by Jeff Kildow
1115 Hours
Stalwart Guard Three
“The first thing is, who’s in charge?” said Bev Tucker, the Marine, a puckish smile on his face. “It’s one of you guys, ‘cause I don’t pin on for another ten days.” He referred to date of rank, the long established way of deciding who out ranked who.
“OK, Joel, my date of rank is 9 October ’42; what’s yours?”
“Looks like I draw the short straw,” Joel said. “Mine is 15 June ’42.”
Remembering the old dictum, if you’re in charge, take charge, Joel said, “OK, let’s get started. First, we need some coffee.” The other two laughed.
“I like to work on a blackboard so it’s easy to change. We’ll need a secretary to copy everything. Ideas?”
John Higgins said, “There’s a rating I know in the Graphic Arts Shop. He could use a tablet, draw what’s on the board, and have it redone to make it presentable.”
“Sounds good to me. Call him and I’ll try to round up that coffee, and get us some office supplies,” said Joel.
“Let me do the coffee, Colonel,” said Tucker. “I know a Marine cook in the mess who can give us a full coffee service, and make sure we have food when we need it too.”
“OK, but first, let’s agree – no ranks; we’ve got way too much to do in a very short time to bother with that. Call me Joel, all right?”
“That suits me; call me John, no middle name necessary!”
“And call me Bev or BC, your choice.”
Within an hour, a pair of large wooden framed blackboards on castors arrived, with several boxes of colored chalk. Coffee was brewing in a large pot, the Marine cook very practically noting that it would be quicker for them to make their own than to call for it every time the carafe got low. He had also thoughtfully provided a tray of sandwiches.
John extracted a promise that the rating would available the next day. Joel ordered easels with flip charts and thick pens, notebooks, pens and paper and every other supply he could think of. By late afternoon, desks were moved in, including one in the outer office. Phones were on hand, to be hooked up the next day. A pair of typewriters and two boxes of paper sat on one of three desks.
“I got a clerk,” Joel said, “to run errands, make calls, and the like. The personnel office had been contacted by Colonel Regan’s office, and there will be people on hand to support us around the clock.”
“Joel, we need a way to lock up this office. That door lock wouldn’t keep out a curious kid,” said Bev.
“Excellent thought. And we’ll need some safes, too, don’t you think?”
“What about somebody to supervise the office staff; we won’t have time for that,” said Bev. Joel made notes on a borrowed steno pad.
“What else?”
Thirty minutes later the safes and locks had been ordered, an Army Chief Clerk assigned, and the sandwiches consumed; they adjourned to the suite’s conference room.
“Joel, I think we need to record what we accomplish on a daily basis. For now, we could take turns writing it, but we’ll need a stenographer soon. I’m thinking that if we do that from the beginning, by the end of the month, we’ll have something that documents where we’ve been. It ought to make writing the report easier, too.” said Bev.
“Good. We’ll take turns; you‘re first! We ought to have it typed up daily, too, I’m thinking,” Joel said.
“OK, boss!” Bev laughed.
Chapter 64
6 October 1943
An Office, The Pentagon, Washington, D.C.
1345 Hours
Concepts
“Well, let’s do it,” Joel said at the blackboard. “I’ll write it down so we can get our arms around it; you guys jump in whenever, OK?”
He wrote
Challenges
-Raid Detection
-Target Protection
-Counter Attack
“Now as I see it, each of these breaks down further into two or three areas, like this:”
Challenges
-Raid Detection
… At sea (mid-Atlantic? Near shore by ship visual and RADAR)
… In the air (visual and RADAR?)
…Ground based observers (visual, sound; includes civilians GOC)
-Target Protection
…Camouflage
…Barrage balloons?
…Search lights
-Counter attack
…Antiaircraft guns
…Local fighters
…Regional fighters?
Both men spoke at once. Joel pointed to John, “You first.”
“OK, let’s add carriers for the mid-Atlantic. They’re in short supply, but even a couple of ‘jeep’ carriers could put a real damper on the Germans. Carrier aircraft could detect and shoot down raiders.”
“That’s a very good idea,” Joel said as he added it to the board.
Bev said, “Here’s an addition for the detection category: ground based RADARs. They can see a lot farther than airborne ones. We could use them to direct fighters for intercepts.”
“Good!” Joel said, and added that.
“At sea, you’re assuming picket ships, is that it?” John asked.
“Yes, something like that, but I don’t have any idea where they should go, or how many. The Atlantic is a darn big place, but that would be the first opportunity to see the bombers.”
John said, “Picket ships are good in theory, but practically, it won’t work. As you said Joel, the Atlantic is a big place. If we put patrol ships out there, they’ll just draw German subs. That’s especially true of the ‘jeep’ carriers, now that I think of it. They’re pretty slow, and need a lot of escorts. Maybe patrol planes like PBYs or British Sunderland flying boats would work better.”
Joel nodded, and updated the blackboard. These are a couple of bright guys.
“Closer to land, I’m thinking long range fighters, like P-51s, or maybe P-38s. Not sure how long the legs are on F6Fs, but I’d guess we need a range of about 1,000 miles for a mission. So whatever birds can fly a long ways and carry guns, we want ‘em.”
“We left out the middle,” Bev pointed out. “We could use long range aircraft, like B-24s or the Navy’s PB4Ys, maybe even some older B-17s, say, to help us spot them and direct fighters in. Catalina’s have really long legs, if we could get some; ‘course, they can’t fly very high or fast. Can any of those big four engine numbers carry RADARs, too?”
Bev took on an especially thoughtful look, and Joel asked him about it.
“Well, it occurred to me that we’ve been assuming that the Germans would only hit us during daylight. I don’t know of anything to keep them from hitting us at night, do you?”
John said, “Say, you’re right, we didn’t think about night raids. That’s a harder problem, because we have virtually no night fighters. If we send day fighters up after them at night, about all we guarantee is that we kill off a lot of our own guys.”
“I’m afraid you’re right, “Joel said. “And if they do come at night, we lose most visual detection, especially by the civilians. I’m not convinced that spotlights do much good, when you get right down to it, even if we had enough of them. We’ve really got to get more RADARs.”
Bev said, “That also suggests that we need to strongly enforce blackout regulations all up and down the seaboard, and probably even inland a good ways. Even since the New York raid, there hasn’t been a lot of tightening up.”
“Make good notes on these points, Bev, ” said Joel.
They continued several hours, filling both blackboards, erasing and starting in again. A knock came at the door, and a skinny sailor entered with a cart. “Gunny said ya’ll’d be needin’ some supper, sirs,” he said with a West Virginia twang.
The interruption made them all realize they were hungry, and how much time had passed. It was already dark outside. They adjourned to the suite’s small foyer to eat.
Between bites, Bev nodded toward the door and said, “That’s exactly what I meant about se
curity, Joel. That kid just walked in on us. Who knows what he saw or who he’ll tell?”
Another rap at the door, “Message for Colonel Knight from the Joint Chief’s office, sir.”
Joel slit open the sealed envelope with his pocket knife. His face took on a look of surprise.
“What do you know? Boys, they’ve already pulled the plug on us! Stalwart Guard Three is cancelled as of 1700 hours today. We’re to provide a one page summary to the Joint Chief’s, and vacate this office!”
John Higgins shook his head, “One page! Excuse my cynicism, but it doesn’t surprise me that the Chiefs don’t want direction from underlings like us.”
“Yeah,” said Bev, “it was short and not so sweet. Well, it’s too bad they didn’t let us finish; I think we had some good ideas, but there you go.”
From the outer office came the sounds of furniture being moved.
“They’re already moving stuff out, for crying out loud. I hope we can finish before we end up sitting on the floor,” Joel said.
The unruffled clerk told him, “Sir, if you’ll call me after 1700, I’ll come and type your summary. I’ve got to go report to my new assignment.”
Dumbfounded, Joel and the other two men watched as movers emptied the outer office and left it bare.
“OK, let’s wrap this up. Here’s what I have as our summary; any changes?” Joel said.
Raid Detection [greatly increase]
RADAR and visual/ships & aircraft offshore
Shore based RADAR/military and civilian
observers
Protection
Camouflage/false targets
Blackout rule enforcement
Counter Attack [greatly increased numbers]
Fighters based near targets
Regional fighters
AAA
Overall
Improved com structure/classification rules
Well defined rules of engagement
More weapons, equipment and people
“Naw, you can only polish a rock so much before all you have is gravel, Joel; let’s call it quits and go find something useful to do,” Bev quipped.
“Yeah,” said Higgins, “we’re about to polish the brass off the bell as it is. This’ll probably end up in the ‘circular file’ anyway, so why not wrap it up. Call the clerk, and we’ll go get supper some place.”
“That’s the best idea anybody’s had all day,” Joel laughed.
Chapter 65
18 October 1943
Hanger 321, Millville Army Air Field, Millville, New Jersey
0730 Hours
New Role
Lieutenant Colonel Watkins waited for First Sergeant Blaisdel to call the men to attention, and then strode to the podium. There were far too many men to fit in the Base Theater; essentially, all of the men permanently assigned to Millville Army Air Field were in the hanger. Joel had no idea what was up. Colonel Watkins spoke uncomfortably into the microphone, leaning awkwardly toward it, “At ease, men. Please be seated.”
“There have been lots of rumors about our base since the attack on New York City and I want to set you straight.” The speakers squealed, and a sergeant quickly moved a speaker away from the colonel’s microphone.
“There are some very big changes coming to Millville.” The hanger was silent. Many men were leaning toward him.
“As you know, the 361st Fighter Squadron left for Europe after the attack, and the next scheduled squadron to train hasn’t come in. Here’s why: Millville has a new mission. We are no longer a gunnery training base. The original slogan for Millville was ‘America’s First Defense Airport’; well, we’re returning to our roots. As of 0600 hours this morning, we are all now members of the brand new 160th Coastal Defense Wing, as part of Coastal Defense Area Two. Our new mission is to defend America’s shores.
“In keeping with our more important role, a new commander has been assigned; taking my place will be Brigadier General Adrian White. I will point out that ordinarily, a change of command demands a parade and formal ceremony. In view of this on-going rainy weather, and the critical war situation, General White decided to forgo the formalities, and meet with you immediately. General White, sir.” Watkins stepped aside and a distinguished looking gray-headed single star general stepped to the microphone.
“Thank you, Colonel Watkins. Good morning. I am privileged to be here. Gentlemen, make no mistake, your mission at Millville has been important. This new one will be even more so.
“The new 160th will be comprised of three squadrons, later to be four if I have my way. The 160th Detection and Patrol Squadron will be tentatively comprised of sixteen B-23s, with supporting maintenance and supply personnel. The B-23s, as you know, are RADAR equipped.
“The 160th Coastal Defense Fighter Group will be made up of older B and C model P-47s, at first. There will be about a hundred airplanes, divided into several squadrons and flights later on. As quickly as possible, they will be modified with long range fuel tanks. The strategy is the B-23s find the Germans, and the P-47s shoot them down. I hope to get new P-47s off the production line in a couple of months.”
There were shouts and applause, the men clearly liked the idea they would be striking back. The General smiled in spite of himself; he liked the idea of taking it to the Germans himself.
“A third squadron, the 160th Search and Rescue Squadron, will rescue offshore survivors from both sides. They will probably have lifeboat-capable C-47s, although that hasn’t been firmed up. We may use some war weary B-17s. Looks like about twenty aircraft.
“All of these missions will be done in cooperation with our Navy counterparts at Pawtuxent and Lakehurst, as well as other bases. They will probably use PBY Catalina’s and other flying boats, and F6F Hellcats and F4U Corsairs. We will share patrol missions as well as attack; we’ll work up the protocols and command structures in the coming weeks. Men, get used to the idea of seeing many more Navy and Marine uniforms. You enlisted men should bone up on Navy uniforms, so you know what to salute.
“There will be a Defense Central Command Center established somewhere nearby, probably in Philadelphia; that name is tentative. Their job is to coordinate ships, patrol planes, and fighters in the district from south of New York City to north of Hampton Roads, Virginia; those boundaries may change a bit as we work things out. Our district is charged with defending our nation’s capitol.” The last comment resulted in a marked reaction of determination on the faces of the men, Joel noted.
“Now, beginning Monday, the Corps of Engineers will descend upon us like a biblical plague. The Military Police will be stretched pretty thin controlling traffic and corralling the civilian contractors. We have help coming, but they’re coming from Kansas by rail, so it’ll be a few days.
“The Corps is going to expand transient parking and lengthen both runways. We’ll get miles of new taxiway and revetments. They’ll build a new tower. There’ll be additional barracks and BOQs, a consolidated mess hall, two new hangers, a bigger paint shop, a bigger prop shop, and the engine shop will double in size. It’s probable we’ll see large numbers of both Army and Navy heavy bombers and patrol aircraft.”
He looked over the top of his reading glasses. “Not that I believe them, but the Corps says they’ll have the runways done by the end of November, and the rest finished before March. In any case, you all will have heavy workloads for the foreseeable future. Our existing personnel structures will be melded into the new squadrons. First Sergeants will be getting additional administrative support right away. Our pay will still come out of Philadelphia.
“As to unit commanders, Lieutenant Colonel Joel Knight will command the 160th Coastal Defense Fighter Group; his deputy will be named later. The 160th Search and Rescue squadron will be commanded by Major Delbert Moore, with First Lieutenant Tom Cook as deputy. Finally, the 160th Detection and Patrol squadron will be commanded by Captain William Fillbert with Captain John Wooten as his deputy. All will report to me. We’ll sort out support organizatio
ns later.
“I mentioned a forth squadron. I’ve petitioned Air Corps Headquarters for a full squadron of the new Northrop P-61 night fighters. Those ships have the speed, firepower, and endurance to allow us to defend our shores at night.”
He looked even more serious, “Nobody said the Germans couldn’t bomb us at night. Remains to be seen if the Pentagon will go along with it, but I’ve talked to a couple of pretty powerful Senators who think it’s a very good idea.
“I’ve also petitioned Headquarters for antiaircraft installations on base. The artillery battalion will report to me through a separate line from the aviation units.”
He looked at the assembled men, “I’m looking forward to working with you to meet these new challenges. An important aspect of all this is our relationship with our civilian neighbors. Millville Army Air Field has excellent relations with Millville; I insist that we do whatever is needed to maintain that. Those civilians are very much a part of what we do, especially these days. We must maintain and even improve the way we get along with our civilian hosts.
“And lest I forget, Colonel Watkins has a new, secret assignment at the Pentagon along with a promotion. He’ll be as successful there as he was here. A round of applause for Colonel Watkins.” The applause was loud and long; Watkins was well thought of.
Joel listened carefully to everything General White said, and especially to what he didn’t say. He wasn’t surprised, but it looked as if the Joint Chiefs had ignored his group’s recommendations for improved coastal defense.
Well, he thought, old habits die hard in the military, and none of the Chiefs are used to taking the “advice” of a bunch of lowly O-5s. I just hope their staff s read our report, and convince them, or the country will pay the price. He shook his head; he’d done all he could.
Complications
General White asked for questions. A slender, brown haired man stood. “Sir, I’m Captain Edwin Ross; may I change the subject somewhat?”
“Yes, Captain, what is it?”
“General, before I was assigned to Millville, I was operations officer for a B-23 squadron in Cuba. Sir, I think we’ll have a problem using them to find German bombers.”