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Here is another example. FDR gets a wild idea to send transport planes to the Rusians. So Marshall has to delicately suggest that the 101st and 82nd will have to take rubber dinghys to Normandy if he does this. Not to mention tryin to get supplies to China or Port Moresby [:)]

Clearly Marshall doesn't like the idea. He even suggest appropriating civilian airliners. He pulls out all the stops, suggesting also that there are no transports in Panama to put down revolutions that might threaten the Canal.

I am beginning to respect Marshall even more. Clearly he was able to persuade the President to change his mind when the stakes were high enough.

I also wonder if Eleanore came up with the transports for Russia idea, given her leftist leanings. [;)]

I read few tidbits about Marshall in a biography of Truman. FDR was very dominating in his dealings with people. He also liked to call them by their first names. When he called Marshall 'George', Marshall corrected him "It's General Marshall, Mr. President." According to the author David McCullough, Marshall's ability to get away with that was an indication of his immense stature, and the respect that FDR had for him.

"General Marshall to you bub" [;)]

Here, on May 6, FDR caves after a tag-team whoopin' by King and Marshall.

BTW "Operation Bolero" refers to the deployment of US forces to Britain in preparation for Overlord.

Back to the transport planes for Russia thing. Here, FDR writes to Stimson (Sec. of War) about the idea of appropriating commercial airliners. He seems to have already acquiesced to Marshall's objection to the Russian idea. Now he appears to be searching around for a smaller battle to win (the commerical airline thing).

Quite possibly, Marshall tossed out the idea as a negotiating point, giving FDR some cover [:)]

Then on the 7th, Stimson gets back to him, suggesting that Marshall was laregely right....doh!

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An interesting table about war era commercial airlines. Less than 400 commercial airline aircraft. I wonder what the monthly production of B-29's by War's end. Another interesting fact: The USAAF contracted with Pan Am for the servies of ferry pilots.

An interesting table about war era commercial airlines. Less than 400 commercial airline aircraft. I wonder what the monthly production of B-29's by War's end. Another interesting fact: The USAAF contracted with Pan Am for the servies of ferry pilots.

Are you finding all this stuff on one particular website (i assume its a website) or are you looking all over the place???

ORIGINAL: rtrapasso

An interesting table about war era commercial airlines. Less than 400 commercial airline aircraft. I wonder what the monthly production of B-29's by War's end. Another interesting fact: The USAAF contracted with Pan Am for the servies of ferry pilots.

Are you finding all this stuff on one particular website (i assume its a website) or are you looking all over the place???

Most of the recent documents are from the amazing 0n-line FDR library

Box 4 contains most of the stuff applicable to the Pacific
http://www.fdrlibrary.marist.edu/psf/box4/


Good history of Pan Am, including their participation in WWII
http://www.panam.com/newhist1.asp

Thanks!

This I found interesting. The new Zealand Air Chief visits New Caledonia in Feb. 42. The French Admiral in charge of the pitiful defences of New Caledonia, Admiral Argenlieu, throws a mini-tantrum because he has built three aerodromes, as requested, but has no planes and only a company or so of Aussie Infantry. Neither the US Army or USN has bothered to tell the poor fish out of water that thousands of US soldiers, Marines and many modern aircraft are on the way, probably because they dont trust him [:D] Also somehat comical, the NZ Air Chief doesnt believe the French in New Caledonia will fight if the Japs come. [:-]

So the Minister of New Zealand (? PM), a mister Nash, intervenes with Sumner Welles, the US Undersecretary of State who tells the President who tells Hap Arnold to do something about it. Hap Arnold gives Admiral Argenlieu 6 x O-47 USAAF scout aircraft which had just landed in Oz.

BTW...have never seen the O-47 in the OOB...here is what they look like.

Here is Hap Arnold's response. He is asking the Prez to sign off on giving away the planes just to shut them up for a while. I'm not sure how 6 scout planes would stop a Japanese invasion force, it is clearly more symbolic.

Here is the Letter from the NZ Air Chief

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Need....update....please....before....withdrawal....starts....4....days....without!

ORIGINAL: Knavey

Need....update....please....before....withdrawal....starts....4....days....without!

Yes, please!!!!

BTW - where exactly is Yosarrian stationed these days? Is he still flying supplies to Pt. Moresby? iirc, he was going to be moved, but i disremember if he actually did move, and if so, where to.

ORIGINAL: Knavey

Need....update....please....before....withdrawal....starts....4....days....without!

<grabs Knavey by collar>


Good Lord man. Get a hold of yourself! You are supposed to be setting an example for the enlisted men"

[;)] I'll try to get something out tomorrow AM. We have been blasting through turns and has been a busy week for me. It has been a week of major air and ship carnage. Maybe even Pops will find something in his mailbox.

Things aren't looking so good for the defenders of Port Moresby. 26th FA, for eg., has only one operational gun.

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