Winfred to Folks

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)

Sep. 3, 1943                      0470      WF         Gowen Field, ID               got into it w/ a sergeant Winfred’s tells the Folks his crew still needs a navigator. The Radio Operator job is the toughest, except for the pilot.  He got into it with a sergeant.

Aug. 30, 1943                    0460      WF         Gowen Field, ID Winfred tells the Folks he has been flying a lot; is cramped in the B-24; and has a new flight suit to help with the cold.

Aug. 27, 1943                    0440      WF         Gowen Field, ID               planes grounded Winfred tells the Folks the planes had been grounded due to a fuel shortage.  Winfred’s girl is sensible and he is in good, he knows because he didn’t write for a while.

Aug. 5, 1943                      0400      WF         Gowen Field, ID Winfred thanks the Folks for the cake; up late; kept busy; seeing dentist; shots sting; gets pointers from guys that have been ‘over’; and saw a show with ‘King’ in it.

Jul. 17, 1943                      0350      WF         Salt Lake City, UT Winfred lets the Folks know has learned to become ‘vanishable’ and is desirous of more pay. Still going to be leaving soon.

Jul. 16, 1943                      0340      WF         Salt Lake City, UT             POSTCARD 6 Winfred tells the folks he is still in Salt Lake City waiting to be shipped somewhere; also heard from cousin James (Jim Bartlow).

Jul. 10, 1943                      0330      WF         Salt Lake City, UT Winfred complains to the Folks he has wasted a month between schools and has lost hope of being shipped somewhere. He did receive a poor photo of Clifford in uniform.

Jul. 6, 1943                        0310      WF         Salt Lake City, UT Winfred informs the Folks is being reclassified in Salt Lake City; like being inducted again; will be assigned to a base in the 2nd air corp.; and has been issued his overseas equipment.