Bauer, Harold, LtCol

July 17
Had quite a talk with the Admiral and his chief of staff-now Capt. Gardner. We interchanged a lot of information of great concern to both of us. Had an awful time getting the Duck started since the starter was stuck. We drifted about a mile down stream and were finally rescued by a whale boat. It took us an hour and a half to get it fixed and barely made it back to Efate' before dark. Col. Johnson was here to meet me with the information that Gen. Rose had gone to Santo to look into the runway situation and was to stay there awhile. We dedicated the recreation hall tonite with a band concert as the main attraction.
July 18
Took a fighter up to Santos this a.m. to check the work on the runway up there. The new alignment will be O.K., altho not perfect.
July 19
Beanie & I flew over to Tontouta today in 2 wildcats. Stout and I started back and had difficulty due to water in our gas. We returned to Tontouta after getting 75 miles out. Got to see John Hart, Fog Hayes, Soupy Campbell, & others that I knew. They are a well equipped squadron and it may be that we will eventually get tied up with them. 2 B-26's brought 4 P-39's over from New Caledonia and took 3 of our fighters back. Our boys are to give their boys the dope.
July 20
Stout and I flew back from Tontouta today. It was mighty closed in around here when we arrived giving me a few uneasy moments. A Lockheed Hudson flew in from the Figi Islands today to look the place over. They took off right away for their return trip. They liked the field very much--using 2500' for landing and 2000' for takeoff. The 4 Army pilots got their first gunnery flights off today. We have had about 5 days of continuous spasmadic rains. Was called to another conference with the General concerning some of the aviation construction problems. Was ordered by dispatch from ComAirSouPac to make the final reconnaissance of Santa Cruz. Started to go by boat to Santo but due to a mine reported adrift we couldn't go.
July 21
Got up bright and early, climbed aboard a PBY and went to Santo. The pilot, a (j.g.) named Chase, was the one who spotted the Jap Striking Force at Midway. We shifted to another PBY at Santo and cruised on up to Santa Cruz. We looked and we searched and could only find one possible location. Murphy, the pilot, (and, incidently, the one who flew Walt Baylor out of Wake) tried to make a landing so we could reconnoitre on foot, but he hit so hard the first attempt that he knocked a few rivets out of the hull. We came back without landing there and had to make a night landing here at Havannah Harbor. We hadn't had anything to eat all day, (10 1/2 hrs. flying) so we took on a few flapjacks and turned in.
July 22
I had Chick bring the Duck up to Havannah Harbor to pick up Cmdr. Hepburn and I. We took him to the field then departed for a reconnaissance of the Torres Group. We found absolutely nothing there in the way of a possible Fighter strip. We landed at Santo for refueling and in the mean time had a look at the new field. It is coming along quite rapidly but I don't see how they could have it finished by the 28th. We got back to Roses at 1400 which gave me a total of more than 16 hours flying in two days. And was I tired?!
July 23
The first B-17 came in today. He liked the field very much but said the approach was difficult for a B-17. Gen. Rose and myself flew up to look at the field at Buttons in the B-17. The pilot told us to be ready for 9 of them either tomorrow or the day following. John Hart came over this evening from Tontouta to spend a couple of days.
July 24
We took Hart to Santos in the Duck tgo give him a look at his future home. The work is progressing very rapidly up there and it is entirely possible that they may have it finished on schedule. Mrs. Bladinieres entertained the pilots with a nice little party tonite. We made a lot of arrangements for the 9 B-17's today but they didn't show up. Perhaps tomorrow.
July 25
7 B-17's flew in today from the Sneva area for a visit of a few weeks. Thay all seem very pleased with the field, quarters, and mess we have set up for them. Hart left us today but I presume we'll be seeing his entire squadron here in a few days stopping off on its way to Santos.
July 26
A B-17 from New Caledonia brought our 3 fighters over but fooled around town buying beer and whatnot until 4 p.m. before getting ready to leave so I refused to let our 3 fighters leave. They will go in the morning instead. We had quite a day of recreation and amusement, our first. Had a baseball game--officers vs. enlisted. The officers won it with ease. Then there were all sorts of races, such as: 3 legged, relay, leapfrog, wheelbarrow, etc. It wound up with a tug o' war and band concert. I would say that a very merry time was had by all.
July 27
Work is progressing very rapid on our huts. It will be only a matter of a few days until all hands are in out of the weather and mosquitos. The B-17's took a familiarization flight to the North. One escorted 3 of our fighters to Tontouta. This is getting like a big city Municipal airport all of a sudden.
July 28
Well--believe it or not--we landed the SNJ and 2 fighters at Santos today. It could have handled B-17's in an emergency but will be completed in about 2 more days. I flew the General in the SNJ so that he could say he was the first to land at Santos--the field which he is greatly responsible for.
July 29
General Rose and I landed the first plane (the SNJ) at Quoin Hill and then went with the first B-17 to land at Button. Rec'd the secret orders for the coming offensive.
July 30
7 of the B-17's from here went to Button to spend the night and make an attack on the Solomons early next a.m. 4 others came in here from Nandi and New Caledonia to do the same. Gasoline came so most of the night was utilized in hauling same. Looking back over the relatively short space of time that we have been here it is almost impossible to realize what has been accomplished. Two 6000' fields have been constructed suitable for any type aircraft besides the many little odds and ends in the way of facilities.
July 31
What was left of the B-17's here took off--refueled at Button and joined the group there for a raid on Guadalcanal. They all got back OK with no opposition other than poor antiaircraft. A total of 15 B-17's and 2 Hudsons spent the night here. There is to be another raid tomorrow. Gen. Harmon, AAC, came in for a visit. I was invited down to Gen. Rose's for a conference.