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MAIL CALL
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MAIL CALL
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...Combined Airlift Task Force was quartered in Wiesbaden - Wiesbaden's claim to fame. Naturally the City is seeking out persons who were active participants and/or those who have memory of their activity, small or large, which in some manner supported the Airlift. I feel there MUST be members of the SHAEF Association who were in some manner involved. I request they contact me. Not only to accept their memories (photographs) but, if they will tell me their assignment at the time, I might pick their brain with pointed (precise) questions. If any, during the lift, visited Wiesbaden and took any photographs I'd be indebted if they would share copy (or negative) with me, which I would understandably, return. What is of particular interest to the "programmers" here is any photograph(s) of the Kurhaus which reflect it with the name "Eagle Club", which it was so designated until return to German control several years later. By the way, the Eagle Club was operated by the American Red Cross but under management by the USAF - matter of fact the original "manager" was Captain Joel Monroe DeValentine, who died in an aircraft crash while ferrying goods to West Berlin. I feel confident that the membership can come up with vignettes which would be of particular interest to the public. Clay's role we well know but there must be a HELLUVA lot more that we do not know about SHAEF's part in the Berlin Airlift. We'd like to hear those memories. At the time I was with the Army CIC but with no affiliation with SHAEF; however, with that in mind, maybe Robert Wilton can add a word or two. Thank you so much. Take care of one another.
Ronald MacArthur Hirst Ed. Note: Historian Dr. Ronald MacArthur Hirst (Friend of SHAEF), has been a Wiesbaden resident since his retirement in 1977. He landed at 1036 hours on D-Day at Omaha Red Fox Beach. He served in the occupation forces and retired as a USAF officer. The Communique has long welcomed his commentary over the years.
Two recent letters are of interest from Canadian members Captain Edwin Bennett and his daughter Mary Jane. I worked at the SHAEF headquarters in London from October 1944 until July 1945. I had the rank of Staff Captain in the Canadian Army and was on loan to the Photo and Film Censorship Department through the Canadian Foreign Ministry. I was proud to wear the SHAEF patch on my uniform and report to SHAEF headquarters for work during that term. Working at SHAEF after being repatriated from a German POW camp was the highlight of my war years. I was a tank commander of three tanks at the Raid on Dieppe of August 1942. I assume you must have heard of that battle. Many Canadian soldiers were killed and injured and many taken prisoner. After I was taken prisoner, my wife who was back in Canada, joined the Canadian Red Cross and went overseas herself, working as an ambulance driver during the bombing raids of London. How wonderful it was to be re-united with her and spending that year together while I reported for duty for SHAEF. What a privilege it was for me to be working under General Eisenhower. What a Wonderful man. Subsequently Sec. Treas. Jackie Voelkl has corresponded with Ed's daughter, who has written: "Please renew my father's membership and add mine to your list. He has not been well, however, fortunately is now recovering well. He made many wonderful friends at SHAEF that he kept throughout his life, most notably Lt. Col. Max Dillingham from Owosso, MI, now deceased. We are discussing the possibility of joining your reunion this year in Dearborn, MI. Best wishes for continuing on. It is a fine idea to have created the Friends of SHAEF.
Sincerely,
I am writing a thesis on Gen. Walter Bedell Smith for a masters in history from East Stroudsburg University (PA). Do you know anyone I could talk to/correspond with who knew Smith? Any help you can give will be most appreciated,
Jeff Ewen
570.421.0844
"Who kept Lights Running"? My grandfather, Arnold Wesley Aamot, was attached to the headquarters in January 1944 in the 347th Engineers. His hometown was Bellingham, WA. His was not a glamorous job but he kept the lights running. Everyone did their part. He wrote letters home in 1945 describing his travels. He spoke of the V-1 rockets at Bushy Park, move to Portsmouth, to Granville, drove to Versailles in September 1945 and spent time between there and Reims and ended up in Frankfurt. I am writing to ask if there still might be anyone who was in the generator section with him or remembers the times at Bushy and from then on. I would be most grateful if anyone would care to correspond or point me in the right direction. I look forward to becoming a member of the Association.
Matthew Aamot
715.299.1712
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