Taipei Air Station - 1966 - - - " What you have in the end are memories"......... Photo Courtesy of Richard Reesh.

Wednesday, February 8, 2023

Tainan Air Station 1958

A couple of years ago, we published a story about the Matador Missiles that were rushed to Taiwan in 1958.  

 That story included many old photographs taken by Guild Fetridge.

Guild recently came across a few more of his old slides.

Nearly 60 years have passed since these were taken.

Click or double-click on all of our photos for a larger clear view. 
























On 2 September 1958,  6214th Air Base Group at Tainan AS moved into their 
new Headquarters building, seen above.

























More of the newly constructed USAF buildings at Tainan AS. 
The sign on the door in above photo is large enough to read, click on the photo.

Notice the flags flying in front of the Headquarters building, above, off to the right.


Does the water tower have a top?




















Here's Guild, standing beside a jeep. The water tower is off to the left corner of photo.


  
The photo below was taken from atop the water tower sometime in the 1967-1969 time period, about 10 years after Guild's photos were taken.  
























Above photo courtesy of Ralph Henricks

"Hopefully" this water tower view will give Tainan folks an idea of how everything fit together in later years.  Things moved around after Guild's time at Tainan AS.




















Tainan,  late 1950s. 

Guild's remembrances and comments about certain photos are printed in green color.

"This photo is at Tainan AB, on the opposite (east) side of the flight line where some of our F-86Ds, F-104 pilots and flight crew were housed during the Taiwan Straight Crisis which started in August,1958 involving the Kinmen and Matsu offshore islands. 

That aircraft is a C-124 Globemaster which delivered emergency F-104 Starfighter gear and parts.  

We were right in the middle of that with our TM-61 Matador missiles along with the fighter aircraft which were on alert most of the time. 

How well I remember having to get up and rush to base on my scooter at 2AM in the morning several times each week for a few months.  

The pastel yellow car in the forefront above,is our Lt. Davis' convertible...Buick or Oldsmobile."






















Plum Rain, Mango Shower or just a Summer Shower,  a down burst of pouring rain on Tainan.


"I believe this is the Tainan AB flight line.



I was at the flight line quite frequently for a variety of reasons.
  Also.....I was good friends with a Lt. Lockwood who was one of two T-33 pilots that acted as chase planes for the TM-61C Matador missile launches, and he occasionally gave me rides in the T-33 (authorized and one or two unauthorized)...but that's another issue."




With the offshore island crisis, there were numerous aircraft in and out of the base constantly, some not from USA."


 

























Click on this and all photos to enlarge

"This photo was right outside our first Armament Section location.

You can see the TM-61 Matador missile skins stored outside. In this photo we also see a F-86D taxiing....and a parked jet fighter..probably another F-86D...in a protected revetment."

Our initial, (first) home for the Armament Section (seen in photo above) was in a very old, large WWII type bunker looking like a large half upside down bowl with the front cut straight.....half was above ground and half was underground.  Looking at the map, I would have to say, it was just within map coordinates H11.


The new, (2d) Armament Section which I mentioned earlier was off base. Reviewing the map, it's hard for me to tell where the main entrance to the base is.  But back in 1958, if you were leaving the base by the main, front gate, make a right and take the road for about one half to one mile.  Again, looking at the map, I would have to say...assuming the main base entrance is map coordinate D19...our new Armament Section was located past map coordinate M19.
 
Map below

˜






Photo courtesy Les Duffin
Click on map for larger view.  Check coordinate markings on map to find locations of both old and new armament locations
























F-104 taxiing along west side of Tainan AS flight line.

Those interested in reading more about the Taiwan "Crisis" of 1958,  I came across a USAF document,  titled, "Air Operations in the Taiwan Crisis of 1958." 

The document is located on the Taiwan Veterans Badge of Honor Association web site.
HERE's THE LINK 

Here is another site which sifts through the 1958 Crisis.

The link HERE   


During Guild's time at Tainan Air Station, the USAF Air Demonstration Squadron,  "Thunderbirds" put on a performance.

This Thunderbird F-100C Super Sabre can be identified by it's tail and nose markings, flying along the runway area at Tainan AS. 

I looked for something on the Official Site of the USAF Thunderbirds to verify the date of the performance..

Could not find an Official Listing of any Thunderbird Air Shows in the 1950s. 



I would guess, the Thunderbird performance was a BIG day, not only for the military at Tainan Air Station, but also for the civilian community of Tainan City and the surrounding areas.

We know the Thunderbirds performed 19 November 1959, in Taipei, probably at Sungshan AFB.  

"19 November 1959. The USAF Thunderbirds performed before high ranking officials of the Republic of China at Taipei, Taiwan.  The Nationalist Government recessed its Legislature early so members and their staff could watch the performance.  General Chen Chia-shang, Commander in Chief ROC Air Force presented each (Thunderbird) pilot with the wings of a ROC Air Force Pilot."

You can find this information, and many other significant events, annotated in a series of posts in this blog.

HERE is a link to the 1959 USAF History in Taiwan post.

There are many stories and hundreds of photographs from throughout Taiwan inside this blog.
Use the "Search this Blog" box located on the right margin of the blog to find stories you have an interest in.




Line to on line document
http://nautilus.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/AirOpsTaiwanCrisis.pdf











 










Saturday, December 17, 2022

Typhoon GLORIA blows onto Taiwan Shores - 11 September 1963

Typhoon Gloria (1963) was described as the most devastating storm to visit the north of Taiwan in recorded weather history...

Today, more photos from Frank Smith, which depict some of  the destruction that occurred in the Taipei area. 

Note:  Every photo can be viewed much larger, just put your Mouse pointer on the photo and left click on your mouse,  the photo should turn blue color.  

Now, hold down the Ctrl key with your left hand, it's on the bottom left side bottom of your keyboard.

Now,  tap, and continue to tap the plus - + key  on your keyboard until the photo enlarges on your screen, it will continue to enlarge until you stop tapping the + key.  To reduce the size, just hold down the Ctrl key and tap the  minus - key

Try it on this photo.. you'll be surprised how clear you can see these old photos..

 The "Eiffel Tower of Taipei" sat in the front of Taipei Main Station.

More volunteers (Sidewalk Superintendents) show up to help place the pieces back together.







Thursday, March 10, 2022

Taiwan Personnel Listing - Updated - 10 March 2022

Below, our current, updated Taiwan Personnel Listing. If you served in Taiwan, we encourage you to add your name and information. Anyone who served in Taiwan is Welcome, we cover all Services and all Taiwan Duty Stations. If you find someone on the List that you would like to contact, please email us with the name of the person. We will forward your Email to that person. Want to Add Your Name to the Taiwan Personnel Listing? Use the listing below as a guide to what information to include in your Email. There is 1 addition to the Taiwan Listing this week. NEW folks added this week are RED in the Listing, linked below.. TO OPEN and SEE THE UP-DATED LISTING... Hold down the left side of your Mouse, and run your Mouse over the link at the very bottom of this page, the link will have a light colored see-thru cloud over it as your mouse passes over the words. . RIGHT click on your Mouse as it is sitting on the link If you have problems, just write, I will help you. taipeiairstation@yahoo.com LINK is below. https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1PKEG7cxk-wRM6KQar70MWzniAq5JvuDuo163SpwHzCo/edit#gid=1933836

Sunday, December 12, 2021

Please Review our latest Taiwan Listing

I believe I may have 'lost' some Email(s) from folks who wrote-in to ask to be added to our Taiwan Listing...   

I don't want to leave anyone off of the Listing.

The latest update Posting is just below this story, in this blog; check to see if your information is listed. 

If you don't find your name or are having a problem, please Email us at:  taipeiairstation@yahoo.com

Thank you.....

May God Bless Taiwan....


 

Taiwan Personnel Listing - Updated - 12 Dec 2021

 

Below, our current, updated Taiwan Personnel Listing.
 
If you served in Taiwan, we encourage you to add your name and information.
 
Anyone who served in Taiwan is Welcome, we cover all Services and all Taiwan Duty Stations.
 
If you find someone on the List that you would like to contact, please email us with the name of the person.
 
We will forward your Email to that person. 
 

Want to Add Your Name to the Taiwan Personnel Listing?
 
Use the listing below as a guide to what information to include in your Email.
 
There is 1 addition to the Taiwan Listing this week.
 
NEW folks added this week are RED in the Listing, linked below..
 
TO OPEN and SEE THE UP-DATED LISTING...
 
Hold down the left side of your Mouse, and run your Mouse over the link at the very bottom of this page,  the link will have a light colored see-thru cloud over it as your mouse passes over the words.
.
RIGHT click on your Mouse as it is sitting on the link

If you have problems, just write, I will help you.  
 
taipeiairstation@yahoo.com
 
LINK is below.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1xQSdRHftb2pb9H51AoF21BCFlzp3D8lDIjiKQzeX13A/edit?usp=sharing

Friday, October 8, 2021

Taipei's Double 10 雙十節 Military Parade 1953-1956


As we begin, I want to acknowledge and thank, Scott Clark, the Grandson of a man who served in Taiwan in the early-mid 1950s, whose photographs are being presented today to remember and look back at one of the early year's  Double Ten Celebration Parades in Taipei. 

 I hope you find the photos interesting. Take time, look closely at the photos.

These photographs were taken during the Double 10 Parade, in one of these years: 1953 -> 1956.  No date markings on original photo slides to identify the exact year,  perhaps someone will recognize the year.   

There were thousands of men in this parade; many Republic of China Military units, "Passed in Review" before President Chiang Kai-shek (1887-1995).

You can look at this Celebration event as a display of Taiwan's Military strength..

If you've visited or walked by the Presidential Office Building in Taipei, you will probably recognize where the photographer of the Parade photos was sitting and standing when he took his photos.  

Over the years beginning in the 1950s, the frontal area of the building has been remodeled and changed from what it was during this parade period.

Our photographer was seated in a VIP area, on the south end of the Reviewing Stand.  Only individuals with seating invitations could sit in President Chiang's reviewing area.  

On the right side in most of the Parade photos, you will notice the (Armed Forces Stadium 三軍球場)  A very large building in itself.

 

 Armed Forces Stadium, under construction, 1951-1952.  Courtesy Alice Winans.  There are a number of stories featuring Alice Winans photographs in this blog. Search for Alice Winans using search box on right side of this blog.

People are standing all over the upper reaches of the stadium, attempting to get a good view of the parade, lots of cameras..  The Stadium was removed in 1960.  I'm wondering if the road running from the Presidential Palace to the East Gate was being widened?  You will see the East Gate in some of the Parade Photos below.

The Presidential building was always a popular destination point. In the early years of US MAAG, some of the MAAG Offices were located inside the Presidential Office Building.  US Military jargon of the building during the early years of MAAG was, MND Building (Ministry of National Defense).. MAAG did maintain offices inside the building. 

During these early years, (beginning officially in 1951) MAAG moved quickly and began full operation all over Taiwan and, a few off-shore islands, helping train President Chiang's Military in the use of US Military weapons and equipment.

In the book, "All My Love, Moe, Letters from Formosa", the author's husband, a US Army Officer writes about arriving in Taipei on a flight from Tokyo on 12 May 1951, to begin establishment of US MAAG Operations following General Chase's arrival on 1 May 1951.  

The US MAAG Headquarters Building was just North West of the reviewing stand, seem below. 

 The MAAG Building in this photo, taken during Double 10 parade in 1965. Notice MAAG Signage just above head level, on the building straight across the crowd.

As you review the color photos of the this parade, look to the upper left side of a couple of the Parade photos, and you will see President Chiang standing in his Reviewing area.  You'll have to look closely to find him, he blends into the surroundings and cannot be seen in every photo, as camera angels change.

Strike up the Band, let's get this 1950's, Double 10 Day Parade moving down street. The soldiers are tired of standing around, they are lined up waiting down the left side of the street.  If you've ever marched in one of these "Pass in Review Parades" anywhere, you will understand how long you stand out there, in the sun, before you finally move out.... Exhausting for sure! 


This appears to be another old Double 10 Photo. No date or ID. Some of the people on the lower left side appear to be standing on the road leading eastward to the East Gate.  Last time I looked around the area, a few years ago, a couple of days before the actual Ceremony, there were quite a few seats on the road leading back to the East Gate, in some of that street area in the photo below. Dates of photos vary! 
 
Above, looking at Presidential Office Building, circa 1951-52. Courtesy Alice Winans.
If you could turn right -> and look off a hundred yards of so, you would the the MAAG             Headquarters building, only half of the building in this photo, but you get  and idea of how the area looked in the early 1950s, just below.

Historic Photo early 1950s.... MAAG Building seen on right courtesy Alice Winans.

Let's look at today's Double 10 Parade....
 
The Parade photos, which were originally processed as slides, seen below, are very old...
 
About 70 years old!
 
Each photo required lots of time to clean. 
 
Best photo of the Opening of the Parade.
One the right side, the Gymnasium under construction. 
Camera looking toward the East Gate (cannot be seen in this photo) 
 

 
 
White uniforms, Taiwan Navy personnel.
Notice the Band standing behind the parade units.
Which instrument makes the deepest sound?  
 
The sousaphone..  The band has 3 silver instruments delivering those very deep loud sounds to help the marchers know when their left heel should be striking the ground..  Hummm....
 
More Navy men, carrying weapons?
 
 Taiwan Army Soldiers, wearing White Helmets, march past..
Notice the US Air Force Master Sergeant standing, just in front, believe he is holding a microphone, the whole ceremony is being filmed from probably on the Gymnasium on the right side of this photo.
 
More Army Passing in Review. 
Look on the left side of this photo, I see 2 or 3 Motion Picture Camera stands. 
 
More Army men or are these Marines?
Check the people standing off in the distance.. 
 

President Chiang is standing.... He's there!
Also, off in the distance The MAAG Building on the right and the Union Building on the left.
 
Blue Helmets.. Not sure.

 Look off in the distance above, how many parade participants are standing?
 

Here come the Vehicles...
and President Chiang can be seem, look closely...
Look on the right side, Motion Picture Cameras....

End of the Parade is near.
President Chiang seen on the left
 
Dunce and a Half vehicles carrying Soldiers and  pulling Weapons.

Tanks rolling past.
 
Absolutely outstanding Parade!
 
Look out in the distance.
 
Thousands of Taiwan Military Men, all 4 services standing in Formation...
 
Touch you heart.... 
 
May God Bless and Protect TAIWAN.