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The last spin of "Washing Machine Charlie" and the Submarine Tank


aerialbridge
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aerialbridge

Doing research today, came on this bit of WW2 aviation history and figured others might also find it interesting. From those dark days of 1942 when the "Flying Leathernecks" of MAG-23 and the "Cactus Air Force" were fighting for control of the skies over Guadalcanal.

Enjoy,

post-18406-0-32891600-1489278538_thumb.jpg

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Garandomatic

Best read I've had all day. I've been watching the black sheep squadron (not remotely accurate i know) and they grumbled about old Charlie plenty in one episode!

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aerialbridge

So did "McHale's Navy" in an episode called "Washing Machine Charlie". And ironically, the opening scene has M*A*S*H 's

Mike Farrell in only his second TV credit firing a machine gun at a Japanese fighter (looks to be an F-4F Wildcat with meatballs) attacking "Taratupa". In the ETO, they apparently had the less famous Bedcheck Charlie.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CwYmOiVjDcI

 

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  • 3 weeks later...
northcoastaero

Did a little research on the three television episodes that featured Charlie:

 

-Black Sheep Squadron: The Hawk Flies on Sunday. Season 2, Episode 3. December 28, 1977.

-M*A*S*H: 5 O'Clock Charlie. Season 2, Episode 2. September 22, 1973.

-McHale's Navy: Washing Machine Charlie. Season 1, Episode 22. March 14, 1963.

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Washing_Machine_Charlie

 

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0517385/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/5_O%27Clock_Charlie

 

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0644962/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1

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  • 2 weeks later...
aerialbridge

Did a little research on the three television episodes that featured Charlie:

 

-Black Sheep Squadron: The Hawk Flies on Sunday. Season 2, Episode 3. December 28, 1977.

-M*A*S*H: 5 O'Clock Charlie. Season 2, Episode 2. September 22, 1973.

-McHale's Navy: Washing Machine Charlie. Season 1, Episode 22. March 14, 1963.

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Washing_Machine_Charlie

 

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0517385/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/5_O%27Clock_Charlie

 

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0644962/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1

 

Nice, thanks for posting those links.

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There was more than one "Washing Machine Charlie." Here he/they is/are referenced in a letter written by Frank Little in the 148th Infantry Regiment of the 37th Infantry Division. His letter, dated July 11, 1943, was written just before the regiment landed on Munda. If you read the last line, it says: "I think it would be better not to even mention it to dad for he may worry even if there is nothing to worry about." Sadly, Frank Little was killed on Munda on July 28 and his body never recovered. This was the last letter he wrote home.

 

post-211-0-29341200-1491788146_thumb.jpg

 

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aerialbridge

Siege, thank you for posting PFC Little's last letter home from your collection. IMO, paper like that is priceless and I'm glad you have it. Humorous that the washing machine sound of the plane "[made him] think of the good old USA" and that while they were initially scared, they built good shelters "we make them like we want to". And finally as you said, he didn't want "Skeet" (his brother or sister?) to mention Washing Machine Charlie to his dad, since it would worry him for "nothing". Just over two weeks later, PFC Frank Little is gone without a trace. And his family didn't have to worry anymore since all their nightmares had become reality. Poignant and sad 75 years later. And it will still be that way 75 years from now when most of us are also gone.

 

RIP PFC Little and his family for what they suffered. And all the families like them.

 

https://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GSln=little&GSfn=frank&GSbyrel=all&GSdy=1943&GSdyrel=in&GSob=n&GRid=93093814&df=all&

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In one of his letters, Frank describes and draws the watch he just purchased. Cost almost a month's pay but he said an accurate and reliable watch was necessary. I can almost imagine that it still on his body in his grave. Frank's unit was surrounded by the Japanese and took many casualties. The regimental (?) chaplain was present for his rapid burial. Unfortunately, his grave and the others were not marked. Following the war, when efforts were made to locate the remains, the grave site could not be found.

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