Camp McCoy in the Words of My Uncle: 2020-11-08

Wednesday, November 11, 2020

POST SIXTY-FOUR (The Birthday Card Fiasco) 23 AUG 1943

August 23, 1943

Dearest Mother,

Got two letters from you to-night with the pictures in one. I sure felt bad after reading one letter as I couldn't find the answer to the problem about my birthday. I had just taken a shower, changed my underwear and after a few glances at the paper was planning to do a lot of letter writing, but after reading your letter I just lay on my back with only my underwear on thinking how the mistake could be. Think now I have the answer. You see, Mom, I write to quite a few so sometimes I may get things mixed up or repeat the same things over to one person. As I remember I was writing about some cards I had received from persons along with the one from you. Now, Mother, no matter what kind of card you send it will always be the best because it's from you. Here is where the mistake came in, maybe you read it wrong. I said Helen Ladd had sent me one not as nice as some as she has sent, also a few from women at the mill. Then I said Pauline sent me one but felt she could have picked a little better one or something to that effect. I don't know just how I wrote it but I'm sure I didn't mean anything about yours, Mom. If I made a mistake, Mom Dear, I'm sorry. Why don't you try to read that letter again if you have it? (Oh, she still had it. Uncle Charlie is talking about birthday cards and when I read it I thought, "This is not going to go over well with his mother", and I was right. In his August 16th letter (Post # 61) he wrote and I quote, "I got a couple pair of stockings from Pauline and also two handkerchiefs. Seems as you could have sent a little better card. Oh well, I didn't mind." It is possible Uncle Charlie meant to say [Seems as she could....referring back to to Pauline in the previous sentence.] but he didn't and knowing my grandmother as I did I knew she would say something to her son. I suspect Uncle Charlie meant to say "she" instead of "you" because he just didn't say things like that to his mother.)

I'm glad you saw Helen's mother. Was she glad to see you? She tries hard but it seems everything is against her. It goes from one thing to another. I really feel she thought a lot of me. She rode by the house one day and they waved to Dad but I guess he didn't know them. She wrote how nice the home looked with the front porch and all painted.

Oh, Ma, we are going to the Wisconsin Dells some day in the next week for a big air show. Gee, I bet that will be O.K. I'll try to send you something from there.

Didn't the reading come out plain on that picture. That one sure came out good. That one of me looks as if I didn't have very long legs. Ha Ha, maybe my pants were loaded.

What is the trouble, Mom, doesn't Eugene ever go down and see Grammy now? You wrote he was up to Dots.

When you're alone this winter, Mom, you can write to me. I sure look for your letters. Sometimes a fellow will pass and just for a joke will say "Writing to your sugar report" or something like that. I answer, "no" My Best Gal. She'll never let me down. Want to know her name? It's Mother."

I'd like to have seen Pauline when she got all worked up over those tin cans. I bet she did some talking. I hate to think she was dirty. Wish I had one like her to take care of. You know, Mother, sometimes I get homesick or lonesome for children and a home of my own. I don't know why it is. Once I dreamed of the right little girl for a wife, home etc. but now I try to forget it all.

I'm glad something has been done about what you wrote me. All I can write is It's about time. I told you how it was. I don't doubt Dad almost lost his dinner.

Please send me one of those pictures of me. I'll send the money when you do. Write to me when you send it and let me know how much it cost. Hope they come out good. I've got my Battery picture and will send it soon. I have a few more of the boys I want to write on the back. Send snaps any time you like. I can always return them and they never get crushed.

I'd like to see Helen but you give her a big kiss from me. Say Hello to Joe with a pat on the back. Everything will be O.K. I know.

Well, Mother, guess I'll have to close for to-night. It's warm and a little closer here to-night. Hope it will rain before morning. Haven't had it very hard to-day. Don't think I will to-morrow. I don't mind Ha Ha. Give my love to Dad. I know he enjoys my letters as well as you. I sent brother a card to-night.

Love,

Son Charles.

^^Aug 21 Gromyko named USSR-ambassador in Washington. Andrei Andreyevich Gromyko will become a Soviet Belarusian communist politician during the Cold War.

ANREI GROMYKO

^^Aug 21 Japan leaves Aleutian Islands

^^Aug 22 Soviet troops free Krarkov

Admiral McRaven Leaves the Audience SPEECHLESS.

One of the Best Motivational Speeches I have heard.

*Source 1 https://www.thoughtco.com/world-war-ii-battles-2361453

*Source 2 https://americasbesthistory.com/timeline2ndworldwar1943.html for major battles

**Source 3 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1943_in_the_United_States

^^Source 4 https://www.onthisday.com/events/date/1943

##Source 5 https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/us-home-front-during-world-war-ii

Tuesday, November 10, 2020

POST SIXTY-THREE (Guys Being Sent Home!) 20 AUGUST 1943

August 20, 1943

Dear Mom,

Everything o.k. to-night. Haven't had it too hard to-day. Have to stand inspection in the morning. It is warm to-night but not too bad.

Quite a few of the boys are being sent home because of minor trouble. No more limited service, and I guess they're not going to waste time operating anymore. (We know they will be shipping out in five weeks, therefore, time to recover from a surgery is limited.) Well, I wish I was out but would rather stay in than have something wrong with me to get out.

Helen and Joe must be back by now. I know they must have had a nice trip and a swell time. Don't worry, Mom, they'll be o.k. now. Guess things change after you're married. Listen to the old man talk (me) Ha! Ha!

The nights back home must be getting a little cool now. I've began to notice the days are shorter. Once, with the lights out I've sat outside at 9:30pm and finished a letter.

I can't think of a thing to write about. It's too bad about the Hatt boy and his wife. I never thought they'd have trouble. Keeps on, Ma, and you won't have anyone to boss but me. Helen will go South this winter, don't worry. As for Eugene, you let him go, he's o.k. If he wants another calf and can swing it so much the better. (Eugene (Uncle Gene) will have his own dairy farm in the years ahead. Hard work but he enjoyed it.)

I can hear the bugle blowing and can't that fellow, whoever he is, blow it. You know what I mean. Makes you kind of lonesome sometimes.

Here is an air mail stamp. Will you send me one bond as soon as you can? Mom, how do you make flour starch and also how do you use it? Love to Dad and brother.

Love,

Charles

^^Aug 19 Belgian church excommunicates Nazi Leon Degrelle. Léon Joseph Marie Ignace Degrelle was a Belgian politician and Nazi collaborator. Degrelle rose to prominence in the 1930s as the leader of the Catholic authoritarian Rexist Party in Belgium.

Leon Degrelle

^^Aug 19 US air raid on German bases at Gilze-Rijen/Vlissingen

Gilze-Rijen Bombing

Johnny Cash I Won't Back Down (US Army Tribute)

*Source 1 https://www.thoughtco.com/world-war-ii-battles-2361453

*Source 2 https://americasbesthistory.com/timeline2ndworldwar1943.html for major battles

**Source 3 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1943_in_the_United_States

^^Source 4 https://www.onthisday.com/events/date/1943

##Source 5 https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/us-home-front-during-world-war-ii

Monday, November 9, 2020

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.