Oral history interview with John W. Philipps, 2000.

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Oral history interview with John W. Philipps, 2000.

http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/85247085

John W. Philipps, a Lancaster, Wisconsin native, discusses his World War II service as an Air Force mechanic and gunner with the 453rd Bomb Group. Philipps mentions basic training at Jefferson Barracks (Missouri) and airplane mechanic school in Illinois. He talks about the kinds of airplanes he worked with at mechanic training at Hamilton Field (California), aerial gunnery school at Las Vegas (Nevada), and assignment to a B-24 crew at March Field (California). Philipps comments on his long flight to RAF Old Buckenham Airfield (England), problems caused by bad weather during missions into occupied France and Germany, opposition from antiaircraft and enemy fighter planes, and shrapnel damage. He addresses food, flight equipment, taking shelter from the Blitz while on leave in London, and going to Edinburgh on leave. Philipps tells of having an engine shot out during a mission to bomb an oil refinery in Politz (Germany). He touches upon working as a classroom instructor in Ireland, being shipped back to the United States in 1944, and getting married before transferring to Truax Field (Madison), where he worked in a supply room. After being discharged, Philipps mentions becoming a member of the VFW and the American Legion, and he talks about his civilian career.

Sound recording : 1 sound cassette (ca. 30 min.) : analog, 1 7/8 ips.Videorecording : 1 videocassette (ca. 30 min.) : sd., col. ; 1/2 in.Master sound recording : 1 sound cassette (ca. 30 min.) : analog, 1 7/8 ips.Transcript : 17 p.

Wisconsin Veterans Museum Research Center

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SNAC Resource ID: 8332940

Wisconsin Veterans Museum Research Center

Related Entities

There are 5 Entities related to this resource.

United States. Army Air Forces

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6wb616q (person)

The Army Air Forces War Adjustment Course was established in 1944 at several locations in the U.S., one of which was Harvard Business School. The HBS program involved eight weeks of training in the business of contract terminations, cutbacks, and property disposal necessitated by changes in Army Air Forces tactical requirements. Approximately 4,200 officers received instruction throughout the country, about one sixth of them at HBS. The goal of the program was to train men for participation in t...

Philipps, John W., 1914-2006,

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w66n0md2 (person)

Philipps (1914-2006) entered the Army Air Forces in 1942. He flew thirty-two missions and was honorably discharged at the rank of staff sergeant. After the war, he worked in the hardware and appliance business for many years in Lancaster (Wisconsin), for the Department of Agriculture in their Trade Regulations Division as a civil investigator in Eau Claire, retired to Arkansas and Florida, and eventually settled in Middleton (Wisconsin). From the description of Oral history interview...

Wisconsin Veterans Museum

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w69s5frp (corporateBody)

United States. Army Air Forces. Bombardment Group (Heavy), 453rd

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w68h5vkb (corporateBody)

McIntosh, James F., 1923-

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6dv1gzw (person)

Dr. James F. McIntosh (1923- ) attended Medical School through the ASTP program and served as a surgeon aboard the USS Haven during the Korean War before returning to practice in Urology. From the description of Oral history interview with James F. McIntosh [sound recording], 1997. (Wisconsin Veterans Museum Research Center). WorldCat record id: 84901467 ...