February 17 - 20, 1945: boredom and then a mission

 

Feb 17 1945

Dear Ma

Seeing how I haven't written you in a couple of days I'll try to do so now. 

I haven't been doing a thing of late just loafing around. I haven't even bothed to try to shave. I guess I'll have to do that to night because tomarrow is Sunday and I might go to church. 

The weather has been 1/2 way decent the last couple of days – it's warmed up some maybe spring is here. I sure hope so – that is to a certain extent. 

I haven't recived any mail from you of late but there hasn't been a whole lot come in. There should come in in the next couple of days. Its just a bout time for it to come in.

They sure are getting mean about the uniforms we wear. If we don't have on the complete outfit they will pick us up. They say we are supose to be in Class A all the time. 

I'll wear the ones I have now until they fall off They are almost to that place now. It's so darn hard to get any thing cleaned here so I'll just go dirty.

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

Jack.

Feb 19 1945

Dear Ma

May be I ought to get on the ball and drop you a line. I sure have neglected my writting the last few days, I just haven't felt like writing and nothing has happened to write about. 

We did have an very nice day yesterday. Its was the best day we have seen in England. The sun was out all day and it was just a little too warm for O.D.'s Eaton & I walked down to a little village about 4 miles from here. I sure was played out when we got back I am just getting two old for such things – or maybe should I say too lazy. To day it looked like it was going to be nice but it clouded up in the afternoon, it did stay rather warm though. 

I haven't done a thing the last few days except lay around and nap.

I got a letter from Edyth yesterday it is the first I have heard from her. I got busy and answered it right a way. I doubt if she will be able to read my hand writing but may be it will give her something to do for a few days.

Well will close now hoping to hear from you soon

Jack.

Feb 20 1045

Dear Ma

Having recived a Vmail, dated the 7, to day from you I'll try to answer it

I am glad Dad Kruse is feeling better by now. I hope it's not too long befor he can get up and around. Tell him I said some one liable to get off with the drug store some night and he wouldn't know about it until some one told him.

You know I happen to think that they only one's in the family who have ever broken any bones we those who fell off buildings. How about that maybe we ought to stay buildings keep both feet on the good old ground.

My brain ? just isn't functioning tonight. I don't know why I guess it's becausse I am tired. I worked rather hard to day and am just not use to it.

The weather wis still nice and warm. I guess the sun was out most of the day again to day.

I am still expecting some mail from you that hasn't come in. Maybe it will be in tomorrow I hope. 

I hope you have recived the package by the time you get this. Talking about packages I haven't recived that one from you as yet maybe it will be in, in the next couple days. 

I'll close with that

Love 

Jack

P.S. I made Staff

Jack finally flew a mission this day, the first one in almost two weeks. No wonder he was tired; he had to report to briefing at 4:45am, and the ship returned to base around 4:30pm.

Mission 275's targets were railroad marshalling yards at Nurnberg, Germany, aka Nuremberg. No aircraft were lost; no damages; no casualties.

He states he made Staff Sergeant, but his envelopes have had the "S/Sgt" notation in his return address since January 14. Hmmmm...

We're still in a Maggie-letter drought. Maybe he is still stinging from the news he "recived" on February 11. 

Mid-February, 1945

Thank you for your patience, readers! It has been way too long since these pages have been attended to!

Remember last post, where Jack conducted a mail experiment? Ever the scientist, he sent letters via First Class, Air Mail, and Vmail on the same day to see which arrived fastest. I posted the First Class and the Air Mail letters, but I didn't dig deep enough for the Vmail. I finally found the Vmail that he had mailed on February 12. It was postmarked February 26, so it was back a ways in the box. In that post, I had found a Vmail written February 7 and postmarked February 26. Don't know how my eyes missed this one (though to my defense, the Vmail envelopes are much smaller and liable to get caught in the flap of the envelope in front of them! 

Anywho, another data point added. Conclusion: Vmail sucks. 

 Feb 12 1945

Dea Ma

This is the 3rd letter, and last, I have written you tonight. I am seeing which will come through the fastest. No doubt this will but I got the crazy idea so tried it. I have written just about all I can think to write so on this one I am more or less just marking time

Ohyes tell Nene I liked the way she remined me of her birth day. I wouldn't give her any thing but a spanking any way. I am sorry I did't think about her's and Neva's but may be the stuff I sent will help make up.

I still haven't made up my mind as to who gets what. I'll keep them in suspense or at least try. Well write soon

Jack.

Nene had just turned 17 the month before, and she is about to celebrate her 95th birthday in about a week! Happy Birthday, Nene! 

Feb 13 1945

Dear Ma

I recived a rather old letter from you and Neva. They were dated Jan 4, I have only recived a short dozen written since then. It, or should I say they, did have something new so I won't kick too much.

I was planning on going to town this afternoon but it was raining so I didn't. Just after the bus left it cleared up so I was very unhappy. Ohwell I am probably a few pounds richer tonight so I probably did better by staying home.

Neva wrote that in Mexico they had Parker 51's. I ask some of the boys who were stationed there about them and they said they were factory rejects. Its a good thing she didn't buy one after all. The boys say they aren't worth a dam.

I am glad she got to go down it was something new for her. Now me I would probably not like it all though I'll probably go down sooner or later. 

So they tell how many missions I have when I get a cluster & etc. You can almost keep up on how much I fly by that then. I think you hear about the clusters befor I get the citation.

I can't really think of any more to write after all that I wrote yesterday so will close now

Jack.

Parker 51s were a very popular fountain pen during the war, and onward. 

Later in life, Jack turned around on his desire to go to Mexico. He made several trips to Mexico in the 60s and 70s. 

Feb 15 1945

Dear Ma

I don't belive I have written you in a couple of days so will try to do so now. 

I went down to see Webster this afternoon and the heck of it we did see him. We (Eaton) found the Ward and walked in. I was expected to be thrown out at any time but they didn't bother us. It goes to show you how much more a officer can get away with over a E.M. Webster was feeling pretty good, he was up and around infact he was taking a shower when we got there. He expects to be out in the next couple of days.

I got a letter from Little Jim to day. He didn't write much of any thing I suppose he has written you evey thing so I won't go into that. 

I haven't been doing a whole lot of any thing just marking time. I just can't seem to settle down to reading or any thing constructive. 

The weather is about the same – sort of warm with some rain and all that stuff. I do wish it warm up some more. I don't think it ever does get too warm over here any way.

I can't think of any more to write so I'll close now.

Jack.

You may recall from a few days ago (Jack's time) and a few months ago (super slow Jack's Cache time) that tail gunner John Webster came down with the mumps while they were on their 7-day furlough in Scotland. 

Jack hasn't flown any missions since February 9. 

A couple of notable wartime events during this period. The War seemed to have had a turning point in the Allies' favor.

On Feburay 9 , the German Submarine U-864 was sunk by a British submarine off the cost of Normal. It is the only time in history that a submarine has sunk another submarine while both were fully submerged. 

On February 10, a Soviet submarine sunk a German passenger liner, the SS General von Steuben. Sadly, over 4000 live were lost. 

On February 11, the Yalta Conference ended. The Allied leaders Winston Churchill, Franklin D. Roosevelt, and Josef Stalin signed the agreement which provided guidelines for ending the war and maintaining peace.

On February 13, the bombing of Dresden begain. In a joint British and American mission, over 3,900 tons of explosives were dropped over Dresden, Germany. Killed were between 22,700 and 25,000 people, mostly civilians. Allied POWs also perished. I'm glad Jack was not part of those raids. Though none of his missions were very happy ones, this one is considered by some to be a war crime.

There are no letters to Maggie during this period. 

February 12, 1945. An Experiment

 

Letter I  Feb 12 1945

Dear Ma

Well to-night I have hit a good idea (at least I think is good) that I should have thought about 3 or 4 months ago. I am going to write you a airmail – a Vmail and a 1st class and see just how they do get there. I'll probably have quite a time thinking up enough to write but am sure going to try. Now if this ones not too long don't feel too bad.

I noticed the letters Glady writes get here as quick as your air mail.

I haven't heard any thing from Floyd nor any one else. I guess they have been putting it off. Oh yes I did get a letter from Carol or should I say a card. It was mailed to Buckley and has followed me on through. I didn't think it could have but it sure did. I did get mad about it because he never put a thing in it except "write when you can." I had just written him a few days befor & if I hadnt thrown a way his address I could send him some stationary and see if he can still write. 

If theres any thing that makes me mad is to get a card and nothing written in it. I can't see any sence in it. Its allright for civeys but thats as far as it should go.

My old buddy Graham's Mother was in Vegas a while back and tried to find you. She ask where Mrs Useless lived and no one seem to know, I could have shot him for it. I guess when he wrote about me he always refired to me as such and she thought that was the John Henry.

Oh well we all aren't perfect.

I'll stop this one and try to cook up some more. 

Jack. 

The envelope for the second letter has no stamp, just "Free" handwritten by Jack in the place where the stamp would go. Letters up to now have been sent Air Mail, at a cost of 6¢, the equivalent of about $1.00 today.

Letter No 2   Feb 12 '45

Dear Ma

Heres the 2nd letter written the same day. It will probably get there about the same time as the other so I won't explain it.

Say I never have sent any more pictures to you I think I'll just wait and bring them home. I should have those I took in Scotland by then also some more I have taken around the barracks. I have taken some of the boys here but they will probably want the neg. I'll just go a head and give them to the boys. I really don't care because the most of them I don't care that much about.

You say some bady [?] told of all the places they bombed. Me I couldn't care to have it known where I have. It might not be to healthy if something did happen. I'll tell you all about it when I get home, you probably won't be interested then.

The weather wasn't too nice to day it did warm up some but was cloudy all day and the wind was blowing. I still don't care for English weather.

Maggie wrote saying she had heard from Mal and that Mal is still working in the air craft building works out in Calif. I didn't think Mal could ever hold a job that long

Say ask Gene if he has ever heard from Louie and if he has been drafted yet. He didn't or hasn't answered my last letter. I would like to hear from him. 

Did I tell you Chas is a cook in some hospital in Texas. Godwins wrote me about that. 

I should write Margaret K a letter one of these days but I keep putting it off.

Oh yes they tell me I'm on a 48 hour pass. I am staying in like a good little boy, just cant see going out and giving these English my cash. I can have too much fun when I get home with it.

Say what would you think of going to Con on my furlogh. I guess I got a different color in when I filled the pen. Oh well you will be able to read it. I have been thinking about it, going back there for a couple of days. That's you and me we'll leave the kids there with the folks or some one. I don't want no back talk either. I'll tell you more about it when I get home and see how things go then.

I'll close and start on the V-mail.

Jack.

So, I initially ordered the letters by postmark, as you may remember. The letter from the last post and these were all postmarked February 12 (Maggie didn't keep the envelopes for her letters). I looked through the box and did not see a Vmail postmarked February 14, but I did find the one below, postmarked February 26, but written on February 7! I think this gives good data about Vmail delivery for his experiment. I wonder if the February 12 Vmail was lost in transit or if it's tucked in somewhere I didn't see.

Feb 7 1945

Dear Ma

I have already written you one letter today but thought I would write this too. I suppose you have recived my letters telling about my 7 day. If you haven't, I have mailed a package to you with some stuff I bought in Scotland.

Things are going along about the same as usual, nothing new. The weather has cleared up some but wish it would clear up more. 

I haven't recived your package as yet but am looking for it in the next few days. There have been a few come in of late. The rest of them just got in but nada for me. I haven't recived any mail from you in the last couple of days but probably will in the next few days. Will close Jack.

I think he should stay away from V-mails.

No missions to report for the last few days. 

Next post will be a photo-sharing post! Watch this space!

February 11, 1945. Finally! An answer to The Question!

I've been posting age before beauty, so first here is his letter to Gram on Feb 11, 1945.

Feb 11, 1945

Dear Ma

Well I'll try to answer the letters I recived from you today. I got a bunch, I guess evey one recived mail today though. I have been trying to answer them all but have been doing a poor job of it

Say when you go up & see Dad Kruse tell him I have better sense than he. At least when I go where it's high I wear a chute, tell him I'll check I'm out when I get back. I do hope he is feeling better by now. 

I got another O.L.C. yesterday so that makes 3 for me now. Bo wrote saying she wished I should let her wear one. If she only know the size of them she wouldn't have ask. They are almost big enough that if you look twice you can see it. Oh well so much for that. 

That Neva sure is doing O.K. for her self. I don't need to say I hope she keeps it up because if she doesn't I'll whip her. That Nene I have gotten so I don't even claim her any more. Any one who would flirt with the men folks with such things in mind ought to get thrown out of school. Well any way she got what she was after and after all thats what counts. May be I should try such tricks but I just can't seem to impress the men folks. Oh well when 4 make good you can expect one flop.

I guess it's ok the way you had the air metal engraved. it's too late now any way. It doesn't make a whole lot of difference, I'll probably never look at it any way. It doesn't pay any thing looking at it so I won't be able to waist my time.

It seems Marie did ok for her self – I sure hope she is happy and some nice snake doesn't bit her. It liable to kill the snake & we wouldn't want that to happen.

I heard the boys from Con [?] moved so I'll give the idea up. They say they moved that group out.

No I wasn't hamming in the picture I just wanted to show I had one. Maybe that will hold Gene a while. Tell him I want him to make me some shoes when I get home so he better start thinking about it now. 

It sure started out nice this P.M. first it started to rain - then sleet & then both. The wind also was blowing 90 per so it was nice out all day. Me I just stayed in the barracks.

Well I guess maybe I have run down so will close

Jack.

Let's have another look at the air medal and the O.L.Cs, shall we?

The clusters really are quite little

Not sure who Marie is.

Not sure where "the boys" were moved from. I thought maybe "Con" which he has used to abbreviate Concordia (Kansas), where he lived as a boy. 

And now.....

Feb 11, 1945

Dear Margaret

Here I go again, I'll bet you think I am really sick or something writing so often. 

I recived your letter in reply to my question. Well I am sorry you can't see it my way but if you considered it and rejected the whole idea thats that. May be you are right and may be not but that gets no one no where so what do you say we just drop it with that. 

It did hurt but thanks for the straight out answer any way.

I sure got a lot of mail to day infact just a little too much for one day. I got 2 from you, about 4 from Florence, 3 from Ma and belive it or not one from Wayne.

Wayne didn't have a whole lot to say, just the same old bitching about the army. He wanted to know all about combat and I tried my best to tell him. Its hard to write much because if they ever censored then I'll be thrown in the guard house.

No they don't wear Kilts in Scotland – at least not where we were. They say some of the old timers still wear them in the highlands. Of course we didn't get up that way so I wouldnt know about that. We did see some Boy Scouts running around in Kilts but thats all. I'll have Ma send you a picture I had taken with them on. Don't die laughing either. I sent them in a package and now am hoping the thing doesn't get opened along the line. 

The brought around my 3rd cluster yesterday so thats another point for getting out of the army. I wish I had enough to get out now but I'll probably end up being one of the last one's out anyway.

You ask what that explosion was – it was a V-2 hit about a mile from here. I don't belive it did any damage though because we never any thing about it.

How bout you dreaming about them even me I am not quite that bad. I never have dreamed about combat and I hope I never do. Id hate to get any worse than I am.

So "Dear Mal" is still building airplanes. I don't get it I thought she would give it up befor this. I don't belive she ever settled down so long in all her life. 

Say did you know Gene (Louies Bro) got his discharge from the army. He injured his back here in England and they let him out.

Well maybe this is enough for tonight so write soon. And don't say tomorrow do it today.

Love 

Bill

Well, that's that. We'll have to wait four long years for the wedding.

I suspected that she wouldn't say yes this time around. It's not Mom's style to jump in like that.

...I'll have more letters posted soon. 

February 9, 1945

 Yikes! I've been letting too much time pass between posts. Here we go.

Feb 9, 1945

Dear Ma,

I got a card and a short letter from you you so will try to answer it. You said something about the package I sent. I think you are. mistaken about it going through El Paso. I can't see why is should it will go through N.Y. I have some pictures in it & hope if they open it they don't take them. You let me know imadeatly when you get it and all all the contents

I recived a little mail today but don't know if I'll answer it or not. I am so tired I can almost see. To top that off I have a nice cold, but I'll probably live and beat you out of the insurance money. put that one in your pipe and smoke it. 

While I am talking about smoking if you can get a few packs of cigarettes get them & keep them. I would hate to get home and roll my own. I have done it but it's a little bit too low for me know. 

I got a letter from Goodwins but they didn't say a whole lot. From what I take Carol doesn't write them near as often as I write you. I guess I have spoiled you – I have noticed a odor of late May be it could be Nene I think she stinks so bad I can smell it strong clear over here. 

I was noticing the postmarks on the letters. It seems they really come on the fly. The one from Goodwins was marked Jan 30 thats the best. The rest of them were a couple of days older. Bo's was marked 29. All in all they came through in good time. 

Ill close now

Jack. 

Feb 9 1945

Dear Bo

Ill drop you a short note to night and try to do better in a couple of days. I am pretty tired to night so it probably won't be long. 

I got your letter fo Jan 29 to day – it came through in good time I wish they were all that way. 

So you really think the 17 is the real plane maybe you out to change to B29. Think when I get back to the states I'll go on them. I don't think much of them but its better than walking.

Don't tell the those kids too much about gunners. Its far from being the best life to lead. You sort of get scared at times and I do mean scared. 

So you are still hiting it high about the O.L.C. well you just keep it up. Theres no use telling you any difference because you won't listen. These women are so hard headed. How bout that. 

I sure hope Dad Kruse is better now, when I get home I'll have to take him in hand. You tell him I said so Ill get even with him yet. Ma wrote about it in a Vmail and I didn't hardly get enough to know what it was all about. I finally got it in a series of letters. I guess it wasn't quite as bad as I thought it was at first. It did have me wondering. 

I am almost run down, infact I am beging to spin my wheels. Its just too darn hard for me to write. I can always think of plenty to write but just to lazy to write it. I guess I teak the cake, – choclate please. 

The weather has been fair of late but nothing to brag about. This is England and you can't brag about any thing ove here.

I don't think Ma has to bring Pete up as a cowboy – the red shirt & a pair of horns would probably be more like it. 

You ask about juke boxes – we have one in the PX but I only go over there once a week so wouldn't know what they have in it. I listen to the radio quite a bit we keep pretty well up on the popular hits. We have a regular army station – and no advertisements on it.

Well I'll close for now

Jack.

O.L.C refers to oak leaf clusters. 

The military tried to keep the troops entertained. Radio programs were part of that. Read here about entertaining the troops. 

The top hits of February, 1945 were:

Bing Crosby and The Andrews Sisters – Don’t Fence Me In

The Andrews Sisters – Rum and Coca-Cola 

Johnny Mercer and the Pied Pipers with Paul Weston and His Orchestra–Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate the Positive

Feb. 9, 1945

Dear Margaret.

Don't fall ovr dead, just because you recived a few letters from me. It looks like you have take a little time to write so I'll do the same. You just keep it up now, how bout it?

Your last letter got here I would like them all to. It was dated Jan 26, I hope mine are comming to you as fast. I doubt it though because of the system of getting mail out of here. I won't try to explain it because I would propably end up in a straight jacket. 

You talk about dodging flak. Well by the time you see it burst you know the damage is over. I am still scared of it and get worse evey time. I still have my fingers crossed on evey mission. It's like the pilot says the plan is just a 4 engin chapel. He is entirly correct.

No the 2 gun Pete [?] wasn't on my crew, he has finished up and gone home. He had quite a time while he was here, always in to something. He really was a swell kid though. 

How bout this buying a house I thought I was the only one who got such ideas. If you want some "hot" ideas or good rumors come to me.

Evey time I tell my pilot the latest he starts to laugh. I don't blame him because I can't or don't belive them my self. 

II

I don't know why I go around telling them – I guess it's to keep up with the rest of the lies. I'll tell a good rumor, I just picked up out of the gutter, and about 10 minets later some body will have the truth. Oh well it's something to do. 

You say you never have any thing to do. You know I have only been out of camp once in 2 months & that was to go on my 7 day. I really am in a rut. I just can't seem to go these English so I just stay home. 

If your friend is in B24's don't worry about me ever running into him. We won't even walk near one of those crates. They are liable to fall a part and hurt you. We just don't have any thing to do with those guys. 

Well I guess thats enough for tonight so write soon

Love 

Bill

Jack no doubt was tired this day. He has reported for breakfast at 0345 before flying a mission to bomb synthetic oil plants at Lutzkendorf, Germany. The bombs were way off their targets. No aircraft were lost. 

Early February, 1945: Back from 7-day furlough in Scotland

I apologize for the long delay in posting. But here we go! 

The last we heard from Jack, he was about to go on his long-awaited 7-day "furlogh." Guess what? He's back!

Feb 4 1945

Dear Ma

I got Back from my 7 day last night and had a couple letters from you. I was very disappointed that I didn't have more. I guess I shouldn't kick too much.

We had a very nice time in Scotland we saw some very interesting places. We saw the old Edinburgh castel. It is about a 1,000 years old. The people were very nice to us and the girls were about 3 times as good looking at these English. No I didn't go out with any of them. We delt a little Black market so we could buy a few things. I bought the kids some snot rags and a hat a piece. Ill get around to sending them home one of these days. I also had my picture taken in kilts so will send those also. I took a few pictures but didn't take as many as I would have liked to. The weather was very much against us, it was cloudy and rainy with a little snow thrown in. I hope the ones I did take will come out o.k.

I bought some plade, woolen, material too but I haven't quite decided who will get that. It would make awfuly nice skirts but it would also make some nice shirts. I didn't get as much as I would like too – didn't have enough points. I managed for 12 points and it only bought 2 3/4 yards. The darn stuff cost enough too it cost something over a pound a yard. Those 12 points are 1/2 a civys ration for 6 months. 

Webster was with me and a couple of days ago he said his throught (spelling) was sore, well we got back & he went up tot he hospital – mumps. I guess he won't be flying with us for a while now. 

I am very glad to hear Dad Kruse wasn't hurt any worse than he was. When I got the Vmail I was afraid it was some thing woser. You know what I have always said about him climbing around that way.

I guess I recived all the pictures you and the kids sent.

You ask about the Vmail – some times it comes through nice & other times its slower than the other. You said about the one not being photographed I suppose the writing was just too poor. 

I'll continue this after a few hours interruption 

Some of the boys saw the material I got and are trying there darnedest to get it from me. Even Jimmy wants to get it but I have decided to keep it They all want it for there girls or sisters or kids. 

All of them are cussing me for not bringing them some stuff back. It seems evey one is planning on going up on there 7 day now.

The weather has warmed up it almost seems lik spring out now. It rained some a, little this A.M., but has been fair the rest of the day.

All the boys are sick, from drinking the water, It seems as though it turned bad and the whole works are sick. I was lucky and wasn't here to drink any.

I'll see if I can't mail that stuff home with in the next few days. It depends on what I have to do. 

I should write a whole bunch of letter tonight but don't know if I'll get around to it. I get to talking and end up by doing nothing. 

Well I'll close for now

Jack.

Unlucky for Webster and other service members, there was no mumps vaccine until 1967. Today, service members are required to have a mumps vaccine, among the dozen required vaccines.

Jack still called handkerchiefs "snot rags" when I knew him.

£1 in 1945 is equal to about £47.30 today, which is over $58 a yard for that Scottish "plade" fabric! For the 2 2/3 yards, then, it was worth a whopping $155! I don't recall seeing that fabric in my childhood. Maybe my siblings can remember any garments made from it? 

Feb 6 1945

Dear Ma

Here I got again but how I'll end up will be any ones guess.

I sent the package this A.M. so it would be getting there in the next month or so. Say would you send one of he hand kerchief (spell) to Maggie I for got and wraped the whole works. Ill let you know how the rest of it goes latter on I still haven't made up my mind. I would have bought Dad Kruse a cane but I couldn't figure out how to send it. Theres some other stuff in Ill let you know about later. Theres a shirt and Wayne can have it if it will fit him. I bought it and it was slightly large. If its too small for him you will have to cut it down. Its a brand new one never been worn

The weather turned off darn nice – it has been raining all day. I have guard duty again tonight so it will be nice & wet. I got the good shift though the 6-10.

There was some mail come in to day but me I was just left out. I guess it was mostly Vmail anyway. There were a few packages but from the looks fo them I am glad they weren't mine. 

Well Iam all write out so will close now

Jack

He hasn't written a letter to Maggie since January 18, 1945. Finally, here is one! To remind you, he popped the question in a letter dated December 10, 1944. It has been taking at least two weeks, oftentimes longer, for each letter to travel one way. We've been waiting with bated breath for any inkling of a response from her....

Feb 6 1945

Dear Margaret

It looks like I recived a letter from you to day so will answer it. I also recived the magazine you sent – thank a lot.

I got back from my seven day night befor last. It had me pretty well down and out but I can't figure it out. I didn't do any thing except eat sleep and walk around. We went to Edinburg Scotland and tried to see all the old historical places but didn't. The weather was against us, it rained or snowed about evey day we were there. I tried to take some pictures but will find out later how they came out. I took some pictures of the Castle and some of the other things – I can't remeber what all I took. I only got about 25 shots in all, It made me mad that I couldn't get more. The only day the sun came out was the day we left. I did get a few things through the black marek. (excuse the ink this is the E.T.O.) I tried to get more but they even ration stuff in the black market. We did have a nice time in all but the time when so fast. I wish I could have spent a month there. The Scots are a whole lot nicer than the English too. They treated us swell, always wanting to help you out. Then there weren't too many GIs there so that made a big difference too.

The mail sure hasn't been comming through the last few weeks. It makes me mad evey time I think of it. About the time It starts to come through good we should be started home (I hope)

The war looks as if it is going pretty well now at least the Russians are going to town. 

I don't know what they are going to do with me if & when I get back. I supposed I'll go on 29's and end up in the S.P. Oh well such is life. 

The weather has been real nice since we got back infact it's like spring. I sure hope it states this way and doesn't get cold again.

Oh yes Webster (the tail gunner) has the mumps. He started complaining about his neck & such while we were in Scotland. Its quite a joke with the boys here.

Will close for now so write soon

Love 

Bill

Sorry, no answer today! 

Military jargon time!

ETO: European Theater of Operations

29s: not quite sure. Could be The Boeing B-29 bomber, or the the MOS (military occupation specialty) Electronic Warfare (as described here), or the 29th Infantry Division.

S.P.: Strike Patrol? Specialist? Security Police? There are lots of meanings attached to the acronym. I'll guess B-29s Specialist. Who knows. You take a guess. I'm out of them. 

Apologies for the wonky scan on the next one:

Feb 7, 1945

Dear Ma

I'll try again to write buy will probably end up just trying. 

I had my shift of guard duty last night so I probably won't catch it again for a couple of weeks at least. It wasn't too bad, it stoped raining but the wind did blow some.

The wind has been blowing nice and hard all day – it seems more like March. The sun even tried to come out for a little while but didn't do a very good job of it. 

I have been laying around to day with a nice back ache. My kidney [?] has been raising hell with me. I don't know what the trouble could be because I haven't injured it in any way. I sure hope it stops hurting, I just can't straighten up. Maybe I slept on a fold in the blanket or something like that. 

Did I ever tell you I have recived all the color neg. I don't think I mentioned it befor.

No I haven't recived the package as yet but am still looking for it. There were a bunch of packages come in last night but I just didn't rate one. Iam still looking for the package Margaret sent for Xmas. I suppose it will be a pretty mess when it does get here. It may get here in time to bring home. 

I'll sure be glad when the 10 gets here then maybe I won't be broke. I haven't figured out how much I'll get but hope it's a whole lot.

I guess I'll have to go down and see Webster tomorrow. At least take his mail to him he would probably like to get it.

I'll close now

Jack

Feb 7, 1945

Dear Margaret

Here I go again trying to write thats all I can do is try.

I haven't been doing any thing as usual except waiting for the mail. We are suppose to have some packages come in tonight. I doubt if they get here though, and if they do I'll probably be left holding the bag. Mom & one of the kids sent me a package around Xmas and I have yet to recive them.  

You ask about what happend on the bike. Well it seems I was on the other side of the field and because of the wind didn't want to go around. I took off down the runway and a officer caught me. He didn't seem to like the idea of taking a chanch of getting hit by a B.17. I told him I thought I could duck a 17 easyer than flak & he didn't like that. He took my name & etc, I thought he was going to bust me but I never heard any more about it. 

I haven't to work for almost 3 weeks now and am I getting lazy. I hate to even think of it any more. Oh well I'll get busy one of these days and get on the ball. 

It seem the water here has made evey one sick. I didn't get sick because I was on furlogh and didn't get a chanch to drink any. We still have to put pills in it befor we drink it. When I get back from my 7 day I couldn't figure out why evey one was in bed & wouldn't talk, they were all so sick they didn't know if they were comming or going. 

I can't think of any more to write so write soon.

Love

Bill

The things we take for granted: clean, safe drinking water. 

Feb 8 1945

Dear Margaret

I don't believe I have ever written you one of these Vmail's so here goes. I haven't much to say and not too much time so here goes. I received your letter of Jan 12. it was taken to another barracks so I don't know how long it has been here. From the looks of the date you wrote it you almost forgot to send it. Evey thing has been going as usual nothing new. It seems I have gotten in to a rut. 

I havent been getting any mail to speak of the last few weeks. I sure wish it would get to us sooner. 

I have written you a couple times in the last few days so you can expect a letter or so. Thanks a lot for sending the picture I haven't gotten it but will look for it. I'll have Ma send you one of me taken in Kilts in Scotland, it's a dilly.

Love

Bill

You wanna see that dilly? Here ya go!