Col. Cornelius Walter "Connie" Cousland USAAF

[keith A]

Two questions.

After he was removed from command of 97th Bomb Group in 1942 was he sidelined? I notice that despite being just 42, and a proven pilot with a pre-war DFC he does not get promoted.

Also who was his deputy group commander in the 97th and was he removed at the same time?

best regards

Keith

[Leendert]

In a 97th BG narrative I found "on arrival in England, the Group Staff was composed of the following officers..."

Colonel Cornelius W. Cousland, Commanding
Lt. Colonel James H. Walsh, Executive
Major Stephen F. Haney, Adjutant
Captain James H. Felming (Fleming?), S-1
Captain Wendall R. Freeman, S-2
Lt. Colonel Pelham H. Glassford, Operations (=Pelham D. Glassford Jr.?)

The name of Walsh somehow appears as CO 97th BG between Cousland and Armstrong on several websites, He went to 12th Bomb Command (12th AF) in October 1942.

Came across the name of Cousland as assistant air attaché at the US Embassy in Madrid (from Oct 1943) and stateside base commander at some bomber training fields (1944-45).
Retired 31 March 1949.

Regards, Leendert

[kaki3152]

So, what was the cause for his removal?
BTW, here is the reason for his DFC
Awarded for actions during the Peace Time Awards

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to First Lieutenant (Air Corps) Cornelius Walter Cousland, U.S. Army Air Corps, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in an aerial flight while piloting a Douglas amphibian over the Panama Canal Zone, on 31 May 1934. When about 100 yards from the edge of Gatun Lake, at an altitude of approximately 1,400 feet, mechanical failure caused a portion of the right motor to penetrate the pilot's cockpit with such force that the copilot was fatally injured and fell across Lieutenant Cousland and the controls. The plane started to spin but Lieutenant Cousland, disregarding his own serious injuries from flying glass, ordered his passengers to retain their seats and by his courage, presence of mind, and complete mastery of the art of piloting, maneuvered the disabled aircraft to a safe landing on the surface of the stump-studded lake.
General Orders: War Department, General Orders No. 3 (1935)
Action Date: May 31, 1934

Quite a feat of heroic piloting. I was born in the now defunct Panama Canal Zone and I am familiar with Gatun Lake. For more information see https://dmairfield.org/people/cousland_cw/index.html

[keith A]

Thanks chaps.

The reason for his removal was that it was perceived the group was undisciplined and that the c.o. and his deputy were enjoying the hospitality of a rich local family rather than attending to duties. The final straw was the absence of the c.o. when the group was being visited by senior brass and King George VI.

best regards

Keith