The History Crier
July, 2004
Issue # 45

Senac
Continuing a Proud Tradition in Reporting Since 1941
Atterbury Crier-Camp Crier-Cardinal-Wakeman Probe-Caduceus-Twingine Time
Big Times-Splint & Litter- Wardier
Atterbury AAF - Bakalar AFB - Camp Atterbury - Freeman AAF - Freeman Field - 28th Division - 30th Division - 31st Division
83rd Division - 92nd Division - 106th Division - Wakeman General Hospital


SALUTE TO 'OLD GLORY' - Americans around the world celebrated July 4, 1951, as the 175th anniversary of these United States.  One of the highlights in the day's commemoration at Camp Atterbury came at retreat.  As a ten-man honor guard stands at attention in the background, Sfc. Alexander Knott, Cpl. James E. Ussery and Sfc. Thomas B. Dean, left to right foreground, carefully lower the post flag.

I Was There

 

This is an eyewitness account of a speech by General George S. Patton just prior to the D-Day invasion in 1944. I was a Junior Officer Staff member of 3rd Army, and was present to hear it in person.  

 

General Patton's address was to the Officers and men of the re-activated 3rd Army. He delivered it on June 5, 1944, at the 8th Air Force Command Headquarters near London, England. There were approximately 250,000 soldiers present; it was a virtual “sea” of people.

 

Third Army personnel were anxious to hear from their new Commanding General about the coming European Theater of operations; they also wanted to satisfy their curiosity about the General himself. They had heard much about him both from home and through the Stars and Stripes Newspaper. He was well received, judging by their frequent applause and cheering throughout the speech.

 

His tactical implications were complimentary. The American troops were well trained, well equipped militarily, had high morale, and were, according to him, the best in the world. The General emphasized that he would not tolerate losers; that he expected everyone to carry out orders from their unit commanders, and with teamwork, we would be victorious.

 

He suggested that we will have good days and some not so good, that there would be casualties, and deaths. General Patton stated often that we were defending a great cause – FREEDOM! The General was frequently asked if he had speech or ghostwriters. His reply, “I do my own and I am the ghost.” I do know that the General had an inner circle of ranking officers in whom he confided on major issues.

 

Interestingly, the General was often requested by other Commanders to speak to their units, and he usually did. He knew most of his Commanders personally and seemed glad to accommodate them.

 

I was honored to be associated with General Patton as one of his Staff Officers. One of my primary jobs was to brief him daily on tactical and operational events. The briefings took place about 0600 every morning. Our relationship was comfortable and cordial. He was well informed on current events, and was a serious, maybe even a voracious reader of books. He was particularly interested in Napoleon, the infamous French General.

 

As war activities closed down, General Patton arranged a six (6) months temporary duty for me in Berlin to be Chief Executive Officer of three Post Exchanges in the American sector. While in Berlin, I attended the International Military Parade Review in which President Stalin, Winston Churchill, Charles DeGaul1e, and President Harry Truman filed in right by the bleachers where I was sitting. Military Generals from Zoukov and Eisenhower – on down in rank – sat in the same section.

 

Also while there, I attended a three (3) weeks study at Sarborne University in Paris, designed to help in the German transitional government. During the final days at my home base, Colonel Reed, the Group Commander of 2nd Armored Cavalry, received a call from General Patton for our troops to arrange the recovery of the famous Lipizzan Horses 20 miles out in the town of Hostau, Czechoslovakia.

 

J. D. King

Estes Park, Colorado                                                      

 

Date: June 10, 2004

With thanks 2nd Lt. Joe L. Glass, 61st Car Company, 6th Army Corps Headquarters. Driver for Bob Hope and Marylin Maxwell during 1950's.

Subject: BEST SPEECH JOHN GLENN EVER MADE : SHORT AND TO THE POINT

Some people still don't understand why military personnel do what they do.
The following exchange between Senator John Glenn (D-OH) and Senator Howard Metzenbaum (D - OH) on the floor of the U.S. Senate several years ago is worth reading. Not only is it a pretty impressive and impromptu speech, but
it's also a good example of one man's explanation of why the men and women
of our Armed Services do what they do. This is a typical, though sad, example of what some who have never served think of the Military.

Senator Metzenbaum to Senator Glenn:
"How can you run for the Senate when you've never held a "real job?"

Senator Glenn:
"I served 23 years in the United States Marine Corps. I served through two
wars. I flew 149 missions. My plane was hit by anti-aircraft fire on 12 different occasions. I was in the Space Program. It wasn't my checkbook, Howard, it was my Life on the line. It was not a 9 to 5 job, where I took time off to take the daily cash receipts to the bank.

I ask you to go with me ... as I went the other day ... to a Veterans Hospital and look those men - with their mangled bodies - look them in the eye, and tell them they didn't hold a real job!

You go with me to the Space Program at NASA and go, as I have gone, to the widows and orphans of Ed White, Gus Grissom and Roger Chaffee .... and you look those kids in the eye and tell them that their DADS didn't hold a real job.

You go with me on Memorial Day and stand in Arlington National Cemetery, where I have more friends buried than I'd like to remember, and you watch those waving flags. You stand there, and you think about this Nation, and you tell me that those people didn't have a real job?

I tell you, Howard Metzenbaum... you should be on your knees every day of your life thanking God that there were some men - some women - who held a real job. And they required a dedication to a purpose - and a love of country and a dedication to duty - that was more important than life itself.

And their self-sacrifice is what made this country possible. I have held a job, Howard! --- What about you?"

(For those who don't remember - or weren't aware, during WW II, Howard Metzenbaum was an attorney representing the Communist Party in the USA. At the time of this exchange on the Senate floor, he was a Senator!)

Courtesy of Keith Smith, USS Indianapolis volunteer

Recent VA News Releases

To view and download VA news release, please visit the following Internet
address:
http://www.va.gov/opa/pressrel
Some Survivors Face Deadline for Restored Benefit

WASHINGTON (June 25, 2004) - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) wants
to ensure that surviving spouses of deceased veterans are aware of an
approaching deadline that may affect entitlement to Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) benefits.

Last year, President Bush signed Public Law 108-183, the "Veterans Benefits
Act of 2003," which restores entitlement to DIC and related home loan and
education benefits for surviving spouses who remarry on or after their 57th
birthdays.

VA officials are concerned that surviving spouses may not be aware of this
change in law, or may overlook this benefit if their subsequent marriages
have not ended.

Generally, VA pays DIC to the surviving spouses of military service members
who die while on active duty, and to surviving spouses of veterans whose
death resulted from service-related causes.

The basic monthly rate is $967 and is increased if the surviving spouse has
dependents, is housebound, or meets criteria common to those who need a home
aide.  There are additional payments for dependent children.  Parents who
were dependent upon the service members income also may qualify for DIC.

Under previous law, surviving spouses who remarried were not eligible for
DIC unless their marriages ended.  At that time they could apply for
reinstatement of benefits.

Under the new law, surviving spouses who remarried after age 57 and before
Dec. 16, 2003, have a limited time to apply for restoration of DIC.

They have one year from the date the new law was enacted (Dec. 16, 2003) to
apply for restoration of benefits.  If VA receives the application later
than Dec. 15, 2004, restoration of DIC must be denied.

The one-year application period does not apply to other surviving spouses
whose remarriage on or after attaining age 57 followed enactment of the law.

For more information on restoration of DIC, call VA's toll free number at
1-800-827-1000 or visit the nearest VA regional office.  Office locations
can be found in the blue pages of local telephone directories.

People who are hearing impaired should call VA at 1-800-829-4833 by use of a
telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD).

More information on benefits and services is available at VA's Internet Web
site www.va.gov <http://www.va.gov> .
(Thanks to John Kline, 106th Division Association)

He advanced and I recognized him !!

Subject: If D-day had been covered by Today's Media 

On the coast of France, June 6, 1944:

Hundreds of paratroopers have fallen wide of their target zone.   In Washington, the Senate Armed Services Committee is demanding an explanation..  The Army chief of staff may be called to testify.

The French village of Servile has been destroyed by mortar fire from a US
infantry platoon.   Four civilians were killed, including one elderly great-grandmother.   German defenders had retreated hours before the American attack.   Army intelligence failures are cited.

NBC Exclusive:  Four bombs dropped by 8th Air Force raiders failed to explode when they fell in an empty field close to the village of Le Challimond.  An examination indicates the duds came from an Iowa munitions factory.   An unidentified Army corporal said additional defective bombs may already be aboard other US bombers heading for France.

Thousands of American casualties were suffered today as troops poured on shore at Omaha Beach.   In Washington, a Nebraska congressmen charged that many GI's were unprepared for what they encountered during the invasion. "Somebody needs to be held accountable," he said.

Heavy Navy shelling from battleships and cruisers had little effect on Nazi
gun emplacements raining fire on US forces, several correspondents at the scene reported.   In Washington, a World War I veteran interviewed by a reporter questioned the value of troop support by warships, saying "the days of naval involvement in battles is long past."

CBS Exclusive:  Bombs falling on the tiny French village of Entierier killed
all four cows on which residents depend for milk and cheese.   Severe  shortages are feared unless US forces can replace the animals by next week.

A 411-year-old church in the village of Marseilles was destroyed by Army
artillery fire after a German sniper was detected shooting from the bell
tower.   The Vichy French government mayor of the town protested to
advancing GI's, saying the sniper surely would have ceased firing had the
American soldiers asked him to do so. He demanded an apology from
Gen. Omar Bradley.

NBC Exclusive, in a report from Paris:  Residents here fear the Eiffel
Tower might be destroyed by advancing American forces.  "They probably do not appreciate the beauties of the City of Light," said Pierre Mutrand, the mayor appointed by occupying German forces.   His sentiments were echoed by a number of Parisians and several Nazi SS officers, interviewed while sipping aperitifs at sidewalk cafes along the Champs-Elysees.

A river near the French coast has been contaminated by fuel leaking from two disabled tanks that advancing GI's pushed over the side of a bridge.
French puppet civic leaders questioned the need to clear the bridge by such drastic action, saying it appeared soldiers could have climbed over the wreckage had it been left in place.   Correspondents were denied an
interview by the young Army captain commanding troops in the area.

CBS Exclusive:  American forces bogged down in the hedgerows of the French countryside have been calling for reinforcements to help escape withering German fire.   Communication problems, however, have left commanders on the beach unaware that some of their troops are in a desperate situation.   It makes you wonder whether their training was adequate -- or even if there was any training at all.

On the home front:

As first battle reports indicated heavy casualties on Omaha Beach, a
congressional leader addressing a rally in Bloomington, Ind., told a group
of somber Hoosiers that the invasion losses are evidence that President
Roosevelt is incompetent.   The Indiana congressional delegation responded by saying it would begin bipartisan hearings to see whether Roosevelt had concealed information that the invasion would be more costly than expected.

In a panel discussion broadcast by NBC Radio, four White House
correspondents provided illuminating insight into the difficulties being
encountered by Allied forces in France.   Jeremy Jeffords, Washington Bureau chief of a small Midwest newspaper, said, "The decision to start the invasion this early in June is open to severe criticism.  Gen. Eisenhower and his planners apparently failed to take into account that delaying this assault until August would have found much of the French population on a holiday and thus removed from the path of the fighting.

In Chicago, the Reverend Blakely Elmera, a noted peace activist, deplored
the violence taking place on the French battlefields.  "Apparently our
government in Washington gave no thought to the possibility of negotiating with German leaders in an effort to resolve their differences," he said. "We seem to be blindly following Churchill's affection for war."  In London, the British prime minister lit a new cigar and declined to respond.

------------------------------------------
William J. Tobin is an editor of The Anchorage Times.
With thanks to John Kline, editor of the 106th Division CUB

"We sleep safely in our beds because
rough men stand ready in the night
to visit violence on those
who would harm us."
George Orwell

July 1944

1560th holds picnic to commemorate the 2nd anniversary of the establishment of the unit.  Held in the Picnic Grove behind the Post Stables.  Special guests were Col. Welton M. Modisette and Mrs. Modisette, Miss Loretta Heady, and Col. C. S. Hendricks, Post Surgeon.  The 82nd Army Ground Forces Band provided the music.

Post Commander Commends Civilian Employees for "Honor Roll" Record.  To All Civilian Employees at Camp Atterbury:  I am proud and gratified to receive the "Commanding General's Roll of Honor" certificate and the following letter from Maj. Gen. James L. Collins, Commanding General of the Fifth Service Command:  "The attached certificate has been awarded to the civilian personnel of your command by the Service Commands War Bond Council.  Please express my personal congratulations to the personnel of your command for having attained 95% personnel participation, while investing at least 12% of their total gross pay roll in the purchase of War Savings Bonds.  It is a credit to the patriotism and wholehearted support of our employees to be on the Commanding General's Roll of Honor, and to be awarded this certificate, which has been framed and placed in the lobby of Post Headquarters.  To General Collins' congratulations, I add my own personal thanks to all of you.  Welton M. Modisette, Colonel, Cavalry, Post Commander.

A "THANK YOU" Note -- Last week a fire completely destroyed the Masonic Temple and the Pixy Theater at Edinburg.  Atterbury firemen aided the town in fighting the blaze, and the following letter of appreciation has been received by Col. Modisette, post commander, from the clerk of the town of Edinburg, Mr. Harvey Allison:  "On behalf of the town officials, members of the fire department, and the people of this community, we express our thanks for the fine co-operation of the Post Fire Department during the disastrous fire here Thursday.  The post firemen rendered a valuable service to the community, and the fire may have been even more disastrous had it not been for the efficient help.  Again we thank you for your co-operation, and express the best of good wishes for a continued friendly relationship between the post and this community."

Automotive Workers Reach Overseas Vehicle Quota Through Overtime. "Work for Victory" and not "wish for victory", is the living slogan in Camp Atterbury's Automotive Section of the Combined Maintenance Branch.  The report fot he month of June is typical.  It simply states: "Quota reached:  Required vehicles reconditioned and shipped overseas."  But behind that simple statement is a story - a story of toil and labor, of sweat and grime, and 12 hour workdays, preceded and followed by long drives to and from work !

But here is the story:

The Fifth Service Command assigns quotas of vehicles for overseas processing to this station by month or other determined periods of time.  During the month of February the shop went on a 10 hour basis in an attempt to meet those quota figures.  Early in June it was evident that even on a 10-hour schedule the shop would be unable to meet the quota set for the month.  A meeting was held of all employees, at which Col. Lewis Landes, director, Supply Division, spoke to the men indicating the urgency of meeting quota assignment.  At this meeting Col. Landes inquired how many could and would work extra hours to meet the quota and immediate response indicated approximately 80 per cent would work any hours necessary.

A few days later, a 12-hour work day was inaugurated in all automotive shops, plus Sunday work.  The June quota was met and another vote of loyalty was written.

"On behalf of the Commanding Officer, Col. Modisette, and myself, I desire to take this opportunity to express to you our deep appreciation for your splendid cooperation in enabling this Post to meet its quota of overseas vehicles fo the month of June, 1944.  To accomplish this you voluntarily agreed to work extra hours each day and nine hours on Sunday.....By your efforts you have contributed much to the war effort", said Col. Landes.

Front row, l-r: Harry Warren, Nashville; Lester O. Minor, Winslow; Urbane G. Bolin, Martinsville; Fredrick R. Skinner, Nashville; Icel R. Skinner, Nashville; Clyde B. Vaught, Nashville; Mary K. Walls, Martinsville; Helen M. Smith, Morgantown; Col. Welton M. Modisette, post commander; Mary A. Ward, Morgantown; Maurice A. Norman, Morgantown; Curtis Young, Nashville; Paul H. Thomas, Martinsville; Roy C. Shipley, Nashville; Burkhart Mohm, Martinsville; Harry A. Wann, Martinsville; Paul I. Hunt, Mooresville; Paul H. Boyd, Morgantown; Martin S. Perry, Morgantown; Frank W. Pierce, Martinsville; Solomon P. York, Morgantown; Howard H. Hutchinson, Morgantown; Joseph Pearey, Franklin; Kenneth L. Tumey, Martinsville; Ernest I. Ayers, Martinsville; Roy Ford, Morgantown; Robert L. Archey, Morgantown; Third Row l-r:  Harry E. Rice, Martinsville; Fred M. Edwards, Martinsville; Wendell A,. Moore, Mooresville; Vernon C. Roller, Harlan; William M. Elmore, Martinsville; Clifford G. Dinger, Martinsville; Eddie Durbin, Nineveh; Walter O. Chanplin, Martinsville; Lewis E. Skaggs, Martinsville; Maurice J. Fleener, Martinsville; Fred Weaver, Martinsville; Adrian Mitchell, Nineveh; Delvar Pearey, Nineveh; Dudley Bassett, Nineveh; Alva Walker, Nineveh; Shyard A. Lewis, Morgantown; Willard R. Fox, Nashville.


Front row, l-r:  Noel Dixon, Franklin; Melvin Dalton, Bloomington; Harry McNeely, Bloomington; Clyde East, Harrodsburg; Antonia Napoleone, Bloomington; Herman Moats, Indianapolis; Maj. D. G. Jencks, Deputy Director, Supply Division or Maintenance; Col. Welton M. Modsette, post commander; Maj. H. J. Laird, Maintenance Shop Officer; Joseph Deal, Indianapolis; Charles Dodson, Edinburg; Eugene Adams, Indianapolis; Ralph Hoppe, Indianapolis; Harper Hooten, Columbus; George Tinkey, Columbus; Fred Kimble, Seymour; Billy E. Uffman, Columbus.  Back row, Chester Thomas, Columbus; Earl Lawson, Bloomington; Adrian Buchanan, North Vernon; Artie New, Gosport; John Tinsley, Indianapolis; Harry Martin, Indianapolis; Lowell Proctor, Zionsville; Forest H. Hearue, Scipio; Sylvan Eble, Vallonia; William Roberts, Cortland; Roy Deal, Indianapolis; Bert Mendenhall, Indianapolis; Herbert Smith, Indianapolis; Virgil Bedenbaugh, Indianapolis; Max Ray Taylor, Columbus; James Rager, Columbus.


Front row, l-r: Everett A. Redington, Columbus; Bonnie Noe, Scottsburg; Charles L. Patterson, Hope; Charles D. Bowman, Jonesville; Jessie C. Scott, Hope; Freda Rivers, Edinburg; Betty E. Tekulve, Columbus; Mary Cuming, Edinburg; Col. Welton M. Modisette, post commander; Clemma R. Christy, Columbus; Grace F. McKenzie, Columbus; Anne E. Evans, Columbus; Ruby M. Ross, Columbus; Clifford C. Colvin, Columbus; Glen H, Garner, Hope; George T. Sharp, Columbus; Ernest Tucker, Franklin; Charles R. Garmon, Columbus.  Second row: Earl D. Haymaker, Columbus; Harold M. Streitelmeier, Columbus; Goloun I. Whittington, Columbus; Roy B. Guthrie, Columbus; Carl D. Jones, Columbus; Deward C. Webb, Columbus; Richard B. Lane, Columbus; Dewey Briddle, Columbus; William E. Lefter, Columbus; Charles W. Banister, Columbus; Gordon G. Ross, Columbus; Scott H. Branaman, Columbus; Harold Mc Williams, Columbus; Horace T. Puckett, Edinburg; William Sheppard, Columbus; Harry A. Hand, Columbus; Russell R. Miller, Columbus.


Front row, l-r: Wilbur Haines, Edinburg; Okrey Richardson, Shelbyville; Charles H. McCain, Flatrock; Fred W. Pence, Brownstown; Warren Milburn, Greensburg; James W. Milburn, Greensburg; Albert H. Law, Flatrock; Marion E, Moore, Shelbyville; Norma E. Peck, Shelbyville; Col. Welton M. Modisette, post commander; Barbara Buxton, Shelbyville; Ellis C. Homes, Shelbyville; Richard W. Rhinehart, Shelbyville; Charley M. Phelps, Flatrock; William M. Rohm, Shelbyville; John R. Badgley, Shelbyville; Oscar Roberts, Shelbyville; William Fookes, Shelbyville; Orvill Taylor, Shelbyville.  Second row: Lee R. Hawkins, Flatrock; Willard Alexander, Shelbyville; Henry Chappelow, Franklin; Grant Turner, Shelbyville; Nenda Massingale, Shelbyville; Henry Cooper, Franklin; James A. Coffey, Flatrock; Frank Cowels, Edinburg; Alfred E. Feurerstine, Shelbyville; Charles A. Richey, Shelbyville; Orvill Taylor, Shelbyville; Noel R. Jayne, Greensburg; Walter R. Talbert, Manilla; William J. Owens, Indianapolis; Caramony McDaniel, Shelbyville; Arthur Lance, Flatrock; Walter O'Dell, Franklin; David Bailey, Shelbyville; Harvey K. Morh, Flatrock.


Front row, l-r: Noel W. Dixon, Franklin; Harley E. Delong, Edinburg; Leslie M. Carder, Franklin; Walter W. Frye, Edinburg; Robert Kimbler, Edinburg; Wilmer R. Streeval, Edinburg; wanda H. Stauch, Franklin; Helen L. Arnott, Edinburg; Sarah Owens, Scottsburg; Lillian G. Ravdin, Franklin; Mary F. Marcum, Trafalgar; Col. Welton M. Modisette, post commander; Lillian F. Earlywine, Trafalgar; Margaret L. Hennig, Nineveh; Ruth R. Mitchell, Franklin; Viola J. Shaw, Edinburg; Frances Sledge, Morgantown; Joseph W. Russell, Franklin; Hubert R. Stinson, Nineveh; Floyd R. Talbert, Nineveh; Ivory P. Graves, Nineveh; Roy T. Willard, Franklin; Richard Sheek, Franklin.  Second row: Harry Glidden, Morgantown; Walden C. Elmore, Franklin; Walter C. Bernard, Whiteland; Thomas B. Mitchell, Trafalgar; Daniel B. Patterson, Franklin; Winthrop A. Fateley, Franklin; Henry T. White, Edinburg; William T. Graham, Edinburg; Leonard Gasper, Whiteland; Thomas F. Hiff, Edinburg; Garth Newhard, Indianapolis; Chester Clore, Bargersville; William P. Slaick, Franklin; Earl Strupe, Franklin; William Stacy, Nashville; Ermel Elliot, Paoli; Welby P. Richeson, Nineveh; Bennie Jackson, Franklin.  Third row: Everett Poyner, Morgantown;  Will E. Streeval, Edinburg; Oral Wood, Whiteland; William P. Jump, Edinburg; Harry L. White, Edinburg; Howard C. Taylor, Edinburg; Charles E. Morris, Edinburg; Robert T. Kennelly, Toledo, Ohio; Frank L. Kemp, Franklin; Arthur Phillips, Taylorsville; James E. Streeval, Edinburg; O. D. Streeval, Edinburg; Edward G. Leary, Franklin; Donald E. Willis, Franklin; James R. Foster, Franklin; Ira M. Coy, Edinburg.

Here's What It Means.....Atterbury vehicles are now serving with the "Army of Liberation".  The first of reconditioned vehicles - jeeps, ambulances, trucks, tractors and staff cars - are now being used behind the lines wherever the Allies have triumphed.  However, men at the front lines are not using second-hand equipment, but are driving the newest and best.  As the front line moves forward, other soldiers take over - possibly using some of the re-conditioned vehicles from Atterbury's shops.  Thus work here is speeding the liberation of Axis-held lands.

REASONS ........In the Automotive Shops of the Combined Maintenance Branch, anxious relatives are going all-out to see that "their boys" get what they need.  Here are some typical statements:  Clyde Bell Vaught, of Nashville, Ind., a veteran of the last year, who saw two years service in Belgium and France, has a son in the field artillery.  The son, Cpl. Clyde B. Vaught, Jr., had been stationed in England for some time and is believed to be in action in Normandy now.  "I know what this is all about and since I am too old to be there with my boy, I am doing all I can back here," said Mr. Vaught.

John R. Badgley, Shelbyville, hasn't one but three sons in the service, and all of them overseas.  Sgt. James Badgley, with the Signal Corps in Italy, Pvt. Morris Badgley with an anti-aircraft unit on the Admiralty Islands and Cpl. Howard Badgley with the engineers in New Guinea.  "I wish I were there with the," that is Mr. Badgley's desire, but instead he works unceasingly to bring his boys back hone sooner.

Ernest Ayers, Martinsville, at one time had his son, Richard, working with him right here in Atterbury.  But soon Richard signed up for flying cadet training and was commissioned a 2nd lieutenant at Freeman Field and now as pilot of one of the C-47's hauled some of the first paratroopers into Normandy on D-Day.  Father Ernest is proud of Richard.  "And my son is happy that I carry on back here.

 

 

Yanks Fight Way Into La Haye - American troops, entering the communications hub of La Haye from the north, smashed through to the southern gates in fierve hand-to-hand fighting during a 24-hour offensive which saw a score of villages fall.  Fierce battles raged within the Allied pincers on Caen.

 

For the fisherman, here's good news.  The Lakewood Farms extend a fishing invitation to you.  Boat and tackle are furnished; all you have to do is bring the bait.  So if you want some real fishing, the location of the farm is west of the post off the blacktop road running north from Nineveh, south of Highway 252.  Watch for the "invitation" sign reading "Camp Atterbury Soldiers WELCOME TO FISH HERE."

The secret's out - Charlie McCarthy visited Wakeman General Hospital Monday and during the afternoon made four personal appearances besides appearing in the evening performance of the USO-General Hospital stage show, "Smooth Sailing".  Even though Charlie's visiting time was announced brlatedly, a packed audience greeted him at his five programs.

Above (left) in Ward 3-B, Pvt. Eldon Ashabraner was snapped behind the scenes asking Edgar Bergen (Charlie's "Stooge") for his autograph.  In the center is Frances Westerman, a professional model and "girl Friend" of Charlie.  On the right, the dummy is "giving the Woiks" to Edgar.

Below (left) is Al Tucker comedian-violinist, who delighted the convalescents with his trick playing of the fiddle.  On the right is Charlie in his suitcase, getting ready to do his bit to cheer the hospitalized.  From left to right are Pvt. John Riber, Co. F, 1584th Service Unit, and Pvt. Edward W. Perry, Co. B, 331st Medical Bn.

Officers Now Have Own Barber Shop - A barber shop for officers only has been opened at Officers' Mess No. 1, 29th St., between Gatling St. and Schoolhouse Road.  the shop will operate daily except Sunday from 1000 to 2000.  Appointments must be made from 1000 to 1630, with no appointments from 1630 to 2000.  Phone number is 2388.

July 1944

Did You Ever See --- a "Compass Rose ?"  Well now you're looking at one.  The purpose of the rose is to help the cadet get a mental image of compass headings and direction of flight.  Painted on the floor of the Link Trainer building, it gives the cadets an opportunity to memorize the numbers and their positions, so that they may carry an image of it while flying.  The art work was done by two of the enlisted men in the Link unit, and though they are unrecognizable from the rear, they are Pvt. Edwin J. Reilly and Sgt. Carl Cernik.  NOTE - The Freeman Air Museum reports that they found a painting on the floor of one of their buildings - all former Link Trainer buildings, but did not know what it was.  Hopefully this solves the mystery.

One of the most poignant letters ever sent to Twingine Times from a man in combat arrived last week through Major William B. Poe, deputy for training and operations. The letter was written by Lt. Frederick H. Ihlenburg, Jr.; of New York City, a graduate of Freeman Field with Class 43-K and was sent to Mrs. Francis L. Jordan of Seymour, by the lieutenant's wife.

The Ihlenburgs became close friends of the Jordans when the lieutenant was in training here. Like many other Seymour. people, the Jordans entertain personnel in their home and prepare delicious "home cooked" meals. Mrs. Jordan is affectionately called "mother" by the Ihlenburgs.  In Mrs. Ihlenburg's letter, which accompanied the lieutenant's, she said he had received the D. F. C. and the Air Medal.  He had just recently become squadron training officer and was responsible for the indoctrination and training of new crews, scheduled practice missions, checked out pilots, gave instrument checks, and helped with the planning of missions and briefings.

Mrs. Ihlenburg commented that since the war she and her husband had been brought close to God, "a place where neither of us were before and it's such a comfort."

The lieutenant's letter follows:

Since, I last wrote to you, I have probably had the greatest experience in my life.  We were headed for target Berlin. We were to go there the day before, but were forced to turn back short of the target due to lack of oxygen.  So, when we got to the same point the next day with only 25 pounds more oxygen than the day before, I just said a silent prayer and kept going.  I knew we couldn't make it all the way, especially at the terrific altitude we were flying at.  It was 52 degrees below zero up there; the highest and coldest I've flown.

We had the usual run to the target, just sweating it out all the way.  Then Berlin—you never saw so much flak in all your life. It just filled the sky, and they are awfully good shots.  While that hell was breaking loose, my oxygen supply warning light went which means you haven't got long to go.  I stuck it out in formation until I began to feel a bit queer. That was about ten minutes after bombs away, two hours inside enemy territory.

I maintained radio silence not to give my position and trouble away to the enemy and shot red flares for fighter protection.  We had to drop fast to get to  where we could work without oxygen and I took advantage of it in speed so that it wasn't even necessary for a P38 to circle us.  I was indicating 300.  I may have told you we were being checked out as lead men which made Clam lead navigator.  He was getting his final check this day so wasn't riding with us.  I thought he was lucky not being with us until yesterday when they told me he went down right after we left the formation.  I don't know if he's dead or a prisoner in Germany. Too bad, he was a good boy.

I sure missed him on the trip home. Without a navigator you can trust it's no fun especially with a solid undercast so you can't see check-points or flak bottoms until they start shooting.  They don't have to see you, they use radar.
You try hard, but what you don't know, you just don't know—and I think we hit every flak over in Germany.

Being that far in, I couldn't afford to hit the deck as altitude can come in awfully handy when you're trying to stretch distance.  Even being alone and able to do violent evasive action; we sustained, heavy flak damage on the way out.  After one of these scrimmages, we found ourselves all alone—no fighters.  That's a hell of a feeling. We were still more than an hour inland.

It's hard to tell a 109 from a 51 at any distance, especially when you look for a 51 and the 109 is painted just like it and uses his tactics.  We kept our eyes on them and they just flew along with us as an escort would for about for ten minutes.

Next thing we know at about 12,000—they peeled off at us.  Due to our speed, they couldn't get us head on, but came in from the rear and both sides near. Those boys were really good, but it cost us too much to find that out. 
On the first pass, they shot out No. 2 engine and both gas tanks in the left wing. My bulletproof glass proved to be just that as it stopped four 303 mm machine-gun bullets, the concussion of which knocked my sunglasses off my lace.  I  thought I was dead, and took time out to feel for blood and stuff.  I couldn't believe it.  Shorty, the ball turret, got one on that pass.  It just blew up into nothing.  The next pass was the worst.  They shot Shorty out of the ball, and Rohman out of the top turret.  It's pretty tough getting into the top turret, not much room.  Well, Rohman was blown out of it like he was shot from a cannon and landed in the aisle between Bob and me.

I thought he was dead, but he got up, shook his head and got back up in the turret in time to get another glance on the next pass.  Mind you, there was no glass left in the top turret except the piece in his eye which was the only place he got cut up, somehow.

Shorty crawled out of the ball, with a hole through his leg, into the radio room just in time for the third pass.  Andy, tail gunner, got another and Dory, waist gunner, a probable on that pass.  I'm pretty sure Dory got his too, cause they didn't ask for anymore, thank God.  All this time, yours truly was making shots for the boys and spoiling theirs and praying like a mad man.

Well, we took inventory. No radio—so Bob acted as my communication system running from one to the other and reporting results to me. Two engines out and 3 gas tanks leaking, 1 empty. The 20 mm shot half the wing off, cutting through five spars, leaving only the main one to hold it on, and a hole big enough for me to crawl into.  The rudder also had a hole big enough to crawl into and several you could put your head through.  In all, we counted 87 bullet holes or good sized flak holes —not counting a few dozen peppered holes here and there.  Four shells had passed right through No. 2 prop.  Our flaps were shot out, my compass and gyro instruments, too.  Bob had to run down to see the navigation compass up front and tell us if I was going the right way.

We still had a half hour to go to the coast, and truthfully I didn't think we'd make it. This might sound like something or other, but I still believe I actually prayed my way in.  I'll never understand how we got over the enemy coast which is just solid with flak between and at only 9,000 feet too.  Boy, that channel looked good and when I saw the English coast, I cried!

I wish it were possible for me to give you a picture of the hell, the turmoil, confusion, panic and tension in a fight like that, but that's impossible as it's indescribable and can only be appreciated when you have gone through it.

If you can picture me in a matter of minutes, trying to fly the ship with six guys yelling at me over the interphone for position, having bullets whiz past you by inches, (there were 17 peppered holes right by my legs and seat) feathering props, cutting switches, transferring pumps and gas tanks and convincing the  tail gunner-not to bail out and a 101 things I can't describe, you might get a small idea of what I mean.

I spotted the first field I could, which turned out to be an RAF base and somehow managed to make the nicest landing ever with that wreck.  Even with the smooth landing, the battered wing started to buckle at the impact.
I was OK until I got into the ambulance with Shorty and Young.  I shed some bitter tears for them.  After I saw them into the operating room, I went to pieces and don't know what I'd have done if it hadn't been for the swell chaplain that stuck with us from when we first landed.

I came to a day and a half later feeling pretty queer.  My bed was doing slow-rolls and I couldn't focus my vision yet.  I can see OK now, but as you will probably have noted, my penmanship is a lithe worse than usual and - goodness, that's bad enough. It's hard to light cigarettes too.

I was three days at the RAF hospital—flown back to my field for interrogation and then on to where I am now.  I'm at what we call a rest home now. I will be for a week. It's a beautiful place on the Thames where you do just as you please.  We wear civilian clothes, go boating, horseback riding, tennis, bicycling cling, golfing, drinking—just anything.

There are about 24 of us here and we have this whole British Mansion to ourselves.  It's just like you see in the movies of an old English estate with the latest improvements and the last food.  I can't help being a little proud to tell you  that I've been recommended  for the Distinguished Flying Cross—which I should get in about three weeks.


July 1951

28th Division Alerted For European Command.  Maneuvers still are scheduled for August & September.  Former Guard outfit to join Army, Air units in operation.  The Division in training here since early in September and commanded by Major General Daniel B. Strickler will go on maneuvers as originally scheduled.  Called "Operation Southern Pine" a joint Army-Air Force operation are scheduled from August 13 to September 2.  They will involve 100,000 troops and 400 aircraft.

First Discharge of Reserves Here Scheduled Today - Release machinery ready to grind for 700 Atterbury men.  The discharges follow the announcement a little over two weeks ago that enlisted reservists, involuntarily ordered to active military service from the Inactive or Voluntary Reserves, would be released between July and December of this year.  The order does not affect Organized Reserve Corps members or Natonal Guardsmen.

Another USO Now Open in Edinburg.  Indiana's second USO, both of them near Camp Atterbury, opened for business in Edinburg recently.  The new recreation spot, a former Salvation Army Service Men's Center is located in downtown Edinburg on East Main Cross Street.

General Clark Visits Here.  Army Field Forces Chief inspects 50 Atterbury outfits.  Accompanied by seven members of his Fort Monroe, Va., training staff, General Clark arrived here Wednesday morning after a flight to Atterbury Air Base.  The four-star general, head of the Army's training program, was the second general to visit here in less than a week.  Last thursday, Lt. Gen. Stephen J. Chamberlin, commanding general of the Fifth Army arrived here for a one-day command visit.  General Clark's last trip here was five months ago, on February 7.  He came here with Secretary of the Army, Fank Pace, Jr. to visit the 28th Infantry Division during division field exercises.
The History Crier is published independently by the Indiana Military Org.anization and is in no way connected with the Department of the Army, the Indiana National Guard, or any other military or civilian organization. Unless otherwise noted, all content has been previously published during WW2 and the Korean War.

Editor—James D. West, Veteran, Sgt, Co. B 138th Armor, Co. C 151st Mechanized Infantry, INARNG and MSgt, 71st Special Operations Squadron, USAFRes. 

Visit the web site dedicated to south-central Indiana Military history www.IndianaMilitary.org

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Atterbury-Bakalar Air Museum—located on the site of the former Atterbury AAF and Bakalar AFB, North of Columbus, Indiana.
Camp Atterbury Museum—located in Camp Atterbury, West of Edinburgh, Indiana. Open Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday, 1 to 4 pm.
Freeman AAF Museum—located on the site of the former Freeman Army Air Field, West of Seymour, Indiana. Just South of State Road 50.   Open Monday thru Friday, 8 to 4 pm. Inquire at the Airport Director’s office for admittance.

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