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

• 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.

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Ken Clark’s Unit History posted on www.flyingknights.net