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