Letters from Our Readers:

In a message dated April 23, 2010, Don Wansor writes to Rockaway Memories

Hi Marty,

I was wondering if anyone remembers the mid-forties navy fighter plane crash in Edgemere. The fighter crashed near Beach 32nd street and Edgemere Ave. It may have taken out a couple of bungalows. I was in P.S. 106 at the time.Because of the possibility of live ammo lying around, we were forbidden from going to the scene.

Regards, Don Wansor (FRHS, 1953)

May 9, 2010

Dear Marty,

I love reading "Rockaway Memories." It was interesting to note that someone else remembers the plane that crashed on 32nd St. in the forties. I was also in P.S. 106 at the time. The plane spiraled right past the window of the room I was in. I remember the principal saying "poor devil" as the plane went down and the smoke rose up. I still have dreams about that incident once in a while and was beginning to think it was my imagination. Somewhat comforting to have the memory validated.

Regards,
Joyce Thaler Robbins (FRHS, 1950)

May 9, 2010

I remember the plane going down in Edgemere in the mid-forties. My mother was combing my hair and I was sitting on a chair by the window. We lived on Beach 30th street. We could feel the impact of the crash and saw the smoke. I never knew it was a fighter plane. Thanks for the information.

Carolyn Blatt (FRHS, 1959)