In our continuing series about airfields built in the United States during World War 2, today we turn our attention to the fine state of Alabama. As you know by now, the war effort at home was of Herculean proportions, building training sites across this great country so as to prepare pilots and flight crews for the war abroad. Alabama was a busy state during 1941, so let’s take a look at all they did.
- Demopolis Army Airfield; now Demopolis Municipal Airport
- Courtland Army Airfield; now Muscle Shoals Auxiliary Field
- Craig Army Airfield; now Craig Field Airport
- Gunter Army Airfield; now Gunter Annex, a non-flying USAF facility
- Maxwell Army Airfield; now Maxwell Air Force Base
- Bates Army Airfield; now Mobile Regional Airport
- Decatur Field; now Pryor Field Regional Airport
- Anniston Army Airfield; now Selma Municipal Airport
- Furniss Auxiliary Field; now Henderson Auxiliary Field
- Molette Auxiliary Field; now Craig Air Force Base
And so many more! Imagine if you will the war effort in Alabama; now multiply this effort by forty-five other states and you will start to get a feeling for what was happening in this country while men were fighting in Europe and the Pacific. Hundreds of thousands of men and women preparing this country for a massive build-up of personnel and construction sites.
America was a sleeping giant prior to December 7, 1941. We were feeling secure in our liberty, but we really had not built up the military to alert status. Once Pearl Harbor was attacked that all changed. Take the leading industrial nation in the world and turn all efforts towards war preparation, and the sleeping giant awoke with startling quickness and purpose. The rest, as they say, is history.
At Aces High we love this stuff. We love the history; we love the cause and effect and seeing how the drama unfolded. We love giving tribute to the brave men and women who prepared and fought for this country.
Maybe that explains, in part, why Aces High rules the skies among other flight sim online games. Maybe that explains why for thirteen years, whenever someone thought about combat flight simulators, they have thought about Aces High.
If you have never played Aces High then today is as good a day as any. Sign up for the free download, then strap on your helmet and fly the skies with the best of the best. You won’t be disappointed.
