Your AAF 45-08-12 (19) Night Radar

Summary

Podcast Summary: Harold's Old Time Radio Episode: Your AAF 45-08-12 (19) Night Radar
Release Date: April 10, 2025

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Introduction

In this compelling episode of Harold's Old Time Radio, titled "Your AAF 45-08-12 (19) Night Radar," listeners are transported to the Golden Age of Radio, where the Army Air Forces (AAF) collaborate with the American Broadcasting Company to bring firsthand accounts and demonstrations of wartime technologies and programs. Released on April 10, 2025, this episode delves into the critical role of radar in night operations, honors the contributions of AAF personnel, highlights educational initiatives for soldiers, and features patriotic music that echoes the sentiments of victory and reflection.

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1. Demonstration of Night Radar Operations

The episode opens with an in-depth demonstration of radar technology, a pivotal advancement that provided AAF airmen with a "sixth sense" during battles.

Key Highlights:

• Radar's Significance: Radar was unveiled as a crucial tool that allowed airmen to locate and engage enemy targets obscured by environmental factors like clouds and darkness.
• Training at Boca Raton Army Airfield: Sergeant Jack Les Cooley provides a report from the largest radar training station, emphasizing the strategic importance of radar in warfare.

Notable Quotes:

• Sergeant Jack Les Cooley [04:13]: "Radar, the cabalistic word whose meaning is life to American airmen and death to our enemies in the air, on the ground and on the sea."
• Lecture on Radar Training Simulation [05:36]: "That is what you might hear on the intercom of any American night fighter in action anywhere in the world."

Detailed Breakdown: The segment meticulously reconstructs a radar-guided night fighter mission. Lieutenant Jack L. Freed, an instructor, guides his pilot, Lieutenant Herbert Schwartzman, through a simulated engagement with an enemy aircraft. The dialogue between Freed and Schwartzman demonstrates the precise coordination required to maneuver and ultimately neutralize the target using radar data.

Key Moments:

• Tracking and positioning the enemy aircraft through multiple altitude adjustments.
• The strategic "final approach" leading to the successful targeting of the adversary.
• The realistic portrayal culminates with the exclamation, "Tally ho, tally ho," capturing the intensity and precision of night missions.

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2. Honors and Awards

The episode shifts focus to recognize the achievements and contributions of the AAF through formal accolades.

Key Highlights:

• Award Presentation: Mrs. Ada Siegel, Executive Secretary of the Association for the Promotion of International Understanding and Editor-in-Chief of This Month magazine, praises the Fighting AAF program.
• Plaque Awarded to General H.H. Arnold: Major Frederic Brisson accepts the award on behalf of General Arnold, acknowledging the collective effort of officers and men who made the radio program successful.

Notable Quotes:

• Mrs. Ada Siegel [12:45]: "The Fighting AAF has succeeded in giving those of us at home a glimpse of the reality of the struggle now completed."
• Major Frederic Brisson [13:17]: "The credit for winning the award must go to the many officers and men who have worked to make the program possible."

Additional Recognitions:

• Sergeant Hal Brown's Testimony [13:51]: He underscores the valor and dedication of crewmen who flew and fought overseas, emphasizing the importance of reporting their courage.

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3. Educational Programs for Soldiers

A significant portion of the episode highlights the AAF's educational initiatives aimed at providing soldiers with opportunities for higher learning during their service.

Key Highlights:

• GI Universities: These institutions offered soldiers the chance to earn college credits in various subjects, with classes held in diverse settings—from island beaches in the Pacific to historic universities in Europe.
• Sorbonne Classes in Paris: Lieutenant Jack L. Freed reports from the Sorbonne, illustrating how soldiers engage in rigorous academic pursuits, such as learning the French language under the tutelage of Madame Moussou.

Notable Quotes:

• Lieutenant Jack L. Freed [18:20]: "This historic university in the Latin Quarter... is rich in educational tradition."
• Brigadier General Paul W. Thompson [20:31]: "The incident which has just taken place at the Sorbonne typifies one phase of our army education program."

Detailed Breakdown: Captain Howard Vincent narrates the bustling academic life at the Sorbonne, where soldiers like Lieutenant James H. Jillison benefit from structured educational programs. Brigadier General Paul W. Thompson elaborates on the extensive setup, including command schools and the distribution of millions of textbooks, ensuring comprehensive educational support across various theaters of operation.

Key Moments:

• Interactive Classroom Experience: Eavesdropping on a French language recitation demonstrates the practical application and progress of soldier-students.
• Command Schools Near Nuremberg [21:58]: Captain John Regan describes the utilitarian yet effective learning environments repurposed from former German barracks, fostering a rustic yet conducive atmosphere for education.

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4. Patriotic Music Performances

Music serves as a unifying and morale-boosting element throughout the episode, featuring performances that reflect the era's spirit and the soldiers' emotions.

Featured Songs:

• "Waltzing Matilda" [01:45 – 03:31]: A salute to Australian allies, embodying the camaraderie and shared struggles in regions like Borneo and New Guinea.
• "Johnny Comes Marching Home" [14:40 – 17:37]: Celebrates the return of soldiers, evoking feelings of joy and anticipation for reunion with loved ones.
• "Meet Me in St. Louis" [22:45 – 23:50]: Emphasizes the hope and excitement for peaceful days ahead, with lively melodies inviting celebration.

Notable Quotes:

• Singer [15:09]: "Johnny comes marching home again... And they'll carry on when Johnny comes marching home."
• Singer [23:31]: "Meet me in St. Louis... There will be a jubilee when Johnny comes marching home again."

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5. Day of Prayer and Reflection

As the war concludes, the episode dedicates a poignant segment to prayer and the collective yearning for lasting peace.

Key Highlights:

• Presidential Proclamation: A day of prayer is established to commemorate the end of fighting, uniting Americans in gratitude and hope.
• Soldiers' Prayers: Reflections from AAF personnel stationed in distant battlefields, expressing desires for a world free from fear, hate, and prejudice.

Notable Quotes:

• Soldiers' Prayers [27:33]:
  • "God, make it real, make it last."
  • "Let there be an end to suffering and let there be peace for our children."
• Prayer Intentions: "A world without fear, without hate, without prejudice, where black men and red and yellow and white can live together in dignity free with their faces in the sun and their heads high, proud in the brotherhood of man."

Detailed Breakdown: This segment captures the somber and hopeful voices of soldiers reflecting on their sacrifices. The unified prayers symbolize a collective aspiration for enduring peace and societal harmony, transcending racial and cultural divisions.

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Conclusion

"Your AAF 45-08-12 (19) Night Radar" masterfully intertwines technical demonstrations, personal honors, educational advancements, patriotic music, and heartfelt reflections to present a multifaceted portrayal of the Army Air Forces during wartime. By focusing on the critical role of radar technology, celebrating the dedication of AAF personnel, and highlighting the transformative educational programs, the episode not only educates but also honors the enduring spirit of those who served. The inclusion of evocative music and sincere prayers further deepens the emotional resonance, providing a comprehensive and engaging listening experience for both contemporaneous audiences and modern listeners alike.

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Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Nicole Byer [00:01]:

  • "When it comes to making a statement, treat bold patterns like neutrals. Go wild like an untamed animal."

• Sergeant Jack Les Cooley [04:13]:

  • "Radar, the cabalistic word whose meaning is life to American airmen and death to our enemies in the air, on the ground and on the sea."

• Mrs. Ada Siegel [12:45]:

  • "The Fighting AAF has succeeded in giving those of us at home a glimpse of the reality of the struggle now completed."

• Brigadier General Paul W. Thompson [20:31]:

  • "The incident which has just taken place at the Sorbonne typifies one phase of our army education program."

• Sergeant Jack Les Cooley [07:56]:

  • "That is what you might hear on the intercom of any American night fighter in action anywhere in the world."

• Soldiers' Prayers [27:33]:

  • "God, make it real, make it last."

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This episode serves as a testament to the ingenuity, resilience, and profound humanity of the Army Air Forces, preserving their legacy through the enduring medium of radio.

Transcript

[Nicole Byer]

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[Unnamed Announcer]

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[Unnamed Military Announcer]

To guard the victory, to keep the peace. The mission of your AAF in cooperation with the American Broadcasting Company your air Army Air forces from air bases around the world present the continuing story of America's aaf. This program is an official military operation of the Army Air Forces and is brought to you for contact with our airmen overseas. Tonight we take you to Paris to.

Attend a ti university for American airmen overseas, New York City.

[Unnamed Announcer]

To meet the editor in chief of.

[Unnamed Military Announcer]

This month magazine, Boca Raton, Florida, for an inside picture of how night fighters use radar.

And as always, we bring you the all soldier orchestra and singing voices of the aaf.

[Unnamed Announcer]

First away, it's a musical salute to one of our allies. The tough jungle conquering Australians who corralled the enemy in Borneo, New guinea and the Solomons. Their marching song, Waltzing Matilda.

[Unnamed Singer]

Jolly Swagman ran by a pillow under the shade of a cooler claw tree. And he sang as he watched and waited Tilly Till he was to come a waltzing Matilda with me. Waltzing Matilda, Waltzing Matilda, you'll come a waltzing Matilda with me. And he sang as he watched and waited. Tilly, tilly boil you come along sing Matilda with me. Waltzing pradilla, Waltzing Matilda, you'll come a waltzing flotilla with me. And he sang as he watched and waited till his billy voice from the Waltzinger killed us with him.

[Unnamed Announcer]

This week, as peace came to the world, the Allies lifted the veil of wartime secrecy on radar, a scientific development in electronics that gives our fighting men a sixth sense in battle. Radar enables our airmen to bomb targets obscured by clouds or darkness. Radar warns us of the enemy's approach by sea and air. Radar gives vision to our night fighters as they creep unseen upon enemy planes and ships. To give you a picture of how radar works and to show the split second timing that exists between radar teams, we have set up our wire recorder in a radar training station at Boca Raton Army Airfield, Florida. Over.

[Sergeant Jack Les Cooley]

This is your AAF reporter, Sergeant Jack Les Cooley speaking from Boca Raton Army Airfield in Florida. This field Commanded by Brigadier General Michael S. Davis, is the Army Air Force's largest radar training station. Radar, the cabalistic word whose meaning is life to American airmen and death to our enemies in the air, on the ground and on the sea. This week, after years of secrecy, some of the facts of radar have been revealed at this training command installation. The story of the night fighter plane tracking down enemy aircraft for the kill through the use of radar has now been told. But the amazing relationship of radar operator to pilots and this blind flight team has until now been known only to airmen. To bring you the voices of one of these teams under night fighter training conditions, we have set up our wire recorder beside the training device which accurately simulates combat operations. Lt. Jack L. Fried of New York City, instructor, will track down an enemy plane whose maneuvers are controlled from behind the panel, which explains Lt. Herbert Schwartzman.

[Unnamed Announcer]

Also of New York City, will be.

[Sergeant Jack Les Cooley]

His pilot, blindly obeying his instructions until Lieutenant Freed has brought the enemy plane into visual range. Two mechanical devices on wheels known as crabs simulate the two planes. And if they start to move, let's pick up Lt. Freed's voice, reeling off instructions as he stares at the fine green lines moving across his radar scope.

[Unnamed Announcer]

Contact Turnport. Line ourselves up with the target at the 8,000 foot mark. Steady on the turn. Got the target out there at 8,000 foot. Now get ahead position and 10 degrees above us. 10 degrees above us. Looks good from here now as we come on down from A. Increase speed 20. Increasing 2.

[Lieutenant Jack L. Freed]

0.

[Unnamed Announcer]

And we give us our speed of closure. We'll bring it up nicely now. It comes on down 2. 7,000. 4. Still in a dead position. No evasive action at the present time.

[Sergeant Jack Les Cooley]

Turn harder.

[Unnamed Announcer]

Stop it, Body. It's Tigers moving over to starboard side. Harder yet.

[Sergeant Jack Les Cooley]

Harder yet.

[Unnamed Announcer]

Hard as possible.

[Sergeant Jack Les Cooley]

Hard as possible.

[Unnamed Announcer]

That'll do it. The Tiger is racking over the starboard side. We've established the rate of trainer. Moving right around with him. Coming on over to star. Ease off on us. Easing off. Ease off again. Easing off. And steady it up. And turn gently forward. Gently port. That'll be our counter turn. And moving over to port now. Steady on it. Steady. That'll bring him into 7,000ft. Right smack in a dead end. Position still 15 degrees above us. He moved up 5 degrees. Up gently. 220.

Up 200.

All right, you're on that call. Out when you're level. We got him now. Moving on down to 6,000ft. Established a rate of speed enclosure. 20 miles an hour. Coming on down very nicely now. No trouble at all. No indication of target. Knows where they are. He's Moving on down 200 level. Roger on that. We got that level in there. Now we got him back down to 10 degrees above us. That's where we want him for the enclosure. Get him on that final 10 above.

[Sergeant Jack Les Cooley]

Us and we've got him.

[Unnamed Announcer]

He's still in a deadhead position. Moving on down to 5,000ft. Still no evasive action. We know where he is coming in now. He's dropping on down now. Very rapidly. Throttle back 10, throttling back 1 0. Roger the target dropped on down to 4000, moved on down to 3000 and still a deadhead position at 10 degrees above us.

[Sergeant Jack Les Cooley]

Beat there.

[Unnamed Announcer]

Right here on the speed. So that's exactly where we want a white smack out in front of us. And now we go into our final approach. Close in for the kill. We got a target right smack out in front of us now. No trouble at all as he drops on down to 2,000ft. Coming in on that final approach. Start looking out and up, out and up. He is coming on down to 2000 now. Moving on to 1500. 1400. 1300. Coming in very nicely. Still dead ahead. Turn to La Porte Turnley port. Moving over to port. We come out of this on the steady over your right. Schmack out in front of you. Steady on it.

[Sergeant Jack Les Cooley]

Steady Eddie.

[Unnamed Announcer]

That'll bring it right back into a dead ahead position. Right down there. Now at the 1100 foot mark. Moving on down a 10. 1000ft. He is still 10 above us. That looks like it's going to do it. Start looking out and up. Closing right in on him. He doesn't know where we are. We know exactly where he is. Right smack out in front of us. Moving on down 900ft. Do you see him? No joy. No joy. I'll roger on that. No joy. Coming on down to 800. Moving down to 700 now 500. You can touch him. He's right. Smash out in front of him. Let's get him. Do you see him? Tally ho, tally ho.

[Lieutenant Jack L. Freed]

He's right outside the windshield.

[Unnamed Announcer]

Boy.

[Sergeant Jack Les Cooley]

That is what you might hear on the intercom of any American night fighter in action anywhere in the world. Thank you, Lieutenant Jack L. Freed, and thanks to you, Lieutenant Herbert Schwarzman, for this demonstration. This is your AAF reporter on Boca Raton Field, Florida, returning you to the fighting aaf.

[Unnamed Announcer]

While the terrible memories of war grow dim with the years, many pleasant recollections will linger with millions of American soldiers. Such memories as the beauty of April in Paris. For many months you have listened each week to the Fighting AAF bringing you eyewitness accounts of combat from the air fronts beyond the battlefields. Tonight marks a milestone in this program, for the fighting is done. Our program will continue, however, but this phase of our mission has been completed. This week, the association for the Promotion of International Understanding has acclaimed the AIF program as the most original in theme to come out of the war. It is our privilege at this time to present the executive Secretary of the association for International Understanding and editor in Chief of This Month magazine, Mrs. Ada Siegel.

[Mrs. Ada Siegel]

The editors of the magazine this month deem the Fighting AAF the best and most original radio program to come to the network since the beginning of World War II. It has succeeded in giving those of us at home a glimpse of the reality of the struggle now completed. And I am most happy, Major Frederic Brisson, to present to you this plaque in appreciation of the outstanding achievement of General H.H. arnold, the fighting AAF.

[Major Frederic Brisson]

Thank you, Mrs. Siegel. It is an honor to accept this award on behalf of General of the Army H.H. arnold, Commanding General of the Army Air Forces. The credit for winning the award must go to the many officers and men who have worked to make the program possible. Typical of them is the AAF correspondent who reported our B29 missions over Japan. A winner of the Air Medal has just been flown back from the Pacific and is waiting now to speak to us from San Francisco. Come in. Sergeant Hal Brown.

[Unnamed Military Announcer]

If any of our other combat reporters were here tonight, they would say the same thing. The talk should not be of the job we have done, but the job done by the crewmen who flew and fought our planes overseas. It was a privilege for us to.

Fly along with them and report their.

Courage in the face of danger. It was a privilege to see firsthand the kind of men who make America. Thank you, Technical Sergeant Hal Brown.

[Sergeant Jack Les Cooley]

We return you now to New York.

[Unnamed Announcer]

His walk is jaunty and there is joy in his song for this time it will be forever When Johnny comes marching home.

[Unnamed Singer]

Johnny comes marching home again the people are gonna gather round from near and far Ladies hearts will be in a whirl Wind up stealing the sergeant's girl and they'll carry on When Johnny comes marching home Johnny comes marching home Johnny, Johnny, Johnny Johnny Johnny Johnny.

[Unnamed Announcer]

Johnny Johnny Johnny, Johnny, Johnny, Johnny.

[Unnamed Singer]

Hear the bugles play Come the happy day gonna be a jubilee When Johnny comes marching to you and me God is awake but he'll soon be back 108. Oh, Johnny soon we'll be back Joy for you and me There will be newty Then the world will be free Will be free to such a great jubilee there will be When Johnny comes marching home again Hooray Hip hip hooray we'll be giving him such a welcome then Hooray, hooray. Where's the medal for bravery you earn A stop for the crowd to sing all feel gay When Johnny comes marching home When Johnny comes marching home Hooray hip hooray When Johnny, Johnny comes marching home.

[Unnamed Announcer]

Yes, Johnny has started home from the air fronts all over the world. Bringing him home will not be an overnight task. But meanwhile, he is not forgotten. The Army Air Forces provide both recreation and education for the men who must temporarily remain overseas. In GI Universities, college credits may be acquired for courses in almost every subject. In the Pacific, these GI classrooms are often out of doors on island beaches. But in Europe, the leading universities of the world provide background for our soldiers education. To visit one of these universities overseas. AAF wire recorder moves now to the Sorbonne, Paris, over.

[Lieutenant Jack L. Freed]

This is your AAF reporter, Captain Howard Vincent, speaking from Paris. Today, throughout most of the European continent, school bells are ringing for GI Joe and Jane. And some 200,000 of your soldiers are answering those bells. Yes, they're going to school. Taking advantage of the Army's recently inaugurated gigantic educational program instituted in Europe by the United States Army Information and Education Division, we're visiting today one of the world's most famous halls of knowledge, the Sorbonne and Paris. This historic university in the Latin Quarter on the Left bank of the Seine is rich in educational tradition. And for the first time in history, its long corridors echo with the hurrying tread of army brogus. For here, your soldier is studying such subject as French history, sociology and many others. And what's more, he's really enjoying the benefits to be derived from higher learning. This morning, in this typical Sorbonne classroom, a group of Army Air Forces men are starting a course in the French language. Their instructress is Madame Moussou. We're going to eavesdrop for a moment and see how they're progressing as one student gets ready for an initial recitation.

[Unnamed Announcer]

Ah, bonjour, madame.

[Lieutenant Jack L. Freed]

But now tell me. The student, incidentally, was Lieutenant James H. Jillison, lead bombardier with the 94th Bombardment Group of the 8th Airport in his hometown of Chicago, Illinois. Madame, how did he do? I mean, how was his recitation this morning? Was very good.

[Unnamed Announcer]

Very good indeed.

[Lieutenant Jack L. Freed]

Thanks a lot. But, you know, this class and this classroom represents just an infinitesimal part of the information and education program now in full assembly in the ETO but we're going into the next room to let men who are qualified to tell you more about this program come to the microphone. First, the chief of the Information and Education Division, Brigadier General Paul W. Thompson of Alliance, Nebraska.

[Unnamed Military Announcer]

General Thompson, the incident which has just taken place at the Sorbonne typifies one phase of our army education program, a phase which we call training within civilian agency. Instead of the Sorbonne, we could have taken you to Oxford or Cambridge or Nancy or Grenoble. Or we could have taken you to one of the Army's own universities. We have two of them, one in operation now and one about to open. Each has an enrollment of 4,000 soldier students. The courses are two months long and the instructors are top notchers drawn cheaply from American universities. Biggest of all, at least biggest, is measured in the numbers of soldier students affected. We have throughout the theater hundreds and hundreds of schools established by and maintained by the units themselves. We call these command schools. To support them, we have trained thousands of officers in a special staff school here in Paris, and we have distributed millions of textbooks. The units run the school themselves, providing their own instructors, classrooms, equipment. We have here an officer who can tell us of a case in point. He is Captain John Regan, an Air Force officer from Waterbury, Connecticut. Captain, where do your classes assemble? Near Nuremberg.

[Unnamed Announcer]

We're using a wooden barracks formerly used.

By the Germans, sir.

Not very pretentious, but it's in a.

Rustic setting and serves our group 368.

[Unnamed Military Announcer]

Fighter group of the 9th Air Force very well. So a rustic setting. That should give the boys an idea of the kind of country schools their grandfathers attended.

[Lieutenant Jack L. Freed]

Thank you again, sir. And I'm sure that thousands of Air Force's men, as well as those of every branch, will be better equipped for future life as a result of your fine educational program. General Thompson, like the soldiers attending his schools, fought in the war in Europe and was wounded on D day at Omaha Beach. This is your AAF reporter returning you now to the United States.

[Unnamed Announcer]

Songs of war are fading into oblivion now, and our victorious armies are marching home to music they know and cherish. Cheerful music like meet me in St. Louis.

[Unnamed Singer]

Meet me in St. Louis Meet me at the fair don't tell me the lights are dragging any place up.

[Unnamed Announcer]

There we will dance the hoochie coochie be.

[Unnamed Singer]

If you will leave me as Meet me at the fair O dummy. The lights are brighter anywhere but there we will dance the woodsy goody you will be my juicy woody if you would meet me in a blue wigglery Meet me as A.

[Unnamed Announcer]

By proclamation of the President, today was set aside as a day of prayer to mark the end of fighting in this war. In churches of every denomination throughout the land, Americans gathered to give thanks. Tonight also soldiers of our AAF gather solemnly in strange and far off places that so little while ago were battlefields gather in sober reflection on the tragic days just passed and in contemplation of the world ahead. Their prayers multifarious murmur awkwardly from lift. Still numb with pain and fear. They whisper on tropic winds that echo fervently across the world until the many voices become one the many prayers a single soldier's prayer for the hope of tomorrow.

[Unnamed Military Announcer]

God, make it real, make it last. Not just for us but for those who won't come back. For those who fell an alien sky. Make it a better world. They died for a world without fear, without hate, without prejudice, where black men and red and yellow and white can live together in dignity free with their faces in the sun and their heads high, proud in the brotherhood of man. God, let there be an end to suffering and let there be peace for our children.

This program has been an official military operation of the Army Air Forces. Next week, over most of these stations, AAF teams operating at air bases around the world will again bring you fresh and firsthand news of the future of air power and the men in the aaf. This program has been brought to you as one of the series of service programs entitled Time for Americans, presented by the American Broadcasting Company and the belief that never did so many need to know so much. This is the American Broadcasting Company.