Tiger Rag - May 27, 1944 - Bengal Air Depot - CBI Theater of World War II

Vol. I. No. 26 BASE CENSORED FOR OVER-SEAS MAILING MAY 27th, 1944

AUTOMOTIVE
MEN DOING
IMPORTANT WORK

  The Depot fourth-echelon automotive shop is one of the principle reasons for the high esteem in which this depot is held by the high ranking officers of this theatre. The shop has done the work expected of an organization of its kind and done it well enough to win the respect of the lower echelon shop which feeds a goodly proportion of its work to it. The personnel in the shop has done a marvelous job of maintenance and repair with limited equipment and facilities and while pressed for time. They who receive little but deserve much credit are men culled from all walks of life - as is the case in most organizations - but who have undergone efficient training in the Army specialization schools. They have learned while on the job and have applied their school learning with their experience to do the best work possible. Upon the work of that shop depends the mobility of the forces concentrated in this area and throughout a large part of India.
  The enlisted men have accomplished unbelievable tasks under the most adverse conditions and with a resourcefulness that is surpassed only by their willingness to work. Vehicles have come time and again from lower echelon sops, condemned as unrepairable and have been returned in prime working condition. Little things like that can go a long way towards keeping the supplies on the move. And they must be kept on the move!
  The prime suty of the shop is to completely overhaul engines which have been subjected to strain and overwork. A thorough job of overhauling an engine encompasses much in the way of precision work and requires the utmost in technical ability and patience. The engines are torn down, carbon is scraped from the block and head, the block is rebored and numerous other importaznt operations are performed before the engine is fully rebuilt. In a job where accuracy is the keynote, the men of the engine overhaul section are doing exemplary work.
  After the engines are rebuilt and checked they are sent out to the test block for a thorough check while running. Minute adjustments are made and after the engine has been set at its peak of efficient operation it is allowed to run for eight hours in order to permit the new parts to work in smoothly. If anything is found wrong with the engine that cannot be corrected by the test block experts, it is sent back to the shop. No engine is permitted to leave until it has been checked, rechecked and double checked. Every engine that leaves the test block with an okeh IS okeh.
  The body of men who overhaul and repair vehicles are doing fine work. Where replacement parts are at a minimum the men have learned to substitute and improvise. The thing uppermost in the minds of the mechanics is the fact that the vehicles must be gotten back on the road in serviceable condition as soon as possible. They work tirelessly towards that end. Their contribution to the war effort can never be fully evaluated; for this is a war of supply and supplies are hauled on trucks. It is the work of the maintenance men of the 4th echelon shop to keep those supplies moving to their destination. The supplies ARE reaching those points, as the Jap can well assure you.
  There is a section devoted exclusively to repairing worn and broken units. The integral parts of a vehicle; transmissions and transfer cases, steering gears, front and rear ends and several other units are brought back to life by diligent workers whose careful and skilfull ministrations are performing an unacclaimed service. Unit repair is one of the important functions of a shop of that type. Third echelon units merely replace units on vehicles; the worn and broken unit is then sent to the fourth echelon shop for possible repair and reclamation. This shop takes the possible out of the line and makes it "probable."
  The men in the C and E section are doing essential work and performing their tasks with a minimum of lost time and motion. Working on the electrical and carburetion circuits requires much in the way of intelligence and skill. The tuning up of an engine - to the point where it performs most efficiently and economically - is done, to a large point, through the carburetion and electrical systems. Most of the difficulties encountered in a vehicle are caused by fouling in the fuel lines or the electrical circuit; it takes a high degree of skill to locate and eliminate these troubles.
  The battery section does much the same work, in respect to batteries, that the engine and overhaul sections do. Old and worn batteries, which are the life giving units of any engine, are torn apart, the damaged cells and sections repaired and in a short time a useable unit is on the line awaiting charging. It is usually possible to locate a battery shop worker by the acid holes in his coveralls. Recharging and overhauling batteries is a thankless job but one that must be done. It is being done very well.
  There is a two man canvas repair section and a one man glass section. The canvas section repairs the canvas tops of the vehicles. Their work will be more greatly appreciated when the monsoons come. Just now they are taken for granted and given a lot of work. The glass section is devoted to cutting and replacing broken and cracked windshields. It requires a complete lack of nerves; cutting glass freehand is quite a task. It is also not the job for a person suffering from anemia. The glass cutter fingers have more cuts than salaries during the depression.
  The oil shed is run by two men whose job it is to lubricate all vehicles before they leave the shop. Transmissions, transfer cases, rear and front ends and many other units and parts need grease or oil in order to function properly for any length of time. A careful job of lubrication is as important to the life of a vehicle as any other single operation. One of the greatest causes of undue wear and breakage on vehicles is the lack of proper lubrication. When a vehicle leaves the 4th echelon shop for use it is properly lubricated.
  The Welding Section performs many odd tasks and services for the automotive section. Most of the work done is underestimated in importance. The body and fender section straightens out bent and twisted bodies and frames. That section performs miraculous jobs as a matter of course. The men of that section do not receive sufficient credit for their fine work.
  The Machine Shop performs many services for the shop. Without the fine work it does the job of the automotive section would indeed be virtually impossible. Many parts, standard and unorthodox, are difficult to obtain. The machine shop makes these parts. Work of a precision nature is turned out on a grand scale by these hardworking men. They are a valuable asset to the shop.
  Like any other organization of any type, the success of the shop depends on the working part of the personnel, the enlisted men who finish a day of work begrimed and tired, but smiling at the satisfaction that comes with accomplishment. It is not because of any one or two men or because of the special skill of any one section but because of the complete co-operation between the sections and the men in them that the shop is able to do the fine work it has been doing. The men are not completely satisfied with conditions and they are not receiving the parts necessary for their work but in spite of it they are turning out the work and doing it as quickly as is humanly possible. The depot should be and is proud of the accomplishments of the shop. The men of the shop should be proud of the work they are doing; for they are doing it better than anyone expected and doing it better than anyone has any right to expect. The fourth echelon shop of this depot is deserving of all praise that has been leveled at it.

DEPOT RECEIVES
UNEXPECTED TREAT

  Gathering talent from hither and yon, Special Services presented the depot with some very high class entertainment this past Monday evening. The show was originally scheduled as the presentation of the depot band but a variety program was added to make the evening a howling success. The addition of the variety entertainment was quite a surprise to the audience; but a pleasant one.
  The depot band opened the program and put itself in solid immediately with its rendition of its theme song, "Star Eyes." An introduction by Lt. Col. Loran J. Anderson, Depot Special Services Officer followed; then a fine arrangement of "Seven-Twenty in the Books" featuring work by Cpls. Marty Syllivan, Albert Spence and Stan Myerson was foistered onto the receptive audience.
  Several soldiers were heard to say that the band was really good. That was no exaggeration. Working quietly at his guitar, T/4 Jimmy Alevizos of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, directed the band. Jimmy started the band last Christmas, when the idea of having a band to play at Rajah's Rest dances was born. Jimmy soon got Special Services behind the idea, which at that time was a three man band, and it was announced thru' the TIGER RAG that the band would be provided with instruments. Since the arrival of the instruments the band has grown to its present size of 12 pieces.
  Sgt. Bob O'Grady introduced Bob Schmidt and Bob did a fine job of vocalizing "First Time." O'Grady next presented Al Boyles and his hunk of wood, "Willie MacGregor." The chatter eminating from the versatile throat of Al soon had the crowd laughing. "Willie" could also sing and he proved it by warbling "Paper Doll."
  The threesome consisting of Jimmy and his guitar, Henry W. (Hank) Asher with his bass, and Pvt. Johnny Carlin from across the river, gave out with a fine instrumentation of "Begin the Beguine." A request for "Paper Doll" was answered. The smooth style of the band won the audience over early and held in its grip through the evening. The GIs swayed rhythmically to the lilting beat of the band. The band then accompanied Sgt. George Little while he sang "Your Feet's Too Big." George sang in a style made famous by Fats Waller. "Shanty Town" was sang as an encore and the crowd was sold on the show.
  Introducing a bit of slight of hand under the title of "A Bit of Magic," Aldini (Al Weiner from Chi.) proved that the hand is quicker than the eye with his acts of making scarves and small objects disappear before the startled eyes of the watchers. Doing a few of his "Fantasy in Smokes," Aldini showed the nimbleness of his fingers in tossing away innumerable cigarettes and then materializing more, already lit, from the thin air. Aldini has presented a full hour of his type of magic on the radio program, Camel Caravan. He is appearing currently in this theatre and already his tricks are well known throughout the area. His card tricks were limited due to a capricious wind; however his few offerings showed off his nimbleness.
  Stanley Myerson tooted the song they were wild about back home, "Mairzy Doates" which was followed by the complete band goi ng wild on "John Silver."
  There has to be a "dunce" on every program and this show was no exception. A GI shambled on to the stage, sans helmet liner (but wearing the helmet) shoes, socks and trousers and wearing long johns and an oversized field jacket. He proceeded to do swell impersonations and be really funny. This "thing from under a rock" was portrayed by Cpl. John Readidough. John provided enough laughs to last out an evening.
  The "Golden Trumpeteer," Tom Haire, gave an excellent rendition of "Chiri Biri Bim." He was accompanied by the rest of the Tigers. As a sharp contrast, "Ham Trammick Momma" was played by Bridges and sung by same. Bridges sang and accompanied himself with his guitar on "It Ain't No Good" and "Fan That Thing."
  Closing the show with a bang was the playing of "Nine-Twenty Special" which soon had the crowd "ay yessing," and the several breaks by the drummer and those in the brass and Tony Prianiano's bass was a fine indication of the job done in a few short weeks; despite the fact that there had been only four full rehearsals. Surmounting obstacles like DS, extra duty and having no provision made for daily rehearsals, the members showed a fine spirit of co-operation and proved that old quotation about where there's a will there's a way. The boys asked no favors, just the chance of proving their worth; which they most certainly did on their first show. The depot needs more of this type of entertainment and now that there is a fine band we ought to be able to dig up plenty of talent around here.
  Along with all the credit, let's not forget the fine M.C. work done by Sgt. Bob O'Grady and the technical work by Sgt. Frank Robling, Cpl. George Osborne and Lt. Jack Millar. - Al Pharo.

WAC FASHIONS

  With the approach of warm weather, the WACs are blossoming out in new GI dresses. The new "off-duty" dress of military beige is made of washable crease-resistant rayon shantung. Both officers and enlisted personnel will wear the same model - a fly-front shortwaist job with long sleeves that may be cut off at the elbows if the WAC desires. The new dress is for recreation hours, on or off the post. The dress, with garrison cap to match, costs less than $10.
  The trim of the off-duty dress consists of the regulation gold-colored buttons with eagle. Accessories are brown handbag and shoes with closed toe and heel of military height, and cotton chamois gloves.
  For winter off-duty wear, the WACs will have a similar dress in thin wool, but slightly deeper in tone. And another bit of dash soon to be seen on WAC officers is a neck scarf and glove set of lemon yellow.

THE NEW AND THE OLD

Maj. General Thomas J. Hanley, new leader of ASC in this theatre; Colonel Frank D. Hackett, Commanding Officer of the Depot; and the retiring head of the ASC, Brig. General Robert C. Oliver. General Oliver is returning to the United States to take up new duties. General Hanley was commander of the Army Air Forces, Southeast Training Center until his appointment to this theatre.

JAPANESE REVEAL APPREHENSION

  Far East observers report that official Japanese announcements to the home front this week contained evidence of new multiple troubles within Japan including student labor difficulties, aircraft production problems, marine and land transport troubles and apprehension over impending air attack.
  The Education Ministry, in connection with student mobilization, said: "With regard to emergency matters like protection of military secrets, prevention of espionage, guarding od details as to the amount of production at military factories, the most careful and rigid supervision must be carried out."
  Another government spokesman discussing aircraft production said: "Drastic measures like forbidding workers to go home unless it is vitally necessary are being enforced. Rest rooms for workers, restaurants within plants and health facilities must be introduced."
  Another statement dealing with land transport said: "Steps to increase minor facilities, which now comprise a bottleneck, must be taken. A control association will be established."
  Concerning marine transport, the Japanese government said: "A second reorganization of maritime facilities is planned. The program calls for adjustment and absorption of forfeited organizations, termination of unnecessary non-emergency enterprises, unification of essential and subsidiary businesses, stricter government control."
  Japan's shipping problems were further emphasized when the Japanese Hydrographic Office issued this warning, evidently in tribute to the activities of Allied submarines against Japanese shipping: "Within the Inland Sea, in Suwa Channel, south of Ube Point, at a distance of four nautical miles, there is a sunken ship. Passing ships are warned."
  Air raid apprehension was disclosed in two more announcements. One said that a military antiaircraft school had graduated its first class of juvenile antiaircraft gunners. The other described new laws for the punishment of persons who interfere or fail to co-operate with wardens during actual air attacks or drills. - USOWI.

Ledo Road A Bigger Job Than Alcan

  Lieut. Col. George H. Taylor, U.S. Army Engineer Corps., just returned from Burma, said in a broadcast that construction of the Ledo Road through Burma is progressing fast despite adverse conditions and is actually keepin g pace with the fighting drive of Lieut. Gen. Joseph W. Stilwell, Allied commander of Chinese-American forces. "The Ledo Road is one of the most difficult engineering jobs ever undertaken," he said, "Worse even than the Alcan Highway across Canada and Alaska. Mountains, jungles, humidity, heat, rains, insects - all are pulling against engineer units working on the road. Nevertheless, I found it progressing exceptionally fast.
  "The engineers in fact practically merge with the combat troops as the bulldozers move right in where the mortars were. And the Japanese don't overlook the engineers when shooting.
  "One engineer regiment was building a new airstrip near the road and the Japanese were out to halt work with mortar fire. Our men would work one end of the strip until the Japanese got their mortar range and then race down to the other end to work there until the Japanese were able to alter their range. By thus dodging back and forth they managed to build the field despite the Japanese.
  "The terrible Burma monsoons are about beginning now. Naturally they will mean knee-deep mud and road washouts hindering progress temporarily. But as the chief of engineers, Maj. Gen. Eugene Reybold recently said: 'Victory seems to favor the side with the greater ability to move dirt.' I found our side moving plenty of dirt - and plenty of Japanese along with it." -USOWI

"COMMANDO" PLANES
FOR INDIA-CHINA THEATRE

  C.J. Brandewide, an official of the Curtiss-Wright Corporation, aircraft manufacturers, said that Curtiss plants at Louisville and the one at St. Louis have started making the U.S. Army's giant "Commando" transports.
  Both plants were recently converted and previously manufactured other types of aircraft. They supplement production of Commandoes at Curtiss-Wright's two plants at Buffalo and the new Higgins aircraft plant New Orleans.
  The U.S. Army Air Transport Command recently authorized an announcement that Commandoes make up three-fourths of the aerial fleet carrying war supplies to China.
  Commandoes went into service on the Himalayan assignment in the first week of May, 1943, after 30 of them had established a new chapter in aviation history by flying nearly 15,000 miles across the Atlantic, Africa and the Middle East with pauses only for refueling.
  Bombs and ammunition, as well as everything else that is needed in that war theatre, are flown to China in Commandoes. The planes carry drums of petrol and oil for Maj. Gen. Claire L. Chennault's 14th USAAF as well as personnel, weapons and food. On the return trip from China, the planes carry precious minerals, general freight and personnel.
  Curtiss officials said a large proportion of Commandoes will continue to go to the India-China war theatre. Others will be added to the domestic transport fleets of the U.S. Army, while some will be used in overseas theatres. -USOWI

  The second in the series of articles concerning the work of the men of the depot is above. This one concerns work in the maintenance of Army vehicles. It is a very important job and it is being done well. The men who are doing that work are important in the Army's scheme of victory; if they weren't they'd have been stuck somewhere up front against the enemy with a gun in their hands. The Army has chosen these men to fight the enemy in another way, with tools and mechanical skill; but a way just as vital and realistic as personal contact with the foe. From our own personal contact with these men we know that some of them aren't working as hard as they could, but on the whole the men are putting out as much as they are capable of. These are the men who are in a hurry to get home; and they know that the quickest way to get home TO STAY is to beat the enemy. Their only means of beating the enemy is by keeping the supply vehicles on the move. And they are doing an admirable job. Next week's issue will feature the third depot group to fight the enemy with screwdrivers and mechanical skill instead of carbines and grenades.

  Many of the companies of the depot are being done an injustice by their organization reporter. The reporters for several outfits fail to turn in copy, refuse to attend meetings where the welfare and betterment of the paper are discussed and show a complete lack of interest in the duties they were assigned to. It is now time for action. It is the duty of every outfit with a lethargic reporter to either get him to do his job or get another man. Every organization deserves to have its work publicized. There is no reason for any company to have to stand for the complete lack of interest that has been the stand of several reporters. There is much that can be told about the fine work of the individuals of the depot and the organizational representatives are the ones to do it. We promise to print anything within reason. We reserve the right to keep malicious gossip and smut out of the RAG. The Base Censor takes care of the censorship angle. So, fellahs, if your representative on the RAG isn't doing his job, why not get someone who will?

  There seems to be a misunderstanding about the ruling on rolled sleeves in town. Here's an explanation: GIs may roll their sleeves up until 1800 hours. The sleeves, if rolled at all, must be rolled neatly over the elbow. After 1800 hours, short sleeves and rolled sleeves are taboo. And that last one is not just a lot of "chicken," merely good common sense. The malaria mosquitoes bite in earnest after the sun starts to go down and inviting them to take a bite of you just isn't good common sense.

  We would like to thank the few men who are contributing much to the RAG besides their weekly organizational column. They are Al Pharo of the 2005th, Jeep Friedman of the 2082nd and Fred Jones of the 1953rd. If there were a few more like them, the TIGER RAG would have all depot news and nothing else. We need more GIs like 'em. - THE ASSISTANT EDITOR

HELP KEEP GOOD WILL

  In this column you can see a picture of a Jeep. It is obvious, after a glance, that the said Jeep is not quite in running condition. It is also quite obvious that said Jeep was rendered thusly by violent contact with another vehicle. Which, has been happening far too often for the good of the depot and the personnel therein.
  Altho' by far the larger proportion of the men who drive cargo vehicles for the depot are careful drivers, there are a few who insist on breaking regulations and thereby causing great grief both to themselves and the vehicle they are steering. An example of what happens to those careless drivers is shown in the photo of the Jeep.
  Every depot driver knows the speeding zones on the roads to town and through town. And every one insists that he keeps to those regulations; yet any trip to town will disclose numerous speeders. Thirty miles an hour is quite fast enough for any vehicle. The Army recognizes the fact that military missions are to be considered as urgent; and taking that into consideration it regulated the speeding to thirty miles an hour at a long stretch of the road to town. There is very rarely any business that requires driving any faster than that. Especially 6 x 6 vehicles, which are cargo vehicles and are not used for emergency missions.
  When the number of vehicles using the road to town are taken into consideration and the total mileage rolled up is weighed the record of the depot drivers is very good. But it can and must be made even better. Not only are there cases of vehicles colliding but the hitting of beasts is occuring with too great a frequency. It must stop; for it is causing the Indian population to look upon American soldiers with little flavor. When you stop and think you will realize to what a great extent we depend on the Indian people for our substinence and help in prosecuting the war - which is why we are here in the first place. Too many accidents can cause the ill feeling to run to such a high degree that the Indian population will refuse to cooperate with the American military authorities. When that happens, we may as well go home; for we'll be of no use here.
  We know that the subject has been harped on before. To you concerned it is probably an old story. But remember, it may be old but it is also important and true. We don't think it is asking too much of intelligent men to ask them to drive carefully - which means no unnecessary speeding, a little respect for other drivers (including Indian and British) and a little care when approaching pedestrians on the road, be they animal or human. We know that you will co-operate.

Dear Editor;
  Being a lowly GI, I am sort of bewildered at some of the things that occur on the depot, so I have decided to consult you on several things, trusting you can enlighten me on these matters in order that I won't hold such a prejudiced attitude.
  First, why doesn't our depot have a post band? I know that you will say that there is one being organized. But that has been going on for months now. Evidently a few people here do not approve of having one but from general discussion amonst the GIs, I know it would be a wonderful morale booster. The boys who are trying to organize the band are working very hard but working also against obstacles which could be eliminated very easily. These men perform their regular duties during the day, then devote their own time in the evenings for practice and rehearsals. Then what happens? The trombone player is sent out on DS; the piano player is placed on night duty and so forth, very thoughtful of someone, don't you think? Everybody wants a band, letters are coming in and requesting the band to play here and there, the instruments are here; we've got musicians who are talented and experienced, but all in all, the band has yet to make their debut. I know if I had anything to do with it, I'd certainly throw up my hands and tell them to go to blazes.
  If the boys are willing to devote their spare time to entertain us GIs, why can't a little co-operation be offered by people who have the authority to make it easier for these musicians. Everybody wants to take credit for the band but nobody wants to do anything to help them.
  I hope some statement relating to this subject can be printed in your paper as we certainly are in a fog as to why its so hard for us to form a band, us especially, Americans.
  While we're on the subject of bitching; whatinell is the matter with the laundry situation. Can't they put an officer in charge of the whole works and get some kind of a system worked out so we can get some clean clothes at least one evry two weeks?

LAUNDRY BLUES By Ed. McManamon.

Scene: Any supply room on the post.
Time: The Thursday after the Friday that laundry, trustingly submitted on the previous Monday, was supposed to be returned.
Characters: Supply Sgt. and any one of a few thousand GIs.
ACT 1 SCENE 1
Sgt: Well, I pulled a few strings for you and got your laundry back in only 12 days.
GI: Thanks, Sarge, it sure will feel good to get some clothes on in place of this (He fingers the sandbag which is his only covering).
Sgt: Of course, you can't expect service like this all the time. Sometimes there's a slight delay before the laundry is returned.
GI starts to unpack the bag and inspect the clothes. After looking at all of them, he seems amazed.
GI: Say, Sarge, I don't like to complain but none of this stuff is mine.

Sgt: Why the hell didn't you mark them the way you were suppoosed to?
GI: I did, Sarge. Just the way the order read. I had my name, rank, serial number, organization, length of service, classification number and brand of cigarettes on every article. All in red paint, three inches wide.
Sgt: Then you probably didn't have your laundry slip made out right.
GI: Sure I did. I had all fifteen copies written in English, French, Chinese and Hindustani with my thumbprint and a drop of blood on each copy.
Sgt: You must be lying. If you had complied with the regulations, you would have gotten it all back. Cripes, you only have 1,820 things to do before turning it in and still you mess it up.
Sgt. starts to examine laundry. After passing over 25 or 30 articles, he comes up with a sock upon which the dhobi marks are all too apparent.
Sgt. (Sarcastically): Your name is Doaks, isn't it?
GI: Yeah, Joe Doaks.
Sgt. (Glaring): That's your sock, isn't it?
GI: Sure it is, Sarge, but there's only one.
Sgt: Well, what the hell do you expect? You only sent 38 articles and you got back a sock. And in only 12 days, too. Does the laundry have to be perfect to suit you guys? Good God, they're human. You have to allow for a few mistakes.
CURTAIN
The second act is omitted, for, as the curtain fell, the GI brutally murdered the Supply Sgt.; stuffed him into a bag and sent it to the laundry. Naturally the body was never recovered.

"THE WORLD IS YOURS"

The photo contest held recently under the direction of Miss Grace Christensen, is covered in the regular feature "Rajah's Rest." Hearing that the winning prints had been posted we went over to see them. The thought came to us that all of us can form pictures in our minds thru reading the books made available to us by the library there at the "Rest." By reading we can get a word picture of some far off land and can relive the adventures of the person telling the story. Charcters in the book will come to life before your very eyes and you will experience all of the human emotions as the story unfolds. Pathos, smiles and tears are there amongst the pages, yours to enjoy, to learn from. All of us can learn from the mistakes that others have made. Books on travel, all types of fiction (most of them best-sellers) and some biographies and books of a technical nature.
Many persons have acquired an education through reading and have traveled all over this vast world while seated in an armchair. You can visualize all of the places described by the author and can lose yourself amongst the characters in the story. Come over and relax, read a good book and avail yourself of the splendid library we have on the Depot. We do our best to help you procure the books that you might like and very soon we hope to have a reference library of technical books that will be on call by the various organizations. The hours are from three to five in the afternoon and from eight to ten every evening excepting dance nights. To become a reader all you have to do is register and abide by the rules. If you know of any books that are laying around the barracks and are not in use, bring them along over and we will put them in circulation. The books we have now have all been contributed and we can use any and all books you mkight care to give.

Displayed upon the bulletin board at Rajah's Rest are the three prize winning pictures of our photo contest. The judges for the contest were experts from the Eastman Kodak Company in town. The prizes, a roll of film to each of the three winners, were awarded to Sgt. Jack Sieger of the 320th for his picture called "Reflection" taken with a Brownie 116 box camera, to Pvt. Joseph Kolwicz of the 2005th for his picture "Beggars Yound and Old" taken with a Brownie 127, and to T5 James A. Langley, also of the 2005th, for his picture called "Cobbler" taken with a 35mm camera (F 3.5), We will have another contest if you just say the word. A roll of film is no incentive; recognition of a hobby is always enjoyable.

27/28 MAY - SAT. & SUN. "Young & Willing" William Holden and Susan Hayward
30/31 MAY - TUES. & WEDS. "Nothing But The Truth" Bob Hope and Paulette Goddard
1/2 JUNE - THURS. & FRI. "Eagle Squadron" Robert Stack, Diana Barrymore and Jon Hall
3/4 JUNE - SAT. & SUN. "The Navy Comes Through" Pat O'Brien, George Murphy and Jane Wyatt

  We have had a good deal of comment lately concerning our Wednesday night dances and so we have come to the conclusion we must change the arrangement of them. We have rejected the idea of squadron dances in favor of the quota system. Invitations will be issued to each outfit on the field on a percentage basis. These will be passed out by the 1st Sergeants. Everyone will get the chance to accept or give the invitation to a friend in the same outfit who is able to go. Our dances have become a problem and we have been forced to make this change. We hope we will be able to increase the number of girls by this method. Please give us the chance to try it out.
  Something of a bizarre nature we are offering to you Monday, May 29th, at 7:30 p.m., an Indian Circus. It seems that in India a circus is an affair of skill from jugglers to acrobats. There will be no pink lemonade, elephants, clowns or peanuts; however, it gives promise of being something new and different.
  A moonlight boat trip is planned for Sunday, June 4th, 7 o'clock. Sign up for it now so that we can make the necessary arrangements.
  Please notice in our program for the week, we have announced the records we are going to play at open house on Sunday. Suggestions are in order for other Sundays, also lending us some of the records you brought with you.

THE 320TH WHOOPS IT UP

WHAT A PARTY !
Once again the gallant 320th launches a ferocious attack in an effort to gain control of positions lying in the Commandtown area. On Saturday evening, May 6th, GIs of this organization dug deep into their dusty B bags, taking whatever materials that would be necessary for a successful performance at the Squadron Dance. And was it a success! Unaccustomed as they were to pushing anything around other than parts racks, the fellows did a swell job of entertaining themselves and those girls who were fortunate enough to be there. Stiff knees clanked and backs creaked to the jive beat out by the Air Depot Band. There was a hall full of happy chatter and laughter as each objective was encountered. Only after the last few unexploded shells were popping were we able to learn just what the outcome had been. Not contrary to our expectations, the objective had been reached. Happiness, joy, laughter, freedom from the regular routine - and just a hellova lot of those men who were responsible for the management by which everything went over so smoothly.

VU2ZU Daily Radio Program While the studios are still under construction, Station VU2ZU broadcasting in a test capacity, presents the following program for the current week:

C-B-I WISCONSIN CLUB

  The first and most successful state club as yet formed is the C-B-I Wisconsin Club. It now boasts a membership of 160 Officers and Enlisted Men, from the rank of Colonel to Private. Started as a get-to-gether for a few Wisconsin boys, it has outgrown its original meeting place at the uptown Red Cross and now has its club rooms at the large U.S. Army building in town.
  Business meetings are held twice each month, followed by a lunch and a program. Some very excellent entertainment has been provided by the entertainment committee, and the food is an appreciated change from the regular GI brand in the mess hall. The meeting starts at eight in the evening, and it is quite a job to break yourself away, to catch the last bus to the base at one-thirty. Seems that everytime you attend a meeting, you meet another person that knew you back in the days before you wore that GI suit, and there is a lot of things to talk over, and a lot of questions to ask about the old home town.
  A supper is being planned for the near future, to be catered to our club room by one of the local restaurants, and should be quite a gala event. The membership committee wishes to increase our membership to over 200 by that time, so if you are from the "grand old badgers state" why not sign up now? If you would like more details, contact secretary Cpl. Warnecke of the 886th on this base, or uptown see President S/Sgt. Sincere, Red Cross Recreational Rooms. - J.O. Butler.

THE LIVELIEST OUTFIT on the Depot had a visitor last Friday. Recently released from the hospital newly made Sgt. Luther Horton, dropped in to tell uss all about the reaction to our last weeks column. Seems our old friend (?) Luther was pulling our leg. We remember his mentioning that the fellows in his outfit were going to conduct a poll to determine just how many of them would like a transfer to this organization. We gave him a break when we let him in out of the rain and then he tells us things like that. He is a changed man since he left us.

THIS IS THE TIME WE PROMISED an article on OUR SHOP SECTION. Due to an unusually large amount of high priority work the man who was to have prepared the material was unable to present it for this issue. However we wish to give you a word picture of the Staff Sgt. in charge.

ERWIN W. CRANE, A NATIVE OF LODA, ILLINOIS, is unmarried and a darn swell guy. Having considerable technical knowledge he is able to check closely on the work being turned out in the shop. His crew of technicians, working from blueprints, turn out the material and the parts which are not readily available thru general supply channels. Having a call for a critical item the print for the desired part is obtained or worked out from the original item and with necessary material already on hand the piece or part is soon being made, exact to specifications and tolerances. Checking each step in the making, the sergeant is there, supervising and advising on the more difficult phases of the work. Always on call to anyone with a problem the Sgt. is ready to oblige and his men are behind him 100% which after all means that he is a REAL LEADER and a DOER.

ANOTHER OF OUR GROUP LEADERS is Staff Sergeant JOSEPH C. COMSTOCK who hails from Independence, Mo. One of the capable motor sergeants who assists the dispatcher at the Motor Pool. Pete is the head of the gang which brings the personnel to and from the Depot. We seldom see Pete without a cigar and it is a constant wonder to us where he manages to get enough. Ever since we missed reporting his plunge into the river (which was very well covered by another of the Depot scribes) we have been trying to see that all of his various activities are covered in this column. There wasn't space last week and when we gave that as our reason for omitting him he said, "Heck, I'm just doing the job they gave me. I don't have to be mentioned." That is J.C. Comstock, nothing theatrical about him, just an ordinary guy doing his job. That is what all of us are doing, our part of the job ahead. Pete is a home man and is the father of a boy who is back there with his mother wanting to know when Pop is coming back.

PETE'S GANG OF DRIVERS TRANSPORT the civilian workers and they all say it is great work except for the hours. Seeing some of the girls we are wondering if they mean driving a sis-by-sis. It came to our attention that they have received some nice offers. Some time back T/5 ALBERT SAWATZKI got an offer and to date he never has told us how he made out. Then we remember hearing some talk about "DADDY," while this predawn group was having breakfast one morning. T/5 BILL STEWART did recover from that candy given him by his friend. That was a dirty handout from the Artillery Section.
This crew eats its breakfast together then go their separate ways, taking their different assignments for that day. Working at all hours and never knowing when they will be called on an extra assignment, they drive by both night and day and are on the spot when and where they are needed.

LATE NEWS FLASH. There is a confirmed report about a lot of hand shaking having taken place in the Shop Section. The Sgt. is very modest about the whole affair but we notice that he gazes fondly at that right hand, sighs, then replaces it in his pocket or out of sight under his shirt. It is reported (unconfirmed as yet) that he was seen taking a shower with that hand done up in a cellophane cover. Upon being asked since when, was he left handed, he evaded the issue and mumbled something about liking to loathe himself left handed.

THE BOMBER WENT INTO action again today playing the "JIVIN' TEN." They came out on the short end of the score but had that old fighting gleam in their eyes as they took the field.

MOST OF THE OTHER OUTFITS welcome newly added members in their columns. We just make them welcome and by now we are sure that they feel as if they had grown up with us. DEEDS not WORDS ARE WHAT COUNTS.

AGAIN WE REPEAT - This is YOUR column, let us have some news on that fellow next to you. Does he have some special knack or accomplishment? Dig those personalities out and let us hear about them. The folks back home want to know about all of your buddies not just the few that write home about. - Pfc. Al Pharo

SITTING IN THE cool shade of not less than 110 degrees which is being furnished by the green palm trees swaying overhead thru the courtesy of Spam incorporated, I take my pen in hand and commence writing. Gazing thru last week's edition of Tiger Rag, I was greatly amused at an article based on malaria control which compelled me to look twice before writing. It emphasized the splendid work which is being done by the MPs who are on duty nightly at the theatre to see that our sleeves are rolled down and sufficient clothing worn in order to withstand that spectacular foe, Mr. Mosquito. And rightly so, for it's a direct order from Colonel Hackett. But as I looked at the first page I noticed the soldiers medal being presented to Sergeant Peterson by the little colonel who had his sleeves rolled up to his elbows. Dis I say something wrong? Pardon me. There were many GIs who noticed it at the theatre and if you are in need of proof, just take a gander of last week's issue of the Rag. Picture don't lie. This brings back into the spotlight that old familiar saying "why don't you practice what you preach?"

THAT BLONDE HEADED gentleman you see walking around is that two fisted Corporal Donald H. Foster. Here's one man who I can truthfully say the company looks up to, because he stands 6ft.,4in. Foster who packs dynamite in his two long legs takes great pride in talking about his forty-seven acres of land which lies in Ohio and at the wars conclusion, he's cruising home to greet every inch of it. Don will agree with you that marriage, chickens and cows, plus forty-seven acres are all a man could wish for. Quite right ole boy, quite right. But remember, you must have 47 acres, no more, no less, in order to make a go of it. Prior to coming to the Army, he worked at ignition and carbeuration for eleven years which just goes to show you that he worked at ignition and carbeuration for eleven years. Incidentally, Foster is married and every day after work, "stringbean" would rush home to the little wife and begin working his land till nightfall, which is no small task. Holding a civilian kob and farming too is a pretty big job but Donald is a pretty big man. Observing his large frame maneuver around reminds me of the statement, "they grow them big on the farm" but I never realized they overdid it.

THE PERPETUAL SMILE ON THAT shining face belongs to that happy-go-lucky Irishman, Edward J. Murphy. With a million dollar disposition and heart as good as gold, the reason for him being the most likeable man in the outfit no longer remains a secret. Ay, tis a foine thing ta see Mr. Murphy paradin down the ole hometown with a shamrock in his lapel and a smile from ear to ear on that happy St. Patrick's Day. Murphy is so Irish that even his blood turns green on St. Pat's Day. Up to this day he hasn't understood why anyone would want to throw the overalls in Mrs. Murphy's chowder. By the way pal, I've been a little low on cash the past few days and I was wondering -

ANYTHING CAN HAPPEN, Sergeant First Class Harry (Squirrell Head) Metzler and the other part of the act Sergeant F. (Sparrow Brain) Taylor, alias Frank and Jesse James have reported sneaking out every night when no one was looking and making mud pies. I think the Nut Brothers would be a more appropriate title because I wouldn't put it past these two if they were even playing cowboys and Indians on their off moments. "Squirrel Head" has been seen recently driving a tractor around the motor pool and I'm sure he doesn't know either. There has been a rumor floating around the company saying you're planning on resigning your post and dropping down in the peasant class with us. If you do retire why not take "Sparrow Brain" with you? Good night all. - Jeep Friedman

JUMPING UP TO 4th PLACE IN THIS WEEK'S PERSONALITY is S/Sgt. Owen Diamond Mike Jr., the mess sergeant. Mike hails from Asbury Park, N.J., and Washington, D.C. He spent five-and-one-half years in high school, one-and-one-half of which he sacrificed merely to play his favorite sport, football. His hobbies are: hitch-hiking and lovely dreams, for sports he has football (in which he is an all-star guard) and track. Prior to his induction he was a cook in the Census Bureau in Washington, D.C., feeding six thousand persons. In 1941 he satisfactorily reported in to Fort George G./ Meade, Md. to start his Army career, from there to Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md. where he was mess sergeant for the Sixth Battalion, feeding sixteen hundred GIs. Later he was in the cadre to activate this company, his place was in the kitchen, of course, and he did a swell job as sergeant. He was appointed to his present grade while in Greenville, S.C. Our next trip was to Texas and he was glad to leave S.C., but didn't care for Texas, the Lone Star State. When he left Texas he was wondering where his final destination would be, to find it is beautiful, romantic India, the land of mystery. Still carrying on as mess sergeant, he says he is going to build a home and take care of his father when he gets out of the Army, but he also wants to stay in the Army a while after the discharges start pouring in: I think we will.

MIKE's PASSWORD TO OFFICERS IS: "Sir, just when do you think this war will be over?" He always receives some answer. Recently he asked a second lieutenant, the Second Lieutenant's reply was "Ten years, sergeant." Since that time he has been "AT EASE." Mike has the grasshopper's mind, now he wants to get married if conditions permit (I don't know what he means by that).
Anyway, let's consider him this week's pin-up and remember boys the quotation from CBI Roundup, "Gripe about everything in the mess hall, whether its good or bad."

A GROUP OF MEN under the supervision of M/Sgt. Victor B. Phillips, and S/Sgt. Hiram S. Cleveland, recently returned from D.S. Welcome back to your parent organization boys, we have been a long time and no see (sea).

THE FOLLOWING MEN WERE RELEASED from the hospital and sick bay during the week: Sgt. John P. Perry, Sgt. Herman T. Gilbert, Cpl. Hubert Burell, Cpl. Gorlon Houston, Cpl. Lucious E. Henderson. Glad to have you men back too.

THE STORY OF THE DANCE will follow in next week's edition of the Tiger Rag. - SKULL

YOU WOULD THINK that Paramore washed each item of clothes himself from the way we hear him cursed whenever the laundry comes back... we wouldn't have his job AT ANY PRICE... we know of at least three people who were going to wring his neck... frankly, we waited in our barracks and listened for his screams... well, the laundry came back, didn't it?... as Regoli says, the only fun we have anymore is seeing whose laundry we got...
MATERIAL FOR A 3-ring circus is Sgt. Potter, who with his sixth rib should be a sensational attraction... we tried to count the Sgt's ribs (How many ribs should a Sgt. have, anyway), but the Sgt. is ticklish and there is too much of him between his epidermis and the sixth rib... we asked him how it felt to have an extra rib and he said that he really didn't know the difference... we asked how he knew he had a sixth rib... "A doctor told me," he replied... which was proof enough for us... maybe that's why he perspires so much... maintaining an extra rib must be an exceptional strain on one...

WE THOUGHT WE would have to carry our friend Sgt. Ulen out of the room the other night when the orchestra at one of the local bright spots began to play that song about the banks of the Wabash being so far away... certainly no one was more conscious of the distance of the Wabash banks than the Hoosier Sgt., in whose eyes we saw reflections of the moon shining through sycamores... we even thought we smelled some new mown hay (Undoubtedly the tobacco of the English gentlemen at the next table).

NOTE: THE DISTINGUISHED CRITIC of the theatre and of the dramatic arts, Victor Courtien, has kindly consented to contribute a brief critique on the recent picture, Claudia. We feel very fortunate in having this celebrated New Yorker in our midst, and in addition to naming him MAN OF THE WEEK, we have asked him to be guest writer on this week's column. His critique on Claudia, which appears directly below, is we believe one of the best things he has ever done.

SGT. MOORE'S MOST DIFFICULT task the past week was tryhing to get the boys in the Ord Section to take a furlough... he simply begged them to go... even the picture of snow capped mountains, of the bright social life of one of India's most famous resort cities, of days where temerature is 60 degrees at noon, had no effect... chief complaints were lack of funds and of presentable clothing in which to make the trip... anyway, we all said we'd go, if we were asked again whether our laundry was back or not... we'll probably never be asked again.

OUR CONGRATULATIONS TO the 2005th who in spite of the fact that they have been severely crippled by the loss of four of their best men (Horton, Redmann, Harrison (You can have him back. All he does for us is SLEEP), and Courtien) are still carrying on in a terrific way - if we are to believe correspondent Pharo's words in a recent column. And we do believe of course.

The 83rd has been swamped with requests for transfers to the 2005th... it seems that the boys want to be where something is being done...

VOLLEYBALL AGAIN CAME INTO being this week. The Orphans beat the 886th Signal, 47th Supply, 83rd Air Corps. Fortunately for the 2005th, a dust storm interrupted the game, which was threatening to be what is called a "push-over" for the 83rd boys...

This week the tireless Pop Thornton is back with us again with an open letter to his Pappy, "Old Folks" Thornton, Sr., who is keeping things "stirred up" back in the hills of "Ole Mississippi" until the day when Pop returns from the wars.

Dear Pappy,
  That feller in our outfit what kin reed an rite, Theogundi, tole me ter rite sumpthin fer the paper. I wus so tard I couldn't think o'nuttin bust cause he redlined me onct on the payrole I was scared not ter try, so I tole him I'd let him reed this letter I'm agoin to rite you.
  Sattiday nite all the fellers had took there weekly washin an it shure did make em lite an happie. You know at first I thought it war one of them hog callin bouts we used ter throw t'home. More whoopin an hollerin that all git-out. Some of em musta thought they wus a'fightin f'ar. They had some pumps an hoses a'shootin water all aroun. One buster allowed as how all the beds wus durty (they w'ar) so he took em in that place war they dun the washin an turned the water on em.
  T'other nite we took down our shootin a'rns and went out to the range, which is a new fangled way of holdin a turkey shoot. Anyways, I seen sumthin a'flyin on the end of a pole which i thought wuz a red flag to show there wuz some shootin goin on, but they tole me it wuz a pair of red drawers which wuz to be presented to anybuddy who missed the target every shot. The First Sergeant shure does look funny wearin red drawers.
  You know Sattiday nite one of the fellers got so t'ard and sleepy he just went t'sleep rite on the cement floor without no clothes on. He sho looked peeked next day. I hear he ain't et anything yet. Says the heat don't agree with him. Bottled heat.
  We air plannin to start some more of them follyball games this week if we kin git the younguns out'n the sacks. Us old men have a chanct to git even with em cause we kin arguate the loudest an they tell me that's what counts with the score keeper.
  Pappy, you watch out for them revenooers and keep the still agoin till your prodigal gets back that. I'm a goin to bring home some of these hyere contrapshuns called shoes so's we kin use em to season the first runoff. Your boy, Old Folks, Jr.

  Welcome to the new fellows and to Lt. Seligson. We are glad to have you with us.
  Sgt. Grauff - Why do you have your eyes in the direction of the dispensary every morning? P.S. Could it be the fords that pass by?
  Sgt. Bonesteel: We all regret to state that the ocarino you have wasn't made for you but we all appreciate your efforts to entertain us. (? How about that ?)
  Sgt. Lustberg and Pfc. Piasecki. Glad to see you boys back again and hope you enjoyed your little vacation.
  Fellows: Did you know that we have a fellow GI in our outfit that actually speaks Hindustani better than the Indians? (Guess who?) Is that how you get acquainted with that little girls across the river?
  That's all for this week brother rats but look for next week's issue when we ask the sixty four dollar question.

REMODELING DONE:
  T/3 Guy Messimer and T/4 Earl Bowman have finally discovered the way to get rid of the sags in their beds, and invite any of the men to use their idea. It's a very simple procedure - just take the ropes out of the bed, and nail on boards. Naturally you can't sleep at night, but the bed doesn't sag.

PASSING OUT ORCHIDS
It is about time that this column paid a little attention to our two - twenty-four hour radio men, T/4 Aristide (T.D.) Tselikis and Cpl. Pasquale (Pat) DiPaolis. When not working at their regular job of trying to find out what is wrong with the darn things at the radio shop, they are on duty in the area, servicing and extending the Public Address system that they have set up for the entertainment of the rest of the company. They now have speakers arranged so every barracks in the area has a speaker within listening distance, and wires to every barracks, which speakers can easily be attached when available. When completed and in operation, the setup will be a two-way communication system between the orderly room and all the barracks, and also will be able to play through the radio, and pick up the GI station (and all stations that use a language that we can understand) and we can use our phonograph and play that when nothing is available on the radio. They also have done quite a bit of radio work for another company on the base, helping set up a similar unit - All on their own time.

PFC OF THE WEEK
  Since Pfc. Frank Heinzinger has been retired from his occupation of combination train guard and assistant sweeper for Zag Nut (the Ace of the Area), he has acquired two new jobs - Assistant mail clerk, and Charge of Quarters. Seems as if he is one of those GIs that just can't get himself an 8-hour per day job. The way he says it though, is "Anything but the warehouse!" - "J.O."

  ONE OF THE MORE DIFFICULT problems around here now is getting enough ice to cool one's beer ration. Everybody wants ice but there is not enough to go around. The mess sergeants have partially solved the situation by setting out community ice buckets. The system however, calls for close supervision because sometimes when a thirsty GI makes a withdrawal his arithmetic fails him and the ice bucket is in the read, and he is in the black . . . or should I say beer. This does not worry the boys in Barracks C9 though. Due to the ingenuity of Cpl. Kennedy they have a system for cooling beer that both the Schlitz and the Frigidaire people are interested in. It is a deep dark secret and not even this column dares reveal it. Another lad who always has a cold brew about is Joe Veach who must have a bootlegger who goes out to meet the ships although I imagine that hijackin a Liberty Ship must be quite difficult.
  SPEAKING OF LIBERTY SHIPS I saw one in my travels that impressed me very much. I notice her first from a distance of about half a mile or more. Her lines were unusually sleek... or seemed so. She carried herself majestically as she rose and fell in the water... In fact the closer I came to her the more an abstract feeling of awe came over me... And then I noticed something completely out of ordinary on such a ship... A huge sign bearing her name was hanging over the starboard side... CAROL LOMBARD!
  PERSONALITY OF THE WEEK is Sgt. Al Summa who comes from the suburbs near the steel town of Pittsburgh. Al is in charge of sanitation and plumbing here on the post. Considering some of the "obstacles" he has to contend with one might appreciate the magnitude of his task. He is doing a splendid job and we are quite proud of him. Keep plugging Al.
  One of the more congenial hosts at Rajahs Rest on dance nights is SHORTLY BREWBAKER of the 47th. He has a wonderful knack of making all the girls feel at home.
CANDIDATES:
  Inseperable buddies... Cpl. Berg and Pfc. Brownfield.
  All around "good Joe"... Cpl. Lehto.
  One of our first men to attend the Rest Camp that has recently been opened for worn out GIs in this theatre is Sgt. ED KILGORE who for his untiring efforts as out duty Sgt has well earned this respite. Ed is so frail anyway! - Bob McCarthy

  I have often been criticized time and again by my brothers in uniform on my habit of talking to myself. My only defense to this accusation is that if I want to engage in an intelligent conversation I naturally have to confab with myself. I have noticed though, that others have the same habit only they don't seem conscious of it. I have stood in the chow line time and again to hear the fellow in front or behind say softly as the menu becomes known, "Spam, spam alla time spam." Its sort of natural to say that even though you haven't got an audience. Again sometimes in the morning as I am starting my truck for the daily grind the guy in the next vehicle will scream apparently to the winds themselves, "Where the hell is that gear shift knob again," of "May blankey blank fall upon the head of the guy that took my seat." Often wonder myself too why there is such a shortage of those things.
  Talking to ones self is sometimes brought about by circumstances in which one participates such as the sad sack who loses a month's pay in a crap game. These individuals will arise from the grounds of the tournament at first too shocked to do much else but walk away deathly quiet. Then as he proceeds some distance from the crowd will commence to wave his hands, shake his head and move his lips framing sentences all addressed to himself. - I think many great speeches on reform go to waste in this manner
  Being called down by an MP is a sure thing to bring on fits of self conversation. What happens to that guy in ones mind shouldn't happen to a dog and if you should carry your plans out they would book it as malice aforthought so you're stuck either way.

Last night I heard a fellow talking to himself in his sleep, he thought he was talking to Mary but he wasn't. I'm planning on laying awake tonight and listen in again. he is very enlightening on certain subjects of romance.

I bet this column isn't going to go over very big this week but I at least try, don't I? - Rockey

  IT WAS A BEAUTIFUL SUNDAY. Everything was peaceful, and the wind happily dodging among the palm leaves joined in with the shimmering fantasy of the tropical sun's rays to try to make us forget that there was a cruel and great war being waged on mother earth. It was really peaceful. So peaceful in fact, that it made us feel lazy. Who wouldn't with nothing but stillness and a large dose of serenity surrounding us.
  WOE IS ME. Then, like a tempest it came We saw it coming, because it always arrived precisely at about the same time every Sunday. A vile game of STUDDED BONES had been started, and the holiness and peacefulness that was prevalent until then, was shattered by a bombastic bolt of ungodly verbal slanquage. Nearby, a tired bearer, just through with his morning work, miraculously bounded and ran like a bat out of h---. Poor fellow, he had been sleeping peacefully, and this unwarranted misuse of a few bellowing phrases, not fit for a dog to hear, really jolted him.
  OF COURSE, THE MEN ROLLING the cubes were the usual ones Channell, Sonafelt, Martin and Bucceri. Many times they were all heard to remark that the person who had conceived this mild pastime should have used his imagination and talent for better things.
  NATURALLY, WHEN ONE of these games of chance is going on in full swing, there is quite a bit of excitement. What ho! Jolly well, eh? I perchance come upon a friendly meeting every now and then. Consequently, to my misfortune, and sometimes embarassment, some of their vile slang has embedded itself in my head. "A chaste woman is better than a beautiful maid." So said a man of learning in India. I don't get it though. What must he have been thinking about? Let's get back to the crap game.
  IT EVENTUALLY TURNED out that everyone lost and no one won. Mysterious, isn't it? The most exciting, and really the highlight of the game, I think, was when Channel wouldn't pay Sonafelt two Annas he deserved when he threw a five and a two on the dice. The argument that ensued was antaganistic, beyond belief. Was Moe mortified. Those two Annas represented his winnings, though all the others lost. Later a newcomer to this game, by nomenclature, Juston Kopf, fell prey to these capiatlistic minded villains. He was ensnared, and all eight Annas was lost by him to the scoundrels. This they divi-among themselves equally, six Annas to Channell, one to Martin, and a half Anna apiece to Sonafelt and Bucceri. Thus it ended, and a lovely day was spent.


  I WISH TO BRING to the attention of the powers that be the problem of the swimming pool.
  It is "Off Limits" to B.A.D. enlisted personnel. Yet with ever increasing numbers the enlisted personnel of S.O.S. and units downtown are using the pool and I assure everyone that their diving board breaking capacity is equal to that of our enlisted personnel.
  My constructive suggestion is - that it be placed "Off Limits" for all enlisted personnel - or - "In Bounds" for all enlisted personnel. It does not seem to be logical any other way - A Consciencious Officer
Ed. Note: There has been comment about the lack of material turned in by the enlisted men; now we are receiving the same lack of copy from the officers. We need the leadership of the officers before we can get the cooperation of the enlisted men.

  BRAVO TO SGT. BOB BORRIS and Sgt. Grady Scott, our personnel clerks. A soldier's first concern is his pay. We are paid regularly. What we do not know is the incredible amount of work and detail involved. These two lads have learned their job by trial and error, know it thoroughly, execute it skillfully. They are always ready to hear and help every man in the squadron. These men, likeable, capable, rate high on this column's Personality Parade.
  1ST SGT. PETRIE looks different in shorts. He lacks dimples in the knees and symmetry of limb, but we hope he is comfortable.
  THE NEW FLUORESCENT lights in our mess hall are a boon. Most of the men take advantage of the improved vision. Only sad connection: Sgt. Stone, immediately after installation of the lights, covered with an adhesive substance that looked like the pigment in an Indian's skin.
  NOMINATION OF THE WEEK: T/Sgt. "Cheese" Baddock for Chief Taster of Wisconsin Cheesemakers, amalgamated.
  PREDICTION OF EVENTS before our two years have expired: Men on D.S. still on D.S.; Pvt. Fitzgerald to be Sgt. Fitzgerald at least three times; your comunist to be Private, if Westbrook Peglar policy of this column is continued.

  One would think that some men would grow tired of resting sometimes. Nevertheless, rest camp days are here and "Off we go in a wild new blunder!" That is if some of those fellows who have remained in the States too long don't over crowd the place. It seems that the Headquarters men are going already. More power to them. Don't worry Sgt. Lewis, you will get to go as soon as the "Clique" gets back. The question is, who is going to take T/Sgt. Stites place on CQ when he goes? From those tall tales told by travelers trying to train themselves to tolerate these tribulations after having returned from the hills, we wonder why they call it a "Rest Camp."
  Old King Sol is perpetually bearing down these torrid days and there seems to be nothing that we can do about it except drink beer and sweat it out. It's good for the prickly heat, though. As a matter of fact, there is nothing better to make it thrive.
  The latest reports from our own Dr. Goebbels states that Hitler has made it known that he would rather spend his time on the Russian front, so he has decided to remain in Berlin and he will soon be there.
  Rumors affecting the going home status of some of the old timers keep blossoming out just often enough to keep a fellow guessing. Nobody's hesitated to send his laundry yet for fear he should be sent away before it returns. He's just afraid that it won't return at all. Anyway, if anyone should like to bet against M/Sgt. Hiffington's ideas about this rotation policy, it seems as if he is willing to cover a substantial amount of rupees. - Squadron Clerk

JIVERS STOMP ON BOMBS, 3 - 0

SWIMMING
The depot swimming pool is now open for the GIs of the post. The pool was first put into use by men of the depot this past Wednesday. It will continue to be available for use every Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. The three other days of the week the pool is closed to all. It is only through the kindness of the owners that depot personnel are permitted to use it so following the regulations that have been set up for everyone's protection will insure the constant use of the pool.
The rules are few but important. Swimming trunks must be worn. A shower must be taken before entering the pool. And if GIs will limit their swim to 30 minutes there will be sufficient room for all to bathe. The pool is for your use; don't misuse it.

McCAMEY GIVES
ONLY THREE HITS

Well the Flaming Bombs have been wet down and put away again. This time the Jivers played firemen by the score of 3 to 0. There was only one home run hit in the game and that came at the beginning of the third inning.
McCamey still in good form allowed only three hits, while the Jivers banged out six hits that were good for three runs.


FLAMING BOMBS	LINE UPS	JIVERS
Rahn	SS	Pipes
Purgartorio	3B	Williams, D.
Jester	SC	Roberts
Spearance	C	Mays
Garfield	CF	Burnett
Birkenback	RF	Gibbs
Pajowski	2B	Jackson
Gucanac	LF	Bradford
Murphy	1B	Washington
Beechvuk	P	McCamey


Final Box Scores	R	H	E
Flaming Bombs	0	3	2
Jivers	3	6	2

THE TIGER RAG is a weekly publication edited and written by and for the Enlisted Personnel and Officers of APO 492, and is under the direction of the Commanding Officer, COLONEL FRANK D. HACKETT and Public Relations Officer, MAJOR STUART R. PETERSEN. STAFF: EDITOR... Pfc. Hollis H. Estill; ASSISTANT EDITOR... Pfc. Art Goldberg; ART... T/5 Layton H. Wicksten; PHOTOGRAPHY... Sgt. Les Gurwitz. Statements or policies reflected through the columns of this publication under no circumstances are to be considered those of the United States Army. Articles submitted by Officers and Enlisted Men represent personal opinions only. Internet adaptation by Carl W. Weidenburner.