The Waterbury Democrat., 1944-06-10

| A vera Cale or Iurlo, pnoSpnoruS bomb bursts with long, fiery legs was told by the crew members of the 7th AAF Liberator, Smokey Stover," the airmen having person. ally been exposed to this eerie, ter rifying spectacle during 7th AAF bombing forays against Jap held bases in the Central Pacific
 Tn fact, the Smokey Stover." scooted right through the octopus live, flaming talonS and emerged unscathed, according to Technical Sergeant Arthur Bilancioni of 4 Post street, Waterbury, Conn.,, and Sergeant Thomas E. Caldwell, Jr |, of 302 North Grand Avenue, Gaines vile, Texas.
 T though sure we were goners," exclaimed Bilancmioni. We had been told that the phosphorus fire would burn right through aluminium just like it was tissue paper. So after we passed through those long legs of fire we peeked at one wing and then at the other to see if any thing was holding us up. But both wings still were right there where they belonged"
 "1t was the darndest thing I'd ever seen," marvelled Caldwell. 'The bomb exploded right in front of us and those flaming tentacles just seemed to be reaching out to grasp us. It sure was creepy feeling"
 The Japs have been employing air to air bombing tactics against the 7th AAF in the Central Pacific, Bilancioni and Caldwell explained. The bombs, timed to explode in five or 10 seconds, are dropped by a Jap plane high above and out of range of the 7th AAF planes guns. This type of bombing mainly has used to break up formations, rather than as a destructive measure, but it has met with little success, they opined.
 Bilancioni attended Crosby High School. His sister, Mrs. Christine Terni, resides in Bridgeport
 Caldwell, so nof Mir and Mrs. T. E. Caldwell of Gainesville, attended Gainesville High school
 Headquarters. 18th AAF South Pacific-Although the coral and sandy ground of the South Pacific is far cry from the fertile Con- necticut soil, Corporal Salvatore Veneziano didn't let that stop him. He was determined to have an over seas edition of the Victory Garden and kept hauling in dirt until he had layer about a foot deep. Now he's enjoying the fruits of his labor in the form of fresh tomatoes, cu- cumberS, lettuce, corn, and radisIles.
 Corporal Veneziano, the son of Mrs. Concetta Veneziano of 53 Ward street, Waterbury, Conn, is stationed with a signal unit of the 18th AAF Fighter Command at an advance South Pacic base. He is authorized to wear the Good Conduct Medal and the Asiatic Pacific theater rib bon.
 A graduate of Wilby high school in 1888, Corporal Veneziano was em- ployed in civil life by the Chase Metal Works in Waterbury, He has two brothers, Sebastian and Arthur, both of whom are serving in the armed forces.
 Washington, June 10-(UP)-The Navy Department today announced 63 casualties of the U. s. naval forces (Navy, Marine corps and Coast GuardO. This list includes 9 dead, 13 wounded and 28 missing, and brings to 45,901 the total cas- ualties since December ', 194f. The list includes:
 Connecticut
 Stemats, Steve Joseph, radioman, third class. U. s. naval reserve. Dead. Wife, Mrs. Ruth Stemats, 627 Bostwick avenue, Bridgeport. Sister, Mrs. Catherine Markitan, 421 Bishop avenue, Bridgeport.
 Private Francis J., Stack of 311 Walnut street has been transferred from Fort Knox, Ky, to Camp Breckenridge, Ky. He was assigned to an infantry unit at his own re- quest.
 ELllllS r. 0OuCcy OA TO D1AuS0 oVl OoV has completed leave here and has returned to the naval station at Sampson, N. Y.
 Lieut.. Richard w. MichaelS, of this city, who is serving in New Guinea, has been awarded the Air Medal, according to word received here. He has participated in more than 40 missions as an Army navi- gator on Mitchell and Liberator bombers. He started his overseas assignment last September. Second Lieut.. James Gioiella of 462 Bunker Hill avenue has been assigned to a quartermaster Lost l E--.--. a...ls. ...l