Taipei Air Station - 1966 - - - " What you have in the end are memories"......... Photo Courtesy of Richard Reesh.

Friday, September 30, 2011

US Military Police in Taiwan 1960 UPDATED: 20 August 2013

All branches of US military personnel worked together in Taiwan.  The common denominator for military police no matter where they were found was Military Police, MP's, although the Navy guys could often be seen with an SP arm band.

The bottom line, no matter what branch of the US military we served, police work was police work, irrespective of what insignia you wore on your uniform.

Here are the Military Police badges of the various services.


The US Army Military Police Badge. 

The US Air Force, seems they can't make up their mind, as seen below.

US Air Force police were known:

As Military Police (1942 - 1948)
As Air Police (1948 - 1966)
As Security Police (1966 - 1997)
As Security Forces (1997 - Present

I looked and looked and could not find a nice photo of a USAF Security Forces badge.


We often talk about the Marines, and they tried with this badge, but,  is it another piece of brass that needs polishing?  






I read up on the US Navy military police and it seems they have no specific branch for Military Police.  It appears to be more of an assignment when necessary.  Possibly some one could provide a better description on US Navy Military Police. Everyone knows Shore Patrol, but these folks apparently were only assigned this duty and it was not a specialty or career duty assignment.

UPDATE:  20 August 2013:

Rory O'Neil sent over a Navy Security Forces Badge, below.



 











Scott Ellinger found and purchased this1960 Military Police magazine on e-Bay which contained this article on Military Police work in Taiwan.  I believe you'll agree, the story centers on the Taipei area.

The Military Police Journal, seen below, shut down some time after 1960.   

This three page piece was the only article concerning Formosa or Taiwan that ever ran in the Military Police Journal or as it's now called,  "Military Police Bulletin," which now originates from the US Army Military Police Center for Training in Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. 

The time frame of the article is February 1960; we have been on the ground in Taiwan for about 9 years..


Click or double click on each story page. 
The article page will open again, and a small magnifying glass icon will appear.
Move your mouse to the icon and left click your mouse.
  The story print will enlarge, now it's easier to read and clearly see the enlarge the photos.




The fellows in the photographs above, if they are living, have to be at least 70 years old! I hope someone who worked with the MP's in 1960 in Taipei or anyplace on the island might let us know about those early days.  What stories they must have.

There were many "cops" assigned to Taiwan.  I am sure there are untold stories that need to get out.  Please write and we will get those stories out.

I have a story from an Air Force Staff Sergeant in Taiwan back in the early 1950s.  He writes about the early days of curfew violations, prostitution and black marketing.  Those were the "big, No No's" back in the day, and kept the MP's very busy.

I recently learned that the author of the story passed-on.  His wife told me to put his story up for all to read.  I'm working on it now, its quite lengthy.

Do you have one?

Please leave your comments below or e-mail me.

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

History of the US Air Force in Taiwan 1955 - 1956

8-22 June.       ROC Air Force and the Ministry of National Defense on 8 June 1955 and MAAG on 22 June 1955 approved the construction of a “Multi-purpose School and Task Force Support Extended Facilities,” provided that, Air Task Force Thirteen (P) would use the building.  
 (Ed. note:  Anyone know which building this was?)

16 June.           Colonel James C. Cochran assumed command of Formosa Air Base Group (Det 1, 6200 ABW) per ATF (P) General Order 2, 16 June 1955.

16 June.           A mess hall was opened in the Chinese Hostel with meals and prices comparable to a GI ration mess.  Meals were paid for in New Taiwan Dollars (NT).




16 June.   It was desirable to locate Hq ATF Thirteen (P) near the Joint Operations Center (JOC) and through Chinese Air Force General Wang’s efforts, the Combined Services Forces (CSF) and the Foreign Affairs Services Division (FASD), three small buildings about one mile from the JOC were placed temporarily at the disposal of ATF Thirteen (P).


   

Entrance to the original three buildings of ATF 13 (P) October 1955

24 June.           Det 2, Seventh Air Force, Taipei, Taiwan was discontinued.

25 June.           USAF was granted permission by Major General T.T. Teng, Chief, FASD, CAF, to utilize a designated and then occupied piece of ground 65’ x 80’ square within the property of the Chinese Department of Agriculture for communication equipment.  No monetary consideration was given.

28 June.           Joint Operations Center (JOC) duty section of ATF 13 (P) commenced operations.

29 June.           ATF 13 (P) was granted authority by Thirteenth AF to reassign personnel below the grade of Colonel within the limits of its command.

July.                A Chinese government building was obtained for use as a hostel.  It had been used as an Interpreter Training School for Chinese.  It was located on Hsin Yi Road, some two miles from the Headquarters ATF 13 (P) building.  Everyone used the mess hall near the Hq ATF 13 (P) building.  6x6 trucks were used to transport men, when they were available.



July.  Two C-47 aircraft, numbers 5930 and 5867, were assigned to ATF 13 (P) for proficient training of assigned flying personnel.  Aircraft operated from Taipei International Airport.







This could be one of C-47s assigned to MAAG in July 1955.

July – August. The 67th FBS was deployed to Chiayi AB.

1 July.            Thirteenth Air Force Regulation 23-1 fully defined the mission of ATF 13 (P) which included maintaining assigned or attached forces and facilities in a state of readiness permitting immediate offensive and defensive tactical operations in the defense of Taiwan and Penghu, and capable of independent action if separated from Hq Thirteenth Air Force; operational control of all USAF units staging in Taiwan and close coordination with MAAG Taiwan, and other military and US Government agencies on Taiwan.

1 July.             67th FBS deployed to Chiayi AB.

1 July.             Elements of 80th FBS were deployed to Chiayi.

9 July.             Main portion of ATF 13 (P) moved into the airmen’s barracks which were adjacent to the old headquarters.

9-17 July.        From the activation of ATF 13 (P) the Intelligence Section had only one desk and one chair for five persons on duty in their office.  By 17 July, this had improved to three desks, one mess hall table, one crate used as a desk and nine chairs.




11 July.  The Office of Comptroller was organized with six personnel and space for only three.  

 Prior to this, personnel had been assigned to the finance office in the MAAG area.  





The MAAG Building is on the right side of this photo, red color roof. Photo courtesy of Alice Winans.

22 July.           Commander, ATF 13 (P) assumed operational control of the personnel of MAAG Air Force Section (Formosa) who were involved in aircraft control and warning systems and the JOC, since their principal function was operational and came under ATF 13 (P) control. 

28 July.           Work commenced in the ATF 13 (P) area compound.

August .           Lt Col Charles A. Harris was assigned as Information Officer of ATF 13 (P)
 


10 August.   The first Commander's Call for airmen was held this date at ATF 13 (P) headquarters.

17 August.      A two chair barber shop was opened in the wash room of the former airmen’s barracks to provide minimum sanitary precautions.   

This month also saw the opening of a branch of the MAAG Exchange.   

This saved the 10 mile round-trip for small items and cigarettes personnel had been making in the past.




Headquarters, Air Task Force Thirteen (Provisional) 
2 September.   18th FBW, 44th FBS and 17th FBS deployed to Taoyuan AB.

2 September.   12th FBS was deployed to Tainan AB.

19 September. ATF 13 (P) participated in EXERCISE BROWN COW 2-55.

20 September. 15th TRS deployed to Taoyuan AB.

25 September. ATF 13 (P) participated in EXERCISE ACEY DEUCEY 3-55.

October – November. 12th FBS was deployed to Tainan AB.

1 November.   Formosa Liaison Center (FLC) was reorganized as the United States Taiwan Defense Command (USTDC).

1 November.   The Formosa Air Base Group was redesignated as the Taiwan Air Base Group by Thirteenth Air Force General Order 61, dated 14 November 1955.

3 November.   CINCPAC in message 0303372 Nov 55 granted USTDC the authority to establish a Class I Troop Supply System and Commissary to issue subsistence to US Army, Navy and Air Force activities and to make sales to authorized personnel.

25 November. Taiwan Base Command was established by MAAG to provide centralized services on an island-wide basis for many services which had not been provided in the past.

1 December.   311th FBS deployed to Tainan AB.

December.      A total of five BLUE SKY EXERCISES were conducted from 1 June through the month of December.

1 December.   The Headquarters Commandant Section, Taiwan Air Base Group, was abolished and was replaced by Headquarters Squadron Section, per Det 1, 6200 Air Base Wind General Order 4, dated 1 December 1955.

16 December. Operations Plan 1-56 (called the Rochester Plan) was issued for ATF 13 (P).

1956

January – December.  The following united deployed aircraft to Taiwan:  
                                   
                                    Dec 55 – Jan 56          311th Fighter Bomber Sq to Chiayi AB.
                                    Feb – Mar                   310th Fighter Bomber Sq
                                    3 Mar – 2 Apr             26th Fighter Interceptor Sq
                                    Apr – May                  69th Fighter Bomber Sq
                                    Jun – Jul                      311th Fighter Bomber Sq
                                    Aug – Sep                   310th Fighter Bomber Sq to Chiayi AB
                                    Oct – Nov                   69th Fighter Bomber Sq
                                    Nov                             336th Fighter Day Sq to Tainan AB
                                    Dec 56 – Feb 57          311th Fighter Bomber Sq

January.          New buildings for ATF 13 (P) were completed and the units moved into them.  Delay in the building program was caused by having to drain the area. It had been used as an experimental rice paddies area under the Testing Bureau of the Chinese Department of Agriculture.




Front gate on lane off from Roosevelt Road

Newly constructed compound  

Taipei Air Station

Headquarters Air Task Force Thirteen (Provisional)

1 January.       The Tactical Materiel Control Center (TMCC) of ATF 13 (P) was organized to take over the activities previously performed by Det 1, Southern Air Materiel Area, and Philippines.  The main function was primarily to support project STRONG BOX, a Fifth Air Force project on Taiwan.  Det 1 at Taoyuan. Det 2 at Chiayi and Det 3 at Tainan were established this same date to give support to rotating units. 













Signage pointing to ATF 13 (P) Compound

February – March.      310th FBS was deployed to Tainan on WILD DUCK DELTA exercise.

March.            The buildings at Chiayi Air Base were rehabilitated.  A water line and filter system was installed.

March.            ATF 13 (P) requested and received permission from the Chinese Air Force to replace the tents in use at Tainan AB with more suitable quarters.

3 March – 2 April.      26th FIS was deployed to Tainan AB.

14 – 15 March.  ATF 13 (P) participated in exercise WHISKEY SOUR with the Chinese Air Force.

3 – 4 April.     ATF 13(P) participated in a CPX exercise CHIEF MIKE.

3 April.           Agreement was signed between USG and GRC to establish procedures for the disposition of grant materials and equipment. (MAAG)  (TIAS 3571)

4 April.           The “Official Opening” of the Air Task Force Thirteen (Provisional) new compound took place and was attended by high ranking Chinese officers including General Wang Shu-ming, Commanding General, Chinese Air Force.  General Wang presented a key to Brigadier General Benjamin O. Davis, Jr.. Commander, Air Task Force Thirteen (Provisional), a symbol of turning over of the compound to the US Air Force. 

Raising flags of the Republic of China and the United States on 4 April 1956.
Ceremonies as new compound (Taipei Air Station) was turned over the US Air Force.


Left front: General Wang Shu-ming, Commanding General Chinese Air Force, 
standing next, Brigadier General Benjamin O. Davis Jr., USAF.   
Others in attendance included Lt Gen Huang Jen-lin, Maj Gen Loh Ying-the, Maj Gen Chen Chia-shang.


General Wang and Brigadier General Davis inspect USAF personnel on 4 April 1956.

 General Wang hands ceremonial “Key” for new compound to Brigadier General Davis.

Headquarters, Air Task Force 13 (Provisional) 
To be Continued.

Please take a minute to write to me if you have information I have not included during this time period or you find a mistake.  

I am most happy to receive your e-mail.  Quick link to me  HERE

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Revisiting Taipei Main Station Area

Clarence Spohn, who was stationed at CCK, sent me a group of photographs he took while visiting Taipei in April or May of 1969.  





Taipei Main Station at the far end of this photograph.

Taken from the steps of Taipei New Park Museum.  

Read more about the park and it's new name HERE.



  


The same photo composition today.


 











Taipei Main Station as it looked in 1969. 
If you lived in Taipei, you passed by the station often.

This road was one of the main streets we took to the US Embassy, to Ximending movie houses and shopping, the First Department Store, The Sugar Building, Haggler's Row.

Taken from a walkway overpass looking east.

Taipei Main Station is directly to the left of the fountain on the left.

The NEW Taipei Main Station was constructed east of the old station.

Most of the buildings you see on the left side of this photo are gone.























Looking west from the overpass.

In the center far end is the old North Gate.

Just behind the gate begins Hagglers Row.
If you would like, I took a video last year that walks by the gate and post office, look HERE.

The old post office about 6 stories high is the last building on the left side of this street.

All of the buildings you see on the right of this photo are gone today.






Taken from the overpass just before the North Gate.

The old Taipei Post Office is just to the left, unseen in this photo.

























North Gate and some of the business shops and the north end of Haggler's Row.

The old shops at the left are gone today.





Saturday, September 24, 2011

History of the US Air Force in Taiwan 1950 - 1955

We are launching a series of posts on the United States Air Force in Taiwan.

The US Air Force had the largest number of members assigned on the island and their responsibilities no doubt were some of  the most varied. 

These posts will record, by approximate date, significant events as they occurred in the US Air Force area of responsibility on Taiwan from the beginning in 1950 through 1969.  Mr. Terry Sherwood,  the Public Affairs/History Officer at Taipei Air Station produced this document before he returned to the US in 1970. I have taken the liberty of adding a few photos, minor clarification of some sentences and have added external links to his work.

All U.S. Military personnel were intertwined throughout the island, each interacted with others to form a combined operation to protect Taiwan.  Most of the events documented pertain to the US Air Force Headquarters at Taipei Air Station and it’s subordinate units throughout Taiwan.

We begin….

US Military advisors had first arrived in Taiwan with the Chinese forces from the mainland.

1950

27 June.           US President Truman ordered the US Seventh Fleet to prevent a Communist attack on   Taiwan and asked the Government of the Republic of China (GRC) to cease air and sea operations against the Chinese mainland.

31 July-1August    General Douglas MacArthur arrived in Taipei to confer with President Chiang Kai-shek on Taiwan defense.  

Wouldn't it be interesting to know what these men discussed?
MacArthur was some General.

1951

January to June
The Foreign Affairs Service Department (FASD) was established as the GRC agency to administer support to the Military Assistance Advisory Group (MAAG) only.  During this time, MAAG was the only US Military unit on Taiwan.

30 January and 9 February. 
An interchange of notes between the GRC and the US,  known as “The Military Assistance Agreement” in which the GRC agreed to furnish adequate facilities required for, and to grant diplomatic privileges to personnel of the US involved in US observation of progress and control of military assistance furnished by the United States Government (USG) to GRC. (MAAG) (TIAS 2293

1 May.             US Major General William C. Chase arrived in Taipei as the first Chief of the Military Assistance Advisory Group (MAAG) in Taiwan.

29 December 1951 and 2 January 1952.
                        Agreement between USG and GRC confirmed the understanding of the two governments on effective utilization of economic and military aid provided by the USG.  (MAAG) (TIAS 2604)

1952

23 October and 1 November.
                        Diplomatic notes, commonly referred to as the “MAAG Agreement,” the GRC granted specific privileges, exemptions, immunities and “free” services both to MAAG as an activity and to the members of MAAG as individuals. (MAAG) (2712)


1953
                       
2 April.

Karl L. Rankin became the American Ambassador to the Republic of China.







1954

23 September. Chou En-lai, Communist China’s Premier stated: “It is imperative to liberate Taiwan and liquidate the traitorous Chiang Kai-shek group.”  The communists then raided the island of Kinmen (Quemoy) with a small force.

30 September. The US Seventy Fleet made a show of military strength in the Taiwan Straits.

2 December.   A Mutual Defense Treaty was signed in Washington DC between the Republic of China and the United States.  In Article VII. of the Mutual Defense Treaty between the ROC and US, the GRC grants the US the right to station US military forces in and about Taiwan and Penghus’ as are mutually agreed to be required for the defense off that real estate.  This agreement includes no provision for the GRC to furnish logistical support to these units or to individuals of these units.

10 December  Notes were exchanged between the USG and GRC on Taiwan Defense.

1955

25 January.     Air Task Force Five (Taiwan) was activated with Brigadier General Harold W. Grant as Commander.

26 January.     The US House of Representatives approved a resolution authorizing President Eisenhower to employ American Armed Forces to defend Taiwan, the Pescadores and “related positions and territories.”

27 January.     A 67th FBS F-86 aircraft crashed five miles west of Chiayi AB after running out of fuel.

27 January.     The 44th FS was deployed from Clark AB to Taoyuan AB per Fifth AF OPLAN 5A-55.  MOTHER HUBBARD Exercise.  67th FBS F-86th aircraft went to Chiayi AB and 12th FBS went to Tainan AB, these units were from Okinawa.

  
29 January.     President Eisenhower signed the Taiwan Defense Resolution, passed by the US Congress.

2 – 14 February.
                        Interchange of notes between the GRC and the US in which the GRC extended the “MAAG Agreement” (see 1 November 1952) to all members of the non-MAAG US Armed Forces on duty on Taiwan and the Penghus’.

5 February.     An F-86 aircraft of 44th FBS collided with a GRC T-33 aircraft west of Taoyuan AB.

7 February.     Ikiangshan, northernmost island of the Tachen group, was attacked by the Chinese Communists and fell.  The US Seventh Fleet helped evacuate some 38,000 civilian and military personnel from these islands to Taiwan.

9 February.     F-86 aircraft of the 16th FBW flew their first mission with the CAF.

17 February.   The 69th FBS was deployed from Clark AB to Chiayi AB per Fifth AF OPLAN 3-55, Exercise MOTHER HUBBARD.

3 March.         GRC and US exchanged instruments of ratification of the Sino

4 March.         310th FBS deployed to Chiayi.


11 March.       In order to implement the Mutual Defense Treaty between the US and GRC (United States-Republic of China) on 2 December 1954, a conference was held on 11 March 1955 aboard the USS Rochester.  As a result of this conference and later conferences, the Formosa Liaison Center (FLC) was revived and reorganized as the U.S. Formosa Command on 25 April 1955 under the command of Vice Admiral A.M. Pride, US Navy. Brigadier General Harold W. Grant was relieved of his duties as Deputy Commander, Fifth Air Force and Commander, Air Task Force Five (P) and was appointed Deputy Commander.  The title Formosa Liaison Center remained in use until 1 November 1955 when the command became know as the US Taiwan Defense Command (USTDC).

13 March.       US Secretary of State, John Foster Dulles said, “If a Communist attack against Kinmen and Matsu were deemed part of an attack against Taiwan, the United States would move, under the Sino-American Mutual Defense Treaty, to protect the island and would no longer have reason to restrain the Republic of China from retaliating.”

19 March.       311 FBS deployed to Chiayi AB.

 
23 March.       Brigadier General Benjamin O. Davis Jr., Deputy for Operations, Far East Air Force (FEAF), and others briefed Thirteenth Air Force representatives on the proposed activation and manning of the new task force for Taiwan.

3 April.           16th FIS deployed to Chiayi AB.

21 April.         Detachment 2. Seventh Air Force was organized as a subordinate command of Seventh Air Force at Taipei to prepare for Air Force participation in the defense of Taiwan.

28 April.         25th FIS deployed to Chiayi AB.

8 May.             Due to a revised Command set-up in Taiwan which CINPAC undertook, Far East Air Force, in message VC 4935 recommended that Thirteenth Air Force assume control of Formosa (Taiwan) from Fifth Air Force.

12 May.           Brigadier General Benjamin O. Davis, in an interview with a historical writer stated that up this date the Air Force had not contemplated the establishment of an Air Force unit on Taiwan… However, within three months Air Task Force Thirteen (Provisional) had been established.  

22 May            Personnel were taken from the Air Base Squadron at Clark AB, Philippines and began moving to Lin Kou, Taiwan to form the 6209th Air Base Squadron.

24 May            6209th Air Base Squadron was activated at Shu Lin Kou Airstrip, also call Nan Szu Pu Airfield, more commonly called Lin Kou.  It consisted of 40 acres situated on a plateau 18 miles from Taipei, Taiwan.  The squadron was activated per Thirteenth Air Force General Order 22, 16 May 1955 as a support unit for Detachment 1, 6925th Radio Group, Mobile, and was assigned to Air Task Force Thirteen (P).

28 May            Thirteenth Air Force Representatives were given a summary of the situation on Taiwan by USTDC prior to them assuming responsibilities for its Air Defense.

June                 Governor C.E. Yen of the Taiwan Provincial Government granted General Wang the authority to use approximately six acres of land near the Joint Operations Center (JOC) to be used for Headquarters Air Task Force Thirteen (Provisional). (Editors Note:  This was the property on which Taipei Air Station sat.)

June                 First enlisted men assigned to Air Task Force Thirteen (P) were housed in one of three small building provided by the Chinese Foreign Affairs Service Division.  Due to overcrowding, double-decker beds had to be used.   Most men came from a colder climate with winter uniforms and no facilities were available to get summer outfits.  Temperatures in Taipei were 90 to 95 degrees and spending a sweltering night in a double-decker bed did not add to the comfort of their existence.  

1 June              Thirteenth Air Force assumed responsibilities for Air Force personnel assigned to Formosa from Fifth Air Force.

1 June              Detachment 1, Thirteenth Air Forces was designated and organized under FEAF Table of Organization (T/O) Unit Manning Document at Taipei, Formosa and assigned to Thirteenth Air Force with a strength of 38 Offices and 31 Airmen per Thirteenth General Order 27, 1 June 1955.  This unit was know as Headquarters, Air Task Force Thirteen, Provisional (Hq, ATF Thirteen (Prov)).  This same general order also designated and organized Detachment 1, 6200th Air Base Wing with 33 Officers and 145 Airmen and was know as the Formosa Air Base Group, Provisional, to support ATF Thirteen (Prov) and its attached units.  Also, Detachment 1, 14th Communications Squadron with 5 Officers and 120 Airmen was activated and was known as the Formosa Communications Squadron (Prov),  Detachment 1, 14th Communications Squadron (COMMRON) was changed to Det 2, 14th Comm Sq by Thirteenth AF General Order 28, 6 June 1955.

1 June              Detachment 1 (P), Headquarters Manila Air Force Depot was organized at Taipei to furnish logistical support to US Air Force (USAF) forces on Taiwan.

2 June              Air Task Force Five (P) Taiwan was inactivated.  It was replaced by Air Task Force Thirteen (P).

6 June              16th Fighter Interceptor Squadron deployed to Chiayi Air Base.
13 June      

Brigadier General Benjamin O. Davis Jr. assumed command of Headquarters, Air Task Force Thirteen (P) per ATF 13 (P) General Order 1 dated 13 June 1955.  He was assigned to Thirteenth Air Force as Vice Commander with duty station Taipei, Taiwan per USAF Special Order 107 dated 2 June 1955.

 To read more about General Davis and his assignment at Taipei Air Station go HERE.






To be Continued:



Please take a minute to write to me if you have information I have not included during this time period or you find a mistake.  I am most happy to receive your e-mail.  Quick link to me  HERE


Friday, September 23, 2011

A Young Man Remembers Tsoying and Kaohsiung

Hans Gerstacker, a youngster in 1966, accompanied his father and family to Tsoying Naval Base. 

He writes about some of his experiences of growing up in the south of Taiwan.

Hans' story begins here.

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

First F-84 Thunderjet Aircraft Arrive in Taiwan


 Photograph  courtesy of Rob at Stellar-Views.

2 July 1953 -  In this photo, the first shipment of Republic F-84 Thunderjets, in route to the
Nationalist Government of the Republic of China on Formosa is being delivered by the
U.S. Air Force. These were the first jet-type aircraft to be delivered under the U.S. Mutual Defense Assistance Program, photographed flying over Okinawa, destined for the island of Formosa. 



A friend, Mr. Wang, recently wrote,  pointing a June 1953 Taiwan newsreel which captured the ceremony in which U.S. authorities turned over a number of F-84 aircraft to the ROCAF government.

This film is dated 16 June 1953, in less than 2 years, it will be 60 years old. 

The newsreel audio, in Chinese, was roughly translated by Mr. Wang:

Of all democratic countries that are anti-Communist and anti-Russia, Free China is a strongest base in South East Asia. While we're preparing retaking Mainland China, Taiwan's position is getting more and more important.

Under such circumstances and ambiance, jet fighters from American Military aid arrived at Free China again.

In the Reception Ceremony, Chief of the General Staff Jou Ji Zoe (周至柔、 Commander of Air Force Wang Shu Ming (王叔銘)、 US Embassy charge d'affaires ad interim Mr. Howard P. Jones, who has a formal official Chinese name 鐘華德(Jorn Hwa De)he's the man with the bow tie, and Commander of MAAG William C. Chase ( 蔡斯)took turns to deliver speech. All together they celebrated this event.

We believe The Republic of China and The United Stated of America will cooperate further more to defeat our enemy in common.

In air field, General Jou in full pilot outfit stepped in the cockpit first. US Embassy charge d'affaires ad interim Mr. Howard P. Jones (鐘華德) didn't want to be put aside and he also wanted to have a taste of flying high in the sky.

One after another, jet fighters took off rapidly. They were so fast that you didn't even take a good look at them and they flew away in front of you.

We believe one of these days we will see these jet fighters in action over Mainland China's airspace and let the enemy see how powerful we Chinese Air Force are.

Here's is the video which was filmed at Tainan Air Station.







First MAAG Chief,  Major General William C. Chase, 
at Taoyuan Air Base 1 May 1951 walking beside 
General Kwei Yung-ching (桂永清)


Read about General Chase, MAAG Taiwan Chief  HERE











Sunday, September 4, 2011

Mid-Autumn Festival Next Weekend

Next Monday, 12 September 2011, Taiwan celebrates Mid-Autumn Festival. 

Some folks may remember the celebration as the Lantern Festival or Mooncake Festival.

Mid-Autumn Festival is held on the 15th day of the eighth month in the Chinese Calendar, which is in September or early October in the Gregorian calendar.

I remember as a kid, there was some kind of celebration on the night of the Harvest Moon.  That beautiful full moon lifting into the night sky always brought a WOW feeling when you realized how large it was.

The date parallels the autumn equinox of the solar calendar, when the moon is at its fullest and roundest. The traditional food of this festival is the mooncake, of which there are many different varieties.

Beginning in the 1980s, folks in Taiwan began to barbecue meat outdoors during the Mid-Autumn Festival, and it has become a widespread way to celebrate the holiday with families.  It is my understanding that the smell of BBQ permeates the air for two or three days during the holiday celebration.

I heard a story of how BBQ and the Mid Autumn Festival began.  Seems a soy sauce company ran advertisements promoting a new soy based BBQ sauce.  In the ad, they were barbecuing meat outside and watching the New Full Moon rise.  The sauce caught on and today, BBQ is a part of many family celebrations.

This afternoon I dropped by a local bakery to sample a few of their freshly baked "Mooncakes." 

They had quite a nice selection of freshly baked cakes.  This was in contrast to non-bakery stores which offer cartons of cakes, containing 10 to 12 individually wrapped cakes.   A carton of cakes was too many for me, so I went directly to the bakery to choose fresh cakes with the fillings I wanted.

Here are the cakes I purchased. The bakery offered  a number of tasty fillings in the traditional square shaped cake, as seen in the upper left of this photo.


My cakes and their fillings. 

Top left - Lotus seed.  Top right - Red bean with egg.  Center - Green bean.
How ever you might celebrate autumn, I hope you have a chance to experience a Mooncake.

Ummmm.....