Evening star., 1942-03-19
Base Is Established
In Guatemala for
j. ). Bombers
CeoseIess Vigil Is
Kept; All Methods Of
Axis Attack Studied
BY CHANDLER DIEHL,

Associated PresS war Correspondent.
GUATEMALA CITY, March 10.
United States bombing planes,
ready for any eventuality, now
are carrying out important
patrols in defense of Central
America and the Panama Canal
from an air base somewhere
in Guatemala"
Bearing heavy loads of explosives,
the planes maintain ceaseless vigil
far out over the tossing waters of the
Pacific and the sunny Caribbean.
The base from which they are op-
Grating was established with the CO.
operation OF the Guatemalan gov
ernment which, like other Central
American republics, declared war
on the Axis powers after the Japa-
nese attack on Pearl Harbor.
Andrews Inspects Base.
1t. Gen. Frank M. Andrews, head
ing the Caribbean defense command,
has just completed an inspection of
the base accompanied by high
ranking officers Of the United States
Air Force and American newspaper
men-the first correspondents per-
mitted to visit the airfield.
The group arrived In the field in
the generals plane, with Gen. An
drews himself at the controls, to find
the place a beehive of activity.
Guatemalan workmen-many of
them Mayans-were busily engaged
In improving facilities at the field
and constructing quarters for ground
troops who have been assigned to
guard the base and equipment.
United States planes we're coming
and going constantly on their patrol
missions. Morale obviously was high
and the bomber crews-under COM
mand of Maj. Samuel Quincy, r., of
Ridgewood, N. j, were keyed for
action.
Study All Angles Of Job.
Both officers and men are utilizing
even their spare time to study all
angles Of the job assigned them.
They have become familiar with the
appearance, armament and range Of
Axis warShips-especially aircraft
carriers-from continual study OF
scale models, and know the different
types Of carrier-based enemy planes
and their respective f1repower.
The airmen have studied all pos
sible methods of attacks which the
Axis might launch by sea or air.
They aim to halt any assault before
1t ever reaches the shores of this
hemisphere.
incoming reconnaissance patrols
daily engage in mock warfare with
tighter planes based on this air
drome so bomber and pursuit pilots
may gain valuable experience.
Guatemalan Air Corps planes are
based on the same field and the
presence Of numerous United States
trained Guatemalan airmen SIM
plifles matters of coordination.
since they are familiar with Amer
lean methods.
Clark and Wilson on Trip.
Gen. Andrews was accompanied
on his inspection by 1t. Col. Milo
Clark Of Los Angeles, who is in COM
mand Of the base, and Capt. F. K.
Wilson, Parkersburg. w. Va, who is
in charge Of the ground troops. The
latter now are quartered in tents,
but soon will have barracks.
After his inspection Gen. Andrews
and his party proceeded to Guat-
emala City, where they were re-
ceived by President Jorge Ubico
and other high government oficials,
with whom Gen. Andrews discussed
the United Nations war effort.
United States uniforms now have
become familiar on the streets Of
this capital, where troops on leave
can be seen dancing In the hotels
and shopping in the large markets.
Their conduct has drawn high praise
from Guatemalan officials.