March 8, 1944

Dear Chris, Jo & Karen:                                                March 8
            Thanks a lot for the cake. You’ll probably be as surprised I got it as I was. It was in good shape and lasted part of one evening. Also got Aunt Hattie’s cookies.
            Lt. Kinzer, Goodwin, Horridge, Hollis and I got a 48 hrs. pass and went into London. Hollis is the one I took the Christmas trip with to Tampa. We took the train in Monday, stayed that night and came back Tuesday. It was the wrong time of day to see much of the town so will have to try again. We rode the underground — subway to you — and saw a musical comedy stage show “Hi de Hi”. We stayed at the Strand Palace hotel. It was very much like any large American hotel. An elevator is a “lift”. A flashlight is a torch. The moon was shining so we got around alright in the blackout. The patch is the new ones we are wearing.
            I imagine you are moved by now — more or less. Got your Feb 21 letter to-day. The camera is 620. Sure could use some film. Send me some pictures when you get them. Those vapor trails are caused at high altitude by the sudden reduction in pressure as air goes over the top of wing. They are actually same as a cloud. See lots of them here.
                                    Yours truly,
                                                John