November 23, 1944

Roswell Field

Thanksgiving

Dear Mother:

Here it is the day I had hoped to be home but thousands of miles away.  Well that's the Army for you I guess.

I hope you had a celebration in spite of my absence and had a big time.  I can just imagine the fun you could have if everyone got together again like we used to do.  Maybe in a year or so we can get back to normal again.

Military Thanksgiving slide show here

My Thanksgiving day here is about routine.  We got up at 4:30 to fly the first mission which was a Bomb approach mission.  There is not much to the thing except setting up the auto-pilot and following a P.D.I. (pilot directional indicator) on the instrument panel.  The Bombardier puts a correction on this instrument from his position in the nose and you follow a little needle.  It so happened that we flew a course of 90 degrees to 100 degrees most of the time and ended up at Hobbs N.M. about 150 mi away.  We then decided to fly some cross country and did this the rest of the time. We flew from Hobbs to Big Springs Tex to Marfa Tex down to Mexico then back over a big girls school to Pecos Tex to El Paso and then home again.  We flew the last 3 hours at 13 thousand indicating 190 m.p.h. which gave us a ground speed of 230 m.p.h.  I guess we covered well over 700 miles in 4:30 min.

Something like this, but as a B17 flies instead of by roads and international crossing stations.

When we got to Marfa which is an advance school we chased a couple of AT17's around for awhile.  This old B17 will go most any speed you want if you want it to.  Those AT17's didn't have a chance.  We were up solo with a bombardier for an instructor and usually they are rather afraid of the Pilots but this guy got quite a kick out of those A.T. 17s.  We flew the whole way without suitable maps and only used the radio compass.  I don't know what we would do if we lost that compass.

You should only of received one bond since I came back because that is all I have bought.  When we got here we were asked to buy one a month so that is what's happening.  Maybe I should buy more seeing I am going to have about $160 left out of last months pay.  I guess you can get them as well as I can if you don't object too strongly.

I just couldn't imagine what the Home Front could send which would interest me.  The package was so small I thought that it must be one of those little tiny games.  I guess the folder with the pictures was a very happy unsuspecting surprise.  What better gift could a fellow get from home and such an organization.  I must really congratulate the one behind the idea.  They are really on the proverbial ball.  Really I have been looking for such a thing for a long time myself but have never been able to find one.  I think someone with a brain was behind that gift.  This will be a constant reminder of the Home Front and the work they are doing.

The Blaisdells live in a little house about half the size of our downstairs.  They have no attic and no cellar but keep everything in that little 5 room house about large enough for 2 persons.  However they manage rather well considering Mrs. B is not too well.  They have one large cedar Box into which all the odds and ends go and everything else has to be thrown away I guess.  They have lots of walls for the size of the house so I think if you tried to cover it up with N.E. scenery they would like it.  I am sure they would appreciate some of the remembrances  of their "home" in Stoneham.  Their house is really rather nice inside because Fred has put a lot of work into it.  The kitchen is the only bad feature since it is too small.

I half guess that my cross-country will be made to Houston Tex.  We did not have too give a chance to pick what we wanted so I decided to go where my roommate and his buddies went.  I could have gone to Phoenix or Chanute Field but I decided against it.  I think I shall stay down where it is warmer.  I don't think the cold and I will get along too well when I get home.  You had better have plenty of oil and the heater going when I come in.  I will not set any dates this time because they are so likely to fall through.

I guess I have written enough for a day.  Mary's letter is the next if she is wondering.

With love

Austin

November 20, 1944

Roswell Field

Nov. 20, 1944

Dear Mother:

This letter will have to be very short and sweet.  I hope it gets out in the morning mail.  My coming home for Thanksgiving was just a lot of wishful thinking as it turned out.  I am sorry that I got your hopes up but I had not intended to.  As the schedule was posted we should have finished up here but that is not the case.  We fly on Thursday just like any other day and have a celebration that evening here on the post.  I am very sorry to have gotten you excited but it would mean a lot to me to get home.  I guess all I can say is that other things stand in the way.  Just think of me and I shall think of you all. Let me wish everyone a very thankful Thanksgiving because we all have a lot to be thankful for.

Thanksgiving Day in Italy, 1944

I received one of the firstest and bestest Christmas presents yet. I refer to the Home Fronts small but wonderful effort.  I will write to them personally and see that they get their just reward which could not be enough.  I think they made a perfect choice when they sent that little folder.  I will think of their efforts for a long time to come.

This will have to do till tomorrow when I will write again.  You are not being slighted but just put off in the regular Rounds fashion; but only put off till tomorrow when I can write.

With love

Austin

November 28, 1943

Nov 28 1943

Dear Mother;

A lot has happened since I wrote last.  Thursday was thanksgiving and we went to the beach for gunnery and the swimming tests.  We swam in the morning and went to the range in the afternoon.  You can bet that the water was very cold and we nearly froze to death.  I took the advance swim test and passed it.

It consisted of a 250 yd swim 1/3 back stroke 1/3 side stroke 1/3 breast stroke.  We then swam 45" under water, made 3 jumps from a 11" tower 1st at attention 2nd with a barracks bag so we could float and finally with a life preserver.  We then put on a suit of clothes (Better than the ones they issue) swam 100' took off the pants blew them up and floated back to shore.  We then blew up the shirt and floated with it.  It was a lot of fun except that is was much too cold for comfort.

We had coffee and sandwiches for dinner and left for the range.  It is constructed so that you shoot off over the ocean and many of the slags skip over the sand into the ocean.  The land is patrolled by blimps run by the Navy and the Coast Guard runs a cutter out 2 miles or so just out of range to keep small craft out of the area.  We first shot the 45 cal pistol for record.  Next we went to the machine gun range and shot 250 rounds at moving targets.  These were aircraft 30 cal. machine guns, the kind they used on all the early airplanes.  The machine gun was the most fun.  We next went and shot the Thompson submachine gun and finished with the 22 cal. rifle leading targets.  We had 50 shots.  Tell Pop that is where all the 22 shots are going; teaching us to hit a moving target.  The range was the best part of the training so far.

We came home to a wonderful turkey dinner.  What a meal. Mash potatoes, gravy, vegetable, turkey, vegetable, ice cream, nuts, candy, turkey dressing and everything.  I am sending a menu of the dinner which everyone got. (in a magazine that is coming)  I only wish that I was home for dinner rather than so far away.

Saturday I got out again and went to Hollywood to see Cousin Emma and "Cousin Will".  They are really very hospitable people and made me feel very much at home, so much so in fact that I didn't want to leave.  Their son Robert was still home from Peru and was headed for O.C.S.  They have a very nice little house with all kinds of fruit trees in the back yard.  Orange tree, fig trees, pear trees and a tomato plant that has been bearing for 2 1/2 years.  I am going to send home a pinecone they picked up in the mts. to burn in the fireplace.  Not only do the have what we have at home but the size will amaze you.  I am trying to find a box to fit it.  I will send it as soon as possible because it takes up too much space.

Thanks for the cake.  It was delicious and I happened to open it after chow when no one was hungry so I got all I wanted.  It was very good.

Tell Pop that the code is coming along but is beginning to slow up because I have hit my maximum for awhile.  If I can pass this 8 word check I have passed the course and got to the point where high speeds will be easier.

We are getting very well fed now and I begin to worry about the folks at home.  Rationing must be plenty tough now.

I have not had too many gigs since I have been here.  Things are getting tougher and you have to be more careful each day.  However our section took second place in the 3rd wing and we are very proud of the fact.

Well I am going to bed now.  I will answer Williams current letter as soon as possible.

With love

Austin.