I wrote this story in summer 2001 and originally published it in Aviation Review, Vol. 4, No, 2. Miles Shipley was a personal friend; I went to church with him for several years in my hometown of Mansfield, Ohio.
1st TACAF. / The “Phantom” Air Force in WWII and the 27th Fighter Group from Tarquinia, Italy to Marnheim in Germany by Miles Shipley, LT. Col. USAF, Ret.
This book was written at the suggestion of Don Severa, who wanted to know all about his uncle George Homoika’s death. This resulted in the story George Goes Home and the other stories followed. Those of you who have been readers for over two years will remember this foundational story of the book, printed about two years ago. It is a firsthand account of war “hitting home” – friends die.
The author, Miles Shipley, is a retired Lieutenant Colonel of the United States Air Force who lives in Fredericktown. He has submitted many stories to Aviation Review that we have been privileged to print – we are grateful! The story George Goes Home is one of the best articles we have had. This story was one of the first – one of the many – that Lt. Col. Shipley has written, firsthand accounts of his career, as well as historical accounts about the Phantom Air Force (WWII) and accounts by other people. This book is a compilation of some of the best.
Lt. Col. Shipley was a pilot in the First Tactical Air Force of World War II. This was simply an emergency measure, never officially authorized by Washington. It was “provisional only” and suffered some of the consequences. Combat aircrews flew missions as long as they were mentally and physically able with no hope of rotation home. The planes were mostly hand-me-downs from the “numbered” air forces, as well as German, French, and English Planes. Parts procurement was a chronic problem.
On October 20, 1944, a USSTAF general order established the 1st Tactical Air Force (TACAF) to report directly to the USSTAF. General Ralph Royce was named commander of this air force. This new provisional Air Force had a total of 331 combat aircraft, with about only 3/4 operational at any given time. On January 29, 1945, Gen. Saville replaced Gen. Royce as commander. On February 22 Gen. Webster replaced Gen. Saville. At this time it appeared that the 1st TACAF was playing “musical chairs” with its commanders.
On February 1st, 1945, Lt. Col. Shipley’s group, the 27th fighter group, was officially transferred to the 1st TACAF.
On April 3, 1945, his group moved to Sandhoufen just east of the Rhine, in Germany. From this base Mr. Shipley encountered German Me-262 Schwalbe aircraft. There are two fascinating articles on this topic, and if all the book included were these fascinating stories, the book would still be a good buy.
A section written by Lt. Col. Shipley on the “Hazards of Piloting Fighters” states that hemorrhoids and a big neck (caused by continually checking behind the airplane to make sure that no enemy fighter was on your tail) are just the tip of the iceberg of the hazards of the profession. Lt. Col. Shipley, while in Italy, flipped a bomb-loaded fighter end for end at nearly 100 mph, and has a “traumatic aortic aneurysm” to show for it. What was the opinion of the cardiac surgeon who found it? “I wouldn’t ride around the block with you.” Years later, the surgeon is dead, and Lt. Col. Shipley lives on – with a strong sense of “living on borrowed time.” “It is well that 19-year-olds consider themselves invincible. At 75 they know that they are not.”
Lt. Col. Shipley closes by warning about where our nation is now. We have given China “Most Favored Nation” status and they are at work pointing missiles at us. Only recently have our leaders realized that we should not enter wars in which we do not intend to be victorious. China and the Islamic nations are building up their forces. If they were to collaborate in a run for world domination it would be a very grave situation. If we do not learn from history’s mistakes we will repeat them.
The 1st TACAF has received fairly little notice in history books. The only book Lt. Col. Shipley could find relevant to the topic was “First T.A.C.A.F. In WWII” by V. C. Tannehill, whose father served in headquarters. Lt. Col. Shipley’s book also contains interesting stories by Richard Crabtree and Thomas McCourt.
This excellent book on a little-known field of a well-known era of aviation history can be obtained from the author for $15 at:
Lt. Col Miles Shipley
7861 Bryant Rd.
Fredericktown, OH 43019