Page 155 - Mastheads Jan-June 1945
P. 155
THE MASTHEAD, SATURDAY, MAY 12, 1945 PAGE 5
V-E DAY, M<Uf 8, 1945 INDUSTRIAL TEAMWORK IS KEYNOTE OF "THE FORGOTTEN FACTOR"
Continued from Page I-
us and I will not let the petty annoyances and inconveniences-
the wishful thinki~g of those who can not realize tl~e difficulties
that lie between us and ~ictory-deter me ,from our objective
of an early and decisive victory."
It is sometimes wise, when you have an important job to do,
to walk back a few steps where you can view this job in its proper
perspective. \V/ e should do that at this particular time. We should
analyse our present position and ask ourselves "What do we
haYe to do to defeat Japan?"
In analysing the situation first we must realize that th_e Japs
are still a powerful and well equipped adversary. That production
of aircraft and other material of war has not slackened at this
date. They have large reserves of all kinds of military personnel.
They are determined to fight us fanatically ro the bitter end.
I sometimes feel that it is too bad that our system of releas-
ing war news frequently_ gives a distorted notion of the overall
picture. For instance; a series of unusually favorable news re-
le:ises dealing with small isolated actions brings up a feeling of
false optimism. Now I realize that those words "false optimism"
have been used so much we are beginning to ignore their true
meaning-to take them for granted. But the plain truth is-
We are only now beginning to test Japan's defensive strength.
The war in the Pacific is now becoming warfare of the same char-
acter we have seen in the European-African theatre since our in-
vasion of Africa in Ocrober, 1942. The closer we get to Tokio, the
more the enemy will be able to constrict his 'air defense, his
ground defense, and his sea defense. It can be expected that we
will meet enemy planes in larger numbers than ever before. In
the Philippine Campaign we have found that the Japanese net-
work of air fields constructed in recent years enable them to
assemble large combat forces very quickly. Recently an official
spokesman of the Navy Deparrinent in Washington warned that
the Japanese may soon put into use robots similar to those used ROUSING APPLAUSE greeted the final curtain of Treasure Island is grateful to the gro'up responsible
"The Forgotten Factor," the impressive drama that for producing this entertaining play, shown to the
by the Germans. In a recent broadcast from Tokio it was claimed was shown at Theatre No. 3 Wednesday. Pictured Naval personnel of this station.
above are scenes from this three-act production.
that such a bomb would-and I quote: "Give Japan domination
of the skies of the Pacific Ocean." Well, that statement may be should .see us on our horses!" which have blossomed out in the
Women's Softball League past week have excited comments
a sample of Japanese false optimism. We can expect the enemy The Women's Softball League from c i v i 1 i an s and servicemen
ro lash out with every possible weapon at his command, including will start Tuesday, May 18, at 1800. alike. The concensus of opinion
There are seven teams entered in seems to be that they look pretty
new rocket and jet propelled planes as the threat to his home
this competition, and, from the sharp, but in most cases it was not
land mounts. looks of recent practices, this how they look but what they stand
In the days to come we will be fighting against many handi- should prove to be an exciting for that caused the excitment.
By the Sea league. All games are scheduled From questions asked it seems that
caps. The Japanese can no longer wage an offensive war but they We understand that the Waves for 1800. Following is the game no one except Waves knew there
will exploit their defensive advantage. As we have learned in the who went on the picnic at Sanson schedule for next week: was such a thing as a Wave em-
Beach last Sunday had a grand May 15, R. M. S. vs. Nurses, Dia- blem until these metal ones were
past, they will, when cornered, fight with that fanatical zeal
time. Some of the girls played mond No. 2. Personnel vs. Receiv- worn.
which is a part of their religion. catch and some even went swim- ing Ship, Diamond No. 4. As Homer said in The Human
You and I know this enemy's zeal will not be enough. The ming, while others were less active May 16, Doc-ettes vs. MAA, Comedy, "people all over the world
and snoozed in the sun that came Diamond No. 2. have noses." We are in complete
Navy will continue to land our armed forces wherever it pleases. out at noon. They all cooperated May 17, Disbursing vs. Nurses, agreement with his statement only
Our work on the home front must keep step with the increased in helping to eat the lunches which Diamond No. 1. because he was referring to the
were provided and in agreeing that Come out and lend support to facial feature and not to the nose
tempo of the fighting in the Pacific. The inevitable losses in ma-
they were tired but happy at the your favorite team. for news which is a basic require-
terial that may be expecred must be replaced and the replace- end of the day. Ten-nis T,ournament ment for a newspaper reporter.
ments must be immediate4' available that the tempo of the war Who Said That? All entries for th.e Women's Nov- Whe.ther this type of nose can be
Maybe you heard the story as· we ice Tennis Tournament on T. I. developed or whether one must be
may not slow down. When the movement of thousands of men
did of the Waves who saw two must be made in the Waves Ath- born with it is a question this col-
from the European theatre to our Asiatic battlefields starts, many Arabs fllowing down the stairway letic Office. Entries for the doubles urnn cannot answer. We will only
at a hotel in San Francisco. Not have until Monday, May 14. The go so far as to state that Carolyn
of our soldiers, sailors, and marines will be in the San Francisco
dreaming they spoke English one competition will be held May 12 Brown must have it and that we
Bay Area awaiting transp~rtation. It is important that these m·en of the girls gasped, "Oh, aren't and 13 for singles, May 19 and 20 have not. Hurry back Brownie.
understand-and I can classify some of you listening to me today they handsome." The other agreed for doubles.
and both turned scarlet when one Now They Know Someone once said that a good
as being in that group-that the home front is still behind our
of the men smiled and said, "You Those shiny new hat devices way to test the quality of whiskey
over-seas fighting forces to a man. is to pass an electric current
The activities of the commands represented at this Naval it. To let down now would not only let down those who have through a quart of the stuff. If the
current causes a precipitation of
Training and Distribution Center are highly important for the given their all but it is actually to let down our children and our lye, tin, arsenic, iron slag and alum,
successful prosecution of the war. Men in training at Pre-Commis- children's children - for if we do not completely crush the the whiskey is fair. If, however, the
sioning, Radio Materiel, Armed Guard, and other commands of aggressors these latter may have to giv,e their lives in another liquor chases the current back to
the generator, you've got good
this Center will soon be testing the theory they learned here in war at some future day. whiskey.
the proving grounds of war where the stakes are life or death. May our glorious victory in Europe then inspire us to re-
There is hardly a neighborhood in this whole United States newed unity of purpose in the final phase of this struggle for Imagination is something that
iiits up with the wife when her
that does not feel the toll of this war through loss of some of its freedom . and honorable peace for all men. Let us at this statio11, husband is out late.
neighbors. I venture to say that there is not a person standing be- on this day of rejoicing resolutely turn our thoughts and energ1es .
fore me today who has not lost a member, of his or her family, a Westward, and dedicate ourselves to staying in the fight- all out Experiment Perilous
Little Jasper trembled with ex-
friend, a neighbor, or a shipmate. To those of us who have wit- to the finish whether we are manning the home front or the citement. Such a project had never
nessed the loss of our fine shipmates, to those of us who have battle front. been attempted before.
"I'll go alone. "I'm not afraid,
been eye witnesses to the making of the supreme sacrifice by our In keeping with this spirit-at the conclusion of the V-E Day
Mother. You've nursed me through
shipmates who went down fighting to the last d1tch that liberty observances all personnel will resume the regular routine at their childhood. I'll never forget. But I'm
and freedom might survive, the feeling of loss is perhaps intensi- duty stations and I am confident that you all share with me a something of a man now. And
what's more I'm game. I don't
fied over that of anyone else. The closeness of death as it exists renewed determination to carry on with even more vigor than need your help as I once did- gee,
under these circumstances intensifies the realization of what war we have in the past. Mom, don't cry! We men gotta'
stick together. I won't be long-
really means and it can not help but intensify our sense of obliga- In conclusion, I wish each and every one of you the Best of wait!"
tion to the departed. Let those of us whom. Providence has Luck in your individual efforts to bring us final victory and may Little Jasper's face beamed with
angelic nonchalance as he pushed
spared-carry on as those who gave their all would have wished God Bless You.
open the door to the men's room.