Editor’s notes: After being called up by the Army Air Corps, and completing his physical exam, Cy had to end his employment with RCA, pack his things and return to Chicago. He was scheduled to begin his initial training at the AAC facilities in Glenview, Illinois, just north of Chicago. For more information on the AAC training program see: https://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/AAF/VI/AAF-VI-14.html
The events on the world stage begin to unfold very quickly at this point.
8/20/39: The Japanese army attempts to invade Mongolia. The Soviet Union engages the Japanese and drives them out of Mongolia by August 31.
8/24/39: Germany and the USSR sign a non-aggression pact.
8/25/39: “The Wizard of Oz” is released. “Somewhere over the rainbow” wins the Academy Award for Best Song and it becomes a hit. Click here to listen:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PSZxmZmBfnU
9/1/39: Germany invades Poland. This is considered the start of WWII.
9/3/39: Britain, France, Australia, New Zealand declare war on Germany
9/4/39: United States declares neutrality.
9/6/39: First German air attack on Britain
9/14/39: The first helicopter, designed by Igor Sikorski, is flown in Stratford, CT.
9/17/39: USSR invades eastern Poland. On 9/30, Germany and the USSR agree to divide Poland between them. Hitler orders deportation of Jews.
9/20/39: Cy and three of his classmates at Curtiss-Reynolds Field pose for this photo, about one month into their training program.
