Oct. 1942

Some parts of the diary have been blanked out with ink and tape for unknown reasons. In some instances words are difficult to read. These, and other anomalies, are noted in brackets.

Transcribed by: James Hawkins, his son, in 2004
                            Jim.jane@verizon.net

The diary begins:
===============================================================

World War II Diary
Name: Lt. Frank B. Hawkins
Residence Address: 436 Kenilworth
Phone: ga 5937
Toledo, Ohio
Weight: 180   Height: 5'10 1/2"
Color of Hair: Drk Br Color of Eyes: Drk Br
In case of emergency please notify: Mrs. F.E. Hawkins,
436 Kenilworth Ave., Toledo, Ohio
Lodges or clubs: Pilot: United States A.C.
Airplane License No. 113102
[BLANKED] No. 9ZHJ
Valuable Papers are at Toledo Trust val. Toledo O.
Other Records: 201 File"
Sizes to Remember:
Gloves: 9 1/2 Hat: 7 1/2
Shoes: 8 1/2D

Beginning: Oct. 9, 1942
On this day, in a (4) man party in Presque Isle, Maine, I am started to begin this diary:
[LOOKS LIKE ORGINAL SIGNATURES FROM THREE MEN]
Leonard A. Eddy           W. T. Alexander
Nick Katzenbach            (2d Lt's 381)

On the 26th of July 1942, I was commissioned as a 2d Lt.. pilot rated officer, in the United States Army Air Force. Since that date [BLANKED] on a B-25-C. I have been stationed at Columbia, and Walterboro S.C., then to Westover Field, Mass., and now at Presque [BLANKED] Maine, this story begins.

Log: 4 hours
October 10
     What a day! After that big party last night, I would have to leave for this "hole" known to few people of the world as "Goose Bay." (Labrador)
     I have never seen so many planes on one field. Planes are parked on every runway except the one we landed on.
     The A-20's that composed our formation made [BLANKED]. The other B-25 lead this leg as we lead the leg from Westover field to Presque Isle, Maine. [BLANKED] will lead from her to "BO-1"(Greenland). I hope we aren't here long.

October 11
     Meet some of the gang here from Tampa, Florida, that are co-pilots on B-26's, and don't like it at all. Most of those boys went to Tampa from Roswell, N.M. where we were commissioned together.
     Meals are lousy here. Bunks cost 10 cents per night. Powdered milk, and eggs, are something I don't care to ever eat again.
     This is my second day of foreign duty!
     Saw "Maise Gets Her Man" at the Rec. Hall where 250 men are living. Sat on the benches to watch the free show.
     Only our plane made it to BW-1.

October 12
     Went for a hike down to Lake Hamilton today. It was only 8 miles each way! But one has to do something to keep from going crazy around here.
     We are hoping to take off for BW-1 tomorrow at 1200 (G.M.T.) which will be 9:00. (here)
     Lt. Meyers fell in the lake from his canoe. Boy, did he only look silly standing in that ice cold water up to his neck.
     I wrote several letters today. It probably will be weeks until they get home, and etc.
     Gosh, would I like a good steak!

October 13
     The saw mill at Lake Hamilton was wonderful - from the logs in the water, - the mill, and, then; tight to the buildings here that they are building with the lumber. They really work hard down at that mill (Pay $300 per month.)
     Lt. Katzenbach bought a "husky' dog today. Cost him $35.00 but the man would have rather had two quarts of whiskey (worth $20.00 per bottle up here).
     I wrote a few letters today. Tomorrow we are hoping to get off to BS-1. Some of the boys made the trip today.
     Dog's name: "Spot of Scotch".

Log: 7:15
October 14
     Well, we traveled 7 1/4 hours today (1400 miles approx). which was 45 minutes from BW-1 (Greenland) and then had to turn back to "Goose Bay" when we got into heavy rain storms. All the ten A-20's and the (2) B-25's made a safe return. Of another flight, a A-20 was lost making five ships lost on route to Greenland since our arrival here.
     "Spot" slept the whole trip. Funny; cause most people get sick on their first trip in the air.
     "Spot" "logged" 1 hour of automatic flying time.
     Plenty tired tonight.

October 15
     A nice peaceful day- played some "black jack" and a couple hours of volleyball. Seen a movie in the evening, as usual (for officer's only). I got a kick out of one part of the "short" movie - it was about that screwy place of "Bud and Luke's" in Toledo (Made one home-sick)
     There must be an easy 150 million dollars worth of planes on this field - not to say the amount that men are valued at. B-24, 25, and 26's, PBY, A-20's, P-38's and all. What a place!
     Had real butter today - what a treat!

October 16
     Funny how good bread, butter, and sugar can be as a desert.
     Saw the movie "Her Cardboard Lover" -- its stink went to the high heavens. What a waste of film.
     Cigarettes are rationed here every day. 2 packs per day for 15 cents. They are American Brands which are much better than these Canadian jobs (24 to the pack - 10 cents).
     Talked to some boys coming back from England. What 'tales" they have to tell. War isn't a joke.
     Looks as though we are going to be here for a long time. Boy, would I like to be in the Springfield [HARD TO READ].

October 17
     I was right! We are here for another day - and I hope it doesn't turn out to be as long a stay as some of this gang which have been here for better than a month.
     Saw the movie "Joe Smith American "- it was quite good. Plenty of loyal flag waving, and etc.
     Spent part of the day "chewing the fat" with a boy from Australia. He has spent a year of service over there with the U.S. Air Forces.
     Going to bed early as I have a weather briefing at 0630 camp time.

October 18
     And again, we don't leave! Nice and cold here today ~ 25 below zero. I was in a "flying fortress" B-17-E. today. What a plane. I don't like it as much as the B-24 that I was in at Presque Isle. Of course, the C-W "Commando" ship really has the room; carries tanks and everything.
     The Major (Himan) really gave us plain "hell" for the way we have been wasting our time sleeping, and etc. Most of the fellows were ordered to shave their "8" week-old beards off.
     No movie tonight as the R.C.A.F. is using the projector.

Log 4:50
October 19
     Good bye Labrador- hello Greenland! And here I am at BW-1 after a 4 1/2 hour trip. The snow capped mountains, the icebergs in the water, and the ice capes are really beautiful. I took some photographs of them. [BLANKED] It got rather cold at 9.000 ft. today -[BLANKED] below zero.
     And so I'll close now as I have a "briefing" to attend within the hour. Maybe I'll see a show afterward (3 per day).
     The run way here is the iron-grate type. Very rough. Removable.

October 20
     The music in the barracks is swell. The food much better than old Goose Bay.
     What a "run way" - it heads right into a mountain. It is land "right" or land in a grave!
20' to 112' (other end!)
     Fish are so plentiful that one catches them by hand. [BLANKED] walked three hours to the "ice-cap' today.
     Met two fellows that I went to Scott Field with. They are stationed here. Had a wonderful chat.
     No show this evening. Had 6 coca colas today. Eleven days since last coke!
     I wish I had some mail to read.

October 21
     No one got off to Iceland today as that station is under attack by Germany. We had some fun here today. A whale was sighted in the bay - and the pilot said it was a sub. Planes really took to the air. We were really ready if it had be a "sub'.
     I climbed up a mountain today. What a trip! I was cold when I started but had a good "sweat' when I got way up there in the heavens.
     I guess my letters won't get home from here. They are very strict.
     It seems years ago since I was in the good old United States!

October 22
     (It was a sub after all! I guess I will earn that extra '10% for the wear and tear of war.)
     Went down to the U.S. Transport boats today. Watch them unload gas barrels (58 gal. per barrel).
     Also "dug" my gas mask out of the nose of the plane in preparation of a gas attack. Soon as I get to Scotland, I will have to carry it wherever I go.
     Saw "Valley of the Sun" - a real gun shooting story of the West.
     Spent the rest of the day in the library trying to improve my humble mind.
     Cigarettes are 50 cents per carton here. But I can't buy them!

October 23
     Well, here it is Friday. And I am still here in Greenland! (I hate it here)
     Didn't do much today. Did a good deal of reading at the library. Nothing like read the newspapers of August and etc.
     An A-20 went down in the "drink" today. The crew come down "in the silk"- and don't look any the worst for the wear and tear. They are now members of the "Cat Club". - (Skellon - pilot)
     Sczygiel [HARD TO READ] shot at rabbit in the mountains today. (Snow foot)
     Some more ships made it to Iceland today. I hope we get out tomorrow.

October 24
     I am beginning to wonder if I am going to spend the rest of the war here. I don't get up for breakfast any more because it isn't worth the effort, and the more time one spends sleeping - the shorter the day.
     I have finally read every magazine and book in the library on aviation. Now I am really stuck with more spare time than ever.
     Most of the gang is getting on edge and very nervous due to this lack of things to do.
     The moon is really beautiful tonight - but no gals here so to bed I go!

October 25
     Poor old "Katz" --- his dog went along his merry way today. He (the dog) chewed the rope in two.
     I forgot to say that I saw the lead dog (350.00) of Byrd's trip at Goose Bay, Labrador.
     Saw "Dr. Broadway" this evening. Rather good. Also saw a short on the bombing of Japan. It showed some of the men in our bombardment group that received medals.
     Had some of that stuff known as "chicken' today for dinner even though I couldn't figure out where my part ever came from.
     Haven't had any butter since I've been here.

October 26
     Took a 4 1/2 hour hike today - [BLANKED]. Had loads of fun on the ice caps.
     Sent a letter home to mother, (and others) via the pilot on way back to the U.S. to get a new plane. He lost his plane in the bay on Oct. 23rd ($175,000 lost)
     The dog hasn't come back yet. I think someone took him back on the steamer which left yesterday. Katz is sad, of course.
     The days are getting really short now. This course will only be open a couple of more weeks. The winds get as high as 100 mph around here. (Nice kit weather.)
     My hair is getting so long that it tickles.

October 27
     And still the dog doesn't return. We went down to the boats mooring in the bay to see if they had him reported. He wasn't there.
     Bought a double case of canned beer [BLANKED]. Katz and I "stashed" it away. Had to get a special permit from the post C.O. to get it. Tasted good.
     Looked at some of the vaults in the side of the mountains. This place is really built in case of air attack. Guns everywhere.
     We sleep 40 men to the barracks at 50 (cent sign) per bed. The oil heaters keep the place nice and warm.

October 28
     We really though we were going to leave this morning. We got up at 430 G.M.T. which is 130 camp time.
     Snow and rain closed in at the last hour. And it has been raining for the last twelve hours with a 45 mph wind (very gusty too).
     Went to the show this afternoon. Just another class "C' film.
     We had big steaks today for dinner plus a pint of homemade ice cream. It was really good!
     Looks as though we are going to have a load of rotten weather here.
     10th day here!

October 29
     The wind bellowed, and blew so hard, I thought the barracks would flatten itself the earth. Then we had a "sea of mud" around here.
     I spent most of the day reading tech. orders on our bomber. Then the usual amount of time at the library.
     When they start to serve good meals at that session known as breakfast, I will get up at a decent hour instead of noon.
     Most of our crew had to pull "K.P." today. I pity the boys cause it wasn't fun when I had to pull it when I was an enlisted man.
     Katz has given up on the prospect of finding "Spot" again.

October 30
     We had real butter today for a change - a remarkable change.
     We have been here so long that they are starting to sell us cigarettes and candy.
     Of course, I spent the usual time in the library reading all I can on aviation!
     It is raining and showers are beginning to be a common affair around here plus some mush and wet snow.
     Katz has quite looking for his dog now. I am glad that I took some photos of the dog before her went bye bye on the steamer.
     A new show tonight - class"C" of course.

October 31
     "Ferry pilot" Skellon went back to N.Y.C on a stratoliner (C-54) today with my letters that he is going to mail in the States without being censored.
     The "Northern Lights" were really beautiful this evening. More active that usual.
     We heard the football scores today. Ohio State lost - too bad. We get programs from N.Y.C. every once in a while. The Signal Corps has charge of these services.
     I felt homesick today when I thought how lucky those fellows were going to be when they got back in U.S.A. Skellon was going to Detroit - will be there by tomorrow noon.