The Mississippi enterprise. (Jackson, Miss.) 1938-current, 1943-09-18
Yank Tells What
Servicernen Prefer
For Christmas

! SSdS SGIVICG1IldIl WdIlIS III MS OnTlSL-
mas package are ''newsy, cheerful
letters from home and recent photo
graphs or snapshots of family and
friends" according to information
received by a canvass of overseas
Yank correspondents and officers
recently returned from various the
aters of war. Men interviewed by
Yank correspondents say a short
letter from friends is worth a hun
dred Christmas cards. Many men
would like new picture of wife.
sweetheart or parents not larger
than pocketsize and encased in a
waterproof folder-most of the pic
lures they took with them now be-
ing the worse for wear
Cigarette lighters that will light
in strong wind" with extra flints
and wicks run a close second in
articles wanted, followed by such
items as: waterproof, shockproof
wrist watches, hunting or Boy
Scout knives, and small, inexpensive
cameras with an amply supply of
film. (Army censorship office warns
that film may be sent overseas
only if in the manufacturers orig
inal package with seal unbroken.)
Photograph records are prohibited
because of the possibility of con-
cealed messages being sent.
Other items which appear on a
great many lists submitted by va
rious theaters of operations are:
fountain pens and pencil sets with
extra lead, subscriptions to pocket
size magazines, small-size books,
flashlights, compact writing porto
los rigid enough to be used as a
writing board, billfolds, identifica-
ton bracelets, dog tag chains, small
steel mirrors, fine tempered, rust
proof razor blades, fingernail scis-
sors, pipes, handkerchief, Cd socks
and extra underwear, and good lin
en- playing cards and poker chips.
Soldiers in different combat areas
don't want the same articles, but
certain basic principles governing
the selection of gifts will avoid keen
disappointment for the boys The
post exchange carries basic necessi-
ties, and where there is no post ex-
change the men are issued soap,
razor blades, toilet equipment, to-
bacco, and candy. Temporary short
ages are often quickly met. Do not
packages of goodies-except we'll
send food or assorted commercial
packaged fruitcake. Do not send
elaborate shaving kits or cigarettes
Even where cigarettes are most
heavily rationed, men are allowed
a pack day. Civilians often for
get that the shortages they expert
ence may not be true of service
men.
In addition to the articles wanted
by Army men, the Navy also asks
for foot powder, saddle soap, sun
lotion, small folding picture frames,
checkerboards, and backgammon
games. Members of the WACs serv-
ing overseas put swimming and
laundry needs above all else, and
warn well-wishers that they have
no use for civilian clothing or ac-
ceSsories.
According to Army POSTAL service
overseas Christmas gift packages
cannot weigh more than five pounds
nor measure more than Is inches
in length and not more than SO
inches in length and girth combin-
ed. The postal service says to send
durable articles which will stand
up six months or more in shipping
and they recommend that one of
the five pounds allowable be used
solely for wrappings. The postal
service cautions that "the hold of
ship may reach 100 degrees and
ton of weight may rest on your
Christmas parcel" Addresses should
be printed if possible with sub
stance that will not mar, smudge.
or otherwise run.
Whatever is sent, the personal
tastses of the recipient and his par
ticular theater of operation should
be considered. Send 31ove" rather
than poor quality-gift articles
must be durable. They should be
compact and easy to carry. To pre-
vent disappointing the serviceman.
relatives and friends should be care
full to avoid duplication of gifts.