CCR to BBR 29 FEB 1904

St Paul Minn  Feb 29^th 1904[1]

My Dearest Barbara[2]:-

        Yes indeed I have been waiting for a letter from you. Saturdays last mail brought the long looked for letter at the time when I was wondering whether I would be doomed to wait till Monday for a reply[3]. You are right, it is better to wait till after Easter/lent. The sooner after Easter, the better. Indeed you are wise, I admire your practical wisdom.

        Tonight the officers of my church are going to meet to arrange financial affairs and I may take the opportunity to inform them of the part you play in my plans and arrangements. Last week Rev. Dettmers from Chicago stopped a day with me and advised me to get married, he did not know though, how much I agreed with him. Friday last the young ladies arranged a basket social for the young people of our congregation.

        I enclose a letter to your papa, it is about you and me, give it to him at a proper moment, and may our love prosper[4]. Now Barbara, I hope you will write me a long letter, this week, yet, and let me know some of your plans and wishes for the happy day.

Lovingly yours,

 Cornelius Richert                 

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[1] The cover is missing, so no address and return address to reference.  

[2] My paternal great-grandmother.

[3] It should be noted that at this time, letters were the primary form of long distance communication, especially if privacy was desired.

[4] Since they were married on 20 April 1904, it is probably that this refers to the wedding rather than the engagement.

Cornelia to Robert 28 FEB 1945

February 28

Dear Robert[1]-

        I was very glad to at last get a letter from you in your new location, but you failed to mention a most important thing – what you would or that you wanted something. Lyd wrote the mouse traps[2] etc. she sent, but you know the P.O. won’t take anything unless a request goes along with it. Billie has some fine dates - at least so I’ve heard. I haven’t been around to collect mine yet. And I almost joined the line in front of Mrs. See’s except that I was afraid the candy would be stale before I get it off.

       

        I wish I were more up on cameos – I’ll try to do a little research on them – but I believe you right- the finer the etching- the better the cameos and just try to find something that isn’t Grecian profile. Anything I might remember about prices would be definitely passé by now but my motto has been since passing up things I couldn’t decide on – if you like it – buy it. Whether for its intrinsic or mystique value. Mosaics are nice. $1 seemed to me to be the standard price but that was 12 years ago. These pages are awfully small. Lots of luck and love.

Cornelia[3]

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[1] Addressed to:  Lt. R. B. Richert 02071698; 99^th Bm Gr., 346 Bm Sq.; APO 520, c/o P.M. N.Y.C.

[2] Robert requested these in a previous letter. His tent was in an Italian field and one can just imagine the rodent issue.

[3] Return address:  Mrs. William E Downing; Rt 1 Box 52-A; Clovis, Calif; Feb 28-1945.  She is his oldest sister.

Robert to Cornelia 27 Feb 1945

Tuesday, Feb 27[1]

Dear Nellie[2],

Just a speedy little note to let you know I’m thinking of you + your birthday + enjoying the quiet gentile way it is undoubtedly being observed. For the last 2 years the day has had significance for me too and am now amazed at the naiveté regarding the army I must have shown then[3].

       

        After a lull of 4 or 5 days of comparative leisure I’m again busying around with the heavies[4] so as I write this I’m pretty groggy + preparing to go to bed for another big day tomorrow. When time was on my hands there was a dearth of incoming mail, but with the situation reversed I’m now getting snowed under.

        Write again soon + love,

                                                Robert[5]

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[1] The Year is absent, but the reference to combat flying and use of Vmail make it 1945.

[2] Addressed to: Mrs. William E Downing; Rt 1 Box 52-A; Clovis, California. She is his oldest sister.

[3] This probably refers to a youthful excitement about serving. Later in live, he did not look favorably on the military.

[4] The B-17’s (and B-24’s) were heavy bombers and often referred to as “heavies”.

[5] Return Address: Lt. R. B. Richert 02071698; 99^th Bm Gr., 346 Bm Sq.; APO 520, c/o P.M. N.Y.C. The censor mark is also signed by Robert.

Lydia to Robert 26 FEB 1945

Airmail Regular Mail[1]                                                            2/24/45

Dear Bob[2]-

       

        Every time I start to write to you I think about the censor who reads this letter + then I get cautious. We hear so any tales about the proper kind of “moral” letter to send overseas that you are almost hesitant to write anything.

        It’s been a busy week and it seems strange to be sitting home alone on Saturday night. Momma came down with Hubert[3] + Billie[4] on Sunday and stayed here in Hollywood until Thursday night. Hubert + Billie went on to the desert – will be shipping you some dates as soon as they have a letter from you asking for food. The brought me some dates – also desert grapefruit and they are good!

       

        There wasn’t a lot momma and I could do – a job frequently interferes with one’s pleasures. We went to Farmers Market with Mrs. Miner for lunch; went to Aunt Martha’s (she’s still a-working) and one day went shopping. Now I can think of so many things we might have done – such as Ferndale-Griffith Park or the observatory. Momma is a good visitor – the stuff she brought with her! One complete devil’s food cake[5] – one dozen eggs[6] – 1/1 lb butter (it takes 12 red points, too! – a fried chicken and of course, a box of oranges and grapefruit. Also canned peaches and pickles, which I dare not forget for they are precious. I still have fruit left and will remember momma very pleasantly every time I use some of it.

        Walter has gone up to Fresno for a few days. The folks who were renting our house were transferred and we had to take care of it. Walter phoned tonight that he had rented it to an army captain, with a baby in the family. We’ve always said we’d not rent to “them with children” but I’m glad Walter did because it’s especially hard for those people to get places. Fresno must be packed to the gills and places to live even scarcer than here in L.A.[7] We had any number of long distance calls[8] about the house before Walter went up to Fresno.

        I listened to the Hit Parade again tonight. Lawrence Tibbett sang only one Hit Parade song – but did nicely on his two “extras”. He sang oh what a Beautiful Morning which is a favorite of mine. Do you hear any of the broadcasts? The announced that the program was broadcast to the boys overseas.

        I try to keep track of the 15^th air force by radio and newspaper but just now Manila + the Berlin front seem to be getting all the headlines. Don’t get me wrong no because I assure you it suits me fine to have the 15^th air force at least relatively quiescent. You probably aren’t “quiescent” – I’d better change the subject as I seem to be getting deeper + deeper all the time.

        You write such nice interesting letters and it is all I can do to fill the pages. Is there any particular news I can send you? If I were in Fresno I’d perhaps have more to write.

        I’ve been reading lately – even reading Upton Sinclair! Presidential Agent is the book I have now. He’s very explicit and informative – mentions some one in England who went to “Magdalen College, pronounced Maudlin college.” He won’t even let me mispronounce a word in my mind!

        I’ll write again tomorrow - and you be taking care of yourself-

        Love

Lydia[9]

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[1] Lydia did an experiment sending mail by four different methods: Vmail, Air Vmail, Airmail, and regular post.

[2] Postmarked 26 Feb 1945. Addressed to: Lt. R. B. Richert 02071698; 99^th Bm Gr., 346 Bm Sq.; APO 520, c/o P.M. N.Y.C.

[3] Robert and Lydia’s brother.

[4] Hubert’s wife.

[5] In the current era, it is quite easy to purchase a cake from any grocery store, but at this time, not only would that be rare, the food rationing during the war would have made this an extra special home-made treat.

[6] These are eggs from chickens raised at home in Fresno.

[7] With the war, there was a large population shift to urban areas and resulted in acute housing shortages. Price control was also instituted for rents to prevent price gauging.

[8] It should be noted that long distance calls were harder to place and thus more of a novelty than today.

[9] Return Address: L. R. Smith; 1856 Vista Del Mar; Hollywood 28 Calif.

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Lydia to Robert 25 Feb 1945

        No Airmail

Dear Bob[1]-

James Netton[2] just sang Song of Songs and it makes me homesick for the days when Lowell used to come over and sing. That was also one of Lowell’s[3] favorite songs - do you remember it? Has mamma written you that Lowell is now the proud father of a baby girl - almost two weeks old now. I’m so glad for Lowell- he has a tough time working his way thru school but he’s finally settled, I guess.

        Here comes TakeIt or Leave It - I’d better concentrate on that or this letter will be more disjointed than usual. I’ll send you the Jack-pot question-see if you can answer it! ”How many states were there in the Union at the start of the 20^th century?” Do you know? Answer is 45. Also, Lana Turner is going to be on the program next week - bet you wish I were Television!

Lydia[4]

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[1] Return Address: Lt. R. B. Richert 02071698; 99^th Bm Gr., 346 Bm Sq.; APO 520, c/o P.M. N.Y.C.

[2] A quick Google search did not reveal a singer with this name of that era. Perhaps, local artist or acquaintance.

[3] From context, obviously a family friend.

[4] Return Address: L. R. Smith; 1856 Vista Del Mar; Hollywood 28 Calif. Dated 2/25/45

Elizabeth to Robert 24 FEB 1945

Dear Robert[1]-

        I’m going to try a V mail and see if you get it. This is account of you haven’t mentioned getting any air mail from me.

        Thurs. a.m.  I’m at Mama’s with a washing. Our machine gave up the ghost. Paul[2] will be home in a few days and he has his work cut for him- washing machine, yard etc. etc.

       

        Mama has been with Lyd. She went down with Billie + Hubert Sunday and came back with them Thursday. She had a nice time.

        Paul has been East for five weeks[3] and we’ll be more than glad to see him.

        The boys are growing like weeds. Bill[4] is improving daily in looks and behavior. He looks more like a Richert than ever before. There is a snap here of you taken at age 10 and it looks like Bill!

       

Well, it is high time to get at the washing.

        Your letters are greatly appreciated and I still say you are the best letter writer in   the family.

        Love

        Elizabeth[5]

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[1] Addressed to Lt. R. B. Richert, 0-2071698, 99^th Bmb. Grp. 346 Bmb. Sq.;A.P.O. 520; c/c Postmaster, N.Y.C.

[2] My grandfather.

[3] He worked for the Quartermaster Corp. as a produce buyer on the West Coast. The main office was in Chicago and he travelled extensively throughout the war. He was actually issued a government car for work.

[4] My father.

[5] My grandmother. Return Address: Mrs. Paul Richert; 1242 Alhambra; Fresno3, Calif; Feb 24, 1945.

1242 Alhambra
June 20, 2015

Robert to Lydia 17 FEB 1945

Friday        

 Feb 17[1]

Dear Lyd[2],

        Christmas is coming by installments-first your packet of stationary (which I needed badly) then Mamma’s + the Downing-P.H.R. packages. Thanks a lot.

        I’ve got 4 combat missions to my credit-31 more to go[3]. Don’t get the idea the trip to any European target has degenerated to a milk-run because it hasn’t: the flak is still nasty and too plentiful for my comfort. The other day a piece pinged into the nose and bounced around for a while[4]. I guess I won’t write this home Mamma would probably worry + not understand. We’re usually in the air around 8 hours on a mission + altho theres (sic) almost no physical exertion involved we return completely fatigued. We’re on oxygen almost all the while + the noise[5] + vibration add to mental strain. We reach extremely cold temperatures at which fur-lined clothing would not be sufficient so we have electrically heated suits of which you’ve probably read. They’re wonderful-light weight and give a warmth that permeates the skin. They ought to be adopted for civilian use. Of course by then the person is pretty securely connected to the airplane, his oxygen mask plugged into an outlet, his electric suit plugged in, plus the ear phone and throat mike extensions so to do much moving, the cords have to be untangled. I have more missions in than the other men on my crew + I was the first to fly one. Before we all flew together for the first time we flew with older crews + I was just lucky to get more in.

        Of the 4 letters you sent on day, I’ve received 2: the plain Air Mail + the Vmail air mail, the gain evidently being in getting to New York quicker. It all amounts to about the same except Vmail is the most satisfactory but a regular letter the most satisfying- what do you think?

        I manage to get a copy of Stars + Stripes almost every day so get war + home front news more or less in time directly by Lil Abner is only just beginning to get involved with the Monster, Terry has only just rescued Widow Belinda from the Japs + Dick Tracy + Shakly’s difference and with the latters (sic) demise in a cake of rice.

        I received your snaps of the Christmas tree + those of Bill + John[6]. I’ll hardly know those two when I see them again. If I had a camera + some color film I could take some interesting pictures in Italy, but I haven’t so it’s one less thing to bother with.

        I’m taking you at your word when you ask me what I want. By the time a package could reach me I’ll be in the market for some T-shirts-plain white + medium sized because by then the hot + dusty weather will probably have started.

        Walter would really go to town here, there are so many “limeys[7].” I don’t know any personally but I get a kick out of them when I have my few + very casual contacts. One night after a show a great big ruddy 6 footer turned round + said to his companion “I sigh, have you seen any the laddies.” To my ears it sounded so incongruous it seemed funny.

                                                              Love,

                                                                             Bob[8]

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[1] Postmarked Feb 19, 1945 US Army Postal Service with an additional postmark of MAR 15, 1945 Hollywood Station. So, it seems logical that it was delivered to the States a month after it was written.

[2] Addressed to: Mrs. Walter Smith;1856 Vista del Mar: Hollywood 28, Calif.

[3] This number refers to the number of combat mission flown before being rotated out of front line duty. In different theaters and at different times the number of missions could change, depending on personal requirements.

[4] Then, as now, the covering of the airframe is not armored and it was very common for planes to return with holes in the skin. Meaning, of course, that the thing creating the hole had to potential to do the same to the crew.

[5] Robert’s hearing suffered permanent damage from flying during the war.

[6] My father and uncle.

[7] Slang for British troops.

[8] Return Address: Lt. R. B. Richert 02071698; 99^th Bm Gr., 346 Bm Sq.; APO 520, c/o P.M. N.Y.C. He has also printed his name, R.B.Richert in the lower left hand corner which serves as the censor’s approval.

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