[Homer_J_Simpson]

Free Republic University, Department of History presents World War II Plus 70 Years: Seminar and Discussion Forum
First session: September 1, 2009. Last date to add: September 2, 2015.
Reading assignment: New York Times articles delivered daily to students on the 70th anniversary of original publication date. (Previously posted articles can be found by searching on keyword “realtime” Or view Homer’s posting history .)
To add this class to or drop it from your schedule notify Admissions and Records (Attn: Homer_J_Simpson) by freepmail. Those on the Realtime +/- 70 Years ping list are automatically enrolled. Course description, prerequisites and tuition information is available at the bottom of Homer’s profile. Also visit our general discussion thread

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Selections from West Point Atlas for the Second World War
Marcks’ Plan, August 5, 1940
Operation Barbarossa (Dir. 21), December 18, 1940
The Mediterranean Basin (Map 33)
The Far East and the Pacific, 1941 – The Imperial Powers, 1 September 1939

[CougarGA7]

Unfortunately, design problems will delay the introduction of the SB2C Helldiver until late 1943. I actually made mention of the first Helldiver missions on the reduction of Rabaul in a paper I wrote titled “Rabaul: It Gives You Wings”.

[CougarGA7]

Here a few other items for today. First I have a letter from Wm. Bryden representing Chief of Staff Marshall replying to Shorts March 6th letter concerning the establishment of AWS (Aircraft Warning Services or radar) in Hawaii.

Lieut, General Walter C. Short,

Fort Shafter, T. H.

Dear General Short : The matters referred to in your secret letter dated March 6, 1941, and the inclosures thereto, have been given careful study.

The War Department appreciates fully the necessity for the early establishment of the aircraft warning service stations in the Hawaiian Department. However, it will be necessary to comply with certain fixed regulations in those cases where facilities are to be established on lands pertaining to the Department of the Interior. The National Park Service officials are willing to give us the temporary use of their lands when other lands are not suitable for the purpose, but they will not waive the requirements as to the submission of preliminary building plans showing the architecture and general appearance. They are also very definitely opposed to permitting structures of any type to be erected at such places as will be open to view and materially alter the natural appearance of the reservation.

I have given these matters my personal attention, and have conferred with officials of the National Park Service. War Department radiogram of March 12, 1941, outlines what appears to be the most practical solution at this time. The War Department finds it necessary to ask the Department of the Interior for the use of many tracts of land in the National Parks, and for their cooperation in the transfer of large areas of public lands. It is not believed that it would be advisable to attempt to alter the informal decisions of the Department of the Interior by carrying this matter to higher authority, or to prolong the discussion through official channels.

We are as anxious as you to work out a solution for these problems with the least practicable delay, and I know that I can count upon you for fullest cooperation.

Faithfully yours,
[Stamped] (Signed) Wm. BRYDEN,
In the absence of the Chief of Staff.

I find it interesting that the Department of the Interior is causing a delay in the establishment of the first radar station on Hawaii due to the bureaucracy of getting permission to use the land.

This next is a response from Short to General Marshall considering the state of air defenses in Hawaii at this time. Seems like the Army is short on personnel just like the Navy is.

[iowamark]

UP reporter Richard C. Hottelet would be held prisoner for 4 months. He was later hired by Ed Murrow at CBS. He is still alive at age 93.

Richard C. Hottelet: ‘Guest’ of the Gestapo