Camp McCoy in the Words of My Uncle: POST THIRTY-NINE (We Were Flooded Out) 1 June 1943

Thursday, June 4, 2020

POST THIRTY-NINE (We Were Flooded Out) 1 June 1943

June 1, 1943

Dear Mother,

Here I am back in camp. We had to give it up. Had another bad shower last night washing out some of the small bridges, leaving us only one road to come back into camp on.

Gee, that was a swell box and did it taste good. I don't intend to be tight or selfish but I don't pass things around quite as much as I did at first. Some fellows were always ready to eat but then they'd forget you. All they care about doing is sponging on someone else. Now I give to those that give to me when they have a box or some candy. I keep most of it as I find there are always times later when it sure taste good. Some nights when you feel so hungry you don't feel like sleeping, a bit from the box helps a lot. Tell Dad I sure like the smell of that lotion. Gee, does it smell swell. If Dad ever wants to send something I can always use, let him send a box of shoe polish.

You should have seen the boys when I picked up the hay to-day. Guess they were trying to get out of the rain. I'm not lying. I had boys in my hair. Did it seem good to get a warm shower.

All my things are either mud, wet or rust. What a lot of cleaning up to do. I took a G.I. brush, soap and water, then gave my shoes a washing inside and out.

Well, Mom, have a lot to do before going to bed, so will call it a day soon. It is not raining to-night but it's hot. Hope I can get a good night rest.

Give my love to all.

Love Charles

**Jun 1 BOAC Flight 777-A was a scheduled British Overseas Airways Corporation civilian airline flight from Portela Airport in Lisbon, Portugal to Whitchurch Airport near Bristol, England. On 1 June 1943, the Douglas DC-3 serving the flight was attacked by eight German Junkers Ju 88 fighter planes and crashed into the Bay of Biscay, killing all 17 on board. There were several notable passengers, among them actor Leslie Howard.