Courtland Army Air Force Pilot Training Field- Courtland, Alabama

[charles cabler]

I am beginning research for a possible book on the WWII Courtland AAF Pilot Training Field on Courtland, Alabama. I have located several online articles but unfortunately most are only high level overviews and often repetitive information. I request your help in pointing me to books, online sites, or military/government reports which could contain more in-depth information. I am looking for information related to: the base layout maps, the construction process, the reason B-24 pilot training was moved from Chanute to Courtland, and stories about the field. Any help is appreciated.

 

Charles Cabler, Author, USAF 1962-1968

[P-59A]

May I suggest going to the local library and read what was said at the time in the local news paper. If you find mishaps order the reports. If local old timers are still around, talk to them. You could get lucky and find one who worked as a contract civilian. The big story is good but the human story adds to it. If you read my post on Connor Field the news paper accounts told the lost story.

 

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

 

A quick read on this base tells me you have plenty of information to be mined. When I did research on MCAS El Toro I found it at the Ziggurat in Laguna Beach Ca. They had everything on that base from how they selected it. Who owned the property and how much they paid and photo's. All the documents. See who holds those papers. Check with the National Archives first. I also found at the local university the large format air photograph's of my County taken every 10 years starting in the 20's. Start digging.

[P-59A]

Also check with the University in the area to see if any students wrote reports or if they have other information.

[charles cabler]

Hello California and thanks for your response. You have great suggestions and I have already implemented most of them, or are on the board. I am waiting on a response from the National Archives, the  AFHRA. and a couple of Army history associations. I appreciate your suggestions.

 

Happy writing

Charles

[P-59A]

Hey Charles, Sounds like you started digging in the right places. I'm gonna double down on the mishap reports. I have hundreds of military aircraft accident reports from mishaps in my neck of the woods. My hobby is looking for military aircraft crash sites. If you find news paper reports they have minimal information, you can go to Craig Fuller's AAIR site and find more information. Craig sells mishap reports. In them you will find little nuggets on base operations. I have a B-24 mishap report out of Rice AAF. This was the 5th bomber in a week to go down in sight of the base. Aircrews refused to fly until the problems were identified and addressed. You will not read things like this anyplace except in a report.

 

            Yours  David

[P-59A]

Charles, one more thing. If you do not have any connections at the V.A. develop one. From time to time I find personal affects and they have been good enough to help me out and send me complete packets on those listed as fatal. In the packet you will find a ton of information including insurance payments that extend 20 years. This helps in tracking down family you may want to talk to. A long time ago they would  also help in connecting me with widow's so I could return found items. Most of that generation has passed, but with the information I have been able to find the children and grandchildren. They are good at filling in missing information.

[charles cabler]

California, once again you are a treasure chest of research sites and suggestions. My profound thanks and appreciation. I will let you know if, or when, the book is published.

 

Charles

[P-59A]

8 hours ago, charles cabler said:

California, once again you are a treasure chest of research sites and suggestions. My profound thanks and appreciation. I will let you know if, or when, the book is published.

 

Charles

Copy that, good luck!