Winfred to Margaret

EDITOR’S NOTE: Two letters were written and sent home by Winfred on Dec. 1, 1943; one to the Folks and one to his sister Margaret. Dec. 1, 1943 (1)          0940          WF          March Field, CA Winfred lets the Folks know he is still in the States, not doing much but spreading rumors and sleeping. He has heard from Cliff who has Mary Lou on his mind, and wishes he was a flier.  Winfred says Clifford’s job is essential and he goes through more than most.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Two letters were written and sent home by Winfred on Nov. 25, 1943; one to the Folks and one to his sister Margaret. Nov. 25, 1943 (2)             0910      WM       March Field, CA Winfred tells Margaret he is quite busy flying. It is Thanksgiving Day. They have a big dinner prepared but must watch their diet because of today’s high-altitude mission.  He hopes everyone can be together next year and tells Margaret to tell her boss she wants a ten cent per hour raise or “nuthin at all”.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Two letters were written and sent home by Winfred on Nov. 19, 1943; one to the Folks and one to Margaret. Nov. 19, 1943 (2)             0870      WM       March Field, CA Winfred hasn’t forgotten Margaret. He spent 24 hours in L.A.; The crew rent a ’40 Olds and took in the Radio Room, Palladium, Florentine Gardens, and Errol (Earl) Carrols; the girls were plentiful and having a uniform helps; guesses he will be on his way before December to a place where he won’t see many Japs; is a sergeant now; guesses Clifford is on his way back to the army; says it is really foggy; and will write as long as he can.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Two letters were written and sent home by Winfred on November 12, 1943; one to the Folks and one to his sister Margaret. Nov. 12, 1943 (2)             0830      WM       March Field, CA Winfred writes Margaret they are near the end of training; hopes to get a new B-24-H soon – it is bigger with more guns; might get home for a short visit; just got crew photo taken in front of a plane; and bets Clifford is home now on his furlough.

EDITOR’s NOTE: Yesterday’s letter (Nov. 9, 1943) from Winfred to the Folks was written in the afternoon after Winfred’s BIG SCARE! that morning.  There is no mention of the near-death experience. Nov. 10, 1943                    0810      WM       March Field, CA                THE BIG SCARE! Winfred writes to Margaret about his BIG SCARE! He begins by complaining on not getting his ratings yet but will hold off on applying for Cadets. He then goes into great detail about how he nearly fell out of the plane at 12,000 ft yesterday and tells her not to tell anyone!

EDITOR’S NOTE: Two letters were written and sent home by Winfred on November 12, 1943; one to the Folks and one to his sister Margaret. Nov. 3, 1943 (2)               0750      WM       March Field, CA Winfred thanks Margaret for the candy; the whole crew shared it. He’s been flying 6-hour missions every day and sometimes two a day; trying to catch up on flying and aerial gunnery.  Also, doing some search missions because a radio operator did not report their location before going down. He no longer gets his daily letter from Lois.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Two letters were written home by Winfred on October 20, 1943; one to the Folks and one to Margaret. Oct.20, 1943(2)                0660      WM       March Field, CA Winfred writes to his sister Margaret. He hasn’t much to say; still busy 12 to 16 hours each day; a furlough is not likely; and he heard from Clifford – Little Fizzer. He weighs 178 and thinks she has all the brains in the family.

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 (2)             0500      WM       Gowen Field, ID               seen a few crashes Winfred thanks Margaret for the candy; flies 5 to 10 hours daily and is attending 3 schools at the same time. Landings and takeoffs are nerve racking after having seen a few crashes there. He hopes to leave soon and get his flight pay today.    (Letter 2 of 4 – Sept. 15, 1943)

Aug. 20, 1943                    0430      WM       Gowen Field, ID               Assigned to a crew Winfred tells Margaret he has been assigned to a crew. He is still a P.F.C. but should be ranked higher.