Camp McCoy in the Words of My Uncle: POST SIXTY-TWO (Mussolini’s Secret Weapon: C----- O---) 18 AUG 1943

August 18, 1943

Dear Mother,

Have just sent Waneta an Air Mail letter to let her know I got my birthday present O.K. She sent me $5.00 in a money order.

I have also sent Helen and Joe a card with a letter. I wrote Helen a nice letter trying to explain a few things. I think she'll understand. On her trip she sent me 3 or 4 cards. I was pleased to get them as it made me feel she was thinking of me while enjoying herself. I told them to look ahead with a mind to make the best of of whatever came in life and my best wishes were always with them. (They definitely made the best that came their way. They became very wealthy and Uncle Joe had his own plane. Sadly, he died on one of his private plane trips. A terrible crash.)

I told you about the 15 mile hike Monday. To-day we went through a physical endurance test with a 4 mile in 47 minutes at the end. I look back to the day I'd laughed if you had told me what some day I'd go through.

How is Eugene? Grand Pappy must have some good ones to tell about the war now. Tell brother if he ever gets a little bull he can't throw or handle don't sell him, as I'll soon be home and take care of it. Ha Ha, Mom, you had better buy some of those can goods called Spam, do you get it. (He drew a small can of Spam.) Popeye eats a lot of it.

Here is a little war news for Dad then I'll have to close for the night.

LONDON-------------------------------------WAR NEWS

It was officially announced to-day that the Germans had taken Castor Oil. The British announced that they doubt the ability of the Germans to hold it.

Latest dispatches state that the strain on the rear is tremendous.

The British have caught them on the run several times while trying to evacuate the lines.

Several flank movements have been undertaken while the action at times resembled a gas attack.

The Germans tried to suppress the report, but it leaked out and the Allies got wind of it.

The Germans now realize the value of a scrap of paper.

That's all, station C.D.K. signing off.

Good Night

Love to All,

Charles (bad boy)

*July 9-August 17, 1943 – Invasion of Sicily ENDS – Mediterranean https://www.thoughtco.com/operation-husky-invasion-of-sicily-2361493

*August 17, 1943 – Schweitzer-Resurgence Mission, Germany (European Theater)

Troops: USA/UK 835 bombers/sorties; Germany 400 aircraft. Casualties (Killed/Wounded/Missing): Allies 28 plus 557 missing or captured, 65 aircraft; Germany 25-27, 203 civilians. First of two major raids into German territory to cripple aircraft industry succeeds in reducing capacity by 34%, but at a high cost of American and British aircraft. More information: https://www.thoughtco.com/world-war-ii-schweinfurt-regensburg-raid-2360539

^^Aug 18, 1943 Carl Hubbell wins his 253rd & final game, all with Giants.

Carl Owen Hubbell, nicknamed "The Meal Ticket" and "King Carl", was an American baseball player. He stood 6 feet 0 inches tall and weighed 170 pounds. He was a member of the New York Giants in the National League from 1928 to 1943.

CARL HUBBELL

^^Aug 18, 1943 Final convoy of Jews from Salonika, Greece, arrives at Auschwitz.

March and August 1943, the Germans deported more than 45,000 Jews from Salonika to the Auschwitz-Birkenau killing center. Most of the deportees were gassed on arrival in Auschwitz.

TRAIN AT AUSCHWITZ

^^Aug 18, 1943 Otto Skorzeny's Heinkel-111 shot down at Sardinia.

He had been tasked with the rescue of Mussolini, however the Duces location was unknown. "Returning to Rome, he obtained a Heinkel 111 and on August 18, 1943, he left the Pratica de Mare airport. They landed punctually at Pausania, one of the chief Sardinian airports where they took on fuel before setting off again. The rear gunner call "Look out behind us! Two planes. British pursuit planes! "The port engine was disabled and the a/c ditched, all on board surviving with minor injuries - Skorzeny with three broken ribs. An Italian flak ship picked them up shortly after. The attack had taken place at approx. 15,000 feet.