These
eleven men, ranging on age from late teens to mid-twenties, had
now joined together as Crew 5. For the next several months, each
other would closely share each day of their lives.
While
at Salina, Kansas City, was a popular town for airmen. From the
very beginning, crews flocked to "K.C." in search of a good time.
Some came by bus and train while others hitch hiked. It offered
things a soldier was looking for - women and fun. Popular too,
were the "booze" runs. Liquor could be procured there to take
back to "dry" Kansas, a misnomer if ever there was one. In reality
it was probably one of the wettest states. Bootleggers thrived
there and were always easy to find. For a price! Any bellhop or
cab driver could quickly make the connection for you. They could
also arrange for a girl to share your bottle with. These same
illegal services were also available at the various "hang-outs"
and dance spots like the "Blue Pacific", for instance. There,
"set-ups" (ice and mixer), could be had on the inside, while the
main ingredient was available outside. Inflated prices prevailed.
Twenty-five dollars for a fifth was not an unusual price to pay
these vendors in Salina. Apparently, a bottle of booze was a more
precious commodity than a girl for the evening, The latter could
be had for much less.
For
this reason, we'd always make it a point to stock up before returning
to Kansas where we could bootleg the stuff for a substantial profit.
There were always customers waiting back at Smoky Hill.
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L
to R: Al Baldi, Pilot; Bud Folker, Bombardier;
Edward Edmundson, Nav.; Herm Marthaler, Radar
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Stories
of the "Blue Pacific" shall forever linger in the minds of the
airmen stationed at Salina. A favorite of Crew 5 involved Bob
Sands. He and Bob Laird were enjoying a few V.O.s in the company
of two attractive girls they had met there. Everything was going
quite well as Laird left the table momentarily to replenish their
ice supply. Upon returning, he found the girls extremely upset
and hysterically shouting, "They're beating up Bob outside!" Laird,
apprehensively, hurried into the darkened yard and immediately
came upon two inebriated figures flailing away at each other.
The scene resembled an Abott and Costello movie, as neither seemed
able to hit the other. With the help of crewmates, the situation
was quelled and Sands was led inside. The reason for the altercation
was never known.
Obviously,
Bob didn't remember either, as later in the evening he and his
adversary were seen buying drinks for each other.
In
the middle of January 1945, the 39th crews were sent to Batista
Field, Cuba for training in over-water flight, Our crew was part
of the B-29 contingent involved in "Gypsy Task Force," as the
operation was designate. Accompanying us was Lt.
Col. James H. Thompson, Group Operations Officer.
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