The Dixie Dispatch - The Commemorative Air Force Dixie WIng

The Dixie Dispatch
DIXIE WING, COMMEMORATIVE AIR FORCE, PEACHTREE CITY, GA
www.dixiewing.org
Col Frank Kalinowski, Editor - [email protected]
January 2016
Education through living history.
Keep 'em flying.
Dixie Wing Staff
Officers /Contacts
Wing Leader
Col Jay Bess
[email protected]
Executive Officer
Col Larry Combs
[email protected]
Adjutant
Col Malcolm Lelliott
[email protected]
Finance Officer
Col Paul Zampol
[email protected]
Maintenance Officer
Col Bob Heath
[email protected]
Operations Officer
Col Jim Buckley
[email protected]
Recruiting Officer
Col Michael "Zee" Zeeveld
[email protected]
Public Information Officer
Col Steve Forsyth
[email protected]
Marketing Officer
Col Moreno "Mo" Aguiari
[email protected]
Safety Officer
Col Rodney Higginbotham
Rodneyhigginbotham
@gmail.com
WELCOMENEWREADERSOFTHE
DIXIEDISPATCH
January 2016 marks a new beginning for the Dixie Dispatch. In addition to
being sent to the 300+ members of the CAF Dixie Wing, for the first time
the Dixie Dispatch is also being sent to more than 2,900 people who have
signed up for the Dixie Wing website. We hope that you enjoy what you
are reading.
For comments, suggestion, submissions and the like, please contact the
editor: Col Frank Kalinowski - [email protected].
FormuchmoreabouttheDixieWinganditsactivities:
VisittheDixieWingat:http://www.dixiewing.org
VisitusonFacebook:https://www.facebook.com/CAFDixieWing
WWIIHeritageDays:https://www.facebook.com/WWIIHeritageDays
AtlantaWarbirdweekend:http://www.atlantawarbirdweekend.com
WHAT'S INSIDE?
2 ..... From the left Seat; What’s That?
3 ..... XO Report - Meet Your New XO
4 ..... Focus on Finance
5 ..... January Wing Meeting
6 ..... New “Bookmaster” Appointed
7 ..... Web watch; Gone west
8 ..... P-51 Mustang Story
9 ..... Answer to What’s That?
10 – 11 On The Horizon
12 ...The Tailpipe: A few Closing Remarks
Air Show Scheduling
Col Phillip Beegle
[email protected]
Aircraft Rides Officer
Col Jerry Robinette
[email protected]
Angel Squad
Merikay Franklin
[email protected]
FOLLOW UP: Photo credits from the December article
about Paul Crawford: On the ground photos by John
Willhoff, air to air by Steve Hayes.
January 2016
The Dixie Dispatch
Page 2
From the Left Seat:
Col Jay Bess, Wing Leader
Happy New Year!
We are starting off the year with good news as the P-63 and T-34 have both been
awarded matching restoration grants from CAF Headquarters! It will be
exciting to see both aircraft take to the air again and represent the CAF Dixie
Wing. The 2016 year is looking good as we have a lot of “irons in the fire” and
projects that are in the works. At Dekalb-Peachtree Airport’s Good Neighbor Day Air Show you’ll see our
new “Prowlers of the Pacific” act with the Corsair, SBD, Kate and Helldiver. You’ll see our new Living
Aviation Program announced soon -- speakers, authors and presentations about history and aviation that
will take place at the Dixie Wing on a regular basis. …and there is more in the works!
Look for a member survey coming to you via e-mail in the next few weeks. We’d like to learn a little more
about everyone! There is so much talent in our ranks that we don’t know (or forgot) exists!
Keep ‘em Flying!
Jay
WHAT’STHAT?
ColFrankKalinowski
Readers, we have a new feature. This will be a monthly test of your knowledge of some little known aircraft
over the years. Of course, we know that aircraft recognition goes from, “Look, a plane,” to what my wife
always tells me when we start watching a movie about WWII, which is something like, “… and, if they
aren’t using the right airplane, I DON’T WANT TO HEAR ABOUT IT!”
So … let’s start out with one that
hopefully will not be too tough:
A few hints:
• Although developed as a backup to the B-29, it actually flew before the first flight of the B-29.
• It was the last Allied aircraft to be engaged in combat in WWII.
WHAT’S THAT? Find the answer on page 9.
January 2016
The Dixie Dispatch
Page 3
XO Report:
Meet Your New Executive Officer, Larry Combs
HOW DID I GET HERE?
I’ve been interested in aviation since I was a
teenager. I used to take my girlfriend on a date to
the Kanawha County Airport in Charleston, WV to
watch planes take off and land.
After graduating from High School, I Joined the
Air Force in February 1962 and completed Basic
Training at Lackland AFB, then on to Jet Aircraft
Maintenance Tech School at Amarillo AFB.
My first duty assignment was at McCoy AFB, FL
where I became Crew Chief on a T-33. I was
transferred to Misawa AFB in early 1964 and was
assigned to an F-100 squadron as Crew Chief. In
mid 1964 I was transferred to the 18th Field
Maintenance Squadron at Kadena AFB, Okinawa.
I didn’t know at that time but Bud Anderson,
triple WWII ace, became the 18th TFW Commander
during my second tour. I worked on RF-101s, F102s, and F-105s.
Before returning to the states, I re-enlisted for four
more years and cross-trained to Telephone
Switching Equipment Repair. I received my six
months of training at Sheppard AFB. My first
duty assignment out of tech school was Chanute
AFB, IL. After a year and a half I was reassigned
to Eielson AFB, AK. In 1968 I joined the Eielson
AFB Aero Club and learned to fly a Cessna 150.
I got out of the Air Force in November 1970 and
went to work for AT&T. In 1980 I joined the
Georgia Air National Guard and was assigned to
Ground Radio in the 129th Tac Control Squadron at
Kennesaw. My shop provided UHF and VHF
radios for Tactical Controllers to talk to Fighter
Interceptors. Our unit was retired in 1995 but my
total time served qualified me for a military
retirement.
After several years of taking night classes I
received my Bachelor of Science in Business
Administration Degree from Shorter College in
1996.
I retired from AT&T after 28 years of service in
1998 and then worked for Lucent Technologies for
six years and in 2004, finally retired and moved to
Mountain City, TN.
We moved back to Georgia in 2012 and I joined the
Dixie Wing in October 2013. I’ll never forget my
excitement when John Currenti gave me the initial
tour of the hangar. On my first day of work,
Willard Womack and Tony Stein took me under
their wings and made me feel quite welcomed. It
was an honor to see the warbirds but to actually
touch, feel, work on, and ultimately get to fly in
these beautiful birds was over the top.
In 2014 I was asked to serve on the Election
Committee - that was a great honor. Then in 2015
I was asked to serve on the Nominating
Committee and that was also a great honor. Now
you know that I have been asked to serve as your
Executive Officer for 2016 for which I gladly
accepted. I cannot tell you what an honor it is to
have the trust of our Wing Leader and his staff to
fill this position. I will do my best not to
disappoint them or you.
Larry Combs
Executive Officer, CAF Dixie Wing
January 2016
The Dixie Dispatch
Focus on
Finance
Page 4
$5,150.00 for the big birds. If we remit payment
before the end of
January, which we
always strive to do,
we can claim a 5%
discount.
Col Paul Zampol,
Finance Officer
As reported last month, 2015 will produce red
ink on the P&L.
The numbers are still
preliminary; I should have more accurate
information for the February report.
The
balance sheet, however, looks OK. I want to
focus on two financial features this month. The
first is the annual ANUAC charges we pay to
the national CAF in January every year (this is
old hat to veteran members, but we have a lot
of new members who I thought would be
interested in this). The second is what happens
to prepaid expenses when our fiscal year turns
over.
All the CAF aircraft are owned by the
Commemorative Air Force Airpower Heritage
Foundation. They are assigned to the various
CAF units by a committee of CAF volunteers.
In return for the privilege of displaying and
flying these aircraft (and hopefully earning
revenues which they can use to defray unit
expenses), each unit pays fees to the national
CAF. You can think of this as a franchise fee.
This year, we will owe CAF $22,660 for the
aircraft assigned to the Dixie Wing. For active
aircraft, this ranges from $978.50 for the L16 to
Prepaid expenses are
assets on our balance
sheet. So when we
prepay for fuel that
we haven’t used yet, or for insurance, part of
which is for next year’s coverage, the portion not
yet “due” is shown on our balance sheet as an
asset. Thus, as of December 31, 2015, we had
$36,691.34 in prepaid insurance. This is because
CAF renews insurance coverage for the whole
organization a year at a time, and coverage
begins as of November 1, and we are billed
acordingly. On January 1, however, this becomes
a current expense for 2016. Mechanically, I do an
accounting entry that moves that amount
(actually, the individual components of it) from
the asset portion of the balance sheet to the
insurance expense portion of the P&L.
Superficially, this looks like a bad thing: our
assets have gone down, and our expenses have
gone up. Don’t worry: it’s normal accounting. If
you are familiar with the financial statements,
you take that sort of thing into account,
depending on what time of year you are looking
at the numbers.
ATTENTION COLS: If you have already paid your 2016
Dixie Wing dues ($48), thank you. If you have not, please
pay your 2016 dues by cash to one of the Finance team at the
Wing office, a check made out to the Dixie Wing CAF and left
with a staff or Finance member in the office, or mailed to 1200
Echo Ct., Peachtree City, Georgia, 30269, or by credit card,
debit card or gold coin at the Wing office.
At this time the Wing does not have the capability to pay
member dues online by credit or debit card. This idea is
being explored, and members will be informed if this is
implemented.
January 2016
The Dixie Dispatch
Page 5
JANUARY WING MEETING
What would you do in an active shooter scenario? Well,
if you are not packing heat, there are still some
strategies for survival and for dealing with the
threatening individual. At left, Sgt. Odilia Berg of the
Peachtree City Police Department leads the
presentation with backup from Lt. Mark Brown and Lt.
Rails. Let us hope that we never have to face such a
situation at the Wing, but if so I believe that we will all
be better prepared for that event. Following the
presentation all three officers were made honorary
members of the Dixie Wing and presented with a Red
Nose hat.
Right: Col Wes Stowers was presented with a
beautiful framed and signed print of Bud
Anderson’s Old Crow.
The presentation,
made by Marketing Officer Mo Aguiari, was
in recognition of all the work Wes did
working with Col. Anderson during the 2015
Atlanta Warbird weekend.
What could be better than having nine new Cols sworn in to the Wing? How about a tenth – 91 year-old
WWII Mustang pilot Paul Crawford, who you may recall was featured in the December Dixie Dispatch
taking his ride in our P-51 Red Nose. Paul had to leave before Recruiting Officer Zee Zeeveld inducted the
other new Cols.
Photography by Col Charles Burcher
January 2016
The Dixie Dispatch
Page 6
BOOK‘EMDANNO…ER,DAVID
Col Dave Porter
I have been appointed CAF Dixie Wing Librarian
(I prefer the title “Bookmaster”) by Dixie Wing
Leader Col. Jay Bess. I’ve assumed responsibility
for the care and maintenance of our expansive
collection of military aviation books and
publications. In the past this duty was handled
admirably by our Angel Squad, amongst their
many other roles at Dixie Wing. The Angels made
my job easier due to their efforts in dividing the
collection by subject matter and by using colorcoded tabs on each book’s spine.
My first task is to inventory the entire collection in
an electronic database. You’ll see me in our
meeting room and library on Tuesdays or
Thursday, when I can, with my trusty laptop and
bar-code scanner logging a book at a time into the
database. This is taking a lot longer than I thought,
even with technology at my side, because I love
books and every time I pick one up, I stop to skim
through the pages and 10 or 15 minutes later, I’m
deeply into it. Oh well…
Once the cataloging is complete, with the guidance
of Merikay and Jay, we’ll cull the collection and set
aside books that are not a good fit for our
collection. For instance, while Dickens’ Great
Expectations is certainly a classic work, it is not a
good fit for our collection since it has nothing to
do with either the military or the aviation fields.
We’ll also set aside duplicate books. In both cases,
we’ll probably offer them to the Dixie Wing
membership for a small fee or donate them to the
VA hospital or other worthy institution. We will
never simply throw away books that are in
readable condition.
Ultimately, it is my goal to make the entire
repository visible to members on our Dixie Wing
website. Members are always free to peruse the
collection and borrow books for a reasonable time.
I also plan to highlight a particular book from our
library in every edition of the Dixie Dispatch.
Starting Saturday, January 23, 2016 ALL “HOTLINE” requests must be sent to
[email protected]. The Dixie Wing will be using a new web based delivery
system to ensure delivery of the HOTLINE.
The
is intended for Dixie Wing member use ONLY. All requests to post notifications for
distribution to Wing members are subject to review. No advertising, political statements, personal gripes,
personal opinions or soliciting is allowed.
January 2016
The Dixie Dispatch
Page 7
WEB WATCH
Want to know what happened on this date in WWII? Or, for that matter, any date
in WWII? If so, check out the website http://ww2today.com. The site gives a
day-by-day accounting of the events of WWII, from 1939 through 1945. The site is
full of interesting facts and photos. Although it might have a little bit of a British
bent, it is well worth the visit. In fact, not only did I get some information for The
Tailpipe from this site, I also submitted the information from my father’s diary and
it has been posted on the site.
Visitors to the Dixie Wing’s WWII Heritage Days may have had the honor
to meet and talk to retired Master Sgt. Vincent Melillo a member of the
Georgia Military Hall of Fame and the last original member of Merrill's
Marauders from Georgia, who died of a heart attack on Christmas Eve at
Midtown Medical Center in Columbus. He was 97.
As a member of Merrill's Marauders, Melillo served with the first
American troops to fight the Japanese on land in Asia during World War
II. Traveling almost 1,000 miles, the soldiers marched farther on foot than
any other fighting unit. One of the highlights of the volunteer unit was
capturing the airstrip at Myitkyina, Burma, and opening up an allied supply
line into Asia.
During his 21 years of service, Melillo's awards included the Bronze Star,
Purple Heart, World War II Victory Medal, National Defense Service Medal,
Korean Defense Service Medal, the Presidential Unit Citation and the
Ranger Tab. In 2013, he was inducted into U.S. Army Ranger Hall of Fame
and the Georgia Military Veterans Hall of Fame. Camp Frank D. Merrill in
Dahlonega, GA, where Ranger students are trained, is named after the
commander of the Marauders. The 75th Ranger Regiment honors their
legacy with the Marauders' patch as their crest.
God speed MSgt. Melillo. We will miss you.
The Dixie Wing meetings are moving, that is. After years
of meeting on the third Saturday of the month, beginning
in March 2016 we will be meeting on the first Saturday of
the month. Here is the new meeting schedule starting in
March 2016:
March 5th
April 2nd
May 7th
June 11th
July 9th
August 6th
September 10th
October 1st
November 5th
December 3rd (Staff Only)
January 2016
The Dixie Dispatch
Page 8
NORTH AMERICAN P-51 MUSTANG
Col Willard Womack
Part one of four parts.
man-hours later, but without an engine. Eighteen
days later it flew for the first time. The only
noteworthy problem was overhearing of the
Allison engine - not an uncommon problem with a
new design.
It was a clean smooth design with everything done
to reduce drag. It was the first fighter to use the
laminar flow wing, which created less drag, and a
radiator that produced thrust from the exiting
heated air. This feature eliminated almost all of the
drag associated with the cooling system. Some
sources attribute this feature, rather that the
laminar flow wing, as the reason the Mustang was
faster than it’s competitors.
The P-51 Mustang, is arguable the best fighter
produced by America during World War Two (the
Corsair people may disagree). With its speed,
maneuverability, and long range it saved daylight
bombing in Europe. Capable of flying missions
over seven hours long, it could escort bombers
from England to Berlin and back, while along the
way destroying Luftwaffe fighters, both in the air
and on the ground. The Mustang helped the Allies
gain total control of the air for the last year of the
war.
Mustang fans know the story. How the British
came to America looking for fighter planes, the P40 in particular. Curtiss production was at full
capacity and they could not increase it. The British
went to North American Aviation with the idea of
them building P-40s under license. Dutch
Kindleberger, president of NAA, pointed out that
it would take one hundred and twenty days to
retool for P-40 production. He then suggested that
NAA could build a newer, faster, more modern
fighter in the same time period. Edgar Schmued,
who had left his home in Germany in 1925, was
appointed the head of the engineering team. When
asked earlier by Kindledberger if he wanted to
build the P-40, he answered, “Dutch don’t let us
build an obsolete airplane. Let’s build a new one.”
The British insisted that the same one hundred
twenty days apply and in April 1940 signed a
letter of intent. The first NA-73X (it was not a P-51
yet) rolled out of the hangar 102 days and 78,000
The British praised its capabilities with the
exception of its poor performance above 20,000
feet. This was due to the Allison engine that had
only a single stage supercharger. Production
began in 1941 under the British name, “Mustang
Mark-I.” Its first combat operations were in April
1942 where it was used as a photo-reconnaissance
platform and in low altitude operations.
The U. S. Army Air Forces took delivery of two
Mustangs in September 1941 for evaluation.
However they did not see the need for another
fighter, due to the current involvement with the P40, P-47, P-38, and P-39. It turned out that very
little evaluating was done until after the attack on
Pearl Harbor. Following the policy that any
aircraft being supplied to England under LendLease had to have an USAAF designation, the two
aircraft did become the first P-51s accepted by the
USAAF.
Next Month: Part Two
Col Willard Womack served as an Army pilot for four and a
half years, including service on Okinawa and Soc Trang
Vietnam in December of 1962. Following his return to the
states in June of 1963 leaving the Army Army in 1964, he
flew for Trans World Airlines for 33 years, including the
Lockheed Constellation, Douglas DC-9 and Boeing 727. Over
the span of 40 years he has owned seven airplanes. In 2007 he
moved to Peachtree city in November of 2007 and joined the
CAF, piloting the LT-6 before retiring from flying. Willard
now works on planes and does talks and tours.
January 2016
The Dixie Dispatch
Page 9
AnswertoWhat’sThat?
If you thought the plane was a Consolidated B-32
Dominator, then COME ON DOWN!
Even though development of the Boeing B-29 Superfortress had been in the works since mid-1938, in June
1940 the U. S. Army Air Corps asked Consolidated to design a bomber under the same specifications. The
plan was to have a backup design in case the B-29 did not work out. The B-32 was the result.
The first XB-32-CO took flight on 7 September 1942, months behind schedule but two weeks prior to the
maiden flight of the B-29. Problems plagued the B-32 however, and many modifications were made in
attempts to solve continual troubles with armament, pressurization, cooling, and stability. In order to deal
with the stability problem, the original twin tail, similar to that of the B-24, was switched to a single large
vertical tail by the third XB-32. With pressurization problems never resolved, the role of the Dominator was
changed to that of a low to medium altitude bomber.
Despite the continual problems and the fact that the B-29 was already being delivered for service in the
Pacific, an order was placed for 1500 ships. Only five production aircraft were delivered to the USAAF by
the end of 1944. The first B-32s to see action was in May 1945 in the Philippines.
On 18 August 1945, following the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, B-32 Dominator “Hobo
Queen II” flew over Japan on a photo-recon mission when she was attacked at 20,000 feet by Japanese
fighters. Another B-32 (no name, but tail number 42-108578) flying at 10,000 feet was also attacked resulting
in three wounded, including photographer’s assistant Sergeant Anthony Marchione, who was mortally
wounded. Marchione was the last American to die in air combat in WWII.
Read more about this at:
http://www.airspacemag.com/military-aviation/the-last-to-die-10099776/?no-ist and at:
http://www.defensemedianetwork.com/stories/the-last-american-to-die-in-world-war-ii/
The cancellation of the contract with now Consolidated-Vultee (after the 1943 merger of the two companies,
soon to become Convair) following the cessation of hostilities left a total production of 118 ships, most of
which never left the states.
Where can I see one? Sadly, you cannot. Every example was either lost in operational accidents or scrapped.
A few pieces are scattered across the nation, including a surviving Sperry A-17 turret that is owned by the
CAF. A model of the B-32 “Hobo Queen” is part of the Dixie Wing’s Museum.
A side note: At the 2015 WWII Heritage Days I spotted an elderly gentleman wearing a B-32 Dominator t-shirt.
When I said, “I know that plane,” his eyes lit up. Turned out that he was a pilot of a B-32, and he enjoyed being
shown the model in the museum. I hope he returns this year. FSK
YOU HAD ONE JOB!
While we are on the subject of aircraft recognition, take a
look at the photo that appears in the February 2016 issue of
AMERICA IN WWII (p. 29). In an article about scrap drives
during WWII, the caption reads: “In Wisconsin, an American
Legion official presents a young scrap gatherer with a model B-17one of America’s aluminum-skinned heavy bomber aircraft ….”
My question is this: Did not the fact that the model in the
photo shows a civil registration number and “AA” (for
American Airlines) and is devoid of turrets or other
armament give someone a hint that this was not in fact a B17? Rather, the model is that of a Douglas DC-4. In military
use it was known as the C-54 Skymaster. It’s going to be
hard for someone to blame this goof on the gremlins. FSK
January 2016
The Dixie Dispatch
Page 10
ON THE HORIZON ......
CAF AirPower History Tour - 2016 will bring the Dixie Wing’s
P-51 Red Nose to Join the CAF’s B-29 Fifi as part of the CAF
AirPower History Tour. See these and other amazing CAF aircraft
and take a ride at one of the following locations:
February 24 - 28
Clearwater/St. Pete International Airport, Clearwater, Florida
Book a ride: http://www.airpowersquadron.org/#!clearwater--florida/c1akn
March 2 - 6
Sarasota/Bradenton International Airport, Sarasota, Florida
Book a ride: http://www.airpowersquadron.org/#!sarasota--florida/x4giu
March 7 - 9
Leesburg Airport, Leesburg, Florida
Book a ride: http://www.airpowersquadron.org/#!leesburg--florida/zi5r8
March 16 - 20
Naples Airport, Naples, Florida
Book a ride: http://www.airpowersquadron.org/#!naples--florida/x3y1o
March 23 - 27
Lakeland-Linder Airport, Lakeland, Florida
Book a ride: http://www.airpowersquadron.org/#!lakeland--florida/gkum8
March 30 – April 3
Daytona Beach Airport, Daytona Beach, Florida
Book a ride: http://www.airpowersquadron.org/#!daytona--florida/nv4o0
Air Shows in 2016:
April 16 & 17
Red Nose will participate in the Smoky Mountain Air Show, Knoxville, TN
For more info visit: www.smokymountainairshow.com
May 20 – 22
Red Nose and the SBD Dauntless at 2016 Warbirds Over The Beach Airshow
Military Aviation Museum, Virginia Beach, Virginia
http://www.dixiewing.org/536_Warbirds_Over_The_Beach_2015.htm
Ground Schools:
January 30
January 30
PT-19 recurrent ground school. 9am in the Dixie Wing Meeting room. All Wing members are
welcome to attend. Non Members may attend as well for small donation
Questions? call Mike McElduff 678-576-8106 or email at [email protected]
L-16 recurrent ground school will be on at 1:00 pm in the Dixie Wing meeting room. All
Wing members are welcome to attend. Non Members may attend as well for small
donation. Any questions email Truitt Harper at [email protected]
February 6
Ground School for the P-51 will be 0900-1300.
All members are welcome; non-members will be asked a $50.00 donation.
Tony Stein [email protected] (404) 374-1296
February 13
Ground School for the SBD will be 0900-1300.
All members are welcome; non-members will be asked a $50.00 donation.
Tony Stein [email protected] (404) 374-1296
January 2016
The Dixie Dispatch
Page 11
ON THE HORIZON (cont.) ......
Meetings in 2016 – February through March:
February 20
Staff Mtg - 10 am; Angel Squad - 10:30 am; Monthly Mtg 1:00 pm;
New Member Meeting - 3:00 pm
March 5
Staff Mtg - 10 am; Angel Squad - 10:30 am; Monthly Mtg 1:00 pm
Other Events in 2016:
WWII Heritage Days Meeting Schedule
http://wwiidays.org
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WWIIHeritageDays
Jan 30, 1100-1230
Topic: Living History Program & Education Activities
Feb 6, 1400-1530
Topic: Hangar Operations & Hangar Dance
April 30 – May 1
WWII Heritage Days, Dixie Wing
September 24 -25
Atlanta Warbird Weekend – Dekalb-Peachtree Airport, Atlanta, GA
http://www.atlantawarbirdweekend.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/678366688918155
Personal Ads:
Lonely Link trainer, 70+ years old, seeks male (or female) to work on her body. Don’t let the fact that I’ve
serviced a lot of young men in the past put you off. I may be old, but I am still of value. Help me reach my
potential. Age, race, gender unimportant. No wierdos, please. Contact Col Bill Marr at [email protected].
SILENT AUCTION ITEMS NEEDED …
Items are still needed for the WWII Heritage Days Silent Auction. This
is a good way to help raise money for the Wing to Keep ‘em Flying.
Questions: Contact Angela Decker @ [email protected]
January 2016
The Dixie Dispatch
THE TAILPIPE
Page 12
Afewclosingremarksfromyoureditor.
When the Queen Mary
Sank a Cruiser
During WWII the British liner Queen Mary was used as a troopship, transporting hundreds of thousands of
soldiers and airmen from the United States to England via Scotland. Painted navy grey, she took on the
nickname “Grey Ghost.” Because of her speed she often traveled unescorted, relying on that speed and a
zig-zag course to avoid U boats. Often carrying 15,000 men, the record number of troops was 16,082 carried
on one voyage in early December 1942.
Departing New York Harbor on September 27, 1942, the ship carried the 29th Infantry Division, and also the
154th Observation Squadron among other units. My father, Warrant Officer Francis S. Kalinowski, the
Engineering Officer of the 154th, recorded this in his diary a few days later:
Friday, October 2, 1942 - R.A.F. amphibian flew over the ship at 7:00 A.M. and flashed orders. Met by cruiser at 9:00
A.M. and three destroyers at 10:00 A.M. Now within easy bombing
distance of Norway. Zig-zagging through North Sea at over 40 mph.
Ship is really rocking and rolling. Run into light cruiser 2:15 P.M.
Cut cruiser in two parts and cruiser boiler exploded immediately.
Our ship really jarred at the impact and we all thought we caught a
torpedo. Rushed out on deck in time to see stern part of cruiser turn
up on end and go down in icy waters. Saw front part of cruiser
burning and rolling over slowly. It sank in about four minutes. Our
ship is taking on water to the first bulkhead. Our speed reduced to 10
mph. Ship signaled S.O.S. and gave position. Two destroyers turned
back to pick up cruiser survivors. Now we are only convoyed by one
destroyer and Flying Fortress. We’re easy meat for the subs at this
slow speed. All of the ship’s crew called on the alert to look out for
“U” boats. Everyone on the alert to abandon ship if necessary.
Sighted Ireland at 5:45 P.M. Sighted Scotland at 7:00 P.M. Land
looks good especially on a leaky ship.
The sunken ship was the HMS Curacoa, a light cruiser of WWI
vintage. 239 lives were lost, including the cruiser’s captain,
John W. Boutwood. There were 99 survivors.
The damaged bow was quickly
repaired and the Grey Ghost was
back in business.
The fault for the collision was
placed on the Curacoa.
Kalinowski’s rendition of the collision
from his diary.
For an eyewitness account from a British sailor, visit: Queen Mary Collision
http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/ww2peopleswar/stories/28/a4146428.shtml