Plane output below schedule
6,286 ships accepted during February
…
One Touch of Venus beguiling musical
Mary Martin is beautiful goddess in fast-paced, witty offering
By Kaspar Monahan
…
Garson’s legs subject of controversy
Not knock-kneed, says E. Johnson
By Erskine Johnson
…
Roving Reporter
By Ernie Pyle
IN THE MARIANAS ISLANDS (delayed) – Maj. Robinson, the airplane commander of “my” crew, has been leading his boys through almost two years of training before they came overseas.
“That means a lot to have been together so long, doesn’t it?” I asked.
“It means everything,” one of the sergeants said. “We’re a team.”
So far, the crew has been lucky. They’re all intact except for the bombardier, who had his leg almost blown off, and is now back in Hawaii in a hospital.
To show how they feel about their being a team, the enlisted men asked especially if I would put the bombardier down as still part of the crew, even though he isn’t here anymore. They’d been together so long, and they liked him so much. He is Lt. Paul O’Brien of Dayton, Ohio.
My crew has a superstition, or rather just a tradition. They all wear the same kind of cap when they start in a mission. It’s a dark blue baseball cap, with the figure “80” on the crown in yellow numbers.
Caps were prize
They got the caps a couple of years ago in Minneapolis when they were there on a weekend trip for winning some kind of merit prize. The “80” was their unit number then, and although it ae long since ceased to exist, they insist on keeping it.
Once in a while Maj. Robinson used to forget his cap, and the enlisted men would send somebody back after it before the mission started.
But they’ve lost two of the caps now. One was Lt. O Brien’s, and he took it with him when he was evacuated. The other was Maj. Robinson’s. His cap got so bloody from Lt. O’Brien’s wound that he had to throw it away.
My crew lost their first plane right on the field when a Jap bomb got it. It was named Battlin’ Betty after Maj. Robinson’s wife, so now he’s changing the name of his newly inherited ship from Small Fry to Battlin’ Betty II.
Post-war project
Maj. Robinson carries a movie camera with him on every mission. He has already taken about 1,500 feet of color movies, but can’t have them developed until he gets back to America. He’s got them sealed up in moisture-proof cloth for safekeeping against the tropical climate.
The other night when he came into the hut after a 14-hour mission over Tokyo, he held up his movie camera for me to see, and said:
Now I’m satisfied to quit. I got the picture today that should end it.
There was a Jap fighter diving at the squadron ahead of us. He apparently didn’t see us at all, for he pulled up and turned his belly to us and just hung there, wide open. Every gun in our squadron let him have it. He just blew all to pieces. And I got the whole thing. So now I’m ready to lay it aside.
Vital member
One of the most vital members of a bomber’s family is the ground crew chief, even though he doesn’t fly. But he’s the guy who sees that the airplane does fly.
A good crew chief is worth his weight in gold. Maj. Robinson says he has the finest crew chief in the Marianas. I could believe it after seeing him.
He is Sgt. Jack Orr of Dallas. He’s a married man, tall and good-looking and modest. He is so conscientious it hurts, and he takes a mission harder than the crew members do themselves.
Maj. Robinson said that on one trip they had some trouble, and were the last ones in, long after the others had landed. It did look kind of bad for a while.
Sgt. Orr was waiting for them at the “hard stand.” Maj. Robinson said that when they got out of the plane, he was all over them, jumping up and down like a puppy dog, shouting and hugging them, and they could hardly get him stopped, he was so happy.
Maj. Robinson says he was sort of embarrassed, but I’ve heard him tell it two or three times, so I know how touched he was. There is indeed a fraternalism in war that is hard for people at home to comprehend.
Did you mean to say ‘caps’ instead of ‘cops’?
1 Like
That was definitely supposed to be “caps.” Just fixed it 
US-Verluste auf dar Schwefelinsel
Tokio, 6 März – Zu den Kämpfen auf der Schwefelinsel meldet das Kaiserliche Hauptquartier am Dienstag, dass die japanische Garnison von ihren Hügelstellungen im Nordosten der Insel aus ihrem erbitterten Abwehrkampf gegen eine Reihe von feindlichen Einbrüchen fortsetzte. Wie das Hauptquartier hinzufügte, belaufen sich die feindlichen Verluste an Toten und Verwundeten seit dem Beginn der Landungsoperation auf 20.000 Mann. In der gleichen Zeit schoss die japanische Verteidigung 250 Panzer ab.
Führer HQ (March 7, 1945)
Kommuniqué des Oberkommandos der Wehrmacht
Die Sowjets setzten im slowakischen Erzgebirge ihre Angriffe gegen den Frontbogen um Altsohl mit verstärkten Kräften fort, ohne den Zugang zum oberen Grantal erzwingen zu können. In harten Abwehrkämpfen leisten unsere Sicherungen im Raum nördlich und östlich Schemnitz dem Feind zähen Widerstand. Volksgrenadiere warfen südlich der Hohen Tatra vorübergehend eingebrochenen Feind in seine Ausgangsstellung zurück.
Unsere Gegenangriffe beiderseits Lauban führten trotz erbitterter Gegenwehr sowjetischer Panzerverbände zur Einschließung einer feindlichen Kräftegruppe nordöstlich der Stadt. Die Besatzung des Brückenkopfes Guben gewann in erfolgreichen Vorstößen beherrschendes Gelände zurück.
An der Oderfront führte der Feind nördlich Frankfurt sowie östlich und beiderseits Küstrin zahlreiche von starker Artillerie unterstützte Angriffe, um sich Ausgangsstellungen für weitere Operationen auf dem Westufer zu schaffen und die Festung Küstrin aus unserer Front herauszubrechen. Sie scheiterten sämtlich an der zähen Verteidigung und durch die entschlossenen Gegenstöße unserer Truppen.
Die Schlacht in Pommern geht in unverminderter Härte weiter. Unsere Kampfgruppen verhinderten durch ihre verbissene Gegenwehr zwischen Stargard und Cammin den erstrebten Durchbruch der Sowjets gegen das Stettiner Haff. Im Raum südlich Kolberg stehen eigene Kräfte in schweren Kämpfen gegen sowjetische Panzer.
In Westpreußen warfen die Bolschewisten nördlich Heiderode und südlich Preußisch-Stargard starke Panzerkräfte in die Schlacht und erzielten mehrere tiefe Einbrüche.
In schwerem Ringen fügten unsere Divisionen dem Feind hohe Verluste zu und brachten ihn vor neu aufgebauten Linien zum Stehen.
In Ostpreußen wurden die durch unsere Gegenangriffe nördlich Zinten erkämpften Stellungen in erbitterten Waldkämpfen behauptet.
Der Schwerpunkt der Abwehrschlacht in Kurland lag auch gestern im Raum östlich Frauenburg. Trotz hohem Kräfte- und Munitionseinsatz des Feindes blieben seine Angriffserfolge auf unbedeutende Einbrüche beschränkt. Südöstlich Libau ließ die Wucht der erfolglosen sowjetischen Durchbruchsversuche weiter nach.
In Luftkämpfen verloren die Sowjets in den letzten zwei Tagen 46 Flugzeuge.
Im Westen scheiterten die Angriffe der 1. kanadischen Armee auf Xanten auch gestern so verlustreich für den Feind, dass er seine Angriffe am Nachmittag nicht mehr fortsetzte. Westlich Rheinberg, das nach schweren nächtlichen Straßenkämpfen verlorenging, konnten die Amerikaner unsere Linien nach Norden zurückdrücken. Am Niederrhein vernichteten unsere Truppen gestern und vorgestern 115 feindliche Panzer.
Die Härte der Abwehrschlacht am und westlich des Mittelrheins hat sich gestern noch gesteigert. In Köln sind heftige Straßenkämpfe entbrannt. Südlich der Stadt behaupteten unsere Truppen das Feld gegen die auf breiter Front andringenden Amerikaner. Im Raum östlich Euskirchen stehen sie in erbitterten Abwehrkämpfen gegen vorgedrungene feindliche Panzer- und Infanterieverbände, die Rheinbach nahmen und im Vorgehen auf die Ahr sind. Seit Beginn des Großangriffs zwischen Roer und Rhein am 23. Februar wurden über 700 feindliche Panzer abgeschossen.
Zwischen Kyll und Mosel konnte der Feind mit einem Panzerkeil unsere Linien auf schmaler Front durchstoßen. Heftige Kämpfe mit den in Richtung auf die Mosel Vorgehenden Panzerspitzen sind im Gange. Feindliche Vorstöße bei Forbach und Stiring-Wendel wurden abgewiesen.
In Mittelitalien konnten die amerikanischen und brasilianischen Truppen ihre Angriffe nördlich Poretta infolge ihrer Verluste gestern nicht fortsetzen. Durch eigene Gegenangriffe wurde der Feind auf seinen Einbruchsraum mehrere Kilometer zurückgeworfen. Der örtliche Versuch einer britischen Kampfgruppe, hinter unseren Linien an der adriatischen Küste zu landen, brach im Abwehrfeuer zusammen.
Britische Terrorflieger griffen am Tage und in den Abendstunden westdeutschen Gebiets an. In der Nacht war Saßnitz das Ziel eines Terrorangriffs, bei dem das Lazarettschiffs MÖHRING in Brand geriet. Außerdem wurden Bomben auf die Reichshauptstadt geworfen.
Supreme HQ Allied Expeditionary Force (March 7, 1945)
FROM
(A) SHAEF MAIN
ORIGINATOR
PRD, Communique Section
DATE-TIME OF ORIGIN
071100A March
TO FOR ACTION
(1) AGWAR
(2) NAVY DEPARTMENT
TO (W) FOR INFORMATION (INFO)
(3) TAC HQ 12 ARMY GP
(4) MAIN 12 ARMY GP
(5) AIR STAFF
(6) ANCXF
(7) EXFOR MAIN
(8) EXFOR REAR
(9) DEFENSOR, OTTAWA
(10) CANADIAN C/S, OTTAWA
(11) WAR OFFICE
(12) ADMIRALTY
(13) AIR MINISTRY
(14) UNITED KINGDOM BASE
(15) SACSEA
(16) CMHQ (Pass to RCAF & RCN)
(17) COM ZONE
(18) SHAEF REAR
(19) SHAEF MAIN
(20) PRO, ROME
(21) HQ SIXTH ARMY GP
(REF NO.)
NONE
(CLASSIFICATION)
IN THE CLEAR
Communiqué No. 333
UNCLASSIFIED: Allied forces are meeting fierce resistance along the approaches to Xanten.
Sonsbeck, southwest of Xanten, has been captured against moderate resistance and farther south our troops have made advances of two miles to the Bonninghardt Forest. The town of Rheinberg has been cleared.
Continued bad weather yesterday again limited our air operation, however enemy troops, armor and transport at Wesel were attacked by escorted light bombers.
Our forces cleared the area west of the Rhine River from a point eight miles south of Neuss to Cologne, with the exception of Zons and the area in the river band just north of Zons.
Cologne has been captured, but sporadic fighting continues in the southern outskirts of the city. Resistance in the city came mainly from houses converted into strong points.
South of Cologne, resistance is stronger and fighting is in progress in Hermülheim. We captured the Goldenberg Power Station, on the northwest edge of Knapsack and have reached Pingsdorf and Heimerzheim. Our units are within six miles of Bonn. East of Euskirchen, we have taken Niederdrees and Oberdrees. Farther to the southwest the towns of Stotzheim, Satzvey and Glehn are in our hands. South of Gemünd, we have crossed the Olef River and have taken the town of Olef.
Northeast of Prüm, our units reached the Kyll River, captured Lissendorf and entered Niederbettingen. An enemy counterattack was repulsed in this area. East and southeast of Prüm, we crossed the Kyll, captured Michelbach and Mürlenbach, and entered Densborn.
An armored column, striking northeast and east from the Bitburg area, drove 25 miles to reach the vicinity of Schönbach. The towns of Gindorf, Meisburg and Oberstadtfeld were overrun by this force, which reached a point 20 miles from the Rhine River in one area.
East of Bitburg, we reached the vicinity of Binsfeld. East of Trier, our troops have crossed the Ruwer River to clear Kenn and Eitelsbach. Enemy counterattacks were repulsed north, east and southeast of Trier.
West of Forbach, stiff fighting continued in the Bois de la Résèrve where the enemy established strong points. Hostile infiltrations were mopped up. North of Forbach, we repulsed a tank-supported counterattack.
Sharp fighting also took place on the east bank of the Saar River north of Bübingen.
Along the Rhine enemy patrols were turned back.
Allied forces in the west captured 6,485 prisoners 5 March.
An oil refinery at Salzbergen was bombed by escorted heavy bombers.
Railyards at Lenkerbeck, Recklinghausen, Rauxel, Opladen and Siegburg were attacked by medium and light bombers.
During the night heavy bombers made two separate attacks and light bombers made repeated attacks on enemy concentrations at Wesel. Targets at Sassnitz, on the Rügen Island in the Baltic Sea were attacked by heavy bombers which also attacked targets in Berlin.
COORDINATED WITH: G-2, G-3 to C/S
THIS MESSAGE MAY BE SENT IN CLEAR BY ANY MEANS
/s/
Precedence
“OP” - AGWAR
“P” - Others
ORIGINATING DIVISION
PRD, Communique Section
NAME AND RANK TYPED. TEL. NO.
D. R. JORDAN, Lt Col FA4655
AUTHENTICATING SIGNATURE
/s/
U.S. Navy Department (March 7, 1945)
CINCPOA Communiqué No. 291
Attacking in all sectors of the line the Marines on Iwo Island advanced against heavy enemy resistance on March 7 (East Longitude Date). In the 5th Marine Division sector on the west flank, our forces moved forward about 500 yards on the left with lesser gains in the center and right. The 3rd Division in the center advanced about 588 yards at one point after engaging the enemy in hand-to-hand fighting. Advances of 100 to 200 yards were reported in local areas of the 4th Division sector on the east. The enemy continued to resist with intense small arms and machine gun fire throughout the day.
Carrier aircraft made bombing and rocket attacks on targets on Chichi Jima and Haha Jima in the Bonins on March 6 and 7.
Favorable weather conditions continue and unloading of supplies is progressing satisfactorily.
A Navy Search Liberator of Fleet Air Wing One bombed and strafed two enemy cargo ships north of the Bonins on March 6.
Corsair and Hellcat fighters and Avenger torpedo planes of the 4th Marine Aircraft Wing destroyed a bridge and set buildings afire with bomb and rocket attacks on the Palaus on March 6. On the same date Marine aircraft bombed installations on Yap in the Western Carolines.
Strafing and bombing attacks were made on Ponape in the Eastern Carolines on March 6 by planes of the 4th Marine Aircraft Wing. Moderate anti-aircraft fire was encountered.
The Pittsburgh Press (March 7, 1945)
THIRD ARMY NEARS MIDDLE RHINE
Patton gains 40 miles in 2-day drive
Nazi retreat turned into near rout
…
Victory nears in Iwo battle
Leathernecks gain in close-quarters fighting
GUAM (UP) – Assault units of three U.S. Marine divisions hacked out local gains in close-quarter fighting on Iwo today.
A late dispatch said they appeared confident they would crush the final Jap defenses soon.
The Marine onslaught was described as a general offensive to break up the last organized resistance on the island 750 miles south of Tokyo.
Attack pillboxes
A report from a warship off Iwo said desperately fighting Japs stalled the Marine push in some sectors, but in others small gains were made.
The Marines were fighting through a maze of interlocking defenses and pillboxes. The enemy toehold on Iwo was lashed yesterday with “staggering amounts” of grenades, small arms and artillery fire, the late report said.
Gains were measured in feet and yards. The end may come suddenly under unremitting Marine pressure, or the last thirst-crazed Japs may expend their remaining strength in a bloody “Banzai” suicide charge.
Hold four-fifths of Iwo
A total of 14,456 Jap dead had been counted by 6 p.m. yesterday for the 16-day campaign. Hundreds, perhaps thousands, more enemy dead remained behind the Jap lines. Though the garrison originally was estimated at 20,000, officers now believed the number was actually closer to 25,000.
The 3rd, 4th and 5th Marine Divisions, already firmly holding four-fifths of Iwo, launched their general offensive against the remaining enemy positions yesterday morning after the most intense American artillery bombardment of the entire campaign.
Naval guns and carrier planes also supported the attack.
Army fighters have begun using the southernmost of the three captured airfields on Iwo.