THE SQUADRON PULSE
For the Men of the Fightin’ 3rd Published in the Philippines
Vol 1. No. 14 Weekly June 3, 1945 3rd Airdrome Squadron APO 74
BASSO, THE MAGICIAN
Most or none of us knew that Henry Basso was a Magician. Probably he didn’t know it himself until one day last week, but he nonetheless proved before witnesses that he and Houdini are of equal talent. Of course the magician usually employs all sorts of dark tricks, such as panels, traps and mirrors but all Henry had was one of the Navy’s Catalinas. With that he performed his miracle. The facts leading up to his feat are simply this: One day he was showing the plane off to a bunch of Filipinos as though it were a museum piece. It seems that he took them inside and was showing them the rear compartment, when suddenly something went wrong. The plane had tipped its tail end. [As the body of a Catalina flying boat rests upon the water, normally the tail end is above the waterline. What happened here, apparently, was the extra weight of the visitors caused the tail to lower into the water. - Ed.] It looked bad for Henry, and Henry knew it. He just had to do something, something like perform a miracle. So he went into deliberation.
Finally he conceived of a method: Black Magic. It used to work in colonial Massachusetts (his home state) so why not now? One day, thinking that no one was looking, he uttered a few magic words........then presto! The plane without help of hand suddenly and fantastically arose to its correct position. Henry had performed a miracle.
SET YOUR BOOBY TRAPS
Batten down your things men.... no, it’s not because of an impending typhoon, but something worse. It seems that somebody with low morals and itchy fingers is on the loose. Numerous men have, within a fortnight, brought in similar complaints that personal and GI property has disappeared. The Pulse advises from now on: PRECAUTION.
AS TIME GOES BY-------June Birthdays for Schwartz on the 3rd, Bentley 8th, Ernie Bennett 9th, Selander 10th.
MORE ABOUT THAT POSTWAR CONVENTION
Before the subject dies again, may I make a suggestion: To make such a convention of ex-members of the 3rd possible, there must be a slumbering interest kept alive in the mind of a majority of the men concerned. Second, there must be a person willing to accumulate and then disseminate to all persons interested, the information and progress on such a plan. Third, in order for all ex-3rd men to get the information, there must be an up-to-date file of men and their addresses.
The writer is willing to maintain such a file and suggests that all personnel desiring to know about such plans, record the following address and keep in touch after the war is over: Rob’t W. Mitchell, 7337 Wisconsin Ave., Bethesda, Maryland. [Rob’t W. Mitchell would be the commanding officer, Captain Mitchell. A 1946 newspaper ad from The Sunday Star (Washington, DC) gives this as the address for Carbert’s jewelry store, with “Bachschmid & Mitchell” in smaller font. Now the entire corner of that block appears to be taken up by a large hotel. - Ed.] It is believed that a mimeographed sheet [should] be distributed periodically, containing bits of interest concerning the old “buddies.” This would be comparable to the alumnae sheet that is distributed by most colleges and universities.
---Captain Mitchell.
CAPTAIN MITCHELL COMMENDS: Pfc. Berenger for efficiency in handling Filipino laborers.
THE SOOTHSAYERS AGAIN
Brass hats and cotton hats alike, here on this Philippine Isle, are now betting 10-to-1 odds that the war against Nippon will be over before September 15th. [Japan’s surrender was announced on August 15 and formally signed on September 2, 1945. - Ed.] Before you get excited men, think back to last July, August, Sept., Oct., etc., etc., when Germany was supposedly on her last leg. On each of those months, the Bigwads said that it would all end the month following, but everybody was wrong, even Eisenhower. General McAuliffe said to the Germans when asked to surrender at Bastogne, “Nuts!” We say “nuts” to the prediction.
SQUADRON PULSE
Vol. 1 No. 14 . . . . . . . June 3, 1945.
Editor . . . . . . . . . Pfc. Stringfield
Staff Writers
Cpl. Calkins . . . . . . . Cpl. Fessenden
Compositors
Cpl. Drecoll . . . . . . . . Cpl. Harrell
Staff Assistants
Sgt. Bland . . . . . . . . Sgt. Mascolina
This paper may be mailed home.
LOOKING FORWARD - 1986
Members of 3rd Airdrome Squadron who are still alive will recall the two citizen soldiers who were at one time intimately associated in their efforts to produce a scandalous sheet named the “Pulse.” Through their mutual endeavors, the Pulse’s beat fluctuated, floundered, skipped a few beats, raced rapidly and halted at times, but always managed to appear about four times a month.
The writer was startled at seeing the following headlined feature story which appeared yesterday in the Evening Blatter, the leading newspaper of the Amalgamated Peoples. ‘DAZE, THREE GUN, RIM ROCK’ CALKINS MURDERS LENON. I could hardly believe my eyes, the details were almost unbelievable -- and in recall, to believe that two such eminent journalists should resort to murder as a solution to their difficulties is fantastic.
That Calkins, sage of the Colorado Steeps [referring to Colorado’s steep mountains - Ed.], by his own admission, the literary genius who out-westerned all Westerns; Max Brand, Bret Harte, MacKinlay Kantor included, and whose name was synonymous with ‘Pulp’ -- and Leonard “Werewolf” Stringfield, nee Lenon, alias, the “Non-Parallel” [perhaps meaning to say “nonpareil,” which is defined as “unrivaled,” or “unparalleled” - Ed.] whose eminence and acknowledged leadership as the Editor of the MONDAY MORNING MOAN, successor to the now defunct SATURDAY REVIEW OF LITERATURE, should come to such an end is near incredulous.
But cold-blooded murder was committed. Daze, interviewed soon after the murder, sought to justify his crime with the following explanation. “Shucks, it weren’t nothin’, jest like killin’ a fly. Ya see pard, he was always editin’ my stories, crossin’ out that and insertin’ his erotic style, rob’n the English language of its rich significance. Why, fer forty odd years he’s been gnawin’ away at my patience. The final straw was when he (God rest his eerie soul) changed the following lines: ‘She pulled the coat collar around her neck, wishing for a hat. Water began to drip through her hair and the wind striking the wetness, set up a quick cold ache in her head. Broken Skull’s men had mounted. Razor McGinnes moved beside her; they rode out of the corral’ to ‘The society of these emotionally impoverished but feverishly compensating persons had an exhausting effect on those less superficial and less otiose [serving no practical purpose or result - Ed.]. The barrenness of her hair exposed to the elements was too, too, absolutely divine.’”
“Shucks, it weren’t nothin’.”
By - Capt. R.W.P. [Captain Pollock - Ed.]
DIAMOND FINISHED
To carry on the traditions of its predecessors, Gripe Field IV has been built and will officially open Tuesday night, June 5, with an intra-squadron game between Brentano’s and Rose’s teams.
Construction of Gripe Field IV was begun by Shorty Long with his captured Jap grader some weeks ago, and finished recently by S/Sgt Russell, Special Service NCO. Sgt Henry, also of Special Services and S/Sgt Berning picked five teams from the names of those who signed up as desiring to play ball. The five pitchers are Rose, Brentano, Henry, Blankenship and Vucetich.
The first Gripe Field was hacked at 713 [the APO of their base in Lae, New Guinea - Ed.] out of bomb-packed, reptile-infested piece of semi-jungle just large enough for a ballfield. That was in October 1943. Each officer had a team, and the league winners were rewarded with several bottles of Aussie wine by Major Whittemore.
It was such huge success that on the next move, almost before the last tent was up, there were plans for Gripe Field II. When the rain finally stopped long enough for construction work to begin, picks and shovels were checked out of supply and enthusiastic volunteers went to work on Gripe Field II. Teams were organized with a view to equalizing their strength. Again, it was a huge success, with practically a sellout crowd at the game every night.
When we hit the Philippines, there was no room for Gripe Field III until a Heavy Engineer Bn moved out, and the field lasted only a few days when another Engr outfit moved in.
Through all this, Captain Anderson has been the guiding hand in construction and organization of new teams.
Now we have Gripe Field IV, and once again we’ll witness the colorful umpiring and catching of Tex McReynolds, the at-times-near-to-fisticuff-arguments, & the air will be blue with the gripes that Gripe Field was named after. There will be nightly games except when there is a 7th SG [Support Group - Ed.] League game.
By Fessenden.
MY DAZE By R.V. Calkins
On a certain censored date, a bunch of guys went to visit the city of Manila, Luzon, P.I.
The Pearl of the Orient is, of course, somewhat tarnished at present, but still well worth spending some time looking at--much more time than the three hours we were allowed. Although much of its beauty is gone, roaming through various parts of the city gives you the feeling, here is a metropolis, here live people of all types, here is the closest thing to an American city since we entered combat.
First stop was naturally a cafe. We dined at the “Pin-Up Restaurant” on Carriedo Street, and it cost us plenty. The menu lists fried chicken at 7 pesos, eggs at a peso a throw, shrimps 4 pesos, steak and eggs 5 pesos, pork chops 3 pesos. The food is excellent, which it ought to be at those prices. [At the time, one peso was equal to about 50¢ in American money (according to his letter of November 19, 1944). In 2025 dollars, the prices of these food items would be about $61.50, $8.61, $35.67, $44.28 and $27.06, respectively. - Ed.]
Filled to capacity, we began touring the city. Every once in a while you run into a long line of people sweating something out....clothing stores, movies. A theatre called the TIMES had a queue running the full length of the block. It was hard, but we resisted that natural urge to get in those lines and sweat it out, whatever it was.
The number of real honest to gosh white people is surprising. A couple of golden-haired, white-skinned beauties passed us on Rizal St. [Rizal Avenue - Ed.] The reason they passed us was because everybody in the crowd was too startled to stop ‘em. It was also on Rizal St., I think (practically every other street in Manila is named ‘Rizal’) that General MacArthur drove by us in his shiny auto. The General was looking straight ahead, much like his pictures, and was not aware that 4 GI’s who had forgotten to salute, were watching with interest.
To see all the buildings, those still intact & those now a mass of rubble, would take at least a full day. Here’s hoping that the next group of men who visit Manila will have more time than we did to explore the city. After all, the Capital of the Philippines is something to write home about!
THE GRAPEVINE By X-2
FLASH: Word has come to the Grapevine that the squadron’s “Prodigal Sons,” Curt Orr and Houston Penn, went to church Sunday last. Orr, who styles himself as a black sheep, told certain friends that his stomach and soul could not stand the tortures of rotgut any longer and that the only thing to do was get sanctified.
MANIA: In a wild rage to get the latest issue of the Pulse, Otto Schlick this week strode into the office naked.....as bare as the day he was examined for the Army. Question: Is the Pulse really that much on demand or is it, Otto, that you have other and more sinister schemes? If it is the latter, X-2 suggests that you try the “overcoat” trick, especially between the hours of twelve to four, when it’s really hot. Make sure that Doc Pollock sees you, too. I can’t do you any good.....I’m not of rank or station.
HOME? After a long illness, rotation finally dropped dead. With this news bit, some men’s faces gleamed with the first ray of hope since May 12th, while other faces only hung longer. With rotation gone to hell, word has it that 27,000 with the required amount of points will leave the Pacific area in June (20,000 from Manila). An equivalent number will be sent home & be demobilized each month thereafter. Unless you’re well stacked with points like Ace Stuart, count on being here with X-2 until this time next year.
AMBITION: All of us have some kind of great ambition to fill after the war, but I believe that Cecchi’s takes the cake. His is to sleep in an upper berth of a Pullman. He’ll have to tell you the rest.....it’s a killer.
THANKS: Men looked upon the sudden appearance of a back issue of the Pulse this week with surprise and glee. The other three back issues for April will be out shortly. For this, the staff owes Capt. Mitchell an especial thanks. He is typing and stenciling them for us.
SPORTS ROUNDUP . . . . . . by Fessenden
SOFTBALL
This week brought defeat to the 3rd not only on the court, but on the diamond as well. Headquarters Sqdn of the 7th SG handed out the first league defeat 7-0 as Montrose stopped the 3rd with no hits and no runs.
The softballers won 6-4 from the 2479 Trucking Co. before meeting defeat again at the hands of the 1837th Ord Co, 2-1.
The end of the first round of league play finds the 3rd in third place -- two games behind the Headquarters Sq, 7th SG team and the 1837th Ord Co who are tied for first place. The 3rd won five and lost two games.
| THIRD vs HQ SQDN |
Smith,cf
Cummings,ss
Cathcart,2b
Stouch,3b
Fowler,lf
Schmitz,1b
Knisley,c
Rohal,c
Berning,sf
Goelzer,rf
Henry,p |
|
AB
2
2
3
2
2
2
1
1
2
2
2 |
R
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0 |
H
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0 |
PO
0
0
1
1
2
8
1
3
1
0
1 |
A
1
2
1
2
0
0
0
0
0
0
1 |
E
0
0
1
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0 |
RBI
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0 |
| THIRD vs 2479TH QM SQ |
Smith,cf
Cummings,ss
Cathcart,2b
Stouch,3b
Fowler,lf
Schmitz,1b
Rohal,c
Berning,sf
Henry,rf
Rose,p
Goelzer,rf |
|
AB
4
4
4
3
3
3
3
3
1
3
1 |
R
0
2
0
0
1
0
1
1
1
0
0 |
H
1
2
2
0
2
0
0
1
1
1
0 |
PO
2
2
4
0
1
8
3
1
0
1
0 |
A
0
1
0
0
0
0
1
1
0
4
0 |
E
0
0
0
1
0
0
1
0
0
0
0 |
RBI
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
2
1
0 |
| THIRD vs 1837TH ORD CO |
Smith,cf
Cummings,ss
Knisley,c
Stouch,3b
Schmitz,1b
Berning,sf
Goelzer,2b
Henry,rf
Blankenship,lf
Rose,p |
|
AB
3
3
3
3
2
3
2
2
2
2 |
R
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0 |
H
0
0
1
1
0
1
2
0
0
0 |
PO
2
1
5
1
7
1
2
1
1
0 |
A
0
1
0
4
0
0
2
0
0
2 |
E
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0 |
RBI
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
0 |
BASKETBALL
The basketball team lost a heartbreaking game in the final 45 seconds of play to the 874th Engineers by the score 27-25. The loss marked the second defeat for the 3rd in the league, dropping them out of a tie for 3rd place.
The Third led at the end of the first quarter, 13-9, but suffered a letdown in the second period when they failed to score a point while their opponents, old rivals from APO 321 [Saidor, New Guinea - Ed.], split the cords for eight points. At halftime, the “Gravel Slingers” led 17-13. The 874th retained the lead at the third quarter mark 23-17, but the 3rd came right back and tied the score at 25 all with but 45 seconds remaining. The Engineers took the ball out of bounds, but their pass was intercepted by Cummings. Then the 874th turned the tables on us and intercepted and made a hook shot from the side court, sewing the game up.
Big Bill Fowler set the pace for the 3rd again, gathering ten points for himself. Several new faces were seen in the game, with Hunt showing good possibilities of becoming a starter very soon.
Cathcart
Brown
Fowler
Brentano
Stouch
Cummings
Hunt
Buck, ED |
|
G
2
1
5
0
2
2
0
0 |
F
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0 |
P
5
2
10
0
4
4
0
0 |
|
|
