Winfred to Folks

Oct. 18, 1943                    0640      WF         March Field, CA Winfred has been flying a lot lately, no time to sleep. He had 2 teeth filled and 3 more to go. He is going on an early morning bombing mission (practice) tomorrow. He still does not have any strips (not a sergeant yet).

Oct. 9, 1943                      0600      WF         March Field        world series Winfred tells the Folks he did not go to L.A. today because of his cold; has Sundays off for the first time in a while; will fly 12 hours Monday – gets a little tougher each time; asks about his brother; and has been listening to the world series.

Add Your Heading Text Here Oct. 8, 1943                      0590      WF         March Field  Winfred writes the Folks that he is flying about 800 miles each day and going to school; hears they will get a 10-day furlough before going overseas; and asks about Clifford.

Oct. 4, 1943                       0580      WF         March Field Winfred writes the Folks that he will be really busy for the next 60 days; they have old planes and won’t get the new one until the 15th; guesses those few days he had at home was his overseas furlough; hears lots of rumors; describes the base – it’s HOT!; and plans on seeing Los Angeles.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Two letters were written home to the Folks on October 2, 1943, one from each of the boys. Oct. 2,1943 (2)                 0570      WF         March Field, CA Begin Phase 2 & 3          Bombardment Training Program Winfred is now in California (March Field) for 2nd and 3rd phase training (about 60 days) before going over; it’s a nice camp but going to be busy.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Two letters and a postcard were mailed/postmarked home to the Folks from the boys on September 29, 1943; one letter and one postcard from Winfred, and one letter from Clifford. Sep. 29, 1943 (2)             0540      WF         Pocatello, ID      post card             moving Winfred sent a postcard to G.D. Maxwell (Folks). Will give his new address soon. Return address used was PFC. W.G. MAXWELL 382nd BOMB GP. POCATELLO IDAHO.  (This was the second letter sent home by Winfred on Sept. 29, 1943, based on postmark.)

EDITOR’S NOTE: Based on the content of the next few letters, it appears that Winfred may have had a week long furlough Tuesday September 21 – 28, 1943 (approximately). He DID NOT get to go home though! EDITOR’S NOTE: Two letters and a postcard were mailed/postmarked home to the Folks from the boys on September 29, 1943; one letter and one postcard from Winfred, and one letter from Clifford. Sep. 29, 1943 (1)             0530      WF         Pocatello, ID      Switch from 2nd to 4th AAF Winfred and his crew have finished Phase I of their training at Gowen Field.  He is in Pocatello, Idaho for a couple of days before they are transferred to a base somewhere in California.  The crew has been transferred from the 2nd to the 4th Army Air Force.  Winfred had a short furlough and is really missing his ‘woman’ – Lois.  (This is the first of three letters the folks received from the boys on September 29, 1943.)

EDITOR’S NOTE: On September 15, 1943, four letters arrived home – Two were from Winfred, one to the folks and one to Margaret; the third was from Clifford to his folks; and the fourth was to come to FIZZ, via his folks, from Bob Merrill (Clifford’s best friend). Sep. 15, 1943 (1)             0490      WF        Gowen Field, ID               has 90 hrs           Winfred’s been flying a lot, and it’s no cinch. He’s got 90 hours and most leave there with half that.  (Letter 1 of 4 – Sept. 15, 1943)