News Letter 1941 Jul-Dec - Air Force Historical Studies Office

MAXWELL MANEUVERS TEACH FIELD DUTIES
Squadrons of the Air Force Combat Command
based. at Maxwell Field have taken to the
road and the woods this gummer in a series
of individual maneuvers intended to give
their officers and men field training in all
departments and practical experience in working
under actual field conditions.
Each squadron is being required to function
as an entirely separate unit. Every noncommissioned
officer has been givenindividual~.definlte
and important tasks toperform.
At ~e conclusion of the maneuver, results
are being published and critiques are heldfirst
by the officers and then with all the
noncommissioned officers.
Four Movements ~o Date
Under command of Capts. Harold H. Fulk
and Glen A. Kime, the AFCC Squadro~., each
traveling in a convoy of from 60 to 70
trucks, have participated in movements
to Selma and Passmore Field, Ala. and twice
to Eglin Field, Florida. About 371 officers
and enlisted men participated in each movement,
the co~voys being escorted through
communities by civilian police working in
cooperation with military policemen.
Each squadron functioned as a separate
unit with respect to such matters as transportation
t supplies~ mess, field sanitation
and such rield proolems as refrigeration
shelter, development of bivouac areas anA
the like. During the dB¥ the officers, in
a group, made a tour of inspection of the
bivouac areas, followed by the first sergeants
on simllar tours. Noncommissioned
officers inspected each other's installations
with a critical eye.
The maneuvers proved to be exceptionally
valuable in training the lower ranking noncommissioned
officers in carrying out their
duties in the field. They were assigned
the important tasks of acquiring the wood
supply for cooking, locating and obtaining
safe water for bathlng and drinking purposes,
pitching tents, providing drainage and se~
ting up sanitation facilities.
Bugler Toots In ]he Rain
Clerks set up their field headquarters.
Cooks operated under full field conditions.
A first aid station was established and a
truck park functioned. Drivers were required
periodically to inspect their vehicles and
the maintenance crew vorked out in the open
to keep trucks in operation. Even the bugler
had to wipe the rain off his instrument
and go to work under the stars.
Because of unusually heavy weather, it
was deemed inadvisable for the squadrons
participating in the Selma and Passmore trips
to remain overnight in the field. although
preparations were made to this en~ and the
command was not otherwise notified until
orders for a forced march were issued.
phase of the two exercises should be eliminated.
Apparently members of the cOllUll8nd
like to spend the night in the rain.
The two trips to Florida covered four
~s. While the squadrons were theret the
entire command was given enough time o~f to
take off for the beaches and get in a 11ttle
fishing and swimming.
Participating in the exercises were the
following officers, in addition to Capts.
Fulk and Kime: First Lieuts. Ralph F. G&Jldy,
meSSi and William G. Prince1transportation;
and ~nd Lieut. Colon S. Auv 1, supplies an~
field sanitation.
;QLiving At
Night
Truck drivers gained valuable experience
in night driving in convoys on the two Alabama
trips, the ov~rnight phase of which
had to be cancelled. A standard menu was
in effect on all four maneuvers and subsistencewas
issued at the home station prior to
departure.
Each mess sergeant prepared and submitted
his requisition for rations; and ice was i__
sued at the home station for each squadron
mess. One organization took alo~ its own
wood and water supplies on the Selma trip
and, as a result, was the first squadron to
serVe the noon meal.
Each squadron provided its own shovels,
axes, lanterns, soap, mirrors, wash basins,
lime~ tables, chairs, stools, bulletin
boar~s and other sucn supplies. Some organizations
purchased extra delicacies for
the mess, such as ice cream and such fresh
fruits as were available at reasonable prices
in the locality.
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COLONEL OLDS RECEIVES TROPHY
The bronze trophy" and medal of the International
League of Aviators have been awarded
to Col. Robert Olds. Chief of the Air
Corps Ferrying Command, for his "many contributions
to the science of aeronautiCS"
and particularly for commanding several
squadrons of B-17 1 s on goodwill missions to
South America.
The award was made this month in the office
of Robert A. Lovett. the Asst. Secretary
of War for Air, who made the presentation.
Present for the ceremony were highranking
officers. including Maj. General H.
H. Arnold, Chief of the A:rmy Air Forces
and members of t~e International League of
Avia.tors, led by Maj. Charles Wayne Kerwood.
Air Co~s. co-founner of the League, chairman
and president of its American section.
The bronze trophies of the League have
Breaking camp loading and formation of been presented to outstanding airmen by
the convoy nevertheless was swift and effi- presidents and rulers of more than 21 councient,
being completed fully an hour ahead tries since 1927. The medal carries the
of schedule. Morale was high although portrait of the late Albert. King of the
most of the officers and men were hsappoint- :Belgians patron of the League. King Albert
ed when it was decided that the overnight personally posed for the medal.
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