CBI – August 1945

Jim Thorpe

AMERICA’S GREATEST ATHLETE

INDIAN JIM THORPE VISITS CALCUTTA G.I.’S

Roundup Staff Article
CALCUTTA – A legendary sports figure, remembered by the current generation through record books and faded newspaper clippings of several decades ago, Indian Jim Thorpe, often described as the all-time greatest of all athletes, made a surprise visit to Calcutta this week.
Thorpe, 57 years old, didn’t come in with a lot of fanfare, he was on no USO tour. Instead, the man who was the superman of the 1912 Olympic Games at Stockholm, quietly arrived here as a member of the Merchant Marine and when discovered in the City by the Sea he was at work on the docks.
When friends urged him to appear for the G.I.’s here, Thorpe obliged. He attended the opening night of the volleyball tourney, made a radio appearance and toured local American hospitals. The veteran athlete got a big thrill from talking with youngsters who had come to regard the early-century hero as a myth, and little expected to see him taking an active part in the war as a Merchant Mariner.
Thorpe’s visit brought to mind many exploits and tales of the famous American Indian, who entered Carlisle Institute in 1904 and under Glenn (Pop) Warner’s direction became the star all-around athlete. Thorpe’s career reached a climax in 1912 when he carved a permanent niche in sports history by becoming the first man ever to win the Pentathlon and Decathlon events.
Recently, Arthur Daley in his New York Times sports column, stated that the “almost legendary Thorpe was the greatest athlete that America, a land of great athletes, ever produced.”
Thorpe’s athletic skill was exercised in many sports. John McGraw signed him to a Giant baseball contract, he played pro football, helping to organize the National Pro League 25 years ago. He played a low handicap game of golf, bowled with the champions and knew no sport that denied him the right to be classed an expert.
But that was long ago. Life hasn’t been too kind to Jim Thorpe down through the years and his fortune never matched his skill. Some months ago Jim decided to “get in the war.” All the regular military services scoffed at this veteran hero, and only in the Merchant Marine did he find himself acceptable. So, today Thorpe is a happier man – he’s back in the game.

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MANCHURIA: RED ARMY, 1945.
Soviet troops in Harbin in Manchuria, after their victory over the Japanese occupation troops, 1945.

The Soviet Union declared war on Japan 8 August 1945

Russian Armies Push Deep Into Korea And Manchuria As Nipponese Quit

Roundup Staff Article

Acting with their usual speed and power, Soviet Armies wasted little time in pushing into Manchuria and Korea this week after Russia declared war against the tottering Japanese August 8.
Breaking through at several points along a 300-mile line from Hutou to Hunchun the Russian steamroller reported only “moderate” to “meager” opposition, despite previous stories that the Japs had their best armies in the area. The Reds attacked both the East and West borders of Manchuria and into Korea, indicating a giant pincers operation.
Within three days after the declaration of war, Soviet troops had fought their way more than 200 miles inside Jap-held territory, with the main attack down the Chinese Far Eastern Railway. The railway town of Hailon was reported captured and heavy fighting is in progress beyond the Khingan foothills, natural barrier protecting the important Nip arsenal and rail center of Harbin. Soviet columns are within 350 miles of Harbin.

1,000,000 SOVIET TROOPS
On Sakhahn Island the Red Army has penetrated Jap territory and “fierce fighting is in progress” according to the Nips. The Russians, however, have said nothing about their activity in this area.
Russian marines, protected by the Soviet Fleet, poured ashore on Korea, capturing the Nip naval base at Rashin.

 

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Military Humor – CBI Style – 

When Men Were Men

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Farewell Salutes – 

Rene Allard – Central Falls, RI; US Navy, WWII, PTO, USS Jenks

Rudolph Carboni – Wilmington, DE; US Army, WWII

Arthur DeMattei – San Jose, CA; US Army, WWII, PTO, 148th Infantry

Norman Ewert Sr. – Cheektowaga, NY; US Army, WWII, ETO, Co. A/1/345/87th Infantry

William Hess – Ocala, FL; US Army, WWII, SSgt., 928th Engineers

Jack Lyon (101) – East Sussex, ENG; RAF, WWII, ETO, navigator, POW (Great Escape)

Troy Mallory – Quincy, IL; US Army, WWII,334/84th Div. “Rail Splitters”. Purple Heart, Bronze Star

Stephen Nemec – Cleveland, OH; US Army, Korea, Cpl., KIA

Leopold Ramirez Jr. Mission, TX; US Army Air Corps, WWII, PTO, 11th Airborne Division

Sam Saburo Terasaki – Denver, CO; US Army, WWII, ETO, Sgt., Co. A/100/442 RCT

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