Early November 1944: Black Market Ham & Eggs

My plan to post by postmark has gone out the window, as Margaret did not save the envelopes. I almost can't believe she didn't, but she didn't. She had the letters neatly laid in a file folder. It would've been too fat with envelopes, I guess. Anyway, on dates that are the same, I'll be posting Gram's letters first and then Margaret's. Age before beauty!

But in the meantime, here is a letter to Bo dated November 1, 1944 (postmarked November 8). We haven't had a letter to Bo in a while!

Nov 1. 1944

Dear Bo

Having recived a letter from you I'll write one in return. 

So you are doing all right with your school teaching. I was glad to hear it because I was afraid you might not like it after last year. Of course you have a different bunch of kids to teach, and you started in a little different at the start. 

I suppose you are wondering how I like England? It's all right, but as you would expect I would rather be in the States. The people are different in some respects & to my notion are a little be hind times. The big means of transportation is bikes (I bought one yesterday)

II

The drinking places are small, the people don't raise hell when they drink they are very quiet. The roads are very narrow almost one way, of course there aren't may cars on them. The cars are small, they are Astons so you can see what they look like. The trains arent too bad Ill give them credit for starting & stoping very smoth.

The weather is a lot like Wash. Always cool & damp and almost no sunshine.

I am still with the same crew. They really a swell bunch of fellows. We all get a long swell in spite of ourselfs. 

The boys in the barracks don't belive in going to bed very early, don't turn off lights until around 1 A.M. I have almost gotten use to sleeping late in the mornings.

Don't feel bad about shouting "there goes a B17 because they are the Best 4 engin ship in the air. Maybe some of them didn't know what it was any way.

I suppose Ma writes you about all I write here so I imagine all I have written you is old stuff. 

Well I better close for now as I may have to get up early in the morning. 

Love

Jack.

Don't you like the writing paper. 

This letter to Gram was also postmarked November 8, 1944.

November 3 1944

Dear Ma

Here I go again trying to write you a letter. You see I got one from you today, it was dated Oct 13. Its still not comming in like it should but as to yet you haven't used the perm. A.P.O. No, it will probably make a difference. The fellows say it should take about 10 days each way of course sometimes it will probable longer & some times shorter. 

So Glady is home & feeling o.k. I am glad to hear she is getting a long alright. If she and Nano would stop worrying so much about little things it would probably help. You never see me worrying over such little things like they do. 

I haven't done much of late except ride the bike around a little. We went to a small town about 5 or 6 miles from here yesterday. Its quite a odd place, evey thing is so old. I saw one tombstone dated 1772 & I don't suppose it was the oldest. We watched a game similar to our football only a little rougher. Believe it or not but we stumbled in on a place where we could get ham & eggs also fresh eggs milk. Its all black market, but its still taste good. I guess thats the way it goes, if you know the right people. 

We saw some wild rabbits yesterday so Jim & Perez are building a trap this PM to try to get them. If they do we will probably eat rabbit. 

I had to get up early this morning so I got a chanch to catch some sleep this afternoon so did so.

The weather has been bad of late, just keeps raining & is very cloudy. I guess winter is setting in. I hope its a mild winter if it is setting in, they say the last 3 have been mild so I hope to make it 4.

Well I'll close for now & go eat. 

Jack. 

And to Margaret on the same day:

November 3 1944

Dear Margaret

After a long wait I finally recived a letter from you. I should start right in on you & see if I can't get you to do better in the future. How bout it do you think you will be able to answer a little letter or should I do some thing drastic?

So you have been playing the horses, I thought you knew better. The bad part is you didn't win, next time at least you ought to get one winner. I sure wish I could have been there to go to the fair but uncle couldn't see it, he says there a war on. Its too bad you didn't take in something besides the races, I imagine it was a.very interesting

So Goldie had pups, I guess that will give you something to do in your spare time. I sure wish there were some way of sending a dog over, I would ask you for one. I guess I am safe enough in saying that, but no kidding it would be nice to have a dog. I almost stole one yesterday but the fellow was standing too close. 

We rode our bikes down to a little town about 4 or 5 miles from here yesterday and took in the town. These towns over here really surprised me at there age & such. Evey thing is so old, the streets are narrow like Santa Fe. They still have there market places and still stop for tea. Thats about all you can get to eat when you are a way from the base. We did happen in on a place & got a nice plate of ham & eggs. They sure were good, blackmarker or no I still liked it. We even got some fresh milk. 

Yes Jimmy is still with me, most of the time any way. I had him pass out a altitude on me the other day, in-fact he went out 4 times. If there were ever a scared kid it was me, I was rushing around like a chicken with its head cut off. He called me a liar about it all because he couldn't rember any thing about it.

You also ask about how we left. We left Ardmore a couple of days late and went to Lincoln. We got all our equipment & such there & headed east. Thats about all I can say about that. I did get darn sleepy coming over out of 6 nights I only slept in a bed one night. 

So you found out all about China, now when you go there you will know all but how to talk. Some of these guys like that are very interesting to talk to at that. Me I would almost as soon talk or rather listen to the talk then be able to tell it. 

Oh did I tell you our Bombadier saw his bro. when we visited Iceland. He was quite happy about seeing him, it was his first time in 2 years.

The war seems to be going pretty good doesn't it. From my own point of view it's still far from being over though. It won't be over too soon for me because I am ready to go home any time. 

I guess I am a bout all run down so better close for now and go shave. 

Write soon

Love 

Bill

P.S. I guess you have the pictures we took while there. Ma said she would send them. 

It looks like Jack is starting to learn how to spell probably! 

I'm pretty sure that is Iceland and not Ireland, based both on handwriting analysis and the fact that Iceland had a U.S. base and Ireland was neutral during the War. 

Jack hasn't flown any more missions since the last batch of letters. 

November, 1944: At War

 November 1 1944

Dear Ma

I recived your Vmail letter yesterday also recived a letter from Bo so will proceed to answer yours.

So old Floyd wants to write, well don't tell any one but I won't hold my breath until I get his or Pennys either. I can just see either of them writing me since they have been so good about it in the Past. I do hope that Floyd decides to write you once in a while at that. 

Don't faint but I bought myself a bike yesterday I bought it in town & had to ride it out & it like to have killed me. Jimmy & Eaton also bought one so I suppose we will do some ridding now. I never thought I would ever get so low as to ride a bike but I have. We went for a ride to some of the small towns close by this afternoon & I got back sore. (Don't tell Nene but I can hardly set down)

About that pen, we took it to a Jewelers in Lincoln a day or so befor we left & they said they would send it to you If you haven't recived it would you write & ask about it it was in Jimmys Name. Lowells Jewelry 136 – S 13th St Lincoln Neb. You should have it by the time you get this letter but if not please write. 

I am glad you had the chance to go to Alb. again. If I had thought I would have left you Maggies address & you could have looked her up at least called her up.

I guess we get a 48 hour pass this comming Mon so will probably end up by going to London. I think I'll go just to see what it is, I have always heard so much about it. I also belive I'll take the camera and see if I can't get some pictures. 

I haven't taken any pictures as of yet but will probable start soon. I registered the camera today so will be able to use it now.

Don't look at the stationery I just ran out of the other so will proceed on this. 

I was glad to hear Bo likes her work, it's like she says it makes a big difference if you like what you are doing. 

Belive it or not but the sun came out for a few days. I don't know what's wrong Even when the sun is out it doesn't warm up much

Well I guess Ill close & go get my overcoat. I am having the strips sewed on also the 8th air force patch.

As ever

Jack. 

It doesn't appear that Lowell's Jewelers is in business anymore, and that address seems to have been gobbled up by another business. Here is the street view of S. 13th Street in Lincoln, Nebraska.

And to Margaret, he writes:

Nov. 1, 1944

Dear Margaret. 

Here I go writing to you again. Did I answer your letter from Ardmore? I am getting so I can't remember what or when I write. If I haven't said so befor I got a letter  you wrote to Ardmore, it not only followed me all over the states but England also.

I was sorry you were sick I almost feel as though I had something to do with it. I know keeping you up late shouldn't bother you but It might have. 

Brace your self for this one. I bought my self a bike & even ride it. I rode it in from town last night & it almost killed me. I am so sore I can hardly walk let alone set down. I guess get a little exercise shouldn't kill me but it sure hurts. I have been laying around so long I just am no use to such strenious work. 

I have been working a little of late but have had 2 days off. Those days off are what I like, just lay around & sleep. 

I suppose you have the pictures I ask Mom to send to you. She said they were good, I hope so. I haven't gotten the ones she sent yet so I would know, I probable wouldn't know anyway.

I haven't taken any pictures over here but am going to take some in London. You see we get our 48 hour passes this coming Mon. That will be the big day.

Well I better close for now so write soon.

Love Bill

Tell Ruth Hello

The "working a little of late" meant flying missions. By the time these letters were written, Jack had already flown three missions out of Polebrook. As promised, I'll try to share some details of each mission as we go. 

On October 26. 1944 (Mission 224), Jack flew his first mission. On October 26, 1994, my mother ran an ad in the Los Alamos Monitor:

On this first mission, Jack's crew helped bomb the land armament field at Bielefeld, Germany. His plane was part of the first bomb division targeting the primary target. They flew in the lead formation at the rear. In total, they dropped 458.2 tons of bombs and had no damage or casualties.

There were three squadron formations. Here is the formation chart for the group Jack's plane was flying with (images from 351st.org):

And here is their route:

I'm taking some data and descriptions from  "Mighty Eighth War Diary" by Roger A. Freeman. Among the descriptions of each mission, there are descriptions of "incidents" that occurred within the mission or other missions on that day. As they give an interesting snapshot of the war, I'll be sharing some here. It's unclear if Jack and his crew would hear about things that happened on other missions done by other groups. I doubt it.   

Within the vast daily effort of the 8th Air Force there were sometimes human tragedies unrelated to the course of operations. One such occurred on 25 October 1944 when shortly after takeoff from Sudbury the pilot of the 486th Group Fortress Deepseat-Baker was informed that a ground man, a Corporal, had stowed away on board. The pilot radioed the Air Leader for advice and was told to continue the mission as there was flight clothing and an oxygen mask in the bomber which the extra man could use. The Corporal was originally in a distressed state but appeared to settle down in the rear fuselage. When the bomber had reached 19,000 feet on its way to the target, and while the waist gunner was looking out of his window, the  stowaway suddenly released the side door and jumped out. He was not wearing a parachute.

On October 28 (Mission 225), Jack flew a mission to bomb the marshaling yards at Munster. 

Some of the debriefing notes include:

Combat Crew Comments:

    508th Squadron [Jack's squadron; his was one of 13 planes in the squadron on this mission]:

A/C G-567: Wouldn't it be a better idea to go over the coast at different altitudes than the altitude at which we bomb? -

    Lts. Buttel, Killian, Futcher.

A/C K-130: Would like more cookies. - Lt. Kevorkian.

A/C L-956: Meteorological forecasts here are very poor. - Lt. Weise.

    509th Squadron:

A/C Q-116: Assembly could have been better planned. We kept getting mixed up with Glatton and Deenethorpe. - Lt. Daugherty.

A/C L-045: Should have been briefed to attain a higher bombing altitude. Would have been able to go above it. - Lt. Glover.

A/C L-676: EM [Enlisted Men] breakfast before missions is very poor - ground crews in same mess get better food. - Lt. Walker.

A/C V-854: Not enough rations to take care of extra crew member. - Lt Walker.

A/C Z-696: Altitude too low. - Lt. Walker. We had information advising us to go over cloud formation; instead we started down through it and then had to climb again. - Lt. Hibbard.

A/C F-566: Fighter escort comes it too close. - Lt. Goldsborough.

    510th Squadron:

A/C C-576: Weather forecast was very inaccurate; there was intense haze over the target. - Lt. Hitt.

A/C C-694: All planes should be equipped with windshield wipers; our ship has one and it works very well. Top turret has no stirrups. Our top turret gunner is short and couldn't see out. This ship and all spare ships should have stirrups. - Lt. Lubozynski.

On October 30 (Mission 226), they hit the Munster railroad yards as a secondary target. 

 

October, 1944: Made it to England (Maggie)

The last letter we had from Jack to Maggie, he was waiting to ship to Lincoln Nebraska, the jumping-off point for shipping overseas. We catch up to him a few weeks later. Looks like he made it to Polebrook by his mention of spending a pound. 

 Oct 11, 1944

Dear Margaret.

Seeing I haven't recived any mail yet I guess I'll write and see if it helps to hurry it along. I don't know why I haven't gotten any but I guess it just hasn't had time to catch up with me as yet. 

I sure have had it nice the last day & a 1/2, haven't done any thing but lay around & take life easy. I personally think that type of life agrees with me but I don't think the army does. I didn't get a whole lot of sleep last night because of a poker game. They played poker until 6 the morning, and on top of that they had a little too much to drink, It developed into a fight & I thought once I would have to bail out of my upper bunk because some one fell against it. I guess out side of a few hangovers know one felt too bad over it They didn't get up until this after noon & then they started the poker game again. 

I haven't been to town since I got to this base but from what Jimmy says I should because it's pretty good town. From what he says the towns almost as bad a Santa Fe for getting lost in. He said they tried for 2 hours to find there way to the main part & finally gave up. they did all right last night from what I hear, they all got so drunk they couldn't walk.

Boy this is the real place to save money – that is if you don't go to town you can't spend any money here on the base because theres nothing to by. You get you rations once a week & that's all. I have only spent about a Pound ($4) since I got in England & that's once in town. The shows are free so you can't even spend any there.

Say about those Pictures we took while there, I wold like a print of each – that is if they came out. And say how bout you going up to a studio & having a big one made for me – huh how bout it now? Please do because I really would like to have one. 

I guess Ill be getting another strip in a few days – at least I hope too. If I don't I'll start pulling some ones hair & it won't be mine.

Did I tell you I had my hair cut short again. Its only about a 1/2 inch long & it's cold. I had that done at Labrador & like to have froze. I still regret doing it but that doesn't put hair back on my head. Just give me time & it will grow back.

You out to see our barracks they are a mess all the time. No one ever made their bed & only sweep under the beds about 2 or 3 times a week. At least they look nice & confortable at that.

I guess I'll close for tonight so please write soon.

Love 

Bill

Next Margaret receives a letter from Bill's mother. It was in chronological order in her folder, but with the delay in mail from overseas, I wonder if she received this before the one above....

Oct 14 1944

Dear Margaret.

Just a note tonight. I had two V. Mail from Jack today the first was written Oct 2 – he is in England.

I got the prints of the pictures he took while in Albuq. and they sure are good of you all. 

The girls and I will be in Albuq. for Teachers meeting – will try to see you.

Best wishes

Neva M. Eutsler.

Oct 25 1944

Somewhere in Eng.

Dear Margaret

Seeing I haven't received any mail from you as to yet I'll write you and see if it will help to get some mail. I guess I should say that I haven't recived any mail at all so to speak. I don't know what's wrong except that maybe it just hasn't had time. I sure hope I start getting some soon though.

I went to town the other night and had quite a time. We started drinking English beer & when we could we drank rum, wine or Scotch. In the end I was feeling pretty good, in fact a little too good. I got back to camp all right but Jimmy came in a day or so later. He and the co-pilot got on the wrong bus, I havent found out if it were a mistake or not, and ended up north of here. 

About all we do around here

II

is eat and sleep. I have been sleeping until around 11 evey morning. I have to get up then to eat dinner. You see we never to go bed until around 2 AM. We do take in a movie once in a while but I have seen about all the ones they show. The one we saw last night was only 8 years old. 

They have had a couple of parties since we got here but I didn't go. I guess they had a lot of fun and drank a lot of beer but I don't drink.

Jim & I went out today and walked all over the field trying to find some thing to do. We almost got run out of the supply because we were trying to get too many things they didn't have. 

Evey time we go over there we start asking for something they don't have & they can't seem to appreciate it. 

III

I am going to get a 48 hour pass one of these days & go to London. They say it's a pretty nice place, but there are a lot nice eslewhere. I'll tell you after I have seen a few of them.

The war seems to be going pretty good now doesn't it. I still wish it would hurry up and end so we could get home & start worring about a job

Thats really got me going is what I am going to do after it's all done. I don't think theres much demand for ball turret gunners in civilian life is there?

I have been trying to get Wayne to go into business with me but thats to be seen. I suppose he will get married and be afraid to start any 

IIII

thing like that. I suppose if he does that I'll get a job as a sheep hearder & beat my brains out talking to myself.

Oh well so much for that, I guess all I can do is think about it any way. I guess things will work out as they usually do

Well Ill close for tonight so write soon

Love 

Bill. 

And lastly, a letter from Jack's mom to Margaret. She writes on stationery monogrammed NME. You can't see it in the scans, but the stationery also as a large watermark. A circle with the Zia symbol inside and SUNSHINE STATE BOND around the edge. Bet you didn't know that New Mexico was the original Sunshine State.

Oct 31.

Dear Margaret –

I am so sorry I didn't get to see you – I planned so much to do so – but it seems we spent so much time hurrying to go "somewhere" to meet "some one" and then wasted hours waiting for them.

I brought the pictures with me for you to look them over and will send you som as soon as I have more made. 

I had a letter from Jack saying you wanted some. Has he sent you his new A.P.O yet I will write it on this just in case. He was pretty much homesick from his letters but my letters are not going through. All he has had are the ones I sent to Lincoln and one other to the first A.P.O., he will be busy when they all do catch up with him. 

Wayne is somewhat homesick to go deer hunting but I tell him he should be contented there with such good luck "dear" hunting

Jack doesn't think much of England's weather altho he says its a pretty country – He has been to "town" several times, spends a lot of his time sleeping and the rest listening to lectures and shooting the 45. 

Has met several boys he was in training with at Denver and Las Vegas. also one from Concordia. 

The girls are out to a "spook show" so I have spend the evening writing. 

Best wishes –

Neva M. Eutsler. 

Sgt. Bernard C. Eutsler 39215612

351st Bomb. grp. 508 Bomb Sqdn.

A.P.O. 557

c/o P.M. N.Y.  N.Y

Now we are caught up with Jack's letters to his mother, and I will start transcribing them by date written and dovetail them together.

Here are the corresponding letters to Gram for this period of October, 1944. I also wrote a post just before I found this cache to Maggie. This latter one tells about his crew and a little about Jack's role as ball turret gunner. Read End of October 1944: At War.  

Mid-September 1944: Running Afield, Beer Party (Maggie)

Jack had just had a 10-day furlough home to New Mexico, where he visited his family and Margaret and they had this photo taken:

Sept 12 1944

Dear Maggie

I guess I ought to drop you a line to let you know we got back ok & on time. We got here all in one peece but was so tired I could hardly stand up. We got here on the base around 8:30 so we did get some sleep. The fellows kept comming in all night so all in all I woke up every time a bus or a train came in.

I sure wish I would have listen to Jimmy & missed that one bus. There was another bus leaving there around 2:30 & would have put us in here only 6 hours late. Some of the boys came in late & there wasn't a thing said about it. I am still kicking my self in the ___ for not staying. Oh well maybe if I stay in the army long enough I'll learn to do a few of those things. 

Well theres a new rumor out. They say we to to Lincoln Neb to pick up our plane & we ge a nother 10 day furlogh. To my notion it is a big laugh & personally I don't belive it. I'll be able to ttell a whole lot better in about 10 days. 

We are still suppose to ship the 16 & they are making big planes for it. They are even going to give us a big beer party Fri night. That will be nice shipping Sat but I don't suppose that will bother any body, they will all end up drunk.

We had our clothing check this afternoon so thats over with. I did get a couple of new pair of shoes out of it. I got a new pair of fatigues that are about 3 sizes too big. I came out of it pretty good though I wasn't short too much.

Well I sure wish I were back in Alb. but it looks like Uncle Sam doesn't want me to be so I'll Have to do what Uncle wants. You just wait until this war is over & we will make up for it all

Well I better close & clean up so please write soon

Love Bill

And he writes again the very next day!

Sept 13 1944

 

Dear Margaret.

 

Well I guess this will surprise you to get another letter from me but while I do this I won't be getting into trouble or be fighting.

 

I had to get up this AM to fly & I sure did hate it. I wasn't going to get up but a fellow came in a threw me out of bed so I took the hint. We only flew for 4 hours so it wasn't too bad, I caught 2 hours of sleep. The pilot let me make 2 landings & 2 take off & were they honeys. The first take off I left the run way on a bout a 45º turn & sure tore up a field. When the pilot finally looked up he sure was a cussing. I got off after a fasion & then almost took some trees with me. All in all the rest of the crew were ready to get out & walk – including myself. I did have a lot of fun although I think I got a grey hair out of the deal. 

 

It is a lot cooler here now infact it's so chilly at nights we get cold with a blanket on. I suppose it will stay like this the rest of the time here. 

 

We have to get up to fly in the morning at 3 AM & I don't think I will like it very well. I really think 3 is the time to go to bed not get up but thats another point where the army & I differ.

My dear friend Jimmy is laying over in the sack asleep. That guy is worse than me when it comes to sleeping. Say did I mention it while I was there that he is married. I don't know, or rember if I said so or not. He didn't want it spread all over so I did as he said. Dont ask me why because I don't know he doesn't talk too much about it. I don't belive the pilot even knows it. I guess he's working on something  but I can't quite get what it's all about. 

Well they are going to make us turn off the lights in the barracks in a few minents so I better close & get back. It's a new order that came out last night. 

Write soon 

Love Bill 

 

Sept 17 1944

Dear Maggie

Well it looks like I lied to you a gain we didn't leave on the 16th. We had our bags packed & loaded, I had even written ma I was all set to go & they changed the orders. It seems they couldn't get transportation to get us out of here so now we are suppose to leave here tomorrow. We only had enough cloths to last a couple of days & now they are all dirty so by the time we get to Lincoln we will really look like a nice bunch. 

We had quite the time the other night at our beer party. There were about 200 GI's & about 30 girls. The thing ended up all the beer gone & the boys pretty well drunk. We had the O.D. there & it seemed the beer bottles kept flying his direction, I don't belive any one hit him but it wasn't there fault. I guess the officers had all ready kicked the O.D. out of the officers club earlyier so he was more or less a outcast all over. One of our Majors was there & the last time I saw him he was almost under the table himself. The kid who seeps below me came in & was so bad he couldn't untie his shoes so I came to the rescue & took them off. He also kept wanting to smoke & was afraid he would go to sleep & set the bed on tire. He would hollar at me evey 2 minents to see if I was a wake to keep him from going to sleep. I finally got him quieted down & then some of the other fellows came in & had to wake me up evey time they passed the bed. I was sure glad when they & I finally went to sleep. I had to help clean up the place the next day & I never saw such a mess in all my life, I would say they broke 4 or 5 cases of bottles. I guess no one got hurt & I didn't hear of any fights so all in all it was a sucess. 

All we have been doing the last 2 or 3 days is lay around & take life like it should be. Some of the fellows only get up to eat. I have taken in a couple of movies just to kill time, I didn't think much of the shows but it was some thing to do. I did go into town last night to eat a steak but thats all I did, theres too many G.I.'s in town.

Well I guess Ill close for now & will drop you a line from Lincoln.

Love 

Bill. 

O.D = Officer of the Day

Here are Jack's corresponding letters to Gram.

Mid-September 1944. Running afield, beer party, and leaving Ardmore 

 

We're almost caught up to Gram's letters, and then I will dovetail them together. Thanks for taking this detour with me! 

 

End of August/Beginning of September 1944 (Maggie)

And we're back! Thanks for your patience!

 

 Aug 27 1944

Dear Maggie

Well now don't fall over dead but the army finally said they would give us a 10 day furlogh. It is suppose to start the 1st of the month but I am trying to swing a deal to get out the eve of the 31. If I can get off I'll be able to make connections & will come to Albuquerque. I should as the scheduled runs get in there around 10 Sat night. If I can't get off early I don't know if I'll get down right off the bat or not I may go home first. If you aren't doing any thing & are around the buss depot around that time drop in.

I am trying to talk one of the crew to go with me. He said he wasn't going home so I am trying to get him to so see? New Mexico. The last time I said anything to him he said he was so all I can do now is drag him along. 

Well it turned off cool the last night & day. It was cool enough last night to sleep with a blanket. I sure hope it stays that way until I leave here. 

We are scheduled to leave here --that is ship to another base, the 16 of next month. I sure will be glad to leave here I have gotten very disgusted with it here. We don't have much time off now & what little we do they mess up for us. The chow has gotten terrible & then you have stand in line to get it. I stood in line for 40 minents this noon & only had a hour off. Well one thing about it we won't have to put up with it too long.

Well I better close so if I come busting in Sat don't be surprised.

Love 

Bill

Sept 8 1944

Dear Margaret.

Well here goes on a letter I should have written befor this, but better late than never.

I have been rather busy for the last few days, doing evey thing from K.P. to going to school. A the other place I did 2 days Kp out of 4 days there. I guess they really had my number. The last day on K.P. I know the Sgt had my number because he never let me out of his sight for a minet as long as there was work to be done. I hope my days for K.P. are over for a while now.

They tell me we sure were lucky to get here, they said it really is a a swell outfit. I like it here all right & the food is darn good. The one and only thing I don't like is the weather, its always cold  & damp & I can't seem to take it. The weather reminds me a while lot of the weather in Wash.

At the other camp I ran in to a fellow I use to know in Kans. it sure surprised me to see him. I didn't recognize him but he remembered me, so we had quite a talk. I also ran into a Couple of fellow I went through basic & gunnery school with. 

I have quite the time trying to write, I try to write & talk at the same time and it just doesn't work. You see they put us in a barracks with a lot of fellows who are & have been flying. Well we try to get all the dope they tell us so we will 1/2 way know what the score is. They really give us the straight dope & dont try to feed us a line like they did in the States. It really is interesting to talk to them & hear some of the things they have gone through.

It sure is hard to realize that a month ago we were still in Alb. Not only that I would like to be there now. Well may be I ought to close & get some sleep so write soon. As near as I know I'll have the same address for a while. 

Bill

P.S. I don't care too much for the English girls, can't understand them. 

Notes:

If you recall back when I transcribed Jack's letters to his Ma around this time, I surmised that he had an assignment to write a letter as part of the censorship training. Here is the post with letters from around the same time.

September, 1944: A quick trip across the pond?

and the letters at the end of August: 

End of August, 1944. A Special Guest! Gram!

I suspect this September 8 letter was actually written while he was in NM for his "furlogh." I betcha this one was just a test specimen!

August 1944 (Maggie)

It's been a long hiatus! 

My mother Margaret, the Maggie to whom these letters are addressed, died days after I scanned and transcribed this first letter.  I was grateful that I got to read some of Jack's letters to her before she passed. I doubt that she had looked at them in the last 75 years!

And so now we begin again, sharing Jack's history during WWII. To remind you, I had started off transcribing Jack's letters to his mother. Later, I found the cache of letters to his sweetheart and eventual wife, my mother. I now focus on these letters to Maggie, posting them here and catching up to the letters he wrote to his mother that I had already shared. When I've caught up, I will dovetail the letters together. 

We left off with his letters to Maggie written in July, 1944. Now, we are in August. In the bigger picture, the Battle of Normandy is winding down; the Allies were advancing further into France, and there was an important win for Russia and Poland against Germany in Poland. The Allies are definitely getting the upper hand, but the war has a long way to go. 

He writes in pencil today.

 Aug 11 1944

 

Dear Maggie

 

I guess I'll set down long enough to write you a letter. I don't exactly owe you one but you know me I'll write any way.

 

I had to get up this AM at 3 to fly, I got down to the ship all right but the pilot needed a oxygen mask so I gave him mine. I came back to the barracks & slept a few hours & then had to get up because I was expecting a inspection officer in & he is liable to ask why I am not on detail. (I hate work.)

 

I haven't been doing much – as usual except fly & drink beer. We have been going to a little place 60 miles N.E. of here to roping [?] up beer, well we found the town almost out of beer so I don't think I'll be going back. 

Around here you can actually drink all the beer in town, providing you get there befor some one else doesn't beat you too it. They just don't seem to be able to get any beer. Oh yes I don't drink whiskey it brings $7.50 a pint & about $13 a qt. They really belive in sticking the prices to us. 

 

The other night I was up at this little town & decided to come back early well I started around 10 P.M. The cars didn't seem to want to stop to pick us up so about 3 AM a coal truck stoped & we road about 45 miles on the top of the coal. We looked like a couple of ni**ers when we got off & felt worse than 2. I got back in to camp & got a hour & a half sleep befor I had to get up to fly. Boy I have to stop that or I'll be cutting off my bottom dog tag. 

 

Well we have rumors to the effect we will get a 7 day furlogh when we leave here. Thats almost enough time to go some place. I don't know how I will get out of this place but will probable have to go to Okla. City or Dallas. I may come through Alb. so next time you write send address & phone no if any. 

I would say for sure but I think Ma wrote & said our dear friend Bergie up & married some girl from Santa Fe. I guess he is stationed up here in Mo. At least thats the way I got it from her letter. I really didn't expect Bergie to do such a thing but may be she could run faster than he could. 

 

Its still 10º hotter than hell around here infact I heard it was so hot the devil himself moved out. Its too hot for me & I guess every one else. I swear its 10 times hotter than in Vegas, although Ma writes its been plenty hot there. The only time we get cool is when we fly high alititude & then we about freeze. When we get down it's like stepping in to a oven, you just roast. 

Well I hope you had a nice time while home. I imagine things have changed though since you were last there. How bout that. 

Well I have to close now so please write soon

Love Bill.  

Notes:
The whiskey would cost $115 for a pint and $200 a quart today! They really were sticking it to the soldiers!

Read here for what he means about "cut off my bottom dog tag." 

Aug 18 1944

Dear Maggie

I recived you letter at last so well while I have the time will try to answer it. 

Say you must really be waking up late. You ought to know better than that, where does it get you in the end but old. Wow take me oh well we will skip that. No kidding though they must keep you busy.

Me I haven't been doing anything out of the way. We have just been flying, more or less putting in time. It seems they don't know what we want, you know I said I might get a furlogh well that seems to be shot. the rumor is now we won't get any time at all off. Some of the boys decided to go over & raise the roof about it, I doubt if it will do any good. I sure should like to get a little time off & if possible come & see you. 

We were flying formations the other day & it scared me so bad I couldn't look out & when I would I had to put on my chute. It really had me worried for a while I guess I am a baby or something. I personally don't like to fly & on top of that I don't like to fly formations. 

We went up yesterday & had a nice big watermelon, it must have weighted about 40 lbs. We were bombing the whole county side with watermelon rine & seeds. I'll bet the people wondered were it was comming from. We really had a time eating it. It took about 10 of us to eat it & no one would stop until full. 

I had to go up this morning to have a filling put in. Boy that dentist like to take the top off my head. I thought he was trying to make another Grand canyon. He kept telling me he wasn't hurting me it was just the noise (I didn't have the heart to tell him different). From what he said he was just out of school but I could have told him that by the way he worked. 

Well Ill close for now & go eat. 

Sat

I guess I better get busy & finish this. If I don't make sense its because I have been up since 3 this morning & put in 6 hours of flying. 

A fellow just came in & said we had a formation tomorrow, which is our legal day off, to discuss about furloghs. I doubt if we get them but I am still hoping. 

We had quite a flight to day -- went in a round about way to Kansas City then to Little Rock Ark & back here. We didn't fly high altitude so I caught about a hours sleep. We had a fight going on back in the waist about all the time. I got down in the fall & the current went off so I had to crank my way out, I decided to stay out of it. The pilot didn't know about it so he go in it & we had a time getting him out. He didn't know any thing about it but finally he got out, I doubt if he ever goes back in it.

Say how is your [____] making out by now. You never said in your last letter so I am wondering. I hope he gets a break & gets to come back to the states. 

I don't know if I told you or not but Wayne got another strip not long ago. He is now [1/] Sgt & says theres a chanch he can get Master. I sure hope he does even if I'd never be able to get 1/2 that high. Well I better close so write soon.

Love Bill

 

 

 

I want to say he was asking about her brother (hoping he gets to come back to the states).  But I can't read it. Any help? 

Wayne's rank: Also hard to decipher. Sergeant First Class is just before Master Sergeant, so I'm assuming that's what he meant.

 

Here are the letters to his mother around the same time. 

August, 1944: Quietly achieving the rank of Corporal

Mid-August 1944. The pond is beginning to stare us in the face.

Mid-August, 1944: Finally got the camera