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Show PAGE TWO PROVO (UTAH) SUNDAY HERALD, SUNDAY, DECEMBER 20, 1942 RICKENBACKER TELLS STORY OF REMARKABLE ESCAPE AT SEA (Continued from found to be off. "Then I thought we had overshot over-shot our objective. I felt that we had had more tail-wind than the boys thought we had. Mind you. we have no weather stations out there linked up by wire such as we have here. Everything is done by forecast, and the forecast is not always as perfect as it might be. "The forecast showed we had a 10-mile tail-wind." Later, Rickenbacker- said, ho met a pilot who had gone out the same night and that this flier told him that he had discovered a 30-mtle tall-wind. . "This confirmed my belief that we had overshot to the south," he continued. "One of the stations tried to give us what they could, and they "gave us certain courses to follow but we couldn't get crossfires on them. Gas Runs Low "We kept flying and decided to try the old box method of computing com-puting our position. We looked for a ship or an island. "You know, out there, you get island eyes you see land from many different angles, but they're just cloud shadows. And "when you really want to see land, they multiply tenfold. "Time was fleeting and our gas was low. We didn't know wrjre we were and knew no one else know. "We shut off the two outside engnies. to conserve gas and plugged plug-ged along on the inside two. "The last message we got out was that we had an hour's gas left. Then our radio operator started pounding out the SOS for an hour until we hit." Dump Everything Out Before they hit, they dumped out of the plane everything tbit was loose baggage and other equipment. "If you think material things were ever necessary, or if you were ever in that position, you would learn how little value they are," Rickenbacker added. Water rations were removed to the radio compartment and mat-treses mat-treses placed about to cushion th.6 shock of landing. "We went into a trough and landed -into a big swell," Rickenbacker Ricken-backer continued. "It might have been unfortunate if we had hit the top of the swell, because we'd have gone right down. "When we hit we didn't skid. It was a none too comfortable shock. At that moment, a portion por-tion of our radio that was on a shelf let go and broke down the door to the radio compartment, and that didn't help matters, especially es-pecially with Col. (Hans C.) Adamson having a sprained back." For a moment after the landing, land-ing, Rickenbacker related, there was confusion within the ship. One of the rubber lifeboats became be-came tangled in the rope. "We were all so anxious to get away from the ship, we didn't pay much attention to rations. We left the water behind. For food we had four oranges -- scrawny ones at that which we lived on for eight days. Cut Into Eight ' I carved these up into eight p:-s nnd rationed them out. "If you ever had seven pairs of hungry eves watching the carver, you'll carve pretty well, even if you haven't the facilities." Rickenbacker said that three rubber life-rafts were used. Rick-enVinrVor. Rick-enVinrVor. Col. Adamson -;nd Pvt. John Bartek got in one raft. Sgt. Alexander Kaczmarcyk, who subsequently sub-sequently died during -the ordeal at sea, and Capt. William T. Cherry were in another The third raft was occupied by Lieut. James C. Whitaker, Lieut. John D. Dean-' PHOTO ALBUMS - SCRAP BOOKS . BOOKS - STATIONERY Close Out . . . XMAS TREE ...At We Have a Few POTTED PLANTS PRICE GAMES and PAINT BOOKS mm OFFICE SUPPLY GO. 43 EAST CENTER ST. PHONE15, Page One) gelis, and Staff Sgt. James Reynolds. Rey-nolds. "The small two-man boat overturned, over-turned, and the young man we later lost swallowed salt water, which didn't help his thirst," Rickenbacker Rick-enbacker continued in his account of the events immediately following follow-ing the forced landing. Water Was Rough "The "water was rough. And the boy (Kaczmarcyk) got to drinking drink-ing srjt water during the night. As a result he later died of salt water poisoning and starvation. We tied the boats together. After we got going, naturally we thought about our food and water but we didn't dare go back to the shin for fear it would sink and suck us down. "There followed . five days of calm. It was beastly hot. Some of the boys threw their shoes and socks into the water. It was un-forunate, un-forunate, because they had their feet and legs burnt badly. Three or four had jumpers on, but no hats. I Was more fortunate. I had an old felt that Mrs. Rickenbacker Ricken-backer had wanted me to discard for the last 10" years. I also Wore high-Jopped boots." Then he told how he gathered together all the handkerchiefs the men had with them, wet them and had them place them over their faces to protect them from the burning sun. No Rain At First "There was no rain until the eighth night. "We saw nothing in the way of searching planes or ships. The little boy (Bartek) in my boat had an issue Bible in the pocket of his jumper and on the second day out we organized prayer pray-er meetings in the morning and in the evening. "Frankly and humbly we prayed for our deliverance. "And after the oranges were gone, there showed ug, terrific pangs of hunger. Then we prayed for food. We happened to have two little fishlines but no bait. "If it wasn't for the fact that I had seven witnesses, I wouldn't dare tell this fantastic story. "One hour after the prayer meeting, a seagull landed oln my shoulder. You can imagine my nervousness as I reached around to get it. But I caught it and we wrung its neck. We feathered it and stripped its innards, which we used for bait. "Capt. Cherry caught a little mackerel and I caught a speckled sea-bass, which we divided up equally. "It was delicious. Everybody got an equal share. "The next day another seagull landed on my shoulder. But I didn't have the heart to wring its neck and I let him go." The next night. Rickenbacker said, he and his fellows ran into a heavy rainstorm. Ordinarily, he said, they would seek to avoid a black squall, but "we made a business busi-ness of getting into this one." ' "We used our shirts, our socks, and our handkerchiefs. We 'got them soaked up and then would wri it them out into a little rubber bucket. I was the official wringer in niv boat. On Water Rations "We went on water rations two sip3 a day, about a half jigger. As the days went on and we ran into more rain, we were able to build it uo. "Then Capt. Cherry's boat went upside down during a storm and we lost our flares and medical kit." The boat was retrieved and tied up aain with the others. "On the 11th night, this boy that died was getting very low. In spite of the fact that the temperature tem-perature was 78 to 80 and the wind was high, it was freezing. The waves were constanltly breaking over us and it was like being doused with ice water. I moved SIFTS SUGGESTIONS DECORATIONS Reduced Prices! Red Cross Helps unnun At Army Canips . Through the cooperation of various civic organizations under direction of the camp and hospital hos-pital service council of the Utah, county Red Cross chapter, appropriately ap-propriately - decorated Christmas trees have been placed at the army camps at Camp Williams and Pleasant Grove, according to Mrs. J. E. Goates, chairman. The junior Red Cross organization organiza-tion in the Dixon, Farrer, Tim-panogos, Tim-panogos, Joaquin, Franklin and Maeser schools assisted by collecting col-lecting ornaments, Mrs. Goates said. The decoration committee assisting as-sisting in the program consisted of Miss Ruth Swenson, Mrs. A. F. Coleman and Mrs. Carl Dill. The soldiers at the camps will be feted at a program December Decem-ber 23, with the junior chamber of commerce leading out in the arrangements, Mrs. Goates said. Appreciation to all those who have helped in any Way was expressed by the chairman. the boy into my boat and cuddled him like a mother. I tried to give him the warmth of my body. The night that Young Kacz marcyk died, he wanted to go back to his own boat. Rickenbacker complied with the request. "About 3 a. m. we heard his last gasp. I had been on cinder tracks and burning airplanes, but I had never been through anything like this. I was afraid to make a de cision. "About 6 a. m. we pulled the boats together. I examined him and finally pronounced him dead Two of the boys were witnesses Then we lifted him over the boat gently and he disappeared. It was one of the hardest jobs I ever had." Minds Began To Crack "In the morning our minds be gan to crack. I tell yo I know things about these men s lives that no one else in the world knows. They confessed all their commissions commis-sions and omissions all their sins. It's a good thins- I didn't have time to p;et started on mirie, or I'd be talking yet; "On the 17th day we saw the first sign of life. This was a little lit-tle plane that went by about five miles away. We waved frantically frantical-ly and yelled, but he went on by. It was heartbreaking. "The next day two planes came out and again they missed us. The next day four came out and again passed us up. Although our boats painted yellow and we were tied together, it was difficult to see such -small objects when-the breakers break-ers were in action." Rickenbacker at this point told how he and his men discussed the loss of Amelia Earheart in the same general area. Party Breaks Up "On the night of the 20th day," he resumed, "we broke up under protest and everyone went his own way. Capt. Cherry was alone now in the little boat. Whitaker. De-angelis De-angelis and Reynolds were in another, an-other, and I was with Col. Adamson Adam-son and Bartek. "My opinion was we couldn't have lasted another 48 hours. "Cherry was found by a naval flier, a machinist's mate. The other boys drifted to an unoccupied unoccu-pied island where they stayed for a day and a half. Natives of another an-other island found them. "The next day we sighted two planes. One came down low and we could see the pilot smilinp-. T waved back at them frantically to show theni we were alive. "The planes 'disappeared over the horizon and I learned later they were running out of gas. But they came back an hour later. Then a squall came up and they lost us, but a hVf-hour later they hit us right on the nose. "The sun was going down and I feared we would be lost again. It was two-thirds dark and one of the planes let go with some flares from a very pistol. Off on the horizon, we saw blinkers from what turned out to be a PT-boat. Then one of the planes landed and taxied up to us." The pilot, Lieut. William F. Eadic, "showed the strength of Hercules" in hailing the disabled Adamson into the cabin of the plane. "The little engineer (Bartek) and I got on the wing. Then we started to taxi for the base 40 miles away. The PT-boat came up and it was decided to take the two of ur.off. Another P-T boat came up and took Adamson into the base." OPENING ANNOUNCEMENT! The Wasatch Gas & Oil Co. wishes to announce the opening oi a new super-service super-service station at 303 West First North. The station has all the latest equipment for oiling and servicing cars. We have one of the few steam cleaners in Provo. Official O. P. A. inspection station. You are cordially invited. Germans Evacuate Coastal ' CAIRO, Dec. 19 OLE) German forces have evacuated Nofilia, 90 miles west of El Agheila, and are continuing their withdrawal along the coastal road, a middle eastern command communique said today. "Our forward troops maintained maintain-ed pressure on the "retreating enemy rear guards throughout yesterday," the communique said. Allied fighter bombers, moving forward with the land forces, operated op-erated from hew advance bases yesterday and carried out successful success-ful attacks on the fleeing enemy in the Sultan area, 55 miles west of Nofilia. Allied bombers, in a heavy raid on Tunis and Lagoultjtte Island, in its harbor area, Thursday Thurs-day night started large fires $nd explosions, the communique said Long range fighter planes shot down two enemy transport planes over Sicilian airdromes. NEW GUINEA (Continued from Page One) columns closed in today on the Japanese-held beachhead between Buna mission and Cape Endai-adere, Endai-adere, poised for what military observers believed would be one of the heaviest attacks of the war on New Guinea's north coast. The opposing forces traded artillery artil-lery and mortar fire along the Buna front while Gen. Douglas MacArthur's men stood ready at opposite ends of the rectangular beachhead within which the Japanese Jap-anese are stoutly barricaded behind be-hind machine gun positions and pill boxes. One American column faced the southeastern end of the rectangle inland from Cape Endaiadere and the other moved in from the northwest through the cocoanut plantations. The Japanese have been doggedly dog-gedly defending the s lender beachead less than two miles long and three-quarters of a mile deep which presents the main obstacle to Allied control of all of Papua. Here, the Amercian infantry has been called upon to perform the toughest job of modern warfare- attack carefully prepared and entrenched positions without the support of tanks and other armored equipment. The enemy positions have slowly shriveled in the last few days, exposing the toughest line of Japanese resistance. resist-ance. Cracking of this tough inner shell and occupation of the whole are would be the most important development of the Buna campaign. The Americans, since capturing Buna village, have been consolidating their lines and bringing the maximum concentration of fire- power to bear. While the troops were so occupied, oc-cupied, Amesican planes bombed and strafed the north, coast and caught five barges at the mouth f the Kumusi river, 18 miles northwest of Buna mission. More than 100 fragmentation bombs were dropped on the Japanese Jap-anese occupied village of Kuren-ada. Kuren-ada. CAR OWNERS (Continued from Page One) ing," said Regional OCD Director James C. Sheppard. "The obligation that is placed on defense councils to get this job done highlights the need of complete com-plete block organization in the communities of this region and the necessity of having these organizations organi-zations select competent block leaders," he said. "The purpose of mileage rationing ration-ing is not to prohibit the use of automobiles but rather to keep these automobiles running as long as possible. In addition to the essential es-sential job of organizing car-sharing car-sharing among war .production employees, block leaders should also analyze their block conditions and find ways of sharing cars in necessary shopping trips, visits to the doctor and dentist, church going, taking the children to school, and driving to and from community centers where volunteer volun-teer war work is going on. "If two neighbors each use their own cars instead of doubling up, exactly twice the rubber is used than necessary. If four people share a ride, three-fourths of the rubber otherwise used is saved. "In these western sattes there is no gaoline shortage," said Dir ector Sheppard, "but this is not the issue.. Remember always that we have mileage rationing to save rubber that is desperately needed by the army. The block leaders have a vital job to do to put this program over." , o Federal Funds For Construction Of School Houses Increased school operation costs incurred as a result of the war emergency will be paid from federal fed-eral funds, tut the government will not participate in the construction con-struction , of permanent school buildings. Thus stated Dr. W. R. Skipping of Denver, senior specialist, U. S. office of education, who visited Provo Saturday, checking again on the increased enrollment and attendance in the Provo schools and going over other school problems prob-lems growing out of the influx of War workers. Dr. J. C. Moffitt, superintendent superintend-ent of PrOvo schools, who has been urging government assistance assist-ance in construction at least one new school building, submitted to Dr. Skipping figures showing an increase of over 800 students this year. Employment of 17 additional teachers has been necessary. Dr. Skipping, reiterating that the federal government does not participate in building new permanent perm-anent school structures, said two policies are followed: First, if there is absolute necessity, schools should be operated on a double-shift double-shift basis; and second, if that is not enough, the government will come in and put up temporary tempor-ary buildings. Dr.Skipping pointed out that the government comes in by assisting as-sisting in operation, and takes care of any deficit over and above the state appropriations of $30 per student incurred due to the emergency, including teachers, salaries, supplies and equipment. VAVELL (Continued from Page One) . where another Allied army is attempting at-tempting to capture Bizerte and Tunis. "United States army planes continued their attacks on Axis positions in Tunisia. Boehg Flying Fly-ing Fortresses set an Italian light cruiser afire 15s miles off Bizerte. and, aided by escorting P-38 Lightnings, shot down at least three enemv planes and damaged six. One Fortress was lost. Front dispatches indicated that at least part of the Axis forces trapped around Wadi Matratln In Tripolitania slipped through the British ring and started a race for Tripoli. Gen. Doif'las MacArthur's forces in New Guinea onened a heavy attack on the Japanese beach head at Buna mission, attempting at-tempting to drive the enemy out of strong defensive positions between be-tween one ahd two miles in depth. Field guns and mortars opened the bombardment, and then Allied infantry advanced against pillboxes pill-boxes and machine gun nests. Northwest of Buna, Americans and Australians still battled a trapped force of Japanese. The Russian high command indicated in-dicated today that the Germans were making their second attempt to relieve the army that was trapped trap-ped before Stalingrad. The Soviet midnight communique told of fierce tank and infantry actions southwest of Stalingrad. The German Ger-man drive carried them into a village held by the Russians, but the Red army counter-attacked and drove the enemy back. The Russians said 99 German planes, including eight transports, were destroyed yesterday in the Stalingrad Stalin-grad sector. Advices to London said that German demands on France for increased collaboration were so "evere that they shocked even Pierre Laval. Normal communications communi-cations between France and the outside world have been cut off for two days except through Germany. One of Adolf Hitler's demands on Laval, it was said, was that a single French political party be organized along Nazi lines. LONDON, Dec. 19 r.P Radio Morocco reported today that six Axis spies had been shot at Con-stantine, Con-stantine, Algeria. BUT REMEMBER Love and Sentiment Make the-World Go Round! Do the extra something . . Send a Floral Gift! You'll be pleased with our beautiful array of : . . FOINSETTAS - CHRISTMAS POTTED PLANTS EVERGREEN WREATHS and HOLLY PROVO GREENHOUSE PHONE 8ft WHERE THE FLOWERS GROW Soldier Boys in Alaska Get Boxes From Red Cross Red Cross workers in Utah county communities have sent to the boys in Alaska 100 Christmas boxes, reports Mrs. Margaret Eastmond, county executive secretary. sec-retary. "We have been assured by a letter from the military liason officer for Alaska that the gifts will be greatly appreciated and add much to the happiness of boys in the station hospital at Dutch Harbor," Mrs. Eastmond said. "The chapter wishes to thank the people for their cooperation." This is but one of the many services given the armed forces by the American Red Cross, the secretary pointed out. T High Players Win Compliments Presenting a large cast, Mr. Morris Clinger, director of speech activities at the B. Y. high school, scored another success in the history his-tory of B. Y. high in the presentation presen-tation of the mystery comedy "Incognito," Thespian club play for this year. A capacity audience witnessed the play Thursday night in College hall. A special delight of the listening audience was that there were no, waits during the entire evening. Outstanding was the sustaining of character throughout the numerous nu-merous and difficult plot complications. compli-cations. Honors for the consistent and smooth portrayal go to all members of the large cast: Deanne Merrill, Lovell Kilpack, Richard Hales, Ariel B al Lit, Marian Jean Merrill, Verna Hansen, Han-sen, Joy Tangren, Marion Jones, Joene Bowman, Zola Rae Law, Stewart Morley, Maria Hsyes, Sammie Speakman, Lucille Booth, Afton Taylor, Muriel Jones, Robert Rob-ert Free, Sterling Sessions and Jack Mitchell. The colorful set, representing the combination offices lounge-auxiliary lounge-auxiliary radio room aboard the pleasure liner "S. S. Imperial," was in direct charge of Robert Free, stage manager and his assistants, as-sistants, Muriel Jones, J ack Mitchell, Sterling Sessions and Stewart Morley. Afton Taylor was student director. MARKETS at a Glance Stocks irregular and quiet. Bonds steady. Curb stocks irregularly lower. Cotton firm. Wheat and corn steady. GAS RATIONING (Continued from Page One) a 65 per cent higher level of production," pro-duction," he said, "it is highly important to me that people should get to work without friction. fric-tion. A large proportion of war workers are holders of "A" cards and to saddle them with additional additi-onal difficulties would only mean that everyone would lose in the long run." CHRISTMAS PARTY TODAY The Fredova Dance studios will give its annual Christmas party today at 1 p. m., and all present and past pupils and -friends are invited. The children will exchange gifts and pupils of the school will entertain their friends in dancing and songs. DANCE ANNOUNCED Ray Mace and his NBC orchestra orches-tra plus surprise features will appear ap-pear at the Apollo ballroom at American Fork Christmas night, December 25. Mace, who hails from New York, replaced Ed Stoker on the NBC network when Stoker enlisted en-listed in the army. He held most of the Stoker band intact. Practical Gifts for Christmas Are Wonderful . . Soroptimist Head I Mrs. Rosalia Pearson, recently elected president of the Sorop-timists Sorop-timists of Provo, succeeding Mix.s Velma Mendenhull. who has tr-ved tr-ved the prominent women's club the past year. Mrs. Pearson and the other newly elected officers will be installed in-stalled in January. MANUFACTURERS END MEETING SALT LAKE CITY, Dec. 19 iV.l'.) Elimination of problems culturists. laborers, industrialists, industrial-ists, public officials and professional profes-sional people, by friendly consideration con-sideration and discussion had been proposed today by the Utah Manufacturers' association at the conclusion of its annual meeting. These problems, the association associ-ation agreed, are of equal importance im-portance to these respective groups and there is no room now or in post war times for special rights or special groups. Lake View News Owen Zobell, who has been with the U. S. navy since last July is at home on furlough with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Zobell. ' Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Johnson John-son have received word from their son, t Dallas who recently joined the U. , S. navy, that he is stationed sta-tioned at the naval training base in Idaho. Before his departure Mr. Johnson was honored by several sev-eral parties given by his friends. Among which was a shower given by the Misses Bertha Madsen and Nelda Johnson at which . lovely gifts were presented to the hon-order hon-order guest. Mr. and Mrs. Norman Scott have enjoyed during the past week a visit from their son, Corporal Niel Scott who came, from Camp Carson, Colo., and their daughter, Mrs. Mark Sterling of Pittsburgh, Calif. Mr. and Mrs. Scott entertained enter-tained at dinner Sunday. The guests also including Mr. nnd Mrs. Ara Davis and their family. Corporal Cor-poral Scott left Thursday "to return re-turn to Camp Carson and Mis. Sterling will leave Sunday for her home. Mrs. Donna D. Kirkpa trick is at the home of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Ara Davis. She has been in Virginia with her husband, Corporal Bert Kirkpatrick, prior to his departure for overseas duty. There will be no Relief society meeting held next Tuesday, but. regular meetings will be resumed after the holidays. The Sunday school is giving a Christmas program Sunday morning morn-ing in place of regular class work. A good attendance is desired. TAYLOR lit . Ladies' Department Elks to Entertain The Children at Christmas Party As in past years, the Elks of Provo will entertain children from Provo "s less fortunat homes Christmas morning at 10 o'clock at the Elks' home. Santa Claus has promised to be in attendance and he has candy and nuts for all. Also, free morning morn-ing matinee tickets to the Uinta theater will be presented to the youngsters. The Elks will go to the Utah County infirmary at 11 o'clock! and gifts and stockings of canJ dy, nuts and oranges will h presented to the patients. Al Christmas program is being plan-l ned, also. Following Their usual custom. The Elks will also distribute! Christmas baskets ami clothinu To Ine needy families uf the citj'l announces J. Kd Stein, chairman J Meeting Set for Owners, Landlords A meeting of all landlords am properly owners interested cith er in selling or renting of property has been t ailed for Monday. De cember 21 at 8 p. m. in the south courtroom of the city and county bunding. The meeting is county-wide witli Til those interested invited to at tend. CHILD IMPROVING Word comes from the Mayo Brothers' clinic at Rochester. Minn., of the slight improvement of Joan Hurst, 12, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Hurst oi 269 North Fifth East street. Provo, who was taken there by her father more than a week ago. Joan underwent a second mastoid mas-toid operation Sunday, after having hav-ing ben ill for a month with a streptoccoccus infection. Mr. Hurst writes that he plans to bring his daughter home in three weeks. Says r c "Our reputation reputa-tion ii founded found-ed on satisfied satis-fied customers custom-ers who have r e o ommend- ed u to " friends tbt O," finest eompll-tf m e n t we . ' know oi." GENUINE DU PONT ACRYLIC PLATE FOR ONLY Genuine Vulcanite Plate SC. 50 Use Your Credit No Advance in Price No Carrying Charge All Dental Plates are made ; only upon receipt of inipres- i (ions and orders from Utah licensed I Der.tiL'.s. Workmanship and materials i fully guaranteed. Union mechanics. I MAY WITHERS Dental Laboratory Service 174V2 SO. MAIN Salt Lake City . At 2nd S. & Main Above Pojitz Candy Open to 6 p. m. Dial 4-7200 Ik SLIPS Lovely Lace Lingerie Very luxurious gift . for the "Special" Woman on your list. All gift wrapped! Old-Fanhioned value: 1.00 1.25 1.39 Comes in Tea Rose, Navy, White Crepe or Satin Lace Trimmed BROS. CO. |