CLINT PALMER
OF 49TH FIGHTER GROUP
It is with great sadness that I report that Clinton Palmer passed away on 7 July 2000.
Subject: Darwin information.
Date:
Thu, 11 May 2000 19:29:27 -0700
From: "Clinton
Palmer"
Please mail me any information on Darwin. I was with 49th Fighter Group in WW2.
Thanks Clint Palmer
Subject: Townsville on internet.
Date:
Thu, 11 May 2000 19:45:34 -0700
From: "Clinton
Palmer"
I ENJOYED YOUR HISTORY OF TOWNSVILLE DURING WW2. I WA S STATIONED THERE FOR A WHILE TO GET OUR PLANES OVERHAULED BEFORE GOING TO PORT MORESBY. WE HAD DONE A TOUR OF DUTY AT DARWIN WHEN THINGS DID NOT LOOK TOO GOOD. WE HELD THE JAPS BACK WITH EXCEPTIONAL good RESULTS.
best REGARDS,
Clint Palmer
Subject: Townsville on internet.
Date:
Wed, 17 May 2000 14:56:19 -0700
From: "Clinton Palmer"
Glad to hear from you so soon. Hope you get this message as sending on reply. I had sent you two messages, one on Darwin and one on Townsville. While at Townsville were attached to the 40th squadron as on R and R from a terrible time in New Guinea.
Had P-39 and the Zeros badly beat them. One Jap pilot even had the nerve to loop the loop over their air field. We were on the regular field at Townsville and did all our own servicing. Will you give me your address as have some items will mail you. Our group is still active and you may read their history on www.flyingknights.net. Hope you receive this message o.k.
Regards, Clinton Palmer
Subject: Australia WW 2
Date:
Thu, 25 May 2000 20:07:13 -0700
From: "Clinton
Palmer"
Dear Cobber,
Will give you a bio about me and would to know your background. I am 79 years old and was in the service from November 39 to August of 1945. Was in Florida when war broke out and 3 months later was in Darwin, We were the first organized fighter group to arrive in Australia. Sailed in SS Mariposa and arrived in Melbourne on January 21 of 1942.
On arrival in the port there was a ferry boat crossing the harbor. The passengers realized some how that there were American soldiers on our ship and we could hear them cheering at our arrival. We went to a camp near Ballarat, then up to Amberly Air field near Sydney (Amberly is actually near Ipwsich and Brisbane). From there went to Ipswich SW of Brisbane to put P-40's together. Then went to Darwin, Things did not look too good as Japs were progressing south. We went to Darwin by a 4 engine flying boat. First night spent at Townsville, then arrive at Darwin about 5 pm.
The harbor was full of sunken ships, only mast were sticking out. The field and Darwin had been vacated and stay in RAAF barracks first night, had been strafed and lots of blood on floor and writing table. I cam back to USA in September, of 1944. I have some Japanese invasion currency and would gladly send you some free. Think this is all for now, still recovering from a stroke. This E mail is a marvel, was incommunicatios in WW2. Took over 6 weeks to get a letter from home.
Regards, your cobber,
Clinton Palmer
Subject: Contact
Date: Sat, 3
Jun 2000 11:07:01 -0700
From: "Clinton Palmer"
Now I know your age will try to write you within that that time frame.
Do not know if you knew how critical the situation in Australa was and Japs were preparing to invade New Guinea but the Coral Sea battle stemmed the tide. I still have some invasion currency that we recovered in New Guinea, all in pounds. I ask you in last letter i would like any and got no answer.
I do not have very many pictures and what I have of WW2 are personal. Cameras and film was very scarce and we were heavily censored in what could take and send home. In one of my letters want to clarify the messas. Stated had P-39 on first line. I was stationed while in Townsville with the 40th squadron that had P-39 in new Guinea and were on R and R at Townsville. I enjoyed Townsville as first exposure to civilization in nearly 8 months after Darwin tour, While ar Darwin we had a brush fire that went through camp, all that was left was the tent pole, all personal items were destroyed and had no extras clothes. There was no US army quarter master supplies, so could not get replacement clothes. Thanks to the Aussie QM got some essential items.
On our first day in Townsville we visited the town and were bared chested, wearing shorts and I had Aussie shoes. We were wearing our Colt 45 pistols. The MP's rounded us up and took us to the provost marshall's office. When we explained our situation, he made a phone call to US Army QM, we went by truck and got completey outfitted with every every thing we needed. New shoes, 3 sets of khakis and even duffle bags. We changed into our new clothing and then were hauled back to PM office to get our pistols. This took up most of our day but left me with a warm feeling for the MPs.We thanked him for doing this. Think have ran on for enough for now.
Regards.
Your new cobber.
Clinton.
P.S. Do they still use term "cobber", meaning friend? (Yep, cobber!)
Subject: Contact from USA
Date:
Tue, 6 Jun 2000 15:38:08 -0700
From: "Clinton
Palmer"
Dear Cobber,
I enjoyed your E mail on Aussie slang. Aussies are famous for use of slang words.
On my last message was concerned if got mailed o.k.my system had crashed and the sending mail message did not appear. I want to advise you have sent the invasion currency today and should get it in 10 days or so. It gives me a wierd feeling when I still look at it, as to the Japs intentions. I lost 14 of my boy hood friends in Buna, were in company E of 32nd division. Let me know if get money o.k., glad to pass it on as no one here has any interest in it.
Regards, Clinton O
Subject: Japanese money.
Date:
Sat, 10 Jun 2000 19:37:31 -0700
From: "Clinton
Palmer"
You asked me where I got this money. When we landed in Hollandia went back to beach to locate our equipment and met some fellows from the 1st Cavalry Division, got its off some dead Japs. I had a bottle of brandy that had purchased for 9 bob (shillings) and at that time a pound was worth $3.36 so you can decide how good the brandy must of been. Got some real Japanese money also, beautiful. Still have one bill left.This happen on May 24, 1944. I wanted to mail money insured but nearly $13..00 and not worth it.
Take care, Your American cobber.
Clinton O.
Can anyone help me with more information?
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This page first produced 19 May 2000
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