The White Falcon - 30.12.1944, Blaðsíða 2

2
- ABROAD IA ICELAMD -
Merchant Seamen’s School.
This should settle the
doubts of many Gls who
have passed by the above
building on Laugavegi, won-
dering for what purpose it
will ultimately be used.
When completely finished,
it will he file new Seamen’s
School.
As in many island coun-
tries, the sea has always
been an integral part of the
lives of many Icelanders
and has played an import-
ant part in the development
of the country. It is only
natural then that the heri-
tage should he cherished and
furthered. One way of doing
this has bpen by properly
training those who wish to
follow the calling. Iceland
has long provided a fitee
sailor training school where
all seamen can get a basic
foundation for their chosen
field. Upon further study,
they may enter the Merchant
Fleet if they like, although
this is in no way. obligatory
for admission to the school.
The only requisite is that
a candidate have three years
of experience at sea before
applying for Seamen’s
School. As most boys follow
the sea when quite young,
the average age of those
starting to school is only
about 20 years. Various certi-
ficates are given graduates
of the school. One may
study for the highest degree
(Master of Vessels in Inter-
national (Waters) for three
years or for an intermediate
one (Master of Fishing Ves-
sels) requiring a course of
two years, five months. A
four-months course is also
given covering the rudiments
of sailing-usually taken by
elementary fishermen, pre-
paratory to operating their
own boats.
If one takes the highest
certificate and goes into the
Merchant Fleet, they may,
by ability and progressive
senority in service, ascend
to a Captaincy-skipper of a
ship. After a minimum of
four years at sea one may
become a Mate, after three
years as a Male it is then
possible to become a Cap-
tain.
The original school, found-
ed in 1891, is always over-
flowing. Classes have never
been large enough for all
those who apply. Consequ-
ently in 1942 the present
new building was begun.
Due to wartime restrictions,
it could not be completed
until tliis year. Still not com-
pletely outfitted inside, it
will not actually open for
classes until next Fall. In
addition to the navigation
and engineering schools, a
wireless and steward school
will be incorporated in the
new building, thus giving
complete training in the
single school.
0 OT NOTES
B y
I PvT. E. Jeuk WY
A vote of thanks to the QM and to all unit cooks for
their top-drawer Christmas dinner... Such efforts are
recognized and appreciated, even if, in most cases, they do
not ever hear of it...They meet such holidays with a
commendable spirit, when to most of us they signify
relaxation, but only more work to them. . .Another job
along that line is that of GI telephone operators. . .For
what must be at times, a tiresome task, they show an
amazing amount of patience and fortitude. . . While to the
user, the service is sometimes exasperating, it is usually
no fault of the operators and their courtesy and tact in
handling such calls sets an example for many to follow.. .
I have never heard (or heard of) a single ‘flip’ retort.
The Christmas spirit whs evident in decorations in most
camps here over the holiday week...An especially fine
job was done by the workers of Red Cross Club 14 and
no doubt at all the other clubs, some of which I did not
visit... Programs were well-rounded, ,too... For calling
on Christmas Day, many Reykjavikers got out their top
hats to pay their respects. . .With their attractively dres-
sed wives in long-skirted native costumes, they made a
picturesque vignette.
★ ★ *
During the lush pre-Christmas mood that gripped New
York, John D. Rockefeller, Jr. got out his usual 50-foot,
snow-hall laden Christmas tree for his Center. . .Billy Rose
opened his latest extravaganza, “Seven Lively Arts’. . .
The premiere was something that has not been seen
since the flamboyant Ziegfeld opening years ago. . . First-
nighters paid $24 apiece for tickets. . . In white ties, they
sipped champagne provided by the house. . .bravo-ed
Beatrice Lille... howled at Bert Lahr... tapped feet to
Benny Goodman’s clarinet. . . But, when it was all over,
decided that the fanfare was better than the show...
Another opening, an auspicious one, was Fredric March
in “A Bell for Adano”... It is slated for the top.
Thp lot of some Gls stationed in the States is a tough
one. . .At a recent preview of Spring fashions for women
at the swank Hotel Pierre in New York, fifty Gls were
nominated by their C. O. to attend. . .Just why, no one
ever figured out. . .especially as not one of the host of
fashion editors present, in typical civilian disregard,
bothered to question the soldiers on their fashion prefer-
ences after seeing the show. . .But it’s nice work if you
can get it. — Farsaelt nyar, boys!
Above, members- of the latest ENSA show to come to
Iceland pose after a performance which brought catcalls
and cries for “more” from the Gls at the Tripoli Theater
this week. Reading 1 to r are Syd Brooks, pianist; Ann
Begley, songstress; Mickey Renton, impersonator; Pearl
1 Taylor, dancer; Peggy Marshall, song stylist; Iris Cribb,
dancer; Ivy Barry, contortionist; and Dorothy Perkins,
dancer. Kneeling at the table is Cliff Gay, comic and MC.
BASIC TRAINING HAS GROWN TOUGHER, MORE
REALISTIC — SAYS GROUND FORCES OFFICIAL
Although the Army reach-
ed its designated strength a
short time ago, men are still
being inducted at tbe rate of
about 950,000 a year, Select-
ive Service officials estim-
ate.
A large percentage — how
large is an official secret —-
is going into the Army,
where a training program of
considerable proportions
still is in effect, for train-
ing men as replacements. Of
those who go into the Army
a big majority wind up in
Infantry Replacement Cent-
ers.
In an effort to obtain an
authoritative statement as to
what kind of training is
being given these new recru-
its, many of them youngst-
ers of 18, Camp Newspaper
Service recently sent a man
to interview Lt. Col. H.W.
Daminer, Assistant G-3,
Army Ground Forces, who
served at one lime with the
famed Rangers in Italy and
North Africa.
Viewing the subject from
the vantage point of experi-
ence in both combat and
training, Col. Dammer arri-
ved at two main conclusions:
1. Basic is a lot more rug-
ged, physically, than it was
in the days before he went
overseas in 1942.
2. It is also more “real-
istic,” and better geared to
the practical necessities of
the job at hand.
“I get a feeling of high
power front the present pro-
gram that was absent in the
early days,” stated the col-
(Continued on Page 3)
THE WHITE FALCON is published weekly by and for the
American Forces in Iceland, under supervision of Special Ser-
vice Section, Iceland Base Command. Some material is supplied
by Camp Newspaper Service, New York City, republieation
of which is prohibited without CNS approval. THE WHITE
FALCON has been passed by the censor and may be mailed
home for one-and-one-half cents.
IBC Special Service Officer . Lt. Col. Lee F. Gilstrap
Supervising Officer .......Lt. David Zinkoff
Editor ....................Sgt. John Moran
Associate Editor ..........Sgt. J. Gordon Farrell
News Editor ...............Cpl. Robert Hill
Staff Reporter ............Pvt. E. C. Gray