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 06-21-1944

Wednesday 1815
06-21-1944

Hello Darling:

Since we have been here I have received 6 letters from you. Five in one bunch, and today I got another one. This one was #23. Some day they will get things straight.

I got up in the air today. We had an aerial gunnery mission. Not very many hits in the target, but it was fun just the same. We can’t tell who got the hits either. They do not have the facilities to paint the bullets.

You were asking if we had anything to drink. Up till yesterday we haven’t had any. However they got a bunch of whiskey and gin and brandy in here yesterday. All the boys in the Group chipped in to send to Australia for it. They used on of the bombers to make the trip.

They say we will get beer over here sometimes this year. I will believe it when I see it. It is a rumor that we will be given about 26 cans a month. I hope it comes through.

We can’t drink very much here. So you don’t have to worry about me drinking to excess. I found out today that it can’t be done. I had some brandy last night, and I was all tired out today. In this heat it just knocks the vitality out of a guy. So from now on I am going to keep my drinking down plenty. I would like to get a beer occasionally though.

They just set up a little bar in the “Officer’s Club.” It is a tent with a table in it! They use grapefruit juice and water to mix the stuff in. The chlorinated effect of the water naturally adds to the flavor of the drink. There is a slight charge of one Florien per drink. That is about 32 cents.

You were asking me about the money we use. It is Australian, but it is just like the English use. The value of money is a little different that’s all. I will put a pound note in this letter to let you see what they are like. I don’t have a half pound note right now. When I get one I will send it to you also. One pound is worth $3.22.

A Florien is a coin about the size of a 50 cent piece, and is worth two Shillings, or as they say here, “Two Bob.”

We had a movie last night, or no, that was Mon night wasn’t it. It was a musical comedy “Hey Rookie.” It was not too good, but there was some pretty fair dancing and singing.

I can’t think of much more to say at the moment. Except to tell you that I am very much in love with you. Yes Indeed! I love you –

Love George