January 13, 1945

Posted on January 13, 2015 by a gray

Saturday

Wayne continues to ignore his journal . . . . .

In England Verne continues to record the happenings of his day.

01-13-45

Started to fly “Cabin in the Sky” — or “in the mud”. Number 4 engine was out of order so we stayed on the ground.1 The Major doesn’t seem so eager right now. Have six letters from Aileen. Sure good getting mail these past few days. Will be happy if it keeps on. Raining today and lights are still out.2 Baby expected in June. Hope it’s a girl.

Notes & Commentary

Cabin in the Sky Gary M. Valandt, "Vintage Aircraft Nose Art"

Cabin in the Sky
Gary M. Valandt, “Vintage Aircraft Nose Art”

1 B-17G, aircraft 42-31041, Cabin in the Sky was delivered to the USAAF at Cheyenne, Wyoming on September 9, 1943 and assigned to the 571st Bombardment Squadron on September 29, 1943. After extensive battle damage followed by a forced landing at Bealieu, Hampshire, it was salvaged and returned to the 571st.

“Eighth Air Force Operations History, 390th Bombardment Group (H)”, Eighth Air Force Historical Society. (http://www.8thafhs.com/get_one_acgroup.php?acgroup_id=13 : accessed 1 January 2015) Cabin in the Sky

The movie, Cabin in the Sky, a musical starring Ethel Waters, Eddie “Rochester” Anderson, Louis Armstrong and Lena Horne was released by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer on March 27, 1943. It was nominated for an Academy Award in the category of Best Music for the song “Happiness is a Thing Called Joe”

“Cabin in the Sky”, IMDB.com, Inc.. (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0035703/?ref_=nm_flmg_act_16 : accessed 1 January 2014)

2 After days of snow and ice, the weather has turned warmer. Now, it is rain and mud.

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4 Responses to January 13, 1945

  1. Tony Wilkins says:
    January 13, 2015 at 02:26

    I wish I had picked up your blog earlier. These are fascinating. I am going to have to go back to the beginning

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • a gray says:
      January 13, 2015 at 11:43

      If you go back to the start and read forward, you will be able to follow the intellectual and emotional progression of an aircrew man who is dumped, mid-war into the South Pacific air war around Rabaul and into New Guinea. It is only a small peek at what it was like, but I think you will find the effort worthwhile. Be sure to follow the “Notes & Comments” section of each entry. Enjoy!

      Like

      Reply
      • Kevin Schinnell says:
        January 16, 2015 at 06:44

        We spoke a few months ago about my father who served with the 42nd Bombardment Group (M), “The Crusaders”, in New Guinea near the same timeframe as Wayne. I’m sorry to say that he passed away this morning (01-13-15) after a very full life.

        The following is what I know of his military service and thought you might want to pass this along to anyone who may have known him:

        S/Sgt Donald F. Schinnell (1924-2015)
        Tacoma, Washington
        Engineer / Gunner
        42nd Bombardment Group (M)
        75th Bombardment Squadron (M)
        Sansapor, New Guinea (1944-1945)
        46 Missions

        Thank you for taking the time to post “Wayne’s Journal”. For many of us it is a way to remember and reflect upon what our fathers and grandfathers went through while in service to our country.

        Liked by 1 person

  2. aviationtrails says:
    January 13, 2015 at 12:11

    That sounds like England in the winter!

    Like

    Reply

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