European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - March 20, 1968, Darmstadt, Hesse Page 8 the stars and stripes a in Day March 20, 1968 March Jinx wind unhook c141 jump by join Reese staff write Rhine main a Germany is it was beginning to Loo tuesday As though the much vaunted first army drop from a c141 Star lifter in Europe would never happen. For the second time in seven Days paratroopers from the 8th inf div s 509th inf Chute up an loaded onto one the Mammoth air Force c141s Here. With considerable fanfare including a sizeable corps of press which was duly briefed the Para troopers have twice taken off inthe Roar of the planes four pow Erful fan Jet engines Only to re turn an hour or so later in dropped and subdued. It May have something to do with the fact that the ill fated ides of March the 15th fell inthe Middle of the seven Day period. But More Likely the two abortive drops came to grief on the wings of turbulent Marc winds which swept the Marn Heim drop zone on both occasions. It is briefing officers revealed not considered Safe to jump out of air planes even with Para chutes when the ground winds arc Over 12 knots. On the Days of the missions the winds were gusting up to 24 and 30 knots. So no jump. Even though there were no cries of Geronimo As troopers hit the silk the press got a Goodview of everything else that goes into a personnel drop. To escape simulated enemy radar the great Silvery plane dropped Down to Only 500 fee until it got to the drop zone. Then the Pilot maj. Wallace , popped the ship weapons search soldiers of the 9th inf div using a captured enemy Sampan search for sunken enemy weapons. Following recent gunship air strikes in the Mekong Delta found More than 200,000 rounds of am munition and four antiaircraft guns. Army up to 1,000 feet for the actual drop. It was supposed to have taken the 42 paratroopers Only five to seven seconds to Clear the plane through two rear Side doors. The warning Horn went on schedule. Then the red warning Light signifying close approach tothe drop zone flashed on. Stand up Hook up shouted the jump master . Carlos Rivers or. As one Man the double line of jumpers heaved out of their seats looking ungainly in their Bulky jump gear. Static line Hook snapped onto the overhead cables and each Man checked the equip ment of the Man ahead of him and reported Okay the tension of the keyed up troopers could be Felt filling the Long crowded compartment of the came the anticlimax. The Pilot announced in Monotone through the intercom the Mission was scrubbed and the plane was returning Home. Too much wind. Listlessly the troopers unhooked and slumped Back into their seats. They sagged like air mattresses with the plugs pulled out. Eyes closed Heads two Lusty voices were heard As Young troopers shouted Newanta go but like the first time nobody went. And nobody knows when they will go. Even if the jump had go Neon schedule it would t have been the first personnel drop from a Star lifter in Headquarters revealed that it had been done twice before. Some civilians and a few French paratroopers jumped from a Star lifter at the 1967 Paris air show. And on March 12, 13 air Force men of a combat control team jumped in Germany. The c141 was supplied by the 436th troop Carrier so. Military Airlift command based at Dover fab Del. 24th div 3rd party flies to . Munich is mop thi.330 24th inf div soldiers i and children flew to the is from Munich Airport tuesday Vanguard of the main division shift which will begin april 2 division staffers a group from of Muz hot a newly named director Ai i Frankfurt entertainment i in Wayne is Disi dict ment supervisor. Green has announced hut next Center production win loot by Joe Orton a m � 17-29. It will be entered Lusar Kur tournament us 1 w said Green. Directing will be Hal m. J Frankfurt High school coach. Starring in thu m. U comedy about British lit Jun Walls am hairs k
