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Comments and Mark Up on this photo courtesy of John Hurst |
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(Following remarks of John Hurst)
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327th AD Hq |
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New NCO Club |
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P-31 |
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New Main Gate |
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Pool? |
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Motor Pool |
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Dorm |
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Chow Hall? |
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Old NCO Club? |
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2165th Bldg? |
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Rec Center? |
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SP Bldg |
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Downtown via Roosevelt Rd |
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AOC Tunnel |
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Post Office? |
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Amex Bank? |
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Old Main Gate? |
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North? |
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I definitely remember several features in the new TAS photo (circa 1975)! The large, L shaped building was constructed in 1973 as the new 327 AD Headquarters. Besides the 327 AD, that building hosted the entire 2165th Comm Gp, CBPO, finance, legal, etc. We moved the NCMO function onto the 2nd floor, just across the hall from the Comm/ DSTE center. The short end of the ‘L’ building was almost connected to the new NCO club; just a few steps away. I believe the recreation center was the building just below the new NCO Club; I use to enjoy cutting stones (opals, garnets, etc.) at the lapidary shop. I believe the building with vertical stripes was Pass & ID, and the SP building. Just above that building you can make out the (new) base entrance. The small outlined area on the bottom left of the photo was Bldg P31 where I worked (there was probably a microwave tower when you were there; that was replaced by a dedicated underground cable sometime in 1970 or 1971). I believe the chow hall is between the new NCO club and the dorm. Behind the dorm (towards top of photo) I think you can make out the Officer’s Club pool (just to the right of the water tower). Further up in the top right section of this photo, I believe the old 2165th Comm Bldg and the original NCO (Falcon) Club are visible. I remember they had to build a new perimeter wall behind the new Hq’s to separate it from the old base section. Using your original photo, taken from the dorm point of view, over looking the roof of the Post Office, with the 2165th Comm Gp and NCO club in view, you can see a radio tower on the hilltop. In the new 1975 photo, I believe this is just out of view in the top right corner??? Based on that reference point, I marked the photo with what I believe was north; but I have a terrible sense of direction! The motor pool is still in the lower right corner of the photo, no change. About the only building that was there during your time (1965-68), my time (1971-74), and now (2006?) appears to be the dormitory. I have looked at the Google map (posted with markers of approximate location of the old gate and pool) but I can not recognize the dormitory building anywhere on the map! I remember that the pool was not far from the dormitory; I also remember the Post Office was on one end of the dormitory, and the chow hall was out the opposite end. I lived in the dorm for 3 months, somewhere in the middle of the 2nd floor. Perhaps someone will remember the base layout in better detail, and overlay the latest base photo onto the Google map, similar to what Don did on his blog page. I marked all the buildings as I knew them (see attachment); I send this to my old boss to see what he may remember; if/ when I hear from him, I’ll share the updates. Again, thank you for the excellent effort to expand this website. TAS was one of my best assignments! I really enjoyed the people, the sights and sounds of the big city, the food, and of course the clubs! Comments from Les D. on 9 October 2007: Wow! I just looked at John Hurst’s notations on the 1975 photo of TAS. He jogged my memory a lot. Looking at his notes, and particularly the locations of the old gate, NCO club, etc., I remember now that the new configuration of the base was dictated by the city’s decision to run a road right through the original base. The new road appears left to right in the photo, just behind the new Hqs building and it made an orphan of the old area where the original gate and other buildings were. I think he’s right about all the buildings he’s identified. The only exception might be the rec center; I just can’t recall what that building was. The pool is definitely correct, though I don’t remember if there was an O club attached to it or not. I do remember the new NCO club being open to all ranks for lunch. Keep up the good work. It’s great to see different people adding to the storehouse of knowledge and of memories. I guess it’s true, as someone once said, that none of us is as smart as all of us. And have a great trip next month. Keep those cards. Letters and e-mails coming in with your knowledge of the “New Taipei Air Station.” I am going to try to find the building in the bottom center of the photograph. The building has an odd shape, maybe a 2 or 3 story building, that just might still be there. I will ask around. I know that Taipei Electric Company has a big building close by. They may be able to shed light on what happened after the turn-over to the Taiwan military. Kent—9 Oct 2007 Update—3 December 2007—Yes, I visited Taipei 8 through 13 November 2007. I took many photographs, and visited the old area again. I was not able to find anything. I took the MRT (subway) out to the Guangwan station and came out from underground on Roosevelt Road on the sidewalk, close to the parking area, where the old barracks once stood. It never occurred to me that the base was in this area. I assumed that it was another block or so farther down Roosevelt Road. I walked around the area of the school and the Ops Center and found nothing that I had not seen previously. What a disappointment. I decided to walk back to my hotel, The Howard Plaza Hotel, probably 2 or so miles away. I walked along the Keelung Overhead Expressway, walking on the sidewalk of the opposite side of the street. That day turned out to be cool and raining off and on. I had an umbrella so I was OK, but I felt uncomfortable that I found nothing new to report. Traveling alone is terrible. I don’t want to go alone again. It is just too lonely out all by yourself with no one to share with. China Airlines was great, the hotel was great and I had no trouble anywhere. I walked many many miles just looking around at the city, but, every minute alone as I walked along the streets of Taipei was lonely. It would have been 1000 percent better with someone else sharing the sights. Kent—3 Dec 2007
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