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SOUS-BOIS

 

After four months of operations in Europe, we shelved our rugged existence for a more commodious life. On the 24th of October, we moved to Sous-Bois, the mansion which housed the German General Von Hindinberg during the last war. Sous-Bois, our new home means under-wood in French. The name befits the area that surrounds the house. Heavily wooded, with large pine trees, the country offers a deep contrast to the fertile, grassy land that we saw in Normandy, France Spa, Several months of cold nights and muddy roads. Now, comforted by the strong walls of the buildings, the vision of snow and storms no longer plays havoc with our imagination. Upon examination, it was found that the mansion was not nearly large enough to accommodate all the personnel. A building nearby was requisitioned so that 15 men from the supply and transportation sections would have a place to live in. The Intelligence and Headquarters Section Kept their Bedford trucks intact and operated just outside the building.

 

A suitable airstrip was picked by Captain Frederick A. Campbell Jr., Operations Officer, about one mile from Sous-Bois along the main Malmedy road. Technical Supply and Engineering Sections set up tents on the airfield so that they could operate near the planes.

 

The large Dining-Room proved an excellent place to hold motion pictures. Captain Donald B. Martin, Intelligence Officer, in charge of Special Service ordered the screen set up; the following evening a film was shown in our new theatre. The facilities were ideal; acoustics and seating arrangements proved better than we had in the tented area near Verviers. Many excellent "Movies" were shown during the month, but those witnessed at Sous-Bois were the most enjoyable. The special service section has provided, so far, motion pictures every other evening.

 

October 9th was set aside as voting day. After many lectures of Procedural instruction by Captain Martin, the intelligence van was officially designated as the place where qualified personnel would cast their votes, but prior thereto many men received state absentee ballots which were duly executed.

 

During the month, Lieutenants Herbert J. Skinner and Lawrence E. Shrum, were promoted to First Lieutenants. 1st Lt Fred H. Voight was transferred from Flight "A" to Flight "D". Technical Sergeant Herbert W. Allen, Technical Sergeant Vineil L. Robison and Staff Sergeant Marvin R. Cummins, all from Flight "C" received the Air Medal. 1st Lt Robert M. Barnes, formally from the 30th Reconnaissance Squadron came to our outfit as a new addition, he was assigned to Flight "A" as commander. Technical Sergeant Eugene F. Massignani, Liaison Pilot, bid farewell to the Squadron after he received orders from the War Department to go back to the States. He left with an excellent record of meritorious service and will be difficult to replace.

 

1st Lt Lawrence E. Shrum, Flight Commander of "B" Flight, made a very interesting report on flight activities:

 

He says, "On September 15th, an airstrip was selected about four miles inside the German border near the little town of Kornelimunster. On the following day we were operating as usual. Our flight being the first of any Air Corp personnel to operate and maintain aircraft inside Germany in this war, we were almost always under artillery fire from the enemy. Things went along nicely until on the night of October 4th we lost our first airplane from enemy bombing. None

 

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