Unidentified transport crew chief holds Miss Sheridan's purse as she descends the final step at Yangkai, China.  Captain Melvyn Douglas, CBI Special Services, looks into the C-46 'Commando' transport aircraft as another of the troupes ladies prepares to exit. Capt. Robert Benton, CBI Special Services, has his back to the camera.

(16CCU, Official USAAF photo)

After walking a short distance from the C-46, Mary Landa, Ann Sheridan and Ruth Denas talk beside B-25J "Sheridan Express", a 22nd Bomb Squadron aircraft named and painted by 1Lt. John Johns (pilot in the 22nd) in her honor.

(courtesy of Eugene Wozniak collection.)

Meanwhile official photographers and local G.I.s try to get organized for a photo session. During the confusion of everyone getting into position, the ladies exchange quips with the men in the welcoming group.

(16CCU, Official USAAF photo)

Inspite of any tiredness or discomfort leftover from their early morning Hump flight, the ladies then presented beautiful smiles for probably the most distributed photo of the troupe at Yangkai.  In addition to Dad's print, we received photos/scans from Irv Gibbs, Al Lodoveco, Bill Gornick, and Eugene Wozniak.  Further, dozens of 341st and 373rd Bomb Group veterans told us they had one.

(Francis E. 'Ed' Strotman collection)

They are then joined by Maj. ??, Yangkai Base Commander, and Captain ??, Chaplain(?) as Captain Benton attempts to get them posed to his satisfaction...

(courtesy of Eugene Wozniak collection.)

Ann Sheridan then climbed into the pilot's seat of the "Sheridan Express."

(courtesy of Eugene Wozniak collection.)

Meanwhile, their CBI escort, Capt. Robert Benton, guided Captain Melvin Douglas, CBI Special Services Officer, Ruth Denas and Mary Landa toward the waiting jeeps, as he explains their schedule.

(courtesy of Eugene Wozniak collection.)

The next stop was the small Yangkai, Hospital; (l - r) Ruth Denas, Ben Blue, Mary Landa, Melvin Douglas, Ann Sheridan

( Francis E. 'Ed' Strotman collection)

Ann poses for close up with unidentified patient.

(16CCU, Official USAAF photo)

Before departing the Yangkai Base clinic, Ann Sheridan, Mary Landa and Ruth Denas, pose with the Flight Surgeon, Chinese nurses and two unidentified medical technicians. Dark haired man in middle is Eugene Wozniak, combt photographer, 491st Bomb Squadron.
Any help in naming the other people in this photo?

( from Barbara Vatter's collection; courtesy of her son, Rob.)

(r-l) Ann Sheridan, Barabara Vatter, Mary Landa, Capt. Robert Benton (CBI Special Services) and Ruth Denas pose with two unidentified Chinese nurses.
Once again, we ask your help in filling in the nurses names.

( from Barbara Vatter's collection; courtesy of her son, Rob.)

Finally, after being the photographer, S/Sgt Bert Krawczyk (373rd Bm Sq) has an opportunity to have his picture taken with Ann Sheridan and the Chinese nurses.

( from Barbara Vatter's collection; courtesy of her son, Rob.)

While the troupe was visitng the clinic and dressing for the show, the Yangkai airmen began arriving and preparing the viewing area, inspite of the mud from the fall monsoonal rain the day before.

(courtesy of Eugene Wozniak collection.)

Chairs and benches, seen above the men's heads in previous photo, had been removed from inside The Last Resort for use by 'lucky members of the audience.

(courtesy of Eugene Wozniak collection.)

The rest would sit, stand, or kneel on whatever was available; jeeps, rocks, rooftops, or the stage. But... the show must go on!!

(courtesy of Eugene Wozniak collection.)

Jackie Miles, the troupe's emcee opened the show (first of two) by introducing Ruth Denas.

( Francis E. 'Ed' Strotman collection - 491st Bomb Squadron )

Ruth Denas, an outstanding accordianist and the troupe's musical accompanitst, then roused the 'troops' with some familiar songs from "home!"

( Francis E. 'Ed' Strotman collection - 491st Bomb Squadron )

Ben Blue banters with Jackie Miles soon after being introduced to the audience of hundreds of men stationed at and near Yangkai.

( Francis E. 'Ed' Strotman collection - 491st Bomb Squadron )

We see the airmen and soldiers, packed together, sitting and standing twenty rows deep, attentively listening and watching the show. Ben Blue then 'cuts up', back to the crowd as Jackie Miles introduces...

(courtesy of Eugene Wozniak collection.)

... Ann Sheridan. As she enters the back of the stage from the entrance to The Last Resort. Ruth Denas, stage right, provides appropriate music on her accordian.

(courtesy of Eugene Wozniak collection.)

Ann Sheridan, Jackie Miles and Ben Blue stand around the microphone to exchange quips with each other and the audience before Ben and Ann begin the first of their two skits.

(courtesy of Eugene Wozniak collection.)

Ben Blue and Ann Sheridan stand at the microphone while conducting a hilarious dialoque.

( Francis E. 'Ed' Strotman collection - 491st Bomb Squadron )

The audience's view of Ben & Ann's performance shows the servicemen crowded along the back left of the stage. S/Sgt Bert Krawczyk (373rd Bm Sq) holds his camera up to his eye as he takes some of the pictures posted on this web page.

(Official USAAF photo, 16th Combat Camera Unit, Kunming, China.)

Near the end of Ben Blue and Ann Sheridan's skit, he grasps her around the waist while she is laughing uncontrolably.

(courtesy of Eugene Wozniak collection.)

After Ben & Ann completed their skit, Ruth Denas then took to the microphone and performed several popular songs on her accordian.

(courtesy of Eugene Wozniak collection.)

After Ruth Denas completed her performance and returned to her seat on the stage. Her accordian provided accompaniment for Mary Landa's hula stylings..

(courtesy of Eugene Wozniak collection.)

Mary Landa's hula dancing has caught the full attention of the men in the audience.

(courtesy of Eugene Wozniak collection.)

Ann Sheridan and Ben Blue took the stage for their second skit of the show.

(courtesy of Eugene Wozniak collection.)

As Ben Blue and Ann Sheridan perform their skit they have the audience smiling and laughing, and clapping loudly.

(courtesy of Eugene Wozniak collection.)

Jackie Mills, Mary Landa and Ruth Denas, joined Ann Sheridan and Ben Blue for the finale, where they exchanged comments with men in the audience.

( Francis E. 'Ed' Strotman collection - 491st Bomb Squadron )

Between the troupe's two shows at Yangkai, Ruth Denas posed for "keep sake" photos.

(courtesy of Eugene Wozniak collection.)

Mary Landa, still in costume from her final performance, poses for some between-shows photos.

(courtesy of Eugene Wozniak collection.)

After changing costume for the second show Ann Sheridan posed for a photo.

(courtesy of Eugene Wozniak collection.)

Still in her hula costume Mary pins a flower for the final touch to Ann's second show attire.

(courtesy of Eugene Wozniak collection.)

After changing outfits, Mary Landa strikes a "Cheesecake" pose for Yangkai's war weary servicemen, perhaps, or maybe for the magazines back in the Z.I.  This is one of the most popular photos with scores of Yangkai veterans possessing a print.

( Francis E. 'Ed' Strotman collection - 491st Bomb Squadron )

Mary Landa and Ann Sheridan have bracketed an unidentified serviceman for a photo prior to the second show.

(courtesy of Eugene Wozniak collection.)

The following morning following, Ann Sheridan and Mary Landa departed The LAST RESORT to make their way to the tranport plane waiting on the Yangkai flight line.

(courtesy of Eugene Wozniak collection.)

While awaiting Miss Sheridan's arrival, Ben Blue, troupe leader, and Captain Melvyn Douglas discuss the upcoming flight and more performances at the next base on their tour.

(courtesy of Eugene Wozniak collection.)