One Hell Of A Layover...

How fitting as I finish the last post of my first trip to Anchorage on the first day of my second trip....

I left Kodiak the next morning with contentment and excited to one day return,  for there are still things left to be done there.  As I sat in the airport I wondered where that comforting twelve year old, Kya, was?   And who was going to distract me on the flight back to Anchorage?  It was looking as though I would have to put on my big girl pants and just suck it up.  Well, so I thought...  Entering the plane was this ruggedly handsome young man who requested to sit beside me.  Apparently, he had been sitting behind me on the way over to Kodiak. Happily, he entertained me the entire trip, but mostly by randomly shrieking "Oh no!", "What is that noise?' and "Uh Oh...".  Obviously,  he had noticed my previous apprehension and found great pleasure in making light of it.  Good thing I don't take things too seriously.  It made me smile. 

Before I knew it, we were on the tarmac in Anchorage and I was on my way to find my future shipmate Allison.  As shipmates go, Allison is top notch. She is always smiling and positive, no fear, politely says what she thinks, is organized and well informed.  My kind of human.  And while I was busy exploring the history of WW2 in Kodiak, Allison was successfully scouting out Merrill Field, Anchorage's first airport, now commercial airport, for of one of only three airworthy WW2 Japanese Zero fighter planes that temporarily, call this Alaskan air  field home. 

Looking from my hotel room towards Merrill Field.

There, lined up along the taxi way were two Harvards, one decked out in a showy Canadian color scheme and the other as an American Texan T-6,  one of Alaska Airlines very first planes, and an infamous Japanese Zero.  We walked circles around the planes drooling.. or maybe that was just me. Probably just me. I couldn't help it,  these old warbirds were sitting pretty in pristine condition and proudly basking in the Alaskan sun.  After several laps,  we finally ventured into the open hanger, where Mike, the flight mechanic, was working on the brakes of yet another Texan.  We introduced ourselves and after giving him our spiel, he insisted we go inside the Alaska Airlines plane which we appreciated but didn't dare follow through on.  I could just imagine, with my luck-  I 'd open the door to this antique plane, and it would rip off in the wind because I did not tie it down or latch it properly.  And I was not about to chance destroying such a masterpiece.   Instead we returned to the taxi way, looked inside every possible window and continued counting our laps.  Mike sensing our uneasiness eventually came to check on us, opened the plane up and insisted we get inside.  That Mike- he really rocks.

Harvard (T-6)- mostly used as a  trainer Aircraft. 

1931 Fairchild Pilgrim 100B, N709Y

One of Alaska Airlines very first planes.

My opinion of Mike skyrocketed when he asked us if we wanted to climb into the cockpit of the Zero.  Hell ya I want to get inside the Zero!  Hardly able to control my excitement, I tried to listen carefully to his instructions as to the most graceful way to enter was.  Whatever.. who knows what he said.. step on the wing, hold here.. pull yourself up...  Before I knew it, I was in, sitting inside a notorious, once almost unbeatable Zero.  The same plane that my grandfather would have been dueling with. A tremendous privilege!

Mitsubishi A6M Zero at Merrill Field.

Early in WW2 the Zero, which was operated by the Imperial Japanese Navy, was nearly invincible.  In one of it's first appearances it shot down ninety nine planes while sustaining not a single loss of their own.  It left the air force world puzzled.  This plane, that seemed to appear out of nowhere,  was lighter, faster, more nimble and had a longer range than any other fighter ever seen before.  It was the cream of the crop and in the beginning of the war it controlled the skies.  That is until we could come up with a strategy to take it down which started to take shape by 1943.   

There several factors that contributed to the fall of the infamous Zero.  One of major contributors was the recovery of a downed enemy fighter that crashed in Akutan, Alaska on June 4th, 1942 flown by Tadayshi Koga.  The young 19 year old pilot could not recover from the ground fire that severed his main oil line and headed for the safety of what the Japanese had designated as an emergency landing area.   This emergency air strip turned out be be a bog and as the plane attempted to land, it flipped over, killed the pilot and was left virtually undamaged.  

Under two weeks later, the Navy went back to recover the downed enemy aircraft loading it onto the USS St. Mihiel for San Diego where U.S. Army engineers would repair it back to air worthiness.  By September 20th, Lieutenant Commander Eddie R. Sanders took the Akutan Zero for it's first of twenty four test flights.   From these tests flights they were able to understand the enemy's strengths and weaknesses and devise an effective air strategy to gain control of the skies once again. 

Of course, another valuable source of information was how the allied pilot himself encountered it in the sky.  Below is R.C.A.F. Squadron Leader, Kenneth Boomer's debriefing report of how he encountered and shot down a Japanese Rufe over Kiska Harbor on the very first fighter escorted bomber mission over Kiska.   For this mission, he plus three other Canadian Airmen were awarded the American Air Medal, my grandfather included.  One other Japanese plane was said to be shot down that day by Major Jack Chenneault, son of Major General Claire Chenneault.

25/9/42

AMENDMENT TO DAILY DIARY

APPENDIX 4

The following is the Japanese Zero Fighter Aircraft tactics.  The following information was gained from an encounter, which took place outside Kiska Harbour in the Aleutians on the morning of September 25^th, 1942.

It is recommended that this information be circulated and forwarded to Canadian Squadrons in any active theaters in which they are liable to encounter this type of opposition.

1. When the enemy aircraft were first observed they were flying at approximately 1000ft, in a loose echelon formation.  It would appear they were attempting to impress their maneuverability on the opposition as they repeatedly did slow rolls in series while approaching.  When within striking distance they separated slightly although still maintaining section formation, they wing man apparently acting as cover for the leader.   Unfortunately, the tow became separated and further section tactics could not be observed.  The leader dove straight at the leading P-40 seemingly attempting to bluff him into turning.  When this failed, and at approximately 200 yards he suddenly pulled straight up, half rolled and came down almost on the ail of the P-40.  At the  end of his pull out he was in a straight and level position and it was at that point that he was hit from two different angles and consequently went into a steep dive and crashed into the sea.  The pilot jumped out as approximately 100 feet, but was wearing no parachute of any kind. 

2. After that half roll attack the enemy aircraft appeared to be firing with both heavy and light type armament, probably 20mm and .25 or .303 machine guns although the number of guns firing could not be ascertained.  The machine appeared to go to pieces easily with the return fire, indicating either light construction or very weak armour plating.

3. The second zero attempted either to climb away from an attack, or else into a favourable position.  His rate of climb was exceedingly fast and of a very steep angle, the aircraft appeared to be literally “hanging on it’s prop.”  At the end of his climb he also half rolled and after one misjudged attack on a P-40 disappeared from the observers view.

4. CONCLUSION

a) The zero fighter is extremely manourverable and can probably turn easily inside a P-40.

b) It has an exceedingly fast rate of climb and a very short pull out from a half roll.

c) Armament appears to be 20mm cannon plus light machine gun of an undetermined calibre.

d) The aircraft appears to be either of light construction of have little or no armour plating.

e) From a consolidated report of Japanese tactics in this theatre, these tactics appear to be standard and almost exclusively used.  The pilots appear to be both extremely daring and very well skilled in the handling of their aircraft.  Signed: (K.A. Boomer), Squadron Leader, Officer Commanding, No. 111 (f ) Squadron, RCAF Fort Glenn, Alaska

Excerpt taken from the Royal Canadian Air Force Operations Record Books:

 C-12242, 111 (F) Squadron. 

Heritage Canadiana

My Grandfather, RCAF P/O Robert W. Lynch & P/O Jim Gohl on Adak just after their return from the above mission, September 25th, 1942

In a matter of hours I will be boarding a plane for Adak, Alaska to begin my 2016 WW2 Historical tour through the Aleutian Islands to honor the noble service, not only of my grandfather, but for all who served there to ensure our country was safe. Hard to believe the day is finally here. I hope I do them proud. 

Mission of Honor

I started writing this blog a few years ago with the grand vision and hope of going to the Aleutian Islands one day to pay a tribute to my grandfather for his service during the second world war.  And on this Memorial week, as we remember and honor those who sacrificed themselves for our who freedom,  I could not think of any better time to share with you the most wonderful of blessings I have just received.  In less than three weeks I will embark on a trip of a life time; a mission of honor,  to the Aleutian Islands, Alaska.  

I will join nine other brave souls on a challenging expedition of WW2 historical sites throughout the Aleutian Islands.  The tour is organized by Valor Tours, Ltd who specializes in WW2 historical tours worldwide.   The tour begins in Anchorage on June 15th, where we catch a flight west to our first stop along the aleutian chain- Adak.  This was the launching point of military operations for much of the Aleutian campaign.  And it is from where my grandfather flew his combat missions.   After a full day of exploring Adak, we board the 72ft M/V Puk-Uk and keep west to Kiska.  In June of 1942, Kiska, a U.S. territory, became occupied by the Japanese Imperial Army. American and Allied forces spent much of their time trying to drive the enemy out of the island via persistent air attacks.   We will spend two full days there exploring, on foot, the old Japanese war base.

From there, continuing on to the most westward point in the United States- Attu.   This remote island was the location of the second deadliest battle in the Pacific Theater, just behind Iwo Jima.  It is now a designated National Historic Landmark.  We spend 3 or 4 days exploring the island before we head back East to our final destination- Dutch Harbor, where the war in Alaska all began.  On  June 3rd and 4th, 1942, the Japanese attacked Dutch Harbor by way of air destroying much of the town and its base.  It is in this small fishing town that is home to the Museum of the Aleutians, where I want to donate my grandfathers things.  The perfect ending to what will be an incredible tour.  The next day, June 30th, we will conclude our trip with a flight back to Anchorage.

Our floating Aleutian escort.  www.pukuk.com

As if that wasn't enough,  I am also looking into making a separate trip over to Kodiak Island. It has been one of my goals to visit as many of the bases my grandfather was stationed at as possible.  The Naval Air Station in Kodiak is where he was for many months. From there he taught other pilots how to fly in the dangerous Aleutian conditions. Actually, the Naval Air Station no longer exists.  It is now home to the Kodiak Coast Guard but many of the same WW2 buildings are still in use today.  

For me, this trip is a pilgrimage of sorts.  A pilgrimage to pay my utmost in respects, not just to my grandfather, but close in my heart will be, all the men and women who endured the fiercest and loneliness of conditions so that we can live free today.  To bring recognition and respect,  to those that were forgotten about while fighting for our continent.   What an absolute honor it will be.  I am incredibly thankful. 

Funny, I went to Disney a few months back and found myself thinking that I must be boring because I am not a fan roller coasters.   But looking at this trip, I realize, I am not boring at all. I may not like roller coasters but I sure do like an adventure and this is going to be one heck of a ride.  

Report From The Aleutians (1942)

One of the first things I ordered when I started researching the war in Alaska was this 42 minute video called Report Form The Aleutians.  The video looks at the first part of the Aleutian Campaign and was made in 1942 by the U.S. government so as you can imagine, it tells a somewhat censored version of what really went on up north.  But even with the omission of important details, it is still very interesting for someone who wants to know more about some of the goings on of the campaign.  

I particularly enjoyed this because it has a lot of Air Force coverage, even though they fail to mention that the RCAF (Royal Canadian Air Force) were there as well,  fighting as one with the 11th Pursuit.  You can go along with the airmen as a camera actually accompanies one of the bombers in a mission over Kiska, which in a way, was fascinating, but at the same time equally as sad to see the destruction war inflicts.  This video allowed me to envision my grandfather's life and duties while up there and some of the things he had to endure on a day to day basis. Another interesting clip was that of the construction of the runway on Adak, designed by General Talley,  made out of steel and built by the Infantry.  It was a million and a half square feet of steel runway constructed in only 10 days. 

This is what my grandfather had to say when asked by the Canadian Department of Defense Historian, M.V. Bezeau, about his missions to Kiska from Adak in 1942 with the 11th Pursuit, commanded by Major Jack Chennault.

"The operations from Adak on Kiska were basically an escort duty until the target was reached.  One squadron of heavy bombers, B-24's, escorted by three squadrons of fighters, mainly P-40's and P-39's (12 bombers and 36 fighters).  In addition, one B-17 was assigned to photograph the results of each raid.  Once the target was reached, fighter sections (2a/c) each of which had its own targets, such as anti aircraft gun positions on the ground or on ships in the harbour, went in at low levels to eliminate any fire for the minute or so which the bombers would take to release their loads on their particular targets, motor pools, ammunition dumps, ships, barracks, ect. The fighters were then on their own to do what ever damage they could to anything that moved."

"Tactically, we flew in sections of 2 in a wide V of 10 aircraft with a cover of one aircraft on a high sweep above and a low sweep below the main group.  The sections would break off for individual section action when the situation called for it."

F/O Robert W. Lynch

RCAF 111(f) Squadron

April 22nd, 1980

This video can be purchased on Amazon.com for roughly ten dollars.

Planes, Boats & Automobiles

Many would say that I have been around, meaning, lived a lot of different places.  I guess it depends what your definition of 'a lot' is.

I was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, a city of 600,000 in the center of Canada (above North Dakota and yes, it is C-O-L-D in the winter).  In my late 20's I moved to the warmer and bigger city of Vancouver, B.C. (above Seattle, WA).  Still in search of a hotter climate, after three years,  I was on the move again, this time to the Caribbean island of Puerto Rico... now we're talking heat.  Five years, one child and a new language later, I decided to return to the continent, to the suburbs of Tampa, Florida, only to find myself craving the ocean.  I moved again to another tropical paradise, Anna Maria Island, 20 miles North of Sarasota, Florida and a 2 minute walk to the beach.

So yea, I guess you could say that I have zig zagged the continent, experienced some things and have had to adapt, and adapt again to my surroundings.  No fear, no regret, I enjoy learning the different ways in which places function.

Even with all my experience I was still caught off guard when I started to plan our trip to Alaska.  I naively thought we would go to Alaska and take ferries or cars to all the different places where my Papa was stationed in WW2: Umnak, Adak, Anchorage, Kodiak, Dutch. That is until I spoke with a local Alaskan, Joan, who let me know that just one of the routes I wanted to take via the Alaskan Marine Highway would take three and a half days!!   She advised me to take a plane, which I hesitantly concurred.  Although Joan does not know it, that was the moment that clicked within me, when I realized that I knew virtually nothing about how to get around in Alaska and it may be interesting to start blogging about this journey.  From traveling there to the war history, there is so much to be discovered.  What made our conversation even more noteworthy was that she also had a relative who fought as an Alaskan Ranger in the Aleutian Island campaign!

A ferry traveling the Alaskan Marine Highway
 www.dot.state.ak.us/amhs

Admittedly, I was not happy to hear about having to fly, you see, I have a slight fear of flying on those little planes.  And to be honest, at this point in my planning,  I am not even sure how 'little' the planes are on that route.  My only point of reference is the Discovery Channel's- Flying Wild Alaska, and they use some small planes. Six seaters... yikes!  And yes, I know that my fear is unjust, planes are safer than cars, which is what I had to keep telling myself this year as we flew right through the middle of Tropical Storm Debby into Tampa.  Truth be told, that watching Flying Wild Alaska has actually helped boost my confidence level in regards to those small planes.  It seems that those pilots, and I am now assuming all pilots,  handle turbulent weather well without fear and with confidence.  Almost like us non-pilots driving our cars.   If they trust themselves and the planes they fly then I can survive on a little ol' plane too.  That is my new mantra, repeat, repeat, repeat. Ok, first adaptation made.

Pen Air- The Spirit of Alaska, one of the few airlines servicing Alaskan communities.
www.penair.com

The next reality check happened when I looked up the prices of the flights from Anchorage to Unalaska and to Adak.  They were both around a thousand dollars each ticket, each destination.  I guess I have to remember that the Aleutian Islands are so spread out, and it would be like flying from Tampa to New York City.  Another interesting discovery is that flights to Adak only depart twice per week, 3 days apart. And although I have not written about Adak yet, know that the population is only about 326 people.   So next adaptation needed: an increase in my initial budgeting forecast by... a lot and to plan for a fishing trip or two in Adak.

So it's on, so much to learn, so much to explore, so much research to be done.  Can you put a price on a mission of honor?  Not in my books.  Time to make my Papa proud, just like he made us when he defended our continent.

War Is REAL And Never Insignificant

It's true, there was actually a war fought right here on North American soil .  The Japanese did bomb the continent.  Lives were lost, many lives were lost, maybe not as many as in Germany but tell that to the family of a loved on who was fighting in Alaska in WW2.  War is war.

To be  honest, I am not a fan of 'war', I mean who is really?   I know there are people who are absolutely fascinated with war, and those people bring immeasurable value, and protection to our country. To me, the history of the war is what interests me. After all, wars have helped shape our society as we now know it.

L-R F/O Jim Gohl,  F/O Robert Lynch, & F/O John Ingalls
RCAF 111F Squadron, 1942

When my grandfather passed in 1996 and we discovered all his war memorabilia, it intrigued me.   But then life got busy and I forgot all about it until a few months ago when my neighbor had asked me what kind of plane my grandfather flew in WW2.  That lead me to countless hours, and still counting by the way, of research on the Aleutian campaign. It saddens me that the Aleutian campaign is known as the "The Forgotten War", that all those servicemen who endured the most treacherous conditions and sacrificed their lives for the immediate safety of our North America were not given the recognition they deserved.  That historians and other war strategists at the time deemed the Japanese invasion as a minor and insignificant distraction.  Again, war is war, people died, people suffered.

The Aleutian Islands, where that war was fought, were so remote that it has been said, many of them felt abandoned by the county and that they were left up there to die.  Suicide and mental breakdown rates were higher than any other war.  They lived in tents or Quonsets huts in sub zero temperatures, supplies were hard to get due to their remoteness.  Mail from home, their main source of joy, took months to arrive.  Everything had to be shipped in on boat with limited supply space which took weeks or even months sometimes, depending on the weather which was seldomly good.  Besides living conditions that were difficult,  the flying conditions for the airmen was even worse.  They had to brave long journeys over the rough Bering Sea, flying through the spontaneous thick Alaskan fog never knowing if a mountain was going to pop up out of the sky.  The Aleutian campaign claimed the highest loss of aircraft due to weather related crashes with over 150 aircraft lost due to climate alone.  The weather also was responsible for thousands of troops that suffered from frost bite related injuries, which to those of you who live in warm climates and are unfamiliar with the pain of frostbite,  it can be so severe you can lose body parts.

Quonset Hut on Adak, AK 1942
source- National Park Service

The number of servicemen lost in combat is still unclear at this point, the numbers are inconsistent depending on the sparse literature out there, but it is reported to have had the worst casualty rate since Hiroshima.  If that is not war, I don't know what is.

 Now, can you imagine what would have happened if the Japanese were met with no defense and were allowed to take over Kiska, Attu or Dutch Harbor without a fight.  Heck yea, they would have kept right on marching towards the mainland.  Doesn't sound so insignificant to me.  The North needed to be defended, and I am so thankful that those troops were there.

If you know of any Aleutian Island Veterans, either Canadian or American, I would like to honor them in the "In Memory" page.  Please contact me for details and spread the word and share this site with your friends.