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]
[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; 99th 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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