I wrote a blog in 2019 about The White Buses (click here to read the blog). It was the story of how Count Folke Bernadotte, a Swedish diplomat, negotiated with Himmler toward the end of World War II for the release of thousands of women imprisoned in Nazi concentration camps. Using buses painted white while adorned with the Red Cross symbol, the destination for the women was to be neutral Sweden and freedom. While many of them were saved from SS death marches as Soviet troops advanced westward, their journey through Germany on the White Buses was no less perilous.
White Bus no. 36. Photo by anonymous (c. April/May 1945). “When Sweden Rescued 31,000 Non-Swedes from Nazi Germany.” https://abitofhistoryblog.com/2017/08/09/the-white-buses/
One of our readers, Professor Roger Ritvo contacted me about the blog and filled me in on his research project about the White Buses. At some point in our discussions, I suggested he write a guest blog based on his research. (Co-authors of the article are Caitlyn Traffanstedt and Allison Stone.) Fortunately for us, Roger agreed, and I have had the opportunity to read their two articles, 10 Gifts from the White Bus Rescue of 15,345 Nazi Prisoners in 1945 (Part 1) and Ten Gifts (Part 2).
Our blog today is a collection of selected excerpts of the paper, and we have chosen several of the gifts to share with you. I hope you enjoy this sampling and if you do, I have listed the links to their articles in the recommended reading section below. Read More Ten Gifts of the White Bus Rescue–Guest Blog
Why did I pick this topic for today’s blog? Well, I ran across a BBC story (click here to read the article) about the women in the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force (WAAF), a British military service during World War II. The article focuses on three women assigned to the RAF Biggin Hill air base during the Battle of Britain. These women were awarded the Military Medal (MM) while only six women received the MM during World War II.
DC-3 under the command of the Royal Air Force Transport Command. Standing in front from left to right: Leading Aircraftwoman Myra Roberts, Corporal Lydia Alford, and Leading Aircraftwoman Edna Birbeck. These were the first WAAF nursing orderlies selected to fly on air-ambulance duty to France. Photo by Stanley Arthur Devon (c. 1943). Imperial War Museum. PD-U.K. public domain. Wikimedia Commons.
I’m always intrigued with stories of women’s contributions during World War II and other historical events. Some of the past blogs include Women Agents of the SOE (click here to read), Killed in the Service of Her Country (click here to read), The Ten Percenters (click here to read), The Wrens (click here to read), The White Mouse (click here to read), and The Night Witches (click here to read).
Biggin Hill is likely a topic that our British friends and historians know very well. However, outside of England, the story of Biggin Hill during the war may be a topic that is not well-known. So, apologies to those of you who are familiar with RAF Biggin Hill and the role it played during the Battle of Britain. If you have comments, suggestions, or perhaps other information you think should be added to this blog, please contact me.
Did You Know?
Did you know that I live in Punta Gorda, Florida and have you ever heard of Punta Gorda? Well, our little town dates to 1884 and Punta Gorda has a very strong and proud history with all its citizens. One of the families that settled here in 1905 was Archie and Josephine Bailey. The Baileys were African American, and they had eleven children: nine boys and two girls.
The oldest boy, Maurice (1906−1990), enlisted in the army and served in World War II and the Korean conflict. He is buried in Arlington National Cemetery. Berlin (1912−1997) served in the navy in the Pacific theater during World War II. Following the war, Berlin returned to Punta Gorda and was elected to the city’s planning commission. Charles (1918−2001) enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps and became the nation’s first African American armed forces pilot from Florida. He joined the 332nd Fighter Group and the 99thFighter Squadron commonly known “The Tuskegee Airmen.” Second Lt. Bailey, flying either a P-40 or P-51, flew 133 combat missions in Northern Africa and Europe as part of the “Red Tail Squadron.” After the war, Charles obtained his college degree and became a teacher. Harding (1920−1984) enlisted in the navy and served in the Atlantic theater. He became a school principal after the war. Paul (1922−1987) joined the army in 1943 and was a chaplain’s assistant in the Pacific theater. Paul obtained a music degree and became a high school music teacher. Arthur (1925−1959) enlisted in the U.S. Marines in February 1945 and saw action in the Pacific theater. Carl (1929−1957), the youngest son, served in the U.S. Air Force and flew F-84 Thunderjets. He was one of only two African American fighter pilots from Florida during the Korean conflict. Tragically, Carl died in an automobile accident.
Lt. Charles Bailey next to his P-51 Mustang named for his father. Photo by anonymous (date unknown).Lt. Carl A. Bailey standing beside his F-84 Thunderjet. Photo by anonymous (date unknown).
Collectively, these sons of Mr. and Mrs. Bailey are known as “The Fighting Bailey Brothers.” Today, five of the brothers are interned at the Lt. Carl A. Bailey Cemetery in Punta Gorda. The passenger terminal at the Punta Gorda Airport is named in their honor.
The plaque in the Punta Gorda Airport Bailey Passenger Terminal. It commemorates the seven Fighting Bailey Brothers from Punta Gorda. Photo by anonymous (date unknown). Courtesy of Punta Gorda Airport.
Click here to watch the video Meet the “Fighting Bailey Brothers.”
Biggin Hill
The town of Biggin Hill is located in the south-east of Greater London. It is situated on one of the highest points of Greater London and its airport, Biggin Hill Airport, supports general aviation needs including private and business jet traffic. Although large enough for Boeing 737 aircraft, the airport is not a commercial (i.e., paying passengers) airport. Read More Biggin Hill
“Stew blends the dark history of buildings in Paris that are associated with the infamous deeds of the Gestapo with contrasting insights into the bravery of the French people, who, at great risk to themselves and their families, secretly resisted the German Occupation.”
Stanley Booker, MBE, RAF (Ret.), Chevalier de la Légion d’honneur
“Another outstanding, well-researched, and presented book by Stew Ross. It gives a detailed guided walking tour full of facts about the activities of the Gestapo during their occupation of Paris during World War II. I highly recommend this book to everyone who has an interest in what life was like during the Nazi occupation in France.”
Richard H.F. Neave, President Royal British Legion Paris branch, member Paris-based Libre Résistance SOE “F” Section and author of SOE: A Life in the Shadows
