Warbird Information Exchange

During WW-II's early stages, a French Navy aircraft carrier (the Bearn) was transporting Belgian Model 339Bs (Brewster Buffalo), and French Hawk 75A-4s and SBC Helldivers.

The aircraft were enroute Europe from Halifax, NS in June 1940 when . . . France surrendered to the Germans, and the aircraft carrier was ordered to the island of Martinique (Caribbean). The Airplanes were unloaded and basically left on a hillside overlooking the bay.

The US was concerned when the Vichy government in France turned out to be collaborating with the Germans, and having these aircraft in the area, posed a threat to the Panama Canal.

The Vichy government -probably- notified the US that Martinique did not have an airfield, and thus, the aircraft did not pose a threat.

In any case, some time later, the airplanes were reportedly blown up in situ [US agents??) and there are also versions that put these aircraft in the waters off Martinique.

Thus, I dream of "wet" airplanes, still underwater after so many years . . .

Anyone has more info on this?

Saludos,

Tulio

Hi Tulio

as a part of my research into P-39's I spent a bit of time researching those that were sent to the panama canal zone and surrounding areas.

This US airforce group is relatively unknown and was referred to as the Caribbean Airforce. They used alll sorts of US aircraft. As a side issue to this research I have been given many bits and pieces of information about aircraft wrecks and crash sites around Panama and the Caribbean in general. I will be the first to admit I didn't know alot about this area of WW2 activity.

I have been told via third party of a large number of American aircraft that had been siezed ended up being buried somewhere in the Caribbean?? Perhaps this in the same group of aircraft? I have asked myself "why didn't the US just take them back?" but I have since learned that some South American countries adopted a neutral position during WW2 and as such, aircraft were siezed and disposed of in a manner similar to those that landed / crashed in Switzerland.

Its and interesting subject and one that has not had alot of research done on it.

All the best

Digger

Howdy, Digger!

The aircraft in Martinique, having been purchased by the French government and being enroute to France, and were then off-loaded at the island.

They belonged to France, and since there was no clear idea as to what the political position of the French vis-a-vis the British and the Americans would be, there was a period during which the aircraft remained at the hillside. I recall reading somewhere that there was a huge fire that destroyed them, while another version mentions explosives and even a third states that some of the airplanes ended up being barged out to sea and dumped off.

I am sure that you have read "Alae Supra Canalem" by Dan (ISBN 1-56311-153-5)

If you have not, this book has a very detailed history of the 6th Air Force and the Antilles Air Command. It lists squadrons, aircraft, it has a ton of pictures and there are many of P-39s.

The U.S. had been concerned about the German and Italian influence in South America before WW-II and Pan-American / PANAGRA via Juan Trippe and one Charles Lindbergh had been scouting routes since the late 1920s, and had managed to gain a foothold in the air cargo and passenger business, but the German and Italian influence were greater.

Even an airline -TACA- owned by a New Zealander, Lowell Yerex was the subject of many behind the scenes moves by Pan-Am, to block them off operating between Central America and the US. During the mid-1930s, TACA moved more cargo than all of the US airlines combined.

Through diplomatic pressure, treaties they managed to get some of the Latin American nations, to declare war on the axis powers, but even then, there were regular services for example, between Lisbon and Rio, by Lufthansa flying Focke Wulfe FW-200 Condor; Syndicato Kondor, Ala Littoria, Lloyd Aereo Boliviano, AVIANCA (Colombia), LATI all were operated by Germans or Italians (Littoria and LATI).

With the declaration of war, many of these aircraft ended up in US hands, and there were at least a Junkers JU-52 3/m (US classification C-79) and a Savoia-Marchetti SM-83 that briefly ended up in US Service in Panama and Curacao.

The bombers in the region were also a source of concern, mostly an Honduran Curtiss Condor, and to a lesser extent the two survivors of the original three Potex XXV-A-2 bombers that Guatemala operated until the late 1930s; the whole reason behind the concern was the possibility of an attack on the Panama Canal.

Guatemala and other Central American nations, had dictatorial regimes, and in the case of Guatemala, the National Socialist party had established branches in several cities, with high levels of proselitism by German envoys, aimed at Guatemalans of German origin; it took a lot of pressure from the US for Guatemala to finally take a hard stance against those groups.

A "show the flag" series of tours de force by the US, saw massive formations of fighters, bombers and transport airplanes visit several central american capitals during the late 1930s.

Guatemala declared war on the axis powers on December 12, 1941 and basically became an ally and a base for operations of B-17 and B-24 bombers (Some of which crashed in Guatemala) that patrolled the waters between Guatemala and the Galapagos Islands, looking for any submarines or japanese shipping bound to attack the canal.

In 1943 IIRC, Guatemala received six Boeing P-26 Peashooters re-classified as TP-26s, by then obsolete to US needs, but became the first front line fighters to be operated by any Central American air arm. Enough spares were sent so that the Guatemalans were able to assemble a seventh P-26.

I have not read though, that the US had taken any aircraft of US origins from any of the countries in the region; most aircraft had been of French, British, German or Italian origins, and it was not until the early 1940s that large numbers of american-built aircraft began to make their way south.

There had been some purchases of AT-6s, Curtiss Hawks, Northrop bombers, etc. by some countries before the war.

I would be interested in anything that you may find abouth aircraft operations in Central America and the Caribbean.

Saludos,

Tulio

Thanks Tulio

I am currently trying to track down a copy of "Alae Supra Canalem" (Wings over the Canal) written by Dan Hagedorn as it is said its the best book on this subject. I have also contacted Mario E. Overall from the
LAAHS (Latin American Aviation Historical Society) Website but this is a recent event and will expand on my questions etc to him in the new year.

I'll try and track down the third party who supplied the information on the burials which I am sure was in the Panama Zone but wait until I can clarify that.

These are the US units I believe operated in that area during WW2;

- 29th Bomb Squadron (Heavy)
- 51st Fighter Squadron (Detachment)
- 15th Service Group, 18th Service Squadron
- 687th Signal AW Company
- 860th Service Company (Aviation)
- Medical Detachment
- 1611th Ordnance Supply and Maintenance Company (Aviation)
- 6th Weather Squadron
- QM Detachment
- 926th Boat Company (Aviation)
- 6th Airways Communication Squadron

so I can image all sorts of aircraft being operated.

I'll stay in touch.
all the best for the new year

Digger

Happy New Year, Digger!

I was just watching the New Year's fireworks at Sidney Harbor, on T.V.

I am PM'ing you a couple of contact addresses for Dan Hagedorn.

If you want, I can call Dan and ask if he has an extra copy of the book, and we'll see about obtaining it for you.

Saludos,


Tulio