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

copyright of letters and any original material Peter Lagasse

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.

HEINKEL 111

OTTO SKORZENY

I THINK THESE BOYS ARE TOO YOUNG TO BE GIs.

THOUGH THEY ARE LINED UP TO GET THEIR CASTOR 

OIL LIKE GIs GETTING THEIR SHOTS. OH YES, THEY

ARE NOT "unDRESSED" APPROPRIATELY FOR GIs.

NOW BE A GOOD BOY AND BE BRAVE LIKE

YOUR BIG BROTHER IN THE ARMY.

JUST BE THANKFUL YOU'RE NOT IN

THE ARMY EATING K-RATIONS.

Mussolini’s Secret Weapon: Castor Oil 

An enemy of Fascism would be bound to a chair. His mouth would be forced 

open and an entire bottle of castor oil would be forced down his throat. 

The result, of course, was chronic diarrhea.

--------------------------------------------------------

 

*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

copyright of letters and any original material Peter Lagasse

POST SIXTY-ONE (THESE DOGS WANT TO GO TO BED) 16 AUG 1943

August 16, 1843

Monday Evening

Dear Mother, Dad and Bro,

    Just three little pigs or the three brown bears here you are for a letter.

    First, I'll tell you I've just come off a 15 miler and my dogs are a little tired so guess I'll put the poor pups to bed early. The hike wasn't bad as it is cold just like a fall day here, cold breeze with heavy clouds (may snow Ha, Ha,).

    We pulled a big Second Army inspection last week. Guns, trucks, howitzers and all. The 15th Field Artillery Battalion came out on top in everything, now Ma, don't think I'm saying this just because I'm in the 15th but when I walked guard the other night some of the truck drivers in my outfit worked until 4 o'clock in the morning to get the work done. That's why we got such a nice weekend.

    I got a few birthday cards, more still coming. Helen sent me a card from Boston. Helen Ladd sent me a card quite nice but wrote Flavilla had told her about my girl in Wisconsin so she didn't send the card she'd like to have sent. Marian and I will never see each other when this is over with. I still miss Helen sending me the nice cards like she once sent. Oh yes, I know what you're saying, "well they never amounted to anything." ----

Well maybe.

    We had a big review parade Friday and even if you don't like the Army, the band with all the boys dressed, passing in review give you a little thrill. (Uncle Charlie always liked to look sharp. Even in the Masons the group he led to march in parades around the nation had to look their best and do their best. One time while leading his group in a parade he looked down and saw while putting his shoes on in the dark that morning one was black and one was brown. He got the nickname Charlie Brown after that. He never lived it down.)

    I went to La Crosse Friday night about 8 o'clock, came back Sunday night, had a quite a good time. Sent you a folder while passing away a little time Saturday afternoon on the court house lawn. I spent a lot of time thinking of you all and home. When I came in Sunday night I found your letter saying Helen, my sister, was married. I'm glad, as I feel it will be a big help to you.

    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. Guess what, Pauline wrote me she'd had her teeth x-rayed and it would cost $150.00 ($2,253.00 in 2020) to fix them up because of x-rays etc. and also treatment as her lower teeth have infected gums. She didn't write the other day because she was nervous and sick, what next?

    Gee, what a letter at 2 o'clock in the morning, how about another? I'm looking for that box you're sending.

    Flavilla sent me a nice card. Gee, Waneta sent me a money order of $5.00,(worth $75 in 2020) that was swell. You can tell about your children, Mom, well I've got the best brother and sisters in the world. Mother, you've done all you could and it's not a bad flock of chicks you have. Everyone of them think the world of you and Dad.

    Well, Mom, I'm 28 going on 29 Ha Ha. (Old Man) or (Old Maid) If I were home and you did sputter, it wouldn't make any difference to me. (I just loved how comfortable my uncle felt to express his opinions and thoughts. He definitely loved his family. He was also proud to serve his country. Maybe being 28, he was more realistic and comfortable to share his real thoughts.) Don't worry some day every thing will be O.K.

    Ask Pauline (niece) if she is saving her old tin cans to help Uncle Charlie lick the Japs. Ha Ha

    If you want to get something for my sister, Helen, for her wedding, O.K. If I was home working I would but you see, I don't get much here. I just signed the payroll for next month and I draw $12.50. Not much when soap, shaving cream, hair cuts, pressing little ice-cream cones out of it. The rest I use to go to town. $1.25 a round trip to town, so if I go I have little to spend. Some day I'll buy her and brother in law Joe an iron. (If I remember correctly the Army didn't want them to have too much cash on hand so they had to buy war bonds or send money home.)

    I like the cloth in your dress. It's fun when you send a sample. Well, Mom, my dogs (feet) are barking so guess they want to be up in bed. Give my love to Dad and Brother. I'll write Helen to-morrow. 

                         Good Night Mother

                               Love and a Kiss

                                   Son Charles

P.S. Gee, it is cold here to-night and you should hear the southern boys rave. Damn this cold as--- Yankee country Ha Ha. It's going to be a good night to sleep.

                                            Bye Now.

**August 14, 1943 – The Quadrant Conference begins in Quebec City; Canadian Prime Minister MacKenzie King meets with Winston Churchill and Franklin D. Roosevelt. It was held to discuss plans for the forthcoming Allied invasions of Italy and France. Differences between U.S. and British strategists about the coordination of the Italian campaign with Operation Overlord (the planned Normandy Invasion) were not resolved and had to be settled at meetings in Moscow, Tehran, and Cairo later that year.

Front: MacKenzie King, President Roosevelt, Winston Churchill. Behind: General "Hap" Arnold, Air Chief Marshal Charles Portal, General Sir Alan Brooke, Admiral Ernest King, Field Marshal Sir John Dill, General George C. Marshall, Admiral Sir Dudley Pound, and Admiral William Leahy.

FDR WELCOMES BRITISH F0REIGN SECRETARY ANTHONY EDEN

^^Aug 14, 1943 1st Allied air raid on Borneo. American Liberator bombers flew a record distance, traveling 2,500 miles from Australia to carry out the first bombing raid on the island of Borneo, striking the Japanese oil reserves at Balikpapan. Their 17-hour non-stop flight would take the Japanese completely by surprise and result in destruction in Balikpapan.

BALIKPAPAN

**August 16 –The USS Intrepid is commissioned. USS Intrepid, also known as The Fighting "I", is one of 24 Essex-class aircraft carriers built during World War II for the United States Navy. She is the fourth US Navy ship to bear the name. Decommissioned: 15 March 1974. 

USS INTREPID

REAL COLD AT CAMP McCOY

REAL COLD AT CAMP McCOY

*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

copyright of letters and any original material Peter Lagasse

POST SIXTY (THE GIRL OR THE COW) 10 AUG 1943

August 10, 1943

Tuesday Night

Dear Folks,

    I have just came off walking post. I'm on guard duty tonight. It's warm here with part of the moon.

    Did I get a kick out of that letter in red and blue to say nothing about the part in pencil.

    The picture of Eugene and Joe was swell. Tell them that they look like two (Yankee) farmers. Ha Ha. 

    So you may get a new dress. If you waited for me to do something like that before you got a new dress, I guess you'd never get one.

    How is Uncle Dave making out in his new life? How is Grammy? (His mother's brother had got remarried in June and his mother's mother, Grammy York, had lost her third husband in 1942.)

I haven't got my letter from Flavilla yet but poor kid she has a lot to do.

    Did Eugene get his barn full of hay? How much does Dad think he has in tons of hay? Gee, the barn did look good.

    You wanted me to write you if I expected to be here the 14th. Well, I'll say yes but you won't find out until after, so you'll have to guess. I'll think about you about 12 o'clock Saturday. Mom, that's my birthday Ha! Ha! (He will be 28 years old.)

    Did you mean the glass in the middle of the arbor was broken? You will never know what will happen in the mail. I have quite a few flags now. Why don't you save those in the back of the car so they won't fade.

    How much were the three pictures in all? Did it come out good? How many did you have to pick from?

    Did I have a good ride in that train, boy could you feel that baby when she started to open up. You know what ---- I saw a pretty girl beside the track and turned around to the fellow beside me and said, "I'd like to kiss that." He looked out of the window and began to laugh. It made me mad, but I forgot how fast we were traveling. You see this is great dairy country and we were 5 miles down the track. (If you missed the reason for his friend laughing, it was because he saw cows instead of the girl.) Sorry, Mom, I won't do it again. (Write like that.)

    I bet Pop is reading about the war news. Remember how Grandpa use to read about the war?

    I got a card from Mrs. Mains and it was nice. You know I always like the verse. An old lady from the paper mill sent me my first birthday card. I bet the last of the week I'll be flooded with mail. Oh well, it's nice to get mail.

    I get the Portland paper all the time now, but sometimes I can't look at it. I do look at the Gorham and Westbrook news first. I do find things I'd never know any other way.

    Well, Mom, guess I'll call this good for to-night. How did you and Cora all make it home? Tell her I sent her best wishes and asking about her. (a neighbor) Have Joe say hello to all the folks at the farm.

                                Good Night Mother Dear

                                    So Long Dad

                                        Good bye Helen, Eugene, Joe

                                           Love

                                             from a Yankee Soldier

                                                 Charles

P.S. Guess I'll send

this Air Mail.

    

**August 5 – WWII: John F. Kennedy (a future President of the United States) and crew are found by Solomon Islanders coast watchers Biuku Gasa and Eroni Kumana with their dugout canoe.

**August 6 – WWII – Battle of Vella Gulf: Americans defeat a

 Japanese convoy off Kolombangara, as the U.S. Army drives 

the Japanese out of Munda airfield on New Georgia.

USS Stack (DD-406) was one of the six destroyers that took part in the Battle of Vella Gulf, August 6 and 7 of 1943. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collection of the National Archives.

^^Aug 11 US amphibians land at Brolo on north coast of Sicily. 

General Patton ordered another amphibious operation. Designed to skirt the new German defensive positions along the Naso Ridge, on the Cape Orlando-Randazzo line, this one would place American GIs just west of the town of Brolo. 

The job fell to the exhausted but gritty 2nd Battalion, 30th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division "The Rock of the Marne", U.S. Army, led by its Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Colonel Lyle W. Bernard.

WORLD WAR II AMERICAN RAILROAD MOVIE " TROOP TRAIN "