USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Wenham > Wenham in World War II : war service of Wenham men and women and civilian services of Wenham people > Part 21
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MARITIME SERVICE
EDMUND JOSEPH RICHARD entered the Maritime Service as Apprentice Seaman on December 15, 1944. He was sent to the Maritime Training School at Sheepshead Bay, L. I. from which he was graduated in May 1945.
His first assignment was to the SS John Philip Sousa chartered to carry ammunition to the Pacific. Hand grenades were delivered at Guam and the rest of the cargo was unloaded at Honolulu. He served on the Sousa as galleyman.
He went as pantryman aboard the SS Nehalem, a tanker, to Venezuela and then made trips to Le Havre on the SS Marshall Victory. On his second trip he was advanced to third cook. The ship was carrying German POW's back to France and bringing American troops back to the States.
He sailed on the SS Coastal Crusader to Bremerhaven, Germany, carrying food for occupied Germany and made several trips on the SS Frontenac Victory taking horses to Danzig, Poland. The ship hit a mine in the North Sea in August 1946. Although damaged she was able to continue under her own power.
Richard left the Frontenac Victory at Newport News, Va. and re- turned to Wenham, receiving his discharge from the War Shipping Administration on December 11, 1946.
Atlantic Ribbon of the War Shipping Administration
Pacific Ribbon of the War Shipping Administration
JAMES GEORGE RUTTER entered the Maritime Service as an Apprentice Seaman on May 1, 1942. He was sent to the U.S.M.S. Training Station, Hoffman Island, New York, N. Y. for training.
From August 1942 to May 1943 he served as engine room oiler aboard merchant ships engaged in carrying supplies and ammunition to war theaters. He crossed the Atlantic three times to the United Kingdom aboard the SS Arizpa and made a trip to Trinidad aboard the SS City of Savannah. The cargoes included munitions, trucks, food, bauxite and landing craft.
In August 1943, Rutter was assigned to U.S.M.S. Radio Train- ing Station, Gallups Island, Boston, Mass. where he studied radio, and was graduated with Federal Communications Commission second class radio telegraph license in March 1944. He then served
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Wenham in World War II
four months as a junior radio operator and thirteen months as chief radio operator aboard the SS Pennsylvania engaged in carrying war essentials to England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland, France, Belgium, and Pearl Harbor.
In July 1945, James Rutter was commissioned Ensign in the U. S. Maritime Service and in January 1946, he was assigned to the 10,000 ton tanker SS Skull Bar as chief radio operator, remaining with her until he left the Maritime Service on August 15, 1946. During this time, they went to such different places as Texas ; Naples, Italy ; Abadan, Persia; Aden, Arabia; Australia, and Eng- land.
Atlantic Ribbon of the War Shipping Administration Certificate of Service from U. S. Maritime Service
HORACE O. SOUTHWICK and his son PHILIP W. SOUTH- WICK served in the Maritime Service throughout the war.
ERNEST HARWOOD SWIFT entered the Maritime Service as an Apprentice Seaman on May 30, 1943 when he went for training to Hoffman Island, New York City. He was sent to the Hospital Corps School at Sheepshead Bay, N. Y. in July for a 12-weeks' course which he completed in four weeks with a rate of Pharmacist's Mate 3/c, and was then transferred to Base Personnel.
Sheepshead Bay was the largest base of the Maritime Service, training men for duty on merchant ships. 10,000 to 15,000 men were stationed there, including trainees and base personnel. Men were prepared for duty to engine, deck and mess departments, with the emphasis placed on life boat drill and the use of the ship's guns. While there his duties were in the Medical Department, which in- cluded at various times Sick Bay care, helping in giving physical examinations, and X-ray work. He was at one time in charge of a 120-bunk Sick Ward. In August 1944, while still at Sheepshead Bay, he made PhM 2/c.
He was released to inactive duty on September 19, 1945.
GEORGE BOWDEN TROWT was graduated from the Massachu- setts Nautical School (now the Massachusetts Maritime Academy) in 1938. The Maritime Service was his career and he served in it throughout the war, attaining the rank of Lieutenant Commander.
PERSONAL RECORDS OF THOSE IN CIVILIAN SERVICES
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Wenham in World War II
INTRODUCTION
The preceding pages contain the record of Wenham citizens in the armed forces and allied activities, carefully compiled by Mrs. Wil- liam R. Campbell. In the following pages we record the activities of the civilian population, which were sponsored from different sources of controls, independent of each other yet well correlated for emerg- ency.
War Finance, Bond Drives
- U. S. Treasury Department
Selective Service
- Federal Government
Control of Food and Commodities - Federal Government
Accredited Agent of Relief - American Red Cross
Spotting for Aircraft - U. S. Army
Civilian Defense Activities
- Mass. Public Safety Comm.
In addition to these major activities, there were many groups and private organizations, who, impatient of the slow course of the large organizations, worked hard to bring direct help where need seemed most pressing.
This whole program undertaken by civilians to carry on activities sponsored by various state and national organizations was a chal- lenge quite new.
The solution of this challenge by untrained leaders and workers developed some surprising assets of ingenuity, judgment and loyalty in our small town.
In carrying on this civilian work, leaders were needed, and we shall not soon forget the energy of Delano Kennard, Mrs. John Amory, Thomas P. Mandell, Clarence H. Lunt, Mrs. Fred Ashworth, Frank Gray, Fred T. Vickers and Myron Perkins who are of those who took up the rather discouraging job of making war-conscious a residential town, urging its citizens to undertake tasks for which they had no experience.
A. P. O.
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Personal Records of Those in Civilian Services
SELECTIVE SERVICE
Securing men for the services of the War Department as needed, was accomplished through the Selective Service Act, outlined in Washington, and carried out by civilians, with no compensation, and a minimum of paid clerical assistance.
First came the registration of men between 21-36 years of age. This was conducted in Wenham by Town Clerk Roscoe Batchelder, assisted by Barbara Trowt, Ernest Dodge and Louis Dodge.
Quickly following this first registration there was set up in Wash- ington on October 30, 1940 the 10-gallon goldfish bowl, containing the numbers of the first 8000 eligible for draft, carrying out the plan of the War Department, to increase the armed forces by in- ducting 30,000 from November 18, to December 1.
The Selective Service Lottery was a momentous day for Wenham men of that first registration, as they scanned the numbers drawn, and estimated their chances for immediate service.
There were only three Wenham men drawn in the first thousand, from that famous goldfish bowl-John Luxton, 502, Lindreth Roberts, 943 and John Arnold, 949; there were four men in the second thousand, James McCarthy, 1165, Vincent Nelson, 1299, Kenneth Hagar, 1909 and Arthur Bartol, Jr., 1948. There were ten from Wenham in the drawings between two and three thousand. The largest number of local men, thirty-three in number, fell in the drawing, seven to eight thousand.
After the numbers were drawn, effort was made to quickly get the "master list" into the hands of all local Selective Service Boards, to enable them to fill their quota of 1A men-those with no depend- ents, or physical or occupational deferments. This first quota was filled by volunteers, men who wished to take their year's training at once and get into service, not waiting for draft numbers.
Wenham was in Selective Service Board 55 which had already been set up, and comprised the towns of Hamilton, Danvers, Tops- field, Middleton and Wenham. Frank Gray of Wenham was chair- man of the Board. The members of this Board were named by the Selectmen of their respective towns, recommended by the Governor of the state, and appointed by the President of the United States. They were then sworn into office by the Governor, which ceremony in Massachusetts took place in the Gardner Auditorium at the State House.
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Wenham in World War II
Others comprising Selective Service Board 55 were Finlay Mac- Donald, Hamilton, Wilbur Perkins, John Creedon, and Arthur W. Gay, secretary, Danvers, Sargent Wellman, appeal agent, Topsfield and James O'Neil, clerk, the only one receiving compensation.
Physicians for the Board were all from Danvers: Dr. Andrew Nichols, veteran of World War I who again enlisted in World War II, Dr. Edwin D. Reynolds and Dr. Charles Deering.
Wenham's second registration occurred on July 1, 1941 for those who had become twenty-one since October 16, 1940. Mrs. Gertrude Burton assisted.
The largest registration was held on February 16, 1942 when all men between the ages of 20 and 44, who had not previously reg- istered, reported. Roscoe Batchelder was assisted at this time by E. Preble Motley and school teachers, Bessie Buker, Mrs. Marjorie (Keyes) Baston, Mary Walsh and Willard Smyth.
On April 22, 1942 were registered all men between 45 and 65 years of age ; 141 men were registered at this time and the town clerk was again assisted by school teachers, Bessie Buker, Katherine Duffy, Mary Pomeroy, Evelyn Woodason and Harlton Burr.
The last registration, June 30, 1942, for those between 18 and 20 years of age, was conducted by Mr. Batchelder alone. Since that time, as each male has become 18 years of age, he has registered with the town clerk.
For his efficient services as registrar, Mr. Batchelder was given a Presidential Citation, as well as a medal from the Selective Service headquarters at Washington.
During the five registrations, 4000 men from the five towns were registered and approximately 2100 sent into service.
Every six months or oftener, the names of those not in service came up for review at the Board, requiring many meetings, often as many as five weekly. These meetings occurred in the evening, after the men on the Board had completed a busy day in their business or profession. It was also necessary for the chairman Mr. Gray to attend many meetings in Boston. Whenever a group of inducted men left Danvers, Mr. Gray was present to shake hands with each one, however early was the hour.
Out of all the cases, possibly only 100 were appealed. The appeal agent Sargent Wellman of Topsfield, acted for both the reg- istrant and the government. He saw every questionnaire. The files of the appealed cases, with the agent's comments went to the Appeal Board in the Federal Court building in Salem. In cases of hard-
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Personal Records of Those in Civilian Services
ship, the welfare agent in each town investigated conditions. In the town of Wenham, the very few cases were investigated by Samuel S. Conary of the Board of Welfare.
Members of the Selective Service Board 55 performed one of the finest civilian contributions during the war.
This local Board would consent to no public acknowledgment from its constituency, in the form of dinners and speeches, feeling theirs was a patriotic service and needed no such reward.
Each one received a Presidential citation and a medal from Selec- tive Service headquarters in Washington, D. C. as an acknowledg- ment of their services and an appreciation of a grateful government.
The Selective Service and Training Act of 1940 expired March 31, 1947. The Army and Navy will now depend upon voluntary en- listment to keep up its strength.
Following the liquidation of the Selective Service, a bill was passed to establish an office of Selective Service Records. This bill transfers to the Department of Labor, all functions of the system which pertain to the Veterans' Personnel Division. The records of the local boards will be gathered into one depot for each five counties, where will be kept the permanent files for Veterans' Administration reference, effective July 1, 1947.
U. S. ARMY OBSERVATION POSTS
As early as 1940, the army had in hand protective plans for na- tional defense, and was testing out the availability of the civilian population to act as additional "eyes" of the army of the United States.
The problem was put up to the American Legion-to man observa- tion posts-located six miles apart, around the vital defense area, in industrial New England.
It should be clearly understood that while the observation post was a protective division of our national defense, it had no connec- tion with the set up of Civilian Defense, but was purely an army installation. All orders came to the chief observer of the Post from the War Department, and each community through its Legion was expected to man and carry out the army orders.
-
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Wenham in World War II
Originally this area was to be sponsored by the Hamilton Legion, an area, clearly defined, which did not include Wenham.
Preliminary work for the setting up of observation posts in this area was carried on by the chief observer, Frank Withee of Hamil- ton, until he was sent to Washington, when John Ostrom of Hamil- ton was appointed chief observer and carried on the plans and final setting up of an observation post.
On October 6, 1940 Commander J. Russell Crosby and Vice- Commander Arthur Landers of the Wenham American Legion Post were invited to meet with the Hamilton Post when plans were com- pleted for the Wenham Post to cooperate with Hamilton in this undertaking.
On December 10, 1940 Commander J. Russell Crosby called for a meeting of the Lt. Norman Prince Post No. 182 saying, "Our Post is pledged to cooperate with the A. P. Gardner Post at So. Hamilton, to man anti-aircraft listening stations in the tower at Hamilton High School.
"This meeting is called to explain important duties the American Legion must and will soon assume in the matter of National De- fense as planned by the Army.".
After some period of planning, and delay, an Observation Post was established for the towns of Hamilton and Wenham under the direction of Commander John Ostrom of Hamilton, with Comman- der Arthur Landers of Wenham as his deputy.
Commander Ostrom originally set up two posts, one each for Hamilton and Wenham but on December 8, 1941 the two posts were combined and the tower at the Hamilton High School was selected as the most central for both towns and most desirable for the area.
Commander Ostrom continued as chief observer and director, and Commander Arthur Landers of Wenham, his deputy, a position which was held by Commander Landers until his death. The task of chief observer for Wenham was taken over by Philip Horton Smith during the illness of Commander Landers and continued after his death.
Arthur Landers was the youngest member of Lt. Norman Prince Post, of which he was Past Commander at his death. As chief observer for Wenham, his willingness to serve any hour of the day or night characterized his whole life-he always "wanted to help." On numerous occasions, coming home from an all-night patrol in his regular employment with the electric company, he would take a shift of three hours to substitute for some absentee.
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Personal Records of Those in Civilian Services
The leadership of John Ostrom, Arthur Landers, and Philip Hor- ton Smith merits the highest appreciation from both towns.
To man the post was a constant problem to the leaders, too often met by themselves, as last minute substitutes were sometimes diffi- cult to secure. It required a minimum of 112 persons a week- which was not an easy task in communities of such a small popula- tion-Wenham, 1400 and Hamilton, 3000.
The post operated continuously from December 8, 1941 to Sep- tember 10, 1943 on a double shift system-two persons on watch at a time. This period is made up of 30,816 man hours. Segregat- ing the Wenham service, we find a very creditable showing of 11,557 hours from Wenham people.
The spotter in the tower in its exposed position was the object of much solicitude; fur coats, heavy sweaters were made available ; hot coffee was supplied nightly by the Wenham Village Improvement Society, which was too often cold coffee by the 4 a. m. shift; stoves were set up for a bit of warmth. Women took the day shift and men the night periods, though sometimes husband and wife would take a night shift together.
One hundred and fifty-four names of Wenham people with the hours of their service are found in Commander Ostrom's carefully kept records.
Ten Spotters Over 200 Hours
Callahan, James
Libby, Scott Morgan, Mrs. Louise
Prince, Samuel
Perkins, Ralph Robbins, Joseph F.
Spotters Over 100 Hours
Ayer, Mrs. Frederick
Gatchell, Benjamin
Morgan, James
Amory, Mrs. John
Jaquith, Donald,
Morson, Ernest
Batchelder, F.
Jones, Albert
Motley, E. Preble
Burton, F. J. and P. W. Clark, Sherman
Kennard, Delano
Plummer, Lawrence
Kennard Wentworth
Reynolds, James
Conary, Samuel
Landers, Mrs. Arthur
Smith, Philip H.
Crosby, Mrs. J. Russell
Landers, Arthur, Jr.
Tindley, Frederick
Davis, Gordon
McGee, James
Woodbury, O. L.
Dodge, Donald
Morgan, George
Phippen, Henry O., Jr.
Crehore, Rupert
Knowlton, Ray Landers, Arthur
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Wenham in World War II
CIVILIAN DEFENSE
On September 8, 1939 the President proclaimed a national emerg- ency, but it was not until May 20, 1940 that the President, by exe- cutive order, established the office of Civilian Defense to stimulate the people to an awareness of the gathering war clouds and to plan ways by which suitable and specific preparations could be made.
Governor Saltonstall in turn, established the Committee of Public Safety for Massachusetts, August 23, 1940. The name "Committee of Public Safety" has a great significance in Massachusetts. In the Struggle for Independence, it was the Committee of Public Safety which was the force bringing about the first Contintental Congress. In 1917, a second time, Massachusetts functioned as one man under the Committee of Public Safety. In 1941 for the third time, such a committee organized forces to protect and maintain home and liberty. Wenham established a "Home Defense Committee" July 2, 1941 in reply to a communication from Governor Saltonstall, urging the towns to fall in line, and organize for home defense. This local committee comprised the three members of the board of select- men, Samuel S. Conary, Elmer E. Clarke, James R. Reynolds, Fire Chief Frank Sargent and Police Chief Edward Hall.
The committee was formally organized on July 17, when Mrs. Robert C. Jones was chosen secretary.
It was at once recognized at that first meeting that the fire and police department must be increased.
With characteristic energy and perseverance, Chief Sargent had doubled his force and during the period of the war, despite necessary withdrawals, the fire department was held at a minimum of forty members.
FIRE DEPARTMENT
Chief Frank Sargent
Regular
*Bagnell, Nelson, Jr. Brown, Jesse
*Clarke, Robert
Pulsifer, Harry
*Jaques, Herbert
Reed, Charles
*Brown, Robert
Killam, Donald
Tarr, Norman
*Brooks, Lloyd Cook, Arthur
Knowlton, John
Trowt, Arthur
*Cook, Kenneth
Landers, George, Jr. Luxton, John
Wildes, Lewis
*Corning, Frank
*Corning, Eugene
Landers, Arthur
Taylor, Irving
Pulsifer, Fred
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Personal Records of Those in Civilian Services
Auxiliary
Bagnell, Nelson, Sr. Batchelder, Roscoe
Fales, Charles
Mitchell, Elmer
Flynn, Bertram
Moran, Daniel
*Burns, Robert
*Foster, Horace
Murray, Cornelius
Butman, Clarence
Fredriksen, Stanley
Norton, Kenneth
Byrnes, Michael
Gouzie, George
Peabody, Sumner
Campbell, James
Grey, Everett
Perkins, Howard Quinnell, Morton
Carnes, Joseph
Haszard, Owen
Caves, Robert
Haszard, Roger
Roberts, Evan
Cummings, Alfred
Harrington, Joseph, Jr.
Sargent, Franklin
Cummings, Edwin
Homan, Albert
Smith, Karl
Cummings, William
Kennard, Delano
Stevens, Alfred
Doland, James
Kennard, Wentworth
Wildes, William
Dunn, Andrew
Leach, Arthur
Wiley, Linwood
Donovan, Jeremiah McEnaney, John
* Indicates those who were replaced on account of entering service or occupations.
At that first meeting, also, Mrs. John Amory, chairman of the Woman's State Division of Public Safety, brought up the necessity of an ARP survey, presenting a questionnaire to be sent to every house in town. This census was completed in a few weeks with the help of a corps of assistants; Wenham thus knew what was available in town in case of emergency and how quickly to secure pumps, trucks, hose, fire extinguishers, water, bicycles, rooms and beds.
Chief Hall also reported at the next meeting, his list of reserve members and his meagre equipment of 15 riot sticks, 15 tin helmets and 12 flash lights.
POLICE DEPARTMENT Chief M. Edward Hall
Regular Force Corning, Frank Killam, Donald
Auxiliary Force Jones, Robert C. O'Leary, John J.
Campbell, Silas Dodge, Louis
Knowlton, Roger E. Smith, Karl
Dunn, Andrew
Landers, Arthur Wildes, William L.
Joiner, Edgar E.
Lynch, Edward
The state program of ARP was based on a city scale, which it was necessary to adjust to the small town. It was generally felt in the small towns adjacent to Wenham, Topsfield, Essex and Hamilton that the enemy would not waste its efforts on bombing a non-indus- trial town, but it would be the small town's responsibility to be geared to go to the assistance of the industrial centers, or to be a re- fuge for the homeless bombed-out citizens nearby. It was on this basis that the Wenham ARP was set up, yet it required a unity of pattern with state-wide endeavor in order to prevent confusion.
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Wenham in World War II
Mr. Conary resigned August 14, 1941 as chairman of the Defense Committee and Thomas P. Mandell was approved for this office on August 21, 1941 by the state. Mr. Mandell had completed a state training course based on Air Raid Precaution methods used in Eng- land and was especially qualified to organize the local program. From this time until December 18, 1941 there was a period of con- fusion as efforts were made to enroll and train our quota of citizens to carry on the work of the various protective groups. The frequent change of orders and directions from state headquarters added to this natural confusion.
On December 18, 1941 the following heads of departments had been enrolled and were in process of training. Each worker was re- quired to carry an identification card bearing his photograph. In course of time arm bands were supplied by the state distinguishing the type of service in which one was enrolled.
Local Chairman
Thomas P. Mandell
Women's Division Chairman
Mrs. John Amory
Planning Division Chairman
Philip H. Smith
Publicity Division Chairman
Delano M. Kennard
Thomas P. Mandell
Delano Kennard
Chief Police Dept. and Auxiliary
Frank Sargent Edward Hall
Gas & Decontamination
Rescue Parties
First Aid Parties
James Callahan
Emergency Housing & Feeding
Rev. F. W. Vaill
Blackout Services & Supplies Chairman
Communications Chairman Radio
George Barney
Courier Tel. & Tel.
James D. Wiley A. Winslow Dodge George Barney
Food Chairman
Medical Chairman
Dr. John G. Corcoran
First Aid
George Gibney Haraden
Rev. W. F. A. Stride
Ambulances Nurses
Miss Clementina Haynes
Social Services & Health Canteen Motor Corps
Mrs. John Amory
Mrs. John Amory
Air Raid Wardens
Zone 1 Chief Henry Erhard Asst. Chief: Fred Vickers
Roscoe Batchelder L. G. Foan
J. K. Mclaughlin
Sidney Sampson
Walter Murphy
Marshall Nielsen
Mrs. Howard Hagar Leslie Hicks
Evan Roberts
Roy Stanley Alfred Stevens Herbert Whittier
Protection Div. Chairman Chief Air Raid Warden
Chief Fire Dept. and Auxiliary
J. Karl Mclaughlin Ray Knowlton
Myron Perkins
Miss Haynes
FIRST AID TRAINING IN TITE WENTTAM TOWN TTALT,
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Personal Records of Those in Civilian Services
Zone 2 Chief William R. Campbell Asst. Chief J. Donald Jeffers
Fred Batchelder, Jr.
Frederick Cook
Walter Ober
Donald Bell
Katherine C. Darnton Joseph Robertson
Gordon Bell
Donald Jaquith
George Richardson
Edmund S. Cogswell Alfred Mulliken
Zone 3 Chief Scott Libby Asst. Chiefs John Woodason
William Cummings
Mrs. Fred Ashworth Mrs. Rupert Crehore James E. Kavanagh, Jr.
Winthrop Ashworth
William I. Cummings
Sidney Lindsley
Edward Austin
Mrs. Harry Elliott
Gardiner Morgan
Frank Burton
James Ferris
James Morgan, Jr.
Gardner Burton
Mrs. Chester Goldsmitlı
Harold Sturges
Percy Burton
Roger Haszard
Mrs. Harold Sturges
James G. Callahan
Mrs. Charles Inches
John Sturges
Leroy Clarke, Jr. Harold Johnson
Zone 4, a section of few houses and large estates was divided into Posts, each estate having its own air-raid wardens covering its own areas.
Zone 4 Chief E. L. Mitchell Asst. Chief Mrs. B. P. Cutler
Carl Austin, Jr. Mrs. Theo. Hollander
Preble Motley
Robert Burnham
Charles Keefe
Mrs. Preble Motley
Andrew Cosh
Wentworth Kennard
Lawrence Plummer
Ernest Dodge
Steve Kraczynski
Samuel Prince
Louis Dodge Mrs. William Leach
Morton Quinnell
James Donlon
Herbert Machon
Edward Sanford
Jeremiah Donovan
Alfred Maidment
Mrs. Harry Shackelford
Louis Doucette
James McCarthy
Donald Stevens
Arnold Fessenden
George C. Mills
Ruth Torrey
Zone 5 Chief Karl T. Smith Asst. Chief George Larcom Charles E. Davis
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