Winfred to Margaret

WELCOME BACK ! EDITOR’S NOTE: After a three-month gap, the letters home from Winfred Maxwell and his younger brother Clifford resume. From where we left off: the war continues. France has been liberated, the Russians are advancing from the east, and in the Pacific the allies continue island hopping towards Japan, the Philippians were liberated in October. It has become obvious to almost everyone that the Allies will eventually win – it is just a matter of how long it will take and at what cost. Winfred returned to the United States in September. Those in the service would not be discharged until the war was over. Since he did not desire a long-term future for himself in the army, he decided there was no reason to go to Officer Candidate School (O.C.S.). Instead, he would transfer to the Air Transport Command (A.T.C.). There was little chance of seeing any more combat, he already had most of the needed skills, and it paid more. So, with a little more schooling in advanced radio and navigation in the States, he could work for the A.T.C. as a radio operator/navigator on a transport plane flying needed supplies to the troops. Currently, he has just about finished his schooling in Florida and is about halfway through his training. Where he goes from here, we will see. Also, Winfred finally received his first 30-day furlough. It allowed him to visit home in Irondale, Missouri for the first time in almost two years. It occurred towards the end of October until the third week in November 1944. He was able to see the Folks, his sister Margaret and others. It seems the on-again off-again relationship he had had with his girl friend Lois must have finally ended as she is never mentioned again in any of the letters. It is also likely that Clifford’s old girlfriend, Pat Merrill has attracted some of his attention. She will be mentioned often in letters to come; more as a curiosity item than a love interest. Clifford’s war is really just beginning. The 768th Field Artillery Battalion (Motorized 155mm Howitzer Tractor Drawn) was activated on May 9, 1944 at Camp Barkley, Texas per General Order No. 2 Hq 418th Field Artillery (FA) Group. On September 2, 1944 the battalion was relieved from the 418th FA Group and moved to Camp Bowie, Texas under the 414th FA Group. Training was completed there, all required medical care was provided (immunizations, overseas physicals, dental surveys, etc.), and preparation was completed for the move to the Port of Embarkation (P.O.E.). On November 4, 1944, the battalion began travel by train to the Camp Kilmer, New Jersey staging area and was relieved of attachment to the 414th FA Group. The battalion arrived at Camp Kilmer on November 7, 1944. EDITOR’S NOTE: Below is the first letter sent home that we have since Winfred returned to the United States. It was sent to his sister Margaret from his AAF Base at the Surfside Hotel in Miami, Florida. Nov. 21, 1944          2400          WM          Miami Beach, FL Winfred writes Margaret asking how things are in St. Louis; all is O.K.; he has been processed, passed the physical exam, been classified, and now sees the dentist regularly; rumors cause him to doubt his army future; he will be sent to school in Reno, NV not Scott Field, IL which would be close to home; from there it could be A.T.C. or instructor and overseas; must close; tell the Dickeys “hello”. PS He is disgustingly healthy. Below is a newspaper article from The Lead Belt News in St. Francois County, Missouri dated Friday, November 17, 1944 which mentions a dinner having been held in DesLoge, Missouri in honor of Winfred at the home of Mr. G. J. Bartlow, one of Winfred’s uncle’s.

Below is the last letter sent home by either of the Maxwell boys for 3 months; until November. (At least the last that we have.) Aug. 28, 1944          2390          WM          Station #114 – Hethel Air Base, UK via New York City, N.Y. Winfred asks Margaret how the world is treating her; apologizes for not writing more but just hasn’t been in the mood, and has nothing to write about; will be starting home in a week and is READY!; asks about St. Louis and if she is still taking swimming lessons; heard from Cliff yesterday = he was about as usual with Gal troubles; must close and write more letters. EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the last letter sent home by either of the boys until November. (or, at least the last one we have.) Winfred makes it back to the States in September. He transfers to the A. T. C. (Air Transport Command) and begins advanced schooling in Florida to become a radio operator/navigator. Clifford will finally get sent overseas. His war is just beginning. The Letters home will resume then. Real time updates will continue to be posted on the ‘1944 Maxwell’s Letters Home’ homepage at maxwellslettershome.com

Aug. 20, 1944 (2)         2370          WM          Station #114 – Hethel Air Base, UK via New York City, N.Y. Winfred apologizes and scribbles a few lines to Margaret before going on duty; is a little happier now – knows he’s suppose to start home for the States in September; if lucky hopes to see her soon; nothing unusual there;  enjoying a beautiful summer and still gaining weight; and closes.

Aug. 10, 1944          2350          WM          Station #114 – Hethel Air Base, UK via New York City, N.Y. Winfred received a letter from Margaret today so writes her; comments on the Dickey’s vacation and a clipping he had sent; glad she is still swimming; and closes hoping he will be home soon.

Aug. 7, 1944          2330          WM          Station #114 – Hethel Air Base, UK via New York City, N.Y. Winfred writes Margaret again. He says he keeps getting worse about his writing but there is nothing to write about; is feeling fine but is anxious to get home; nothing definite about how much longer it will be; mail is scarce; doesn’t know what he will do when he gets home but he’ll have a good time no matter what; asks if she hears from Cliff very often; and closes to write other.

Jul. 28, 1944          2320          WM          Station #114 – Hethel Air Base, UK via New York City, N.Y. Winfred writes Margaret again. He is getting more fed up with the same routine – he wants to get home; heard from Cliff today who is having trouble with mosquitoes, ants, etc. doing outdoor training; heard from Bea and asks if she gets by there; asks about the man situation in St. Louis for her (he would like to there a few days); asks if Joyce is all busy at work – tell her ‘Hello’; encourages her to keep writing and sending the clippings; looks like an All St. Louis World Series might be coming; and signs off for some sack time which he has become an artist at getting.

EDITOR’s NOTE: Today, July 27, 1944, is Winfred’s 23rd birthday. Jul. 27, 1944          2310          WM          Station #114 – Hethel Air Base, UK via New York City, N.Y. Winfred writes Margaret that he is exactly 23 years old today – time flies; hopes to be home before another year rolls by – doesn’t want to be too old when he returns; everything is as usual but a little tougher because of his wisdom tooth and laryngitis; saw a good show “Lady in the Dark” starring Ginger Rogers; Has heard from Bob Dickey in France; and is getting impatient to get home.

Jul. 24, 1944(2)          2300          WM          Station #114 – Hethel Air Base, UK via New York City, N.Y. Winfred answers Margaret’s long letter; is glad she was able to visit home and had quite a chat with Cliff – wonders how he is and if he has changed much since he last saw him 2 years ago; guesses she’s back at work; is getting along swell; is anxious to get home but will be there for some time; and heard from Bob Dickey in France and is blue.

Jul. 10, 1944          2270          WM          Station #114 – Hethel Air Base, UK via New York City, N.Y. Winfred writes his sister Margaret; asks why he received only one letter today (it was from her but only contained newspaper clippings); asks about her and cousin Joyce and their swimming lessons; says he feels a lot better – you can tell because his sarcasm is coming back + he is gaining weight; asks if she saw their brother Cliff while he was home; is glad she can get back home to see the Folks; goes into detail about how there was never a dull moment at home when they were young; wonders how things could have changed “so dam much?”; doesn’t know how much longer he will be over there but it has already been too long. This is his last piece of paper so he will try to write more next time

EDITOR’S NOTE: Below are the final notes Winfred wrote in his journal two weeks after all of his missions were completed. Winfred’s Bomber Journal – FINAL NOTES EDITOR’S NOTE: July 10, 1944 (two weeks after their last mission) the crew of the ‘Hoo Jive’ was broken up having completed their final bombing mission on June 25, 1944. A year ago, in July 1943, this group of strangers, from across the country, came together for the first time at Gowen Field in Idaho. There they were carefully formed into a team and began Phase I of their training to become a bomber crew. Once Phase 1 was completed, it was determined that their Bomber Group, the 453rd, would go to March Field in California at the end of October for Phase 2 and 3 of their training. There they learned the skills they would need to fly into combat, bomb the desired target, and return home safely. After completing their training in December, they picked up their new B-24H at Hamilton Field, flew across the country to Florida, and then on to England via the Southern Route. Arriving in England at the end of 1943, they quickly joined up with the rest of the 453rd Bomb Group at Old Buckenham Air Base. They quickly settled in and spent the next six weeks preparing for their first combat mission. Beginning in February 1944, they would complete their first nine missions with the 453rd Bomb Group. Then, selected to become a Pathfinder crew, they transferred to the 389th Bomb Group at Hethel Air Base. They finished their last twenty missions, often as a lead plane for the 8th Army Air Force. They flew two missions on D-Day and flew two more after the invasion. Having spent an entire year living, training, and working together, they had become quite close. They had succeeded, overcame almost impossible odds, and survived. Together their mission was completed. The crew’s war was over. But, the real war waged on. The big question now – – – What’s next? CLICK HERE TO SEE THE PREVIOUS BOMBING MISSION CLICK HERE TO SEE THE FIRST BOMBING MISSION