Blog Archives
Humorous look back at the war
Zoot Suit craze, 1945
I’VE GOT URGES FOR SERGES
I’ve gotta passion for fashion,
I’ve gotta run on fun,
‘Cause I’m Ten million new civilian
Ex-G.I.’s in one.
I’ve got urges for serges,
I’ve gotta need for tweed;
I’ll put the smile in a world of stylin’
No War Department decreed.
I’ll be the zoot-suit-suitor,
I’ll be the rainbow beau,
I’ll be the luminous,
Most voluminous,
Viva-Truman-ous-
Leader of the Freedom Show.
Long I’ve thirsted for worsted;
Ain’t I the plaid-glad lad?
Open the haberdash!
Here comes a color-flash! Here comes the post-war fad!
– Cpl. R. CHARLES
India
Getting into the scrb brush business
They’re telling the story around New Delhi about a certain G.I. building supervisor who recently had a bit of trouble with his 19 Indian employees. Seems that one evening towards closing time, the G.I. bossman discovered that someone had made off with 12 of his good scrub brushes. He promptly called his staff together. “None of you guys leaves here ’til you bring back those brushes,” he ordered. The Indians thought it over for a moment, then scattered. A few minutes later, they reported back, each carrying a brush. Only 12 brushes lost. Nineteen returned. That’s good business.
______ September 1945, C.B.I. Roundup newspaper
U.S. Navy, off Attu Island
David Lake was in charge of Mount Two of the 5-inch guns on USS Pennsylvania. The ship was among those sent to the waters off Alaska to aid in re-capturing islands there that had been occupied by Japanese troops.
“It was pretty darn cold up there, too. I stood my watches on Mount Two all the time … And we bombarded Attu and it got cold up there, I kid you not. The ice inside them guns mounts, you’d fire them and that ice would fly everywhere. ”
The one who served in Africa
Gen. Patton
“I was a private, a tank driver. Anyways, I was sitting by the side of my tank, reading a newspaper and just relaxing. All of a sudden I felt a horrible itch when I breathed out…and the normal human reaction? I picked my nose. Half-way through the nose picking, a shadow fell over me. I looked up with my finger stuck full up my nose. General Patton…standing over me…with a bunch of Army planners and such. I slowly started to take my finger out of my nose. “Soldier, did I give you an order to take your finger from your nose?” He asked. I, of course, gave him a full blown no sir, which sounded very high pitch. “Carry on soldier, and hunt that booger down.” He then walked off, with the group of Army people staring at me.
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MORE Military Humor –
Solving the defense budget
Future War Stories
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Farewell Salutes will return in next week’s post.
flag image curtesy of Dan Antion
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Poems
I think it’s time we had a lighthearted break….
Cletus O’Toole’s Navy Career
Cletus joined the Navy on a fool whim
And was told he needed to learn to swim
He was launched off the dock
And he sank like a rock
The Navy straightaway got rid of him!
A FRIEND, YOUR AMERICAN M.P.
When soldiers go out and have some fun,
They always forget about some other one.
That someone’s on duty every day,
To see that these soldiers are safe at play.
They call him names that we can’t print,
But they should sit down and try to think.
These men are detailed for this tough job,
So why go around and call him a snob?
When a guy’s in trouble, and things look bad,
They call on this fellow, and then he’s not bad.
At the end they will say, “this fellow took up for me.”
And the fellow that did it was your American M.P.
One thing to remember fellows when you’re down and out,
There’s a fellow that will help you if he hears you shout.
He will stand beside you and fight like hell.
So do the right thing, and treat him well.
Just remember fellows on your holiday,
One of your buddies can’t go out and play.
You call him an outcast, and other names,
But he’s your buddy, just the same.
We envy no one, try never to do harm.
We’re here to keep you safe, in every form.
So if you see us on duty, please don’t get mad.
Remember we’re here for you, and that M.P.’s aren’t bad.
– S/Sgt. GODFREY J. DARBY
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Military Humor –
Sometimes all you need are a few words of encouragement!
Click on images to enlarge.
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Farewell Salutes –
Robert R. Auer – Chicago, IL; US Army, Korea, company clerk
Erwin H. Boyer – Edmonds, WA; USMC, Korea / US Army, Korea, 101st Airborne Division (Ret. 26 y.)
Russell F. Chapman – Milford, CT; US Army Air Corps, WWII, PTO, 11th Airborne Division
Sanford I. Finger – NYC, NY; US Army, Vietnam, SSgt. # 261646170, HQ Area Command, KIA (offshore Nha Trang, SK)
John H. Givens – Oelwein, IA; US Army, 82nd Airborne Division
Steve Magro – Rochester, NY; US Army Air Corps, WWII
Hubert Pensinger – Fort Wayne, IN; US Army Air Corps, WWII, Purple Heart
Roger W. Schmitz Sr. – Raymore, MO; US Army, WWII
Larry J. Tillman – Drumright, OK; Vietnam, 173rd Airborne Division
James Vandiver Jr. – Gainsville, GA; US Army, WWII, ETO, Pvt., 42nd Rainbow Division
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The New York Times Crossword and WWII
The WWII home front and this generation have something in common, lock-downs. This post seemed appropriate for right about now.
There are plenty of crossword puzzles in publications across the country, but when we think of the pinnacle of puzzledom (Not officially a word, but, perhaps, it should be?), the purveyors of the most preeminent puzzles, we bow to The New York Times (NYT).
For more than 75 years, the NYT crossword puzzle has been stumping readers with its clever clues and then sending them soaring when they finally fill in all the squares.
When did the NYT Crossword begin?
When crossword puzzles first came about in the 1920s, the NYT turned up its nose at them. In 1924, the paper ran an opinion column that dubbed them, “a primitive sort of mental exercise”.
So, what absolved the crossword puzzle in the illustrious publication’s mind and made them eat their words? Reportedly, it was after the bombing of Pearl Harbor that Lester Markel, the paper’s Sunday editor at the time, decided the country could use some levity, primitive or not.
Crosswords became an American craze in the 1920s, but it took the bombing of Pearl Harbor and the urging of The New York Times publisher Arthur Hays Sulzberger, a long-time crossword fan, to convince the features editor to run a crossword puzzle each Sunday. In a memo dated December 18, 1941, an editor conceded that the puzzle deserved space in the paper, considering what was happening elsewhere in the world and that readers might need something to occupy themselves during blackouts. The frivolous” feature, he admitted, would take people’s mind off the war and give them something to do while hunkered down in their bomb shelters.
Seventy-five years later, people continue to turn to crosswords for comfort and distraction. As the first editor of the crossword noted, “I don’t think I have to sell you on the increased demand for this kind of pastime in an increasingly worried world. You can’t think of your troubles while solving a crossword …” — Will Shortz
The first puzzle ran Sunday, February 15, 1942, and it was, in fact, a primitive pursuit, (Dictionary.com’s first definition for the adjective: “Being the first or earliest of the kind or in existence”), as they were the first major US paper to run a crossword puzzle. By 1950, the paper began running a crossword puzzle daily.
Since that time, there have only been four editors of the NYT Crossword puzzle, beginning with Margaret Farrar, who served as editor from the publication of the first puzzle until 1969. Will Weng and Eugene Maleska followed in her footsteps.
To print out a copy of the original crossword – CLICK HERE!
For the solution – CLICK HERE!
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Military Humor –
“Besides that, it ruins on only 2 flashlight batteries.”
SIGN POSTED IN THE ARMY RECRUITING OFFICE:
Marry a veteran girls! He can cook, make beds,
sew and is already used to taking orders!
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Quarantine Humor – THE ECONOMY IS SO BAD THAT….
My neighbor got a pre-declined credit card in the mail.
CEO’s are now playing miniature golf. 
Exxon-Mobil laid off 25 Congressmen.
I saw a Mormon with only one wife.
McDonald’s is selling the 1/4 ouncer.
Angelina Jolie adopted a child from America.
Parents in Beverly Hills fired their nannies and learned their children’s names.
A truckload of Americans was caught sneaking into Mexico.
A picture is now only worth 200 words.
When Bill and Hillary travel together, they now have to share a room.
The Treasure Island casino in Las Vegas is now managed by Somali pirates.
And, finally…
I was so depressed last night thinking about the economy, wars, jobs, my savings, Social Security, retirement funds, etc., that I called the Suicide Hotline. I got a call center in Pakistan, and when I told them I was suicidal, they got all excited and asked if I could drive a truck.
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Farewell Salutes –
Melvin Askenase – FL; US Army, WWII & Korea
Clarence “Cubby” Bair – Troy, NY; US Army Air Corps, WWII, ETO,17th & 82nd Airborne Division
Lester Cheary – Havana, AR; US Army Air Corps, WWII, PTO, SSgt., 11th Airborne Division / US Navy, Korea, USS John Pierce
Homer Dunn – Woodrow, CO; US Army Air Corps, WWII
Thomas Falzarano – Colorado Springs, CO; US Army, Iraq, Pentagon, Air Force Academy grad, Colonel, 21st Space Wing Commander
Frank Manzi – New Haven, CT; USMC, WWII, CBI, canine handler
James Mincey – Burlington, NC; US Army Air Corps, WWII, PTO, Communications / Western Elec. engineer for antiaircraft & missile guidance radar
Ron Shurer – Fairbanks, AK; US Army, Afghanistan, SSgt., Special Operations Task Force, Medal of Honor
John C. Taylor – Warsaw, VA; US Army, Vietnam, MSgt., 82nd Airborne Division (Ret. 27 y.)
Fred Willard – Shaker Heights, OH; US Army, KY & VA Military Institutes alum / beloved actor
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Letter Home From Tokyo – part one
We have Mrs P. to thank for this letter. It came from her neighbor, Len G. whose uncle Joe reached Japan and wanted the family to know what it was like for him. This letter is being re-typed exactly as it originally reads.
Wednesday Evening
Nov. 14, 1945 – 9PM
Kure, Japan
My Dear Carters & Son:
Received your most enjoyable letter some time ago on Oct 18, I was so very busy ever since I landed here in Japan, that I really hadn’t much time to write, I still owe about 4 letters out and hope I can get them written in the very near future, believe me. I am on duty now, while writing this letter to you, business is very slow now, so I have a good chance in getting this letter written. I am so sorry and ask your apoligy for not writing sooner, I’ll try to answer your next letter as soon as possible. I’m certain I’ll have more time then. I will write to Mother & Dad, next first chance I get. I wrote a letter to Elaine today, shall mail both of these in the morning. I miss her and baby so very much. I love both of them more than anything in the world. I miss all of you terribly. I’m praying hard for my home coming day to come, as yet, I don’t know when I’ll ever be home as nothing has been said about discharging fathers yet. A lot of high pointers are leaving every day, the 60 pointers will start leaving next week, I only have 21 points, so I’ll never get home by the point system, my only hope is discharging fathers. I may be home in March or April, I hope it will be much sooner.
I guess Elaine has been telling you most of the news about me, so you should know, just about what I have been doing. I sure have done a lot of traveling in a short time, since I left the States I have been at the Marshalls Islands, Carolinas Islands, Leyte, Mindonao and now here in Kure, Japan. I also have been at Okinawa, passed by Iwo Jima, that sure has been a lot of traveling. Don’t you think so. Japan surrendered when I was near the Carolinas, coming from the States, I was on the ocean 50 days out of 60. I’m sure tired of ships, after I get home, I don’t care if I ever see another ship, living on those ships was terrible, we lived just like rats and were packed like sardines. I hope my trip back home won’t be that bad The food has been terrible all the way here, until I got the luckiest break I ever got before in this rotten army, about 3 weeks ago, my C O called me in his office and told me, he looked up my records and seen I was a bartender and manager in civilian life, so the F.A. Division is opening an officers club and be the bartender. there are 167 officers in this club, so I told him, I will gladly take that Job, and I’ll do my utmost best, so here I am at the officers club now, I live just like a civilian now, I live here at the club and eat at the officers mess, I eat like a king now, all I want and plenty of real fresh food, steaks, chops, eggs, butter, fresh veg. and lots of other real good food, before I came here, I have been eating C and K rations ever since I have been on land since I have left the states. I also made 2 ratings since I came to Japan, about a month ago I made Pfc and last week I made T-5 – thats the same rating as a corpal, so I am now a corporal, it means about $18.00 a month more, not that I care for anything in this lousy army, I still want to be a plain old civilian, I was given this T-5 rating because I know the bar trade and am in charge of the Bar here at the club, another fellow also lives here with me, he is the stewart, but knows nothing about the business. As long as I have to stay out here, I am very much satisfied with this bartender job I have. I also have to take care of the club in the daytime and see that the 4 Japs we have working here, do a good job in cleaning up and other things we need done, I don’t have any more inspections, formations, waiting on line to eat, live in a real cold rotton barrack, Gaurd Duty and any one to order me around, on different dirty details, I am now my own boss, dress in my uniform every day and do just about anything I please, except leave the club, I live just like a civilian, and am respected by the officers and there are quite a few Colenels and high officers here, even the General gets drunk here, they all say I’m doing a swell job and always thank me, I even make tips here not much, but about $5.00 a week, that isn’t so bad considering Im in the army.
Hokkaido on R&R skiing
Notice this paper I am writing on it is Japanese Naval business paper, the writing on it says Super fine Naval paper that’s what my Jap worker told me. The Japs are behaving very nicely and do just as we tell them to. The women do all the work and the men do nothing, these women out here do twice as much work than the average man in the states, its unbelievable the way they work, they are about 100 yrs backward, and do everything the hard way, they even carry their babies over their backs, the way I carry my pack coming over here. They still have a lot of ancient customs and very hard to understand, they also are plenty sneaky and smart. This city Kure, is a, or rather was a very big industrial War plant city, it has, bus lines, trolleys, trains, electricity, Gas, steam heat, and a lot of modern things in it, the population one time was over 300 thousand, I dont know what it is now, Hiroshima is only 15 miles from here, I visited the outskirts of it, and all I can see is dirt and more dirt, not even a house or anything for miles & miles, thats where the Atomic bomb was dropped, boy I still cant believe my eyes that one bomb can do that much damage. Hiroshima also was a big Industrial city with a population of over 300 thousand now it looks like the wide open spaces in Texas, no one would not believe it, if he were told that Hiroshima once had big factories and homes in it, and could see nothing but dirt there now. Kure has also been terribly bombed, but the magnificent part of it is that all the War plants, Airplane base, Submarine base and war tings were bombed to rubbish and the homes weren’t even touched.
To be continued …..
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Military Humor –
“Of course I speak your language — I can say Both takusan and sukoshi!”
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Quarantine Humor –
(Frankly, I’ll miss the quarantine humor when this pandemic is all over, but for ALL our sake, I hope we whip this disease soon!)
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Farewell Salutes –
Mary (Dyer) Alligood – Winter Garden, FL; US Navy WAVES, WWII
James Beggs – Bethesda, MD; US Navy, aeronautics / NASA, Administrator
William Bolinger – LaFollette, TN; US Army, WWII, PTO, TSgt., Bronze Star
John Dewey – Galva, IL; US Army, WWII, ETO, 10th Mountain Division
Hugh Fricks – Seattle, WA; USMC, WWII, PTO, Lt., 6th Marines, Navy Cross, KIA (Tarawa)
Philip Kahn (100) – NYC, NY; US Army Air Corps, WWII, PTO, B-29 pilot
Howard Miller – San Mateo, CA; USMC, WWII, PTO, Co A/1/6th Marines, KIA (Tarawa)
Carlos Santos Sr. (101) – Ludlow, MA; US Army, WWII, ETO, Purple Heart
Paul Stonehart – London, ENG; RAF, WWII, radar
Robert Wilson – Villa Rica, GA; US Army, WWII & Korea, Captain
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Francis the Talking Mule
Francis and Pvt. Stirling
Thanks to Curt Mekemson for jogging my memory about Francis the Talking Mule!!
This 2 minute trailer for Francis explains far more than I can in words – watch and enjoy!!
Francis the Talking Mule was a character who became a celebrity during the 1950s as the star of seven popular film comedies. The character originated in the 1946 novel Francis by former U.S. Army Captain David Stern III (1909–2003), son of newspaper publisher J. David Stern.
After another studio turned down the property, Universal bought the rights for a film series, with Stern adapting his own script for the first entry, simply titled Francis. Sammy McKee, a common sole, was the inspiration for Francis. A layman from Cincinnati, his wit and demeanor were only duplicated. It could not be replicated.
Francis the Talking Mule
“Francis ” is produced by Robert Arthur, directed by Arthur Lubin, and stars Donald O’Connor and Patricia Medina. The distinctive voice of Francis is a voice-over by actor Chills Wills.
Six Francis sequels from Universal-International followed this first effort.
During World War II, a junior American Army officer, Lt. Peter Stirling, gets sent to the psychiatric ward whenever he insists that an Army mule named Francis speaks to him.
When a bank manager discovers Peter Stirling, one of his tellers, is attracting public attention he calls the young man in who relates his story in flashback.
Then 2nd Lieutenant, Peter Stirling (Donald O’Connor), is caught behind Japanese lines in Burma during WWII. Francis, a talking Army mule, carries him to safety. When Stirling insists that the animal rescued him, he is placed in a psychiatric ward. Each time Stirling is released, he accomplishes something noteworthy (at the instigation of Francis), and each time he is sent back to the psych ward when he insists on crediting the talking mule.
Francis and John McIntire
Finally, Stirling is able to convince three-star General Stevens (John McIntire) that he is not crazy, and he and the general become the only ones aware of Francis’ secret. In an effort to get himself released from the psych ward, Stirling asks Stevens to order Francis to speak, but the mule will not obey until it becomes clear that Stirling will be arrested for treason if he remains silent.
During one of his enforced hospital stays, he is befriended by Maureen Gelder (Patricia Medina), a beautiful French refugee. He grows to trust her and tells her about Francis. Later, a propaganda radio broadcast from Tokyo Rose mocks the Allies for being advised by a mule. This leads to the suspicion of Stirling or Maureen being a Japanese agent. The press is later informed that the absurd mule story was concocted in order to flush out the spy, and with Francis’ help, the real culprit is identified.
Francis is shipped back to the U. S. for further study, but his military transport crashes in the wilds of Kentucky. After the war, convinced that Francis survived the crash, Peter searches for and finally finds the mule still alive and well and talking!
CLICK ON IMAGES TO ENLARGE.
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Animals in the Military Humor –
Military Animal humor
Squirrel Soldier
Canine Humor Squad
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Quarantine Humor –
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Farewell Salutes –
Howard Aab – Windsor, CO; US Navy / US Air Force, Korea (Ret. 20 y.)
Elden R. Baumbach – Stockton, CA; USMC, WWII, PTO, Pfc., B Co./6th Marines, KIA (Tarawa)
NEVER FORGET
Brian Dennehy – Mineola, NY; USMC / beloved actor
Melvin Eggergluss – Buffalo, MN; USMC, Korea, SSgt., 2 Bronze Stars, Purple Heart
Marjorie Lord – New Orleans, LA; FBI, WWII
Elizabeth Martin – Hamilton, CAN; Civilian, RCMO secretary, WWII
Franklin Patterson – Houston, TX; US Army, WWII, ETO, Signal Corps, 2 Bronze Stars
Scott Pearce – Woodbury, NZ; RNZ Army # 447461, WWII
Anthony Troiano – Mont Pleasant, NY; US Coast Guard, WWII
Mildred Wheeler – Oakley, TN; Civilian, Pentagon secretary, WWII
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Strategy Page’s Military Humor and more….
Military Common Sense Rules
A lot of life’s problems can be explained by the U.S. Military and its applications of common sense …
- “Sometimes I think war is God’s way of teaching us geography.”
(Paul Rodriguez) - “A slipping gear could let your M203 grenade launcher fire when you least expect it. That would make you quite unpopular in what’s left of your unit.”
(Army’s magazine of preventive maintenance ). - “Aim towards the Enemy.”
(Instruction printed on US M79 Rocket Launcher) - When the pin is pulled, Mr. Grenade is not our friend.
(U.S. Marine Corps) - Cluster bombing from B-52s is very, very accurate. The bombs always hit the ground.
(U.S. Air Force) - If the enemy is in range, so are you.
(Infantry Journal) - It is generally inadvisable to eject directly over the area you just bombed.
(US Air Force Manual) - Whoever said the pen is mightier than the sword obviously never encountered automatic weapons.
(Gen. MacArthur) - Try to look unimportant; they may be low on ammo.
(Infantry Journal) - You, you, and you . . . Panic. The rest of you, come with me.
(Marine Gunnery Sergeant) - Tracers work both ways.
(US Army Ordnance) - Five second fuses only last three seconds.
(Infantry Journal) - Don’t ever be the first, don’t ever be the last, and don’t ever volunteer to do anything.
(US Navy Seaman) - Bravery is being the only one who knows you’re afraid.
(David Hackworth) - If your attack is going too well, you have walked into an ambush.
(Infantry Journal) - No combat ready unit has ever passed inspection.
(Joe Gay) - Any ship can be a minesweeper… once.
(Admiral Hornblower) - Never tell the Platoon Sergeant you have nothing to do.
(Unknown Marine Recruit) - Don’t draw fire; it irritates the people around you.
(Your Buddies) - Mines are equal opportunity weapons.
(Army Platoon Sergeant) - If you find yourself in a fair fight, you didn’t plan your mission properly.
(David Hackworth) - Your job is to kill the other person before they kill you so that your national leaders can negotiate a peace that will last as long as it takes the ink to dry.
(Drill Instructor)
23. In the Navy, the Chief is always right.
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More Military Humor –
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Farewell Salutes –
Joe T. Avant – Greenwood, MS; US Army, Korea, Cpl., Heavy Mortar Co./31st RCT, KIA (Chosin Reservoir)
Why Bliley – Richmond, VA; US Army, WWII, PTO, 77th Division
Last Flight
Josephine Boyd – Ochiltree City, TX; Civilian, Amarillo Air Force Base, weapons instructor
Egbert Crossett – Corona, NM; US Navy, WWII, CBI, Medical unit
Kirk T. Fuchigami Jr. – Keaau, HI; US Army, Afghanistan, Warrant Officer, 1/227/1/1st Calvary Div., Apache pilot, KIA
David C. Knadle – Tarrant, TX; US Army, Afghanistan, Warrant Officer, 1/227/1/1st Calvary Div., Apache pilot, KIA
James P. McMahon – Rockford, IL; US Army, Somalia, Sgt. Major (Ret. 30 y.), Delta Force, Silver Star, Purple Heart
Thomas Parnell – Somerset, WI; US Army, WWII, gunner
Rex Ruwoldt – Darwin, AUS; Australian Army, WWII, 19th Machine-Gun Battalion
Dean Weber – Hot Springs, SD; US Navy, WWII
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Willie, Joe, and Bill in WWII
A MAN WHO SPOKE FOR THE REGULAR SOLDIER AND KEPT HIM SMILIN’ – BILL MAULDIN!!
Courtesy of a veteran friend I “met” while on JibJab; a considerable amount of my postings on PWE came from e-mails received from him.
Willie, Joe, and Bill in WWII
Get out your history books and open them to the chapter on World War II. Today’s lesson will cover a little known but very important hero of whom very little was ever really known. Here is another important piece of lost U.S. History.
Makes ya proud to put this stamp on your envelopes…
Bill Mauldin stamp honors grunt’s hero. The post office gets a lot of criticism. Always has, always will. And with the renewed push to get rid of Saturday mail delivery, expect complaints to intensify. But the United States Postal Service deserves a standing ovation for something that happened last month:
Bill Mauldin got his own postage stamp.
Mauldin died at age 81 in the early days of…
View original post 1,037 more words
Poems
I think we are all in need of a more light-hearted post by now …..
A FRIEND, YOUR AMERICAN M.P.
When soldiers go out and have some fun,
They always forget about some other one.
That someone’s on duty every day,
To see that these soldiers are safe at play.
They call him names that we can’t print,
But they should sit down and try to think.
These men are detailed for this tough job,
So why go around and call him a snob?
When a guy’s in trouble, and things look bad,
They call on this fellow, and then he’s not bad.
At the end they will say, “this fellow took up for me.”
And the fellow that did it was your American M.P.
One thing to remember fellows when you’re down and out,
There’s a fellow that will help you if he hears you shout.
He will stand beside you and fight like hell.
So do the right thing, and treat him well.
Just remember fellows on your holiday,
One of your buddies can’t go out and play.
You call him an outcast, and other names,
But he’s your buddy, just the same.
We envy no one, try never to do harm.
We’re here to keep you safe, in every form.
So if you see us on duty, please don’t get mad.
Remember we’re here for you, and that M.P.’s aren’t bad.
– S/Sgt. GODFREY J. DARBY
WAR AND HELL
When reception is poor and the signal stinks
And you think of bed and your forty winks
And the PE coughs and pulls high jinks
That ain’t war, that’s hell.
When your grease is cold and your rear guns fails
With a Zero riding each of your tails
And you curse your luck and bite your nails
That ain’t war, that’s hell.
When you’ve hiked all night and your feet are sore
And your throat’s all parched and your clothes are tore
And the C.O. says just ten miles more
That ain’t war, that’s hell.
When you’re climbing a hill and the motor’s hot
And the left read blows like a pistol shot
You hope its a back fire but you know it’s not
That ain’t war, that’s hell.
When the whistle blows for the day’s mail call
And you’re sweating a letter from your butter-ball
And Jones gets a card and they say that’s all
That ain’t war, that’s hell.
When the chow bell rings and you hope for ham
But the guy who cooks don’t give a damn
So all you get is a slab of Spam
That ain’t war, that’s hell.
But when the war’s been won by your nation
And you dream of home with anticipation
But the order says Army of Occupation
Brother that will be hell.
– Sgt. CARL BROOKMAN
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More Military Humor –
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Farewell Salutes –
Bennie Adams Jr. – Barnwell, SC; US Army Air Corps, WWII, Korea & Vietnam, SM Sgt., Bronze Star
H. Carl Boone – Atlantic City, NJ; US Navy, WWII, ETO, LST, Purple Heart
Andrew Curtis Jr. – Yakima, WA; US Army Air Corps, WWII,B-24 pilot, 15th Air Force
John Eilerman – Fort Laramie, OH; US Navy, WWII
George Fuchs – Pinehurst, NC; US Army Air Corps, WWII, 152nd Artillery/11th Airborne Division
Allan Goodwin – Houston, TX; US Merchant Marines, WWII
Michael Hession III – Harwich, MA; US Coast Guard, WWII, PTO
Eileen “Gertie” Joyner – NYC, NY; US Army WAC; WWII, nurse
Ernest Reid – Toronto, CAN; RC Air Force, WWII, Flight Sgt.
Shirley Zumstag – Bradenton, FL; US Navy WAVE, WWII
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CBI – July 1945
From: the CBI Roundup – the Major has no wish to go home…..
Among the 10th Air Force *wallahs it is highly doubtful which is the better known story, that of Maj. George E. Williams or the crashing, smashing glorious finale of Little Audrey.
We can’t tell you the Little Audrey yarn, for the chaplain would probably raise hell, but we can and will tell you the sad history of “Hard Luck” or “Good Luck” Williams, depending on whether you look at it from your own or his attitude.
Williams is Quartermaster for the 10th, and scheduled to return shortly to the States. He is currently trying to avoid flying Stateside, so before we begin the sad saga of Williams, if anyone knows of a nice, comfortable boat with a fearless skipper who doesn’t ask questions, please inform the major.
Williams, according to the 10th AF PRO, is an affable soul, healthy as anyone can be who has sweated out about two years over here and is a moderately happy-go-lucky Air Corps *wallah. Unfortunately there is no one in the entire 10th who will knowingly ride in a plane with him.
Shortly after his arrival in the then CBI Theater the major had to be piloted to the Arakan. He arrived safely. On the takeoff the B-25 failed to rise fast enough and after hitting a tree the only part left intact was the fuselage which skidded along the ground to a dead stop amidst a huge puddle of gasoline.
The gasoline failed to ignite and out stepped William and the entire crew – unscratched. Williams then entered into the full stride of his “accident” career. Included were several L-5 crackups, getting lost while flying less than 50 miles over flat country on a perfectly clear day, another B-25 mishap and an episode in a C-46 over The Hump.
It was the second B-25 adventure which soured Williams’ associates on flying with him anywhere for any known reason. After completing a tour of Burma bases, he had to be flown back over the little hump into India. The B-25 took off without incident and the plane flew towards the tricky Ledo Pass. But before crossing over into India, Williams found he could get off at a Burma strip just this side of the Burma side of the pass and complete his business.
“Cabin in the Sky” 10th Air Force
Our hero was safely deposited on terra firma and gaily waved goodbye to the B-25 crew as they headed for India. The plane was never heard of again.
Williams’ final air chapter came on a C-46 trip over The Hump. Unable to hold his altitude, the pilot ordered the passengers to bail out. Williams was number two in the parachute line. As number one stood hesitating to gather his courage before leaping, the pilot suddenly changed his mind and decided he could hold the plane in the air.
Williams, keeping his parachute on and gloomily reflecting that he would probably have to jump anyway, “sweated out” the rest of the trip until the plane put its wheels down. “Well, we made it,” commented the pilot, with a grim look at the dejected Williams.
So Williams is now awaiting transportation back to the States. And all things come to him who waits. Or do they?
*wallah – slang for a chap or fellow
HQ., NORTH BURMA AIR TASK FORCE – He is the oldest member of the 10th Air Force, having served three years both in the headquarters of the 10th and its units; he has been in service for more than five years, four and a half of which have been spent overseas, both in North Africa and the India-Burma theaters; but he is not a member of the USAAF nor does he wear an American uniform. He is Squadron Leader W. B. Page, of the RAF, serving as liaison officer with headquarters of Brig. Gen. A. H. Gilkeson’s North Burma Air Task Force, a 10th Air Force combat unit.
Page’s long tour with the 10th began just three years ago when he worked with the Seventh Bombardment Group. From there it was a jump to the original India Air Task Force, under Brig. Gen. Caleb V. Hayes and then to the headquarters of the 10th under the command of Maj. Gen. Howard C. Davidson.
Page is a natural for the job of liaison between the USAAF and the RAF. Although born and raised in England he lived in New Jersey and worked in New York City prior to entering the British forces five years ago.
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Military C.B.I. Humor –
“Shome dirty shon-of-a-gun shawed my bed in half_____
“THE FOLKS ARE AWAY AND WE CAN HAVE THE SOFA TO OURSELVES.”
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Farewell Salutes –
Thomas Braatz – Kenosha, WI; US Army, All-Star Football Team
William V. Fuller – Hadley, ENG; RAF
Albert Madden (100) – Hyannis Port, MA; US Army, WWII, Korea & Vietnam, Bugler 9th Infantry Division
Jason M. McClary – Export, PA; US Army, Afghanistan, Sgt., KIA
Richard Murphy Jr. – Silver Spring, MD; USMC, WWII, PTO, SSgt., KIA (Saipan)
Dennis Norling – MN, TX, & FL; USMC, Vietnam, 2 Purple Hearts
Robert Patten – Holllywood, FL; US Army, Korea & Vietnam, 1st Sgt.
Raymond Plank – Minneapolis, MN; US Army Air Corps, WWII, bomber pilot
Leonard Segal – Bourne, MA; US Army, radio operator
Edward Shapiro – Schenectady, NY; US Army, 2nd. Lt., Dentist
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Iwo Jima
From: “Japanese Destroyer Captain” by IJN Capt. Tameichi Hara____
After heavy preliminary bombardment, the Americans began the invasion of Iwo Jima… Not a single Japanese warship was sent to oppose this enemy landing, only 700 miles from the homeland. Meanwhile the bombing of Japanese cities by B-29 Superforts from Marianas bases continued with increasing intensity.
Nothing I write could possibly give you the feeling of this operation – so please watch this documentary that gives both American and Japanese thoughts on this 19 February 1945!
I realize this is rather long, so if you have limited time, I suggest watching the first few minutes – still – it is very impressive!
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Military Humor –
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Farewell Salutes –
Murray Barton – NYC, NY; US Army, WWII, ETO
Rayner Broadbent – Waikato, NZ; RNZ Navy # 8573, WWII, submarine service
Ralph Casale – Chelmsford, NH; USMC, WWII, frogman
Donald Gilbert – Greenville, OH; US Army, 11th Airborne Division
John Herberg – Eau Claire, WI; US Army Air Corps, WWII, CBI, pilot (Ret. 30 y.)
Ernell Hermanson – Albuquerque, NM; US Army, WWII
John McShane – Boston, MA; US Army, 187th RCT, infantryman
William Shank – US Army Air Corps, WWII, ETO, 8th Air Force
Kenneth Taylor – Montreal, CAN; RC Navy, WWII, Signalman, HMCS Inch Arran
Ralph Wasserman – St. Paul, MN, US Navy, WWII, PTO, radioman
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Pacific Paratrooper 