Lou Thole
Lou
Thole has written many aviation articles, most of which focus on World
War II USAAF training fields including
Preparing C-47s for War (Baer Field).
He is a noted aviation historian, whose work has been published in newspapers
and magazines including the Friends Journal (the publication of the Air
Force Museum) and Flypast. A retired sales manager he holds a private
pilot’s license and a glider rating. As well as being the author of three books
concerning the fields of yesteryear he volunteers in the historical department
of the United States Air Force Museum in Dayton Ohio.
June 8th 2003 Presentation to MOS
Were
they or weren’t they? That’s not really the question as the answer is known but
the outcome of so much aircraft history is not! Lou Thole noted author of three
fine books relating to the history of WWII USAAF flying fields captured the
interest of all attending by describing the disappearing aircraft from Freeman
Field in southern Indiana following WWII. Many said they were never there but
pictures do not lie, and to the enjoyment of all (Lou) as he became after only
minutes with the audience displayed pictures of not only German equipment that
was shipped to Freeman Field but Japanese and Italian aircraft also. During the
war these pieces of equipment were delivered for evaluation and then flown to
Wright Field Ohio for flight testing. At the conclusion of the conflict it is
said that the aircraft were buried in the corn fields of southern Indiana and
there they remain yet today despite the repeated efforts of researchers to find
them. Lou Thole’s well written and researched publications - The Forgotten
Fields of America - Volume one and two and three have so many stories to tell
about forgotten airfields that played a major part in keeping America free
during the Second World War.
The interaction between Lou Thole and former pilots and crewmen in the crowd was an education into itself as each added their stories to the Lecture Series.
Forgotten Fields of America Volumes 1-2-3 are all available from the Museum of the Soldier Book store. For further information email - info@museumofthesoldier.com
