EDITOR’S NOTE: June 1945, Though Clifford is either still in the hospital or convalescing in Nancy, France, His battalion (still located in Bad Sodden, Germany) has received some unwanted news.
June (Middle), 1945 – 2305 – CTS Read More »
EDITOR’S NOTE: Though Clifford mentions being busy training and patrolling, he is either still in the hospital, or convalescing in Nancy, France. His battalion is still located in Bad Sodden, Germany. It is also possible Clifford wrote the wrong date on the letter dated June 6, 1945 in which he informs the Folks he is in the hospital. June 10, 1945 3300 CF Nancy, France Clifford writes the Folks he has been getting behind in writing again; been busy training & patroling + not feeling too well; would like to know what he’s going to do from here – could be anything; would like to see home before going any place; is using the fountain pen they sent & received the box of candy; hopes they don’t feel too bad if he doesn’t come home soon (been about a year – for others about three); doesn’t want out of the army until it is all over; hopes Japan is all we’ll have to fight – hopes Russia tries to get along with us – has argued about this before.
June 10, 1945 – 3300 – CF Read More »
June 9, 1945 3290 WM Suisun A.A.B – Fairfield, CA Winfred writes Margaret he is back early – only went as far Guam and Saipan – 65-70 hours – nice trip but flew night & day with little rest – tiresome – flies 13 – 14 hours at a time at 10,000 ft – dropped twenty pounds; feels pretty good – has a nice tan; guesses Cliff won’t be home for some time – still intends to get a furlough ASAP though not likely (his engineer got one this week – there is plenty of them); hears often from Uncle Norman but has a hard time reading them; tells the gals not to take up flying – sees no future in it – strictly for the birds; once out intends to always keep one foot on the ground; closes to prepare for a trip to town; encloses some Japanese money.
June 9, 1945 – 3290 – WM Read More »
EDITOR’S NOTE: Today is the first anniversary of D-Day. Clifford was moved to a hospital in France; why is unknown. He will remain there for a few weeks. June 6, 1945 3280 CF Nancy, France Clifford writes the Folks he is still okay – is in a hospital in Nancy, France; will start convalescing exercises soon; tells them not to worry – getting along fine + lots of pretty nurses; hasn’t received any mail so expects a lot when he gets back to his outfit; would like to get home but only has a few points; tells mom news is scarce; flew there from Frankfurt in a C-47 – only took 55 minutes.
June 6, 1945 – 3280 – CF Read More »
June 4, 1945 3270 CF Bad Soden, Germany (near Frankfurt) Clifford hasn’t written the Folks because he has been sick for the past ten days, 3 days in bed and a 2 day trip south to a little town 20 miles from Frankfurt; was changed from the First Army to the Ninth a week before the war ended (saw combat); won’t get a furlough soon; will either stay here – occupy & patrol or go to the South Pacific – only been over for six months; tells them to write often and wishes dad a happy birthday.
June 4, 1945 – 3270 – CF Read More »
May 27, 1945 (2) 3260 WM Suisun A.A.B – Fairfield, CA Winfred writes Margaret; is Sunday and on his own; big day in camp – civilians are invite to look over the field and planes; wishes she could see it and how big the C-54’s are; encloses a picture of himself with a friend named Dale Howard from St. Louis taken at the ‘Silver Dollar’ nite spot – ask that she not show it around too much because what is shown in the background; talks about his friend; can’t think of anything else to say; is sending their Aunt Anne some shakers he picked up in Sacramento.
May 27, 1945 (2) – 3260 – WM Read More »
May 27, 1945 (1) 3250 WF Suisun A.A.B – Fairfield, CA Winfred writes the Folks it’s Sunday and he is still here; today is open house for the public to come see the setup and planes; wishes they could see how big the C-54’s are; encloses a clipping that explains their work there (DO NOT HAVE); B-29’s are hitting Tokyo now with little opposition – Germany had better air defenses; hears Doolittle and most of the 8th AAF will be moving to the Pacific and will sink that little island – Japan is a better target but most of their industries and resources are dispersed on the continent; is glad the A.T.C. is not in Bombardment – Japs have no use for prisoners & aren’t afraid to die; is disappointed in the soft hearted Americans are beginning to show towards the Germans – our guys that didn’t come back would feel the same; we should turn the Russians loose on them since the Reds saw the Nazi at its most powerful while our big shots just read about it – oh well, as long as it doesn’t happen again; ends to go get chow.
May 27, 1945 (1) – 3250 – WF Read More »
May 26, 1945 3240 WF Suisun A.A.B – Fairfield, CA Winfred writes the Folk s and is glad he heard from both of them; has managed to elude the First Sargeant today; sees the point system will be lowered to 65 next month so his 70+ looks a little better but they are now trying to say R.O.’s are essential – by some miracle still hopes to be discharged – may sound a little unpatriotic because his job gets more essential every day (would like to get out before all the good jobs are taken); wonders what will come of all the boys after this is over – most haven’t saved anything; still hopes to get a furlough home when Cliff is there; guesses Pat is a young lady now – wishes he was her age – feels like an old man (has gray hairs like most of those that were flyers – from the strain) – he is 24 now – makes Margaret an old maid; apologizes for his writing so infrequently but is busy when he gets back – will do better and wants all the news.
May 26, 1945 – 3240 – WF Read More »
May 24, 1945 (2) 3230 WM Suisun A.A.B – Fairfield, CA Winfred writes Margaret and was glad to get a letter from her today; all is well except he is on C.Q. (Charge of Quarters) all night – compliments of the First Sargeant; asks about her comment about getting old – he’s age too in the past two years (has quite a few gray hairs now – from flying); thinks about getting grounded – don’t know how much longer he can keep up at this pace – 1500 hours in the air without an accident – has stretched his luck; all he wants is to become a well-dressed civilian; saw “Salome Where She Danced’ and was quite impressed by Yvonne DeCarlo; closes to get some sack time.
May 24, 1945 (2) – 3230 – WM Read More »
May 24, 1945 (1) 3220 WF Suisun A.A.B – Fairfield, CA Winfred writes Margaret; is on C.Q. (Charge of Quarters) all night; mail is scarce; encloses a money order from extra cash from his per diem – though he spent a lot this month; bought 2 pair of shoes – paid $15 for one nice pair; will leave in 3 or 4 days and glad to get away from there; the A.T.C. is the poorest outfit ever; furloughs are discontinued for all radio men here due to shortage – 12 got discharged and shipped to Hamilton Field – is hoping for one when Cliff gets home – (Cliff in the 1st Army should have some time at home before going to the Pacific); doesn’t seem like 6 months since he has been home; hopes war ends in a hurry; begun to look at civilian clothes; the point system and discharges has brought on dreaming – is tired of the army and flying; and closes.
May 24, 1945 (1) – 3220 – WF Read More »