American Airpower Comes of Age

PARIS, CANNES, ITALY, NORTH AFRICA, SOUTH AMERICA
Lunch with Vandenberg; went over some of his problems
and told him to go ahead and cut down on Tactical Units, to
get men to take over German air facilities and developments
pending arrival of technical men and to take care of demobilization
of GAF. To bed at 1:30, up at 3:30.
Van thinks the time is ripe to announce that the air war in
Europe is over. I think so too and will tell Eaker but with it
must come an announcement of our accomplishments, not so
many towns, factories or airplanes destroyed, but what each
destruction did, its part in preventing the enemy from doing
something or permitting us to do something.
I don’t remember whether I entered in this book the following:
(1) In my room there are 3 bullet holes, in the house many
more, all from airplanes entering high and striking low.
All .50 caliber from American planes.
(2) Each window has the following coverings: a. outside sliding
steel shutter; b. sliding screen; c. sliding glass; d.
Venetian blinds; e. pull drapes, all very easy to handle.
Took a walk for an hour and a half all by myself through the
back lanes and paths; met a different kind of Frenchman; he
tried to be pleasant, tried to talk English. One said, with a
smile on his face, “Goodbye” as I came up to him. In bed at
usual time.
Tuesday, April 17, 1945 [Cannes, France]
Up at 7:30, breakfast with Hank. Dictated letter to Andy
[Fred Anderson] re getting a better policy for determining
which officers are suitable for Regular Army. 98
Auto trip to Aga Khan’s villa; very large and occupied only
by the Secretary to the Princess; she stayed during all the German
occupation. Managed to ship out most of the valuable
furnishings; kept the Germans from occupying or looting. The
villa is called “Jane Andree” after his French wife. When the
place is completely furnished, it must be something. The secretary
is French but speaks very good English. 99
The gardens are beautiful; the Khan’s specialty is camellias;
he has pink, deep red, white and various combinations of
those colors; the wisteria is beautiful, one special plant has
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