Laurinburg-Maxton Army Air Base: The Slipstream

о Vbl. 1 No. 5 LAURINBUHG-MAXTON ARMY AIR BASE, MAXTON, N. 0. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 17, 1943 gae - _ I l - - - . 1 - - ■■.■■■■■ j.j _ _ i ' ■■...i.ii- Subscription : $2 per Year PROBLEM SHOWS GLIDER'S VALUE TO TROOPS HERE Largest Mass Maneuver Seen Success; Four Generals . - Watch War Games By F/O ERMAN L. PESSIS Although the Army Air Forces j have been entertaining elaborate ; plans for a glider program, it wasn’t until recently that all j “paper” expectations were prov- j en correct by a spectacular mass j flying maneuver from the Laur- 1 inburg-Maxton Army Air Base j to points in North and South Carolina. Huge 15-place gliders and mul¬ ti-seated .transport planes carried a full airborne regiment, with all its equipment, from one city to another in a mock invasion. It was the first attempt made by the Army employing so many gliders on such a large oper¬ ation, and four generals were on hand to witness the tremendous flying mission. DELIVERED GOODS The mass flight proved the great value of the glider. It safe¬ ly delivered fully-armed men as well as jeeps, artillery, ammuni¬ tion and supplies ready for battle. All planes and gliders landed in one concentrated small area without a single casualty. Only minor mishap recorded was the scratching of a wingtip. The incident occurred when a landing glider’s wingtip touched that of a parked glider, with damage repaired in 10 minutes. (Wingspread of gliders used is similar to that of medium bomber.) Lt. Col. James J. Roberts, com¬ mander of the 313th Troop Car¬ rier Group, which flew the air¬ borne units, commended his men very highly upon completion of their history-making mission. ROBERTS SATISFIED Colonel Roberts indicated “great satisfaction” with partici¬ pating squadrons for their super¬ ior performance in the joint air¬ borne maneuvers, which were observed by Maj. Gen. Bill Lee, commanding general of the 101st Airborne Division; Maj. Gen. Matthew B. Ridgway, command¬ ing general of the 82nd Airborne Chapman Jr., commanding gen¬ eral of the Airborne Command, and Brig. Gen. Charles L. Keer- ans Jr., commanding general of 82nd Airborne Division units sta¬ tioned here. The generals displayed intense interest in the precision and, suc¬ cess of the operations and indi¬ cated the greatest admiration for the skill and team work de¬ monstrated between ground and air crews. TEAMWORK LAUDED Glider ground crews showed such skill and close teamwork that all previously-known rec¬ ords for smoothness and skill in handling and launching of glid¬ ers were surpassed. Pilots of planes and gliders demonstrated great adaptability, ingenuity and skill and received commentation from Colonel Rob¬ erts for their performance. Special mention was made by Colonel Roberts of the mechan¬ ics and various communications sections, giving “a huge amount of credit for the success of the maneuver” to the grease-covered men of the line. MECHANICS PRAISED “An unprecedented number of planes and gliders was made available for the maneuver,” Colonel Roberts said, “only by the hardest of work and the minimum amount of mechanical failure during operations. That attests to the quality of the work.” The Army is more than toy¬ ing with glider plans. The fu¬ ture— and not very far off — will see the large, motorless craft carrying supplies to our fight¬ ing forces in all the far corners of the earth. Gliders, fully-equipped as hos¬ pitals, will land on the battle scene and give immediate aid to wounded. Since gliders can land in email, restricted areas which cannot accommodate airplanes, it gives unlimited possibilities for the glider. The glider has been proven successful and many wonderful achievements are ex¬ pected from it in our march to¬ ward victory. * * * MASCOT FRITZY’ She’s belle of Barracks 1501. * * * * * * 392nd Mascot Takes Men’s Hearts, Chow “Where’s Fritzy?” That’s the question asked a hundred times a day as men wander into Barracks 1501. Fritzy has become the accepted mascot of the 392nd Base Hq. & Air Base Sq. She’s a cross between German Shephard and Collie — a very smart dog,! her owner, Corp. Read Wilson, will claim. There’s never any danger of Fritzy going hungry. On the contrary there is need of a sys-O- to check on the number tern of men lugging back chow from the mess hall. She has become wise to chow¬ time and will rush for the door whenever a man returns — expect¬ ing more food. NOT a “chow hound”, says the owner — just clever. BUS RIDE ROUTINE Whenever Fritzy is in bar- Division; Brig. ~Gen.“ Abridge ‘a l™*5 duri"S the and a group of men go to the PX, Fritzy insists on going along. Boarding the base bus offers no difficulties to her. She’ll clamber up the steps and sit herself on the bench, just as though she belonged there. Once at the PX she really turns on the heat. No female has ever “wiled” her way into more hearts than she. Forgetting that sweets in excess will do her harm, the men, and the girls behind the counter feed her ice cream and candy — enough to make any young boy envious. Long ago she was taught to sit up and hold her paws straight up when she wants something. When she executes that position the stoutest heart gives in and Fritzy wins. FRITZY’S FOUR She is four years old and has been a “mama” once. In those four years she has been talked to constantly until she not only knows the meaning of many words, but also recognizes the spelling of several. The trunk of the car used to be her berth while riding. But she has graduated to the back seat and will sit there as straight as a queen, looking at everything on the way. Many times at the gate in the dark an MP has asked for her pass, thinking the very straight sitter a man. That ia what prompted obtaining a pass for “Fritzy” Wilson. GETS DOG HOUSE There was no dog house around 1501 until Capt. Charles E. Dal¬ ton, commander of the 392nd, paid a visit to 1501 one night to see that the house his dog once had used was appropriated for Fritzy. The house painted in Air Force colors, sports the ser¬ vice’s star on its roof. Captain Dalton ruefully has requested the formula for Fritzy’s rotundness. The captain’s dog, “Skipper,” a slim Irish setter, could use some of Fritzy’s wiles and fatten himself up a bit. Fritzy was brought from home — one of five dogs owned by Cor¬ poral Wilson. He left behind cats, chickens, pet cow a lamb, bantams and pheasants. Four Go To College In Army’s New Plan Getting rapid-fire results from tests taken approximately two weeks ago, four men from the base already have been sent to study at college under the new Army specialized training pro¬ gram. The quartet was shipped to Georgia Tech at Atlanta to at¬ tend the advanced engineering course, which started March 12. The group included Sgt. Ches¬ ter R. Hilland and Corp. Morton T. Preis of the 313th Troop Car¬ rier Group and Corp. Hyman Resnick and Pfc. Richard H. Crosby of the 392nd Base Hq. & Air Base Sq. These men qualified under provisions for two courses — basic and advanced. To qualify for the basic course a soldier must have been graduated from an accred¬ ited high school and be between the ages of 18 and 21, inclusive. He must not have reached his twenty-second birthday before Feb. 1, 1943. To be eligible for the advanc¬ ed course, an applicant not only must have finished high school, but also completed two years of study in a recognized college or university and be 18 or over. To qualify for either category, a soldier must have an Army general classification test score of at least 110 and must have completed a minimum of nine weeks basic training by March 1. Further information may be obtained from Lt. Robert L Con¬ rad, base classification officer, whose office is in base headquar¬ ters annex. SEPARATE AIR FORCE RATED UNLIKELY NOW WASHINGTON— The question of a separate air force will not be reopened by the Senate Mili¬ tary Affairs committee at this session of Congress, Committee Chairman Robert R. Reynolds (D-N.C.) has announced. Last year, with several bills to create a separate air force before it, the committee met in executive session nd published a formal statement that, irre¬ spective of the merits of such a proposal, the change could not be made during war. Senator Reynolds has stated the committee intends to adhere to that policy. ‘Swingin’ For Base * * * On Down Scheduled Theater Friday Night * * * * * * * * * BLACKOUT TRIAL THURSDAY AIMED AT CORRECTIONS “Swingin’ On Down,” an all- | Negro show, rated as really hep, j is slated to make a one-night stand at the base theater Fri¬ day night at 7:30. The bill, to be presented free, will be the first unit of USO-Camp Shows to visit the' Laurinburg-Maxton Army Air Base. Advance publicity says the stops are wide open in “Swing¬ in’ On Down”, with Lee Norman and his band setting the pace. Lee and his boys play the en¬ tire show and take the spot for a session of “rafter-rockin’ rhy¬ thm” — but solid. Norman’s six-man musical ag¬ gregation is in the vein of John Kirby, Teddy Wilson and Ray¬ mond Scott and, like those groups, purveys a brand of mus¬ ic that has come up fast in the last few years. MEMBERS LISTED With Bill Gray, erstwhile ar¬ ranger for Glenn Miller and Harry James at the piano, the one and only Shep Sheppard on the drums, “Skippy” Williams playing the tenor sax, Clarence Grimes and the clarinet and “Step” blowing his famous trum¬ pet, Norman, who plays the bass, has a bunch of solid senders rated as among the best in the business. Norman started in the band business 15 years ago when a student at the University of Buf¬ falo, playing in orchestras around Buffalo and Syracuse. After college he went to New York, played in Willie Bryant’s PALMER TO HEAD LENDING AGENCY Credit Union Organized To Aid Civil Personnel Melvin E. Palmer, chief of the civilian personnel section, was named president of the Laurin¬ burg-Maxton Army Air Base Credit Union at the organization last week. Other officers are: Mrs. Lester S. McPherson, vice president, and Daniel M. Gillis, secretary- treasurer. Directors include Mr. Palmer, Mrs. McPherson, Mr. Gillis, Mrs. Cleo T. Brown and Fred A. Broadway. The credit committee lists Jeff D. Higgins, v\Iiss Vivian I. Am mons and Mrs.-Julia B. McIn¬ tyre, while the supervisory com¬ mittee is comprised of Mrs. Eliz¬ abeth Burdeshaw, Miss Gladys A. Steed and Daniel R. Coving¬ ton. FUNCTION CITED Prime function of the union is to provide employes with a “safe, convenient plans of sys¬ tematic savings”, and also to de¬ vise a “ready source from which loans can be obtained at a rea¬ sonable rate of interest in time of need.” All civilin employes of the base are eligible to join the Credit Union. The initial fee is 25 cents, and each employe designates the number of shares he desires to purchase. For example, if he decides to buy three shares, his first payment is $1, and thereafter he will pay 75 cents a week until three shares, at $5 each are bought. Thus a total of $15 has been ac¬ cumulated. In a similar manner the employe may obtain anoth¬ er group of shares. MONEY FOR GROUP Money accumulated by the group is made available to mem¬ bers, who might be obliged to borrow. Interest on loans is 6 percent, discounted. For example, if a member borrows $20, he ac¬ tually receives $18.80, but re¬ pays $20. No other charges are made. The Laurinburg-Maxton Army Air Base Credit Union is char¬ tered under laws of North Car¬ olina, with the treasurer bonded. Everyone obtaining money auto¬ matically is insured for the amount of the loan until it is repaid in full. No officers may draw a salary or receive any kind of fees. The credit committee approves all loans, while the supervisory committee audits the treasurer’s books. The union’s books will be inspected by a state examiner once a year. Any employee desiring to join the group, or wishing informa¬ tion about it, should contact one of the directors. FRIDAY NIGHT MOVIE CANCELED THIS WEEK With the USO-Camp Shows “Swingin’ On Down” billed at the base theater Friday at 7:30 p.m., the motion picture, “Star- Spangled Rhythm,” originally scheduled for that night will not be shown. The movie was slated for Thursday and Friday, but will be shown only at tomorrow night’s two performances. Thanks! Bed Cross Drive Success Lauded By Director ALTHOUGH the Laurinburg- Maxton Army Air Base’s formal drive for the American Red Cross War Fund closed more than a week ago with $119.49 beyond the goal of $1,- 000, contributions still are trick¬ ling in, with approximately $200 received in the last seven days. With donations here approach¬ ing the $1,500 figure, Francis M. James, base Red Cross field di¬ rector, has expressed hearty ap¬ preciation in a letter submitted to The Slipstream. It reads: “I wish to thank all those who helped make the Red Cross cam¬ paign (here) a success. Their efforts and the funds they raised are splendid testimonials to our armed forces and the American Red Cross. “It is particularly gratifying to note the response from the enlisted men. Although they were not asked to contribute, many insisted on giving some¬ thing to help their buddies and to express their appreciation for the services of the Red Cross to the armed forces. “I am indeed grateful and happy over this wonderful de¬ monstration of appreciation and loyalty. I pledge you my best efforts and services. (Signed) FRANCIS M. JAMES Field Director.” The campaign on the base was part of a nation-wide effort to raise a Red Cross War Fund of $125,000,000, 80 millions of which are to go directly into work among personnel of the armed forces. Military Not To Aid In Army Day Affairs Uncle Sam’s armed forces will' not participate in customary Army Day activities this year, according to a' memorandum from Maj. Gen. J. A. Ulio, The Adjutant General. The memo¬ randum reads: . “Because of the extreme urg¬ ency with which our forces must be prepared for combat, it is not in the military and national in¬ terest to divert troops and equip¬ ment from essential war activi¬ ties to particpate in parades on Army Day, April 6, 1943. “The Nation is faced with transportation and fuel short¬ ages. So serious are these short¬ ages that it would be inconsist¬ ent with the war effort to di¬ vert large amounts of fuel and numerous vehicles from wartime tasks for display purposes. > “The same objections apply with equal emphasis to large public dinners on Army Day, in which military personnel would predominate, at a time when re¬ strictions on the consumption of food have been applied through¬ out the Nation.” Courtesy Plus SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. — A harried bus driver, cracking un¬ der wartime rush of trade, re¬ fused to let passengers off till they said, “Please”. Inflated with success, he then tried to make them say, "Pretty please”. They called a policeman. band for four years and when the latter gave .up the leader¬ ship, Norman took over. That was in 1937. The band played the Savoy, Arcadia and Rose- land ballroopis, in addition to j spot bookings in clubs and col- 1 leges, until 1940 when the group dissolved to the present six pieces. BAND SEEN POPULAR Since then, Norman has been featured at the “Famous Door”, “Kelly’s Stables” and various other New York night spots, in¬ cluding some of the leading hotels, among which are the Commodore, the Pierre and the Park Central. The band is popular with col¬ legiate groups, having played (PLEASE TURN TO PAGE TWO) HOSPITAL UNITS ABOUT FINISHED 3 Buildings Done By April 1 ; Cost Set At $50,000 Construction of three buildings at the base hospital is nearing completion, according to J. B. Anderson, government inspector of Florence, N. C., supervising construction. The entire project, including units and equipment, will cost approximately $50,000. One building will house a com¬ plete eye, ear, nose and throat clinic, with facilities for that section to include everything from an examination room to x-ray equipment. The present crowded eye, ear, nose and throat section in the dispensary will be dismantled as soon as the new unit is ready to function. NEW OFFICER QUARTERS A second building will be quar¬ ters for medical officers. Maj. Carl B. Stilson, head of the base hospital, points out the new ar¬ rangement will make possible a more compact medical detach¬ ment, with officers in a better position to attend emergency calls. Under the present set-up, med¬ ical officers are obliged td travel approximately two miles from their quarters in the base head¬ quarters area to the hospital. The base flight surgeon will occupy the third new building, moving from the old location in the base headquarters area. The new arrangement will per¬ mit the flight surgeon to clear his patients through channels in a fraction of the time necessary heretofore. OLD BUILDING USED All the new units will be con¬ nected with existing hospital fa¬ cilities by the conventional cov¬ ered walk-way. Plans call for the utilization of the old flight surgeon’s build¬ ing as a dispensary to serve per¬ sonnel of the 392nd Base Hq. & Air Base Sq. and the 1077th Guard Sq., both of which are in that area. At present men from those organizations are obliged to travel across the base to the main dispensary at the hospital. Construction of the new units, being done by the H. S. B. & F. J. Construction Co., Conover, N. C., is expected to be com¬ plete by April 1. Equipment is to be installed and personnel assigned soon thereafter. ST. PATRICK DANCE TONIGHT AT MAXTON The Altar Guild society of Laurinburg is sponsoring a St. Patrick’s Day dance tonight from 9 to 12 at Evans hall in Maxton. Mrs. John Joseph, president of the group, has invited enlisted personnel of the base to attend. An admission will be charged. •THREE RING’ JAG In Ann Arbor, Mich., last week hospital attendants did what they could .for Pvt. Patrick Pisula, who imitated “the man in the circus” at a local bar, took a couple of bites from a glass, tried hard to swallow a knife. Your words may kill a pal — DON’T TALK! Schedule Listed To Clarify Signals; Base Will Be Included In Test In an effort to clarify misun¬ derstandings in signals and pro¬ cedure which occurred in the recent state-wide air raid test, another practice blackout will be staged Thursday night, with the Laurinburg-Maxton Army Base participating. The “dry run” is announced in advance so military and civil¬ ian personnel will be entirely conversant with the recently- revised signal system. The following are times and signals applicable to civilians in surrounding communities, as well as personnel of the base: YELLOW NOT GENERAL 8:35 p. m. — YELLOW signal. This is not received by the public, but by defense agencies and strategic installations. It is given by telephone. 8:50 p. m. BLUE signal. This is sounded by public audible alarm in a steady tone. It means that enemy planes are approach¬ ing and all lights, except those specificlly exempted, must be ex¬ tinguished. Traffic continues with lights dimmed. Pedestrians keep moving to destination or shelter, while workers remain on jobs. 9 p. m. — RED signal. This means planes overhead. It is sounded by public audible sig¬ nal in a quavering or intermit- tant note. All lights must be blacked out, except authorized emergency lights. Traffic stops, and all but defense wardens take shelter. BLUE SOUNDED AGAIN 9:10 p. m. — BLUE signal. This is sounded by public audible alarm and means planes have passed but may return. Black¬ out continues same as under first blue. 9:22 p. m.— WHITE signal. This is NOT sounded by public aud¬ ible alarm, but is given over radio and by pre-announced vis- j ual means, such as turning on street lights. This is the ALL CLEAR, but do not light up un¬ less it has been determined AB¬ SOLUTELY that danger is past. CAUTION IS STRESSED Caution in turning on lights cannot be stressed too strongly since lighting up too soon may endanger not only life and prop¬ erty of the individual, but also that of his neighbor. Blackouts are ordered by the Army by air raid districts. It is important that everyone, in or¬ der to receive the ALL CLEAR intelligently by radio, know in which district he is located. The Laurinburg-Maxton Army Air Base is in the Wilmington, N. C., air raid warning district. 392nd Dayroom Wing Provides Game Space That clang of hammers and buzz of saws over in the 392nd Base Hq. & Air Base Sq. area heralds a classy addition to the squadron dayroom. The new wing, 20 by 50 feet, has been designated as a game room. When complete, it will house a spanking new billiards table with all the accoutrements, two ping-pong tables, space for dart games and facilities for lounging. Furniture, according to Lt. Charles T. Tippett, squadron ad¬ jutant, already is on hand, with 12 chairs finished in leatherette and another dozen “love seats” — two place jobs. With carpenters of the squad¬ ron assisting Capt. Robert L. Dubose’s crew from post engi¬ neers, the wing is slated for completion this week. Lieuten¬ ant Tippett said it probably, will be a week or two until the in¬ side is finished, however. Meanwhile, the present day- room space will be fitted with furniture made by squadron car¬ penters and will include read¬ ing tables, inlaid game tables and racks for magazines, books, papers, etc. GRATITUDE EXPRESSED CEDAR GROVE, N. J.— -Pvt. Dominic Donadio gave hla new¬ born son a middle name: Fur¬ lough.