THE SQUADRON PULSE
For the Men of the Fightin’ (to get home) 3rd. Published in Atsugi, Honshu, Japan
VOL 2 NO 7 (Finis) September 23, 1945 3rd Airdrome Squadron
SWEATING IT OUT
[cartoon captions:
“ON THE LINE--80 POINTS”
“HUMBUG, I REFUSE TO TALK TO ANYONE UNTIL ORDERS COME IN TO LEAVE”
“NOW HERE’S WHAT I HEARD---WE’RE GOING TO DARWIN AS A UNIT TO REPAIR SOME ‘WALRUSES’ AND FROM THERE TO ORO BAY FOR A REST---THEN HOME---MAYBE”
“ONE OF THE BOYS ON THE ‘INSIDE’”
“MAMA MAMA MAMA - YOKOHAMA BLUES”
“I’LL TAKE THE CHINESE WATER TORTURE ANY OLD DAY!”
“COUNT ME OUT, JOE. IT’S TOO LATE IN THE GAME. BESIDES I’M STILL SWEATING OUT SAN FERNANDO.”
“THEY CAN’T KID ME ABOUT THIS GOING HOME MALARKY--I’VE BEEN IN THE ARMY TOO DAMN LONG.”
“HAVE YOU SEEN KILROY?”
“NO, BUT I’VE SEEN HARRELL.”
“WHAT HARRELL’S GLOOMY NEWS CAN DO----”]
MAJOR MITCHELL COMMENDS: Cpl. Vucetich for initiative and efficiency in organizing C-46 project on arrival at Atsugi.
SWEAT-SWEAT-SWEAT-SWEAT-SWEAT-SWEAT, etc. We have waited til the zero hour for a flash of good news to come in, but, it hasn’t, so keep on suffering...
AND KILROY CAME SAYING, VERILY, “I BRING YOU TIDINGS OF GREAT JOY--PACK YOUR BAGS, YOU’RE GOING HOME.” AND SO WE WILL, REJOICING!
When Kilroy arrived, monumental signs were immediately set up and dedicated to his legendary greatness. Little did anyone know at the time, however, that before his visit would end, he would flourish from his portfolio, papers saying that all men with 80 points and over would be home in a jiffy.
One need not go far to see the tokens of praise dedicated to Kilroy. In our latrine his name is revered on every seat and down on the strip, all work ceased until signs were made to bear out his eminence.
VIVE LE ROI---
We fought for freedom so let us have it.
SQUADRON PULSE
VOL 2 NO 7 Sept. 23, 1945
Editor . . . . . . . . MR. L.H. Stringfield
***FIRST IN JAPAN***
THIS IS IT
This will in all probability be the last edition of PULSE. This is it, men, & we must face the somber facts that we all will shortly leave for home. Since the Pulse was given birth, March 3rd, ‘45, it has endured an upward trend of business, over 10,000 copies having been distributed. [This averages out to about 450 copies an issue. - Ed.]
But, now the word has come for what amounts to the dismemberment of our squadron, and so whither goes the men, so goes the spirit of the PULSE with them.
Goodbye, good luck and Merry Xmas!
BANZAI TO TOKYO
The “never miss nothin’” 3rd, like conquerors, banzaid into Tokyo this week on a sight-seeing tour. After travelling the many miles from Yokohama, and seeing nothing total devastation, it was a relief to reach Tokyo---at least there were a few sections left standing. Aside from two or three largish department stores (such as
Shirokiya) in which one could buy either trash or expensive antiques (costing 200 to 2000 yen), there was very little other activity. Myriads of sluttish Japs sold their wares along the curb, but sales were strictly to their countrymen or to US sailors who would buy anything. The Japs, especially ex-soldiers, were mad about our cigarettes, and paid anything from 20 to 40 yen a pack. Whenever a couple of Yanks and Japs got together, Japs, like rats, would swarm from all sections, out of windows, manholes, even leap off bikes and trucks. When they thought they could get something, they’d grin from ear to ear, and show big gold teeth. Few could speak English and it made conversation extremely difficult.
The center of interest was the emperor’s palace. Near the gate, reverent Japs bowed and prayed silently while the Yanks gaped or clicked cameras. The sacred grounds, which are surrounded by ancient, massive grey walls and a mote of sedgy green water, look scarcely bothered by the war.
THE BIG SWEAT
This past week that long-awaited word arrived that all men with 80 points and over were alerted. This was it--the big moment--that moment that haunted us in vague dreams--fanciful dreams, back in such stygian hell-holes as New Guinea and the Philippines. It was just too incredible at first to digest. On 18th Sept, all 80 pointers were sent to the 63rd Group to be processed. Harry Berning was so elated by it all that he drove up and down the streets, shouting, “I’ve been processed!” There was just no stint to the antics & anxiety that came with the good news. Sake in its rationed portions was consumed steadily and merrily...a frown was impossible unless a bad rumor crept in...and under no circumstance could a man’s feelings be hurt. Men between 60 and 80 [points] also had their jubilant moments, knowing that the sooner the 80’s and over got out, the sooner they’d go, too. NOW COMES THE BIG SWEAT--waiting for those orders to tell us to skiddoo to Yokohama. Hope it’s soon--three packs of cigarettes daily is bad on these frayed old nerves.
HOW DOES IT FEEL TO BE IN THE PEACE TIME ARMY? HERE ARE SOME LURID ANSWERS....
BRIGGS: No mail, less food, more work, less movies--same rank.
FEISER: I’m not losing anymore weight sweating out bombings--that’s one good thing.
WEINSTEIN: Terrible--I want to go home to my mom!
BRADFORD: Oh, nite soil!---ditto Weinstein
FRANK BENNETT: Don’t have anything to say. I’m PO’d at the world.
BENTON: Good to know we’re going home soon even if we don’t get mail.
TRUDEAU: Like hell!
BENTLEY: To hell with the army, be it war or peace--I want out!
MAJEWSKI: Not much difference than war time, only the time drags on more.
LUEKER: The army’s the army no matter what it is.
HORN: No difference, because I still want to go home.
KENNETH JACKSON: Got more work to do now than when the war was on. Get me out!
HENDERSON: Don’t see a damn bit of difference.
PEACH: Feels pretty damn sorry.
GOELZER: Peace time army is strictly snafu.....
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