Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1943-01-31
WAACS Demonstrate
They Can Take Il
On Trip 10 Africa
Prove Themselves Able
To Stond Rieors Of
Life on Transport
By the Associated Press.

By the Associated Press.
AMERICAN FIELD HEADQUAR,
TIERS IN NORTH AFRICA Ode.
layed The first feminine Ameri
can expeditionary force has PROVED
itself.
The pioneer overseas detachment
Of the Womens Army Auxiliary
Corps didn't have an easy trip; ther,
were hardships and inconvenience
difficult for homefolks to compre.
bend, but the girls came through
singing.
This picked group of stenogra-
piers, typists, bilingual telephone
operators and girls capable of driv-
ing staff cars and light trucks have
just arrived to become part of the
headquarters staff, They were
brought over at the request of 1t
Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower, COM
mander of the American forces ir
the European theater
Yes, some of the girls were scared
when they started their journey tt
an unknown point, although many
of them suspected that it would be
In Africa.
But they came through the dis
comforts of crowded Army trans
port. the wartime dangers, like good
soldiers. Many got seasick, some
we're homesick. for there had beer
no ''bon voyage" from their fami-
lies. The girls had guarded care
fully, even from their parents, the
secret that they were going over
seas.
Commanded by New Yorker.
Their commanding officer is Capt
Frances Keegan Marquis, As, wife
OF New York businessman. On
her staff are Capt. Evelyn Nichol-
son, 70, of st. Louis; 1t. Joan E.
Joosten, So, Houston; 1t Sylvia
Marsili, IS, Pittsburgh. and 1t. Mar
garet Janeway, 46, New York, medi-
cal officer.
Their ship was a former liner
that has travelled more than $4,000
miles carrying American fighting
men to the battle fronts. Many OF
the WAACS, like Auxiliary Helen
Rosen. %, of Detroit, never had
been on a boat before.
Many before joining the WAACS
to draw $50 a month-the auxiliaries
make the same as the Army privates
had had good jobs. Some had
operated their own businesses. They
wore soft. pretty clothes.
DIT - %~,s to-, I,
cabins where they bunked, to IA
Of them in each. In fact, no fresh
water. and the salt water soap that
was issued wouldn't lather. The
girls were allotted two canteens of
fresh water a day and many saved
one for a bird bath" or to wash
stockings.
Slept Without Sheets.
The WAACS slept without sheets
or pillows, wrapped up in their wool
Army blankets. PhiloSophically. one
WAAC said. "It simplifies bed max
Ing Just fold up your blanket"
The WAACS were carefully segre-
gated from the men troops. Men
and women MPs stood guard around
the clock. But it was not long until
romance-hampered somewhat by
Observation-Disclosures.
After the ship got well out to sea
the WAACS and troops were allowed
on deck. A special deck-the one
where shuttle board once was played
W sun-seeking tourists-was al
lotted to the girls, and men crowded
to the upper rails to call to them:
ANY Of you girls from Chicago
from Seattle-from Texas?"
Later the men and girls met at
the ships picture shows.
The transport commander, who
had nurses aboard on other trips,
said he liked to have women on his
ships. ''It keeps the morale OF the
men much higher"
Helped Run Ship.
From the moment the girls came
aboard they learned two stern rules
Of life at sea in wartime-never to
leave their rooms without their life
preserver jackets which they
dubbed their second fronts"-and
to keep a canteen of fresh water
at their belts for boat drills.
The troops had meals in relays
In the lunch hall which used to be
the main dining room. Just as
the other troops, the WAACS ate
out of mess kits, which they filled
cafeteria style at steam tables
They ate breakfast and dinner at
elbow-high wooden tables in the
mess hall and lunch Of sandwiches
coffee and fruit in their quarters.
The WAACS also pitched in tc
help run the ship. Theodore Cor
riveau Of Providence manned the
switchboard the first day out ano
n