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PHOTOS/PICTURES/DOCUMENTS Only
Contributed
By - Bill McFall
Read Bill's
Stories
______________________________
Received
4/19/06 - Posted 4/20/06
Bill
How about some music as it was heard on the
streets of Trabzon in 1953 & 4. Notice the
stamps on
the B side label . I wonder why no
one signed across the stamp... I don't know if
you want to use this
or not. I don't care, it
was purchased some 55 years ago.
Bill
Received
4/18/06 - Posted 4/20/06
Chris,
Bill, Smokey, Stover mentioned your book and I
would be interested in reading it. Please let me
know where it can be purchased.
I spent a year in Trabzon in 1953/1954. You
mentioned a Paul Bryant. I wonder if that was
the
name of the construction engineer who
directed the construction of the Airport in
Trabzon. He,
the construction engineer, shared
an apartment with 1st Lt. Henry Pitre, but I am
not sure of
his name at my advanced age. After
the Construction Engineer went back to the USA,
another
officer came. He was 1st Lt. Kluicki.
(Or some such spelling)
I celebrated my 21sdt birthday while I was in
Trabzon; and I am now approaching 74 years of
age. We rented apartments from Zekky Bay. He had
built the building for his own home; but
when we
wanted to rent it, he was anxious to have us. We
had a beautiful view of the Black sea
and the
city from our bedroom windows.
I have several pictures of the city, in which
you may be interested. I would be interested in
your comments on these pictures as to street
names; and, if I have the places correctly
identified from my memory.
The two street scenes are in the central
shopping area, but I do not know the street
names.
I believe this street led to a staircase
that rises to the level of a bridge. I recall us
driving a
jeep up those stairs.
The view from our bedroom window is just that, a
beautiful view. This house was directly
above a
movie theater. The theater showed films outside
(on the roof) during the summer.
They also had
live acts inside at times. I particularly
remember the belly dancers that
appeared on one
evening.
The picture of the hamals was taken on the same
street as the two street scenes. It is
interesting to me that no one has mentioned
these men and boys. The boys performed the
function of a shopping cart; but for the men,
they carried heavy loads. One man carried our
refrigerator up 100 steps to put it in our
kitchen. He would allow no one to touch him as
he
made the climb.
The picture of one of the the Wheeled carts,
that sold sundry items, was taken near the
center of Trabzon's business district.
I have more pictures like these, and each
probably has similar questions.
Hoping to hear from you soon,
Bill McFall
Las Vegas, Nevada
Received
4/15/06 - Posted 4/17/06
Bill,
Here is a letter
opener I sent home to my Grandfather. He
used it until his death and then returned it
to me. I was told the engraving "HATIRASI"
on the side you see means Souvenir. The
other side said
SURMENE on this one. Some of
them said Trabzon, but I don't have that one
any more. I smoked the
meerschaum pipes
until they were broken; though I never cared
much for meerschaum. I preferred good
old
100 year old brier pipes. I always thought
that meerschaum didn't add anything to the
flavor of pipe
tobacco but brier did.
That Turkish 3rd Lt from the circumcision
party gave us all some meerschaum stuff.
Mine was a cigarette
holder carved into oak
log with leaves and acorns and a snake
wrapped around the log. Very nice. I
wonder
where it is today.... I don't think it was
carved by Ismet Beklar.
Bill
Received
4/15/06 - Posted 4/17/06
OK to
Post
Bill,
While I was in Trabzon, the Turks held a
National Election. I don't recall who was
running or what
the offices were, but I have
scanned the two political party pins. Of course
I had one pin for each party
and I wore them
under opposite lapels of my Field Jacket. The
pins could normally not be seen. There
was no
significance to the side because I didn't know
which side was "Right" or "Left".
When we were discussing the fact that there
was an election, with Turkish citizens, I would
(in confidence) fold over one of the lapels to
show my backing for a particular party. I was
fairly good
at following the conversations
because I rarely showed the wrong pin. Only
once did I get caught
showing one pin to one
person and a different pin to another. It was
always good for a laugh; and
they were good at
joking with me about my "affiliation with the
Democrat Party or the Halk Party
The symbol on the DEMOCRAT PARTY pin is
obviously "DP", but I seem to recall it was
CUMHURIYETI
PARTY. Maybe someone will know the
names of the parties.
TheSymbol on the HALK PARTY pin is the
up-pointing arrows and I am not so certain about
the
spelling of the Party after all these years.
Bill McFall
Received
4/12/06 - Posted 4/13/06
Bill OK to Post
Here are some pictures of the sights and events
that occurred during my Trips from Trabzon to
Samsun back in 1953. The pictures are black and
white because we couldn't get color film or get
it developed locally in Trabzon. We had to buy
it in the PX and send it to Kodak for
development.
I had a Retna 1A 35mm camera that I
picked up in Germany. I also took a lot of 8mm
movies, but
all of them are lost.
Bill McFall
SAMSUN
MAIL/COURIER RUNS
Round trip courier
runs, between Samsun and Trabzon, were our main
pleasure. They were
like a three day vacation.
Since we had no Base eXchange or American Beer
available, we lived
on the Turkish economy. We
had one Liquor Club Membership for our household
(that was 6 of
us.) The Liquor Club allowed us
to order one case of hard booze from the PX in
Ankara each
month. We enjoyed bananna liquor and
mixed with coke. At least we got out of Trabzon
long
enough to visit some friends in Samsun.
These trips were made once a month; and I must
have
made three or four trips. Officially they
were to deliver mail and pick up supplies. I
have
included snapshots of scenes along the way.
Some of these bring back vivid memories of the
road conditions and the people in general.
It seemed to us that
the People walking on the roads never expected
to see more than one
vehicle at a time. The
pedestrians would continue to walk in the center
of the road until you
honk your horn at them.
Then they would step aside until your vehicle
passed and then back
into the center of the
road. A second vehicle would then have to blow
its horn for them to
move aside; then the third
and so on. I wish I had movies of these events.
Figure 1 Courier
Runs - Roads are Busy is of a shepherds
driving their flock along the narrow
mountain
road. The mountain went straight up on the left
and the Black Sea was straight down
on the
right. This was a common occurrence, not just
one time for the picture. When we came
upon a
flock of sheep like this; it was for us to wait
until they arrived at a space where the
sheep
could be driven to the side. This sometimes wore
your patience.
Figure 1
- Courier Runs - Roads are Busy
In Figure 2,
Courier Runs - Two Mountain Ranges, the Bus
is ahead of us and you can clearly see four
levels of roads, counting the one we are on,
These mountain switch back curves went on for
miles.
Figure 2
- Courier Runs - Two Mountain Ranges
In Figure 3 Courier
Runs - Bridge Out the bridge is out again
and as you see in the following Figure 4. We
abandoned the road and ford the river at this
narrow shallow point. I don’t think I ever tried
to determine the names of the rivers or
mountains that we crossed. We had our own names
for the mountain ranges but not for the rivers.
Each trip was completely different in that a
different set of obstacles would be in our path.
NEVER were we harassed or confronted by the
Turkish citizens. They were always helpful and
friendly. Once when I was driving the jeep, one
of those public busses (similar to the one in
Figure 2) took all of the road and I drove into
the ditch to avoid a collision. We were stalled
in the ditch and before we could attempt to
extract ourselves, the men from the bus piled
out and came over to assist. They virtually
lifted the jeep out of the ditch; and sent us on
our way.
Figure 3 - Courier Runs - Bridge Out
In Figure 4
McFall Fording the River the water is
low enough to be no problem, just unusual. This
is I, McFall Bay, standing in the water as we
complete the crossing. The bridge is behind the
camera.
Figure 4
- Courier Runs - McFall Fording the River
The scenes we saw as
we made these journeys are unforgettable. As we
passed the Black Sea on one of the many curves,
we saw the local Farmers drying hazelnuts on the
beach. This is Figure 5. Drying Hazelnuts on
the beach. Many times we saw them drying the
nuts in the middle of the road but this was the
only place I recall them drying them on the
beach The heat in our apartment was from a GI
tent stove that we fired with hazel nut shells.
The heat was intense but short-lived.
Fortunately, we didn’t need much heat while we
were there. Our winter supply of hazelnut shells
was stored in a cellar beneath a trap door in
our living room. Occasionally we encountered a
black scorpion in the stairwell; but they were
easy to kill.
Figure 5 - Courier Runs - Drying Hazelnuts on
the Beach
In one of the
mountain ranges, we stopped to see this dancing
bear. Figure 6 Courier Runs – Dancing
Bear. The bear was trained well enough to
dance at the beat of the tambourine and his
friend was there, I hope to help him control the
bear. Notice the still pose of the assistant.
The men loved to pose for pictures but didn’t
appear to like for their women to be
photographed.
Figure 6 - Courier Runs - Dancing Bear
And finally no trip
through the Turkish countryside would be
complete without the photograph of the charming
Turkish Children. Apparently these two had not
yet been taught to throw rocks at Americans.
After requesting and receiving chewing gum.
Figure 7 - Courier Runs - Mountain Children
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Received
4/5/06 - Posted
4/6/06
Bill
One memory of my
stay in Trabzon
was an unusual
event for me. I
don't know if
any of you were
invited to
witness such an
event, but it
happened to us
(Keith Roe, Bob
Howard and ME.)
During our stay
in Trabzon, we
met, and became
friends, with a
Turkish 3rd Lt.
(Oddly I can''t
recall his name
after these 53
years; and I did
not have it
written down on
any of these
pictures.
Anyway, he
invited us to
attend the
circumcision of
his little
brother. This
occurred at
about age 12 or
13. Judging by
the home
decorations that
were rented for
the occasion,
this was a large
event in these
boy's lives.
All of the men
were in the
bedroom with the
boys (actually
there turned out
to be two
cousins that
were circumcised
on the same day.
All of the women
were in another
room. The boys
were taken for a
drive around the
city by their
fathers as a
symbolic last
ride as a boy.
When the boys
returned from
their last ride,
all of the men
at the
celebration, us
included,
gathered in the
bedroom and were
all around the
bed. when the
hoja (sp) came.
He, the hoja,
had each boy, in
turn, stand on
the side of the
bed where, in
rapid
succession, he
was circumcised;
a piece of candy
stuck in his
mouth and he was
placed in the
bed. The first
boy said to the
second, "Don't
worry; it
doesn't hurt."
During their
circumcision,
the men all
stomped their
feet and clapped
their hands to
make a lot of
noise so that
any cries could
not be heard.
There were no
cries of pain.
The entire event
was quick and
festive. Here
are the pictures
I have.
BTW, I am still
looking for Bob
Howard. He was
studying
Pharmacy in
Little Rock when
I last saw him
in 1958. Anyone
know how to
reach him?
Bill McFall
 
Received
4/5/06 - Posted
4/6/06
Bill,
OK to Post
Here is the
first plane to
land at Trabzon
Airport. It is
also the first
plane to take
off from Trabzon
Airport. The
strip was still
gravel then; and
there were no
buildings. In
the background
of Picture #35,
you can see the
Black Sea. I did
not know we were
leaving before
the plane
arrived; that
news came with
the plane. Our
work, building
a base, was
finished. On the
flight back to
Ankara, the
pilot tried to
talk each of us
into
reenlisting. He
got no
takers....
While we were
there, we called
the site "Boz
Tepe on the
Black."
Bill
Received
4/5/06 - Posted
4/6/06
Smokey,
OK TO POST
I spent a lot of
time talking
and visiting
with the local
people. They
were very
friendly and
interested in
our crazy ways.
This is the man
who worked the
farm where the
Main Base was
later placed. I
read somewhere
in these pages
that the farm
was purchased
from this man or
his boss and the
Boz Tepe Hilton
was constructed
about where I am
shown plowing.
Does someone
know this man?
He was very nice
to me that day.
Someone said the
farm there
belonged to his
grandfather. I
wonder if this
is his
grandfather. I
wonder where
some of the
people are that
we met and
laughed with.
Bill McFall
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Received - 4/4/06
- Posted - 4/4/06
Bill,
OK TO POST
In both of those
pictures, I can see:
1.
The “Main Base”
2.
The Ops Building and Ops Antenna
3.
The Mosque
In Bill Maher's
picture, trabzon.jpg, I can clearly see
antenna masts. It is not the original Vee
Antenna that we erected; but it is in about
the same place. The original road went to
the waterside (I think that is North) of the
antenna. There was a transmitting antenna
for the GRC 26 that was about where the
small white buildings are on the left of the
road. I believe the original road from
Trabzon to the mosque went diagonally across
what is shown in the pictures as the “Main
Base”.
Figure 1: Jeep on the
top of Boz Tepe about where Main Base was
later located
The road was a muddy mess when we had rain or
snow, as you can see here. This jeep is
traveling about where the “Main Base” was later
located. Turkish people traversed that flat
part at the top of the mountain on their way to
the Mosque. I wonder how the Turks got to their
mosque when the built all of that stuff in their
road. Our antenna lines went across the road and
we entered the site as we called it or Ops as
you called it.
The clearest picture of Ops is in Bill Maher's
picture, Trabzon1.JPG, in the top of the picture
and to the left of the mosque. Our original site
was about half way between the Ops building and
the Mosque. This picture of the original “Site”
was taken from the place where the Ops Building
is now located. At that time it was near a
barbed wire fence where out site border was
located.
1.
On the far left is the blue van, of which
I have written. It was a white truck with a Reo
engine. It was the first 6x6 truck that we
had seen that was not the old “US Army GMC 2 ½
ton 6x6 truck. First off, this one was blue and
not olive drab. Secondly, it had a van body on
the back instead of the truck bed we were all so
used to seeing. The antennas (four hand rotated
parabolic dishes were supposed to mount through
the roof of the van. The antennas were not there
yet. They do show up in later pictures.
2.
Next to the van, behind the sign that
probably said no smoking in English and in
Turkish) is that stone building where the
generator switching was done? This structure was
on the hilltop when we arrived. You can see the
power lines running to the switch building.
3.
To the right of the building and behind
the metal drums are two Diesel generators on
searchlight trailers. The second generator is
behind the first so you cannot see them both but
power lines run from each generator to the
switch building.
4.
To thee right of the generators are two
JAMESWAYS end to end with a single entry in the
center. These Jamesways were the housing for the
radio operators; and that Jeep in the first
picture is parked at the entrance to the two
Jamesways.
Figure 2 the "SITE" as it
was in 1953
5.
To the right of the Jamesways, and behind
the jeep, is a tent that I had forgotten
existed? I don’t recall what it was used for.
The Jamesways were home to all of the radio
operators and the linguists. In the center of
this picture you can see the tip of the
parabolic antennas that were latter installed on
the blue van and the Pyramid shaped cone
antennae that were not yet on the mast
Figure 3 the Jamesway
Shack with the DF Radio in boxes
The Jamesway on the right is also hidden by the
strange not remembered tent structure. In front
of the tent structure is the DF radio that had
just been delivered. Odd that I do not recall
any deliveries like that, but there it is.
The metal grillwork behind the Jamesways is a
conical VHF antenna. It was destined for a 25-ft
tower that came with the Blue (ELINT) van. The
Dark circle above the strange rectangular tent
is the parabolic antenna set that mounted on the
Blue (ELINT) Van.
The following picture is of the Blue (ELINT) Van
behind the Power Transfer Building. Fig. 4 was
taken immediately after the December 1953
snowstorm and Fig. 5 was taken just before the
snowstorm. The Black Sea is in the background in
both pictures. The Turks told us it NEVER snows
in Trabzon. NOT! Notice that the parabolic
antennae are not yet mounted on the Van.
Figure 4 the Blue (ELINT)
Van and the Power Transfer Building in the snow.
Figure 5 the C.O., 1st Lt.
Pitre, approaches the Van.
Finally the Parabolic antennae are installed on
the van and a staircase was built to keep us
from falling down Boz Tepe when we exit in the
dark. Here I am standing atop the Blue ELINT Van
after installation. The box in the center housed
the tuning units for the APR-9.
Figure 6 the Blue (ELINT)
Van brandishing its antennae.
Received -
3/28/06 - Posted - 3/28/06
The First Trabzon
Vets Came By Ship
If you
are interested, I have a picture of the troop
ship (USNS UPSHIRE) we we used to transport the
first Trab/Samsun teams to Germany. We were in
the USAF, so we didn't fly on the way across. We
crossed the North Atlantic in May and came up
through the Channel to Bremerhaven.
Okay, here is the Upshire in all of its postcard
glory. Not like any cruise I have taken
since....
Bill
Received
- 3/25/06 - Posted - 3/28/06
Received
Following Information 4/8/04 - Posted - 4/8/06
Electronics Countermeasures
Course 52277S
7
January 1953
CLASS Number 24092
A/1C ROY B BURKHART
AF18353590
A/1C CHARLES E ELLIOTT
AF14352631 SAMSUN
A/1C WILLIAM A MCFALL
AF16346806 TRABZON
A/1C JOSEPH B SINCLAIR
AF19365227
A/1C JOSEPH B THOMAS
AF14366113
A/1C HILTON L BATEMAN
AF24628977
A/1C ARTHUR P DALY
AF13335405
A/1C ROBERT A DAUGHERTY
AF13393467 SAMSUN
A/1C DONALD G HAYES
AF17298720
A/2C FERDIE LEGER
AF18401733 SAMSUN
A/2C ROBERT G LONG
AF12371658
A/2C WILLIAM J MILLER
JR AF18396723
A/1C ROBERT B STOCHEL
AF21727185
Bill,
I have the names of some of the folks in the
ELINT picture (somewhere) and I'll send them off
when I get lucky enough to find them. We will be
home next week. The Orders I have name all of
the people, but I have some trouble deciding who
is whom.
Oh, If you are interested, I have a picture of
the troop ship (USNS UPSHIRE) we we used to
transport the first Trab/Samsun teams to
Germany. We were in the USAF, so we didn't fly
on the way across. We crossed the North Atlantic
in May and came up through the Channel to
Bremerhaven.
We stayed a few days in Bremerhaven before we
took trains to Bavaria (Landsburgh/Lech.) The
first train was to Frankfort then we switched
trains to Landsburgh/Lech.
After a few weeks in Landsbergh, we took 2 1/2
ton 6x6trucks to Munich where we got our
passports. They were green.
Then we were put on a train to Frankfort where
we waited. We stayed in the Four Seasons Annex
while they put us in a cue to get on planes to
Ankara with a stop in Rome and a 3 day layover
in Athens. Our priority was somewhere behind
dependents on vacation, but we didn't care... we
were sightseeing along the way.
After our tour of Ankara, they got us on another
flight, this time, to Ankara where we stayed in
the C(h)elik Palas Hotel (I don't know if that
means Strawberry Palace or Iron Palace; but we
had experiences there too. Maybe someone will
know what it means. We visited the "Horse's
Tail" and Ataturk's Tomb and most of the five
star restaurants in town while we were then
introduced to JAMMAT and then put on trucks for
Trabzon. Everyone was on per Diem in those
days.
That first 30 some days in Germany was enough to
give us the Army of Occupation Medal and get us
into the VFW. For years Cold War and Turkey were
not enough to get us into the VFW. Odd, isn't
it?
Received -
3/21/06 - Posted - 3/21/06
Smokey,
Here is a picture of me playing around with one
of the Oscar guards. Notice the mixed uniform...
fatigue top and khaki pants with fatigue hat.
Of
importance is not the fool being taught how to
hold a gun; but the generator trailer behind him
and the Western view from the jamesways. The
area where the Turk civilians did their
picnicking was in those trees in the background.
That is also where the cannon was located.
Bill
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
March 15, 2006:
OK To Post:
Bill
McFall: Read about these Pictures in
Bill's Stories.
Burning
Boat in Trabzon Harbor
Farm Betwee
Ankara and Samsun
_________________________________________
March 7, 2006:
OK To Post:
Bill
McFall:
Thanks Bill. We all remember the children.
Subject: Trabzon Children
These kids taken near the
mosque on Tekke
Cami Sokak should all be over 50 years old by
now. This was taken in early 1954.
Bill McFall
_____________________________
March 7, 2006:
OK To Post:
Bill
McFall:
Subject: Re: More on Trabzon
Bill and Chuck,
I found I had an old backup
disk from my home computer. Here is a simplified
time line of our
organization as it matured
during that first year in Trabzon. Also, here is a picture of
a weapons
carrier entering the site as we built
it. I stepped out of the "shotgun" seat to take
this picture.
I was standing with my back to
the mosque. The Jamesways, the blue van and the
Black Sea were
to my right and the part of the
park that the Turkish people continued to use
(where the Ramada
Cannon was located) is behind
the weapons carrier (and a little to the right.) The "pi" (Greek
letter)
shaped posts are the termination of the vee antennas as they came onto the site. Left to
Right the
people are Bob Howard (No Little Rock)
1st Lt Pietre (Port Arthur, TX) Ed Fontaine
deceased
(Keene NH) ?? and I think Bill Sheets
deceased (Valentine, NB) driving. There are a few more
pictures in this file and I will send what I can
with this Internet connection.
Bill
I was wrong on the names.
It should have been:
Bob Howard, No Little Rock,
Arkansas
Lt Petre, Port Arthur, Texas
Ed Fontaine, Keene, New Hampshire
Charles Smith, ______ Minnesota
Norris Johnson, Festus, Missouri
Sorry,
Bill
_____________________________________________________
Iki Bucuk -
Provided By - Bill McFall
|
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
Letter of Commendation - Provided By -
Bill McFall
Note From The Web Manager:
The
Men Named in this Letter are the First
GIs to Inhabit Boztepe.
William A. McFall is the First GI Named
on Our
Duty
Roster.
SUBJECT:
Letter of Commendation
TO: 1/Lt Henry R. Pitre
Team B, Fit, A, 34th
RSM
APO 206-A, USAF
FROM:
E E Decker
RCA Engineer
6900th Security Wing
APO 61, USAF
During
my recent seven weeks stay at your
station I was able to accomplish far
more than a normal amount due to the
outstanding enthusiastic cooperation of
your men. I would like to take this
opportunity to make a few brief comments
about these men.
Of
greatest value was the reliable
leadership exhibited by the NCOIC, S/Sgt
Norris P. Johnson. His excellent
attitude and personable character,
exemplified by his keen desire for a
professional installation made him a
credit to your organization.
The
variety of work accomplished by your men
required initiative and ingenuity. One
of year highly skilled special
electronics maintenance men, S/Sgt
Edward L. Fontaine, was equally skillful
at replacing the rear end of a weapons
carrier or replacing major components on
diesel generators.
These
special electronics men did not hesitate
to install and maintain any and all
equipment required for the effort. S/Sgt
William A. McFall
pulled extensive maintenance on the
RT-11 tape recorder, SP 600 receivers
and direction finding equipment.
A
special electronics operator in his own
field, S/Sgt Keith L. Roe, like the
other men, was quick to pick up a shovel
when an anchor hole was to be dug or
concrete to be mixed. He took particular
interest in special antennas that were
fabricated even though they were not
going to be used in his electronics
effort.
Careful
control of supplies is even more
important when they are scarce and S/Sgt
Robert E. Howard, a special electronics
mechanic proved himself to be a valuable
man by controlling all supplies among
his myriad of other duties.
Not
enough can be said to credit S/Sgt
William D. Sheets. Operating and
maintaining all motor driven equipment,
he is the key man through which all
transportation and electric power, is
made possible. It was of particular
value to as to know that he was
operating the winch every time an
antenna tower was being raised. It is
most amazing to note his special
interest in electronics. He has built a
code practice oscillator and is becoming
proficient in radio operations.
All of
these are keenly desirous of father
knowledge and many night classes were
held at special request to discuss a
multitude of electronics problems.
E. E. Decker
RCA Engineer
1st. Ind 21 May 1954 FLIGHT
A, 34TH RADIO SQUADRON MOBILE, APO
206-A, US ARMY
TO:
Commander, Team B, Flight A, 34th Radio
Squadron Mobile, APO 206-A, US Army
I can
only add a note of my personal
appreciation to the remarks made by Mr
Decker. I'm sure that without the fine
interest and industrious efforts of
these men our mission could not be a
success.
John H.
JEWETT
Major USAF
Commander
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