WELCOME BACK ! EDITOR’S NOTE: After a three-month gap, the letters home from Winfred Maxwell and his younger brother Clifford resume. From where we left off: the war continues. France has been liberated, the Russians are advancing from the east, and in the Pacific the allies continue island hopping towards Japan, the Philippians were liberated in October. It has become obvious to almost everyone that the Allies will eventually win – it is just a matter of how long it will take and at what cost. Winfred returned to the United States in September. Those in the service would not be discharged until the war was over. Since he did not desire a long-term future for himself in the army, he decided there was no reason to go to Officer Candidate School (O.C.S.). Instead, he would transfer to the Air Transport Command (A.T.C.). There was little chance of seeing any more combat, he already had most of the needed skills, and it paid more. So, with a little more schooling in advanced radio and navigation in the States, he could work for the A.T.C. as a radio operator/navigator on a transport plane flying needed supplies to the troops. Currently, he has just about finished his schooling in Florida and is about halfway through his training. Where he goes from here, we will see. Also, Winfred finally received his first 30-day furlough. It allowed him to visit home in Irondale, Missouri for the first time in almost two years. It occurred towards the end of October until the third week in November 1944. He was able to see the Folks, his sister Margaret and others. It seems the on-again off-again relationship he had had with his girl friend Lois must have finally ended as she is never mentioned again in any of the letters. It is also likely that Clifford’s old girlfriend, Pat Merrill has attracted some of his attention. She will be mentioned often in letters to come; more as a curiosity item than a love interest. Clifford’s war is really just beginning. The 768th Field Artillery Battalion (Motorized 155mm Howitzer Tractor Drawn) was activated on May 9, 1944 at Camp Barkley, Texas per General Order No. 2 Hq 418th Field Artillery (FA) Group. On September 2, 1944 the battalion was relieved from the 418th FA Group and moved to Camp Bowie, Texas under the 414th FA Group. Training was completed there, all required medical care was provided (immunizations, overseas physicals, dental surveys, etc.), and preparation was completed for the move to the Port of Embarkation (P.O.E.). On November 4, 1944, the battalion began travel by train to the Camp Kilmer, New Jersey staging area and was relieved of attachment to the 414th FA Group. The battalion arrived at Camp Kilmer on November 7, 1944. EDITOR’S NOTE: Below is the first letter sent home that we have since Winfred returned to the United States. It was sent to his sister Margaret from his AAF Base at the Surfside Hotel in Miami, Florida. Nov. 21, 1944 2400 WM Miami Beach, FL Winfred writes Margaret asking how things are in St. Louis; all is O.K.; he has been processed, passed the physical exam, been classified, and now sees the dentist regularly; rumors cause him to doubt his army future; he will be sent to school in Reno, NV not Scott Field, IL which would be close to home; from there it could be A.T.C. or instructor and overseas; must close; tell the Dickeys “hello”. PS He is disgustingly healthy. Below is a newspaper article from The Lead Belt News in St. Francois County, Missouri dated Friday, November 17, 1944 which mentions a dinner having been held in DesLoge, Missouri in honor of Winfred at the home of Mr. G. J. Bartlow, one of Winfred’s uncle’s.
