American Airpower Comes of Age

PARIS AND GERMANY
(b) In theatres of US to educate public,
(c) At our AAF schools,
(d) At other schools, including High Schools and Colleges.
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Took off at 10:10 for Santa Maria, Azores, distance 1,631,
ETA 18:01, PWT; arrived Santa Maria 5:50 SMWT [Santa
Maria War Time]. Inspected Post, went through town. Saw
harbor and a very small burro with a very large pack saddle
and a very old grizzled man, small and bewhiskered. I wanted
to know how much of a load the burro could carry with its
small, delicate legs. I asked Tom to use his best Spanish or
French and the little old man said in excellent English: “About
10 bushels of corn.” Upon questioning he had lived in Connecticut
for 20 years and later in the Azores for 40; he was 70
years old. Took off for Stephenville at 22:40 AWT [Atlantic War
Time], 1,855 miles; ETA 7:40 AWT or 5:40 NFWT [Newfoundland
War Time].
Sunday, July 29, 1945 [Newfoundland, Canada]
Must write letter to Mission at Sonoma re display in
museum: German medals, 2 certificates signed by Hitler; SS
knife, took [sic] from Berchtesgaden; Japanese 2-handled
sword. Must have A-2 give me proper name for Jap sword and
designate medals as to why awarded. 96
Ranch: (need to check) Bullcalf, road to ranch, road to
house, Guest house, any sales by Newton.
Book “Not Always Too Few.” 97 Passed Lighthouse on coast of
Newfoundland at 6:55 AWT; Gander at 7:10 AWT; an especially
smooth trip, not a bump in the sky.
The FW 290 at Azores headed for Wright; a crude affair as
compared to our C-54 or B-29; large, square fuselage, none of
our refinements for best performance; has cruising speed of
about 180 miles per hour. It was built as a transport and
finally used for reconnaissance over the Atlantic; has room for
about 20 people aboard (soldiers, not civilian passengers). 98
The Portuguese Commanding Officer, Colonel___________, 99
Engrs, paid his respects to me. I took him to club (last night)
where the USO troupe of entertainers had a drink with me. After
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