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Health & Fitness

THE HISTORY OF THE WYCKOFF SPOTTER TOWER

                      THE HISTORY OF THE WYCKOFF SPOTTER TOWER

                                                       BY

                                            JACK GOUDSWARD

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     In May 1941 the Aircraft warning service came into being. It was part of the Army Ground Observer Corp.  On the East Coast the AWS was under the command of the First fighter Command based at Mitchell Field in New York. On the West Coast they would be under the command of the Fourth Fighter Command Based at Riverside, California. At the height of its operation the AWS of the First Fighter Command numbered 750,000 people staffing a number of towers. The towers were built along the East Coast and staffed twenty- four hours a day. After the war the towers were removed and passed into memory and history. This is the story of the Spotter Tower of Wyckoff, New Jersey.

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     Just two weeks after Pearl Harbor, one hundred citizens of Wyckoff stepped forward to become members of the Civilian Defense of Wyckoff. One of the first Spotter Towers established was the tower on the estate of former Oakland Mayor L.F. McEvoy.  His estate was located on Skyline Drive at what is now a parking lot for hikers.

  In April 1942, Wyckoff held an Air Raid Drill.   All units responded and the test was considered a success. It was decided that in future during drills a number of places should go dark.  They were all first aid stations, the station at the Wyckoff Chapel and the Canteen station. Harry Stoecker was appointed to handle food in case of an emergency. It was also decided that a desk should be placed in the Clerk’s Office so people could get information on the Civilian Defense.    

   In May 1942 a meeting was held at the Fire Hall in Wyckoff. One of the topics brought up was the staffing of the Oakland Tower. Each volunteer was asked to stand duty three hours a week at the tower. But as gas was rationed, the tower was left undermanned or not at all. This put an extra burden on the other spotters; who would have to  cover the duty of the missing spotters. Paul Knaulf, Chairman, appointed a committee of Robert May, Harry M. James and W.M. Parr to recruit volunteers. They would contact the residents of the neighboring towns of Franklin Lakes and Oakland.   Women would staff the tower in the day and men at night. The idea was also put forth that a tower be built in Wyckoff. The members felt that some form of transportation should be established to get the spotters to their duty post. County Commander Herbert Ritchings also attended the meeting. He spoke at great length on how valuable the work of the spotters was. Once again the topic of the lack of gas was raised. It was stated that extra gas would be allotted for this use. Paul Knaulf, chairman of the American Legion in command of the spotter tower, announced that construction of a tower would start the following Saturday. It would be located on the property of T.S. Taranto, on the top of Sicomac Hill. This is the highest point in Wyckoff.

The place were the tower was located today is the present corner of Laurel Lane and Terrace Heights.  He also stated that volunteers who would like to help in construction should contact Arthur Krieger. The spotters were asked to do a three- hour duty watch at the new tower just as was done at the Oakland tower. With the tower built and staffed the next move was to establish communication with the Control Center in Hackensack. This would supply all the surrounding communities with mutual aid in case of emergencies.

      One request that the air observers made was for a wood- burning stove. A call went out for a donation Chairman Paul Knaulf was appointed to accept the donation. Chief Observer Knaulf received a copy of a communication that was sent from President Roosevelt to the National Chairman Lynn U. Stumbaugh, Commander of the American Legion, outlining problems with the AWS. It stated that a study had been completed by the Army Air Forces that authorized the payment of expenses incurred with the operation of the post. It also stated that volunteers would get an extra ration of gasoline to get them to and from the post, and that the AWS will be reorganized and placed under Military Supervision.

      In October the post was inspected by Aaron Trost, Civil District Director of the AWS. His inspection focused on the equipment and the records of the post. He found all in good order and complimented the post for its efficiency. He was also pleased to learn that all the equipment was donated and installed by volunteers. He stressed the importance of the work the post was doing and reinforced the need for all members to learn the different types of aircraft being flown, to ensure accurate reporting from the post. Director Knaulf informed him that classes were to start in the next week to expand the knowledge of the observers. Edson C. Moore taught the class to the great benefit of the observers. 

       The year 1943 opened with the post and staff performing their duties admirably. The post got high marks for the performance in civilian defense drills. But life at the tower was not all looking out for enemy aircraft overhead. In July the post noticed smoke. The observer thought it was coming from the direction of Franklin Lakes. The fire company was notified and informed that the smoke was coming from near Franklin Lakes Road.  They found no fire. Next they were told that the smoke was coming from Old Mill Road.  Again they found no fire. Finally the source of the smoke was found. It turned out that John Van Houten was burning brush on his farm a mile from the tower.

        In June 1944 Army authorities informed the Wyckoff Watch that the operation in the tower would be reduced to one day a week. In July Director Knaulf received a letter informing him that the AWS was being disbanded in New Jersey. This led to the ending of all operations at the Wyckoff Tower. At the Wyckoff American Legion meeting it was decided to dismantle the tower and sell the material.  Director Knaulf and John Smith was appointed to dispose of the tower. The tower was removed and passed into history.

 

 

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