Personal Narrative Manuscript/Mixed Material Audio Recording Robert H. Haines Collection
Veterans History Project Service Summary:
- War or Conflict: World War, 1939-1945
- Branch of Service: Army Air Forces/Corps
- Unit of Service: 14th Armored Division; 14th Air Force
- Location of Service: Arkansas; Kentucky; Burma; China; Tennessee; China-Burma-India (CBI) Theater
- Highest Rank: Captain
- Collection Number: AFC/2001/001/7535
Although his first assignment during World War II was with the Armored Force, Robert Haines eventually found himself in China with the Army Air Force as a communications officer. Due to the limited number of U.S. forces serving in the China-Burma-India Theater, Haines spent much of his time with British, Indian, and Chinese troops. He offers colorful accounts of the British habits and mores, including their affection for Scotch, and was also a keen observer of the dire poverty in China and the toll that war and the Japanese occupation had taken.
Robert H. Haines Collection
Interview / Recording
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PlayTraining in ground-to-air communication in Meridian, MS, by the British, who had perfected the technique; nephew of Baden Powell among his instructors. 00:17:45.2 - 00:19:47.0
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PlayTraining included flying in numerous aircraft and a hyperbaric chamber, so that they could understand what it was like for the pilots they were communicating with. 00:20:06.6 - 00:22:32.9
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PlayAssuming that his training and French language background would mean assignment in Europe; he went to China instead. 00:22:42.1 - 00:23:32.0
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PlayAs the only unattached officer, Haines was put in charge of the USO troop and the Red Cross nurses who were on the same ship; despite severe restrictions, fraternization still took place. 00:25:11.9 - 00:27:00.5
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PlayIn Bombay, going to a party hosted by actor Melvyn Douglas, then a captain. 00:27:14.2 - 00:28:15.2
More Resources
Robert H. Haines Collection
Interview / Recording
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PlayMuch of Haines's time in India spent with a mixture of British and Indian troops. 00:00:27.6 - 00:03:24.6
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PlayShortages in China meant little to eat; sharing his malaria tablets with a sick Chinese child. 00:06:27.9 - 00:08:48.2
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PlayObserving that the Chinese placed a different value on life. 00:11:50.4 - 00:12:42.9
Robert H. Haines Collection
Interview / Recording
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About this Item
Title
- Robert H. Haines Collection
Names
- Klion, Janet T.
- Greenwich Library Oral History Project
- Haines, Robert H.
Home State
- New York (State)
Headings
- - Haines, Robert H.
- - World War, 1939-1945 -- Personal Narratives
- - United States. Army Air Forces/Corps.
Repository
- Veterans History Project, American Folklife Center, Library of Congress
Gender
- Male
Status
- veteran
Service History
-
World War, 1939-1945
- Branch of Service: Army Air Forces/Corps
- Unit of Service: 14th Armored Division; 14th Air Force
- Location of Service: Arkansas; Kentucky; Burma; China; Tennessee; China-Burma-India (CBI) Theater
- Highest Rank: Captain
- Dates of Service: 1941-1946
- Military Status: veteran
Materials
- Audio: Audio Cassette [2 items] -- Oral history interview (collected 2003)
- Audio: Audio Cassette [2 items] -- Reference copy (collected 2007-01-04; 2007-01-04)
Collection Number
- AFC/2001/001/7535
Cite as
- Robert H. Haines Collection (AFC/2001/001/7535), Veterans History Project, American Folklife Center, Library of Congress
Online Format
- audio