End of March, 1945: Waiting to Go Home

8

March 18 1945

Dear Ma

I'll try to drop you a line to night to let you know I am still around. I haven't heard any more about when I am to leave, infact I am almost beganing to wonder if I am to leave.

I haven't been working the last few days – they haven't been able to find me. When they do they will probably really throw it at me. 

I got a Vmail from Bo yesterday but thats all. I havent had any mail, except 3 Vmails, in about 2 weeks. I sure wish it would hurry up and get here.

II

It looks like I pulled on of your stunts grabed a different kind of stationary.

We have been having fair weather but it could be a lot nicer. Its been just a little too chilly and windy. I guess thats the best you can expect in March though.

Well will close and try to write some more letters

Jack.

I'm glad Jack went into hiding. It sure seems unfair that they ask these warriors to do the dishes before they go home!

Interestingly, the stamp was ripped off this next one and so the postmark is absent. In all the letters so far, Gram has not saved the stamp. She did note "Rec 3/29" on the envelope.

March 21 1945

Dear Ma

Just a short note tonight. I have been rusing around mad trying to get ready to leave but still I haven't gotten any thing done. I have been rather sick all day – had a nice head ack and feel all run down. I don't know whats wrong but I really feel low.

I still have evey thing to pack and can't seem to find where to start. May be I'll get it done in time to pull out tomarrow. I hope

II

We have been having typical March weather. Nice one day and not so good the next. Oh well I won't have to take it much longer. I'll let Wayne have it and he can do what he wants too.

Well will close now

Jack

If you don't get too much mail from me in the future you shouldn't worry. I'll try to keep you posted. 

March 25 1945

Dear Ma

I guess I better get on the ball to let you know I am still alive. I know I haven't written you in several days but theres nothing to write about. I have done KP once and the rest of the time I just lay around and sleep. We also have nice long chow lines here, that helps to kill a couple of hours a day. We are suppose to get some detail here but I have been lucky so far – maybe I shouldn't talk because they will probably get me tomarrow.

As usual I haven't had any mail but really don't expect any. I suppose I'll be getting all your letters when I get home. 

I have been beating my brains out trying to find something to read these last few days. Maybe it would help if I went over to the Library – loo lazy.

I have been dreaming a lot about home of late. Nene seems to be in all of them and she is allways rubbing the fur the wrong way. Tell her she better look out because when I do get home I'll spank her for it.

I haven't run in to any of my old buddy but expect too. Webster ran in to a couple of fellows he knew.

The weather was nice here but turned off cold to day. I sure wish it would stay warm. It even tried to rain yesterday but had stoped when I got up.

We have to get up at 6.30 – which darn near kills me. We then fall out at 8.30 then about 930 I fall back in and stay until dinner. I go out and stand in line about a hour for chow then fall out about 1:15. I fall back in about 2:30 and sleep until about 5. Stand in line for about another hour and then come back and rest up after such a hard day.

Well I can't think of any more to write so will close

Love 

Jack. 

There are no letters to Margaret during this period. 

Mid-March 1945: Waiting to Ship Home

We're back! As you recall, the last batch of letters informed Gram that Jack had flown his final missions. He was relieved beyond all relief. 

March 8 1945

Dear Ma

I'll try to write you a short note to night letting you know I recived a couple of letters from you. It seems you have been getting my letters pretty well of late. Yours have been coming in fair. I did get a letter – Vmail – that you for got to date. You wrote it the night Wayne left and I recived it to day so you can figure out how long it took I can't. 

I'm just marking time now. I suppose they will give me some kind of detail though. From what I hear I wont get out of here until the 22. I don't care much though just as long as they don't keep me too long.

II

I hope you still have the thought in mind about going to Con. If it's not too near the end of school or after school is out You are going. Sort of start making arrangements to push the kids off on some one for a few days. I really mean it – remember I am still classed as head of the house and etc. If nessarry I'll even attempt to pull my rank or maybe my hair. 

Well I am all run down so will close. 

Jack.

"Con" is Concordia, Kansas, where Jack was born.

March 10 1945

Dear Ma

I'll try to drop you a short note to night. As usual I haven't much of any thing new to write.

I was glad to hear they finally sent me the check on my income tax. I wonder if they paid interest on it, you know it was tied up better than a year. I shouldn't kick though I at least got it and it might buy me a beer or you a hat or something.

I seems they can't stand to let me lie a round for a day or so. They got me a job loading bombs from now on. That is until I ship, from what I hear it's pretty hard work. I personally can't see it but they don't agree so I'll keep them happy and go a head and do it. 

May be it will keep me busy enough to stop tearing my hair out. 

I got paid to day so I stopped to count all the stuff that was in my bill fold. When I ended up I fuguered I have right near $200. I didn't think it was that much until I counted it. You see we keep thinking these pound notes are about a dollar, if you have 25 or 30 it seems you have that many dollars.

I went to town last night and took in a couple of movies. I had been trying to see the one for some time and kept missing it. I finally saw it. 

Having run down will close

Jack. 

British pounds to dollars in 1945 had an exchange rate of $4.03.  Jack's $200 would be work $3379 today. That's a nice chunk to be taking home!

I wish he named the movie he saw.

This Vmail was postmarked March 15, two days after the March 13 postmark of the above letters. 

March 6 1945

Dear Ma

I at last recived the box you sent me. Thanks a lot. I was almost afraid I wouldn't be here to recive it but it got here o.K. I sent you a wire today also wrote you a air Mail letter last night. I hope by the time you recive this you will know I am now officially known as a ground gripper.

I haven't done much of any thing to day. I got up rather late and didn't do any thing after I did get up

Oh yes the candy sure is good – nice and fresh. I told the boys if they didn't say they liked it I'd get even. They all said they liked it. Will close

Jack. 

And a letter to Margaret!

March 10 1945

Dear Margaret

I don't know if I have written you about my completing my tour or not. If I haven't all ready told you know it now. I really feel a lot better since I finished too. I sleep a lot better and have started putting back some of the weight I lost. I was worring a lot while flying but now that's all over.

I finished up a couple of days ago and am not on shiping orders until the last part of the month. They couldn't see me lay around so now have me working at the bomb dump starting tomorrow. Its going to be darn hard on me but maybe I can take it. I can't seem to picture my self working but suppose I'll learn.

II

We have been having swell weather of late. It is really nice – warm and the sun even comes out once in a while. Thats the way it goes when the weather starts to get nice I move.

I haven't been getting much mail of late – there just doesn't seem to be any comming in. It will probably all get here the day after I leave. 

Well I better close now

Love 

Bill

And one more letter to Gram to finish out the first half of March.

March 15 1945

Dear Ma

I'll try to write you a letter this time and get it mailed. I have written several to you but keep forgetting to mail them.

I recived 2 Vmails from you today one was dated March 7 & as usual you didn't date it. How bout it it does help a little to put a date on them. I also got a letter from Edyth. It too came through in good time. I havent recived any other mail from you in some time. I do hope it hurrys up and gets here.

I don't know what picture you are talking about in your letter but if it's the one I think it is I wouldn't advise you showing it to evey one. 

I haven't been doing any thing just detail here and there. I'll sure be glad to get out of here and get started for home. 

So you will go back to Kansas with me. I was glad to hear it at least now I won't have to argue you with the idea. 

Well am all writin out so will close now

Jack

First Days of March, 1945: A Red Letter Day!

 No excuses. Apologies for the long delay! 

We're into March, 1945 now.

March 1

Dear Ma

I recived a Vmail from you today and don't get what you were writing about.

You said Wayne would be getting a 10 day delay enroute and would be seeing me. I recived a letter a couple of days ago saying he was going on an inspection tour so all in all it has me wondering. If he is comming over on this side of the pond he had better hurry because I won't be here too much longer. I doubt if I'll be here in 2 or 3 weeks. If I had known about it sooner I could have stood down but it's too late now. I do wish you would have stated more certain just what he is going to do.

If he comes over and I have already started for home I'll be very put off. I would like to see him but as it looks now I won't be able to.

I recived a letter from Floyd B today. I almost dropped over when I got it I really didn't ever expect to hear from him. He didn't say much as usual. He was just like evey one else, you are doing a great job etc – you get your ass shot off & we will stay home and cheer. Well it wasn't that bad. I guess he meant right and such.

Will close and hope I get some mail clearing up what you have written. 

Jack. 

To remind you, Wayne is Jack's uncle on his Mother's side and Floyd B is his uncle on his father's side. 

March 3 1945

Dear Ma

I'll try to drop you a line tonight to let you know I am still around. 

Well I looks like I am tail end chas [?]. Eaton, Kale, Webster, McGarry, and Jimmy have all finished. Jimmy (has rocks in his head) signed up for 15 more. I guess they all will be starting home soon, I sure wish I could leave with them but I'll probably be going soon Ihope.

I haven't gotten any mail to speak of but keep hoping it will come threw soon. I told you I got a letter from Floyd didn't I.

The weather sure has been nice of late - warm and sunny. If I didn't have spring fever? so bad I would get out and do some thing. It really has been too nice to stay indoors but theres nothing to do out side so I just stay in.

I got a bunch of pictures I took here there and evey where. I'll enclose a few taken in Scotland. When I get home I'll have enlargements made of them. 

I am all run down so will close

Jack. 

The V-mail below was postmarked March 6, as was the letter above. So I include it here.

Feb 23 1945

Dear Ma

Here goes on a short note tonight I can't think of much to write about so will just write V Mail

I haven't been doing much of any thing of late, just the same old routine. I certainly haven't been doing any thing to write about. I haven't recived any mail from you of late so I don't have any questions to answer. I haven't recived any mail from any one for that matter, I sure wish I would get some mail. I keep hoping that it will be in tomorrow but It just never seems to get here. 

I am so tired tonight I just can't seem to think of a darn thing to write about.

Having run out of space I'll close. 

Jack. 

I'm sure there is something to be said for a piece of mail just to let mom know he's alive. 

...And a letter to Margaret!

March 3 1945

Dear Margaret

I guess I owe you a letter so better get busy and write, or should I say, try and write one.

I haven't been doing much of any thing so I don't know what I'll write about but will try. I did break down last night and went to town. I didn't do much, just sat around a drank a little beer and Scoth. I didn't even drink enough to get to felling good. This suff over here just isn't the type you can drink very much of. 

The weather sure has been nice of late infact too nice for England. I almost got up energy to go out side the last few days. Of course I never did get around to it just too lazy

I haven't been getting much mail of late I am beginning to wonder if evey one has lost my address. May be it's just the postal service is slow or something. 

We have been getting a lot of new boys in of late and they sure are telling us all about combat. It seems they know all about it, especially after they have flown there first mission. Oh well they will learn – the hard way.

I can't think of any more to write so will close

Love 

Bill 

I wonder if Jack was the one telling the old timers "all about combat" when he arrived a few months ago!

March 5 1945

Dear Ma

Well that day has arrived when I can say I am ex-combat. I finished up today and am very much relived about the whole thing. I'll tell you the truth for a while things didn't look too good – infact I wouldn't have wanted to carry my own insurance, It's all over now so I can say that Jerry couldn't shoot worth a damm. I can also say not a person was hit on the ship I was flying. I really feel good and plenty relieved about the whole thing.

I should be starting home with in the next week or so, so if you don't hear from me you will know why. I am going to try to send you a wire tomarrow and if I do it will probably scare you to death but if I don't you will have to wait for this letter. 

I recived a real long letter from you yesterday but was too tired to even attempt to answer it. I also got one from Bo. I also recived a letter from Bo to day. She has the same old line – I bet that burns her when she reads it. 

I sure hate the idea of not being able to see Wayne but it's like you say I'll be going as he is comming over. 

Well will close so I can get this censored and mailed 

Jack. 

And that's it! Jack had two last missions, number 37 and 38, on March 4 and 5. Because the rest of the crew had finished their tours, Jack was ball turret gunner for a whole different crew.

Mission 286 targeted an aircraft factory at Schwabmunchun, Germany. There were some delays and deviations due to difficulty maintaining formations, etc, but the mission was successful. They encountered no flak nor enemy aircraft, and all aircraft returned safely.

Mission 287 hit railroad marshalling yard at Chemnitz, Germany. This was the secondary target, as the primary target (Ruhland, Germany [Synthetic oil]) was unable to be visualized due to cloud cover. There was a note on this mission's briefing that I hadn't seen before: "You are reminded not to discuss the target. EXERCISE ALL SECURITY MEASURES." 

There were no aircraft lost. Two aircraft returned early; one couldn't locate the formation and one returned due to an engine fire.

One thing I remember about Jack's stories was that his crew had zero casualties. This was a rarity. He said other airmen wanted to be on their crew because they came back whole every time. I wonder if he had even more anxiety being on a different crew for these last two missions. 

I can't imagine the relief he must have felt as he no longer had to face death in the eye every single day.

 

In the greater war, March saw the Allies crossing the Rhine River into Germany. From How Stuff Works, History:

More than 8,000 American troops cross the Rhine River in Nazi Germany: On March 7, 1945, American Lieutenant Karl Timmerman led his company of the 27th Armored Infantry Battalion to the west end of the Ludendorff Bridge near Remagen, Germany. Since this was the last bridge still spanning the Rhine, Timmerman halted and looked closely for explosives. An explosion did occur as Timmerman and his men advanced across, but, as the smoke settled, he saw that the bridge still stood. More than 8,000 Americans crossed within 24 hours, establishing the first bridgehead across the Rhine. When Adolf Hitler learned that the bridge had not been destroyed, he had four of the officers in charge of destroying it executed.

In the Pacific Theater, the U.S. bombed Tokyo with great ferocity, using tons of incendiary bombs and killing 80,000 - 100,000 civilians.

The war only has a few more months to go. 

There are still quite a few letters in the box, so we'll keep following his journey at least until he gets home!

Photos of the Boys & etc

Many thanks to my brother Charles, who took Jack's old negatives and scanned them. Thanks to him, I have photos to share! Here are the boys, around the barracks.

I don't know who is who, except for Jack of course. You can assign the names to who you would like to think they are. To remind you, his crewmates were:

Pilot Henry F. Kale

Co-Pilot Delbert C. Rohr

Navigator Donald H. Eaton

Top Turret Gunner James B. McGarry

Radio Operator Stanley N. Perez

Most frequently at Nose Gunner James W. Davis 

Ball Turret Gunner Bernard C. Eutsler (Jack)

Tail Gunner John A. Webster 

Not many of them have insignia on them, but those that do are not officer insignia. I think the officers spent time elsewhere, so you may want to assume that these men are the gunners and Perez, the radio operator.

Jack

Jack

Jack

Jack

Here are photos of Jack's trip to Scotland. He had warned us that the photos weren't that great. You can see  what I believe is Scott Monument as well as Edinburgh Castle, as well as other sights.

And lastly, you may remember in a 1942 letter to Margaret from Washington when he was working in the shipyards, he mentioned seeing a barrage balloon. He snapped a picture of it.