davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1944-08-13

Each Of them was enveloped in
golden mist of traditions and memories.
Such was the price Normandy paid
for liberation. For many it seemed
closer to elimination. Perhaps the more
patriotic among Normans were solaced
with the realization that they were pay
Ing with their most cherished treasures.
never to be replaced, Frances ransom.
1t was hardly to be expected that
Allied troops would receive at first
wildly enthusiastic welcomes. Not until
the western coast of the Cherbourp
Peninsula was approached did the in
vaders experience the first showers of
roses from village maidens gathered at
the feet Of crossroads crucifxes. But
from this time on the welcome became
more enthusiastic as country was ira
versed where the toll of war on the
populace had been less ruinous.
Beyond doubt, Normandy was glad to
be rid of the Germans but it apparently
had suffered less than most sections
OF France under the occupation. There
had never, it. appears, been any acute
shortage OF food. The children were
fat, sturdy, roSe-cheeked. There were
no signs of malnutrition anywhere. This
was due chiefly to the fact that the coun-
Evening star., 1944-08-13

Ing sound Of his machine pistols firing
nearly 900 rounds minute. The ter
rain made operations Of armored divi-
sions nearly impossible.
PROGRESS Was Slow
Tanks were confined to roads. They
would bog down quickly in cross-coun-
try operations due to the earth walls
with the deep bitches beneath them.
Once stopped they were at the mercy of
enemy bazookas and hand grenades. The
yard-by-yard progress of the infantry
was discouraging. For nearly two
months the "beachhead," with the ex-
ception Of the northern third OF the
Cherbourg Peninsula, remained a strip
along the Channel coast less than IS
miles thick. There was only one good
lateral road by which troops and sup
plies could be moved
The military police in Normandy
would teach a great deal to any city
police department as far as traffic con-
troll is concerned. In two months
seldom heard a harsh command from
tnese soldiers, but the beachhead was
1ntolerably crowded. Within it was
probably the most intensive concentra-
ton OF troops the world has known.
Within the area were packed the
Evening star., 1944-08-13

OF dozen service people are treated each
Sunday evening is supper with the
director, members of his staff and
Finley and Mr.. James circulate around
the galleries for a half hour before
dinner, chatting with boys and girls in
uniform, who either express marked
musical interest or who appear home
sick and shy. They are shepherded into
private ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
ching rooms where they cat and talk
with the executives.
These lucky few "a different group
each week. then proceed to the main
floor above. where they relax in the
plant-and-fountain-hl filled east court
There they listen to some of the best
concerts this side of Carnegie Hall
Many Of the soloists are soldiers in
uniform. This is silent flattery to the
servicemen of the world, that some OF
the ideals for which they fight are being
preserved in this living American art
shrine.
Comments Are Interesting
In return, an unobtrusive compliment
Is paid the gallery and its far-seeing
director in the comments made by these
service people who constitute over one
fourth OF the visitors. This evidence lies
in guest book on one of the writing
desss in the servicemens lounge. Here
the real sentiments Of men and women
toward their only national gallery can
be found. OF course. there are facetious
comments, attention getters,' linked in
among the serious testimonies. Some of
them read this way:
only thing more beautiful than
Texas" From a Pontiac CMich) pri-
vate: Second most beautiful thing in
the world, next to my wife" The girl
in the checkroom is o. K, too But where
are the Varga girls?" from BrooklynitA
Solid a simple word of praise from
boys all over the country. From Phila-
delphia paratrooper: Sweet as blond"
And from private from Concord, N. H.:
Fine. but where are secretaries to take
free dictation?" A number of the visi-
tors prove their Army training by merely
stating Definitely 40" Most fatuous,
but famous of the wags comments is
the "eulogy": Next to canteloupe, An
drew is my favorite Mellon"
But the majority of the guest book
signatures at the National Art Gallery
are thoughtful comments A private
from College Park, Pa writes, This is
worth fighting for" From another
private: rs our power to destroy and
hate not lessened by such refugees? Yes,
and thanks" And, "A quiet, inspira-
tional way for serviceman to spend the
day-one we need more Of" This sort
of thing is interspersed with: Swell"
Interesting" Desire fulfilled and
from West Virginia WAC: Like Fairy
land" But the tribute most often re-
peated throughout the National GAL
lerys book OF guests is the fitting one
from Keats "Ode to a Grecian Urn:
Beauty is truth, truth beauty,
That is all ye know,
And all ye need to know on earth"
Evening star., 1944-08-13

the farmers with their haying. 1t was
inevitable that in four years superficial
friendships should have been formed,
for Normandy. even under occupation.
was feeling few of the real hardships of
war
At this point it may be appropriates
to note that the occupation forces
hardly conducted themselves at any
time as good soldiers. They were far
from the eyes of Berlin. No very heavy
duties were required of them. They
were essentially garrison troops. They
could live a relatively easy life and took
,full advantage Of the opportunities.
They lived high, drank great deal,
Evening star., 1944-08-13

parently fascinated audience she had
ever lectured to. Not even the smallest
child has fallen asleep and there are few
gigglers or "wrigglers" among them.
These youth tours became increasingly
popular with the warm weather and
when the schools closed Miss Van Hook
found her hands full with reedy-voiced
requests for lust one more look at the
lovely lady"-the glamour girl of the
gallery. Nine. Recammier," one of the
many superb war refugee loans. Another
~favorite was Renoir's wistful Girl With
the Watering Can"
The subtly shaded pink marble and
old boxwoods Of the gallery beckon
Washingtonians and guests from every
part OF the narrowing globe-not only
congressional families and pretentious
figures like Mrs. Roosevelt, the Vice
President and his wife, Chief Justices,
ambassadors, academicians, critics and
British peers.
All Feel at Home
Through the Nationls friendly, human
approach to fine art, through the many
inviting services offered, the man in the
street is made to feel at home. And the
armed forces have taken over, from
the general staff on down. Canadian,
French, English and New Zealand fight
ing men ningle with WACS, WAVES,
marines and privates from every branch
Of the service.
OF an average monthly schedule Of
100000 visitors (much higher in May,
June. July and August, at least 1000
service people alter In and out each
week. They like every part Of the gall
lery-the cool, filtered air, washed and
conditioned to beat the soaring Capital
heat; the expert lighting which gives
the effect Of daylight each hour of the
day through an incredibly lavish sys-
TEN of controls-controls which also
diffuse sunlight" on canvas, or direct"
1t on sculpture so that it seems to float
in space
They respond, too, to neatly uni
formed guards. good-looking. ukable
men, chosen not only for their expert
ence with law and order, but for their
better-than-usual knowledge OF the art
treasures they protect
The men and women in uniform are
Evening star., 1944-08-13

slant eyes gave rise to the report that
japanese battalions were serving with
the Germans on this front. All these
men. 1t appears were kept under very
strict discipline. There was little pill
lage, few atrocities. The soldiers paid
well for what they bought or requisi-
toned. They tried to ingratiate them
selves with the people. A good many
were billeted in homes. They sat by
the family firesides. They talked of
their own wives and children. They
brought to the family tables occasional
delicacies from their own rations. They
even took advantage Of opportunity to
help the housewives with their dishes,
Evening star., 1944-08-13

drilled little. worked little. Their
abandoned billets often were full Of
wine, applejack and cognac. Orders for
defense installations were carried out
half-heartedly and inenectively. They
expected, for example, to lay numerous
mine fields. They contented themselves
with sticking up in various orchards and
pastures warning signs with the word
"Minen" under black skull and cross
bones. The actual mines remained piled
high in the storehouses.
This did not fool the astute Marshal
Rommel when he inspected the Atlantic
wall In April. He returned to Berlin
and issued scathing reprimand to the
Normandy commanders. copies Of which
were among the earliest enemy docu-
ments captured. But this laxity may be
thanked for the saving of many Allied
lives. 1t seemed there would be no
summer IN Normandy. Day after day
there was rain. Rivers overflowing their
banks flooded the vast marshlands. Bat
ties were fought with soldiers knee deep
In water. Roads were ankle deep in
mud.
Strange Contrasts
Life was one of strange contrasts.
Men slept rniserably on floors Of some
OF the most luxurious homes in Western
Europe from which the owners had
fled. They ate ripe strawberries from
gardens strewn with dead. They drank
champagne from mess cups in foxholes.
Division headquarters were pitched in
avenues OF ancient beeches of breath
taking beauty in the moonlight OF early
July.
Traffic moved along blacked- out roads
at night with the roadsides marked
plainly with fantastic red and green
lights of the enormous Normandy
glowworms. As the young apples began
to form on the orchard trees the land
became a riot Of roses covering every
village wall and as the roses faded
passing troops were showered with
hydrangea and dahlias. Hedgerows
were lilac with foxgloves, white with
blackberry blossoms, cherries ripenened
and there were no children left to eat
them. The pastures and roadsides were
strewn with the bodies of dead cattle.
The living cows browsed calmly among
them.
Thus the picture continued for nearly
two months until the line of the narrow
beachhead was broken. Divisions broke
so1thward to the edge Of the hedgerow
country or entered the Celtic villages
and towns of Brittany and a new phase
of the invasion had started.
Evening star., 1944-08-13

tryside was one Of the richest agricul-
tural districts on earth and that its
chief outputs were quickly perishable
dairy products which must be consumed
close to home. The cities were small:
they were surrounded with rich pastures
and orchards.
The entire peninsula might be de-
scribed as one great farm with the
barest sprinkling Of industry. 1t came
as close as any place on earth to being
the happy land of no poverty and
great deal OF wealth. Moreover, the
German occupation forces do not ap-
pear to have been particularly obnoxi-
ous. Hitler had wasted few crack troops
Evening star., 1944-08-13

on this part Of the Atlantic wall. The
Germans were mostly older men of the
home.guard type. Few Of them were
stoutly indoctrinated Nazis. Many had
left wives and children in Germany.
In addition there were a good many
Poles and Russians. How these hap
pened to be in the German service never
was quite clear. All protested that they
were serving against their wills and
they were quick to surrender when
given an opportunity.
Under Strict Discipline
The Russians included large blocks
Of Mongols. Their yellow skins and
Evening star., 1944-08-13

pleased over the quiet dispatch of all
these services. They appreciate them
without realizing the well-ordered work.
ing Of this most modern, most beauti-
full and biggest marble structure in the
world They, like all guests. gasp bit at
the "a great Verte imperial columns and
fountain of the rotunda's central dome
(each shaft carved from the big green
drums of Western Italy, delivered Just
before war shipping restrictions.
Sunday Concerts
Their appreciation of the Sunday
night concerts is more active and per-
sonal thing. Many Of the boys who be-
come deyotees of the exhibition rooms
and of concerts, had never been inside
a museum before. Il was terrified of
them,' one lad admitted. Another said
he didn't know how cool and clean a
gallery could be-he was used to seeing
stuffed birds, mummies and dinosaur
skeletons when he attended museums
as child,
One of the surprises to which couple
The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 1944-06-22

hearsal couple Of Fridays ago IT'S
only because she'd been tearing
around broadcasting studios all that
day. Mitzi hung up a new record
In participating In six shows, not
counting her Parker Family"
broadcast which is heard OF 8:i5
p. m, over WATR and the Blue
Network. Her first program was
aired at 8 q. m, and her last "a
west-coast repeaO signed off at
1880 p. MI
Kay Kyser will probably never
forget this month Of June. It Is
the month In which he was married
to Georgia Carroll, his vocalist. It
Is the month he celebrates q birth
day and 1t Is the month In which
he takes q vacation from his Col
lege Of Musical knowledge" pro-
gram for the first time In more
than five years.
With Fathers Day Jokes filling
the air, we like this one, quipped
by Milton Berle, the Let Yourself
Go" WATR comic. "Ah, Dad!" en-
thuses Berle. Three little letters
e. all asking for money!"
D-Day gave NBC Announcer
Commentator jim Doyle q chance
to add to his large collection Of
Historic Headlines" For twenty
years Jim has been collecting news
papers that announce epoch making
events. Among them are editions
carrying the first words about
Ldndbergh,s flight, the attempted
assassination of President Roose-
welt, the Hirdenburg disaster and
the Orson Welles' "men from Mars
invasion" broadcast. The largest
headlines, according to Doyle, were
given the attack on Pearl Harbor.
Florence Halop, formerly Miss
Duffy Of 'Duffy's. Tavern" WATR
The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 1944-06-22
WAVELET rs
By ED LEAMY

each Sunday, the entire family
Joins in q sunday afternoon hymn
sing, Just rs 1t has been doing for
years. And-the boys always Join
in, the Sisters say. Though lit
tie pianissimo on the first song, they
can usually be heard across the
Ohio river by the time Mother
Evans begins playing THE Old Rug
ged Gross" or some other favorite.
Another person who Is there, though
In thought only, Is Brother Bill
Evans, now fighting for his country
in the South Pacific area.
There's one prominent broadcast
ing executive in New York, an ar
dent horse racing fan, who takes
along his portable radio to Belmont
Park each Saturday afternoon
Guests In adjoining boxes at the
track noted that he never turned
the set on until almost $50, and
wondered why-since the obvious
reason for the radios presence waa
to hear results at other tracks, and
they are broadcast all afternoon
One man walked by the box Just To
hear what air-fare was 50 interest.
ing to the executive and found out
much to his surprise, that he was
tuned to Mother and Dad" popu-
lar program Of old-time melodies
broadcast by CHS at that time. II
seems that said gentleman used
to fancy himself as quite singer
and was quietly joining In the we'll
loved melodies between shouts fol
his favorites to come inl Funnies
part Of the story Is that he Is execu.
tive Of another network
The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 1944-06-22

Mr.. Burrows and Mr.. Hegennan =.
oh, you have an electric diswashsr
now"
Burrows Is the Duffys Tavern
script writer and HegeEnan u
Arches father-in-law.
Automobiles should tune In to-
night on The March Of Time pro-
gram (NBC, 1880 p. NO. to hear
Interior Secretary Harold Ickes
make an important announcement
vital to every car owner in Amer
lea.
They call him the Crown Prince
Of Confusion, ana the name Is
ideally suited to Harry savoy, COM
edy star Of the new NBC Thursday
night series at 10 p. m. Savoy,
fast-talker who usually doesn't know
what he's talking about, has Q style
characterized by frantic but futile
efforts to say something and
In his frenzy, getting the idea across
without actually making sense. For
instance, "You should have seen
the girls at that party" says Henry.
Two girls came out and did q
dance. All they had on In
stead Of They were supposed
to You should have been
therel One girl did q dance with
o balloon. She held the balloon
above her knees, and while she was
dancing, the air In the balloon i. +.
faintedl" See what he means2
He's Just q guy who's always rack
ing his brains and then for
getting where ne racked them.
Grand Ole Opry," popular NBC
Saturday night feature, added q
tidy sum to the Fifth War Loan
Drive, thanks TO Harry Stone, gen.
eral manager Of WSM, Nashville,
Tenn, originating station Of the
folk song and comedy series. To all
purchasers Of 500 War Bonds, Stone
offered o cruise In his 46-foot yacht,
on the Cumberland River.
G. N. Baker, chairman Of the
Smith County Bond committee,
hailed Stones open invitation to
bond buyers declaring: THE prom
ise Of q cooling cruise on the pic
turesque Cumberland aboard the
WSM cruiser, Prince Albert Grand
Ole Opry,' is stimulating sales Of
Fifth War Loan 500 bonds to new
highs for Smith County. The bonds
are literally going like hot cakes"
Because the sound and music cues
for Raymond Massey's THE Doctor
Fights" aired over CHS on Tues.
days at $3.50 p. m, have to be syn
chronized to the split second, Con-
ductor Vladimir Selinsky and the
sound effects engineer wear head
phone sets which are connected
with the control room. This re-
duces to q minimum the confusion
which might result from an over
Tapping Of sound and music II both
men had to depend solely on watch
ing their scripts for cues.
incidentally, the script for Baby
Doctor" which was broadcast q
week ago. called for 50 many sound
effects ranging from heavy ar
tillery to footsteps on the captains
bridge - that two sets Of turn
tables were used instead Of the u.s.
ual one. It worked beautifully. but
the weary sound man was heard to
sigh wistfully: Anybody know Of
an octopus who'd like a Job like
thiS?"
II MitM Gould seemed o little
weary at the Parker Family" re-
The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 1944-06-22

Ed Archie" Gardner made q
crack only fully appreciated by his
intimates during a recent broadcast
Of Duffy's Tavern. (WATR, $3.50
p. m, TueSdayS.)
Pretending to phone Sherman
Billingsley, Stork Club proprietor,
for reservations for himself and
Joan Bennett, Billingsley refused
Archie q table.
what do you mean, clustered
Archie, 1.-TWO friends Of mine were
The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 1944-06-22

tive by Walter Reuther, vice.
president Of the Automobile, Air
craft, Agricultural Implements
Union (CIO).
George v. Denny, Jr., will moder-
mte the broadcast which will eman-
Ate from the Coronado Theater In
Rockford.
Three lucky service men get a
real home cooked dinner, the OPP
portunity to sing with network stars
and q generous portion Of West Vir-
ginia home life each Sunday aft
ernoon through the courtesy Of the
three cute Evans Sisters, we'll known
60 fans Of the Blue networks Mt
steal Steelmakers." The girls made
arrangements with a training CEN
ter near Wheeling to have three
lonely lads invited to their home
In time for dinner. Mother and
Father Evans prepare the meal,
while the girls do their best to en-
terrain Uncle Sans boys. At 400
The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 1944-06-22

doesn't have any more trouble find
ing male escorts. On recent
"Mr. and Mrs. North" whodunit,
she played q Brooklyn fan dancer
with more boy friends than you
could shake fan at.
During his personal appearance In
Chicago, recently, Xavier Cugat,
"Your Dubonnet Date" maestro
broadcast his Wednesday night
MBS series from the Windy City.
It was necessary to augment his
The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 1944-06-22

orchestra with three extra Violin
lists from the Chicago Symphony.
During the rehearsal Cugie discov-
cred that one Of the fiddle players
was a classmate Of his In l922
when they were both studying violin
in Berlin with Willie Hess, noted
violin teacher!
Everett Sloans, actor in ''Mr. Dis
trict Attorney" and other radio
thrillers, has been bitten with the
theatrical production bug. He has
Just opened production offices and
has several plays under considers
ton.
Joyce Almond, alto vocalist Of the
Singing Neighbors octet heard on
the Mother and Dad" program,
Saturdays over CHS, Is gifted aero
batic dancer and has two offers Of
jobs as a teacher Of specially toe
dancing.
Jerry Devine Is feeling much bet
ter. You see. the author director Of
Mr.. District Attorney" and pro-
Queer of The Army Service Forces
Present." has Just found out. for
sure. that he's literate.
When the 35-year-old Devine re-
ported for his pre-induction ply
steal last week. he found himself
in for a literacy test as well. Jerry.
who was @ child actor, completed
Just eight grades Of formal school,
ing before the tutors took over, and
the army automatically questions
the literacy OF eight-graders. So
Devine found himself running
through q simple test Of his powers
to read and write. Some ten min
utes after he had finished the test,
he wearied Of waiting for some
thing TO happen. and summoned
one Of the examiners. The SOL
der scanned the paper. then called
in amazement to his comrades.
''Heyi This guys got 1907!
Almost everyone knows who the
Duke Of wellington was. but few
are aware that the Waterloo heros
father was also a man Of cool cour-
age. Musically speaking, that is.
According to Maestro Don Bryan,
the music director Of Radio Read
er's Digest" the Dukes papa was
one OF the first to walk through the
streets of London openly and un-
ashamedly carrying q violin case.
At the time. two hundred years be-
fore Jack Benny. Londoners thought
the violin was an instrument OF
the devil.
The mayors Of the leading cities
Of the United States which Xavier
cugat Is visiting during his per-
Sonal appearance tour have all sent
him personal letters Of welcome.
Several have even delivered the let
.ers 10 the maestro on stage and
added 10 their welcome with verbal
accolades before the audiences.
cugie. who Is your Dubonnet
Date maestro over MBs wednes-
! day nights. received some Of the
most complimentary tributes from
Mayor James Garfield Steward Of
Cincinnati and Mayor Edward J.
Jeffries. u. Of Detroit.
Chatting with = soldier contes-
tant on Correction. Please" jay q.
Flippen. the emcee. asked II the
lad had q radio at camp. "Yes."
said the soldier. Il got Il as q gift
from my girl. But its one Of thosf
midget sets and Il is 50 small that
when I tune In Moore and DuFante.
Il al J can get a Moorel''
The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 1944-06-22

A topic which Is gathering inn
portance with the approach Of the
national political conventions win be
discussed on Americas Town Meet
ing Of the Air tonight, at $3.50 o.
clock, over WATR and the BLUE
Network.
The subject SHOULD Political Ac-
tlvitles Of Labor Unions Be Restruct-
ed7" will be discussed in the az
firmative by Rep. Everett M. Dirk
sen Of Illinois, and In the mega
The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 1944-06-22

II NTH Gould seemed o little
weary at the Parker Family" re-
The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 1944-06-22

Automobiles should tune In to-
night on The March Of Time pro-
gram (NBC, 1880 p. NO. to hear
Interior Secretary Harold Ickes
make an important announcement
vital to every car owner in Amer
| lea.
The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 1944-06-22

/ associated with you who3 {.
Mr.. Burrows and Mr.. Hegenaan -.
oh, you have an electric diswashsr
now"
Burrows Is the Duffy's Tavern
script writer and HegeTlAn V
Arches father-in-law.