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557 GI JanesAHere for Duty7With Air ForceGirls Will Release SoldiersFrom Clerical Jobs forCombat DutyBy Charles F. Kiley~ Star* and Stripes Staff WriterWAAC REPLACEMENT DEPOT, England, July 19—The First Separate Battalion of the Women's Auxiliary Army Corps—557 strong—is in Britain to relieve men of the Eighth Air Force for combat duty.The giris slipped quietly into this camp without publicity or fanfare save a rousing welcome by a small group of soldiers on duty and a Glband that played, “Let Me Call You Sweetheart.’*The battalion will remain here about a week, easing sea legs and being processed, before going to Air Force units as stenographers, telephonists, plotters at operational stations and in other duties for which they are, or will be, trained.Represent AH 48 StatesThis first complete WAAC unit to reach the ETO—it is the largest of two expeditionary forces serving overseas— represents all 48 States and the District of Columbia. The girls range in ages from 21 to 45—average 27—are blonde, brunette and redhead.Led by its commanding officer, Capt. Mary A. Halleren, of Lowell, Mass., the battalion was welcomed at the port of debarkation by the WAAC commander in the ETO, Capt. Anna Wilson, of Studio City, Cat., who with several other officers and five enrolled members preceded the group to Britain during the last several months.Asked if there were more WAACs headed for the ETO, Capt. Wilson said the War Department had allotted 5,000 members for overseas duty, and she hoped “to get my share of them.”Although the government bill, approved by Congress and the President, making the WAAC an integral part of the U.S.(Continued on page 4)
Newspaper Details
London Stars and Stripes
London, Middlesex, GB
Tue, Jul 20, 1943
Page 1
Full Page
Clipped by
Molly S.
USA 27 Aug 2022
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