The Story of The “Billy Mitchell Group” 468 H-Bomb Group

The Story of The “Billy Mitchell Group”

468 H-Bomb Group – From the C.B.I. to the Marianas

© 2011 Dr. Yates C. Smith. All rights reserved. Used with permission. Page 1

REST CAMP – DARJEELING AND CALCUTTA INDIA By Dr. Yates C. Smith

On Special Orders #70, dated March 29th 1945, I was granted a 15 day leave, exclusive of travel, to go to Rest Camp #2, at Darjeeling, India. We were ordered to return not later than 15 days. I am sure that travel expenses were provided. On those same orders with me were Lt. Harry E. Olsen, our Pilot, and Lt. Winston J. Fisher, our Flight engineer. We left Kharagpur (B-1) by aircraft (C-46) for Barrackpore Airfield, Calcutta, and arrived there at 0815 on March 31st 1945 (Saturday). There were 8 of us from the 468th Bomb Group. We had to pick up our train reservations, and tickets at the Rail Reservation Office, Hindustani Building in Calcutta. Just like the military, we had to arrive in the morning for departure on the "Darjeeling Mail" at 1900 from the Sealdah Station in Calcutta. Total travel time was approximately 18 hours. We would arrive about 12:30 pm on April 1st 1945 (Sunday). Mess provisions were provided; however, the orders recommended that two (2) "K" ration meals per individual be taken.

Olsen, Smith and Fisher From the collection of Dr. Yates C. Smith




I had 4 cases of beer, and 5 fifths of bourbon. Some of the others had similar amounts. The "Darjeeling Mail" was a wide gauge railroad from Calcutta to Siliguri at the base of the Himalaya Mountains. From that point, we would be riding the Darjeeling Himalayan Railroad, a narrow gauge rail line, to the end of the line at Darjeeling. The trip from Calcutta to the base of the mountains was overnight. Winston, Harry, and I had a compartment. Someone had gotten some ice before we left Calcutta at 1900. We had iced some of the beer down in the compartment sink. As we drank the beer, we kept the empty bottles. When we would pass another train in the night, we would take the empty bottles, and throw them out the window. We were seeing if it would be possible to throw them in another compartment of the passing train. We arrived at Siliguri about 0800 on April 1st 1945 (Sunday). The Darjeeling Himalayan Railroad cars only had two axles, and 4 wheels under each car. The gauge of the rails is 2 feet. It looked just like the “Toonerville” trolley cars.

Toonerville Trolley

We took the last car in about an 8 car train. The cars had occasional chairs attached to the floor. Each side of the car had large picture windows. From the base of the mountains to the top was about a 7,000 foot climb. This was a 54 mile train ride that took us 8 hours to complete for an average of 7 miles per hour. The little engine had a sand box on the front. On each side of the sand box about 4 inches off the track was a step. On each step, a man stood. He would take the sand, and sprinkle it on the tracks to give more traction for the engine. There were times when the engine would go through an underpass, and then circle back over the underpass. One end of the train would be going over the tail end. At one place, we would pull up so far, throw a switch, and back up. We would continue that procedure back and forth until we had gained altitude. There were seven of these “switch backs”. About half way up to Darjeeling, we had to stop, and have the water tank filled on the engine. The train tracks went right down the main street of the town with only about 1 to 2 foot clearance on each side of the tracks. Every time the train came through town, it was an event that brought out all of the people in town.




Darjeeling Himalayan Railway – switchback From the collection of Dr. Yates C. Smith

After we arrived at Darjeeling, we found it to be the summer home of the Governor of Bengali province. It was advertised as the Swiss Alps of India. The administration for the rest camp had not made all arrangements ready for us. They checked us in to the Mt. Everest Hotel. We stayed there 2 or 3 days until the rest camp accommodations were ready. We could have breakfast in the main dining room with large French doors that opened out onto a balcony. While we were eating, we could see Mt. Kenchenjunga off in the distance. It was about 800 feet lower than Mt. Everest, but very close to Everest. It was our first chance to get milk since we had left the States. Kaventer’s Dairy was located at Darjeeling.

A view of Mt. Everest from Darjeeling From the collection of Dr. Yates C. Smith




The food was excellent, and all we had to do was loaf, sleep, and sightsee the small town. Harry said I rode a small horse to the hotel to eat, and my feet nearly touched the ground. Darjeeling was a city where there were a lot of tea plantations. Darjeeling was a town where a lot of the British sent their families to stay while they were off fighting the war. During the colonial period with the British in charge of India, they controlled everything. All government functions and transportation were controlled by the British. They did not do the common work on the railroads, but they were in firm control of the administration.

We attended dances at what was known as the Darjeeling Gymkhana Club. It was sort of a health club and a social gathering place. After the short stay at the Hotel, we were moved to a cottage for the balance of our stay. Harry, Winston and I had the entire cabin, but we ate all of our meals at the Hotel.




Darjeeling Gymkhana Club

Darjeeling had hardly a flat place to build a tennis court as it was extremely mountainous. The Air Corp had sent golf clubs and balls to the camp. We checked some out, and drove golf balls down the side of the mountain. Our return trip was about the same. The little train going downhill had to have a brakeman on the top of each car. He would place a 6 foot pole in the brake wheel to give him additional leverage on the brakes. We returned to Kharagpur (B-1) on about April 15th 1944 (Saturday).

Darjeeling vendors From the collection of Dr. Yates C. Smith

On May 13th 1945, Winston Fisher, Harry Olsen and I were given a 3-day pass to go to APO 465 which is Calcutta, India. On one of those trips, we flew in a C-46 from Kharagpur to Dum Dum airport. Dum Dum airport is a major U. S. Air Supply Depot, just north of Calcutta. On that trip, we got a ride from Dum Dum airport to downtown Calcutta, in a 41 Buick Phaeton belong to Lord Mountbatten. He was the reigning British leader over India at that time. India was a British dominion. We stayed at the Grand Hotel on Chowringhee Road. The hotel rate was 10 rupees/day, and this included meals. Ten rupees is approximately $3.30/day.




Douglas C-46 From the collection of Dr. Yates C. Smith

On most of our trips to Calcutta, we rode the train from Kharagpur to the Howrah railroad station across the Hooghly River from downtown Calcutta. We usually could get a ride into Kharagpur from our quarters in a GI truck. The railroad seats in second class were cushioned, and there were overhead rack for any luggage. On most of these trips, we would have enough to fill one compartment that would accommodate 6 people. Third class was for the natives with no seats reserved, and the seats were wooden benches. The doors for the compartments for first and second class opened on the side of the car. Indian rail cars were not like those in the U. S. There are no provisions to walk from one car to another on the Indian rail lines.

Howrah Station

On one such trip, we had a missionary in our compartment. In India, the beggars ride free, but they have to ride on the steps outside. As most of the trains were local, the beggars would get off the steps at each station, and beg for annas, (coins worth less than one cent at the time). On that particular trip, a group of small beggars were entertaining us by singing, “Deep in the Heart of Texas” to us from the station platform. They did not know the meaning of the words, and would just sing the same words over and over. They would ride the steps to the next station, and repeat their entertainment. That kept up for 2 or 3 stations, and the next thing we knew, they were in the compartment riding with us, and singing between stations. Elliott, our Central Fire




Control Gunner, from Guthrie, OK, took about all he could stand. At the next station, Elliott opened the compartment door, kicked all of the beggars out the door, and on to the station platform. The missionary said nothing. I guess he was afraid that he would be next to get kicked out. At the Howrah Rail Road Station, there was just a mass of people. It was reported that there were 1,800 Red Caps to assist in handling baggage. We could give a Red Cap a half a rupee (15 cents), and he would guard our luggage all day. All the baggage went on his head, and what could not go on his head, went on another Red Cap’s head. They would guard our luggage with their lives. Wherever we went, the Red Cap went with our luggage. We could hail a taxi in front of the station for a ride into town. Nearly all of these taxi cabs were of the 1925-35 vintage. They were all 4 door Phaetons. Due to the number of people in India, they used a lot of labor as it is cheap. There was a driver, and a guide, or director, in the front seat. All cars were right hand drive with the tops down. They drove by British rules, with the cars keeping to the left hand side of the street. Some of these taxis had charcoal burners on the rear to provide fuel for the engine.

A Calcutta taxi From the collection of Dr. Yates C. Smith

All of the headlamps were painted black except for a narrow slit opening about 1 inch wide across the lens. Calcutta was under blackout regulations and that was all the light allowed for them to use at night. If you wanted a thrill, you took a taxi cab ride at night. Another form of transportation was the rickshaw. It looked like a two wheel surrey with a top that folded down like a convertible. In a place where the horse would be, was a man. He would run the entire distance. The men pulling those things had a tremendous amount of stamina. There were reports that some men would just drop dead while pulling a rickshaw. If so, the rider just got out, and left him for another rickshaw.




Calcutta rickshaw From the collection of Dr. Yates C. Smith

We stayed at the Grand Hotel on Chowringhee Road. The Grand Hotel advertised 500 room and 500 baths. Their telephone was 6700 with 6 incoming lines. All of the Company grade officers (Lts. and Capt.) had to stay at the Grand Hotel with the enlisted men. The Field Grade Officers (Majors, Lt. Col., and full Col.) could stay at the Great Eastern. It was supposedly a little nicer hotel than the Grand. Some of our hotel bills are included. The rooms were 10 rupees ($3) per night for the first night, and 9 rupees ($2.70) for any additional nights. This daily charge included room and board. The first day they added 8 annas (16 cents) for the porter, and 11 annas (22 cents) for the servant’s tips. As you can see it was not too expensive, but it was not the first class hotel like the Great Eastern.

Most of the rooms faced Chowringhee Road, or they over looked a court yard that was at the back of the hotel. Each room was equipped with mosquito netting over the bed. The



© 2011 Dr. Yates C. Smith. All rights reserved.

baths left something to be desired. The toilet was a hole in the floor you couldover. There were two indentationsto be placed. When you were finished, you needed to move before flushingchain you pulled that released water from an overhead tankexcreted material down the hole you used. Olsen, Fisher and I had rooms at the GrandOlsen said we had the attendant strip the beds, wash the wooden frames, and replace the mattresses. When I returned to KharagpThey were about the size of a quarter. bugs”. Doc gave me some new powder called your sheets on your bed...it should kill them”. the barracks. I would get up in the morning, and shake off the DDT dust. It was my first experience with DDT, but it took care of the bed bugs. bombs to spray inside of our mosquito netting at night. There was a French Restaurant just south of the Grand Hotel on Chowringhee Road that made very good French pastries. the base. There was Firpo’s Gre

The main thing we did in Calcutta is eat and sightcould eat, but not drink any water. water. One of the restaurants where we ate was the New AmericChowringhee Rd. Some restaurants and casinos we could not use.signs on the door, “Off Limits”. Limits” area, we were subject to arrest. we had to do a lot of saluting of enlisted men. was one of my first experiences to go to a movie when we bought our ticket aheadtime for a certain day, seat, and time. movie. After everyone was in the left. It was then cleaned for the next movie. Theater was 2 rupee and 4 annas (68 cents). “God Save The King”, and every2 pm, and ran continuous until about 11 pm


From the C.B.I. to the Marianas

All rights reserved. Used with permission.

baths left something to be desired. The toilet was a hole in the floor you couldations in the concrete floor to indicate where your feet were

When you were finished, you needed to move before flushingreleased water from an overhead tank. This water washed the

excreted material down the hole you used.

Olsen, Fisher and I had rooms at the Grand Hotel. The first night bed bugs got to me. Olsen said we had the attendant strip the beds, wash the wooden frames, and replace the

When I returned to Kharagpur, I had some large bites around my waist. They were about the size of a quarter. Dr. Rounsaville said, “You picked up some bed

Doc gave me some new powder called “DDT”. Doc said, “Sprinkle this between t should kill them”. The bedbugs were now in my fart sack in

I would get up in the morning, and shake off the DDT dust. It was my first experience with DDT, but it took care of the bed bugs. We were using DDT aerosol

spray inside of our mosquito netting at night.

There was a French Restaurant just south of the Grand Hotel on Chowringhee Road that rench pastries. We would get these just before left Calcutta to bring to

here was Firpo’s Greek Restaurant, nearby where we could eat.

Firpo’s

id in Calcutta is eat and sightsee. At most of the restaurants wwater. We would have to drink bottled drinks or bottle

water. One of the restaurants where we ate was the New American Kitchen, 17 Some restaurants and casinos we could not use. Usually they had

signs on the door, “Off Limits”. If the M.P.’s (Military Police) caught anyone in an “Off s” area, we were subject to arrest. As we were not allowed to wear civilian clothes,

we had to do a lot of saluting of enlisted men. Some movie house had English movies. of my first experiences to go to a movie when we bought our ticket ahead

time for a certain day, seat, and time. Never before have I paid for a reserveAfter everyone was in the theater, the movie started. When it was over, everyone

It was then cleaned for the next movie. The cost of a movie at the Lighthouse Theater was 2 rupee and 4 annas (68 cents). Before the show started they always played “God Save The King”, and everyone stood. When I left the States, a movie started about

and ran continuous until about 11 pm. We could stay as long as we wish

Page 9

baths left something to be desired. The toilet was a hole in the floor you could squat in the concrete floor to indicate where your feet were

When you were finished, you needed to move before flushing. There was a washed the

The first night bed bugs got to me. Olsen said we had the attendant strip the beds, wash the wooden frames, and replace the

ur, I had some large bites around my waist. Dr. Rounsaville said, “You picked up some bed

Doc said, “Sprinkle this between The bedbugs were now in my fart sack in

I would get up in the morning, and shake off the DDT dust. It was my first We were using DDT aerosol

There was a French Restaurant just south of the Grand Hotel on Chowringhee Road that We would get these just before left Calcutta to bring to

ek Restaurant, nearby where we could eat.

At most of the restaurants we drinks or bottled

an Kitchen, 17 Usually they had

If the M.P.’s (Military Police) caught anyone in an “Off allowed to wear civilian clothes,

Some movie house had English movies. It of my first experiences to go to a movie when we bought our ticket ahead of

Never before have I paid for a reserved seat at a When it was over, everyone

the Lighthouse Before the show started they always played

When I left the States, a movie started about g as we wished.




In the middle of Calcutta, across the street from the Grand Hotel, was a city park. During the war, it had been turned into airfield. We could look out the hotel window and see a British Spitfire (single engine fighter plane) come in on the final approach for a landing. There were anti aircraft gun emplacements on the top of the Grand Hotel. So, technically we were on a three day rest leave, and were in a zone subject to a Jap air attack. It was hard to conceive the size of Calcutta. I doubt if it was known what the population was at any one time. We would see people sleeping in the doorways at night on Chowringhee Road (the main street). The next morning, we would see people who had died the night before, being picked up and loaded into trucks to be hauled away. Their relatives probably did not have enough money to bury them. There are so many religions, and each one of them had different ideas on how to handle their dead. Some believed they should take the dead to the roof top and let the vultures have them. The vultures were one of their disposal systems, and helped keep the country halfway clean. Most people did not believe in burying their dead. One of the most prevalent methods was the burning Ghats. It took a strong stomach to view this method. I did get drunk enough to see that ritual. It was an expensive burial method, because of the shortage of firewood. They normally used sandalwood, if they could afford it, because of its fragrant odor when it burned. A pyre was built in a rectangular arrangement. The body was wrapped in a white cloth which was then placed on the pyre.

Burning Ghat From the collection of Dr. Yates C. Smith

Normally rice was placed in the mouth. I was told this was to provide food for the soul when it went to heaven. The family was led by a priest, or a member of the family in a march around the pyre, chanting a prayer for the soul. After a certain length of time, the leader who was carrying a lighted torch would put the torch to the pyre. Usually the




body was consumed by the fire. Any remains were taken to the Hooghly River, very close by, and thrown in. There were other people using the Hooghly River to bath, wash clothes, provide their animals drinking water, and other purposes. It took a very strong stomach to see the complete ceremony. Norman Watkins, our navigator, who had seen it many times in his travels about the world, was our guide. One of the sights to see in Calcutta was the snake charmers. They operated right on the sidewalk of Chowringhee Road. Most of them had small baskets with a lid that contained a hooded cobra. They would take the lid off, and start playing on a flute made from bamboo cane. The cobra would come out to the tune of the music. After a little bit, he could pet the cobra on its head. I don’t know if the cobra had been defanged or not. It probably had been. One of the snake charmers stood up, and began to unwrap his loin cloth. It was a long piece of material, wrapped around his middle. He unwrapped enough to show he had nothing underneath his loin cloth. At that moment, he bought out a snake about 5 feet long. Where he had it, I don’t know, but it scared the hell out of us.

Snake charmer – Calcutta From the collection of Dr. Yates C. Smith

Another sight to see in Calcutta was a man with an orangutan. The orangutan had long orange hair. He was going to show us how he had trained the orangutan to smoke. He lit a cigarette and gave it to him. The orangutan held the cigarette by wrapping his little finger around it, and put it in his mouth. The only way he could draw on the cigarette was to take his thumb and his first finger to plug up his nostrils. After he inhaled, he would remove his two fingers, and then the orangutan blew the smoke out each nostril. As he had practically no nose, the smoke came right out of his head in two streams.




Norman Watkins took me to the “Red Light” district of Calcutta. The area was a very famous place to see, and was located on Acres Lane and Karaya Road, or also known as “Slit Alley”. These were large two story homes. There were women of all nationalities there. The famous madam on Karaya Road was “Margot”. It is not known what happened to Margot, but they say she is dead and buried in Calcutta beneath a tombstone that reads: “Here lies Margot in Sixteen Different Positions”. There was a saying about a medal called the “Calcutta DSM”. This did not refer to the “Calcutta Distinguish Service Medal”, but “Didn’t Screw Margot”. While we were there, a very large heavy set man came out of one of the rooms into the parlor. He asked me, “What are you doing here?” The last time I had seen him was at Gowen Army Air Field, Boise, ID. He was a civilian pilot for the Air Transport Command. He had flown in a liquor supply for the Gowen Field Officers Club. I happened to be the “Officer of the Day”, and met the plane. Now the second time I see him is in a Calcutta whorehouse, 12,000 miles away! Behind the Grand Hotel was a city block of shops, called the “Bazaar”. There were many things we could buy there, but the problem was getting them home. Many of the carving were of ivory, ebony, king ebony, sandalwood, and teakwood. There were many leather goods, and silver pieces. I had a pair of custom boots made there that are similar to Justin roapers for $20. On July 31st 1944 (Monday), I bought a Ghurka knife at Manton & Co., 13 Old Court House St., Calcutta, India. A Ghurka knife is about 18 inches long, with a slight hook in the blade. It was a knife the Ghurka soldiers carried. The Ghurka people are only about 5 feet tall. They were some of the best fighters the British Army used in Burma. It was said if a Ghurka fighter took his knife out of it scabbard, a Jap soldiers was just as good as dead. I paid 24 rupee and 6 annas of about $7.32.

Ghurka Knife

Dr. John Q. Rounsaville sold me the star sapphire ring he had bought in Cairo, Egypt for about $50. I mailed the ring in a package on July 5, 1944 (Wednesday) to Evelyn at Route 5, Box 138, Walnut Grove Road, Memphis, TN. The Post Office reported on Jan. 12, 1945 (Friday) they had found no trace of the ring. I just assumed it was detected by x-ray, and taken by someone in the Post Office. It was a beautiful star sapphire about the size of a large English pea.

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The Story of The “Billy Mitchell Group” 468 H-Bomb Group