World War Wednesdays: Christmas at Auschwitz

SS officer Karl Hoecker lights a candle on a Christmas tree only weeks before the liberation of Auschwitz, USHMM

     Thanks for bearing with me through some weird technology weeks! As of now I believe things are back to normal and hopefully that won't ever happen again. I realize that this week's topic is a bit dark for the holiday season, but I've been doing some work on the Holocaust lately and happened upon this story. It's important to point out before we start that the Jewish prisoners would not have observed the holiday, but Christian Polish inmates did celebrate to the best of their ability during the five Christmases during the camp's operation. In addition, the Nazis employed at the camp held their own horrific festivities, as will be mentioned. These descriptions come from the testimonies of Polish prisoners who survived the infamous death factory and were compiled by the Auscwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum.

     The first Christmas Eve behind the barbed wire in 1940 was one of the most tragic, and created a terrible tradition which was repeated in subsequent years. On the roll-call square, the Nazis set up a Christmas tree complete with electric lights. Beneath it, they placed the bodies of prisoners who had died while working or freezing to death at roll call. Former prisoner Karol Świętorzecki later recalled that Lagerführer Karl Fritzsch referred to the corpses beneath the tree as “a present” for the living, and forbade the singing of Polish Christmas carols.

A Christmas tree standing in front of Block 15 in Auschwitz I, Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum

     The next year, the Nazis organized another dark Christmas. During the return from slave labor on the construction of Auschwitz II-Birkenau, they killed around three hundred Soviet POWs who were too weak to walk that day. According to an eyewitness account by former prisoner Ludwik Kryński, there was a second roll call at 6:00pm after the SS men had finished the first roll call and eaten their supper. In temperatures well below freezing, the prisoners were forced to listen to Pope Pius XII's Christmas Eve proclamation recited in German. Forty-two prisoners succumbed to the cold, and numerous others were brought to the point of nervous breakdowns at the sight. 
     Prisoners also tried to celebrate in their blocks and attempted to help their fellows whose spirits had been broken. An account in the Museum collections by Józef Jędrych from Block no. 10a describes how “the singing of German carols began, and then like the waves of the sea came the powerful words [from a Polish carol] ‘God is born, the powers tremble’ and others, until the final chord in the form of the Dąbrowski Mazurka [the Polish national anthem]. Everyone exchanged warm, cordial embraces and cried for a long time. There were those who sobbed out loud. . . . Such a grand moment never fades from memory. That Christmas is fixed forever in my heart and memory.”
     Henry Bartosiewicz smuggled in a small Christmas tree, which stood in room 7 block 25. Polish Army cavalry-platoon commander Witold Pilecki, a hero of the camp resistance movement, adorned it with a White Eagle carved from a turnip.

Christmas Eve Władysław Siwek. Auschwitz State Museum (APMA-B-I-1-107)

     The Germans set up another tree at Auschwitz II-Birkenau in 1942 and once again placed the bodies of murdered men beneath it. Former prisoner Krystyna Aleksandrowicz recalls their deaths: Before Christmas in 1942, the SS men put up a Christmas tree for us. On Christmas Eve, they gathered the labor details from the men’s camp and ordered them to carry soil in their coats. They shot any man who gathered up too little soil. Then they stacked a whole heap of corpses underneath the Christmas tree.”
     That Christmas was twenty-two year-old Walentyna Nokodem's first at the camp, and she later reflected on that horrible tree: "I remember my first Christmas in Birkenau. There was a Christmas tree and they gathered us up in the roll-call square, and under the tree they put the bodies of man, the bodies remained there for the whole Christmas, and they forced us to look at them. They put the Christmas tree by the end of our section, just by the barbed wire. I can't remember exactly but there were hundreds of bodies of male prisoners. It was my first Christmas in the camp. The women didn't want to look. We all cried."
     In her Auschwitz Chronicle, the late Danuta Czech, the Museum historian, notes under the date December 24, 1942 that, in the evening, Polish women prisoners in the Stabsgebaude [staff building] lighted candles on a fir bough that had been smuggled in. Carols were sung in many places around the camp, which lifted people’s spirits and gave them hope of surviving. In Block 18a, Christmas Eve had a religious dimension. A prisoner who was a Roman Catholic priest obtained some bread and used it as a substitute Host.

     By 1943, the November arrival of new camp commandant Arthur Liebehenschel had improved the prisoners' lives and there were no macabre "presents" that year. Many of the Polish prisoners received communion wafers in parcels from their families and shared them with other prisoners, including the Jews. In many blocks, the prisoners organized Christmas observances. 

     1944 was the last Christmas spent at Auschwitz. Since the days of the Third Reich were numbered, the holiday atmosphere was completely different. Father Władysław Grohs de Rosenburg, the prisoner priest, was even allowed to hold a midnight mass. The women in Birkenau prepared “Christmas gifts” for the children in the hospital, using material supplied by other women to sew about 200 toys. They attached two lumps of sugar or a piece of candy to each, and wrote the children’s names on the presents. One of the women dressed up as St. Nicholas and passed out the presents on Christmas Eve. Fifteen children from another block also received presents.
    Auschwiz-Birkenau Museum historian Teresa Świebocka says that in 1944, Leokadia Szymańska, who was then a patient in the camp hospital, made a small Christmas tree that is now part of the Museum’s collections. It features Polish flags and a Polish eagle at the top.

     The camp was liberated shortly after, on January 27, 1945,  finally granting the wishes made during the five Christmases observed there.   

      I hope this glimpse into some of history's most terrible Christmases was an interesting and thought-provoking reminder of how much we all have to be grateful for this holiday. I'm looking to explore the camp's celebrations held by Nazi guards and staff next week so that the two stories can be compared. Thanks so much for spending part of your busy holiday season reading this post!
     Delany Leitch (@DLeitchHistory on Twitter)

World War Wednesdays: Service Record Revelations

Vernard and Helen Frank with their young son, James

      I've been waiting a long time to be able to write this post! If you're one of the regulars around here, you might remember a post I wrote almost a year ago called Genealogy Jam where I talked about my Library and Archives Canada quest to find out once and for all what my great-grandfather's service was during the Second World War. As I'm sure is the case in a lot of your families, we always knew he had served, but since he rarely spoke of his wartime experiences we never knew exactly where he'd been or even with what branch of the service. I had previously made an attempt to collect what information we did have during a video project for grade 10 history, but had very few concrete facts to work with. Now, being a historian with some better connections, I decided to go through the process of requesting his service records from LAC.

     I won't go into the process too much to spare those who already read the more detailed description, but it involved my proving his death within a certain time frame and sending away a request form describing my relation to him and the nature of the information I was looking for. There were a few different options for what could be requested, and I chose to go with the full package in order to find out as much as possible. Since he had been deceased longer than the 15 or however many years LAC requires before releasing the once-confidential documents, I was eligible to receive some paperwork that quite possibly hadn't been looked at since the 1940s.

     After waiting almost a full year, I was thrilled to find the large envelope with the LAC stamp in the mail. I looked through the stack of copied documents in complete disbelief that we were finally getting the answers to some lifelong questions, and also with the nature of some of the papers that were included. It almost felt like I was reading something I shouldn't have had access to! Our family went from having little idea of how he spent the war years to suddenly having his service number, rank, and a series of notes on his appearance and character written by army superiors who had interviewed him.

Vernard Frank during training

      I wanted to share some of the more fascinating excerpts from these documents with you this week, to show you the kinds of information that can be accessed in this manner and also to prove that the process is well worth the wait! In case you've missed some of the posts where I talked about what we do know about my great-grandfather, I'll include some of the basic stats that were included in the genealogy package:
Name of officer or other rank: Vernard Frank
If married, state a) full name of your wife: Mrs. Helen Frank
                                           b) present postal address of your wife: West                        Lorne, Ontario, Canada
 If married, have you been regularly supporting your wife? Yes
Have you any children? Names and ages: James Vernard Frank, 18 months
Is your father alive? If so, state name and address, occupation: Mr. William C. Frank (farmer), West Lorne, Ontario, Canada
Is your mother alive? If so, state name and address: Mrs. Margaret Frank

     By far, the most fascinating aspect of this package was his paperwork from the Personnel Selection Board. This is where they interviewed him on his personal and professional background to try and discern whether he would be a good fit for service, and if he was a stable person to recruit. Here is what Lieutenant E. M. Entwistle, Army Examiner, had to say about him:
     Hobbies: hunting and fishing, collecting firearms
This man's time is largely occupied with his work, his Reserve Army duties, a few movies, and some repairs on his car. On his holidays and at certain other times he goes fishing and hunting.
Baptist- fairly regular in attendance
Married Jan. 1941- one son- his wife may return to her father's home. Parents are living at West Lorne- 1 brother.
This man has a splendid physique. He has a frank manner and is quite interested in military activity. His intelligence is above average and he appears quite stable and has good assurance. He is quite anxious to serve in the Provost Corps if there is an opening (potential N.C.O. material)
     
     During his sixth week of training at Chatham, he was interviewed by Army Examiner Captain H. Small, who said:
     Good all around soldier, except he lacks expression. His work has been good.

     While he was in Petawawa, Verne started experiencing some hearing loss (though he didn't realize it at the time) and dissatisfaction at being trained as a gunner. Army Examiner Captain H. O. Bennett wrote this:
     A/L/Bdr. Frank completed the Junior N.C.O. course two months ago and since that date has been employed as a L/Bdr. Instructor in "E" Bty. He finds that he cannot stand the firing of a 25 pdr. and feels that he would be of little use as a member of a gun detachment overseas. No gross signs of instability were present during the interview. His appetite is good, he sleeps well at night, and feels generally in fine physical condition. His own suggestion is that he be trained as a driver and subsequently as a driver mechanic. His B-1 category "M" score of 156, garage experience and education all suggest that he would be capable of absorbing Trade Training.

Leaving for war

     According to his Occupational History Form, he enlisted in the Army at Windsor, Ontario on February 4, 1943. He described his highest level of education as being two years of high school, having left school at age 17, and at the time of his enlistment worked as an inspector at Kelsey Wheel Co. in Windsor. I found one section of this form to be of particular interest because of its specific relation to farming-- keep in mind the essential role that food production played in the war effort!
Do you wish to engage in farming after the war? NA
Do you feel competent to operate a farm? Yes
If so, in what kind of farming? Mixed farming
Were you born on a farm? Yes
How many years' actual farming experience have you? 3 Years
In what provinces did you have experience? Ontario
     In section G of that form (miscellaneous), he responded that he had not made any arrangements for re-establishment in civil life after discharge, and that his plans were uncertain.

     According to the Attestation Paper for February 4, 1943, he had previously served 30th R.E.C.C.E (Essex Regiment) from February 1941 until that point.

     As the records go on, there are a few more interesting tidbits:
-After enlisting at Windsor, he was transferred to Chatham, then to Petawawa, and after taking a few courses (during which time he was paid $1.40 per day), was sent to Woodstock for a Driver Mechanic course
-He completed the course, got five days' leave for Christmas 1943, passed his test for Driver Mechanics, and moved up to receiving $1.50 per day
-After arriving in the U.K. in early 1944, he spent more time taking courses and served as the rank of Gunner with the Canadian Army in Europe (that's where the records get fuzzy- step two is to trace the European portion of his service)
-He was discharged on March 14, 1946 with a CVSM (Canadian Voluntary Service Medal, the standard issue for those who served) and clasp

The medals (CVSM on the right)

     Finally, here's the CONFIDENTIAL summary of his character as recorded by a counselor upon his discharge:
     Frank is a tall, husky chap, raised on a farm, who has been interested in motor mechanics and garage work a long time and hopes eventually to have his own garage. His civilian experience has been largely augmented by army training and employment and from his record he apparently has been a thoroughly competent tradesman. Following a course at school in England, the chief instructor included on his qualification sheet the following comment: "A steady and conscientious worker who has made excellent progress in all branches and should be an asset to his unit". 
  Frank wants to get his mechanic's qualifications and then obtain garage job until he considers time and conditions suitable for obtaining own garage.
  If he fails to obtain employment as mechanic, will return to pre-enlistment job as wheel inspector in plant manufacturing car and truck wheels, swinging over into a trade of his choice later when suitable opportunity presents itself.
  Frank is a mature, sound thinking man, who makes his plans well in advance of action and who should do well in his long-term program. 
  Alternative employment possibilities are found in other pre-service jobs as salesman and as farm labourer.

     I hope this week's post wasn't too dull a read- I know how boring it can be to read about other peoples' family histories but I did my best to filter out the most interesting parts of this record! I'm absolutely over the moon to finally have these answers and to be able to pass them along to my grandpa and his siblings, and am as proud as ever to be a descendant of this hero. Looking back on his later years, he really did achieve all of the goals he had in 1946 and more, and I think of Frank Bros. Motors now as a wartime dream come true for him. A huge shoutout to Brady Hodge from the Personnel Records department at LAC for compiling this record. If you're interested in finding out how to receive war or any other records from LAC, please get in touch with me! It's my last year of having physical access to the archives, so I'm hoping to do as much as I can while I'm here. In the meantime,
     Thanks for reading,
Delany (@DLeitchHistory on Twitter)

World War Wednesdays: Dear Mrs. Duncanson: Letters Home to Dutton, 1943

Dutton High School ca. 1943, Elgin County Archives

     Back at it again with the still-popular Dutton letters! This bunch is from 1943 and all were published in the Dutton Advance to show local soldiers' appreciation for the gifts sent to them by Mrs. Duncanson of the the Dutton Women's Institute. I hope you'll recognize some of the names included this week, and, as always, feel free to share what you remember about them!

October 6, 1943

Dear Mrs. Duncanson:

Having received you parcel two days ago, I am sitting here trying to write an appropriate "thank you" note for your most welcome gift. It is hard to explain just how much these parcels are appreciated by Canadians over here. On behalf of myself I do thank you very much for your parcel and I appreciate just how much work goes into making these parcels the success they are. I should like to add also that the rest of our crew would like to thank you also, as they shared in the contents of your box. England appeals to me very much so far, and parts of it remind me of Southern Ontario. In a fortnight or so we expect two weeks leave so I will be able to travel around a bit. I will close this letter now, Mrs. Duncanson, and again let me tell you how very much I appreciated your box, and I do thank everyone connected with packing and sending it. Give my best regards to everyone at home, and in case you do not hear from me before the end of the year, I will take the opportunity to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas.

Sincerely, Bill Johnston.

October 14, 1943

Dear Mrs. Duncanson:

I received the very welcome parcel today. It was sure good to see some of Canada again and it was very thoughtful of the Women's Institute to send it. I like it very much here. We have been very busy on bomber command. It gives a fellow a bit of satisfaction to be taking an active part in the war, and I don't mind putting in some long hours, as long as get the bombs off. The Duchess of Gloucester was visiting our station today, and inspected the WAAFS. They had quite a parade, only my section was too busy to turn out. Well, I guess this is about all for just now. Thanks a lot for the parcel,

Sincerely C.A. Milton

October 17, 1943

Dear Mrs. Duncanson:

The fine selection of appetizing and needed articles reached me yesterday in perfect condition. Kindly convey my thanks to the officers and members for the thoughtfulness in remembering me. The true value of such gifts is the conveyance of the fact that somewhere somebody has not forgotten and our thoughts return to Canada.

Sincerely, Ed Roberts

October 20, 1943

Dear Mrs. Duncanson:

Just received parcel No 3, so I'm sitting here writing with a full stomach. The parcel arrived in A 1 shape and it really was swell. I also found the paper and envelopes, so I take it you never received my other letter yet. Well, it's been on the way for quite a while so you probably received it by now, at least I hope so. I guess everything is about the same around Dutton. I hope to be getting The Advance regular, so I'll be able to keep track of everyone. There doesn't seem to be many changes around here, but probably I wouldn't be allowed to know about them anyway. I spent a very enjoyable week-end in London last week. The enemy planes were over there on Saturday night, but the people there don't seem to mind very much. The weather really has been terrible here lately, its practically rained steady since Sunday morning, and it's a real cold rain which makes it very miserable. Well I will sign off for now, thanking you and the Women's Institute for the lovely parcel. I hope you are able to carry on with your wonderful work. As ever,

John Hodder

      John William Hodder of Wallacetown was the son of Frederick and Clara (Morrish) Hodder, During the Second World War, he served with the South Saskatchewan 2nd Division and returned home a highly decorated veteran, later settling in Newmarket. He later returned to Wallacetown, and recently passed away on November 17, 2015 in his 96th year. (Courtesy of the West Elgin Chronicle).

World War Wednesdays: Christmases 1942-1944 at No. 4 B&G, Fingal

    Merry Christmas to readers old and new of World War Wednesdays! For the past two weeks, we've been discussing the first festive celebrations at No. 4 B&G, Fingal thanks to Winston B. St. Clair. This week will be an extra holiday feature with three years in one post, from 1942-1944. So, take a break from all the preparations and get comfy!

Christmas #3, 1942
     Christmas of 1942 took much the same format as that of 1941. Committees were more experienced and improvements had been made to the physical plant. Aside from the water pipeline from Port Stanley, the biggest changes during 1942 were  systemic. In January and February 1942, a high level training conference was held in the United Kingdom to discuss changes to the Empire Air Training Plan. In the future the greatest stress would be placed on the quality of the graduates of the various training schemes instead of their numbers. Allied to this change was the decision, in March, to restructure the composition of aircrews of Royal Air Force heavy and medium bombers. Both events would add significantly to the load placed on the BCATP in Canada, especially at Air Observer Schools and Bombing and Gunnery Schools. The end result was a training conference at Ottawa in May 1942 that formalized what had been decided earlier. Another very important change took place in May when members of the RCAF (Women's Division) arrived at Fingal, adding many more capable minds and willing hands to the strength of the social fabric of the school. The arrival of the young women was also given credit for effecting a marked improvement in the appearance of the airmen. It was reported that the sales of hair tonic and aftershave lotion rose to record levels after the WDs arrived.

     In a sense the first event of the Christmas Season of 1942 took place on 27 November when the Christmas edition of the Fingal Observer went to press. This would inform the Fingalites of what events were scheduled to take place during the coming season. The Observer's nominal date of publication was 15 December, and it advised those people who wish to "let loose" over the holidays, to do their celebrating at the station.

Christmas #4, 1943
     Christmas of 1943 found No. 4 Bombing and Gunnery School to be a thriving and nearly self-contained community of 1,500 people. The school was, based on the census figures of 1941, the fourth largest community in Elgin County. Its social structure was well developed and well managed, and morale appears to have been very high. The school's physical plant had just about reached the limits of its growth, and the long hours of hard work that had gone into station beautification projects had given the place a definite park-like appearance. Because of the poor bus service between No. 4 B&GS and St. Thomas, additional emphasis had been placed on developing the school's own recreational facilities. Year 1943 had been a particularly busy, exciting and rewarding time of change and accomplishment, and Fingalites, not being fully aware of the consequences of downsizing of the BCATP, expected no less in 1944.

     The Christmas activities at Fingal followed the general pattern that had evolved within the school. The basic parameters being a season of activities that lasted for about two weeks, with approximately one half of the school's personnel taking a short leave at Christmas, and the remainder being away for New Years.

     The Christmas 1943 issue of the Fingal Observer was released on 13 December, and it was full of all sorts of good stuff that could be considered as being gifts from the gnomes at AFHQ. For example, airmen were told that laundry tubs were to be installed in their barracks. In fact, four already had been! This was a luxury that their WD cohorts had enjoyed for some time, but one that would not, at least for the foreseeable future, be extended to male NCOs and officers. 

     Another article said that airwomen could  now wear silk stockings with their uniform while on leave or after duty hours, but they must be the same colour as the authorized lisle hose. Ottawa neglected to tell them, however, where these stockings could be purchased. The CO's gift was that he was made responsible for ensuring that only the approved colour of stockings were in fact worn. The Observer did not mention who was delegated to perform this awesome task.

     The WDs did not get all the goodies being given to the fair sex. Readers were reminded that a recent pay increase gave airmen's wives, with children, a $1.52 per month increase in their cost of living allowance, bringing the total up to $4.02. In spite of this bounty they still could not afford to compete with the WDs for the scarce supply of silk stockings. The latter had just had their pay adjusted from 67% to 80% of men's rates, and there were rumors of lots of back pay forthcoming. 

     Not all presents came from Ottawa. The editor of the Observer ran an article on the history of the coal pile, and he suggested that it be cut out and saved as a souvenir, "Something to show your children...", he said. The coal pile at Fingal was, it seems, more than its name implied. It was in addition to its intended purpose, I am told, a place where young lovers would meet and do whatever young lovers do. Whatever went on, the mere mention of "coal pile" today in the presence of former Fingalites frequently brings forth giggles, gales of laughter, or a quick change of subject. For those readers with over active imagination who find the picture of young love being played out on top of a 100 ton pile of soft coal a bit too much to take, I hasten to remind them that the coal compound included a building, No. 46, to be specific.

     The Christmas Season proper got off to a good start on Sunday, 19 December, with a party held at the YMCA Hostess House. The following day's St. Thomas Times-Journal reported that the place was beautifully decorated for the occasion, with the center-piece being a splendidly decorated Christmas tree, and that every available square foot of space was used to accommodate the 300 or so guests. I suspect the figure of "300" was an exaggeration, a bit of journalistic license, perhaps. It said that unlike other open house events where the guests came and stayed only for a short time, that on this occasion they came and stayed. The party lasted all afternoon and for most of the evening. A short sing-along movie of Christmas carols was shown that evening in the Recreation Hall.

     The entertainment highlight of the season took place on the evening of 20 Dec., with the appearance of Mart Kenney's "Victory Parade of Canada's Spotlight Band." Mart Kenney and His Western Gentlemen were the foremost dance band in Canada, and arguably one of the finest in North America. The band's visit to Fingal coincided with its weekly Monday evening radio broadcast sponsored by Coca-Cola. These broadcasts originated from an armed force's establishment or a war production facility and took the form of a salute to the host establishment. 

Mart Kenney

     The "Salute to Fingal" broadcast was preceded by a short warm up concert and followed by a station dance. The next day's Times-Journal said that the Drill Hall was decorated and set-up in cabaret style, and there was a buffet lunch for the 1,000 people who attended the dance. Tickets to the dance cost $1.00 for a couple.

     On 21 Dec. the station got a splendid present with the opening of a four-lane bowling alley in one of the lean-tos recently added to the Drill Hall. A snack bar, to be operated by airwomen volunteers, was being built nearby, and would open in early January. A Christmas party was held for the children in the Recreation Hall on the same day with about 250 parents and children in attendance. Movies were shown and Christmas carols were sung to the accompaniment of the station orchestra. An interesting feature of the event was that a number of young men from several different countries went on the stage and told the children how Christmas was celebrated back home. Santa arrived by aircraft with presents and treats for the children. The candy was made at the school by Cpl. Van Buskirk because it was not available from outside sources in the quantities required.

     On 23 Dec., men of the Air Bomber Course #92, and Wireless Air Gunner Course #68 graduated, and were presented with their wings. That evening the airwomen held a party in the canteen, using the proceeds of a raffle to defray the costs of decorations and refreshments. Presents were exchanged by all the young women remaining on the station. The Daily Diary indicated that Christmas Eve was spent by many at an informal dance held in the Recreation Hall.

     On Christmas Day, Senior NCOs and Warrant Officers entertained the Officers in the Sergeants' Mess. At noon they all went to the Other Ranks mess hall where they served the Airwomen their Christmas dinner. Later, an informal dance and movie were enjoyed. Some personnel were the guests of local residents for Christmas dinner. 

     From 26 Dec. on, flying exercises took place whenever the weather permitted. Organized evening entertainment consisted mainly of movies supplied by the YMCA. The Daily Diary reported that on New Year's Eve 250 attended a dance in the Recreation Hall. 

The Last Noel: Christmas #5, 1944
     The Christmas Season of 1944 at Fingal differed in a number of ways from those of previous years. Perhaps the principal difference was that in spite of the German successes, in what we now call the "Battle of the Bulge", there was a general feeling that the war in Europe was just about over. This attitude was strengthened by the remarks of the Commanding Officer that put the future of Fingal in question. The RC Padre added to the uncertainty when he reminded the readers of the Observer "that this may well be the last Christmas that we RCAF people spend together as a uniformed family."

     In spite of the overall reduction in training, Fingal fared well as it was training Wireless Air Gunners, Air Bombers and Flight Engineers, categories of aircrew for which there was still a demand. In terms of Monthly Unit Strength this school reached its peak of 1,850 in July 1944. This was the result of an increase in the student population during the summer, combined with an increased intake of repatriated, tour expired, aircrew officers. For the latter, Fingal was a holding unit,- a warehouse- where they would stay and be prepared for release, or to wait for other service assignments. From September onward, there was a drop in the student population, and barrack blocks were closed or converted to other uses. 

     The festive season, that was definitely low-key compared to a year earlier, started off on 19 December with a Christmas Box Dance in the drill hall. Young women came from St. Thomas, with transportation provided free by Richards Coach Lines. On 21 Dec., a children's Christmas party was held at the school, and Richards again provided free transportation from St. Thomas. On Christmas Eve, a candlelight service was held in the Recreation Hall, and later a Midnight Mass was celebrated in the Catholic Chapel.

     Christmas Day followed the usual Fingal routine. The Warrant Officers and Senior NCOs entertained the Officers in the NCOs Mess, and then they went over to the Other Ranks Mess to to serve Christmas dinner to the airmen and airwomen. Various entertainments were provided between Christmas and New Years. On New Years Eve a dance was held in the Recreation Hall. Both the Senior NCOs and Officers Messes held an open house, but bad weather kept attendance to a low level. On New Year's Day, the Warrant Officers and Senior NCOs were entertained in the Officers Mess and then they served dinner to the airmen and airwomen, in the OR Mess Hall.

     The Christmas Season, then, as now, served as a time of reflection, anticipation and resolve; but at that particular time there was also a deep sense of nostalgia that permeated events. The men and women at Fingal celebrated the season with many familiar faces missing, but that in itself was not unusual. What was different, was that a significant number of those absent had been retired from the Air Force: their services were no longer required. They had gone home!

     This was to be the last Christmas held at No. 4 Bombing and Gunnery School, Fingal, for on 11 January 1945, Organization Order 509 was signed authorizing the disbanding of the school, effective 17 February 1945. There would be other Christmases celebrated at Fingal but not of the magnitude of the five celebrated during the war years.

World War Wednesdays: Time Machine 1943

     Life Magazine is synonymous with Second World War photography, and has captured and featured numerous iconic shots from the most critical moments of the war. At the beginning of the summer, I had the opportunity to purchase one of these original wartime magazines with the intention of using it as a primary source of information, and now seems like a great time to do so. The issue I bought is from 23 August 1943, so it seemed fitting for us to venture back in time to see what was making headlines exactly 72 years ago. I hope my amateur iPhone photography isn't too unbearable!

     The hot topic featured on the front cover of this issue is the newest dance style, the Lindy Hop. As the magazine declares, "A true national folk dance has been born in U.S.A.". Along with some instructional floor step instructions which also pay homage to the dance's roots in the black communities, the magazine had this to say about the country's latest dance craze:
     "In content, the Lindy Hop encompasses hundreds of individual steps, breaks and mutations originated by Americans inspired by American music. With the exception of the tap dance, it is this country's only native and original dance form. All others, "square" or "round", are importations and derivations from European prototypes. American dancers, however, have always been gifted with an aptitude for improvisation. And American jazz imperatively demands more exuberant responses than traditional dance steps can provide. Out of American impatience with the restrictions of conventional forms, the buoyant choreography of the Lindy Hop was born". (p.95)

     In terms of the action overseas, a critical area of focus at the time was the Italian Campaign. A large feature in the magazine is devoted to the surrender of the city of Palermo, during which iconic Life photographer Robert Capa entered the city with the American troops and captured some timeless shots.

     Life reported the events as follows:
     "The Germans last week were reported evacuating Sicily. Across narrow Messina Strait, under a protecting barrage of 500 AA guns, they were ferrying troops and equipment. But in spite of this evacuation, the spectacular Allied successes of the first few days of the campaign had given way to a slow undramatic advance. Over massive peaks and through deep, tumbling gullies American and British infantrymen inched ahead. On the north U.S. troops twice speeded up the advance by landing behind the Germans, but in the center of the line, near Randazzo, and beyond captured Catania, nothing much could be done except knock out the enemy pockets one by one".

"An American Medical Corpsman has shoes shined in Palermo while another soldier, his arms around a girl, waits in line"

     Features like this are interesting to see what life was like in August 1943 in terms of the major events happening in the world, but I am also interested in the content geared towards the everyday life of the time. For instance:

Advice for pickling and canning season

Hair tips for the dog days of summer

Ads for the poor "clothespin nose" hay fever sufferers like myself

And the beautiful yearnings for peacetime homes

I hope you enjoyed this little blast from the past! Life Magazine is a great source for getting a glimpse into what life was like at any given time, and I'm very happy to have found this edition.

     Thanks for reading,
         Delany