CBI Roundup
VOL. II        NO. 14        REG NO. L5015        DELHI,  THURSDAY                                         DECEMBER  16,  1943.
10th A.F. REPULSES JAPANESE BLOWS

THE WINNAH AND NEW CHAMPION
Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences bigwigs huddled the other day and decided that this was the classiest piece of cheesecake submitted in their still photography contest.  Gentlemen, meet Ramsey Ames.  Oh, yes, the photographer, lucky fellow, was Ray Jones.

Two Attacks Prove Costly to Nipponese

    The 10th Air Force whacked away at a dozen major targets in Burma this week, in addition to maintaining its support of American-trained Chinese troops covering the Ledo Road project, but the Japanese began to act up again, trying twice to raid Allied installations. As a result of all the activity, 17 enemy ships were destroyed, seven probably destroyed, and more than 15 damaged. American losses were three.
  The Jap hit at Fort Hertz on Dec. 10 with three bombers and four fighters. All the bombers and two of the fighters were shot down. Other groups tried to intercept transports supplying ground troops and, in the ensuing scrambles, two more enemy planes were destroyed, four probably destroyed, and seven damaged.

ATTACK ABORTIVE
  Three days later, a force of 20 bombers and 25 fighters tried to raid an American base in Assam. They inflicted no damage, but two of their bombers and five fighters were destroyed, one bomber probably destroyed, and three bombers and three fighters damaged.
  Between Dec. 6 and Dec. 12, B-24's mediums and fighter-bombers, working out on airfields, ruined the runways at Katha, Bhamo, and Myitkyina. Fires and explosions were started among supply and ammunition dumps and barracks areas in Katha, Mogaung, Yamalut, Parentu, Kamaing, Lagawng, Taro, Ningbyen, Maymyo, Monywa and Bhamo. In the Hukawng Valley, during the same period, complying with requests for support of ground forces, heavy bombing and strafing attacks were carried out near Gum Ga, Ningbyen, the Taro area and Wakshang.

MYITNGE BRIDGE HIT
  Things were also pretty hot in southern Burma where, on Dec. 6, mediums and fighters chewed up the Myitnge Bridge, scoring several direct hits, and the Paleik railway yards, where rolling stock was destroyed and fires started. Other mediums knocked out four locomotives and a riverboat, silenced an anti-aircraft battery, and started fires in Paleik itself.
  On Dec. 11, mediums and fighter-bombers scored direct hits on the runway at Maidavale landing ground, and the next day forces of B-24's, mediums and fighter-bombers poured it on to the approaches and surrounding installations of the Myittha rail bridge and the Mu River Bridge. Here they were picked up by enemy fighters and a 30-minute running fight disposed of three Jap planes, while two more were probably destroyed and several damaged. We suffered no losses.
  The B-24's were back on the job the night of Dec. 13-14 and dropped demolition and incendiary bombs all over Heho airdrome and surrounding installations. The runway was hard-hit, and numerous fires were started.




14th A.F. Hits Japs Hard All Week

    14TH AIR FORCE HQS. - Destroying 13 Japanese aircraft, smashing at Jap-held airdromes in Central China, hitting rail equipment in Northern Burma and installations in French Indo-China and the Tung Ting Lake area, the 14th Air Force continued during the past week its ever increasing blows at the Nipponese in Burma and China.
  Dec. 7, Mitchells, with fighter escort, bombed Jap installations at Changteh with another successful raid in support of Chinese ground troops. The Chinese-American Wing took part in this mission. At the same time, two small villages north of the Yuankiang River, near Changteh, were dive-bombed.
  In a night raid Dec. 9, B-25's hit Wuchang and Hankow airdromes in central China. Large fires were started at Wuchang. Other Mitchells again blasted in the vicinity of Changteh.
  For the second time during the week, fighter-bombers, on the same night, operating in support of Chinese troops, bombed barracks and enemy transportation on the Salween front at Tachai and San Tsum. Other planes conducted a low-level attack on the airdrome and barracks at Tong, near Hanoi in French Indo-China.
  Dec. 10, Liberators, with fighter escort, dropped 10 tons of bombs on the railroad yards and adjacent warehouse at Hanoi in French Indo-China. Chinese troops were supported on the Salween front in the area of Pan Chin and Hua Shu by fighter-bombers.
  On the same day, Japanese bombers attacked one of our forward bases twice. The later raid was intercepted by fighters. Three enemy bombers were shot down, two probably and one fighter probably. One enemy bomber and two fighters were damaged. One American aircraft was shot down. Only minor damage was done to the field.
  The next day, fighters, intercepted by a force of enemy fighters and dive-bombers as they returned to their base, shot down eight Zeros and two dive-bombers without loss to themselves. Mitchells, with fighter escort, bombed Jap installations at Shishow and Ansiang in the Tung Ting Lake sector. A total of 12 tons of bombs fell in the target area.




Japs
RAPE OF NANKING DESCRIBED BY MISSIONARY

    LOS ANGELES - (UP) - Missionary Dr. Ralph L. Phillips told the State Assembly Investigating Committee that Jap soldiers, during the rape of Nanking in 1939, practiced cannibalism, committed hideous sexual atrocities and amused themselves with the foulest tortures a human mind could devise.
  He said an 87-year-old woman was attacked 37 times in six hours and a six-year-old seven times. He declared, "I was forced to watch while the Japs disemboweled a Chinese soldier. I saw them roast his heart and liver and eat them."
  Phillips reported that the Japs at Nanking took thousands of girls, aged nine to 15, and turned them over to the Japanese soldiers for a week. Those still alive at the end of the week were killed.
  Declaring the Japs should be barred from U.S. citizenship, Phillips stated that, during his 26 years in the Orient, he became convinced all Japs are loyal to the Emperor.
  At the same time, Attorney General Francis Biddle called on Congress to consider legislation to revoke citizenship of American-born Japanese professing loyalty to Japan.
  The recommendation was made before the House Dies Sub-Committee, investigating the riots among Jap internees at the Tule Lake, Calif., War Relocation Authority Camp, Biddle said he "gravely doubted" the constitutionality of interning U.S. citizens, and declared that such legislation might solve the problem.




Strictly SNAFU  GIFTS TO MISS XMAS

    Things are strictly SNAFU.
  You thought, didn't you, that you'd be opening your Christmas presents the morning of Dec. 25? Didn't the War Department assure you that you'd be able to observe this traditional custom and facilitated its fulfillment by prompting the folks back home to mail your gifts between Sept. 15 and Oct. 15?
  However, as a sage named Bobbie Burns once observed, "The best-laid plans of mice and men gang aft agley." It won't be until some time in January, not before, when most of you will be able to admire the wristwatch sent by pop of the pipe from Aunt Minnie.
  The disappointing story which reaches the Roundup is that some intellect tossed the greater part of our presents aboard an ocean-going turtle instead of a greyhound, with the net result that things are fudged up.
  It's enough to make a guy lose his faith in Santa Claus.




DRAMATIC FLIGHT TO WIFE'S SIDE

    PORTLAND, ORE. - Cpl. Marvin Wilson, of the CBI Theater, successfully concluded a dramatic 18,000-mile flight to the side of his 20-year-old wife, who is confined to an iron lung with infantile paralysis and is scheduled to give birth to her second child before Christmas.
  The Red Cross persuaded the Army to allow him home when doctors became fearful that Mrs. Wilson would not live.
  Physicians now report amazing betterment of Mrs. Wilson's condition, owing to the tonic of her husband's presence, and say she can be removed from the respirator for the delivery of the baby. Chances for normal delivery, they state, are "excellent."




Life War Artist Killed In Crash

    Lucian Lebaudt, artist representing Life magazine, and Capt. Warner Marshall, nephew of Gen. George C. Marshall, were among 12 victims of an American transport plane crash in eastern India.
  Ironically, it is believed that the flight was the first for Lebaudt, who is the first accredited war correspondent to lose his life within this Theater. After covering the CBI Theater, Ben Robertson died in a Lisbon plane crash and Rod Munday on the plains of Naples before tank fire.
  Lebaudt, who painted the murals for the Los Angeles Post Office, is survived by his wife and a daughter.



CORPORAL GEE EYE "Hey Joe - What did ya do wit me laundry?"

Joe E. Brown Invades China
PANICS G.I. AUDIENCE       BECOMES 'DEAD ENDER'

    FORWARD ECHELON HEADQUARTERS  (Cabled to the Roundup) - "Boys, I don't care if you laugh with me, or at me, just so you laugh. And if you can look at this puss of mine without laughing - you're dead!"
Joe E. Brown

  This was the message that the world famous cave-mouthed comedian, Joe E. Brown, had for his audience when he climaxed his streamlined visit to Forward Echelon Headquarters, CBI, with an evening of sure-fire entertainment, ably abetted by Harry Barris, noted songwriter and one time a member of the Whiteman Rhythm Boys with Bing Crosby.
  Joe didn't have to worry about the laughs, however. They came thick and fast as he proceeded to almost literally "lay them in the aisles" with a stream of gags and stories - some new, some old, but all spiced with his own special brand of comedy that kept the audience howling for more.
  earlier in the evening, Comedian Brown was guest of honor at a cocktail party given by officers of the headquarters, following which he had dinner with the enlisted men.
  During the dinner and afterwards, the boys had a chance to hear about some of Joe's experiences thus far in his tour of overseas posts and stations. It was a field day for the "Short-snorters," as Joe graciously autographed dozens of bank notes for the boys.
  Maj. Gen. Thomas Hearn introduced Brown at the start of the evening's entertainment and, at its close, presented both Brown and Barris with scrolls, citing them for honorary membership in the "Dead Enders Club," exclusive organization open only to officers and enlisted men of Forward Echelon, CBI.
  Brown closed his program by leading the audience in singing God Bless America.




U.S.  LEADERS  ON  WORLD  BATTLEFRONTS 

    On land, sea and in the air, American fighting forces are harrying the enemy, relentlessly, day by day, bringing victory closer to reality. It's not all over but the shouting; the road ahead is still long and bloody; some temporary reverses are expected - but the goal is within sight. One of the contributing reasons that adds weight to this carefully-considered prediction is American leadership and today's Roundup introduces some of the nation's principal war chieftains.
  Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower directed the Allied forces which drove the Axis out of North Africa and Sicily and forced the Italians to capitulate when their homeland was invaded. One of his most formidable leaders is Lt. Gen. Mark Clark, Fifth Army chief.
  Here in CBI-land Lt. Gen. Joseph W. Stilwell is in command, and Maj. Gen. Claire L. Chennault, 14th Air Force leader, is displaying a brilliant offense against Jap-held China and Burma.
  Under Lt. Gen. Simon B. Buckner, Jr., Uncle Sam's Alaskan-based units have snipped off the Jap tentacle in the Aleutians.
  Everywhere, the airmen of Gen. H. H. Arnold have struck terror at Axis hearts.
  Astute Army Chief of Staff George C. Marshall has directed over-all strategy with poker-player skill. Maj. Gen. Joseph L. Collins, who directed the U.S. victory at Guadalcanal, points out enemy positions to Frank Knox, Secretary of the Navy.
  First American hero of the war was Gen. Douglas A. MacArthur, and his stature as Allied leader in the Southwest Pacific has not diminished.
  Both the Pacific Fleet of Admiral Chester W. Nimitz and the South Pacific Fleet of Admiral William F. Halsey have played important parts in U.S. victories.
  Lt. Gen. George S. Patton displayed vigorous leadership under Eisenhower, as did Gen. Sir Harold Alexander, British chieftain.






LEDO ROAD BECOMING  'BROADWAY OF INDIA'

    ADVANCED ASSAM BASE - The Ledo Road is rapidly becoming the "Broadway of India."
  This was demonstrated to all concerned here recently, when not one but two mighty and majestic theatrical productions hit the local boards for the purpose of souping up the morale of the slightly dragging Assam-chained G.I.'s of this base.
  In both performances, one of which was Elmer Comes Marching Home and the other Ledo

P-T PINUP
Tiny, trim and high powered as a Mosquito Fleet craft itself, lil' Jean Porter has been chosen the sweetheart of Uncle Sam's torpedo boat flotilla.
Roadagravure
, lovely ladies of the Medical Corps combined talents with poor man's Barrymores from the officer and enlisted ranks. Elmer is a dramatic opus based on the problems of a Guadalcanal hero who returns to his home town to find everything snafu, while Roadagravure is a hilarious, fast-moving revue.
  Khaki-clads around here can't imagine anyone east of Bombay being more attractive than the charming little vocalist of the Elmer cast, Ruth Steckel. And the four nurses in the chorus, Greta Boyne, Ann Thur, Martha Miller and Marie Carroll, have given them something tangible on which to pin their dreams.
  Capt. Arthur Duxler was Elmer, and specialty numbers were contributed by burly, honey-voiced Pvt. York and the expert guitar music and south-of-the-border songs of caballeros Castillo and Blain. Rolly Beck made a hit with buffoonery and impersonations.
  In the Roadagravure extravaganza, ANC Lts. Martin, Bessalo, McNulty, Smilanich, Husum and Parks were the delectable chorines, Lts. Land, Davies, Langdon and Suchma starred in black-outs; Kay Kurka brought down the house with "Confessions of an Army Nurse" and Chief Nurse Pollock bossed the fashion show.




ST. LOUIS WOMEN FORM CBI CLUB
Seeking To Bring Khaki-Clads Closer Together

    The rush of home town and home State clubs which has broken out recently in CBI-land got a Reverse lend-Lease twist this week with the announcement in a letter to the Roundup, that a CBI Club has been formed in St. Louis, composed of mothers and wives of St. Louis G.I.'s now holding the fort at the end of Uncle Sam's far-flung battle line.
  "The St. Louis CBI Club was organized through the efforts of Mrs. C. E. Gilliland," our informant, Mrs. C. E. Gilliland, writes. "The purpose and aims of the club are: (1) To acquaint families with each other that have men in the service in China, Burma and India; (2) To endeavor to bring the St. Louis men in closer contact with each other and to assure them of our support; (3) To exchange information of interest concerning our men; (4) To uphold the spirit of fellowship, which lifts the morale of the CBI Club members who are watching and praying for our men in the service."
  Mrs. Gilliland's main purpose in writing the Roundup was to ask St. Louis men in this Theater to write their mothers or wives telling them about the club, with the hope that the present membership of 40 can be expanded to include all St. Louis women with CBI attachments. Mrs. Ernest Israel, 870 Atlanta St., Webster Grove, Mo., is the club's president and the person with whom would-be new members should get in touch.




SHOW BY ASSAM DRAGONS                   FEATURES SOLDIER 'GIRLIES'
Let's go backstage at a performance of the Assam Dragon, hilarious soldier "girlie" show presented by Air Force members.  Blondie seated on the right is John Cobb, next to him is John Hupfel. John Newman powders his face, blotting out Winston Winege.
And what have we here but an interesting tableau, featuring John Sydow, arms upraised and looking as if he's about to take off into space.  In the supporting cast are, left to right, John Cobb, John Hupfel, George David, Al Roth and Jack Newman.  Woo-woo!
Here's something different in the CBI - cowboy music for those with nostalgia for that type of warblin' and playin'.  Our lyrical transposed heroes of the plains are, left to right, Al Holden, Johnny (off the) Cobb, Bob McCullom and Dalton (Doc) savage.




'Ball Of Fire' Scorched
       . . . But Definitely


    HOLLYWOOD - Mr. Sol Freemond may have been pleased when dynamic strip teaser Betty Rowland, who calls herself the "Ball of Fire," finished her act in a Hollywood night club by patting him on his bald head in time to a "bump" and a yelp. Mrs. Freemond, however, was not pleased - but definitely.
  The result was that Miss Rowland's first yelp was followed immediately by a second, unscheduled one, as Mrs. Freemond's lighted cigarette tip came in contact with the bare, satiny skin of a part of Miss Rowland's anatomy where no lighted cigarette tip has any right to be.
  Indignantly relating the incident to the deputy city attorney, P. V. Clibborn, Miss Rowland lifted her skirts high to show a patch on her thigh under which, she averred, the epidermis still smarted. She said that, after receiving the burn, she went to her dressing room and put on some clothes, then returned to the Freemond table to ask if the contact with the cigarette had been intentional or accidental.
  Mrs. Freemond said that it had been intentional, because of the pat on her husband's head. Miss Rowland, no ball of fire for fisticuffs, restrained herself from physical action, applied ointment to the burn, and took her troubles to her lawyer.
14th Gives 22 Awards
To Heroes


    HEADQUARTERS, 14TH AIR FORCE - Twenty-two decorations, including four Soldier's Medals and four Silver Stars, this week were announced by the 14th Air Force.
  Among those decorated was Lt. Cheng Tun Yung of the Chinese Air Force, honored for diving through a large enemy and bomber formation and shooting down one bomber on July 24. At that time Cheng was a member of the 14th A.F.
  The list of decorations:
  SOLDIER'S MEDAL: T/Sgt. Eugene R. Arvin, S/Sgts. William J. Braowsky, Ralph J. Scott, and Cpl. John R. Fletcher.
  SILVER STAR: Capts. Truman O. Jeffrys and John C. Stewart, Lt. Donald W. Hedrick, S/Sgt. Edward A. Uebel.
  DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSS: Lt. Herbert F. Hemp (posthumous).
  AIR MEDAL: T/Sgt. E. H. Kemp (posthumous), S/Sgt. Jonas C. Unruh (posthumous),
  PURPLE HEART: Lts. Eugene McGuire, Donald W. Hedrick, Fennard L. Herring, Emory M. Downs, Charles F. Whiffen, Jr., Leroy J. Fontaine, and Frederick A. Scheuerman; T/Sgt. Ellis M. Elder, S/Sgts. Jettie R. Darby, Jr. and Rafael C. Arellano.




Stranger Than Fiction
CHAPLAIN ASKS FOR GUARD DUTY

    CHINA - T/Sgt. H. M. Bratty of the 14th A.F. Forward Echelon has a guard roster of which he says, "I'll always keep it for future reference when things get going bad enough to make me feel like hunting up a chaplain for a T.S. Slip."
  A convoy of army vehicles was traveling recently across southeastern China and the strain of driving all day and then pulling guard duty at night was telling on the men. After the convoy was en route for five days, Sergeant of the Guard Bratty was approached by Chaplain James E. Tull, of Burdette, Ark., who said, "Sergeant, I request that you put me on guard, too."
  Which was done and Chaplain Tull walked his post in a military manner, keeping always on the alert - and getting soaking wet from the rainfall.



CHAPEL DEDICATED
AT BOMBER BASE


    EAST INDIA AIR BASE - On the second anniversary of America's declaration of war against Japan, formal ceremonies were held here to dedicate and officially turn over to Chaplains Aubrey A. Zellner and Ralph S. Robinson the now completed chapel of this heavy bombardment unit. The presentation was made by Col. Necrason and was attended by Chaplain Edward L. Trett, colonel; Chaplain W. F. Mullaly, lieutenant colonel, and other visiting chaplains.
  The building originally was a British canteen and, when turned over to the chaplains, consisted of practically nothing but walls and roof. Largely through volunteer effort the building has now been remodeled and furnished to provide, in Chaplain Zellner's words, "a primitive yet most attractive and reverential place of worship."
Major In 14th A.F.
Wins High Award


    FORWARD ECHELON, 14TH A.F. - A peace-time Ohio State University assistant professor, now a staff officer of the 14th Air Force, this week was awarded the Legion of Merit "for exceptionally meritorious service as a staff officer for the Advance Echelon of the 14th A.F. in Eastern China."
  He is Maj. Wilfred J. Smith, of Athens, O., who left his Ohio State pedagogical berth when called to the colors as a reserve officer. Born in China, the son of a Presbyterian missionary, Smith specialized in and taught Far Eastern history and economics, which made the CBI Theater his natural destination after donning khaki. He has been in the Theater for 19 months, with time out for a short tour of service with the First U.S. Heavy Bombardment Group in North Africa.








The C.B.I. Roundup is a weekly newspaper published by and for the men of the United States Army Forces in China, Burma, and India, from news and pictures supplied by staff members, soldier correspondents, the United Press, and the Army News Service. The Roundup is published Friday of each week and is printed by The Statesman in New Delhi, India. Editorial matter should be sent directly to Lt. Floyd Walter, Rear Echelon Hq., U.S.A.F., C.B.I., New Delhi, and should arrive not later than Monday in order to make that week's issue. Pictures must arrive by Sunday and must be negatives or enlargements. Stories should contain full name and organization of sender.











DECEMBER  16,  1943    

Original issue of C.B.I. Roundup shared by Ruth Canney, widow of CBI veteran John Canney.

Copyright © 2007 Carl Warren Weidenburner






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