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World War II Affects Sonoma County Bonus Cache Mystery Cache

Hidden : 5/3/2022
Difficulty:
2 out of 5
Terrain:
2 out of 5

Size: Size:   micro (micro)

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Geocache Description:


                   This cache is not at the posted coordinates. Don't even attempt to go there.

To solve this Mystery Bonus cache you must complete the Adventure Lab: 

                World War II Affects Sonoma County

 

Santa Rosa, Sonoma County, California was not immune to the effects of World War II. When Japan bombed Pearl Harbor Santa Rosa was immediately drawn into the war effort. First, it almost instantly lost one of its own, then within weeks it was mobilizing and soldiers were housed at the fairgrounds and later also at "Camp Wikiup". 

People's lives had changed, changed for the worse: no longer able to move around at will at night, always on the listen for an air raid alert which at the time was chaotic and until plans settled haphazard. Life would be unsettled for a long-long time. Directions from the office of Civilian Defense appeared in newspapers nationwide on December 9th: "PUT OUT LIGHTS. STAY AWAY FROM WINDOWS". Guidance was not given - each town/municipality did their own thing. The Santa Rosa City Council even passed an ordinance: any light leaks would be punishable by $250 or 90 days. Police could walk into any building to turn off the lights.

The 17th Infantry stationed at the fairgrounds was showered with gifts, food, events and well wishings. A proud people and proud of their military, they wanted to do everything they possibly could for those that would go into battle for us.

There were at least 3 airfields in Sonoma County. There were the United States Army Air Forces airfield Santa Rosa originally assigned to the 4th Air Force, the Naval Outlying Landing Field in Cotati which supported operations at the Naval Air Station Alameda, the Naval Auxiliary Landing Field also an outlying landing field of Air Station Alameda. Later Cotati along with Little River supported Santa Rosa flight operations training 21 squadrons of fighters, dive bombers and torpedo planes during WW2. 

The USAAF Santa Rosa, now the Charles M Schulz Airport, began fighter training of the single engine Bell P-39 and P-63 aircraft during 1943 and early 1944.  After that the twin-engine Lockheed P-38 Lightnings replaced them and remained until January 1946. At its peak some 300 to 500 aircraft and 10,000 personnel were based on the field.  It was a P-38 from the Santa Rosa Airfield that was scrambled and shot down a Fu-Go balloon near Calistoga.

To find the final coordinates type the answers into certitude from each lab question.  Arrange the "words" (letters/numbers as appropriate) in alphabetical order. Do not insert spaces. 

We hope you have enjoyed this adventure lab and have learned at least one new fact!! Thanks for visiting.

 


You can validate your puzzle solution with certitude.

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

qre Tnoryfpujnam-Grhsry

Decryption Key

A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L|M
-------------------------
N|O|P|Q|R|S|T|U|V|W|X|Y|Z

(letter above equals below, and vice versa)