APO 920 = Base H, Biak, Dutch New Guinea- Schouten Islands
Mokmer Airstrip
8:00 PM Sept. 29th 44
Dearest,
Your letter of Sept 7th really did make me feel wonderfully happy. It's thoughts like those that make me want to hurry home so we can be together. We really have so much to look forward to. Do you realize how may things there will be that we haven’t even discussed before? The things we must see together & the places we must go together. Really, just thinking about these things and about you makes the time seem to zip by. I think about lots of things and you seem to be somewhere ahead not behind. Seems that we are not going to go back to you all but forward to you all. Maybe you will understand. Anyway I hope we can get it over with fast.
Sometimes as you say I am almost afraid to plan for the future. I fully agree with you that we shouldn’t think of ourselves individually but only what will be best for us. Don’t think that a day goes by that I don’t think of something we will be able to do when we start living our life. We will really have to get together and figure out just what we both want.
I haven’t received any mail except 2 letters for the last few days. Sure do hope to get some more of your wonderful letters tomorrow. I hope! I hope!
Darling I had something sent to you from Australia. I will let it be a surprise. I didn’t pick it out myself but I am sure the boy who sent it picked out a nice one. Let me know when you get it.
We have been real busy lately so I haven’t had a chance to work on the picture frame at all. Hope I can finish it.
Sitting here all alone and if I put the pen down for a moment I would fall asleep. So very tired tonite, maybe I’ll dream lots, I hope.
There isn’t any music tonite. I guess the fellow who plays the records had gone to the show. Sure do wish I could come driving up to your house about now (8:15) and we could go to a late show. Maybe I am dreaming already. Nice dream anyway don’t you think.
Well I guess I will sign off now. I have a long list of things to do tomorrow. Lots of running around and worries to keep shoes on the boys’ feet & clothes on them. Supply work is interesting but you never get finished trying to get stuff.
Darling I really love you from the bottom of my heart. Please believe in what I say and remember to have faith in me. I know we will make a wonderful pair when I get back.
Yours till that day all of us can be together once again. I love you every moment of every hour of every day.
Jack
Tell the two vacationists in your family I said hello and tell Ann to write me all about Florida.
Goodnite honey!
Sunday, May 8, 2016
42) How are we ever going to make up this lost time?--Sept. 27, 1944
APO 920 = Base H, Biak, Dutch New Guinea- Schouten Islands
Mokmer Airstrip
Sept. 27th, 44
Dearest,
Well honey here I am again. I went to the show tonite and I wish I had just sat here in my comfortable chair & listened to the music and thought of things to write to you. The picture was “Summer Storm”. I thought it was real dumb. Good acting but it just lacked something. They had a little six piece band play a few numbers before the show. Really had a bad seat tonite. I put my chair down in a low spot and could hardly see. I never realized how many different types of ears there were till I watched that show tonite. There are the flat ones that lay close to the head (drawing) then there are the Dumbo type (drawing) then there are the alert type (drawing). Plus so many other types that it would take me all nite to go through them. Silly isn’t it. “O.K. I know it” They just played “IS You Or IS You Ain’t My Baby.”
Wish you were hear to listen to some of these records they play. Maybe we will be able to play records again like we used to. Remember those nights we spent. There they go with “Pistol Packin Mama” again. Is it still very popular back there?
The football season should start soon back there. Who is going to take you around to the games? How are we ever going to make up this lost time? I say lost because there isn’t any other term for it. We are never going to be able to relive these years and they are gone or wasted. Well maybe not wasted, but definitely gone.
We will be able to be together and make each other very very happy I am sure but never will we be able to replace this precious time gone by. I don’t feel home sick really. But it does worry me about this being apart when I do so want to be with you. I know it may be hard to understand this but I really worry about it. Please pray that this will be at an end soon and we can start living our life. Darling I do want you to believe that I love you very deeply.
Your letters are so encouraging that I have reread parts of them over and over. Please darling keep on waiting. It can’t be so terribly long now. Have faith in my love and lots of patience. We will be together soon.
Your little Courier Journals you send are really swell. I got another one today. No letters came with it but they will surely be here tomorrow or even the next day.
Honey the lights will be out in a moment and I haven’t got any flash light batteries so I’ll sign off. Write lots & remember me to Ann & your Mom.
All of My Love,
Jack
Notes from the 9th FS Unit History- September 1944
Mokmer Airstrip
Dearest,
Well honey here I am again. I went to the show tonite and I wish I had just sat here in my comfortable chair & listened to the music and thought of things to write to you. The picture was “Summer Storm”. I thought it was real dumb. Good acting but it just lacked something. They had a little six piece band play a few numbers before the show. Really had a bad seat tonite. I put my chair down in a low spot and could hardly see. I never realized how many different types of ears there were till I watched that show tonite. There are the flat ones that lay close to the head (drawing) then there are the Dumbo type (drawing) then there are the alert type (drawing). Plus so many other types that it would take me all nite to go through them. Silly isn’t it. “O.K. I know it” They just played “IS You Or IS You Ain’t My Baby.”
Wish you were hear to listen to some of these records they play. Maybe we will be able to play records again like we used to. Remember those nights we spent. There they go with “Pistol Packin Mama” again. Is it still very popular back there?
The football season should start soon back there. Who is going to take you around to the games? How are we ever going to make up this lost time? I say lost because there isn’t any other term for it. We are never going to be able to relive these years and they are gone or wasted. Well maybe not wasted, but definitely gone.
We will be able to be together and make each other very very happy I am sure but never will we be able to replace this precious time gone by. I don’t feel home sick really. But it does worry me about this being apart when I do so want to be with you. I know it may be hard to understand this but I really worry about it. Please pray that this will be at an end soon and we can start living our life. Darling I do want you to believe that I love you very deeply.
Your letters are so encouraging that I have reread parts of them over and over. Please darling keep on waiting. It can’t be so terribly long now. Have faith in my love and lots of patience. We will be together soon.
Your little Courier Journals you send are really swell. I got another one today. No letters came with it but they will surely be here tomorrow or even the next day.
Honey the lights will be out in a moment and I haven’t got any flash light batteries so I’ll sign off. Write lots & remember me to Ann & your Mom.
All of My Love,
Jack
- Red alerts and air raids were much more scarce this month. About 3:30 A.M. on 9 September, 8 or 9 enemy bombers came over our base and Owi Island. The searchlights caught one bomber directly over the field and were able to keep the lights on it during the entire run.
- Anti-aircraft fire was spectacular but ineffective and the bomber leisurely completed a 180 degree turn and departed. A large series of explosions was seen in the direction of Japan Island which caused much conjuncture as to whether it was a plane crashing or bombs being jettisoned. It was later learned that one of the P-61 night-fighters shot down one of the raiders, causing it to crash on Japan Island. The enemy planes remained overhead well over an hour and dropped bombs, none of which fell in our area. A second enemy bomber was shot down, but after the only two night-fighters airborne denied being responsible, it became obvious that in the confusion one of the enemy bombers had shot down its companion. Many tracers were seen going into the doomed aircraft before it crashed, and as neither of our planes was firing at the time, there is little doubt that the Japs are still living up to the saying coined at Wewak: "It's a hell of a way to run an air force!" Link to article about the Bombing of Wewak
- September 14th, the squadron was surprised and greatly pleased to have Major Richard Bong, leading ace in the SWPA (Southwest Pacific Area) and former 9th pilot, pay a visit. This is Major Bong's third tour of duty in this theater, and it is hoped he will add to his score of 27 enemy planes shot down in combat. Until recently the Major was the leading ace in the Army Air Force, but has just been topped by Lt. Col. Gabreski (now a prisoner of war) in the European theater. Link to article about Col. "Gabby" Gabreski
- Late in the month the squadron was alerted preparatory to moving to an unknown destination in the near future. Needless to say, rumors, opinions, ideas and conjectures ran rampant, but the Philippines was the favorite of the majority. The move will be nearly all waterborne, with the air echelon cut to a minimum.
- The prize rumor of the year broke loose on the 19th when the entire Island of Biak teemed with the news that Germany had surrendered. Many premature joyous celebrations were held before the cold fact of grim realism dawned.
Ken Clark’s Unit History posted on www.flyingknights.net
41)Time doesn’t pass so slow when ever I look at your picture--Sept. 24, 1944
APO 920 = Base H, Biak, Dutch New Guinea- Schouten Islands
Mokmer Airstrip
Sept. 24. ‘44
“Hello Honey”,
No letter today and I sure needed one. Guess I will get them all in a bunch. Wouldn’t it be nice to get just one letter at a time? I hope mine don’t arrive there in bunches. I am honestly so glad when I get a letter from you that I immediately forget all about whether they area in a bunch or not. Just so they get here, they are worth waiting for. As long as I know that you are thinking about me then everything will be all O.K.
Frank Hamilton the boy who used to live with me here in the supply building, went home on the rotation plan. He has been over here exactly twice as long as I have. Glad he got to go home. Don’t think my turn will come this year. I’ll be lucky if I get home by my birthday. Still want to wait??
After the drenching I got last nite I stayed in tonite. I would rather write to you than see a movie anyway. They are playing records over the P.A. system. Sure have been putting on some corny ones in the last 15 minutes.
This is really comfort. I am sitting in a nice easy chair with my feet propped up and of course your pictures are sitting where I can easily see them.
Today was hot but we had a pretty cloudy sky so the sun didn’t shine directly down on us. The records are getting a lot better now they just played “How Sweet You Are.”
Boy we really fixed something good this after noon. We had toasted cheese sandwiches made with some very good cheddar cheese I brought back from Australia with me. Pretty Good Eats!
Darling, I am now the proud possessor of a camera. “JR.” (that’s Frank) left his for me when he went home. It is a Kodak 120. If you can get some film that size please send it to me. I must remember to have some more pictures censored and send them to you. Did you enjoy the ones I sent you not long ago?
In that picture you sent, before I read the letter I thought that you had on an evening gown. Some mistake, but it could happen to any one.
I read a very good book the other day. It was the book from which they got the story for the movie “Man Hunt” the book was “Rogue Male.” While I was traveling I read one called “Honey In The Horn”, a historical novel that won the Pulitzer Prize in 1936.
They just played “Pistol Packin Mama” or “Rosealetta” maybe I’ll hear some good ones now they just switched over to the radio. They have some real good bands and right now they are playing “Deep Purple” remember that one.
My sweet let me thank you again for the little papers you sent. Can you keep sending them? Are they easy to get?
Just heard “You Rhyme with Everything That’s Beautiful” first time I’ve heard that one. Tommy Dorsey is on the program.
I just went over and tried to tune in a station that a friend of mine runs on one of the other islands. We could get it but lots of static & buzzing noises. They were really going to town.
Here I am again.
A couple of real nice fellows in the next outfit came over and brought some bread and we had cheese sandwiches. They are real swell fellows. They are both first Lts. And you would never know they had any rank at all. Some officers are like that. They being in another outfit we don’t have to worry about how we act to each other.
Seems like the time has really dragged by tonite. It is only 8:45 and seems like midnite.
Darling I can’t seem to think of anymore to write so I will sign off.
Remember that I love you and pray for the day when we can be together again for always and always. Please have patience and I will be with you before you know it. Time doesn’t pass so slow when ever I look at your picture and know that you are waiting. From the bottom of my heart I mean this. You know that I am yours till the end and beyond that even.
Jack
Goodnite now.
Notes:
Mokmer Airstrip
Sept. 24. ‘44
“Hello Honey”,
No letter today and I sure needed one. Guess I will get them all in a bunch. Wouldn’t it be nice to get just one letter at a time? I hope mine don’t arrive there in bunches. I am honestly so glad when I get a letter from you that I immediately forget all about whether they area in a bunch or not. Just so they get here, they are worth waiting for. As long as I know that you are thinking about me then everything will be all O.K.
Frank Hamilton the boy who used to live with me here in the supply building, went home on the rotation plan. He has been over here exactly twice as long as I have. Glad he got to go home. Don’t think my turn will come this year. I’ll be lucky if I get home by my birthday. Still want to wait??
After the drenching I got last nite I stayed in tonite. I would rather write to you than see a movie anyway. They are playing records over the P.A. system. Sure have been putting on some corny ones in the last 15 minutes.
This is really comfort. I am sitting in a nice easy chair with my feet propped up and of course your pictures are sitting where I can easily see them.
Today was hot but we had a pretty cloudy sky so the sun didn’t shine directly down on us. The records are getting a lot better now they just played “How Sweet You Are.”
Boy we really fixed something good this after noon. We had toasted cheese sandwiches made with some very good cheddar cheese I brought back from Australia with me. Pretty Good Eats!
Darling, I am now the proud possessor of a camera. “JR.” (that’s Frank) left his for me when he went home. It is a Kodak 120. If you can get some film that size please send it to me. I must remember to have some more pictures censored and send them to you. Did you enjoy the ones I sent you not long ago?
In that picture you sent, before I read the letter I thought that you had on an evening gown. Some mistake, but it could happen to any one.
I read a very good book the other day. It was the book from which they got the story for the movie “Man Hunt” the book was “Rogue Male.” While I was traveling I read one called “Honey In The Horn”, a historical novel that won the Pulitzer Prize in 1936.
They just played “Pistol Packin Mama” or “Rosealetta” maybe I’ll hear some good ones now they just switched over to the radio. They have some real good bands and right now they are playing “Deep Purple” remember that one.
My sweet let me thank you again for the little papers you sent. Can you keep sending them? Are they easy to get?
Just heard “You Rhyme with Everything That’s Beautiful” first time I’ve heard that one. Tommy Dorsey is on the program.
I just went over and tried to tune in a station that a friend of mine runs on one of the other islands. We could get it but lots of static & buzzing noises. They were really going to town.
Here I am again.
A couple of real nice fellows in the next outfit came over and brought some bread and we had cheese sandwiches. They are real swell fellows. They are both first Lts. And you would never know they had any rank at all. Some officers are like that. They being in another outfit we don’t have to worry about how we act to each other.
Seems like the time has really dragged by tonite. It is only 8:45 and seems like midnite.
Darling I can’t seem to think of anymore to write so I will sign off.
Remember that I love you and pray for the day when we can be together again for always and always. Please have patience and I will be with you before you know it. Time doesn’t pass so slow when ever I look at your picture and know that you are waiting. From the bottom of my heart I mean this. You know that I am yours till the end and beyond that even.
Jack
Goodnite now.
Notes:
- Rogue Male---a classic thriller novel of the 1930s by Geoffrey Household. The main character is an Englishman who plans to assassinate the dictator of a European country. Made into the 1941 movie "Man Hunt" starring Walter Pidgeon. Link to wikipedia article about this book
- Honey In The Horn--- by Harold L. Davis. Received the Harper Prize for best first novel of 1935 and won the Pulitzer Prize for the Novel in 1936. It is about life in the homesteading days of Oregon. Link to wikipedia article about this book
- Listen to music Jack Mentions in this letter---Pistol Packin' Mama link---- Deep Purple link----You Rhyme with Everything That’s Beautiful link
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