Front Line Lady, Girl Reporter Gets Taste Of War In Normandy

By RUTH COWAN1

ON THE NORMANDY BEACH- HEAD—Why anyone who is scared o£ the dark and scared of firearms ever got themselves into the mess

I did, I’ll never understand. But there I was at midnight, try-

ing to get a little shuteye in a tent jn a field which I wouldn’t dare walk across in daylight because of mines.

I had said I wanted to go to

war—and brother, I had it, as the British say.

It started out very simply. Bena Billingham, former New

York newspaperwoman now with Beuters, and I asked military per- mission to cross the channel in an

lst. It was to be a short trip. I didn’t

bother to bring a clean shirt—nei- ther did Rena. When we get back to London we will have spent at

least seven days and seven nights jn the same shirts.

The suggestion was made that we

00 over on a liberty ship—no wom-

en war correspondents had before. We jumped at the chance.

The skipper was Capt. William Wilson, of Brooklyn, N. Y., a for- mer exhibition parachute jumper. Gallantly he offered us his cabin —these ships are equipped to take tanks, trucks and troops, but not women war correspondents.

We declined because the skipper of a ship navigating dangerous waters needs his rest. We wanted to get here sa*< and dry, and bed- ded down in his office instead. I cat napped on the floor with life preservers for a mattress.

We could see and’ hear flashes of gunfire as the ship lay a tan- chor on the eve of going ashore.

Came dawn. Arrangements were

made for us to go ashore in a seagoing truck called a duck.

Rena was first overside. I peered down to the boat bobbing up and down 50 feet below. GI Joes, Army officers and members of the ship’s crew crowded to the rail.

Pvt. Lemuel Moore, of Savan- nah, Ga., Negro pilot driver oi the seagoing truck and a former laundry worker, tried to keep the launch close to the ship. His eyes were as big as saucers as he saw a woman coming down. Cpl. De- Witt Moore, of Detroit, Mich., a truck driver, grinned and held the ladder steady.

Rena made it amid cheers. Then I moved to the rail. The ship’s first mate, Otto Brush of New York City, put a rope around me. I eased over the side—not daring to look down.

Finding that first rung was aw- ful. From out of the crowd of on- lookers came a cheering voice, ‘You’ll make it.” I finally did, and our strange vehicle named “Leo- pold” shoved off.

Ashore we explored the beach- head under escort. That night the problem was where the sleep. Rena said she always wanted to try a foxhole—and there were plenty of vacant ones. 1 don’t like spiders and bugs that consider the earth theirs For this softie they put up a cot in a spare hospital tent.

I had barely wrapped myself up in a blanket when nearby guns opened fire. I got used to these and decided they were friends when more and louder ones opened up. Then I heard planes.

I speculated a little on the value of a canvas tent as protection against flak and got down under the cot, tipping my helmet over my face.

The sharp crack of a rifle sound- ed close. Suddenly it occured to me that we were not very far from the front line. The Germans might be trying to filter back. Never have I stayed so still.

Finally toward morning I g o t back on the cot. Then the planes came—waves and waves of them. They flew on and soon the ground was reverberating to Allied bombs dropped behind German lines.

Then I went to sleep. * * *

Miss Rebecca Brown, Sgt. Umstead Will

Marry This' Evening

BURGAW, Aug, 3 —Sheriff and Mrs. J. T. Brown request the honor of your presence at the marraige of their daughter, Rebecca, to Ser- geant James E. Umstead, United QJtates Army, Friday, August 4, at 7 o’clock at the Burgaw Methodist church, Burgaw.

No invitations are being issued but friends and relatives are cord- ially invited to attend.

Miss Jessie Parker, Richard E. Neeley Wed At Fort Jackson, S. C.

Miss Jessie Parker and Richard Everette Neeley, Army of the Uni- ted States, were married at noon

Saturday, July 22, in the post cha- " pel at Fort Jackson,C. Chaplain

H. B- Robbins officiated. Mrs. Neeley, daughter of Mr. and

Mrs. Louis Parker of Raeford, at- tended the Woman’s college a1 Greensboro and John Hopkins university and was- recently em-

ployed as laboratory technician with the North Carolina Shipbuild- ing company.

Mr. Neeley, son of 'Mr. and Mrs. Richard Neeley of Lamar, Mo., at- tended Missouri State and was

employed with the United Steel corporation, Detroit, before enter-

ing the armed forces. They are residing at Columbia,

S. C. « •

• • •

CHADBOURN CHADBOURN. Aug. 3 Miss Betty

Elliott returned Sunday from a visit to friends in ^Pennsylvania. She also visited New York and her brother, Jimmy Elliott at Prince- ton where he is an apprentice sea-

man there. Mr. and Mrs. C. H. Dixon and

child and Miss Jessie Inman of New Bern, were week-end guests of Mrs. Estelle Baldwin. They were

joined Sunday by Mr. and Mrs. R. E. Sewell and Sonny of Lumber- ton for the day.

Cecil H. Fitz, Phm. 2-c of Ports- mouth, Va., spent the wek-end here with Mrs. Fitz.

C. L. Carter of New Bern, was

dinner guest of Mrs. Estelle Bald- win Monday.

Mrs. M. H. Fitz of Reidsville, has returned to her home after a

visit to her daughter-in-law, Mrs. Cecil Fitz.

Mr. and Mr. J. O. Williamson of Wilmington, are spending a week’s vacation at their home here.

Charles Ross of Reidsville, ar-

rived Monday and will assist Mr. McMichael at the Brick warehouse.

Miss Elaine Carr and Mrs. Vera Brewer spent the week-end at Cres- cent Beach.

XVXX ailU XTXX o u X. AJ. XJIOUJ CA.AVX

Mr. and Mrs. J. 0. Scaife were at Myrtle Beach for the week-end.

The following young people spent the week-end at the Douglas McArthur hotel, Ocean Drive Beach: Nancy Peal, Jean Peal, Betty Agnes Brady, Margie Swi- gart, Keith Blake, Paul Marshburn, Hal Ramey, Leo Derrick, Mary Joe Ramey, Lillian Perkins, Paul Hinson, Glenn Yates, David Strole, Hermon Carr, Paul Avant and Billie Elred.

Miss Nell Koons of Wilmington, spent a few days in Chadbourn last week with friends.

Mrs. and Mrs. Van Meares and son, Arthur Day, of Christiansburg, Va., returned to their home Satur- day after visiting Mr. and Mrs. W. D. Meares of Cerro Gorda. Mrs. Meares returned with them for a

two weeks visit. Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Rabon have

moved from Wilmington to their apartment on the highway, form- erly occupied by the Paul Hardys.

Miss Opal Mincher of Wilming- ton, is spending a two weeks holi- day at her home near Chadbourn.

I Miss Hortense King of Wilming- ton, spent Wednesdafflki Chadbourn the guest of Miss Opal Mincher.

Cpl. Edgar Mincher of Fort Bragg, spent the week-end at home.

Lieut, and Mrs. Glasgow Lewis announce the birth of a son, July 30, at Hartsville, S. C. Lieut. Lewis is over-seas.

Mrs. J. B. Elliott and Mrs. W. F. Yates spent the week-end in War- saw visiting Mrs. Frank Wilson.

Mrs. Hugh Nance and children spent Sunday with Mr. Nance at Fort Bragg.

Mr. and Mrs. Bob Meares spent several days in Cerro Gordo last week visiting relatives.

Mrs. J. H. Land and Miss Keezer Land returned from a visit to Mrs. Purdie Richardson in Asheville last Thursday. • f

Mrs. Henry Gardner and daugh- ter, Nellene, Mrs. F. D. Hall and son, Tom, and Miss Jessie Rad- cliff all of Camden, S. C., were

week-end guests of Mrs. L. L. Brown.

Mrs. W. T. Richardson of Lit- walton,. Va., who has been the guest'of her sister Mrs. J. B. Bard- in for two weeks, left Monday for Richmond, Va. She was accom-

panied by her niece, Mrs. Douglas Bullard of Chadbourn. They will spend a week in Richmond visit- ing friends.

Mrs. T. Beale Larston of Lit-

walton. Va., who has been camping at Holden’s Beach with relatives from Virginia, arrived Sunday for a short visit to her cousin, Mrs. J. B. Bardin.

Mrs. Elizabeth Avant spent the week-end at Mullins, S. C.

Mr. and Mrs. W. E. Reese of South Boston, Va., have arrived and have an apartment at the home of Mrs. T. S. Lewis. Mr. Reese will be on the tobacco market here.

Fred Hoyt with the W. I. Skin- ner Tobacco Co. arrived Tuesday.

Edward McClellan, S-3, is at home on a ten-day furlough from Norfolk, Va.

Misses Frances Brewer and Jeanne Baldwin left Thursday for Ocean Drive Beach to spend the

rest of the week. Herman Carr went to Fort Bragg

Thursday where he was inducted into the Army.

A. B. BrSdy and Norman Peal made a business trip to Charlotte this week.

Mike Borders went to Fort Jack- son this week where he will enter

training. Ralph Hill «f High Point, ar-

"RAPED BERET: This is another important silhouette for fall —Lilly Dache does it in crimson velours felt. Hat fits headsizes, is

I rived Thursday to be here for the tobacco season.

Miss Elizabeth Sinclair of Nor- wood, visited Mrs. W. K. Wiilis Monday en route home from Ocean Drive beach.

Everette Brinson, Jr., of Phila- delphia, Pa., was the guest of his sister, Mrs. W. K. Willis, Monday and Tuesday.

George Casteen of Florence, S. C. spent the week-end in town.

Margie Swigart of Leesville, S. C., is visitiag her aunt, Mrs. E.,L. Derrick.

Mis* Kayard Brown of Whiteville, was the guest of Miss Estelle Bald- win for the week-end.

Mrs. R. O. Reeves of Greens- boro, and Mrs. B. G. Pinckney of Goldsboro, were guests of their sister, Mrs. D. M. Carter, several days the past week.

Mrs. B. H. Collier, who recently had an operation at the Baptist hospital in Winston-Salem, has re-

cuperated and is now at the home of her sister, Mrs. Milton Holbrook, in Winston-Salem.

Mr. and Mrs. Cofield Knight and children, Cofield, Jr., and Margaret Lme, left Friday for their home in Whitakers after a visit of five dayo with Miss Alice Lowe.

Carlyle Wooten and son, John, of Greensboro, spent this week-end with Mr. and Mrs. F. T. Wooten.

Capt.Ben Harley has been trans- ferred from a camp in Gulfport, Miss, to one in Indiana.

Mr. and Mrs. Jack Rhoden have arrived in town and are at present with Mrs. Earley Melletts. Mr. Rhoden is with Columbus County News.

Capt. Hoyt Causey of Greens- boro, is spending this week-end with his parents in Chadbourn.

* * *

ELIZABETHTOWN ELIZABETHTOWN, Aug. 3—

Mrs. N. G. Wade, Jr., of Jackson- i ville, Fla., is spending a few days with her brother, Willie McDowell.

Dr. and Mrs. James Howell and Mr. and Mrs. T. J. Kemp left Tuesday to spend a few weeks in Hendersonville.

Mrs. Clyde Clark of Wilmington, visited her mother, Mrs. C. R. Jordan this week.

Lt. Edward Clark returned to the hospital at Swannanoah Sunday af- ter spending a convalescent leave of a few weeks with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. H. H. Clark. He was accompanied by his wife who will be with him while he is stationed there.

Wm. Corbett, Jr,, who has been stationed in California for some time was called home this week on account of the serious illness of his father.

Billie Kay left Wednesday to visit his grandmother in Red Springs for a while.

Hemen Robinson left last week to enter service in the U. S. Navy, He is stationed at Fort Jackson at this time.

Mrs. Lillian Davis and family of Richmond, Va., are spending a while with Mrs. Irene Davis at White Lake.

Dr. D. N. West returned to his home in Washington on Monday. Mrs. West and daughter, Judy, re-

mained for a longer visit. Postmaster J. K. Clark returned

home Wednesday from Florida where he visited his brother, Rev.

Fitzhugh Clark, for several days. Jimmy Atkinson of the U. S.

Navy is visiting his mother, Mrs. W. A. Atkinson.

Sgt. and Mrs. Carl Devane oi

Greensboro, visited relatives here last week.

David McCullech, Merchant Ma- rines, is visiting his parents, Mr, and Mrs. D. C. McCulloch.

PERSONALS Mrs. W. M. Warren and son,

Billy Darden are spending a week at Crescent Beach, S. C.

* * *

BIRTH ANNOUNCED Mr. and Mrs. (A. Glenn Holt oi

Burlington, announce the birth ol a daughter. Elsie Bert, July 31. at

Winston-Salem.

paw .(■»

'SPAR Virginia F. Clark, Y. 2< of the Raleigh Recuriting office who will be here today to celebrat the 154th anniversary of the Coas Guard on a boat trip being give for prospective SPARS. Recruite Clark,' a graduate of Delta Stat Teacher’s College, is from Charles ton, Miss. She will remain in Wil mington through August 11, wit headquarters at the post office, t enlist women between the ages c 20 and 36 for service in th Women’s Reserve of the Coas Guard.

_

U.S. COAST GUARD HAS ANNIVERSARY The name U. S. Coast Guarc

might have been interpreted liter ally, for today Coast Guardsmei are celebrating the 154th anniver sary of their service on seven seas

To many Americans the Coas Guard still means light-houses look-out towers and small whiti surf boats that go out in summe:

squalls and 'rescue capsized sai boats, but in this war Coast Guarc Ships and men have seen sucl places as Tulagi, Guadalcanal, at tu, Salerno, Normandy and Saipan

The Coast Guard was establishec August 4, 1790, under the guidance of Alexander Hamilton, the firsl Secretary of the Treasury. It now celebrates its 154th anniversary, proud of its expansion to a power- ful combat force of 169,000 oficers and men.

In Wilmington the anniversary will be commemorated by a drive for the enlistment of women in the Spars, the Women’s Reserve of the Coast Guard. The recruiters frorr the Raleigh office will be in towr to play host to a group of young women betwen the ages of 20 anc

36, on a boat ride aboard a Coes Guard cutter. A picinic supper wil be served while the shhip is under way.

After a trip to sea, the group will return to the city and attend the show “Cobra Woman’’ as the guests of Bailey Theatre. A special preview of the new SPAR film, “Battle Stations” will be shown following the feature.

The group will meet at 6 p.m. today at the U. -S. O., Orange and Second streets. Youns women be- tween the ages of 20 and 36 in- terested in the SPARS are invitee to attend. They may make reser-’a

tions by calling the Captain of the

Port’s'office; telephone 2-2278. -V-

Iris, most famous Egyptian god- dess, wore the horns of a cow for

I a headdress.

Umstead Urges Board To Retain Teachers

RALEIGH, Aug. 3.— (/P) — The state board of education today heard a recommendation that it refrain from reducing the number of teachers in rural schools, and adopted a recommendation provid- ing that all employes of the public school system with the exception of teachers> bus drivers and ex-

aminers be covered by an “hon- esty insurance bond.”

The bond, to be drawn up by the state insurance commissioner, would affect more than 5,000 public school workers and would cost ap- proximately $9,000 for three years coverage. Some 300 employees now are covered by a similar bond-

A contract for fire insurance on

all school buses was let to the Home Insurance company, carrying an annual premium of $8,162.91. The same company provided fire insurance for the school bus fleet last year, and the 1944-45. premiurr will not exceed that of last year.

Referring to a proposal in the last general assembly that the num ber of teachers in union schools should not be reduced to less thar four, Rep. John Umstead of Or- ange told the board that “the fu- ture of North Carolina lies in these rural schools.’’

Umstead, who acted as floor lead- er for many bills concerning edu- cation in the 1943 assembly, said that the proposal was to have been included in the school machinery act but was left to the discretion of the board. Teachers, he said, are assigned normally on the basis of enrollment.

Asserting that a majority of the state's legislators are from rural districts, Umstead told the board that “the 1945 legislature will be

fully advised of this board’s ac

tions,” adding that this was not a threat.

‘‘There is no excuse for depriving a country child of the education he could get in a city school,” the legislator said.

‘‘These are not normal times. There are many changes in homes, both rural and city. An increase in the teacher load would be re-

flected in the affected schools for years to come, and the country child would be on the losing end.”

Questioned by Boa.rd Member L. M. Massey, who previously had ex-

pressed a similar stand, as to whether the ruling should not ap- ply to all rural schools instead of those of four teachers, Umstead replied that the ruling should be a blanket one to rural schools.

In other action, the board ap-

proved two loans of $5,000 each ; for the Chatham, county school' sj»- 1

tern for school lunch rooms; ap* pointed Charles C. Bell as a mem- M ber of the Buncombe board of edu- i cation to fill a vacancy; and ad* journed in memory of Dr.' Henry Dwire, a member of the board-who died several weeks ago and' wh* was replaced today by A. S- Brow- er of Durham.

-V--- PARTY MEET POSTPONE!*

BIRMINGHAM, Ala., Aug. —A convention of the American'D*- ; mocratic party scheduled to be; field ; here tomorrow has been postponed until August 11, officials of the new anti Roosevelt organization an- j hounced today*. I

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