Winfred to Margaret

Apr. 9, 1944          1840          WM          Station #114 – Hethel Air Base, UK via New York City, N.Y. Winfred asks how Margaret doing and thanks her for the candy – wants more + cigarettes; has been busy; thanks for all the clippings – American news is about what the Americans are doing – British news is about the Brits; got a V-mail from Cliff which is like not hearing from him at all because of his handwriting; is listening to Sinatra – asks if she’s a fan; His friend Monk is in gunnery school again; and closes to write others.

This is Winfred’s first mission with his new Bomb Group – the 389th – as part of a PFF Crew. APR. 8, 1944     1830     BOMBER JOURNAL  MISSION 10 (291/80) – BRUNSWICK 2 8th AAF   389th BG   PFF   564th BS Crtl CLICK to see ‘How H2X “Mickey” – Got its name’ CLICK HERE TO SEE THE PREVIOUS BOMBING MISSION CLICK HERE TO SEE THE NEXT BOMBING MISSION

Apr. 2, 1944          1820          WF          Station #114 – Hethel Air Base, UK via New York City, N.Y. Winfred writes the Folks two days in a row; getting along fine but not crazy about the new base – compares it to a breakup;  he saw ‘The Ghost of Frankenstein’; Sam (Rainer) said thanks and his dad really liked the picture they sent; The Rainers are a nice family but strictly Southern – Rebel; Winfred can’t tell them much about what he is doing now but it is slightly different and interesting; and closes for sack time. 

EDITOR’S NOTE: Two letters were written home by Winfred on April 1, 1944 from his new base; one to the Folks and the other to his sister Margaret. Apr. 2, 1944 (2)          1810          WM          Station #114 – Hethel Air Base, UK via New York City, N.Y. Winfred apologizes to Margaret for not writing but has been busy getting organized after being transferred to the 389th BG/ 564th B. Squadron; it’s a nicer field but he knew everyone at the old base;  Cousin Jr. is there but hasn’t had a chance to find him; saw a U.S.O. show with James Cagney in it; asks about St. Louis and the Dickeys; will write more next time.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Winfred is awarded the Air Medal and three Oak Leaf Clusters.   Mar. 27, 1944                    General Orders No. 215, Hq Eighth Air Force, March 27, 1944  

Mar. 25, 1944          1770          WM          Station #144 – Old Buckenham, UK via New York City, N.Y. Winfred pesters Margaret with another letter; sure enjoys the letters and clippings she sends; is a swell day there – like a spring day in MO.; heard from Clifford’s girl Lou who is swell – sent candy and writes an interesting letter; comments on the basketball whiz Jonny Reagan from a clipping; Likes the American version of the news – it tells what he is doing; and closes to get some sack time.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Two letters were written home by Winfred on March 21, 1944; one to the Folks and the other to his sister Margaret. Mar. 21, 1944 (2)          1730          WM          Station #144 – Old Buckenham, UK via New York City, N.Y. Winfred answers Margaret’s V-mail received today; is as usual – good health and frame of mind as can be expected; tells her not to get down because of her job – tough all over; mom has enlargements of his crew picture and is sending him one; anxious to be back in the States; is a nice sunny day there; asks about Erma and the opera stuff will continue his series of lectures to her when he gets some spare time; and must go to the mess hall now.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Two letters were written home by Winfred on March 19, 1944; one to the Folks and the other to his sister Margaret. Mar. 19, 1944 (2)          1700          WM          Station #144 – Old Buckenham, UK via New York City, N.Y. Winfred scribbles a few lines to Margaret; he’s about as usual – don’t like this place any more than before; loves to see the sunshiny day; asks if she has visited tune town lately; enjoys getting the newspaper clippings she sends; been ambitious – shaved and washed; Roxie and Bea promised him a steak; must stop dreaming and close.

EDITOR’S NOTE: On March 12, 1944, Winfred writes two messages home; a V-mail to his Folks and a letter to his sister Margaret. Mar. 12, 1944 (2)          1640          WM          Station #144 – Old Buckenham, UK via New York City, N.Y. Winfred writes to Margaret; says he is still breezing along in the E.T.O.; griping some; received two letters from Clifford who is sadder than usual, complains about not getting promoted, so is going to be a “goof off’ from now on; asks if she has been home recently – the Folks must get lonesome; and closes.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Two letters were written by Winfred on Mar. 1, 1944; one to the Folks, and one to his sister Margaret. Mar. 1, 1944 (2)               1550      WM       Station #144 – Old Buckenham, UK via New York City, N.Y. Winfred tells Margaret it’s cold there and plenty busy; he went to Cambridge on a two-day pass and took in all the “pubs”, a couple of shows, and a church service; it’s 2 in the afternoon and he is trying to catch up on his writing; paper is scarce; and had to pause for 3 hours because his C. O. (Commanding Officer) needed something done. He just received a V-mail from Cousin Irma and will give her another lesson on the happy life of a sad sack soon.