Somewhere in New Guinea - Part 1

November 30, 1944 - 5 AM - Somewhere in New Guinea

Well here I am somewhere in New Guinea and sure feeling fine.  I had a fairly good night sleep for the first night here.  

I received my back mail when we came in here so I will try to answer them sometime today.  But this morning I thought I would just drop you a few lines to say hello.  You can tell them what my new address is because we are going to be busy fixing out tent, etc.  We have no floor in them now but it won't be long.  That is the same way with the light.  I will take some picture and you can see what the set up is.  Sure had a nice trip up here.  

November 30, 1944 - 7:30 PM

The day was fairly warm and I can feel the sun.  I don't know how I will make it but I think OK.  My arm and back is turning fairly good but my head is the only thing I have trouble of.  But maybe in time to come it will be OK.

We are still sleeping in tent and on  the ground for awhile.  The tent floors are being made but the lumber is hard to get.  You should see the lumber around here.  It won't last long that is one thing sure.  TI is on the order of cotton wood back home and in fact it is much softer and lighter.  But after we get the floor set up it won't be so bad at all.  i will take a picture of the tent and show you what our setup is.  We don't have lights in our tent yet but it won't be long until we have them.  Tonight I came up to the PX trailer and writing this.  Bliss is running the PX and special services now so he told me to come up here and help pass the time way.  I guess I will have lots of time on my hands now up here at nights.  Our PX hasn't that much but a person can't expect everything now because you can't get it.  But we have everything we need now.  Because all we need now isn't that much.

I guess you want to know how the food is.  Well the 5 meals that I have had here now wasn't so bad.  Really it isn't so much but what we have is good (so far)

I think I shall end for now (5:30 AM)  Well here I am again this morning and it started to rain last night so I took off for the tent.  I had a good night sleep.  Well I will say lots of love to all at home.  

December 1, 1944 - Somewhere in New Guinea

Dear Virgil - Well how are you making it by this time?  I sure hope OK.  I am getting along good and can't complain about much.  

As you can see I am now in New Guinea and no more Townsville, Australia.  Them days are gone forever now until I hit the states.  I came up in a plane and had a nice ride.  The weather was nice and I was able to see what this place looks like from the air.  It isn't much to look at that is one things sure.  

We are fairly well setup now.  I have no nights in the tent yet or floor but hope to soon.  We have our showers already setup from the water coming down the mountains.  So you know that helps out.  

I don't know how soon this will hit you but I hope it isn't too long.  You mentioned about moving so I thought I would drop this off until I hear your new address.  

So for tonight lots of love to you sure hope everything is OK.  Love Wes.

December 6, 1944

I sure am sorry that I am not writing often but I really haven't had the time.  Tonight I moved in a tent with a wooden floor and I guess in another day we will have lights I hope.  The lights are not working so hot yet so a person has to make the best out of it.  I am writing with a lantern so I sure hope you can read it.  

It will take us a week yet to get our tent fix up and then I hope I can get going on this mail.  

We are working fairly hard and when a person gets up at 5 AM and eat and off to work.  Then in the evening you come in and take a shower and eat and it is getting dark already.  So when we got the text fix up I hope to do a bit better.  

I have received a little mail from you.  In fact it has been fairly good.  Tonight I haven't got time to answer them but some day soon I hope to answer some of your questions.  

I don't know for sure or not if we will get Sunday off or not.  We had last Sunday off and I really put in a big day.  The first thing I did was get ready to go for a walk up the mountain and in the jungle.  So 6 of us went for a walk and what a walk.  We took our guns with us and we shot up a few things.  One thing sure I think that will be my last trip in the jungle.  I took some pictures in the jungle but it was so dark that I couldn't get enough light so they didn't come out so good.  But I am sending it home in the next letter.  Maybe this but I don't think so.  I was tired out when we came back and then in the afternoon I took out again.  We went to look for coconuts and banana.  We had a little trouble with the truck so we couldn't go very far.  We did run into some natives and the climbed the tree for cocoanuts.  We had a big kick out of them.  The only thing we gave them was cigarettes.  I think we gave the whole bunch 3 packages so that was 12 cents.  That is the only thing I get my cigarettes for.  WE also took some pictures of them.  I will be getting them back in a day or so I hope they came out good.  

We have a kid that is developing our print and we get 2 day service so that isn't bad.  The only trouble is that his paper is getting low.  I am out of films again and I am hoping that I will get a package soon with some more in.  Because I can really use them now.  But I guess I can thank you a million times for getting me as many as you did.  I know you done your best.  

The other morning we had a rain and the water was running through the tent and I took a picture of it and I sure hope it comes out good because that will show you what this New Guinea weather is.  

If we get off this Sunday Lovvorn and I are going down in the jungle and kill us a wild hog.  Then we are going to clean him up and put him over a fire.   I guess you know what will happen then.  

I have hit the sack fairly early every night here because you can't do much.  Last night I hit my sack at 7:15 PM so you can see I am getting plenty of sack time.  

I think I better end for tonight and again I will sign off with lots of love to all the dear ones at home.  Wes.

December 19, 1944

Dearest Folks:  Well here I am again feeling fine.  Today I received some more mail from you, one of the 30th and the 1st.  Also one from Elmer.  It was a Xmas card.  He really didn't have much to say.  He mentioned about being cold and doing teh same work.  

In the letter of the 1st you mentioned that you wanted to buy me a new posketbook.  To tell you the truth I really don't need any.  I still ahve the one I bought back in teh states before I left.  It is still in good shape.  After this month I won't have much money to pack so I don't think I will pack a billfold at all.  So really just forget about me.  There is no place to go around here.  This one I hve now I put some kind of cellaphaneon.  Anyhow it keeps the leather soft and also give it a protection coat.  The sweat does not hurt it a bit.  So just forget about it and maybe later I will write for one.  

It sure seems funny to hear you talk about how cold it is and how hard a time having to find gloves.  I guess everything is getting hard to get back home now.  The only reason we wear them over here is to keep from burning our hands on the planes because they sun is really hot and I don't mean maybe.  

This morning I went without a shirt and I can feel it tonight now.  But don't worry because I am watching myself.  

PS We have bananas hanging in our tent now to ripen up.  

December 21, 1944

To write a letter tonight I really don't know how I will do it but I will do my best.  News around here is very dead.  About the only thing a person can do here is sleep, work and eat.  So I am getting all the work I want and also sleep but the food I can't say that.  But it is fairly good for the conditions.  Last night we had a few things at the PX such as peanuts, cookies, fruit juice, candy and gum.  They get their rations twice a month.  The whole sqd had 30 jars of peanuts so you know how far that went down the line.  We were allowed 2 candy bar and 1 pack of gum.  

December 25, 1944

Dearest Folks:  Here it is Xmas afternoon and all is well.  I am feeling fine and sure hope this will find everybody at home the same way.  Well yesterday I had KP and it wasn't so bad but you know what I think about KP.  Today we have off all day.  Yesterday the guys work up till noon.  But I guess it will be the old grind stone again starting tomorrow.

The mail problem was fairly good yesterday.  I received 5 letters and 1 card.  4 from you 1 from Helen and a card from Meyers.

For today we had turkey and all the stuff to go with it.  We also had ice cream.  But one thing I think we were the only sqd that had ice cream.  Anyhow I think the day reminded a person of Xmas but it was nothing like home.  

I just wonder where I will spend the next one at.  But I guess it will be over here some place.  That is really kind of hard to believe but I think it is the truth.  It sure seems like a dead end to look forward to.  

I think I will go to the native village this afternoon and see their set up.  For the last 2 days they had a steady dance that lasted 24 hours a day.  It is mostly made up of the male race.  The natives keep the female well kept under cover.  They come out once in awhile but not very much.  They are dressed up in bright colors and have everything in their hair such as feathers, etc.  Laros took couple pictures yesterday and he doesn't know if they will come out so good or not because it was fairly dark.  But I think we will try and take some more because the sun is out bright today.  One thing you also have a hard time in taking picture is because they do not leave you in the village at all.  They did a small time yesteray afternoon but they had a policeman on duty and the really watch you.  I guess you ahve read about the natives tribes that they sue in hunting the Japs in the jungle.  They are really built and they are well armed.  The natives look up to them as a god, etc.  But they are a little more than the average native.  They are the best of the tribes.  The village is built along the road.  

The natives are building us our new day room and also we are using it for the pictures how.  The way I hear anyhow.  I guess it will be a good idea because every night we have a show it rains.  It rains at nights now and in the morning when I wake up is the first I know about it.  When I first came here I used to wake up whenever it rained at night time but not any more.  

When I get some more films I will take a picture of everything around here.  

I took the tow last pictures today of the tent and Xmas tree.  So I really hope they come out good.  Also some real clear day when there is no clouds in the sky I want to take the mountain scenes.  But very few days we are able to see the tops of them.

We have received no more packages so one of these days I think they should break loose.  Anyhow I am hoping so.  And you mentioned about the films being in them so maybe it won't be long.  

In the letter of the 7th you wanted to know if I knew the difference between a sortie and a mission.  Well here is the way I get it.  A mission is where you go on a bombing raid and there ain't much to meet you.  It doesn't amount to much such as bridges or a place where it has been fairly well destroyed.  But a sortie is where you really go for a bombing of someting big and taht is well protected by ground fire and also you ahve a little competition from the other side in the air.  He only has to put in 4 hours a month to draw his pay and you can go up in any type of plane to get your time in.  You can also just fly around the field.  

So at last the snow is comeing at home.  I just wonder how much or now long it will be before I see snow again.  I bet one thing the first winter that I am home I will freeze my -- off.  

This afternoon I went over to the village and today you could go up to where they were dancing.  They had about 5 bunches and you should see what they wear and some of the things they made.  This is a poor picture but they put the pole on their back and on the upper end they have a springy stick with a string attached to the bird.  Then they would jump up and down and of course the bird would go up and down on the pole.  We took some pictures but it will be some time before we get them back.  All I am hoping for is that they turned out good.  I would give any amount of money for a motion picture camera with colored film in it.  You could of redally had a real picture.  One thing most of them natives are really proud to have their picture taken.  The women are very hard to see and they don't care much about a person taking their picture.  This afternoon a woman had a kid and she laid it down on the ground and started to feed the kid.  After the kid started to sucking on it she went about doing her other business.  I kind of stretch it a bit but I do believe that she could use them for knee pads.  She gets double benefit out of them.  Ha. Ha.

I think today I had a better time than last Xmas I spend in Georgia.  The only thing is the over seas.  But really everything here was well set up.

December 28, 1944

Today the packages broke loose around here and I received 5.  So for one day deal I think I did fairly good.  3 was from you and one from Roger M and one from Gladys.  As you can see I received the stationery you sent me I don't think you should have put my name on it.  It makes it look too good to come from this part of the country.  

I don't know if I mentioned it to you or not but couple of days ago we had fresh milk for lunch.  It was nice and cool and really hit the spot.  I don't know where it came from but one thing sure there are no cows around here.  So guess for yourself.  

January 1, 1945

Here it is another year has started out.  I am still feeling as good as ever and sure hope this will find every one at home the same way.  I guess last night was the deadest New Year I ever spent.  And I don't mean maybe.  I was going to stay up and watch the new year come in but I thought I just as well leave it come in with me sleeping.  But some of the guys got some thing to drink some place.  I don't know where but it may of been jungle juice.  

January 2, 1945

I started this last night but then I decided to go to the show.  To finish the story about new year eve.  When it came to midnight they had their mess kits and they were beating them with sticks, etc.  Then they also had a few fire works.  But everything was not like the old days back home.  

I was glad to receive the picture of the 20th and Ohio.  It sure looks like the same old corner.  

I had my allotment increased to 60 so the next check should be up a little.  I started out with this month.  Now listen I am not cutting myself short one bit.  As you know there are no towns around here to go to and the little I spend for soap, etc isn't very much.  And I don't have the gambling fever any more so it just as well be saved at that end and when I come back home (?) I can make up for what I gave up over here.

I had all my hair cut off yesterday.  The sun was really hot today so I have a little white burr sticking out of a red head.  Over here a person don't want much hair on his head.  I think about 75% of the guys have burr hair cuts.  

I received some more pictures back today.  I mailed them the last day I was in Australia.  They were all of the planes except two.  Laros is waiting for a roll back and then we are sending them on rotation.  They all passed the censor and are really good.  I sure hope you like them.  

Tonight it is cooling off really nice.  Today it was really hot.  I would be afraid to say how hot it was but the way the wind is starting to blow and probably rain before long will make a good night sleep.  

This is a picture of me by the bulleting board.  There isn't much on the board because nearly everybody was up here by then.  In fact I came up on the second from last plane.  The day was really hot and I had a good sun burn so that is the reason the T shirt and the handkerchief.  You can see the Sad Sack at the top of the board.  That is the orderly room (tent) in the background.  

January 4, 1944

Today the weather has really been nice and cool.  The sun was behind the clouds all day and also a nice wind.  It rained last night up till 6:30 when we went to work.  It never does rain in the day time.  

Today I did pretty well with mail.  Besides the others there was 2 from you and 7 more back from Ted.  I think I have about all of them now.  

In the letter of the 16th you mentioned about receiving the letter from the Pryor kid in England.  He says Ted was killed at Vire.  They did have a fairly hard fight in that district.  It really must be terrible to ride along and have them big guns shooting at you.  Did this Pryor kid say how bad he was hurt?  When one of those 88 gets close to you it isn't very good.  At last you seem to get a little information about Ted.  Maybe before long we can get the whole story.  

January 7, 1945

I hit the jackpot on mail at noon today.  2 from you, 1 from Carl 2 from Virgil.  In the letter of the 23rd you mentioned about Honey Boy having the mumps.  I sure hope that he could spend Xmas out but I don't think he would be over them by then.  That sure would be a poor way to spend Xmas.  You also mentioned about Doc.  I think I know where he is at.  I was out there a couple of times when I was there.  One thing sure he has a nice setup and I don't mean maybe.  

January 10, 1945

Today I received some more mail.  From you it was 21, 25 and 28 and 30.  Also one from Virgil of the 30th.  In the letter of the 25th it had the whole 3rd grade writing to me.  When I first looked at it I thought Honey Boy wrote me a big letter.

So the Pryor kid finally hit the states.  I bet that was nice for him but now I am waiting to see what he says.  

Virgil didn't have much to say except that they moved back to the old place.  That placement must be really nice.  He said he didn't know what he was going to do New Years.  I bet it won't or wasn't as dead as mine.

Last night we had a few candy bars at the PX and I got 6 bars.  I also got a can of fruit juice.  And 2 more Yanks.  

The last couple of days it sure has been hot and I don't mean maybe.  It was so hot you couldn't see straight.  Last night it didn't even cool off.  Tonight I think we will get a little rain.  You can see the lightning so I think we will get a little anyhow.

We received the prints back of the natives and the came out good.  So they are going out on rotation now.  This time you are one person closer to the top.  Bliss moved out.  But I am sure when you get them enlarged they will really come out good.

January 14, 1945

The other day I received 2 more letters form you of the 24th and the 1st of Jan.  The 24th one must of hung up some place.  In that one you mentioned about receiving all the Xmas packages.  

That Valentine present to Helen will be OK.  I just finished writing a letter to Grandpa.  I was going to write a V mail but I think the letter will look better.  

I want to get caught up on my back mail.  The way it looks now I can only get out about 2 letters a week to you  I would like to write more but it just seems like I just can't get around to it.  But don't worry because everything around here is going ok and I am feeling as good as ever.  

January 16, 1945

Today I really hit some more mail.  From you , from Virgil and form that Jefferson kid in Townsville.  He mentioned that he just came back from a 16 day furlough from Sydney.  He said he really enjoyed it too.  

Virgil mentioned about his outfit and gave me his new address.  So far he has had it fairly lucky to my opinion.  I wrote him Sunday but I guess I better write again soon because that other letter will take a good time to get to him.  

In your letter you mentioned about sending a box.  After this only send canned goods.  Don't send any peanuts that are loose because they are no good at all when they hit here.  If they are in a glass jar they still smell and taste like cardboard.  The pecans you sent wrapped and sealed in cellophane was ok.  On candy just forget because I am not hitting the sweet line much.  We are able to buy some about twice a month at the PX and that is all I care for.  When you send stuff just make it small can goods.  

On the car I kind of hated to hear about it.  But when I get back I think my next new one will have all the gears shifting and not done by a bunch of switches, etc.  So all I am hoping for now is that it holds out good till I spend a few months home and then I am trying some thing else.  But I think it has held up fairly good the way I used to drive it because you know I didn't baby it around.  I don't think I will ever forget how Daddy used to tell me when I came in on two wheels half of the time to tear her up.  

Somewhere in New Guinea - January 21, 1945

I am sorry that I haven[t written sooner but I guess you know the story by now.  

Yesterday I had KP again so you know that means an all day job.  Then after I finished with that I went to the show.

I received 2 more packages from you and one from Wands.  Their box had in it candy bars, gum, nuts and a can of pop corn.  Some of the near days in the future I will pop it.  That should hit the spot for a change.  

your boxes came ok.  They had the tomato soup in it.  The shorts and shirts and towels, etc.  Also the air oil but since I have a burr hair cut I don't think I will use that.  But everything is ok and hit the spot.

I was glad to hear that the car is ok now.  Just so it last for a couple more years.

I sure hated to hear about Bob getting killed.  This afternoon yet I have to write her a letter I really don't know how to say anything or what to say but I will have to write.  I will never forget the days spend at the boat house and then we enlisted together.  

Also the bad news about grandpa.  In one letter you mention he is a bit better and then in the next he isn't so good.  This last letter I didn't like at all.  So now I am looking for the next letter.  

You mention about Honey saving up the insignias.  If I would of known it sooner I could of got some in Australia but if I find any around here I will send them home to him.  

I really don't know much more to write about but everything is still going good and the weather is about the same.  One thing nice the bugs are not so bad.  In the evening the flies are bad for awhile but not long.  

P.S. Dearest Mother;

I wanted to drop you a few lines of warning.

All this happening around home is running you down.  I can tell by your letter that you are going down grade.  I  know about Ted is hard and now about Bob being killed and Grandpa being on his end is hard for anybody to keep up under.  But watch yourself I am afraid it will get you down before you know it and then that will be bad.

So I think you better go and take care of yourself before it is too late.  So do that for me will you please. 

Don't worry about me because there is nothing to worry about at all.  The WAC have been gone for 6 months here.  The only think I worry about is falling out of bed, etc.  

So for the good of everybody all ways around be sure and take care of yourself.  

Your loving son, Wesley.

Somewhere in New Guinea - January 23, 1945

Tonight I really don't know a thing to say but I thought I better drop you a few lines anyhow.

First thing that a few more packages came in and I received the one from Marie Daniels.  She sent me a box which and cookies and candy in it.  That is the only box that the cookies came over in good shape.  They were not broken up and still had a good taste.  I was really surprised to see how good they did come.  So I will have to drop her a few lines some time soon.

You know lately I just can't write much.  I don't know what to say so I keep telling myself I will put it off till tomorrow and that tomorrow never runs around.  

I have not written to Mrs. Moritz and I was planning on tonight but I think by the time I finish this I am hitting the sack.

I received a couple more from you.  Everything came ok except you had cookies in one box and they weren't so good.  That malted milk as you know doesn't do me much good around here.  But otherwise everything came ok.  I will have enough stuff now to last for a month.  

Every one of us in the tent has 4 or 5 boxes laying around.  Tonight I bought a couple more Yanks o in the next few days I will send them to you.  Everyone one in the test reads them first.  Because we only get a set to a tent.  

Tonight I also received some more papers.  I looked through couple but I will save the others till tomorrow and finish them.  

January 28, 1945

Here it is Sunday again and I got to drop you a few words to say hello.  I received two letters from you and one from Helen.  I received a couple of rolls of film from Eleanor Ann.  I think today some time I will take a roll of pictures of the sqd area.  Tomorrow I will write out a V mail for some more films.  

This last week I had about a dozen papers.  So I read the papers each night this last week.  I read one during noon hour and also one in the evening.  

In the boxes you send me from now on don't send any stationary because I can get all I wand and also I can buy it the way I need it.  I have too much laying around and then it gets dirty and I throw it away.

Today I really have to write letters.  I am so far behind don't know where to turn.  So today I am catching up on all the back mail.

You keep talking about different things the natives sell.  Do you want anything from here.  There isn't much you can buy at the native village here.  If you want a comb made out of bamboo or a bow and arrow leave me know.  I send one home.  The weather the last couple of days has been a bit fair.  The last couple nights we really had a rain and i don't mean maybe.  I had to put up my tent half to keep the rain from blowing in.  This is the first time it blew in on my side.  The wind has always blowed in from the other side of the tent.  

Last night I went to the show again and of course on the reel it started to rain.  But very few persons ever get up and leave.  You take your rain cape and leave it rain.  It very seldom ever helps you.  Because somebody else crawls in with you and the wind blows and then you feel yourself getting wet.  We sere supposed to have coco cola last night after the show but some how something messed up.  I stayed up for awhile waiting for cup full but then I decided to go to bed.  They have a system where they mix it.  I don't know how it will taste but it will be something different.  A canteen cup cost us a shilling which is 16 cents and not bad at all.

February 1, 1945

Here it is Thursday evening already and I thought it was about time for me to say hello again.  Don't you think so?  I started to the show tonight and then decided I better not go and get this letter out.  If I don't do it tonight and hard telling how I will feel tomorrow.

Last night they had a USO show here but I didn't go to it because I heard it wasn't much good.  The weather lately has not been so bad at all.  The rains at night and during the day the sun stays in most of the time.  But one of these days soon we will be feeling the heat.  

Tonight I heard we was going on a day light time.  So that means we will get up another hour earlier.  So that will help out a good bit.

Yesterday was pay day.

What do you think I am going to do now.  I am starting up a correspondences course.  IT cost me couple dollars a course but my intelligence is doing down so fast what I used to know I have to do something.  Or else I won't know anything when I get out.  So I am start out and going to take up couple courses.  I am only allowed one course at a time.  I am going to start out with engine and then I believe I will brush up on a little of my math.  Then I will drift to diesel engine.  This is looking a long ways ahead but I think I have lots of time yet.  Then to even things off with industrial electricity.  That concerns motors, etc.  But I just as well spend my evenings doing something.  This may sound awful big to you but I am going to give her a go anyhow.  Time will tell.  

February 4, 1945

Here it is another Sunday afternoon and I am feeling fine.  I have a small cold coming on.  Where I got it from I sure don't know.  Shea had one also.  So maybe the weather has something to do with it.  

The mail problem has sure been poor.  I haven't received any letters from since I wrote the last.  I did get a company paper and couple more papers.  Also a package of the 6th.  It was all can and jar good and came in good shape.  

February 7, 1945

Here it is another week started and I have to get a few words written to you tonight.  

Yesterday I had one letter form you of the 20th.  Then today I kind of hit the jack pot.  3 from you of 22, 24, and 26.  One from Gladys of the 22 and also one from Elmer Noud.  So I don't know what you think but I thought it was a good day for mail.  

I was really surprised to hear about Bonnie and Mrs. T.  Coming out.  I was very surprised to hear that they had a second division emblem.  Then about you showing them the things Mexico.  That is one thing I don't think many people can have any more then I sent home to you.  I sure would like to send you things from here but they really don't amount to much at all.  But if I ever run into something that is worth while I will get it.  

So Dick is leaving the states.  He may land in near where I am at.  I can tell where he is at by his APO and then if he was close would stand good chances flying some day to see him.  Time will tell.

On Bergstrasser getting a furlough already.  That is one nice thing about the navy.  If you get on an can going boat when ever you hit the states you take off for home.  

Then you talk about the snow at home and also sent me the picture of you with the snow in the background.  You and the snow both look good.  I wish we had a little of the snow because it is really hot here the last couple of days.  I really hit a nice burn today and I don't man maybe. 
I was glad to hear that my watch is working OK again.  Well somebody aroud the house just as well use it because I don't think I wil, neeed it any more.  I have ths one in leather case and protected all the way around and it wasn't as hight as I thought it would be. 

Well Bliss is not in our tent any more.  So that is the reason he isn't in them pictures.  

You mentioned about Virgil leaving Treasure Island.  Well I left Frisco and came straight over to Brisbane.  We were by ourselves.  

On Mrs. Moritz receiving that letter from the Chaplian about Bob.  That can be done fairly easy with him but with Ted his situation is lots different.  He was in the front line and they keep coming and going I don't think he knew very many of the kids.  I don't doubt a bit that she is taking it very hard because Bob meant very much to her.  

Home Boy is going right up the ladder on his paper.  When you talk about him sled riding, etc.  I sure wish I was home to snow ball him and wash his face.  I will never forget those days that we used to bum him around and he always come back for more.  Then when I thouk how big he will be when I get back home it won't be the same but I think I still could do it when I get back home.

That sure was a poor picure of Virgil barracks.  What was it the cedar trees.  IT looks lieka  hole to me.  I would sooner have the tent I am in that that thing. 

Then you talk about going down and collecting the check from ES Company.  That is when I think back to truck and think that I could make a real go of it after I get home.  Then I think of it and say I would like my old job back again but in the end I think I will be truckig and I may not be doing that work but I will be at the bottom of it.  I have some real ideas and they will really know when we come in with a load.  

I hope you can read this letter because my hands are so wet from writing I can't hold on to the pen.  It is really hot tonight.

February 7, 1945

Here it the other letter for tonight.  Here is 11 prints and mostly of native women.  There is one girl in there that is fairly well good looking for a native.  She must be the chief wife (or what else it may be)  Then there was the one what I talked about.  So you can see what I was talking about I guess you thought I was streching that tale but I think something lese has too.  I know that is not nice for me to say but it is on black and white.  You can do what you want to with those pictures but I thought it would show you that I don't think I would marry anything in N.G.  HaHa!

Somewhere in New Guinea - February 11, 1945

P.S.  It is 11 months today I climbed up in that boat.  Time sure does fly.

Here it is another Sunday rolled around and ll tis well.  I have not recieved any mail since Wed. so I don't know much to write then tonight.  But I will do my best.

My cold is fairly well over now.  I think by another day it will be done with.

On the Yank of Jan. 19 I think it had a small story about a plane Sky Shy.  I want you to keep it and I will send you a picture of the plane.

This afternoon Lovvrn and I went for a little walk with our guns.  Had to go out and see if the thing still works.  We shot at a few birds, etc.  The trouble is you can't see them in the trees.

February 14, 1945

Today we signed the pay roll again.  This is a short month.  These months are sure going by fast but they don't seem to count up very fast.  I just came back from the PX and had a coke.  We have them now.  We take our canteen cup and we mix water with it.  

This last week they received orange and grapefruit juice.  Put it in the ice box and then have nice cool fruit juice.  IT sure does hit the spot.

The mail problem this week has really done all right.  Virgil did not have so much to say except that he was a bit sick out the first couple of days.  But I think he has a good set off.  One thing sure if he eats like the guys did when I came over he will never lose any weight.  They really fee their own crew.

February 18, 1945

After dinner we went to a ball game.  Of course we lost. 
I just finished eating (4:50PM) and now I want to get your letter out.  I also want to write to Vir and V mail to Honey Boy.

I received 3 letter from you one from Vir and also a letter from Gardner Denver with a 10 buck check in it.  So that was something different.  I am going to put this check in here because I have to go to the finance office to get it and I don't get much chance to get there and I really don't need the money so you can have it. 

You mention about putting fruit and fruit juice in my next boxes.  Our PX is now getting some fruit juice so just forget about it.  

I always buy up a good supply and that holds me over till the next time.  To tell you I have had a No 2 can of juice each night.  Other guys drink beer each night and that is what I have.  I still can't stand beer.

The supper wasn't so good so I am going to pop that can of pop corn that Eleanor sent me.

February 21, 1945

Everything here is going along good.  You mentioned about how dark tauon war on Sat. night.  It sure seems funny the way it used to be and now what it is.  

On the subject of mail I think before long Vir will go out on duty and you may not hear from him for a long time because you have read how long they stay out at one time.  So when the mail stops you can think about him sailing the waves.  But there is nothing to worry about because the navy really have everything fixed up for their crew.  Because I seen enough when I came across.  They really eat good and had everything.  

The course I am taking comes from the states originally.  But I get it from another army camp here in New Guinea.  It is like a headquarters.  I haven't received any thing yet so I can't tell you anything yet about it.  But I guess it will take awhile for it to get started.  

Here is a picture of one of the Aussie trains.  That runs out of Townsville.  I don't know what you would call it.  It is just like a car.  It is very slow.  I guess some times down hill it would get up to 25 MPH.  So you can see it really travels.  

February 25, 1945

This morning I wrote honey boy a V mail.  After I wrote his letter a couple natives came around the tent so I made a deal with one of them for a bow and arrow.  The main thing is to wait and see if I get it.  He is supposed to make it this week and bring it to me next Sunday.  Here is what it cost me.  The natives are crazy for flash lights.  So I am giving one for the bow and arrow.  I bought this one at Brisbane for 80 cents so I don't think it is so bad a deal.  But wait till you see the bow and arrow before you make your judgement about it.  Because they are just fair.  When he brings it then I am going to try and get some more arrows for it.  

This after noon I went out and hunted some fruit.  We started out and found some lemons and limes.  Then some coconuts and papaw.  I guess you want to know what they are.  They are on the order of cantaloupes.  The taste is on that order.  Only thing these grow on the ground.  You pick them when they are yellow.  And there is from a half dozen to a dozen on a tree.  The tree is very small.  I climbed up on this morn and it busted off with my weight.  Then we found a banana grove.  I don't know how we were ever so lucky to find it but it must of been just luck.  We were going through hona grass above our heads and then started into the jungle.  We went about 2 blocks and then ran right into the banana trees.  They were a bit green for the time being but it won't be long.  We found one nice bunch of yellow ones on the tree that was really ripe.  And boy did they ever have a nice taste.  But that was the only bunch we could find that way.  So we took another bunch that was just starting to turn yellow.  That bunch must of weighed 50 lbs.  So give you an idea what it looks like.  I took couple pictures of them but it will be some time before I get them back.  Well I think that is enough on that subject

March 25th, 1945

The mail problem this last week has really been good.  I received 7 letters so I don't think a person can kick on that.  There were 4 from you.  Now the job will be to get them all answered again.  But in time I will I guess.

You always want to know how the food, etc is going.  Weill the other day our PX got in a large supply of cookies (American) and fresh salted peanuts.  It is the first American cookies we have had since we hit here.  The Aussie cookies is made with mutton grease and you know how that taste.  So I laid in a fairly good supply.

I found out fairly close where Jim Durst is so you won't have to worry about that.

Don't send me no flashlight because I have 3 different types now.  Don't worry anything I want I will ask for it.  

That backing you sent me from the photo place was the right stuff.  That man had the right idea on that stuff.  I was supposed to get a hundred foot roll about 9 inch wide.  Now I am not sure if I can get it or not.  Send me a package with about 10 spools and also that paper.

In the V mail from Honey Boy.  He wanted to know if we still had the cat.  That cat that we had in the tent stayed back in Townsville.  But one of the kids did bring one up in the plane.  Now it has 5 young ones.  

March 28, 1945

Yesterday I received a package from you of the 22nd of November.  I t sure must of laid around some place.  But really it cam in perfect shape.  In fact it was one of the best boxes.  Most of them were broken up.  Everything was OK in it except the pecans and they were spoiled.  

Now I have about 4 rolls of films besides a half of a roll in my camera.  Just as soon as it clears up and the sun comes out I want to take a few more.  We really have had our share of rain in the last couple of days.  It is even raining during the day time now.  It may be the rainy season for all I know.

You know tonight I was offered a half pound for a roll of films.  That amounts to $1.60 but I am keeping mine.  

Yesterday I also received about 15 more papers so I spend my spare time reading them.  I received 3 more letters today.  In the letter of the 16th you had all the paper clippings.  I sure did enjoy them.  Everything was news.  And when I read about that Peyton Maloney and his new Chemical Co.  He was one of the gang back home.  But he was always smart in that line.  He used to make them bombs in school and then bust them and you could smell them all over.  That is the kind of business I would like to get in.  

You make things want seems to be worthless into real money.  Everything he makes will be clear Monday.  And my opinion he is really going to pull down the dough.  One thing sure he has a good start.  

I am keeping the clipping and sending it to Larry.  Maybe Larry folks didn't send it and I know Larry would like to have it. .

By the way did you ever get them films from Mrs. Shea what you mentioned she was sending you in about 10 days?  The reason I ask you this is because Lovvorn got a letter from his wife mentioned about Mrs. Shea sending her some neg.  And also Shea said tonight his mother mentioned about sending them to Lovvorn wife.  So I want to track this down because they are of the natives at Xmas time.  And I really want some prints of those at home.  

You mentioned about putting the trailer up for awhile.  I don't blame you if everything ends up the road.  And then maybe you can buy 6 months plates for it.

The story you told about Jake buying that meat was really a good buy.  They don't come every day.  

P.S. One year tomorrow I hit Australia and 4 months in the place.

March 31, 1945

Today it was fairly hot and tonight I have a good sunburn again.  But that is because the weather the last few days has stayed cool.  It is raining now.

Tomorrow I have KP again.  So you know what that means.  I will have Monday off then.  So that is the main reason I am writing now and I can finish it by tomorrow night or else I may be too tired to do so.

I received two letters from you and two from Virgil.  About the only thing that was in you letter was about Florence getting married.  Don't get the idea the way I wrote that first sentence that I didn't want to hear about it.  One thing sure I think Florence has did more for the family than any of the other kids did.  And as you say she is old enough to know what she is going.

Well last night was a year ago that we hit Australia.  Then a year ago this morning we looked this place over.  

I was just thinking tomorrow is.  Easter and I have KP.  Well in the army it doesn't make much difference.  

As you probably notice I don't very seldom ever mention about war news.  But I always keep a fairly good eye on it.  But I think the war on the other end is coming to a head.  On this end you can read about it as much as I do.  But in another year there will be a big change.  

April 2, 1945

You asked me about the papers we get here.  So I am putting in the two papers we have here.  It will give you a good idea.  The Critic is put out here but where the Guinea Gold comes from I don't know.  But I think that is the best paper.  They have a Australian  edition of it also Sometime I will try to get an edition of each one of them the same day and then you can compare the two.

April 5, 1945

Today I am sending to Yank in the States and from now on you will get the Yank each week from New York.  I think they will get to you in better shape and also they will come about every week.  I will keep sending them to you and when you get your first copy leave me know.  

In the letter of the 22nd you wrote about Virgil and his new deal.  Well here is my opinion on him.  You tell him to forget about the whole thing.  It might sound like its a good deal but he will never make a go of it.  So believe me and tell him to forget about it all.  I had the same thing once but I gave it up.  I will write you more in detail later.  

You mention about this new job Daddy has hit.  That is one thing on them small job pay good money.  

April 7, 1945

The mail this latter par of the week hasn't been so hot.  I received one from Vir and one from you.  Yours was from the 25th.

Today we had a few packages but I didn't get any.  There were not on the way a very long time.  Some of them was marked Feb. 27  So they really made good time.  I received on paper of the 7th but I think where will e plenty more because when a boat comes in there is plenty around.  

Honey Boy bow and arrow at last got off.  I had a hard time gettitng them all fixed up and also censored.  So now all I am hoping is that he gets them all OK>  As the old saying goes, time will tell.

Here it is Sunday evening and I just finished eating chow.  Didn't have much but I will get by till in the morning.  We are supposed to have a couple of freash fried eggs in teh morning.  

This morning the guys in the tent tood a jeep and went to the coast.  It is about an hour drive and they was planning on going swimming but when we got there they changed their minds.  The only thing the roads are a bit dusty but water too that off. 

I am sending you a clipping out of the Post and I want you to keep it and I will send you a picture later on it.  I am sending it by free mail so don't look for it right away.  

You can send me about 10 more rolls of that paper and spools because I made the deal.

April 11, 1945

Today I received my first mail for the week.  There were two letters of the 1st and 2nd.  I think they made fairly good time, don't you?  Sure glad to hear from you again.  

You know on them negatives I sent to you some time ago and told you to keep them separated from the other neg.  I think there was a about 14 or 15.  Now I want you to send them to Mr. Lovvorn and have her send them to Mrs. Shea and from her to Mrs. Lapos.  They were them pictures of planes.  

Did you ever get them pictures of the natives with the big dance on at Xmas time?  They were supposed to come from Mrs. Shea but I think she missed you and sent them to Mrs. Lovvorn.  From there they went to Larose and then to Boston.  That is the way we figured it out between the letters that Shea and Lovvorn got from home.  So I am having them sent back from Boston to you.  THese are one bunch that I really want you to have.  I think I can find the small prints of the same pictures of them and then you can see for sure if you have them.

You talk about making a trip some Sunday.  I don't blame you one bit.  The main thing is not to load the car down too heavy with everybody.  

April 15th

Here another Sunday has rolled around again and still feeling as good as ever.  

This last week they had shoe repair and they took in civilian shoes so mine needed repairs so they put on new soles and heels.  What surprised me was them putting on new soles because they didn't' need it and also no charge.

I received the wedding pictures and the clippings of the 4th.  Then I also received your letter of the 4th and with 3 pictures of Honey Boy.  They don't look like him and he doesn't have a small on his face.  I am not going to keep them so have couple more of him made and leave me have them.  The one of him and the bike is the one I am keeping.  

In that letter you had the story on the 2nd division.  I was glad to hear that you got the book because one sure thing it will settle a few questions.  But again it tells what they had to go through.  As I always said Ted went through Hell.  When you think how many went and had to go through that and is still living is bound to affect them in later years.  

That is what I hate to think about.  It may not show up on them right away but it will in a few years.  As the old saying is "ware is hell".  

I am waiting to see what that kid will write back about the whole deal.  

Here is a picture of the PB2Y that can land on water or land.  

Tell Honey Boy I want a couple of good pictures and not like he sent me.