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| James W. Taylor's WWII Experiences |
| Donor | Original Source | PIMA ID | Donor ID | Category |
| Richard P. Ellinger | James W. Taylor | NA | RPE-44063 | OCR-DA-P |
We as military personnel could ride the subways free but Jackie and Guy had to pay. We did pay their fare. Had it not been for them, we would have never seen 10% of the things that we wanted to see. One of the big things to go and see was the "Follies". We got tickets, had seats close to the stage---big, soft lounge chairs. The show opened and the first scene was a huge cocktail shaker. When it stopped, and the top was removed, a bevy of women (topless of course) came pouring out and strolled down the runway. They were wearing some kind of costume. The show was composed of a series of scenes such as the deck around a swimming pool covered with several topless bathing beauties. In between nude scenes, we were entertained by various burlesque acts including a comedian who told stories in French that I didn't understand G.l. tourists in Paris, early May 1943. I believe that I can see corporal stripes o my blouse and Dick has buck Sgt.stripes on his blouse. We should have been in proper uniform. At that time, Air Corps wasn't all that G.l. But lett to right---Taylor and Zom, I believe on the Champs Elysses, Taylor at the entrance to Napoleons tomb, then Taylor and Schultz in [ront of the Paris landmark. One of the things that I also remember about Notre Dame that was of interest were the stone carvings along the front entrance--one of the saints so represented was holding his head, to signify that he had been beheaded. Also over in a rather dark corner of the interior was a sculpture of the pregnant Mary. On the last day of our pass, May 7. 1945 about mid afternoon we were at a sidewalk cafe on the Champs Elysses when we heard the news that Germany had surrendered. We were enjoying a dish of ~ce cream. The news was pre mature but we welcomed it. Hooray!
The war was over. |
| Page 63 |
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