullest extent of the law. DIRECTORY I have been trying for some time, with - friends and family and let us know of any - Welcome to our steadily growing fam- Honorary President .................................... JORDAN R. UTTAL out success, to purchase a die cast model one interested in receiving our journal. ily of subscribers! Town Village North • 12271 Coit Road #3201 • Dallas, TX 75251 Telephone: 972-788-9041 of a B-24. Please contact me if you have any ques- Jason M. Waltz, CFO OFFICERS I have a number of models, nothing tions or desire to help us document and Operation WWII Remembered, Inc. President ............................................................ OAK MACKEY really expensive, just aircraft I enjoy, but remember this unique era. Remember, we 5234 S. 22nd Street 6406 East Presidio, Mesa, AZ 85215-0972 try as I might, no B-24. I have a number of Milwaukee, WI 53221 Telephone: 480-641-3033 • Fax: 480-641-0506 are a nonprofit 501 (c) (3) organization E-mail: [email protected] TABLE OF CONTENTS other USAAF bombers and fighters, but I under the U.S. Internal Revenue Code and Tel. (414) 325-7609 Executive Vice President........................... EARL ZIMMERMAN would like a B-24 as I belong to the “Friends donations made to us are tax deductible ✈ ✈ ✈ ✈ P.O. Box 40897, Indianapolis, IN 46240 The President’s Message 489th Notes Telephone: 317-846-1462 OAK MACKEY ................................................ 3 MEL PONTILLO............................................. 27 of the 93rd” which I expect you will know Vice President Membership ........................... EVELYN COHEN Executive Vice President’s Message 491st Ringmaster Reports flew from Hardwick as the 93rd BG dur- 06-410 Delaire Landing Road, Philadelphia, PA 19114- 4157 EARL ZIMMERMAN ......................................... 3 JOHN PALLER ing the War. Telephone: 215-632-3992 • Fax: 215-632-8319 ............................................... 10 So I am asking for your help please, in Treasurer ........................................... E.W. (BILL) NOTHSTEIN The Editor’s Contribution 492nd Happy Warrior Happenings FLASHBACK 1359 Harwood Lane, Macedon, NY 14502 RAY PYTEL ................................................... 4 BILL BEASLEY.............................................. 26 perhaps providing me with information Telephone: 315-986-7374 Report of the 2ADA Representative on the on where I might purchase such a model. Secretary and Director of Administrative Services....................... RAYMOND E. STRONG Board of Governors of the Memorial Trust FEATURES Incidentally, I am only interested in some - 642 Cedar Club Circle, Chapel Hill, NC 27517-7215 CHUCK WALKER ............................................ 5 thing of the size 3"- 4". Telephone: 919-967-2301 • E-mail: [email protected] Before There Was an “Air Force” Your Heritage League Robert Lewis 2ADA Representative RAY PYTEL .................................. FRONT COVER Board of Governors .................................. CHARLES WALKER BRIAN MAHONEY ........................................... 6 Church House 9824 Crest Meadow, Dallas, TX 75230-5331 Book Review: “Birds of Britain” Folded Wings .............................................. 10 The Street Telephone: 214-987-0467 • E-mail: [email protected] ELLA WOODBURY ........................................... 4 Hardwick GROUP VICE PRESIDENTS 60th Annual Convention Information ........ 19 A Parachute Incident Norwich, NR15 2AB Headquarters ...................................... RAYMOND E. STRONG Letters to the Editor .............................. 33-35 JACK KINGSBERY ........................................... 6 642 Cedar Club Circle, Chapel Hill, NC 27517-7215 Tel: +44-1508 531001 Telephone: 919-967-2301 • E-mail: [email protected] When the Allies Did Not Trust Each Other ✈ ✈ ✈ ✈ 44th Bomb Group .................................. RICHARD D. BUTLER GROUP REPORTS THE CUSTER-HAWK GAZETTE .......................... 8 16828 Mitchell Circle, Riverside, CA 92518 Telephone: 951-697-2908 • Fax: 951-697-5875 Division Headquarters Book Review: “Flak Houses” Then and Now To the Editor: E-mail: [email protected] RAY STRONG ............................................... 16 F.C. CHANDLER JR. ......................................... 9 A mutual friend has added your name 93rd Bomb Group................................................. JOHN L. LEE 930 Preston Trail, Melbourne, FL 32940-7822 44th News 8-Ball Liberator Men in Britain to our subscriber roster and provided you Telephone: 321-259-6861 • E-mail: [email protected] DICK BUTLER .............................................