Arizona sun., 1948-05-14

German air and
naval base, shortly
after Britain and France had de-
clared war on Germany. American
correspondents still had consider
able freedom, and had managed TO
wrangle permission to interview the
first British fliers shot down by the
Germans. 1 did, but that isn't this
story.
For all the careful German prepa-
rations for war, there was still a
certain amount of confusion in the
office of propaganda under the high
" efficient father of lies, DR.. Goeb-
bells, but I managed to get the use
of a German army transport plane
to fly me with a German raolo
mani from Berlin to Wesermuende.
he war was roaring westward
into Poland and the great Tenn
ueIhof airfield in Berlin was all
hut deserted when we arrived be-
fore dawn and were escorted with
alacrity, and not a little WONDER
ment. to our transport which al
ready was warming up. We mad
been up all night and my colleague
Immediately fell asleep on pile
Of parachute equipment. AS soon
as dawn broke, 1 busted myseh
watching the anti-aircraft batteries
In the fields surrounding Berhn'
pun uits in fields surrounded by
comuIacent, cud chewing COWS
who were, like the rest of the be-
mused population, unaware OF
what the Fuehrer was about 10
bring down on them.
For some reason we flew low, al
most scratching our wings on the
church steeples. At last my COM
panion awoke. We were approach
ing the airfield. 1t was lively spot
AS we drew nearer, we could see
detachment of marines which came
to attention as we approached. "A
half dozen staff cars were drawn up
in a semi-circle, balanced by blue
Jackets and ground personnel OF the
air force.
"We're lucky" my companion re-
marked, "some big brass must be
coming, We'll see a parade" NO
other plane was visible though. as
we circled a couple of times over
the docks, thick with ships including
the long-lost Europa, back on her
dash from Murmansk. Finally we
landed couple of yards from the
military formation which by now
was drawn up at attention. We were
a little embarrassed, for we were in
plain sight of the imposing array.
and were afraid we might suddenly
bump into the visiting dignitary-
and we were hatless and unShaven.
let my companion go ahead. There
was no place to 60, however, but
in the direction of the naval de-
tachment and their commanding of
ficer. It later developed. he was the
commander Of the base, tall, slim,
correct naval officer, perhaps little
nervous, though we were too nervous
ourselves to realize it at the mo-
ment.
We advanced, like pups ap-
preaching a pOrcupine. A COM
mand rang out. The troops snapped
to present arms, the officer sa-
luted and drew a manuscript from
his tunic, something new to me in
military prOcedure-all could
think of was painting Of General
Washington reading message to
his troops land I always had
thought that was flight of the
artists fancy.
The officer began reading-it was
a message of welcome all right.
Finally, my companion Che was half
English, which may explain his
fortitude) interrupted: There must
be some mistake. We are TWO radio
correspondents"
The commander bowed, looked
abashed, glanced over our heads
toward the plane.
''But where are the other gentle
men?" he wanted to know.
There are just two Of u.s." we
replied.
But the minister Of propaganda?
Who is representing him? We were
notified by the departments spe-
cial plane-the truck for the bag
GAGE