Fisherman’s Lake, Liberia
Walter’s tour here was from May, 1943 to April, 1944
From the book, “An American Saga; Juan Trippe and His Pan Am Empire” by Robert Daley
“In June of 1941 Trippe had accepted an invitation to give the annual Wilbur Wright Memorial lecture, a prestigious event in aviation circles, before the Royal Aeronautical Society in London.”
“His subject was long-
A plan was put in place but, “The more Trippe watched his new African empire take shape, the more he realized it was improperly anchored on the west coast. Portuguese Guinea and British Gambia were both too close to Dakar. The Germans could send Messerschmitts from Dakar and shoot down whatever flew out of either place.”
“About eight hundred miles south of Vichy-
Walter with his favorite cat.
From the book, “On November 20, 1941, the Capetown Clipper, under the command of Captain Harold Gray, put down on Fishermen's Lake for the first time and glided to a stop on the water.” This is the same pilot, Gray, shown on the Eric Sloane artwork.
Also from the book, “...made their way to the mission on the edge of the lake to talk to the Episcopal minister Harvey Simmons and his wife.” I’m not sure that’s who’s in this photo but they sure don’t look like Pan Am employees. That’s my Dad on the right.
Walter’s favorite cat.
From the book, “...They built eight houses, each containing seven double rooms and
a bathroom, with screened-
All that was ready when the Pan Am staff got there. Note the screened-