

Break Left, Zero!! - 28, December 1943 - The lost files of the Burma Banshees
The switchboard started buzzing again. Another status report I supposed. We had just gotten the switchboard and I wasn’t used to operating it. The little flip fell down again as I picked up the phone. I got things in line and answered. I can imagine what went on in the minds of those listening to me as they heard my end of the conversation - "Group Operations, Corporal Sechler speaking. Hello, Zim. What Zero? What's the deal? When did all this happen? Is that all you know? O


Break Left, Zero!! - 28, December 1943 - The lost files of the Burma Banshees
The switchboard started buzzing again. Another status report I supposed. We had just gotten the switchboard and I wasn’t used to operating it. The little flip fell down again as I picked up the phone. I got things in line and answered. I can imagine what went on in the minds of those listening to me as they heard my end of the conversation - "Group Operations, Corporal Sechler speaking. Hello, Zim. What Zero? What's the deal? When did all this happen? Is that all you know? O


There is a Jap Air Force - 13, December 1943 - The lost files of the Burma Banshees
There is a Jap Air Force 13 December 1943 By December 13 things had begun to quiet down. Everyone knew just what scores the pilots had received for the meeting they had held with the Japs just three days before. It was a big topic of discussion yet, of course, and it was fought and refought at all the gatherings of pilots. But everyone knew the whole story. At 1130 three shots were fired down at 89th operations. Hit the fox holes!! Soon enough, in a few seconds the siren pick


There is a Jap Air Force - 13, December 1943 - The lost files of the Burma Banshees
There is a Jap Air Force 13 December 1943 By December 13 things had begun to quiet down. Everyone knew just what scores the pilots had received for the meeting they had held with the Japs just three days before. It was a big topic of discussion yet, of course, and it was fought and refought at all the gatherings of pilots. But everyone knew the whole story. At 1130 three shots were fired down at 89th operations. Hit the fox holes!! Soon enough, in a few seconds the siren pick


First Blood Dec 10, 1943 - The lost files of the Burma Banshees
Captain Maxwell got his orders yesterday. He had been getting ready to go home. He had just taken a picture of the Operations personnel when Lieutenant Shuman came hurriedly out of the Intelligence basha and called to Major Terry, “What's this about zeros shooting the shit out of FT Hertz? Have you got anything on it? "Hell no, but I will, "was the reply as Major Terry went for the hot line to Control. There he got a garbled story about two bombers confirmed, maybe more, and


First Blood Dec 10, 1943 - The lost files of the Burma Banshees
Captain Maxwell got his orders yesterday. He had been getting ready to go home. He had just taken a picture of the Operations personnel when Lieutenant Shuman came hurriedly out of the Intelligence basha and called to Major Terry, “What's this about zeros shooting the shit out of FT Hertz? Have you got anything on it? "Hell no, but I will, "was the reply as Major Terry went for the hot line to Control. There he got a garbled story about two bombers confirmed, maybe more, and


Fallen Dragon - First and Last - Hampton Boggs - Ace -The Burma Banshees
The first engagement by the 80th Fighter Group would be by Hampton Boggs and Walt Thompson on December 1, 1943. According to the Air War for Burma book, the Japanese were planning a major raid on Calcutta. Fifteen P-38’s of the 459th would be involved in intercepting this force and both Boggs and Thompson would score aerial victories on this day. Hampton and my father Philip Adair both hailed from Oklahoma and were competitively friendly. Hampton would split off with Verl Lue


Fallen Dragon - First and Last - Hampton Boggs - Ace -The Burma Banshees
The first engagement by the 80th Fighter Group would be by Hampton Boggs and Walt Thompson on December 1, 1943. According to the Air War for Burma book, the Japanese were planning a major raid on Calcutta. Fifteen P-38’s of the 459th would be involved in intercepting this force and both Boggs and Thompson would score aerial victories on this day. Hampton and my father Philip Adair both hailed from Oklahoma and were competitively friendly. Hampton would split off with Verl Lue


89th Fighter Squadron Monthly Reports - XI. Nagaghuli & Sadiya – December, 1943
During this month a reorganization in the Commands in this theater took place from which emerged the Eastern Air Command, Major General Stratemeyer, Commanding. The Eastern Air Command consists of units of the 10th Air Force and the Bengal Air Command and is organized into four components; (1) A Strategic Air Force under the operational control of Brigadier General Davidson, (2) A Tactical Air Force under the control of Air Marshal Sir John Baldwin, (3) A Troop Carrier Comman


89th Fighter Squadron Monthly Reports - XI. Nagaghuli & Sadiya – December, 1943
During this month a reorganization in the Commands in this theater took place from which emerged the Eastern Air Command, Major General Stratemeyer, Commanding. The Eastern Air Command consists of units of the 10th Air Force and the Bengal Air Command and is organized into four components; (1) A Strategic Air Force under the operational control of Brigadier General Davidson, (2) A Tactical Air Force under the control of Air Marshal Sir John Baldwin, (3) A Troop Carrier Comman