Camp Davis: The AA Barrage

VOLUME 1— NUMBER > f V As the Third Army Ground Forces Band plays the National Anthem, the upwards of 15,000 spectators who packed the stands and other space at last Saturday's football game, stand at "Attention" just before the op¬ ening kickoff. A scene similar to this — but packing drama which the cmera doesn't show, was enacted with the sounding of "Retreat" gun. Brigade Invades Charleston Last Day For Camp Bond Drive By PFC. SHIR'tREED WALKER Camp Davis personnel - civilian and military— climbed on the War Bond wagon from all sides as the Third War Loan sales drive pre¬ pared for its grand finale today. Enthusiasm mounted steadily as subscriptions of all amounts— from $25 denominations to at least one $20,000 investor - were reported to the hard working staff of of¬ ficers and enlisted men in War Bond Headquarters. Unit officers were busy record¬ ing allotments among Camp Davis soldiery— but pounded away with unlessened fervor at the unques¬ tioned theme of patriotism and good business sense involved in War Bond subscriptions. Developments, not necessarily in order of importance, included: 1: War Bond Contest dates have been changed to Include a period from Sept. 1 to Oct. 2 in order that units which got “on the ball” early in the month or at the opening of the Third War Loan drive can re¬ port payroll deductions made before Sept. 22, the date orig¬ inally set for the opening of the contest. Lt. L. B. Poster, camp war bond officer, explained that setting the contest date back will eliminate any hardship on batteries who were ambitious early in the month with- C'ontin ue d On Page IS Ail garrisons of ground troops in continental United States— with the exception of antiaircraft— are being reduced, it was revealed recently in connection with the appearance of Gen. George C. Marshall, Chief of Staff before the Senate and House Milita ry Affairs Committees in Washington. In the current Army and Navy ' Journal, the view was presented that the United States is no longer in danger of raids except from the air. The committees were told by Gen. Marshall that by the end of 1944 — next year — some 5,000,000 men will be overseas and we will have moved out of this country practically all of opr combat forces. By the end of 1943, Gen. Mar¬ shall said, there will be 2,500,000 American troops overseas. At pres¬ ent it was estimated there are 2,000,000 members of the United States Army at overseas positions. Gen. Marshall, who appeared in opposition to the Wheeler Bill which would defer drafting of fathers, said the Army is not get¬ ting men as fast as it can use them. There are now four divi¬ sions which still exist only as 1,500-men cadres, he said, and about 64,000 men are needed for them alone. Retreat Gun Ends Victorious Day For AA Gridders And Spectators By SGT. E. G. MONK Fifteen thousand — at least — sun tan clad soldiers suddenly snapped to "Attention” in the late autumn glow of last Saturday when the “Retreat” gun boomed a dramatic finish to the greatest day to date in Camp Davis’ athletic an¬ nals. Amazingly, the gun had been fired by Cpl. William D. Giles, of the Military Police detach¬ ment. at almost the exact second the timekeeper was frantically signalling the end of the thrilling football game between Camp Davis' 1943 Red, White and Blue Football Brigade and the Wake Forest College Team. So completely engrossed had been the great throng in the football arena as Camp Davis swept to victory, 24 to 20, in the final moments of the game, that no one heard the bugle sound¬ ing “To the Colors.” On the other hand, Cpl. Giles, in charge of the "Retreat” detail, was unaware of the nearness of the game’s conclusion. Every eye was rivited on Halfback Ed Stoeckel as he bucked into the Wake Forest linesmen. Then the cannon roared its summons to the mili¬ tary faithful. A shout arose among the thousands who thought it was just the end of the game. High over the roar came the ever-beautiful notes of “Retreat” and with magnificent presence of mind the entire assemblage presented arms amid a sudden, thrilling silence. Many a heart beat faster as the Stars and Stripes fluttered down in graceful dignity and many a hand trembled slightly — stiff in salute though it was. Forgotten were the gallant foot¬ ball players, the bands, the pomp and the rest of the show. Only the grandeur of Old Glory and all that she stands for was in the mind's eye of the crowd. You could feel that as if by some mystic message. Then the flag was down for the night, in the reverent hands of the soldiers beneath the flag¬ pole, and the cynosure again was the football field. But the players were walking away. The game was over. Camp Davis had won, the doughty Wake Forest boys were congratulating the victors and were being congratulated themselves on their fine play. It had been a day that saw the biggest foot¬ ball crowd in camp history, one in which off- duty morale reached its highest pitch, one which pointed to even greater days. Guardsmen Unknown Quantity By S/SGT. SID GRAY Bracketed with a dozen college and service teams as the foot¬ ball topnotchers in Eastern and Southern grid sectors, the Camp Davis Blue Brigade, which so im¬ pressed a record-breaking Anti¬ aircraft soldier gathering in last week's home opener against Wake F'orest, will travel to Charleston, S. C„ tomorrow to tackle the local Coast Guard which is likewise un¬ defeated. The tilt will afford the А Аз further opportunity to maintain and cultivate further the prom¬ ising form displayed in the in¬ augural and which bodes so well for future engagements. With football sales agents touting their respective satel¬ lites unceasingly we would, just like to insert an advisory note that the tackle play of John¬ ny Melius and Bill West, Camp Davis line guardians, will attract the well-earned praise of even the most-hardened pig¬ skin critics before the season folds. Melius was unquestionably the standout lineman on the field last Saturday and West was not far behind with his unerring tackling and speed downfield under punts. And not for a moment is this current AA grid presentation sole¬ ly dependent on these two hus¬ kies. There is an abundance of depth along the forward wall which will permit of ample substitutions Continued On Page 16 Cornwallis Puts (The author of the following article has attained considerable renown through his stories in Yank and other publications. Notable among these was "The Phantom Platoon." In a similar, although more whimsical, vein Sgt. Duncan today tells of a nostalgic and wholly mythical exper¬ ience in Wilmington involving the well known British general of yore. Lord Cornwallis.) By Sgt. Ray Duncan "Aren’t you an American soldier?" cried this little old lady in Wilmington last week-end. "Why aren't you with the troops? Lord Cornwallis is attacking!" Several passersby tapped their foreheads sig¬ nificantly. One thing led to. another, and. pretty , ... 4..,. soon I was sipping apricot liqueur, the last in AAAOCS Near Wilmington the local ABC store, with my new friend. She wore a powdered white wig, and several artificial moles were loosely stuck to her face. "Lord Cornwallis really was in Wilmington, you know,” she said later, while pouring me a dish of spiked tea. "It was during the Revolu¬ tionary War. I remember it so vividly, and some¬ times it seems more real than the present.” She was one of those little old ladies of indeterminate age. She might have been 210 or 212, and she might have been only 185. It was hard to say. Later I checked on her story, and found it to be essentially true. Lord Cornwallis, com¬ mander of the British Colonial Troops, was in Wilmington about 1776 or 1780 or some such time. Immediately upon arriving in Wilmington Lord Cornwallis is reported to have said, “Well, this is pretty nice!" There is a bronze tablet on the spot where he uttered these words. Unfortunately it is located on the floor of an old revolutionary tavern, now converted to a tire retreading shop. “Have our scouts go north a ways and see what there is." Lord Cornwallis told his general staff a few minutes later. When the scouts got back they told him there was nothing up there but swamp. "Any hills?” "No sir, no hills. The ground is flat ao4 tlwltnv 4 On 13