Verhovayak Lapja, 1944 (27. évfolyam, 1-52. szám)
1944 / Verhovay Journal
Page 2 Verhovay Journal May 11, 1944 WHAT DID YOU DO TODAY? What did you do today, my friend, from morning till My gunner died in my arms today, I feel his warm the night? blood yet. How many times did you complain that rationing is Your neighbor’s dying boy gave out a scream too tight? I’ll never forget. When are you going to start to do all of the things On my right a tank was hit—a flash and you say? then a fire. A soldier would like to know, my friend, what did you The stench of burning flesh still rises from do today? the pyre. We met the enemy today and took the town What did you do today, my friend, to help us by storm. with the task? Happy reading it will make for you tomorrow Did you work harder and longer for less, or morn. is that too much to ask? You’ll read with satisfaction the brief What right have I to ask you this, you communique. probably will say. We fought, but are you fighting? What did you do Maybe now you’ll understand, you see today? I died today By LIEUT. DEAN SHATLAIN, Tank Commander The author of this poem amputated his own foot witha penknife on a battlefield in Africa, and thought he was dying as he wrote the words. He was rescued, however, and has been reported recuperating in a hospital in England(“TOLEDO” May 5, 1944.) VERHOVAY HEROES We are proud of Pvt. William Lengyel Hungarians have always been recognized as excellent fighters. It is Quite possible that the centuries of ceaseless wars for freedom and independence had some thing to do with the development of soldierly virtues in the Hungarian people. And the offsprings of the Hungarian immigrants are not different from their elders in this respect, they know how to fight and they also know how to die with their boots on. Up to date forty Verhovay soldiers have given their lives for their country: a very high number indeed if considered in proportion to the total number of deaths in the U. S- armed forces. Out of a population of 136 milions, the U. S. armed forces have suffered close to 49,000 deaths, while the 50,000 members of the Verhovay mourn the death of 40 of their soldiers. The proportion of military deaths in the entire U- S. is one to every 2773 persons, but in the Verhovay F. I. Association it is 1 to every 1250 members. While it is too early yet to jump to any conclusions from this comparison, and, furthermore, admitting that it wouldn’t be entirely fair either to make any comparison between\ the soldiers of Hungarian origin and the others, nevertheless it seems to be pretty obvious that the soldiers of Hungarian descent get into the frontlines in an unusual proportion where they display such martial qualities that they are used for the most dangerous missions. Hence the great number of Hungarian-American soldiers killed in action. Here is the story of one of our heroes, Pvt. William A. Lengyel, a member of Branch 8, of Johnstown, Pa., whose exploits have been published by both the ‘Tribune” and “Democrats” of Johnstown, Pa. The story is told on the basis of direct reports from the Anzio beach-head. “WITH THE FIFTH ARMY, ITALY. As a climax to eight consecutive weeks of front-line fighting on the Allied Fifth Army’s Anzio beachhead in Italy, PVT. WILLIAM A. LENGYEL of Johnstown, Pa,, a rifle-man, recently took part in an outstanding combat patrol into German lines. “While clearing a wooded ravine of enemy troops, Pvt. Lengyel and his handful of Third “Marne” Division comrades knocked out two machinegun nests, killed 10 Germans, wounded several more and captured 12 prisoners. The entire action was completed in four hours of total darkness. ‘‘Moving out, we had to crawl on' our bellies nearly all the way —related Pvt. Lengyel—sometimse for hundreds of yards in the dark across open fields. The Krauts in the ravine were really surprised to see us. We sneaked down and nabbed several of them before they could get out of their holes. Once we jerked a German's shelterhalf right off him. Some of the 'Krauts fired back at us but his father, Stephen Lengyel, reside at 933 Virginia Ave., Johnstown, Pa-’’ * * * Well, this is one action-story we enjoy te tell because its hero returned safely and unhurt. Eight weeks of continuous fighting topped by such action certainly merits special praise not only from the officers of this soldier but also from the entire membership of the Verhovay F. I. Association. The Verhovay has already lost six members in Italy, all of them killed in action on the Italian battlefront. Though we know that those fallen heroes have made the enemy pay a heavy price for their precious young lives, we have in Pvt. Lengyel one of the many who make A LETTER FROM A U. S. BATTLESHIP “I haven’t seen a movie in over a month ... "Well, I’ll have to drop anchor here but until I hear from you, I remain as always, Fraternally yours, PAUL KUN.” » * * Nice to hear from you, Paul, and we are certainly glad to know that the three Kun brothers had their furlough at the same time so it could be spent together. Funny, though, about these letters that come from the battlefronts. I guess, we all expected to read some stories about the war and the life on a battleship, like the one Paul wrote several months back about the initiation ceremonies. Now that he was home for Easter, he seems to have forgotten all about the war and remembers only the fine time he had with his friends and relatives and, last but not least, the great chow Moin prepared for Easter. At least he does not seem to remember the war that is going on around him. We may be curious and anxious to know all about his experiences but he wants to know what is going on at home, and all through the dreary months of fighting he lives on the memories of a happy week spent at home. He dreams about home, he talks about home, he writes about home and he wants to hear about home. So let us submerge our own curiosity and write to him and to all the other boys about home and let us with our letters help them forget the war and its horrors so that, whenever they get a letter from some pal at home, they may visualize everything that they have left behind. So good luck, Paul, and write us again. We will be happy to get a letter from you, even if it is all about—Home. (S. 1/C. PAUL KUN, a member of Branch 37, Chicago, 111., wrote this letter, and we are glad to publish it, since it so clearly pictures the mind of a sailor in our glorious U- S. Navy. His letter names the famous battleship on which he serves but, sorry, we can’t publish that, even though the Nips know darn well that the ship is around . .. you bet! Anyhow the P. O. address is San Francisco and the letter was written somewhere in the Pacific.) “Dear Readers: Hi pals—I’ll bet you’ve been wondering just what did happen to me,—well, it's a long story so here goes. In the first place, I didn’t have the time. (I know, it’s a poor excuse.) In the second place I was home hem pay even more for the bloody f i leave—Palm Sunday and Easter sacrifices our soldiers have to make. Of course, there is small comfort in vengeance: it will not bring back those who will for ever remain under the once peaceful sky of Italy. For that reason we hope and pray that Pvt. Lengyel, and many others shall return, for we will need men of his caliber on the Home Front, after the battles have ended in those far away lands. To Mr. Stephen we shot them on the spot. We ) mgyel, his father, congratulations stirred up quite a hornet’s nest— Pvt. Lengyel continued—and coming back we had to crawl most of the way again to keep under the machinegun fire. One of our prisoners made a break for it but we shot him. During the night I had no idea what time it was or how far we had gone. We were all so tense every minute. It seemed like a dream the next day.” For successfully accomplishing this dangerous mission, Pvt. Lengyel and other members of the special patrol were highly recommended by the officers of their unit who pronounced it a “perfectly executed patrol action.’’ for having brought up a son who already has made and will yet make great contributions towards the cause of the Allied Nations. And congratulations are also due to Mrs. Edith Lengyel who has certainly picked a man to marry. * # * Please, watch for the Memorial Day issue of the Journal in which the entire list of those Verhovay soldiers will be published, who have made the supreme sacrifice. From that time on we will keep you regularly informed of all of our casualties as they are reported to the Home Office. May God grant that there will not be many Pvt. Lengyel’s wife, Edith, andniore. Sunday, and my days were taken up with running hither and yon visiting old friends and relatives. “The Journals that you have sent me were gratefully received, and I -hope you don’t stop sending them. While I was home on leave, my two soldier brothers arrived home, so you can imagine the gay time we had. My parents, sisters and little brother were tickled pink to see us and we were glad to be home. My brother Steve’s wife has a brand new 1944 model baby boy, named Steve John and I was appointed sponsor. So now I’m an Uncle. The little kid sure is a cute one and I’m proud to be his uncle. “While home, the weather wasn’t so bad, although the sun didn’t want to shine. On Easter Sunday we had rain but I didn’t mind. Just being home was O. K. by me. We had a great big Easter dinner and you cart just imagine how I stuffed myself. And talk about good chow! Man alive—the chow at home was fit for a king! My Mom can really cook a meal— maybe that’s why Pop married her! JOHNNIE PHILLIPS WRITES AGAIN! Here is another short message from Sgt. John J. Phillips of the U. S. Air Force Service, whose letter, passed by U- S. Army Censor, runs as follows: “Dear Readers: I truly appreciate receiving the copies of the Journal and am thoroughly ashamed of myself for not acknowledging them sooner. Haven't heard from John J. Jerkovich for some time but I do know that he is in Sardinia. “Have been pretty busy of late editing my own paper “The Service Commando,’’ playing on our section “The Adjutant General’s Section”, “volley ball team” and playing on the Squadron baseball team. “In volley ball our team is, as yet, undefeated. Last Thursday, however, we suffered ignominious defeat at the hands of a bunch of "pill rollers” (medics) in baseball. The paper is coming along fine and I’m sorry I can’t send you a copy. That is against regulations. “Will close for now, thanking you for the Journal. Sincerely John J. Phillips.” Thanks for the letter, Johnnie, and good luck to your editorial work. No wonder he can’t write much for the Journal now, having his own paper! NO REASON Very late one night two chaps who had been imbibing too freely were sitting on the pavement with their feet in the gutter. One said to the other: “What does your wife shay when you shtay out late like thish?” “Haven’t you got a wife” — the other replied.
