February 11, 1945

Air Mail From Dip

Feb. 11, 1945

Philippines

Dear Mom & Dad –

Just looked at my little calendar and was surprised to find it’s Sunday. Days of the week have absolutely no meaning to us over here now – it’s the same routine every day. It’s hard enough to keep track of the date and month.

Just received 2 letters & a V-mail from you. V-mail dated Jan 15 & the air-mails dated Jan 18th & 22nd arrived together. Just thought you might be interested in comparing the speed of each type. Looks as if the air-mail beat this time, however in normal conditions I believe they are equally as fast.

The wind is blowing something fierce today, so hard in fact that the Cubs are grounded. The strip is just cross-wise to the wind making it impossible to take-off or land with such a light plane. Just got through reinforcing my tent as it had already jerked two stakes out of the ground.

Tomorrow I’m returning to the battery for a spell – while someone else takes a turn at air-observing. After a short rest I’ll probably go back – hope so, cuz it’s really interesting work.

A couple of days ago I blew up an ammunition dump – was it a thrill! The explosion rocked the plane, pieces flew, & the smoke rose straight up as high as we were – at 2000ft. It was a lucky hit – I was just registering on a base pt. and one of the rounds fell right in the dugout. I was so surprised I forgot all about radio procedure and yelled over the mike, “Holy smokes – all hell broke loose down there!” The operator in F.D.C. being well trained in repeating all commands comes right back with it. So I (going back to good procedure) came back with “That is correct. Out.” Gibson & I laughed so hard he could hardly steer the plane. That’s probably the most excitement I’ve had since the start of the fray.

This life must agree with me cuz I feel good all the time. Guess it’s because we get so much good sleep. We hit the bunk at dark 1930 and sleep ‘till 0630 a total of eleven hrs. per. We take one atabrine daily to suppress malaria. Nothing will stop a man from getting it, but it’s not dangerous if you take atabrine regularly. Doesn’t seem to have any effect on the health.

I’m glad to hear you finally got some snow. I’ll bet you’re happy about it too – it’s so much cleaner. Yes, 5 inches would certainly be right for skiing.

I hope the war is over for Johnnie Holms now. A man ought to be able to retire after so many combat missions – it must be plenty nerve racking. When you see him give him my best regards, & the same to the rest of the Holm’s.

I haven’t written them down at the office for quite some time, so now that you sent that clipping about Ing guess I’ll write him & razz him a little.

That box you’re sending sounds mighty appetizing – could go for some cheese & rye krisp right now. Rations are pretty meager at the present.

The box I got from Title was an assortment of things: fruit cake (small), cigarette lighter (the kind you strike like a match), playing cards, shaving cream, & a box of planters peanuts. Not a bad little gift, eh?

I never did get a chance to send home my old watch – it’s in my footlocker so I might as well just leave it there. We don’t have our lockers handy anyway – they’re all back in rear echelon.

I just called up Healy on the phone to say hello. When I told him about the 5 inches of snow back there, he said he’d like to be back home now arguing with his brother about who was going to shovel snow.

I wish I could send home some of the cigarettes I get here to help you out, Dad, but it’s against regulations. I use them to trade with the natives for food or work. If it ever gets down to 16 per day I know it’ll be rough on you.

So now you know where I am. That was nice of Lee to write & let you know I had shoved off. No we didn’t hit that typhoon you read about, although we did hit the roughest waters I’ve seen yet. Strangely enough I still didn’t get sick.

Maybe Virginia didn’t realize it but I was only kidding her about those names I submitted. They were the worst I could dream up – with help.

It’s now about chow time & I haven’t washed up yet. Better I should get out my steel helmet & get busy. I’ll say good bye for now. Write soon.

Love, Dorance