davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1944-03-03

The grizzled old Flying Fortress
stood on the runway.
other END Of the field, out Of sight
beyond the hump in the runway, and
my crew was waiting with her, keep
ing her all warmed for the takeoff
while / went to lunch and to the
pilots meeting.
81 was to have bicycled over to
them, and we were to have taken
off for Formosa, to take pictures Of
what the Japs were doing.
IT had finished lunch when the
first wave hit. After that I had to
stay. in the foxhole for about an hour
while they strafed the field. But
when the fighters left, I jumped on
my bike and rode down the runway
through the smoke Of the other burn
ing Fortresses, to see what had hap
pened to Old 80.
"Only if I begin here, maybe no
body would understand what his
plane and his crew means to a pilot;
that it's like his home and his fam
lily. Boys you've lived with and
worked with for months. Your life
has depended on them and their
lives on you. And you've seen the
pictures Of their wives or girls, and
know just where they carry them
in their wallets, and how proud they
are of them, and you've told them
about your wife, and they know
what you hope for in the future, and
what you haven't told them you
know they've guessed, and the same
with you about them. n :
''And the plane-it isn't something
that belongs to the Government with
a number; it's Old SO, the beauti-
full new Flying Fortress that belongs
to you. It's more than your home
its, well, a kind Of sweetheart.
All Of you picked her up off the as
sembly line at the Boeing plant
where she was born a beautiful,
smooth, shining, naked thing. Then
all Of you took her up over the
clouds and wrapped that beautiful
blue star-spangled gown Of the skies
around her, which is the way every
Fortress ought to be dressed, be-
cause they're the Queens Of the high
skies.
"And you're so damn proud Of
her, all Of you-knowing you're fly
ing q Fortress, which everybody
y
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1944-03-03
CHAPTER I

The grizzled old Flying Fortress
stood on the runway of an American
airfield, presently to depart for an
other continent and another war
zone. Those scratches on her rum
ming gear were made by sand grains
of Wake Island when she was on her
way to the Far East before the war.
That little dent on her wing was
made by spent-bomb fragment the
day the war began, when the Japa-
nese destroyed all but a very few
of our Far Eastern Air Force on
Clark Field in the Philippines. She
was one of those few. The battle
paint on her wings was later bis
tered by the sun in the high skies
over Java, and still later nicked by
sandstorms over the Australian des-
ert.
OF the very few to escape Clark
Field, she is the only one to come
home, and now, her guns removed,
she is an old war horse turned out
to pasture, the transport plane Of a
three-star general of the American
Air Force.
Lieutenant General George Fl. Brett,
.USA, ,oho until recently commanded the
Far Eastern skies for che United Nations.
On her side is a jaunty emblem
daubed there by the hand of some
boy, unknown now and probably
dead-the outline of a misshapen
bird "The Swoose"- swan and
half goose taken from a jingle,
and beneath it the skeptical legend
SIT Fies?"
It did, for countless thousands Of
miles through cloud canyons and
over oceans and islands of the war
zone, and now in the shade of her
wing sit six who have a story to
tell. The pilot is standing. He is
Frank Kurtz, who has been three
times member of the champion
ship American Olympic Team as
high diver, who year ago was
lieutenant in the 18th Bombardment
Group, and who now holds the Dis
tinguished Flying Cross and the Sill
yer Star, and is lieutenant colonel
at thirty-one.
The others are Mango, his pretty,
blonde, blue-eyed wife; Captain Har-
ry Schrieber, his black-eyed, black
haired navigator; Master Sergeant
Charlie Reeves, his bombardier;
Master Sergeant Rowland Boone, his
gunner; and Master Sergeant "Red"
Warner, the merriest embalmer in
the Air Corps, who few years ago
ran a comfortable little undertaking
parlor out on the Coast.
'sRed' is now crew chief Of the
Swoose, and lords it over the ground
crews who swarm over her to check
her engines when she hits the
ground. He brings hot coffee and
sandwiches to her pilot and passen-
gers when she Is aloft, and it was
his. duty in Java and Australia to
steal anything from a carburetor to
asroasting chicken necessary to keep
the General comfortable and the
Swoose in the air. But this Is get
ting ahead of the story.
Since this sgas sgriften. all die master
sergeanfs Of the SsUOose creio have been
commissioned.
Meanwhile Frank, the pilot, PAGES
UP and down. It isn't easy for him
to begin. Few things have been easy
for Frank Kurtz. It wasn't easy as
a boy, when he earned his living
selling papers on the streets Of Kan
sas City. It wasn't easy later to
leave home when he was fourteen
bscanse he had decided to become
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1944-03-03
International LAWYERS

AHttFHdtIUHdI LdWytES
International law is such an UNI
profitable profession that probably
not over rs attorneys in the world
today are sufficiently versed in it
to be classed as expert interna-
tional lawyers.
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1944-03-03

MEnlchTEn Soothe itch Of simple
S rashes by sprinkling on
POWDER FOR Mexsana, the soothing.
r.ss,. =. ,,or nedicated powder. Re-
kMmhI USE lieves diaper rash.
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1944-03-03

Lesson subjects and Scripture texts &C.
lected and copyrighted by International
Council OF Religious Education; used by
permission.
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1944-03-03
''~''''~ IMPROVED '
UNIFORM INTERNATIONAL
CUNDAy
CcHOOL Lesson

BY HAROLD L. LUNDQUIsT, D. D.
OF The Moody Bible Institute of Chicago.
Released by Western Newspaper Union.
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1944-03-03
JESUS URGES HIS DISCIPLES
TO WATCH

LESSON TEXT: Mark 1880. Sl-3I.
GOLDEN TEXT: Watch We therefore. for
ye know not when the master Of the house
cometh.--Mark 1888.
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1944-03-03

Thousands of tenants are COM
planning bitterly that landlords re-
fuse to paint or Observation-Disclosures
LaGuardia Of New York.
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1944-03-03

We recently met . landlord who
was pretty decent about 1t. He
agreed TO cooperate. II we would
buy the paint and do the painting he
would furnish the ladder.
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1944-03-03
WAY FOR THE ROCKET FLIvvER

WAY FOR THE ROCKET FLIvvER
w. B. Stout, Detroit engineer,
warns the auto industry that the
airplane industry Is so far ahead OF
1t in new ideas that 1t may lead the
field in automobile making after the
war. He thinks the aviation engi-
neers and designers will spring mod
els that will eclipse anything the au-
tomobile people have dreamed OF.
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1944-03-03

Traders Interest Centers in
Rye."-Headline.
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1944-03-03

Omigosh! The thought that there
was any talk Of federal operation
of fishing astounds US. Washington
controlling the fish catch, mending
the nets, telling the halibut when to
run and announcing a code for
mackerel? It unnerves US.
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1944-03-03

"Ickes Bars Plan for U. S. to Take
Over Fish Industry. Headline.
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1944-03-03

A thing like that can make man
an outcast In this country today.
Henderson daily dispatch., 1944-12-22
Wife Preservers.

Always wrap meat properly. whether
you are storing a small amount for Z
short period in the ice cube compart
ment Of your refrigerator or in a deep
freeze cabinet. If it isn't completely cov.
cred, portions of meat will freeze to each
other and to the sides Of the storage con-
partment
Henderson daily dispatch., 1944-12-22

The pyramids Of Egypt stretch for
60 miles along the west bank OF the
Nile.
Minneapolis spokesman. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1934-2000, 1944-12-22
Friday, December %, 1914

Sr., Seaman Harold C. Brown, Jr.,
Frank H. Brown and Donna Jean
Brown, 405 St. Anthony.
Peace on earth good will toward
all men, especially to the boys over
seas.-Mr. and Mrs. Chas. Phelan,
2316 10th Ave. S.
Christmas Greetings to our
friends and to those in SERVICE
Mr.. and Mrs. John T. Claiborne,
721 st. Anthony.
Best Wishes for the Holiday Sea-
son and a Happy New Year to all.
Mr.. and Mrs. George W. Carter,
441 st. Anthony.
A Very Merry Christmas to all
and a Bountiful New Year.--Mr.
and Mrs. c. V. Wagner, 1889 Fifth
Ave. s.
Christmas Greetings to our
friends and especially to those in
service.-Mr. and Mrs. Fred Cobb,
1852 Fifth Ave. S.
Greetings from MIR. and Mrs.
John H. Hickman, MIR. and Mrs.
A. E. Harper, Mr.. and Mrs. FULLY
d. Hickman, 766 st. Anthony.
We wish to extend the Seasons
Greetings and Best Wishes for
Happy New Year to the st. Paul
Recorder and all of our friends
Mr.. and Mrs. Gameliel Ferguson,
937 Rondo.
Nora B. Ross, 663 st. Anthony,
extends Seasons Greetings to all
her friends and her two nephews
on the battle fields.
Mrs. Mae SissOn, 912 Iglehart,
extends to her friends a Merry
Christmas and a Prosperous New
Year.
With heartiest Greetings and
Best Wishes for Merry Christmas
and a Happy New Year.-Harry,
Charlotte and Ritajean Davis, 1907
Emerson N.
Mr.. and Mrs. Herbert GlantOn,
2429 Fourth Ave. S., send Holiday
Greetings to their friends and to
their two sons, Pvt. John and Cpl.
Wayne, now on distant shores.
Mrs. Anna B. Matthews and Mr..
and Mrs. VIM. Miller, 3733 Fifth
Ave. S., wish all their friends a
Merry Christmas and Happy New
Year.
Mr.. and Mrs. Robert r. Mitchell
and family, 6S5 Carroll, extend
greetings to all and best wishes for
the Holiday Season.
Minneapolis spokesman. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1934-2000, 1944-12-22

In the spirit of the season, it's
pleasure to express Merry Christ
mas.-Mr. and Mrs. James w.
Simms, 987 Aldrich N.
May joy, good health and pros
perity be the heritage of all man
kind.-Mr. and Mrs. Reginald Glib
son, 1901 Clinton Ave.
We wish for all the Merriest
Christmas ever; the safe return of
our boys and girls in the service
and a Happy New Year.-Mr. and
Mrs. Richard A. Lark, 627 Selby.
We are happy for the love Of
friends. and wish for them an
abundance Of health and happi-
ness during the Yuletide Season
and through the New Year.-Mr.
and Mrs. John M. Patton, 954 st.
Anthony.
There's no way of saying the old
wish more warmly than just Merry
Christmas to all.-Mr. and Mrs.
John X. Lawrence, Jr., Mrs. Rose
Lawrence and William Lawrence,
Jr., 947 Iglehart Ave.
Mr.. and Mrs. B. H. Harvey, 1881
Bryant n, wishes for all their
friends all the happiness and cheer
that the Holiday Season and the
New Year can bring.
At this Christmas Season we
wish an abundance of health and
happiness for our friends in 1915.
Mr.. and Mrs. John Few, 1927 Cum
berland.
Sgt. Manly J. Rhodes, 87551182,
3453 Q. M. Trk. Co., APO $50, Go
Postmaster, New York, N. Y, sends
Holiday Greetings to his friends
and wishes for all Peace and Vic
tory in 1915.
In the spirit of the season, it's
a pleasure to express Merry Christ
mas and a Happy New Year.-Mr.
and Mrs. Vernon B. Young and
family, 1926 Fifth Ave. S.
May God bless all of our friends
and all mankind at this Holiday
Season.-Mr. and Mrs. James e.
Riley, 2419 Fifth Ave. S.
Mr.. and Mrs. William Brayboy,
578 Rondo, extend to all their Best
Wishes for the Holiday Season and
Good Luck during 1916.
Minneapolis spokesman. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1934-2000, 1944-12-22

We wish to extend Holiday Greet
ings TO all our friends and sincere
hopes for a Happy Victorious New
Year.-Ellis, Florence and Mary
Ellis Manning, As W. Maryland.
We wish to extend all the Sea-
sons Best Wishes.-Mr. and Mrs.
T. B. Warren, sos Fremont N.
SSSSsSssSSSssSsSStss5sSs5ss
Christmas of 1914 is going to
be a big Christmas. See if we
aren't right!
May your Christmas be boun-
teOus and full of good Cheer,
and loads of Good Luck to you
in 1915.
Jimmie and Bea SIemmOns
22O1 Fifth Avenue South
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
Minneapolis spokesman. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1934-2000, 1944-12-22

In the spirit of the season, it is
a pleasure to express a Merry
Christmas and Best Wishes for the
New Year.-Mr. and Mrs. E. l..
Boyd, 1888 Fourth Ave. S.
We wish to extend holiday greet
ings to all and our sincere hopes
for Happy Victorious New Year.
Mr.. and Mrs. Harold c. Brown,
RIsR Iesn IeSA oSh JeSb JosR SsR ssA sR osn osh m
Minneapolis spokesman. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1934-2000, 1944-12-22

Seaman Alfred A. Brown, NJ. O.
NJ. Bic, stationed somewhere in the
Southwest Pacific, extends the Sea-
sons Greetings TO all his friends
in the States and to those in other
branches of the service.
Seaman Brown is the brother of
Miss Eunice and Roy Brown, 1851
Bryant Ave. N, and is the son of
Mrs. Brooksie Brown, Waseca,
MINI.
Minneapolis spokesman. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1934-2000, 1944-12-22

lther
who
IS,
and
lind.
in
re-
ings
'ush-
and
! son,
Jor-
Minneapolis spokesman. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1934-2000, 1944-12-22

Merry Christmas and best wishes
for year around happiness-Mr.
and Mrs. Charles Beasley and fam
lily, 904 Bryant n.
Charles, Isabelle, CharIeRe and
LOuverne Noble, 1892 Fourth Ave.
So, extend Best Wishes for a JOY
full Holiday Season TO all.
A Joyous Yuletide TO all, and an
abundant 1945.-Mr. and Mrs. W.
ID. Gates, Donald and Gloria.
The Hardin tribune-herald. [volume] (Hardin, Mont.) 1925-1973, 1944-12-14
Russia Spent 500, 600, 900
Yearly on Sports Program

Since 1921, Soviet Russia has be-
come the most sports-minded
country in history through its
sports-for-all program for which
It has appropriated as much as
$100, 000, 900 annually, says Col
lier's. This has not only resulted
in the construction of $50 stadi-
ums, $500 gymnasiums and 10000
playing fields, but has also encour-
aged 5000, 900 men and women of
nearly all ages to compete in ath-
letic events.
Furthermore, as no one is per
mitted to make money on sports,
either IS a promoter or a partici-
pant, there are no professional
athletes in the Soviet Union.
The Hardin tribune-herald. [volume] (Hardin, Mont.) 1925-1973, 1944-12-14

|NNE of the wars best kept
" secrets has lately been
revealed, at least in part. This
is a detailed description of the
Psi, or "Black Widow" the
worlds largest and most
powerful pursuit plane. This
strange appearing two mo-
tored fighter was designed
early in 1941 to combat the
German raiders that were
then blasting London by night.
The Black Widow, in fact, was
the first plane developed ex-
clusively for night fighting. 1t
was named after the extreme
ly poisonous "Black Widow
spider.
Although the blitz on London
slackened to nuisance raids before
the Black Widow got into action.
this mighty air weapon has been
found invaluable IN many sorts Of
missions. Black Widows are rip
ping German supply columns as
they try to advance under cover
of darkness; others, in distant South
Pacific theaters, are shooting down
Jap bombers from the night skies.
Because of its detection equipment,
it can be used for patrol and scout
ing missions at night.
The Black Widow Git is painted
a glossy black so that it will be al
most invisible by night is as large
as a medium bomber, and heavier
than a pre-war standard transport.
Its two 2,000-horsepower Pratt and
Whitney engines, turning four-blad-
ed propellors give a speed that can
keep pace with any pursuit ship.
Armament consists of so caliber
machine guns and 20mm. n Its
irepoWer is so great that it can
blast any plane to destruction. Moth
ing but a concrete pillbox can with
stand its assault. The ammunition
boxes and other vital parts are pro-
tected from enemy bullets by armor
plate and deflector plates. The crew
are likewise safeguarded by armor
and bullet-proof glass.
A pilot, a gunner and a radio
operator make up the rev In
emergencies the gunner can take
over the flying controls. The radio
The Hardin tribune-herald. [volume] (Hardin, Mont.) 1925-1973, 1944-12-14

nan also fires some of the guns
when need arises.
More technical information is CIV
en- in these excerpts from the Fact
Sheet"
GENERAL DESCRIPTION
The Psi is an all-metal, twin
engine, three-place, midwing, night
interceptor monoplane with two tail
booms, fully retractable tricycle.
landing gear and heavy armament.
The three man is fully en-
closed in a crew nacelle located
between the two engine nacelles,
which are of monocoque construc-
ton.
The Wings.
Wings are of stressed skin two
spar cantilever structure composed
of two inner panels, two outer pam
els and two tip panels bolted to-
gether by internal fittings accessi-
BILE through removable doors. The
two spars-among the largest ex-
trusions in the world - continue
through the crew nacelle.
Tail Group.
The tail group consists of two
fins and two rudders, connected by
a stabilizer and an elevator. En-
tire tail group is supported by two
monocoque tail booms attached to
the engine nacelles.
Landing Gear Group.
The nose gear is Of the half-fork
type which folds aft and up into the
crew nacelle by hydraulic action.
Mechanically operated doors seal
the opening after r%etraction.
The main gear consists Of two
wheel and brake assemblies and two
shock strut assemblies which re-
tract aft and up into the engine ma.
celles. In retracted position. n.y.
draulically operated doors cover
wheel wells.
Brakes r dual hydraulic disc
type, installed on each main gear
wheel.
Power Plant.
The two Pratt and Whitney model
E:-2800 two stage, two speed super.
charged engines are designed to op-
crate on 100 octane fuel. Each en-
CINE is equipped with an injection
carburetor. These engines develop
1000 horsepower ''plus."
Two Curtiss- Wright electric, full
feathering four-bladed propellers, II
feet, 2 inches in diameter, drive the
plane. Propeller blade angle is con.
trolled automatically or by manual
selection.
The landing flap is an innovation.
The Black Widow has the first full
span landing flap, combined with en-
tirely new type of aileron-a scoop
or spoiler which retracts into the
upper aft section of the wing.
EQUIPMENT.
Instrument lighting consists of two
fuorescent bulbs which cause instru-
ment faces to glow in the darkness,
located each side of cockpit.
The landing lights are electrical.
ly retractable, mounted undersur.
face Of each outer wing panel.
The emergency air brake system
operates from a storage bottle which
shoots air into brake lines, forcing
brakes on.
Night binoculars, a secret device.
are electric. Mounted on arm, they
are swung into place aft of pilots
armor glass.
Oxygen inhalation apparatus is 10.
Gated on right side of crew nacelle
in each compartment for every
member of crew.
The automatic pilot operates by
pressure from the main hydraulic
system.
An individual heater is provided
for each crew member.
The Hardin tribune-herald. [volume] (Hardin, Mont.) 1925-1973, 1944-12-14
PIN-UP PILLOWS

First you wore your goofy gadgets
on your lapels; then on your sweater
bottoms and now you're wearing
them On little pin cushions made
for this very purpose. It's so hard
to keep up with your fads that we
constantly ask ourselves in amaze
ment, "How do we do it," Maybe
some whiz kid can give Us the an
swer.
It's the Nuts-Take a half walnut
shell; shine it up by coating of color
less or red nail polish-then stuff it
with cotton and paste a scrap of
colorful fabric across the top. Stick
your gadget pins into this nutty
cushion and pin the cushion. itself,
to your lapel or sweater.
Wrist Twist-Make a little heart
out Of felt; stuff it well and sew a
narrow velvet ribbon or a strip OF
felt to either side. Tie securely
around your wrist and wear your
favorite gadget pins in the little
heart-shaped cushion.
Nimble Thimbles-Buy some plas-
tic thimbles in assorted colors; bore
a little hole in the side of each,
and string on yarn in tassel cluster
effect. Turn each thimble into a
miniature pin cushion with stuffing
and a piece of fabric over the top
or with a cork, tightly wedged in
side. Stick your favorite pins in each
thimble and wear on your lapel or
beanie.
The Hardin tribune-herald. [volume] (Hardin, Mont.) 1925-1973, 1944-12-14

on the puffs or trim 'em up with
contrasting appliques.
For Gals Who Wear Glasses -
How about an eyeglass case made
of felt? If she wears Harlequin
specs, cut the case in corresponding
pixie shape. Sequin eyes with looped
thread lashes make a cute trim.
especially if they're winking.
Hands Up-1t's easy to make a
pair of gay mittens out of felt. Cut
around the shape of your hand for
a pattern. Whip together with con-
trasting wool and trim to suit your
fancy-in fact. the fancier the bet.
ter.
Scrap-Happy Books - Use your
own school books for patterns and
make a set Of covers out of bits of
felt, sewn together in patchwork
effect with contrasting yarn. An un-
usual and useful gift for any girl
in your class. Well, Miss Nimble
Thimble, thread up your needle and
get busy! Times a-wastin'.
The Hardin tribune-herald. [volume] (Hardin, Mont.) 1925-1973, 1944-12-14

In voice to calm my ruf1ed fur,
Or was it three-Oh-f-ev?'
l yell in tone like stentor old,
While I my heated temper hold,
My little one, with voice of gold
You think I'm dumb or nai-ev?'
Oh, how it does me irritate,
When l give out my number straight
A simple three, or nine, or eight
In this l am not lynn;
To hear the operator say,
In, to me, an affected way,
At end of hard and heavy day,
Did you say, 'three-oh-ni-en?'"