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About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 21, 1943)
SATURDAY MORNING, AUGUST 21, 1943 THE BATTALION PAGE 3 r PROP WASH Squadron II ACTD NEWS Circling the Field Squadron III Leggett Laments Ross Rucker to bed tonight, Squadron II men are preparing to go on their long- awaited furloughs. Having just returned from Squadron II’s Order ly room, I could hardly say it was “disorderly”, but it is a bee hive of activity—as all the men are waiting in line behind batteries of typewriters for their furlough pap ers. The four Editors from Squad ron II were unable to make the dead line, in view of the fact their furloughs came up a few hours before they expected them, hence much excitement and joy prevail ed among the men and they were in no mood to turn out copy. Your Squadron III Editor is going to take over for A/S Max Stump, who usually handles this column. The Beavers of Squadron II have been rather busy all day in their spare moments getting their little traveling bags together, bor rowing a few from the men in the other Squadrons, and purchasing last minute articles at the North Gate. The Officers in charge are do ing a wonderful job in getting the men on their way, and I imagine they will be working until the wee hours getting the last fur lough papers through. Master Sergeant Howard A. Bradford just dropped in the of fice and gave us the latest com ment about the furloughs and I give it to you verbatim.—“In rec ognition of the enormous effort exerted by the members of Squad ron II in the past few months, Captain Hill decreed that they should be granted generous leaves of absence prior to their depart- ture from this station. It behooves the remainder of the students to observe the Captain’s reaction to a job well done. This is not to be construed as a promise of fur loughs upon the completion of training at this College, but may be interpreted as a gesture. on the Captain’s part, circumstances permitting, that each departing group will be similiarly rewarded By Frog Dubose Here I am, at it again. Here’s a little news about the Frogs. There was a swell party in Frog Breau’s and Frog Keever’s room the other night. The room looked like a grocery; they had lemonade, crackers, jam, scabs, and ice cold milk. The get-together wasn’t a two-some for very long, however, because word of the session soon got around the second stoop. Some of the more prominent visitors (cups in hand) were Frog Massey, Frog Donahue, and Frog Smith. Frog Ross and Frog Campbell went to see the picture, “Seven Sinners,” and when they got back to the dorm they were awfully anxious to start a little gang-fight of their own, but they soon forgot it and went to sleep. As yet the dance is still to be held at the Grove, but don’t break those dates, fellows; in fact, if everybody had a date we would come nearer having the Freshman Ball in Sbisa since anyone knows that one dormitory of boys and their dates would pretty' near fill the Grove. Think what would hap pen if four dormitories of fellows and their dates should try to hold a dance there! Frog Broogs of dorm 16 is sleepy all the time, he says. Ac cording to him, he stays that way because of his continuous study, but I sometimes wonder! Seems as if it is going ot take Einstein himself to figure the new, 4 semester schedule. At any rate, plans are being made as rapidly as possible. To the guy that confessed to the little “inscription” on the bulletin board we say “thanks” for being man enough to say you did it. By doing so you saved the whole dorm from doing a lot of drill that we didn’t deserve to do. We appreciate it. Just a thought: Wonder how the dome on the Academic Building would look after a rub-down with a thousand blitz cloths. Quiz tomorrow in English, so I had better get at it. In the mean time if anyone has any stuff of interest I will be glad to get it. BEAT THE HELL OUT OF TEXAS U.! The RAF must have discovered those fifty remaining houses in Hamburg on the last raid. Adolf’s intuition must be telling him that the jig is up. August seems bent upon making us stew in our own juices. RUDDER DUST By A/S W. D. West V-Mail Humor A/S Martin E. Ismert, Jr., re ceived a comic V-mail letter from his brother Lt. Theodore V. Is mert, overseas, which one of the men in his outfit stenciled on a V-mail form. On the upper half of the page is a drawing of a beautiful, volup tuous South Sea Island native, re clining in a very susceptible posi tion. Also with quite a lot of her anatomy showing, which was labell ed, “As Hollywood sees her.” On the lower half of the page are a half a dozen pictures of what New Guinea native girls really look like. All of their anatomy is showing except a narrow strip of cloth around the middle. This is curtly labelled, “But we have ring side seat!!!!” Ismert’s father showed a copy of the letter to their negro maid, who has a boy friend in New Guinea, to which she replied, “Uh huh, dat’s why dat no good man ain’t said in his letters, “wish yo was here’ ”, She was looking at the top part of the letter. Bodies By Stern Less than a week ago, the Wing and Squadron athletic officers re ceived a rating as a reward for their fine work on the athletic program, headed by Lt. Segrest. Ed Martin, the Wing Athletic Of ficer received the Student Officer rating of Captain. Ed is also the Squadron 2 athletic officer. Bill McCloud, Athletic . Officer for Squadron 3 an dFrank Stern, Ath letic Officer for Squadron 4, re ceived ratings of Lieutenant. It was after a hard day of P. E. that Frank Stern told me his in tentions as Athletic Officer for Squadron 4. He intends to do all that he can to see that his part of the job is well taken care of. As he puts it, “You have heard of bodies by Fisher, bodies by Gen eral Motors or bodies by Buick, so when the men of Squadron 4 are referred to in connection with their physical build-up program, they can be thought of as ‘Bodies by Stern.” —provided that standards of dis cipline and academics are faithful ly maintained.” We wish Squadron II the best of luck on their furloughs and know they deeply appreciate the favor very much and will show it by taking a deep seat in the saddle and really “dig-in“ when they re turn to this station. We of the two remaining Squad rons wish we could be with Squad ron II tonight as they depart. So Squadrons III and IV, let’s take a lesson from Squadron II’s splen did record and maybe some day soon, we will be in their place. And now by the way of a joke— freezing the patient is a new strategy in the war on disease. When feeling below par, you crawl into the ice box with the left- Hedge Hopping Squadron IV Tonight, I am going to reveal the deep dark secrets of that my sterious specie of human life that haunts every G. I. post from Maine to Malay, the rumormonger. His presence is most noticeable in lat rines, post exchanges and barracks. Doctors are yet to find a disease that will upset human emotion as much as do rumors. Webster gives the definition or rumor as: A cur rent story but not confirmed, or a prolonged noise. Both of which mean exactly the same thing. In Squadron Four, as most of you know, the rumors fly from room to room and as each story is changed just a little, by the time it gets to the third floor, it is transformed from a small rumor to a paramount strip of fiction that would no doubt affect our very existence. For example: The story came in yesterday that five hundred Italian prisoners were to volunteer to come here to make up 4 our beds and shine our shoes. Another monger stated that our classification and preflight train ing would take place on top of Rockefeller Center in New York and that the Rocketts would sup ervise. Wow! Another was on the subject of President Roosevelt and future terms of office. Will he run again. As the rumor has it, in future years we will hear a television announcer say, “and now American people, the President in his first campaign speech of the year, President Roosevelt. “Mah (See HEDGE HOPPING, Page 4) Jack E. Shaw 1 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 W. D. West Squadron 4 Editor KNOW YOUR ENEMY By George A. Martin (Editor’s Note: The following article was written by Lieutenant Colonel Warren C. Clear. We offer it to better acquaint you with what you are fighting.) The recent mysterious death of Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto, Ja pan’s No. 1 military and naval strategist, has been variously ex plained. But Robert Bellaire, for mer United Press chief in Japan, reports that Yamamoto frequently said he would take his own life rather than lose any Japanese-held territory. Many instances of “honorable suicide” by Japanese officers and soldiers have been observed in this war. The only Jap commissioned officers taken prisoner have been unconscious or badly wounded. A Tokyo communique announced that the sick and wounded soldiers on Attu killed themselves before the last American attack—probably on orders from their officers. Crews of Jap planes shot down in the thrown to them by Americans. Sevecral officers enthrusted with the air-raid defense of Tokyo com mitted hara-kiri because the shadow of the wings of Doolittle’s bombers fell athwart the Imperial Palace. The ancient custom of hara- kiri is typical of the Japanese •ruling caste. Day after day from earliest youth, the samurai are drilled in the awesome dtails of the tragic ceremony. So vividly is the technique of self-destruction impressed on boyish imaginations that, when Jap officers are con fronted with what they consider the necessity of performing it, they can meet the terrible ordeal with complete composure. I once heard the exact story of such an act, from the lips of a man who had seen it performed before his very eyes. It may give the reader a clearer picture of the extraordinary enemy we face. My informant was General Ogawa, whose father committed hara-kiri a few hours after his superior, General Nogi, had done so. The son took great pride in his father’s action. “My father called me,” said Gen eral Ogawa, “and told me that he felt under compulsion to join the spirit of General Nogi, and that he wished me to assist him in the act of hara-kiri—if assistance be came necessary through his fail ure to perform it efficiently. I was to stand beside him, slightly to his rear, with his great two-handed sword upraised, and strike off his head if all did not go well. “I remonstrated with him, be cause he was yet a comparatively young man, only 51. But he said that he had followed General Nogi through many years of fierce bat tle and he was resolved to follow him in death. “I watched him bathe, put on his white kimono and prepare the Spotlight on Sports By A/S \V. D. West Squadron III has been making a fine showing during their touch football practices for the past two weeks. A/S Robert L. McKinnon who is in charge of the group re ports some good material in the lineup, including three men that made all state during their high school days. McKinnon reports that he has excellent passers and re ceivers, which is usually the decid ing offensive factor in touch foot ball. Squadron III beat Squadron IV Thursday night in a hard-fought, man to man volley-ball game, 21- 16, in one of the hottest games either Squadron has so far par ticipated in. Then ending up a thrilling double-header evening, Squadron III came up to beat Squadron II, 21-10. Thursday night, the Detachment All-Stars of the 308th beat the Guard Squadron 13-10 in one of the most thrilling, free-scoring soft ball games yet seen by the citi zens of Bryan. The preliminaries were played off on the campus in the past weeks and the champion ship was held in Bryan. The boys of the 308th really played inspired ball and the fact that the Squadron II boys knew that their passes for extended leave would be waiting probably had some effect on the victory. Aero Antics By Martin E. Ismert, Jr. In the August issue of “Flying” magazine appears an interesating article concerning the “Handi capped,” who do their share in the war effort. Early each morning a bus pulls up to Gate 35 at the Lockheed Air craft plant in Burbank, Calif., and a group of men and women alight holding the leashes of guide dogs. Unhesitatingly, they buck the tide pouring forth from the “grave yard shift,” and disappear into the factory. This is another story of true Americans. In a few moments, guided through the labyrinthine aisles and corridors by their dogs, these blind workers are at their places, help ing to build Hudsons and Lightn ings. In the Nation’s greatest trail, the blind and lame have rallied to the call for manpower and in the airplane factories, they are not only measuring up to other work ers in skill and production quotas but are inspiring others by the ex ample of their spirit. Besides the sightless, the handi capped workers include deaf-mutes, men with an arm missing, one or both legs gone, persons who have lost a hand, a foot, who have suf fered various other crippling mis fortunes. They are dwarfs and workers of extreme age. The collec tive total already is in the thous ands and there is room for many more. The aircraft industry wants all it can get who are qualified, not alone because of labor shortage but also because they are excellent, and in many cases, even superior, workmen. They are moved by an intense desire to make good in an opportunity long denied them, and the feeling of doing something important. Edward Wiliams, one of the near ly two dozen blind workers who arrive on the bus with their dogs in the morning, helps to assemble de-icing equipment for Lightning wings. He calls his work “fixing things up for Hitler.’’ By Williams’ side is Charles Kime, who formerly a jig builder, lost his sign in an accident. Kime cheerfully reconsiled to darkness ( says, “Life seems very good.” Elsie Ronchetti another of this group, shields with tape certain sections of parts which are to be painted. Handed her first pay- check, Miss Ronchetti happily ex claimed: “Now I can cancel that state pension!” The aircraft industry stresses, however, that not all handicapped persons are qualified. First of all, they must have the right mental attitude and not feel that the world owes them a living, They must pass a careful physical examina tion to determine within what lim its they may be employed, and have handicraft experience or be willing to study. No totaly blind person will be accepted without a guide dog, and, once accepted, must measure up to the high standards set by his fellow blind. place of his ending. Then he took up his gold-hilted wahazashi, the short sword, and drapped a snow- white cloth about its hilt and the upper part of the blade. Slowly he thrust the blade deep into his ab domen on the left side, and then cut across to the right side, turned the blade and cut upwards. His face was very white and tense, and his eyes closed as he pushed the blade home. I watched closely for signs of weakness, for that would have been the signal for me to decapitate him, but there was none. He was a great warrior and a true Samurai.” My eyes never left General Ogawa’s face as he told me this story, for I thought at that mom ent I could almost see past the in- crutability of the Jap. Here was an infantry commander of the Imperial Japanese Army—in the 20th century—telling me, proudly, impassively, the tragic details of an act of self-destruction on the part of his own father. The whole thing was quite beyond the comprehension of the rational accidental mind. But in its very weirdness lay a suggestion as to the formidability of a nation that has been an insoluble engima for centuries. As long as the octane’s there to bum, most of our bombers will re turn. When Munda falls to our troops, there should be another Big-Inch celebration. tires at 22:30 and sleeps no later than 06:07 the following morning. Following are experts from a typi cal student’s nightmare. Quote:— “ . . . pass the stew, please . . . burpies, 2-3-4, . . . burpies, 2-3-4 . . . ready change! . . . Let’s do it up brown skin . . . Eager Beavers . . . week-end pass . . . furlough! . . . we fly Monday (burp) . . . damn that train whistle . . . cadet patches . . . Casey’s . . . make mine cherry . . . Wing Board (ug) . . . do it like it ought to be done . . . gigs . . . tours (burp) . . . the ramp . . . Randolph Shuffle, 3-4 . . . Parade Rest . . . attention . . . meeting tonight . . . change sheets . . . fall in . . . fall out . . . right flank . . . mile and six-tenths . . .' Charge of Quarters . . . Houston . . . Bryan . . . grab a sister and gin her around ... daily bulletin . . . eight tenths mil (burp) . . . yes sir ... no sir ... no sir ... to the rear . . . pass the water please . . . young gentlemen, be seated . . . present arms . . . sick call . . retreat . . . chow call . . . mail call . . . (burp) laundry slips . . . Of ficer of the Day . . . Wing Ball . . . wonder how she is? (sigh) Phy sics Lab . . . Tests (ug) . . . re port . . . roster ... no excuses (See CIRCLING, page 2) DRIFTING By A/S Fred J. Rosenthal The Mothers They may never have been on a field of war, Where brave men charge and the big guns roar. They may never have been where the battle’s hot, In a blistering fire of shell and shot; But they show a spirit beyond compare, When their boys leave home to go “over there.” And I fancy that many a lad to night, Who is making a hard and a gal lant fight, Who plays his part in the hardest test, And is loyally trying to do his best— Is holding firm with a courage grim, Because of the mother who waits for him. And his thoughts leap over the (See DRIFTING, Page 4) Ceiling Zero A/S George A. Martin The Fighting Heart Lieutenant Colonel Philip G. Cochran of the United States Army Air Corps, just back from the fighting in North Africa with five medals, made this statement: “I want to say that our kids, American boys, are just kind of automatically wonderful. Just through our own way of life they get something that makes them superior fighters. They don’t have to be indoctrined and have it ham mered in for months or years, the way the Germans or the Japs do. “The fighter pilot flies with his heart. The thing that makes him superior in combat is inside him all the time. Our kids have it, and I think it is something they get naturally, something they get just be growing up in this country. I think that the thing that makes them better fighters is an idiv- idual sense of responsibility to what they are doing and a capac ity to think for themselves.” Stop me if you’ve heard this one: An old gentleman asked a splendidly attired Negro at a wedding, “Pardon me, suh, is you de groom?” “No, suh,” replied the young man gloomily. “Ah was eliminat ed in the semifinals.” Optimism Ismert: “I have to pick up a girl at Hollywood and Vine at six o’clock.” Jackson: “Who is she?” Ismert: “How do I know who’s going to be at Hollywood and Vine at six o’clock?” Promoted The Lieutenant glared at the Private standing at attention be fore his desk. “Just why is it,” he asked, “that you are called up before me almost once a week?” This has been going on for the last six months and it is beginning to arouse my curiosity.” The Pri vate glanced down at his feet and then looked at the officer and blurted, “Can I help it if you don’t get promoted.” Brother, could you spare some news for this column? If so, Room 73 is always open to you. Just had news from an ex-o.l, RALPH RANDALL, former In fantry Aggie Class ’45, now in the V-12 Naval Training Unit at Georgia Tech, says “W.N.B.L.” is getting a nice reception in Atlan ta ,especially since plenty of ex aggies are there. His bleed: “The Campus of Tech isn’t co-ed.” In case your in the nefed for same—Frang Craig and yours tru ly are thinking of composing a publication on “How To Avoid M. P.’s.” After what happened Thurs day night I believe any suggestions would help. Attention Milner Men: Since you have so branded other Campus groups with not too complimentary names, one or two names appro priate for the Milner boys occurred to me. Maniacs or morons seem to remind me of Milner. It’s just a friendly thought all in fun . . . , For a change the Caigpus side walks are becoming passable. Won der who whispered to the new comers that it was etiquette at A. and M. for them, to occupy the street? At least its good for a change. ABOUT FACE! The Intramural Dept, have postponed our Champ ionship a few days because of cir cumstances, mostly weather, but 8th Co. will be around to nab it as soon as the next Softball game is played. This isn’t a case of optim ism either, personally with a good turn out of men to play I think it can easily be done. How about it Drake? . . . He’s In, He’s Out, He’s In again. That’s our Frank Shepherd, back in the hospital witji an undetermined ailment. It seems he just can’t stay away from Mom’s care over two days. There just wasn’t much stuff or news either for today, but maybe next week we’ll have a real scoop for you. Such as who this “Pistol Packing Gal” really is. See you around. If the coyotes of the West are exterminated, there’ll still be wolves in the cities. LOUPOT’S An Aggie Institution CARDWELL FLIGHT ACADEMY at COULTER FIELD On Madison Highway announces From August 18 to September 26 Each person buying- a ride or lesson is eligible for A FREE SOLO COURSE ($80.00 worth of flying time) Passenger Rides $1.50 Lesson $4.00 Phone 8520F4 Your Appearance Counts--- Keep your hair trimmed frequent ly—your appearance counts very much when you are in uniform. Be smart and neat. We will be glad to serve you. YMCA & VARSITY BARBER SHOP Old “Y” New “Y” WHERE TO SPEND YOUR SPARE MOMENTS There’s nothing more relax ing and refreshing after a long session in classes or a hard afternoon on the drill field than to come by George’s and enjoy a cooling and re freshing drink and spend a few minutes visiting with the fellows. You’re always wel come at George’s—where the guys all get together! GEORGE'S New “Y"