VOL. I      NO. 22          DELHI, THURSDAY          FEBRUARY 11, 1943.

VALENTINE REMINDER
In case you've forgotten, Valentine's Day is just three days away. The girl is Marilyn Maxwell, screen starlet, and this reminder came from her press agent.

 PREPARATIONS FOR ALL-OUT
 JAP OFFENSIVE DISCUSSED

    Further indications that the United Nations are set for an all out offensive against the Axis powers, even, at long last, against the Japanese became apparent last week when Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek, Field Marshal Sir Archibald Wavell, Field Marshal Sir John Dill, and Lieut. Generals H. H. (Hap) Arnold, Brehon Somervell and Joseph W. Stilwell of the U.S. Army conferred in India and China.
  Although the meetings were shrouded in deep secrecy it can be assumed that an understanding on future operations within this theatre was reached and that maybe CBI will soon drop its role of "being at the end of the line."
  After their return from China the conferees issued a joint statement which wound up with the significant remark that future conferences will be held between Wavell and General Douglas MacArthur.
  The officers came to India from the Casablanca conference with Dill, the official representative of Prime Minister Churchill and Arnold accredited to President Roosevelt. Somervell came officially to inspect SOS installations in this theatre but was not accredited as a representative of the President.
  The chief of the United States Army SOS spent a great deal of time with General R. A. Wheeler, his counterpart in this theatre but made no statement before he left. He and Wheeler are old friends. Somervell sat in on the India conferences but did not travel to Chungking to confer with the Gissimo because of his "unofficial" status.
  Arnold not only went through his paces in conferences but found time to see a lot of the 10th Air Force in company with Brig. Gen. Clayton Bissell.
  Stilwell made a rush trip to India to meet the visitors but was delayed one day when his plane got hung up over the "Hump" in a 115-mile head wind. The estimated speed of the plane at the time was 15 miles per hour.
  Arnold, while here, discussed (off the record) what went on at the Casablanca conference and it is assumed that Somervell gave Wheeler some of the inside dope on the same conference.
  The general concensus here about the meetings was that it was all a big happy family and maybe we'll start to roll in the right direction - Tokyo - sometime before the younger generation is raising children of its own.
  Following is text of the communique:
  Following on the Casablanca Conference and as an integral part thereof, emmisaries of the President of the United States and the Prime Minister of Great Britain proceeded to Chungking and conferred with Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek, and also held a series of conferences in India with Field Marshal Sir Archibald Wavell.
  Field Marshal Sir John Dill, British Military member of the Joint Staff Mission Washington, represented the Prime Minister of Great Britain and Lieutenant General H. H. Arnold represented the President of the United States. They were accompanied by Brigadier General A. C. Wedemeyer representing General Marshall, Chief of Staff of the United States Forces.
  Lieutenant General J. W. Stilwell, Chief of Staff for the Generalissimo and General Ho Ying Chen, Secretary of War and Chief of Staff of the Chinese Forces took part in the conferences, and accompanied General Arnold and Field Marshal Sir John Dill on their return to India where final conferences were held with Field Marshal Sir Archibald Wavell.
  Allied plans for a united war effort against Japan were discussed. There was complete accord in plans for the co-ordination of forces of the three powers, and determination to ensure combined efforts and mutual assistance in all operations against the Japanese. These discussions will be followed in due course by conferences between General MacArthur and Field Marshal Wavell.


ALLIED COMMANDERS
Following conferences in New Delhi last week, top-ranking American officers are seen on the lawn of the Secretariat. Left to right: Field Marshal Sir Archibald Wavell, Commander-In-Chief, India; Lieut. Gen. Joseph W. Stilwell, C.B.I. Theatre Commander; Lieut. Gen. H. H. Arnold, Commanding General, U.S. Army Air Forces; Lieut. Gen. Brehon Somervell, Commanding General, U.S. Army Services of Supply; and Field Marshal Sir John Dill.

Task Forces
Step Up Raids
Against Burma

    Both the China and India Air Task Forces pounded away at the Japs in Burma this week in a further demonstration of the Tenth Air Force's steadily growing might.
  Reports indicate that the Jap is working ceaselessly to repair damage caused by our planes and that he has augmented his anti-aircraft defense with units brought from other theaters.
  P-40's of the CATF attacked Kengtung in Eastern Burma on Feb. 2, with a well-executed strafing mission against this enemy concentration point. Approaching the target without detection, pilots first silenced a pair of three-inch anti-aircraft batteries and then proceeded to strafe installations at will.
  Ten enemy planes were destroyed on the ground with one other enemy plane damaged, and eight housing sheds were left burning. Six barracks were strafed and set afire with the number of enemy casualties unknown. Track and supply concentrations were also attacked, destroying four trucks and riddling four others.
  The IATF again struck Feb. 4, at the Myitgne railway bridge in Burma, where the Japanese have been making a major effort to repair the damage caused by a previous raid. They had succeeded in raising a span from the river bottom, but the bridge had not been restored to service. Direct hits were reported by the bomber crews.
RADIO PROGRAMS
INDIA
  The following programs will be broadcast from Delhi over the All India Radio, 85.84 meters and 31.3 metres:
  Tuesday, Feb. 16, 9:45 p.m. - "Your Broadway and Mine" starring Elsie Janis, Kitty O'Neill, Shaw & Lee, Edward G. Robinson, Eddie Foy, Jr. and York & King.
  Wednesday, Feb. 17, 9:45 p.m. - "Yank Swing Session" with Tommy Riggs and Betty Lou.
  Tuesday, Feb. 23, 9:45 p.m. - "Downbeat" with Freddie Martin.
  Wednesday, Feb. 24, 9:45 p.m. - "Yank Swing Session" with Tommy Riggs and Betty Lou.
CHINA
  Each Sunday, from 9:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., XGOY, Chungking, will broadcast music, news and sports on 6,135 kilocycles on the 49-metre band. Name shows will be added as soon as transcriptions arrive.

  On the same day, P-40's of the CATF made strafing forays into Eastern Burma, concentrating their attack on enemy trucks and troop movements. Targets were found in the vicinity of Kutkai, Wanling and Kengtung. Approximately 20 trucks and buses were destroyed or damaged, many of them loaded with troops. Near Kengtung, several barracks were set afire, one anti-aircraft emplacement was silenced and one enemy plane destroyed on the ground. Enemy anti-aircraft fire was heavy but ineffective. No interception was attempted.
   Bombers resumed their attacks on Myitnge Bridge on Feb. 5. japanese determination to restore this bridge to use indicates that the severing of his communications between Rangoon and Mandalay is causing embarassment to his miltary operations.
  Many direct hits with small caliber bombs and one direct hit and near misses with large bombs were reported during this day's operations.
  In northern Burma, on the same day, bombers with fighter escort, concentrated on railway targets. South of Meza, bombs were dropped on the steep banks of a defile to cause landslides on the track. Observers reported that railroad cars were now spaced at intervals because of damage caused when the rolling stock was concentrated on sidings. A train which was halted was heavily strafed and damage to the engine was reported.
  On Feb. 8, the largest number of our bombers to attack Rangoon within a single day caused serious damage to many enemy installations.
  Ahlone docks were the target of one formation. All bombs fell in the target area.
  Another formation attacked the Rangoon railroad station. Three direct hits on the station were reported. Near hits caused damage to tracks and auxiliary buildings.
  A third formation attacked the railroad yards and engine sheds.
  Japanese planes iuntercepting were engaged by our gunners. One enemy plane was destroyed and others were damaged.
  Each of the week's five communiques reported that all of our aircraft retunred safely to their bases.

BIG BRASS ON PARADE Gen. Stilwell and Field Marshal Wavell lead the way as American and British top-ranking officers leave the Secretariat after a war council in New Delhi last week.



V-MAIL SERVICE NOW SPEEDED UP

    Information has been received that all V-Mail letters mailed from this theatre up to Dec. 14, 1942 for the United States, were delivered there on or before Jan. 7, 1943.
  Also V-Mail letters from the States dated as late as Jan. 12, 1943, were received here Jan. 30, 1043.


SQUADRON LEADER PURSUES FIFTH JAP IN AIR COMBAT

    Getting his fifth Japanese plane in aerial combat has now become an obsession with Maj. Grant Mahony, whose China Air Task Force fighter squadron has been giving the Nips all sorts of trouble.
Maj. Mahony

  Mahony, a thorough Jap-hater, has a total of 10 Jap planes to his credit
- four in the air and six on the ground.
  The new major's combat career started in the Philippines, when the Japs began striking their preliminary blows. His efforts there netted him one fighter in combat, five planes on the ground and a Distinguished Service Cross.
  Near the end of 1941, Mahony was sent to Australia to get some P-40's with which to save the Philippines. From Australia, he was sent to Java, where he commanded a fighter squadron for a month. There, mahony bagged one bomber and two fighters.
  After the fall of Java, Grant went back to Australia, and was put on a plane for India. His squadron was assigned to duty in Australia. Mahony spent more than six months as aide to Brig. Gen. Francis Brady.
  Last November, Mahony went to China to command his present squadron, which he says is the best one that he's ever worked with. During a recent attack on Kengtung, the squadron knocked off 10 out of 11 planes on the ground, of which Mahony got one.
  On other sweeps over Jap territory, Grant got one locomotive and one steam roller, but that fifth enemy plane in combat continues to elude him.



    These aerial photographs, all taken during operations of the Tenth Air Force, give added meaning to the hackneyed phrases used in routine communiques reporting operations. Most important of all, they supplement the observations of crew members themselves. In a single day, the Tenth Air Force sometimes makes as many as 1600 pictures like this.

"All bombs fell in the target area."
"Hits were scored on the approaches to a bridge."
"Clouds prevented the clear observation of results."
"Enemy shipping was attacked."
"Fires were visible many miles from the target."
"Enemy docks and warehouses were attacked."



RED CROSS SERVICE CLUB OPENED IN NEW DELHI

    The American Red Cross came through for the S.O.S. Headquarters, the Rear Echelon of the C.B.I. and the Headquarters Squadrons of the Tenth Air Force this week when it opened a service club in this city, one of a network planned for the Theater by the American Red Cross and initiated a short while ago at Karachi.
  Amid fanfare, solemn ceremony and numerous distinguished visitors including Lady Wavell, the use of Duration Den (Sgt. Gene Lee's winning entry in a soldier poll) was formally presented to the enlisted men before an audience of Officer and G.I. representatives of the various outfits in the vicinity.
  All the proceedings, from the opening speech of A.R.C.'s Edward R. Eichholzer, through the addresses of S.O.S.'s Brig. Gen. W. H. Holcombe, 10th A.F.'s Col. William Old, and President Roosevelt's personal representative, William Phillips, were all recorded. S/Sgt. Jack Shipley, as roving announcer, ended the program by interviewing some of the audience, including Maj. Raymonf F. Wiseheart and 1st Sgt. Desire D'Orange.
  Music was provided for the occasion by the boys of the 10th A. F. Band, who put out with some solid sending under the leadership of Lieut. Cournoyer. The tune-ticklers slid smoothly down that old groove when they hit such numbers as "Bounce Me Brother with a Solid Four" - just the kind of jive which gave S/Sgt. Glenn Matthews the
SUPPLY CHIEFS
Visiting India this week, Lieut. Gen. Brehon Somervell (left), Commanding General of the United States Army Services of Supply, chats with Maj. Gen. Raymond A. Wheeler, SOS chief of this theatre.
COL. COOPER REPORTS
Col. Meriam C. Cooper (left) points to a map of China as he made his report in Washington to Robert Lovett, Assistant U.S. Secretary of War for Air, after Cooper's return to the U.S. from China, where Cooper served as Chief of Staff to Brig. Gen. Claire L. Chennault, commanding general of the China Air Task Force.
opportunity to take a ride on his old sax while Pvt. Cliff Barnes came puckering along on the sweet-sliding trombone.
  The entire program was organized by the joint Red Cross - Serviceman's Committee which is to run the Club henceforward. E. Gerry Tracy, and his pretty henchwomen, the Red Cross workers, are collaborating with the enlisted men on plans to make the den of real service. Chairman of this committee is S/Sgt. Norton, who is ably backed by Corp. Lunniw Willis, S/Sgt. Gilmore, 1st Sgt. Rose, S/Sgt Bruno Nicknadarvich, T/Sgt. Leonard Leonard, Corp. Norman Epstein, Corp. Arny Schwartz and Sgt. Jack Wright.
  Most pleased G.I. in the audience seemed to be Sgt. Willard Griffing, who gorged himself with free fudge and cream puffs. He seemed "At home" - a good omen.
  The Duration Den had its first dance later in the evening, and it was a great success as was the formal opening.


48 Awarded Air Medal

    Forty-eight members of the 10th Air Force - 18 officers and 30 enlisted men - were decorated
GENERAL HONORED
During a surprise ceremony in China, Lieut. Gen. Joseph W. Stilwell has the Distinguished Service Cross pinned on by his son, Lieut. Col. Joseph W. Stilwell, Jr.  The award, second highest of the U.S. Government, was conferred on the general for extraordinary heroism and conspicuous bravery in action while in command of Chinese forces in Burma during the spring of 1942.
recently with the Air Medal, largest single group so far honored in this theater.
  Announcement of the awards was made by Brig. Gen. Clayton Bissell at a press conference.
  They were awarded in recognition of outstanding acts of bravery and heroism in combat and bombing operations, of which a part of the results were shown to the conference in a series of aerial photographs.
  The list is as follows:
  Major Delmor J. Rogers, Capt. James H. Keenan, Capt. Robert B. Kirkaldy, Capt. Homer E. Adams, 1st Lt. Raymond G. Scherff, 1st Lt. Raymond W. Giannini, 1st Lt. James W. Baldwin, 1st Lt. William M. Gilbert, 1st Lt. Clarence A. Roitsch, 1st Lt. Robert E. Melton, 1st Lt. George E. Sloan, 2nd Lt. Charles A. Padgett, 2nd Lt. William A. Ragland, 2nd Lt. Melvin J. Trimpe, 2nd Lt. Marvin B. Palmer, 2nd Lt. William K. Short, 2nd Lt. Ted M. Winzer, 2nd Lt. Herbert W. Simmons, M/Sgt. George C. Knippel, M/Sgt. Robert S. Gatling, T/Sgt. Marving L. Damaske, T/Sgt. Robert A. Mayotte, T/Sgt. William E. Abraham, T/Sgt. Frank A. Gates, T/Sgt. Maynard M. Hatleberg, T/Sgt. Richard V. Vanderneck, T/Sgt. Philip Kereb, S/Sgt. Walter M. Migdat, S/Sgt. James H. Milliner, S/Sgt. Westley V. Blackwell, S/Sgt. Jack W. Whitman, S/Sgt. John C. Gehay, S/Sgt. Harry F. Orris, S/Sgt. Charles Botuk, Sgt. Chester S. Ulrich, Sgt. William R. Keen, Sgt. Jesse R. Larue, Sgt. Mack Combs, Sgt. Thomas R. Peylock, Sgt. Marvin E. Varnado, Sgt. Stanton T. Siler, Sgt. John B. Moore, Sgt. Arthur O. Carney, Sgt. John L. Baltes, Sgt. Jordan B. Eldson, Sgt. Willaim D. Bogert, Sgt. Gale H. Cross, and Sgt. Albert F. Caivano.



PRIVATE GEE EYE      BY S/SGT. JACK NOLAN


The C.B.I. Roundup is a weekly newspaper published by and for the men of the United States Forces in China, Burma, and India, from news and pictures supplied by staff members, soldier correspondents, Office of War Information and other sources. The Roundup is published Thursday of each week and is printed by The Statesman in New Delhi, India. Editorial matter should be sent directly to Lieut. Clancy Topp, Rear Echelon, Hq., U.S.A.F., C.B.I., New Delhi, and should arrive not later than Monday in order to be included in that week's issue. Pictures must arrive by Sunday and must be negatives or enlargements. Stories should contain full name and organization of sender.










FEBRUARY 11, 1943    

Original issue of C.B.I. Roundup shared by Ruth Canney, widow of CBI veteran John Canney.

Copyright © 2006 Carl Warren Weidenburner




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