Winfred to Folks

Apr. 3 1945          3020          WF          Suisun A.A.B – Fairfield, CA Winfred writes the Folks a few lines as he goes on ‘alert’ at 1:00; now scheduled for Leyte in the Philippines – 18,000 miles, 90-100 hours of flying; asks about Bob Dickey; Monk is in OCS; feeling good again since not flying for a couple of weeks – gained back weight (from eating steaks and eggs everyday at the PX; hopes Cliff can come home as soon as the war in Germany is over – mybe he could get a furlough at the same time; and closes.

Apr. 2, 1945          3010          WF          Suisun A.A.B – Fairfield, CA Winfred scribbles a few lines to the Folks as he is still here and doesn’t go on ‘alert’ until tomorrow; just mailed a money order -let him know if they get it; just ran across some money he didn’t knew he had; California is the windiest place – 60 mph; scheduled to go to Guadalcanal -10 to 15 days, little was done about Easter there – bought a steak with sliced tomatoes for dinner; can’t think of anything else so closes.

Mar. 30, 1945          3000          WF          Suisun A.A.B – Fairfield, CA Winfred tells the Folks the war situation looks better every day; they announced at Hickman the other day that the war in Europe was over – everyone went wild – wishes it was so; still on ‘alert’ to leave on a short trip to Hickman (Hawaii) – no money in it – would rather go further; heard from Cliff yesterday who is pretty busy (letter not dated); thinks Cliff seems more concerned about home and family than he used to be -maybe grown up since going overseas; hopes Patsy is over the mumps, thanks for the nice Easter card – birthdays and holidays sneak up on him – such is life in the Allergic To Combat; must close/all out of gab.

Mar. 26, 1945          2980          WF          Suisun A.A.B – Fairfield, CA Winfred tells the Folks he is in the orderly room pulling C.Q. over night – the First Sargeant knows him by name; hasn’t heard from anyone in a couple of days – everyone must think he is gone on a trip; goes on ‘alert’ the 29th; is a ‘hot rock’ sitting behind a desk answering the phone; Japan will be invaded soon & Germany almost finished – what will we do without a war? – go home?; could have gone to town tonight, but – ; too busy here so must close.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Three letters were sent home on Mar. 25, 1945 – One each by Clifford and Winfred to the Folks, and one by Winfred to the Margaret. Mar. 25, 1945 (2)         2960          WF          Suisun A.A.B – Fairfield, CA Winfred tells the Folks will be there a few more days; it’s raining there again; is out of anything to do – wishes for summertime; guesses they are glad to have Uncle Herman back – he’s tired of the big city; bets Patsy is a pretty sight with her big jaws from the mumps – typical Maxwell; guesses they are concerned about Cliff since crossing the Rhine; guesses the post office is still busy; close with a P.S. – will write again tomorrow.

Mar. 24, 1945          2940          WF          Suisun A.A.B – Fairfield, CA Winfred writes the Folks he is on ‘alert’ today – only a short trip to Hickman; feels fine + a little happy – giving furloughs again – may be home in May; gets paid today/will send some home; must close and get ready to go – waiting around is tiresome.

Mar. 22, 1945          2930          WF          Suisun A.A.B – Fairfield, CA Winfred asks the Folks about the Irondale Front; all is well except for the cold rain – too use to tropical islands; heard from Margaret who is weary; wishes for the good old days of the depression when all were home and happy; heard that Uncle Herman is going to Irondale; has a few days before the next ‘hop’; flew 17,000  miles his last trip; asks if Rolla Bradley was in on Iwo Jima ( he’s in the 4th division with Bob Merrill; closes but will write again tomorrow.

Mar. 21, 1945          2920          WF          Suisun A.A.B – Fairfield, CA Winfred asks the Folks how everything is; has nothing to do this morning; weather is nice and sunny; is ready to go home but can’t; asks about his bank account; is concerned about Cliff in the thick of it but glad he’s not in the Pacific – lots of wounded, jungle fever, and mental cases/raving maniacs (PTO works on the mind); says 20 year olds look like old men; must close and get some sack time

EDITOR’S NOTE: Two letters were sent home by Winfred on Mar. 20, 1945 – one to the Folks and one to Margaret. Mar. 20, 1945          2900          WF          Suisun A.A.B – Fairfield, CA Winfred writes the Folks a few lines; is still here and okay; will be leaving again soon; is kept busy – a lot to move and few crews to do it; wants to know if they got the money orders he sent; almost caught up on his correspondence; lots of the Irondale boys are in the crap now; sorry to hear about aunt and uncles sickness; would like to get home but it’s impossible, must close – chow time.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Three letters were sent home on Mar. 18, 1945 – One each by Clifford and Winfred to the Folks and one by Winfred to the Margaret. Mar. 18, 1945 (2)          2880          WF          Suisun A.A.B – Fairfield, CA Winfred scribbles a few lines to the Folks; is still here and well; asks about Irondale and the weather; will go out soon; is tired of this already but will do until something better comes along; received the boots they sent; saw “Puss’” Brenneche on Johnson Island; has a pretty good crew – pilot is an ex-combat man from the Pacific, the rest strictly A.T.C. but swell; going to look up Stack and Bob Merrill in Hawaii; will try to write more later.