July 10, 1945

                                                            10 July 45
Dear Folks:                                         Greenville S.C.
            Hold your hats, I’m moving again! Not so far this time — Wilmington N.C. A TWX came Sat. for some B-26 pilots for tow-target work at Wilmington. I and 3 other men were the latest to arrive so we are it. Another Lieut is riding over with me. We leave to-morrow. It is 300 miles.
            Hope you haven’t mailed my laundry yet. I just turned in a bag of laundry here and will see to-morrow if can get it back — dirty or clean. Will have to take a week off, borrow an airplane and backtrack to pick up the stuff strung around. My spare had a tack in it and had to be fixed. I got Marvel Lee’s letter with the pictures in it. The letters I get now look like the ones I got back from overseas with all the addresses on them. Got 6 more hours in the B-25. Will write from the new address next.
                                                            John

 

 

 

July 4, 1945

                                                Greenville S.C.
Dear Folks:                                    4 July 45
            It is not quite so warm to-day. Rained this morning so no flying. A bunch of pilots just got out of the army on points. They are now short on instructors so they will probably make an instructor out of me until the shortage is made up. The planes are B-25. The individual crewmen come here and are put to-gether in crews. After some training to-gether they are sent overseas from here.
            The club on the field is nice. It is on a high point and overlooks the surrounding territory. It has a large open patio facing east and overlooks the flight line. The temperature has been going up above 90° and air is rather humid. The only man I know here is a friend of Horridge’s whom I met in Marrakech.                                    John
            Suppose you have started harvesting or Wright has rather.

 

 

 

July 1, 1945

                                                Greenville
Dear Folks:                                    1 July 45
            left Ashville at 9 this morning & made it here in 2 hours. I ate a late breakfast in Greenville & then came out here. My last recap has a small bubble on it. Speedometer read 1220 miles from home. Oil is down about a quart which is good. Had hitch-hikers along about half the time. Have to wait until to-morrow to find out the score here. Just wrote Marvel Lee & Arlan.
                                                John
P.S. Don’t use this address yet.

 

 

 

June 30?, 1945

                                                30 June 45
Dear Folks:
            I decided to stay in Ashville, N.C. to-nite. I got here about 8 P.M. and decided I had had enough of mountain driving for one day. The highway 70 between here and Knoxville comes right over the mountains. The road was paved but boy what turns and grades! This town is in the foothills on east side of main mountains. The road had a detour between Lebanon and Carthage, Tenn. It was a natural rock road with the rocks sticking up from the road about 3 inches. I averaged 20 mph over that. Most of natives had good cars and many had R.E.A. T.V.A. has some big dams in Tenn. hence all the juice. Saw corn growing on hills that a wagon wouldn’t stick on. I’ll bet if you took some of these hill people and stood them on some flat ground they would fall on their face. After driving in the mountains awhile you can’t tell whether you’re going up or down hill except for the way the car pulls. Greenville is about 2 hrs. from here.
                                                John

 

 

 

June 30, 1945

                                                30 June 45
Dear Folks:
            I got a new Firestone tire in St. Louis & left there at noon yesterday. Tire is synthetic, of course, & $17.00. I went out to the plant with Arlan and looked around for an hour. Stayed in Madisonville, Ky. last nite and left there about 5 this morning. Highway 41 was real good and 70 N is so far. Nice scenery around here. Nashville smells & didn’t stop there any longer than I had too. All for now.
                                                John

 

 

 

June 24, 1945

                                                            F.A.A.F.
                                                            24 June 45
Dear Folks:
            Moved again! I seem to always end up back at Frederick. Lubbock got a telegram Friday for me to report back to Frederick. I got here at 7 last nite which was too late to find out what I’m back for. Won’t find out until Monday but it probably has something to do with communications.
            I miss the cool nites and cold water in each barracks that Lubbock had. I would have liked to finished the instrument course since it was a good review. I see quite a few A-26 sitting on the ramp out here. That is the new Douglas “Invader”.
            I see Abilene got in the headlines last week. You remember how the rear wheel on my car wobbled? I never did take the spare off since putting it on at home. Before coming back here Friday I put the synthetic tire back on the rear wheel. Before leaving Lubbock I was stopped twice by people to tell me my wheel was loose. I jacked it up and spun the wheel and boy did it wobble! The rim must have been bent when Arlan got the car.
            Sounds like Aunt Lou has definitely moved. Tell Wright I saw a Massy-Harris self-propelled combine here that had a little cab built on it for the operator. You better check Cappy’s blood pressure also.
                                                            John

 

 

 

June 14, 1945

                                                            Lubbock Tex
                                                            14 June 45
Dear Folks:
            Got here O.K. about 8 P.M. yesterday. The roads were very good. There are a couple stretches in Texas on 70, I think, that had 25 miles between towns. Frederick wouldn’t give me any gas but I have plenty with what Marvel Lee gave me.
            Everything looks familiar around here. It seems like I’ve lost a couple of years somewhere. I was here you know in summer of 43. I’ll start flying to-morrow. Did I mention that course is 6 weeks? I don’t know whether I’ll hear anything from the communications course or not. No one knew about it at Frederick.
            It seems it has been very dry here but wheat is making 15 to 20 per. It was averaging 25 around Frederick. I got your letter of June 10 just before leaving Frederick & rest will follow me. What did Wixom get fined for?
                                                            John

 

 

 

June 11, 1945

                                                            F.A.A.F.
                                                            11 June 45
Dear Folks:
            We got back here 8:30 PM Sunday. I went to the First Presbyterian church with the rest of the “swells” — in Atlanta I mean. Say did it ever rain at 8 this morning! The wind made a complete rotation so it blew in all windows and out to the center of the floor from each window. Good coverage.
            Got word this afternoon that I’m going to Lubbock to the instrument flying school. Didn’t get any details so don’t know whether they will authorize gas or not. I have enough anyway. Will probably leave on 13th. I checked out in the AT-6 this afternoon. That is the ship they fly at Lubbock. It is single-engine.
            How is the corn? I write from Lubbock next.
                                                            John

 

 

 

November 6, 1944

                                                            Nov. 6
Dear Folks:
            Am writing this while in an upper berth and somewhere north of New Orleans. Boy, is this a jerk-water train! Its taking us 3 days to get to Frederick — the last hour will be by bus from Vernon, Texas. And to think it took just 24 hrs to go down to Miami. Have come by way of Jacksonville, Atlanta, Montgomery, and New Orleans. We got to New Orleans 8 A.M. this morning and left at 2 P.M. so we saw some of the old French part of the town. The streets were lined with antique shops with more “old” stuff in them than England ever saw. Of course there are lots of negroes in the town. The people hadn’t seen much Air Corps from the way they stared at us.
            Crossed the Miss. on a whale of a bridge. Land is very flat around N. Orl. and grow lots of sugar cane

[additional page(s)] missing]

 

 

 

November 4, 1944

                                                            Miami Beach
                                                            Nov. 4, 1944
Dear Folks:
            Got my new assignment. It is at Frederick, Okla. I don’t know what kind of work it will be, but the field there used to be an advanced flying school like the one at Lubbock. It could be several things but as usual will have to wait & see. Frederick is in southwest corner of the State near Texas border in Red River valley. You might pack my bags and send them by express to Frederick and I can pick them up at the station. The only address I have so far is Frederick AAF, Frederick, Okla. I’ll send a complete one later but that should get the bags there O.K. Myers, a lieut. I met here is going there also and we will leave here 9:30 to-nite by Pullman. Probably take 2 days at least.
            Went deep sea fishing but didn’t catch anything. Saw college football game at Orange Bowl last nite between U. of Miami and U. of Florida. 13-0 in favor of Florida. Lots of taxi cabs here — if you can afford them. Buses are 10¢ anywhere. Military laundry 24 hrs service. Yes go ahead and cut up the grey suit. We have to file an income tax return within 4 mons after overseas & I better pay it before I spend it for something else.                                    John

 

 

 

October 29, 1944

                                                            Miami Beach
                                                            Oct 29
Dear Folks:
            Not much to report this time. Have a few lectures and pictures and then go out on the Beach in the afternoon. Took a physical exam and weighed 159 which is 9 more than usual. I haven’t been classified yet. Will get that the last part of the week. Am supposed to leave here right after our assignment so may leave the last of this week. Don’t know for sure. From what I hear I’ll be sent to an instructors school.
            Basco is still here and in the hospital with an infected hand. Went to see him yesterday & he expects to be out in a day or so. The army turned back some of these resort hotels to civilians so some of the “swells” from the east are appearing for the winter. I found Arlan a watch but haven’t been paid yet so haven’t picked it up. It is Swiss of course $59. My income tax will be $184. Might send me some blank checks of Carl’s.
                                    Yours truly,
                                                John

 

 

 

October 25, 1944

                                                            Oct 25
                                                            Miami, Fla.
Dear Folks:
            Got here about 9:30 this morning. That’s surely the way to travel. No crowds & they really take care of you. Everyone looked at the battle jacket & I think it kept me on the plane instead of a priority! Yes, meals were served on the planes. They were box lunches held in your lap. I changed planes at Dallas and Atlanta, each time taking a different airway company — Braniff, Delta, & Eastern in that order. On way down landed at Morrison Field where we left for overseas. We are staying at a former resort hotel on the beach. Haven’t started processing yet. Saw Sgt. Hale soon after arriving. I’m writing Arlan and Marvel Lee. More later.
                                                            John

 

 

 

September 27, 1944

 

 

 

September 2, 1944

                                                            2 Sept.
Dear Folks:
            Cool, clear day here like Oct. over there. The flowers are about done after blooming all summer. Sounds like you had quite a storm. Not much to write this time. I’m going on leave so don’t expect any letters for a while after this one. News over the radio is surely good to-nite.
                                    Yours truly,
                                                John

 

 

 

August 31, 1944

Dear Folks:                                    31 Aug.
            Had some more rain and this grass is really growing. I have to cut it once every 5 days with the hand snips. Horridge and Hollis are on a weeks leave and went to a rest home. Got a another man in our hut. I got another hair cut from Lt. Christensen this week. Got some more pictures back and am writing Aunt Hattie and Aunt Nellie and sending them one each. Sgt. Neff had them printed for us and got several copies of each. Watt & I went over in his new wagon to get them.
                                    Yours truly,
                                                John

 

 

 

August 27, 1944

                                                            Aug. 27
Dear Folks:
            Well, there is not much news except what you hear over the radio. It seems a bit queer to be listening to a news broadcast and look down to see the places mentioned.
            The chapel services have been moved from the lecture room to a new building to be used for chapel only. Its not fancy but new and clean. The new wagon was much better than the old but it didn’t last nearly as long. I hope Fosdick didn’t have to dig into his piggy bank to do the wiring. Sorry to hear about Holmberg and Floyd Hanson. Guess thats all for now.
                                    Yours truly,
                                                John

 

 

 

August 24, 1944

Dear Folks:                                    24 Aug.
            I suppose you have overheard some “preposterous lies put out by the decadent democracies” over the radio yesterday and to-day. But that isn’t all. This wasn’t put out over the radio but our crew got a raise in pay. Horridge made captain, Hale made Tech. sergeant and I made 1st Lt. But that isn’t the best news which I’ll have to tell you about later. Last but not least, the tomcat Lil’ Abner caught a rat. We feed him coffee cream (condensed) which we get from the mess hall. He is getting overloaded and wants to be petted all the time. Mr. B., the spaniel, got run over by a truck so Mrs. B is lonesome. All for now
                                    Yours truly,
                                                John

 

 

 

August 13, 1944

Dear Folks:                                                Aug. 13
            Sat. afternoon and surely is nice to-day. Chris got out his garbage can (for a stool) and set up a barber shop outside. I got my hair cut and then watered the grass again then set in the sun awhile. The war ran clear off the map we had on the wall so had to get another one.
            Surely glad to hear that Chestnut got his wings. You are really getting the rain. Pinks are the light grey pants. There are some yellow jacket bees around here lately and they surely get curious. They buzz around about an inch from your nose. They get so close you can feel the wind from they’re wings. I’ve gotten 2 V-mails from Aunt Hattie now that came without being photographed because she had inclosed clippings. I was just reading some clippings you sent and I had completely forgot Dana Alquist was married. We had a little dipper of ice cream last nite. It was rather poor but the first we have had since leaving the states.
            Sunday. Went to chapel. As you probably heard the Jerries had another difficult day to-day.
                                    Yours truly,
                                                John
P.S. Don’t loose this picture

 

 

 

August 10, 1944

Dear Folks: Watered the grass again. The flowers need some fertilizer I think. The 2 cats Lil’ Abner & Daisy Mae still come around every morning to be fed and sleep here most of the day. Mr. B, the cocker spaniel, is fat as a pig. He goes to every hut to get things to eat. We had a little spare time to-day so Talton, Watkinson, Hay, Kinnan, Sgt. Bascoe & I were given a plane and sent on some errands to several other fields. Saw lots of things new to us and had a good time. All for now
                                    Yours truly,
                                                John

 

 

 

August 6, 1944

                                                            Aug. 6
Dear Folks: Sat. afternoon. Just got back from cleaning the guns on the new wagon. This morning we had fresh eggs for breakfast so everybody got up for breakfast. That was good because we had an inspection coming up at 9 o’clock and had to get this joint cleaned up. I clipped the lawn again last nite. We had steak for dinner yesterday. We take an hour of PT a week now, the first we have taken since Godman Field. Doc Melvin had a dumb-bell made of cement for us in the hut so we heft it around some — the dumbell I mean. We saw a good short-subject at a movie in London. We didn’t get in at the start of the show but I think the title is “The Memphis Belle.” It[‘s] in technicolor and is a true combat film. You should see it if it comes around there.
            Just got back from a show and finished watering the grass again. The PX now takes film to develop so will see what the deal is. In the last 2 days I got you[r] July 5, 8, 22, 24, & 27 letters. The celebration I mentioned awhile ago was for a certain amount of work done in a record short time. I sent the air medal home & I don’t know whether I told you or not. Thanks for the pictures. Glad to hear it is plowing nice. The corn is hybrid, isn’t it? What is Delmar Dewey doing now? All for now.
                                    Yours truly,
                                                John

 

 

 

August 3, 1944

Dear Folks: Aug. 3. Just got a letter from Marvel Lee and one from Jo. Haven’t had one from you in a week. We just got back from London again and jumped right back in the saddle. Our cats are a caution. They jump in and out of the window at leisure. One of them climbs up the clothes and sleeps on a shelf above them. They eat and sleep all day and are gone all nite. I bought me a raincoat and a jacket. The jacket is green wool something like my blouse. The oats, barley and wheat is being cut and shocked around here now.
                                    Yours truly,
                                                John

 

 

 

July 30, 1944

                                                            30 July 1944
Dear Folks:  It rained some on our lawn again. The pansies are still blooming but some of the older plants are dying. The other nite some men in a neighboring hut started throwing clods on our tin roof. You can imagine the noise it makes. Hollis dashed out the door to catch them at it. When he came back in he found a “booby-trap” attached to the door. It had failed to go off when he went out. We immediately knew who had thrown all the “flak” at our hut since there is only one man that sets “traps” around here. The “booby-trap” was a small charge of powder like a firecracker.
            It’s a good idea to put some money in Carls for me. Yes, the M.P.s brought Dicks bike back in about a month. We had a stray cat around here 3 days ago and we fed him some milk and he disappeared. This morning he was back with a friend. We fed them and now they are chasing each other over the beds. They seem to like canned milk. I hope they don’t bring in any more buddies. The program sheet is something new they started for chapel.
                                    Yours truly,
                                                John

 

 

 

July 27, 1944

Dear Folks: Really a nice day. Very few clouds, sun shining, and a warm wind. We hung our blankets out on the fence to sun. The fence is weighed down with blankets. I’m now washing my nice wool socks myself since the Limeys traded me out of a couple of pair in the laundry. Accidental, of course. One of the men in another hut bought a big pair of shears for cutting grass. We borrowed them and they are the cats pajamas for cutting grass. I’ve had to carry water for the grass lately. I know what you are thinking but the grass doesn’t take nearly as much water as cucumbers! I have a slight cold but everyone has it. Don’t send any Christmas presents. ‘Nuff said.
                                    Yours truly,
                                                John

 

 

 

July 23, 1944

Dear Folks:                                                July 23
            I got your box last week, the tin one with candy and film in it. We had some pictures developed. Horridge sent the negatives to his wife and she will have some prints made and send them to you. It was the only way since we have an awful time getting prints made over here. I sent 2 rolls in to the Signal Corp over 2 months ago and haven’t heard a word so am not sending any more there. The little camera Horridge and I borrowed has a very clear lense so pictures were good. About the pictures (when you get them), the individual picture is of Horridge, the hut, fence, & yard is ours, the man sitting on the bed is Capt. Hollis (he is facing my bed) the man at the radio is Lt. Talton. We have a print here so you will have to ask anything else you want to know. I also had Lt. Rugg have his wife send you a couple of color pictures he took on way over. The one of the beach was on that island. Clair lives in New York and Ruggs wife in California & pictures are paid for. The color pictures are expensive but I think you’ll agree they are worth 10 times as much. (40¢ a print). I have heard the buzz-bombs but am always to lazy to get out of bed to look. They sound like an airplane. As long as the engine runs its OK, but when it stops they make an awfully “rough” landing shortly thereafter. The English kids have a song, “Praise the Lord and keep the engine running.” I used shoe polish on my bike and it did a good job.
            It sounds like the wheat did O.K. Got a letter from Jo and their’s seems to be alright too. How is the corn doing? Did you get a picture of the blower and Wrights combine? I see Roy Fowles is over here. It was a good thing it was dark when Cappy caught the pigs. I’ll bet the next day the men found they had 2 three-legged pigs. When we walked into the mess hall this noon there was a large birthday cake and a big white candle in the center. A card said “Happy Birthday, Lt. R.M. Horridge”. We sang “Happy Birthday” and ate the cake. The Special Service officer looked up Dick’s birthday & arranged the cake. Probably get a cake a day now.
            We have a new wagon now, all silver. I was mail censor for the squadron again last nite. The cocker spaniel “Mr. B.” is getting fat as butter. I don’t now why this letter is so long. Must be inspired by the rumors coming out of Deutschland to-day. We haven’t gotten any mail written between Jul. 1 and 8. Just got a letter from Marvel Lee saying she had moved. All for now.
                                    Yours truly,
                                                John

 

 

 

July 20, 1944

Dear Folks:                                                            July 20
            Slightly hazy around here today and you have to hold your hand out in front of you when you go outside. A new cat came around the squadron area. It is striped like a tiger and a bit crazy. He tried to run on the waxed linoleum in operations and jumped up and down skidding his wheels to get started. He finally got started and then couldn’t stop. All four legs went out from under him and he skidded to a stop on his belly.
            Thanks for the cookies. They came Wed. in good shape. Got some more pictures back and Clair will send them on to you again. Dick has her running quite an exchange as she has to send pictures to the rest of the men in the pictures. The small pictures are some Capt. Bush took when we went to Oxford. The family is the college prof’s I told you about. I think I wrote you their name and I can’t remember it. That is their house and 2 kids in front are the twins. The Dutch mill was taken around here.
            Got Fred’s letter. Be sure & give Wright any pictures he wants. They transferred that little plane out of here. If you get any more film save them and don’t send them right away. The new wagon didn’t last long.
                                    Yours truly,
                                                John

 

 

 

July 17, 1944

                                                            July 17
Dear Folks:
            Today is fairly warm for a change. We just got back this noon from another pass. Watkinson and I got the Proctor[*] and flew over to the base where his friend from his home town is stationed. Watt’s friend is a technical sergeant. They are from Lexington, Nebraska. Sgt. Neff was a lawyer in civilian life and had an office in Lexington, Nebr. He helped with some of the legal matters when the R.E.A. was put in there. Ray Reed did the surveying there too so he knew a few of the men I worked with that summer while working for R.E.A. He heard that Morrey White had been killed in an accident. Clarence Veach is a prisoner of war in Germany. He was a Fortress pilot. Ray Reed got a commission in the navy. Neff also knew Jean Hanna while she was teaching in highschool. We picked Neff up and flew over to London. Took a subway from the airport and was in a hotel in 45 min. Surely beats fighting for standing room on the train. We stayed in London overnite and came back this morning, dropping Neff off on the way. I bought some more socks and shorts and a pair of pinks. Having the Proctor on a pass was too good to last, I’m afraid, so some big shot will probably step in and get it next time. Your Jul 1 letter came in 10 days and June 28, 27, 26 came afterwards in that order. Hope you got harvest done O.K. Took some pictures. If you have any more 620 film send it along.
                                    Yours truly, John

[*a Percival Proctor: a British single-engine, low-wing monoplane]

 

 

 

July 13, 1944

Dear Folks: Our grass is getting nicely rooted and we have cut it twice now. The pansies and geraniums are still in bloom. Horridge was given the job of assistant operations officer so we all call him “Wheel”, the short for “big wheel”. We exchanged our heavy fleece lined clothes for some new light weight ones. The new ones are supposed to be as warm as the old but weigh only a fraction as much. We borrowed another 620 camera so if you got any more film you might send it. I didn’t understand about the binder. Did some one actually want to borrow it? The potatoes are all in bloom here. Am Reading “Cimeron” by Edna May Ferber. I’d make a good Book-of-the-Month club member over here.       John

 

 

 

July 9, 1944

                                                            July 9
Dear Folks:
            Raining again. Lt. Gillam just got his bicycle that he left in Ir[e]land over 2 months ago. He has it in the hut now cleaning and repairing it. It was pretty well banged up. I’ve ridden in an English baggage car so I know how it got that way. He was lucky to see that bike again.
            We have a new mess officer and the chow has changed for the better. We have even had 2 small steaks since then. Some one stole Horridges bike so he is riding Doc Melvin’s while he is gone. When the Limeys installed the stove in our hut they merely cut a hole in the tin roof and stuck the pipe threw it. When it rained the water poured in so we crawled up on the roof one afternoon and fixed it. It seems to be holding the water out to-day. We also painted our stove green. The walls and floor are cream. Got some good snap shots from Jo the last week
            I see Mrs. A. Alquist is the reporter for the Times in her district. All for now.
                                    Yours truly,
                                                John
We have another fellows camera that uses 620 film so took some pictures. I sent 2 roll in 2 months ago to have developed & censored & haven’t heard from them. They must have really censored them.

 

 

July 6, 1944

Dear Folks: How does this V-mail come thru compared to air-mail now? I put an air-mail stamp on the V-mail and it is supposed to go air-mail. Wonder if it does. We are re-painting our floor so have all the beds and most of the furniture pushed up in one end. It is slightly crowded and will paint the other half to-morrow. The Limeys helped us to celebrate the 4th of July. We had a Gypsy fortune teller, bingo, darts, and a beauty contest for the girls. Another Gypsy rented his horses out for riding. Civilians around here were invited to the party and quite a few came. Among them was a 9 yr. old blind boy who played the piano. I didn’t hear him but the boys said he could really play and they took up a collection for him and he got several hundred dollars.
            While all this was going on Watkinson (Watt) and I got the little monoplane again and we shot some landings. I don’t think I told you before but we have another Irishman on our crew. Name is Jack Dougherty and a good bombadier. Doc. Melvin is away on detached service so have one less in our hut for awhile. Just finished reading “One Man’s West” and now reading “I Married Adventure” by Martin Johnson’s wife.[*]   John

[*Osa Johnson]

 

 

July 1-2, 1944

                                                            July 1
Dear Folks:
            We just got back from London where we went on pass. Had a good time. We saw 3 movies. Hollis and I were going to buy some clothes to replace those we lost in the B-4 bags. However, the quarter-master store was closed for inventory (as usual) so we saved our money. We inquired around again after our bags but no luck. We had to change Red Cross Clubs because our old one was keeping a bunch of girls again. Things are very high priced in London. I paid $2.50 for a very plain, wooden hair brush.
            Your last letter of June 18 said you hadn’t gotten any letters written in June then. That mail must have really got slowed down. Who was the Raymond Adams that got married? By the way, who is the new county agent? Can Ray Hanna keep him in line? I was wondering what happened to C. Dodson. Hope your combine works O.K. and that you got some pictures of it. Suppose when you get this you will be about done combining. No, I haven’t seen any yuccas or hollyhocks. The paper is our daily sheet. July 2. Had communion service in chapel to-day. All for now.
                                    Your truly,
                                                John

 

 

June 28, 1944

Dear Folks: I don’t see how a place can get so cold and yet not freeze. I’m afraid as often as the temperature makes a pass at the freezing point, that some of these days it isn’t going to level off in time and going flowing on down. Greater love hath no man than he that gives his shoes to his friend and runs out barefoot into the mud. We were sleeping peacefully in our hut and didn’t hear of it until morning. It seems one of the men in another hut woke up and vaguely remembered hearing a siren. He roused the other occupants and donned the nearest shoes and dashed out to a trench. The shoes he wore weren’t his so another man slogged out in barefeet. The man that went out unshod also jumped out of bed into an open drawer. The hay crop here seems to be red clover. They stack it and use side-delivery rakes, tractor bucks and stacker. The stacker looks like a stationary hay loader powered by a tractor & belt. Just got a letter from Jo saying they got a 3/4 ton truck but didn’t say what make, Yours truly
                                                            John

 

 

June 22-25, 1944

Dear Folks:                                                June 22
            Took a busman’s holiday yesterday. The service outfit on the field has a small 2-place monoplane. Watkinson and I borrowed it for the afternoon and went over to another field to see a friend of his from his home town in Nebraska. The plane has about the same power as our primary trainers did. It is an English make and no one on the field knew much about it so we found out as we went along. It cruised at 100 m.p.h. and seemed like standing still. The other field was only 60 mi. away so we didn’t take a map. We got over where the field was supposed to be and buzzed around looking for it. The plane didn’t have any radio so we landed at another field to find out where we were and then had to go another 20 mi. Got there O.K. and Watt found his friend. We sat in a Spitfire and a P-38 and had more fun than a 12 yr. old at the city airport. Ate supper there and got back about sun down without landing on the way back. Watt flew over and I flew back. It was quite a relief to fly around without peeping cautiously from under a helmet. Ha!
            Yes, Charley Y. will have to use kerosene lamps for another 3 yr. to make up the recent expense. Unger better get a pair of wings when he gets so high off the ground. Got the cookies yesterday. You should have raised one of the skunks. They make dandy pets it seems. See P. Humfeld got a promotion. How did Fullington & Mark get those commisions so fast? I’m in the wrong branch, I guess.
            June 25. We just finished a little wiring in the hut. Fixed it so we have a light over the table and also can now have the radio on without having the lites on. The cookies were good. Two boxes kept them in good shape. I suppose you hear about the doodle-bombs. Our squadron got its air-medals to-day.
                                    Yours truly,
                                                John

 

 

June 21, 1944

Dear Folks: It is cold again to-day but yesterday we actually went outside without a coat. I spent most of the afternoon painting our new picket fence. We are painting it white. I even saw a couple of flies around yesterday. But that was yesterday. Today, I’m writing this while sitting by the fire. We still sleep under 4 blankets. Went to the show on the post last nite. Our Group had a celebration yesterday. Free beer, speeches, baseball, and boxing. Can’t say what it was for but it was for quite an accomplishment of the Group. Chaplain Moore went on a mission the other day. When he got back he was presented with a big bogus medal that hung around his neck like a millstone. Suppose you have started harvesting. Hope you have film to take some pictures with. The oats are [just] heading up here. Got a V-mail from Aunt Hattie yesterday and will answer it to-day.                                    Yours truly, John

 

 

June 18, 1944

Dear Folks:                                                June 18
            Our hut came off 2nd best last week in an inspection by the colonel. Horridge is now making a lattice fence about a foot high to put next to the walk in front of our yard. I think I told you Capt. Melvin (“Doc”) is in our hut. He was practicing medicine in Gulfport, Miss. before getting in the army. He did practice some in the Ozark country of Missouri and has some real stories to tell about it. One day he got a call from the country on a baby case. He found an old lady in the house and ask her where the wom[a]n [about] to have [the] baby was. She said “outside somewhere” and Doc looked out and saw her plowing. He went out and suggested she come in and he would see if everything was alright. The women came and ask Doc if he was ready. Seems that was the custom of the country. Doc said he was and she had a 14 lbs. boy. The next day Doc went out to see her again and she was plowing again. Another time a customer said he would pay Doc by letting him have all the Leghorn chickens he could catch in 10 min. So the hill billy got his watch out and Doc grabbed a rake and went to work.
            The price of laundry is exactly doubled, amounts to about $1 a week. We went to London one afternoon and came back the next morning. The only place to stand on the train was the baggage car. It had a door in either end. We went in one door and the conductor backed us out. While arguing with us, some more men went in the other door so he bustled up to the other door to eject them. The train was about to leave and we weren’t to be left so we entered the door again. The conductor was outflanked and lowered his voice and retreated to his seat in the corner and we got to town. Saw 2 shows. Surely was glad to hear that Japan was bombed.

 

 

June 14, 1944

Dear Folks:
            Just a line to say all dogs O.K. grass is growing and pansies still in bloom. The laundry is plenty slow here. As far as that goes everything is a little slow here. Even the grass is slow in growing. Saw a show the other nite. The wagon has been under the weather for some time now but think we will get her back soon. Hope you got all the hay up. Would like some of your warm weather. All for now.
                                    Yours truly,
                                                John

 

 

June 11, 1944

Dear Folks:                                                June 11
            Surely is cold to-day. We just finished cutting some more wood. I had to fall back on winter underwear since I lost my leather jacket and sweater in that B-4 bag. We have a piano in the club. A red-haired Irishman named Carson is pretty handy at playing it. We also have a fire-place and radio. Over in the theater they have wooden benches with narrow legs. The guys in the back stack these up one on another in order to see the show. If someone is clumsy in climbing on top and starts the rows of seats and men to “dominoing” everybody yells “Timber!”
            I hear our letters are being held up. Imagine you will be about ready to harvest when you get this. Be sure and get a picture of Wright’s new combine as well as yours and the new cultivator. Got a letter from Aunt Jessie. Too bad you can’t powder some strawberries instead of so many eggs. Yes we have lots of birds singing here, including skylarks. I have plenty of time to write but little to write.
                                    Yours truly,
                                                John

 

 

May 31-June 4, 1944

Dear Folks:                                                May 31
            We are on a 7 day leave. The enlisted men are in Edinborough and Horridge, Hollis, Smutsky, & I are in northern England close to Scotland. The town is small and on the edge of a lake which is surrounded by large grass covered hills. So far we four are the only U.S. soldiers here but there are a few Brit solders. There seem to be quite a few retired people living in hotels long the lake front.
            To get back to the start, we left London yesterday morning, carrying our B-4 bags the one that has clothes hangers in it & zippers. The train was crowded so we put the bags in the baggage car. After the train started Dick wanted some paper out of his so went to baggage car and brought the bag back to our seat. Everything went fine until we had to change trains at a town and went to the car and found no bags. We started tracing them thru the railroad and stayed in that town last nite to see if the bags would catch up with us. They couldn’t find them by this morning so we came on up here with just Dick’s bag.
            June 1 Had a big day to-day. Got up at 9 A.M. & had breakfast. We are staying at the George’s hotel, a small place. We pay 15 shillings ($3.00) a day for board and room. Thru the W.V.S. (Women’s Voluntary Service) we got some bicycles. Dick and Nick wanted to play some golf so I rode to the golf links with them. It was 10 mile down the valley. The road was hard surface and wound in and out around the mountains — they are not just hills. We crossed several springs coming out of the mountains and I guess that is what feeds the lakes. We stopped at a house by the road that advertised “Tea and Refreshments” and drank tea and ate bread & butter & strawberry jam & cakes. We tried to buy some eggs but the lady had a quota to fill. There are lots of flowers in bloom.
            Neither Nick nor I had any hiking clothes so Dick loaned me a sweater and wool shirt and loaned Nick a leather jacket. Incidentally, the camera and 4 roll of film were in my bag and I sure miss it. The method of notifying us when meals are ready here at the hotel is to beat on a large copper drum head. Out by the golf course the road lead up a long steep hill. Going up we pushed the bikes. Coming down, the brakes on Nick’s bike wouldn’t hold and he kept going faster and faster. Finally he turn the bike out into the grass and fell off. Golf clubs and sandwiches flew all over the place. No damage. The bike seat I had was slanted foward and I kept sliding off the seat. The hotel has hot water and a bathtub. They are short on help so lock the door at 11 P.M.
            I forgot to mention that the town we stopped at the first nite was a resort town like Coney Island, N.Y. We rode the rolley-coaster and some little racing cars.
            June 4. Our leave was cut a little short so we are back in base. Coming back on the train yesterday we got caught in the week end railroad rush so rode part of the way back in the baggage car. I have an idea for training the infantry. Give them week-end passes and tell them to get a train ride. It would be rough on infantry but the civilians would break them in and they would be tougher fightin’ men. The railroad still hasn’t found a trace of our bags. An R.A.F. Officer riding in our baggage car lost his bag right out from under his nose yesterday. It seems the conductor divides the number of bags by the number of stops and throws off some baggage at each stop, thus getting an even distribution of baggage and none that he doesn’t know what to do with at the end of the run.
            Speaking of G. Waite and his number being increased, you should see how our number jumped. I now have the product of the number of kids in our family multiplied by the sum of all members of Chris’ own family and ours. (You may have to read that again). I see Delmar made it home. Sounds like you had lots of company lately. Got another letter from Jo.
                        Yours truly,
                                    John
Got a box of cookies from Aunt Hattie.

 

 

May 28, 1944

Dear Folks:                                                May 28
            Just got back from chapel. Really a spring day here. The pup really has a temper. He gets fighting mad if pushed around any. Another pup just his size came around yesterday and Him preceded to pick a fight. The other pup wouldn’t be bluffed and soon the two were best of friends. There are two cats around here. One of them is exactly like Dinah was. Same color, same tail. The other is an enormous tomcat, tiger colored with white feet and breast.
            One of the men was kidding his wife and wrote: “It has been written a soldier that giveth a power-of-attorney to his spouse loseth both money and spouse. ” Josephine sent me some good snapshots of the family. That dagger I sent them was “bargained” out of natives where I saw Warren. The doll was boughten in London. Have them show you the “Yank” magazine & daily “Stars & Stripes”
            Well! See Leonard’s family is all married off now.
            My mail has been coming thru O.K. Hope this one gets thru without delay. The pictures were good. Now how about some of cultivator & combine. Also try mixing the family in with the machinery and livestock. How long does it take to remove the cultivator from the tractor? Yes, we get to listen to the radio. You heard what happened to the Seine, didn’t you? Yes I got the flashlite. This fixing up the huts and yards is running into competition. Everybody is doing it now. Lt. Hollis is a Capt. now. The barley is just headed up. The weather is so cool I guess it holds it back. It was planted in March. All for now.
                                    Yours truly,
                                                John

 

 

May 25, 1944

Dear Folks:
            The flashlight has been tried and found tough. Couple days after I got it I dropped it out of the plane and it fell about 7 ft. on to the pavement. Didn’t seem to hurt it at all. Watt and I went bicycle riding over to the nursery for some more plants. Got some geraniums (?), cynthias (?), and pansies (that, I can spell). On the road saw some gypsies. They had their wagons all painted up. Also stopped in at a tea room for tea. The walls were covered with dark paneling and decorated with old muskets, brass ornaments and riding trophies, spears, sabers, cowbells, mounted fox heads, etc. The cookies came on May 24. Were a little dry but good. Thanks.
                                    Yours truly,
                                                John

 

 

May 23, 1944

Dear Folks:                                                May 23
            This letter is a little late because we were on pass Sat. and Sunday. Horridge and I went to another town to see his brother, a colnel in the ground forces. Horridge has several brothers and he refers to this one as the one that “out ranks me”. We spent most of the time on the train and was it crowded! Just like U.S. The colnel was about as tall as Horridge, and a captain, friend of colnels, was a little taller than I so every time we went thru a door it would be the colonel, 1st Lt., Capt., and 2nd Lt., like the 3 bears. The colnel also graduated from West Point. He had to razz Dick about being in the Air Corp.
            Lt. Olshak (“The Mad Russian”) bought a pup so have a dog in the hut. Its 6 weeks old and as cute as a bug. It looks like a little bear and jumps around like a rabbit. There’s nothing he likes better than to crawl into our fleece lined jackets. Trying to get him house broke and it’s a job. His fur is tipped with black like Cappy’s and has a extra dark stripe down his back. He sleeps in a paste board box under Ray’s bed. Have a hole cut in the box for him to get in and when anything scares him he runs for the box.
            The film and flashlight arrived on 22nd. Thanks. Got a letter from Rev. Ellliot. That horse must be smart. You’ll have to fix up a few booby traps around there.            All for now.
                                    Yours truly,
                                                John

 

 

May 18, 1944

Dear Folks: It’s been cool lately so we are using lots of wood — it seems like a lot when we saw it by hand. Some men in our hut have been getting some fresh eggs to eat in the hut. Capt. Melvin, squadron medico, has a friend “outside” who gives him a few eggs. Some of them are big duck eggs. We put them in a canteen cup on the stove and boil them. He also arranged for a two-day laundry service for us in the hut. Being a doctor, he goes by all sorts of names such as “doc”, “pill roller”, etc. Got a letter from Aunt Nellie to-day. What is the number behind the name of a big town in an address? Just heard over the radio that temperature in Kansas City varied from 31° to 70° in a few days. Got a haircut to-day from a Lt. in the squadron. Am now reading “Action at Aquila”, a Civil War story.
                                    Yours truly,
                                                John

 

 

May 13, 1944

Dear Folks:                                                May 13
            Having some rain and warm weather so our yard is looking nice. This afternoon we transplanted 2 wild rose bushes into the yard. That is, the bushes had thorns on them and green stems. We will have to wait to see if they are roses. They also have dandelions here.
            A good percent of English men look like the Yarrows and Fowles. Have blue eyes, ruddy complexion and many have light red or sandy colored hair. One of the men got a telegram the other day saying he was a papa. It was a girl and he wanted a boy but he was greatly relieved as he had been sweating it out for a time. Horridge and 2 more men were riding bikes in formation. Horridge was lead man and other 2 were wingmen but they couldn’t follow him and got tangled up. One lost some spokes and other lost a pedal. The other day we had class in the hangar and while waiting for the instructor some pilots got in a rat race on bikes in the hangar. Full speed in & out of planes, boxes, & props. No casualties. The mechanics were scared to death. I got outside where it was safe. I can ride my bike hands-off now.
            Will have communion in chapel tomorrow. Got a couple pictures from Marel Lee showing water in Wichita. I got mixed on the dates & thot Daddy’s birthday was 10th. Horridge just got 2 roll of film. Don’t need any more vitamins. They must put vitamins in our food because I only had the one cold since arriving.
                                                John

Please send me some cookies.

            Lt. J.D. McClurkin 0693061
            391 Bomb Gr. 574 Sq.
            APO 140 PM New York N.Y.

 

 

May 10, 1944

Dear Dad: Your birthday isn’t it? I rolled my sleeves up and sat in the sun this afternoon awhile. Horridge and Hollis were finishing the yard and planting flowers in a circle we left unsodded in the center. They planted pansies and, of course, that name brought forth some satirical remarks from some other men. The sod is beginning to root. Had a good frost a couple nites ago. I see by paper you did too. Got your Apr. 28 letter to-day and an Apr. 27 V-mail from Chris & Jo. Also got a letter from Arlan and his new address. Are the strawberries doing any good this year? Sounds like the politics around there is taking on some intrigue. You might send the column about Men in Service in the “Industrialist” and please send them $3 for another year. My subscription run out in Oct., it seems. I think Arlan is now about as far from the army as one can get without being out of it. Sounds all right. Am now reading “Days of ’49” by G. Young.
                                    Yours truly, John

 

 

May ?-6, 1944

Dear Folks:
            Well, we got our lawn sodded. We found sod near a little creek here. Used an axe to mark in squares and dug it up with a shovel. Got a jeep and trailer to haul it to the orderly room and then loaded it into wheel barrows for last lap. We thot we had enough the first trip but had to go after more. Then we had too much so enlarged the yard a “bit” (“bit” is an English expression meaning anywhere from a few feet up to 20 miles). Now we don’t have enough grass so don’t know how it will come out. Like bread and syrup. They are reducing the coke for summer so we are going to be forced to cut more wood. Oh, my achin’ back! Life is rough in the E.T.O.
            Heard the first thunder here. We don’t miss it, though, because we have an authentic imitation of it. The last letter I have is Apr. 24. The vitamins and candy came May 2. Thanks. The sergeants I wrote of were gunners on the crew. A buck sergeant is next grade above a corporal and staff sergeant is next above buck sergeant. The tall man is Lt. Horridge. The 2 men without hats are the sergeants on our crew. One sergeant (tail gunner) is missing, came on the boat. The other Lt. was our “borrowed” navigator. Yes we still have chicken on Sundays. Hope your combine came in. You’ll have to tell the Sunday school class how to operate it. Yes, there are lots of flowers in bloom here, even some lilacs. Country now is really beautiful to ride thru. Is the electric Fence in working order yet? I’m not going to get a picture in London. It’s highway robbery and I’ve seen some pictures which were very poor.
            If you get 2 more film it will be enough for awhile. I’d rather have pictures taken there. Horridge is getting his wife to send some film for my camera. Got a letter from Marvel Lee saying she got the car stalled in some of that water. Where is Jr. Chestnut located?
            May 6. Our cross cut saw has been missing for sometime so have been cutting small stuff with an ax. Located the saw this afternoon so we have split wood again to-nite. Some captains that live in the hut we moved from wouldn’t help cut wood while we were there and now come over and sit by our fire. Grrrrr! Have a slow leak in my front tire but can’t find it. English products are certainly cheap quality. All for now.
                                    Yours truly,
                                                John

            Please send me some cookies.
                        Lt. J.D. McClurkin
                        391 Bomb Gr. 575 Sq.
                        A.P.O. 140 New York N.Y.

 

 

April 30, 1944

Dear Marvel Lee:                                                April 30
            As I told you I just moved into a new hut. We have lights now and radio. Have 6 men in the hut so far, among them are Horridge, Hollis and Watkinson. I mentioned Hollis and Watkinson before when we went to Tampa over Christmas. We have been spending our spare time fixing up the hut and working on the yard. We put up some shelfs and padded a bench we have. We are going to sod our yard if we can find the sod. Horridge nailed a shelf on the back of our dresser — we share one
            Was supposed to get paid to-day but something held it up. We have bright blue curtains for blackout curtains — pretty fancy, what? I got the film from home in 2 weeks. It must have come airmail. Some fellows letters have reached home in 5 days. The cookies surely were good but the can wasn’t big enough. The weather has been pretty nice last week, even got a little sun tan while working on the yard. I bought a bike last time in London. Watkinson and I went riding one afternoon and of course got lost in the maze of crossroads and turns. An army truck from our base finally came along so we threw our bikes in back and jumped on. Arlan said he was in Milwaukee. He didn’t know what the work was when he wrote but it should be a better prospect than India. I worked on St. Francis. What are Colemans working on now? Some evening could you see if you could find Mr. & Mrs. Clyde Schimmel. The ***last address I have is 2308 Laura. I’ve written them several times but have never got an answer. You met them, I believe. Got letters from Aunt Jessie, Aunt Hattie, Aunt Nellie. Must have been Aunt week. Saw in the paper where you had a whale of a lot of extra water in town.
                                    Yours truly, John

Please send me some cookies.

            Lt. J.D. McClurkin
            391 Bomb Gs. 574 Sq.
            APO 140 c/o New York N.Y.***

[***this small portion was originally paper clipped together with an April 5 letter, but I believe it goes here as a second page to Dad’s letter to Marvel Lee — writing about the Schimmel’s address in Wichita.***]

 

 

April 21, 1944

                                                            April 21
Dear Folks: Nice day to-day. Got back from another pass day before yesterday. Went to London Monday nite and stayed at the Dutchess Club, a Red Cross hotel. It only costs 80¢ per nite for a bed and there is a good snack-bar there. Capt. Bush, Lt. Hay, & I told the lady at the desk that we were going out to Oxford to visit the university, so she phoned up there to arrange a guide and we went out on the train the next morning. Got here about noon. Our guide was a girl that worked at a hospital there. She had a day off so could show us around.
            It was vacation time at the university to we didn’t see many students. The college is composed of several original colleges. Of course everything is ancient but it is well kept and clean. The education system is very liberal, something like Chicago U. The students do things on their own time.
            The girl’s father is a professor in mathematics there. She took us out to her home for tea. They had 5 different kinds of cakes with the tea as well as home made jelly and bread & butter. After all the walking we ate like harvest hands. The family, besides Mr. & Mrs. Chaundy, were a 19 yr. boy, 16 yr. old boy and 13 yr. old twins, boy & girl, and our guide, who was 21. They have a lovely home with a big lawn & garden. The 4 youngest children were evacuated to U.S. during the London blitz and came back last fall. They lived with relatives in Boston. They were certainly not “reserved”, as the Englishmen are supposed to be. The whole family talked fast and we had to listen closely to understand what they said because of the accent. We came back to London that nite & stayed at the Duchess Club again. 120 U.S. girls, red cross workers, had arrived for the night. Ummm!
            Tell Willmans I got their letter and will answer later.
            Monday, April 24. Got your airmail letters of 11 & 13th & the cookies yesterday. Thanks. I ordered the flowers back where I saw Warren S. & they did the choosing. Heard you had a big snow again this week. Your V-mail of Apr. 14 came in 9 days.
                                    Yours truly,
                                                John
We just moved into a brand new hut & no lites yet & its so dark I can hardly see what I write

 

 

April 14, 1944

                                                April 14
Dear Folks: Friday. Got 2 of your letters (28 & 15th) and Arlan’s and Marvel Lee’s. I think the weather is better here than there. Saw in April 12 paper that Kans. was having floods. Went to a USO stage show last nite in our theater. Three girls danced and sang and a ventriloquist and his dummy put on a dialogue. He could roll the dummy’s eyes as well as work its mouth and turn its head. He had a good tenor voice and had the dummy singing songs. I think he is better than Edgar Berggen. That was the second USO show I’ve seen here and they are pretty good. The personnel aren’t Hollywood celebrities but not nearly as amateurish as the best English stage shows. Our theater is just a hut twice as long as our residence and have benches with no backs. Its called “Radio City” after the place in New York.
            The Red Cross opened up a nice club on the field for the enlisted men with a snack nar for officers. Horridge had an accident with the bike. Was riding beside our navigator and got tangled. Broke 5 spokes but has them fixed. We took a bike ride out in the country one evening. Englishmen seem to like to raise ducks. I sent Jo a package this week. Mine hasn’t come yet. My cold is all gone. I wrote Fred Y. also. Yes, I left the 12th but I don’t know how Aunt Hattie knew. Same day Arlan went to Leavenworth, wasn’t it? Yes, I could use a flashlight. Don’t send any batteries as we have plenty.
            Go a letter from Alma Robinette. She said she met 2 men that graduated with me but failed to mention their names. Said Jane wrote one or two letters a day to her husband. Sunday. Rainy. Went to chapel. Had chicken soup & soda biscuits for dinner. Actually got a Hershey bar in PX ration last week.

 

 

April 9, 1944

                                                            April 9
Dear Folks:
            Sat. afternoon. Tomorrow is Easter and we are surely having Easter weather this afternoon — after quite a bit that wasn’t. How do you like this bilious stationary? It’s so big I don’t know how I’ll cover it. The 3 enlisted men in our crew got an advancement from buck sergeant to staff sergeant, which makes them happy. Got your V-mail of 25th on the 8th. Also got an airmail from Chris & Jo with 2 pictures in it. One was Karen in her high chair and the other was of you both and Karen & Cappy. Speaking of dogs, the men that have the brown spaniel planted some sod outside their hut especially for the pup. The pup’s owner is assistant operations officer and comes from Maryville, Mo. Guess that clears up the report this week on the dog situation. Horridge made a sea shell necklace and charm bracelet for his wife. He also pounded a silver coin into a ring.
            Why don’t you keep a roll of film & borrow a camera to take some pictures of animals, tractor, etc. around there? I sent $300 about 4 days ago in a postal money order. Hope you got it. My money has caught up so that will be the last big amount I’ll send. Finished 2 more books: One of them a biography of Thomas Jefferson. I’m getting a good review of American history. All for now.
                                    Yours truly,
                                                John

 

 

April 5, 1944

Dear Folks:                                                April 5
            Warm and windy to-day after a rain last nite. Things are greening up. Went to London again for 3rd time. I don’t spend all my time there, though. If you need it you might as well keep some of this 300 and invest it. Give the church $20 too. Horridge got a package yesterday addressed to him at Godman & contained a telescoping device to keep track of his baby’s (7 mos.) height. Was a Christmas present.
                                    Yours truly,
                                                John

Please send me some cookies.
            Lt. J.D. McClurkin

[orphaned 2nd page of another letter that was filed in order with this one]

last address I have is 2308 Laura. I’ve written them several times but have never got an answer. You met them, I believe. Got letters from Aunt Jessie, Aunt Hattie, Aunt Nellie. Must have been Aunt week. Saw in the paper where you had a whale of a lot of extra water in town.
                                    Yours truly, John

Please send me some cookies.

            Lt. J.D. McClurkin
            391 Bomb Gs. 574 Sq.
            APO 140 c/o New York N.Y.

 

 

April 1, 1944

                                                            April 1
Dear Folks: Thurs. Had some spring weather then turned cold like Kans. We landed at another field and stayed over nite and then back here. We surely have a collection of doggies around here. Saw one in another squadron to-day. He is just a pup and looks like a little bear, cocks his head on one side to look at anything and goes off to sleep in a twinkling when things get dull.
            Your letter of Mar 20 came thru in 10 days Airmail. The V-mail isn’t too regular. It comes all in a bunch so some of it is on time & rest is late. Also got letter from Arlan. Which Fred Martin had a sale? I thot Fred Sr. sold out a few yrs. ago Don’t send me gum. Being on combat crew can get more than I can chew. Not that we waste it, however. Hope your face is better. Also, don’t send me soap, tooth powder or brushes or razor blades since I brought a lot over in my trunk. Hope the film gets here O.K. Picture of Red Cross “Clubmobiles” in Feb. “Life” looked very familiar. Red Cross surely doing a good job over here, Tell Hank. Did I tell you the overseas issue of “Life” is printed on thin paper & no advertisements? Got paid $133 for trip over here. And of course transportation was furnished! Also got monthly pay this week. We have changed the name of our plane to “Dragon Wagon” and will have a dragon painted on it. We are each painting our names under our windows. The planes in this group have some real names: “Wogpatterass”, “Sam Cran”, “Swoose”, “Huntress”, “Mad Bull”, “Pop’s Wagon”, “Ill Wind”, “Grinnin’ Gremlin”, “Belle of Mt. Rainer”, “Screamin’ Demon”, “Beachcomber” and more I can’t think of now. A traveling PX of officers clothes came around to-day and I went over and bought 2 shirts for our radio gunner. Hope Chris & Jo have place to themselves by now.
                                    Yours truly,
                                                John

 

 

March 25, 1944

Dear Folks:                                                Mar. 25
            Fine day to-day, must be about 60° outside. The farmer across the fence is planting potatoes. He uses some kind of commercial fertilizer. The trees are starting to bud so guess spring is on the way.
            We went to London again Wed. and Thurs. Saw more of the town this time. Went thru Westminister Abbey. Was somewhat disappointed in it. It was dark inside and had a very musty odor. It would probably be better in peace time. Of course saw the graves and memorials of noted persons. Right next to the Abbey is the Parliment and “Big Ben” clock. In the square by the Abbey is a statue of Abraham Lincoln. We also went to see Madame Toussoud’s wax museum. Was a very interesting place. There are wax figures of many English, American, and French notables. The figures are life size and very real looking. On a casual glance you would think the figures were alive. We ate at Grovenor House Officers Mess. It is a large ballroom converted over to a cafeteria. The main floor is about as large as Huntress Park auditorium and covered with tables.
            Just got yours & Marvel Lee’s letter (Airmail) of Mar. 9 and Arlan’s V-mail of Mar. 12. I sent you $300 in U.S. postal money orders so let me know if you get it. I sent it first week of March. Ask the post master but I think the limit on dimensions is a sum of 36 in. such as 18 in. by 9 in. by 9 in. Wt. is 5 lbs. I think. Notice my new A.P.O. number. Some of the men moved out of our hut so now have more space, which was needed. I sent some pictures and negatives last week and hope you get them. Wish I could tell you where I took them but can’t for security reasons. They were taken on this side, however. The other lieutenant in the picture was Lt. Bye, the navigator we borrowed from A.T.C. to get us here. He was really good, a born navigator. He was back in New York a few days after leaving us over here. The pictures of Karen were good. Suppose Chris & Jo are moved by now. Be sure to slip some vitamin pills in the cookies. The only way we can get to-gether with anyone over here is to write them thru their APO and arrange a meeting in London. London is the only town we can mention in a letter because of security and most men are quite a ways from London so getting together is just luck. I got your birthday card but no telegram. I’m glad I’m not in India, too. You can tear this off.
                                    Yours truly,
                                                John

                                    Please send me some cookies.

                                                John D. McClurkin
                                                2nd Lt. A.C.
                                                APO 140, New York, N.Y.

 

 

March 19, 1944

Dear Folks:                                                Mar. 19
            Just got your letter of Mar 6 saying you got my V-mail from England. I should be getting some letters soon by the new APO number. I’ve only sent one or two V-mail and rest have been airmail. Got my pictures back last week. They were developed by the army and censored so believe they will get thru O.K. I am keeping negatives of some and prints of others and will send them a few at a time.
            James Cagney of the movies was here a few minutes last week. One of the men in another hut bought a cocker spaniel pup. Same kind as the black dog I told you about. This one is taffy colored and is about a month old so his ears are about as big as he is. The enlisted men have a little mongrel pup. Surely is cute. They are going to make him a coat and take him along on raids. I was alert officer one day last week so spent half of one nite censoring mail. Surely had a lovely day on St. Patricks day. Wasn’t a cloud in the sky and we had doors and windows open. Did I tell you we dress up in blouses for evening meal? The mess hall has some pot bellied stoves and we always toast our bread by holding it on a fork against the stove.
            Sounds like our weather is a lot better than yours. Got Marvel Lee’s new address to-day. Not much going on. Will write to Marvel Lee & Arlan. Got a V-mail from Jo of Feb 29.
                                    Yours truly,
                                                John

 

 

March 12, 1944

Dear Folks:                                                March 12
            Hope you’re getting my letters by this date. You should be. We cut some more wood day before yesterday. Cut the blocks shorter this time and it works a lot better in the stove. Each crew now has a bicycle issued to it. It is an English make and has the brake on the handle bars instead of on the pedals as the American bike. We take turns riding it. Horridge was coming back from a class last nite and stopped at a corner to let some cars pass. When he stepped off the pavement he went into a 5 ft. ditch. He sat up in the ditch and started to laugh at himself but then his feet started to get wet and he decided it wasn’t so funny. He had just written his wife about the real blackouts and that a man was foolish not to carry a flashlight.
            Have quite a time getting a fire started. When the lid is lifted it cuts the draft off. By the time 9 men do this to see how the fire is coming its out. We could wire the lid down but then the fuel couldn’t be put in and no one could see how the fire was coming! Ha!
            Got your letter of 26 and Marvel Lee’s of 22 saying she was changing jobs. Sounds like more work but I think she liked Knightly to work for better than anyone. Probably be interesting to change jobs anyway. Will keep writing her at same address or rather her house address since she will probably get it.
            You probably have quite a few pigs on hand by now. Got a roll of Dispatches up to Dec 29. You’ll have to write some of the paper news in your letter. Hope you got my letter asking for vitamins. I have a light cold and could use them. I wrote Aunt Hattie and Willmans, also Jo & Chris this last week. Your mail has been coming thru good, about 14 days average and every once in awhile a letter written in Jan. It may come through a little straighter on the new APO number.
            We got a 48 hr. pass last week and took the train to London. Went Mon., stayed that night and came back the next day, Horridge, Kinzer, Goodwin, Hollis, and I went together. Hollis is the one I took the trip with over Christmas. London looks very much like Chicago except there are no high buildings. We stayed at the Strand Palace Hotel. It was just like our big hotels. An elevator is a lift. A flashlight is a torch. We rode the underground — subway to you. The hours were wrong for sight seeing. Will have to go in earlier next time.
            Heard over radio it was 40 below in N. Dakota. Incidentally the address letters were D for dog and Z for zebra — as we say it over the inter-phone. It evedently didn’t hold the mail up though. Suppose Chris & Jo are moved by now. Hope the draft board don’t start worrying Chris. From what we hear over the radio, the draft boards are getting hard pressed. I’ll bet it would be easier to be President than serve on the draft board. So far your guesses as to where I was going were slightly off. We came that way on account of the weather. How about a picture of the tomcat & dog? Warren S. told me he was moving up there. He left the day after I talked to him, I think.
            One of the new men in our outfit is quite a card. He lives in our hut and imitates cowboys from Texas. When he comes in the door he swaggers and says “Howdy, po’dner” in a deep voice. He comes from Mississippi.
            Went to chapel this morning. Just got a letter from Rev. Elliot saying Art Brown had been lost in action. I should write him [Rev. Elliot] this week. Also just got your V mail of 29. Only 12 days to get thru. All for now.
                                    Yours truly,
                                                John

 

 

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

 

 

March 4, 1944

Dear Folks: March 4
Has been cold all week. The sun shown part of the time but the wind blew hard and had a few snow flurries to-day. We were issued a “battle” jacket this week. It is made like that gabberdine jacket I gave Arlan. It is wool and lined and grayish brown in color. It has buttons instead of a zipper but a flap buttons over the front, using the same buttons as front and it is very warm. Also got an issued pair of 4-buckle overshoes with black cloth tops like ones we used to get years ago. Since putting the winter underwear on I can’t button the top 3 buttons of my pants since they were fitted in the summer.
Am reading a book, “Fairwell To Arms”. Ha! We get a 2 sheet paper “Stars and Stripes”. Published daily by U.S. Army and has a lot of news in it. Also get weekly magazine “Yank” another Army publication. Arlan can buy it for 5¢ at the PX. Got a letter from Arlan saying he & Elliot were going to the Vet. school. Sounds pretty good. Also got Jo’s cake. Tell her thanks. It was fruit cake so wasn’t dry. I’ll write her again soon. Also got Aunt Hattie’s cookies & Marvel Lee’s tooth powder. Got another tetnus shot to-day! Not much doing to write about — Yours truly,
John
Got your V mail to-day of Feb 21

Note, a change [A.P.O.] 140
Mar 4
Dear Chris & Jo: Windy and warm to-day after a rain last nite that made things a little messy. The rain makes a noise on our tin roof. I just got back from London again. It may seem to you I spend most of my time in London but it isn’t so! We get a 48 hr. pass every so often and thats about all I can write about. That was the 3rd trip. I went to a good movie: “Madame Curie”.
We have a nice officer’s club on the field. Soft chairs, hot fire, and radio. Nice place to relax and read. Things are greening up around here. Hope your place is getting straightened up somewhat. Thanks for the valentine. See your address has changed. Who lives on our old place? Is your barn or other out buildings wired? Your last letter was Mar. 12. You probably got my letter saying the cake got here in good shape. Since when did Kansas have a duck season in March??? There’s an open season over here right now and we are the ducks. Ha! I know what a duck feels like now — only a poor old duck doesn’t have any armor plate under his fanny. Horridge got a package yesterday addressed to him at Godman & contained a telescoping device to keep track of his baby’s (7 month old) height! Was a Christmas present. Wished it was cookies. {Not a hint
Yours truly,
John

 

 

February 27, 1944

                                                            Feb 27
Dear Folks:
            We are going to ground school. It is raining some now. Three of the men in our hut are old hands that have been over here awhile and came into our outfit to show us the ropes. Two of them are co-pilots and one first pilot and all nice fellows. They try to be patient but have to let us know now and then that they think we are pretty green. Ha! One of co-pilots is a farmer from Indiana.
            The farmers here are plowing also. One right across the fence uses a 2-plow on spade lugs. It looks like the old 10-20 except it is fairly new. The mold boards are longer than ours. They stack their wheat in rectangular stacks and put a thatch gable-roof on them.
            Went to a show last nite. The stove in our hut is in the center so we did some moving of furniture to get lots of space around the fire. We named our plane “BOA” but it doesn’t look like we get to fly our own so we are a little disappointed. We do lots of walking. Its probably a good thing, because it keeps us in shape. We cut our own wood. It is hard wood something like hickory and splits like oak. I bought me a pair of high shoes. They are grain leather and some higher than regular high shoes. Cost 1 lb.-5 shillings-6 pence or $5.10. Also got some heavy ribbed wool socks for 45¢. They are olive green & nice looking. I sent that film roll in to get developed.
            Went to chapel this morning. Our chaplain came over with us from Godman Field. We have services in the lecture hall and of course it isn’t heated so we leave our coats and gloves on. The melodian is a portable model and can be folded and carried like a suitcase. Had fried chicken for dinner. Our chow is better than ordinary army chow because we get combat rations. Once in awhile we even get fried eggs. Since we had a little time off after dinner we went out to the woodpile and cut some wood. Have a good 6 ft, cross-cut saw and cut blocks off of stove length. Good exercise! The last letter I have is Feb 15 and it doesn’t sound like you made a very close guess as to where I was going. Have gotten two or three letters from Chris & Jo. Also some from Aunt Hattie, Aunt Jessie, also a birthday card from Mrs. H.H. Cowell of Mite Society.
            Incidentally, I’m in the 9th Air Force so you can read it in the paper if we do anything spectacular. Ha! Also got a letter from Rev. Elliot. Also got one of your V-mail letters written Jan 15. It had an airmail stamp on it & came without being photographed. This letter is disjointed because I’m re-reading & answering your letters that were here when I came. Incidentally, I think some V-mail I sent may go as a regular letter so am sending airmail now. Sounds like your hens are laying good. These bomb trailers would surely make good ones to haul feed on. Suppose Chris and Jo are moving. How are my letters from here being censored? I have to censor some enlisted men’s mail so am wondering how my own are doing. Karen must be growing up fast. I don’t think the cookies will follow me over.
            Most of the local farmers, men & boys, wear gum boots. We burn wood with the coke and use the coke over & over until there is nothing left but wood ashes & few clinkers. Keep this since I’m writing both Marvel Lee & Arlan.
                                    Yours truly,
                                                John

 

 

February 20-24, 1944

                                                            Feb 20
Dear Folks:
            Well, finally got to our destination. The wind’s howling over our hut to-nite and we are sitting by a coal stove about the size of a 5 gallon can. We live in a “Nissen” hut which looks like an inverted half-cylinder. It is tight so even though we can’t heat it, it isn’t so bad. The coal is rationed to a small three shovels a day and it is coke at that and hard to start. We can only have a fire from 4:30 P.M. on until bedtime. We shave by putting a canteen cup of water on the stove to heat it. The officers mess is a nice long walk from the “Canary Cottage” (our hut) and it also contains the showers.
            The radio really comes in handy. We hear all the best American programs thru a re-broadcast over here. Some of the best music comes from German stations. If they only knew how they were lifting our morale! The current here is 230 v. so have the radio in series with a light bulb. The chow is good and served cafeteria style. We get the modern eggs instead of the old ones you have to crack (Bob Hope)
            Man, did I get a load of mail! Didn’t get the cake or cookies. Suppose they’re at Fort Knox. Was surprised to hear of Uncle Chris’ death. Got several birthday cards. Hope you are over your flu by now. Our sunshine days are over I guess since the sun rarely shines.
            While I think of it, could you send me some good vitamin pills? What we need is a sun lamp but the restrictions on over seas packages is 36 in. over all (total length, width and thickness) and 5 lbs. Send them along with some cookies, if possible, and show this paragraph to the mail clerk when you mail it. Wrap it strong. That sunshine got me over my flu in a hurry. Keep sending me the “Men in Service” column. The mail service from here should be good. My mail probably won’t leave England for 10 days for security reasons. Where were some of your guesses as to where I was going? Got my winter underwear on now. Airmail & V-mail get here about same, I believe. I like V-mail fine & if it isn’t more trouble keep sending it. Don’t send this to Marvel Lee & Arlan since I’m writing to them. The last letter I had is Feb. 7 — less than 2 weeks coming by airmail. The picture is of honey bears.
            Was just interrupted by an air raid which looks & sounds for all the world like a big line storm.
                                    Yours truly,
                                                John
Note the new APO #638

                        Note: A.P.O. 638                                    Feb. 24
Dear Marvel Lee:
            Got to our destination and surely did have a stack of mail. The last letter I got from you told about the rats getting the lost cake. We can have cookies sent but you have to show the post master our request and box cannot be larger than 36 inches overall (sum of length, width & height). I wrote the folks for some cookies so you needn’t bother.
            My radio is surely nice. The current here is 230v so we put the radio in series with a light bulb to get 110v. We get all the big programs from the States thru a re-broadcast. English stations also have good music. A large percent of music heard from the continent is classical — waltzes, and played by string orchestras. Some German stations put out the latest American music mixed in with propaganda.
            The land is gently rolling, about like Clay county and main crop here seems to be wheat. Most work is done by tractors, and horses are big draft horses with long hair below the knee. Haven’t see the cows yet. Could you buy a photography magazine at a newstand and see if you can send east for some 620 film? We can take lots of pictures over here. Keep this letter since I wrote both Arlan & the folks. V-mail is okay Don’t know whether V-mail or Airmail is fastest yet.
                                    Yours truly,
                                                John

 

 

February 19, 1944

Dear Folks:
            How do you like this V-mail. Send me some sometime. We Finally arrived in England and it seems like getting back to civilization. Even though everybody speaks English it doesn’t mean you can always understand it.
            We finally got some “good” weather — you should see what a “good” day is here — and got here without incident. Its about 40° outside and a good brisk wind. The hotel we are staying at to-nite has no heat and no hot water. That is a matter of course it seems. This isn’t our station so don’t [know] what it will be like. Of course everybody drives on the wrong side of the street. The streets are just wide enough for 2 cars. Think I’ll have to get out that winter underwear. The grass is green here but I don’t see how it does it. I here you had a blizzard. Shouldn’t stay cold for long afterwards, however. All for now.
                                    Yours truly,
                                                John

 

 

February 13, 1944

                                                            Feb. 13
Dear Folks:
            Still in the same place. Weather is holding us up. I ran into a bombadier that was in Bks. 1700 in S.A. He got his commission in June and is now in a B-17.
            Several crews going thru here had bought monkeys in South America and had to leave them here so they built a large cage and put them all to-gether. The nites are too cold, however, and they are dying one by one. One of the pets is a Honey Bear which I told you about before. It surely likes candy.
            To watch the natives you would think them industrious because they walk at a sort of dog-trot. Industry isn’t apparent in their dress, however.
            To get breakfast we have to get up by 6:30 and it is just getting light then. So far, I’ve been waking up just in time. Breakfast is the best meal they have — either fried eggs & pork, hot cakes & sausage or French toast & pork. I imagine the post saves a lot of money by having breakfast so early.
            We pass the time by working around the plane or laying in the sun & reading. Its always a question whether to take a shower in the morning when the water is hot and the air is cold or wait until evening when it is visa versa. This morning we moved to another tent where another crew was that we knew. This tent has an electric light. Before we used candles. After moving we all went to chapel. It too has a melodian.
                                    Yours truly,
                                                John
Got a haircut & shampoo for 48¢ U.S. Toilet paper is rationed.

 

 

February 5, 1944

                                                            Feb. 5
Dear Folks:
            Well, we are in a cooler climate again. North Africa now and the Atlas Mountains south of here show up white under a coat of snow. The weather is very moderate, however. It gets up to 70° every afternoon and goes down to about 45° every nite. This is apparently the dry season. Everything is covered with red dust but there are lots of tropical plants and trees around including a large olive grove in which we are camped. What a garden could be made out of this place with some modern machinery and some irrigation dams! The is a large spring right here in the grove.
            We live in tents so have 5 thicknesses of blankets over us at night — 2 blankets doubled and one single. Sleep on canvas cots but have a big straw tick under us. Song birds must winter here because the trees are full of them! Can buy all the fruit juice we want at the PX. All other items are rationed.
            We all went to town the other day for sight seeing and to “cheat the natives”. Ha! These Arabs are the best “horse” traders in the world. They peddle their wares on the streets and have brass and silver trinkets and camel skin leather goods with all kinds of designs and dyed colors. They start with a price 6 times too high then ask you for your “last price, last price?” I got a knife for $2 which was worth about $1. The native buildings are mud adobe. The transportation is horse and donkey or bicycle. The French buses are charcoal burners.
            Was walking by Operations and saw a fellow jump on a bicycle. He had dark glasses on and I wasn’t sure who he was, but I called out “Warren” and sure enough it was Warren Smith. He said he might get home in the near future. He is in the Air Transport Command. How did Ground Hog Day come out?
                                    Yours truly,
                                                John
Have a fair sun tan again.

 

 

January 30, 1944

                                                            Jan. 30
Dear Folks:
            I sent Marvel Lee a letter from here and you may have it by now but I’m still in west Africa. Three of us of our crew went to chapel this morning. The chaplain is a captain. For music there was a melodian.
            There is a steady wind from one direction and the temperature runs from 65° to 80°. We went to the beach yesterday. Took a dip in the ocean and hunted for sea shells along the beach. The sand is white and water was pretty cool.
            Went thru a native town on the way to the beach. Living conditions are pretty primitive. Many natives (negroes) wear long kimonos that are sleeveless and split up the sides to knee height. They all wear necklaces, bracelets and arm bands with charms on them called “giddy-giddy”. Quote: “Giddy-giddy good. Get knife in belly, no die. Go to boom-boom (war), no die. Go way out on water, no die if have giddy-giddy. White man good. American, plenty good.” Unquote. They are all very superstitious (spl?).
            The food is G. I. but good. Guess thats all now.
                                    Yours truly,
                                                John
The note is worth 10¢
Notice where is was made.

 

 

January 28, 1944

                                                            Jan 28
Dear Marvel Lee:
            Am now in Africa. There is some malaria here so we take all kinds of precautions. Rub on mosquito repellants, spray the plane and under the bed net, sleep under a net and wear leggings to keep the mosquitoes off our ankles.
            The natives here are so black they don’t even shine. They speak French and English. The country is open around here but has a few of the damdest trees you ever saw. They are short and knarled with no leaves and big thick branches and a trunk about 10 ft. thru. They have no bark and are the color of stone so that from a little distance they look like petrified trees. There are birds here that look and sound like crows only they have white breasts.
            The natives were having a “war” dance the other nite and were beating their tom-toms. They carry everything on their heads and walk at a dog trot to keep it balanced.
            That is about all I can say. I won’t get any mail until we arrive at our destination. Send this home or to Arlan.
                                    Yours truly,
                                                John
P.S. The 5 Franc notes are worth 10¢ a piece.

[in his mother’s handwriting] John left U.S.A. the 10th of Jan should get located soon.

 

 

January 24, 1944

                                                            Jan 24
Dear Folks:
            We crossed the equator and are now in Brasil. Flew over some pretty dense jungle. Miles & miles of solid trees. The country around here is dry and sandy like west Texas so am right at home. The weather is very nice and I am getting a sun tan. The natives here are friendly. They are small and brown skinned. They are very short waisted and have short necks.
            The barracks here are open and there is also an open air theater. We get lots of fruit — bananas, oranges and pineapples and fruit juices. I sent a cable gram (60¢) which I hope you got. Can’t think of any thing else so will close.
                                    Yours truly,
                                                John
P.S. The dollar bill is worth about 80¢ and Brasilian is worth 25¢

 

 

January 18, 1944

                                                            Jan. 18
Dear Folks:
            Still here. We went to [censored] to-day. The population is largely negro and speak English. By our standards things are filthy but they seem content with it. The kids follow us around in bunches asking for pennies. The whites and many negroes ride bicycles.
            We rented bicycles for 12¢ an hour and rode around the town. There are also some small English cars which looked like a cross between an Austin and a Ford. The steering gear is on the right and all traffic is on the left. They also drive some miniature donkeys which are about the size of a 4 months old calf. They are light grey in color.
            The kids all say “Hi, Joe. Got a penny?”
            The ants are plenty thick here. All native houses and the barracks on the post are built on stilts. The jungle comes right up to the edge of the field and it is impossible to walk thru it. There are birds and animals here that I have never heard of. Some of the G.I.s on the field have the animals for pets. Several have “Spider” monkeys which are about the size of a cat and have a fuzzy tail 18″ long. The boys tie strings around the monkeys middle and carry it on their shoulders. About the cutest one is the Honey bear. It is brown and about twice as large as a cat. It has a long nose like a razor-back hog and lives on insects. They are also very fond of candy and will dig it out of your pocket. The boys have a pair of them in the hangar and they have the run of the place. Their names are Eleanor and Oscar.
            There is some hard wood in the jungle that won’t even float. Guess thats all for now.
                                    Yours truly,
                                                John
How long did this take to get thru?

 

 

January 14, 1944

                                                            Jan. 14
Dear Folks:
            Well, we are out of U.S.A. — South America for a [censored] location It is strictly tropical here. Have been taking atabrine (quinine sub.) since leaving U.S. We don’t wait for symptoms of malaria to show up but take the atabrine every day. The barracks are open all around and screened. The humidity is pretty high and we are back to summer kakis. We can get about any of necessities in the P.X. They have no hot water for showers but water is about 60°.
            They all drive on the wrong side of the street! We were first acquainted with the fact when riding in a truck. We were going around a sharp curve when –zoom– another truck comes at us and passes on our right side. They say the fishing is a sporting proposition here — [censored]. Half the time you get the fish into the boat and take him home and eat him. The rest of the time the fish gets you into the water & eats you.
            Navigation was made simple by a colonel this afternoon. He was using a map showing one half land & other half water. He said you couldn’t miss because the ocean was so big you couldn’t help but see it and the continent was so big you couldn’t miss it!
            Pass this on to Marvel Lee. We probably won’t be here long. Suppose Arlan is located and becoming G. I.
                                    Yours truly,
                                                John

 

 

January 10, 1944

 

 

January 8, 1944

                                                            Jan. 8
Dear Folks:
            We are still here. Have been trying to leave every day since Wednesday but some little thing would show up on the ship that would have to be corrected and so it went until Sat. When we were all set to go yesterday it started raining. It has stopped this morning so we may get away.
            I met a man here that I hadn’t seen since 1939. He was standing in the mess hall and I remembered his face and name, McLaughlin but couldn’t remember where I saw him before. We got to talking and found out we had been in Prof. Cardwell’s Physics class in 1938. He is a captain and bombadier. In a show the other nite they flashed on a “Community Sing” reel which consists of words of songs on the screen with music and the audience is supposed to sing. Then it would designate the boys to sing one line and the girls the next so the G.I.s sang the “girls” lines in falsetto. When a picture of Frank Sinatra was shown they screamed in falsetto.
            Had a touch of the flu. Since we were waiting for the plane we had nothing to do so I stayed in most of the time and am O.K. now. Horridge has been telling his wife goodbye every day and then calls her up in the afternoon to say he’ll be home that evening.
            I won’t get any mail until we get over. I don’t suppose they’ve sent you my A.P.O. number yet. Did you read the article in Jan. R. Digest about the Ascension Island? Well, things are kinda slow around here so guess that’s all for now
                                    Yours truly,
                                                John