Maxwell's Letters Home

EDITOR’S NOTE: Two letters were written and sent home by Winfred on Dec. 1, 1943; one to the Folks and one to his sister Margaret. Dec. 1, 1943 (2)          0950          WM          March Field, CA Winfred writes to Margaret that he is still here, but everything is a mess. He went to LA last night; they rented a car and got back at 6:00 am; had a swell time – went to the Palladium and Radio City, passed by Arthur Murray’s, saw Mickey Rooney; Hollywood is not so wonderful; met a girl from St. Louis; wants his blankets back; and dreams of a visit home.  He confesses he is a little scared of going over; he is the rookie on the crew. He heard from Cliff; Mary Lou is in the lead; and he is on the lookout for a girl himself.

Nov. 27, 1943                    0920      WF         March Field, CA Winfred lets the Folks know he is still here; has had 2 inspections by 3 colonels and a couple of majors; still doesn’t know his P.O.E; says mail is slow but got his younger sister’s letter; asks about Clifford; and is going to town on a 48-hour pass.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Two letters were written and sent home by Winfred on Nov. 25, 1943; one to the Folks and one to his sister Margaret. Nov. 25, 1943 (1)             0900      WF         March Field, CA Today is Thanksgiving. It is the first one he has ever spent away from home. He flew last night until 3:00 AM by San Francisco and the Golden Gate Bridge. He just got up and will go on a high-altitude gunnery mission at 12:45PM. They have a big turkey dinner prepared for them, but he will not be able to eat any of it because of the high-altitude mission. (B-24’s did not have pressurized cabins – eating a heavy meal before going up would result in severe stomach discomfort from the expanding gas created as the food digests.)  He hopes to be home for Thanksgiving next year.

Nov. 24, 1943                    0890      WF         March Field, CA Winfred tells the Folks he has found out what busy is the last few days getting ready to go over soon. He guesses things in Irondale have settled down since Clifford returned from his furlough – Cliff is the great ‘lover’ in the family.  He comments on the bombers blasting Berlin and that the Air Corp will be the deciding factor in the war. He heard from Margaret who is getting a 2 ½ cent raise; Winfred is now making as much as he did before going into the service – $117 per (month)!

Nov. 21, 1943                    0880      WF         March Field, CA Winfred tells the Folks he has been so busy he is almost looking forward to the peacefulness of combat; just finished a high-altitude gunnery mission; will take in a show tonight; will fly across but don’t know when; wants the picture he sent them enlarged; and tells them best to leave him out for Xmas.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Two letters were written and sent home by Winfred on Nov. 19, 1943; one to the Folks and one to Margaret. Nov. 19, 1943 (1)             0860      WF         March Field, CA Winfred writes a short letter home.  He has time off due to fog and has written 3 letters; asks about Clifford’s mood at the end of his furlough & Pat; still don’t know where he is going; and must go sign the payroll.