Oral history interview with Kermit E. Bliss, 1995.

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Oral history interview with Kermit E. Bliss, 1995.

http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/51557399

Kermit Bliss, a Madison, Wis. resident, discusses his service with the 7th Photo-Reconnaissance group, 14th Squadron, 8th Air Force during World War II. In a detailed interview, Bliss relates information on photographic techniques, military aircraft and maintenance, andlife at an Air Force base. Bliss details his induction into the Air Force, including training at San Angelo (Texas) and assignment to the Photographic Reconnaissance Operation Training Unit (PROTU). He relates the difficulties with PROTU (a new Air Force unit) including the lack of a runway, proper equipment, and knowledge about airplane operation. Stationed at Oxford (England), Bliss details daily life, reconnaissance missions, differences between reconnaissance planes and fighter planes, problems pilots faced in the air, briefings, and photo identification. He mentions the major targets of photo-reconnaissance missions and reasons for these targets, and also discusses German photo-reconnaissance techniques and photo retouching to create German propaganda. Bliss touches upon interactions and cultural differences between Americans and the English and alcoholism. Bliss describes his duties as a group commander such as shipping troops to the Army of Occupation and the China-India-Burma theater, instituting an educational program, producing a series of photographic WWII books, and determining the causes of plane crashes. He relates his transfer to the Active Reserve, where he was made a Colonel; his work for the Madison school district, difficulty finding housing, use of the GI Bill, and involvement with 8th Air Force reunions.

Sound recording : 2 sound cassettes (ca. 111 min.) : analog, 1 7/8 ips.Transcript: 38 p.Master sound recording: 1 sound cassette (ca. 111 min.) : analog, 1 7/8 ips.

Wisconsin Veterans Museum Research Center

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SNAC Resource ID: 7639776

Wisconsin Veterans Museum Research Center

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Van Ells, Mark D. (Mark David), 1962-

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Kermit Bliss (b. March 31, 1920) served with the 8th Air Force, 7th Photo Group during World War II. After the war, he moved to Madison (Wisconsin) and joined the Reserves, with whom he achieved the rank of Colonel before retiring after thirty years of service. Bliss spent thirty-eight years working for the Board of Education and Madison Community Center, eventually becoming the director. From the description of Oral history interview with Kermit E. Bliss, 1995. (Wisconsin Veterans M...

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At Harris Neck, Georgia, in the remote northern reaches of McIntosh County, the United States government, in the fall of 1942, confiscated the lands along the South Newport and Barbour Island Rivers. Paved runways were constructed for aircraft, and Harris Neck became an air reconnaissance base for the United States Army Air Force during World War II. A number of support buildings were constructed at the Harris Neck Air Base, such as barracks for personnel, an officers club, and PX, to serve the ...