Articles from the WWII newpaper The Avenger

[cutiger83]

May 19. 1944 The Avenger

 

There is a section called Air WAC Answers

 

Q. Are WACS serving overseas eligible for service ribbons of a theater of operations or operation?

1. Yes. And at least one group already has been awarded the bronze starts worn on theater ribbons to denote active participation to a campaign. Lt Gen Mark Clark made the awards on the Firth Army main front to 50 members of the 69^th Headquarters Platoon. Following eight months of service in Italy. The platoon worked at command posts and held other assignments with forward echelons.

Q. Our Air WACS have been wearing overseas caps for some time as post regulations say we can wear them on the post. What’s this about WAC overseas caps being issued?

 

A. The overseas caps which WACS have been wearing on post were not GI but were men’s style privately purchased. The new overseas caps for WACS were designed especially for them and are GI

[cutiger83]

May 19. 1944 The Avenger

 

I am not aware of this ever going beyond the design phase. Do any of you know about this?

In an article titled “Lt LaRue To Teach Parachute Course; ‘Chutes Redesigned For Women Flyers” there is a paragraph:

 

The material division of the Air Force is now working on a new parachute harness redesigned especially for women; the WASPS, the flying nurses and other girls who are flying. As soon as available all parachutes at Avenger Field will be of the new type.

[cutiger83]

May 19. 1944 The Avenger

 

Japs reported Using Women in Combat

 

ALLIED HEADQUARTERS Southwest Pacific (UP) – A report that the Japanese are using women in their front lines has been passed by army censors in New Guinea. The report discloses that two young Japanese women dressed in military uniform and armed with guns were shot and killed by an American patrol near the Hollandia airstrip. The women were said to be accompanying an enemy combat patrol. Officials at Allied headquarters say they have no information regarding the incident.

[cutiger83]

July 14, 1944

 

Army Forgives G.I. AWOL 31 Months

 

Camp Ellis, Ill (ALNS) – Other enlisted men here look at Pfc George B.F. Loudwick of the 2th Medical Laboratory with something of awe – for Loudwick was AWOL for 31 months and hasn’t even had to do a rick of KP as punishment. But there is a reason – which is what deters others from trying to follow his example. Loudwick enlisted in the Army in Albany N.Y. in 1937. He served two years in Hawaii with the QM. Sent back to the U.S. for discharge, he was a civilian for just 15 days, when he enlisted again at Fort Benj. Harrison at Indianapolis, Ind in Chemical Warfare and was sent to Edgewood Arsenal, MD. Life at Edgewood was dull and so Loudwick went “over the hill” high-tailed for Canada and enlisted in the Canadian tank Corps. In July, 1942, Loudwick went to England, where he sweated out the Blitz, and after 18 months there was injured in an automobile accident and was sent back to Canada in January, 1943, for discharge as unfit for military duty. Then he got a job as a special policeman for the RAF Ferry Command. But Loudwick couldn’t forget that there was a blot on his record in the U.S. Army and that he was probably listed as a deserter – so he went to Malone, N.Y. just south of the Canadian border and turned himself in. From there to Plattsburg, N.Y. then to Camp Pickett without military escort. And at Pickett it was decided that because of where he had been during his unofficial absence and because of the things he had learned which could be passed on to others, the Army should call it square. Reclassified for limited service, he was assigned to the medics and is now at Camp Ellis.

[cutiger83]

July 14, 1944

 

Washington – Since the invasion of France on June 6, WAC enlistments have jumped to the highest level since April 1943, according to a War Department announcement. Showing a progressive increase each month since January, enlistments rose in June to a figure 38 percent higher than for the first month of the year. The War Department announced that more than 77,000 WACs are now on duty at more than 400 Army installations in this country. More than 7,000 women soldiers are serving overseas in England, Normandy, Africa, India, Italy, Australia, New Guinea, Hawaii, Canada and Labrador. More than half the women now joining the Corps are under 26 years of age and 20 percent are college women.

[cutiger83]

July 14, 1944

 

Aberdeen Proving Ground – “Pistol Packing Mamas” must look to their laurels because if she ever comes in this huge Ordnance establishment in Maryland she’ll find plenty of competition. WAC payroll guards here are now authorized to carry .45 automatics while actually engaged in this duty. Although WACs are non-combatants, the Army does allow them to take target practice to prepare for such guard duties.

[Grant S.]

March 3, 1944 The Avenger

 

18 Year Old Has Served with Army, Navy, Marines

 

Columbus, Ohio (ALNS) – Stanley Shevlin who is just 18 years old has already seen service in the Army, Navy, and Marine Corps – and is now back in the Navy again. It all started in 1941 when Stanley joined the Army shortly after his 16^th birthday. While on maneuvers in Hawaii he developed a bad ankle, so was sent back to the States and given a medical discharge. Just after Pearl Harbor, young Shevlin persuaded the Marines that he was OK and he enlisted again the Gyrenes – but again the ankle went bad and he got medical discharge number two. One month later, in September, 1942, Shevlin tried the Navy, passed the physical, served on an aircraft carrier, became an aerial gunner and had to bail out of the plane he was riding in. When he hit the ground, bang went the ankle again and he was given his third discharge. But now he’s back again. After treating the lame ankle, Shevlin got his draft board to classify him as 1-A, he was called and the Navy now has him again.

 

Oh my! Do we have the answer to this thread now?

[Backtheattack]

Great articles. Of special interest for myself is the report dealing with the Sikorski helicopter. Great information, thank you.