Day One In The Books

These views are all in a hours drive.
Along the way back to Anchorage from Whittier.  

One last stop and day two is in the books.    We made a quick visit along side Merrill Field to view the 11^th Air Force Memorial.    This memorial honors the names of all its airmen, both American and Canadian who lost their lives in WW2.  The 11^th Air Force, who dominated and protected the Alaskan skies for both the Second World and the Cold Wars, originated in 1940 right there at Merrill Field.  Just after origination, they transferred their operation just a few miles east to where it is now, at Elmendorf Air Force Base.  The 11th Air Force was renamed the Alaska Air Command only to eventually (1990) return to their root name- the 11th Air Force.   Now a days, you can still find them patrolling the Alaskan skies.  I excitedly saw several F-16's take off and land from my hotel room.  Very cool. 

During WW2 the Americans and Canadians worked together under the command of 11th Pursuit to defend Alaska against the Japanese.  In the words of my grandfather, when asked in the 1980's by the Canadian Directorate of History, about the role of the R.C.A.F. in the Aleutian campaign  and the relations of the mixed squadron, his response was; 

L-R: My grandfather, R.C.A.F. F/O Robert W. Lynch 
& a U.S. Bombardier on Kodiak Island.
 Ready to referee a league hockey game. 

Question (M.V. Bezeau): "Why was a detachment of 111F squadron sent forward to Umnak Island in the summer of 1942 to work with the 11th Pursuit?  Was this for training or reinforcement purposes?  What were its duties?"

Response: "It was my understanding, as commander of "A" flight that we were to work with the 11th Pursuit squadron for operational purposes. Our training was accomplished in Anchorage mainly in learning USAF radio procedures.  Our subsequent operational duties on Umnak consisted of aerodrome patrols, shared equally with the 11th Pursuit from dawn to dusk on a daily basis. "

Question (M.V. Bezeau) :   "How did this detachment blend into the 11th Pursuit Squadron?  Did it fully retain it's identity? How were relations?"  

Response: "Pilots are pilots.  Consequently we had no problem blending into the routines of the 11^th Pursuit’s operational duties.  We definitely retained our identity and our relations with the Americans could not have been better.”

11th Air Force Memorial along side Merrill Field Airstrip,  Anchorage, Alaska. 

It is always saddens me to see the names of fallen soldiers.  It is the ugly and somber reality of war.  War kills.    I don’t like war.   I don’t.  Yes, even though I write a blog about it.  I like to think that what I write about is not so much about war, as it is about the personal stories of these brave individuals who risked their own selves so that we could live a life of freedom.   I write it as a way to keep their memories alive.  To honor them.  To be the voice that so many veterans wanted to have.  So that people don't forget.   On the flip side,   I can understand that, especially at that time, war was about the survival of either them or us and there is no doubt,  I am glad we came out on top.  I still don’t like it though. Please, can't we all just get along?

As my first full day in Alaska came to a close, I was still numb with disbelief that I was finally there.       I could feel the warmth of my grandfathers smile everywhere I went.  I know how proud he is.  And I feel honored that I am able to take this journey in his name.  The adventure continues on day two with a visit to a downtown market, a tour around Elmendorf Air Force Base, and dinner at the Colonel's house.   Time to force myself to close the daylight blocking curtains and get some rest.  Good night Alaska. 

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.

Canadian Troops In The Aleutians

Funny thing,  I had started writing and writing about the Canadian Military's role in the Aleutian Islands Campaign in WW2 and the post just kept on going and going.  For my taste, it was too long for one blog post so I decided I needed to break it up so that each division:  Royal Canadian Navy (RCN), Royal Canadian Army (RCA), and the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) can get the recognition they deserve.

RCAF F/O Robert W. Lynch (my grandfather)
& an AAF Officer in Kodiak, AK
about to ref the troops  hockey game. 

Just like many people did not know that there was even battle fought in Alaska in WW2, even fewer knew that the Canadians were fighting right alongside the United States to defend the North American continent.  Some would say defending 'America' but the way I look at it, if Alaska was being invaded then British Columbia and Canada could have been next, maybe just as a stepping stone to the south, but a stepping stone none the less.  

When the Aleutian battle first started in June 1942, six months after Pearl Harbor, the American defense was already stretched thin due to what was going on in Europe and the Pacific and it was clear it needed to establish a stronger northern defense.  It was only natural that the Canadians were called on to help defend their continent.  In 1940, to ensure help was available when needed, the two countries along with the Soviet Union signed the Pacific Joint Agreement on Defense, which basically stated that each nation would supply troops, ships, and planes to its neighbor if thy neighbor needed to defend themselves against an enemy attack.  Of course, this would be specifically helpful to the United States in regards to the eminent threat of Japan against Alaska.  So in a nutshell, a big nutshell,  that is how Canadians became involved.

Below is a very brief summary of  each divisions contributions to the Aleutian Campaign.  

Canadian Troops disembark on Kiska 9/1943
Source-Dept of National Defense Canada 

The Royal Canadian Navy had 3 large ships, several corvettes, minesweepers and some sub chasing auxiliary vessels and not to forget, the many men needed to man those vessels.  Those ships saw duties in water as far north as Dutch Harbor to Amchitka as well as guarding the more southern waters of the inside passage.  Canadian boats were attacked, Seamen died and many were injured.

The Canadian Army were also involved from beginning to end, from guarding the inside passage where transport and military boats would pass to the final offensive mission, where 5300 Canadian troops landed with the Americans to re-take Kiska.  At least, 313 never to return home.

Royal Canadian Air Force
Source- Canada Wings

The Royal Canadian Air Force,  had approximately 500 personnel up north with at least 5 squadrons participating, No.111F, No.14F and  No.8B were stationed up north and 2 further south manning Annette Island.   Both the No. 111F and No.14F went on regular offensive missions and 11 of the dedicated and brave Canadian Airmen won American Air Medals for their service.  Many Canadian airmen were lost, not due to enemy attacks, we survived those, but due to the harsh and dangerous flying conditions in the Aleutian Islands, noted to be the worst in the world, with low ceilings, intense fog and spontaneous strong crosswinds.

Although by numbers, the Canadians may have had fewer troops but by no means were they less valuable to the success of this forgotten campaign. I can say now, having lived in both Canada and the United States, that Americans want to hold onto their pride and Canadians want to hold onto theirs, but in the end we are all North Americans and we should all feel proud that we worked together right here on our soil to keep it protected and in tact.

From the words of my grandfather, RCAF F/O Robert W. Lynch, No. 111F Squadron, when asked by historian, M.V. Bezeau "How the detachment blended into the AAF's 11th Pursuit and how were it's relations?"

"Pilots are pilots, consequently we had no trouble blending into the routine of the 11th Pursuit's operational duties.  We definitely retained our identity and our relations could not have been better."

In closing, I need to say that I am no war expert, nor author, so what I share with you, is what I have learned researching for thousands of hours (according to my 9 year old) the information about this campaign.  Along the way I have met and spoken with some wonderful people; veterans, historians, Alaskans, authors and regular joe's. Thank you all for helping me along this journey.  What fun, and it has only just begun! 

In The Words Of An Airman

My Papa was an impeccable record keeper, which is why, I suppose, my mother, his daughter, inherited that same quality.  Her printing is like perfection, as so was his, even in the midst of war in the Aleutian Islands.  When he died he left behind some wonderful things, items that would teach us something about a time in his life that he was never able to verbally share with us himself.  

Some of those things were his Pilots Flight Log Books. There in his briefcase, he had his original flight log book that went with him into the cold battles of WW2.  The history that this irreplaceable  book has is immense, if it could only speak to us all of the unwritten stories, imagine the things it would say.  Also in that briefcase, a second Pilots Flight Log Book, this one was a copy of the original that he had re-written after the war. In this version, he added some mission details, photos, and memories and one thing he was sure to include were  the names of fallen comrades and, in some cases, their photo.  These books have been a great resource for me now since I refer back to them continuously to get accurate dates of his whereabouts as it refers to my research on the campaign.  

His original Pilots Flying Log Book, 1941-1945

His re-written Pilots Flying Log Book, complete with photos

One of the other priceless documents included in his memorabilia were copies of correspondence letters between M.V. Bezeau, Captain Historian at the National Defense Headquarters of Canada, and himself.  Mr. Bezeau had written my grandfather, as well as other airmen, asking them a range of questions, from strategies and tactics to living conditions during the war in Alaska.  Many of the questions are the exact questions I would have asked myself.  Living up to the meticulous man my Papa was, he answered each and every question with detail.  Throughout the history of this blog, I will share those questions and responses.  

Correspondence between Historian M.V. Bezeau and my Papa, 1980

Later, Mr Bezeau went on to become the Director of Ceremonial and was responsible for tradition and heritage programs within the Canadian Armed Forces, speaking and writing a number of historical documents regarding the war in Alaska and the RCAF.  He spoke in Alaska at the 50th Anniversary Symposium.   He died in 2010.

I can remember 15 years ago when we first discovered those treasures, I read and re-read those books and papers and studied those photos.  Oh how I wish I could have spoken to him about his experiences.  But since I was not able to, actually no one in my family ever got the chance, I guess these are the next best things.  And as I do more research everyday, I become even more fascinated with the story of the Aleutian campaign.  

These are the words, which I have previously quoted but are very much worth re-stating, from the mouth, or fingers if you want to be literal, of my Papa to Mr. Bezeau at the National Defense Headquarters.   These were his most sincere thoughts and feelings on the the Aleutian campaign.

"In closing, I must say that my service in the 111th (F) Squadron is an experience I would not have missed.  I feel that the Aleutian Campaign is a forgotten item in the history of the R.C.A.F. and I am happy and appreciative that you are doing something about it."

Yours Sincerely,

Robert W. Lynch

  

I now know,  that he was not alone in how he felt, many veterans from that battle, both Canadians and Americans, felt this same way.  This is what drives me to continue forward on this journey.  

I ask that you share their story too.