The White Falcon - 05.09.1942, Side 1

Vol. 11.
Saturday, September 5, 19k2.
No. n.
Russians
Stave Off
New Drive
German reserves were being
rushed to the Stalingrad front
in Russia today as the Nazis
launched a desperate “knock-
out blow” at the highly impor-
tant Soviet city. But Moscow de-
clared the Nazis were gaining
very little ground while suffer-
ing a heavy loss of men and
equipment.
Hurling in tremendous waves
of tanks and airplanes, the Ger-
mans had succeeded in driving
a wedge into Russian defenses
southwest of Stalingrad, and a
furious battle is taking place not
far from the city itself. German,
Hungarian and Rumanian divi-
sions are slashing together at
Soviet lines, but the Russians
are retaliating with assaults at
flanks of the wedge.
Meanwhile, the Russians are
striking fiercely in the North,
and in the Ivleyskaya region the
Germans are being heavily en-
gaged by the battling Soviet for-
ces. An official communique
from Moscow revealed that the
Germans were continuing to suf-
fer enormous losses here, while
the Russians were counter-at-
tacking in the Proknladnaya sec-
tor of the Caucasus.
Indicating a need for morale
boosting on the home front, Hit-
ler this week broadcast an ap-
peal to the German people for
further sacrifice during the
fourth year of the war. He ask-
ed the Germans to make “volun-
tary sacrifices for winter help,”
indicating that his armies are
not now equipped for a severe
winter campaign. However, he
did not say whether he expected
the Germans to donate their re-
gaining clothing for the benefit
of the army in Russia.
Deanna Durbin
Sends Records
To Men Here
“Truly ‘A Soldier’s Dream’ ” is
the title Sgt. Dave Galarno and
Pvts. Leo Dolan and Carmen Mi-
cele have attached to the fa-
mous Hollywood star, Deanna
Durbin, who has now sent three
personally selected sets of re-
cords to these fellows’ Infantry
unit.
“All we did to get these swell
records—and they come 10 to a
set! — was just write her and
let her know how much we’d
like to hear from her,” says Car-
(Continued on Page 2)
Navy Reveals
Jap Setbacks
In Pacific
Maury Navarre, “The Man From Mars,” bewilders first-night-
ers with his remarkable bag of tricks and fast-talking banter
in headline act of new “Ace of Diamonds” musical revue.
American submarines, laying
a knife to Japanese supply lines,
were accredited officially today
with the sinking of five Jap
ships and damaging of three
others. The action ran to 99 the
total of Jap ships sunk or da-
maged by American subs.
The five latest victims of U.S.
Naval power included a light
cruiser, two small freighters, a
medium-sized tanker, and a small
steamer. The Navy’s communique
also listed as probably sunk a
medium-sized Jap cargo vessel,
and two large tankers.
Meanwhile, the Navy Dept, re-
ported that small Japanese de-
tachments which succeeded in
landing on Marine-held islands
in the Solomon group are being
destroyed by the U.S. defenders.
The Navy communique also
revealed that 18 Jap bombers,
escorted by fighter craft, swoop-
ed down on Guadalcanal yester-
day, but three bombers were shot
down and four fighters were
knocked out of the skies. Anti-
aircraft accounted for another
enemy plane.
Allies Pound
Rommel’s Forces
Allied forces marked the third
anniversary of Britain’s entrance
into World War II. this week
by hammering Marshal Rommel’s
Afrika Korps on land and in
the air.
Reports indicate the battle
along the desert Alamein Line
is progressing favorably for the
Allies. British and American
planes were pounding Rommel’s
troops and armored forces in an
attack of greater intensity than
ever before.
However, British observers re-
strained their optimism because
of Rommel’s reputation as a
tricky and resourceful cam-
paigner.
George’s Dad
Held Dummy
On Knee, Too
Ventriloquism is a family tra-
dition for Pfc. George Kerfoot and
his sawdust satellite, Red McGar-
ry, fresh kid extraordinary, who
carry on much to everyone’s de-
light, as did Allen M. Kerfoot,
George’s father, in World War I.
The Kerfoot story began 25
years ago when Kerfoot Senior,
then establishing himself in vau-
deville on the old Keith Circuit,
was called overseas to serve his
country. He carried with him no
dummy or vent figure, as it is
called in the trade, but shortly
after he arrived in France one of
his buddies found a vent known
as Tommy, who was dressed in
an English uniform, and sold him
to Kerfoot for 100 francs.
Tommy Gallagher, who until
(Continued on Page 2)
U.S. Pilots Bag
First Nazi Plane
The first German plane to be
shot down by American fighter
pilots in the European Theater
of Operations during World War
II. was bagged recently near
Reykjavik, Iceland. For shoot-
ing down the plane, a German
Focke Wulf Kurier, two Ameri-
can pilots were awarded the Sil-
ver Star citation.
Pretty Deanna
Durbin does her
share in war ef-
fort by boosting
morale of men in
local Command
with personal let-
ter and recordings
of her voice.Three
Infantry soldiers
wrote to Deanna,
requesting records
for their victrola.
Result: Thirty
new discs with
Deanna’s music—
and a long perso-
nal letter. Whoa,
fellows, remember
she’s married!
‘Ace of Diamonds’
Lt. James E. Record set a re-
cord this week as his Coast Ar-
tillerymen hit the bull’s-eye for
a 100 percent score in Bond sub-
scriptions.
And while the Artillerymen
were setting their record, Capt.
Arthur T. Jones’ Medics broke
over the top of their thermo-
meter to register boiling at 100.
Now their taunt to their buddies
is, “Get hot, brother, get hot!”
As Peppy Musical
Two More Units
Join Honor Roll
Bows In
Revue
By GENE GRAFF
Enlisted-man talent shuffled the
deck this week and out popped
the “Ace of Diamonds,” an enter-
taining and ambitious musical re-
vue which promises to enjoy a
lengthy and successful run on
local Army stages.
Amid hasty preparation and
eleventh-hour changes, the show
opened Monday evening in the
White Rose theater before an
imposing audience of Army,
Navy and Air Corps dignitaries.
The “Diamondeers” will perform
on a three-a-week booking until
all available personnel of the
Command has seen the show.
Although ragged in spots, like
any new-horn jproduction, the
revue has a versatile cast and
melodious orchestra, and is cer-
tain to improve as the perfor-
mers overcome their apparent
stage fright. The musicians are
fine, but the opening-night audi-
ence indicated swing music
would have been a welcome sub-
stitute for the slow, lazy num-
bers which studded the two-hour
show.
The ace of the “Ace of Dia-
monds” is a li’l carrot-topped lad
named Red McGarry who subtly
ridicules Army regulations from
the knee—and mouth—of Pfc.
George A. Kerfoot, a talented
Edgar Bergen in O.D.’s. How
Red was invulnerable to the wi-
les of Army recruiting, then re-
turned to the stage for his se-
(Continued on Page 2)
FALCON Scribes
Attend Parley
Praising The White Falcon and
the unit reporters who are its
backbone, Maj. Gen. Charles H.
Bonesteel remarked at The White
Falcon conference, Wednesday,
upon the fine cooperation which
“makes our paper one of the fi-
nest in the Army.”
The General was guest-of-ho-
nor and his brief message open-
ed the program. Other speakers
included Capt. Ralph W. Hauen-
stein, former editor of The
White Falcon, Col. S. V. Bert-
schey, Base Special Service Of-
ficer, and Capt. Dori Hjalmar-
son, Base Censor.
Following the business session,
a movie was shown and refresh-
ments were served. Cookies and
rolls were provided by the Com-
mand’s B. & C. School.