The Omaha guide., 1944-09-16
People of North Africa Hit
by Nazi Rule Says MilIdrd
Woods Home from Foreign Red Gross Post

this lcng." stated Willard Woods in
Lincoln after spending a year and a
half IN North Africa as club director
with the American Red Cross
The lands there haven't been cul-
tivated since 1889 when the Germans
took over everything. The little
children had no milk because the in
vading nazis under Rommel took all
the food, starved the few animals and
cows that they did have, forcing the
French, Spanish, and Jewish ~popuIa-
ton that inhabits north Africa to
live on snails, fish, brown bread, and
wine, said Mr.. Woods. There is no
fuel to keep them warm in winter
time and the gas with which food is
cooked is carefully rationed."
Ameriedns Gi0e Hid
However, much has been done
since the Americans have taken over
through lend-lease," said the former
executive secretary Of the Lincoln
Urban league, who was for three
months stationed with Linco1n's own
Col Marcus Poteet and his quarter
easter regiment
Mr.. Woods job as club director in
scluded the managing of zone unit
made up Of four buildings with =
staff of 81 persons. These were re-
creation buildings serving in the cap
aclty of a USO, one a theater build
ing, a recreation club, another a
snack bar which served 5000 to 1000
soldiers a day, and another for dane
ing and boxing.
Il would say the American soldiers
~favorite pastime IN Africa is dane
ing" related Mr.. Woods. And when
the question arose as to whom the
soldiers use for dancing partners, he
replied that there are plenty Of
French and SPANISH girls to dance
with, adding that THE American
girls would have quite a hard time
competing with them" The next
question asked was whether they jit-
terbug American style to which Mr..
Woods replied with a grin "Americ-
an boys don't take lessons-they give
.'em."
Among the entertainment shows
that appeared at his club werelp per
formances by Jack Benny, Doch
Wheeler, Joe Louis, and Madeline
Carroll. The boys have plenty of
recreational facilities at our club now
said Mr.. Woods. everything from
dominoes to pool"
He tells the tale of British and A
merican soldiers caught in a day room
one night during an air raid alarm.
There was only time to turn out the
lights before the planes came over
Mr.. Woods said
Then one Of the boys noticed a
small bonfire that needed to be put
out to keep the planes from locating
and bombing the place. In the dark,
one OF the boys grabbed a can Of
gasoline instead Of a can Of water,
and then we really had light" But
luckily, (probably bcause the pilots
couldn't shoot straight) the closest
bomb hit 200 yards away
Sag During Raid
"And during all this time" declar-
ed the club director, the American
and British soldiers huddled together
in the darkness of the club singing,
when the Lights Go On Again
a moment that nobody there would
ever forget"
Asked what the natives do for a
living, Mr.. Woods said, They beg,
steal, some work. Boys aren't allow
ed 20 go to school until they are 13
50 they shine shoes and work in the
vineyards"
GAS for the laundry situation-I'm
afraid the conditions in Lincoln, are
much the same as IN North Africa"
said Mr.. Woods. Its nice work if
and when you get it back, but you
never know when that will be-
After spending a 25-day leave with
his wife and IA year old son, Millard
Jr., Of 1916 S Street, and with his
beloved mother, Mrs. William Woods.
Mr.. Woos will deturn to his station
in Africa.
Many social and civic events have
been planned and held in honor Of
the former Lincoln Urban League
Executive Secretary
Mr. Willard Woods father, the late
Mr.. William T. Woods, prominent
Lincolnite and Nebraskan, died last
April while his son was serving at
his station overseas.