It all started with an email telling me that this Veteran's son had a rare and unusual item from WWII that he was considering selling. Once I read the details, I decided I really needed to pursue this artifact. He told me that his dad, Ensign William Kaiser, was a United States blimp pilot during the war with Blimp Squadron 14, also known as ZP-14. His Dad's unit was part of a six-airship unit to make the first transatlantic crossing in 1944. His airship K-123 started from the Naval Air base in South Weymouth, MA, then flew to Newfoundland, the Azores and then to French Morocco. Because they landed in French Morocco, they became known as "The Africa Squadron". After that, they were stationed in southern France.
They participated in anti-submarine warfare, rescue missions and reconnaissance. His son Bruce said his dad’s crew loved to drop depth charges on U-Boats or whales for "target practice." His unit transferred to an airbase in southern France in the city of Cuers. The airbase had been occupied by the Germans and there was a Forke Wolfe 190 that had been abandoned. Before he returned home he decided to take a souvenir from the aircraft. This was a two foot by two foot section of the tailfin.
In order to maintain discretion, he carefully removed the section from the other side of the plane from the original photo shown. He recorded the details on the back of the section he cut off.
It's interesting that an internet search reveals that the airbase is still active and the blimp hangars are still there. I was able to purchase the tail section along with the original photo of his dad with other crew members standing next to the actual plane.
Fortunately, the son lived within driving distance of us which facilitated the transaction. I sent my ferret, Gene Brunelle, to pick up the tail section and while discussing the exchange, Bruce, Mr. Kaiser's son, said he also had his Dad's leather jacket with squadron patch and his issue steel helmet. He wasn't sure I'd be interested in that so he never mentioned it. Needless to say my pal Gene said I'm sure Mr. Bill would also be interested in those items.
See my next chapter coming soon...
Frank
WOW!! Congrats on the incredible find, wish i had it!
Jeff vail
Thanks for the story, i’ve seen a picture of navy guys standing by a FW tail before, posed slightly differently so it may be another group, and always thought it strange that any navy folks would have occasion to pose with a FW, so it’s interesting sorting out the mystery. looks like somebody with a Thompson stitched up the tail ??
Sergeu Shi
Interesting publication and rare find. Congratulations!
Peter Howard
A stroke of good luck, and, of course, your reputation secured this and forthcoming relics. Also, it just so happens that as a young child my family lived in Gander at that time. My father was RAF stationed there at that time. Gander was a stepping off point for all manner of aircraft being ferried to Britain, Azores during the war.