Harry Sherwin Gebler III



Harry Sherwin Gebler III

Diary  1943-1945

 

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August 29, 1916 - 1987

 

These are the memories of Harry Sherwin Gebler during World War II.  Harry joined the Army on April 1, 1942.   Harry was attached to the 81st Fighter group and worked in Supply.  Once he was in India he was promoted to Sargent and then Chief Supply NCO.  At the air base that he was stationed,  B-29's were flying raids over 'The Hump' into Japan.  In Oct 1944 the Japanese began returning with their own fighters and bombs.

 

These writings were discovered in a small handwritten notebook, by his son, Mark Gebler, after Phyllis, his mother passed away in Spring of 2001.  I transcribed them in Sept. 2001.

This transcription is taken directly from the diary including misspellings and errors in grammar .

I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I did in transcribing it.

Tyler Marriott

Senior Vice Commander

Gresham United VFW Post 180

Veteran’s History Project Chairman

 

Dec 6, 1943:  Landed in Statly at 1100 hrs. at a post 10 miles N. of Napoli.  Entering the Bay of Napolis I saw Sale of Capinis & Mt. Vescivius, & we also passed through the City of Napoli.  This was the most beautiful scenery I have ever seen, in my life.  Arrived at Monteconvieno Air Base at 2230hrs. tired, frozen and hungry as a bear.  M.A.B. is 50 miles S. of Napoli.

 

Date?:  Visited Salerno, S. Antinio, Pontecaganio, Mescatella, Battepagilia, Monteconvino Rovella, Pastrun, Gaude, Cuva, etc.  Salerno is not a bad town at all.  Southern section pretty well shot up.  this is where I had all my fun & spent my time off while in Italy.

 

Battipagilia was literally bombed to the ground.  Only 5 buildings left standing & they were shot up & partially bombed.  It is a road & rail junction town, & also had a large tobacco factory which was being used for Axis military purposes.

 

24 Dec. 43:  Met Elizabetto Flauto & her family tonight.  Had a very nice time.  They had a large beautiful home 20km north of Salerno, but it wa bombed by Americans.

 

31 Dec. 43:  Had another very good time at Flauto's but Elisa began to get drtioud snouy mr.  She is a swell, beautiful, intelligent girl, & a lot of fun & good company.  I like her a lot as a friend, but that is all.

 

Visited these people most ever night up till 5 Feb. 44, which was the night before we left Montecrvino for places unknown.  The entire family bawled all night when I told them I was leaving, & during the night they all got on their knees & said the Rosary for me.

 

6 Feb. 44:  Left Montecorvino at 0800 hrs for the Staging Area of the City of Port of Toranto.  We passed through the towns of Eboli, Auhetta, Vietnidipote, Pontanza, Grassano, & finally reached Toranto at about 2400 hrs.  WE travelled over the Mts. through snow & ice.  Our truck sneaked away from the Convoy at Potenza to do a little sight seeing.

 

7 Feb. 44:  Just hung around the stageing area all day.  We found out that the 33rd Ftr. Gp. the 12th Bomb Group, & the 315th Seav. Gp. were going with us.  We all had come to Africa in the invasion, & were the oldest organizations in the theater.

 

8 Feb. 44:  Left to board ship at 1500hrs.  I boarded the ship (Stephan Batony), a Polish liner, at 2300hrs.

 

9 Feb. 44:  Sailed from Taranto at 0700hrs.

 

10,11,12th Feb. 44:  Trip was uneventful, had a couple of alerts, but nothing happened.  Was a nice boat & we all had berths & were 4 or 5 to a room.

 

13 Feb. 44:  At 0700 hrs. we were sailing into the harbor of Alexandria, Egypt, a large, but not beautiful harbor.  Disembarked from the boat at 1300hrs. and boarded a train of the Royal Egyptian Railway.  Train pulled out of dock area about 1445hrs., & we headed for Camp Russell B. Huckstep, near Ciaro, & some 150 miles away.  We passed through Damanluz Kaf-elZayat, Tanta & Benka.  Arived at camp Huckstep at about 2230 hours, were assigned tents, & then given a hot meal - the best treatment & the most consideration any of us have receivd since being in the Army.

 

14 Feb.. 44:  We're restricted to the tent city area, but a few of us managed to sneak off to the main base where we saw a movie.  The Post Theater was mammoth & beautiful & it is as good if not better then the vast majority of Post Theaters in the States.  It seats 2000.  They also have a large open air theater which is used in the summer.  This base has one of the largest & finest Service Men's Club I have ever seen, complete with a large jam & dance room or hall, dining room, & library.  This place is really the (???) & it is better & has more to offer then any post in the States that I have seen, & for those of us who have not been at a decent place for 16 months, it it seems like heaven at the present time.

 

15,16,17,18 Feg. 44:  This is really desert land here in the true sense of the word.  What I have so far seen of Egypt it is almost entirely flat land, sandy & desert land, but to the West of the Base there are mountains - mountains of sand.  This afternoon we received the second of the two required colera shots, plus one plague shot of which we get another in a week.  Last night I ate dinner at the Services Club, & after dinner I saw a stage show "The Polish Parade", with a cast of 40 Poles.  It was very, very good.  Today the Post Theater, the Service Club, & PX has been closed until further notice, due to a flu epidemic which has broken out on the base.

 

We in Tent City are rather tired & disgusted with this bse, & there is quiet a bit of friction between the base personnel & the Tent City personnel, mainly the officers.  The base personnel have been here for 18 months & have never seen action & not even a bombing.  They have already classified us as a bunch of hard looking roughnecks.  They do not have the slightest idea of what the score is, & I have classified the base personnel as a bunch of sand happy city slickers.

 

19 Feb. 44:  Visited Cairo today, & what a city.  Huge, modern, beautiful, & full of the hurry & bustle of any large American city, truly the closest to America that I have as yet seen.  It is a city of plenty with nothing rationed - including gasoline, automobiles (99% American of all makes), fast 'canerso' (cannot tell what the word is), & films.  I dare say that there are more privately owned autos on the streets of Cairo, today, then there are in N.Y.C.  The civil population consists mainly of Egyptians, Arabs, Jews, English & French.  The Egyptians are an extremely smart & intelligent people, & when it comes to business they are as bad if not if not worse then the Jews.   The educated Egyptians speak 5 languages - Egyptian, Arabic, English, French & Hebrew.  There are many beautiful & well built Egyptian girls.  There are countless producs of the Sates here in Cairo.  There are many healthy people here - one must be healthy to live as we Americans are uset to doing.  If I had a thousand dollars I could really have a swell time for about 3 or 4 days.

 

20 Feb. 44:  - Was on K.P. today - nothing new or of interest occurred.

 

21 Feb. 44:  - Just laid around & read, started this diary, wrote to Phyllis, & had a little bottle of Stella beer.

 

There is great friction, & many fights & brawls between the English & Americans in this section.  The reason is obvious, jealousy on the part of the English, as many a good & intelligent, & broad minded Englishman has told us themselves.  Most American soldiers in this theater of the war do not like the English, but we manage to get along with them mainly because we must.  Everything goes along peacefully until one or the other steps out of line too far - then there are fireworks.  It is Gospel truth when I say that it is the English who get out of sorts the majority of the times.

 

22 Feb. 44:  - At 0800 has this morning I left on a sight-seeing tour of the Pyramids & Sphinx, & also the Citadel & a section of old Cairo.  To say the least, it was wonderful.  Hoever, I must admit that it was not like we read about in the books, in the movies, etc., nothing ever is.

 

There are 3 pyramids & 1 Sphinx (the main ones), the 1st & larges of which is now 450 feet high but which was originally 470 feet high.  They are taking stone from these pyramids for foundations of other public & present historical buildings.  The Pyramids are a great sight & so is the Sphinx.  The Sphinx was the ancient Egyptians God.  A high priest would conceal himself in the head of the Sphinx, & when the people would come to worship, which they did twice a day - Sunrise & sunset - the high priest would speak & the people thought it was the Sphinx talking & worshiped it as a God.  The stones in the Pyramids vary in weight from 1 to 25 tons.  These stones were hauled for a distance of about 12 miles - across land & across the Nile River on barges.  By the way, the hotel in which the Cairo Conference was held between Roosevelt, Churchill, & Chiang-Kia-Check, is less then 500 yards from the Pyramids.

 

23 Feb. to 5 March 44:  Nothing startling occurred.  Routine camp duties, passes, etc.  Friction increased between Post and Tent City.

 

6 March 44:  Left Camp Huckstep at 1430 hours for a staging area at Suez.  Arrived at Camp "D", on the outskirts of Suez at 1930 hrs.  I volunteered for Guard from 2200 to 0100.

 

7 March 44:  Just laid around, went to the NAAFI & to the movies at night.  The food is rotten, & it will continue to be so until we reach our final destination & get away from the English.

 

9 March 44:  Up at 0430 hrs to board ship for another leg of our journey to India.  Boarded ship at 1130 hrs.  We are living like pigs & the food is still rotton.  A lot of English nurses & women on board.  3500 British & 1500 Americans.  The officers & all the English have the best of everything.  Sanitation is terrible.  Will sleep on deck tonight, & every other night if possible.

 

10 March 44:  Awoke at 0545 hrs from the vibration of the engines starting.  WE turned around & headed down the Red Sea.  The sandy & Mountains coastline of Arabia is visible & will be visible all day.  The English liner is a nice ship, but none of the Americans like it due to the rooton food & terrible living conditions.  Had a dance on B Deck from 1700 to 1800 hrs.  Will sleep on deck again tonight.  It is now very warm, the Sea is like a lake.  It is beautiful on deck tonight with the moon full & as bright as it can be.

 

11 March 44:  Awoke at 0515 hrs by my watch, but it is really 0615 hrs as all time pieces were to be advanced one hour at midnight last night.  No land is in sight as we are now in the sider section of the Red Sea.  We are to dock at Bombay.  All the English troops on board left England on 22 Feb., & they too are bound for India.  We believe that from Bombay we will go up to Karachi when our Air Echelon is, or was, & from there perhaps on to Burma or China.

 

Early this morning an English sailor & and American Air Corps man were passing each other on deck & accidentally bumped into each other.  The American turned to apologize, but the Englishman pulled a knife on him.  The American knocked the knife from his hand & proceeded to knock the hell out of him.  The fight was stopped by an English Officer.  The English sailor is now in the hospital & will stand trial when released.  The American is free.  HIt my bunk on deck at 2215 hours.

 

12 March 44:  Awoke at 0615 hrs this morning.  We are still in the Red Sea with no land in sight.  This is so far the calmest body of water that I have ever seen.  The Delaware River is even rougher then the Red Sea.  Today is Sunday but no Mass because no Catholic priest is on board.  However, Capt. Wolf presided at Catholic prayer service at 1000 hrs. in the main lounge.  WE had a song fest from 1300 to 1600 hrs. with ick Zurich playing the uitar.  The last three nights we have been enjoying dimouts & have been permitted to smoke on deck at night cause of the safety in the Red Sea, but beginning tonight, at which time we will reach the Indian Ocean, we must observer a strict blackout & no smoking on deck.  These English Wrens on board are the most brazen in-modest, & I believe from observance, the most passionate girls I have ever seen.  Our own American Wacs are about the same, but not quite as bad.  The some girls, including my own Phyllis, think we soldiers are being very unfair & extremely narrow minded cause we do not want them to join any such organization.  If they only knew the true facts, but they don't ___ & as far as that goes, the people at home will never know the true story or facts of this war__ or as a matter of fact, of any other war__ present, past, or future.

 

This morning, and English Captain came around asking if we had any complaints about the food.  Of course, the answer was a 100% "the food is rotten".  We all know that nothing will be done about it.

 

13 March 44:  Awoke at 0605 hrs after a poor nights sleep.  There are islands & main land on both sides of us.  For the second time since coming aboard this ship,

about 10% of the men have the G.S. again.  We believe it is from the meat, but we are not sure.  Sighted submarine off starboard stern at 0816 hrs.  Nothing happened so it must have been friendly -- thank goodness!  W are still in the Red Sea & for the first time

there are fair size swells.  We are now pulling into the Port of Aden Arabia & will stop there a short while. 

 

We are now in the Sea of Aden, which is the entrance to the Indian Ocean.  Just snapped a picture of the port, through the port-hole, hope it turns out.  The submarine we sighted this morning just pulled into the harbor of Aden & tied up alongside of us -- it is the British submarine "Tan Talus".

 

14 March 44:  Awoke at 0555 hrs. Still in the Port of Aden, but we are supposed to pull out in the afternoon, with a large convoy, which we were to pick up here.  The submarine "Tan Talus" pulled out at 100 hrs.  It is now 1400 hrs & the convoy is starting to pull out of Aden.  Our ship set sail at 1605 hrs. & as soon as were are out of the Gulf or Sea of Aden, we will enter the Arabian Sea, & will stay on that sea all the way to Bombay, India.  I previously thought we would enter the Indian Ocean, but we won't.  At 1715 hrs. the "Tan Talus" passes us heading back to the Port of Aden.  There is now a show going on on B Deck, but it is jammed & am unable to see it.  It must be good for there is a lot of cheering & applauding.  Tonight, we will again commence observing strict blackout regulations.

 

15 March 44:  Awoke at 0545, but did not get up till 0615.  Have broken up the convoy into two sections; the 5 troop carriers & escort in one section, & the freighters & escort in another section, which is now far behind us & out of sight.  There were tug of war contests on B deck, from 1530 to 1800 hrs.  Only 2 American teams were entered, but they pulled the English all over the deck.  There will be more contests tomorrow which I intend to see, or enter if I can.  At midnight tonight, the time will advance one hour.  Since levering Calif. on our way overseas we have so far lost 11 hours sleep.  By the time I get back home, which may be in other 2 or 3 years, I will have lost over a day.

 

16 March 44:  Up at 0600 hrs. & sure felt the loss of that one hour.  There was one ticket for the movies between 5 men, so we cut cads for it.  I cut the highest card, Queen of Diamonds, so I went to see "Sun Valley Serenade", which I had seen a few years ago in the States, but I really enjoyed seeing it again.  Beginning at 1530 hrs there was another series of tug-of-war contests.  The 2 American teams which won yesterday, were pitted against each other today, & The Trucking Co. beat the 338th Ser. Sg.  A team from the 81st Ftr. Xp. was entered today & won.  Will sleep on deck again tonight as I have every night since coming aboard.  Clocks will be advanced 1/2 hour at midnight tonight.  Have become very friendly with an Irishman by the name of Chris Connolley.

 

17 March 44:  Chris woke me up at 0600 hrs.  AT 0650 hrs. a navy PBY plane arrived as cover for our convoy, & has been with us all day.  Yesterday & today we have been passing through school after school of sharks.  We are due to arrive at Bombay on Sunday night, 19 March, but will not debark until sometime Monday.

 

Today during the tug of war contests, after having pulled two English teams all over the deck on the two preceding days, the 81st team was in turn pulled all over the deck & defeated by the R>A.F NCO's.  However, our Air Corps Trucking Co. is still undefeated, & has a darn good chance of winning tomorrow's finals.  The English A.P.T.C. team is the toughest English team. 

 

Time will be advanced 1/2 hour at midnight tonight.

 

18 March 44:  Awoke at 0620 hrs. & almost got washed out by the deck hands scrubbing the decks.  Not much doing all morning.  Played a little cards, & talked with some of our fellows, an Australian (Rick) & his girlfriend (and English Wren named Betty) the second day I was aboard ship I saw her.  At first I thought I was seeing things cause she was the same build, height, & looked a lot like Phyllis.  Like the love sick fool that I am, I have sat quiet often & watched them & all the time seeing Phyllis in her, & just wished, hoped & prayed that I would be as fortunate as they, in the very near future.  At 1633 hrs. 2 destroyers cut away from the convoy & drooped depth charges for about 10 minutes --- must have been some of those yellow bellies..  This afternoon the finals of the tug of war contests were run off, & the America Trucking Co. were the champions by defeating the R.A.F. NCO's.  The Colored boys on board started a boxing show this afternoon at 1400 hrs. & so many contestants entered that it just ended at 1800 hrs, blackout time, & of course, time out for the traditional English tea time at 1600 hrs.  More English were entered then Americans, but the Yanks were better by far, particularly the colored boys.  Clocks will be advanced 1/2 hour again at midnight tonight --- Oh! my poor lost sleep.

 

19 March 44:  Awoke at the usual time again this morning.  Went to Catholic service again at 1000 hrs. but like last Sunday there was again no Mass.  I was asked to take up a collection for the fund of the British Seamans Institute.  Made a nice haul, but none would stick to my fingers.  Sat. walked, & talked with Chris all day as not much was doing except a show that was put on at 1430 hrs. by the G.S.'s on board.  Clocs will be advanced one hour at midnight tonight, instead of the 1/2 hour advance we expected -- I don't get it.  We expect to reach Bombay late tonight, &debark  in the morning.  Was just informed that we would not reach Bombay 'till tomorrow afternoon, & would probably not debark till Tuesday.  Will just have to wait & see how reliable my informant was.

 

20 March 44:  Awoke at 0600 hrs, * it was still dark.  Dawn did not come till 0715 hrs.  Will reach Bombay about mid-afternoon.  Sighted land (India) at 1450 hrs.  Sighted Bombay at 1600 hrs.  Well, it is now 1915 hrs, & we are being pulled & pushed into a very large & beautiful pier at Bombay, India.  The city looks very large & quiet modern.  They had a farewell dance on B Deck, & by gosh! today they Yanks really took over.  The English soldiers, sailor, & R.A.F. really had a hell of a time trying to find their girl friends they thought they had, & to find partners to dance with.  The "Stostheden" brought us to our destination safe & sound, * it really was a pleasant trip despite the many inefficiencies.  Will hit the hay at 2330 hrs, & we are to arrive at 030 hrs.

 

21 March 44:  Awoke at 0455 hrs.  & since then have washed, eaten, packed, & signed the par-roll for a partial payment of $20.  Without a doubt, we will now have  to learn the Indian currency & it's rate of exchange.  We were told we would debark this morning, but I believe it will be this afternoon when we get off.  As yet, we do not know where we are going here, but it might be Karachi. 

 

Debarked at 0800 hrs, & were brought by G.S. trends, through Bombay; which is beautiful in sections & particularly so around the bay & shore road of the residential sections, to an R.A.F. transient Camp on the outskirts of Bombay, & right on the bay front.  We arrived at 0900 hrs & are now guartined in barracks for the duration of our stay here. 

 

Just returned from noon chow, & for a change, the English put our a good chow.  Our meals are cooked, served, & our mess gear washed by Indians.  9/10 of the Indians I have seen are blacker then coal, & thin as a rail, but strong as an ox.  Vernerial diseases, small pox, fevers, & etc. are very prevalent here in India, & foods have to be handled & prepared with special care.  It is hot as hell here in the afternoons.  Were just informed that censorship regulations are very rigid in Indian, & we are not permitted to mention that we are in India.  We are now trying to fathom out the Indian Currency which is in the form of Rupels & Annas.  There are 16 Annas to a Rupel (1 Anna is worth 2 cents), & there are 3 Rupels & 5 Annas to 1 dollar. 

 

Am now sitting in the movies waiting for "Son of Fury" to start.  This movie is located just off the Transient Camp, on Maxine Drive on the Bay front.  The movie cost 9 Annas to se, whis is 18 cents.

 

22 March 44:  Awoke at 0740 hrs after a very poor nights sleep.  Thank heaven that it is cool at nights.  There was an Orientation talk at 1315 hrs, but I did not go.  At 1500 hrs we received a partial pay of 66 Rupels & 1 Anna ($20).  At 1600 hrs our Khakis arrived & were issued.  Tonight I saw "Secret Agent of Japan", with Preston Foster & Lynn Barrie, & at present, am at a coffee Garden on Maxine Drive on the outskirts of Bombay, eating steak, onions, & chips.  Received a flock of mail today, including a fruit cake from Mother.  (My dinner cost 1 Rupel & 7 Annas, or 46 cents)

 

23 March 44:  Not much doong today.  Just hung around the barracks all day.  Had a Smallpox vaccinations at 1400 hrs.

 

24 March 44:  Got up at 0815 hrs.  About 45 men were transferred out of our outfit.  At 1630 hrs. the 91st Ftr. Sq. departed for Karachi.  We don't know when we will leave here, but I think it will be soon.

 

Bought 6 cans of Pabst beer & 2 ctns of cigarettes today.  This is the second time I have had American beer since coming overseas.

 

25 March 44:  Got up at 0820 hrs.  We drilled from 0930 hrs to 1100 hrs, on Maxine Drive, in the boiling sun.  Hq. was the only outfit int he entire staging area that drilled.  All I'll say about it is that I was about as mad as I have eer been in my life, & remained that way all day.  At 1400 hrs, four other fellows left to visit the city of Bombay.  Well, if we had not gone, we wouldn't not have missed a thing.  Bombay is dead & quite expensive.  After visiting the American Red Cross & having a banana split, we left for camp.  Am now siting in the Allied Theater at Worli, waiting for the movies to start.  The show is "Alexanders Ragtime Band"  after I have seen it tonight, it will make the 5th time that I have seen this picture.

 

26 March 44:  Was update 0705 hrs, & we got our barracks in shape for an inspection.  Am now waiting for Mass to start, which is a hof hour late so far.  Intend to just lay around & take it easy today, as it is Sunday.  Will write a few letters. 

 

Never got the chance to lay around & write those letters, because I worked from the time I returned from church till 1800 hrs.  Tonight I saw the movie, "This Land is Mine" with Charles Laughton & Moreen O'Hara.

 

27 March 44:  Awoke at 0800 hrs, & immediately continued on the baggage job & shipping list for the Air Echelon, which I was unable to finish yesterday.  Finally managed to get the time to eat, so I combined my breakfast & lunch in one meal.  Am now sitting in the movies waiting for the 2115 hr showing of "Lucky Cisco Kid" with Cesar Romaro & Mary Beth Huges.

 

28 March 44:  Usual routine day with nothing of interest occurring.  Tonight I saw "Seven Day Leave".

 

29 March 44:  Made up 3 different rosters in the morning.  Was broke, but at noon time I managed to borrow 30 Rupels from Manuel.  This afternoon I had my picture taken at Worli, a little boom town located just outside the R.A.F. Staging Area.  All the pictures came out terrible, but I did keep three.  One I sent to Phyllis today, & the other two I'll send to Mother tomorrow.

 

I'm at present sitting in the Allied Picture House at Worli, waiting for the picture "Brigham Young" to start.

 

30 March 1944:  Got up at 0730 hrs the 'easiest' I have arisen since being at the R.A.F. Staging Area & ate at breakfast consisting of bacon, eggs, & coffee - this is also the first breakfast I have eaten since being here.  Wrote six letters this morning, & this afternoon & started to read a book titled "Dolores".

 

At a big dinner at the Coffee Garden, & am now sitting in the movies waiting for the 1915 showing of "A Yank in the R.A.F".  We expect to leave here in another day or two, & we believe it will be to Karachi or Calcutta.  Our Air Echelon is at Karachi now, where I am told, they are assembling our new planes - Republic P-47 Thunderboldt & our pilots are checking out in them.  We expect the personnel of the group to be changed around, & perhaps men transferred out, as we have more then we need.  When all is in readiness, we believe we are going into China &be assigned to the 14th Air Force, under General Chenault.  However, we will just have to wait & see exactly what does happen.

 

31 March 44:  Arose at 0715 hrs & ate breakfast at the Mess Hall.  At 0830 hrs, a formation was called & we were told we would leave here at 0830 hrs tomorrow, the 1st of April.  We signed the PayRoll, but due to us leaving tomorrow, we will not be paid till we reach our new destination if it is at all possible.  This afternoon we received our second PX rations' 1 ctn cigarettes, 3 cans of Pabst beer, & 1 can of Grapefruit Juice.  Am now at the Victory Cafe, waiting to be served my dinner, & I have Nick Zurich as my guest.  Saw "Wuthering Heights" for the 4th time tonight.

 

1 April 44:  Awoke and arose at 0630 hrs.  It has been 2 years today that I entered the Army.  For the third time, on the 1st of the month, am starting out on a journey that will lead us to, & through, an entirely new & strange phase of the war for us.  Departed  R.A.F Stagging Area, at Worli, a suburb of Bombay, at 0920 hrs. by truck.  Arrived at the RR. Station, in Bombay at 0955 hrs, & boarded electric train, with 3rd class accommodations - which is an 8th a step higher then a cattle car.  However, we are not too crowded so we should not be to uncomfortable on our 5 or 6 day trip.  At 1030 hrs our train was invaded by REd Cross girls - distributing ice tea & cookies.  Our train pulled out of Bombay at 1140 hrs.  Kunla, Mulsend, Thana, Kalyan are a few of the towns we passed through up till 1300 hrs.  We have been stopped at Kalyan for the past 15 minutes, to pick up food.  Tommy O'Connell just handed me a letter which Elizabetta gave him to deliver to me when he was leaving Saluna.

 

We finally stopped to eat at 1915 hrs, & boy! were we starved.  We just closed our car up & let a fly-bomb loose to fumigate the car.  Boy! it has brought out every kind of bug imaginable.

 

2 April 44:  Arose at 0700 hrs. At 0720 hrs. could just see the sun coming up.  We are now stopped at Bhusawal, which appears to be a fair size city or town.  It is now 1015 hrs. & we are still in Bhusawal.  We stopped here at 0725 hrs to eat breakfast, changed engines, & to take on water --we should be pulling out at any minute.  Bunhanpur, Khamdua, Hansud, Haida are a few of the larger towns we have passed through this afternoon.  Every time we stop at a rail yard where the engines take on water, there is always a bunch of fellows who take a shower.  The heat in the afternoons is terrific.  Timanni, Banapuna, Stansi (where we stopped to eat), & Sahapour are a few of the larger towns we passed through up till 2245.

 

3 April 44:  Stopped at Jubbul - at 0445 hrs.  This is the largest town we have passed through yet.  Went back to sleep & finally got up at 0700 hrs. at which time we stopped at Sleesnanabad Road, a rail junction.   It is now raining 'cats & dogs' & it's the fist time we have seen rain since 6 Feb.  Was just informed by one of our officers that we branched off on a Northern rail rout last night, due to the fact that our 'fine Indian friends' are derailing trains on our original route, & particularly troop trains.  Katni Jn...(... we stopped to eat breakfast), Jukehi, an a few of the towns we passed thru up till 1100 hrs.  At 1130 hrs we came to an area where there were a lot of very large Monkeys.  Maihan, Satna, & Jaituran - where we stopped to eat lunch - Masripput, Banganh - where we stopped to eat supper - are a few of the towns we passed through up till 1900 hrs.

 

4 April 44:  Awoke at 0700 hrs.  At 0200 hrs. we passed through Allahabod & Miszapur at 0700 rhs.  Chunar - where we ate breakfast - Moghul Sanai, Zamania, Buxar - where we ate lunch - Annah, Dinapore - where we at supper - were some of the towns we passed thru until 1945 hrs.  Patna, a long & beautiful town & junction.

 

5 April 44:  Arose at 0710 hrs.  Jasidih, Maduhpur - where we ate breakfast - Sitanasmpur, Asansol, Ondal, Panauar, Memasi - where we stopped to eat supper - were some of the towns we passed thru up till 1930 hrs.  At 1930 hrs we were told to pack & be ready to get off the train between 200 & 2200 hrs, at which time we are suppose to arrive in Calcutta.  Naihati at 2200 hrs, where we will switch off to go to camp which is located about 30 miles North of Calcutta, so unless we can get passes, we may not be able to get to Calcutta.  Well, it is now 0040 hrs, & we are not going into camp tonight, but instead, we are being pushed into a siding 1 mile from camp, where we will sleep all night, or rather, the few hours that remain of the morning.

 

6 April 44:  We were called at 0530 hrs, served a cup of tea, & are now waiting for the trucks to bring us to camp.  Arrived at camp at 0900 hrs. & set up in English tents, but it is 100% an American Camp.  It is now 1330 hrs. & we have not had a thing to eat since 1830 hrs. last evening.  Finally had a meal at 1730 hrs.  I might add that the Officers all ate their three meals, but as usual their theme song was, "The Hell with the EM."  At 1915 hrs I saw "Swing Time Johnny", with the Andrew Sisters.  This is another staging, & from her we expect to go to China.  This camp is situated in a semi-jungle area.  The mosquitos are terrible.

 

7 April 44:  Arose at 0600 hrs., ate breakfast, & have been working ever since, up to 1600 hrs.  I'm not finished yet, but the hell with it.  The name of this camp is Camp Canchrapara, situated just outside the town of the same name.  Had to do more work & never finished till 1930 hrs.

 

8 April 44:  Another hellishly busy day - never got a chance to breath till 1830 hrs.  Am doing orderly Room work plus 8-4 & Det. Supply work.

 

9-13 April 44:  Quit Orderly Room work as Supply work became to great & pressing.  Took shortages of all the men (109), made an inspection of all their clothing & equipment, collected their overages - some of which were reissued to men whom were short, turned in all overages to 28th A.C. Depot in Calcutta, made out Requisition for shortages & turned it into the Bose to be filled.  All the overages which were turned in by the men is a disgrace for the way Supplies have been handled by HG. & all the Squadrons of this Group.

 

14 April 44:  Pay Day.  Received remainder of March pay, of which we had already received #20 at Worli, leaving a baloney of $35 which I received today.  Still working like hell.

 

15-21 April 44:  Just routine work - mostly supply.  Last night a Capt. in the 33rd Ftr. Grp. was bitten two times by a snake while in bed.  He was in pretty bad shape when a medic got to him, but as yet, have not heard how he is.

 

22 April 1944:  Nick Zunish & myself went on pass to Calcutta.  IT isa filthy city, but it does have a few nice spots.  Holiday Inn, & particularly Finpis are the finist restaurants in town.  The American REd Cross building & set up in the finest, most complete, & most luxurious set-ups that I have seen anywhere.  It is the envy of all foreign troops.  We made reservations to see the 5:45 showing of "Bataan" with Robert Taylor, Paul Kelley, Lloyd Nolan, etc.  I thought the picture was swell & enjoyed it very much, as did 99% of the audience.  We put a lot of mileage on in a Rickshaw.  got back to camp at about 2245 hrs.

 

23 April to 7 May 44:  Work, work, work - all supply.  A pass on the 3rd & again visited Calcutta.  Saw the picture "Lost Angel", at the Metro, & I thought it was one of the best pictures I have ever seen.  A mosquito bit me on the right eye on the 2nd May, & after a few days of pain & not being able to see out of it, the eye is now O.K.

 

8 May 44:  Went on pass today, with Nick, to Calcutta.  Spent the day walking around, eating ice-cream, seeing the movie, "Girl Crazy", eating our meals at the Grand Hotel's Princess Restaurant, & drinking brandy & soda at the Princess Cocktail Bar & Lounge.  We are staying all night at the American Red Cross.  Our pass is up at 12 tonight but we decided to stay all night.

 

9 May 44:   Arose at 0600 hrs, showered, shaved, left the Red Cross & walked up to the Grand Hotel to eat our breakfast at the Princess.  We arrived back at camp at 1035 hrs.  Nothing has been said to me about staying all night, but Nick was asked about it.  All our equipment is being shipped out tonight on the first leg of it's trip "over the Hump" & into China.  I hoope we follow soon.  Our destination is Chengtu, China, 100 miles Northwest of Chungking

 

 

10th to 23 May 44:  Usual & routine work & duties.  Another pleasure trip to Calcutta on the 18th.  At 2300 hrs. tonight, Capt. Wolf came to our tent to inform & congratulate me on my promotion to Sgt.......  Lt....... Graham had returned from China with the information.  The S.O. have not arrived yet, but are expected soon.

 

24 May to 27 June 44:  Same old procedure - work, lay around, an occasional trip to Calcutta, every 10 days our PX ration, & the last few days I've had Maleria.

 

28 June 44:  At 0930 hrs. we were told we would move tonight after supper.  Departed kanchapara at 1930 hrs., by truck, to Hacvarh Station in Calcutta.  Arrived at station at 2140 hrs.  Departed Calcutta, by train, at 2350 hrs.  As usual, we rode 3rd class (cattle).  Slept.

 

29 June 44:  Arrive at Kalaikundad Air Base at 0600 hrs.

 

30 June 44:  The 20th Bomber Command is toying to steal us from our Group to act as an Air Base Group to run this Base.  I have been put in charge of Base S-4.  Our duties are to supervise all Services of Supply on the Base, but at the present time we are doing all Supp;y work.  Nothing is definite, but if permission comes through from Washington to transfer us from the 81st, & activate us into an Air Base Group, we might get a breath & a promotion.

 

1-3 July 44:  Worked like the devil setting up our Base S-4 office, Supply Warehouse, & procuring supplies.

 

4 July 44:  The boys in the PX Dept. have been working hard, & tonight at 1700 hrs. they open the doors of the Base PX & we well be able to purchase cold beer for the first time since we have been overseas.

 

5-6-7 July 44:  Still working hard on Supplies, & today, the 7th was inside one of the B-29's.  They are a huge & beautiful ship, but outside of a larger bomb load & longer ragne, they are not as good as the B-17.  Bill Foss & I have moved into our temporary offices & warehouse to sleep.

 

8 July 44:  Don't know the exact date, but it was just about two years ago that I met Phyllis.  Never knew I could or would miss anyone as I have her.  Hope & pray to God I can be with her soon.

 

9 July 44:  Fairly busy today - a lot of running around, but did not accomplish much.  No Mass today, Sunday.

 

10-11 July 44:  Very busy these two days, & accomplished quite a bit.  Tonight, the 11th, I saw the picture "The Song of Bernandette".  Ita was a wonderful & beautiful pictures, & one of the best & impressive pictures I have ever seen.  Bill Foss & I are living in the offices & warehouse of Base S-4 & Supply.  We are really set up in big wheel style; a chest of drawers, a might table between our cots, an easy chair, clothes rack, mattress & sheets on our bed, a metal foot-locker each, & electric lights.

 

12 July 44:  Had to start work at 0700 hrs. this morning & missed breakfast.  We were busy as the devil this morning & will continue to be so this afternoon.  Has been raining like hell all morning & looks as though it will keep up all day.  Wa told this morning that we would go over the 'Hump" into China, but just when no one know.  We will not be kept here as an Air Base Group.

 

13 to 26 July 44:  In this span of time the Supply situation on this Base has beena nightmare.  Have had 3 different Supply Officers. Up to this date I have been in charge, & all the headaches were mine as the officers were never around, but it has at least beena great experience & I have learned a lot.   As of today I am no longer in charge as part of an Air Base Group has arrived &  & are taking over.  I am still working in Base S-4 & Supply more or less as advisor.

 

On the 20th Lt...... Buckley, Foss, Crawford, Mankowitz & Becktel flew to China & are now with our Group.  We are told that we will leave here for China any time after the 1st of August - which in the Army may mean just that - anytime from 1st of August to a year from then.

 

26 August 44:  It is now 0755 hrs, & we just took off from Kalikunhci Air Base - destination Banakapura on our first leg of the journey to China- I hope.  Heading into a bad storm - hope it don't get to rough.

 

0815 hrs. & we are weathered in completely by the store.  Ship bouncing all around.  Good Training for our flight over the "Hump". 

 

0825 hrs - circling for landing.

0830 Wheels touched. 

 

It is now 1040 hrs & we have eaten & are waiting at Operations for further orders.  There is a 50-50 chance that we may go over the 'Hump" today, but personally I doubt it. 

 

1415 hrs. & taking off from Bassackort for Jonhat on the second leg of our journey over the 'Hump" to China - It will be about a 4 hour flight.

 

1707 hrs & we will land in about 13 minutes as we are better then half an hour ahead of schedule.  Our speed average has been 170 mph. in this C-47.  We are now circling for a linding.  1720 hrs. wheels touched ground at Jonhat.  The end of another safe plane trip, but tomorrow should be a pip if we fly the Hump. 

 

At 1200 hrs. we took off from Jonhat in a C-87 to fly to China via the 'Hump"

 

27 August 44:  The trip was O.K. but a little bumpy & rough.  Landed in Chengtu, China at 0200 hrs.  Stayed the Remainder of the night at Field A-1.  Saw Col........ Klein in the morning.  He ahead just returned from the States from a 30 day furlough.  I asked him if he would try to use his rank to get transportation for us to go to Field A-3 where the outfit was located.  It worked, so we arrived at 1745 hrs. at A-3.  WE passed through the city of Chengtu.  It is a city of 800,000 & the cultural center of china.  The people have not seen many Americans.  They are a curious lot as they stare at you & they put their thumb in the air & holler "Ding How" which means 'Very Good', we are very good and they like us.  We felt like president Roosevelt with all the greetings & cheers we got - particularly the children.

 

28 August 44:  Started to work this morning & worked like the devil all day.  AT 2045 hrs we had a "ne Ball" alert, but in 25 minutes the "all clear" sounded.

 

29 August 44:  The routine here is to arise at 0600 hrs, eat from 0600 to 0700.  Calisthenics from 0700 to 0715 hrs, then from 0715 to 0800 hrs we play softball or volley ball.  Office & working hours are from 0830 to 1200 hrs. & from 1300 to 1700 hrs.  Today was too busy to even think about it.

 

Tonight we had a double feature with 2 reels of G.I. movies.  The entire show was very good & enjoyable, even the little talk that Col. Klein gave us about his 30 day furlough in the States & our prospects of getting home.

 

30 August 44:  The usual routine today, but not quite as busy as yesterday.  It looks as though I'll stay in 3-4 instead of going into Hg. Supply.

 

31 Aug....... & 1 Sept. 44:  Usual routine day.

 

2 Sept 44:  Today I signed up for an additional six (6) months tour of overseas duty - Almost half of Hg. here signed up.

 

It can only turn out to be a smart move, or else I'll live to regret it for the rest of my life.  It's a gamble I'll admit, but I'm counting on it being a smart move.

 

I could go on & on why I have signed for an additional six months, but that would do no good for anyone who does not agree with me.  All that I can say is that after considering everything - & by everything I mean Phyllis - my family too, I feel sure that in the long run I have done the best thing, & I hope & pray to God that I have.

 

Am not going to tell Phyllis or my family what I have done, but when I get home I will.  If I told them now I am sure they would not understand.

 

My own Phyllis & I are alike, & I know that if I were in her shoes I would not be able to see why either.  When I get back & can tell her in person, I will, & I am sure she will understand, but by letter I am sure she would not understand.

 

3,4,5,6 September 44:  Usual routine day & nothing of interest to relate.

 

7 September 44:  Made an inspection of the men's clothing this morning.  This afternoon I felt sick as the devil, so quit work & went to bed.

 

At 1745 hrs, the 27 or 30 B-29's on the field started to warm up their motors so we went to the filed to watch them take off for a raid on Japan.  However, it was only a tune-up & they did not take off.

 

8 September 44:  At 0545 hrs. the B-29's started to take off from our field for their raid on Japan(?) .  They are carrying more fuel & a heavier bomb load then ever before, so we are guessing as to when the raid might be.  They should start returning about 2000 hrs this evening.  AT 1650 hrs the B-29's started returning to the other fields & the planes from our field started to land at 1715 hrs, making it a total of 11 hours & 15 minutes they were in the air.  As yet we have not heard what their destination was, their target, nor the results.  Few if any planes were lost.  Only one plane landing at our field shot a red flare indicating wounded on board.  AT 2145 hrs.we were talking to a few of the crew members of the B-29's & they told us they had raided Manchuria in Main-China.

 

9 September 44:  At 0030 hrs this morning we were awakedened by a "Two Ball Alert".  Five minutes later it was advanced to a "Three Ball Alert" - indicating that enemy or identified planes are in the area & an attack is imminent.  It turned out to be Jap planes endeavoring to wreck some of the B-29's which had raided them about noon time yesterday.  P-47's from A-3 & A-2 took off to patrol the airfields in this area.  Field A-1  was raided, two B-29's were hit on the ground, & the field was damaged & closed for an indefinite period.  A-1 is about 55 or 60 miles from our field.  The raid & alert lasted 2 hours.  We are hoping they do not strike at our field tonight.

 

The B-29, which I mentioned yesterday, that shot a red flare as he was landing, indicating wounded on board, well, it was the top turret gunner & he was dead when the plane landed.  The 29's met enemy planes as soon as they hit enemy territory & had to fight their way to & from the target.  There are 7 fields in the Chengtu Area - A-1, A-2, A-3, A-4, A-5, A-6, A-7.  The odd numbered fields are the largest, & the ones from which the B-29's operate, & the even numbered fields are fighter strips.  This morning the Japs located 3 of the 4 large fields & ours was the only one they missed - although they were overhead.  The only protection we have is the fighter planes they send up, & they are not night fighters so they seldom meet with success.  The only ground guns we have on this field are .50 cal. machine guns - 10 in all - & they are of very little or no protection at all.

 

Was paid at 1330 hrs. today.

 

This evening we had a movie.  Was a long show as we had a G.I. movie plus the feature which was "Fallen Sparrow".  It was a very good picture.

 

10 September 44:  Awoke at 0600 hrs. No alert or raid during the night as was expected.

 

11 to 14 September 44:  Usual routine with nothing of interest occurring.

 

15 September 44:  At 0930 hrs. this morning. Col...... Klein gave us a farewell address as he is leaving the organization & is assigned as Executive Officer of the 312th Fighter Wing here in China.  Who our next C.O. will be, we don't know, but we hope he is a good one & a man. 

 

This base on which we are stationed, is unofficially know as Kwanchan Air Base - the town of Kwanchan is only a couple of miles away.

 

16 September 44:  Morale took another drop downward this morning as we read in Time magazine that the "Rotation Plan" was shot to hell.  It may be true & then again it may not be - Only time will tell.  The fact remains that there are only five million men overseas & according to "Time" the soldiers back in the States now are only "limited service men".  Needless to say, we refuse to believe that, & we know we are just being jerked around as usual.

 

16 Sept. to 19 Sept. 44:  Usual routine with nothing of interest occurring.

 

20 September 44:  Left on a 4 day pass to Chengtu where we will stay on the University Campus in the home of a missionary.  Arrived at 1030 hrs. & we stayed at Mrs. Graham's.  The meals are wonderful.  Walked all around the campus this afternoon & took a roll of pictures - hope they all turn out.

 

21 September 44:  Went to Chengtu this morning, bought Phyllis a gift for her birthday but like a dumb fool I left it in the rickshaw.  Tomorrow will go to town & buy her the same thing.  In the afternoon I strolled around the Campus again.  There are five Universities here; four of which are refugee Universities from Nankin, Peking, & I forget where else. 

         

 

22 September 1944:  Went to town this morning & bought the same gift again for Phyllis - hope she likes it.

 

23rd September 44:  Our pass is now ended & am back at camp.

 

24-25 September 44:  Usual routine work, nothing unusual occurred except that we had movies last night & tonight.  The B-29's are here again for another raid which I belive will be tomorrow.  We are expecting an Air attack by the Japs at any time.

 

26 September 44:  The B-29's took off at 0600 hrs. this morning for another crack at the Japs.  By 1000 hrs two of the B-29's had returned due to engine troubles.

 

At 1730 hrs. we saw the first of the returning B-29's which passed on over & landed at the other fields about 1810 hrs. the first B-29's from our filed began to land.  Two had trouble landing but they finally made it, & by 1900 all the planes with the excepting of 4 had landed.  One of them made a forced landing at an advance emergency field about 200 miles East of there, & the fate of the other three I have not heard.  Their target was the same as on 8 Sept.  The Japs lost no time in following our bombers home, for at 1930 hrs the one, two & three ball alerts were sounded.  We heard some of the Jap bombers passing overhead, but as the last time, they did not bother with our field, but went onto A-1 to drop their load.  We heard 3 distinct explosions which without a doubt were bombs.  The funny part of all this is that our field is the largest, accommodates the bulk of the B-29's & also the bulk of the fighter planes, but still they pass on over & take a crack at A-1, which of course, suits us fine.  This alert, or raid, lasted two hours.  We went back to our area, undressed, hit the hay, & just as we were settling down to sleep, we were alerted again.  This alert only lasted a half hour, & no attack was made.

 

27 September 44:  Sometime in the wee hours of the morning we were awakened by a terrific thunder & lightening storm which lasted over an hour.  Needless to say, none of us got much sleep.

 

28 to 30 September 44:  Usual routine work & procedure.

 

1 October 44:  Am now Chief Clerk & N.C.O. Dept. Head in our Group Material Section.  Hope I make good, which I feel sure that I will.

 

2 to 6 October 44:  Usual routine work & procedures.  We got a new C.O., a Lt. Col. Fred G. Hook Jr.......  Boy, he is a junior too - a fresh, raw rookie just in from the States.  One of these world beaters with great ideas for inspections, reviews, etc. just as if we were in the States.  Is he liked?  Hell, no!!  He may wise up though, so we'll give him the benefit of the doubt - So far, I am making out OK as boss in S-H.

 

7 October 44:  A squadron of P-51's came in this afternoon.  The Japs got the word, so at 2245 hrs we were awakened by an alert.  About a half hour later the Japs arrived - 4 bombers & dropped their loads at will.  Flak hit a lot of the 51's, & one of them looks like a lace curtain, one bomb hit the 93rd Armament shop & wrecked it, they hit a revetment with four drums of aviation gasoline which blew up, & in general, scared the hell out of us.

 

8 October 44:  Understand that there are now 4 "Black Widows", (Night Fighters) at A-1.  There were an awful lot of transports hauling gas into the field today.

 

9 October 44:  Man or man!  There must have been a hundred planes come into this field today, hauling gas.  Something big must be going to happen, but what it is I have not been able to find out.  "Tokyo Rose" told us over the radio this afternoon that we would be raided tonight - the biggest one yet.  If they do come & drop anything, there sure will be a lot of light in the area from fires, as the field is covered with planes & gas.  IT is now 2000 hrs. & is cloudy & rainey - so perhaps we will have no raid tonight.

 

10 October 44:  No raid last night - thank goodness, suppose the weather saved us.  We now must carry weapons when we leave our hostel area after sunset.  IT has been reported that the Japs are bringing up Para-troopers to their forward air fields, & we are expecting the worst.

 

The situation in China looks none too good.  The Japs have just about cut China in two, & their next step is to drive on Chunking & Chengtu & chase the 14th Air Force from China.  The true facts of the picture is that we have nothing over here to stop them, & only God knows what is delaying or holding them back.  Planes are still coming in & going out at the rate of almost one every five minutes.  If we should be raided - which we expect will happen at any time - & they hit this field, the place will go sky high.  It is now 2015 hrs. the weather is clear, & once again we are expecting the works tonight.

 

11 to 25 October 44:  All the air activity proved to be in support of anticipated air activities.  Four out of five days the B-29's raided Formosa rendering practically all 1st & 2nd class Jap air fields on this island un-operational, in support of U.S. invasion of the Philippines on the 19th.  We have had two alerts in this span of time but they proved to be 'dry runs".  On the 15th of this month I was promoted to S/Sgt...... (Staff Sergeant).

 

On the 20th, Orders suddenly came through to send 10 men home on this 'rotation plan'.  On the 24th, about 50 more men were sent home.  All these men's names had been submitted as not needing a replacement, thus their lucky & early return home.

 

26 October 44:  Four B-29's went & bombed a Jap forward field, so tonight at 1850 we were alerted, & finally Jap planes attached us - bombed & strafed.

 

We also had a gas scare & we lost no time in putting on our masks.  The 'All Clear' was sounded at 2215, but the Japs had a least succeeded in canceling the show which we were to put on tonight.  There were a few planes wrecked on our field, two of which were our P-47's.

 

27 October to 8 Nov. 44:  Routine days & nights with a few more bombings.  For the first time a Jap plane was shot down on a raid in this sector.  A 'Black-Widow" got him before he could drop his load.

 

9 November 44:  A red letter day, & by far the best & happiest day spent overseas to dates.  Pat O'Brien, Jinx Falkenburg, Betty Yeaton, Ruth Carroll, Jimmy Dodd, & Happy Brown arrived & put on a swell & super show for us in the afternoon.

 

 

When the show was over they came into the EM's Recreation Hall & talked, danced, signed autographs, & played ping-pong with us.  At supper time they ate in the EM's Mess with us.

 

I asked Jinx to eat with me, & strange as it may seem, she accepted.  Another fellow asked Betty Yeaton, so they four of us ate together.  Jinx was very sociable, a swell sport, & OK in ever way, but I personally liked Betty better.  After supper I wound up with Betty.  Of course there was plenty of competition, but I made out OK.  Betty asked me for my name & address & said she's send me her picture - whether she will or not is another thing.  She gave me her address & asked me to write to her & send her a picture of me.  When they were leaving to put on another show at another camp on our field, she asked me to come along with her so that we could talk & dance after the next show.  I could have gone, but for some reason or other I politely declined & I can't figure out why.  It as by far the best show we have seen overseas, but what was so amazing & swell was how they mingled & ate with us after the show.  This has never been done before at any place we have ever been - especially mingling with us lowly EM.

 

 

   

 

Took a roll of film of the show, & had a picture taken of Jinx Falkenburg & myself.  Was a swell day & we all feel very happy about it all, although it has made us feel very homesick.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

T/Sgt..... Zurich, T/Sgt...... Klein, Capt. Marks - My boss

Cpt....... Vincient & Sgt...... Furgeson - my replacement

 

 

 

 

Departed Chengtu, China 1 June 1945 at 4:20 pm. 

    Arrived Kumming, China 1 Juine 194 at 6:50 PM.

 

Departed Kumming, China 2 June 1945 at 6:15PM

    Arrive Chabua, India 2 June 1945 at 9:15 PM

 

Departed Chabua, India 4 June 1945 at 2:20 am

    Arrived Lalmansinhat, India 4 June 1945 at 5:45am

 

Departed Lalmanishat, India 4 June 1945 at 8:10am

    Arrive Agra, India 4 June 1945 at 1:50 PM

 

Departed Agora, India 4 June 1945 at 3:00 PM

    Arrived Karachi, India 4 June 1945 at 7:15 PM

 

(At this point life must have suddenly become very busy and full for Harry.  Even though there are 10-15 empty pages left in the notebook nothing else is recorded.  He never mentions why he suddenly began his flights out of China, India, etc.  I suspect he was released and suddenly found himself back in the states with family, Phyllis, and a former life.

 

After the war he and Phyllis were married in approximately 1946.

They had  3 children:

 

        1) Harry Sherwin Gebler IV - July 6th 1946.  (Known as Wynn MIchael Gebler)

        2) Christine Marie Gebler  - October 27th 1947

        3) Mark Nielsen Gebler - November 20th 1949

                    All three of us kids were born in Philadelphia Pennsylvania.

                    My Mother was born in Bend Oregon

                    My dad was born in Philadelphia

Mark

81st Fighter Group

Constituted as 81st Pursuit Group (Intercepter) on 13 Jan 1942. Activated on 9 Feb 1942. Redesignated 81st Fighter Group in May 1942. Trained with P-39's. Moved overseas, Oct 1942-Feb 1943, the ground echelon arriving, in French Morocco with the force that invaded North Africa on 8 Nov, and the air echelon, which had trained for a time in England, arriving in North Africa between late Dec 1942 and early Feb 1943. Began combat with Twelfth AF in Jan 1943. Supported ground operations during the Allied drive against Axis forces in Tunisia. Patrolled the coast of Africa and protected Allied shipping in the Mediterranean Sea, Apr-Jul 1943. Provided cover for the convoys that landed troops on Pantelleria on II Jun and on Sicily on 10 Jul 1943. Supported the landings at Anzio on 22 Jan 1944 and flew patrols in that area for a short time. Moved to India, Feb-Mar 1944, and began training with P-40 and P-47 aircraft. Moved to China in May and became part of Fourteenth AF. Continued training and on occasion flew patrol and escort missions before returning to full-time combat duty in Jan 1945. Attacked enemy airfields and installations, flew escort missions, and aided the operations of Chinese ground forces by attacking troop concentrations, ammunition dumps, lines of communications, and other targets to hinder Japanese efforts to move men and materiel to the front. Inactivated in China on 27 Dec 1945.

Stations. Morris Field, NC, Feb 1942; Dale Mabry Field, Fla, c. 1 May 1942; Muroc, Calif, c. 28 Jun-4 Oct 1942; Mediouna, French Morocco, c. 5 Jan 1943; Thelepte, Tunisia, 22 Jan 1943; Le Kouif Airfield, Algeria, 17 Feb 1943; Youks-les-Bains, Algeria, 22 Feb 1943; Le Kouif Airfield, Algeria, 24 Feb 1943; Thelepte, Tunisia, c. Mar 1943; Algeria, c. 3 Apr 1943; Monastir, Tunisia, c. 26 May 1943; Sidi Ahmed, Tunisia, 10 Aug 1943; Castelvetrano, Sicily, 12 Oct 1943; Montecorvino Airfield, Italy, c. Feb 1944; Karachi, India, c. 2 Mar 1944; Kwanghan, China, 12 May 1944; Fungwansham, China, Feb 1945; Huhsien, China, Aug-Dec 1945. Wheeler Field, TH, 15 Oct 1946-21 May 1949; Kirtland AFB, NM, 17 Jun 1949; Moses Lake AFB, Wash, c. 1 May 1950-21 Aug 1951; Bentwaters RAF Station, England, 3 Sep 1951-8 Feb 1955.

Commanders. Unkn, Feb-May 1942; Capt Harry E Hammond, 5 May 1942; Capt John D Sureau, 10 May 1942; Lt Col Paul M Jacobs, 22 May 1942; Lt Col Kenneth 5 Wade, c. Jul 1942; Col Philip B Klein, May 1943; Lt Col Michael Gordon, 2 Jul 1943; Maj Frederick S Hanson, 15 Jul 1943; Col Philip B Klein, 26 Aug 1943; Lt Col Fred G Hook Jr, 27 Sep 1944; Col Oliver G Cellini, 24 Oct 1944-unkn. Col Oswald W Lunde, [c. 1946]; Col Gladwyn E Pinkston, [c. 1948] Lt Col Clay Tice Jr, c. Apr 1950; Lt Col Lucius D Clay Jr, 1950; Lt Col Clay Tice Jr, c. Feb 1951; Col Robert Garrigan, c. Aug 1951; Col Benjamin B Cassiday Jr, c. Jul 1953; Col Walter L Moore, 1 Dec 1954-1955.

Campaigns. Air Combat, EAME Theater; Algeria-French Morocco; Tunisia; Sicily; Naples-Foggia; Anzio; Rome-Arno; China Defensive; China Offensive.

Decorations. None.

Insigne. Shield: Or, a dragon salient wings displayed and addorsed azure, armed and langued gules, incensed proper, holding in its dexter claw a stylized boll weevil sable. Motto: Le Nom - Les Armes - La Loyaute: The Name, The Arms, and Loyalty. (Approved 2 Mar 1943.)

 

(Highlighted in Red are the places, commanders, and events mentioned in Harry Gebler's notebook.)

Betty Yeaton

Betty Yeaton

1945

 

Some of the film Harry took during the show.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

To see more about Betty Yeaton visit the following URL



 

Herbert Hassett Yeaton

RYE — Herbert Hassett Yeaton, 97, the husband of Arlene "Betty" Yeaton, of 105 Central Road, went home to the Lord on Thursday, July 5, 2001.

Born in Rye, on Dec. 13, 1903, he was the son of Everett H. and Grace (Hassett) Yeaton. He lived in Rye all of his life, attended Rye schools and graduated from Portsmouth High School in 1923. He retired from the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in 1963, where he was a leading man shipfitter in Shop 11.

After retirement, he and his wife enjoyed many years traveling and spent over 25 years wintering in Florida. He was an avid bowler until age 93.

He was a past member of the Rye Volunteer Fire Department, a charter member of the Rye Lions Club, a member of the Jr. O.U.A.M., where he served as councilor, a member of NARFE, AARP, the Rye Over 55 Club, and the Golden Age Club.

In addition to his wife of 64 years, he is survived by a daughter, Leigh deRochemont and her husband, Ronald, of Rye; two sons, Alan Yeaton and his wife, Carol, of Goffstown; and Norman Yeaton and his wife, Elizabeth, of Rye; nine grandchildren, three great-grandchildren; two nieces and three nephews.

He was predeceased by a sister, Beryl Howe, who died in 1994 at age 87.

Jinx Falkenburg

Jinx Falkenburg

 

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Jink Falkenburg

 

 

For more information about Jinx Falkenburg visit:

 



 

A few of Harry Gebler's personal pictures during the USO tour in Chengtu, China, 1945

 

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