Letter Home 07-21-1944

Friday 2030

07-21-1944

Hello Darling:

You know I got thinking about that letter I wrote you last night, and I kind of wish I hadn’t written it now. I am afraid it might make you think I am unhappy over here.

Such is not the case however. I will admit that I was (and still am not) not happy about George. I think he is going to be OK though, and he is getting sent home, so it does have a wee bit of good in it.

I also am afraid you might worry about something similar happening to me. I hope I can put your mind at rest as to that. Things like that happen rarely, and he had a lot of tough breaks. His trip in the jungle, and operation ect. Besides he is a bit more excitable than I am. Practically always I can manage to enjoy what little there is to enjoy here. And not brood on what there isn’t! Sometimes the lack of mail really gets under my skin, but I tell myself it isn’t anyone’s fault but the mailman’s, and I will eventually get some. So I get by alright.

Our morale got a big boost in the last two days. They got some fresh meat, butter, and real eggs! That is the first we have had here in nearly 2 months. We had steaks last night, and again tonight. They were tough, but after all the bull beef we have seen they were still good.

I though of something you might send me darling. I am going to run out of foot powder one of these days, and I would like another can of that Geminol. In this hot climate our feet catch the devil, and we have to just try using plenty of powder on them every day.

I don’t know if I told you that we are getting plenty of cigarettes now free, so you need not waste money on sending them to me. I’d still like an occasional cigar though.

We went out on a strafing mission the other day. Four of us were on alert all afternoon, and a transport pilot came in to tell us about seeing some Japs crossing a river not far from here. So we hopped over to see if we could find them. We did not see anything. You can’t see an inch into that thick jungle from the air. Just on general principal we strafed the area around where they had been seen though. Probably didn’t do any good, but it was fun shooting.

I can’t think of much to say other than this little bit honey. Except to remind you that I am very much in love with my little Edie. Always and all ways1

Love George?

Letter Home 07-20-1944

Thursday 2100

07-20-1944

Hello Darling:

I was just not in any mood to write last night, and I still am not tonight. However I guess I will at least say hello anyway.

The reason I fell bad is about George Burgess. He had a nervous breakdown, and I just heard about it yesterday. I guess it happened the day before.

There is one good point about it. He is being sent home. They say he should be OK when he gets out of here. I sure hope so. He was supposed to be evacuated today, but the plane he was going on had a bit of trouble, so I don’t know if he got out today or not. I suppose they will take him to one of the hospitals in the rear area for a while first.

I hope they don’t keep him there long. The best thing for him I think would be to get him out of here entirely as soon as possible. Or sooner! I sure hope he comes out OK on it. He is one good guy.

I don’t know if they notify his folks in a case like that or not, and I don’t know if it would be a good idea either. Just something that would worry them some more. Perhaps it is best to simply let him get home and then tell them he is there. I don’t think I would tell them. By the time he gets home he will no doubt be OK, and they would have worried for nothing.

We still haven’t had any more mail since I got that one letter from you. Sure wish they would bring some in.

Think I will say good night darling. I love you very much – always!

Love George

Letter Home 07-18-1944

Tuesday 2130

07-18-1944

Hello Darling:

I am a very lucky, and a very happy kid tonight. I finally got a letter from my lovely wife. I was the only guy in the tent that got one. The other boys haven’t had any yet. I hope this is only the beginning.

I hope by now you are out of the rut you say you were in. Feeling restless and all. Just take it easy honey. This will all be over eventually. I hope soon, but it can’t go on forever. Then we can settle down to our own life together.

Seems as if you are having quite a time with people moving in and out. I imagine having Freddy there will be better than having Patsy though. She will be company for both you and Mom. Also a little less worry for Mom than Patsy was I hope. Can’t picture it being otherwise.

It started to rain rather early last night, and has been raining steadily nearly all day. It finally stopped around 5 this evening. That was a break, because they had a movie tonight. It was a Laurel and Hardy job. Not too good, but it helps kill a little time.

They made an announcement that Jack Benny arrived in New Guinea with a troupe to entertain the boys. He was greeted, they said, by Lanny Ross. I wonder if they will get up here where we are??? There are quite a number of places they could go though, so we won’t be very surprised if they don’t.

I think I will say goodnight now darling. I love you lots and lots. Don’t get too impatient till this is over, and take good care of you for me won’t you? I love you –

Love George

Letter Home 07-17-1944

Monday 1500

07-17-1944

Hello Darling:

At last we have hopes of getting some mail soon. I finally got one Vmail letter from my sister Mary. Now we at least think they know where we are, so maybe we will be getting some. I sure hope I hear from you soon. I can’t tell you how much I enjoy your letters, nor how much I miss them when I don’t get any.

I saw the mail clerk of the Squadron a little while ago, and aked him if there was any mail, but he said no. Then he asked me if you still used green ink. He remembered it from back in Providence. I don’t know if I told you how Morrison asked about you when I first saw him or not. Anyway he asked how Miss Green was. Do you remember me telling you that is what he called you when we were at Westover living together. Just before we were married. Happy day that was! I sure am a lucky guy.

Stangel and I just got back from having a swim. We lie on the beach more than we swim I think. We just go in and get wet, then lie on the beach taking it easy.

One of the enlisted men just came in the tent with something for Wurtz. He is an operations clerk, and knows all the pilots. He asked me what I hear from Flint, and I said nothing lately. Doggone it! He is from Saginaw.

Well I can’t think of much to say today. It gets kind of hard to write when they mess up our mail so much. This one way traffic gets monotonous to us after an extended period like this.

I hope we have a movie tonight. Even if we have seen if before it is still something to do.

I love you darling very much. Take good care of you for me won’t you? I love you –

Love George

Letter Home 07-16-1944

Sunday 1630

07-16-1944

Hello Darling:

One of the boys in the other Squadrons got some mail the other day. Yesterday I think it was. That is the first any of us have received, so we are hoping that maybe we can look for some soon. We all have our fingers crossed.

I stopped in the Dentist’s office to get a drink this afternoon, and an enlisted man was reading a letter. He looked up and remarked that it was always the same old stuff. He wrote the same things home every day, and the letters he got were all alike. He seemed griped in a way.

That was his opinion. I don’t know how you feel about getting the same stuff from me all the time, but I certainly enjoy hearing all the little ordinary things that happen to you at home, and your troubles, thoughts, happiness, or what have you. I feel as if I am closer to you then, and sharing everything with you somehow.

They passed a new rule today that we have to keep our tents tidier. The beds have to be made unless you are in them during the day ect. I can’t see where there is much to making up a bed here. All I do is straighten out the blanket a bit.

On the tidiness of the rest of the tent there was room for improvement though. I had an old torn cot that I was in the habit of throwing all my stuff on, so instead of that I built a couple of racks to use today. Helped quite a bit too.

It is almost time to eat, so I think I will say so long for now. I love you very much sweetheart – always and all ways. I love you.

Love George

Letter Home 07-14-1944

Friday 1800
07-14-1944

Hello Darling:

One of the boys in the tent took a trip over to the mainland today to see about getting some souvenirs. He sure is crazy about that. If he takes home all the stuff he hopes to get he will need two trunks to carry it all.

Anyway he did get a few booklets in Japanese. Evidently they are field manuals. He also got some of the Jap invasion money. There two I am sending you are part of it. They aren’t worth anything. The Japs were going to use them to pay the natives for helping them. I suppose they did use some of it. Maybe that is one of the reasons the natives hate the Japs so much. They certainly don’t have any use for them. They take everything from the natives, but never give them anything in return.

Besides this money I guess I better send you some real stuff that can be used in the good old USA. I don’t know if I will get a chance to go to the finance office tomorrow or not, but if I don’t I will do it as soon as I can. I think I will be able to send you $200.

I got interrupted to go to the show. It was Bob Hope in “They Got Me Covered.” It was old, but I’d never seen it before, so I enjoyed it quite a bit.

Other than to complain of a lack of mail I don’t think there is much more I have to say. I hope we start getting something soon.

I thought of something just now that I would like. A finger nail clipper. Not for my finger nails – for my toe nails. I used to have a nice sharp pair of scissors, but I guess I put them in my foot locker. I got a pair over here and they are big dull things. I used one of the boy’s clippers and it worked OK. So since it is small I though you might be able to send me one.

One of the boys in the mess hall the other day said he had a letter from his mother, and she said that it was no longer necessary to have a request to send packages to officers overseas. I don’t know if it is true, or if it includes enlisted men or not. I meant to tell you before, and let you check up on it, but I forgot it till just now.

I said I could not think of anything, and then wrote another whole page. I certainly ramble along at times don’t I? Now I see I have one more sheet of paper in this pad, so I may as well wrack my brain a bit and ramble some more to use it. I thought the other night I only had one pad left, but I found this one with a few sheets in it, so I still have a pad left.

It doesn’t take any effort to think of how much I love you. I do that all the time every day. I think of you a lot also all the time.

Stangel asked me to something about my drinking at home, and if you drank. It reminded me of the one time I got tight with you. Remember what’s his names party? I know – How could you forget it!

I played a little poker last night. That is the first in quite a while. Not bad though. That’s why I can send you some money. If I am lucky maybe the boys will help build us a hut yet eh? Don’t worry darling I am still careful, and don’t just gamble everything I own whenever I do play.

I love you very much sweetheart. Always and all ways. Deed I do!

Love George?

Letter Home 07-13-1944

Thursday 1700
07-13-1944

Hello Darling:

I’ve got a few minutes before chow, so I will use it to the best advantage. And what could be better than talking to you. Being with you and talking to you personally instead of in a letter of course would be better I guess. Or rather I know it would.

I got up at 4:30 this morning for a mission, and then did not go. We all went out to the planes, and I couldn’t get mine started.

The boys in the tent here are arguing about how much damage either of them have done to planes since they have been flying. They are really radical about it. I can hardly hear myself think they are hollering accusations at each other so much.

It just changed, and now the argument is about poetry and Shakespeare. What a crew! Never can tell what will come next. Anyway it is a bit of variety.

We went swimming this afternoon. While you are in the water it is nice, but when you get out and start to dry off a bit you feel too sticky. That is the salt water. I prefer some of our lakes back home.

I am at a loss of things to talk about tonight for some reason. However I am never at a loss for one thing to tell you always. That is I love you. Which I do very much indeed.

Love George?

Letter Home 07-12-1944

Wednesday 1600
07-12-1944

Hello Darling:

Here is a sample of our new money. We just got paid yesterday. I meant to send you this last night, but I forgot it. It is one Guilder, and is worth 53 cents. Since they are only worth half as much as American bills it seems as if we are getting an extra amount when they pay off.

However it should help remind us more of the value of money. When we had Aussie stuff we did not really pay attention to its value. The boys would throw Pound notes and 5 Pound notes around like our dollar bills and five spots.

Actually they would be spending $3 on the Pound, and $15 on the 5 Pounders. With these we can throw a whole handful around, and not spend very much.

Money doesn’t mean much over here though. For example two buck privates from some infantry battalion were around here today that had a Jap rifle and a mortar gun. They wanted to trade them for some whiskey. They would not sell them either. Money was of no use to them. They could not spend it if they had any. They only want something they can use right now.

My stationary supply is running very low. I don’t think they have any in the PX either, so perhaps you could send me some? I don’t know what pads like this would be best. I have plenty of air mail envelopes now. I laid in a supply just in case we hit a spot where we can’t get them.

I’ve been trying to get some laundry for about 4 or 5 days now. They washed it the first day, but ever since it had been wet. Just when it begins to get dry it starts to rain again. Today has been a pretty nice day though, so perhaps I will finally get some clean clothes. I sure need them!

This is the last sheet in this pad. I’ve got one more to last a while longer though. I guess I will quit for now too.

I love you sweetheart lots and lots –

Love George?

Letter Home 07-11-1944

Tuesday 2130
7-11-1944

Hello Darling:

I am soaking wet tonight, so I think I had best get to bed early. We went to the show to see “Johnny Eager”, and it started to rain when it was nearly over. Naturally we had to see how it cam out.

That wasn’t the worst of it though. We were using my sack to sit on at the show, so it is wet too. The bottom half of the air mattress is fairly dry, so I guess I will get by. I put two blankets on it to help absorb what water is on it.

We had a quart of whiskey a few nights ago. George Burgess came over the second night we had it, and the two of us each had one drink apiece out of it. The rest of the boys hadn’t even touched it. Last night George came over again, and we were going to have a drink, only to find the bottle gone. Isn’t that a heck of a note? Someone swiped practically a whole quart on us. Next time we get a hold of a bottle we will sure hide it.

The whiskey is combat whiskey. After each mission all the pilots are supposed to get a shot if they want it. They don’t issue it that way here. Every tent gets a bottle occasionally instead. I guess it is every couple of weeks. So we have to wait a while to get another one.

Someone has a Victrola around here and they are playing a lot of old numbers that remind me of you. I sure hope the day comes soon when we can listen to a few records in the front room together. Maybe if I am not too lazy I might even ask you to dance with me to a couple of them. Would you?

Think I will crawl in my sack now darling. I love you very very much – always!

Love George

Letter Home 07-10-1944

Monday 1630

07-10-1944

Hello Darling:

I hear that we have a show tonight, so best I try writing to you before supper. I hope we have something good tonight.

We were just discussing a couple of rumors we have been hearing. One is that after being over here 10 months they intend to send the boys home for 2 months. Then bring them back here to their old outfit. That is not supposed to start for some time though, so I don’t know if this time we put in until then will count or not.

Another rumor is that once a guy gets sent home he stays there. So you see we can’t believe anything. All we can do is wait to see what happens. At any rate I doubt if anything will happen to us for a year or so anyway.

I was on a mission the other day up over Biak and Noemfoor, but we did not see anything but our own planes. We have a tough time finding Japs these days.

It must be coming on towards the rainy seasons around here. It has rained every night for the past 5 nights. Also we had a couple of day’s rain and bad weather. We don’t complain about rain at night. When that happens we can be fairly sure of a good night’s sleep. The bombers like a nice clear night to do their work.

We are feeling the lack of mail quite a bit these days. We don’t really expect any for a few more weeks, but that doesn’t stop us from missing it.

It is nigh on to being time to eat. Maybe I better leave you for now. You will still be with me though all the time in my heart.

I suppose that is because I love you so much. Could be! Anyway I do love you – but definitely.

Love George

Letter Home 07-09-1944

Sunday 2030
07-09-1944

Hello Darling:

I am all tired out tonight, so I hope you won’t mind a short letter. We just came back from a nice long mission, and I don’t feel like sitting down again for a week. We landed just before it got dark, and it took us quite some time to take the boat over here, and eat ect.

They are having a show tonight too, but it was already started by the time we got here. By now it is probably half finished. I don’t think I’d care to sit through it anyway.

I love you darling. Very much, but I think I will hit the sack – Good night – I love you.

Love George?

Letter Home 07-08-1944

Saturday 1930
07-08-1944

Hello Darling:

We had a nice day of rest today. The weather was bad, so we could not fly. It rained all last night, and all morning. This afternoon it stopped raining, but the weather still was no good for flying.

Three of us happened to be down at the beach this afternoon when a couple of guys were going fishing, so we went along. They had one of the landing barges to cruise around in, and it was quite a nice ride for the afternoon.

There were 5 of us fishing, but only one guy caught anything. He got a kingfish that I imagine must have weighed around 10 or 12 lbs. It was nearly 2 ft, or so long. The rest of us just fished – period!

Last night just as I started to write you they called us all over to the C.O.’s tent. I thought it was to be a meeting of some kind, but found out different. He had three or four quarts of whiskey, and was having a bit of a party. Most of the boys – no I should say only a few – got to feeling pretty good.

One of the reasons, or perhaps the only reason, for the party was to celebrate the promotions of three of the boys. Morrison, Wheeler, and Blend got their Captaincies, so they had to celebrate.

Along about 10 o’clock I was getting read to leave, when I met with a slight accident. One of the boys was standing in front of me with a drink in his hand, and someone hit his arm. Nearly all the drink hit me right in the face. I was blind from the whiskey in my eyes, and was trying to get it out, when someone decided to help me. He took a glass of water, and threw it in my face. Kind of rough first aid, but it sure felt good.

Well that settled it I was soaking wet, so I left. I came back here to the tent, and took off my clothes. Then I was going to write you, but my eyes still burned, and it was beginning to give me a bit of a headache. I hope you will excuse me (and the boys) for the little mishap. Am I forgiven?

I found out that I can tell you a little more about where I am now. I am not in New Guinea any more. I am on a little island off its coast. Can’t say what one.

You remember I said we lived quite a distance from our strip? Well in fact we are living on another island. The two of them are quite small, and very close together. We take a barge across the water that separates them every morning when we go to work. It is a pretty nice set up.

I guess that’s all the news for tonight darling. Except that I love you very much – always I do!

Love George?

Letter Home 07-06-1944

Thursday 1430
07-06-1944

Hello Darling:

It is so hot today that I am wringing wet. I’ve got the afternoon off, so I though I would log a little sack time. I tried it, but I was soon lying in a pool of water, and had to give it up. I will try to cool off talking to you. I don’t know if that will work though, because I always feel warm and happy when I think of what a lucky guy I am to have you for my wife. I sure do love you darling.

Well look who just walked in! Burgess no less. He wants we should go take a swim, and lie around the beach a while. I will be back later to finish this later. Bye for now.

Here I am again. We just finished up supper. There were sausages for a change. I am not over fond of these big fat sausages they have in the Army, but it was still better than Bully Beef!

George and I had a pretty nice lazy afternoon down on the beach. I don’t care too much for salt water, because I can’t swim very well, and every once in a while I was swallowing some of it. Not a very satisfying drink either.

I hear tell they have some Coca-Cola tonight. It is rationed so everyone gets 4 glasses a month. The cooling machine had been busted the past week though, so there were no cokes for anyone. Best I get over to see about getting some of it.

I dreamt up something else you could send me. I’d like a pair of shorts. Maybe there was a pair in the clothes I sent home. I don’t mean underwear. It is khaki I want to use when we play volley ball ect. I have been considering cutting the legs off a pair of trousers, and I may do so yet. However they would not last long if the weren’t hemmed, and naturally if I cut them they won’t be. So if you could send me a pair I would appreciate it very much.

I think I will go see about the Cokes now. I love you lots and lots honey. I hope you are well and happy.

Love George

Letter Home 07-05-1944

Wednesday 1900
07-05-1944

Hello Darling:

Well the long vacation is over. We are working again. We flew our first mission at last. These missions run a lot longer than any we ever had before. By the time it gets to be 3 to 4 hours or more our fannies are plenty sore. I never got so sick of sitting on one spot before. We can’t squirm around very much either, because we are strapped in very well by the safety belt and shoulder straps. Of course I suppose we could loosen them up, but after one experience I had (remember?) I want them tight.

Then we have to sit on a little rubber boat without any cushion. It is made into part of the parachute, and there isn’t any room for the cushion. Doggone it is hard too!

After that I did not think I would be able to work for a week, but after playing some volley ball, and taking a shower I feel pretty good. Very surprising. I feel as if I am ready to go again.

They have a pretty fair set up here. We can usually get ice water every day. They have a little kitchen set up on the line too were we can get sandwiches and cold drinks also. I had something good last night too. These boys got hold of some canned chicken, and they were making sandwiches in their…

…get me some.

Burgess and Morrison wandered in as I finished that last line, and they have kept me busy batting the breeze all night. Now it is time for lights out, so I have to hurry up to say good night. Don’t blame the boys too much for the interruption will you. It is swell to see them and talk to them.

I love you very much darling. Always and all ways – Take care of you for me won’t you? I love you –

Love George

Letter Home 07-04-1944

Tuesday 1800
07-04-1944

Hi Honey:

I am finally in the old outfit. When we got here to the Group the rest of the boys had not been assigned to Squadrons yet, but they had me all slated to get back in the 341st. It sure is nice to be here with the old gang. They haven’t changed any. Still a pretty swell bunch I think.

You are probably wondering what I have been doing, because I haven’t written for two days. I did not mean to neglect you darling. We were too busy, and I did not get a chance to do any writing.

The first day we spent coming here. Then yesterday we had to go through the process of building another happy home. Besides doing that we had to dig a fox hole. Up till now we did not have to do that. However they have had a few raids here, so it behooves us to invest in one.

Usually the raids here only consist of a very few planes, and they never drop bombs in our area. We are quite a distance from the planes and everything. The Japs don’t have hardly any planes left in this area. What the bombers (ours) did not wreck on the ground, our fighters have taken care of in the air. Most of the boys haven’t even seen a Nip since around March. They still keep their eyes peeled of course while patrolling though.

I like it fine here. We can go swimming if we want to, and there are practically no bugs or mosquitoes to bother us. The food is fairly good. Except that we still get too much bully beef. Those are all just minor discomforts. On the whole it is a nice set up.

Last night we did not have any lights. We got our tent set up and all, but we had no wire and stuff to use. We remedied that today, so when it gets dark tonight we should have some lights.

We had an air raid alert the other night, but we did not see anything. The big guns of the Ack Ack boys were shooting at something, but nothing came of it. All it meant was a loss of about an hours sleep.

We crawled in our fox holes and waited, but nothing happened. Those big guns certainly blast when they go off. It really shakes the place every time on goes.

Seeing them and hearing them remind me of fireworks, which in turns reminds me that today is fore crackers day, the 4th of July, and that reminded me that Dad has a birthday today. So although this might get to you a month late will you wish him a happy birthday for me?

I don’t know when Mom’s birthday is, but if you let me know I will try to remember to wish her a happy birthday when it comes. In case I am already too late wish her one for me anyway.

George Burgess has a dog here, and she just had ten pups recently. I haven’t been over to see them yet, but he says they have had a lot of laughs from them. The dog is an Australian Retriever or something like it.

Another of the boys has a Cocker Spaniel that just had pups. Three of them, and they are cute as the devil.

Best I sign off for now sweetheart, or I won’t have anything left to tell you tomorrow. I enjoy talking to you too much, and get to rambling occasionally. Do you mind?

I love you very much darling. Always and all ways –

Love George?

P.S. – I’ve got a new address.

341st F.S. – APO #565 Unit 1

Letter Home 06-30-1944

Friday 1900
06-30-1944

Hello Darling:

Still doing business here at the same old stand, although (can’t spell tonight) we haven’t been flying since they told us we were being assigned to the 348th. We certainly are ready to go join them whenever they give the word.

I had hopes that I might get a letter or two from you before we left. However for the past few days no one has received any mail. I know that once we leave here our mail will very likely be balled up for almost a month.

There seems to be an extraordinary number of bugs buzzing around here tonight. The worst of are the little flying ants. We always have a lot of little brown ants here, but tonight they have wings, and they keep bothering the dickens out of us.

I went over to get a hair cut today. My hair was getting about an inch long. First thing I knew it would be getting in my eyes. Mostly what bothered me really was the way it was starting to curl over my ears. Now that is remedied now.

Junior is cussing New Guinea tonight, the bugs, woods and everything. He is very disgusted, and wishes he was back in England. He is a really good kid, and will be ok, all of the boys are telling him he is crazy. Everyone else is glad they are here. His real name is Wurtz, and he comes from Dearborn. He is the youngest one here, and that won him the moniker of Junior. Usually he is one of the best natured boys I know of, but he is disgusted with this place tonight. In much different words of course. I couldn’t write the actual language being tossed around here at the moment.

However he feels about it doesn’t change our opinion. This is where we want to be, other than to be at home. Since we have to go somewhere to fight this is the best in most of the boy’s opinion. Don’t get me wrong Darling. I am not praising the jungle life. If we were over in England we would find plenty to be griped about too I think. This to my mind is the lesser of the two evils.

These ants are getting in my hair too much darling, and I don’t have too much news tonight, so I think I will sign off for now.

I love you – always and all ways. No matter how far apart we are you are always here with me in my heart. Take good care of you for me won’t you? I love you.

Love George

Letter Home 06-29-1944

Wednesday 1700
6-29-44

Hello Darling:

This is Thursday I found out after putting Wed at the top there. That is how things go here. We can’t keep track of the days. I just took someone else’s word that it was Wed, and that started a slight dispute, so I looked it up on your little calendar.

We had a long meeting last night, so I did not get around to writing to you. It was on a new jungle kit, and they went through it completely. By the time they were through it was sack time. I hope you don’t mind too much darling.

I also had something of importance to tell you too. The night before last they had the bar open again. I don’t know where they got it, but they had ice for the drinks. What a difference that makes! They were about 500% better. I only had about 5 drinks.

I don’t think we are going to get paid on time this month. We are not assigned to this outfit, so we can’t get it with them. In fact, they are wondering how and where the money will come from to pay them. It is a good thing we don’t need much money around here. I am broke as far as actual cash goes. I’ve still got the travelers checks I brought with me from the States though. Why they told us to bring them I don’t know. We get paid in the money they use here, so why use checks?

I just got interrupted to go eat. We had bully beef, so I only ate soup. They do have very good soup here. It was onion soup, and we all ate 2 or 3 bowls at least. We had some fresh eggs this morning for breakfast. That is what we enjoy most I guess.

The most important news I have is something that I like very much. Some of us have been assigned to the 348th Group, and I am one of them. That is just what I have been hoping for. Now when we get to the Group I hope I am not disappointed. I don’t think I will be though.

I know when I am leaving here of course, but I can’t tell you. You will know when I can do so though. I also will get a new APO# and then I can ask you to send me some things, now that I am permanently assigned to the 348th.

I sure will be glad to get up there with the boys, and start doing something. We had enough of aerial gunnery and training ect back in the States. If we aren’t ready by now we may as well give up and I don’t think we need to do that. I believe all these boys are good pilots.

I guess I will have to loose your letters now that we will have to be moving one of these days. I don’t have room to carry them. I think I will read them over before I do though. Best I do that now eh? I love you very much darling. Take care of you for me won’t you?

Love George.

Letter Home 06-27-1944

Thursday 1900

06-27-1944

Hello Darling:

It seems like everyone was pretty busy while Dottie was home. I bet everyone had a good time though. Too bad she could not stay longer.

I got three letters from you today. The mail situation is a lot better here. I also got the Vmail you sent by the way.

What is this you tell me about these 4F wolves keeping an eye on you in some bar? I can understand it though in a way, because you are a very lovely gal. So any man might be intrigued! However don’t pay any attention to them will you?

I can imagine Betty getting a big kick out of it. I’ll bet she teased you unmercifully. She is a pretty good sport I think.

I just got Dottie’s address, so now perhaps I can write her a little note some evening. In fact tonight is as good as any I guess.

You asked me to elaborate on going to town business I spoke of back where we were. Well there used to be people live in these towns in New Guinea. From what a few Aussies have said it was pretty much a summer vacation spot. They had a few hotels and a few houses there. There aren’t any civilians around now though. It is all Army, Navy and Aussies now. The only thing of any interest there was the Allied Officer’s Club. They did not have anything much to sell. In fact nothing in the line of drinking material. All they had was some cold drinks. Not much taste to them. Just circus water. During the day we could get tea and cakes. I think I told you about doing that one time. They also served dinners there, but I don’t know how they were. I was never in for one.

There aren’t really any towns as you know them at home. Every place is simply an Army or Navy base, or an air strip. There probably wont be any civilians around till long after the war is over. Any time the boys get leave here they fly down to Austrailia in transport planes. On the Army naturally.

Most of the boys are a bit disgusted about the leave situation. Usually, the leaves are given to the boys every three or four months. On a rotation system, so there is always someone on leave.

However in our case we have not been assigned to any outfit yet, and all this time we spend does not count on any leaves. That doesn’t bother me so much. I’d just as soon keep right on the job here till it was over. What I hope is that this time does count on how soon we get home.

One of the boys in the tent is from Detroit, and he just got a copy of the Detroit News today. It is the April 29th issue. We found a poem in it and a cartoon we got a kick out of. He kept the poem, but I copied it for you.

Only a Woman

If you might rest a moment in my arms

Only a moment fee from fact and fear

All of my soul would crumble at your wish

All of my heart open, to find you near.

If you could pause, even a second’s breath,

Forgetting time and reason and our duty

What might we learn of wonder and of depth

What cadence full of vast, eternal beauty.

But we must stand, separate and long apart,

Hallowed for things larger than self and time

Only a woman turns her eyes away,

And longs to set a holocaust to rhyme.

The poem I am serious about sweetheart, but I am only kidding about the cartoon. You will look good to me no matter what.

I will be running out of things to say soon, and won’t be able to write much to Dottie. Maybe I better sign off for now.

I love you darling very much. Every day is possible I love you more. I love you

Love,

George

Letter Home 06-26-1944

Monday 2130
06-26-1944

Hello Darling:

I may get this letter written tonight, and then again I may not. The lights are starting to act up. They fade out till there is just a glow, and then come slowly back again. As yet they haven’t gone off for any length of time, so I hope they last.

I got three nice letters from you today. One included the lighter flints. Thank you very much darling. Also these came in their usual very correct order. I got #33, 39 and 49. I don’t think I will ever get straight on them, not till I get a big pile. It doesn’t bother me though. New or old, mixed up or otherwise it is always a pleasure to hear from you.

Now that our radio is gone we have to listen to an impromptu concert from one of the other tents. Usually there are two cornets, but tonight they have a saxophone helping them out. They aren’t good, but still not too bad. The only real difficulty is the way they get on one tune and practice it all night. With no noticeable improvement I might add! We used to be able to drown them out with the radio, but now we have to listen to it. Maybe by the time the war is over they might become real musicians. For anyone’s sake that has to listen to them I sincerely hope so.

Since we have been here we have been able to get crackers and cookies through the Squadron supply. They are rationed a box or two per man every month. So with the crackers, and the occasional fruit we get, and the cans of peanut butter and jam we can swipe from the mess hall we have occasional little snacks.

I don’t know if the food that is lying around attracts the ants, but we sure have enough of them. They were here before we broke loose with any chow for them though, so I don’t think that is what brings them. We have them in bed with us, and when we sit around reading, writing, playing cards, or whatever – they come crawling up on us. They are small brown ants and can become a wee bit annoying at times.

We were talking about that tonight and thinking of how ants always show up to bother people at picnics. Anyone that spends any time over here shouldn’t have to worry about that much. Or about any bugs for that matter. We have every variety ever seen in the U.S. I do believe, and about a million new ones. Some of them are really dandies. The weirdest looking thinks imaginable. They don’t bother us too much. Mostly they spend their time and energy dive bombing the lights at night. Some of them sound like dive bombers too!

All in all this isn’t a bad place to be. There are a lot of laughs every day to help make thinks agreeable. Like the guy that came in for a landing yesterday. We have three landing strips here that are fairly close together, but still quite distinct. Even flying here once is enough to orient a guy. Still this joker came in and peeled off to land on strip three, and on his approach se somehow got switched over to strip one. He is still being kidded about it.

I think the lights are due to go out soon. Before they do I must fix up my sack. Put my mosquito net up ect. Then to bed and I hope dream of my very lovely wife. I love you sweetheart. Very much and all the time. I sure hope this ends soon, so I can be with you all the time. I love you –

Love George?

Letter Home 06-25-1944

Sunday 1900

06-25-1944

Hello Darling:

Boy I just hit the jackpot. I got eight letters from you. They were very old ones, but still lovely to read. Some of them were forwarded from Richmond even, so you can imagine how old they are.

I got my answer to the question I asked you about the bags and the money I sent home. I sure didn’t realize that we had as much in the bank as we do. If I can just send some more home occasionally while I am here, perhaps we might have a fair little nest egg to work on eh? I hope so. We will no doubt need it to use when I am digging ditches.

I am kind of glad that you don’t feel like going out to get drunk with anyone but me. Of course I don’t expect us to really get drunk anytime. But I do enjoy a couple of drinks occasionally. Especially with you. I should really say I simply like to be with you. There doesn’t have to be any drinking last night.

They had the bar open last night, and I went over with Ward to have a couple. That was all I wanted, and that was what I had – exactly two drinks. Ward got to working on the gin though, and got feeling pretty good. He was quite tight in fact!

I got a kick out of him when he came rolling back to the tent. All of the rest of us were in our sacks already, and he was rambling on and on. He was very happily wound up, and said he like a nice quiet drunk like that. It brought back so many pleasant memories. No one had the imagination ect that a drunk like that has. He just kept going along that line till he fell asleep.

I don’t doubt that it does arouse pleasant memories, but it is not the least bit necessary really. When a guy has a lovely wife like you he doesn’t have to use anything to help arouse pleasant memories. They are with me all day long.

Ward said he hoped our wives realized how much we appreciate them.

If anything we appreciate them more when we are so far away. He wouldn’t trade being married to his “Little Old Sweet Smelling Ever Loving” wife for a million dollars. I sure agree with him. I am much too happy being married to you. No one could put any monetary price on that.

You know I think I will sign off early tonight. I feel too full of things I’d like to say any of them. I’ll just lie down on my sack and read your letters again.

I love you very much darling. Take good care of you for me won’t you? I love you –

Love George?