Oral History Interview with John R. Leber, January 15, 1999

Access: Use of this item is restricted to the UNT Community
Interview with John R. Leber, a Army Air Corps WWII veteran from Wrightsville, Pennsylvania, who flew with the 317th Troop Carrier Squadron in the China-Burma-India Theater. Leber discusses enlisting in the Air Corps, training as an aircraft mechanic and becoming a crew chief, the C-46 and the C-47, deployment to India, flying over the Himalayas, living conditions, and continued service postwar. In appendix are handwritten letters of Leber from his time overseas.
Date: January 15, 1999
Creator: Marcello, Ronald E. & Leber, John R.
Object Type: Book
System: The UNT Digital Library

Oral History Interview with Allen Stafford, March 12, 1999

Access: Use of this item is restricted to the UNT Community
Interview with Allen Stafford, a Texas National Guard WWII veteran from Kiowa County, Oklahoma, who served with the 124th Cavalry Regiment. Stafford discusses his early life, working in Texas oil fields, enlisting and training, deployment to the China-Burma-India Theater and reorganization as an infantry unit, combat operations with the Japanese around the Burma Road, and returning to the United States.
Date: March 12, 1999
Creator: Alexander, William J. & Stafford, Allen E.
Object Type: Book
System: The UNT Digital Library

Oral History Interview with Arthur B. Clark, September 29, 2000

Access: Use of this item is restricted to the UNT Community
Interview with Arhtur B. Clark, a Texas National Guard WWII veteran and POW from Abilene, Texas, who was captured with the 2nd Battalion, 131st Field Artillery. Clark discusses joining the National Guard, training and maneuvers, deployment to the Pacific, the fall of Java and surrender to the Japanese, experiences in internment at Tanjong Priok in Batavia, internment at Changi Camp in Singapore, labor on the Burma "Death" Railway, and liberation. The interview includes an appendix with a reference page and a written flight log by Col. Tom Sledge.
Date: September 29, 2000
Creator: Marcello, Ronald E. & Clark, Arthur B.
Object Type: Book
System: The UNT Digital Library

Oral History Interview with John L. Bates, Jr., September 21, 2003

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Interview with attorney and Army veteran John L. Bates Jr. The Interview includes Bates' personal experiences in the China-Burma-India Theater during World War II, Officer Candidate School, being selected for the Counter Intelligence Corps, British Intelligence School, assignment to Kweiyang, China, the end of the war and his transfer to the War Crimes Section as an Assistant Theater Judge Advocate, his assignment to Hankow to investigate the executions of three of Jimmy Doolittle's pilots and to Formosa to investigate war crimes, dealing with Japanese military personnel accused of committing atrocities against Allied POWs on Formosa, and his postwar career in the Army Reserve.
Date: September 21, 2003
Creator: Alexander, William J. & Bates, John L., Jr.
Object Type: Book
System: The UNT Digital Library
Oral History Interview with James F. Sansom, October 8, 2004 transcript

Oral History Interview with James F. Sansom, October 8, 2004

Interview with James F. Sansom, an officer in the U. S. Army during World War II. Sansom joined the Army in 1940 and began training on anti-aircraft guns in Florida. He was selected for Officer Candidate School (OCS) and was commissioned a second lieutenant in 1942. He was assigned to the 843rd Anti-Aircraft Artillery Air Warning Battalion, which made its way to India via the Panama Canal and Australia. Shortly after reaching Calcutta, the unit moved to Myitkyina, Burma. After the war, Sansom was assigned to Sagumo Prison outside Tokyo where Japanese war criminals were being held while on trial for war crimes. He describes some of the routines and residents in the prison. Sansom taught Hideki Tojo how to play card games like gin rummy. Sansom also describes the process of executing convicted prisoners as he carried out some sentences. In all, he executed nine convicted war criminals.
Date: October 8, 2004
Creator: Cox, Floyd & Sansom, James F.
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Alan W. Saunders, October 8, 2004 transcript

Oral History Interview with Alan W. Saunders, October 8, 2004

Interview with Alan W. "Buck" Saunders, a pilot during World War II. He discusses joining the Army Air Corps, becoming an airplane mechanic, and going to flight school for pilot training. He was stationed in India and flew supplies into China over the Himalayas (known by pilots as "the Hump"). In China, he traded items such as jewelry or opium for information on Japanese troop placements in Burma. He also discusses his meetings with native Burmese and talks about later experiences he had after the war and during the Vietnam War.
Date: October 8, 2004
Creator: Cox, Floyd & Saunders, Alan W.
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Robert Edward Harris, April 26, 2002 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Robert Edward Harris, April 26, 2002

Interview with Robert Edward Harris, a veteran of World War II, serving in India at the time. Harris answers questions relating to his training, duties, and activities while over in India towards the end of the war; Harrs also answers questions concerning his feelings towards the war and his enemies.
Date: May 13, 2003
Creator: Bottoms, Aaron & Harris, Robert Edward
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
The Outpost, Letter Number 60, April 1945 (open access)

The Outpost, Letter Number 60, April 1945

Newsletter discussing issues for Americans living in Great Britain, including articles about life in Britain and other related topics. An article title is underlined in red pencil on the first page, for a discussion of the American perspectives about Britain and actual experiences.
Date: April 1945
Creator: American Outpost in Great Britain
Object Type: Journal/Magazine/Newsletter
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Thomas A. Whitehead, February 2, 1977 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Thomas A. Whitehead, February 2, 1977

Interview with Thomas Whitehead, a Texas National Guard WWII veteran and POW from Wichita Falls, Texas. Whitehead discusses his experiences as a member of 2nd Battalion, 131st Field Artillery, the "Lost Battalion" captured on Java in March 1942, including: joining the National Guard; participation in the Louisiana Maneuvers; departure for the Philippines and diversion to Brisbane; assignment to Sangosari Airfield near Malang; the surrender of American forces; internment at Tanjong Priok and Bicycle Camp in Batavia, Changi Prison in Singapore, several camps on the Burma Railway, and Non Pladuk and Ubon Airfield, Thailand; and liberation.
Date: February 2, 1977
Creator: Marcello, Ronald E. & Whitehead, Thomas A.
Object Type: Book
System: The UNT Digital Library

Newsmap for the Armed Forces : Moscow conference decisions

Front: Text describes 5 Moscow conference decisions. Maps: Moscow conference decisions as reflected on the global map. Includes photograph of Ernest Bevin (Britain), V. M. Molotov (Russia) and James F. Byrnes (U.S.) Back: Reenlistment. List of reasons to reenlist. Charts of income and retirement income for enlisted classes.
Date: January 7, 1946
Creator: [United States.] Army Information Branch.
Object Type: Poster
System: The UNT Digital Library

Newsmap. Monday, May 25, 1942 : week of May 15 to May 22

Front : Text describes action on various war fronts: Axis hunts Shangri La -- Shadow on Australia -- New threat to China -- Gandhi still passive -- More Yanks in Ireland -- U.S. gets Panama bases -- Spain would trade -- Island volcano erupts -- Axis people grumble -- Axis battles Chetniks -- Air travel curtailed -- Prinz Eugen torpedoes -- Attack on Kharkov -- Vichy downs RAF planes -- Africa drive hinted -- Malta counts bombings. Large world map is keyed to text and illustrates time zones around the world. Inset maps show the Burma Road and a map of a portion of Europe overlaying a map of the United States. U.S. cities are shown in italics, European cities in capitals. Includes photographs: Doolittle did much -- North American B-25 -- Gandhi opposes [scorched earth policy] -- School of 'tin fish' ready for their deadly work -- Shell casings stacked in Moscow factory -- Rommel might move -- Catalinas from America keep an eye on the Mediterranean -- RAF salvages wrecked planes from desert. Includes 1 cartoon. Back: Know Your Enemies: the Nazi Army. Includes photographs: Supporting Fire, Howitzer in Action, Moving Up, Mountain Troops, Tank Destroyer, Anti-Aircraft Alert, …
Date: May 25, 1942
Creator: [United States]. Army Orientation Course.
Object Type: Poster
System: The UNT Digital Library

Newsmap. Monday, August 17, 1942 : week of August 7 to August 14

Front: Text describes action on various war fronts: Solomon Islands, New Guinea, Aleutians, China, India, Western Europe, Yugoslavia, Mediterranean, Russia. Large world map is keyed to text and illustrates time zones around the world. Map insets show Solomon Islands, Russian front. Includes photographs: view of Tulagi; German fighter; Facing the Nazis; Sniper suit; A traitor covers up; Club for U.S. forces on London. Back: British Battle Dress. Includes 6 photograhs, 4 drawings with accompanying text.
Date: August 17, 1942
Creator: [United States]. Army Orientation Course.
Object Type: Poster
System: The UNT Digital Library

Newsmap. Monday, November 2, 1942 : week of October 23 to October 30

Front: Text desribes action on various war fronts: Solomons, Central and South Pacific; North Africa; Italy; Russia; Burma and India; China; Aleutians. Large world map is keyed to text and illustrates time zones around the world. Inset maps show North Africa; The Caucasus. Includes 10 photographs. Back: There is no all-purpose plane. 20 photographs show Heavy Bombers -- Medium and light bombers -- Fighters -- Torpedo bombers -- Transports -- Naval patrol planes. Text accompanies the photographs.
Date: November 2, 1942
Creator: [United States.] Army Orientation Course.
Object Type: Poster
System: The UNT Digital Library
[Letter from Corporal Park B. Fielder to his family, April 21, 1945] (open access)

[Letter from Corporal Park B. Fielder to his family, April 21, 1945]

Letter from Corporal Park B. Fielder to his family, on April 21, 1945. He details his voyage from Los Angeles, California on the way to Calcutta, India, including a stop in Australia where he met up with a friend.
Date: April 21, 1945
Creator: Fielder, Park B.
Object Type: Letter
System: The Portal to Texas History

Oral History Interview with John C. Reas, June 23, 1998

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Interview with John Reas, a Navy WWII veteran and POW from New Albany, Indiana, who survived the sinking of the USS Houston (CA-30). Reas discusses his assignment to the Houston and prewar operations in the Pacific, the start of the war and convoy duty, being bombed by 54 Japanese planes, the Battle of Sunda Strait, the sinking, capture by the Japanese, experiences in internment at Bicycle Camp in Batavia, transfer to Thanbyuzayat, work on the Burma Railway, the USS Houston Survivors List, liberation, and life after the war. In appendix is the USS Houston Survivors list, letters of his regarding the list, brief accounts written by Reas of different experiences in the war, a letter by Lanson H. Harris confirming how the list was given to OSS officers, and a photo of Reas' wallet that he carried through the war.
Date: June 23, 1998
Creator: Marcello, Ronald E. & Reas, John C.
Object Type: Book
System: The UNT Digital Library

Oral History Interview with Richard L. Johnston, February 17, 1999

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Interview with William J. Alexander, a Army WWII veteran from Universal, Pennsylvania, who served as an officer of the 382nd Engineer Battalion (Separate), a unit of black enlisted troops. Alexander discusses growing up, joining the Civilian Conservation Corps, joining the Army and commissioning through OCS, training, deployment to India, building the Ledo Road, General Joseph Stilwell, constructing the 20th Bomber Command HQ, working in a steelmill, the atomic bomb, returning home, and postwar service.
Date: February 17, 1999
Creator: Alexander, William J. & Johnston, Richard L.
Object Type: Book
System: The UNT Digital Library

Oral History Interview with Tom Peays, February 6, 1999

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Transcript of an interview with Thomas "Tom" Peay, a rancher and Army Air Forces veteran (Air Transport Command), concerning his experiences in the China-Burma-India Theater during World War II. Peay discusses his enrollment in the Civilian Pilot Training Program, 1942; tenure as a primary flight training instructor of Aviation Air Cadets, Harmon Training Center, Ballinger, Texas, 1942-43; Air Ferry Command, 1943; induction into the Army Air Forces, 1943; assignment to the Air Transport Command, 1943; stationing at Tezgaon-Kurmitola, India, 1944; flying C-109s loaded with gasoline over "The Hump" into China; weather problems over the Himalaya Mountains; and his separation from the military, 1946.
Date: February 6, 1999
Creator: Alexander, William J. & Peays, Thomas
Object Type: Book
System: The UNT Digital Library
Oral History Interview with Robert Edward Harris, April 26, 2002 transcript

Oral History Interview with Robert Edward Harris, April 26, 2002

Interview with Robert Edward Harris, a veteran of World War II, serving in India at the time. Harris answers questions relating to his training, duties, and activities while over in India towards the end of the war; Harrs also answers questions concerning his feelings towards the war and his enemies.
Date: April 26, 2002
Creator: Bottoms, Aaron & Harris, Robert Edward
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Granville T. Summerlin, June 9, 1981 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Granville T. Summerlin, June 9, 1981

Interview with Granville T. Summerlin, a Texas National Guard WWII veteran and POW from Hughes Springs, Texas. Summerlin discusses his experiences as a captured member of 2nd Battalion, 131st Field Artillery, or the "Lost Battalion" of the 36th Infantry Division, including: being drafted in 1940 and training; deployment to East Asia and diversion to Brisbane after December 7th; assignment to Sangosari Airfield, Malang, Java; the Japanese assault and American surrender; internment and labor at Tanjong Priok and Bicycle Camp in Batavia, Changi in Singapore, Thanbyuzayat and several camps on the Burma "Death" Railway, and Bangkok; liberation, and recovery in Calcutta.
Date: June 9, 1981
Creator: Marcello, Ronald E. & Summerlin, Granville T.
Object Type: Book
System: The UNT Digital Library
Oral History Interview with M. T. Harrelson, May 9, 1985 (open access)

Oral History Interview with M. T. Harrelson, May 9, 1985

Interview with M. T. Harrelson, a Texas National Guard WWII veteran and POW from Wichita Falls, Texas, who was a member of the 2nd Battalion, 131st Field Artillery (the "Lost Battalion"). Harrelson discusses National Guard training and operations before the war, deployment to the Pacific and diversion to Java, the Japanese invasion, surrender and initial confinement, internment at Tanjong Priok and Bicycle Camp in Batavia, transfer to Changi Camp in Singapore, and the end of the war.
Date: May 9, 1985
Creator: Marcello, Ronald E. & Harrelson, M. T., 1919-
Object Type: Book
System: The UNT Digital Library
Oral History Interview with Paul E. Papish, January 30, 1989 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Paul E. Papish, January 30, 1989

Interview with Paul E. Papish, a Navy WWII veteran and POW from Denver, Colorado, who survived the sinking of the USS Houston (CA-30). Papish discusses joining the Navy in 1939 and training, assignment to the Houston and operations in the Pacific, the start of war and initial engagements, the Battle of the Java Sea, getting sunk at Sundra Strait, surviving on a raft and reaching shore on Java, capture, initial internment, transfer to and experiences in Bicycle Camp in Batavia, transfer to Changi Camp in Singapore, and liberation.
Date: January 30, 1989
Creator: Marcello, Ronald E. & Papish, Paul E.
Object Type: Book
System: The UNT Digital Library

Oral History Interview with Frederick J. Holland, Jr., February 16, 1999

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Transcript of an interview with Frederick J. Holland, Jr., an Army Air Forces veteran, concerning his experiences in the China-Burma-India Theater during World War II. Holland discusses his early employment with REA Express; basic training, Fort Miles Standish, Massachusetts, 1942; his transfer to the Air Force and assignment to Patterson Field, Dayton, Ohio, 1942; Officer Candidate School, Miami, Florida, 1943; assignment to India; assignment to Dum Dum Airport, Calcutta, 1943; his role in supervising and shipping cargo over "The Hump" (Himalaya Mountains) to China; assignment to Baruipur Airport, Calcutta; his role in the development and operation of the first mobile conveyor unit to load and unload cargo; awarding of the Bronze Star for his invention. Appendix includes one leaf that gives history of the mobile conveyor and one leaf that shows four images of the mobile conveyor.
Date: February 16, 1999
Creator: Alexander, William J. & Holland, Frederick J., Jr.
Object Type: Book
System: The UNT Digital Library