Curbs listed on airmail to servicemen
Letters only may be sent men overseas
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Pirates meet Columbus in exhibition
Cuccurullo due to show stuff on Buc mound
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Dodger fans eagerly await altered ‘bums’
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Sky Tramp tramps home tired, scarred – and sad
After furious battle, crew is now ready to fight again – all but one, he’s dead
By Keith Wheeler, North American Newspaper Alliance
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Unfit for training –
Family, friends can help soldier to regain his full mental health
Don’t be tearful, managing, indulgent or dependent; use consideration
By Marjorie Van de Water
This is the last of a series on the Army’s neuropsychiatric soldier cases ands what their relatives, friends and employers can do to help them regain normalcy as they return home with medical discharges.
The mothers, wives, families and friends of men discharged from the Army for neuropsychiatric disability can do a great deal to help them back to full mental health.
The greatest dread of these men when they are in hospitals waiting to go back home is that their families will not be sensible about their disability.
Emotional and fond mothers become frightened and tearful over the “NP disability” diagnosis. Little, it would seem, is known about such mental or emotional crackups. All sorts of superstitions and misinformation are spread about and terrify relatives.
Remember, he’s not yellow
The following facts will help to blast these false notions.
Because a man breaks in combat or in training does not mean he is yellow. He is not a coward. He did not run. He stayed at his post and suffered the consequences, until he could stand no more.
A mental break in the Army is not the fault of the individual; it is not a reflection on the character of the man or his family. It is not due to a “taint.”
A mental illness, even a severe psychosis, is not necessarily permanent. Mental illnesses developing in military service are of shorter duration and more frequently result in recovery than illnesses of civilian life.
Most of the men discharged for NP disability do not require hospital care, although for many, good psychiatric advice is desirable where it is available.
Soul-searching by kin
Many men trace their emotional and nervous difficulties back to the kind of home they had before they went into the Army. Perhaps the folks at home were too dependent upon the soldier, or perhaps stood in the way of his striking out for himself and making his own decisions. or perhaps the home was unhappy due to friction with an uncongenial brother or sister, father or mother. A little soul-searching on the part of the returning soldier’s next of kin might result in changes in the home to make it a more favorable place for getting well.
Here are some specific suggestions to relatives, friends and fellow workers that will help the soldier to get well:
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Don’t gush. Let the soldier know in every way that you are glad to have him home, but try to control the tears and kisses.
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Remember he is a man. Mothers are inclined always to think of their sons as little boys. He may have been a boy when he left home, but after service in the Army, he is a man and wants to be respected as a man. Don’t try to boss him all the time or make his decisions.
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On the other hand, don’t meet him at the front door with a thousand family problems for him to handle. You have existed without him when he was away; get along a little longer until he has time to get his bearings.
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Don’t fuss over him and indulge him. He should not be allowed to dominate the rest of the family or wreck the lives of those who are well. They have their rights, too, and these should be respected. It is not good for the returning soldier – it will not help to restore his health – to make him a pampered pet.
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Don’t have all the neighbors in for parties to show off the returned soldier. He may want to relax for a while in the comfort of being home with just the family around him. Take his wants into consideration, not just what you think he should want.
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Don’t push him into a job. If he wants to rest a while, he probably needs it. Some men want to try themselves out on a job that is considerably below their abilities until they regain confidence. This is wise. Don’t coax him to get something better.
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A few men come back feeling “high” and think they are able to do anything. They are likely to overestimate their strength and abilities and will tackle anything. Such men need a little steadying. And you should stand ready to mop up when the bubble bursts.
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If the returning soldier’s home has not been happy for him, it is best to try to face that fact and do what you can to alleviate the condition. It may be best for him to live away from home. In that case, be sure he does not feel neglected. Let him know you are interested in him and want to do what is best for him. Sometimes it is possible for individuals to get along with relatives with a minimum of friction provided they are not thrown into constant daily contact with them.
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Avoid oversolicitousness. Don’t make an invalid of the returning soldier. Work is the most healing medicine for sick spirits. Let him take part in the work of the home and the community. He wants to do this. Particularly does he want a part in war work. He is out of the Army, but he is still in the fight. Make good use of his services.
U.S. State Department (April 7, 1944)
740.0011 European War 1939/33951
The Swiss Minister to the Secretary of State
Washington, April 7, 1944
Sir: Acting upon the instructions of my Government I have the honor to draw your attention to the bombing of Schaffhausen by American planes which took place on April 1.
When, on the evening of that day, I called at the State Department, detailed information was lacking and I could only request that an examination of the facts be made, and an explanation of them be given to the Swiss Government at the earliest possible moment.
Soon thereafter your Government officially pronounced the bombardment to be the result of error, and expressed its regret over the tragic consequences.
It also declared its intention of making a thorough investigation to determine the reasons of this disaster, and to take measures to prevent a recurrence. Moreover, it has expressed its readiness to make good as far as possible the damage wrought.
I have now received a first statement of facts as established by Swiss authorities which reads as follows:
On April 1, several formations of American bombers flew over Swiss territory north of the Rhine between 10:28 and 11:01 in the morning, some of the planes reaching Eglisau. More than 70 planes entered Swiss airspace. At 10:50 a.m. the city of Schaffhausen was violently bombarded by a formation of about 30 planes coming from Lake Constance, flying at an altitude of 15,000 feet and heading westward. The bombs were dropped in a volley, causing serious damage. So far, 35 bodies have been removed from the ruins. Furthermore, about 50 persons were gravely injured, two of whom have since died, and others are still in danger of death. Among the dead are a member of the Government of Schaffhausen and a cantonal Judge. More than 50 houses are badly hit, notably a wing of the Museum housing precious collections which were destroyed, part of the City Hall, a wing of the railroad station, the power plant, a garage and several factories, among which are a spinning mill, a leather factory, a pottery factory, a silverware factory and a twine factory.
The report further states that the bombardment took place under fair weather conditions, with good visibility and with a light wind.
The above is a very brief statement of the results of the investigation to date and you will appreciate, without my stressing it, that the event has caused consternation among the Swiss people and anxiety as to the future.
The penetration of the Swiss airspace by American planes resulting in the bombing of Schaffhausen constitutes a most serious violation of Swiss sovereignty and territory. The mistake which caused in broad daylight the partial destruction of a Swiss city is so grave an incident that the Government of the Swiss Confederation cannot consider it settled by its protest and by the expression of regret of the American Government. It is essential that the causes of this tragic error be determined exactly and that effective measures be taken to eliminate them in the future.
I am, therefore, instructed to request that the detailed results of the investigation, which is being conducted by the American authorities, be communicated in full to the Swiss Government, together with definite proposals of precautionary measures for preventing further infringement of Swiss rights.
Inasmuch as the American Government has voluntarily signified its intention of making “appropriate reparations for the damage resulting from this unfortunate event insofar as that is humanly possible,” it is not necessary for me to dwell further upon this subject in this note. The Swiss Government is forming a Commission of Appraisal, working with local authorities, which will, in due time, present its findings and make a report.
I may add that the Swiss Government appreciates the spontaneous expression of regret and sympathy, voiced officially by your Government and has confidence that your Government, in accordance with its attitude as already declared, will make not only full reparation and restitution for the injuries inflicted upon the Swiss people, but will likewise do the necessary to insure respect of their sacred rights in the future.
Accept [etc.]
CHARLES BRUGGMANN
Völkischer Beobachter (April 8, 1944)
US-Brutalität gegen das sterbende Empire –
England, der müde alte Mann
‚Alle Initiative liegt in unserer amerikanischen Hand‘
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U.S. Navy Department (April 8, 1944)
CINCPAC Press Release No. 343
For Immediate Release
April 8, 1944
Ponape Island was bombed by Mitchells of the 7th Army Air Force on April 6 (West Longitude Date). Airfields and bauxite works were hit. Antiaircraft fire was moderate.
Three enemy positions in the Marshalls were bombed and strafed by Dauntless dive bombers and Corsair fighters of the 4th Marine Aircraft Wing, Mitchell bombers of the 7th Army Air Force, and Navy Hellcat fighters. At one objective, an ammunition storage area was strafed and at another, runways were heavily bombed.
All of our planes returned.
The Pittsburgh Press (April 8, 1944)
FLEET BLASTS 46 JAP SHIPS
Nimitz scores biggest victory in Palau area
Truk neutralized as offensive base
By William F. Tyree, United Press staff writer
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1,250 U.S. PLANES RIP REICH
Big attack ends air war lull; Brunswick hit
U.S. fliers meet little opposition
By Walter Cronkite, United Press staff writer
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Yanks broaden Anzio beachhead
Win strong position in grenade battle
By Reynolds Packard, United Press staff writer
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Allied supply base captured in India, Japanese claim
Kohima lies only 25 miles from rail lifeline to Stilwell’s forces fighting in Burma
By the United Press
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Miss Kellems’ mail to count called ‘mushy’
Senators in favor of ‘leak’ inquiry
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Post-war action accord predicted
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Secret diplomacy scored by Bricker
Chicago, Illinois (UP) –
Governor John W. Bricker of Ohio, Republican presidential aspirant, denounced secret diplomacy as un-American in an address here last night in which he said “the public must be advised of the facts.”
He told a Union League Club audience:
If, before the war, the people had been advised what was happening in the Pacific, the executive branch and Congress would have been forced to take adequate action.
The administration either knew or should have known what was taking place and if it had acted in time, Pearl Harbor never would have happened. It is not enough that the facts are known in Washington, but the people also must know them.
Mr. Bricker, en route to the West Coast on a campaign tour, also urged:
…the retention of strategic bases and installations throughout the world which we have built with our sweat and substance and for which we have fought with the blood and lives of our boys.