Sunday, October 21, 2012 10:45 PM EDT
The following story was written by Jack Denehy for the Memorial Military Museum?s newsletter, September 2009-2010:
?On a recent bright and sunny April day, five members of the Bristol Historical Society: Tom LaPorte, Margaret Kane, Norm Taillon, Mike Saman and Jack Denehy, journeyed up Perkins Street and located the site of Bristol?s World War II Aircraft Observation Post. At a point directly opposite the Green Acres Farm vegetable stand, Margaret Kane, who proudly had served as one of over 400 Bristol volunteer aircraft observers, said, ?This is the place. I?m positive.? The location, which is now on the property of Wallace Barnes, definitely offers a beautiful view in every direction ? a perfect place to watch for airplanes. As we scanned the bright, blue sky, there were numerous white contrails in the stratosphere left by modern jet airliners heading westward.
?In the fall of 1941, as ominous clouds began to gather in a world which was at war, it became necessary to begin to prepare the United States and Bristol for war and the possibility of Axis air attack. Being a major production of ball bearings, springs, brass and other producer critical to defense manufacturing, Bristol would have been a primary target for enemy aircraft. The U.S. Army Air Force put into action plans for a string of aircraft observation towers that would stretch from the Canadian border all the way down the coast of Key West, Fla. On an average, there would be one observation post every six miles which would be manned by civilian volunteers under Army control 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
?After Pearl Harbor, Bristol rose to the occasion in a big way. Volunteers from every walk of life answered the call. Housewives, off-duty factory workers, retirees, teachers, high school students and kids from the Boys & Girls Club wanted to do their patriotic duty. Citizens donated their time and, in some cases, their station wagons that would be used to transport observers to and from the observation posts. From Octobber of 1941 until the spring of 1942, the fire tower on top of Johnny Cake Mountain, Burlington, was used. Because of its remoteness and the great difficulty driving up a steep and rutted dirt road, a new post was built in the Chippens Hill area ?on the spot set high and clear with good visibilty from all sides.? The property was then owned by Edward Ingraham who was also Bristol?s chief observer. Mrs. Ingraham told the Army that they could use the land free of charge for as long as they needed it.
?Dudley-Zero-Two-three, the army code name for Bristol?s Observation Post, consisted of a two-roomed ground floor building that was well heated in the winter and had several bunks in case it became necessary to stay there beyond the normal three-hour tour of duty. Above the ground structure was a platform that was accessed by two flights of stairs. In the center of the spacious platform was a six-sided cupola with large windows. Inside this observation post was a table that contained a sighting device that would enable an observer to determine an airplane?s direction of travel and a telephone that provided a direct connection to the Army Air Force Fighter Command at Mitchell Field, Long Island. Two observers were assigned to stand three-hour watches. They were required to sign in and and fill out a form when a plane was sighted. Being an official U.S. Army entity, there were important military procedures that had to be followed. The Army Air Force inspected and rated the post periodically. Bristol?s observation post was top rated ? ?A Number One?.?
John J. Denenhy, Jr.
John died on April 30, 2010, at Bristol Hospital after a brief illness. Due to his great respect for the military and love of history, he founded the Memorial Military Museum, Inc., which is housed at the Bristol Historical Society. It was started as a Bicentennial project to pay homage to the veterans of the city of Bristol and to preserve their stories. Mr. Denehy, known as ?Jack,? to his many friends, co-workers and volunteers, was a retired Bristol school teacher who was an active member of the Bristol Choral Society, the Bristol Historical Society, the Bristol American Legion Seicheprey Post 2 and the Korean War Veterans Association.
If you have a story of Bristol?s past you?d like to share with readhers, contact Bob Montgomery, c/o The Bristol Press, 188 Main St., Bristol, CT 06010. Leave a message at (860) 558-0016 or e-mail: bmontgomery@centralctcommunications.com.
Our valued readers,
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Source: http://www.bristolpress.com/articles/2012/10/22/news/doc5084a345a0793999098873.txt
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