The Lobo Tank Busters; This Past Growing Season; I Attended The Senior Citizens Breakfast At The High School
The Lobo Tank Busters
By: Stan Jordan
This morning, we four pilots in our P51D’s had on extra fuel tanks and we headed northeast to the small country of Luxembourg. Some of the Resistance people gave us the word that there is a German Ordinance Depot in a town called Thionville. The German repair a lot of tanks and vehicles there. It is situated beside the railroad and also has a lot of the place under green paint.
We got there in the middle of the morning and we went on by the place so we could look it over. There were tanks and vehicles parked outside the building along with a couple 88mm canons that needed to be repaired.
We went on past the area a few miles and talked things over on the radio. I and my wingman would take the right side and the right side parking area. We would do the best we could on the first pass, there might not be a second pass.
We came in a little low and slowed up some what, but I still could only put some rockets into the canon in the parking area. I was able to hit a canon with each rocket and then I was past the place.
I flew on by a few miles and went up to about 1000 feet altitude and the other pilots came up to the same level. In our discussion, we figured we shot up that parking area pretty good. That must be at least an acre under roof and we didn’t know what was in there, but we assumed it was all war material. We will have to make another pass.
We totaled the rockets and we have nine left. We dropped our speed down to about 250 mph and went in one plane at a time. We planned on blowing up this whole building with our nine rockets.
I went in on the right side and fired both rockets about the same time. I flew on by and went into a steep climb and looked back after both rockets exploded. My share of it was blown to bits. I could see one of the other rockets hit a fuel tank. Boy what a fire, at least 100’ feet in the air!
The flight home was uneventful. Col. Bainebridge came on over tonight and we played some euchre.
See ya!
This Past Growing Season
By: Stan Jordan
This past growing season and harvest is one to be remembered. The first part of April was pretty good and some of the farmers got most of their corn planted, but the window was not long enough and it started to rain. It rained almost every day and the water just covered some of the fields, and it laid in low spots for many days.
It did this for a number of weeks and a number of farmers didn’t get all their corn planted, it got to be too late. It got into June and that is too late for corn planting but okay for beans.
Well, we still had some more wet weather and July came and then it was too late even for beans and some of that acreage didn’t get planted.
It stopped raining in July and hardly had rain again until late in October, but the corn and beans that did get planted lived and thrived on the water in the subsoil. Actually, they did better then expected, in fact some farmers reported that some of their best crops and worst crops were in the same field. Where the water didn’t stand and kill the corn it produced pretty well. Not a record, but pretty well, considering everything. Then September turned into October and the weather was ideal. It didn’t rain for many days and the beans were combined and the wheat was put in.
The early corn was ready to harvest and the farmers had lots of good weather to get the job done.
Some of the later beans will need a little longer time.
We finally got a good rain from tropical storm Patricia and it slowed up the corn harvesting for a while but the wheat needed the rain. Actually, the subsoil for next year will need more rain and snow. This year proves that the crops can live and do okay on the moisture in the subsoil.
See ya!
Veterans Day Origin
By: Stan Jordan
The first World War ended on November 11, 1918 at 11:00 a.m. That was the hour to end all combat.
The American government passed an act that made that date and hour Veterans Day in America it has been so celebrated by veterans ever since then.
That day, more or less, is sacred to any and all veterans. It means so much to them to have gone and served their country, it creates a special feeling.
Over the years, the ruling few in Washington wanted to change Veterans’ Day to make it another three day weekend for government employees, but all the veteran groups shouted to high heaven and that never came about.
It’s a national holiday on November 11th and we hope it always will be. It is sort of a compensation and more of remembrance. A special pride and a feeling that you went and answered the call. Our flag, Ol’ Glory, may she wave forever.
See ya!
I Attended The Senior Citizens Breakfast At The High School
By: Stan Jordan
On Thursday, October 22, 2015, the Antwerp High School had a breakfast for the senior citizens of the Antwerp school district. My good friends Steve and Sue Knapp helped me with my chair and chores. We had a fine breakfast made by Mrs. Altic and her kitchen crew and served to us by the Honor Society and the student council, a fine bunch of young folks.
I had a nice talk with our new high school superintendent, Dr Martin Miller. We are lucky to have hired a fine man like that. He told me he grew up in the Oakwood area and graduated from Paulding High School. That is another Paulding County boy that made good, it is a pleasure to know him. He made a fine presentation of a lot of improvements that have been made and some news about the school.
The enrollment now, pre- k through grade 12 is at 740 students. He talked about the new ball field, the practice football field and other sports activities. There is a lot going on out there.
He talked about the security system, the lights, the camera and the new fences. He covered a lot of the activities, he even gave me a print out of his presentation.
We were entertained by the Show Choir under the direction of Mrs. Mary Smith. I cannot say enough about that group. They sang and danced about 8 number and it was fantastic! I understand they practice before and after school not on school time. They looked spectacular in their attire. I didn’t get to talk with Mrs. Smith this time, she was very busy.
Equally entertaining, was the high school pep band. Andrea Newell is the director of this fine group. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the staff of Antwerp High School for a nice morning and I know I speak for all of the guest.
See ya!
