North Africa and Sardinia
(1943)
NOTE: The following are excerpts from one of my father's personal diaries during the WWII years. This is purposely not a carbon copy of the original. My intention here is to provide an insight for readers into the life of an Army Air Force soldier, his work with B26 Martin Marauder light bombers (with specific aircraft identified, which may be of interest to some), and his comments about buddies and acquaintances in the service (which may be of interest to those named who are still with us, and their descendents). Whenever one encounters brackets, "[" and "]", around text, that text was added by myself, either for clarification, or to omit text not pertinent to the purposes listed above. -Joseph B. Sheppard
12-31-42 to 1-21-43: [No entry] [page ends after 1-2-43, 1-6-43, 1-12-43,1-19-43 in orignal diary]
1-22-43: Changing 2 cylinders on aeroplane #845. [41-17845]
1-23-43: Changing cylinders on aeroplane.
1-24-43: Finished changing cylinders on plane. Timed valves.
1-25-43: Worked on aeroplane #41-17845.
[page ends in original diary]
1-26-43: Worked on aeroplane. Studied hydraulic system. Went on sick call for a cold. Wrote letter home.
1-27-43: [No entry]
1-28-43: [No entry]
1-29-43: Had dinner date with a French girl. Caught truck to camp.
1-30-43 to 2-7-43: [No entry] [page ends after 1-30-43 and 2-5-43 in original diary]
2-8-43: Worked on Capt. Dorman’s aeroplane and on Lt. Harris'.
2-9-43: Installed new pressure regulator on #845. Major Polk’s ship #972 cracked up on take off. No one hurt, it did not catch fire.
2-10-43: #845 flies again. Went on patrol duty, came back OK.
[page ends in original diary]
2-11-43: #845 flew. Saw Martha Raye in person on stage at Tafaraoui.
2-12-43: Put new brake control on #845. Put new seal in brake.
2-13-43: Pulled 25 hour inspection on #845. OK for flight. Went on sick call. Stomach upset.
2-14-43: Checked #845. OK. She flew at 11:30am. Went to Mass with Roth and Hoover [Allan C.]. Went to Mass, Confession and Holy Communion again in the afternoon.
2-15-43: Preflighted #845 for dawn patrol. Too foggy to fly. Filled out indexed notebook on B-26B aeroplane.
[page ends in original diary]
2-16-43: #845 flew four hours today. Lt. Holland flew it. Ok for flight tomorrow. Worked on my B-26B book.
2-17-43: It rained last night. Our “pup tent” stayed dry. It is very muddy here at Tafaraoui. Went to line and moved aeroplane to a steel mat so it will not get stuck. It is serviced and OK for flight. Worked out system for 50 hour inspection soon due and read a story in a magazine. Drew book from library: How To Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie.
2-18-43: Worked out system for 50 hour inspection soon due on aeroplane. Read “HTWFAEP” by Carnegie. Read the New Testament and “The Followings of Christ” [This book, better known as “Imitation of Christ” was written in the Thomas a’ Kempis (1380-1471), and was given to Dad as a gift by his sister, Lucy. It is still in my family’s possession.]. Still raining, no work.
[page ends in original diary]
2-19-43 to 3-4-43: [No entries and no dates listed]
3-5-43: Worked on pressure regulator on #845. Slow to operate.
3-6-43: My ship flew, pressure regulator stopped operating. The flight crew had to pump the nose wheel down and locked. Should have pumped hydraulic pressure for the flaps and wheel brakes, but did not. They landed with flaps up at 175 mph, then pulled emergency air brakes, consequently causing wheels to lock. Airplane skidded. Just before it stopped it turned sideways and broke the left wheel strut off. Aeroplane fell on left wing & engine causing considerable damage to plane. I don’t think it will fly again. No one was hurt, fortunately.
[page ends in original diary]
3-7-43: Took day off. Read: Wake Up and Live by Dorthea Brande. Went to Mass.
3-8-43: Read and wrote letters.
3-9-43: Assigned as assistant crew chief to E.M. Lutz [Ellwood M.] on ship #41-17861 [Dangerous Dan], the one J.R. Thomas [best friend of Dad] was crew chief on, bringing it across the ocean.
3-10-43: Worked on #861. Went to Oran with J.R. Thomas and E.M. Lutz. Drank a little champagne.
3-11-43: Worked on #861 and wrote letters.
3-12-43: Worked on #861. Major Polk talked to me about the hydraulic system on my old ship #845 and asked me how the emergency system should have been used. I told him and also gave him a mental picture with diagram as to what was wrong and emergency procedures.
[page ends in original diary]
3-13-43: Worked on #861. Rained so it did not fly. #724 undergoing 200hr. inspection. I worked on the high tension leads on #724. Read the New Testament, Following of Christ, and Dale Carnegie’s How To Win Friends and Influence People. Worked on B-26 notebook.
3-14-43: Wrote to Dad and [friend].
3-15-43: Wrote letter to Dale Carnegie & mailed it.
3-16-43: Went to town with Thomas. Took a Spanish girl to movie.
3-17-43: [No entry]
3-18-43: Flew as Aerial Engineer with Lt. Harris 2 hrs.
[page ends in original diary]
3-19-43: Worked on #861. Read How To Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie.
3-20-43: Preflighted #861. Moved or tent with Harvey Harris to new spot. Watched the engineers work with “D8" Caterpillar tractor, bulldozer attached [Dad, before enlisting, had worked for Ballinger Construction Co. and was very familiar with road and bridge-building equipment]. Read “HTWFAIP”, lent Spanish book to Cervantes
3-21-43: Moved out of pup tents into pyramid tents (5 men to a tent). Worked with E.M. Lutz on #861 [Dangerous Dan]
3-22-43: Worked with Lutz on #861. Got letters from Dad. Saw movie “The Hudson Bay Co.” starring Paul Muni.
[page ends in original diary]
3-23-43: Worked with Lutz on #861. Went over to see aeroplane the 319th Bomb Group is going to lend to us.
3-24-43: Was made crew chief by the line chief, M/Sgt. A.J. Mayer [Albert J.] on aeroplane the 319th BG lent us (#41-17761). The ship will be in M/Sgt. A.W. Fraser’s flight. It had 186.55 hrs. on it when I got it. It flew 5.5 hrs. today (three flights). I remember seeing this ship at Fort Wayne, Ind. It is named The Boomerang.
3-25-43: Preflighted #41-17761. It rained all day... no flights today... no mail.
[page ends in original diary]
Saw movie in post hanger #10: “Pride of the Yankees” starring Gary Cooper & Teresa Wright. It was a very fine movie. Read another chapter in Dale Carnegie’s book “How To Win Friends and Influence People”. I have applied some of his techniques and found them to work wonders, when you really are sincere in what you say. Read some in the New Testament and “The Following of Christ”. I find a great deal of consolation in the readings mentioned. It makes it easier to carry on and helps me to wait patiently to get back.
3-26-43: Pulled daily & preflight inspection on The Boomerang (#41-17761) and flew as Aerial Engineer for Lt. E.G. Davis [Edward G.](442nd Squadron). Started pulling a running 200 hr. inspection. Bill Foit [444th] and I worked until 23:00 hrs. Bill is a swell worker and he knows his stuff. Wrote letter to Evelyn [sister].
3-27-43: Talked with Battershell [Carl C.], Harris [Harvey C.] and Thomas [John R.] in the tent (rained out). Cleaned my mess kit and straightened up my equipment.
3-27-43: [two entries for 3-27-43] Worked on #761. Got a letter from Lucy [sister], Aunt Susan, Rachel [my mother] and S/Sgt. Jim Newton.
[page ends in original diary]
3-28-43: Went to Mass & Holy Communion. Changed tires on #761.
3-29-43: Preflighted #761. Taxied it to runway, called the tower on the radio and got permission to taxi across runway.
3-30-43 to 4-2-43: [No entries].
4-3-43: Went to town with John R. Thomas.
4-4-43: [No entry]
4-5-43: Worked on #761.
4-6-43: Worked on #761. Went to town with H.C. Harris [Harvey C.]. Met French boy and a Swiss that had been in German prisoner camp.
4-7-43: The 319th Bomb Group took their aeroplane back today (#41-17761, B-26B, The Boomerang). I packed up my bags and took inventory of all my things. Got letter from Rachel Sorrow [my future mother].
4-8-43: Worked with John R. Thomas on his new ship #013.[42-96013, Brinah]
4-9-43: Worked with Sgt. Douglas [Edwin H. Douglass - later 441st?] helping him change his nose wheel strut and checking landing gear for operation (also warning horn). Saw movie with M/Sgt. A.W. Fraser: Bing Crosby in “On the Road to Morocco.
4-10-43: Worked with D.B. Ott [later 442nd?]. Informed I had a new ship waiting for me.
[page ends in original diary]
4-11-43: Went to Mass.
4-12-43: Went to La Senia to work on plane.
4-13-43: Went to Mass, Confession, & Holy Communion. Flew with Capt. Dorman (T.M.) on a test hop in aeroplane (B26B4, #8059)[41-18059 is listed as being a 443rd plane that crashed on takeoff on 4-28-43 on the www.320thbg.org site]. He practiced stalls (it stalls at 109mph in a climb). He lowered the landing gear and flaps in level flight and pulled the throttle back till it stalled. When it stalled he pushed the throttle forward, nose down, and yanked the wheels up. She checked out OK. John R. Thomas and I went with him (no spoilers on leading edge of wing). My new ship (#8061) is not quite ready yet. I got thirteen letters today. One new letter, the rest was December mail.
[page ends in original diary]
4-14-43: Flew with Capt. T.M. Dorman as Co-Pilot on a test hop in #8061. It checked out OK. First time I have been up in a B-26B when the guns were fired and the bomb bay doors were open. We practiced bomb runs and ground straffing with the machine guns. Capt. Dorman got a call from La Senia tower that Capt. Dieter [Harold W. Dieter, KIA 9-18-43] was up over Tafaraoui and couldn’t get his landing gear down. I got a hydraulic emergency book and went with him to the tower to tell Capt. Dieter how he might get his gear down. He got it down OK, landed, and saved the ship. Helped T/Sgt. H.C. Harris work on his ship.
[page ends in original diary]
4-15-43: Went to La Senia on a Jeep with Capt. T.M. Dorman, Capt. F.R. Ellsworth [Fred R. Ellsworth, KIA 5-9-43], Capt. Marble[?], and Major Sullivan [Robert D. - 441st? or M.C. Sullivan?]. Worked on #41-18061. Talked to Curtis Electric technician about propellers. Capt. Dorman and I brought (flew) B26B4 #8061 to Tafaraoui. I flew as Aerial Engineer and Co-Pilot.
Went to hear a band of soldiers that just came up from Liberia. They were good. Billy Cow[?] and Simon Wess. Wess is the leader of the band. Saw movie: “Nightmare” with Diana Barrymore and Brian Donlevy.
4-16-43: Worked on #8061.
[page ends in original diary]
Got a letter from Rachel Sorrow also. Wrote letters to Dad and Rachel.
4-17-43: Some of the fellows left today for the front. I am supposed to leave tomorrow.
4-18-43: We left today in my plane but ran into bad weather and had to come back. I made some minor repairs on the ship. Went to movie: “Shores of Tripoli”. Also saw a short about the “Prophecies of Nostrodamus”, a man born in France on Dec. 14th in the 16th Century. After his family died he retired to a monastery for prayer and study. His predictions, thus far, have
[page ends in original diary]
hit the nail on the head [sic]. I missed Mass today because of the move.
4-19-43: Go ready to take off, but weather did not permit.
4-20-43: Got ready for take off, again weather interfered. Went to town. Met Rasmussen [Douglas], Reimiller[Byron C.], Weil [Ralph P.], McCurdy [Arthur L.], Vaughn [Ernest C.], Stoerkel ]Lawrence J.] and Higgins [Russell B.]. I went to town with Thomas. We all got back OK. We had a big time. Caught a ride back in an English truck.
4-21-43: P.X. Day. Drew a box of cigars, 4 packs of chewing gum (Wrigley’s), eight pieces of candy, matches, cookies, pipes, etc. Played softball with the officers. Went to show on post. Weather too bad for takeoff.
[page ends in original diary]
The Red Cross put on a good variety show: “Gals & Gags” [that’s right... “gags”, not “guys”]. At the end of the show they came out with the British flag and played their national anthem, the French flag and their national anthem then the American flag and played our national anthem. They placed our flag in the middle of the stage, and just as they started the “Star Spangled Banner”, a star shot across the sky and dimmed out just when it got directly over the American flag.
4-22-43: Took off today and arrived at Montesquieu. Flew with Major Polk, Lt. Barrett and Capt. Nerone, R.P. Weil, G. Kraker and . Hedgepeth. I flew as Aerial Engineer. We got here just in
[page ends in original diary]
time to see eighteen of our planes leave on a mission. Today is a red letter day for our group... their first real mission in combat. All eighteen planes and all escort ships returned undamaged. They sighted their target and demolished it. This is the day we have all waited for, been trained for, and all the cost for training has been justified today. We set up our tent, made supper, and went to bed. Went to Mass and Holy Communion and prayed that our trip would be a safe one. God sure has been good to me and this group. He has been better to me than I deserve.
4-23-43: The group sent eighteen ships again today. They hit the target
[page ends in original diary]
but were without escort this time and were met by Italian and German fighters. Several ships got shot up, but all men and ships got back. I worked on my plane. I went to prayer service . Today is Good Friday, several men on my crew went with me. Worked on #061.
4-24-43: It was cloudy today and no ships went out. I worked on #061. Got a letter from Ginger [sister], Uncle Billy and Dale Carnegie (from Tuscon, Ariz.)
4-25-43: Easter Sunday. Went to Mass & Holy Communion. My ship went to La Senia. Capt. McCrory [James L.] went after in another ship. Eighteen ships went out today with a new type bomb for low bombing. It did not work so good. The bombs went off too close to the ships and several of them got damaged. One fell in the Mediterranean.
[page ends in original diary]
4-26-43: Went through all my old letters and straightened out all my personal belongings. Filled out diary. Took a bath and washed clothes. Made bed on top of 5 gallon cans filled with sand and a bag of straw on top of them. #061 did not come back from La Senia today.
4-27-43 to 5-8-43: [no entries]
[page ends after 5-1-43 in original diary]
5-9-43: Worked on my ship.
5-10-43: Went to Souk Ahras with John Thomas.
5-11-43: My ship went on raid over Sicily. Hit the target, got flak hole in it.
5-12-43: No raid today. Changed a hydraulic pump and worked on carburetor. Ship ready. Got mail from [friends] and home.
[page ends in original diary]
5-13-43: My aeroplane went on a raid over Sicily and got a flak hole in it. We repaired it. Went to movie: “The Spoilers”
5-14-43: My ship, #41-18061 went on a raid over Sardinia and hit the target. This makes the 6th raid #061 has made. Got a letter from Mother & Dad. My aeroplane is ready for the next mission. It did not get any holes in it today. Bought 50 eggs from an Arab. We fried them in our tent.
5-15-43: Got letter from Rachel.
5-16-43: Got letter from [friends]
5-17-43: Got another letter from [friends].
[page ends in original diary]
5-18-43: Got letter from home and Dudley [brother].
5-19-43: Got letters from Frank and Alan [brothers].
5-20-43: Got letter from Lucy [sister].
5-21-43: Mission called off. Worked on aeroplane and wrote letters.
5-22-43: Worked on #8061. It went on a mission and came back OK. I plan on trying for a commission again.
5-23-43: My ship, #8061, went on its tenth mission today. Came back OK. Wrote letters. A grand man died today in a B26B4 crack up. Our Group C.O., Lt. Col. Fordyce. I saw my first sergeant, M/Sgt. Davison, about procedure for officer’s field commission. He told me to see the commanding officer, Major R.B. Polk.
[page ends in original diary]
5-24-43 to 5-26-43: [no entry]
5-27-43 to 5-29-43: Spoke to Major Polk about officer’s commission. He said fine. He thinks I have a good chance. I showed him a list of President Polk’s ancestors. He was very interested. He is a descendent of that tribe [Note: My father was also a descendent of the Polk clan, and undoubtedly mentioned this fact.]. I wrote him a letter. He signed it and sent it to the board.
5-30-43: #8061 went on misson #14. Back OK. I read the book: Officer’s Guide. I’m trying for a commission as Engineering Officer. Went to a movie with John R. Thomas.
5-31-43: I flew 1.5 hours in my ship #41-18961. Everything seems to be OK.
[page ends in original diary]
6-1-43: My ship #8061 went on its 15th mission. Came back OK. John R. Thomas and I went to Souk Ahras. I got an Italian pistol for 1000 [pounds]($20) from an English soldier. Thommie and I spent the night with the English soldiers at the German prison camp. Ate breakfast with them, then caught a ride back to camp the next day.
6-2-43: Got back to camp. #8061 went on mission 16 and came back OK. I cleaned my rifle and Italian pistol.
6-3-43: My ship did not go on mission today. It was not scheduled. Studied The Officer’s Guide.
[page ends in original diary]
6-4-43: No mission today. We cleaned the ship throughly (Hoover [Allan C.], Kelly [William], Hiatt [Laurence N.] & myself).
6-5-43: Worked on #8061. Inspected gas tank. S/Sgt. Hoover fell out of cockpit and broke 2 ribs.
6-6-43: Worked on #8061. Changed plugs on right engine. Feel better today.
6-7-43: #8061 went as a spare with thousand pound bombs. Flew 2hrs.15mins, but did not have to take anyone’s place. I went before the pre-officer’s exam board today. Lt. Colonel Gregory [Stanford W. - HQ], Major Polk [Richard B. “Dick” - 444th], Major Parsons [Earl G. - HQ or Frank - 443rd HQ ], Capt. Gazille, Capt. Belcher [Charles L. - 441st] and Capt. Marble [William L. - 443rd], I believe proved in their interview that I am officer’s material. Sgt. W. Kelly [William Kelly] took charge of the ship today. He’s a fine man.
[page ends in original diary]
6-8-43: #8061 went on its 17th mission today with thousand pounders. Lt W.A. [Art] Worthington and his crew took it. Cleaned my gun and Italian pistol. #8061 got back OK. Got letter from Irleene Stephens.
6-9-43: Got official word today that I passed the board [officer’s] here. My next move is to go before a board in Algiers. Pulled a 25 hr. inspection. Ship OK and ready for flight. I got a much needed letter today. I felt down in the dumps, but now I’m OK again.
6-10-43: My ship, #8061, went on its 18th mission and got back, but not OK. The right engine used (burnt) up all the oil and froze up. 2nd Lt. D.R. Coulter [David] made a beautiful one engine landing, pulled the air bottle, but did not hurt the aeroplane or tires. The ship needs two engines changed.
[page ends in original diary]
6-11-43: The right engine was removed from 41-18061. I got a letter from Rachel Sorrow. I asked Capt. H.W. Dieter, Capt. T.M. Dorman, Capt. E.K. Harris and Major R.B. Polk for a letter of recommendation. They all said they would give me one. I congratulated Snyder who just made 2nd Lieutenant. He gave me a few pointers. Made appointment with Capt. Conrad for a physical inspection tomorrow at 10:30am.
6-12-43: Got four letters of recommendation from Major R.B. Polk (my CO), Capt. E.K. Harris (my pilot, the one I flew across the Atlantic with and also half of Africa to Oran), Capt. T.M. Dorman (a great pilot and a fine man - group operations officer) and Capt. H.W. Dieter [Harold] (our engineering officer who is on the ball).
[page ends in original diary]
6-13-43: Went to Confession, Mass and Holy Communion. Prayed to God that I would make a commission in the Army of the United States. The service group and myself changed the right engine on my aeroplane #8061, but not the left one (although it used a tank full of oil on one trip). Took part of my physical exam for officer’s commission. Got a letter from my sister Mary. Read Officer’s Guide and The Following of Christ.
6-14-43: Worked on right engine change. Went to Souk Ahras to finish my physical.
6-15-43: Started to take test hop with Capt. H.W. Dieter, but radio was out.
[page ends in original diary]
6-16-43: Preflighted the ship and the left engine cut out on both the left & right magnetos when I checked them and runs rough on both positions.
6-17-43: Changed high tension lead to left & right distributor and changed plugs. Ship ran OK. Capt. Dieter test hopped it for 1 hour but I did not go with him. My flight chief, A.W. Fraser went.
6-18-43: It took 5 gals. for right engine and 11 gals. for left engine. We got orders to change left engine. Started at 3:30pm.
6-19-43: Got engine off and new one put on today.
[page ends in original diary]
6-20-43: Went to Confession, Mass, & Holy Communion. Worked on new left engine. Got it ready for run up. Got letter from Rachel and Dud [brother]. Wrote letter to Rachel. Ate three hard boiled eggs.
6-21-43 to 6-30-43: [No entries - page ends after 6-27-43]
7-1-43: Went to Tunis.
7-2-43 to 7-7-43: [No entries}
[page ends in original diary]
7-8-43 to 7-18-43: [No entries]
[page ends in original diary]
7-19-43: #061 was scheduled to fly but did not go.
7-20-43: Inghram [Russell T. - 442nd?] got back from officer’s board. Said it is tough.
7-21-43: My papers got as far as Gen Doolittle’s office and were sent back for two minor corrections.
7-22-43: Changed starter on right engine.
7-23-43: Finished changing carburetor on left engine. Installed cowl grommets that Kelly and I made.
7-24-43: Wrote letters. Made cowl mounts for #061.
7-25-43: Went to Confession, Mass & Holy Communion. Went to Tunis & Carthage with W.A. Harrison. We took a swim and sail boat ride in the Mediterranean.
[page ends in original diary]
7-26-43: Got a pass from Capt. H.W. Dieter and went to town with John R. Thomas and Harvey Harris. Met a Frenchman that is a good friend of Marlena Dietrech and Simone Simon. He used to live in Paris. His father is a German prisoner (a Colonel). His name is Mr. Eyssartier and he used to be a French Lieutenant.
7-27-43: Worked on #061. Took my papers and physical to Capt. (Don) Conrad to correct for me. Too dark today to have my picture taken for the board in Algiers. Spent the night in #061 guarding it. Studied Company Administration and Personnel Records by Lt.Col. C.M. Virtue, Infantry, U.S. Army.
[page ends in original diary]
7-28-43 to 7-30-43 [No entries]
7-31-43: Went to Tunis to visit the Maltese family.
8-1-43 to 8-3-43: [No entries]
8-4-43: Went to Bizerte, Moteur, Ferryville, Tunis and Carthage with John R. Thomas. We saw the old Cathedral and Roman ruins at Carthage.
8-5-43 to 8-9-43: [No entries]
8-10-43: We now have Italian prisoners for KP.
8-11-43: Went to see Bob Hope and Francis Langford put on a show for us at El Bathan. Heard new song: “Pressed Flowers”.
[page ends in original diary]
8-12-43: Changed nose tire on #061. Had steak for supper. Wrote 5 letters.
8-13-43: *061 went on its 29th mission. It went to Rome. This was the mission that wrecked Rome’s railroad yards. Drove a German motorcycle.
8-14-43: Completed 250 hrs. inspection on #061. Caught up on all letters.
8-15-43: Went to Confession, Mass & Holy Communion. Went to town, swam at La Marsa, ate supper with the Maltese family.
8-16-43: Went to Tunis, then to Amilear to swim. Caught ride home in truck from Red Cross.
8-17-43: #061 went on its 30th mission. It bombed Naples. Sicily has been completely taken. Bizerte was bombed. I saw one German plane shot down. Got a letter from Rachel.
[page ends in original diary]
8-18-43: Worked on the Jeanie (#061) [this is the first time my father refers to this aircraft as “Jeanie”]. Smoked a Muriel cigar. Riemiller got a package from home. Ate a piece of candy out of his box. Saw Bizerte bombed again last night.
8-19-43: Worked on #061. Got letter from Rachel. Paul Ingram told me my papers came back canceled because they did not get back before the board closed July 19. So, my third attempt for a commission has failed. Looks as if I will never be able to get a commission. Wrote letter to Rachel.
8-20-43: #061 made her 31st mission and bombed Italy.
8-21-43: #061 made her 32nd mission.
[page ends in original diary]
8-22-43: Went to Tunis. Went swimming at Amilear. Met two French girls. #061 went to Casablanca.
8-23-43: Went to Tunis. Went swimming at Carthage. Ate supper with the Maltese family and Mr. & Mrs. Dominic Borg. Drank some whiskey from Alexandria, Egypt.
8-24-43: Wrote letters to Mother and Alan [brother]. Received letters from Angie[brother-in-law], Mary[sister], Dad and Rachel. Also received clipping of Evelyn’s [sister's] wedding.
8-25-43: The Jeanie (#061) got back from Casablanca and Oran. We have to stand 24 hour guard at our aeroplanes because of paratroopers in the vicinity. Caught a cold and am taking medicine for it. Spent the night in #061. Listened to the radio and studied company administration and personnel records.
[page ends in original diary]
8-26-43: Got letters from Lucy, Rachel and Mother. #061 made her 33rd sortie. She went to Italy. St. Christopher medal brings her back.
8-27-43: #061 went on her 34th mission. Lt. D.K. Coulter flew it.
8-28-43: No mission today. Started 300 hr. inspection on #061. Wrote letters.
8-29-43: Completed 300 hr. inspection on #061 (“Jeannie”).
8-30-43: #061 went to Algiers. Lt. Burns and Sgt. Snebold [Richard C.}took it. Wrote a letter.
8-31-43: #061 got back from Algiers. Lt. Burns buzzed the mess hall with her on his return. Payday today. Got card from Laurie [brother].
[page ends in original diary]
9-1-43: Went to town with Riemiller and Thomas.
9-2-43: Flew in #061 2hrs.30mins. Telergma, Mateur.
9-3-43: Was informed that #061 is to be turned over to the French, equipped for combat.
9-4-43: “Jeannie” (#41-18061) was delivered to the French by Capt. E.K. Harris and myself at Telergma. Then I ate dinner at the officer’s mess and came back to El Bathan.
9-5-43: I have no new aeroplane assigned to me yet. Got my flying pay today. Went to Confession, Mass and Communion. Got two letters; one from Dud [brother] and one from Dad.
9-6-43: Went to Tunis with Byron C. Riemiller and Dennis Graham. Denny and I took a taxi ride with a couple of Italian girls.
[page ends in original diary]
9-7-43: Went to the line and looked over the new aeroplane I am supposed to crew. The serial number is 41-34890, a B-26C. I will have to wait for the service squadron to put a new main wheel strut on the left side before it will fly.
9-8-43: Went to Tunis with Mike & Thomas. We ate dinner in a 5 & 10 store as well as beer and ice cream. Met a pretty manicurist in a barber shop. Her name is Simon. Ate supper with Mr. & Mrs. Dominic Borg. Heard that Italy quit.
[page ends in original diary]
9-9-43: Received a letter from Evelyn [sister].
9-10-43: Went to Tunis. Got another lesson in French [from Simon].
9-11-43: Got letter from Hely [Aunt]. Studied Company Administration.
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9-12-43: Went to Confession, Mass & Holy Communion.
9-13-43: Took carburetor off M/Sgt. A.W. Fraser’s right engine. Made repairs and replaced. Went to see an all-American show put on by the Red Cross in Tunis. The show was different and very good.
9-14-43: Slept late, made out diary & answered letters. I wrote 5. The 5th Army is having a time of it near Naples against the Germans. The English 8th Army is advancing fast in the Southern part. Drank Scotch & soda at the club.
9-15-43: Shoveled dirt into a truck. I needed the exercise. #890 is just about striped and is still in Service Squadron. Tanks
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have finally landed near Naples. Our B-26s are making two raids a day over there, trying to relieve the pressure on the 5th Army. Wrote a letter to Mother. Went to movie at group HQ. Saw “Nazi Strike” and “Desert Victory” (Gens. Alexander and Montgomery’s chase of Field Marshall Rommel out of Africa from El Alemein to Tunis). Ate some good old American cookies and candy. Studied “Company Administration”. Read Reader’s Digest.
9-16-43: Read The Following of Christ. Studied “Co. Administration & Personnel Records”.
9-17-43: Went to town with Reimiller & Thomas. Talked to my friend Mr. Eyrsartier. He got me a date with a French girl. Met a Russian from Moscow named Aleksadrowestic[?].
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9-18-43: Helped Harvey Harris work on his new ship. Wrote letters. Read Reader’s Digest & Company Administration.
9-19-43: Went to Mass & Holy Communion. Wrote letters to Aunt Cecily & Mother. #890 is about ready at Service Squadron.
9-20-43: Went to Service Squadron. #890 needs two batteries and nose plexiglass fixed., then it will be ready. Helped Harris some on his ship. Colonel Baumeister complimented the ground crews on the good work we have been doing to keep the aeroplanes flying. He said that due to the Air Force we probably saved the 5th Army’s bridgeheads and especially due
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to the Group’s accuracy in their bombing. This Group had a 100% score in hits. No other Group met that score. The 5th and 8th Armies have now met and are safe. We have a definite stand in Italy and will beat the Germans. The Russians are mopping up too. Bought two chickens from an Arab. Reimiller & I cooked and ate them. Had a couple of drinks of American whiskey at the club.
9-21-43: Helped Sgt. Baker (I.J. ?) change carburetors. Corsica was invaded by the French. The Italians are helping.
9-22-43: Sardinia fell. Got #890 out of Service Squadron. She sure is a dirty B26C and has lots of parts replaced with old ones. Lt. Hallowell crashed landed #861 on the sea off the coast of Italy.
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He had all the crew bail out over Italy near the enemy line after his controls had been shot partly out. He & Co-Pilot got out and swam to shore. All the crew is alive & safe. Lt. D.K. Coulter landed on a field that had just been taken by us two hours previous and was still under shell fire. He picked up Capt Barrett who was observer and had bailed out of #861. [Note: This collaborates with Mission # 82 listed as flown on 9-21-43. See: (http://320thbg.org/mission_pdfs/mission_082.pdf), "Our Losses", in Missions section of the 320th BG site].
9-23-43: Harvey Harris’ birthday today (28-years-old). Worked on #890. Pulled through inspection for missing parts and condition. Waiting to go on test hop in her. “PX” today: candy, toothpaste and cigar free.
9-24-43: Went on test hop in #890. She checked out OK. Went to Tunis with Mr. & Mrs. J. Borg. Dreamed that I was fighting the “Japs” and sunk several of their boats.
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9-25-43: Read The Following of Christ . Worked on #890. Read Company Administration. Got card from James V. Newton (S/Sgt.) from Boise, Idaho. Went to movie at headquarters.
9-26-43: Worked on #890. Wrote letters to Jim Newton, & Mother. Went to Mass & H.C. Heard over the radio that the Pope is a German prisoner. Flew 1hr., 40mins. in #890. We buzzed the sea for half hour, shooting all the guns (testing them). .
9-27-43: Preflighted #890. It was loaded with 500 lbs. bombs and a Norden sight, ready for a mission. Mission was called off. It rained for the first time since we’ve been here. Dug a ditch around our tent. Got a letter from Dad.
9-28-43: Rained all day. Mission called off.
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9-29-43: Went to town. Drank wine and French Scotch Whiskey. Boy did I get stinky drunk. Looked for a girl to have a date with but could not find one. Guess it was the good God that kept me from that. Ate supper (chicken) with the Maltese family. Came home in the Squadron truck driven by Cottengim [Clarence].
9-30-43: Thanked God for taking care of me and made a new resolution not to get drunk like that again. Boy, this life gets a man low. Got a letter from Dad & Angie [brother-in-law]. Read The Following of Christ . Payday in American gold seal money.
10-1-43: Runway still closed because of rain. Stayed in camp. Read Company Administration and Personnel Records, Catholic Digest, and The Following of Christ.
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Wrote to Dad and Angie. Ate a can of meat and beans and made a cup of cocoa. Still have a strong desire to learn to sing and to learn to play piano of violin (or both), Drank two cups of beer at the club.
10-2-43: Wrote birthday letters to Uncle O.A. [Oscar A. Gonzalez] and to Dudley [brother]. Also sent a card to Mary Sheppard [sister]. Read The Following of Christ, Company Administration (the service record) and The Catholic Digest . It rained last night so the field is closed still. No flying.
10-3-43: Went to Confesson, Mass, and Holy Communion. Flew in #41-34890 to the 319th Bomb Group field. Saw and old friend that I was in gunnery school with (Trainer). All our ships have moved over there because of the rain.
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10-4-43: #890 loaded with 500 lb. bombs to go on mission over Italy. After it was out 34 mins. The right engine started cutting out. They made an emergency landing at El Bathan.
10-5-43: Checked right engine and found trouble to be in the carburetor. Lt. Meyer, Lt. Hallowell, M/Sgt. Reimiller and I went on test hop in it. Flew one hour, checked out OK. Landed at 319th field. Went to town with Reimiller. Visited the Maltese family.
10-6-43: Preflighted #890 right engine cuts out on right magneto, so it did not get to go on mission. Changing spark plugs. Rained hard. Corsica is now in French hands.
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10-7-43: Changed plugs in right engine of #41-34890. Engine runs up OK. Read Reader’s Digest.
10-8-43: No mission. Cleaned up the ship. Met an old friend that I went to gunnery school with (Sgt. Trainer). Spent the night in the aeroplane guarding it.
10-9-43: The Russians have crossed the Dnieper river. Accumulator will not hold air in #890. Mission called off due to rain. Got a letter from Lucy.[sister]
10-10-43: Went to Mass, Confession and Holy Communion. Went to town and visited the Maltese family.
10-11-43: Installed new accumulator (B-26 type). Ship OK for flight. Mission called off due to rain. Got letter from Lucy & Mrs Reimiller.
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10-12-43: Flew 1 hour in #890. Wrote letters to Lucy & Mrs. Reimiller.
10-13-43: Slept in #890. Last night to sleep in the ships.
10-14-43: #890 flew on mission today with 4 1000 lbs. bombs. She went North of Rome, stopped at Sardinia on the way back for gas, then came home OK (Lt. Sund pilot, 7 missions).
10-15-43: No flying. Went to 319th field at Dejeida to work on the plane.
10-16-43: No flying today - rain. Went to town with J.R. Thomas and saw French movie.
10-17-43: Flew in #890 1.5 hrs. Went to Tunis with T/Sgt. J.R. Thomas. Visited Mr. & Mrs. Borg. Saw movie: Errol Flynn in “The Sea Hawk”. Missed Mass - had to work.
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10-18-43: Went to 319th field to work. Mission called off. Got letter from Laurie [brother] and Dad. Went to movie at our field at El Bathan. Ate a can of “C” rations.
10-19-43: Mission called off. Wrote letters to Dad, Dudley, & Rachel. Made some coffee. Saw 21st engineer’s band. We were discussing how to spell “needle”. I said it did not have an “i” in it. John Thomas said the “heck” it didn’t have an “i” in it.
10-20-43: #890 went on her 8th mission. She has 150 hrs. Lt. Coulter was pilot and went North of Rome and hit the target. Made night landing. Got through work at 21:00 hrs. Bomb load was 4- 1000 pounders.
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10-21-43: #890 went again today. Lt. Peterson [Thomas Norm Peterson, 441/444th] was pilot. T/Sgt. Janise, engineer, [Wilbur W. Janiss] completed his ninth mission. Went to work at 5:30 hrs. #890 stopped in Sardinia for gas and damaged the nose strut so she was left there (Jeanie visits Sardinia).
10-22-43: Went to Djedeida at 6:30 and helped get the ships ready for the mission. Harvey Harris went to Sardinia to take Ligon to fix his ship. I got the nose strut too late to go today. Went to movie.
10-23-43: Went to Sardinia in E.J. Roth’s ship (#882). Bill Foit was engineer. M/Sgt. A.J. Mayer helped me install a new nose strut on #890. Flew back to Djedeida in #890. Flight Officer Conley [Douglas C.] was pilot. One of Thomas’ (John R.)sayings: “Boy, when I hit you,
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you’ll say- What! Didn’t my chute open?” Got letter from Sgt. Walter Ankerson and Aunt Cecily.
10-24-43: Got letter from Alan [brother]. He is still at Miami Beach and is a Corporal. Pulled 50 hr. inspection on #890. Read some of Dale Carnegie’s book, How to Win Friends and Influence People.
10-25-43: Went to 319th field. Came back for dinner and went on “police up” detail. Stayed at camp and read The Following of Christ and wrote letters. Had two drinks at club.
10-26-43: Stayed at camp this morning. Wrote 11 letters. Went over to 319th field this afternoon and got tools and equipment ready to move.
10-27-43: Read The Following of Christ and Dale Carnegie’s book. Hitched a ride from 319th field to El Bathan. Saw movie at our camp.
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10-28-43: Half our camp moved out today. They will go by boat to Sardinia. Aldridge got back from Cairo & Alexandria today in plane #41-xx853 [Cindy, 41-17853, Battle # 81, Later converted to transport and crashed according to 320th BG website]. Read Dale Carnegie’s book and The Following of Christ.
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10-29-43: Worked on the aeroplane.
10-30-43: Worked on the aeroplane.
10-31-43: Missed Mass; had to work. #890 went on her 10th mission.
11-1-43: Went to Tunis with Reimiller & Thomas. Visited Mr. & Mrs. Dominic Borg and drank some wine.
11-2-43: #890 not scheduled today. Read Reader’s Digest, Following of Christ and Dale Carnegie’s book. Heard that our ground crew has arrived in Sardinia safely. Got Christmas V-mails today. We can send mail out again.
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11-3-43: Hauled lumber in #890 to Sardinia. Got mail from Evelyn and Mary [sisters].
11-4-43: Hauled equipment and bags to Sardinia in #890. Brought mail back. 1hr., 5mins. from Djedeida to Sardinia.
11-5-43: Worked on aeroplane. Nose strut flat.
11-6-43: Worked on aeroplane all day. Went to movie at Djedeida: “Tarzan Triumphs”. Drank some English Scotch.
11-7-43: [entry not reprinted]
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11-8-43: Wrote letters to Mother, Evelyn and Mary. Went to Tunis with John R. Thomas and Byron C. Reimiller and visited the Malta family, Mr. and Mrs. Dominic Borg. Caught a ride back to camp in a truck driven by Walter Turner from Mobile, Alabama. Missed Mass again because of work.
11-9-43: Moved to Sardinia today in #890 (“Jeanie”). Set up our tent. Saw movie at headquarters: Frank Morgan in “Stranger In Town”.
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11-10-43: Fixed our tents and the grounds. Met two Italian boys named Eugenio and Angelo, 13 and 16 years old. Got some red wine which Eugenio tasted and said: “Aqua vino!!”. Then he said he would bring me some “buno vino damani!!”. I gave them a can of “C” rations and some candy.
11-11-43: Eugenio & Angelo started digging a fox hole for us today. They brought the wine. It is white wine and very good. They also brought some radishes and olives (our tent is in an olive garden). I went to the line and worked on #890. The nose strut still leaks. Eugenio taught me some Italian and told me the names of his family. His
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Mother’s name is Maria and 53 years of age. Father is Antonio and 60 years old. Sisters Durina, 31, Pasqulina,22, Palmedo, 19, and Anita, 11. Brothers are Angelo, 16, and Eugenio, 13. ? - 27.
11-12-43: #890 (Jeanie II) went on mission today. They dropped from 10,000ft. to down under the clouds at 3000ft., so they could see their target. They knocked a bridge out in Italy. This was our first mission from Sardinia (#890 - 11th).
11-13-43: Went to Iglesias with Reimiller and Thomas. Bought an Italian watch for 15 dollars. Got letters from Dad and Mother. Mission cancelled. Weather bad.
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11-14-43: Went to Confession, Mass & Holy Communion at an Italian chapel on our base. Our chaplain says Mass there now. It is a very quaint chapel. The altar is under a roof and the people stand in the open. They have an electric music box that plays appropriate pieces at the appropriate time, including a choir singing “Ave Maria” and chimes. Mission was canceled.
Went with Eugenio and Angelo to get my laundry. They told me they were Catholic and had been to Mass & Communion this morning in the village near camp. They were delighted to know that I was Catholic, and had been to Mass and Holy Communion today also. They introduced me to their family and told them
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I was Catholic. They talked about running Mussolini out and the Pope being a German prisoner. They gave me some bread, cheese, olives, radishes and vino. It sure did taste good.. Boy!, Palmedo sure is a pretty girl. Durina is a nun, but was at home.
11-15-43: Mission called off because of bad weather. Got a letter from Frank [brother] and Aunt Susan. Wrote 12 letters (Christmas letters). Went to movie.
11-16-43: #890 (“Jeanie”) went on our first mission over Southern France. These were the first medium bombers over Southern France. She got one flak hole in her but got back OK. This makes her 2nd mission from Sardinia. Went out tonight and serviced aeroplane.
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11-17-43: The “Jeanie” went to Africa (Tunis), Rome and back tonight.
11-18-43: Changed nose strut on #890. Went to Villa da Sol, Sardinia this afternoon. Talked to an Italian family. Showed Hoover where he could get his laundry done and drank wine at a bar.
11-19-43: #890 scheduled for mission but mission called off because of bad weather. Went to village and drank wine at bar. Talked to Italian soldiers in my tent. T/Sgt. Harvey Harris arrived from Tunis today.
11-20-43: #890's scheduled mission called off because of weather.
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11-21-43: Went to Mass and Communion at chapel on base. #890 went on her 13th mission and got back with only one flak hole in her.
11-22-43: Lt. Kisler [Jack A.] flew the “Jeanie” on her 14th mission today. They met no opposition. Read three chapters in the New Testament, The Following of Christ, How to W.F.A.I.P. and some leaflets that Frank sent me. Serviced the aeroplane after supper and went to the late show: “Human Comedy” with Mickie Rooney, Frank Morgan and Fay Bainter.
11-23-43: Misson called off due to bad weather. Went to see Eugenio in the
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village. He is sick and in bed. Got the laundry.
11-24-43: Mission called off. Runways too wet. Went to Villa da Sol. Bought some almonds and talked to my Italian soldier friends, Bruno and Eugenio from Milan, Italy. They don’t like Sardinia. The Italian camp has about 25 soldiers in it and they keep a cute little Italian girl in their camp named Anna. Went to movie at headquarters.
11-25-43: Thanksgiving Day. Mission called off because of weather. I heard that Churchill, Roosevelt and some high-ranking Russian and German officials met in Cairo the other day. Understand it is about peace terms. Turkey today. [The Cairo Conference brought Churchill, Roosevelt, and Chiang Kai-shek together to state their united plans to accomplish the unconditional surrender of Japan, establish a free and independent Korea, and to return all islands conquered by Japan since 1914 to their previous owners. No German or Russian representatives were present. The Teheran Conference occurred immediately after the Cairo Conference and was attended by Churchill, Roosevelt and Stalin].
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11-26-43: Jeanie II went on her 15th mission.
11-27-43: Jeanie II went on her 16th mission.
11-28-43: Jeanie II went on her 17th mission.
11-29-43: 200 hr. inspection on #890.
11-30-43: Pulling 200 hr. inspection on #890.
12-1-43: Push rod out of plane and bent.
12-2-43: Put new push rod in ship #890.
12-3-43: “Jeanie II” went on its 18th mission over enemy territory. Saw movie: Wallace Berry and Marjorie Maine in “Jack Ass Mail”.
12-4-43: No mission today.
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Saw Frederick March in person on a trailer stage we built for his show. He had a master of ceremonies named Sam Walsh and an accordion player named Evelyn and a singer named Jean. Jean is a movie actress and played in some Dr. Kildare pictures.
12-5-43: Washed “Jeanie II” down. P.X. rations today. I am on C.G. tonight. Posted guards. The lights went out (Italian current); started “Put-Put” got lights. Met Lt. Thompson [Sam A. ?] from Memphis, Tenn.
12-6-43: Slept all morning. Looked at Life magazine. Took laundry to the village.
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12-7-43: [No entry]
12-8-43: Went to Iglesias [Iglesias is in the SE part of Sardinia] with Thomas and Remiller. We drank wine and looked for a radio, but they wanted too much money for them ($150 to $200 Americano). I was not such a good boy.
12-9-43: Jeanie II flew today.
12-10-43: I am 28 years old today. Went to our club and drank some Scotch.
12-11-43: Jeanie II flew 1hr., 15 mins. formation.
12-12-43: Jeanie flew transition. Wrote letters. Went to Mass.
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12-13-43: Mission cancelled because of weather. Read The Following of Christ, wrote letters and sewed clothing. Got a birthday card from Hely [Aunt] and Dad. Also got a Christmas card.
12-14-43: Worked on #890. Talked to Bruno (the Italian soldier).
12-15-43: Worked on #890. Mission cancelled.
12-16-43: Installed serviceable prop governor on #890. Changed thermocouples from #13 cylinder to #1 on both engines. Runs up OK. Got letters from Rachel and Dudley. Wrote 5 letters.
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12-17-43: #890 flew on a practice mission. Got packages from the folks at home. Lucy (my sister) sent me a swell little book with lots of laughs.
12-18-43: #890 went on her 19th mission. She got two flak holes in the wing. I took her over to Service Squadron to be repaired.
12-19-43: Went to Confession, Mass & Holy Communion. Went to Red Cross building to get doughnuts again, but they were out again or still. I never get my doughnuts from them. Only the combat men get doughnuts and coffee from them. My friend T/Sgt. John R. Thomas (crew chief) has asked to be put on combat [duty]. H.J. Wymer [Harold J.](crew chief) has already been put on and has one mission finished and 39 more and he can go home. I am thinking about it. I do not believe fear would keep me from it, but feel it is my duty to keep at the job I have (crew chief). I would like some of the glory the combat crews get, but the faithful servants of the air corps (the ground crews) get a poem written about them once in awhile. They are important, but don’t get the recognition that combat personnel do. I realize how true Ben Franklin’s saying is today [arrow pointing to bottom of diary where following is written:] “Keep conscience clear, then never fear.”
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I got two packages today: pictures of Virginia Ann and Alan (Angus [brother-in-law] and Ginger’s [sister] children) and a picture of the Bride, Groom, Bride’s Maid and Best Man at Evelyn’s [sister’s] wedding. Got a carton of Chesterfield’s from Aunt Cecily & Susan. The boys in the tent got a lot of packages tonight. We ate fruit cake, candy and nuts. I read The Following of Christ and QuoVadis by a Polish author [Henryk Sienkiewicz] today.
12-20-43: Got birthday card from Rachel.
12-21-43: Went to Villasora.
12-22-43: They would not let my buddy Thomas go on combat. Read The Following of Christ, a book Mary sent me Gone With the Draft, and Quo Vadis. #890 flew today. Pilot was J.D. Towns [John D.], 2nd Lt. from California. Saw movie with Bob Burns.
12-23-43: #890 went on her 21st mission today and got back OK. I went to Mass and Confession today. Read Following of Christ.
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12-24-43: Worked on #890. I am in charge of quarters tonight. I had two drinks of rum at the club. We had to double the guard tonight because the Germans dropped leaflets on the island today asking the Italians to revolt against us. Boy, the fellows sure did get drunk (some of the officers too). I had to take a pistol away from one of the officers and lead him to bed. We got through the night without any serious trouble and the German planes did not come over.
12-25-43: Christmas Day. A beautiful day... nice and cool. I went to Mass and Holy Communion. Went to Villasora with Reimiller, Thomas and Wymer in a jeep and we gave
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the kids in the street candy and chewing gum. Our group went on a mission today.
I received a lot of packages today and had a nice Christmas, and did not drink but two shots of wine. Got watch and package from home.
12-26-43: Went to Mass and Holy Communion. I got a package from Rachel Sorrow.
12-27-43: 890 went on her 22nd mission. Lt. Conley was pilot. Got package from Evelyn [sister] and Raleigh [new brother-in-law].
12-28-43: 890 went on her 23rd mission today. Lt. Nagel was pilot. I read Quo Vadis. I am about half finished with it. It is very interesting, written by a Polish author, Henryk Sienkiewicz. Think it would make a good movie [Of course it did, in 1950, starring Robert Taylor, Deborah Kerr and Peter Ustinov, although there was a little known silent film in made in 1925]. Got 7 packages during Christmas.
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12-29-43: #890 went on her 24th mission. Dad’s birthday. Wrote he and Evelyn birthday letters. Got Christmas card from Alan [brother] and a “Moron” book from Lucy [sister]. Dressed an Italian soldier up in G.I. clothes and took him to the movies with me. #890 has a damaged nose wheel tire. Read Quo Vadis.
12-30-43: Worked on #890. Can’t get new nose tire tube yet. Pulling 50 hr. inspection. Put new L-S 86 spark plugs in left engine (36 if them). Read The Following of Christ, Quo Vadis and wrote letters to Rachel, Laurie [kid brother] and Uncle Billy.
12-31-43: Read Technical Orders. Studied hydraulic system.
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Read The Following of Christ and Quo Vadis. Wrote letters and saw movie: “Son of Fury”.