Dear Alice-Part 2-The 1944 Letters from a Brother to his Sister at Home in Poughkeepsie

Continuing the Story of One WW II Soldier and the 81st Airdrome Squadron

Part 1 of the Story and background on the 81st Airdrome Squadron can be found by clicking on this link

http://www.footnote.com/page/2050/dear-alice-a-brothers-wwii-letters

Postmarked Postal Service No. 1 -  Jan 16 - 1944

Passed by Army Examiner - From: 81st Adrm Sqdr APO 638 - c/o P. M. New York, NY 

2 Letters one envelope

. . . .I received your letter of 12/22 tonight. . .mail lousy lately.

. . . .Today I received your letter dated 12/26 

. . .hard to think of things to say . . .all my letters are censored. . .would love to be able to talk to you for many reasons . . .

. . .just in case the letter didn't come through, please send me over some cake, candy, hair tonic, aftershave lotion, shirts and shorts.  If you can't get the liquids, don't worry about it.  I can also use a good toothbrush.

. . . .I miss you all everyday and the holidays are worse.

. . . .The other night I got a check from Steve Becker for $25.  I was really surprised. [Ginny Note: Steve Becker was the President of Fargo Manufacturing in Poughkeepsie, NY where Herb worked before the entering the service]

. . . . We have a 7 day furlough coming up & I think I'll put in for one.  This Army routine is monotonous.  I think I will take it and have some fun because we may not be able to get them after for awhile.

- - - -In Retrospect - - - -

[Source - 81st Airdrome Squadron "Daily Reports" - Army Air Corp Archives - Courtesy of Joseph Gravish - compiled and edited by Bernie Davis.]

January 6, 1944

157 EM and 4 Officers departed by truck for Station 486 entraining at Newbury at 0725 hours.  Detraining at Bures at 1418 hours and traveled by truck to USAAF Station 159 arriving at 1430 hours.  Set up quarters and usual camp duties assumed.  Due to overcrowded conditions at this field the organization is quartered in three sites, Site 7, 4 and 3.  This is our second time on this field as we opened it up 19 November 1943.

Postmarked U S Postal Service No. 1 -  Jan 26 - 1944
Passed by Army Examiner - From: 81st Adrm Sqdr APO 638 - c/o P. M. New York, NY 

. . . .Mr. Becker seems to be thinking of me lately.  Tonight I received the "Sunday New Yorker", dated Dec. 12 and it seemed good to read about home.  It really brought back memories Al.

. . . .Went to town yesterday and had a good time with my buddies.  We had chicken dinner, dressing, beans, rice pudding, tarts etc.  Later we went to a movie, "So Proudly We Hail".

- - - -In Retrospect - - - -

[Source - 81st Airdrome Squadron "Daily Reports" - Army Air Corp Archives - Courtesy of Joseph Gravish - compiled and edited by Bernie Davis.]

January 12, 1944

This organization attached to 362nd Fighter Group for Quarters, rations, administration and training effective 0001 Hours 6 January 1944 per par 3, Sect IV, SO2, Headquarters IX Fighter Command dated 4 January 1944.

Postmarked U S Postal Service No. 3 -  Feb 3 - 1944
Passed by Army Examiner - From: 81st Adrm Sqdr APO 638 - c/o P. M. New York, NY 

. . . .Just got back from a furlough to London & had a swell time.  Went with a couple of buddies and took in several good shows.

. . .We're giving them Hell honey. Write soon.

- - - -In Retrospect - - - -

[Source - 81st Airdrome Squadron "Daily Reports" - Army Air Corp Archives - Courtesy of Joseph Gravish - compiled and edited by Bernie Davis.]

January 19, 1944

T/Sgt P. A. Clark, Pfcs Hawkes, Carlson, Bennett, Pvt Ginsburg from duty to furlough.

January 21, 1944

Altho no bombs were dropped on the field the sound of bombs falling close by were clearly heard and anti-aircraft was heavy in the vicinity.

January 27, 1944

Sgt. P. A. Clark and Pfc Hawkes from furlough to duty.

AIR MAIL - Postmarked U S Army Postal Service A.P.O. -  Jan 30 - 1944
Passed by Army Examiner - From: 81st Adrm Sqdr APO 638 - c/o P. M. New York, NY 

. . . .I want to tell you something Al & I know that you'll understand.  I've been in 14 months and still only a private, but I just didn't get the breaks.  There is a lot to the Army that you don't understand Al but it doesn't matter as long as this thing ends soon.  I've always done what I'm told but I'm just stuck in this outfit.  I haven't a blemish on my record & have a clean slate, so please believe me when I say everything is ok and I Just can't get ahead here.

. . . .Mr. Becker from Fargo has treated me swell.  They are sending me the Sunday Courier now.

. . . .Sure will have plenty to tell you when I get back and I still have the knife.  I think a lot of that knife & several fellows wanted to buy it but I wouldn't sell it.  May have to use it someday for something or another.

. . . .Cheerio

Postmarked U S Postal Service No. 1 -  Feb 10 - 1944
Passed by Army Examiner - From: 81st Adrm Sqdr APO 638 - c/o P. M. New York, NY 

. . . .There sure is a few miles between us, Al.  The tough part is that it is water.

. . . .had a swell furlough. . . .too bad I couldn't have spent it in the states.

Postmarked U S Postal Service No. 1 -  Feb 18 - 1944
Passed by Army Examiner - From: 81st Adrm Sqdr APO 638 - c/o P. M. New York, NY 

. . . .Sure glad Mom heard from Foss & I hope he is right about 1944.

. . . .It was quite nice today & isn't bad when the sun shines. The past few days have been pretty cold but Spring isn't that far off.

Postmarked U S Postal Service No. 1 -  Feb 21 - 1944 Passed by Army Examiner - From: 81st Adrm Sqdr APO 638 - c/o P. M. New York, NY  . . .glad to receive your letter dated Jan. 31 today. . .regarding ice cream, the people over here haven't even seen it for about 4 years.  We had it a couple of times at the mess hall where they can make it.  The point and rationing system is very strict & believe me Al, you people in the gold old U. S. have it nice compared to here.