World War II Marauder Pilot Diary by Ricvhard D Spalding

Author:Ricvhard D Spalding [Spalding, Ricvhard D]
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Published: 2017-07-04T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter-3 1944 – On the Ground

11-29 – Reported to IX B.C. [Brigade Command?]

11-30 – Had 1 minute conference with **. Drove 50K(?) procuring “winterizing” for Jeep [The “ ** ” symbol refers to a two star general. Winterizing is in quotes because how winterized could an open jeep really be made]

12-6 – Reported XIX TAC –Sat in briefing with “Terry’s” Boss. B.+G’.s, Past tense of “spitz”, Do Plenty [This entry is especially cryptic. I suspect it is so in case the dairy, which maybe was not even supposed to be written, was somehow obtained by the enemy. Dick related to me that he was in at least one briefing with Gen. Patton. Perhaps Patton was “ ‘Terry’s’ Boss’. “B.+G.’s” could refer to “Brass and Generals”. Or it could refer to something else entirely. One thing is pretty likely. The “past tense of ‘spitz’” is “spat”. General “Tooey” Spaatz was the commander of Strategic Air Forces in Europe]

12-7 Day wasted in conflicts programs by St. Cols.

12-8 – Tour of front. 300 yds from enemy held Maginot fort. – Walked along road taken 2 hours before. Saw Jerry prisoners immediately after capture. Saw interrogation. Heard M.G. [machinegun] and Artillery fire. Examined house just taken

12-9 – Day wasted at IXth TAC

12-10 – Day wasted at IX TAC

12-11 – Reported to XX Corps – Met all kinds of brass. Most impressed by Lt. Col. Hutchins Huckins

12-12 – Luke arrived on scene – heard about catastrophe of Allman (32 known dead at this point) Charly White kicked to group and Willets head chopped off by Murphy day before he was blown up by Allman’s bombs [According to the unit history, the Allman catastrophe occurred when bombs were not dropped on target due to fog so they were taken back to England where there was heavy fog. On the final approach Allman’s ship was caught in “prop wash” of a prior ship, aerodynamically stalled, and crashed. The ensuing fire set off the bomb load with many in the unit in the vicinity trying to rescue the crew]

12-13 – Two years a buzz boy today – Helped plan ambitious program. Hope I didn’t overstep my bounds. Almost took L-5 to III Army to deliver same, but [the] hour, weather, lack of chute and unknown location of field at destination deterred me [The L-5 was a Stinson light observation/liaison aircraft that looked a lot like a Piper Cub, but was considerably faster. The phrase “to deliver same” could mean either the plans or the plane or both. The next entry indicates the reference is to the plans]

12-14 – Took L-5 to III Army – Ate TREMENDOUS supper including pie-ala mode. 12 piece band. (I want my honey) and singing by U.S.O. girls also amazing piano – blues playing and singing by girl who gives Dinah [Shore] a run. Saw “Fish”. Had nice talk with him. (Had bath)

12-15 – Flew back to “Comet” after lunch. Mora arrived bearing 18 letters and a cable (no packages)

12-16 – Lucas came in

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