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OFFICE OF CIVILIAN DEFENSE
Washington, D, C.
CAP
No. BULLETIN
CIVIL AIR PATROL
September 18, 1942
Unit Commanders: We sometimes wonder whether all the members fully realize the importance of the service
they are rendering as aerial home guards in their own communities. Compared to the coastal patrol, the
missions around the home airport may seem small and unexciting to airmen who are eager for a sight of the
enemy.
But the reports which come in to National Headquarters day by day are adding up.
Where planes are needed to test the air raid spotter system, exercise the searchlights, carry officials on
observation flights, or give the public a display of protecting wings in the sky, the CAP is a mighty convincing
substitute for Army and Navy ships which are so much needed on other duties. A precise formation of little
yellow planes can give the onlookers the same kind of a thrill as a flight of bombers.
GROUNDED BY STORM—Pilots of CAP are cheerfully facing hazards in the service of our country
not only on active military missions but in the course of their volunteer work on the home front. Three
planes returning from a bond rally at Houston, Mo., ran into a heavy storm and were forced to land in
fields. The wind whooshed one ship up from 50 to 1500 feet. Undaunted, J. B. Kidd, flying one of the
planes, took off the same evening to help boost a scrap drive and said the flight was uneventful.
BOND BUYERS GET PLANE RIDES—Squadron 213-1, Syracuse, N.Y., gave free rides in
CAP planes to purchasers of $50 and $100 war bonds at booths at the Fulton airport in a
Labor Day drive. Exhibition flights and contests also were held to bring out the people.
SCRAP HARVEST--In Denver's scrap hunt, 18 CAP planes searched adjacent counties for
Junk piles and dropped blotters advertising the need for war materials.
IT ALL HELPS--These local missions, today in Portland and tomorrow in Kalamazoo, sum up
to an achievement which will not be the least of CAP's contributions to the winning of the war.
MOBILIZATION PLAN--While we are talking about the aerial home guard function which is
half of the duty of the Patrol, let's not forget the value of detailed planning to make each unit
ready for emergencies. Group 514, Cleveland, has worked out a system for passing the word
from the airport control tower from officer to officer, with alternate calls if the chain is broken by
absences. The call will go on to all flight officers who will turn out members of their flights. The
pick-up transportation plan will not be used because of the time factor. Since 80% of the
members own autos, it is quickest for them to jump into their own cars and come to the airport
directly.
The plan will be tested soon to see how fast they can report for duty.
AIRCRAFT WARNING SYSTEM—Let's remember also the importance of continuous and close cooperation
with other civilian defense services. Squadron 152-1, Hartford, has been learning about the air raid warning
network from a lecturer furnished by the Speakers Bureau of the State Defense Council, which is valuable
information for all CAP units.
According to Connecticut "Wine Dope". "From the talk and the experience of one member who accidentally
veered from his course in a recent flight, it was clear that the system is air tight.”
SECRECY—Regarding coastal patrol, the Iowa Wing Bulletin says, The best evidence of the merit of the job
is that we are permitted to say less and less about it. We regret that we are unable to share with our entire
personnel the highly gratifying information that we are receiving. We re-emphasize our pride in the job being
turned out by our buddies on active duty."
4-0284 bu-wp
GUARDING PLANE WRECKS—On two occasions, Virginia Squadrons have turned out to
guard military planes which crashed in their areas. On notification by the aircraft spotters or
other witnesses, members have reported promptly to the scene, roped off the wreckage,
and kept back the crowds until Investigating officials could arrive and complete their work.
TWO-SACKERS—Squadron 461-6, Montgomery, claims the distinction of having men who
can toss 100 one-pound bombs all at one time. In the "bombing" of Birmingham last month,
the pilot and observer of one ship misunderstood that there were smaller sawdust bombs in
the large bags which were distributed to the pilots at the airport.
"When the bombing started", according to the Alabama Wing News, "well sir, out of a small
airplane would come a large sack.” The crew of this plane have been nicknamed the twosackers since they were carrying two of the big bags that day.
OFFICER OF DAY--Squadron 511-2, Willoughby, Ohio appoints an Officer of the Day to be
on duty at the flying field, help with flight clearances, and assist operations on training
missions. The O.D. is identified by a Sam Brown belt. An assistant is provided on
Saturdays and Sundays. Only one officer is on duty daily the rest of the week. The Ohio
CAP newsletter reports that the system is working fine and is worth copying by other units.
ACTIVE THOUGH GROUNDED--When Squadron 461-4 Mobile, Ala., lost its airport, interest waned and
attendance dropped off for a time. But, as attention was shifted to ground drill and class room training,
enthusiasm and attendance mounted again.
This Squadron is making fine progress and is hopeful of flying again from a new field.
That’s the spirit, Mobile.
SQUADRON BULLETIN—The Bulletin of Squadron 671-2, Omaha, now in its 12th issue, has been renamed the PROP. They are right insistent on attendance out there.
Members absent for 3 consecutive meetings are asked to turn in their cards unless they can give valid
reason such as war work for not showing up.
COMMUNICATIONS--A communications manual is being prepared by Charles LaForce, Wisconsin-Wing
Communications Officer, for distribution to units throughout the State.
The manual outlines the entire field of communications and covers practical missions such as message dropping
and panel reading.
Squadron 624-1, Madison, is tuning up its radios for forest patrol. In a practice mission, a number of small fires
were started. Planes carrying observers furnished by the Conservation Commission located the fires and
radioed their position.
NEW SQUADRONS FORMING--Although some States which were over-organized at the
beginning of CAP are consolidating Squadrons to streamline their activities, new units are still
forming in many regions as local flyers see what the Patrol is doing and get the urge to join. The
latest news clipping under that heading is from the Roswell, New Mexico, DISPATCH, announcing
a hangar meeting and urging everyone interested in aviation to be there. Welcome, RosweIl.
BREVITY—In CAP as in any other business it is important to minimize the use of telephone and telegraph.
Directives on this subject have been issued. Plan what you are going to say in long distance calls so as not to
use the overburdened wires a second longer than necessary. For telegraph and teletype, GM-37 carries a list of
approved abbreviations such as Sq Cndr for Squadron Commander. This bulletin does not abbreviate because
it is read by some few non-members but for communications within CAP, the shorter the better.
Washington, D, C.
CAP
No. BULLETIN
CIVIL AIR PATROL
September 18, 1942
Unit Commanders: We sometimes wonder whether all the members fully realize the importance of the service
they are rendering as aerial home guards in their own communities. Compared to the coastal patrol, the
missions around the home airport may seem small and unexciting to airmen who are eager for a sight of the
enemy.
But the reports which come in to National Headquarters day by day are adding up.
Where planes are needed to test the air raid spotter system, exercise the searchlights, carry officials on
observation flights, or give the public a display of protecting wings in the sky, the CAP is a mighty convincing
substitute for Army and Navy ships which are so much needed on other duties. A precise formation of little
yellow planes can give the onlookers the same kind of a thrill as a flight of bombers.
GROUNDED BY STORM—Pilots of CAP are cheerfully facing hazards in the service of our country
not only on active military missions but in the course of their volunteer work on the home front. Three
planes returning from a bond rally at Houston, Mo., ran into a heavy storm and were forced to land in
fields. The wind whooshed one ship up from 50 to 1500 feet. Undaunted, J. B. Kidd, flying one of the
planes, took off the same evening to help boost a scrap drive and said the flight was uneventful.
BOND BUYERS GET PLANE RIDES—Squadron 213-1, Syracuse, N.Y., gave free rides in
CAP planes to purchasers of $50 and $100 war bonds at booths at the Fulton airport in a
Labor Day drive. Exhibition flights and contests also were held to bring out the people.
SCRAP HARVEST--In Denver's scrap hunt, 18 CAP planes searched adjacent counties for
Junk piles and dropped blotters advertising the need for war materials.
IT ALL HELPS--These local missions, today in Portland and tomorrow in Kalamazoo, sum up
to an achievement which will not be the least of CAP's contributions to the winning of the war.
MOBILIZATION PLAN--While we are talking about the aerial home guard function which is
half of the duty of the Patrol, let's not forget the value of detailed planning to make each unit
ready for emergencies. Group 514, Cleveland, has worked out a system for passing the word
from the airport control tower from officer to officer, with alternate calls if the chain is broken by
absences. The call will go on to all flight officers who will turn out members of their flights. The
pick-up transportation plan will not be used because of the time factor. Since 80% of the
members own autos, it is quickest for them to jump into their own cars and come to the airport
directly.
The plan will be tested soon to see how fast they can report for duty.
AIRCRAFT WARNING SYSTEM—Let's remember also the importance of continuous and close cooperation
with other civilian defense services. Squadron 152-1, Hartford, has been learning about the air raid warning
network from a lecturer furnished by the Speakers Bureau of the State Defense Council, which is valuable
information for all CAP units.
According to Connecticut "Wine Dope". "From the talk and the experience of one member who accidentally
veered from his course in a recent flight, it was clear that the system is air tight.”
SECRECY—Regarding coastal patrol, the Iowa Wing Bulletin says, The best evidence of the merit of the job
is that we are permitted to say less and less about it. We regret that we are unable to share with our entire
personnel the highly gratifying information that we are receiving. We re-emphasize our pride in the job being
turned out by our buddies on active duty."
4-0284 bu-wp
GUARDING PLANE WRECKS—On two occasions, Virginia Squadrons have turned out to
guard military planes which crashed in their areas. On notification by the aircraft spotters or
other witnesses, members have reported promptly to the scene, roped off the wreckage,
and kept back the crowds until Investigating officials could arrive and complete their work.
TWO-SACKERS—Squadron 461-6, Montgomery, claims the distinction of having men who
can toss 100 one-pound bombs all at one time. In the "bombing" of Birmingham last month,
the pilot and observer of one ship misunderstood that there were smaller sawdust bombs in
the large bags which were distributed to the pilots at the airport.
"When the bombing started", according to the Alabama Wing News, "well sir, out of a small
airplane would come a large sack.” The crew of this plane have been nicknamed the twosackers since they were carrying two of the big bags that day.
OFFICER OF DAY--Squadron 511-2, Willoughby, Ohio appoints an Officer of the Day to be
on duty at the flying field, help with flight clearances, and assist operations on training
missions. The O.D. is identified by a Sam Brown belt. An assistant is provided on
Saturdays and Sundays. Only one officer is on duty daily the rest of the week. The Ohio
CAP newsletter reports that the system is working fine and is worth copying by other units.
ACTIVE THOUGH GROUNDED--When Squadron 461-4 Mobile, Ala., lost its airport, interest waned and
attendance dropped off for a time. But, as attention was shifted to ground drill and class room training,
enthusiasm and attendance mounted again.
This Squadron is making fine progress and is hopeful of flying again from a new field.
That’s the spirit, Mobile.
SQUADRON BULLETIN—The Bulletin of Squadron 671-2, Omaha, now in its 12th issue, has been renamed the PROP. They are right insistent on attendance out there.
Members absent for 3 consecutive meetings are asked to turn in their cards unless they can give valid
reason such as war work for not showing up.
COMMUNICATIONS--A communications manual is being prepared by Charles LaForce, Wisconsin-Wing
Communications Officer, for distribution to units throughout the State.
The manual outlines the entire field of communications and covers practical missions such as message dropping
and panel reading.
Squadron 624-1, Madison, is tuning up its radios for forest patrol. In a practice mission, a number of small fires
were started. Planes carrying observers furnished by the Conservation Commission located the fires and
radioed their position.
NEW SQUADRONS FORMING--Although some States which were over-organized at the
beginning of CAP are consolidating Squadrons to streamline their activities, new units are still
forming in many regions as local flyers see what the Patrol is doing and get the urge to join. The
latest news clipping under that heading is from the Roswell, New Mexico, DISPATCH, announcing
a hangar meeting and urging everyone interested in aviation to be there. Welcome, RosweIl.
BREVITY—In CAP as in any other business it is important to minimize the use of telephone and telegraph.
Directives on this subject have been issued. Plan what you are going to say in long distance calls so as not to
use the overburdened wires a second longer than necessary. For telegraph and teletype, GM-37 carries a list of
approved abbreviations such as Sq Cndr for Squadron Commander. This bulletin does not abbreviate because
it is read by some few non-members but for communications within CAP, the shorter the better.