![]() ![]() Vol. II No. 35 BENGAL AIR DEPOT AUGUST 11, 1945
BENGAL AIR DEPOT SECOND IN THEATER VOLLEYBALL The first game was Hialeah's all the way. The BAD team couldn't get started and before they knew it the Pick-Ups had too big a lead to overcome. The smashes of Becker of Hialeah kept the BAD on the heels continuously. Using either hand and taking advantage of set-ups by his teammates the six foot, 195 lb. Becker drove the ball repeatedly back to the opposite court with such force that it couldn't be handled. The BAD team found themselves in the second game and started with a 3-0 lead over their opponents. The Pick-Ups again led by Becker came right back on their serve however, and tied the score. A see-saw of service and points went on for several moments and then a couple of errors by BAD put Hialeah ahead 10-7. BAD recovered the serve when Redmon lobbed one in close to the edge of the Pick-Ups' court. Kelly served for the Depot aggregation and as Becker attempted to smash the ball over, Scatena leaped up and smashed the ball right back into his face for a point. Outstanding plays by Shanks, Schoenborn and Kelly followed in rapid succession making the score 11-10 in favor of BAD. It looked as though the Hialeah outfit had fallen apart but again Becker came through and drove the ball three consecutive times into the BAD court with such force that a return was impossible.
Smith recovered the serve for BAD by placing a shot far back in the Hialeah court when the Pick-Ups tried to crowd the net for a kill. The steady Redmon then threw all caution to the winds and batted through two hard balls, tying the score at 13-13. The BAD team lost the serve on a close decision but regained it before Hialeah could score. The crowd was nearly hysterical when the Depot also lost the ball without scoring. Becker then took the situation in hand and in two quick shots closed the most exciting game of the tournament. Hialeah 15, BAD 13. Cups were presented these first and second place teams following the meet. Hialeah won a large cup and BAD took home one that was only slightly smaller. A six man all star team was chosen from members of the sixteen American, Indian, Chinese and British teams who participated in the meet. Chester Redmon of BAD was named an all star and received a small trophy. Incidentally, Becker of Hialeah was also named to the all stars. E M CLUB OPENS WITH CUTTING OF 45 LB LAYER CAKE The opening of the Rajah's Rest at its new quarters last Sunday was made memorable to Depot GIs by the lack of official formality, the array of ARC girls, the improvement in surroundings and facilities, the entertainment arranged, and the festal climax with the Depot CG cutting an enormous 45 lb layer cake to the gratification of all present.
The doors of what is probably one of the largest post clubs swung open promptly at 2:30 p.m. The Men immediately started drifting in to admire the layout and try the new shining furniture which will assure them evenings of comfort and ease. Followed by the music of the Bengal Tigers and guided by the Rajah's Rest lasses, the men were guided through the canteen's spic and span kitchen, the commodious eating area and the game room, which was promptly put to use. The crowds paused longest at the I&E display on China which had been set up by Sgt. Jim Alevizos and Cpl. Thomas Hare, both of the SSO. A beeline was then made for the liquid refreshments and the cookies. Flanked by lighted candles, the huge layer cake remained in isolated splendor until Brig. Gen. Frank D. Hackett made the first inroad, with the men following the excellent example with the usual speed which has made Bengal Air Depot's name renowned for services performed. Introduced at the opening was Laura Peterson, the replacement for Helen Pyle who will soon be headed stateside. Laura, who hails from Salt Lake City and is a graduate of the University of Utah with time spent at the University of California, was celebrating the first anniversary of her stay in the Calcutta area. Helen Pyle announced that the canteen would open the next day with hours from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. and from 7 to 10 p.m. On Monday, Wednesdays and Fridays between the hours of 8 to 10 p.m. hamburgers will be on sale. On Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays during the same hours, egg sandwiches will be sold. Sundays from 8 to 10 p.m., cheeseburgers will be the house's specialty. At all other canteen open hours, chocolate ice cream sundaes, cold drinks, coffee and cake varieties will be on hand. GI hosts for the occasion who did everything possible to keep things moving were S/Sgt. Michael S. Macari of the 83d Hq. Sq., Sgt. Erminie J. Pace of the 47th Sup. Sq., T/Sgt. Fred J. Grimani of the 893d Sig. Co., T/5 Alvin A. Amos of the 2485th QM Trk. Co., T/Sgt. James W. King of the 320th Rep. Sq., and 1st Sgt. Marion F. Roller of the 903d Sig. Co. The same evening the first entertainment was offered by the new Rajah's Rest. A subdued but better equipped Ranjit Kumar, who had proved not at his best at the 4th of July presentation, gave forth with some unusual magician tricks.
BUCK ROGERS IN THE 20TH CENTURY ? This war, just as the last one, has caused an advance in science commensurate with at least three times the number of years in peacetime. Almost all the mechanical, scientific and chemical innovations and revelations during the last five years have been in search for more destructive weapons and explosives. The war has seen the use of weapons that would have caused doubting millions to sneer at their possibilities a few years back. From three hundred mile an hour to 800 mile an hour aircraft. From bazookas and rocket guns to jet propulsion and now, atomic bombs. This latest discovery, the splitting of atoms to unleash the most destructive forces yet controlled by man, is perhaps the one with the greatest war and peacetime possibilities. The energy released in the busting of an atom, and its potentialities, are almost beyond the ken of human comprehension. For several days now we have been listening to and reading descriptions of the results of the atomic bomb. Members of Congress have admitted that it can and probably will shorten Japan's ability to defend herself. And scientists are gloating on the possibilities now open in the harnessing of this atomic power to peace time needs. The use of this cheap means of energy and power can alter the very economy of the world. For electricity and coal and gas are exorbitantly priced, and are not even a luxury, compared to the inexpensive efficiency of this new means of energy. Lighting, heating, motivating vehicles . . . and rocket ships! All this will not come now or a few years after the war. There are myriad problems to be overcome before this vast potential can be converted to enriching the lives of people. But, in twenty, or thirty years men may be doing deeds hitherto considered impossible. Remember the fictionary Flash Gordon and Buck Rogers, whose interplanetary deeds took place in the 25th century? Ten, fifteen years ago the rocket ships roaming the spaces, anti-gravity suits and paralysis rays were merely figments of imaginative authors' vivid minds. Today we stand on the threshold of those dreams becoming a reality. It is not too much to expect that interplanetary trips will become a common event in this century. Before the next fifty-five years are up who knows how science may alter our every mode of living? When men can harness the forces of atoms, which are the very basics of the universe, can a Buck Rogers of the Twentieth Century be an impossibility?
Latest of the rooted installations to become air conditioned is the Radio Station of Radio Operations which has blossomed into a mecca for the radio operators on or off duty. "We just can't seem to get rid of them lately," joked CWO Joseph Vogt, Radio Operations Officer. "I never did see the men more enthusiastic to stay overtime or take over. Some of the fellows have been wondering if they want to go home - now that we have air conditioning." Sgt. Ronald Coulter, a radio station operator, claimed it's impossible to make mistakes these days with the cooling system keeping all alert and hands perspiration free to twist the dials on a moment's notice. A Tale of One City - And Two Men Sgt. Arthur C. Reddock of the 83d Hq. Sq. picked up the phone. "This is Capt. Willis Paulk," drawled a rather stern voice at the other end of the line. "I want you to report to me at your earliest possible convenience." Reddock thought a moment, wondering if he' snafued up something. He stalled for time: "Where shall I report sir>" He couldn't place Capt. Paulk, but the voice had an ominous ring. "Report to me in town, sergeant. You and I have a situation to discuss." "In town? "What kind of situation?" Reddock felt sweat pop on his forehead. "Are you sure you have the right man, sir?" "Completely. Isn't your home Fitzgerald, Ga.? Didn't you go to school there? Suddenly Reddock felt his spine relax and a light of understanding seeped through. "Paulk! Why you (censored)." And that is how Sgt. Reddock and Capt. Paulk got together for a reunion. The two men come from a small town of 7,000 population. Capt. Paulk is stationed in the northern part of India. Sgt. Reddock reported in town as requested and the two high school buddies reviewed those wonderful civilian days long ago. "Believe me," Reddock said, "the way that conversation began had me worried. I thought I was a dead duck and my sins had caught up with me."
Two Ordnance Mess Halls Cleanest on Depot Under a new rating system inaugurated by a three-man medical staff consisting of Capt. Burleigh Kammerer, medical officer, and his assistants, S/Sgt. Frank Job and Pfc. Phillip Graeser, all mess halls on the Depot are inspected weekly and graded on a point basis derived from the following evaluations: 1. Surrounding area and premises - garbage disposal, etc. 2. Dishwashing; sanitation, water heating, and airing 3. Mess building interior and exterior - condition of screens, fly breeding prevention, general cleanliness. 4. Kitchen utensils and cooking equipment. 5. Civil and military food handlers. (Subdivided as follows) a. Examinations - weekly physical, periodic immunization against cholera, typhoid, etc., and periodic stool test. b. Personal cleanliness and facilities present for washing themselves and clothing. c. Knowledge of personnel in handling and preparing food according to Depot Regulations where correct methods are clearly outlined. 6. Cold and dry storage facilities.
At the last inspection, based on the above points on a percentage basis, the standing of the various mess halls are as follows: 1953d Ord...........95% 2005th Ord..........95% 28th Hq...............94% 893d Sig..............94% 48th Sup..............94% 47th Sup..............94% 83rd Hq...............92% 325th Sup............88% 9th Eng...............88% 2466th QM Trk...87% 48th Rep..............85% MEDITATION A LA MONSOON Comes a dripping at the Window. Comes a deluge through the Door Gray clouds, bruised clouds, black clouds, scudding. This is the Monsson's repertoire. Grows the fungus on the clothing. Watch your bunk float from the floor. Scorpions, lizards, spiders and mosquitoes. The Monsoon introduces these and more. Sears the sun up in the welkin. Cloudily the stream jets from the ground. Your hair, your teeth, your morale, is missing. Because the Monsoon is playing clown. Splays the mud on all and sundry. Feel the crickets tread thru' your hair. The toads, the bats, the snakes, are wondering. Is the Devil's domain much worse down there?
Bengal Air Depot - A Year Ago T/Sgt. Bill Haas added a paragraph to the IDR when, a few moments after Col. Hackett had inspected the ranks at the first formal inspection held on the Depot, he ordered his platoon to "about face, march!" The 82d Sup. Sq. was recovering from its squadron party and Mrs. Jacqueline McCormack, wife of Cpl. Faber McCormack of the 320th Rep. Sq., was chosen as the third of the weekly winners in the contest to select the Sweetheart of APO 492. The "Hey Rookie" show which appeared for two straight nights proved to be one of the finest stage presentations ever to grace the theater on the base . . . and the carburetor overhaul section in the engine overhaul shops came in for a bit of publicity through the Tiger Rag's explanation of its work. POWER UNIT UNUSUALLY EFFICIENT A power unit for generating electricity at the Base Radio Station is believed to have established an efficiency record unequalled throughout both the IB and China Theaters. The power unit was in operation 3,904 hours before overhaul and repairs were deemed necessary. T/3 David Murphy, in charge pf the power plant, revealed that the unit was installed in August 1944 and compiled this record of operational hours since that time. Normally, a unit is overhauled anywhere from 1,000 to 3,000 logged hours with minor repairs needed from time to time. "I don't believe any other unit installed in the theater can match this for efficiency," Murphy said.
Race Against Deadline In Erection of Hangars Seventeen GIs are racing against a deadline to construct 11 additional hangars for the storing of supplies and equipment which will eventually blast the Japs right out of this war, according to their leader, Sgt. George J. Ashley of the 48th Rep. Sq. The 11 hangars are scheduled to be completed by 15th September. "It'll be done - so long as we get the equipment," assured Ashley. The new storage places are going up in the Compound 3 area. So far only groundwork has been done and all the structures have yet to assume shape. The task is not an easy one but all the men are enthusiastic. Stalwarts of the construction job are Pfcs. Kenneth M. Tower, Richard R. Kunde, Archie B. Jones, T/5 Roy J. McClure, Cpl. Vincent J. Cuttitti and T/4 Dennis F. McAfee, all of the 923rd Sig. Co., Pfcs. Harold Roberts and Leonard Kibby of the 82d Sup. Sq.; Pvt. William G. Latham and Pfc. John P. Quinn of the 48th Sup. Sq., Pfc. Olin Alexander, Cpls. Charles Ferver and Louis Vasconi of the 325th Sup. Sq.; and Pfc. Roy Bishop and Pvt. Sydney Derrick of the 75th Med. Sup. Sq.
FORMER CO HERE Six GIs from all over the IB and C theaters came in by air, rail and motor vehicle to honor their former CO, Maj. James A. Banton, Depot Signal Officer, at a reunion last weekend which may be a forerunner of many more to come. Planning the meeting weeks in advance, the six GIs were all formerly with the 619th Signal Aircraft Warning Co. which operated the Houston Army Information Center. Each had come by separate means to these theaters by way of the Atlantic and the Pacific. They had accumulated many decorations and commendations since their outfit disbanded a year ago. One of them, Sgt. Herbert J. Castro of Brookline, Mass., is a flying mission photographer. His work in taking pictures of Jap installations at Akyab and Rawree Island won him two battle stars and a commendation. Two others, S/Sgt. Ray H. Squires of Messina, NY, and Sgt. William C. Seegert of Elgin, Ill., now Air Commandos, received citations from Lt. Gen. George E. Stratemeyer, Lord Louis Mountbatten and the King of England for action in China and Burma. S/Sgt. Joseph W. Gray from Carthage, Texas, with an Aircraft Warning outfit in Central Burma, has one combat star. However, it is Sgt. John E. Thornton from Youngstown, Ohio, of the 903d Sig. Co. who bewails his luck of always finding himself surrounded by the ladies. Back at Houston he had all the feminine volunteers on the phones under his jurisdiction. He travelled half-way around the world to assume command, as chief operator here, of all the girls working the Depot's phone exchange. "These women... more trouble," he says. It was Sgt. Thornton who initiated the suggestion of the reunion inasmuch as he was in correspondence with all the other members. "The other fellows kept writing how they'd like to see Maj. Banton, who was the most popular CO most of us ever had. When I suggested the get-together, they jumped at the chance. As usual, the major helped us out on the transportation. We had a great weekend." Sgt. Kenneth W. McLendon of Columbia, SC, made up the sixth member. With the exception of a half dozen GIs, the balance of the original outfit are now serving all over the world and in every theater.
Depot QM Joins Celebration Of Corps' 170th Anniversary The QM is celebrating its 170th Anniversary as one of the oldest branches of the U.S. Army, according to Maj. Paul C. Uhlenhop, QM Officer here. Founded by Gen. George Washington in the summer of 1775, it was then known as Masters of Quarters. Its original duties were to take care of all quarters, food supplies, and perform all household duties. Rapidly, however, additional burdens were added to its broad shoulders until it became one of the busiest - and according to Maj. Uhlenhop - the best organization in the Army. It now handles all matters pertaining to clothing, office supplies, property, sustenance, salvage, laundry, sales stores, K-9 Corps, motor pools, 1st and 2nd echelon automotive repair, typewriter repair, shoe repair, clothing repair, tent repair, web equipment repair, furniture repair, packing and crating, carpenter shops, metal repair, stables (horses and mules) and in some cases rail transportation. Up to 1922, QM paid all American troops. The FD now handles that. Up to 1941, QM had charge of all repairing on the various posts until the Posts Engineers took over. Corps of Engineers abstracted from QM in 1941 the construction of buildings. Up to 1942 QM had charge of all transportation until the Transportation Corps was formed. And it was not until 1943 that Ordnance took charge of 3d and 4th Echelon repairs on vehicles which QM had performed until4then. Maj. Uhlenhop feels that with the coming of peace, many of the functions which other organizations assumed will revert to QM's jurisdiction. The Depot's QM might truthfully be called the big brother department with its multitude of duties harmonized with other AAF branches. QM's relations join practically every operation on Bengal. It feeds, clothes and equips troops in this area who number well into the five figures. It supplies thoroughly all personnel moving up. QM operates the Motor Pool with its complement of every type vehicle. Tying in with this is a 60 vehicle bus fleet which daily transports employees to and from work. It also supervises the operation of railroad trains which carry distant workers from and to their homes. A fleet of boats carrying personnel across the Hooghly is also maintained by QM as well as sturdy tugs which assist incoming barges laden with AC supplies. Other departments of the Depot's QM are an ice manufacturing plant, a laundry for all the military personnel, a salvage yard which is the biggest in the IBT, and one of the largest office machine repair shops overseas.
There has been quite a rush among the first three graders when they are stuck for theater guard to get put on the brothel detail... Joe Kelly and Medlin have a footlocker full of beer and Seagram's VO. But they don't trust each other so they have two locks on the locker. Kelly carries one key and Medlin the other. I interviewed Clem Vitale while he was eating and for a man of his hulk I thought that it would be quite a difficult task competing with a mouthful of food. But Clem for all his one hundred and eighty pounds which he describes as his "perfect weight" is not too heavy an eater. At least not in our mess hall! Clem is a short man, standing about five feet six and one half inches and his black hair and two small dark brown eyes separated by a sharp nose. I can't say anything about the hair on his chest because he was wearing a shirt. But I can say that his body doesn't look like the result of a Charles Atlas course. It looks more or less like a roly-poly that has sprouted legs. He was born thirty three years ago in Manhattan on New Year's Day. Seventeen years later, he "emigrated" to Brooklyn where he now lives on 14th Ave. overlooking the Dyker Golf Course. (There will now be a slight pause while the boys from Brooklyn go out and tear up the sidewalk in celebration).
"Have you got any salt on your table?" "Ya. Somewhere. Here." From his house you can just smell the... "Here, you can have it back, it's pepper." "Try this. Maybe it's salt." "Never mind. I'll put a little jelly on it." I never found out what you can smell from his house. Clem had his mouth full of soup and when he got it emptied, he started talking about the marking device company, R. A. Stewart & Co., Inc., he used to work for. This company is located in the Wall Street District which is, if you know anything about New York, a long way from Brooklyn. Clem commuted back and forth in his own car. The idea of a New Yorker driving his own car to work was fantastic and I made him repeat it several times just to be sure that I had heard him right. Clem was inducted at Camp Upton on April 2, 1943. He left behind him his wife and "one demobilizer," a little girl named Marianne. The Army pushed him through basic and clerical school at Fargo, North Dakota. He was shipped overseas in November of the same year. He is now a sergeant and holds down a steady position in the Engine Branch. At home, Clem was a quiet fellow drinking nothing but Vat 69. Over here he drinks... "Salt?" "No salt!" ...almost anything that come along. And his hobby is poker. He never wins but plays it for experience and laughs. When the war is over Clem is going back to his rubber stamps. I worked, he explained between hunks of pineapple, in the distribution section which is similar to stack control. How anyone can want to go back to anything that is similar to stock control is beyond me. "No, there's no salt on this table." HCA
ENGINES OVERHAULED HERE If you want an understanding blueprint of one of the most interesting accessory sections located in the shop area - the Oil Temperature Regulation Department - you just walk in via the rear door. You could enter through the front entrance, naturally, but tracing the functions of this department by the front method will makes your brain cells ring like a Chinese gong. And you'd probably wind up outside leaning weakly against a wall and wondering whether the men there restore oil coolers to maximum efficiency or are rebuilding honeycombs and apartment house for bees. So you slip in quietly through the back door. For it is here that operations begin when oil coolers are brought in from the repairable warehouse. These have in turn been shipped in from installations throughout the two theaters. Oil coolers - which after rejuvenation will again control the pulse beat of aircraft and prevent overheat or hemorrhages to an airplane's thick blood supply. The officer in charge of all the various accessory sections is Maj. Morris Skurka of Los Angeles, while the assistant chief is 1st Lt. George V. Constantakis of Detroit. These two control the ever present complications which normally arise in any repairing and production organization. And too, they have the legal authority to go to bat for their men and secure essential items which the men themselves might not be able to procure. Directly under the commissioned personnel, like adjustable braces on a pair of lenient suspenders, is S/Sgt. Robert T. Rickard of Venice, Calif., the NCO in charge of the Oil Temperature Regulation Department, and Pfc. William M. Bolotin of Los Angeles who is his co-adjutant. Much of the bench and repair equipment found in this department was designed and constructed by Rickard and Bolotin who have been in the section since its origin and possess a thorough knowledge of what is required on their jobs. When repairable oil coolers arrive for restoration they are first received by Pfc. Louis E. Premore of New York City. Premore, with his group of Indian workers, thoroughly clean the coolers on a steam rack and dismantle the regulator valves attached to the jackets. The valves, which regulate the flow as oil moves inside and around the jackets and is in turn cooled by air movement rushing through the many cooler tubes enclosed within the jacket, are sent along one conditioning and reassembly line while the coolers pass through another. HEXAGON TUBES LOOSENED Free from waste accumulation of oil and residue the coolers then move along the tear-down line to Pfc. James L. Rosser of Macon, Miss., who immerses them in a solder dipping pot which loosens the hexagon tubes from the jacket. Here, with the dozens of tubes free, they are ready for reworking. They are then sent on along the reconstruction line. Sgt. William L. Swinson, a southener, suh, from Mobile, Ala., is in charge of the tube rework and retinning. Under his supervision, and abetted by his crew of workmen, the myriad of tubes are retinned at both ends and, depending on the existing circumstances, either relegated to stock or utilized in the reassembly. For the tinning process the tubes are dipped into an acid flux solution, then a solder pot, and the clinging excess wiped off. Similar to the loosening process and dismantling is the reassembly. Pfc. Albert J. Schaefer, who tied his shoelaces prewar each morning in Chicago, is in charge of this operation which consists of rebonding the tubes into an integral unit by dipping them into a solder vat. Also assigned on this process of regeneration is Pfc. William H. Yost, Jr., of Santa Ana, Calif. Yost likewise has grown up with the department and "Malums" its intricate functions from "A" to izzard but, cannot comprehend the complicities of over-crowded T/Os when it comes to additional stripes! That, to coin a sentence, dislocates his reasoning perspective. With the oil coolers newly honeycombed with hex tubes they are then rotated up the benches to Sgt. Joe C. Cady, a genial GI from Merriman, Nebr. and Pfc. Carl D. Thomas who is a permanent supported of Marshall, Texas. These partners iron out any dents found in the copper jackets, solder bead the tubes securely along the edge to the jackets, and subject the completed oil coolers to a water test to detect flaws. Like the other enlisted men they too have their particular crews of Indian welders whom they have taught the necessary procedures. COOLERS WATER TESTED In testing for leaks on the completed oil regulators the methods are similar to those used checking inner tube leaks for vehicle tires. The oil coolers are placed in a water test tank with 100 pounds of air pressure flowing through. If air bubbles form on the water's surface the assembly is imperfect and must be corrected. When the tubes are solder beaded to the jackets a sloping bead is employed. This prevents the core being torn loose by wind pressure when the oil cooler is installed on the airplane engine. After these final stages with oil coolers ready for service, they are then received by Sgt. Samuel H. Gratton of Hollywood, Calif. who is the shipping and receiving wallah and who also controls the pickling operation. In pickling, two oil tanks heated to the boiling point are used. The regulators are immersed in the scalding oil for approximately five minutes, allowed to drain, and then boxed and stored for shipment in individual wooden boxes. The regulator valves when taken off the coolers at the beginning of repair follow almost the same reassembly pattern. Pfc. Bolotin, shop foreman whenever Sgt. Rickard is absent, maintains the valve cleaning, break-down, and repairing section. Since almost all the equipment needed for successful work was built by the men themselves they're particularly proud of the valve test bench they've set up for making any corrections necessary after the valves are repaired. Sgt. Paul Cohen of New York City and Pvt. Edward B. Porter of Marianna, Fla., are in charge of valve testing. Through the medium of a reservoir and an oil pressure pump, rubber hoses are attached to the test valve which reveals either the flaws or perfect
Another department being fitted but as yet unfinished will handle huge coolant radiators. This section is being developed by Sgt. Robert Nordberg of San Diego and when fully operational will rebuild and restore coolant radiators from P-51 (Mustang) aircraft. These are large jobs weighing in the vicinity of 250 or 300 pounds and will entail many problems in reassembly. Such are the functions of the Oil Temperature Regulation Department. A repair organization that starts its business at the back door and delivers the finished product out the front door signed, sealed and ready for action. It sounds unorthodox compared to many shops that start manufacturing their parts at the front and shipping out the back. But in this case working hind part before seems to pay off. Only recently getting underway, the production engine figures reveal around 200 oil coolers repaired each month. When peak capacity is reached this amount is expected to be tripled. That, is definitely not wheat straws!
Greetings gates! Now that our readers have enjoyed a three week silence in regard to SSC activities, it's time to shake off the effects of a memorable Darjeeling furlough and knuckle down to the task of replaying the latest news to local GIs as well as our vast Stateside audience - ahem! - Winchell, please note. Speaking of Darjeeling, it is strictly a rest resort but the scenery plus the cool temperatures makes the Himalayan hamlet a welcome retreat from Calcutta's sultry heat waves. Outside of a lone movie, a skating rink, triweekly dances and the horseback cantering, there's little to do but drink in the picturesque surroundings - or just drink - period. Mt. Kanchenjunga, 28,000 ft. of unconquered supremacy, is the big attraction and presents a breathtaking glimpse of towering snow-capped beauty, high above the low hanging clouds that clutter up the deep gorges surrounding the lofty resort. Unfortunately, the peaks are greatly obscured at this time of year, due to the monsoon, and as a result, we missed out on our attempt to catch a bird's eye view of Mt. Everest, world's tallest, at 29,000 ft. The latter is only visible on very clear days from the crest of Tiger Hill and possibility of clearing weather sends scores of predawn tourists scurrying up the steep grades via taxi, horseback or in cases of rugged individuals - on foot. In all, there are an estimated 20 peaks towering above 20,000 ft. and the majority have never been scaled. Darjeeling appears to be on a level with several but distance creates the illusion as there's a difference of some 13,000 to 22,000 ft. - and neighbors, that's plenty high. To those who have visited the place we need not elaborate but to the many GIs contemplating a furlough, we advise a trip to Darjeeling at least once. (Rotation's shot - wot the hell!) It's tops in more ways than one - and you can't find a better spot to forget there's a war on. The welcome mat is extended to Perry Kremer, Jack Hohulin, Joe Wisz, "Shorty" Gubala and Joe Moraza, recent arrivals from our Assam detachment and in technicolor, no less - the result of daily atabrine doses at the up-country base. Evidently, Bill MacDermott resented the added color so he ups and sports a wide streak of medicated purple across his forehead. That guy resents everything! G T T
RAJAH'S REST LOUNGE Three valuable pieces of jewelry with historical significance will be on display Tuesday, 14th of August, at the Rajah's Rest at a time to be announced later. The chief stone will be a 69 carat Cats-Eye which has been proclaimed by the British Chamber of Commerce in London as the best of its kind in the world. Mined in Persia a few centuries back, the honey-colored Gem was in the possession of the descendants of the Moghul Emperors in Agra until it passed into the hands of the concern that runs the Jewelry Store. The proprietors have placed a value of 51,000 rupees on the Cats-Eye although they claim stones of similar quality have sold in the States for $70,000 ($1,010,572 in 2020). Because of its historical background, it is not for sale. Second attraction will be a Kashmir mined Star Sapphire which has an exceptional royal blue color. Very few of this color exist as the majority of stones are either grayer or lighter blue in shade. It has a perfect six line star. What makes the 29 carat gem exceptional is the fact that is was mined in Kashmir where sapphires do not have stars. Most of the star stones available here are mined in either Ceylon or Burma. The sale price is 15,000 rupees. The local jewelers' Rockefeller Center store used to sell star sapphires of similar caliber for $10,000. The third exhibit will be a pair of gold bracelets set with the nine lucky gems of India. These are perfectly matched emeralds, diamonds, rubies, blue sapphires, pearls, cairngorms, corals, cats-eyes and yellow sapphires. The two are similar to those that Indian princesses are accustomed to wear on state occasions. A price has been set of 20,000 rupees for the pair. Mr. Lall, present head of the famous jewelry concern which has just celebrated its 100th anniversary and which were court jewelers to the late Queen Alexandra and the present dowager Queen Mary, based his stateside costs on taxes, duties and manufacturing costs. Accident Chart at ACS Shows ‘Zero’ A new easy-to-read accident chart has been set up right outside the ACS administrative office where all members can see at a glance what mishaps have occurred and how comparisons are for previous months.
The chart, which is the brain-child of M/Sgt. Francis A. Duso, NCO of Ground Safety at ACS replaces the old complicated graph which few people bothered to figure out. It is on a clock-like basis with three various colored minute hands. A black one denotes the number of consecutive days ACS has been without an accident. The red hand shows the number of accidents during the current month. A blue hand registers the amount of mishaps during the previous month. So far the red hand points at zero. "We're doing our best to keep it there," declared Duso. Plating Silver From Reclamation To hear about a necessity is the signal for the Reclamation Branch to hold a conference and decide on means of supplying the demand from whatever salvage material is on hand, as in the case of silver for the Shops Area Electroplating Depot. In the past, all outdated or under par film has been turned over to Reclamation for disposal. Quite a bit has been salvaged for amateur use and has been given over to Special Services for that purpose. However, the GIs of the Maintenance end of Reclamation felt other uses could be found for the film. Therefore, when they heard that the Electroplating Dept. could use silver for plating various aircraft parts, they got busy, studied the properties of the film and figured out the best way to obtain the silver nitrate. As a result, a shop has been set up to reclaim the silver. Additional studies are now being undertaken on salvage printing paper to ascertain the silver yield. T/Sgt. William Tomak is in charge of the Minor Maintenance men whose initiative resulted in the Depot's gain.
![]() DON'T FORGET! THIS is your last chance to get in those prize-winning shots in the Depot Photo Contest. Grab yourself a hunk of war bonds by merely taking time enough to turn your favorite picture in to the SSO. LAST TUESDAY NITE, this ol' sahib and the Bengal Tigers gave a l'il show at Rest Camp Number 11 for all the hepcats residing there for the nonce. The "Tigers" were really jumpin' and it was hard to tell who enjoyed it more - the audience or our Depot horntoooters! WE HAVE A few (VERY few!) cameras that we can loan out for a period of three days at a time. You'll have to supply the film... veddy sorry. If you're interested check with Lt. Zeitler at the Supply Bldg. OUR I & E wallah, Norm Kiell, is still laid up with you know what but we certainly are hoping for a speedy recovery. THE SPECIAL SERVICE LIBRARY will be open for business again on August 15th, at which time a great many new books will be available to youse guys. DOES THE G I Bill of Rights mean anything to you? Well, it sure does to a lot of us... a good education for one thing and many of the men are refreshing themselves with Tiger Tech courses. Why don't you take advantage of this opportunity? OUR CONGRATS this week go to the "new" Rajah's Rest... a really beeootiful spot and a swell place to do your relaxin'. WE'D LIKE to remin youd again that the mosquito repellent at the Post Theater is not put out for decorative purposes but for you use. Play it safe... avoid malaria... USE YOUR REPELLENT! HOW DID you fellows like "Keys of the Kingdom"? Well, we have quite a good schedule this month so remember that your entertainment is at the Post Theater.
Through Payrolls, Win Combat Stat By Johnnie Leonard FINANCE OFFICE (SPECIAL) 10 AUG - We went through the double door leading into the Finance Office. The two men to be interviewed were busily reading one (1) comic book enclosed in a lurid cover entitled "The Batman." It was a thrilling sight. "How did it happen?" Sgt. Maynard Craft was asked. Craft was a clean shaven man with the exception of a two day growth of beard bristling down his jowls and underneath his nose. "There we were," Craft said soberly, "S/Sgt. Walter Van Bodegraven and myself, hemmed completely in and surrounded by desks, chairs, and pencils with the enemy on all sides of us. Just a mere thousand miles away. We were hot, sweaty, and wishing it would snow." "Go on, " he was urged. "Well, Van Bodegraven and I were in a spot. We knew if the Japs had any airplanes left or soldiers who could walk, we might be in the midst of a battle in several more years. They were only about a thousand miles away, you understand, and even Jap soldiers can walk that far after so long a time." "Yes?" "So there we were, separated from the enemy by just several hundreds of miles." "We were attached to a bomb group," Van Bodegraven said, looking up from his comic. "In Finance we helped keep the boys paid off. This bomb group was bombing the Japs in Burma about that time, you see, and we were on temporary duty as part of the personnel." "Naturally." Craft came in: "Naturally. Of course we didn't fly on the bombing raids. However, some nights when we received beer we were pretty high up in the clouds and flew our lid. But our primary duty was sharpening pencils, writing letters home asking the folks how the war was going, and keeping the finance records straight. That is, at times. A harrowing job, that." "Very!" "Well, later on, after we came back to the Depot here we found our efforts had not been in vain. Giving our all, with the Japs just a meagre thousand miles away while we pushed pencils, brought its rewards. They gave us a Bronze Star." "They did what!"
"Gave us the Bronze Star. Everybody in the outfit got one and Van Bodegraven and I were part of the everybody." Craft polished his fingernails. "It's five points, you know." "Yes, but -." Van Bodegraven held up one restraining hand. "We know what you're thinking. But far be it from us to question the powers above. We're just sergeants and technicalities like combat stars and rotation are beyond our comprehension." "That's right," Craft said righteously. "One can't just walk up and say 'keep them' to the government. One might get busted, mightn't one? I must confess I've been wondering tho'." "Wondering?" "Yes. What if Van Bodegraven or I had cut ourselves while sharpening a pencil with that outfit? We might have received the Purple Heart and rode down Broadway on the back of a huge car when we get home." We left the Finance Office quietly. Then men went back to their grim duty of following 'The Batman' as he chased a criminal through a deserted warehouse crackling with fire. And they were smiling... The Tiger Rag is a weekly publication edited and written by and for the enlisted personnel and Officers of APO 492, Air Service Command, and is under the direction of the Commanding General, Brigadier General Frank D. Hackett and the Public Relations Officer, Lt. Col. Edward B. Dixson. STAFF: EDITOR... Pfc. Arthur Goldberg; NEWS... Sgt. Robert J. McCarthy; NEWS... Pfc. Eugene Bernald; NEWS... Pfc. John Leonard; ART... Cpl. Layton H. Wicksten; PHOTOGRAPHY... Base Photo Lab. Statements or policies reflected through the columns of this publication under no circumstances are to be considered those of the United States Army. Articles submitted by Officers and Enlisted Men represent personal opinions only. Internet adaptation by Carl W. Weidenburner.
Copyright © 2020 Carl Warren Weidenburner ABOUT TIGER RAG E-MAIL YOUR COMMENTS MORE TIGER RAG TOP OF PAGE CLOSE THIS WINDOW The Tiger Rag uses news and editorial material furnished through Camp Newspaper Service and other sources. Republication of credited matter prohibited without permission of CNS, 205 E. 42nd St., N.Y.C. All other matter must receive permission from the Tiger Rag, APO 492. All material for publication must arrive at the Tiger Rag, Public Relations Office, APO 492 not later than Tuesday noon preceding the date of issue. Printed by M. C. Biswas, at the Art Press, and published by Pfc. Arthur Goldberg. |