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pg.58

parachutes floating about 1500 feet in the air from which dangled small figures. The chutes were spread out in a straight line along the runway spaced in groups of three. The chutes settled slowly to earth along the runway. A few minutes later a B-29 appeared, flying along the direction of the runway. Two more chutes blossomed out. The big plane hung in the air for a moment and went into a steep dive to the right. It swooped down behind a hill, there was a sharp burst of flame a quick pall of smoke, then nothing. I learned later that the plane had been unable to get its wheels down, that the crew had all bailed out successfully and that the plane had crashed into the water just off the beach. I thrust from my mind the thought of what would have happened if that plane ahd crashed into a tent area on the island.

There wasn't very much of anything during the next few days. It rained a little bit and we signed the payroll. Showers were built for the AACS area, directly across the road from my tent. In addition a wooden supply building was erected in the area and work is progressing on the transmission lines.

We were told that we'd have to build a wooden floor for our tent and we discussed ways and means to beg, borrow or steal (most likely the latter) the lumber and tools but we didn't do much about it.

A day room has been started. This area should be fairly well developed within the next few months. There