June 30, 1934 - The Night of the Long Knives, or Operation Hummingbird, a German Nazi liquidation of political rivals takes place. Most of the executions were aimed at members of the Sturmabteilung (SA) including their leader Ernst Rohm who Nazi party leader Adolph Hitler saw as direct threats to his power.
At least 85 people were killed by the Schutzstaffel (SS) and Gestapo in the purge which strengthened and solidified Hitler’s position within the Reichswehr.
A quick posting today. I thought I would add the video below to let you know of one fo my favorite museums which just happens to be within about 3 miles of the Flightline Fabrications Virginia office: The National Museum of the Marine Corps. Among their many impressive and inspiring displays covering the entire rich history of the Marine Corps is what I found the mosst awe inspiring - the two flags flown over Mount Suribachi on Iwo Jima.
Flightline Fabrications recently interviewed WWII Holocaust Survivor Alter Wiener. Alter was generous enough to sit down for our Living History Project and tell us about his book and life story. In this four part interview Alter will talk about what his life was like and his experiences during the Holocaust.
“I listened to the interview. I had tears in my eyes. Thank you for sharing it and thank you for doing God’s work in this project.”
Mario
Part Four of Four:
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please click the “Comments” link below.
Flightline Fabrications is proud to offer autographed Paperback & Hardcover copies of Alter’s book with all profits going directly to Alter Wiener.
We would like to express our deepest thanks to Alter for taking the time to participate in our Living History Project. His experiences both good and bad and those of so many others are the treads that form the rich tapestry that is our common history.
“Those who cannot remember the past are condemned
to repeat it.” -George Santayana
Do you or someone you know have first hand memories of this or any other historic event, whether you served in the military or as a civilian, Flightline Fabrications Living History Project want to hear from you. Please contact our Living History Project with your rememberances. History should NEVER be forgotten. Your memories are important and should be retained and shared.
Acquired in the Spring of 2003, this 4″x4″ fabric square was cut from the side of a CG-4a Haig WACO Glider (C-for cargo, G-for glider) used in the D-Day Invasion of Normandy, France. 13,909 CG-4A WACO gliders were constructed during WWII between the years 1942-1945. Flightline Fabrications’ fabric square was sent back to the states as a momento to Bill’s wife. (Flightline Fabrications has preserved this artifact as it was purchased, with no restoration.)
The following is written in pencil on the back:
Somewhere in France - July 10, 1944
Dear Rose,
This is a piece of fabric from a glider that landed here in France on D-Day and I thought that you would like to have it for a souvenir. I feel pretty good but very lonesome. Are you feeling alright? I have not received any mail for ten days. I’m pretty sick of this war and hope that it will be over soon so I can go home to my darling, so long.
June 25, 1940 - France formally surrenders to Nazi Germany
June 25, 1947 - “The Diary of Anne Frank” is published in the Netherlands under the title “Het Achterhuis”. The autobiography tells the story of a teenaged girl hides for two years in Nazi-occupied Netherlands until she is caught and sent to the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp.
June 25, 1948 - In response to the blockade of Berlin by the Soviet Union, the western world, led by the United States and Great Britain begin shuttling food and supplies to the people of West Berlin in what would become known as the Berlin Airlift.
June 25, 1996 - Nineteen U.S. Air Force servicemen are killed when members of the terrorist organization Hizballah Al-Hijaz detonate a fuel truck adjacent to building #131 of the Khobar Towers housing complex in Saudi Arabia.
Purchasing a surplus World War II B-17G Flying Fortress bomber in 1947, Art Lacey created a Milwaukie, Oregon landmark and a Bomber Restaurant still family owned and operated today. The Bomber gas station opened in Milwaukie, Oregon during 1947, and the Bomber Drive-In opened in 1948. The actual gas station closed in 1991, however Art Lacey’s flair for serving great food influenced today’s current restaurant menu and still delights hundreds of visitors daily. (Complete History)
Founded in 1996, the Wings of Freedom Project is the restoration dream to bring Art’s B-17G “Lacey Lady” back to it’s former glory and factory condition. Flightline Fabrications visited the Wings of Freedom Project recently and below are some videos we took of the restoration progress and the “Lacey Lady” herself.
VIDEO #1: B-17 G Flying Fortress - Milwaukie, Oregon
VIDEO #2: B-17 G Flying Fortress - Milwaukie, Oregon
Q: The P-40B Tomahawk IIa was perhaps most made famous in its use by the American Volunteer Group, better known as the “Flying Tigers”. What engine make and model powered the Curtiss P-40B Kittyhawk/Tomahawk and how much horsepower did it generate?
Please post your answers in the comment section. The correct answers will be posted in one week.
I hope you’ll excuse one brief departure from our ordinary historic and aviation theme as we take a moment to extend our thoughts and prayers to a dear friend, JanieRuth who yesterday sustained serious injuries in a fall which led to emergency brain surgery and now has her in a hospital for recovery and extended observation.
As a leading member of OSI Rock Stars, JanieRuth is a rolemodel within a community of hundreds of success-minded people. Her glowing personality and infectiously effervescent charm are heartwarming and inspirational and we look forward to her speedy recovery and return to health.
JanieRuth, our hearts and prayers go out to you and we can not wait to see you back in full health and shining brightly as the Rock Star you are!
Another great video find, this 1942 newsreel showcases the men and machines of the American Volunteer Group, a collection of pilots who flew Curtiss P-40B Tomahawk II’s (commonly mistaken for the later P-40 Warhawk) in the defense of China prior to America’s entrance into World War II.
These brave men were led by legendary General Claire Lee Chennault and included such notable pilots as David “Tex” Hill, Gregory “Pappy” Boyington and many others. They would forever be known by the nickname given them by the Chinese they protected - Fei Hu - Flying Tigers.
June 20, 1944 - The largest aircraft carrier battle in history, the Battle of the Philippine Sea ended this day in 1944. Part of the wider Pacific Campaigne, the battle pitted naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan against the U.S. Navy, resulting in a decisive U.S. victory.
While the U.S. lost 123 planes of which 80 crew members were recovered safely, the Japanese forces lost three aircraft carriers, two oilers and approximately 600 aircraft. Most of Japan’s best pilots had been lost in previous battles including Midway. Superior numbers, pilots and aircraft were crucial to the overwhelmingly lopsided victory.
American pilots flying the Navy’s new F6F Hellcat, a fighter which was superior in nearly every way to the vaunted Japanese Type Zero (codename “Zeke”), would come to call this day the “Great Marianas Turkey Shoot” in reference to the staggering number of aerial victories.
The battle left the naval forces of Japan with only 35 aircraft fit to fly aboard their four surviving carriers and would mark the end of any strategic offensive naval air operations for the Empire of the Rising Sun.
