The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 1944-03-03
Troops Sailing Toward War Are
Quiet, Fearless, UncOmpIaining
CORRESPONDENT WHO SKETCHED A. e. r. IN lS FINDS
GRIM MEN ARE SAVING SONGS FOR VICTORY CHANT
= = Z
ny s. J. W0OLF
NEA Stan Correspondent

Afellow with q sketch pad, work.
ing on Q crowded troopship, doubt
less could find quite a few unusual
types Of subjects. But to me, who
Just 70 years ago sailed as q CORE
spondent with the first A.E.F., the
interesting thing is the similarity of
these men-their likeness in OUT
ward mood and even in appearance.
Army life Is q great leveler. At
first sight, 1t is hard to tell the
college graduate from the mill
worker. A year or more of train
Ing has supplied q common denom-
tnator for all of them. 1t has
toughened some and tenderized
others. Moreover, soiled work
suits and cold sea water for shaw
ing do not add distinction to the
appearance of anyone. Nor do
Mae Vests improve male figures.
So have been sketching at ram
dom on this ship. I did not pick
any subjects for picturesqueness.
They are just American boys
whom I found in cabins, mess halls
and companionways, and with whom
I talked.
Nine out Of ten, the talk got
around to parents, wives, children
or sweethearts. Hands darted into
soiled field jackets and brought out
photographs for me to see. Although
have spoken with hundreds, only
one boy complained. He had lived
in the tropics for some years and
he wanted to go back, for he said
that life was easy there and he
hated to work.
DEMAND FOR SWEETS
While some of the others show
ed little enthusiasm, they all said
what amounted to the same thing:
There Is dirty job to be done
and the sooner we get it over the
better"
None Of them viewed the future
with any fear, and practically
every one Of them told of what he
intends to do when he comes back
after the war Is over.
Yet they display little of the
patriotism that was so much in
evidence during the last war. They
are not going in for flag-Waving
and martial songs. Yet their feel
ingS are just as strong. When an
American success Is announced
during a news broadcast, a wave
OF excitement, which can be felt
rather than heard, passes through
the crowd.
This transport is jammed. Yet
when the loudspeakers announce
Fall In for chow" there Is more
courtesy and good humor on the
steep companionways leading to
the mess halls than one Is likely
to find among boarders at home
when they hear the dinner bell.
Three tiers of hunks fill all
available space; cabins built to
hold two are crowded with twelve or
even more; decks and squares
serve as recreation halls where
some read and others play dice or
card games. Yet, despite these
cramped conditions, there has not
been a fight or brawl on the en-
tire trip. Although some LIQUOR
may have come aboard in duffle
bags, no one has been seen drunk.
At times there are as MANY at
the Canteens waiting to buy soft
drinks as there have been at the
various church services.
Candies and sweets also are
IN demand despite the abundance
OF food at the messes. There are
only two meals a day, but their
size makes up for their number.
One chap from Brooklyn boosted
OF having eaten four hard-boiled
eggs for breakfast, in addition TO
rolls, cereal and coffee.
MADE 80 ROUND TRIPS
Much of the credit for the con-
ditions aboard these transports
is due to the troop commandments
and their permanent staffs. upon
whom rests the responsibility for
disposing of the boys when they
come aboard, for feeding them
While at sea, and for disembark-
ing them. The commandment on
this ship has made 80 round trips.
According to him, things always
run as smoothly as they have on
this crossing.
The other evening, sitting in
his cabin, mentioned the compar-
alive little singing aboard and ex-
pressed some concern lest this was
a sign Of a lack of spirit among
our troops. The commandment is a
round, jovial colonel. He beamed
at my remark and replied:
you don't understand these
boys. I didn't either, until had
made number of trips with them.
They are saving up their songs
until they meet the enemy, and
then they'll make him face the
music"