![]() Vol. 1, No. 3 Published by India China Division, Air Transport Command Feb. 1, 1945 SUPPLIES FLOWN TO CHINA COMMUNISTS
ICD Carries First Red Cross Medical Goods to Yenan, Seat Of the Communist Government In Shipment; ‘More Than I've Seen in Eight Years,’ Dr. Ma Observes HQ., CHINA WING, KUNMING - For the first time, American Red Cross medical supplies have been flown to Chinese Communist headquarters. Planes of ICD's China Wing carried the medicines by air to the remote and isolated seat of the Communists at Yenan. Included in the shipments were sulfa drugs, microscopes, X-ray equipment, surgical instruments and other medical supplies. The supplies were delivered for the Bethune Memorial International Peace hospital, over which Dr. Ma Hai-teh presides at Yenan. He called the first airplane load to arrive "more medicine than I've seen in the last eight years put together." Dr. Ma, an American from North Carolina who prefers to be known by his Chinese name, has been with the Communists, both in the field and at their base hospitals, ever since his arrival in China in 1937. Many Contribute Medicines involved were collected through the co-operation of the Chinese Central government, various agencies of which released part of the supply they had received from the American Red Cross. Transfer of them was approved by Central government authorities. The agencies which turned over part of their Red Cross-donated medical supplies were the National Health administration; Ministry of Education; International Relief committees and the Chinese Red Cross, all of whom have received supplies regularly from the American Red Cross. The supplies will be used to treat civilians as well as Communist soldiers injured in battle against the Japanese. A part of them will remain at Yenan, while will be carried across several Japanese lines to field hospitals in the northeastern part of China, far behind Japanese dominated areas. Hospital in Caves From Yenan on, the mule and the coolie will take over the job thus far carried out by ATC planes. Instead of hours, weeks will be required. The hospital in Yenan, like almost all installations there, both offices and quarters, is in a series of caves. Leveled by the Japanese in 1939, the old city still is a mass of rubble. The caves provide bomb-proof shelter and are relatively warm in a cold land where fuel is scarce. First flight of medicines to Yenan was made by Lt. Col. Floyd H. Davidson, Atherton, Calif., and Maj. Thomas D. Park, Dallas, Tex., ICD officers and both former airline pilots with years of flying experience. This experience stood them in good stead, for the last leg of the flight was made over miles of hills with the sameness of the sea. There are no landmarks, save one pagoda at Yenan, and that can be seen only for a short distance. Navigational aids to aircraft of course, do not exist. The short runway is in the bottom of a narrow valley. Starting in Yunnan province, the flight is a long one with bad weather increasing on the trip's last leg, over mountains towering thousands of feet into the clouds. Bucking ice and topping the clouds, a C-47 carried the medicines safely through, under the skillful piloting of Lt. Col. Davidson and Maj. Park. Crew members on the trip were S/Sgt. Tommy H. Eldridge, Dunn, La., radio operator and Cpl. Vander S. Morrison, Midland, N.C., engineer.
Rescue Group Achieves Base Unit Standing Saving of Downed Airmen Gets Shot in Arm in New Setup Bringing out downed airmen from the almost inaccessible Himalaya mountain region has become such a prominent part of ICD's operations that the Search and Rescue squadron has been activated to full base unit status. The new organization is known as the 1352nd and will be located at the 1332nd Base Unit. It is commanded by Maj. Donald C. Pricer. Assigned in India for almost two years, he has been a pilot, operations officer and an executive. Maj. Roland L. Hedrick will continue with the new unit as intelligence officer. Safety Factor The unit will share part of the facilities of the 1332nd but will be complete within itself. Its assigned aircraft will include armed B-25s, C-47s for cargo dropping, and L-5s for evacuation and rescue from tiny airstrips in jungles and mountains. Two main reasons are given for the formal activation of the 1352nd. First, increasing Hump traffic has necessitated greater facilities for rescue work. Second, past developments have proved that organized effort to bring back downed airmen is effective and necessary. Records show that those who bail out over the Hump or in the trackless Assam jungles now have a better than three-to-one chance of returning safely. But it wasn't always thus. Like Country Store Previous to October, 1943, rescue activities were sporadic and unorganized. Each station hunted for its own planes and pilots. Jungle tribes were unknown and believed to be headhunters, fiercely quarrelsome and war-like. Experience has proved this untrue. The search and rescue group soon established liaison with British Territorial officials and American missionaries who knew the jungle and mountain people. By trial and error the organization grew until it had its own warehouses, aircraft and intelligence unit - everything needed to permit maximum aid to luckless airmen who hit the silk. Today, the 1352nd's warehouses look like a country store. Blankets, clothing, Bibles, and trinkets for barter line the shelves. When an aircraft from any command reports trouble the unit springs into action. Once a fix is obtained on the probable position of the distressed ship, search planes take off. When the crashed craft is spotted and if survivors appear to be on the scene, panels for communication are dropped. Physical condition of crew members is checked by the panel method, and if necessary a volunteer flight surgeon parachutes with medicine. Supplies and maps are dropped, directing the party out by easy stages, with instructions as to previously spotted food caches. Some airmen are brought by L-5s, from tiny strips hacked from the jungle or perched on a mountainside, but most walk out - some taking as long as three months. Still others have shot the rapids in native rafts and canoes, to return to their station and again take on the job of flying the Hump. Rotation? Leaves? Mess? Just Ask Morale Boards Promotions, furloughs, housing and mess facilities - and, of course, always in the foreground, rotation policy - all have had to stand the test before the recently created morale boards. Effects of the morale program is evidenced by December reports in which almost half of the bases reported morale among their soldiers as "very high." It always has been realized that morale could not just be turned on or off. Thorough studies of conditions constructive criticism and recommendations for remediable measures were the lines along which the program had to be built. Handle Individual Gripes Early in October morale boards were established at each base in the division. Each board consists of seven officers. Generally they include the surgeon, chaplain, administrative inspector, and special service, supply and service, intelligence and security and public relations officers. These bodies meet twice each month to discuss housing, messes, medical care, recreational facilities and other matters which affect morale. They gather their information from soldier councils, individual "gripes" and first hand information. The boards make recommendations to the COs for action to remedy any particular gripes. Rotation in Foreground Recently the rest camp situation has been improved. Laundry facilities have been put under GI supervision in many places to bring up standards. Promotions have been upped and special service activities and recreational facilities, expanded. Rotation has been in the foreground since the establishment of the boards. A general policy has been announced and will be followed as closely as possible.
Tells Katz Sister Is Well 1348th BU, NORTH BURMA - From GIs in France to a GI in Burma have come two V-mail letters carrying the first cheering news in eight months about the youngest sister of Pfc. Ernest Katz, German-born GI who works in the orderly room at this base. The letters were written by ETO soldiers Marvin Saltzburg and Richard H. Arnold, who had met Katz's 21-year-old sister, Laure, on separate occasions, and wrote brief messages advising him that she was well. To the Burma GI it was the end of a nerve-racking period of worry. Laure and Ernest have a brother, T/Sgt. William Katz, who was in North Africa, Sicily and on the Anzio beachhead and a brother-in-law who served on Guam and more recently went ashore with the infantry at Leyte. In '36 Ernest left Nazi-ridden Germany with another sister and made his way to America. Two years later, another sister and a brother followed, but their parents and youngest sister, Laure, remained in Germany. One day in October, 1940, Ernest Katz picked up a copy of the New York Times and read that all Jews in his native Palatinate and those in Badenia were being sent to concentration camps in unoccupied France. Ten days later, a telegram confirmed the tragic news. The barbarous treatment received by internees in the camps soon resulted in another telegram telling of the death of Katz's mother - due, he later learned, to malnutrition. While his father and sister, Laure, suffered the inhumanities of life under Nazidom, Katz and his relatives in the States were trying to arrange passage for the pair. But then came the invasion of North Africa in 1942, and France was totally occupied by the Germans. From then on, Katz communicated with his sister through the Red Cross. Strict censorship limited his letters to 25 words, and mail arrived at six-month intervals. After a short internment, Laure was released from the camp, but the father was sent to a hospital in Perpignon, and eventually to Poland. He never has been heard from since. Some friendly nuns sheltered the young Jewish refugee girl and she found work as a child's nurse in Lyons. From her meager earnings she managed to buy bread and send it to her sick father as long as her contacts with him existed. The nuns were a constant source of help and guidance to the victim of intolerance. Then came, at last, the invasion of southern France, and the arrival of the GIs - among them Saltzburg and Arnold who have eased Katz's mind with their reports that his sister is well.
Engine Change Crew Sets Up Record Mark Claims Share of Credit By local standards - taking into account the hardly favorable conditions faced by understaffed teams here - the achievement is remarkable. "Junior," the crew's monkey mascot whose name belies her sex, chatteringly claims her full share of the credit. Junior was adopted by Cpl. George Hanei, member of the team, back in India when she was only three weeks old. She has a natural affinity for monkey wrenches and makes a pass at every one within reach. Hanei keeps her from throwing a wrench into the delicate vitals of Hump aircraft by locking her up in the plane's cabin while he works. "But she's made up her mind," he says, "that by hook or crook she's going to be a grease monkey." No place for softies, mobile engine change is packed with glamor and unforeseen adventure. Here, today, the crew may be off tomorrow on a special job to any of the remote China bases. It's usually pretty rough when the boys are on these missions, too. They sleep in the plane, eat out of mess gear, and work under primitive conditions, ordinarily without crew-chief stands or portable hoists. One crew was initiated in the tense, dramatic ordeal of having to bail out of a burning ship. The record-breaking crew spent New Year's in Burma, only 30 miles from Jap lines, in country still scarred by the ravages of jungle warfare. They brought back all sorts of Jap souvenirs. "We'd have taken some Jap teeth," says Cpl. Tommy Abraham, "only the bodies were too messy." As a whole the mobile engine change boys were relieved to get to a warm climate again. It was a real treat for Junior. Hanei says she had a regular field day, hopping from tree to tree, and scrambling up the vines of her natural jungle habitat. She even went swimming with the men. ATC Personnel Gets Back-pat From ‘Hap’ Arnold; Envisions Postwar World Air Transport Recognizes Contribution of Men Serving at Isolated Outposts Gen. "Hap" Arnold, in a recent letter, called attention to ATC's pioneering of world air routes, its far-flung operations and the knowledge and experience being piled up to benefit post-war airways systems. Addressed to Gen. H. L. George, commander of the ATC, and brought to the attention of all its personnel, the communication read: "The impressive body of knowledge and experience that is being stored up every day by the ATC is bound to result in enormous benefit to our post-war air transportation program. The methods, routes, and techniques developed under the extraordinary stresses of present-day war, when blended with the technical progress achieved by the designers and manufacturers of our aircraft, will inevitably shorten the distances which today separate one nation from another. The ATC is certainly keeping pace with the great successes of the entire AAF in this fight." Gen. Arnold also commented on the world-wide operations of ATC, with these words: "From its first fledgling hopes to the smoothly-run intricate operation it has become during the last year, the Air Transport Command has come a long way. Our combat air forces are accustomed to consider themselves widely traveled, but many out-of-the-way corners of the earth which have remained completely unaffected by the war have come to know the pilots and planes of the ATC." The letter recognized the contributions of the "men who fly long, hard runs with valuable cargoes of men and supplies and those who man the way-stations some of which are so remote and isolated that their names are all but unknown even to the inhabitants of the countries in which they are located." (Editor's note: What's he talking about; Assam, Burma or China?) Longs for ‘Boom’ of Big Cannon in Field Artillery By CPL. FRANK CLARK 1345th BU, INDIA - This is a story which could be fabled "Ode to the Boom-Booms" or "I Shoulda Stood in Ft. Sill" - as it concerns a man, who, for "security" reasons must remain nameless, and who is quite angry with the powers that be for taking him out of the artillery and putting him in the AAF. By his own admission, that boy certainly liked the big guns. It seems that at one time, this man, like a few million others, received the note from Uncle Sam, reported for duty and promptly was snapped up by the artillery. He became quite attached to the big guns - said he liked the way the earth would tremble when they went off. Perhaps he listened to too many go "boom" and sort of went "boom" himself, but that's another story. Over a period of time he was shifted from one post to another, receiving all sorts of training on the big guns, until he could "knock the beads of sweat off a first sergeant's brow at seven miles." Naturally, a man with his potentialities would be wasting his time in the States, so his outfit, big guns and all, was loaded on a boat and shipped overseas. He was in transit for some time, passing all the places where he thought the outfit would be needed most, until one day the boat docked in India. Like countless other GIs, newly arrived in India, he said, "Well, it could be worse, but where?" The men unloaded themselves and their big guns, then proceeded to sit around the docks and wonder, "Where do we go from here?" Unfortunately there didn't seem to be any place to send artillerymen in India, and this is where the five fickle fingers of fate fashioned themselves into an iron hand and hauled the whole gang into the Air Corps, which needed personnel. This man isn't happy! He is driving a truck and no longer hears the big guns go "boom" nor does he feel the earth tremble beneath his feet, and he admits he couldn't hit the first sergeant's brow at even six miles now. His attitude is mirrored in the manner in which he guides his six-by-six appropriately named "rocket," around the base. Yep, some men like the artillery.
Sending Home Jap Skulls Not Permitted by I & S 1333rd BU, ASSAM - S/Sgt. Glenn Kettner, Fremont, Ohio, of the Intelligence and Security office here, finds it difficult to keep tabs on all the captured Jap equipment turned into his office for safe-keeping. After the war a lot of GIs are going to have a nice collection of tokens to display on their mantle, but a Jap skull is not going to be one of them. Capt. Verne W. Carey, intelligence and security officer here, makes it clear that war souvenirs may consist of captured supplies and equipment, but that parts of Japs are strictly against regulations. Sgt. Joe Woodward, of the technical supply office, was given two Jap bayonets by a friend who was in the Myitkyina and Bhamo campaigns. "I'm sending these home," he says, "to show the folks and everyone else back home that our boys here are doing a good job of disarming the Japs." Other captured items belonging to men here and in the custody of the I & S office are shells, flags, assorted rifles, pistols, knives and pieces of enemy aircraft. It’s ‘Back Home’ to China for Johnson Family Reunion; ICD Mechanic Works His Transfer Born in Shianyang Where Parents Were Missionaries; Now Serving There 1311th BU, INDIA - It took the war, the Army and the ATC, as well as his own personal request to bring 21-year-old Pvt. Donald Johnson, an aviation mechanic back to China and reunion with his family. Johnson's life reads like a Richard Halliburton Flying Carpet adventure. Born in Shianyang Hopoh province, where his parents were missionaries, Johnson made his first visit to the U.S. at the age of three, when his family went back to Minnesota. Had To Evacuate A few years "tour of duty" in the States and his parents resumed their missionary work and returned to central China. Johnson and his two sisters were sent to an American boarding school in the Kikung Mountains of nearby Honan province. But the opening of the now-famous "China incident" called for moving again, as the Jap advance up the Yangtze River valley after the sack of Nanking, caused all neutral women and children to be evacuated from the path of the Nip armies. Johnson never will forget the railroad trip from Hankow to Hong Kong, in the company of refugees and evacuees of every nation. Although the Japs had promised not to bomb the international flag draped train, the passengers really "sweated out" the ride - for even at that time, Japanese treachery was well known in that part of the world. Christmas morning of 1938 brought the family to the safety of the International Settlement of Hong Kong. After his family had settled, Don was sent to Shanghai where he spent his first year of high school at the Shanghai American school. Back ‘Home’ The war in the Far East was growing more and more imminent and the increasing tension, emphasized by the hurried defense preparations of the British at Hong Kong caused the family to seek the sanctuary of the U.S.A. Johnson couldn't Enjoy Stateside comforts long. Shortly afterwards the Army called. After brief stops in Florida, New Jersey, Rhode Island, Ohio, North Carolina, he found himself on a troop transport - and in India. Shortly after his arrival in the India-Burma Theater, Johnson learned that his father, who had picked up an M.D. degree from the University of Minnesota, was planning to come back to unoccupied China and resume his missionary practice. Johnson, Jr., who speaks fluent Mandarin Chinese, put in his request for a transfer to his "homeland" and, after a short wait he was rewarded. So it's back to the old "hometown" and a reunion with his parents - something few GI's can manage.
New Vehicles, Built for CBI, Arrive at Base QM Officer Conducts Course For Demonstration Of Trucks 1304th BU, INDIA - This base has been allotted several of the new heavy duty trucks from the initial shipment of motor vehicles especially built for use this theater. The vehicles were obtained through ATC and ASC ordnance and will go to the 1305th and 1345th as well as here. Supply and service experts an additional allocation to be distributed to other ICD bases. Since the equipment was completely new to this division a familiarization course for drivers was held here last week. Capt. B. F. Torrence, assistant division Q.M. of the supply and service section, assisted by motor transport officers from the three bases receiving the initial allotment, conducted the course, in which a score of enlisted men learned the rudiments of operation of the new truck. Cpl. Donald C. Deane, 1304th, a "gear jammer" with years of experience, demonstrated for the men. ‘I Go,’ Says Pilot, And Really Goes, Amid Pals’ Groans 1347th BU, INDIA - A yarn has been kept alive concerning the first Hump flight made from here by a C-54. It owes its long existence, partly, of course, to the historic moment, but more so to an accidental pun. When the time drew near for the first super cargo carrier to leave here for the trip over the Hump and back, competition for the honor was so keen among pilots that Maj. George Isenhower, operations officer, was forced to resort to a short-straw selection. At least eight pilots assembled good-naturedly and proceeded to "draw straws." "I go!" triumphed Capt. J. E. Igoe, as he pointed to the leather name-plate on his jacket. But the ensuing groans from the losers were not so much disappointment over losing the trip as chagrin over the implied pun. Strauss Hits Jackpot; Gets Lab, Praise From General KUNMING, CHINA - Cpl. Leonard P. Strauss, Long Beach, N.Y., has been going around looking like a traditional cat that swallowed the mouse. His satisfaction was due partly to the opening of the brand-new, up-to-date photo lab at this base, and partly to the fact that he was the recipient of a personal
Some time ago, photographer Strauss accompanied the general on an inspection tour of the Ledo Road and several other Allied positions in north Burma. That in itself was a memorable experience. The message, signed by Gen. Willby, expressed his pleasure and thanks upon receipt of the pictures taken on this trip. The new lab is a far cry from the cubicle where Strauss had built a dark room with developing and printing equipment made out of old airplane parts and what-have-you. Asked about his new joy, he says, "It's O.K., but so darned complicated it practically runs men instead of vice versa." Photography has been a passion with Cpl. Strauss ever since the day when, as president of the Long Beach high school photography club, he started to aim his camera at everything and anything in Long Island.
![]() 1307th BU, INDIA - The first edition of HUMP EXPRESS has received an enthusiastic reception here. Officers and enlisted men alike are pepped up over the idea of having a newspaper devoted exclusively to ATC activities, and if this area is a criterion, the success of the EXPRESS in this part of the world seems assured. - RFP Ed. - We're pleased, suh. 1305th BU, INDIA - Distribution of the first issue of HUMP EXPRESS has left a fairly good impression but there is criticism about the unusual number of Hump articles in it, and they are too dry. Would suggest one full page of sports instead of a half page. - JWT Ed. - Thanks for the criticism. If the various ICD bases send in the sports stories, we'll have a page of sports. We'll try to pep up the paper too. ![]() A timid knock on the screen of the chaplain's door, and then entered a young man of medium height, black curly hair, his fatigue suit a bit soiled with grease and oil, his expression indicating deep concern and worry. "Padre, I can't get my mind on my work lately," he introduced himself rather dejectedly. "There must be a reason for it," the chaplain answered. "There is Padre. My twin brother is in another theater. We were parted about 14 months ago. This is the first time in our whole life that we have been separated. Neither he nor I are happy over the separation, and I think of him constantly, and it's just no good, Padre." The chaplain remembered a War Department directive recommending keeping identical twins together and promised the young man that he would investigate the matter immediately. Making inquiries in the front office, the chaplain learned from the adjutant that a request for the reunion of these twins had been previously initiated through channels. A request was forwarded to see what had been done. The answer was a copy of the orders, back-dated, ordering the twin into this theater. On the following day, the local twin came into the chaplain's office again. The chaplain showed him the copy of the orders and watched the downward crease along the edges of the young man's mouth take a decided upturn. He beamed from ear to ear. He didn't say a word, but his happy expression and brightening eyes definitely spoke: "What a guy, this chaplain of ours. He's on the ball." There was nothing to do but wait. Perhaps a couple of weeks would tell . . . But "the chaplain was on the ball." The next night in one of the tents several of the enlisted men were in an interesting bull session, the local twin in their midst. There was a disturbance at the opening of the tent, and in walks a new recruit. The bull-session came to a halt. The local twin had his back to the opening. His companion sitting opposite, his mouth wide open, blurted out in astonishment. From the door to the local twin and back again his eyes kept switching, as he said, "Oh I should have listened to the doctor's advice. He told me that stuff would split my vision..." The Next moment the twins were in each others arms, hugging and yelling. The next morning, the twins called upon the Padre. The fact assistant of the chaplain answering to the name of "Monsignor" stared in bewilderment. "Padre, two people can't look that much alike, they just can't." The twins just beamed back in defiance, smiling identically. They measured the same height, to the fraction of an inch, tipping the scale to the pound; their hair bushy, black and curly, even twisted in identical ringlets. With little or no hips, their trousers hung and accentuated the rotund bulge just above the buckle revealing an identical good appetite for GI "vittles." They talked the same, walked the same, and enjoyed the same amusements. To the very keen observer, they offered one distinguishing mark. The original local twin is a corporal, the new delivery a buck private. As per request, both have been assigned to the engineer. They work on the same shift, and both seem to have a common faculty of becoming identically soiled. The base chaplain, amused over the situation, invited the twins to go with him into the front office. The adjutant was bent busily over a few sheets of paper. He casually looked up and down, and then sat bolt upright. "Gosh!" The executive officer walked in and excused himself as he started to pass, not looking at anyone too intently. He walked two paces and spun around, staring. "Padre, what is this?" And he rubbed his eyes, with a rapid reflection apparently reassuring him that last evening had nothing to do with the present. He looked more intently, the twins grinning innocently. The chaplain thought he would relieve the suspense. "Major, sir, these are two of our boys." "Yes," blurted the major, "so I- -I see. Now listen here, young men. We are very glad to have you. But don't either of you ever dare to get into trouble." Shaking his head and grunting, the executive officer stormed out of the room. As though we don't have enough trouble around here." Thus were identical twins welcomed on this base. There is never a dull moment. - Capt. Harry F. Wade, Chaplain, 1305th BU
In Search, Rescue Work 1333rd BU, ASSAM - An army job doesn't seem so bad when it involves hunting, fishing and swimming, but Lt. William F. Diebold, intelligence officer attached to the Search and Rescue squadron, does these because of necessity. After many jumps into the jungles and long weeks of hiking with a 60-pound pack on his back, the 26 year-old lieutenant has become a jungle veteran. His first jump occurred within an hour after he arrived at this base for assignment to the squadron, when he participated in the thrilling rescue of Lt. Greenlow M. Collins, a P-51 pilot who went down in one of the Hump's most treacherous areas - the valley of the Gedu. Since then, the "jumping shavetail" has taken part in many other rescues and has compiled a score of adventures which would put a pulp-fiction writer to shame. Colors for Raft-mate Snakes often have played their part in providing hair-raising incidents. Once while the lieutenant was leading a group of hillfolk along a jungle path, he barely missed stepping on a krait, one of the most dangerous snakes known. The snake struck the third member of the party, who died within a few moments. Another time, while Lt. Diebold was alone, paddling down a jungle stream on a raft, a cobra dropped on the raft from a tree overhead. The lieutenant jumped into the water, swam under the raft and came up on the opposite side, only to find himself face to face with the snake again. For an hour and a half he matched wits with the cobra, until he finally managed to ease it off the raft and continue on his way. On the lighter side, Lt. Diebold relates his experience with a tribe of hillfolk. The village head-man took a liking to him and called all the villagers to meet him. The "shavetail," whose sense of humor rates second only to his love of adventure, taught them the lyrics of "Old MacDonald Had a Farm" - and the chorus of villagers chimed in with "Ee-Ei-Ee-Ei-Oh." Friend of Tribesmen By displaying courtesy and thoughtfulness, he has established himself as a friend to jungle tribesmen of the Hump country. On one occasion, one of his village guides, who had been carrying a 100-pound pack of supplies, was overcome by malaria. Lt. Diebold stopped the procession, gave him atabrine and covered him with his own GI blankets. The "jumping shavetail" still likes to be referred to as such, though he came out of the jungle one day recently and learned he could change the color of his bars from gold to silver. He received the Soldier's medal last month.
With Sanction of His CO 1328th BU, ASSAM - T/Sgt. Lucas D. Gonzales probably is not the only GI in Assam who ever made a still but he is one of a few who operate one with the complete sanction of the CO. The reason is that the finished product is water. Until the recent invention of a water distilling system by Sgt. Gonzales there had been a definite need for distilled water at this base. Sufficient quantities were unobtainable and unprocessed water was being used, causing damage to batteries and a resultant operational handicap. The new water distilling system solves this problem. Using seven gallons of low octane gasoline, the apparatus piuts out ten gallons of water, enough for three days' operations. The product of Gonzales's device has been tested by the medics and found to be almost 100 percent pure. Made mostly from salvage materials, the still works on a system of coils, cooling trays and old barrels and is heated with gasoline. At the beginning Gonzales's greatest difficulty was getting sufficient output. The first model of his still was a small machine which was successful, but did not produce sufficient water. So Gonzales constructed the present unit which distills more than three times as much as is needed. Gonzales received his technical knowledge at El Paso Technical Institute and the Texas College of Mines. At this base he is NCO in charge of the electrical shop in engineering. Radio Ops Go To School at Assam Base Old-timers on Hump Run Serve As Instructors; GI Is Chief 1333rd BU, ASSAM - The Hump route demands from a radio operator all the technical knowledge he can apply. To educate those new to the Hump run, and to aid veteran, a school for aerial radio operators has been established at this base. Some of the instructors are old-timers who know the Hump's peculiarities. Others are technical experts on a new navigational aid. All are communication specialists and many of them have completed the required operational hours over the division's air lanes. Combined, they offer an intensive course of instruction concerning all the problems encountered in Hump flying. GIs Instruct Five instructors teach courses on homings, briefing and routes and continuous wave and voice procedure. They also cover the various types of equipment and their use. Six other specialists give sole attention to the operation of the new navigation receiver. All functions of the school come under scrutiny of T/Sgt. Julius Ginsberg, chief radio operator, and Sgt. John Weismus, chief instructor. Lt. H. W. Caming, flight communications officer, supervises activities. Attend Between Flights Devised and built by the instructors, the gadgets used are unique in that they simulate actual conditions encountered in the air. The school's masterpiece is a mock-up of two radio compasses mounted on a movable platform which enables GIs to demonstrate the use of directional facilities along various routes. Radio operators here attend the school between flights and are required to have routine checks monthly as well as weekly code checks.
New Show Wows Audience at 1327th; Pantomimist Stars 1327th BU, ASSAM - A new and original stage show, directed by Sgt. Ely Landau, Brooklyn, and presented to the personnel of this base and nearby hospitals, has all the earmarks of becoming the hit show of 1945 in the theater. The prize of the show was a pantomime by Sgt. Roy Becker, Milwaukee (see photo section) that left the GIs hysterical with laughter. Not since "Hump Happy" staged its humorous satire has a show received such tumultuous applause, encores and comment. The cast, composed entirely of 1327th personnel, was personally commended by Lt. Col. Harry Gowins, CO. Sgt. Becker, under the name of "Roy King," was a feature comedian with "Pappy Trester and the Screwballs," a novelty orchestra, for five years in Minnesota prior to entering the army. Sgt. Eddie Bauer, Wilkes-Barre, Pa., a professional magician who appeared in the White House on three "command performances" for President and Mrs. Roosevelt, held the audience spellbound with feats of magic.
Makes Wrestling Partner 1325th BU, ASSAM - Prowlers around this area would encounter something they didn't bargain for if they tried to enter this domain without being announced. They would come face to face with a 200-pound Himalayan black bear, who keeps a watchful eye for intruders. With teeth that could cut heavy insulated wire and paws that could crush almost anything, "Blackie" is more than a match for any man - except S/Sgt. John Townsend, of Los Angeles. Sgt. Townsend, a cook at Assam Wing HQ, befriended Blackie nine months ago when the bear was a two-week old cub. As Blackie grew, the friendship grew and the sergeant became his only companion. Others who dared to enter their sanctuary were met with lashing paws and snarling teeth. Among Blackie's accomplishments are guzzling beer out of a can, walking on his hind legs, scaring Indians and wrestling with Sgt. Townsend. Standing on his hind legs, in readiness, Blackie awaits the signal and the wrestling match begins. During the bout, the bear makes use of his teeth, gripping the sergeant's arm or leg. Townsend considers this fouling and punches Blackie in the kisser. The bout usually ends with Blackie the victor. Sgt. Townsend finds this an interesting way to while away the time here. His only regret is that he won't be allowed to take Blackie with him when he returns to the States. The cook is the former owner of the Webster restaurant in Los Angeles and knows a good steak when he sees one.
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