"China Connections - A Personal Journey"

Welcome!

2008-12-15T16:08:00.006+02:00

All the various posts are listed on the right in the "Blog Archive". You'll have to click the arrows to find the various subjects.

NEW Summer 2009: I have now added some more information on the "Entries in the Notebook" page posted in October 2008, after receiving scans of articles and letters from Mark Cunningham of Texas. You can find them on my web site.

Below the "Archive", there is a list of "Labels", so that if you have looked once and can't remember where a particular photo was, the categories might help you to find the right page again. I have tried to make the list as comprehensive as possible.

Maps of Ruth's Two Journeys in China

2008-12-15T15:59:00.008+02:00

You can click on the maps to make them larger.

Dec. 2006 to Jan. 2007
Shanghai - Xian - Beijing - Lijiang - LANPING - Tiger Leaping Gorge - Lijiang - Shanghai

March 2008
Shanghai - Lijiang - LANPING - Tiger Leaping Gorge - Lijiang - Chengdu - Shanghai

Transcribed Notebook Entries, China, 1942-5

2008-10-08T12:56:00.036+03:00

Many of the entries in Harry's notebook were handwritten and hence were not so easy to transcribe sometimes, so I apologise for any errors, especially with names of people and places.

The typed letters that had been pasted into the notebook, but not in chronological order, are included here according to date order, so that some kind of time-line emerges.

++++

Came through on their retreat from Burma

August 1942

Major Oliver Milton ”Oscar”

Captain Jack Barnard

Captain Pat Maddox

Lt. Copping

Mrs. Copping

Speaking on behalf of the above party I would like my thanks and gratefulness for kindness received from Mr Fisher to be recorded.

We were the ”saddest” bunch of human specimens you ever saw! suffering from malaria, dysentery, exposure and exhaustion. We had marched from Fort Heitz in North Burma on extremely short rations. Mr Fisher took us in, fed, bathed, sheltered and attended to all our wants. I will never forget his kindness and also that of all members of his household.

(Signature)

++++

Wei Hua Tsien

Oct 22/42

Dear Mr. Fisher

The weather is cold and nasty and I am having a miserable time in the village living in an open temple with food running short. I wished I had given up the idea of going altogether.

Your animals are better off than I am.

I want to thank you for your courtesy and further loan of the animals - they are going back well fed.

Kind regards to your good self, to Misses Cook, Brown and Hewett.

Very sincerely yours,

(sig.) J. F. Rock

P.S. Hope the small child is better.

Oct. 23^rd

Apparently plane delayed owing to weather conditions, here raining cold and uncomfortable. Again many thanks.

++++

Arrived November 23^rd Left December 2^nd 1943

Lt Ted R Carmack Pilot

30^th Transport Group

APO-629-India

c/o Mrs Irene M Carmack, Brewton, Alabama, USA

Lt M Joseph Freda Co-pilot

30^th Transport Group

APO-629-India

Callicoon, N.Y., USA

Cpl James K King

30^th Transport Group

APO-629-India

1360 East 20^th St

Eugene, Oregon, USA

Cpl Murel E Sampson

30^th Transport Group

APO-629-India

3367 Coolidge Ave

Oakland, California

Left with seven carriers for Lang Kiai Lsi

++++

C – 87 No.800

Arrived December 8^th left December 16^th 1943

Lt Townsell G Marshall

78^th Transport Squadron, 22^nd Group

APO 466 c/o postmaster, New York City

- - - - - -

513 Victoria Avenue

Ashland, Kentucky, USA

Sgt. Aldo H Cereghino

77^th Transport Squadron, 22^nd Group

APO 466 c/o postmaster, New York City, New York

- - - - - -

Rt. 2 Bx. 536

Troutdale, Oregon

Left with two horses and six carriers fro Tali via Chien Ch'uan

++++

British Consulate General

Kunming

13 December, 1943

Sir,

I am directed by the Acting British Consul-General to thank you for your telegram and letters concerning the wrecked plane at Yingpankai, and to express his appreciation of your initiative to bringing the matter to our notice.

The Acting British Consul-General would be glad to know the telegraphic charges which you incurred so that he may refund the money to you.

We are asking the U.S. Consul to communicate direct with you concerning the burial of the dead airmen.

I am, Sir,

Your obedient Servant,

(sig.) W.G.E. Peckman(?)

Vice-Consul

H.G. Fisher, Esq.,

Lanping,

YUNNAN

COPY (handwritten)

++++

(Yellow MESSAGE sheet)

Dec. 15^th 1943

To Lanping – Missionary

If the fliers have departed please show number of days ago (1-2)

Did they take the same route as the last group did? (Yes – No)

We appreciate all the help you have given to our fliers.

Do you need any supplies? If so list them and we will do our best to get them to you.

(signature) Rescue Squadron

++++

(Official paper)

The Foreign Service
of the
United States of America

In reply refer to

File No. 820, ARR:ec

(official insignia)

Department of State

American Consulate General

Kunming, China, December 18^th, 1943

Mr. H.G. Fisher

Lanping, Yunnan

Sir:

The receipt is acknowledged, by reference from the British Consulate general in this city, of your letter of October 12, 1943, in regard to the aeroplane which was wrecked in the vicinity of Yingpankai some time last summer.

The United States Army authorities in Kunming have asked me to express their appreciation for your letter and for your offer of assistance. It is understood that they are planning to send a party from Paoshan to investigate the wreckage, and that they will probably call at Lanping while en route and discuss the matter with you.

Very truly yours,

(sig.)

Arthur R. Ringwalt,

American Consul.

++++

B-24J # 42-73433

Arrived 1-15-44 Departed 1-20-44

(15^th Jan 1944 20^th Jan 1944)

The following are members of the Upshaw, 308^th Bomb Group 375^th Squadron Apo 627 c/o Postmaster, NY,NY. Bailed out 1-12-44 (12^th Jan 1944) returning from Formosa.

Frederick C. Keish 0-736531 1^st Lt A.C. Pilot

308^th Bomb Group (H), 375^th Squadron APO 627

c/o Postmaster NYC, NY

40 Clinton St

Manchester, Connecticut, USA

Lamar C. Cartwright (Radio Operator)

1852 N.16^th Street, Phila, Penna, USA

William M. Cole 17029739

Route#2, Mosho, Missouri

Charles R. Kock 0-798824 2^nd Lt A.C.

RR4 Box 319

Anderson Ferry Rd, Cincinnati, Ohio

Abraham D. Feldman 0-728266 1^st Lt A.C.

4415 N. Central Park Ave

Chicago, Illinois

Rudolph Allan Welch 0-684816 2^nd Lt A.C. (C.P.)

225 Hamilton St

Roanoke Rapids, N. Carolina Co-pilot

Left with 6 horses and 9 carriers for Lang Kiai Tsi

++++

HEADQUARTERS 308^th BOMBARDMENT GROUP (H) AAF

Office of the Commanding Officer

APO 627, c/o Postmaster

New York City, New York

18 January 1944

Dear Keish,

Your squadron is leaving with two (2) jeeps and a trailer today or tomorrow, and will go along the Burma Road, through Yunnanyi, to Wayao, on the Mekong River, about sixty (60) miles south of where you are at Lanping. They should be there about Saturday, 22 January 1944. You are to organise a party as best you can to go down the river or the valley trail to Wayao.

A map and compass are enclosed to aid you.

Good luck! We are all glad that you are alright.

(sig.) Larry

L. P. Martin

1^st Lt., Air Corps,

Ass't Adjutant.

++++

Arrived 1-21-44 (21^st Jan) Departed 2-7-44 (7^th Feb)

Crew of C-46 41-12305 The ”Cornhusker”

Bailed out Jan 13^th 1944 at 11.15 p.m. in Mekong River valley about 10 miles south of Yingpankiai.

Charles G. Gruber 0-666280 1^st Lt A.C. Pilot

ATC Station#6, Third Area

APO #629 c/o Postmaster New York City, NY

- - - - - -

4025 Oregon Ave

St Louis, Mo, USA

Craig M. Jones 2nd Lt AC 0-672624 Co-pilot

ATC Station#6, Third Area, APO #629, Chabua, India

- - - - - -

1683 Lee Road

Cleveland Heights, Ohio

Robert B. Marlatt 39261263 Radio Operator

ATC Station#6, Third Area, APO #629, Chabua, India

- - - - - - -

3867 Welland Ave

Los Angeles

California,

USA

Gerald W. Pfund S/Sgt. 20738162 Engineer

ATC Sta.#6, Area #6

APO 629

Chabua, India

- - - - - - -

1403 So. 2^nd St.

Norfolk

Nebraska, USA

Four horses and four carriers

++++

Ruth's note 17 May 2009:
Please see "What's New?" page of my web site to see a letter written by Gruber and Jones on 5 Feb 1944, and also information from the son of James Cunningham mentioned in the next entry of the notebook.

I now know the full names of the missing crew members in the following entry:

Pilot: Capt. James T. Cunningham
Co-Pilot: Lt. Robert D. Campbell
Radio Operator: Sgt. William R. Gunn

Arrived 7^th Feb. 1944 Departed 23rd Feb.

Engineer on 42-107262 C-87 Jarhat?

Sgt. Paul J. Beauchamp 20413021

Station #4 Area #2

APO 466, NY, NY

Crew missing off C-87 42-107262

Pilot = Capt. Cunningham

Co Pilot = "Pat"

R.O. = S/Sgt. Gunn

Bailed out Jan. 24^Th 1944

near Chongpai on Mekong River

Home address

Route #1 Box 343

Winston-Salem

North Carolina

1 horse & two carriers left for Jang Kiai Tsi

++++

Came up to Lanping to thank Mr. Fisher for what he done to our Airmen who bailed out over this area.

Capt. Henry A. Mahffy Station 13

1700 Riverview Ave ICW-ATC

Wilmington, Del. APO 627

Lt Rolland C. Bennett Station 12, ICW-ATC

Browning, Missouri APO 488

c/o Postmaster, NY, NY

Cpl. Clifford M. Lefferts 16 CCU

38-04 250 St. APO 627

Little Neck, NYC, New York c/o PM, NY

M/Sgt. Walter M. Metzer

202 Burchwood St

Hot Springs, Arkansas

Cpl. C. D. Yee Station #12

c/o Q.W. Lung & Co. ICWATC, APO #488

56 Beach Street c/o PM, New York, NY

Boston, Massachusetts, USA

++++

US Army Forces,

Chabua, Assam, India

2 March 1944

Mr. Harry Gladstone Fisher

Tibetan Border Mission

Lanping, Yunnan, S.W.China

Dear Mr. Fisher:

On behalf of Sgt. Beauchamp, his Commanding Officer, the Rescue Squadron, and all of our Officers and men of the Army Air Transport Command, whom you have so generously received in your home, I should like to express our sincere appreciation, and that of the Commanding officer of this Sector. It is an inspiration to all of our flyers to know as they do of your kind hospitality to seventeen of their comrades at various times since November 1943. Sgt. Beauchamp is only the most recent to return, but his gratitude for your kind welcome was shared by all sixteen who preceded him. You are a charter member of our rescue organization.

We are taking steps, even at this moment, to secure the items which you requested in the letter of which Beauchamp was the bearer. Also at present there are the equivalent of three jeep-loads of supplies, supposedly to go or on their way to you now overland, which should be delivered to you at Lanping.

If from time to time you can definitely identify a plane circling overhead as our Rescue Ship, and can spell out any of your needs with large white letters, we shall attend to them with all possible promptness.

Anything we may be able to do for you, such as today's dropping of things you requested, will be done most willingly. By comparison with your personal sacrifices for our flyers, these are little indeed.

Very sincerely yours,

(sig.)

JOHN G. NESBITT

Captain, Air Corps

U.S. Army

++++

Headquarters

American XI Army Group Tali, China

Y Force Operations Staff 4^th April 1944

Subject: Burial American Airmen

To: Lt. Col. CARR, Guerrilla Sch. Yung Lung

1. This headquarters was notified of ruins of an American plane sometime in January. This plane is located near Yinbangkai, two days pack trip from Lanping. Missionary Fisher of Lanping knows location and it is reported (99° 15 – 26° 26).

2. Crew members reported dead are as follows:

1^st Lt. W.P. Sears

2^nd Lt. G. Breckenridge

2^nd Lt. W.R. Dawson

S/Sgt. E.B. Estluka

S/Sgt. A. Kulba

Sgt. L.E. Adams

Possible that seven bodies are there; if so, the seventh is that of a Mr. J.K.Daniels.

3. These bodies will be decomposed and possibly buried in the British Mission Burial Grounds. Mr Fisher of Lanping will know exactly where they are and has offered to send or guide an American party to the wreck. He should be consulted immediately upon arrival of a party in Lanping.

4. It was believed inadvisable in Jan. to go after the bodies until they became thoroughly decomposed. However it has now become advisable to recover the bodies before the rainy season and see that proper burial is accomplished at Paoshan in the American Burial Grounds.

5. _____________

S/W.S. Wood

Col. Inf. Comdg.

True Copy

J M Carr Lt. Col. Inf.

++++

United States Army Forces

Kunming, China

29 April 1944

Dear Mr. Fisher

Please excuse this long delay in answering your letter. It was several weeks before the pictures were developed and when they did arrive I had made tentative plans to have them delivered by air. This didn't seem to work out so have decided to forward them to you through the regular mail service. Do hope you get them safely.

We all had a very pleasant journey back to Kunming. Mr. Cooke has probably told you that we met him on the trail just west of Chien Chuan. The magistrate of Chien Chuan had a big banquet prepared for us and then we spent the night with the Chinese missionary. You were certainly right when you told us about her cooking – it was excellent. She is doing some wonderful work there and I know now that any of our men that happen to land near there will be well taken care of.

Have talked to Lt. Carmack and also to the boys from the bomber and they all wish me to forward to you their best regards. They certainly have a lasting memory of their days at Lanping and you can be sure that your most generous hospitality will not soon be forgotten.

Am expecting to leave for the States very soon and I have your letter *that I plan to deliver in Lancaster. Sergeant Metzer left for the States several weeks ago and we have heard that he has already arrived safely.

I want to take this opportunity to thank you again for your kind and generous hospitality while we were in Lanping. The work that you have done has been of inestimable value to the American Air Forces and I can extend to you the wholehearted thanks of each and every man.

Hello Ivy, Alfred, John, Paul and Fay [Faith]. Sorry that I won't be able to come out and visit with you again. I'll be thinking about you when I fly over Lanping on my last trip over the ”Hump” on the way home.

Miss Hewett, many thanks for the bread and scones that you so thoughtfully prepared for us before we started out. They sure tasted good on the long trip back.

Thanks again, for everything,

Very sincerely,

(sig.) H. A. Mahaffy

H.A. Mahaffy

Capt. Air Corps

United States Army

++++

Tibetan Border Mission

Lanping, Yunnan, Free China

United States Army Personnel, April, 1944

Dear Sirs,

You are in a sub district of Lanping, namely _______ therefore will be brought here, where the magistrate's residence is situated. From here we can get in touch by radio with the rescue Squadron at Yunnanyi and the rescue Plane will drop you your needs within a short period. From here too, we can get horses and carriers fro your journey either South or east, where a jeep can pick you up and take you on to Yunnanyi. We have been able to assist quite a few of your comrades in this way and have enjoyed the fellowship and their stay in the home. You are ____ days journey from here and will be provided with horses and carriers according to your needs. Please find enclosed a few English-Chinese sentences which will help you to converse with the local official so as to enable you to arrive here without undue delay. Should you wish to send in a letter to Lanping, ask the local official to send a runner with same, stating Plane's number, date of bailing out, number of men, is Dr. Needed and any other particulars you may think useful and I will send same off to Yunnanyi, thus saving perhaps one or two days and also the Rescue Plane a lot of unnecessary searching.

Trusting you all bailed out safely and that you will have a pleasant journey to Lanping.

I remain, Yours sincerely,

Harry G. Fisher

++++

(This sheet accompanied the above letter and contains English sentences with Chinese underneath)

Send a search party for the other men.

We want to leave for Lanping tomorrow.

We want State no. Horses, with saddles.

We want carriers State no. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

we want escort.

We need carriers for injured man or men.

We are hungry and need food. Chicken - Eggs - Vegetables

We want boiling water - A fire - Washing water – Water to wash feet

Has this water boiled? Boiled, Not Boiled

Please send a runner at once to Lanping with this letter.

I need a sheet of paper, envelope and pencil.

Please send these people out, we want to go to bed.

Please give us a few sheets of grass paper!!! (For toilet paper.)

Please give me some paste to seal up this letter.

Please keep thisletter here, fro others may need it.

Can you see that we have no delay en route to Lanping.

Many thanks for all your help and kindness during our stay here.

++++

Guerrilla School, Yung Lung

April 28, 1944

Missionary Fisher

Lanping, China

Dear Sir,

On behalf of the American Military Forces in China I wish to thank you for your efforts and trouble in taking care of the American Airmen killed in crash of a plane in your vicinity and also such aid as you have given to survivors who had the good fortune to ”walk out”. We, at this station, are sending you a few items which I am sure you can use and if you have any specific requests let Cpl. EVERTSEN know and perhaps we can send up later.

I regret I cannot send an Officer on this mission but we are only two and are conducting a military school here for the Guerrilla Forces. I, therefore, am sending Corporal Evertsen to conduct the bodies back for internment in the American Cemetry in Poashan. Such —can give him will be much appreciated. He has instructions to reimburse you or others for any expense incurred in moving and interring the bodies and such expense in disinterring and preparing remains for the return trip. Please advise him as to the best way to prepare remains for the trip and as mentioned, he is prepared to pay all expense.

Coolies for return trip will be paid on arrival at Burma Road at Weyo. It is presumed return trip will be down Mekong through Tsao Kien to Weyo.

If there are any other remains of crashed American airmen, desire that they also be secured if possible. The American Army stands ready to pay suitable reward for location and identification of American bodies and also in the matter of aid to American survivors. We would appreciate your giving publicity, especially to the latter, and any advice you may give in the latter, in aiding escaping Americans from Burma territory will also be appreciated.

Accept the deepest thanks from all Americans

Yours respectfully,

James M. Carr

Lt. Col. Inf. US Army

++++

May 4– 7 1944

Cpl. Bert Evertsen Jr.

232 - 84^th Street APO 627

Brooklyn, New York c/o PM, NY, NY

Arrived May 4^th to inquire about bodies of dead airmen in Lanping District. Made seven small coffins here. Bought thirty feet of boards and engaged five carpenters for two days. Paid for boards 1800 and for wages 1000 national currency. Left on May 7^th for Yingpankiai to dig up remains of four airmen. Plane crashed June 1943. Will also be given the remains of three airmen from Chong P'ai. Plane crashed about three days north of Ying Pankiai west of the Mekong River. This plane crashed on January 24^th, Sgt. Beauchamp being the only survivor.

(In Harry Fisher's handwriting)

Sent off letter, 19/5/44, to Col. J. Carr, Tali, given to me by Magistrate, concerning two American army pistols in his possession, as accused by Cpl. Evertsen, United States Army May 16^th 1944.

++++

John E. Partanen, 1st Lt., AC

3^rd Photo Mapping Squadron

MacDill Field, Tampa 8, Florida

Ajo, Arizona, USA

Arrived in Lanping on June 25^th with a sick officer. The efforts of Mr. Fisher on our behalf are deeply appreciated. I cannot express my gratitude to him or to his wonderful children.

Left July 12^th

Robert (NMI) Wesselhoeft, Jr., 2^nd Lt., AC

3^rd Photo Mapping Squadron

552 Gay Street, Westwood, Mass.

Lt. Wesselhoeft was brought here in a critical condition from 2 days north of Lanping. John E. Partanen

Arrived June 25^th, left by plane July 9^th

Clyde H. Foushee S/Sgt. AC

3^rd Photo Mapping Squadron

MacDill Field, Tampa 8, Florida

(2505 Chapel Hill Rd, Durham, MC)

accompanied Lt. Partanen and Wesselhoeft here and we are indeed grateful to Mr. Fisher and his children for all their kindness.

Arrived June 24^th, left July 12th

++++

Arrived July 2^nd from Yunnanni and left Lanping on July 12^th for Yunnanni. Horse to Chien Ch'uan, then jeep to Yunnanni.

Morris Kaplan Maj. Med. Corps.

803 Med. Air Evac. Squadron

APO 629

12 Corona St.,

Denver, Colorado

Mr. Fisher – you and your wonderful family are among the sweetest people I ever have known. M.K.

John K. Burns Lt. Col. M.C.

Hq 14AF c/o Surgeons office

APO 627 NYC

2721 So. Post St

Spokane, Wash, USA

N.B. Mr. Fisher is the finest gentleman it has been my pleasure to meet. He has been extremely helpful to our American airmen and seserves our highest respect and thankfulness. J.K.B.

++++

Fred Welsh, Maj. AC 8^th July 1944

Hq. 69^th Wg 14th USAAF

Glen head, L:I:, New York

West Englewood, New Jersey

Landed airstrip in L-5 to evacuate patient

Arrived July 8^th, left July 9^th

Chin D. Yee, Cpl. AC

Station #12, ICWATC

APO #488, c/o Postmaster, New York City, NY

c/o Q.W. Lung & Co., 56 Beach Street

Boston, Massachusetts, USA

This is my second trip up this way and I cannot think that I ever enjoy any more than I did on all trips I make. Mr. Fisher and his family are tops with me and am looking forward on coming this way again and enjoy the good food Mr. Fisher serves us. C.D.Y.

Arrived July 2^nd Left July 12th

++++

July 12^th 1944

Rolland C. Bennett, Capt. AQC

Station 12 – ICW-UTC

APO 488 c/o Postmaster, NY, NY

This is my second visit with Mr. Fisher and family. The occasion making the trip necessary was not as pleasant as the first but Mr. Fisher's timely help and hospitality to all parties concerned aided us in making the mission a successful one.

Mr. Fisher’s aid in helping me obtain coolie labor from the Magistrate of the district was invaluable since it made the building of an emergency strip possible. Sincerest thanks to you Mr. Fisher.

RCB

Arrived July 2^nd Left July 12^th

++++

26 September 1944

Mr. Fisher:

All arrangements have been made for your trip out. Upon your arrival my station will contact me or Major Gregory. You will be taken anywhere in India you choose. Your baggage will not be limited. Send me a message by Chinese net stating where you want to go and the amount of baggage you will have. If possible give me the date you plan to arrive here. (in handwriting) Best of luck to all.

(sig.) Rolland C. Bennett

Captain Rolland C. Bennett

++++

R E S T R I C T E D

Headquarters

1333 AAF Base Unit

India China Division, Air Transport Command

Apo #629

3 October 1944

Subject: Travel Orders

To: Commanding Officer, 1338 AAF Base Unit, APO #488

(Att: Search and Rescue Officer)

1. Pursuant to auth contained in 2^nd Ind to Ltr, 1388 AAF BU, APO #488, 11 September 1944, Subj: ”Air Transportation for Civilians”, the following named civilian personnel, Tibetan Border Mission, will proceed o/a 10 October 1944, via first available military aircraft for Yunnanyi, China to Calcutta, India, via Chabua, Assam:

Mr. Harry G. Fisher

Mr. Alfred Fisher

Mr. John Fisher

Mr. Paul Fisher

Miss Ivy Fisher

Miss Faith Fisher

APR #4-CHU-25883 GR 6 BRI.

Baggage limitations not to be imposed.

By order of Lieutenant Colonel Joyce:

ELMER W. EARNEST

Captain, Air Corps

Adjutant

OFFICIAL:

(sig.)

ELMER W. EARNEST

Captain, Air Corps

Adjutant

++++

(The following are on pieces of paper glued into notebook and were written somewhere on the family’s trip out of China)

I have only known the Fishers a short time, but in that short time, I have found them to be the finest family any one could (?) ever want to meet.

I was chosen, along with Chaplain Rogers, to escort the Fishers across the ”Hump” which I treasure as an honor. It has been the highest honor ever granted me.

I shall, along with many others always remember this family, not only for being such fine people, but also for the fine work they have done in helping the Americans out of China, and the Chinese to a better land in the here-after.

W.R. George

2^nd Lt. AC

Home address: 929 Carbondale

Illinois

USA

++++

One of the most outstanding visits of my life has been that of making the acquaintance of the Fisher family. ”Remarkable” is not adequate to describe them.

An added privilege came to me when Major Gregory sent me to accompany them across the ”hump”. Lt. George and myself made harnesses for the smaller children so that in case of emergency we could jump ”two on a chute”.

Mr. Fisher has been profuse in expressing his appreciation for what the ATC has done for him and his family, but I should like to say that anything we have done is small repayment for the magnificent work he done for our crew members who have found it necessary to ”bail out” over the ”hump”.

So to one o f the grandest families I have ever met, let me say, ”Godspeed and God bless you all”.

Sincerely,

Vernon O. Rogers

Chaplain (Capt) US Army Air Corps

707 Virginia Avenue

Martinsburg

N. Va

++++

We have certainly enjoyed having the Fisher Family stay with us on their way through. We are very grateful to them for their help of downed crews over the Hump.

May they have a safe journey home.

Audrey E. Rogers, Capt.

803^rd Nurses

APO 6299, PM, NYC

To Mr. Fisher and His splendid family God's speed to England and many many thanks for all you have done for our boys.

Sincerely,

Harry (F.?) Wade

Base Chaplain

1305 Base Unit, ATC

++++

Mr Fisher and family,

It has been a real pleasure to have been able to spend the last few days with you. I can readily see how the boys that you have helped have been so profuse in their praise for all of you.

As a plain American G.I. let me thank you for all of the boys of the ATC for which you have done so much.

(Pte.?) John T. Hagan

John T. Hagan

189 Essex street

Lynn, Massachusetts

USA

++++

Crew of C47 from Calcutta to Bombay

Frank V. Cassata

(?) Sgt. ATC

7558-182 St

Flushing, NY

Capt. A.B. O'Brien, AC

1306^th AAF-B4 (Pilot)

1624 W 12^th Street

Dallas, Texas

F/O W.D. Antrim Jr.

(Co-Pilot)

1306 AAF BU ATC

APO 882

920 Gaunt St

Gloucester N.J.

++++

25 November 1944

0615

Rev. (rubbed out) Fisher

Sorry that I have not had a chance to see you, but I'm afraid this would be a bit too early.

Chaplain Rogers and Major Gregory sent me word you were coming, but did not say when. Under the circumstances I depended upon Chaplain Wade. I hope he has helped to make you comfortable and your stay here pleasant.

May I join with the rest of our men in expressing our deep appreciation to you for all the help you have given our crews. You have done a wonderful work, and we pray that you will have a pleasant return journey.

If you are still here when I return I shall surely see you. God bless you all.

Chaplain Paul W. Schiope

Hq ICD -ATC

++++

RESCUE FROM TIBET

AIR TRANSPORT COMMAND BASE IN INDIA (U.S. Army Release)

This is an article on very flimsy paper which is going to be difficult and time consuming to transcribe. The same situation is described in a Valor magazine article for which the following is the link

http://www.airforce-magazine.com/MagazineArchive/Pages/1996/December%201996/1296valor.aspx

++++

Headquarters

European Division, Air Transport Command

(1400^th AAF Base Unit)

APO 741, c/o Postmaster

New York, N.Y.

Office of the Commanding General

18 January 1945

My dear Fisher

The other day I was greatly interested in an article which appeared in the London Evening News announcing the return of you and your family.

You perhaps may not recall, but I was in command of the India China Division of the Air Transport Command about a year ago and was quite familiar with the outstanding service which you were rendering to that Division. Your cooperation and assistance to our Air Search and Rescue Unit were outstanding and I know that many of our people owe their lives to the work which you carried on in your outpost.

I trust that you will not fail to let me know should you be in London at any time and that the New Year and many others will give you the rest and relaxation which you have so thoroughly earned.

Again, please accept my thanks for this outstanding service which you have rendered to the Air Transport Command together with my very best wishes.

Sincerely,

(sig.)

EARL. S. HOAG

Brigadier General, U.S. Army

Commanding

Mr. Harry G. Fisher

Orchard House

Hindolveston, near Dereham

Norfolk, England

++++

Headquarters

European Division, Air Transport Command

(1400^th AAF Base Unit)

APO 741, c/o Postmaster

New York, N.Y.

Office of the Commanding General

17 February 1945

My dear Mr. Fisher:

Your very kind letter was waiting for me when I returned from a rather extended trip several days ago.

Thank you so much for the many kind things you have said regarding the Air transport Command and particularly for the Chinese money, which you enclosed. It was very kind of you to send them to me and I am certainly very pleased to have them.

I hope that you will have an opportunity to get to London soon and that you will contact me when you do.

With kindest regards, I am,

Sincerely,

(sig.)

EARL. S. HOAG

Brigadier General, U.S. Army

Commanding

Mr. Harry G. Fisher

Orchard House

Hindolveston,

Dereham, Norfolk

++++

Two letters written to England from USA

Mar 1949
Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Letter from Nancy to 'Uncle Harry'
(Do any Bolton or Fisher relatives know who Nancy is please?
It sounds as though her husband was Paul.
NB Sgt. Paul Beauchamp, Feb 1944 above, was also from
Winston-Salem, North Carolina! Coincidence?)

Note from Ruth on 17 May 2009:

I now know from Mark Cunningham, son of James Cunningham mentioned in Feb. 1944, that Paul and Nancy were married. Please see the "What's New?" page of my website for more information.

Route 2

Winston, Salem, N.C.

March 14, 1949

Dear Uncle Harry,

Just after sending you a letter we received one from you saying that the children had received their candy and gum. There is a package now on its way to Ivy from my sister.

It is always such a pleasure and a blessing to receive your letters. Though you are thousands of miles away, Uncle Harry, you are very close to us. Often your letters have helped me to new faith and hope. In your letter you wrote "Psalm 91" and when I took our Bible down to read Psalm 91 the Bible opened to that very page. It happened because after studying my lesson for Church I had put it in the Bible so that it would not be misplaced, and to my surprise, found when I looked up the 91st Psalm I had put my lesson between the very pages it is on. Truly it is a marvelous blessing to be able to say of the Lord "He is my refuge and my fortress; my God; in Him will I trust."

We are looking forward to reading "God is My Co-Pilot". My Mother has read it and had told us that it is an excellent book. Now it will have extra interest for us. After Paul returned to the states he often mentioned you and the children and then when we wrote you, but received no answer, we often wondered about your safety. And we watched the news to find how close the Japs were to you. How did you manage to get out? Please do not ever think that anything you write does not interest us. I could ask dozens of questions about your life in China and also in England. Paul says I am, beyond a doubt, the world's most inquisitive woman. It's a good thing that he is patient because, come to think of it, I must be rather exasperating at times.

We are glad to hear that you have a chapel and do pray that you will find a home very soon. We know that God is able and will provide.

Please excuse this paper. We were out of stationery and I didn't want to wait until I had a chance to go to town to get any. You see we live out in the country and because of the children it's very hard for me to go to town. Do trust that all of you are well and may God continue to keep you in His love and care.

Love from all to all,

Nancy

++++

Dec. 9, 1953

Los Angeles, Calif.

Dear Mr. Fisher,

With this card I would like to extend my sincere wishes for good health and happiness for you and all your family. I often think of you during the year and wonder how everyone is getting along. Even "little" Faith must be quite a big girl now. It's so hard to realize how fast the time has gone by since our goodbyes to you when you passed through Cabua, India on your way home in 1944 - Does it seem like nine years ago to you?

When you find the time I would enjoy very much hearing from you and learning all the late news about your family. I feel ashamed that I haven't done more than send a brief note at Christmas time, but letter writing seems to be quite a project for me. I'd like you to know too, that it isn't only at Christmas time that I think of you - your name still enters our conversations many times during the year. Above all I want you to know that your great kindness will never be forgotten.

Best wishes for a pleasant and happy 1954.

Bob Marlatt & Family

Entries and letters from Fisher notebook 1940s

2008-10-05T10:40:00.069+03:00

The letters that are stuck in the notebook are not in chronological order, but I have tried to put everything in order here . . .
The next post is all these entries transcribed for easier reading.

August 1942 (The only British group, from Burma)
Milton, Barnard, Maddox, and Copping

Oct 1942
Letter from J. F. Rock

Back of letter!

Dec 1943
Peckman (?)
from British Consul in Kunming - wrecked American plane

Ringwalt
from American Consul in Kunming - wrecked American plane

All the following are Americans

Nov/Dec 1943
Carmack, Freda, King, and Sampson

Dec 1943
Marshall and Cereghino

Dec 1943
Message from Rescue Squadron

January 1944
Keish, Cartwright, Cole, and Kock

Jan 1944
Martin to Keish

Undated, presumably also Jan 1944
Feldman and Welch

Jan/Feb 1944
Gruber, Jones, Marlatt, and Pfund

Ruth's note 17 May 2009:
Please see "What's New?" page of my web site to see a letter written by Gruber and Jones on 5 Feb 1944, and also information from the son of James Cunningham mentioned in the next entry of the notebook.

I now know the full names of the missing crew members in the following entry:

Pilot: Capt. James T. Cunningham
Co-Pilot: Lt. Robert D. Campbell
Radio Operator: Sgt. William R. Gunn

Feb 1944
Beauchamp

March 1944
Nesbitt

April 1944
Harry's letter for downed crews

English/Chinese sentences to accompany letter
(Some of these sentences were used by the book cover designer behind the title.)

Spring 1944?
Mahaffy, Bennett, Lefferts, Metzer, and Yee

April 1944
Wood to Carr
Crew members reported dead and buried by Harry:-
Seard, Breckenridge, Dawson, Estlucka, Kulba, Adams, Daniels

April 1944
Carr

April 1944
Mahaffy

May 1944
Evertsen

July 1944
Kaplan and Burns

June/July 1944
Partanen, Wesselhoeft, and Foushee

July 1944
Welsh and Yee

July 1944
Bennett

Sep 1944
Bennett

Oct 1944
Earnest

Nov 1944
Schiope (?)

Nov 1944
Thanksgiving Dinner, India

The following are notes stuck into book, written
somewhere on their journey out of China, Nov/Dec 1944

George

Rogers, V.

Rogers, A. and Wade (?)

Hagan

Cassata, O'Brien, and Antrim
Crew of C-47 Calcutta to Bombay

Jan 1945 Earl S. Hoag, written from London to Norfolk

Feb 1945 Earl S. Hoag

Two letters written to England from USA

Mar 1949
Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Letter from Nancy to 'Uncle Harry'
(Do any Bolton or Fisher relatives know who Nancy is please?
It sounds as though her husband was Paul.
NB Sgt. Paul Beauchamp, Feb 1944 above, was also from
Winston-Salem, North Carolina! Coincidence?)

Note from Ruth on 17 May 2009:

I now know from Mark Cunningham, son of James Cunningham mentioned in Feb. 1944, that Paul and Nancy were married. Please see the "What's New?" page of my website for more information.

Dec 1953
Christmas card from Marlatt (Jan/Feb 1944 crew member)

Harry and Victoria 1920s

2008-10-05T10:32:00.023+03:00

Bolton family, 5 sons and 5 daughters
Victoria centre front

Victoria's name etc. on passenger list July 1923

Tariff paper for having her luggage released

Brother and sister in China - Vic and Len

Relaxation time!

Various forms of transport

Vic on donkey

"Vic and her boys' class"

"Vic in Lisu garments"

Harry 1925

Harry, centre back, at Bible College 1925

Harry and Vic, Wedding day 1928

Stopover on journey to China

Luggage in Vietnam

China 1944 and England 1945—1960

2008-10-02T12:16:00.025+03:00

Lanping - late 1944, before departure

Harry

The five children
Paul, Ivy, Faith, Alfred, and John

Harry with his five children and Miss Hewitt

Norfolk, England, Jan 1945

Faith, Harry, Ivy, John, and Paul

John, Paul, and Faith holding Daddy's hand

Alfred with his crossbow

Paul, John, and Faith catching up on their schoolwork

1946
Ivy, Faith, Harry, John, Alfred, and Paul

Elsie Thompson 1930s

Harry & Elsie's Wedding Day Dec 1949
My grandparents David Thompson (3rd from left) & Annie Thompson (far right),
Alfred (the tallest), and Kathleen (Elsie's best friend)

The new family in thier new hometown
Elsie, John, Harry, Paul, Alfred, Faith, and Ivy

1953 Daddy and his little girl

Spring 1960
Major Kaplan (right) with Harry and another American

Late Spring 1960
The last Fisher Family photo

Harry & Elsie

Summer 1960
Harry's grave

China March 2008 — Chengdu

2008-10-02T11:10:00.020+03:00

Chengdu city

How many bicycles are there in Chengdu?

View from top of bus

Poet's park

Spring blossom

Doll on sticks

Juggling with feet

Panda eating his lunch

Playing together

Warning or information?

Huge goldfish in lake

Altogether now!
If you know the ten of us, do you know who is who?!

China March 2008 — LANPING

2008-10-02T07:05:00.051+03:00

About an hour out of Lijiang

Approaching Lanping

Centre of Lanping

Our hotel

Hotel at night

We all had twin rooms

View from 12th floor of hotel

The same scene seventy years earlier?

Early morning exercises in the public square

School playground full of children doing their exercises

A misty morning

View from garden of old Fisher residence

Two pear trees in blossom

The old house surrounded by building materials

Inside the house

Decay and dereliction

Wall panels covered in old newspapers

Some pages were still readable

Close-up

The "Easter Monday" announcement

American First Aid box

One of Harry's old trunks

One section of the rented buildings

Firewood stored in Harry's old dark room

After the meal in a local "restaurant"!

Is this where they prepared our food . . .

. . . or was it here?

View from burial ground

At the burial ground

Group of young singers in traditional costume

Return journey to Lijiang

The roads clung to the side of the mountains . . .

. . . and were very bendy in places

Most fields had been prepared for crops

Roadworks

Street scene as we passed in the minibus

Market day?

They don't look too happy that it was a sunny day, do they?

Amazing scenery as we wound our way through the mountains,
but this photo doesn't do it justice, as I took it behind glass
and from a moving vehicle!

China March 2008 — Lijiang & Tiger Leaping Gorge

2008-10-01T10:15:00.028+03:00

General view of old town of Lijiang

Working water wheels are gateway to old town

Town's regulations

Spring was arriving . . .

Blossom time

A rainy day

Snacks prepared in narrow alley

Hotel courtyard

Central area

Our private lounge!

Revealing bathroom

Statues in new part of town

Is there room for anything else?

Mao in salute

Your snails are served, sir!

Old town at night

The Gorge

Guesthouse garden

Four bodies descending the mountain, several hours late!

China March 2008 — Beijing

2008-10-01T07:50:00.008+03:00

New airport ready for the Olympics

Fruit stall

All kinds of transport . . .

China Dec. 2006 — Tiger Leaping Gorge

2008-09-30T12:20:00.023+03:00

View from road down to river and tourists

Flowers blooming in December

Card game in the sun

Five youngsters taking an easy hike (specks in centre!)

View from our room

Rice terraces on mountainside

River meandering in the valley

Yoshi at the top of the world . . .

Thomas and Timo surveying the vastness

Tamara hanging on . . .

Track clinging to the mountainside

Waterfall

Taken from van on jouney out of Gorge

Petrol tank behind driver's seat

Return journey to Lijiang

Red soil of Yunnan

Driver using her mobile phone!

Surprise photo of farmers

China Dec. 2006 — LANPING

2008-09-30T11:43:00.028+03:00

Temple at beginning of journey from Lijiang

Coming into Lanping after 4 hours through mountains

Entrance to old Fisher residence in centre

Path to house

Entrance to courtyard

View from courtyard to new town

Old house

Upstairs bannisters and old shuttlecock

Morton box

Taking my leave of Dad

Second set of buildings

Doorway

The only green around . . .

Tamara's friend

Old man sitting in marketplace
"Right here waiting"

Return journey to Lijiang

China Dec. 2006 — Lijiang

2008-09-30T11:22:00.012+03:00

Two pages of Dongba Script
(click on image to make it bigger and readable)

Street scene

One of the many streams

Lanterns reflected in water at night

View over old town

Elaborate waste bin

3 balls of ice-cream!

China Dec. 2006 — Beijing

2008-09-30T11:04:00.017+03:00

Christmas in Beijing

Tree of lights (Tamara on Giles's shoulders)

Rainbow arch over road

Scaffolding in Forbidden City

What are you waiting for? Go!

Intricate roof carvings

Mosaic footpath

Great Wall at Simitai

View from watchtower

Ruth and Thomas on zipwire

Christmas Eve group picture

China Dec. 2006 — Xian

2008-09-30T09:55:00.018+03:00

Visit to our Plan-sponsored child

Rural village street

Sunlight pouring into home

Pure white rolls

Goat jumped into bush to get out of our way!

Terracotta warriors

It was a sunny day!

Christmas greetings - Chinese-style!

Night scene with those famous arches

China Dec. 2006 — Shanghai

2008-09-30T09:44:00.016+03:00

Night view taken from block of flats we stayed in

Dancer from Sri Lanka

"Lipstick" skyscrapers

Palm trees tied up for winter

Jin Mao Tower

View down centre of Tower from 88th floor

China 1920s to 1940s — People of Yunnan

2008-09-29T11:49:00.019+03:00

Various faces of Yunnan Province

Lisu women

Two 'mountain' men

Three happy Tibetans!

Three small children

"Chinese priest"

Group, including some monks

Lisu in Lanping district

Lisu tribespeople

Tibetan with rosary

Woman with bound feet

China 1920s to 1940s — Life in LANPING

2008-09-29T10:26:00.067+03:00

Photos of the Fisher family's life in Lanping

"Lan P'ing"

Lanping nestled in valley

Main shops

Chinese cash

"Waiting for the water to boil"

Boys carrying water along street

Carrying straw

Carrying metal container on back

Carrying wooden boards

Market day

Market day

"Pig fat for sale"

"Horse and mule market"

Salt carriers

Drying corn

"Lanping Mission Station"

Landord (centre), Vic sitting (centre)

Horses in courtyard

Building Gospel Hall

Gospel Hall completed

Interior

Hall in distance

Building house

House and garden

Building wall

Carpenters

Neighbour family

Digging well — Harry beside bucket

Bath tub!

"Carrying water for the garden"

"Carrying water for drinking purposes"

Working in garden

Horse and cows

Beggars helping to build stables

The same three beggars from the back!

Four nationalities:
Tibetan, Chinese, English, Lisu

Harry & Vic with Chinese family

"Gospel tent"

Inside view of tent

Listening to a Bible story?

Group of children

Large gathering with Alfred at front left

"Two friends"

Harry, the dentist!

Buying Tibetan butter

"Living transport"

Harry and Alfred fishing

Dorothy 1932–33

Harry with Dorothy's coffin

Ivy in Morton box

Words on back of last photo in Harry's handwriting

Alfred with Lisu

Alfred, Ivy & John