Super-Fort - 15 February 1945 - XX Bomber Command

B-29'S SINK DRYDOCK

Another Direct Hit
Another Example of accurate high altitude precision bombings by B-29 Superfortresses of the XX Bomber Command is demonstrated in the destruction of a center span of the Rama VI bridge at Bangkok. The photo at left shows a salvo of bombs bursting in the target area, while in the picture at right the damage to the structure is plainly visible. The Rama VI bridge over the Chao Phraya river carries the quantities of supplies for Japanese troops in Burma, and interruption of traffic will contribute new difficulties to an enemy already being hardpressed by Allied forces along the Burma front. The successful attack on this important Jap transportation artery took place Feb. 7 from bases in India.

Unlimited Credit Due "Happy Holiday" Troupe

By SUPER-FORT Writer

   HEADQUARTERS XX BOMBER COMMAND, INDIA - Happy Holiday, the 75-minute show being presented throughout the Command by USO Unit No. 386, is tops, but it doesn't give due credit to the nine members of the troupe. It would have to last several hours before it could even attempt to bring out the personality of the entertainers.
  The nine experienced vaudeville performers are on duty - "pleasure work," they call it - all hours of the day, the show being somewhat of a climax. They pose for photos - cheesecake incliuded, tour the hospital wards, make impromptu performances at various service clubs and chat with anyone who's in a talkative mood. A couple of the girls have indicated they would enjoy a game of badminton or some similar sport - if asked.
  Boasting one of the biggest vaudeville units ever assembled the the USO-Camp Shows, Happy Holiday is a gay, lively musical well rounded with comedy, dancing and singing.
   The troupe includes

Jeepful of Glamor
The Jeep is a beautiful vehicle - especially when decorated with these performers of the Happy Holiday Show troupe. THey are, left to right, Eva Kemmy, Eileen Ritter, Madelaine Ziulal, Marilynne Roae and Pann Merryman. The troupe is now touring the India bases of the XX Bomber Command.

such performers as Sammy and Phyllis Cohen, for years one of the top comed teams in the entertainment business; Eileen Ritter, beautious "Roxyette" who acts as emcee and songstress; the Kemmys, John and Eva, also a comedy team and specialists in the art of mayhem; Pann Merryman, a shapely dancer who trips the light fantastic in a manner reminiscent of Eleanor Powell; Duke Jordan, band impressionist; the Two Jynx (Madeline Zoulal and Marilynne Rose) a charming combination of young feminine talent, and Oliver Scott one of the Midwest's leading pianists. Happy Holiday is one of the best shows ever to play this theater.

MOST TIME OVER ENEMY

Most B-29 Missions
The combat crew of the Princess Eileen II are standing left to right, S/Sgt. Donald R. Press, Sgt. Donal Bloodgood, S/Sgt. Vincent Pittaro, Lt. Toger J. Orzili, Lt. Manuel Fuentes, Capt. John E. Siler, Lt. William B. Streluik, Lt. Jophn H. Newcomb, S/Sgt. Artgur G. Bickell, S/Sgt. Howard Wolheim and S/Sgt.Joseph Hanigan. Kneeling, left to right is the maintenance crew: Cpl. Charles M. Drummond, Sgt. John R. Stiger, S/Sgt. James H, Morgan, S/Sgt. William A. Rerison, Cpl. Ernest W. Clock and Cpl. Allan C. Davis.

Speed Up Bombings
Against Jap Targets
   HEADQUARTERS XX BOMBER COMMAND, INDIA -- SUPERFORTRESSES FROM THIS AND THE SISTER XXI BOMBER COMMANDS STEPPED UP THEIR STRATEGIC REDUCTION OF ENEMY MILITARY INSTALLATIONS THIS WEEK, HITTING TARGETS AT RANGOON IN BURMA, OTA IN JAPAN, AND IWO JIMA ISLAND. GOOD RESULTS WERE REPORTED.
* * *    * * *    * * *    HEADQUARTERS XX BOMBER COMMAND, INDIA - Less than a week after the highly successful raid on Singapore, Superfortresses of Brig. Gen. Roger M. Ramey's Command struck at Japanese military installations in Saigon, Indo-China and Bangkok, Thailand.
  The twin missions were the ninth and tenth this year. From June through Dec. 21 of last year, the Pioneering XX Bomber Command hit 31 primary targets. During 1944, the sister XXI Bomber Command, beginning with a raid on Tokyo Nov. 24, went on 10 missions. The Feb. 4 attack of the industrial targets in the Kobe area was the ninth mission this year for Maj. Gen. Curtis E. LeMay's bombers.
  Results, according to Communique No. 55, were unobserved at Saigon, which was struck by a "sizeable force employing precision instruments." Bomb strikes in the target area were reported by returning crews which hit communication facilities in Bangkok.
  No planes were lost. Only "meager anti-aircraft fire was met at both targets."
* * * * By SUPER-FORT Writer
   HEADQUARTERS XX BOMBER COMMAND, INDIA - A few years before the present war - back when Great Britain was the main Maritime power of the world - a huge floating drydock, the largest ever conceived, was built in England.
  Capable of accomodating any battleship afloat, the gigantic dock was towed, in sections, more than 13,000 miles to Singapore, the largest British Naval installation in the South Seas. Months were required to deliver the important dock, for it was too large for passage through the Suez Canal and had to be towed by way of the Cape of Good Hope.
  The floating drydock - 855 feet long and 172 feet wide - was anchored about 800 feet from the north wharf of the Singapore Naval base. With a capacity of 50,000 tons, it was equipped to repair, overhaul and restore any type of naval vessel from battleship to submarines.
  It was so important that the English sunk it just prior to Feb.15, 1942, when Singapore unconditionally surrendered to the Japs. Singapore had been in British possession since 1824 when the island was brought from the Sultan of Jahore.
  Refloated by the Japanese, the drydock became one of the enemy's main installations in the South Seas and a Primary target for Superfortresses of the XX Bomber Command. Within a period of three months, the huge planes had struck at the enemy base two previous times, putting the 1,000-foot, graving dock out of commission last Nov. 6.
  Shortly after midnight on Feb. 1, wave after wave of Brig. Gen. Roger M. Ramey's B-29s left their India bases, headed across the Bay of Bengal. Some 17 hours later, shortly after the huge planes had returned from their third 3,800-mile mission to Singapore, eye-witness results were verified.
  The floating drydock had suffered several direct hits. Aerial photographs, taken by attacking Superfortresses revealed the drydock, and a 480-foot freighter which it housed, had been set ablaze and was left sinking.
  Other B-29s showered the main Singapore Naval base at the north end of Jahore Island, next to the famous Jahore straights causeway, with 1,650 pound bombs. Damage was inflicted on another large drydock and other priority objectives at the base. The Georgetown Harbor area at Penang, Sumatra, also was hit by the Superforts.

Gen. R. M. Ramey Awards Medals

   HEADQUARTERS XX BOMBER COMMAND, INDIA - Seven officers and one enlisted man were presented awards here recently by Brig. Gen. Roger M. Ramey during a decoration ceremony.
  "For meritorious service in connection with military operations against an enemy of the United States," the following officers were awarded the Bronze Star Medal: Col. Leo I. Herman, Col. Edward C. Teats, Lt. Col. Reginald E. Fonn, Lt. Col. Kenneth G. Stack, chaplain, Maj. William O'Malley, and Maj. William D. Price.
  M/Sgt. Leonard A. Lozano, in charge of the enlisted personnel of the Command's Intelligence section, was awarded the Legion of Merit. Lozano "contributed substantially to the superior organization and efficiency of the intelligence section," his citation read in part.

American "Cheesecake"
Besides giving evening performances of Happy Holiday, members of that USO troupe spend much time in posing for XX Bomber Command photogrpahers. Pann Merryman, dancer from Des Moines, Iowa, displayes her "Grable figure" for one of the many cameramen.

"Smoke Rings" Next Show for Command

   Some 150 years ago Louis Napoleon Bonaparte, great French military leader and conqueror, used to thrill his many lady friends with gifts of dainty porcelain pipes with his own picture painted on the bowls.
  Whether or not Josephine, Empress of France, and other Napoleon mistesses found time to fill the dainty pipes with tobacco and give the little conqueror a "hot face" isn't known. However, the USO-Camp Shows Inc. publicity release did say:
  That 60 rare pipes dating back centuries and gathered from all corners of the earth, chaperoned by attractive Betty Lynn and Tommy Decker, will appear at the India bases of the XX Bomber Command from Feb. 21 to Mar. 1 in a show called "Smoke Rings."
  Marking a new high in novel entertainment, the show combines a travelling museum, in miniature, and a rhythmic revue. Nearly every kind of pipe imaginable, including Eskimo pipes made from the tusk of a walrus, those which were the personal property of Emperor Franz Joseph of Austria, bamboo pipes from Burma, others of stone from Tibet and some of metal from Italy will be displayed.

Majors William B. Marbury, left, and James W. Schonlaus, both of the "Billy Mitchell" Group, lead all Superfortress pilots in the number of combat hours.

Two Majors Set Pace For B-29 Pilots

   HEADQUARTERS, XX BOMBER COMMAND, INDIA - With more than 225 combat hours to their credit, Majors James W. Schonlaus and William B. Marbury of the "Billy Mitchell" Group are now setting the pace for pilots of the Twentieth Air Force's far-ranging Superfortresses.
  As of February 1, Maj. Schonlau lead all pilots with 251 hours to his credit. Maj. Marbury was second with 226 hours. Each pilot has flown more than 50,000 miles with Maj. Schonlau having participated in 20 missions and Maj. Maybury, in 18.
  Sharing first-place honors with Maj. Schonlau are four members of his crew who have accompanied him on every mission. They are: Lts. John J. Conefry, Joseph C. Connell and John C. Sullivan and S/Sgt. Jack N. Bush.

Cpl. Walters Names "Hellbird" Group

APO 220 - Cpl. Charles Walters, medic from Elmont, L.I., N.Y., was filling out a contest blank for naming the B-29 group commanded by Col. A. F. Kalberer when he heard a combat crew member just back from a mission say: "We gave Japan hell again."
This remark gave Walters an idea. He wrote a name on the blank and entered it in the contest along with names submitted by nearly 200 other men. His entry won. The name: "Hellbird" Group.

EXAMPLE OF PRECISION BOMBING

One of the most amazing examples of precision bombing by XX Bomber Command Superforts is shown in these official Air Forces' photos taken at Singapore. Picture at left shows the floating drydock, biggest in the world, housimng a 400-foot freighter. The center picture was taken by one of the attacking airplanes as a salvo of bombs struck the floating dock and the vessel in it. Picture at right, snapped a short time later by the camera of a B-29, reveals heavy black smoke pouring from the burning ship, and a large patch of oil spreading over the surface of the water surrounding the sinking dock.

* * * * "Why be a sucker at all?" questions the Savings Officer. "Save your money the Soldier Deposit way. It pays 4% interest and will come in mighty handy on that DISCHARGE day."

More Super-Forts

(ANS) - The War Production Board has just revealed that two of the country's four aircraft plants manufacturing B-29 Superfortresses are now turning out 135 of the giant planes each month. For security reasons, production figures of Superforts at the two other huge plants was not revealed.

   Mail is damned important to the soldier - especially the one overseas - and he has a legitimate bitch if his letters are unnecessarily delayed. However, many of the copmplaints received by Postral authorities from the public indicate a gross misunderstanding on the part of the overseas writer.
  From overseas to the U.S., mail service is much better than in the opposite direction. Mail from abroad is moving to a definite, fixed address, easliy found, while mail to personnel overseas is frequently delayed due to the necessity of directory service and forwarding to find organizations and individuals in a constantly changing situation.
  Mail dispatched at regular interevals is not received the same way becaise of transportation facilities and schedules.
  Insufficient space aboard airplanes and various other methods of transportation account for the fact that mail isn't always received in the sequence in which it was wriiten.
  Advocating the use of more V-mail, Army Potal authorities reveal that the average time of a V-mail from Uncle Sugar to India is 9.9 days. Air mail takes 12.8 days, and ordinary letters 15.5 days.

   Every soldier in the U.S. Army, from the lowest private to the highest general, may return to school for one yer at the expense of the government - if he so desires. Age is immaterial.
  The G.I. Bill of Rights definitely states that snybody and everybody in service is entitled to one year of free education. It provides up to $500 for tuition and $50 a month for expenses, $75 with dependents.
  If a soldier was under 25 years of age when inducted or his education was interrupted, he is entitled to as many years of government-paid education as he spent in active service - inclusive between Sept. 16, 1940, and the end of the present war.
  The U.S. Armed Forces Institute offers a wionderful opportunity to prepare for the post-war benefits. Both through the Armed Forces Institute and College Extension courses, a soldier may obtain credits toward the completion of his educational training.

Life-time Member
T/Sgt. Paris F. Kulepp, president of the Non-Com's club at Command Headquarters, proudly displays the club'e life membership card in the Army Air Forces Aid Society to Cpl. Victor N. Musmanno, Cpl. William Cleary, behind bar, and an unidentified member. The Non-Com's club gives $25 a month to the Aid Society and according to Capt. T. H. Boynton, Special; Service Officer, is the largest singlr contributor.

"Jump on the Trolley"

   Security is a bothersome detail that everyone in this Command is responsible for. It can either make or break any military operation, and this has been demonstrated in this war time and time again.
  "I have nothing to say except that the enemy knew we were coming," Gen. Arnold told a press conference shortly after the raid on Schweinfurt over a year ago in which our plane losses were roughly 15%, an all-time high. And from the personal standpoint, and most of us are persons, the neck is an essential part of the body and makes a rather attractive hatrack for the skull. Most of us would like to place our complete anatomy on a nice Simmons mattreess onced again - and I "ain't" fooling!
  Your part of security is a double responsibility. Zip the lip, and don't dictate official correspondence to your bearer; and if you should see a bearer on someone else's knee-scream, do something about it. Simple, isn't it?
   Security personnel have to have your cooperation

24 hours a day, for security is like the "GI's" - it doesn't cease during the hours of darkness. You see, security personnel can't be everywhere at once - we are not little Westbrook Pegers. This is where you catch the trolley. If you happen to stumble across a security hazard, stumble to the security office. The door is always open. Just push the cobwebs aside, step over the bloodhounds, and lay the facts on the table. Even before you leave the office, the bloodhounds will be on the way to correct the situation.
Now say you are helping hold up a bar some place, and during the gin bucks, zombies, and bamboo juice cocktails one of your ears accidentally gets tangled up in a little bit of confidential conversation. You know, some armchair strategist unleashing a barrage of military ammunition - endangering his own neck not to mention the one you think so much of. Don't be bashful - call him aside and chew him out in a respectful manner; or if he is bigger than you are or has more brass, point out that you would very much like to be a veteran of this war and report the incident to your security officer in detail.
Be your own security officer. Actual positive action is the greatest assistance you can render security. To see or hear a violation and remain silent is criminal and may allow a situation to increase in danger to everyone. Remember the Simmons mattress!

VETERAN AIR CORP PILOT...........
COL. HARVEY COMMANDS FIRST B-29 GROUP

Col. Alva Harvey

   APO 215 - From "Jenny" to B-29, from a participant in the 'Round-the-World flight in 1924 to command of the first B-29 tactical group formed - with flying a diplomatic mission to Moscow and then blazing air trails around the globe thrown in for good measure - is the achievement of Col. Alva L. (al) Harvey, Commanding Officer of the XX Bomber Command's Superfortress group at this base.
  An Air Corps "old timer," Col. Harvey was enlisted in 1919, and took his flight training in 1924 at the then fledgling Brooks and Kelly fields. During the same year he took part in the historic 'Round the World Flight' made by four army planes which took off from Seattle Wash., and completed the global circuit at the same point six months later. This amazing feat was accomplished in specially built Douglas two-place biplanes.
  A few years ago, Col. Harvey was selected to fly the Harriman-Beaverbrook diplomatic mission to Moscow. Following this assignment, he continued Eastward around the world, piloting a Liberator bomber on a mission to survery air routes.
  Shortly before leading his group to its present base, Col. Harvey, as command pilot on a B-17, participated in one of the mass aerial assaults on Berlin. He led his group in the XX Bomber Command's initial operation - that of June 5 against Bangkok - and since that time has participated in nine missions against targets at Yawata, Anahan, Palembang, Omura, Formosa, and Bangkok.
  Col. Harvey's interest in flying dates back to 1920 when he owned and operated - with never a "crack up" - an ancient OX-5 powered "Jenny." Maj. Gen. George E. Stratemeyer, now Commanding General of thye AAF in the I-B theater, gave him his first airplane flight at Brook Field, Tex., in a World War I DeHaviland biplane.
  A ground floor man in the B-25 project, Col. Harvey was given command of the first tactical Superfortress unit to be organized. He holds the D. S. M., D. F. C., the Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, and the Order of the Southern Cross presented to him by the Brazilian government.
  Col. Harvy, a quiet, dry-humorist of few words, has a deep understanding and consideration of the problems of both his flying and maintenance personnel. His chief recreational activities center around golfing and angling for redfish and trout off the Gulf coast of his native Texas.
  And about the B-29: "Well," says Col. Harvey, "I've flown 'em all from 'Jenny' right on up the line, and there's just no question about it - the B-29 is the finest ever put together."

They work far behind the publicized front - doing a job that is routine, yet as important as the B-29 that bombs the enemy. Their job is the B-29, improving its mechanism and keeping it in condition to fly 3,000-mile missiona.
The men of the Engineering Maintenance division of the XX Bomber Command's Air Depot do fourth echelon work. They rebuild crash-damaged planes, patch up those damaged in combat, and repair those with worn parts. It's their assignment to keep the Superfortresses flying.

Drafting is the initial step of a maintenance job. Working on plans for a repair job are, left to right, Sgt. F. H. Nick, Pfc. Neil Boire and Pvt. Eric Bresee

These men direct depot activities. Discussing an important problem in Lt. Col. Ainsley Stuart's office, they are, left to right, Maj. Leroy Loitis, Depot Enginnering Officer, Col. Stuart, who is Deputy Depot Commander and Chief of Maintenance, and Col. Arthur V. Jones, Jr., Depot Commanding Officer.

Cpls. Donald Estep, left, and Joseph Kessler, Jr., enjoy their job of riveting a wing in the Depot's sheet metal shop.

Tooling new Superfortess parts is an everyday job. Working on the front engines lathe are T/Sgt. James Carothers, shop chief, and Sgt. William Keltmen. Sgt. Nick Martinovich is working the rear lathe.

Idle planes do not win wars. With two shifts of men, working day and night, in rain and blazing tropical sun, the damaged bomber was rebuilt. Just five days after it crashed, it was winging its way through the air again.

Speed is a keynote with the maintenance boys. Returning to her base after a routine flight, "Totin' to Tokyo" contracted landing gear trouble and was forced to make a crash landing. Much damage was done.

Checking and testing carburetors are Pfc. Harold Hubard and Cpl. Samuel Kaplan, respectively.

Working snugly inside one of a Superfortresses' many cells, lining the sides, are Pfc. Thomas Lash, front, and S/Sgt. James Waddell.

Sewing occupies much time in the Dope & Fabric Shop, a busy part of the maintenance division. S/Sgt. Aubra McKinnon, left, and Pvt. Henry Nitecki are sewing the dome covers for a pressurized cabin.

Army Photog
All photographs of the XX Bomber Command's Air Depot shown here, were taken especially for SUPER-FORT by Sgt, Harry R. Kleppinger, a photo lab tehnician. Sgt, Kleppinger, a clothing buyer in civilian life, attended the Army Photo School at Lowry Field, Colo. He is married, has a 16-month-old son residing in Philadelphia.

With the "big boys" in the background, undedrgoing minor repair work, Sgt. Gerald F. Calandrillo, left, and S/Sgt. Leomn Epstein assemble the parts of a bomb-bay door.

Balancing a huge B-29 propeller after it had been repaired aere, left to right, Cpl. G. C. Woods, Pvt. E. J. Hale and Pfc. Melvin C. Johnson.

TOKYO IS AS MODERN AS LOS ANGELES OR DETROIT

Japan Fire-Trap?
This is Tokyo, the "fire-trap" that wiseacre experts predicted would look like the Fourth of July if a few incendiaries were dropped. This air view, taken by Acme, shows the central post office, white building at left, the Tokyo station in center foreground, and the Marunouchi building, square structure at the right.

"Fire Trap" Theory Disproved by 29's

By SUPER-FORT Writer

   On to Tokyo - and the end of the war.
  Now that Berlin is rapidly being strangled into submission and Gen. MacArthur's soldiers are slaughtering their way back through the Phillippines. Allied strategists are focusing their full attention on Tokyo, last of the Axis Powers' capitals. Rome, first enemy capital to fall, unconditionally surrendered in June of 1944.
  but Tokyo, third largest city in the world and headquarters of the Japanese Empire's industry, commerce and finance, won't be an easy job. At the outbreak of the war, the Japs were given just "six weeks" of survival. Wiseacre experts explained the sorry condition of Japanese cities - especially crowded Tokyo.
  "It's a fire-trap," they said. "A few incendiaries on those bamboo huts, and Tokyo's going to look like the Fourth of July."
  Superfortresses of the Twentieth Air Force have tested that theory nearly ten times, dropping both incendiaries and heavy bombs. But Tokyo is still standing. The B-29s weren't attacking bamboo huts, but buildings of modern steel and concrete - factories no more vulnerable than those in Los Angeles or Detroit, office structures as up-to-date as New York's Rockefeller Center, and probably more difficult to hit (going no higher than eight stories.)
  In Tokyo, which is built upon more than 100 hills varying in height from 50 to 130 feet, are more than 1,000,000 buildings, 14,000 of which are moderately large factories, employing more than 500,000 workers. The industries include the manufacture of electrical equipment, goods, precision instruments, machines tools, chemical products and explosives, aircraft engines, boilers, rubber goods, alcohol and many other products necessary to warfare.

Nagoya Buildings "Inflammable."

  Reconstructed after the earthquake of 1923, which destroyed nearly one half of the city and killed 150,000, the buildings were prepared not only to withstand earth shocks, but also bombs.
  However, according to the reports of inteeligence officers, all cities aren't as well braced for air attacks as Tokyo. Nagoya, aircraft manufacturing center and Japan's third largest metropolis, has some 300,000 buildings, all believed inflammable. Fires set there by B-29s were still raging 24 hours after the Superforts had left.
  Tokyo also has its poorer districts and many of the houses will burn as quickly as those in Nagoya.
  The most "Westernized" thing in Japan is the Tokyo transportation system - buses, 126 miles of trolleys, 25 miles of subway and 40 miles of elevated that circle and bisect the city. Any damage to the transportation facilities, or the 5,000 stone, iron and concrete bridges crossing the cities network of rivers and canals, would definitely handicap the enemy for many of the 6,580,000 residents travel long distances to work.
  Since the Doolittle foray of 1942, the Japs have taken many precautions against air raids. Clearly discerable in reconnaissance photos were a series of "fire breaks" cut between several sections, probably expected to halt any fires getting beyond the control of civilian defense units.
  Tokyo may yet be leveled - will be, according to Gen. Hap Arnold, Commanding General of the AAF, if the Japs don't surrender first. But, it's going to take more than a few "milk runs" to turn the trick.

India Photo Album

A photo album of India, depicting the country and its peoples as seen by the cameras of XX Bomber Command personnel will be published by SUPER-FORT within the near future - if enough GOOD photos are submitted. This album will be available to all men in the Command free of charge.
Photos of everything are needed for the album, credit to be givin to the sender. Either prints or negatives are suitable, nut all material must reach SUPER-FORT office by 1 March 1945.

ONE NAVY BOY
IN XX B.C.

   HEADQUARTERS, XX BOMBER COMMAND, INDIA - Wlliam A. Whipple, Yeoman 1C, has unrivaled distinction among enlisted men of the XX Bomber Command. He is the only member of the United States Navy.
  If it wasn't for his collar insignia, showing his rank on the right side and bearing the initials USN on the left, nobody would know he was in the Navy. Many GIs fail to realize the significance of the insignia until after they have tossed him an embarassing salute.
  Yeoman Whipple wears the regulation Army uniform, bunks in a GI barracks and eats at the enlisted men's mess hall. Except for his typical Navy haircut, about one-half inch long. Whipple appears like a regular GI. And he seems to find it all quite enjoyable.

Yeoman William Whipple

  "I like the Army uniform," he said, adding that the Non-Com's club of which he is a member "is the best thing I've run into. It's wonderful to sit in a place like the club and drink and talk." After spending a month in the hospital, he's a little reserved in his speech about the combination GI-Indian food served here.
  Enlisting in the Navy the day war was declared, Whipple was transfered ro the XX Bomber Command in October of 1944 from Norfolk, Va. He is attached to the Naval Liaison office, works under Lt. Com. Don McNeely. His particular setup is one of the few, perhaps the only one, of its type in either the Army or Navy. Details of his work can't be revealed for security reasons.
  His home life is a little different, however. Whipple admits his big ambition is to get back to La Center, Kentucky, where his wife and one-year-old daughter, Afta Ann, are anxiously awaiting his return.

B-29 Training Expands Daily

(ANS) - The Army Air Forces Training Command has taken over the training of B-29 Superfortress pilots and flight engineers, and the training program is expanding daily, says the training command headquarters at Fort Worth.
Maxwell Field, at Montgomery, Ala., is already a four-engined specialized school. Roswell Army Air Field, N.M., will convert to B-29 training about the middle of February, and Randolph Field near San Antonio, will start super-bombing training operations late in the spring.

Gen. Ramey pins the Distiguished Service Medal on Brig. Gen. John E. Upton, former Chief of Staff of the XX Bomber Command. The medal was awarded for "eceptionally meritorious and distinguished service . . . as a member of the War PLans Division and Operations Division, War DEpartment General Staff, from January 1941 to February 1944." Gen. Upton also received the Air Medal.

DEPOT MEN GIVE JAPS HELL

   A XX BOMBER COMMAND BASE, INDIA - Away from the extending runways, in large, shabby-looking buildings, is located an indispensable part of the Command, a modern Air Depot.
  The work done by the hundreds of Army-trained specialists is as important as the Superfortresses that are bombing enemy cities. Their job is the B-29, improving its mechanism, supplying it with neccessary fuel and bombs, and keeping it in condition to fly long missions.
  Directed by Col. Arthur V. Jones, Jr., the Depot handles fourth echelon reair maintenance and supply functions for the Command. In the Depot is performed maintenance and repair of aircraft, and aircraft parts and equipment which can't be accomplished by the crews, maintenance squadrons and service groups.
  Depot work isn't confined to one section; on many occasions specialists have penetrated into remote regions of India and China. When aircraft can't make it to their bases, depot personnel go out to repair and get them home.
  The first group assigned to operate with Veey Long Range bombers, the Command Depot has pioneered the way for the sister XXI Bomber Command. New methods of operations, revised organizations, improvisations, and modifications were necessary to meet the tremendous supply and maintenance demands extending from scattered rear area bases in India to forward bases over the Hump in China.
  Depot soldiers also have invented several mechanisms that are now being used by B-29 flight crews in bombing the enemy.
  Those boys are giving the Japs hell.

ENLARGE PHOTO

"Isle of Song"

To Play

Here Feb.24

   Three days after "Smoke Rings" makes its appearance comes "Isle of Song," a varied program of melodic moments which will be in the Command from February 24 through March 4.
  Listed among the entertainers are Isabella Wilson, Rudolph Gruen, Rachel Van Cleve, Frank Murray, Edwin Fowler, and Emma Ricci. All are name players, and the show comes to the Command with an unexcelled reputation.

Over and Back
   During the first week in March, 2 through 9, "Over and Back" is scheduled for the India bases. Music, songs, dancing and comedy are the ingredients which make "Over and Back" sparkle with rhythmic appeal and variety.

More Japbaloney
   (ANS) - The Japanese have a new secret weapon - fire-flies!
  It's still a strict military secret as to just how they will turn them to war use, but Tokyo radio says that the lightning bugs will become weapons "in the destruction of the enemy, the United States and Britain."
  Acccording to the broadcast, members of a marine products school have been busy "gathering fireflies and other phosphorescent animalcule." A superior method of gathering this "war material" was said to have been developed through a new invention - "Illuminating plant pots."

Crew Chiefs Get Bronze Star

HEADQUARTERS, XX BOMBER COMMAND, INDIA - "For meritorious service in connection with military operations against an enemy of the United States," 17 B-29 crew chiefs have been awarded the Bronze Star Medal, it was revealed here recently.
Those receiving the award include: M/Sgts. William A. Buley, John F. Burt, Kenneth D. Day, Jack E. Hague, Darvin G. Hales, William Kolynych, Richard W. Koontz, John F. Kowalec, Edward H. Lehmann, Bruce A, Mahler, John D. Miller, Adolph W. Nanatowich, Patrick J. Rogers, Alexander Venski, and Darrell L. Vinson, and T/Sgts. George W. Meyers and Bernard A. Brauchy.

Sex Revival
May Gaddy, left, and Alberta Hunter, mistress of ceremonies, kept soldiers of the XX Bomber Command in "a somewhat excitable mood" during the presentation of "Rhythm and The Blues."

Sexy USO Negro Show
Visits XX B.C.

   Sex, Harlem style, had a timely revival throughout the India bases of the XX Bomber Command last week with the presentation of "Rhytm and The Blues" by USO Troupe 342.
  The all-colored cast of six entertainers gave sizzling one-hour shows, packed with suggestive music and dancing.
  Miss Alberta Hunter, mistress of ceremonies, kepy the soldier-audiences in an uproar with her "gutter-styled" singing and monologue. Oozing with sexiness, May Gaddy gave exhilerating versions of "I Can't See For Looking" and "I Walk Alone."
  Special numbers were provided by The Rhythm Rascals featuring Ollie Crawford on the guitar, Leonard Caston on the piano and Alfred Elkins on the bass fiddle. Taps Miller, singer and dancer, made a big hit with "Hot Dogs," a self-composed ditty.

What's the Point?
It's not the easiest thing in the world to figure out how a nice girl like Linda Darnell could end up in a picture called "Hangover Square" decked out in a costume such as this. Linda seems more like the cure for a hangover. At any rate, she's from Texas and the film is a 20th Century Fox job.

Visit Rajah's Palace
It's not the easiest thing in the world to figure out how a nice girl like Linda Darnell could end up in a picture called "Hangover Square" decked out in a costume such as this. Linda seems more like the cure for a hangover. At any rate, she's from Texas and the film is a 20th Century Fox job.

Indian Employee
Presented Award

HEADQUARTERS, XX BOMBER COMMAND, INDIA - Award of the Emblem for Meritorious Civilian Service to Moturi Appalanarasaya Chowdhury, employment manager, was made here redcently by Brig. Gen. Roger M. Ramey, Commanding General. It was the first award of its kind by this Command.
Chowdhury was commended for diligence and achievement as civilian employment manager here from 11 February 1944 to 6 October 1944. He assisted in setting up civilian personnel systems at all bases, personally trained several base managers, adjusted minor labor disputes and prevented any major labor problems. His reports and payrolls have been a model of accuracy, the citation read which have evinced high praise from inspecting and finance officers.

Boeing Weighs its Baby
It's not the easiest thing in the world to figure out how a nice girl like Linda Darnell could end up in a picture called "Hangover Square" decked out in a costume such as this. Linda seems more like the cure for a hangover. At any rate, she's from Texas and the film is a 20th Century Fox job.

Sketch Pad

by T/5 Ben Shaw

Winning Hurdler
There are plenty of :good eating ducks" in this part of India and certain members of the XX Bomber Command are finding the hunting exceedingly good. With their day's toll of 22 Whistling Teals are, ledft to right, Chief Warrant Officer Jimmy June, Dave Dyer, Army specialist, and Capt. Tyree B. Leonard.

Duck Hunting Good
There are plenty of :good eating ducks" in this part of India and certain members of the XX Bomber Command are finding the hunting exceedingly good. With their day's toll of 22 Whistling Teals are, ledft to right, Chief Warrant Officer Jimmy June, Dave Dyer, Army specialist, and Capt. Tyree B. Leonard.

XX B.C. Cinder
Artists Cop
Three Events

How They Finished
"C" (App.) .............. 50
"B" (App.) .............. 36
"B" Coy ................. 31
XX B.C. Air Depot ....... 30
Air Commandoes .......... 29
XX B.C. Ordnance ........ 13
XX B.C. Bomb Group ....... 7
XX B.C. Headquarters ..... 4
"C" Coy .................. 2

By SUPER-FORT Writer

   EUROPEAN INSTITUTE RECREATION GROUND, INDIA - Trackmen of the XX Bomber Command won three events here recetly and chalked up a total of 54 points in the British sponsored Annual Sports.
  Paced by R. Roche, who won the 880-yard run and 440-yard run, "C" (Apprentices) won the meet with a total pf 50 points. The XX Bomber Command Air Depot scored 30 points, for fourth place.
  M/Sgt. Wince King of XX B.C. Ordnance, who holds the India record, skinned over the high jump bat at 6 geet, 3 inches for a new track mark. The old record was 6 feet, 2½ inches.
  S/Sgt. Ray Ekedal of XX B.C. Air Depot won the hurdles event in 16 sexonds, and Lt. Quinn Smith of Air Commandoies won the javelin throw with a heave of 157 feet.
  Brig. Gen. Roger M. Tamey, Commanding General of the XX Bomber Command, awarded the individual and team prizes.
VIEW THE RESULTS

SUPER-FORT is published from news and pictures supplied by staff members, base correspondents, OWI and Army News Service, and Camp Newspaper Service. Reproduction of CNS credited matter prohibited without permission of Camp News Service, 205 E. 42nd St. NYC 7. Published semi-monthly by the Information-Education branch of Personnel Section and Special Service Section of the XX Bomber Command. (Articles and photos are solicited and should be sent to SUPER-FORT, XX Bomber Command, APO 493, I-B Theatre.) Adviser: Capt. Donald B. Bischoff, Editor: Cpl. Frank M. Lane, Art Editor: Sgt. Albert L. Fogel, War Writer: Cpl. Lee Rasmussen, Reproduction: Cpl. Earl Virdem, Artists: Sgt. Dick Gunn, T/Sgt. Mario Pagano, and T/5 Ben Shaw. REPRODUCED BY ENGR. AVN. TOPO. CO.

NEWS PUBLICATION OF THE XX BOMBER COMMAND

"Not just the best trained soldier in the world, not just the best equipped
soldier in the world, but the BEST INFORMED soldier in the world."