The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1943-06-17

Life OF
Naval Patrol

EUREKA, June l5,-On April 81,
l941, VIM. Schuck, youngest son Of
Mr. and Mrs. w. |. Schuck, enlisted
in the navy, having already served
a full term there previously with
his brother, Norbert. Four months
were spent at San Diego in radio
work after which he was assigned
to his present patrol squadron
which continues to serve in North
Africa. Bill went to Norfolk, Va,
and while there war was declared
and the squadron was sent to Ala
media, Calf. Here they received
their planes and the squadron was
put in commission This squadron
is furnished with the famous Cata-
lima patrol bombers equipped with
landing gears. After two months
training period they were sent to
San Juan, Porto Rico and assumed
tactical duties of submarine war
fare covering all islands of the
Caribbean as far south as Dutch
Guinea After four months the
squadron moved to Guantanamo,
Cuba. In the fall of 1912 they re-
ceived secret orders to move
Planes were prepared and they set
off landing at Trinidid, thence to
Belem, Brazil, then to Natal, Brazil,
which is the jumping off place for
planes for Africa. From there they
went to the small British island in
mid Atlantic, Ascension Island,
which tests the skill of aviators
since it is only five miles in di-
ameter An over night stay here
saw them take off for Africa where
they landed at Liberia, thence north
to Leone, a British province, to join
with Raj forces. (Enroute north
they succeeded in sinking one en-
envy subj BY pre-arranged sched-
ule they proceeded north to Da-
kar and to Casablanca reaching
there two days after the invasion.
Landing was made in a torrential
rainstorm in which one plane
cracked up and his own plane land
ed in a farm field covered with
rocks and came to a stop beside a
20 foot hole. No one was killed in
landing and the plane that cracked
up came in mighty handy for spare
parts in making future repairs. Bill
says that night sniping was pre-
valent for several months, Arab
ians being the nuisance paid by
German agents. Bill has the dis
tinction of being a member of the
first organized u. S. squadron in
North Africa.
Casablanca from the air appears
completely Whitehall buildings are
made of concrete, wood being very
scarce. All upper class natives
dress in flowing white robes while
the lower class dress in a coarser
and dark material of the same type.
A hood is attached and hangs down
the back and is pulled up for
warmth at night and for protection
when the sand storms from the Sa-
hara come. This is probably the
most cultured city along the coast
with French architectural influ-
ence. One especially attractive
house was made in ultra-modern
style of concrete with pillars of
mahogany which proved a stun
ming contrast.
Rabat, founded in the 14th CEN
fury, is near by and is full of his
torical interest. Here the Sultan of
Morocco lives with his harem. He
and his ladies inspected the air
port one day and the brilliant array
of costumes rested weary eyes.
We asked Bill if the boys succeeded
in .obeying their Uncle Sam in
avoiding social contacts with the
yelled ladies. Bill said they did
especially after two had yielded to
temptation and peeked behind the
veil of one and were found two
hours later beheaded. The u. S.
Continued on page 81