THE SQUADRON PULSE
For the Men of the Fightin’ (to get home) 3rd. Published in Atsugi, Honshu, Japan
VOL 2 NO 8 September 30, 1945 3rd Airdrome Squadron
WORRY WEEK
This past week was a pipperoo--it had no precedent. The tension and anxiety experienced during the Jap surrender was only a drop in the bucket compared to the present ocean tow of worries. When the news arrived, alerting all men with 80 & over [points - Ed.] on Sept. 15th, morale skyrocketed to a new all-time high--it seemed only a matter of hours until the orders would come and we all would go sailing home--but, the hours turned into days and no word of any kind. Rumors, working double time, slithered infectiously about, and as the days wore wearily and tensely on, they began to make their sting hurt. Yet, the big boys said nothing to curb men’s frustrations, nothing to counteract rumors, no matter how malicious or untrue. By the time a week rolled around, most of our nerves were shot to pieces. For breakfast, dinner and supper we chewed ugly rumors and spent the evening trying to digest them...resulting in heartburn & St. Vitus.
To peer into B barracks, especially in the evening, one could capture a masterpiece of gloom. Save for the radio’s Stateside music (which made matters worse), the atmosphere was that of a morgue...faces cadaverously pale, drooped lifelessly in propped hands...in the sacks, usually aglow with a bridge game, laid dejected gnarled figures trying to Van Winkle away the agony of time. Nowhere was there a spry gesture, a hearty smile, a token of cheer. When one laughed, it was in hysterical giggles, usually over somebody else’s misfortune. On occasions, however, someone eager to break up the clouds of gloomy doom burst in with a late “hot” one from the strip, Yokohama docks, or Group [probably meaning the 63rd Group, which is mentioned elsewhere in this issue and the previous one - Ed.], but they fell on mute ears--even a sun-kissed rumor hardly stirred up a whisper because no one had faith or confidence. The only good news now would be our actually getting aboard the boat...that and that only.....
DEAR MR. KAISER
Please, before you decide to go into a program of reconversion, do us stranded GI’s over here one favor. It’s just a couple days’ work for you, so I don’t think you would mind.
It seems that during the war, statements were made to the effect that the US alone had so many ships that it would take a year to dispose of the surplus. Now when the war’s over and a few of these ships could be utilized to haul us home, they claim “no shipping.” We don’t understand, do you?
Anyway, our request is simply this: just make one more ship...any old kind. Don’t bother to paint it, just send it over and we’ll see that it gets back.
Thank you much,
The 3rd.
[cartoon caption: “TO HELL WITH THE SHIPS, I’LL SWIM HOME”]
ARMY-NAVY GAME
The Army claims that the Navy can’t supply the ships to send the Army home, and the Navy claims the Army won’t give them personnel to fill the ships, so what you going to do? Somebody’s hands are tied.
MAJOR MITCHELL COMMENDS: Sgt. Reinhalter for efficiency in supervising rebuilding of Japanese aircraft at Kyoto Airfield.
CONVENTION NOTES
The 26th was payday and it paid results. We now have $528.00 in the fund [about $9,326 in 2025 dollars - Ed.]. The date of the convention, however, has not yet been set....too many things pending. First of all, we’ll all have to get home.
THE SQUADRON PULSE
VOL 2 NO 8 Sept 30, 1945
Editor . . . . . . . .Mr. L. Stringfield
***FIRST IN JAPAN***
SENTIMENTS FROM THE RANKS
We are conquerors, yes, but sometimes we are inclined to wonder. One usually pictures a conqueror strutting his way from a Horn of Plenty, showing the vanquished what vast stores of equipment and services he had to win the war. But, as it seems in our case, we’re either a forgotten bunch of men or something is drastically out of gear. Aside from the tardiness shown in getting men with 80 & over [points - Ed.] out, we are without mail, without a post office thru which to send off packages, without rations, without a QM, and without adequate entertainment. We can rightly expect these shortages for a period of time--we’re used to it--but, after nearly a month, it begins to take on a smelly odor...we grow curious. So, that leaves the GI’s and their rumormongeries to make their own conclusions...that’s not good.
Yet, to read what the people back home are being fed, we cannot help feeling let down. It’s all so much sugared garbage as far as we are concerned. Getting something done would be the best sales talk to get your GI to reenlist...action speaks louder than words.
The best policy is this: never make rash, grandiose promises unless reasonably sure that each can be fulfilled. At least keep the men posted on what’s going on...in order to alleviate their anxiety. The war is over.
“A GOOD DEAL AT KYOTO”
***By Sgt. E.P. Reinhalter***
On the morning of Sept 17th, Harry Weissman and I landed at Kyoto Airfield for the purpose of repairing 5 Jap aircraft. Kyoto lies approximately 250 miles southwest of Atsugi on the island of Honshu and is about as large and modern as Columbus, Ohio.
After landing, we went to the 512th Jap Air Corps Regiment, which bordered the airfield on the west side. We were taken by Jap GI’s to the CO of the base, Col. Takanishi. With the help of an English speaking Jap we explained our mission. We lived for the next two days in barracks among the once-enemy AC personnel. They treated us like long lost brothers. A 1st Lt helped us put our sacks together and hung up our mosquito nets. A M/Sgt did Weissman’s laundry. Sake and various kinds of wines we also received. The next day we had a conference with the President Mr. Nangaku and the Vice President of the International Aircraft Company. By this time, I had acquired as an interpreter, a police chief from the Uji Police Dept. The following day, 19 factory AC technicians were on the job repairing the planes which we designated. The fourth day, the company gave me their chief test pilot. The fifth day saw our first Jap trainer take to the air. The test pilot was at the controls and I was in the forward cockpit. In accordance to my visual hand signals, the pilot performed the various maneuvers. Throughout the loops, snaprolls, spins, power dives and buzz jobs, the plane held together. Our first plane a success. The sixth day, plans were laid before me showing the details of the two proposed airstrips. The seventh day found 100 to 150 civilian workers at the field, and a 6th Army general checked over the plans and okayed them.
I might mention that after the second day, we were given an entire wing of the factory dormitory and two beds from the modern Kyoto Hotel. We were furnished with cider, not to mention the large black sedan with a chauffeur. No matter where we went salutes were continually being thrown at us.
The city itself, with its gay nightlife, turned out to be really a picnic for us. We had all the beer we wanted at 48 yen per case (24 bottles). Harry and I had more than our share of experiences, but it wouldn’t do well to narrate all of them here. Summarily, I should say that it was one of the most unusual and interesting experiences that I could have ever wished for. We are both elated over the fact that we had volunteered for that “good deal at Kyoto.” Incidentally, we were the first two GI’s to enter the sacred shrine city.
BATHTUB PHILOSOPHERS
One good thing happened this week: We got a sumptuous bath house. Its outstanding features are hot water and tubs, and a wonderful opportunity to philosophize. Ask George Kornosky................
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