Winfred to Folks

EDITOR’S NOTE: Below is the last letter Winfred sent home that was found in ‘the box of letters’ from his time in the service during World War II. He tells of his five trips into Tokyo on his last 40-day mission while with the ATC. His first trip to Tokyo was five days before the formal peace was signed. September 23, 1945          3380          WF          Suisun A.A.B – Fairfield, CA Winfred writes the Folks – hears they are a little worried; was on a 40 day stay at Okinawa + Tokyo; feels O.K. but lost some weight; glad to hear that Cliff is coming home but can’t get a furlough now – is on recount on points this afternoon and may have enough for a discharge – if not essential + another trip; maybe can be home for good when Cliff is there; has had enough of flying; went to Japan 5 times to haul troops in & PS’s out – Aug 27 was the first time – a week before the peace was signed – in the first 10 planes to go in to Tokyo – was a little nervous – had Jap soldiers help unload and load; and closes. Powered By EmbedPress

EDITOR’S NOTE: On June 22, 1945, Winfred sent the Folks a letter from Suisun A.A.B – Fairfield, CA , but the envelope found in the box of letters is empty. What happened to the letter is unknown. June 22, 1945          3320          WF          Suisun A.A.B – Fairfield, CA Winfred sent the Folks a letter but the envelope found in the box of letters is empty.

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 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 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 21, 1945          3190          WF          Suisun A.A.B – Fairfield, CA Winfred apologizes to the Folks for poorly writing; been on pass since his return; is feeling low because a lot of his buddies are getting discharged – though he is not, he is still glad the combat boys are – if only he could have been in the 9th AAF – many have shipped to Hamilton Field, CA – only 5 or 6 combat boys left in this outfit (and we are not liked here); outfit is full of A.T.C. commanders that saw no combat – is tired of the petty ways at the base – had more privileges as a private in basic training – bitter; quits gripping and closes; will write better next time. 

May 17, 1945 (1)          3160          WF          Sacramento, CA Winfred scribbles a few lines to the Folks; is back and on pass to Sacramento – catching up on missed steaks; had a nice trip – went to Leyte only it was Kwajalein via Guam instead of Taiwan and Biak (was rescheduled to go to Okenawa (a pretty hot spot – landed only 10 miles from the front); will start going into Manilla next trip – a nice place; V-E day came while he was on Guam so didn’t celebrate much; only has 76 points and the A.T.C. is very essential now- so no discharge coming soon; came back with boys who were discharged from the 9th AAF – very unfair – seems the more a guy goes through the less credit he earns – a few 8th AAF have been discharged but because their nerves went to pieces – not points; I’m doing okay, use to the run and don’t mind it; a civilian airlines job would be good; must close; will write more later.

Apr. 28, 1945          3130          WF          Suisun A.A.B – Fairfield, CA Winfred sends the Folks a few lines; is on ‘alert’; will be glad to be on his way – to much detail in this camp; received his per diem check so has a little extra money and encloses a money order; hasn’t heard from anyone except them and Margaret; went to Sacramento last night – swell town; must go to a briefing and closes. 

EDITOR’S NOTE: Two letters were sent home By Winfred on April 26, 1945 – one to the Folks, and one to Margaret. Apr. 26, 1945 (1)          3100          WF          Suisun A.A.B – Fairfield, CA Winfred writes the Folks a little more; is leaving for Guadacanal on the 28th (10-15 days); been to the dentist (Capt. Maxwell) – will finish tomorrow; still hasn’t heard from Cliff must be on the move; hopes he gets to return to the States and not the Pacific – ETO is much better than PTO; heard from Margaret who is about the same old working girl; closes to get sleep.

April 24, 1945          3090          WF          Suisun A.A.B – Fairfield, CA Winfred writes the Folks; is getting along O.K.; doing detail; getting dental work; it’s summer – feels good; glad they heard from Cliff – he’ll have plenty to talk about when he gets home; just finished another steak; sees that a third of Berlin has been taken – should break the Germans – just bombed it for the first time a year ago; this year has seen a lot of changes – hopes next year is successful; is out of things to say and closes. Click to go to maxwellslettershome.com/1945