Ernie P.

My Feedback: (3)

That's a good answer, SimonCraig1; but not the one for which we seek. But to reward your diligence, I will say you are thinking on too large a scale. Also, this next clue will undoubtedly narrow your search. Thanks; Ernie P.


This man was not a pilot or part of an aircrew; but he is most assuredly part of aviation history.

Question: What warbird history maker do I describe?

Clues:

(1) He, and the group he led, accomplished something never done before.

(2) And, not done since.

(3) Something many thought couldn’t be done.

(4) And he may well have done it twice.

(5) He was a Colonel.

(6) He commanded a military unit.

(7) He taught his unit to accomplish its mission, and yet to survive under circumstances which were not normally conducive to survival.

(8) His unit was far more mobile than most similar units.

(9) In addition to teaching his unit to move and survive, he adopted new tactics which increased its effectiveness.

(10) After achieving his historic “first”, he remained an unknown; until some years later.

(11) Only after he retired, did his name become known.

(12) He had initially used an alias to escape publicity; or perhaps public knowledge might be a better term.

(13) Interestingly, after his retirement from military service, he worked as a baker in his home town.

(14) Units like his were not initially intended to be mobile; although he was not the first to use them in this manner.

(15) He trained his unit to be ready to move in little more than half the time normally required.

(16) He also trained them to better stay hidden, while preparing to move.

(17) Units similar to his, but which were less mobile and which stayed active in the same area for a longer time prior to movement, simply didn’t survive.