Winfred to Margaret

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

EDITOR’S NOTE: Below is Winfred’s first letter to his sister Margaret since completing his last combat mission on June 25th. He has been to London and done some celebrating. Jul. 8, 1944          2250          WM          Station #114 – Hethel Air Base, UK via New York City, N.Y. Winfred writes to Margaret after a longtime – “a lot has been happening.” He’s one lucky boy; just finished one job and now on another; been on a furlough in London; is glad Clifford got his furlough – wonders if he will go overseas soon; says it is a hot day there probably like St. Louis -where he would rather be; don’t know how long he will be there – pretty tired of England & has some things to do back home.

Jun. 2, 1944          2120          WM          Station #114 – Hethel Air Base, UK via New York City, N.Y. Winfred asks Margaret about her work; says he is still there, a little tired of the place but OK; enjoyed a stage show ‘Taras’ last night – radio stars and gals; heard there’s another flood in St. Louis; still hasn’t looked up Bob or any of the boys; got a haircut by a ‘limie hairdresser’ who scalped him; all out of gab so closes. PS saw Cousin Jr. last night. EDITOR’S NOTE: Jun 2, 1944 – Happy 49th Birthday Dad – Guy D Maxwell

May 30, 1944          2100          WM          Station #114 – Hethel Air Base, UK via New York City, N.Y. Winfred writes to thank Margaret for the candy + cigarettes; he got 2 letters from her yesterday – from before and after her trip to Irondale; glad she can get home once in a while because the Folks must get lonely; hasn’t located Bob Dickey yet; asks about St. Louis and if any new boy friends have visited the Dickey household; Joyce got a job before a boyfriend; and closes.

May 28, 1944          2080          WM          Station #114 – Hethel Air Base, UK via New York City, N.Y. Winfred tells Margaret it’s a nice sunny Sunday morning and he has nothing he has to do until this afternoon; he’s getting along pretty well but been pretty busy the last few days; asks how she is doing and if she is at church; asks if she has heard from their brother who doesn’t write much anymore; he has earned the Air Medal and three Oak Leaf clusters and is going to send them home; asks about the Dickey family; is still on the lookout for salt & pepper shakers for Aunt Maude – forgets to look when on a pass;  closes to write mom.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Two letters were sent home by Winfred today; one to his Folks, and one to his sister, Margaret. May 24, 1944 (2)         2050          WM          Station #114 – Hethel Air Base, UK via New York City, N.Y. Winfred tells Margaret he has been doing a better job writing her the past few days; has been hearing from her often and enjoys the clippings she sends – he can read all about himself; the crews been taking some pictures and he will send her some; it’s a nice day to play some softball; asks if Joyce has found a job, or a man yet – shortage of men at home and women over there; the ‘boss’(their pilot – A.P. Tolley) just came in so he’ll be occupied the next several hours in a game of ball; tell all the Dickeys “Hello”.

May 18, 1944          1990          WM          Station #114 – Hethel Air Base, UK via New York City, N.Y. Winfred asks Margaret about the St. Louis people; has just returned from an enjoyable trip to London; imagines her and the Dickey girls have a swell time together; tells her he got promoted to tech sergeant and can use the extra money; must close and write home.

May 6, 1944          1930          WM          Station #114 – Hethel Air Base, UK via New York, N.Y. Winfred writes he has nothing important to write about but writes Margaret anyway; has been getting the clippings; Clifford expresses himself bluntly – the army has added to his obscene vocabulary; and closes to write home.