Tredyffrin Easttown Historical Society
History Quarterly Digital Archives

Source: 1945 Volume 6 Number 2, Pages 37–39

History of the Berwyn Obsevation Post : U.S. Army Air Forces Ground Observer Corps

F. Alfred Patton, chief observer

Page 37

When the U. S. Army wanted to conduct a series of tests for observation of planes in this area in October 1941, Mr. C. L. Reifsneider, of Berwyn, Pa., a member of American Legion Post No. 64,6 of Paoli, Pa., was appointed by Post Commander William Kohlmyer to arrange for this point of observation. The roof of the Berwyn High School was selected for this test, held October 9th to 16th from 6:00 A. M. to 6:00 P.M.

On December 9, 1941, orders came through for full-time observation. At 6:00 P.M. the Berwyn Post started twenty-four-hour observation. With no protection against the weather, and having to go down a long ladder to telephone messages, Mr. Reifsneider looked for a more desirable location. The Road Supervisors of Tredyffrin Township wore approached and they agreed to build a place on the roof of the Township Building on the Lancaster Turnpike, about half a mile southwest of the High School.

The Army was agreeable, and Mr. Walter Eves, Mr. Leighton and Mr. Waterworth, Road Supervisors, started work for the new observation point. They had a doorway cut through the south wall of the building, a stairway with a railing to the roof and a platform on the roof. A former traffic watch-box with windows on three sides and a door with glass was placed on this platform. A telephone and electric line were put in place, and on December 16th the Post officially opened at this point. Orientation marks which could be seen while telephoning were painted on the upper and lower roofs.

On December 19th, Mr. Reifsneider had to resign due to his connection with the Bell Telephone Company. I was approached as to taking over the duties of Chief Observer, which I agreed to do and resigned as an Observer on the Sugartown Post.

The first job was to complete the roster so that an observer would serve only once a week. With two people on a two-hour tour that would require 168 people. Several persons were on more than one tour, and Mrs. Franklin Wandless was on three times a week. Two Assistant Chief Observers were appointed: Mrs. Edith Reifsneider, who took care of the daytime observers, and Mr. William Armstrong, who handled the night-time tours. In placing people on a tour, friends, spare-time, type of work or business of the persons involved were considered, which in the end paid dividends, because at the time of de-action 90 of the original people were still included among the 157 people on a week's duty. The Fost was never without at least one observer on duty. The only difficulty encountered with manning it was during the months of February when colds kept people away.

Special Duty Officers were appointed with the idea of having someone always available in emergencies. They were assigned to be present at the Post for blackouts or the real thing; these officers were: Mr. C. L, Reifsneider, Mrs. E. W. Reifsneider, Mr. William Armstrong, Mr. F. J. McCorry, Mr. Edward Williams, Miss Helen Burwell; Recognition Officer: Mr. Robert Tice; Publicity Officer: Mrs. Charles Bradley, and the Chief Observer. With this group and two secretaries, Miss Jean Beaumont and Miss Virginia Warner, a meeting was held each month to review new directives and to discuss problems for the betterment of the Post.

Page 38

Heat was at first provided by electric heaters, which at best were inadequate, especially when a fuse would blow out in the night hours. An electric stove was available to make coffee for the "graveyard shifts". The electric bill of the Township was increased and the Township paid this. The telephone was an extension to the Township telephone. Later when a private telephone was necessary the American Legion Post paid for the installation, and the Township paid the bills for a few months. The Chester County Commissioners then paid the bills. Later the Army took over the telephone and reimbursed the Legion Post and the County Commissioners.

As was mentioned before, the booth with outside walk was the Observation Post. The winter wind was something to combat; sheets of plaster-board were placed around but the rain wrecked that. Large window-glass frames from a greenhouse were then used, and a fairly good windbreak enclosure was made. We weathered the first winter in fair shape.

A flag-pole was erected by the Berwyn Plumbing and Heating Company and a flag bought by the observers. Mr. Franklin Wandless node an appropriate weathervane, depicting two observers following a plane, and placed it on the roof.

During the summer of 1942 plans were discussed to improve conditions for the following winter if needed. Proposed changes were to enlarge the booth, provide a permanent enclosure with drop-sides and a radiator piped to the main steam line of the building, Mr. F. J. McCorry and Mr. Joseph Englebert collected from citizens and business men the same of $250 which covered expenses for changes other than the radiator. When the priority for the radiator did not come through, the Township Secretary, Mrs. Croasdale, made a special trip to New York and, after enlightening the board member there as to what the A.W.S. was, he personally completed the request. Strafford Hardware Company supplied the paint for the outside, and Mr. Norman Leamy, Jr., and Gilbert MacBeth did the painting. Inside paint was donated by the Berwyn Hardware Company, Mr. Casper Tollinger, and applied by Mr. Reifsneider; carpentry was done by Mr, Daniel LeFevre, The Township paid for the radiator installation. The north wall of the booth was closed in for a bulletin board. So when the winter of 1942 came on we were all set with larger space and real heat and every one was contented.

Mr. Robert Tice attended Recognition Classes for instructors in Philadelphia. After completion of this he arranged for enrollment of classes, from which 4.6 qualified for certificates, up to the deactivation in October 1943. Recognition Certificates were presented by Lieutenant Speake. On December 28, 1943, Mr. Tice entered the Army and Mr. Reifsneider became Recognition Officer.

Meetings of the entire group of observers were held with the Army whenever necessary to acquaint the observers with changes in reporting information and new directives.

When the Army distributed the Aircraft Warning Service arm-bands, the observers wore them while on duty. Later when the Wings of the same Service in the form of a pin were issued, the observers felt that they really were a part of the Army Air Forces. Nine observers received the Merit Medal for serving required number of hours in the work of the Observation Post.

Page 39

A red-flash message was reported on May 26, 1943, when a plane crashed during a rain storm two miles east of the Post at Devon.

Thirty-four former observers are in active service with the Armed Forces, and a service flag is displayed at the Post.

Further data includes: