"Women Air Service Pilots of WW II and Their Service at Fort Fisher" Tonight (Well, Maybe) at Federal Point Historic Preservation Society

From the March Newsletter.

The monthly meeting will be held Monday, March 16 at 7:30 pm at the History center located at 1121-A North Lake Park Blvd., adjacent to the Carolina Beach Town Hall, North Carolina (south of Wilmington on US-421).

John Mosely of the Fort Fisher State Historic Site will make the presentation on the women.

The Women Air Service Pilots (WASP) was a civilian women pilot's organization, whose members were United States federal civil service employees.  members of WASP became trained pilots who tested aircraft, ferried aircraft and trained other pilots.  Their purpose was to free male pilots for combat roles during the war. Despite various armed forces groups being involved with the creation of the program, the WASP and its members had no military standing.

John's talk will focus on the women who were stationed at Camp Davis, near Holly Ridge north of Wilmington, and their involvement in the training of anti-aircraft soldiers stationed at and training at Fort Fisher.

Of course, with the virus, it might nor be held.

--Old B-R'er

World War II at Fort Fisher This Weekend-- Part 1: A Two-War Fort

From the October 9, 2016, Port City Daily (Wilmington, N.C.) "Fort Fisher highlights its World War II role in upcoming program."

I've written a whole lot about Fort Fisher's role in the Civil War in this blog, but it also was involved with World War II.

The Fort Fisher State Historic Site will host the program "Fort Fisher's World War II Experience from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. this Saturday, October 15, 2016.  During World War II it served as an anti-aircraft training base.

Many service men and women trained there.

On Saturday, military and civilian re-enactors will set up displays on the old Fort Fisher airstrip and will portray what life was like on the U.S. home front.

Featured speakers during the day will be Wilbur Jones (Mr. Wilmington World War II), Cliff Tyndall and Krystal Lee who will talk about North Carolina's role in the war, including Fort Fisher, Wilmington and Camp Davis.

Should Be Interesting.  Wish I Could Be There.  --Old B-R'er

Letter From Wilmington 18 October 1863-- Part 5

"I am much gratified to hear of the complement to Eugine. Eugene, in my opinion made a fatal error when he failed to accept the colonelcy of his regiment long ago, if he had he would have been a Brigadier before now.

"We have been looking for several days for news from Gen Lee; I hear a rumor this morning that there had been another fight at Manassas in which we were victorious. I humbly hope it may be so.

"I wish I could have been at home while our Hanover friends were with us; I was never so home sick, I am going to have a 30 day furlough some time this winter at all hazards.

"Tell mother I thank her most affectionately for her long and interesting letter. I think she writes in better spirits than usual, and argue from it that her health was not so bad at the time, or at all events that she was suffering less pain.

"I beg, my dear Father that you will seriously take care of your health, you cannot safely expose yourself as you have done and your life is of much value to many people."

Long Letter Again, But Full of Information. --Old B-Runner

Wilmington, NC, in October 1863-- Part 14: Great Food, Lousy People

"The Citizens attempt to hide their disaffection by bullying about the injustice done to their State, and sigh after the flesh pots of the Yankees.

"This is a pleasant camp of mine, and fish and crabs and oysters come to the very doors, and the great Sea lashes his crested waves, and peeps over the banks into the quiet Sound right before me, but I would give all I have to be back in Virginia (even in the wilderness around Chancellorsville), where hearts are true, and blood is pure, and men, women & children are resolved to be free or to die.

"And, I'm Sure the Good Folks of North Carolina Would be More Than Happy to See Such a Miserable Man Go Home."

I'm Still Thinking He Struck Out With Mr. Kidder's Daughter. --Old B-Rer

Wilmington, NC, in October 1863-- Part 13: A Mighty Poor Opinion of North Carolineans

"...at one time, but because they are afraid, and are willing to acknowledge themselves whipped, and are anxious to make terms for themselves to save their property and their worthless necks. If a stranger who knew nothing about the merits of our Cause were to come to the Confederacy,

"he would soon decide who were in the right, for without an exception for the weak-kneed, and the whiners and grumblers as well as the openly treasonous are among the low and base & mean. I am outdone with such people, the soldiers are spiritless and cowed, ready to revolt at the hardships which our troops laugh at, and looking forward to the time when they can be taken prisoners."

A Fairly Low Opinion of the Tarheels. --Old B-Runner