One of the barracks mates I came to know very well was from Los Angeles. David L. Breatherton was a film editor who had worked for 20th Century Fox. Dave was an “L” Pilot. These were the people who flew the small single engine planes designed initially for liaison duties in the Army Air Corps before the start of WW II. As Gunners developed the need for training with actual bullets, a tower was constructed on an aerial Firing Range. The machine guns were installed in mockup positions to simulate the actual airplane's conformation.

A large canvas sleeve was designed to be trailed out behind the “L” Plane, and was flown in and around the training gunners. They would fire at their airborne target and the hits would be monitored by instructors with binoculars in their training tower.

Those of us who were seasoned flight crew members knew that the first requirement for an “L” Pilot was to be certified insane. These people flew their little aircraft similar to the manner in which yo-yo's were manipulated. For example: They would fly over the training tower and drag the airplane's wheels on it’s flat corrugated tin roofing. The ungodly noise inside would almost cause the new trainees to lose control of their bladders.

We all received a two week furlough during November of 1944. Upon returning to duty, the next several days of conversation were devoted to swapping tales of the activities and events of our time back home. Naturally, there had to be some stretching of the facts as each one of us attempted to outdo the others in describing the eating, drinking and love making enjoyed on furlough.

I'll always remember Dave's not gloating about his proof of performance and restoration of status among his flying mates. As a post script, David L. Bretherton won a coveted Oscar years later for his editing of the “Cabaret” motion picture starring Liza Minelli.