Bombs Away
Class 44-09, Carlsbad Army Air Field, Carlsbad, New Mexico

A humorous description of bivouac is given on page 18:

Bivouac

We hike the 8 miles to the Bivouac area--such a simple sentence and so innocent in appearance. I'll quote Webster for a moment to put a little meaning into it and you can go on from there. "HIKE (hik)--to march laboriously (in the peaceful sun...temperature 120).

BIV'OU-AC--An encampment for a very short sojourn, under improvised shelter or none. (mostly none)"

New Mexico! Land of Enchantment! We were further enchanted by the scenery, (of course it had been flattened in some early generation but it was ours to enjoy). Then there were the gentle breezes (40 mph) that distributed most of the landscape through everything and which almost filled our modern (?) sunken latrines. I wish they'd let the pups keep the tents--yes, they are airey and do protect one from the sun (much in the manner of an oven).

Of course it was to be understood that this was to be an enactment of battle conditions and I think we all felt as tho' little was left that might destroy this feeling.

We bombed RR centers disguised as 100 ft. circles with demolition bombs--(they left a lovely hole!) and a few actually bombed roads and other miscellaneous property (worth little or nothing anyway!) We calibrated instruments from low levels and high speeds and completed what was to be done in the shortest time possible.

The food was good and the beer refreshing.--We were entertained by the Special Service troupe and we in turn entertained them with a gas attack, which no one enjoyed. It was a trip to be remembered by all, enjoyed by some and missed by none.

Authors:

• Murray S. Silin, Editor

Published:

• circa 1944

Categories:

• Bombardment
• Class Books
• Training

Class/Unit Number:

• 44-09: Class 44-9

Special Features:

• Hometowns - Includes cadets' hometowns
• Index - Includes an index of cadets

Locations:

• Carlsbad Army Air Field; Carlsbad, New Mexico, USA

Contributors:

• Marty Upchurch

Repositories:

• Private Collection

This is one of 7 items in the Bombs Away (Carlsbad) series.

Direct Link (Item 000627):

• https://aafcollection.info/items/list.php?item=000627

Citation:

• Army Air Forces Collection, "Bombs Away: Class 44-09, Carlsbad Army Air Field, Carlsbad, New Mexico" (item 000627), AAF Collection, https://AAFCollection.info/items/list.php?item=000627 (accessed 24 April 2024).

Added: December 02, 2014

Class book for bombardier class 44-9 at Carlsbad Army Air Field, Carlsbad, New Mexico. 8.3Mb 68 pages; PDF (.pdf) Original item: Book Resolution: 100 dpi Quality: 70%

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