Verhovayak Lapja, 1941. július-december (24. évfolyam, 27-52. szám)
1941-10-09 / 41. szám
Page 4 October 9, 1941 We're In the Army Now! Destruction in the form of high explosive bombs rained down on a plot of ground at Barksdale Field, Shreveport, Louisiana, for three hours on September 22d. Eightyone Army and Navy planes let loose 34 tons of bombs, leaving in their wake an inferno of debris, earth and flying metal, the largest bombing demonstration ever held in The United States. After the ripping and detonation of the huge bombs had silenced and the catapulted earth had cascaded back to the ground, the plot left was a “devil’s graveyard,” which even had they missed would have ~ meant death to anyone near-by. As 100 generals and over 12,000 other officers and enlisted men gazed at the 1000x2000 feet target filled with 100 tanks of World War vintage, pilots who have been simulating war in Louisiana for weeks demonstrated the effectiveness of the American air force. Plane after plane blasted the area which repraeented columns of men, tanks and armored cars. Huge “flying fortresses” of the B-17 class, B-18-A’s twin engined bombers, Airacobra pursuit ships, many dive bombers and speedy A-20s’ used bombs ranging from 100 pounds to 1100 pounds, demolition missiles. The demonstration was under the direction of Majoi General Millard F. Harmon, and field arrangements under the capable hands of Colonel Phillips, Barksdale Field’s commandant. Othei notables present were Lieutenant General Ben Lear, commander of the Second Army, here an maneuvers, and Lieutenant General Walter Kruger, commander of the Third Army, likewise here on maneuvers. General Lear is in charge of the Red Army, now occupying Shreveport, and General Kruger is in command of the Blue Army. From the closest vantage point of 4500 feet, observation of direct hits were hard to ascertain, but from the amount of debris seen flying many hits must have been scored. Out of the clear blue sky came first the mighty B-17’s that are today flying so high in the European war areas that they can hardly be reached. From 15,000 feet they were faintly visible. Then it began. Laying the large “eggs,” the first sensation of your observer was the flying dirt and then the sound of the whup, whup, whup of the striking force as first one then another of the targets fell. Medium B-18-A bombers Mitchell Field, New York, dealt the next blow. Their 600 pound bombs shot dirt and debris from targets hundreds of feet into the air, the core aflame glowed red against the black smoke even in daylight. One of these planes dropped two 1100 pound demolition bombs, the largest dropped in the area. Eighteen P-39 Airacobras from the 31st Pursuit Group, Selfridge Field, Michigan, then zoomed out of the sky in horizontal flight poised for mass gunnery. Flying low over the heads of the observers on the ground, they began blasting at the ground targets from a distance of §000 feet. Shooting almost perpendicularly out of the air from 8000 feet, 18 Navy dive bombers aimed their planes as you would your finger. At almost 2000 feet each loosed a 500 pound bomb that sped straight down the flight of the plane, which zoomed up and away making recovery at 1500 feet, some closer to the ground. To bring the curtain down on the aerial display, 12 light bombers from the Third Bombardment Group, Savannah, Georgia, blanketed the whole area with fire and flame as they attacked with sixteen 100 pound bombs each, from an altitude of 4500 feet. A demonstration of more than one hundred of the Army’s new parachute troops was canceled because of gusty winds. When the troops, while flying overhead in preparation for their jump, were informed of the “no jump” status of the weather, they set up a real howl. These boys are just like a bunch of college athletes “rarin’ to go.” No practice jumps are allowed when ground wind exceeds 13 miles per hour because of the increased danger of being dragged over the ground. The wind velocity was 20 m. p. :h. this day. The effectiveness of the bombing could best be judged by the damage done to the plot, which was ripped to pieces. Craters ranging from 10 feet deep and 15 feet in diameter to 20 feet in depth and 30 feet in diameter give one an idea of the force of the bombs. Comments from ranking officers were: “A real show,” “This is about what we can expect them to do in actual operation, discounting the unpredictable influence of , enemy action.” Civilians, except for a few invited, were barred from the demonstration for obvious reasons. Purely a military show. Many notables, including ace correspondents of all the large news syndicates, witnessed the demonstration. * * * MANEUVER NOTES (Heard Here and There) Roughing it—all happened in central Louisiana- Two hardened soldiers from an armored division were strolling past a general’s neat little trailer home. They had been on the move for 48 hours and were dog-tired. One spied the comfortable trailer. “Humph,” said he to the other soldier, “the general must be roughing it today. He’s got two windows open.” Straight on bars: Two officers on maneuvers went to town one evening to relax, one a first lieutenant, the other captain. It all started when they met this cute waitress. The captain, upon returning to his table from a phone call, noticed the waitress paying no attention Verhovayak Lapja STABILITY PROGRESS Careful, conservative and sound Investments assure the STABILITY of Verhovay’s fui ds and securities, thereby giving full confidence to members and prospective members. With its assets making sizable gains yeai after year and its membership increasing by leaps and bounds, Verhovay sees before itself a definite future which spells PROGRESS. SOCIABILITY rather than frowned upon is regarded as essential to the well-being of Ver ho ray life and activities. Verhovay’s encouragement and promotion of social movements within and among its branches is in keeping with the spirit of true FRATERNALISM. SOCIABILITY FRATERNALISM VERHOVAY FRATERNAL INSURANCE ASSOCIATION 345 FOURTH AVE. PITTSBURGH, PA, Lovable Love Lyrics By JOE VARGO Middlefield, Ohio Member of Branch 248, Monaville, West Virginia I THINK YOU’RE SWELL Sweet love came my way, one day, ’twas on the day I met you. My dreams began to come true, and now here’s my chance to say. You seem so happy and so free, and I like your company. As we go from place to place, you always keep a cheerful face. I 'know that you’re quite all right, you’re very thoughtful and polite. In vacant or in pensive mood, I like your loving attitude! You’re so wonderful and so grand, you always seem to understand. I’m as happy as can be, And you brought it all to me! You’re as nice as you can be, you are my living phantasy. I like you more than words can tell, honestly, I think you’re swell! THERE’S LOVE IN YOUR EYES TONIGHT The loving kindness you display, seems to express and say outright “There’s love in your eyes tonight”! And I do hope I’m right. Once you gave me a sweet little kiss, but I’m the kind to want more. I wouldn’t want to miss, such a sweet romantic encore! I’m going to whisper words, so sweet and so tender, Because I can see you are ready for a complete little surrender! Just be yourself tonight, please don’t try to resist, Because you’ll be kissed outright, there’s love in your eyes tonight! And in our rendezvous, I’m expecting lovely you, To say ‘T love you,” in the moonlight, because there’s love in your eyes tonight! to him, instead, treating his pal, the first lieutenant, like a king. The captain suspected that something was amiss, so proceeded to question his pal. In his absence, he learned, the first lieutenant had told the waitress that one silver bar on the shoulder designated a first lieutenant, while two silver bars designated a second lieutenant. The captain lost no time in putting the waitress right on bars and stripes of rank. Both officers happen to be from Barksdale Field. Fraternally, {Sergeant) Elmer J. Halas 72d Air Base Squadron Barksdale Field Shreveport, Louisiana. (Member Branch 395, McKeesport, Pa.)--------:o:--------Brazil leads all South American countries in production of shoes, closely followed by Argentina. BRANCH 264 NOTICE Mollenauer, Pennsylvania The secretary of Branch 264 asks the members to pay their dues either at tho meeting or on Sundays at his residence. On week days the secretary is not at home. Fraternally, GEORGE RUSZ Secretary. Did “Diamond Jim“ Have Stomach or Dicor Fains? It is hardly likely that Diamond Jim Brady could have eaten no voraciously if he suffered after-eating pains. Sufferers who have to pay the penalty of stomach or ulcer pains, Indigestion, gas pains, heartburn, burning sensation, bloat and other conditions caused by excess acid should try a 25c box of t’dga Tablets. They must help or money refunded. ARTHRITIS Don’t despair of relief from terrible Arthritis aches or pains. The NEW Colloidal Iodized Sulphur capsules called SULPHO-KAPS often bring web Don’t give up hope YourDnjggisthssS^^ come relief in Arthritis due to Sulphur deficiency. Small daily cost. Mon« ey back if no relief after 30 days9 dosages Begin taking TODAY.
