Maxwell's Letters Home

Feb. 17, 1944(3) – 1400 – MolMab

EDITOR’S NOTE: The letter below was written by Mollie Bartlow to Mable Byrd (Both were aunts of Winfred/sisters of his father – G.D. Maxwell). It includes many names from the previous generation. It was included with the letter Winfred had sent to his Uncle Norman (G.D.’s eldest brother) on Feb. 8th. Norman wrote on the back of Winfred’s letter, then sent it to G.D (his brother) with a comic, an article, this, and another letter later. It is being posted on the date it was written. Feb. 17, 1944 (3)                             1400      Mollie-Mable            St. Louis, MO. Mollie Bartlow writes to her sister Mabel Byrd (two of Winfred’s aunts) and shares A LOT of family news.

Feb. 17, 1944(3) – 1400 – MolMab Read More »

Feb. 17, 1944(2) – 1390 – WM

EDITOR’S NOTE: Three letters were written on Feb. 17, 1944. Winfred sent one letter to his sister Margaret, and one to his Folks. The third letter was written by one of Winfred’s aunts and sent to another of his aunts which was then forwarded to G.D. Maxwell (Winfred’s dad) by his brother Norman. Feb. 17, 1944 (2)              1390      WM       Station #144 – Old Buckenham, UK via New York City, N.Y. Winfred writes to Margaret; doesn’t mind the place; has a pen that skips; is munching on his weekly rations that he stood in line for hours to get; heard from Cliff that he is expecting a transfer; Cliff heard from their cousin Lynn; worked up the energy to shave; asks about the Dickey’s and Erma; and says it is cold but they have a cheery fire in their stove.

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Feb. 17, 1944(1) – 1380 – WF

EDITOR’S NOTE: Three letters were written on Feb. 17, 1944. Winfred sent one letter to his sister Margaret, and one to his Folks. The third letter was written by one of Winfred’s aunts and sent to another of his aunts which was then forwarded to G.D. Maxwell (Winfred’s dad) by G.D.’s brother Norman. Feb. 17, 1944 (1)              1380      WF         Station #144 – Old Buckenham, UK via New York City, N.Y. Winfred asks the Folks how every thing is; has a little more spare time; just been to the P.X. for his weekly rations; is use to the lines; is glad they are taking care of the picture enlargements; has little he can write about; and encloses a clipping from the ‘Stars & Stripes’ about Calais being hit 43 times. (He was a part.)

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Feb. 16, 1944 – 1370 – WF

Feb. 16, 1944                    1370      WF         Station #144 – Old Buckenham, UK via New York City, N.Y. Winfred guesses he has missed several days writing to the Folks. He has received mail from them, Margaret, and Clifford; is well but busy; says Cliff expects to transfer soon; received the County Paper with the picture and Old Pearl; asks about “the Irondale front”; must close and get some sleep; never knows when he’ll be awakened.

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Feb. 15, 1944 – 1360 – Bomb Mission 2 – Siracourt(2)

EDITOR’S NOTE: According to Winfred’s Journal this was the crew’s second mission. The 1980 compilation of the three crew members notes states this was the crews first mission – though in the statement it says ‘This is the second time for the crew to hit Siracourt.” FEB. 15, 1944       1360       BOMB  MISSION 2 – SIRACOURT     453rd B.G. 734th B.Squad. CLICK HERE TO SEE THE PREVIOUS BOMBING MISSION CLICK HERE TO SEE THE NEXT BOMBING MISSION

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Feb. 14, 1944 – 1350 – WF

Feb. 14, 1944                    1350      WF         Station #144 – Old Buckenham, UK via New York City, N.Y. Winfred writes the Folks before going to bed; big poker game in the barracks; taking things easy; mail is scarce; asks about Irondale news; been sewing on his shirt; weather is warmer; nice climate; hasn’t heard from Cliff; gotten over his cold; only problem is finding something he can write about.

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Feb. 12, 1944 – 1340 – WF

Feb. 12, 1944                    1340      WF         Station #144 – Old Buckenham, UK via New York City, N.Y. Winfred tells the Folks he is writing a letter that will tell them little.  He got a letter from Margaret (not a V-mail); gets into ‘bull sessions’ with the boys (arguing is their favorite pastime); mud is ankle deep from the rain; eating whatever is handy; writing all the (Irondale) boys at their home addresses; asks about Pat Merrill. The censor says Max is a good boy and the best R.O.

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Feb. 11, 1944 – 1330 – WM

Feb. 11, 1944                    1330      WM       Station #144 – Old Buckenham, UK via New York City, N.Y. Winfred writes Margaret about nothing much; is swell and happy as can be expected; is writing on a table with 3 others; hopes his cousin Joyce is coming there; only receiving V-mails; Cousin Jr. is at a nearby base; Uncle Norman wrote but it’s hard to read; and asks about Clifford.

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Feb. 9, 1944 – 1320 – WF

Feb. 9, 1944                      1320      WF         Station #144 – Old Buckenham, UK via New York City, N.Y. Winfred apologizes to the Folks for missing a couple of days writing; received a letter from Louise but couldn’t read the V-mail she sent; is aware his letters are being censored by the officers on his crew; hasn’t heard from Clifford so asks if he has shipped out; asks about his little sister Pat; and would like a copy of the enlarged crew photo to tack up; and needs some sack time.  PS Heard from Uncle Norman but can’t decipher it.

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Feb. 8, 1944 – 1310 – WNAM

EDITOR’S NOTE: Winfred writes a five-page letter on Feb. 8, 1944 to his Uncle Norman Maxwell in response to a letter he had received from him. Winfred’s letter is postmarked Feb. 11, 1944. Norman then writes a second letter dated 2-23-44 on the back of Winfred’s letter and forwards it to his brother, Guy D. & his wife Cressie (Winfred’s parents). The second letter will be posted on that date. Norman also included a comic, a newspaper article, and two other letters – one from his and Guy’s sister Mollie to their sister Mabel dated Feb. 17th, and one from Mabel to Norman dated Feb. 19th. Those letters will also be posted on the date they were written. Feb. 8, 1944       1310      WNAM      Station #144 – Old Buckenham, UK via New York City, N.Y. Winfred tells his uncle he knew his cousin Jr. (Norman’s son) was in England but did not have his address; he now knows Jr. is at a base nearby and will try to visit him; is glad they are getting along well in St. Louis; hopes they can visit his Folks soon; says he is getting use to British customs and talk; knows there are several Irondale boys in England; doesn’t mind the army life too much; appreciates the education he is getting; thinks the U.S. is the best country; has time now to look the country over; and has someone pestering him as he writes.

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