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About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 12, 1943)
THURSDAY MORNING, AUGUST 12, 1943 THE BATTALION PAGE 3 Aero Antics By Alan E. Goldsmith Let’s take a look way back to June, 1918 and see what the Allied Air Forces were doing: “June 6, 1943 — According to a communique from the British War Office, the Allies were stated to have gained aerial superiority on the Western front. It was claimed that Allied aircraft were able to operate virtually without opposi tion from the Central Powers.” Looks as though we still have the air superiority. “June 13, 1918 — British bomb ers attacked the German cities of Treves, Dilligen, and Briery, drop ping eighty bombs. Albatross scouts attacked, but the Americans fought them off and returned to their base without loss of men or machines.” We still seem to be able to carry out our raids with low losses only we count our bombs by the ton this time. “June 19, 1918 — The first es- cadrille of American airmen train ed in Italian aviation fields start ed for the Italian front, accompa nied by Congressman LaGuardia. It was reported that the group would see immediate action.” We’re still sending them to the Italian front, but the action they see is somewhat different than it was back in ’18. It is interesting to learn that P-38’s are being used as fighter trainers tyy crowding the student in behind the pilot. This is a great help to the new pilot as he comes fresh from an advanced trainer—in this country it’s the North Jj^rican AT-9-and steps into the cockpit of a hot ship and he’s on Ifflr own. The new system allows him to learn to handle the faster ind trickier ship under skilled supervision. LOUPOT’S A Little Place and a Big Saving! Regulation SERVICE STYLE OXFORDS Come in and see our many styles or Regula tion Service Oxfords. Paintoes, side buckles or laced in smart new Battalion Brown shades that satisfy all branches of the service. BOSTONIANS MANSFIELDS CROSBY-SQUARE and ROBLEE . . . $5.95 to $12.50 7 f r r~> T-v W1MB ERLf Y • STONE • 0AN5BV W707X7 CLGCKIERS SHOE DEPT. B. C. ALLEN, Owner College and Bryan Ceiling Zero A/S George A. Martin Sky Heroes Col. Bernt Balchen Grim story of the rescue of seven airmen from the Greenland ice cap after five months of per sistent attempts to save them, dur ing which five men died, was re cently revealed by the War Dept. The final rescue was made possible by Col. Bernt Balchen who al ready had two previous rescues from the ice cap to his credit. The downed plane was a Flying Fort ress being ferried to England by Captain Monteverde of Anaheim, Calif., which was diverted from its course on instructions to search fob another plane reported over due. The other plane was never found, while the Fortress crashed near the West Coast of Greenland. The Fortress broke in two as it landed and the radio was wreck ed. The crew rigged quarters in the tail of the fuselage but ra tions were limited and they had no heat and no lights. High winds and driving snow confined the men to their crumpled plane for ten days. Then their peril was increas ed as a fissure opened in the ice beneath the tail section, but they fastened their living quarters to the forward part of the fuslage with ropes and succeeded in re constructing their radio. Distress signals were flashed and soon the Army, Navy and Coast Guard were all undertaking rescue work. Col. Belchen, noted pilot and Arctic explorer, flew over and dropped supplies on the fifteenth day. Meanwhile Sgt. Tetley and Lt. Max Demeorest set out with two motor sledges from a weather station not many miles away. Then, when less than 100 yards away from the downed craft, Lt. Demor- est disappeared with his sled into a crevasse and all rescue attempts failed. Then Lt. John A. Pritchard, Jr. of Burbank, Calif., landed a Gruman nearby and was trying to assist in rescuing Bemorest when he was ordered away because fog was closing in. In the take off his plane crashed and all aboard were lost. Meanwhile Sgt. Tetley loaded Lt. William O’Hara of Scanton, Pa., whose feet had frozen and were the gangrenous, aboard his motor sled and set off accompanied by Lt. Spencer and Private Wedel of Canton, Kan. Four miles away Wedel fell to his death in a hidden crevasse and shortly afterward the sled broke down and the survivors were stranded in two camps. They were kept sup plied with food dropped from Air Transport Command planes but it was almost a month later before Balchen succeeded in reaching the sled camp and flying out with all the men there, including O’Hara who lost both feet. Bad weather prevented his immediate return for the others but several weeks later acompanied by a dog team and several men experienced in Arctic work he made two trips to the downed aircraft and flew out v/ith all the survivors. ACTD NEWS RUDDER DUST By A/S Jack E. Shaw SWING GROUP “CLICKIN’’ Every night for the past week, saw the determined (not small any more) bunch of music makers in the assembly hall, hitting the hot ones. To those that heard the first notes at the first rehearsal— well, that’s come and gone and the improvement is terrific! Those bouncin’ beavers of the band are: TRUMPETS: Bob Lamb, Jack Shaw,, M. C. Gnaegy, D. H. Mead. REEDS: Jimmie Oliver, J. M. Mischel. DRUMS: Frank Callahan. BASS FIDDLE: Otha McCain. PIANO: Bob Compton. GUITARS: Dave Campbell, 0. L. Woodall. TROMBONES: D. F. Onstead, M. A. Tilbury, A. A. Thompson. VOCALISTS: Johnny Ogle. Most popular with the outfit at the present time is “You’ll Ne ver Know”, “Lost My Sugar In Salt Lake City” and three “boogy” hits that you all will be soon hear ing. “Back Beat Boogie” sounds good doesn’t it? Sergeant Paris intimates that if there is an old ladies’ home in the vicinity, Corporal Duesterberg will find it—this after he met the gal that the Cpl. suggested for a date. The “sarge” says that he likes his dancing partners to have their own teeth. Don’t forget to get a date for the forthcoming Wing Ball. There will be plenty of dancing and re freshments and fun for all. Re member the date—Saturday night, August 14.—Sbisa Hall — 20:30. Bring a doll to the ball. Jack E. Shaw Editor-in-chief Alan E. Goldsmith Managing Editor Max E. Stump Associate Editor George A. Martin Associate Editor Fred J. Rosenthal Associate Editor Joseph E. Platt Sports Editor Max • E. Stump ..... Squadron 2 Editor Martin E. Ismert, Jr Squadron 3 Editor Joseph B. Ledbetter ... Squadron 4 Editor LT. COL. DAVID L. HILL TO GET BRITISH AWARD Lt. Col. David Lee Hill, bro ther of Captain Sam B. Hill who is the commanding officer here at the 308th, will be presented the Distinguished Flying Cross on behalf of King George VI by the British ambassador, Lord Halifax. The presentation will take place Saturday afternoon at the British embassy in Wash ington, D. C., according to an Associated Press dispatch. Col onel Hill who’s home is in Hunt, Texas, has distinguished him self many times and through his acts and meritorious service, he has been awarded this medal of honor. We of the 308th Col lege Training Detachment, wish to extend sincere congratula tions to Lt. Colonel David L. Hill and join our commanding officer in wishing him continued success and good luck in his fu ture missions. PROPWASH Squadron II DRIFTING By A/S Fred J. Rosenthal Stanitpsl j For Dad When I was home, dad, now that I think about it, never, you and I, said what we thought, Men folks, it seems are won’t to hide their feelings— ; To show emotion’s not a strong man’s lot; But out here with the ocean deep beneath me, With only God and His million stars above, Such inhibitions seem but sense less trifles, Out here a man feels free to speak his love. And so it is, dad, out of this far vastness, I send this message to you there back home, All the thosuand things you’ve thought and felt about me Are etched upon my mind as in some tome; And now somehow I feel all free to speak them, Now that we’re all these worlds and seas apart, Tho by miles you’re farther off than ever, You’ve never been so clsoe to your son’s heart! Add Smiles As stubborn as a berry up a soda straw. The enthusiasm shown by this squadron for the ball game with Bryan Field Tuesday afternoon was fine and the cheering crowd really added color to the ball game. Our thanks to the score-keeper James Wallis and to George Da vis and Lynn Dal Porto who did a fine job of officiating. Luke Crock ett and several others made their share and more of the sideline noise to keep the fighting spirit at the top. George Wallingford, Flight C’s romantic Lt., has enjoyed spend ing his free time the past few days visiting with his parents who re side in Oklahoma. They seem to enjoy watching the routine of li ving that we have. When Frederick Rosenthal said that he wished that the runways were made wider some of us can fully sympathize with him. As the story goes Fred managed to utilize most of the takeoff strip and part of the taxi area too—He made it though. A better one yet is the spin he started in whieh' he didn’t want to go the same way that the ship was going but he quickly consented. How about an explanation of this one Fred? “I don’t know why I can’t do those landings,” remarked Kenneth Schroppel after another flying ses sion. “The book says it will come to me all at once. Sure wish it would hurry and happen.” The football is getting plenty of use the evenings as the boys from the Rose Bowl state limber up their arms and legs on the pig skin. John Hagopian, Paul Gervas- oni, Burt Goebel, Rene Chapot, and Leo Gruidli form the nucleus of these energetic gridiron players. They would really like to have some six man team competition but are contented with the practi cing and enjoyment that they are getting out of the time before (See PROP WASH, Page 4) Spotlight on Sports By BILL PLATT Today has plenty of sports ac tivity with the softball All-Stars at Bryan Field, a two mile cross country run at 7 p. m. for the De tachment, and Squadron III and IV going against each other at 6:30 p. m. in both volley ball and softball. The 308th All-Star softball team captured another game from the Bryan Field team Tuesday after noon by the score of 9-5. This was the second in a series of games be tween 308th and Bryan Field and it was the second time the Avia tion Students have emerged vic torious. The first game was played more than a week ago and that contest the 308th won 10-5. The All-Stars go to Bryan Field this afternoon for the third game of the series. Bryan Field got into an early lead but strong hitting attack soon put the All-Stars in front. The first inning Bryan Field cha sed across three runs before the 308th hurler, Neal Sorenson, could get the situation under control. Bradon, the first batter for Bry an drew a walk, and then a pair of doubles by Cox and Overton shot the visitors to a 3-0 lead af ter their first time at the plate. The All-Stars manufactured two runs in their first time at bat as Stump and Fallon led off with walks and John Marnett shot a ringing double to left to score both Stump and Fellon. Bryan Field went down in order in their half of the second and Platt of the Stars started a seven run rally for the 308th with a sin gle out over second base. Elek fol lowed with a hit but Hill and So renson were put out and the rally looked to be over before it had started. However things had just started and a string of four singles and a home run exploded from the All- Stars bats to drive across seven runs. Max Stump, Gene Fallon, John Marnett, and Jack Wright collected successive singles and then Bill McCloud, hurley lad from Squadron III, slapped out a home run with two men on the bases to end the rally perfectly. At the end of the second frame the score was in favor of the 308th 9-3. After two were»out in the first half of the fifth frame, Bryan Field managed to push across a brace of runs on three straight singles by Vallis, Brandon and Cox. The score was 9-5 when the side was finally retired and re mained that way through the rest of the game. Neal Sorenson pitched most of the way for the winners and did a fine job after a shaky start in the first frame. Bill McCloud took over in the last inning and set the side down in order. Squadron II took a commanding lead in the Volley ball league Tuesday night when their team took three straight games from Squadron IV. The first game the Squadron IV team got off to a fast start and were out in front 15-6 before Squadron II got roll ing and overtook them and cap- (See SPOTLIGHT, Page 4) ASTL) NEWS AEMy ENGINEERS Editor in Chief Pat Bradley 1st Co. Editor John Cornell Managing Editor Len Sutton 2nd Co. Editor Joe Bennison Press Club Rep Marvin Kaff 5th Co. Editor Len Sutton JUST AN M. E. by M. Kaff We have been sort of dormant for a bit these past few days, what with Thermodamnatics and those same Infernal Combustion Machines keeping us extra warm. Then too, we started on the O. C. (Obstacle Course—NOT Officers Candidacy) on Monday, and that takes a lot out of the most rugged of us. Somehow we do not seem to be getting any younger, and though our lives may be sharply interrupted by our Army careers, time goes right on and the years keep flying by. Each day though, is a day nearer to the end of the war. We certainly hope that we survive and go on to bigger and better courses, of which we shall probably know less and less. As if it were not bad enough after two years to still have right face, left face, and about face all week, we also have to put up with Stoneface, Pruneface, Mushface, and Moonface on Sundays. Sure wish I would be followed around by a pair of shapely stockings and dainty little red shoes. ’Bye Now! THE EXPERT By Brad I am reading in the Houston Post an article which makes me very worried as it is telling me that my very dear friends in ci vilian life “are not going to have enough to eat” and it continues by proving that we are sure to starve because an EXPERT called Louis Bromfield writes in the Reader’s Digest that “We aren’t going to have enough to eat.” Now I am much surprised at this because I also read this article and become very sad Indeed as I am not the kind of fellow who likes to go out Saturday nights and find dead people everywhere be cause there is not enough to eat and I am just ready to give up grabbing second helping in the (See ENGINEERS, Page 4) AE/Hy VET/ Editor: Joe Beninson; Co-Editor: J. M. Farrell; Co-Editor: A. M. Smith Personalities Paying tribute to a job well done this column will devote its personality space in the next three weeks to short life stories of the men who will be graduating at the end of this semester—they are: Ballard, D. C., Barron, C. N., Chas tain, C. B., Detjen, E. Y., Dobson, G. W., Donelson, S. B., Elia, C., Johnson, S. N., Kaltwasser, A. C., Munson, A. H., Phillips, H. M., Thomas, J. H., and Thomas, W. K. David C. (Doc) Ballard: When graduation night finally arrives, and Uncle Sam is handing out his degrees and commissions, David C. Ballard can say that al phabetically he was the first to receive his degree under the new Army Program. “Doc” claims Haskell, Texas, to be his home, and if records mean anything Haskell must turn out quite some athletes and scholars. In high school “Doc” lettered three years in basket ball, three years in track, and two years in football. His scholastic record here at A. & M. is as good as any. He is gradu ating with his class which is plen ty good for the Veterinary School. Down around September, 1939, he was just plain “Fish” Ballard, a member of “M” Company, Infan try. He spent 3 years in R. O. T. C. and then with war clouds dark ening the sky he applied for and received his Medical Administra tive Reserve 2nd Lieutenant’s Com mission. After a year and a day as a reserve lieutenant he became Private D. C. Ballard under the Army Specialized Training Pro gram. Today “Doc” has that first stripe. Platoon Gossip First Platoon — Needle-eye sketch: T. O. “Mac” MeMillian . . . “Mac” was cantain of the Inf. Reg. Has. in ’38. In ’37 he represented the 8th Corp Area in the National Rifles Matches at Camp Perry, Ohio. At this match he received many honors among which was an instructor’s rating in rifle marksmanship. When h« frradnated from A <?’■ M. the first time, vn ’38. h° repeiv- (See VETS. Page 4) Circling- the Field Squadron III In a recent History test, A/S Herbert Roshkind was asked, “What and where is Corfu?” He answered on his paper, “it’s a lo cation somewhere either in the Eastern or Western Hemisphere.” Mr. Roshkind received full credit for his answer but the teacher ad ded a note to his paper saying, “You may have well as said it was Shangri-la.” A/S Richard Burrier is to be congratulated for the 106% he re ceived in a History test recently. A/S Paul Harris must have de signs on being a Bombardier, for the other night he was bombing moving targets on the ground from a height of three floors up in his perch atop Bizzell Hall. How ever, one “target” didn't get the jest of Mr. Harris’ “damp hu mor” so paid him a visit and prac ticed his “Boxer’s-shuffle-3-4” for a while with Mr. Harris for the punching bag. All kidding aside, Mr. Harris was just washing his sox in his waste-basket on the win dow sill and smokin, “Texas twist ed roll-your-owns” when a little of his wash water “slipped” out of the window. News notes: — During a recent talk, Captain Hill referred to ci garettes as “snuff sticks” —A/S George A Martin who is a profes sional “diaper changer”, was giv ing lessons Sunday afternoon in the Y. M. C. A. Building to several wives of the Air Corps men. His model for the demonstration was his five-months-old daughter. Last week I took a survey of the entire Squadron to find the numbers of men who have earned their wings, those who have atten ded College, (especially A. & M.) and those with the rank of Private 1st Class or above. Here are the amazing results of the “Ismertup” poll. Those who have attended the Colleges of the Nation (Liberal Arts, Technical, or Business, night and day included) number seventy- three. Three of these men were for mer Aggies. There are fifty-five (See CIRCLING, page 2) Hedge Hopping Squadron IV Gentlemen of squadron 4, the wing ball is coming off Saturday, and we have all been looking for ward to that great day. Men, this dance is for your entertainment, therefore the relative success, from your viewpoint, depends on how fast you jump in and take over one (or two, three or four) of the many luscious damsels which will be there (loose). The committee in charge of arranging the details for the shindig has been working its fingers to the bone to make this a huge success, so the load will be promptly thrown onto your collective backs come ‘Sattiday night’. A new band has been ob tained, and from all reports it is really a knocked-out outfit. Feelers have been spread all over the coun try, thus the girl situation has been alleviated if not eliminated. Also the decorations committee hasn’t done badly, having procured a lot of props from a Houston de partment store, The boys taking care of the room arrangements are cuddlin’ that ole beam and will have the rooms ready early in the afternoon. Now that you understand how these affairs are planned, there re mains only one thing for each and every man to do. That is, see that every single girl goes away frbm Texas A. & M. crying. BONDS DR. N. B. McNUTT DENTIST Office in Parker Building Over Canady’s Pharmacy Phone 2-1457 Bryan. Texas LOUPOT’S An Aggie Institution for the a nd the SOPH BALL WING DANCE n.'MIB.IW. 11*11 JU li'.nI'H—N BRYAN GET HER CORSAGE — FROM — mm FLOWER shop 106 U. 26th Phone 2-2400 PO YOU Dift |T ? .wos-r Dovm * kom* wt aa-BOx COUWA HOT 'NOOfm WTO c send us YOUR slang and gpt .. College D„ p ,., ^ Co/o Co , li“ g M, Pepsi-Cola Company, Long Island City, N.Y. Bottled I ocally by Franchised Bottlersj