As the cool October skies are filled with the familiar buzzing of vintage military aircraft in preparation for Midland's annual AirSho, people no doubt often wonder why Midland? Why is the Commemorative Air Force, with its treasure trove of historic aircraft, located in such a remote outpost?
History buffs need look no further than the fuel tank for that answer. Midland and the surrounding Permian Basin oilfields played an integral part in the allied forces' success in World War II, supplying much of the fuel that bolstered our efforts and lead the forces to victory
Closer to home, the Army Airfield that was headquartered where the CAF now stands today played a huge role in the history of Midland itself; many of the scores of people I've been privileged to interview for my book on MIdland's history mention the importance of the airfield. When World War II was over, many of the buildings were moved or parceled off and continued to house businesses, churches, etc., in the Tall City.
One source for "A History of Character: The Story of Midland, Texas" told me that he had read that the official British histories of both World War I and World War II open with the same sentence: "The allies floated to victory on a wave of Texas oil." No doubt much of that black gold came from right underneath us.
And by the way, if anyone can verify that the above statement is in fact the lead sentence in the British history accounts of the two wars, please drop me a note.
(Photo by John A. Weeks.)
History buffs need look no further than the fuel tank for that answer. Midland and the surrounding Permian Basin oilfields played an integral part in the allied forces' success in World War II, supplying much of the fuel that bolstered our efforts and lead the forces to victory
Closer to home, the Army Airfield that was headquartered where the CAF now stands today played a huge role in the history of Midland itself; many of the scores of people I've been privileged to interview for my book on MIdland's history mention the importance of the airfield. When World War II was over, many of the buildings were moved or parceled off and continued to house businesses, churches, etc., in the Tall City.
One source for "A History of Character: The Story of Midland, Texas" told me that he had read that the official British histories of both World War I and World War II open with the same sentence: "The allies floated to victory on a wave of Texas oil." No doubt much of that black gold came from right underneath us.
And by the way, if anyone can verify that the above statement is in fact the lead sentence in the British history accounts of the two wars, please drop me a note.
(Photo by John A. Weeks.)
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