January-February - Air Defense Artillery

1943 MEN AT PLAY 23
mode of expression to gain the approval of his friends.
It's wise to furnish enough variety in activity to capture
e\'en the most timid soul.
:\tavlJe the imposing list of sports creates the impression
that we have unlimited athletic facilities and plenty
of space. The sports cited (fishing excepted) are all
conducted in an area, back of the gun platforms, totalling
less than 600 square yards. The longest stretch
is about 200 feet long and fifteen feet wide with a
bulge on one side where a single basketball hoop is
installed. All activity centralizes in this area, including
Infantry Drill and other training. The men know we
have furnished the best facilities possible and they cooperate.
If anyone has ideas of improvement, suggestions
are made without hesitation. Frankly, we have
been helped greatly by men trying to help themselves.
Yes,we have a radio, but only after the men rigged up
a reducer to cut voltage from 220 to 110. There is no
equal for resourcefulness in men who are faced with
difficulties and hard work. and who set out to solve their
problems cheerfully.
It has been a policy to keep our men well informed
by subscribing to a couple of good daily newspapers
and all the current magazines justified by popular demand.
Battery o\vned books are rather scarce but somehow
the fellows at least partially satisfy their desires for
reading material through use of the various libraries.
~ten who own books have been very cooperative in
passing them on for the enjoyment of someone else.
Service groups have added considerable enjoyment to
soldier welfare. The Red Cross, Motor Corps, and
Cookie Brigade all lend valuable assistance and have
always been well received at our organization. We
have been told that they like to come where they are
appreciated; and the men hold in high regard those who
give so unselfishly of their time and means. The soldiers
often participate on the program sponsored usually each
week by these sen'ice organizations. With their combined
efforts they have a two-fold accomplishment,
not the least of which is keeping the public generally
aware of what it means to be a soldier. This point will
not be developed further than to say that a common
understanding furnishes a solid background for any
social service work. Those who gain this appreciation
are congenial and haye little trouble "getting next" to
even the shvest man.
The sec~nd important connection between service
men and the auxiliaries is their ability to bring the outside
atmosphere to the men right at the gun platform.
The fact that someone cares enough to just come
around to see what goes on is enormously important in
fortifying against hours of monotony.
In general their activity embraces three phases: entertainment,
refreshments, and a social contact. As for
the first time-the entertainment might consist of songs,
dances or gag routines by talented visitors. This type of
specialty is good if properly organized and executed
t'ven though it usually lacks polish.
Another method of entertainment is to blend soldier
talen t from the group along with the visiting artists. This
is ticklish business, for if the method of promotion is too
aggressive the enlisted men balk. Many times they
will refuse to come around even for refreshments be.
cause of ~l preyious embarrassment caused by over.
coaxing.
Entertainment furnished by professionals is by far
the most popular. Frequently the entire cast from a
local night club will present a sparkling review of a
gag-lined show. Without cover charge and all tricks
strictly in the open, the performance is a howling success.
Refreshments and favors run along assorted lines
with a few welcomed standbvs. Cookies and cakes are
prominently featured and ar~ eagerlv accepted, Other
items include cigarettes and matches, candy, gum.
magazines and miscellaneous supplies such as stationery,
candles, books and pictures.
Socially the entertainment personnel lend charm and
varietv in a wav that few would imagine. On nearly
every'occasion the troupe is invited to' have lunch with
the company. Besides being a novelty to the visitors, an
air of hospitality is shared by the men when they feel
that in some measure the meal expresses their appreciation.
Sociability is further emphasized when a group of
entertainers makes a return trip and the individual ,
members recognize some of the men calling them by
name. The soldiers hold interesting conversations with
some of the visitors.
Both the Red Cross and Motor Corps through the
local leaders made all arrangements with Army authorities
represented by the Special Service Officer, to visit
some of the othenvise'restricted areas so as to enable
them to bring the entertainment right where it is most
needed-where the men must work and live.
In connection with entertainment that should be
available at an well established posts, the regimental
band frequently makes the rounds to all gun battery
emplacements where they give concerts including
compositions of the masters, a good variety of marches,
and enough well arranged popular numbers to catch
the fancy of even the most indifferent.
In sp~nsoring recreation we are primarily interested
in two tyPes of soldiers. In one category we find the
indi,:iduals who follow a lead and accordingly lend
their support to almost any activity that bobs into prominence.
Their steady support is indeed a valuable promotional
force. Every game gives them the satisfaction
of improving their skill along with muscular development.
The other class might be dubbed the self-starter or
spark-plug type. Always something cooking and usuallv
on the front burner!! These fellows are cases of
walking misery unless they can start something. And
it's usually good! Thev are the ones who make the difference
between a dull unresponsive organization and