Baumgardner, Haynes 1982-12-07
Haynes Baumgardner tells of his military career, involvement in the wars and the Pentagon, and with Texas Tech.
General Interview Information
Interviewee Name: Haynes Baumgardner
Additional Parties Recorded:
Date: December 7, 1982
Location:
Interviewer: Mark Wells
Length: 45 minutes
Abstract
Tape 1, Side 1:
Baumgardner, Haynes, background,
b. Wellington, Texas (July 27, 1920),
Farming family,
Graduated high school, 1938,
Entered Texas Tech (1938),
Reasons,
Agricultural science,
Nothing else to do,
No flying experiences at Texas Tech,
Student population,
Graduated, 1942,
San Antonio Aviation Cadet Center,
Primary training,
Uvalde, Texas,
Basic training,
Goodfellow, San Angelo,
Adapted to military life,
Advanced training,
Waco, Texas,
Multi-engine training,
Flying experience,
Graduated, December, 1943,
Flew B-24 airplane,
Description,
Wings,
Engines,
8-man crew,
Flying characteristics,
Popularity,
Assigned to second bomb division, 8th Air Force,
Stationed at North Pinkingham, England,
Bomb explosion accident,
First combat missions,
Feeling,
Job to do,
Pray,
Flack barrages,
Political wars of recent years,
Military doesn't control it,
Korea,
Vietnam,
Bomber formations, World War II,
Size,
Altitudes,
Bomb loads,
Spacing between aircraft,
Altitudes (again),
Rotterdam mission experience,
Flack attack,
Landing problems,
Mission lengths,
6-8 hours,
Never hit by fighters,
Incident with other bomb group and fighters,
Tail marks for different bomb groups,
Mission requirements,
Attrition,
(c. 11-17-1944) loss,
German opposition,
Fighter technique changed,
Demoralizing efforts,
Comparison of P-38 to German aircraft,
Noise, or lack of, in combat situation,
Dropping supplies to allied troops in Belgium,
Flying over Holland
Tape 1, Side 2:
Post-war assignment at Fort Worth Army Air Field,
Function of command,
Types of aircraft,
Anecdote: T-6 snap-rolled on take off,
Baumgardner, Haynes (again),
Decision to remain in Air Force,
Regular commission (1945),
Military government school (1946),
Transferred to Italy,
Strategic Air Command,
Positions held,
ROTC instructor at Texas Tech (1948),
Rank of major - 1950,
Slow promotions,
Description of courses 1948-1950,
Priority and specialty courses,
Facilities,
Temporary buildings,
Sand storms,
Left in 1952,
Student population in units,
Commissioned,
Lubbock in immediate post-war years,
Not a boom town,
Boomed in 1956,
Returning vets to Tech,
Flying Reese Air Force Base's T-6s and C-45s,
Reese reopened (1949),
Pentagon work for 4 years - 1952,
ROTC curriculum division,
Navigation school in Waco - 1956,
Bases stationed at while flying B-47s,
Military Assistance Advisory Group, Tokyo for 3 years - 1960,
Senior training advisor,
Japan's Self-Defense Air Force,
Graduated War College 1964,
Transferred to Texas Tech - 1968,
Professor of Aerospace Studies,
Full colonel,
Lubbock's reaction to Vietnam War,
Kent State incident,
Lubbock's reaction (again),
Avoid confrontation,
Report violence,
Relationship with President Murray,
Conflict with faculty members,
Relationship with Reese Air Force Base,
Mr. Mahon, Congressman,
Finest support base in Air Force,
Furniture order,
Wing Commanders at Reese,
General Craig,
General Favour,
Unique relationship between military and community,
Reasons,
Mahon House
Range Dates: 1920-1982
Bulk Dates: 1940s-1950s
Access Information
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Recording Format Notes:
Transcript:
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