John M. Cole | Static Line Articles
From The Static Line, May 1998:
“Our planners in Washington and Fort Benning following the beginning of World War II could see that Nazi Germany was having great success with their Paratroop operations in Holland and Crete. This was all taking place after the commitment of the 501st parachute battalion to the Caribbean Defense Command. Our strategic mission was a total commitment for us. Developing parachute operations and tactics was left to our planners back in the states. Our plans and operations included exercises of what we anticipate dwould be used in the event we were committed.
As I mentioned before, many of us had complete recognizance missions to the surrounding countries near the Canal Zone. As December 1941 came upon the scene the Canal Zone was in a low state of alert. The Coast Artillery for the past couple years had partially manned their outpost positions and were planning to lift this partial alert and return these detachments to total peactime mode. This was planned for just before Christmas.
The peacetime mode of the Caribbean Defense Command had some interesting requirements and relaxed regulations. During off duty hours we were able to wear civilian clothes. I enjoyed the freedom of traveling in Panama City by Chiva for a nickel a ride. The stringent beach regulations were in affect to control malaria. Beaches were off limits after six pm every day. Officers on duty on weekends and off duty hours were required to wear white uniforms.
As we left Fort Benning in July 1941 we were allowed two items of baggage and were prepared for field duty. We were required to purchase a white uniform to comply with Canal Zone regulations. Captain Simpson and I were required to check the G2 records on Venezuela at Quarry Height on Sunday. It was necessary that we be in white uniforms for this mission prior to going to Venezuela. If you were Officer of the Day the white uniform was required with Sam Brown Belt and saber during the day and a .45 pistol after darkl. As I mentioned before, peacetime allowed us a two hour noon hour for siesta time. Many troops and commanders objected when Captain Shinberger double timed us down the Company Street at one in the afternoon to begin our afternoon training.
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From The Static Line, August 1998:
“I began writing the column October 1995. Imagine almost eighty years old and becoming a cub reporter for the international paper of all paratroopers, The Static Line.”
“It has been a real pleasure to be the reporter for the Original Parachute Battalion.”
From The Static Line, September 1998:
“This column will discuss the first parachute training mass jump outside of the United States prior to World War II. It took place at Rio Hato, Republic of Panama in August 11, 1941. The unit was C company of the 501 Parachute Battalion. At this time we were the only Paratroop unit outside the United States. The rest of the Battalion was scheduled to join us the following month in Panama.
The first problem Captain John B. Shinberger, the C Co. commander had to solve was finding enough transport aircraft to carry the parachute company and deposit them on the jump field. We had army air force units all over the Canal Zone and already dispersed throughout the Republic of Panama. What aircraft was considered jumpable? There were a few C-47s in the inventory. These were dispersed among the Air Force Commands and most commanders assumed they were his personal flying staff car. We were successful in getting General Andrews’ aircraft. He was the Commander of the Caribbean Defense Command. They were concerned we might scratch the floor as we approached the door. We had a total of four C-47s and no more. It was decided to use B-18s. These had to be modified by having a sheet of plywood over the bomb bay. I was fortunate to jump master one of these B-18s. Only three could stand in the area around the door. The other four or five were on top of the bomb bay. At the order to jump the three were hooked up and exited. The others had to climb down off the bomb bay and hook up and exit. Even the safety rules back in the states would not allow this. We had no malfunctions or casualties. I think this proves the best safety is that of the paratrooper himself given the proper instructions.
We were training at Rio Hato away from our home station at Fort Kobbe. The airplanes we were to use were flown in to the airfield at Rio Hato. The aircraft were modified for the jump masking tape was used to frame the jump doors for clean exits for the paratroopers. We had remembered the fate of corporal Finley back in the states and his hanging on the tail. The jump knife was designed and ordered but we had not received our quota of these knives. Captain Shinberger had a class mate in the fighter unit stationed at Rio Hato. He flew the P-26 a single-engine clothe aircraft. They arranged to have a P-26 in the air at the time of our jump and in the event of a malfunction and a paratrooper hanging o nthe tail he would fly overt the individual and let down the knife so that he could cut himself loose from the tail. We were lucky and did not have this problem. It is very interesting to note that the B-18 had the two engines release their exhaust over the wing and just outside the door we were exiting. We were to fly in formation of echelons and the pilots were instructed to slow the aircraft for our jumping mode. I understand they were able to slow to around 85 miles an hour, a position just ahead of stalling. As we stood in the door and the aircraft cut its motors it was like the model-T when you letup on the throttle and pushed the spark arm back it did a lot of back firing and all the sparks came out over the wings. This, to me was a fearful thought as I jumped my chute opened amid all those sparks coming over the wings. I was really concerned about my parachute catching on fire. Along with the four C-47s we were able to secure eight B-18s from the Sixth Bomber command located in the Panama Canal Zone. Eleven or twelve were assigned to each of the C-47s and seven or eight were assigned to each of the eight B-18s. This first overseas mass jump in the Republic of Panama consisted of nine Officers and one hundred men.”
The 1942 manifest of the first jump made in Panama by the 501st Battalion:
From The Static Line, November 1998:
I can only reflect on what little I know about the development of the battalion from the standpoint of a second lieutenant in a line compnay.
The first hurdle or obstacle was getting the job to activate the original 501st parachute battalion. I’m sure the competition was tremendous. Much has already been written about it. I will only add a discussion I had with “Bitsy’ Grant” as we discussed the biography of General Hanging Sam Williams. General Williams said he was in the same office with General Miley and was almost selected to activate the battalion. Knowing Hanging Sam I doubt it was a close race.
To set the stage, we were a peacetime army reduced to a very limited number of men and a limited amount of resources. Research and development were no better off. Our development of aircraft was very limited and so was the areas of armour, mobility as well as the navy limitations on ships and aircraft carriers and weaponry. Along with our limitations, due to the ongoing depression, we had a lot of infighting. There were people like General Patton who felt all should be spent on the development of armour. Others were more battleships, still others for more aircraft carriers. Who was around to fight for a new branch of service, paratroop units? We are also reminded Bud Miley was only a Major in early 1940, it was probably the right rank for what those in power visualized as the size of an organization paratroops would be used. The 1940 thinking was to keep it as economical as possible. They visualized only the personnel going into a combat operation would be jump or parachute qualified. Major Miley and his staff were saddled with these and many other limitations. These made his efforts limited and difficult to develop a combat-ready fighting paratroop unit.
I didn’t realize that he was concerned with the recruiting and retaining of men as they qualified. I questioned his actions when Sgt. Rossi of B Company, making a routine qualifying jump, was not hooked up and was able to pull his reserve and landed successfully. It was a scarey situation, we watched from the packing sheds area and saw the body pass the sheds with out seeing the reserve chute open. Major Miley called each unit together and told us to realize this could happen and could be fatal. He then followed up with a the remark that if we didn’t think we could stay with the training, for us to get out now. Many of my men in my platoon came to me and spoke of the fact they were not sure of what was in store for them and wanted more time and experience before they would ask for a transfer. I certainly felt the same way and was determined to stay with it til I was qualified.
This same situation took place when we had our first casualty, Sgt. Beard, a member of my platoon. Major Miley didn’t want to make too big an issue of the casualty. I felt it was my duty to attend the funeral as a member of his unit. Captain Yarbrough, my company commander, was gracious enough to allow me and a few enlisted men to be present at his funeral. I am forever grateful. I did not realize at the time Major Miley’s concern as to how this tragic event would affect the status of the battalion.
Another concern was, what should a paratrooper pay be? As you recall, enlisted men were given a special rank which was an add-on to their $20 a month pay. As Officers, there was no incentive pay. Many congressmen visited us at Fort Benning observing our training jumps. Always General Patton showed up at these exercises hoping to influence the congressmen that his people in the second armored division should have special pay for riding in tanks. I don’t think Major Miley felt this was a priority for him, as he developed his battalion training program. I need to hear from you who were in the battalion who knew of the obstacles confronting Major Miley in developing the Original Battalion. I’m sure General Yarborough could add a lot. We will develop this situation in future columns.