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ARCTIC SURVIVAL TRAINING CAMP PAPERS OF DAVID ABBOTT

 Collection
Identifier: WH1448

SCOPE AND CONTENT NOTE

The Arctic Survival Training Camp Papers of David Abbott span 1942 to 1997. The collection comprises two boxes, which contain a scrapbook, photographs, button, patches, and correspondence. As a former instructor at the Arctic Survival Training Camp, David Abbott collected materials both from various camps and from subsequent reunions. Reunion materials date from 1981 to 1997. Although Abbott's service was short, he was active in the survivor group before being honorably discharged. The Western History and Genealogy Department also houses the Abbott Family Collection (WH997), which contains additional material donated by David Abbott.

SERIES 1 ARCTIC SURVIVAL TRAINING CAMP 1943-1945 BOX 1

The series begins with a newspaper article on the Greenland Arctic Camp. A booklet on Buckley Field in Denver provides a good overview of the Arctic Survival Training Camp. Included are travel orders, the instructor's memoirs and material on the Berthoud Pass rescue.

SERIES 2 THE ARCTIC SURVIVORS REUNIONS 1958-1997 BOX 1

The reunion series contains the survivors' roll call list that includes the names of those members who have passed away. Material consists of personal letters, Christmas cards, questionnaires, and newspaper clippings.

SERIES 3 PHOTOGRAPHS 1942-1993 BOX 1

The series contains black and white photographic prints depicting survival training students and activities at numerous training camps. Also included are color photographic prints that document various reunion activities

SERIES 4 OVERSIZE 1943-1944 OVBOX 1

Corporal Holmes assembled a scrapbook from his time at the Echo Lake Camp. Materials include candid camp photographs, newspaper articles on the rescue at Berthoud Pass, and death notices of fellow soldiers. Corporal Holmes includes the telegram notifying him of his son's birth. Press clippings of Barney McLean, speed skier, are included.

Dates

  • 1943-1997

OWNERSHIP:

Literary rights and copyrights have been assigned to the Denver Public Library.

PUBLICATION RIGHTS:

All requests for permission to publish, reproduce, or quote from material in the collection should be discussed with the appropriate librarian or archivist. Permission for publication may be given on behalf of the Denver Public Library as the owner of the physical item. It is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which also must be obtained by the customer. The Library does not assume any responsibility for infringement of copyright or publication rights of the manuscript held by the writer, heirs, donors, or executors. Reproduction restrictions are decided on a case-by-case basis.

ORGANIZATIONAL NOTE

The Arctic Training School began at the Greenland Ice Cap Weather and Rescue Station. From there, the school relocated to Wisconsin, Maine, and Alberta, Canada before settling in at a site on the side of Mount Evans in Colorado. Beginning in June of 1943, the Echo Lake Camp operated for 16 months. Here the weather was perfect for training due to the arctic conditions.

In addition to weather reporting, the team of instructors trained Army Air Corps personnel for the flights across the Arctic Circle to reach Europe. The training brought a sense of resourcefulness and self-reliance to the crewmembers. The drill consisted of sleeping outside winter or summer, living off the land, and using scraps of 'downed planes' to provide shelter. The Army Air Corps personnel were taught and enjoyed dog sledding. The soldiers volunteered for the training, which took five to six weeks to complete. In April 1944, the servicemen rescued approximately 30 people on Berthoud Pass after an avalanche.

The group formed such strong bonds that they hold a reunion every two years. Reunions have taken place in Seattle, Washington, Lexington, Massachusetts, and Idaho Springs, Colorado.

Extent

1 box

1 oversize box

Language of Materials

English

PROVENANCE:

David Abbott donated the Abbott family papers in 1985.

Physical Description

1

SIZE:

Number of Boxes: 1

Oversize box: 1

LOCATION:

WH1448

PROCESSED BY:

Ellen Zazzarino

Merrie Valliant

March 2000

REVISED AND ENCODED BY:

Cynthia Rand

October 2004

Dennis Hagen

June 2008

PROJECT MANAGER:

Ellen Zazzarino

Title
ARCTIC SURVIVAL TRAINING CAMP PAPERS OF DAVID ABBOTT
Date
Revised June 2008
Language of description
Undetermined
Script of description
Code for undetermined script

Repository Details

Part of the Denver Public Library, Western History and Genealogy Repository

Contact:
10 W. 14th Ave. Pkwy
Denver CO 80204 United States