Camp MacKall cont’d

1943 11th Airborne, Camp MacKall Yearbook

The following story has been condensed from the “Angels: A History of the 11th Airborne Division” by MGeneral E.M. Flanagan Jr.

The 511th made waves for the 11th A/B Div.

General Swing, realized he was commanding an outfit of cocky paratroopers with special jump pay and glider troops who had no voice in their assignment and no extra pay to compensate for being forced to go to war in a rickety, undependable glider in equal hazardous duty.  Unless he took some drastic action, the division would be split.

511th Regimental patch.

Reports filtered back to Gen. Swing at Camp MacKall that the 511th troopers were full of arrogant, rowdy hell-raisers lacking in discipline.  But when the regiment joined up with the 11th Airborne, Swing was ready for them.  Henry Muller [G-2 officer] remembered:

 

“It was quite a shock to us.  Gen. Swing, who had heard terrible reports about the alleged rowdyism and unprofessionalism, was determined to ‘make us right.’  The first thing to go were the leather jackets [Air Corps ‘bomber jackets’ issued to flight crews] being worn by the paratrooper officers.  Next were the beloved boots for all ranks!  We were in a state of shock.

“That dreadful morning when we all had to put on ‘leggings’ nearly broke our spirits – but not for long.  The old horse artilleryman [Swing] knew what it would take to bring a high spirited horse under control.  In the long run it was good for us too-cocky paratroopers and helped prevent unhealthy rivalry between paratroopers and glidermen.  The glidermen had been referred to as ‘Haimes’ at this point.”

MGen. Joseph M. Swing

Unfettered by his superior officers, Gen. Swing would ensure that the entire division would operate as both paratroopers and glidermen.  He set up the 11th Airborne’s own jump schools at Camp Polk, New Guinea and the Philippines.

According to Smitty, the 511th continued to maintain their air of superiority throughout the war which also continued the rivalries; just unbeknownst to most the officers.

Click on images to enlarge.

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Paratrooper Humor – 

Para-Toast.

‘I dropped out of Parachute School.’

“It’s best not to speak to paratroopers about saluting. They’ll only ask you where you got your boots.”

 

 

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Farewell Salutes – 

Gordon Anderson – Ellensburg, WA; US Army Air Corps, WWII, PTO, 188th Reg./11th Airborne

Patrick Butler – San Francisco, CA; US Army Air Corps, PTO Occupation, 187th Reg,/ 11th A/B

Renfroe Colbert – Indian Trails, NC; US Army Air Corps, WWII, PTO, C/511th/11th A/B

11th A/B Soldiers Prayer (Click on to read.)

William DeFlorio – Willowick, OH; US Army Air Corps, WWII, PTO, D/511th/11th A/B

Howard Englert – Stoney Creek, NY; US Army Air Corps, WWII, PTO, HQ2/188/11th A/B

Valentine Geig – Port St.Lucie, FL; US Army Air Corps, WWII, PTO, HQ/187th/11th A/B

Hassel Rogers – Ridgeway, VA; US Army Air Corps, WWII, PTO, C/674th Arty/11th A/B

Ted Timberlake – Cape Coral, FL; US Army Air Corps, WWII, PTO, HQ/187th/11th A/B

Delbert Thomsen – Clinton, IA; US Army Air Corps, WWII, PTO, HQ/ 457 Arty/11th A/B

James Wilson – Buffalo, OK; US Army Air Corps, WWII, PTO, C/457th Arty/11th A/B

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