Book 2, Page 25
Lt. C. H. Conner
446th Bomber Squadron
321st Bomber Group
June 21, 1943
Dear Mr. French,
Long time no write, sorry for same. Its not the quality of the literature you send this way that affects the amount going your way, on the contrary, if anything, its not enough of it. When I do finally get my copy of “home town dynamite”, its closer to being [???] to home than even letters. More like a flight in the cool air after being cooped up in the misery of [???] head if you get what I mean. However, speaking of a flight, one of my last few wasn’t so enjoyable, as the movies might picture it. While over the target out Sicily way, we received several almost direct hits by anti-aircraft fire, which rendered one of our engines almost useless and wounded both of us pilots. Managed to get it back to friendly territory [???] much trouble, but had to set her down in crash landing, which makes my total two, so far. After being treated for superficial face wounds which liked to have got my right eye, started counting holes in the “fallen princess.” Total came to 420 holes from size of a dime to ones you could crawl thru. And that’s not counting the ones in the bottom of the ship we couldn’t see. In fact, it’s a miracle we could all walk out ok. [???] was soon forgotten. I read a recent issue of the Stars and Stripes on trip back to my base, and noticed the coal miners were striking back home. And I thought over my recent escape, and just wondered if it was worth it. Oh well, I guess they might have a reason. Lt. Lester Cooper from over Shaw, Miss. way has recently been acquired by the Sqdn., and what a blessed relief to talk to someone (besides Yankees) who speaks the same language as I. A coincident too, that he was an acquaintance at the beginning of my military career back in 1940, when I was inducted back at Millsaps College. Small world this is.
[In June of 1943, the 321st Bomber group was based at Souk-el Arba, Tunisia. They flew B-25 bombers.]
Pvt. Frank C Birkhead, USMC
12th Replacement BN CO B
4-14-1943
South Pacific
Hello Mr. French,
How is every little thing around the little old town? Not letting the school teachers get too lonesome are you? Can’t let that happen, you know! Boy! There’s certainly not any Betty Grabbles or Hedy Lamars out here, so don’t get any ants in your pants!
Haven’t received a copy of the S&P paper since I’ve left the states and I certainly mis them. I know its not your fault, guess some of these mornings I will receive a bit stack of them at one time.
There’s plenty of coconuts and bananas around here. Tell Roy Sharpe at the A&P to bring a truck around and we will stock the store. Should be able to get $$ per pound. Huh?
Are there any fried chickens running loose around there? I could really go to town on a drum-stick and top it off with one of Mr. McKinney’s Ice cream cones.
Tell Dewey Wiggins that a drink can be made out of coconut milk tat will make hair grown on a billiard ball.
Guess you are tired of this scratching and I know the censor’s eyes will become strained from reading it.
Book 2, page 59
Bill Lantor
May 27, 1943
Iran
[excerpt]
The weather is beginning to get hot. Last week the temperature reached 130 degrees and next month the flies and mosquitoes will die from the heat, which is good news. The mosquitoes are different here than the ones they raise in the Mississippi Delta. They are somewhat smaller but somehow go in for plenty of drilling. They are hard workers, working 24 hours a day knowing the heat will get them soon. They work in pairs of 10 or 15 and lay in wait until I get out of my mosquito netting to attack…They seem to have put on weight since I arrived.
Maxie
South Pacific
June 2, 1943
[excerpt]
You are mistaken about me gathering honey here on Island…There is not the sign of a female within this small area. I have almost forgotten what one looks like.
Book 2, page 78
3-22-43
Dear Mr. French,
I want you to know I am getting your letters and really enjoying it a lot. Two months old and still in demand. News from home is about the best thing I get over here. The age doesn’t matter as long as it’s from home.
Just recently I have been able to tell where I am. I am located in Iran better known as Persia. This country has the possibility of being a rich country but it is very poor in every respect – the natives here are [illiterate] and live a very crude life. The children calls the American soldiers “Johnny” and are always begging us for something. I have always wondered where they get the name “Johnny,” probably from the old slogan of “Johnny Doe Boy.”
A battle took place several months before we landed here and not far from here is the graves of German officers and soldiers. We are now occupying the barracks that the R.A.F. were living in. It is made of bricks and mud. If the rain continues to keep up as it has been we will have to sleep in tents. The mud walls are about to give way any day now. I can very well see why Noah needed an Ark.
The weather is very peculiar. The nights are cold and the days are very warm. Every [precaution] is used to fight disease as the severe hot weather is not far off. We have been told that all work and activity stops in the summer for 4 or five hours during mid-day because of the severe heat. I have already put up my mosquito and sand fly nets.
In the Mohammedan religion yesterday was New Years, to us it was just another day.
I am located in a place where there is only military activity – there is no stores, picture shows or entertainment of any kind in other words nothing.
The only souvenir I can find is the Iranian stamps and money which we get paid once a month. If there is any possibility of picking up something better I will send it to you.
I am enclosing five rials (pronounce re-als) in Iranian money and also stamps showing the present and former ruler of Iran. Many, Many thanks to you and your staff.
Sincerely,
William
P.S. This stationary was brought from the states.
SGT W. Lantor
