Vol. 1, No. 10 Published by India China Division, Air Transport Command March 22, 1945
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In this brush drawing, Capt. James P. Scott, ICD artist, gives another view of the prop shop in the maintenance
"assembly line" at an Assam base. Overheard inside the hangar is a rail that carries the propellers from the dollies
into the building. At the right a GI is working at a "cleaning table."
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"Shot him? Nope, drank him to death!"
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WILD GAME shown here is partly good eating, and all good morale. India has lots of things GIs don't like, but there are compensations, and one of the more lavish of these is visited upon sportsmen who find India's game among the most abundant and diversified on earth.
Whether it be sambar deer, boar, tiger or ducks, the bag gotten by ICD GIs and officers testifies to their prowess with the rifle or the shotgun. But most important of all is the respite which hunting affords from the tedium and strain of days or months of getting the goods over the Hump. Hunting is one of the prime facets of recreational programs developed at jungle indoctrination camps where air crews and others while away a few days "having fun" as well as getting the "know-how" on jungle survival. Right in the heart of country reputedly affording the best tiger hunting in the world, GIs have a field day as they round up jungle "beaters" who whack the undergrowth on the
AVG's Bellhop with Americans in Assam Now Admirer of Flying Tigers Now Serves Pilots Who Fly Hump 1333 BU, Assam - The most loyal bellhop in India is perhaps M. D. Nashin, "babu" of the officers' mess here. For five years he has watched American airmen come, complete their missions, and return to the U.S. He started as a bellhop with the famed Flying Tigers, when that group was fighting against the Japs in China and Burma, long before war was declared. Nashin earned the nickname of "Bell" when the men of AVG referred to him as their favorite bellhop. He kept the name later on, when he went to work for the bombardment volunteer air force in Burma, near his home in Lashio. He was evacuated to Assam by a British officer when the Japs occupied that part of Burma. Able to speak nearly all of the dialects of the various languages used by the local help here. Bell is quite an asset in seeing that things get done. His ambition is to return to his home in Burma after the Japs are driven out. This shouldn't take long, he assures one.
Beats Skins for Teagarden, Other Name Bands in Music Career 1306 BU, Karachi - Cpl. Red Hughes wasn't born with a drummer's stick in either hand. Hordes of admirers, who tingle with excitement whenever Red gets to beating the skins, may be mildly shocked at this profanation of an ideal, but the truth is that he has been playing the drums for only 16 of his 24 years. How he managed to waste the other eight years at Ocean City, N.J., is not on record. With Bunny Berigan Red was drumming with jack Teagarden's orchestra at Roseland in New York when that "greeting" came. Since then he has become a radio operator for Uncle and "enjoyed" a 21-month career in the I-B Theater which includes one bail-out over the Hump. He still likes the drums better. An offer from the late, famed Bunny Berigan enticed Red from Temple University, where he was studying harmony, and it was with the beloved Bunny that Red got his big-time start. He was with Berigan at the time of the latter's death, and then switched to Jack Teagarden's group. Likes Jam Sessions Red's never happier than when the commercial pressure is off and he can jam with like-minded musicians. He has fond memories of jam sessions at Nick's in Greenwich Village, center of authentic jazz, with outstanding players like Coleman Hawkins and Count Basie. The "road" no longer has any appeal for Red Hughes. After the war he plans to settle down around Philly with some up-and-coming local band. Remaining a sideman, and a good one, is Red's post-war aim. Much Vexed Pilot Walks Out of Hills, Finds He is Father 1340 BU, Kunming - Capt. Kenneth C. MacGillivray was beset with plenty of troubles during a recent flight in China. To begin with, his wife was "expecting," and communications with Flint, Mich., being what they are, the problem was a big one. To make matters worse, weather conditions developed into a storm of gale proportions and closed every field within flying radius. When the gas tanks ran dry, the crew bailed out. The walkout was without serious incident, but for Capt. MacGillivray it was a long sweat. But it's all over now. When he reported back to his office, there was a wire on his desk informing him he was the proud father of a 7-pound baby boy. Pamphlet Hits Individuals As Chief Accident Sources Hq., Bengal Wing - Carelessness, incapacity and neglect have been the foremost cause of accidents, according to a pamphlet, "Flying Safety Notes," prepared by Capt. Claude W. Smith. "Flying safety does not operate in an office in this or higher echelons of command. It may originate there, but becomes effective with the individual pilot and every crew member." The flying safety officer asserted pilots must plan their flights with "extreme deliberation and care," adding that the "routine" attitude has no place in Hump operations. His suggestions continued: "The capabilities of all personnel must be carefully screened. Carelessness and gross negligence go hand in hand. We cannot allow them to play any part in the performance of our duty. "You must do your part, and remember - the foundation for the successful consummation of a flight is the pre-flight planning and the careful and conscientious cooperation of every crew member . . . " Hump Group Pits Wits, Gets Mitts on Schlitz Kits 1347 BU, India - "Dream Girl," a reliable old C-109, has paid off her crew. The payoff was two cases of Schlitz. Maj. Lowell C. Brown, Pittsburg, Pa., director of aircraft maintenance here, has set aside two cases of beer each month for the winners of a contest which takes in safety, maintenance and round trips over the Hump. The "liquid gold" went to S/Sgt. C. M. Smith, Troy, Ala.; Sgt. H. W. Dunn, Elmira, N.Y.; Pvt. L. E. Leuty, Joplin, Mo.; Pvt. H. P. Hayden, Attleboro, Mass.; Cpl. W. H. Callaghan, Chicago, and Sgt. C. E. Burlingham, Ottowa, Kans. 
Two Pilots Flew Together in Four Theaters, Two Armies 1340 BU, Kunming - When 2nd Lt. Thurman M. Lanham, Urbana, Ill., and 1st Lt. Martin J. Gillman, New Orleans, La., met in a cafe in Quebec, Canada, early in 1942, they took an almost instant dislike to one another. In fact, they almost came to blows. "Gillman was too damn cocky," says Lanham. "Lanham was lording it over everybody in the place," says Gillman. But, war and service in the air forces of two nations and in four theaters of operation have changed that first impression into a deep friendship which has finally brought them together to Kunming. Returned to Canada Both civilian pilots, Lanham and Gillman joined the Royal Canadian Air Force in 1942; both became instructors, served together, teaching young Canadians to fly. Then Lanham became a test pilot, a search-rescue pilot in the Arctic and later went overseas to the European theater with a fighter group in the RAF. When the U.S. entered the war, Gillman and Lanham, who had returned from England to Canada, resigned from the RCAF and volunteered for the USAAF. With no idea of each other's whereabouts, the two friends met in the operations office of the ATC C-46 training unit at Reno, Nev., and almost had themselves thrown in the brig for the enthusiasm of their reunion. At Reno they talked personnel into sending them together to Nashville, Tenn. At ATC's overseas staging station there they were assigned as pilot and co-pilot (neither will admit who was pilot) to ferry a C-46 overseas to North Africa. "We got there despite weather, mechanical trouble - and Gillman," says Lanham. Rooming Together The North African Division of ATC assigned Lanham to ICD. It took a personal visit to the CO, but when Lanham shipped out, Gillman went too. Assigned to an Assam station for a short while, Gillman was alerted for transfer to China. This time Lanham went to the CO, "It's this way, sir," he said. "We've been together through ---." Lanham went too. Now they're both at this base, rooming together, and inseparable on and off the base. When the reporter talked to Lt. Lanham, he discovered that the Urbana pilot made his first solo flight in 1932 in an OX-5 Curtiss Robin - owned by the reporter at Urbana.
On-the-job Training 1306 BU, Karachi - To relieve a shortage of airplane mechanics, this base has inaugurated a program to turn embryo greaseballs into full-fledged maintenance men. Reversing the usual collegiate practice of many hours of book study augmented by lab work, these student mechanics work a regular eight-hour shift on the line and then complete daily studies with two hours of classroom theory and explanation. Twenty different phases of aircraft maintenance are taken up and, since the emphasis is on speed, the course is completed in 23 days. Classroom pointers are given by Lt. Edward Creed, Lt. Harold Siebler and S/Sgt. Theodore Frango, with the aid of two technical representatives. Better Mouse Trap Spells Final Doom For Craving Rodent 1347 BU, India - Songs have been written and phrases have become hackneyed concerning the man who "builds a better mouse trap." Capt. Arthur Pirisky, Denver, Colo., went ahead and built one. When he received a long overdue Christmas present from his wife, a slice of fine old cheese took the captain's fancy. He put the morsel on a shelf atop his nightstand. A small, slender bamboo rod leading to the shelf was the only means by which a tiny visitor could ransack the hoard, so he foresightedly greased the bamboo rod, then placed his tin hat full of soapy water squarely beneath it and went to sleep. Hours later, when the stud games had quieted down, out came Mickey on a recon mission. Curious and hungry for the cheese, Mickey did a tight-rope act over the rod to snare the prize. There was a quick skid, a soft plop, and a fainter splash. End of Mickey.
Makes 'Rash' Statements If you guys will just be good boys, you won't have to worry much about heat rash this year. There are words to that effect in a paper published at an Assam ICD base. The fundamental morality of the article giving tips on how to minimize the rash is indicated by this bit: "Alcoholic indulgence during the day is not good. A couple of drinks or a few beers at night are not bad, but moderation should be practiced always. Less interesting, perhaps, but infinitely more beneficial is the increased use of fresh water and cool fruit juices." The article, however, gets off to a questionable start with its opening line: "Heat rash easily can be the most miserable affliction to assault a fellow who sojourns in Assam this summer . . . " There's no argument about the misery of heat rash, but those who have put in a summer in Calcutta or some of the other hotter-than-Hades India spots may be inclined to look down their noses at the implication that heat rash abounds only in Assam. For those not engaged in heavy physical work, it's a good idea to cut down to two meals a day and avoid potatoes, bread and other starches, including such goodies as pie, cake and ice cream, says the Heat Rash editor. But
"There will be occasions, naturally, when a touch of starches will be necessary if a man is to eat, but those times will be relatively few . . . " And now for the toilet: A shower with mild soap once a day is advised. If more frequent showers are desired, they should be taken without using soap, so that the skin's natural oils will not be dried out. A generous powder dusting should top off the rinse, it is suggested. Lest the reader become too hopeful, the following stipulation is made: "These steps are not guaranteed to prevent the plague altogether, but they will ease it materially if followed closely." So there you have it. Chapel Club Holds Its First Banquet At 1326 Base Unit 1326 BU, India - Celebrating its one-month anniversary, the 1326 Chapel Club held its first banquet recently. Food, decor and program were reminiscent of Stateside proceedings. Special guests included Lt. Col. Herbert S. Beeks, CO, and visiting nurse personnel. Recent club activities have included a tiger hunt, two fishing jaunts, programs by three foreign missionaries, sponsoring of two basketball teams, and publicity for religious services on the post. Cpl. William C. Murphy, of Dallas, Texas, is president of the group. HUMP EXPRESS is the official newspaper of the India-China Division, Air Transport Command, APO 192, c/o Postmaster, New York, N.Y., and is published by its Public Relations office. Camp Newspaper Service and Army Newspaper Service features are used, reproduction of which is prohibited without permission of CNS and ANS, 205 East 42nd St., New York, 17, N.Y. Other material is submitted by staff members, ICD-ATC base Public Relations sections and other soldier correspondents. Printed weekly by the Hindusthan Standard, 3 Burman St., Calcutta, India, and distributed each Thursday. Passed by U.S. Press Censor for mailing.
MARCH 22, 1945 Original issue of HUMP EXPRESS shared by CBI veteran Grover P. Fike Similar, better quality image of Jane Russell substituted for the original. Copyright © 2008 Carl Warren Weidenburner TOP OF PAGE PRINT THIS PAGE ABOUT THIS PAGE E-MAIL YOUR COMMENTS PREVIOUS ISSUE HUMP EXPRESS BASE NEXT ISSUE |
The GI at left gives a pilot the signal for takeoff as the chocks are pulled from the wheels of this C-46. The
scene, photographed at 1332 BU, is typical of the unceasing transport activity at bases in ICD. The palm in the
background gives the photo a touch of Miami atmosphere.
Sgt. Stanley Wawrzynek, 1306 BU, using his "compass swing computer" in the cockpit of a C-46. The simple yet
efficient device eliminates error due to faulty algebraic computations.
1332 BU, Assam - "Slate, tin, gravel, shingle, tire or iron roofs - those are OK, but who would ever have believed
that I'd be repairing a grass roof in India after 24 years in the top cover business?" asks S/Sgt. Phillip P. Hagan,
Long Island City, N.Y. Here he is working on a thatched roof which will undergo the crucial test during the
monsoon.
Mr. and Mrs. Bo Arne, Norwegian missionaries, and their children are on their way to Norway after ten years of
mission work in Honan province, North China.
When the war is over, we are all going to take that plot of land the GI Bill of Rights authorizes and have haystacks
and haystacks until something like this grows on one of them. The girl above, who packs more than a pistol is, of
course, Jane Russell.
TEN-FOOT TIGER skin was acquired by Sgt. Frank B. Hoffman, Washington, N.J. Skin is called a "diploma"
at the 1330 jungle school. Hoffman's tiger, the second accounted for at the school, weighed about 500 pounds. The first one had
been killed by Cpl. Harlie D. Lacaillade, Worcester, Mass.
DEER, BOAR, WILDCAT were spoils of Sgt. Leonard B. Smith, Nashville (standing); Sgt. John Niedenfuer, Minneapolis;
T/Sgt. Robert B. Quandt, Indianapolis; Pfc. Virgil S. Wilhite, Mt. Pleasant, Tenn., and M/Sgt. Hewey M. Rozzell,
Nowata, Okla. Quandt, mess sergeant at 1311, served the deer for chow next day.
700-POUND SAMBAR fell to Capt. John Wallwork, Arlington, Mass., and Lt. David Silbert, Mt. Vernon, N.Y.,
who congratulate each other at their Assam base after stringing up the sambar.
FIFTY DUCKS were knocked down by a party of ten from 1347 BU, who pose with some of the bag on return.
The hunt was arranged by Capt. Roy Johnson, Franklyn Grove, Pa., after a local khan had graciously thrown open his game
preserve to the 1347.
1347 BU, India - A dhoti-draped "babu" and two little kibitzers look on as Cpl. Charles Bush, Greenfield, Ohio,
conducts one of his informal music instructions. Bush's classes have become a form of relaxation from Hump-flying
duties for both aerial and ground crews. Left to right: Cpl. Ludlow Lozier, Glen Ellyn, Ill., Sgt. Bill Butler,
Sandusky, Ohio; Cpl. Bush; Pvt. Bill Barth, St' Louis, Mo., and Lt. Christopher Psotka, Little Falls, N.Y.
1333 BU, Assam - Nurse Evelyn Page wastes no time in getting those letters written, telling of her arrival in Assam.
She is one of the nurses who arrived here with a medical evacuation unit. The letter, incidentally, is very likely
addressed to her husband, Lt. Robert Page, serving with Gen. Patton's army in France.
S/Sgt. Theodore Frango, White Plains, N.Y., explains a hydraulic unit at the 1306 BU as mechs supplement on-the-job
training with classroom discussion. Listening are Pvt. Robert Rudy, New Haven, Conn., at Frango's right, and (clockwise)
Pvt. Robert Ritzdorf, Cedar Rapids, Neb.; Pvt. Thomas Samuelson, Maynard, Iowa; Pfc. Stanley Clark, Provo, Utah; Pvt.
Millard Raney, Newport, Ark.' Cpl. William Mekush, and Sgt. Martin Kavinsky.
1303 BU, Agra - At this important stop on a heavily traveled route, medical patients making short layovers are
rushed to the officers' club for a hot meal served on portable trays which slide snugly over their laps, while they
recline on an adjustable back-rest fitting over their stretchers. Here three EM pose as patients - doing a job which
might almost fool medics - to demonstrate the equipment.
"They want you should do typing, too . . . ."