Winfred to Margaret

May 3, 1944          1920          WM          Station #114 – Hethel Air Base, UK via New York, N.Y. Winfred writes Margaret he’s caught up on sack time; it’s sunny and warm there; – reminds him of Missouri and the old swimming hole; saw Frank Sinatra in ‘Higher and Higher’; Bob Dickey is over there now and he would like to look him up; asks about how Cousin Joyce is getting along in St. Louis and says to say hello to all the Dickeys; can’t find salt & pepper shakers for Aunt Anna; and he got a V-mail from Clifford.

Apr. 27, 1944      1910     WM       Station #114 – Hethel Air Base, UK via New York City, N.Y. Winfred tells Margaret he has missed writing due to a 48-hour pass; he got 2 letters + clippings from her today; he’s with the same crew, PFF now, just a different place he’s beginning to like – more to do; his scribbling is worse because the 2-day pass does something to his ‘nerves’; and closes mentioning he has received the Air Medal and some Oak Leave Clusters.

Apr. 19, 1944      1890     WM       Station #114 – Hethel Air Base, UK via New York City, N.Y. Winfred writes to Margaret; says he’s still there and fairly well; asks about her; is liking the place better now – summer might even be likable – lots of daylight; will probably run across Cousin Jr. tonight and talk; asks if she gets his mail – poor on his end – none for a week; and must close.

Apr. 14, 1944          1870          WM          Station #114 – Hethel Air Base, UK via New York City, N.Y. Winfred asks Margaret how “the working girl” is getting along; say the war must be keeping him busy; Asks if she hears from the ‘sad sack’ – Clifford; he bets the army has changed him; hopes their cousin Joyce who is changing jobs finds one in St. Louis; is ready to get a pass; hears they’re drafting married men back home; hasn’t seen Cousin Jr. for several days – he seems different; and closes.

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.