Super-Fort - 25 January 1945 - XX Bomber Command

GEN. RAMEY HEADS XX B.C.

Jap Trouble Makers
When these two commanding generals, Maj. Gen. Curtis E. LeMay, left, and Brig. Gen. Roger M. Ramey, get together, it means trouble - for the Japs. Gen. Ramey is now commanding general of the XX Bomber Command, succeeding Gen. LeMay, who is assigned as head of the twin XXI Bomber Command.

Gen. LeMay
New C.G. of
Twin XXI B.C.

By SUPER-FORT Writer
HEADQUARTERS, XX BOMBER COMMAND, INDIA. - Brig. Gen. Roger M. Ramey, former chief of staff of the XXI Bomber Command, is the new commanding general of this Command, succeeding Maj. Gen. Curtis E. LeMay.
The announcement was made this wek by Gen. H. H. Arnold, commanding general of the Twentieth Air Force, in the reassignment of three general officers of the twin bomber commands. All are now exercising the duties of their new assignment.
Gen. LeMay, who had directed the bombing activities of this Command since September 1944, has been designated the new commanding general of the XXI Bomber Command. He succeeds Brig. Gen. Haywood S. Hansell, who was ordered to continental United States for an undisclosed assignment.
Prior to his assignment to Superfortress operation, Hen. Ramey distinguished himself as commanding officer of the V Bomber Command. He contributed heavily to the defeat of the Jap thrust at Port Moresby, expulsion of the enemy from Papua (which brought defeat of the Japanese in the Bismarck Sea) and directed bombing operations in New Guinea, the Bismarck Archipelelago and other sections of the Southwest Pacific. Gen. Ramey also conducted the aerial assaults against the Jap bases at Wewak.
A native of Denton, Texas, Gen. Ramey was graduated from the U.S. Military Academy. Before switching to bombardment planes shortly before the outbreak of war, he was a pursuit pilot.

Six Shows
Booked For
XX B.C. Bases

By SUPER-FORT Writer
HEADQUARTERS, XX BOMBER COMMAND, INDIA - Entertainment-starved soldiers of this Command, appetized by the Pons-Kostelanetz troupe, will be served a full course of USO programs during the next few weeks.
Six shows have been booked through Mar. 9, revealed Capt. Talmadge H. Boynton, Special Service officer, adding that entertainment of every description is on tap for the various bases of the XX Bomber Command.
Benny Meroff's "Funzafire," which was presented here Sunday, is now touring Command bases.
Rhythmn and the Blues, featuring six Negro entertainers will play the Command from Jan. 29 to Feb. 5. This USO Troupe, No. 342, is the first colored unit to tour the India-Burma theatre.
Less than one week later, from Feb. 11 to Feb. 19, Happy Holiday, one of the biggest vaudeville units ever assembled by USO-Camp Shows, will be brought to the Command. Composed entirely of experienced Vaudeville performers, the new musical promises to be one of the gayest, livliest shows ever to play here.
Smoke Rings, which marks a new high in novel entertainment and exhibits a collection of pipes dating centuries back, is scheduled from Feb. 21 through Mar. 1. Betty Lynn, red-headed songstress, and Tommy Decker, guitarist-singer, are the stars of the show.
Isle of Song, a varied program of melodic moments, will make its appearance a few days after Smoke Rings, touring the bases from Feb. 24 to Mar. 4. The exciting entertainers include Isabella Wilson, Rudolph Gruen, Rachel Van Cleve, Frank Murray, Edwin Fowler and Emma Ricci, all "name" stars.
Within the near future, Capt. Boynton said, Daniel Content, famed New England artist, will visit the command to sketch pencil portraits.

Gen. Roger M. Ramey
... now directs the bombing activities of the XX Bomber Command.

ENLARGE PHOTO

Twin Commands
Increase Tempo
of Jap Bombings

The Twentieth Air Force closed its books for 1944 by sending XXI Bomber Command Super-Forts over the Nakajima Aircraft plant on Tokyo's outskirts. But the second day of 1945 found the XX Bomber Command over Bangkok, dropping hostile New Year's Greetings.
The XXI Bomber Command joined in the stepped-up operations by blasting the Nagoya area. This operation was directed from American territory since Brig. Gen. Hansell had moved his headquarters to Guam from Saipan.
In rapid fire succession the twin commands backed up General of the Armies, H. H. Arnold, in his promise to bomb Japan to her knees, the B-29s have visited Omura, Tokyo, Singapore, Nagoya and all have received three visits from the Superfortresses this year. That makes six missions the China-based 29s have accomplished against Formosa.

Queenie
This pretty water nymph is Ardis Sheffer, picked by returned fliers at the Don-Ce-Star Convalescent Center as their "Sea Shell Queen."

AAF SEEKS SUGGESTIONS

HEADQUARTERS XX BOMBER COMMAND, INDIA - That idea which has been buzzing around in your head may be worth another stripe - if it's in any way beneficial to the Army Air Forces.
For the AAF is now seeking and encourages the submission of beneficial suggestions by civilian and military personnel on duty with the AAF. Awards for worthwhile ideas are liberal.
Recognition for suggestions by military personnel may consist of a recommendation for Legion of Merit, consideration for promotion, or a letter of commendation placed in the individual's 201 file by the commanding officer.
Special "Suggestion Boxes" are now being constructed and will be placed in prominent places at all the bases of the XX Bomber Command, according to officials. Suggestion Committees have been named at all bases tp pass on the relative merits of suggestions to make recommendations to the reward to be given individuals and to transmit to superior authority those ideas having more than local application.
In view of the Ground Safety Program now underway, it is desirable that personnel of this Command submit suggestions pertaining to that subject.
However, any suggestion that would improve the efficiency, or be beneficial to this Command and the AAF in any way is solicited.

Promoted
Formerly with the XX Bomber Command, Kenneth R. Wolfe was recently promoted to the rank of major general. He is now chief, Engineering Procurement, Air Technical Service Command.

In Army 27 Years...

Col. Horn Fights Second “World War”

Col. Charles A. Horn

Col. Charles A. Horn, deputy chief-of-staff administration, is fighting his second "World War" overseas.
Enlisting as a Flying Cadey in 1918, he saw foreign service in France during World War I. His following 27 years of continuous service have been spent at various Air Corps stations throughout the U.S., with a tour of duty in the Philippines, and now here in India.
Like most regular Army officers, Col. Horn attended the usual Service schools. He was graduated from the Command and General Staff school in 1939, now holds Aeronautical ratings of Command pilot, Command observer, and Aircraft observer.
Prior to his joining the XX Bomber Command, November of 1943, Col. Horn was chief of the Operations Division, Air Staff Headquarters Army Air Forces. He came to India as commanding officer of the Advanced Detachment of this Command. Upon Gen. Wolfe's arrival, he became chief of staff.
His home is at Washington, D.C., where Mrs. Horn now resides. He has a daughter, Jacqueline, who is in her junior year at College.

Lorch Lectures

T/5 Lee Lorch, member of a XX Bomber Command topographic unit now on detached service to a bomb group, recently delivered a lecture of the faculty of the University of Calcutta on higher mathematics. His subject, "Summability of Infinite Terms," included mainly a discussion of modern research and outstanding problems.
Lorch, who holds a Phd and is a former research assistant in American colleges and universities, was the first American soldier to lecture at the University.

"ALL 'ZIN FUN" MAKES BIG HIT
WITH SERVICE GROUP MEN

A XX BOMBER COMMAND BASE, INDIA - It was an uproarous time for soldiers of the Service Group at APO 493 recently when Special Services presented its comedy, "All 'Zin Fun."
Written and directed by Cpl. Joseph B. Levin, the comedy featured 14 entertaining numbers, complete with songs, skits, jitter-bugling and music.
In addition to Capt. Roland L. Gray and S/Sgt. Quentin D. Nigro, producers, the following soldier were cast in the comedy: Pvt. Irving Sexter, Cpl. William Burch, Sgt. Robert Austin, T/Sgt. Murray Kahn, Sgt. Henry Hatten, Pfc. James Brooks, S/Sgt. James Pappas, Cpl. George Wynboom, Sgt. Isaac Abbott, Sgt. George Alker, Sgt. William Lohman, S/Sgt. Joe Slomsky, William Rich, Dick Magette and M/Sgt. Holtz.
Three British boys and Miss Anoosh Joakin, ARC also participated in the comedy, as did the CBI "Jive Bombers."

Fight Bombing Fire
Our twin XXI Bomber Command on Saipan recently experienced the wrath of retaliation when the Japs made a high-level surprise attack. Members of an Aviation Engineering unit drive a bulldozer into a blazing B-29 to extinguish the fire.

Direct Hit
The Japs made a direct hit on one Superfortress, leaving this distorted engine as the only evidence. A gasoline truck is ablaze in the background. Though a few ships were damaged, the XXI BC bombed Japan the following day.

XX B.C. MEN ENJOY PONS’ SHOW

Welcomes Kostelanetz
Lt. Warren Peterson, Special Service officer, greets Andrw Kostalanetz on behalf of the XX Bomber Command before the famous conductor has a chance to depart from his automobile at an airfield near Calcutta.

Old Friends Meet
Friends in civilian life, Kostelanetz and Lt. Col. S. S. Nuckols, XX Bomber Command Air Transport pilot, meet again on "this side of the world." Col. Nuckols used to pilot Kostelanetz in an American Airlines plane in the States, flew him to his first Command stop in India.

Visits Hospital
Lily Pons admires an oil painting with T/4 Donald Paul Murray, who was confined to a hospital during her tour of the Command. Miss Pons visited base hospitals during her afternoon hours.

Accompany Troupe
These five enlisted men of the XX Bomber Command were selected by Conductor Kostelanetz and accompanied the troupe on its tour of India. They are: left to right, Pfc. Russell Allan, S/Sgt. Stanley White, S/Sgt. Al Glance, Sgt. Irving Segall, and Pfc. Louis G. Cerritelli. All were members of the outstanding string section.

Kostelanetz Makes Big Hit With GI Band

By SUPER-FORT Writer
An hour of priceless relaxation - different from anything yet presented in this theatre - was provided India based members of the XX Bomber Command recently by Lily Pons, Metropolitan Opera star, and her famed conductor-husband Andre Kostelanetz.
Starved for celebrity-type entertainment, soldiers found the program soothing, and exceedingly enjoyable. It featured one of the best loved of all Opera singers and displayed clearly the mastery for which Mr. Kostelanetz has gained world renown. Supporting musicians were superb.
Sponsored by the U.S.O., the Pons-Kostelanetz troupes toured the command, giving evening performances and makiong impromptu hospital appearances. The last "name" entertainer here was Paulette Goddard in May of 1944.
Mr. Kostelanetz was equally as well received as was his charming wife. His quickly assembled orchestra, composed mostly of XX Bomber Command personnel and featuring a string section, played a selection of Victor Herbert and George Gershwin tunes.
Arrangements for all performances were made by Special Service officers.

Lt. Ned Baugh, associated with a Command bomb group, sings "Besame Mucho."

Evening Performance
While her famous husband conductor, Andre Kostelanetz, directs the orchestra, Miss Lily Pons sings "Estrellita" during an evening performance at a XX Bomber Command base.

* * * * *
IT'S A SMALL WORLD
The world is small, especially to a certain Texan.
Several years ago, on the other side of the world, Lt. Col. S. S. Nuckols of a XX Bomber Command Air Transport Squadron, used to pilot Andre Kostelanetz in an American Airlines plane between New York and Los Angeles. At that time, the conductor was courting Miss Lily Pons, now Mrs. Kostalanetz.
Recently, Col. Nuckols was called upon to pilot the Pons-Kostalanetz troupe now touring India. An old acquaintanceship was immediately renewed and Kostalanetz rode with Col. Nuckols in the pilot's cabin to the next destination.
Diminutive Frankie Versachi is as concerned with the morale of fellow musiciand as he is with that of soldier audience.
He and Theodore Paxson, outstanding pianist, gave an impromptu performace at Headquarters Base Non Coms' club that was enjoyed almost as much as the main show.

NEWS PUBLICATION OF THE XX BOMBER COMMAND

Published semi-monthly by the Information-Education branch of Personnel Section and Special Service Section of the XX Bomber Command. (Articles and photos are solicited and should be sent to SUPER-FORT, XX Bomber Command, APO 493, I-B Theatre).

Adviser.,,...........Lt. Donald B. Bischoff
Editor...................Cpl. Frank W. Lane
Art Editor....................Sgt. Al Fogel
War Writer...............Cpl. Lee Rasmussen
Reproduction...............Cpl. Earl Virden
Cartoonists..................Sgt. Dick Gunn
............................T/4 Paul Tietje
............................Cpl. Lee Wexler
...............................T/5 Ben Shaw

SUPER-FORT is published from new and pictures supplied by stadd members, base correspondents, OWI and Army News Service, and Camp Newspaper Service. Reproduction of CNS credited matter prohibited without permission of Camp News Service, 205 E. 42nd St., NYC 7.

REPRODUCED BY ENGR. AVN. TOPO. CO.

"Not just the best trained soldier in the world, not just the best equipped soldier in the world, but the BEST INFORMED soldier in the world."

CHEWING THE FAT
The security pooper is coming up out of the fox hole long enough to give you guys some information about chewing the fat, particularly all these new bodies who still play poker with ten cent chips because they haven't figured out how much a rupee is worth yet.
Yes, chewing the fat is the inherent weakness of many people - at the Club, over the backyard fence, or in the ol' rumble seat with a lovely blonde. This is especially true in this part of the world where the average native leads a rather dull and monotonous life. He may not have his club or backyard fence, and we know damn well he dosn't have a rumble seat and a lovely blonde; but nonetheless, he loves to gossip about anything to impress his family and friends with the importance of his new war job - clerk, bearer, kitchen helper. He has little else to do you know. Even a latrine sweeper loves to chew the fat when his sweeping is done.
It is a known fact that considerable information reaches the enemy in this manner, but we can't blame the sweeper - why blame him? He's not a Jif; he didn't use a rubber hose on anybody or crack a field safe for secret papers. Hell, he didn't have to - we threw the stuff at him - right in the market square to be picked up by educated ears and forwarded to Japan. Don't fool yourself, those ears are here all right. We know that. The sweeper's fault perhaps. No, we were responsible for the information reaching the honorable office of Japanese War Information.
How we love to chew the fat, especially the classified fat. It sure is fun to know things that someone else doesn't know - to watch their ears prick up, their eyes bulge, and that look of understanding when we pass out the hot stuff. We shout in the barracks, whisper in the Club, talk in the mess hall, and then go out to the latrine and grunt some more. All of us should take those 8 anna Hindustani lessons - then we could pass out the dope in two languages - faves the bearers and kitchen helpers a hell'va lot of trouble.
We've been asked not to chew the classified fat outside the office - more than a few times. It's all right to chew the plain ol' fat but leave the 8 to 5 stuff in the field safe where it belongs. It may not be any skin off some of our shine - a big wooden desk is considerably safer than a B-29 over the target. Give the fellows a break - those Zero machines don't use water pistols. It's damn discouraging to crap out with loaded dice because some kibitzer changed them at the last minute.
BE DISCREET, think a little before you speak. Besides, one of these days that tomgue may wag once too often.

Dust, slowly but thickly had accumulated in the balcony of the American Baptist Mission, a small red brick chapel located in a typical native city somkewhere in India.
For 21 long years, week-in and week-out, the Rev. Edwin C. Brush, formerly of Pennsylvania, had preached from the pulpit of his church. Each time the chapel balcony was empty. On numerous occasions the auditorium was only partially filled.
Then war came to India. The XX Bomber Command constructed its Superfortress bases nearby, and the Rev. Brush initiated his successful program.
With the help of the Rev. C. C. Roadarmel, another Baptist missionary, he inaugerated a weekly program of piucnics, game nights, prayer meetings, and singfests. He worked hard, and Christmas eve, at his special "Candle Light Service," realized his dream.
His small chapel was filled to capacity - and the long-empty balcony beamed with soldiers from the Bomber Command. Twice since the church has been packed.

Advise American
Rajahs to Save
Surplus Rupees

American rajahs (soldiers) are pouring more than 18,000,000 rupees each month into the trade channels of India - and getting little in return.
Besides getting "rooked" on their purchases of phoney stones, ghurka weapons, and a million other "genuine valuables," American soldiers are being harmful with their thriftless spending. For the impact of that amount is bringing about inflation.
Rightfully, the American soldier should be the highest paid in the world, probably should be earning even moire than he does. But high Army officials are of the opinion his money should be put to better use, for postwar necessities.
The Soldier's Deposit Fund offers the most enticing method of salting away those few extra bucks. If the soldier happens to be flush month after month, the money he stacks way will grow. All deposits draw 4% interest.
Old regulations stating that deposits couldn't be withdrawn until after the war have been recinded. Now enlisted men may withdraw their money for any sensible reason, such as furloughs, being placed on DS, or for any emergency need. (Personnel officers, or payroll clerks, are in charge of all deposits).
The purchase of bonds, treasury checks and increases in insurance also are encouraged.

Legion of Merit
Gen. Henry H. Arnold, commanding general, U.S. Army Air Forces, makes a bedside presentation of the Legion of Merit at Walter Reed Hospital to Brig. Gen. Laverne G. Saunders for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services while commanding general of the XX Bomber Command. Gen. Saunders, severely injured while flying between two of his B-29 bases, was flown home by the Air Transport Command Air Evacuation Service. He is the former "Blondie" Saunders, West Point gridiron All-American.

All Soldiers Service

Soldiers of the XX Bomber Command and one British corporal, Narin Petri, redcently conducted an All Soldiers Service at the American Baptist Mission. Sgt. Roy Barber sang solo, accompanied on the organ by Pfc. Albert Warren. Church music was augmented by an All Serviceman choir consisting of 18 enlisted men and officers.

American Radio Programs

The -following information has been compiled in answer to inquiries as to when and over what stations radio listener in India may tune in on American radio programs. Times when given are Indian Standard Time.
At 9:45 p.m. each Tuesday AIR carries a 15-minute news commentary on three wave-lengths: 31:15 meters, 41:44 meters, 48:78 meters. Title: "Rampart We Watch."
At 10 p.m. each Friday AIR carries a 30-minute program of music on 48:78, 41:44, 41:15 and 31:15 meters. Title: "Strike Up the Band."
ABSIE, the American radio station in England, may be heard on 49:92 meters at 11 p.m. each night carrying a 15-minute news program. At 11:15 p.m. New York comes in directly on the same wave-length with more news. (Good reception of this program is reported.)
Other stations which it is possible to hear in India at various hours:
United Nations Radio from Algiers on 22:25 and 25:50 meters.
WLWK on 19:67, WNRA on 16:52, WNRI on 22:97, and WNRX on 20:60 meters - all from Radio City, New York.
Two other American stations - WLWC on 16:85 and WGEO on 19:57 meters - carry voice programs of news when not devoted to transmitting radio photos. (USOWL).

PFC. HIRSCH WINS SUPER-FORT CONTEST

VERONICA LAKE CARTOON BEST

Pfc. Dave Hirsh, photo lab technician at APO 215, is the winner of SUPER-FORT's Cartoon Contest, Special Service Officers announced today.
Judges selected Hirsh's cartoon of a GI imitating Veronica Lake as the best of more than 100 submitted. The winner will be awarded an art prize of his own selection.

Pfc. Paul Hirsh

Hirsh, a New York City fireman in civilian life, began cartooning while in high school "just to show up a blowhard." He later attended the Grand Central Art Academy and has devoted most of his leisure time to cartooning for the last five or six years.
He specializes in black and whites, makes all his cartoons true to life. That he will keep in practice, Hirsh draws and sends at least one sketch to his wife in New York each day. His ambitions are to crack the "big time" nas a cartoonist and to get home as soon as possible to his wife and 1½-year-old daughter, Roberta.

COMMENDS XX B.C.
"Of all the succeses of the AAF during the last year, none have been more gratifying to me than those of the XX Bomber Command," commended Gen. H. H. Arnold, commanding general of the AAF, in a letter to Maj. Gen. Curtis E. LeMay.
"In the few months since you have begun operations, apart from the distinction of being the first heavy bombers to hit Japanese Islands, you have effectively bombed enemy industrial and military installations on the Asiatic mainland.
"For your Command particularly, the year 1945 will offer greater opportunities to bring the war home to Japan. I Know you will take the fullest advantage of them. In your efforts, my best wishes go with you and to every member of your Command."

Decorated
Maj. Gen. George E. Stratemeyer pins the Distinguished Serrvice Medal on Maj. Gen. Curtis E. LeMay, former commanding general of the XX Bomber Command.

GEN. LE MAY
RECEIVES D.S.M.
FOR B-17 WORK

HEADQUARTERS, XX BOMBER COMMAND, INDIA - Maj. Gen. Curtis E. LeMay, former commanding general of this Command, recently was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service" as a commander of B-17 Flying Fortress units in the United Kingdom.
The medal, one of the rarest decorations awarded by the U.S. Government, was presented by Maj. Gen. George E. Stratemeyer, commanding general of the U.S.A.A.F. in the I-B Theatre, at brief ceremonies here.

They Don't

Billings, Mont. (ASNS) - Considerate is the word for Cpl. Rudy Role of Wheeler, Mont. From "somewhere in India" he sent his draft board back home a V-mail Christmas cheer with the friendly sincere announcement" "My Dear Draft Board: I am working on the Ledo Road near Burma. Wish you were here."

RESCUE WORK EXCITING — BUT ROUGH

A XX BOMBER COMMAND BASE, WESTERN CHINA - On a typical winter morning in Western China — cold and gray and damp — the Air Search and Rescue Squad of the XX Bomber Command drove its loaded jeep into a C-46 transport and took off for an advanced airfield not too far from the Jap lines.
It was just another emergency call for Capt. H. Meredith Berry of Towanda, Pa., a handsome and adventure-some young doctor who had asked for the severe and often gruesome assignment of searching the difficult terrain of China for lost crews. With him were one enlisted man and one Chinese interpreter.

Capt. H. M. Berry

A B-29 pilot had radioed that he was running out of gas, had given his position, and then had add tersely, "Crew bailing out." This was all Berry had to go on. The position radioed by the pilot was checked and found to be approximately four miles from a certain Chinese city, the possession of which was being decided in violent battle a short distance east of its walls.
The C-46 hauled Berry as far as it could, and then in a drizzling rain, the party proceeded by jeep. The road, however, ended abruptly; Chinese soldiers were ripping it to pieces to impede possible Jap progress. So Berry and party and jeep boarded a steam launch and headed down a flooded river.
Meanwhile, the crew of the hapless Superfort, aided by friendly Chinese, had made its way one by one to this city, and when Berry arrived he found them all safe with an elderly American missionary.
It was four cold, dreary days up the river on a steam launch before the recuers and crewmen reched a city close to an American airfield. It had been a harrowing trip ... the launch was so crowded it was almost impossible to sleep ... the food was filthy ... the diet consistig mostly of rice and duck eggs ... the men became ill with cramps and dysentery ... the river was so swift in places that 25 coolies were necessary to pull the boat up the stream ... on one of the nights, somebody from the shore took a pot shot at the boat, but missed the passengers. They finally arrived at this city and were cared for at a Catholic mission.
The next day they proceeded to the airfield and then by C-46 to a XX Bomber Command base in Western China. All expenses of the mission were paid on the spot, by Berry, the tab totalling 72,000 Chinese dollars (approximately $150 American).
Austere as this mission my seem, it still was one of the milder and more pleasant ones for Berry and his rescuers who have travelled on one occasion as far as 1525 miles into the mountains of China to identify bodies and take pictures of a lost B-29 crew. Another time, they penetrated deep into the Lolo country of Sichang Province to rescue a transport crew which had made a phenomenal crash landing on a short mesa atop a high mountain. Nobody was injured seriously.
Then one black night in China, an airplane, attempting a cradh landing, exploded across a river from where Berry was quartered, Unablke to find a sampan or derry to transport hime to the other side, Berry undressed, leaped into the icy water and proceeded to swim the river some three-quarters of a mile across.
For this act of heroism he recently was awarded the Soldier's Medal.

Examine Damaaged Ship
Examining the flak damage which nearly destroyed their Super-Fort, "Pioneer II" over Mukden, Manchuria, recently are four crew members who made the harrowing flight. They are left to right John H. Roth, navigator; Lt. Paul P. Urek, bombardier; S/Sgt. John J. Matulauskis, radio operator, and Lt. Robert T. Weaver, co-pilot.

PIONEER II CREW .........
RELATES HARROWING B-29 RIDE

A XX BOMBER COMMAND BASE, WESTERN CHINA - Crewmates of the Superfortress "Pioneer II" knock on wood when they recount their harrowing experiences during a recent mission over Mukden, Manchuria.
Piloted by 23-year-old Capt. Paul K. Carlton, of Erie, Pa., the "Pioneer II" was:
Ripped by bullets and cannon shells from Jap fighters . . .
Hit between the bomb bays by a heavy caliber anti-aircraft shell which exploded, severing gas lines, gushingb precious fuel into the bomb bays and badly weakening the wing supports . . .
Almost struck by a falling B-29, narrowly missed by a careening Jap Zero . . .
And barely managed to reach an emergency field in China hours later after trailing leaking gasoline. A spark would have blown up the bomber.
On the black ink side of the ledger, the "Pioneer II" jettisoned its bombs on the target and destroyed - a Jap fighter. The plane and its crew returned safely a few days later.

Plenty of Curves
Displaying the physical loveliness which helps make their specialty number a hit with soldier audiences are these members of the Benny Meroff show: left to right, Edna Kenyon, Jane Brandow, Kathleen McLaughlin and Betty Huntington.

Funzafire is Hilarious, Wacky Show ! ! !

By SUPER-FORT Writer
HEADQUARTERS, XX BOMBER COMMAND, INDIA - Soldiers rocked with laughter here Sunday night as Benny Meroff gave his opening performance of Funzafire, a wacky, hilarious show.
The USO sponsored troupe is scheduled to visit all bases of the XX Bomber Command during its tour of India.
Meroff, who acts as master of ceremonies and does a half-dozen different things, gave the Bomber Command men something they haven't seen in a long time - women, five white women who displayed lots of curvaciousness.
The show, lasting an hour and one-half, had nearly everything. It featured dancing, tap and specialty numbers, by Jerry and Jane Brandow, and Kitty McLaughlin who works with Meroff. Jack Gwynne, teamed with his wife Ann, befuddled the audience with magician tricks, and Joe Jackson Jr. rocked them out of their seats with his comedian tactics.
Betty Huntington sang several selections while Edna Keynon displayed her skill on the xylophone. Little Charlie Mariano played the role of stooge and Lee Silvern backed the entire show with his expert piano and accordion playing.

XX B. C. Awards Five Bronze Star Medals

HEADQUARTERS, XX BOMBER COMMAND, INDIA - The XX Bomber Command has announced its first awards of the Bronze Star Medal, new decoration for meritorious service not involving aerial flight.
Those receiving the award were: Lt. Col. Joseph H. Frost, Maj. Samuel Gershon, Maj. Alva S. Hascall, Maj. Herbert D. Lewis and Maj. Inman L. Massey.

Camouflaged Superfort
Crew members of the Superfortress "Lassie," aided by Chinese, are camouflaging the bomber at an emergency field actually behind the fluid Jap lines in China.

Recover B-29 Downed
Behind Jap Lines

Japs Fail to Find Camouflaged Plane

A XX BOMBER COMMAND BASE, INDIA - The story of how the Superfortress "Lassie" came home after a 5-day emergency sojourn at an isolated airfield actually behind the fluid Jap lines in China has been disclosed here.
Aided by Chinese soldiers, the crew camouflaged the bomber with clay and rice straw, repaired it as Jap aircraft vainly searched for the carefully concealed plane, and later flew it to safety.
"Lassie" piloted by Capt. Harold L. Meints, was returning from a mission when loss of an engine and a diminishing fuel supply necessitated an emergency landing.
"We let down through 10,000 feet of solid soup and squeezed past some high hills to land at the field," Capt. Meints related.
"Actually we were many miles behind the Jap lines, although the field still was in Allied hands," he said.
"The only remeaining American troops, however, were members of a demolition squad who were ready to blow up the airstrip."
To hide the conspicuous silver bomber from the prying eyes of Jap "Photo Joe" reconnaissance planes and strafing fighters, the crew, aided by by 100 Chinese, daubed the shining fuselage with dull clay and spread rice straw across the top.
Tools and spare parts were flown into the field.
Three C-47 Sky Trains hauled thousands of gallons of gasoline in barrels to the field. The fuel was pumped into the bomber by hand.
Five days later the plane was stripped of its camouflage and flown to its Billy Mitchell Group base in China, literally snatched right out from under the Japs' noses.
" I guess they would have like to grab a B-29 intact," Capt. Meints said. "But we thought of that, too. We had parked 'Lassie' over a 1000 pound bomb and would have blown her sky high if the Japs had thretened the field."

Read Commendation
Happy about their commendation from Gen. H. H. Arnold, commanding general of the AAF, are these members of the XX Bomber Command modeling unit. Ledft to right: T/3 E. A. Salmans, T/3 Everett F. Folger, Lt. August N. Nordhausen, T/5 George K. Martin and T/3 Terrence C. Atkinson.

* * * *

Gen. Hap Arnold Praises
XX B. C. Model Making Unit

For designing and constructing a Radar Navigation Trainer, five members of a XX Bomber Command model unit have been commended by Gen. H. H. Arnold, commanding general U.S. Army Air Forces.
The "letter of commendation" recently received by Maj. Gen. Curtis E. LeMay, former commanding general of this Command, stated in part:
"Lt. (August H.) Nordhausen and members of the A-2 Model Unit are commended for their initiative and ingenuity in the design and construction of the Radar Navigational Trainer from materials available at Headquarters, XX Bomber Command. It is felt that their efforts have made a material contribution toward the improvements of navagational skill."
Enlisted men working with Lt. Nordhausen were T/3s Terrance C. Atkinson, Everett F. Folger, Edwin A. Salmans and T/5 George K. Martin.

Japs Consider Prospect
of “National Suicide”

National suicide has been a topic of discussion among the Japanese for at least two years, writes a former China Missionary to his brother stationed here in India with the XX Bomber Command.
". . . They're tired of this war, long ago, but they just keep plodding on because it's just too bad for them if they're even suspected of defeatism. But most of them don't even think of doing anything else than going right on whatever their likes or dislikes.
"As early as two years ago they were talking of the prospects of national suicide. For the soldiers this will probably mean they'll fight till they're cornered and then die in suicude charges like the one on Saipan. For the civilians it will mean, in many cases, jumping off cliffs or into the sea, Saipan style too. So it may take some time till a hundred million of them have committed suicide or been dispatched with allied weapons.
"Looks like they're getting ready to make their last stand in China rather than in Japan. The principal reason for this may be the shortage of war materials in Japan and the almost impossibility of getting them there now across the water."
The Missionary, now living in Ohio, expresed his appreciation of the article in SUPER-FORT which warned against over-optimism in expecting a speedy end to the war in the Orient. He mentioned the immense spaces, lack of roads and transwportation facilities, the dogged fatalism of the Oriental and the ability and readiness of the Japs to put up with all sorts of hardships and sacrifice their lives for their emperor.
Writing about the complicated filing system of the Japs, The Missionary opined that if B-29s succeeded in destroying tHe Tokyo files the war might come to an unexpectedly quick end. "They wouldn't know what to do any more," he concluded his letter about the docile Japs.

Gals Like Men With Hairy Chests
New York (ANS) - The men with hair on their chests racked up another victory over their bare-chested brethren when the Inquiring Fotographer of a local paper asked New York gals, "Do you like men with hair on their chests?"
Said Helen A. Brunson: "You bet I do. Once I had a boy friend with no hair on his chest. I told him that if he wanted to go steady with me, he'd better start using hair tonic on his cheat. He did, too, but the hair wouldn't grow, so I swapped him for a real man with a full crop of hair on his chest."

Sketch Pad

By T/5 Ben Shaw

Sets New India Record
M/Sgt. Wince C. King, who set a new India record in th high jump at Calcutta recently, is expected to win that event in the British sponsored track and field meet Saturday. A huge, negro athlete, King "rolls" over the bar, as shown in the above photos.

Wince King Breaks
India Jump Record

By SUPER-FORT Writer

Calcutta, India - Though scorning only fifth in team points, XX Bomber Command trackmen were credited with setting one of two new India records recently during the All-American Track and Field Meet at the Football Club stadium.
M/Sgt. Wince C. King, an ordnance worker, set the India high jump record, clearing the bar at 6 feet 5 inches. (World's Record is 6' 11"). A new pole vault record also was set, with a vault of 11 feet 3 inches by Charles Cass, an American soldier.
Those earning points from the XX Bomber Command included T/5 Chester Bickel, who scored fourth in the distance throw and third in the 12-pound shot put; Ralph Hale, fifth in high jump; Harold Houpt, fourth in the two mile run, and Fraser, third in the 220-yard dash.
Relay teams of the Command scored second in the 880-yard medley, and 880-yard relay.

Football Champs
APO 493 - With 12 straight victories, this Engineer Topo (Officers) team easily won the intra-base Touch Football Championship here. Front row, left to right are: Lts. Sam Stellfox, Cecil Collins, Gordon Ebersole and Raymond King; back row, Dick Erdlitz, William Witherspoon, Jr., Roger Samples and William Goodwin and Tech representative Al Green.

Perfect Game
APO 493 - Cpl. Henry G. Dutra pitched a no hit, no run game here in tournament play recently, striking out 18 men. He also collected three hits as he led his team to a 18-0 victory. Twenty-one years old, Dutra played semi-pro ball with several clubs around Oakland, Cal., before joining the Army.

XX B. C. Viers
Should Win
Two Events

By SUPER-FORT Writer

Trackmen of the XX Bomber Command, though failing to qualify in the sprint events, are expected to win at least two field events Saturday at the British sponsored track and field meet.
M/Sgt. Wince C. King, an ordnanceman at APO 493, should win the high jump with little competition. Holder of the India record 6 feet 5 inches, established at the Al-American Track and Field Meet recently at Calcutta, King eased over the 6-foot bar during qualification competition.
Lt. Guinn Smith, of an Air Commando unit, former athlete at the UIniversity of Southern California is expected to win the javelin throw, with most competition coming from T/5 Chester Bickel of a Command signal unit. These two had the longest throws at the qualification events.
Lt. Smith, who was a champion pole vaulter during his college days, is also entered in the high jump.
Three or four different bases of the XX Bomber Command will be represented at the meet.

SUPER-FORT PICTURE PAGE

New China based soldiers will find Army life quite different. Many live in tents.

Water is drawn from deep wells by Chinese coolies and carried to quarters.

Showers are quaint but enjoyable - as Pfc. Aaron Boles, filling a barrel, will testify.

Gasoline is scarce, so GI's make good use of coolie-drawn rickshaws.

Shopping is an off-duty past-time. With the traditional kibitzer corps, S/Sgts. Donald Kratzer, James Gunther and Steve Sandor, left to right, appraise Chinese jewelry.

Food is prepared by Chinese cooks (S/Sgt. Robert Erwin supervises).

... and served to GI's by wisecracking Chinese mess boys.

T H E Y K N O W A B O U T W A R
On the other side of the hills at forward bases in Western China, soldiers of the XX Bomber Command have been getting their fill of eggs, both scrambled and explosive, for the last 10 months. To put it mildly, their life is plenty rough.
The weather is cold, damp and dismal most of the year. Housing quarters aren't too good and "over the hump" food is painfully consistent. Eggs and pork, supplemented by fresh vegetables, coffee and "sweetsa" (dessert) compose the every-day menu.
There are few luxuries. Movies are months late, PX rations are skimpy, and beer is almost a forgotten beverage. Die-hards have found "Joyful Victory" gin, orange brandy and rice wine as devastating as India's "bamboo juice." Occasional dances in the nearby city break the "stay at hime" monotony.
Unlike India based soldiers, the men hit the slit trenches regularly on "jing bow" nights and have learned to recognize the Model-T sound of Jap bombers.
They know about war.

It gets mighty cold in China. Though clothed in heavy blanket coats, these two Chinese guards and an American mechanic find a little "bucket stove" enjoyable.

American and Chinese soldiers work on B-29 engines side by side. Cpl. W. F. Watlington is instructing a Chinese tech student.

Shows sponsored by the USO are warmly received by the China based men. Ruth Carrell, mleft, Pat O'Brien and Betty Yeaton made a big hit with the soldiers.

Parties also are sparse. Introducing two Chinese lasses to American-style coffee and donuts are Sgt, Carroll Simmons, left, and S/Sgt. Boyden Peterson.

Pfc. Fred Burrough of Waterloo, Iowa, finds this pretty Chinese girl a budding "hep-cat."

Not to be forgotten by the China based soldiers are the Japs. S/Sgt. Samuel W. Walters, left, and Pfc. Edward R. Gemmer keep their carbines in A-1 condition - just in case.

NEWS PUBLICATION OF THE XX BOMBER COMMAND

"Not just the best trained soldier in the world, not just the best equipped
soldier in the world, but the BEST INFORMED soldier in the world."