USO Canteen FReeper Style Pray for the Troops and Our President ....September 29,2002

F82B Bump

The final chapter in the evolution of the Mustang airframe is the P-82 Twin Mustang. The XP-82 was originally ordered in anticipation of the extremely long range escort missions that would have to be flown from bases on Saipan to Japanese cities. However, capture of the island of Iwo Jima solved that problem and full development of the XP-82 was delayed. In 1943, North American Aviation proposed the joining of two XP-51F fuselages by a large center wing section that housed the armament, and a large parallel chord, single-piece stabilizer tailplane. The fuselages were lengthened 57 inches just aft of the radiator and vertical fin size was increased. Both rudders and outer wing panels were from the P-51H. Power came from two Packard V-1650-11/21 engines delivering 2270hp with water injection at 4000 feet. The engines were fitted with opposite rotating props to reduce the tremendous torque effect. Since the XP-82 was to be an escort aircraft, both cockpits featured flight controls. However, only the left cockpit had full instrumentation.

Variations of the P-82 were the F-82F, G, and H which were night fighters, otherwise known as all-weather interceptors, carrying a huge radar pod under the center wing. All three types were painted in the gloss black finish, standard for night operations. The F-82Hs were Gs which differed only in that they had "winterized" systems for use in the Arctic climate. Ninety-one Fs and 59 Gs were built, 18 of the Gs being later up-graded to the H standard.

One of the most famous F-82s, Betty Jo, an F-82B that set a distance record in 1947 by flying from Hawaii to New York non-stop - 5,000 miles.

F-82Gs were on station at various bases in and around Japan when war broke out in Korea on June 25, 1950. When President Truman ordered US forces to repel the North Korean aggressors, F-82Gs of the 4th, 68th, and 339th F(AW)S were among the first to see action. Ordered to attack any forces attempting to hinder the evacuation of US citizens from Korea, 68th F(AW)S F-82Gs intercepted some North Korean Yak fighters over Kimpo AB around noon on June 27, 1950. Lt. William Hudson, pilot, and Lt. Carl Fraswer, RO, intercepted and shot down one of the Yaks to score the first "kill" of the Korean War. F-82Gs would continue to soldier on in both night interceptor and daylight support roles until mid-1951 when they suffered the eventual fate of all propeller-driven fighters in swervice, replacement by a jet-engined aircraft. The F-82Gs were phased out in favor of the F-94B Starfire. The F-82 series was the last prop-driven fighter ordered into production for the US Air Force. Whe the last F-82G rolled off the line, Mustang production finally came to an end (Davis, 1981).

1066 - William the Conqueror invades England

King Edward of England (called "The Confessor" because of his construction of Westminster Abbey) died on January 5, 1066, after a reign of 23 years. Leaving no heirs, Edward's passing ignited a three-way rivalry for the crown that culminated in the Battle of Hastings and the destruction of the Anglo-Saxon rule of England.

The leading pretender was Harold Godwinson, the second most powerful man in England and an advisor to Edward. Harold and Edward became brothers-in-law when the king married Harold's sister. Harold's powerful position, his relationship to Edward and his esteem among his peers made him a logical successor to the throne. His claim was strengthened when the dying Edward supposedly uttered "Into Harold's hands I commit my Kingdom." With this kingly endorsement, the Witan (the council of royal advisors) unanimously selected Harold as King. His coronation took place the same day as Edward's burial. With the placing of the crown on his head, Harold's troubles began.

Across the English Channel, William, Duke of Normandy, also laid claim to the English throne. William justified his claim through his blood relationship with Edward (they were distant cousins) and by stating that some years earlier, Edward had designated him as his successor. To compound the issue, William asserted that the message in which Edward anointed him as the next King of England had been carried to him in 1064 by none other than Harold himself. In addition, (according to William) Harold had sworn on the relics of a martyred saint that he would support William's right to the throne. From William's perspective, when Harold donned the Crown he not only defied the wishes of Edward but had violated a sacred oath. He immediately prepared to invade England and destroy the upstart Harold. Harold's violation of his sacred oath enabled William to secure the support of the Pope who promptly excommunicated Harold, consigning him and his supporters to an eternity in Hell.

The third rival for the throne was Harald Hardrada, King of Norway. His justification was even more tenuous than William's. Hardrada ruled Norway jointly with his nephew Mangus until 1047 when Mangus conveniently died. Earlier (1042), Mangus had cut a deal with Harthacut the Danish ruler of England. Since neither ruler had a male heir, both promised their kingdom to the other in the event of his death. Harthacut died but Mangus was unable to follow up on his claim to the English throne because he was too busy battling for the rule of Denmark. Edward became the Anglo-Saxon ruler of England. Now with Mangus and Edward dead, Hardrada asserted that he, as Mangus's heir, was the rightful ruler of England. When he heard of Harold's coronation, Hardrada immediately prepared to invade England and crush the upstart.

Hardrada of Norway struck first. In mid September, Hardrada's invasion force landed on the Northern English coast, sacked a few coastal villages and headed towards the city of York. Hardrada was joined in his effort by Tostig, King Harold's nere-do-well brother. The Viking army overwhelmed an English force blocking the York road and captured the city. In London, news of the invasion sent King Harold hurriedly north at the head of his army picking up reinforcements along the way. The speed of Harold's forced march allowed him to surprise Hardrada's army on September 25, as it camped at Stamford Bridge outside York. A fierce battle followed. Hand to hand combat ebbed and flowed across the bridge. Finally the Norsemen's line broke and the real slaughter began. Hardrada fell and then the King's brother, Tostig. What remained of the Viking army fled to their ships. So devastating was the Viking defeat that only 24 of the invasion force's original 240 ships made the trip back home. Resting after his victory, Harold received word of William's landing near Hastings.

Construction of the Norman invasion fleet had been completed in July and all was ready for the Channel crossing. Unfortunately, William's ships could not penetrate an uncooperative north wind and for six weeks he languished on the Norman shore. Finally, on September 27, after parading the relics of St. Valery at the water's edge, the winds shifted to the south and the fleet set sail. The Normans made landfall on the English coast near Pevensey and marched to Hastings.

Harold rushed his army south and planted his battle standards atop a knoll some five miles from Hastings. During the early morning of the next day, October 14, Harold's army watched as a long column of Norman warriors marched to the base of the hill and formed a battle line. Separated by a few hundred yards, the lines of the two armies traded taunts and insults. At a signal, the Norman archers took their position at the front of the line. The English at the top of the hill responded by raising their shields above their heads forming a shield-wall to protect them from the rain of arrows. The battle was joined.

The English fought defensively while the Normans infantry and cavalry repeatedly charged their shield-wall. As the combat slogged on for the better part of the day, the battle's outcome was in question. Finally, as evening approached, the English line gave way and the Normans rushed their enemy with a vengeance. King Harold fell as did the majority of the Saxon aristocracy. William's victory was complete. On Christmas day 1066, William was crowned King of England in Westminster Abbey.

LOL!

One day, after a near eternity in the Garden of Eden, Adam calls out to God, "Lord, I have a problem."
"What's the problem, Adam?", God replies.

"Lord, I know you created me and have provided for me and surrounded me with this beautiful garden and all of these wonderful animals, but I'm just not happy."

"Why is that, Adam?", comes the reply from the heavens.

"Lord, I know you created this place for me, with all this lovely food and all of the beautiful animals, but I am lonely."

"Well Adam, in that case I have the perfect solution. I shall create a 'woman' for you."

"What's a 'woman', Lord?"

"This 'woman' will be the most intelligent, sensitive, caring, and beautiful creature I have ever created. She will be so intelligent that she can figure out what you want before you want it. She will be so sensitive and caring that she will know your every mood and how to make you happy. Her beauty will rival that of the heavens and earth. She will unquestioningly care for your every need and desire. She will be the perfect companion for you.", replies the heavenly voice.

"Sounds great."

"She will be, but this is going to cost you, Adam."

"How much will this 'woman' cost me Lord?", Adam replies.

"She'll cost you an arm and a leg."

Adam ponders this for some time, with a look of deep thought and concern on his face. Finally Adam says to God, "Ehhh, what can I get for a rib?"

The rest, as they say, is history.

1187 - Saladins army marches into Jerusalem

Saladin
Arabic: salâhu d-din yussuf

(Takrit, Iraq 1138- Damascus 1193) First Ayyubid sultan, and famous for having recaptured Jerusalem from the Crusaders.
Saladin was of Kurdish heritage, and at the age of 14 he started in the service of the Syrian ruler, Nuru d-Din. He started to show his qualities under 3 campaigns against the Crusaders who were established in Palestine. The first was in 1164 and the last in 1169. In 1169 Saladin served as second to the commander in chief of the Syrian army, his uncle Shirkuh. Shirkuh became vizier of Egypt, but died after only 2 months. Saladin then took over as vizier. Despite the nominal limitations to the vizier position, Saladin took little regard to the interests of his superiors, the Fatimid rulers. He turned Cairo into an Ayyubid power base, where he used Kurds in leading positions.
Saladin managed to revitalize the economy of Egypt, he reorganized the military forces and he started serious military actions against the Crusaders. Saladin suppressed the Fatimid rulers of Egypt in 1171, whereupon he united Egypt with the Abbasid Caliphate, but was not as eager as Nuru d-Din to go to war against the Crusaders, and relations here became very difficult.
When Nuru d-Din died in 1174, Saladin used the opportunity to extend his power base, and during the next 15 years he conquered many important cities: Damascus, Syria in 1174; Aleppo, Syria in 1183; and Mosul, Iraq in 1186.
With his new strength he attacked the Latin Kingdom of Jerusalem in 1187, and after 3 months of fighting he got control over the city. With this, the Crusaders only had control over the coast. A third Crusade of 1189 only managed to enlarge the coastal area of Palestine. Following an armistice agreement with King Richard 1 of England of 1192, the Peace of Ramla, the whole coast was in Christian hands, while Jerusalem remained under Muslim.
Saladin is one of very few personages of the time of the Crusades that has managed to be positively described in both Western and Eastern sources. With his high position among his Western opponents, he has become a figure that have fascinated Western writers.

1829 - Bradley Tyler Johnson, Brig General (Confederate Army), died in 1903

Bradley Tyler Johnson

JOHNSON, Bradley Tyler, lawyer, born in Frederick City, Maryland, 29 September, 1829. He was graduated at Princeton in 1849, receiving the mathematical oration, studied law at Harvard, was admitted to the bar in North Carolina in 1851, and was elected state's attorney of Frederick county in November. He was the Democratic candidate for comptroller of the state in 1857, chairman of the Democratic state central committee in 1859-'60, delegate to the National Democratic convention at Charleston and Baltimore in 1860, and withdrew with a majority of the Maryland delegation from the convention and united in the nomination of Breckinridge and Lane.

At the beginning of the civil war he organized and armed a company at his own expense, which was mustered into the service of the Confederate states, he being captain. On 16 June he was made major, 21 July lieutenant-colonel, and 18 March, 1862, colonel. He commanded his regiment in all the battles of Jackson's valley campaign of 1862 and in the seven days' battles around Richmond. The regiment having been almost annihilated, in August, 1862, the remnant was mustered out, and Colonel Johnson was then assigned to Jackson's division.
On 28 June, 1864, was commissioned brigadier-general of cavalry. His services in defeating Dahlgren on his raid toward Richmond were recognized in a general order, and General Wade Hampton presented him with a sabre. He commanded a brigade of cavalry under Early in the campaign of 1864. On Early's advance into Maryland, General Johnson destroyed the railroad bridges north of Baltimore, but on 12 July was ordered by Early to report to him.

In December, 1864, General Johnson was assigned to the command of the post at Salisbury, North Carolina When the prisoners were actually starving, General Johnson stopped a train bound for the Army of Northern Virginia, took from it the provisions with which it was freighted, and used them to feed the prisoners. At the same time he asked to be allowed to carry the prisoners to Goldsboro and release them on parole, and urged upon Governor Vance, of North Carolina, the propriety of furnishing them with blankets and clothes from the depots of the state.

After the war General Johnson settled in Richmond, Virginia, and devoted himself to the practice of law. In 1872 he was a delegate to the National Democratic convention at Baltimore. In 1875 he published "Reports of Chase's Decisions on the 4th Circuit," and in the same year was elected to the senate of Virginia. In 1877 he made a report from the committee on finance on the public debt of Virginia, and in 1879, as chairman of the joint committee on Federal relations, he prepared the report on the question of the Federal judicial jurisdiction in its relation to the jurisdiction of the state courts. In 1879 he removed to Baltimore. In 1883 he published an examination of the "Foundation of Maryland and the Maryland Act concerning Religion." In 1884 he was president of the electoral college of Maryland.

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