Souther Field - The Early Years (Southerfield)

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WARBIRDS NEWS

A VETERAN'S STORY: The British Gentleman and His Southern Belle

A work in progress, this site is an effort to preserve the history of Souther Field.

WWI - Souther Field - Americus, GA

You are invited to participate in the ongoing construction of this site if you have any material that would be appropriate. Also, if we have stated something incorrectly we would like to know.

You can contact us here.... email: jerry@jerrybattle.com

If you were trying to reach the website for Souther Field Aviation, Inc. click here.

Click here for a Souther Field article in General Aviation News.
Souther Field was named in memory of Henry J. Souther. Click here to learn more.

Click here for WWI Era Photos Courtesy of Mike Saliba
Click here for WWII Era British Cadet Photos Courtesy of Neal Wellons
Click here to help identify ladies that worked at Souther Field during WWII.
Souther Field Roster as of December 1, 1918
John H. Meierdierck, Lt. Col. USAF (Ret)

No 23 Squadron

Royal Air Force

Souther Field is the current location of South Georgia Technical College. Souther Field airport is adjacent.

The following was taken from The Americus Times Recorder...An excerpt from a speech given by retired State Senator George Hooks on February 8, 2013 to the Americus Kiwanis Cub.

"Souther Field. "The airport, now known as the Jimmy Carter Regional Airport," pointed out Hooks, "is not only where Lindbergh made his first solo flight and bought his first plane, it is the oldest, continually operated airport in the English-speaking world. There's not another (older) airport in North America or anywhere in Europe that speaks English. There's only one in France that equals Souther Field in age, 1916. Somebody in tourism, the City, County, the Chamber needs to play that up ... that would be a great tourist attraction. In my opinion, for these weekend fliers ... fly in and out of the oldest airport in the English-speaking world.""

Abbreviated History of Souther Field
In 1917, Americus submitted its bid to provide an aviation camp to train pilots for the U.S. Army. Americus was later named as a location for a training camp for pilots and the contract for the construction of Souther Field was let on February 7, 1918. Work was begun on February 19th. The contract was let on the basis of cost plus 10 percent to J. B. McCrary Co. of Atlanta, GA and the Hardaway Construction Co. of Columbus, GA.
In 1918, Souther Field gave more flying hours than any field in the entire country and had quarters for 2,000 cadets.
During the years just after WWI was over, there were a lot of surplus aircraft available for purchase. In 1923 Charles Lindbergh bought one of the planes still in a wooden box and assembled it with the help of some locals. He soon made his first solo flight and as they say, "the rest is history."
In 1929, Souther Field was purchased by Sumter County. But it was not until 1940 that reconstruction of the field began in preparation for a new cadet pilot school to train U.S. and British pilots. The training facility was operated by Graham Aviation. This continued through WWII.
In 1946, Sumter County again took possession of Souther Field for use as a civil airport to be operated by Graham Aviation and offering flying instruction to anyone.
In 1948, South Georgia Trade and Vocational School (now South Georgia Technical College) was established on the historical campus. Some ten years later the local airport facility was relocated to the East of the original location and retained the historical name. In 2009, local officials made a decision to change the name of the facility to the Jimmy Carter Regional Airport.

Army Air Corps song https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TgqeRzgMOfo

Mike is a local aviation historian, a friend and a contributor to this website. Click on the link below.

https://vimeo.com/user11289549/review/125277721/4311c7c879

The following articles are found in the South Georgia Historic Newspapers Archive and is presented online by the Digital Library of Georgia.

Click on the following link http://sgnewspapers.galileo.usg.edu/sgnewspapers/search to search for other information that may be contained in South Georgia Newspapers 1845 - 1923.

"Work on Aviation Camp Has Begun Americus Times-Recorder, Feb. 7, 1918 page 1 http://dlg.galileo.usg.edu/sgnewspapers/id:awr1918-0040

"Souther Field" Camp Site Named Americus Times-Recorder, Mar. 7, 1918 page 6 http://dlg.galileo.usg.edu/sgnewspapers/id:awr1918-0077

"Camp Activities for Aviation Boys Gets Early Start Americus Times-Recorder, Mar. 14, 1918 page 3 http://dlg.galileo.usg.edu/sgnewspapers/id:awr1918-0082

"Steel Hangers to be Erected at Flying Camp" Americus Times-Recorder, Mar. 28, 1918 page http://dlg.galileo.usg.edu/sgnewspapers/id:awr1918-0098

"Camp Activities for Aviation Boys Gets Early Start" Americus Times-Recorder, Mar. 28, 1918 page 9 http://dlg.galileo.usg.edu/sgnewspapers/id:awr1918-0082

"Ditching Machine Belonging to City Brings $10 a Day" Americus Times-Recorder, Mar. 28, 1918 page 8 http://dlg.galileo.usg.edu/sgnewspapers/id:awr1918-0103

"Flying Squadron is Expected Here in a Few Weeks" Americus Times-Recorder, Apr. 4, 1918 page 8 http://dlg.galileo.usg.edu/sgnewspapers/id:awr1918-0111

"High Marks Made by Dan Chappell - Americus Boy in the Aviation Service Completes His First Course and Goes to Another Camp" Americus Times-Recorder, Apr. 11, 1918 page 6 http://dlg.galileo.usg.edu/sgnewspapers/id:awr1918-0117

"This City Must Raise $2,500 to Be "Cleaned UP - Government Would Then Spend About Twenty Thousand Additional Making Americus Absolutely Sanitary" Americus Times-Recorder, Apr. 18, 1918 page 4 http://dlg.galileo.usg.edu/sgnewspapers/id:awr1918-0123

"Aviation People" ad for Ansley's Americus Times-Recorder, Apr. 18, 1918 page 8 http://dlg.galileo.usg.edu/sgnewspapers/id:awr1918-0127

"Great Parade for Americus Memorial Day" Americus Times-Recorder, Apr. 25, 1918 page 1 http://dlg.galileo.usg.edu/sgnewspapers/id:awr1918-0128

"Major Wash to be Commandant" Americus Times-Recorder, Apr. 25, 1918 page 4 http://dlg.galileo.usg.edu/sgnewspapers/id:awr1918-0131

"Swamps Will Be Drained by US Sanitary Forces" Americus Times-Recorder, May 2, 1918 page 1 http://dlg.galileo.usg.edu/sgnewspapers/id:awr1918-0131

"250 Students For Camp" Americus Times-Recorder, May 9, 1918 page 1 http://dlg.galileo.usg.edu/sgnewspapers/id:awr1918-0144

"Camp Will Obey All Food Rules Says Major Wash" Americus Times-Recorder, May 9, 1918 page 4 http://dlg.galileo.usg.edu/sgnewspapers/id:awr1918-0144

"City is Thrilled By Army Aviator" Americus Times-Recorder, May 9, 1918 page 7 http://dlg.galileo.usg.edu/sgnewspapers/id:awr1918-0150

"Cut Off" (Cut Off Community?) Americus Times-Recorder, May 9, 1918 page 7 http://dlg.galileo.usg.edu/sgnewspapers/id:awr1918-0150

"Order Is Issued About Screening" Americus Times-Recorder, May 16, 1918 page 1 http://dlg.galileo.usg.edu/sgnewspapers/id:awr1918-0152

"Military Ball To Be Held Saturday" Americus Times-Recorder, May 16, 1918 page 1 http://dlg.galileo.usg.edu/sgnewspapers/id:awr1918-0152

"Landing Stations In Nearby Cities Sought" Americus Times-Recorder, May 16, 1918 page 1 http://dlg.galileo.usg.edu/sgnewspapers/id:awr1918-0152

"Special Permits To Aviation Camp" Americus Times-Recorder, May 16, 1918 page 1 http://dlg.galileo.usg.edu/sgnewspapers/id:awr1918-0152

"The Souther Field" The Home Journal (Perry, GA) May 23, 1918 page 2 http://dlg.galileo.usg.edu/sgnewspapers/id:hhj1918-0154

"Souther Field Fliers May Land Here" The Vienna News May 23, 1918 page 5 http://dlg.galileo.usg.edu/sgnewspapers/id:vnw1918-0157

"Student Aviators Arrive This Week" Americus Times-Recorder, May 23, 1918 page 1 http://dlg.galileo.usg.edu/sgnewspapers/id:awr1918-0160

"Soldiers Club Organized Here" Americus Times-Recorder, May 23, 1918 page 4 http://dlg.galileo.usg.edu/sgnewspapers/id:awr1918-0163

"Death - Maurice J. Peters" Americus Times-Recorder, May 23, 1918 page 5 http://dlg.galileo.usg.edu/sgnewspapers/id:awr1918-0164

"Soldier Killed at Bathing Pool - Maurice J. Peters" Americus Times-Recorder, May 23, 1918 page 6 http://dlg.galileo.usg.edu/sgnewspapers/id:awr1918-0165

"Soldier At Souther Field is Attacked" Americus Times-Recorder, May 30, 1918 page 6 http://dlg.galileo.usg.edu/sgnewspapers/id:awr1918-0173

"Cut Off" (Cut Off Community?) Americus Times-Recorder, May 30, 1918 page 8 http://dlg.galileo.usg.edu/sgnewspapers/id:awr1918-0175

"Magazines and Flowers to The Hospital" Americus Times-Recorder, Jun. 6, 1918 page 5 http://dlg.galileo.usg.edu/sgnewspapers/id:awr1918-0180

"Officers of the Aviation Camp at Souther Field" The Home Journal (Perry, GA) page 6 http://dlg.galileo.usg.edu/sgnewspapers/id:hhj1918-0182

"Ellaville News" Americus Times-Recorder, Jun. 13, 1918 page 4 http://dlg.galileo.usg.edu/sgnewspapers/id:awr1918-0187

"Dance At Armory" Americus Times-Recorder, Jun. 13, 1918 page 5 http://dlg.galileo.usg.edu/sgnewspapers/id:awr1918-0188

"Sumter County Grand Jury Presentments" Americus Times-Recorder, Jun. 20, 1918 page 3 http://dlg.galileo.usg.edu/sgnewspapers/id:awr1918-0192

"Camp Athletics Will Start Soon" Americus Times-Recorder, Jun. 20, 1918 page 8 http://dlg.galileo.usg.edu/sgnewspapers/id:awr1918-0197

"Americus To Observe 4th" Americus Times-Recorder, Jul. 4, 1918 page 1 http://dlg.galileo.usg.edu/sgnewspapers/id:awr1918-0198

"120 Aeroplanes At Souther Field" Americus Times-Recorder, Jul. 4, 1918 page 4 http://dlg.galileo.usg.edu/sgnewspapers/id:awr1918-0201

"Red Cross Ladies To Entertain Cadets" Americus Times-Recorder, Jul. 4, 1918 page 5 http://dlg.galileo.usg.edu/sgnewspapers/id:awr1918-0202

"Visitors from Vienna to Souther Field" The Vienna News July 11, 1918 page 4 http://dlg.galileo.usg.edu/sgnewspapers/id:vnw1918-0214

"Officers Thank Chamber Here for Barbecue" Americus Times-Recorder, Jul. 12, 1918 page 1 http://dlg.galileo.usg.edu/sgnewspapers/id:awr1918-0206

"Local News & Wanted" Americus Times-Recorder, Jul. 12, 1918 page 4 http://dlg.galileo.usg.edu/sgnewspapers/id:awr1918-0209

"Barbecue For Officers" Americus Times-Recorder, Jul. 12, 1918 page 7 http://dlg.galileo.usg.edu/sgnewspapers/id:awr1918-0212

"Mark Aston Not Killed As Was First Reported" Americus Times-Recorder, Jul. 18, 1918 page 1 http://dlg.galileo.usg.edu/sgnewspapers/id:awr1918-0216

"Dance At The Post" Americus Times-Recorder, Jul. 18, 1918 page 5 http://dlg.galileo.usg.edu/sgnewspapers/id:awr1918-0220

"Crawford Given Important Offer" Americus Times-Recorder, Jul. 18, 1918 page 6 http://dlg.galileo.usg.edu/sgnewspapers/id:awr1918-0221

"Rent Situation Discussed Here In A Brisk Way" Americus Times-Recorder, Jul. 25, 1918 page 3 http://dlg.galileo.usg.edu/sgnewspapers/id:awr1918-0226

"John A. Worthy Passed Away At Camp Hospital" Americus Times-Recorder, Jul. 25, 1918 page 4 http://dlg.galileo.usg.edu/sgnewspapers/id:awr1918-0227

"Watermelon Cutting" Americus Times-Recorder, Jul. 25, 1918 page 5 http://dlg.galileo.usg.edu/sgnewspapers/id:awr1918-0228

"Committee Has Completed Plans for Big Barbecue" Americus Times-Recorder July 25, 1918 page 3 http://dlg.galileo.usg.edu/sgnewspapers/id:awr1918-0226

"Malone Back From Blue Ridge Meet" Americus Times-Recorder July 25, 1918 page 6 http://dlg.galileo.usg.edu/sgnewspapers/id:awr1918-0229

"Protest Against Sunday Baseball" Americus Times-Recorder August 1, 1918 page 1 http://dlg.galileo.usg.edu/sgnewspapers/id:awr1918-0232 & http://dlg.galileo.usg.edu/sgnewspapers/id:awr1918-0239

"630 Men at Souther Field Participated in "Y" Activities" Americus Times-Recorder August 1, 1918 page 4 http://dlg.galileo.usg.edu/sgnewspapers/id:awr1918-0235

"Ladies Secure Funds to Screen Y.M.C.A." Americus Times-Recorder August 1, 1918 page 4 http://dlg.galileo.usg.edu/sgnewspapers/id:awr1918-0235

"Dance at Post" Americus Times-Recorder August 1, 1918 page 5 http://dlg.galileo.usg.edu/sgnewspapers/id:awr1918-0236

"Political Rally at Buena Vista" The Vienna News August 1, 1918 page 4 http://dlg.galileo.usg.edu/sgnewspapers/id:vnw1918-0238

"Lt. Ansley Writes Friend to Approve Stand Maj. Wash Took on Baseball" Americus Times-Recorder August 8, 1918 page 1 http://dlg.galileo.usg.edu/sgnewspapers/id:awr1918-0240

"Birdmen Fly Over the City Often" The Vienna News August 15, 1918 page 1 http://dlg.galileo.usg.edu/sgnewspapers/id:vnw1918-0251

MORE TO BE ADDED. PLEASE CHECK BACK LATER.

The following is a list compiled by Alan Anderson, of articles that have appeared in the Americus Times Recorder newspaper over the years. These can be found at The Lake Blackshear Regional Library in Americus. In the near future we hope to have each article posted on this site.
"AT-R " Sept. 4, 1917 "AMERICUS HAS MADE BID FOR AVIATION CAMP;REPRESENTATIVE CRISP PRESENTS THIS CITY'S CLAIMS AND ADVANTAGES - OFFERS FAIR BUILDINGS "

"AT-R " Jan. 16, 1918 "AMERICUS NAMED AVIA___; EXPECT WORK TO COMMENCE IN FEW WEEKS; OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENT MADE TODAY THAT THIS CITY HAS BEEN AWARDED CAMP - TO BE READY APRIL FIRST "

"AT-R " Feb. 4, 1918 "OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENT IS MADE THAT BIG CAMP WILL BE LOCATED HERE; WORK TO START RIGHT AWAY; Mass Meeting at Court House Is Called For Tomorrow Afternoon - Business Men to Be Told Entire Details and Committees Names to Make Arrangements "

"AT-R " June 8, 1919 "PLANE TUMBLES INSIDE CITY, BUT FLYERS ESCAPE WITH FEW HURTS; Motor Goes Dead, According to Statement - Wife of Pilot Sees Accident "

"AT-R " Mar. 8, 1927 "SOUTHER FIELD GOES ___; 325 ACRES AND BUILDINGS BE SOLD APRIL 6; Quartermaster General Orders Sale of Flying Field Near Americus "

"AT-R " July 11, 1929 "SOUTHER FIELD IS BOUGHT BY COUNTY; Confirmation of Purchase Received In Telegram By County Board Today "

AT-R " Aug. 14, 1940 "SOUTHER FIELD AIRPORT PROPOSED; $274,653 ALLOTTED TO BUILD AIRPORT IN SUMTER COUNTY; SEEK SCHOOL FOR AVIATORS; Trying to Place Job Under U.S. Defense "

"AT-R " Nov. 19, 1940 "Reconstruction Of Souther Field Begun "

"AT-R " Dec. 17, 1940 "WORK BEGINS ON SOUTHER FIELD SCHOOL; Barracks And Mess Hall Going Up For School; SPEED WORK; Graham Air Classes To Begin Here Feb. 15 "

"AT-R " Feb. 26, 1941 "PROGRESS AT SOUTHER FIELD; Water, Hangar, Fields Are Solved "

"AT-R " Mar. 3, 1941 "CARS BANNED FROM FIELD; [... ] To Speed Work at Souther Field "

"AT-R " Mar. 21, 1941 "Souther Field In 1918 Gave More Flying Hours Than Any Field In The Entire Country; Had Quarters For 2,000 In World War; History Of Souther Field Filed With War Dept. " (photo); "Cadets At Graham School Will Dine; BIG BARRACKS, MESS HALL AT FIELD HERE; Graham Company Operates Eight Air Schools; Souther Field Is First Venture Into Army Air Training " (photo)

"AT-R " Aug. 3, 1944 "War Prisoners To Aid Harvest; Camp Will Be Located Near City "

"AT-R " Aug. 8, 1944 "Camp Will Be Ready Friday; Prisoners of War Due Here August 15 "

"AT-R " Aug. 15, 1944 "Prisoners Of War Arrive; 500 Germans And 92 Guards in Camp "

"AT-R " Oct. 6, 1944 "SCENES AT GRAHAM AVIATION SCHOOL " (PHOTOS)

"AT-R " June 16, 1945 "R.F.C. ERECTING BUILDINGS AT SOUTHER FIELD; Work Started on Two Large Warehouses For Planes "

"AT-R " Dec. 22, 1945 "SOUTHER FIELD POW'S LEAVING; Saturday Is Last Day Prisoners To Work "

"AT-R " June 18, 1946 "W.J. GRAHAM WILL OPERATE AIRPORT; PLANS ANNOUNCED; County Gets Possession Of All Hangars, Administration Building And Machine Shop; Negotiating For All Other Buildings At The Field "

"AT-R " Sept. 9, 1946 "FLYING SCHOOL READY TO OPEN; Instruction Offered At Souther Field "

"AT-R " Aug. 12, 1947 "Berlin Woman Asks Local Office About Her POW Husband "

"AT-R " Jan. 23, 1958 "WORK STARTED ON AMERICUS AIRPORT " (photo)

"AT-R " Jan. 10, 1959 " "Flipper " Files Given Newspaper "
"AT-R " May 15, 1961 "1,500 Attend Dedication Rites At Souther Field "

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