Army Airways Communication Service

World War II

PFC Calvin Hull

 

Part III

Let's see now....where was I?

 

 

Now don't get all riled up...sit back down and I'll finish the rescue story....

 

The native boats were sent back downstream with word that the U.S. troops were gone and that the Japanese were welcome to the use of the boats. Their objective was to go inland to their radio station. The natives would guide them upstream while the local network along the shore sent word of progress to the main village. The village was set up with 2 machine guns at both ends. Waiting in the dark, they finally heard the tour guides singing without complaints from the enemy. They should have been very wary about this because this was not only a signal but also communication through an interpretor about the Japanese and their armament. Three shots over the natives' heads for a signal meant time for them to duck & cover. By the time the third boat was coming up, the enemy was now wise to getting picked off and arguing with the natives. Many new Japanese curses were learned that evening.

 

They were trying to get past the first gun and land in a position between them. This would have allowed 17 of them to fan out & pick the party off . Now the 1st gun crew was worried but finally after several attempts by the natives going in & out of shore, the 3 shots came. The next day, the rescue party found out that Japanese ready to go downstream started torturing the natives. The tricky natives got even by scuttling the rest of their boats in the middle of the fast stream.

 

The airmen were finally brought down stream aided by the Australians and Lt Lange several days after. The result they found was a rescue party turned into a fortified village with mortars and bazookas. Plus excellent help from the native network for information on the enemy.

 

 

 

 

With the end of summer comes the end of basic training for Cal. Off to Radio School near St. Louis, MO. The new location may be north but it still is hot. Able to leave the field when he doesn't have duty or classes, the weekend passes only last from Saturday afternoon to Monday morning. Opting for the parents to come visit him in either Belleville or St. Louis. KP duty is on his schedule for 0300 hours 2 days in a row but he is spared the second day when a wise guy takes his place. There is also a Chinese boy bunking with them which amuses Calvin and the rest when they rib him about his "funny" accent.

Sending 25 pieces of clothing costs $1.20 at the laundry. When processed, he was happy about his helmet liner being taken away but had hoped they'd take the gas mask as well. For those of you who remember the Silver Moon Roller Skating Rink between Auburn & Waterloo: He enjoys one that is 3X bigger in St. Louis.

PT returns after several months along with muscle pains. Since the August bombing of Hiroshima, there are many men that will be discharged after serving only 6 months. The end of November finally rolls around so Cal can get a pass to visit home until December 3rd.

 

President Truman caused quite a stir in September when he did a quick stop over at Scott Field. The end of November brought an air show with the new P-59 Aircomet jet coming from Wright Field in Dayton, Ohio.

Answer to picture on home page: Betty Hutton, The Blonde Bombshell, will be in Scott Theatres in a new movie - The Stork Club. All the men still drooling over her whirling dervish dance in "Incendiary Blonde".

 

 

Home Page - ALR Events - Pictures - Newsletter - Extra Curricular