"There were several B24 parts that could not be ordered from the supply house. One that I remember was an arm about 4 inches long that operated a light which indicated landing gear position. I bet I made at least several hundred of these. Each plane only had three, but I think all of the mechanics carried them in their pockets.
Another often made part was a short cable with turnbuckles that the crew chiefs wanted. They could use these to splice a cable in midair (after being shot up), so the plane could make it home.
Many ideas were thought of and developed that would help get the job done. One of the most important was an electric bomb hoist used to load bombs, rather than having to crank them by hand.
After we were there about a year, one of the officers down at the bomb group was walking guard and came upon an Italian in the process of stealing clothes. He yelled, "Halt", twice and then shot over the Italian's head--or said he tried to shoot over his head--but he hit him square in the back of the head. After this happened, there came an order down that anyone who shot a native Italian had to leave and be shipped to another outfit. That was all right with us. Most of us had enough time in to get rotated home anyway.
One night while walking guard, I noticed the guard before me had been walking around the camp to the left. I reversed it and went around to the right. Sure enough, here came about four Italians out of the supply tent. I yelled, "Halt", then I yelled again and cocked the gun. Next I shot as near correct as possible--then again and again--each time the one I had aimed at would fall, then at the next shot, the one that fell would get up again. This continued until all shells were gone. Then came all our officers to see what I was doing. One officer still had his pistol wrapped up. He couldn't have shot it, if his life depended on it. I asked him to explain its usefulness, which he couldn't.
It was soon breakfast time. They relieved me from guard duty so I could eat. By the time I got to the mess hall, the story had already beat me there. Everybody was warned not to mess with those guys from the Blue Ridge Mountains! I did shoot the bags of clothes out of their hands without hitting any of them, but I didn't get to go home because of it. Anyway the whole outfit knew that I would shoot if needed. They did not have to announce it. My commanding officer came around and said, "he would not change a thing. We put the fear in the Italians without killing anyone, and the C.O. does not have to write a report."
To be continued...
Showing posts with label Grandaddy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Grandaddy. Show all posts
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Sunday, July 18, 2010
"In Italy..." Part 2
"They shipped us to three different outfits before we found one that had room to keep us. I ended up at the 58th Service Squadron at Grottaglie, making parts for B-24s. Our job was to repair combat damage when it was greater than could be repaired by Bomb Group routine maintenance.
We ended up on the hill with only on tent available. It was an empty tent, except the women who were grazing their sheep on that hill used the tent to get out of the hot sun, so we ended up in their resting place. Now there was no latrine anywhere near, but on top of that hill they had dug a hole, buried a barrel, and put boards on top of the barrel--that was our latrine. You would sit there with a braced sheet, and there you were with your coveralls pulled down when you went to the latrine. Now that was during a snow storm! And it's kinda cold on top of a hill with your coveralls pulled down, but that was the only latrine we had when we first arrived. So some of my first memories of being at Grottaglie, was being at the top of a hill in the middle of a snow storm with my coveralls down around my ankles!
Now the women grazing sheep on the hill had eating habits that would turn your stomach. They would pick greens for their meal in the same area that the sheep were grazing. I didn't want any of their greens!
When we were in this camp there were 8 men to a tent. After a while, we learned of space available in another tent elsewhere in the camp, so we moved off the hill. Now while in Grottaglie, there was a 10 year old Italian boy named Louigie who would come through the camp each day with fresh eggs. We didn't know where he got them. He would trade these fresh eggs for candy. We were rationed one bar of candy and one beer a day, and I didn't need the beer, so I would trade the beer for candy. The other guys in the camp were glad to trade their candy for my beer. Well, I would then trade the candy for fresh eggs, so I always had eggs, at least one a day. But I didn't have a frying pan, so I would go down to the mess hall and get a cook to fry the eggs for me. I had eggs when nobody else in camp had any.
In 1998 during a trip to Italy, I located where the base had been. At a bar nearby, I spoke to a man who said he was 10 years old when we were there. It turns out that he was Louigie--I had found him again."
To be continued...
We ended up on the hill with only on tent available. It was an empty tent, except the women who were grazing their sheep on that hill used the tent to get out of the hot sun, so we ended up in their resting place. Now there was no latrine anywhere near, but on top of that hill they had dug a hole, buried a barrel, and put boards on top of the barrel--that was our latrine. You would sit there with a braced sheet, and there you were with your coveralls pulled down when you went to the latrine. Now that was during a snow storm! And it's kinda cold on top of a hill with your coveralls pulled down, but that was the only latrine we had when we first arrived. So some of my first memories of being at Grottaglie, was being at the top of a hill in the middle of a snow storm with my coveralls down around my ankles!
Now the women grazing sheep on the hill had eating habits that would turn your stomach. They would pick greens for their meal in the same area that the sheep were grazing. I didn't want any of their greens!
When we were in this camp there were 8 men to a tent. After a while, we learned of space available in another tent elsewhere in the camp, so we moved off the hill. Now while in Grottaglie, there was a 10 year old Italian boy named Louigie who would come through the camp each day with fresh eggs. We didn't know where he got them. He would trade these fresh eggs for candy. We were rationed one bar of candy and one beer a day, and I didn't need the beer, so I would trade the beer for candy. The other guys in the camp were glad to trade their candy for my beer. Well, I would then trade the candy for fresh eggs, so I always had eggs, at least one a day. But I didn't have a frying pan, so I would go down to the mess hall and get a cook to fry the eggs for me. I had eggs when nobody else in camp had any.
In 1998 during a trip to Italy, I located where the base had been. At a bar nearby, I spoke to a man who said he was 10 years old when we were there. It turns out that he was Louigie--I had found him again."
To be continued...
Sunday, July 11, 2010
"In Italy..." Part 1
"When we got to shore we marched uptown where there were a group of college buildings on a hill. The natives had stolen all wooden items for firewood to keep warm, for this was in the middle of winter. We ended up sleeping on the concrete floor with 2 blankets each.
We were next put on a train at Naples, to ride to Bari, Italy. It was just a box and we huddled in it. The box cars were left over from WWI. They were called "a capacity of 40 men or 8 horses", during WWI. Even though the rail cars were only about 12 feet long and eight feet wide, they tried to get 40 men inside. We were laying on each other with no air for ventilation. The cars were coupled together with a 3/4 inch rod (threaded with a course thread) and a turnbuckle. I don't know how many cars were pulled this way, but none broke loose on this trip.
The rail cars had air brakes but they worked in reverse to the American railroads. In the U.S., if the coupling brakes' air pressure is lost the whole train will lock up and stop. In Italy, at that time, if the air pressure is lost all brakes are lost and the train is free to go.
There were tunnels between Naples and Bari, and the engine would have to stop and build up a head of steam before entering a tunnel. There were no lights in the train, and when we went into a tunnel it was completely dark. Everyone was crowded in there, and it was hard to figure out where everyone was and what was going on. The guy next to me said his stomach was about to burst with gas. Mine was too, so I suggested we "go" together and both of us deny it. This we did. A sergeant said whoever did that must admit it, or he would sign us up on sick call and haul us to a hospital. It smelled like we were ready! I never saw my partner again. We got separated and that was good."
To be continued...
We were next put on a train at Naples, to ride to Bari, Italy. It was just a box and we huddled in it. The box cars were left over from WWI. They were called "a capacity of 40 men or 8 horses", during WWI. Even though the rail cars were only about 12 feet long and eight feet wide, they tried to get 40 men inside. We were laying on each other with no air for ventilation. The cars were coupled together with a 3/4 inch rod (threaded with a course thread) and a turnbuckle. I don't know how many cars were pulled this way, but none broke loose on this trip.
The rail cars had air brakes but they worked in reverse to the American railroads. In the U.S., if the coupling brakes' air pressure is lost the whole train will lock up and stop. In Italy, at that time, if the air pressure is lost all brakes are lost and the train is free to go.
There were tunnels between Naples and Bari, and the engine would have to stop and build up a head of steam before entering a tunnel. There were no lights in the train, and when we went into a tunnel it was completely dark. Everyone was crowded in there, and it was hard to figure out where everyone was and what was going on. The guy next to me said his stomach was about to burst with gas. Mine was too, so I suggested we "go" together and both of us deny it. This we did. A sergeant said whoever did that must admit it, or he would sign us up on sick call and haul us to a hospital. It smelled like we were ready! I never saw my partner again. We got separated and that was good."
To be continued...
Thursday, July 8, 2010
"Transportation Overseas" Part 2
"We learned later that when we left Norfolk, we ran straight into a hurricane that had passed the East coast of North Carolina. We had over 900 sick men all trying to get some fresh air and hanging onto a ship that was rolling almost full over sideways, while it pitched fore and aft, diving through the waves. A lot of us had some serious talks with God, and renewed our relationships with Him.
The only good thing that happened was the storm kept the German submarines at a distance. Our convoy had 50 ships to begin with--all spaced about 1,000 feet apart--trying to maintain position during the storm that night. We had a tanker carrying aviation fuel just ahead of us. Next morning, this tanker was behind us and to the right. The sailors could not explain how we passed in the night without blowing some of us up.
The rough water lasted about 10 days. In about 3 weeks we were in the Mediterranean Sea, and we heard that the Allies had not captured a port suitable for us to dock anywhere in Italy. They parked us in the Bay of Tunis for a week, so they could make the Bay of Naples suitable. We docked next to a ship that was sunk on its side at the dock in Naples. They placed two 2x12 timbers side by side for a catwalk. We each had to carry two barracks bags between these ships without falling between them. In our seasick conditions, we were all afraid, but had no choice."
The only good thing that happened was the storm kept the German submarines at a distance. Our convoy had 50 ships to begin with--all spaced about 1,000 feet apart--trying to maintain position during the storm that night. We had a tanker carrying aviation fuel just ahead of us. Next morning, this tanker was behind us and to the right. The sailors could not explain how we passed in the night without blowing some of us up.
The rough water lasted about 10 days. In about 3 weeks we were in the Mediterranean Sea, and we heard that the Allies had not captured a port suitable for us to dock anywhere in Italy. They parked us in the Bay of Tunis for a week, so they could make the Bay of Naples suitable. We docked next to a ship that was sunk on its side at the dock in Naples. They placed two 2x12 timbers side by side for a catwalk. We each had to carry two barracks bags between these ships without falling between them. In our seasick conditions, we were all afraid, but had no choice."
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
"Transportation Overseas..." Part 1
We got on a troop train at some railroad station out in the California desert. They hauled us there by truck and we loaded in the dark. For about 10 days to 2 weeks they hauled us in every direction across the United States, mostly in and out of places like West Virginia, Pennsylvania mountains, and places passenger trains don't go. At first it looked like we were going to Alaska, next it was Canada, then South America. They had us confused--as bad as the Germans. Finally, we stopped at Hampton Rhodes, Virginia--near Newport News--with no troop ship in sight. They had to let us off the train so it could start back for another load, so they unloaded us into a large vacant lot where we waited, and waited.
Finally, they marched us to a dock where we boarded a Liberty Ship. They had canvas bunks stacked 5 high. I got one the third from the bottom, which was my home for 30 days. We were in the center hold of the ship, one story down from the main deck, with the bathroom upstairs on the next level. Meals were served on our bunk level out in the next compartment. We had to line up and pass through alley ways. Garbage cans were placed in the center of the area, above the decking of the next lower hold. I say all of this so you can imagine what a mess we had when the ship got to rolling during a storm three days later, and the garbage cans turned over. Everybody was sick and vomiting in their metal helmets. Some of us were near enough to the stairs to carry it up to the latrine. Others just emptied them in the nearest garbage can. I will not try to describe the odor we had to stay in. If you were not sick before this state, you really were then.
Finally, they marched us to a dock where we boarded a Liberty Ship. They had canvas bunks stacked 5 high. I got one the third from the bottom, which was my home for 30 days. We were in the center hold of the ship, one story down from the main deck, with the bathroom upstairs on the next level. Meals were served on our bunk level out in the next compartment. We had to line up and pass through alley ways. Garbage cans were placed in the center of the area, above the decking of the next lower hold. I say all of this so you can imagine what a mess we had when the ship got to rolling during a storm three days later, and the garbage cans turned over. Everybody was sick and vomiting in their metal helmets. Some of us were near enough to the stairs to carry it up to the latrine. Others just emptied them in the nearest garbage can. I will not try to describe the odor we had to stay in. If you were not sick before this state, you really were then.
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
"Draft Board and Military..."
According to my grandmother, my grandfather was diagnosed with Alzheimer's 16 years ago. My uncle transcribed his memoirs & gave each immediate family member bound copies. The following is an excerpt:
"I spent a year and a half working in New York. The draft board transferred my address to New York, so when I was inducted, I had to report to a New York address. I was inducted in the Air Force at Camp Upton, New York, October 20, 1942. They put us on a Long Island train and then to another train to Miami Beach, FL. About the time we got to Miami, we discovered we were in the Air Force. We learned that men from the mountains, East Tennessee, and Kentucky ended up in the infantry or artillery. Men from northern cities were put in the Air Force because they had never learned to shoot a gun before. That's how I got in the Air Force.
During basic training we were all separated and classified according to our civilian experience. The Air Force was invading Southern Italy and needed equipment operators to build air fields. We had one guy with us who could not write his name, but he worked in a steel mill stamping out the plates that go under railroad rails. The machine that did that was called a Bull Nozer. When they asked if anyone could operate a Bulldozer, he held up his hand. In 10 minutes he was on his way to the Corps of Engineers--overseas. I learned right then to listen closely to what they say and don't volunteer for anything.
All assignments for duty, such as K.P., guard duty, latrine duty, and yard cleanup were done alphabetically. Of course, I was first in everything, and before they got around to everybody, we would move and start over at the beginning.
They gave us Air Force Machinist Training at Kansas City, MO. That was easy for me because of my work at New York. Upon completion of the training, I was classified as Machinist 114. Then they placed us in a staging area so we could be ready to go overseas, when a need for machinists came about. While in this area, I discovered I had a planter wart on the ball of one foot. I could hardly walk and a long march was out of the question. I missed three shipments overseas because of this. Of course that was OK with me, but finally the officers had to ship me with my sore foot. We were at March Field, San Bernadino, California, at this time. They got order to ship about 900 men overseas. They only knew the classifications needed which included about 24 machinists. They didn't know where we would be going or exactly when. This was all kept quiet because of German spies alerting submarines."
To be continued...
"I spent a year and a half working in New York. The draft board transferred my address to New York, so when I was inducted, I had to report to a New York address. I was inducted in the Air Force at Camp Upton, New York, October 20, 1942. They put us on a Long Island train and then to another train to Miami Beach, FL. About the time we got to Miami, we discovered we were in the Air Force. We learned that men from the mountains, East Tennessee, and Kentucky ended up in the infantry or artillery. Men from northern cities were put in the Air Force because they had never learned to shoot a gun before. That's how I got in the Air Force.
During basic training we were all separated and classified according to our civilian experience. The Air Force was invading Southern Italy and needed equipment operators to build air fields. We had one guy with us who could not write his name, but he worked in a steel mill stamping out the plates that go under railroad rails. The machine that did that was called a Bull Nozer. When they asked if anyone could operate a Bulldozer, he held up his hand. In 10 minutes he was on his way to the Corps of Engineers--overseas. I learned right then to listen closely to what they say and don't volunteer for anything.
All assignments for duty, such as K.P., guard duty, latrine duty, and yard cleanup were done alphabetically. Of course, I was first in everything, and before they got around to everybody, we would move and start over at the beginning.
They gave us Air Force Machinist Training at Kansas City, MO. That was easy for me because of my work at New York. Upon completion of the training, I was classified as Machinist 114. Then they placed us in a staging area so we could be ready to go overseas, when a need for machinists came about. While in this area, I discovered I had a planter wart on the ball of one foot. I could hardly walk and a long march was out of the question. I missed three shipments overseas because of this. Of course that was OK with me, but finally the officers had to ship me with my sore foot. We were at March Field, San Bernadino, California, at this time. They got order to ship about 900 men overseas. They only knew the classifications needed which included about 24 machinists. They didn't know where we would be going or exactly when. This was all kept quiet because of German spies alerting submarines."
To be continued...
Grandaddy...
...passed away last Friday, July 2nd. We miss you & love you.
Jan 22, 1921
Jul 2, 2010
Grady Allman
Jan 22, 1921
Jul 2, 2010 Candler – Grady Worth Allman, 89, passed away Friday, July 2, 2010 at his residence.
A lifelong resident of Buncombe County. He retired in 1982 from American Enka Corporation where he served as an Engineer of Central Engineering following 34 years of service.
He was a member of West Asheville Baptist Church where he was a Deacon and served on numerous committees, including Property & Grounds, was a member of the Men’s Sunday School Class-Dept. #2 and was a charter member of the “Joyful Noise Band”.
He was also a member of the Western N.C. Pilots Association of which he helped organize, was a member of the “EAA” Experimental Aircraft Association and was a U.S. Army Air Corps veteran during WWII.
Mr. Allman was a son of the late Loans Egbert Allman and Fonella Josephine Davis Allman.
Surviving are his wife, Lois Faye Coates Allman, whom he married September 1, 1948; sons, Col (ret) James Dean Allman, USAF, DC & wife Karen of La Crosse, WI; Tommy Wayne Allman & wife Carrie of Clyde and Gary Lee Allman of Candler; sister, Celeste Wilson of Weaverville; brother, Roy Allman of Mars Hill; six grandchildren and two great grandsons.
Funeral services will be held 11 AM Tuesday in the chapel of Anders-Rice Funeral Home with Rev. Stan Welch officiating. Burial will follow in Pisgah View Memorial Park with military honors of the presentation of the American Flag by his son, Col (ret) James Dean Allman, USAF,DC and grandson, Capt James Allman, USAF.
The family will receive friends 9:30 to 11 AM Tuesday at the funeral home and at other times, the family will be at the residence.
Flowers are appreciated or for those that wish, memorials may be made to West Asheville Baptist Church Building Fund, 926 Haywood Road, Asheville, NC 28806 or to CarePartners Hospice, PO Box 25338, Asheville, NC 28813.
A lifelong resident of Buncombe County. He retired in 1982 from American Enka Corporation where he served as an Engineer of Central Engineering following 34 years of service.
He was a member of West Asheville Baptist Church where he was a Deacon and served on numerous committees, including Property & Grounds, was a member of the Men’s Sunday School Class-Dept. #2 and was a charter member of the “Joyful Noise Band”.
He was also a member of the Western N.C. Pilots Association of which he helped organize, was a member of the “EAA” Experimental Aircraft Association and was a U.S. Army Air Corps veteran during WWII.
Mr. Allman was a son of the late Loans Egbert Allman and Fonella Josephine Davis Allman.
Surviving are his wife, Lois Faye Coates Allman, whom he married September 1, 1948; sons, Col (ret) James Dean Allman, USAF, DC & wife Karen of La Crosse, WI; Tommy Wayne Allman & wife Carrie of Clyde and Gary Lee Allman of Candler; sister, Celeste Wilson of Weaverville; brother, Roy Allman of Mars Hill; six grandchildren and two great grandsons.
Funeral services will be held 11 AM Tuesday in the chapel of Anders-Rice Funeral Home with Rev. Stan Welch officiating. Burial will follow in Pisgah View Memorial Park with military honors of the presentation of the American Flag by his son, Col (ret) James Dean Allman, USAF,DC and grandson, Capt James Allman, USAF.
The family will receive friends 9:30 to 11 AM Tuesday at the funeral home and at other times, the family will be at the residence.
Flowers are appreciated or for those that wish, memorials may be made to West Asheville Baptist Church Building Fund, 926 Haywood Road, Asheville, NC 28806 or to CarePartners Hospice, PO Box 25338, Asheville, NC 28813.
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