Barbers Point NAS

Forgot to mention that Joe Hall as PPC let Goodrich smash the tail end of my plane yesterday. Goody stalled the thing in for landing yesterday, and of course she dropped like a load of bricks — right on the tail skid. These B-24s have to be landed “hot” (100 mph to 115 mph) for a good landing. They positively cannot be stalled in like a PBY. Anyway the plane happen to be 51-P-13, the plane assigned me in the future flight organization. So now she’s laid up with a badly bent rear end.

Out in a B-24 again this morning with Stack Glanz. Checked out as second pilot (engineer) and made my first landing — not bad. Tomorrow I’ll most likely be checked out as first pilot.

While we were out we saw the wreckage of an SBD on the Ewa Field runway with a crowd around it. It was still smoldering. Pilot landed with wheels up, she caught fire, the bomb exploded, and another pilot died.

Strafed (practice maneuvers) by P-40s just before noon. A fair show. Reminded me of the last show I saw P-40s put on — at Surabaya, Java, last January; most of them are dead now. Heard a rumor at lunch that Gene Long has been shot down, down in the Solomons — no other dope (?)

Swam at the beach. Also built a few sand castles with Wally Jones.

Saw Clark Gable and Lana Turner in a movie tonight that was one of the best love stories I’ve ever seen. A real test of self-discipline to sit there “calmly” (!) and watch Turner turn on the heat on Gable — all in a nice ladylike manner, and yet, Oh God! What a life …