The Waterbury Democrat., 1943-11-30


plain, among other things,
Arnold, while being cross-exam-
ined by the committees number
one aviation expert, Senator Mon
Wallgren of Washington, admitted
one significant fact:
That the number Of planes of
''~"rriptiorS on our Pacific and
European fighting fronts is lower
1890 .4.~sC people realize and low
er than he desires, despite the fact
that we are producing combat
planes-bombers and fighters-at
the rate of 5000 a month.
For while, the cross-examina-
ton of Arnold made the sparks
fly.
I'm amazed to learn that the
British have more combat
planes In action than we have"
grilled SEN. Wallgren, Though
we are producing more planes
than the British. Why is that?"
"We're doing the best we
cam" retorted Arnold angrily.
you can't expect US to send
planes to combat areas unless
we have trained crews to oper-
ate them. However, I can tell
you that we have many more
planes on the way, and ready for
shipment, that will soon give us
q great numerical advantage"
That's fine" said WalIgren,
but why has 1t taken 50 long?
1t seems to me that we should
have more than the number of
planes you mention on the bat
tie fronts when we are produce
ing at the rate of 5000 a year."
Arnold replied that some planes
had been cracked up or damaged
in training accidents in the United
States, though trainer crashes were
being reduced considerably.
Also, many planes coming off
assembly lines have to undergo
modification" For instance, planes
slated for Alaskan duty have to
be "winterized". Also, it takes
longer than most people realize
to deliver planes to combat areas.
I'm not trying to interfere
in your business, General" said
the Washington senator, "but it
seems to me that pitifully
small number of planes have
been delivered to the fronts,
considering our rate of produc-
ti0n.''
II don't agree with y0u," re-
ponded Arnold holly. II think
we've done very well under the
circumstances"
The air chief went on to ex-
plain that most American pilots
have training course of 500 fly
ing hours, compared to $50 hours
for German pilots. One reason
the Nazis have shortened their
pilot-training courses is because
they are running low on aviation
gas reserves, Arnold said.
However, he did not entirely
convince the committee that the
ratio of planes delivered to the
fighting fronts could not be con-
siderably increased.
GEN. CLARK PLAYS BALL
Some months ago, before fight
ting got SO tough in the Mediter-
ranean theater, Lieut.. General
Mark w. Clark was returning to
his headquarters in a plane and,
as he approached the field, saw a
baseball game in progress below
him. 1t is strictly against Or
ers to play ball on landing field,
but the men were so intent on
their game that the plane had to
circle several times before the
field was cleared.
When the plane landed, Cen
eral Clark stepped out and de-
manded, whats going on
here?"
"A ball game, SIR explained
one of the Junior officers, with
a trembling voice. He expected
nothing less than a court
martial.
The General looked sternly
about the field. "Who's play
ing"
TITS the officers of the Fifth
Army against the enlisted men,"
he was told.
I'm an officer Of the Fifth
Army" said Clark, and then
without q change Of tone, Twill
you Let me play, tOO?"