War Brides Begin Arriving in U.S
Photos

That was how the first contingent in the Army's dependent- transportation program, whereby firls who married U.S. soldiers overseas are being restored to returned husbands, began its voyage to the U.S. Argentina group numbered 456 wives and mothers, all British subjects and their 170 babies, all of them U.S. citizens (the wives can become so in two years). It is estimated the program eventually will add more than 70,000 citizens and citizens-to-be to the U.S. population.

The heavy weather lifted sporadically during the voyage. Then there was time on deck and to watch movies that were to acquaint them with their new country (of Amazing America, one of them reported, "Not very impressed"). There was a baby contest and the wives even put on a show, Argentian Antics. One girl, bound for a Southern home, practiced hard on a Southern accent.

Nine days after embarking, they slipped into New York's ice- clotted harbor, oddly quiet because of the tug strike. In the chilly quiet of a February dawn the historic skyline was faintly visible. Bartholdi's Liberty glowed her perennial welcome. Then came physical examinations, a trip across town and finally, in the Red Cross Chapter House, joyful reunion with ex-GI husbands, some of them slightly unfamiliar in civilian clothes.