BATTERY REPAIR ESSENTIAL
ALL OF AREA'S NEEDS MET BY TWO MEN Perhaps the most common sight out here with the exception of people are vehicles. Hundreds and hundreds of trucks, jeeps, weapons carriers, staff cars and motorcycles pass in an endless perpetual review daily. In addition airplanes fly overhead every few moments. In order for each one of these machines to operate though, a device we are all familiar with must be used . . . the battery, which is the power plant of a vehicle. Now when one considers the number of batteries in all these vehicles and considers the number of batteries in all these vehicles and considers that they are very delicate and require a great deal of attention then can we realize the vast and important job of the battery repair section, the whole of which is operated by two GIs. Sgt. John Lonneman of Fort Thomas, Kentucky is the boss of the section. Before entering the Army Lonneman was a repairman for the National Cash Register Co., a job for which he was trained for two years. His favorite sport is horse racing in which a battery may or may not be used. His partner in this huge job is Pfc. James Reid of Muskegon, Michigan; a former foundry worker. Reid whois single has been in the Army for three years; sixteen months of which have been spent overseas. The Battery Repair Section handles the maintenance of the batteries for all AAF vehicles in this command and performs major repairs on all batteries consigned to AAF in the theater. Aslo some batteries are damaged on their way from the States and must be given complete overhaul which sometimes necessitates replacing parts. Salvaged parts of old batteries are uses for replacements when necessary. Old batteries are the only source of parts, consequently Lonnenman has built up a huge reserve by saying all usable parts no matter how insignificant, of a salvage battery. A 6 volt battery is the type most commonly used. Three cells each in a separate niche separated by pitch or tar and enclosed in a case are in each battery. Each cell consists of a number of plates divided bt separators. Plates are positive and negative charged and there is always one more negative than a positive in order that as the current flows through the cells it may do so in continuous current. Connecting the cells are two poles placed diagonally on each end cell and are both attached to the middle cell by connectors each of which have a positive and negative side. Batteries become discharged after so much use so the iggest task of the section is the recharging of batteries. An instrument called a charger is used. Before being put on the charger however they are filled through vents with a chemical called electrolyte. This is a mixture of sulphuric acid and water. This electrolyte must be brought to a certain gravity and charged to a maximum temperature for a certain period of time, both of which vary according to climatic conditions. The charger and the amount of ampheres which it is regulated to send, along with the number of hours the battery is "on" must be checked. The hydometer determines the specific gravity, and the voltmeter which when put in contact with the poles and connectors of each cell registers the amount of volt power in each cell which when added together should equal the required battery voltage, in this case six volts. All this and more comprises the average working day of the battery section. A great deal of their work is highly technical and would take pages to describe. One thing is certain, these two boys are doing a big job. |
YULETIDE MESSAGE FROM STRATEMEYER I wish to extend my very best wishes for a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to every man and woman, British, American and India, under my command. I know how hard it is for those of you who are half way around the world from home to be separated from your families and friends at this season, when you are accustomed to gather with them to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. But it is worthwhile today to remember that all of us are in this theater to fight for the same principles for which Christ gave his life - so that our wives and children may live in a world free from oppression, injustice and tyranny. I know all of you in the air forces are fighting and good fight and fighting it with all your hearts, to speed on the day when we will be able to spend the Christmas season in our homes and with our loved ones.
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Now blankets much of the country from the New England states to the Northwest Pacific while in the South the night is apt to be cool and perhaps in spots a bit frosty. Back home at Christmas! This thought is in the heart of everyone of us at this time. We see a fireside, gaily lit windows, the children playing about the Christmas tree and the faces of all our dear ones back there. Our soldier heart, still not inured to the hardness of a life which we would all gladly trade for a dream which constantly keeps flitting through our minds, cries out and we are lonely. What we wouldn't give to be back there for just one moment! There are Christmas carols which we used to sing. "Oh Come All Ye Faithful," rings faintly through our ears. Ah to be a little boy again and see visions of Santa Claus, to rush back to mothers, sisters, wives and all the rest, to sink our tired heads on someone's shoulders and just let the old familiar noises seep through into our very souls! With Kipling we are spending a mock Christmas here in India. 15,000 miles separate us from the places we would like to be, 15,000 lonely miles. Let us not forget that those we left behind are lonely too. They yearn for our return. That thought will make it easier for us to smile and see this Christmas through. Dream misty-eyed if you must. Forget your exile in this far-off place and dream soldier, dream! It is the season for dreaming and the dream will do no harm. But look about you and remember some of the things of your childhood. See them through the eyes of this country. It is very near to the stories you learned then.
Yes soldier, you are lonely. We are all lonely but we are here to do a job. It may not be much longer and it may be another Christmas but even though we must chalk this year up on the red side of our ledger of life let's remeber that it is not a loss at all. It is insurance against many bleak Christmases. It will make all the other things of greater joy just because we have found out that it means to have no Christmas with our loved ones and so we may cheerily greet each other on this occasion and say, "Merry Christmas !" WE HAVE COME TO THAT SEASON of the year that has significance for everyone - Christmas, the birthday of Jesus Christ. Christians and non-Christians alike recognize in Him a uniqueness that challenges the world. Whether you regard Him as a great sage and prophet as countless non-Christians do, or whether you see Him as the Incarnation of God as Christians do. He still challenges the world. We are iun aterible worldwide war the end of which is not in sight. We are seeing suffering, poverty and anguish on an unprecedented scale this Christmas. When we pause to ask why, we must certainly find the answer in man himself - sin, greed, selfishness and ignorance. Tragedy and destruction plagues the world not because God sends them but because of the inevitable consequences of faulty human beings who make up a faulty society. Jesus in his teaching, His attitude and by His who's life showed the way to have a new humanity. His Ideas. His spirit and teaching stand at the opposite pole from the idealogies of nations and from the motives and habits of the masses of people of the world. All of us know which pole of thought and action is right and which one is bringing destruction and misery in its wake. A stream cannot rise higher than its banks, neither can human society rise higher than the quality of the individuals who compose it. Christ changes the quality of human individuals. So whether you see Him as sage and prophet or Savior, His coming into the world which we celebrate at this season is of supreme importance to everyone. May His peace be with you at this Christmas time and throughout the new year ahead. 0700 Mass 0900 General Protestant Serrvice 1030 Mass 2300 Carol Sing in front of crib located on Broadway, back of Chapel. Christmas 25 December, 1944 0001 Midnight Mass 0100 Breakfast at Rajah's Rest immediately follwing mid-night Mass 1000 General Protestant Serrvice 1100 Mass
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CHRISTMAS WEEK is approaching and certainly during this time which signifies "Peace on Earth - Good Will Toward Men", hearts and minds are lifted somewhat in spite of the circumstances in which we now find ourselves. The Inquiring Reporter was curious about this so he went to the GIs with this Question. "What would you like to do most on Christmas Eve?" I would most like to be back home among my old and intimate friends of yesteryear. A good gathering and some of that good old Stateside liquor would be my dream of a wonderful Chritmas Eve. In view of the circumstances though some jackal juice or possibly a few cans of beer in the company of some of the swell fellows I have met here will make an adequate substitute. Well, this is supposed to be the land of mystery and enchantment. I wish this Genii of Aladdin's lamp fame would appear here and tell me that I could get one wish. If such a thing were to happen I would wish that I could be a boy in short pants again and believe in Santa Claus because after being in the Army for three and a half years I know definitely that there is no Santa Claus. I have spent many Christmases away from home now and the feeling is always the same. Your people are the most significant part of Christmas Eve. When it is impossible to be with them a few good friends and a chat about old times is a good idea. On Christmas Eve I like to give the presents to my family and friends. I think that this is a much better idea than waiting until Christmas Day. Then after everyone has the fun of looking at them, settle down to a few Tom and Jerries and have some good conversation. The spirit of Christmas exists no matter where you are and those that you like the best should be the company around you. |
S.E.T. |
Fearless |
DRY CLEANING The PX announces that it will handle dry cleaning for GIs. The service takes approximately one week and the clothing is handled at the Package Wrapping Dept. on Broadway. Prices are as follows: OD Trousers . . . 3/- OD Shirt . . . 1/8 Blouse . . . 3/- Field Jacket . . . 3/- Cap . . . 8/- |
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TRACK TEAM Track suits and shoes have been ordered for the promising 5317th Track Team. Three newcomers in the persons of Smith, Weisner and Skerlec have enhanced the team's chances in the big meet. Smith is small but fast and promises to be a threat in the sprints. Weisner and Skerlec looked promising at middle distance and will be battling for a place in the mile realy or medley relay. Track is a tedious sport to practice but we try to make it as enjoyable as possible. The men who are training say that they get tired but are feeling a lot better since they started taking a little exercise. New members are always welcome. Practice is on Mondays, Wednesdays and Friday nites but come out any week day nite - there is always someone there. HANGOVER SOBERED BY 8-2 LOSS The Handover softball team took it on the chin again, 8-2. The game was much closer than the score indicates. The Hangovers led 2-0 until the disastrous sixth inning when the team fell apart - again. Lt. Widom pitched a fine game except for a home run ball he threw with the bases loaded in the 6th. A single, a throw to the wrong base aand another error had loaded the bases. THe mighty wallop - far over leftfielder Burnski's head settled the issue. The Hangovers will try again next Sunday against the Airdrome Officers. |