AREA PADDLE CROWN FOR DEPOT
SERGEANT RETURNS, TELLS WHY Yesterday in pursuit of duty and information, a Tiger Rag reporter interviewed M/Sgt. Henry P. Merrifield, who recently returned to this "Dutch-oven" Depot after a jaunt in Uncle Sugar territory where he attended a 32-day course in Personal Affairs. "Tell us all," the scribe begged, pouring a warm bead of sweat from atop his nostrils. "We studied nine hours a day," Merrifield began, "six days a week with between "Stop!" Merrifield's mouth made a pursed O. He stopped. His eyes widened as he watched the reporter's raised hand, slightly palsied. "How did the women look?" he was asked. "The night clubs? Is the food and cigarette rationing killing off our relatives? Describe the women. Are many guys being discharged? How about the women?" "Oh," Merrifield muttered, "Oh... I see. Well, I stayed at the Capitol Hotel in New York. The girls are beautiful. And plentiful. They walk down the streets four and five abreast, waiting to be noticed and willing to get acquainted. They're lonesome too, you know. "There's plenty to drink at the bars. Since there are so many men returning from overseas the MPs are very lenient. Most of the men don't even wear neckties and aren't called down by the MPs. And many of the fellows who were there on leave or Temporary Duty and had 85 points were being discharged on the spot if they asked to be." Merrifield went on: "The cigarette shortage is improving. Soldiers, however, are being rationed six packs per week, which may account for it. Food is still a rough problem. Civilians are allowed 50 red pints a month, but a pound of butter takes 24 points while meat between 8 and 12. The inquirer's eyes fluttered uncertainly. "But everyone in the States seems to be just marking time waiting for the boys to come home." The fluttering ceased and a sigh came from the reporter's chair. "The lights are on full blast along Broadway now. I went to the Diamond Horseshoe and cafe society and servicemen are treated like kings. "I was in Brazil on V-E day. We had a forced landing and layed over there. They really celebrated V-E day. If a serviceman showed his face the overjoyed crowd would practically mob him. Merchants closed and barred their doors and windows so things wouldn't be damaged in the excitement." "Go on," Merrifield was urged. "Go on." "Almost everything is 'In Bounds' in Brazil and it's a red-hot town. Coming back here I was backlogged at Cairo for a while and visited the pyramids; even went inside one and climbed to the tombs located near the top. "But there's no place like the States. I've made a complete trip around the world now since last August, but Shangri-La just can't be beat. It's going to be hard on the men who take a 45-day furlough and return to India." "Why?" he was asked. "You hate to come back too badly. It's like breaking all your fingers and toes a small section at a time." Sgt. Merrifield should know. |
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Foundry Precludes Salvage Metal Waste
Shop area Maintenance will add a new feather on its distinctive production hat soon. The feather in this case being represented by a foundry now in the process of final construction. Designed primarily for recasting and molding non-ferrous metals like aluminum and brass, the foundry will melt down salvaged materiel and convert the molten ore into various odd or necessary parts which will then be standardized by the machine shop. Operations will begin as quickly as casting sand for the molds is secured. The blast furnace for the melting decomposition will have a heat generation of around 2,000 Fahrenheit degrees. Bengal Air Depot - A Year Ago S/Sgt. Earl Tews, recently commissioned a second lieutenant, was featured in the Depot Review, while the MPs who were ordered to shoot a dog turned in a report of one bullet expended in killing the animal and then were startled to see the dog appear on the Depot. "The Long Hard Road," predicting that, in spite of Gen. Eisenhower and P. M. Churchill's statements that the war in Europe would end by Christmas '44, it probably wouldn't turned out to be the most controversial editorial in the history of the Tiger Rag. The first of the weekly winners in the "Sweetheart of APO 492" contest turned out to be the sister of S/Sgt. Larry Chick of the Air Inspector's Office. |
Bronze Stars, Drivers Badges Awarded
Thirteen men recently added some metal on their theater ribbons when they were authorized Bronze Stars for their participation in the India-Burma Campaign throughout varying periods. They are, from 2005th Ord. Maint. Co.: 1st Lt. Arthur W. Dissinger (two Stars), T/Sgt. Stephen M. Budihas, T/Sgt. James Glynn, T/Sgt. Bernard Included in the same headquarters General Order were six men awarded the Motor Vehicle Driver's Badge. Cpl. Frank F. Palazzo of the 83rd Hq. Sqdn., and five men from the 2480th QM Trk. Co.: T/5 Moshia F. Smith, T/5 Albert Zacour, Pfc. Ervin Wilkerson, Pfc. Charles E. Cowart, and Pfc. Nolan Wooten who in addition to the Driver's Badge also received the Motor Vehicle Mechanic Award. |
Movies - At Post Theatre at 8:00 pm daily except Monday. Three new shows a week. See DIS for daily schedule. Libraries - Books are available at Special Service Office and Rajah's Rest. Tours - Conducted by ARC. Alternate Sundays, visit Calcutta and boat trip on Hooghly. Saturday and Monday, Bata (Czech Village) for dining swimming. See Rajah's Rest and Beehive Schedules for further information on these and other ARC activities. USAFI - Armed Force Institute courses are available through the Special Service office. Swimming - Pool located back of Depot near river. Daily except Sat., Sun. and Tues, all day. Table Tennis - Fina's in I-B Championships at Monsoon Square Garden, Sunday, 8:00 pm. Symphony - Calcutta Symphony at New Empire Theater, tickets at Rs. 4/8 and 6/8. Sunday only. Stage Show - "Three Men On A Horse" at ENSA Garrison Theater, once nightly for as. 4, as. 8 and Rs. 1. Tickets at Burra, Cosmos, and 60 Clubs. New Empire and Garrison Theaters. REGULAR Dancing - Cabana Room at Burra Club. For couples only. Soft lights and sweet music. Rs. 5 per couple, dancing from 9:15 pm. Paintings - Victoria Memorial, north entrance, open 10-5 daily. Paintings of monuments throughout India. Lectures - Royal Asiatic Society of Bengal, 1 Park St. Talks at 6:30 pm every Thursday. Swimming - Victoria Memorial Pool, opposite memorial, daily except Mon., Tues., and Thurs. For U.S. Military personnel only. Swimming - At Batanagar on ARC tour from Burra Club, every Mon. at 9:00 am. Tours - Conducted by Burra Club. Kali Temple, Tues., Thurs., Sat. at 9:00 am. Mon., Wed., Fri. at 5:00 pm. Jain Temple, Mon., Wed., Fri. at 6:00 am. Tues., Thurs., Sat. at 5:00 pm. Calcutta Mint every Friday at 2:15 pm. |
"I just wanted to see why it takes you so long to dress."
On Sale The Depot insignia, a patch four inches in circumference, featuring a tiger's head over a white trimmed red arrow against a blue background, featured in Tiger Rag's masthead, is on sale in the post tailor shop. There are two types, leather which costs four rupees eight annas and cloth which sells for 12 annas. They are authorized to be worn on the left breast of field jackets and T-shirts. |
The Globetrotters Table Tennis Team that will play Rajah's Rest for the Calcutta area championship. Left to right: S/Sgt. H. Cleveland, coach, S/Sgt. E. Lawrence, Pfc. L. Hawkins, T/Sgt. G. Aaron, Cpl. H. Drewry, T/5 S. Doplemore, T/4 L. Patterson, T/Sgt. O. Mike and Sgt. Charles Mason, manager. |
'Trotters Trip Tolly To Enter Finals
CALCUTTA, JULY 22 - A brilliant Globetrotters team playing with championship caliber fought their way into the finals of the Calcutta Area Table Tennis Tournament tonight by defeating the Pace Setters of Camp Tollygunge 7-0. The match was played at Monsoon Square Garden before a large GI crowd. |
Volleyball Champs In I-B Tourney
The 47th Supply's "Division Supply" Depot Volleyball champions, have been invited to participate in the India-Burma Tournament to be held in Calcutta next month. This strong aggregation consisting of J. Shanks, L. Scatera, C. Schoenbaum, V. Smith, E. martin, S. Mytych, S. Flitchenfeld, J. Kelley, F. Sater and C. Redmon is a threat for the title. |
Hanley Heads Both AAF And ASC
Maj. Gen. T. J. Hanley, Jr. has assumed command of the AAF IBT, succeeding Lt. Gen. George E. Stratemeyer, appointed AAF Commander of the China Theater. Gen. Hanley will retain command of ASC IBT and Hastings Mill will continue to serve as headquarters for both commands, in addition to the ICD ATC under Brig. Gen. William H. Tunner. Heading the principal divisions of Gen. Hanley's staff will be Brig. Gen. Thomas B. McDonald, chief, Maintenance; Col. Donald L. Hardy, chief, Supply; Col. Tracy Davis, chief, Personnel and Training.
Col. D. D. Fitzgerald remains as Chief-of-Staff for ASC IBT and has also assumed the duties of Chief of Staff for AAF IBT. "With the Japs pushed back beyond the frontiers of this Theater, aside from the mopping up in southern Burma, and their encirclement gradually being accomplished from the Pacific," said Gen. Hanley, "our main mission in this theater will be the maintenance of aircraft for the flow of supplies to China and the delivery of such tactical and strategic aircraft as required by the 14th and other Air Forces in China." Maj. Towne to U.S. Gen. Staff School Maj. Claire M. Towne, former CO of the 9th Engine Overhaul Sqdn. and Commandant of the Shop Area departed Stateside recently to attend the 25th class of the Command and General Staff School at Fort Leavenworth, Kans. The Air Staff Service Course which Maj. Towne will attend is a three months course and scheduled to begin August 1st. Mal. Lloyd J. Stuckey, former CO of the 83d Hq. Sqdn. has assumed command of the 9th Engine. |
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(And Won't It Be?) BY TIGER RAG'S EFFICIENCY EXTROVERT After a careful inventory of various concerns the TR business adviser has discarded them all. Even owning a bank is unsafe these days with termites breeding like they do. Yet since the realization is there that one must do something to occupy the mind here's the best suggestion to date: Get into the telescope or binocular business. There, is a pure gem. With a reasonable chance for expansion and focusing. Here's the pitch. A tragedy - or a new era of entertainment depending upon how you look at it - has been unveiled throughout the States. A shortage of venetian blinds exists Stateside! And several months ago old-fashioned roller-shades went off the market because of a cloth shortage! Just consider and visualize, the possibilities of the binocular business. It is tremendous and filled with long range speculations both indoor and outdoor. Your product well sell like burlesque ducats to a Siamese act. Of course, if the venetian blind industry can receive more tape from the War Production Board to hold their slats together, even the telescope business is doomed. For window shades will certainly cook your goose even to the pin-feathers. Yet therein lies the gambling venture of the thing. Just suppose the shade business goes bankrupt. Brother, you're in! Word will get around. People will talk and advertise your product: "Using one of blah-blah"s telescopes last night I picked up a feature clear to 73rd and Broadway. On the second story a little blonde --" Well, you can see the success of the thing can't you? If only the War Production Board holds out and there's no more window shades this business will have no rival. Look into it some night yourself and see. |
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Highest contributing outfits to Tiger Rag this month were, in order, 1212th MP Co., 2005th Ord. Co., 83d Hq. Sqdn., 449th QM Plat., 893d Sig. Co. and the 47th Sup. Sqdn. Several other organizations raised their percentage to make this month's contributions slightly higher than June's. This incidentally, was the fifth consecutive month that the MPs led the contribution. |
At Beehive Two contests are in progress at the Beehive, one on art and the other snooker. Works of local GI artists - pencil and charcoal drawings, watercolors and oils will be exhibited and judged. The club's snooker players are keeping the table well occupied this week playing off the first stage of the contest. |
Technicolor films showing various phases of Indian life including aboriginal dances, gypsy snake catchers and game hunting will be shown Thursday evening at the Beehive when Colin Cleghorn will display the films he has shot in the remote parts of India. Cleghorn, a Calcutta businessman, also the author of "Calcutta, a Book for Visitors," will narrate during the display. |
ROVING REPORTER
The Roving Reporter wrapped himself in an envelope and swooped out to confound the mail clerks on their thoughts of India with: "Do you plan to come back to India after the war and make a career here?"
T/4 KENNETH MULLINS, 903D SIG. - Definitely not! I've seen enough of the Indian way of living to last me the rest of my life. The USA is good enough for me. T/5 ROCCO R. CANIANO, 923D SIG. - A thousand times, no! The climate gets me down too much. I want my wife and boy to grow up in the best country in the world. If you don't know which that is, it's the good old USA.
T/5 ALVIN F. PHARO, 2005TH ORD. - Yes! As a civilian I could find plenty to do here. India is a field of rich opportunity for a man who has studied the people and has something worthwhile to offer them. There are many fortunes to be made here. The younger men would be wise to look around now while they have the chance. CPL. JOHN E. AHEARN, 83D HQS. - I've had enough of India during my stay here already. Besides, I want to go to school and there's no place like Dartmouth College to get your learning. When I'm an engineer, I may have to come back on a job. But that'll be all, brother.
CPL. JPHN M. PICKLE, 47TH SUP. - No. It is too hot here. I just don't seem to get used to the people and customs here. Anyhow why should anyone want to leave the States where all the opportunities are? T/5 ROBERT MULLINS, 1953D ORD. - I never intend to come back to India if I can help it. Got a wife and job waiting for me in Champaign, Ill. and that's where I'll do all my staying. Don't get me wrong - India is okay for some, but that some just ain't me.
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It took twenty-thousand men a day working for seventeen years to build this most famous mausoleum (top) in the world, the Taj Mahal, in Agra.
India's most noted edifice was constructed for King Shah Jahan as the final resting place for his beloved queen, Mumtaz.
Its beauty is such that it must be seen to be fully evaluated.
A narrow shopping street (bottom) in Agra. In the evening this thoroughfare is a seething mass of humanity. Books and clothing for children were the objects on sale here. Tongas and bicycles are the main means of transport in Agra but there is no place for them on these shopping streets come evening. |
Because of the depth of the cisterns (top) around Agra oxen are used to pull the water up. They run down an incline to exert the maximum pull.
These deep wells are usually utilized for irrigation.
The Mohammedan snake charmer (bottom) playing the flute-like instrument at Agra is causing the cobra to writhe and waiver with the strains of the Oriental music. Contrary to belief in some quarters, cobras will not often attack persons unless provoked. In captivity they are made harmless by removing the poison. |