Ang gets two missions in during this first part of December. He doesn't mention stand downs, but the 340th BG history tells us the weather was still causing stand downs. This explains (again) his Form 5 that lists more flights than his personal log book. Sometimes they would leave Corsica, only to return because of bad weather at target. Other times they flew practice or training flights. Ang & Betty's activities remain the same as always: Betty working, attending meetings, helping at USO; and Ang writing letters and attending a USO show in between flying and waiting for mail. They are both busy getting Christmas cards sent out and with waiting for mail to arrive. Ang is still dreaming of a trip to Greece, or maybe to Rome for Christmas. Betty mentions work on a photo album -- sure wish I knew what happened to it! Ang talks about taxes and we see his earnings should come to $3,023.42. Speaking of money, he has a new "post-war plan" that will take a lot of money so he claims he'll take up bridge instead of poker in order to save money. I'm guessing Betty laughed at that one - he never gave up poker! But he reassures Betty that his plan is not a restaurant. Reminds me I need to do a post about his Pre-War business venture - a restaurant! Friday, December 1. Sure am getting tired. Worked hard all day as usual. To meeting for Inf. Center in evening. Bed 12:45. Form 5. -1, flight as navigator, B-25J, 3:00h [FROM ANG'S FLIGHT LOG. MISSION #50.] 50. 12/1 Villalvernia RR Bridge No flak Bridge down [Later mission reports indicate that the bridge was not destroyed, but that the bombs did damage the nearby town, killing many people.] Led group. Moyer. Lt.Col. J.W. Ruebel December 2. Worked until about 12:45. Dashed home and out to Servicemen’s Wives—then Hostess work. Looked through Tribs—bed 12:00 December 3. To 9:00 Mass. Did Xmas cards. To movie—brought dinner in. Wrote letters in evening. Washed head. Bed 11:30. Form 5. -3, flight as navigator, B-25J, 3:00h [FROM ANG'S FLIGHT LOG. MISSION 51.] 51 12/3 Mantoua East RR Bridge. No flak. Bridge down. Led group. Thabault. Woolcott [See photo from Ang's scrapbook, below. The 340th BG and 486th BS diaries aren't quite as clear as to whether the bridge was "down.". http://57thbombwing.com/340th_History/487th_History/missions/120344_Mantua.htm] [Letter. [Postmark 12-4, envelope stamped “Passed by Examiner." Also re-closed with tape “Opened by Army Examiner.] 12/3/44 Corsica Hi Hon: I just got the news that one of the fellows who went home called up my folks and promised to go over and see them. I certainly am glad that he was nice enough to do it—I’m certain it made Mom very happy—just like a Christmas present. However, if I know Dad, I kind of feel sorry for him (Anderson, the fellow I’m talking about). Dad will probably set up a banquet in his honor and my relatives will pester him to death. Oh well! I went to see a U.S.O. show last night—and it really was very good. It was a colored unit and the band was kind of brassy—but I certainly did enjoy it a lot. I must losing my taste, because I sure got a bang out of some of their old & corny jokes. We bought ourselves a radio yesterday—and I won’t tell you the price because you’ll faint. Its really a beauty—but it takes up about half of the shack—it sure is big. Its really worth the money (wouldn’t you like to know) though—because it sure is a pleasure to be able to listen to programs such as Hope, Benny, Axis Sal—etc. It makes the time go a little easier. When I get ready to leave here and sell it to one of the fellows—then I’ll tell you what I paid for it. I’m not cashing any checks though—and I’ve still got enough for the Athens trip. O.K., O.K.—so its mean—so I’ll tell you—we paid 250.00 for it 125.00 apiece—so there. I love you darling—Love, Ang December 4. Another busy day. Walked home from the office. Had a lovely steak dinner—Mr. S. up. Donny awfully cross. Bed 11:15. December 5. Had a dentist appt today—ugh. Didn’t work quite so hard today. Tom Bridge lesson with Martha—USO. 12:30 Form 5. -5, flight as navigator, B-25J, 2:00h [Standown from 5th to 8th of December per the 486th squadron diary.] December 6. Sure will be glad when Marian’s back—am sure getting tired. Wrapped 8oz for Ang. To bed 11:00. [With thanks to the Smithsonian National Postal Museum; here's a link to the June 2, 1944 Postal Bulletin explaining Christmas Mail for Overseas. Ang mentions the Christmas package deal in his 12/27/44 letter. http://www.uspostalbulletins.com/PDF/Vol65_Issue18724_19440602.pdf#search=%22%22] [Letter, Postmark 12-5-44. A couple misdated letters here, which Ang finally notices in his 12/9 letter.] 12/6/44 Corsica Hi Hon: I guess I’m getting to be a bad boy—its been three days since I wrote last. I don’t think that I’m getting into a rut—and I promise not to let it happen too often—its just that I haven’t been getting any mail lately and its so hard to find something to write about. I received yours of the 17th & 25th today though—so I’ll try to make up the missing letters in this one. First off—I’ll clear up a few old matters that you’ve been after me for. Yes, you are doing the right thing about the taxes—just what I wanted you to do. I’ve been thinking about it, and I’ve decided that we’d better pay it—and I also figured out how much I’ve made. My total earnings this year—including everything that is taxable (Base—flight & overseas pay) comes to $3,023.42. When you make out the joint return remember to add your pay to mine & then subtract the family allowance 1,200.00 & the military allowance 1,500.00—then the balance is what is taxed. I figure the balance will be about $1,000.00 and the tax in no case should amount over $150-$200. If you get the blank early just send it to me with the total of your earnings—reductions etc & I’ll take care of it. If you don’t—just make it out yourself & send it in. However if your figures turn out to be over $200 in taxes—just don’t send anything in & I’ll take care of it when I come home. Its kind of early for all this—but as I said, I’ve been thinking about it & I might as well give you all the poop on it. Now to get to your letters. Yes, I get plenty of cigarettes—all I need. I’ll write & try to find out Connelley’s address one of these days. One rule (according to the officers guide) that an officers wife must learn—is that she must never write, phone or otherwise pester any army superior or and dept. I guess that lets you know where you stand—ha! You are forgiven for not writing on the 23rd—what else can I do with the record I have for writing. A fine howdoyado—playing around with a couple of sailors—ha? I’m glad you invited them out, though darling. I know how I’ve felt when I’ve been away from home on a holiday, and its not a very nice feeling. I know I’d give a lot to be invited to a decent home & dinner on a day like that—and what I wouldn’t give to be able to accept an invitation to your home—wow! Oh well! Say, I should say your family is getting famous—nationwide papers—radio—I guess pretty soon I’ll be known as Lt. Angelo Russell—ha. I love you darling—Love, Ang December 7. Mr. Latimer out today--& I really accomplished a lot. Home alone all evening. Wrote letters. Bed 11:00 Form 5. -7, flight as navigator, B-25J, 2:00h [Standown from 5th to 8th of December per the 486th squadron diary.] [Letter. Postmark 12-6-44. Letter misdated.] 12-7-44 Corsica Hi Darling: Well, I’ve finally got all my Christmas cards off—sent off the last today. I just went thru the little book and took them as they came. I hope I didn’t forget anybody—oh well, I tried not to. I also wrote a few letters yesterday—one to your mother thanking her for the bracelet. I guess I should have long ago—but I thought it would be nicer if she got the thank-you note around Christmas. That’s a pretty good reason—at that. I certainly am glad we bought that radio—it certainly helps the day pass. I’m beginning to catch up on the radio programs.again. Its kind of detracting from the letter writing though—Bob Hope is on at the present—so please excuse any lapses. I see where they are having all kinds of trouble over in Athens—so I guess that will contribute to another delay. Oh well, one of these days. I’ll get over there before I leave—even if I have to swim over. In regards to coming home—I now have 51 missions. I can’t tell you how many I have to fly—but I am within screaming distance of the last one. One of the boys ought to be in to see you in a couple of weeks—you can get the poop from them. There are rumors that there are bags & bags of mail somewhere around. I sure hope so—about a dozen letters & a couple of packages sure would do miracles for me. Of course a dozen letters & a couple of packages would be a miracle! I love you darling—Love, Ang [Letter. Postmark 12-12, “Passed by Army Examiner, re-taped with examiner’s tape] 12-9-44 Corsica Hi Hon: In case there has been any confusion on your side about the dates on my letters--I want you to know there has been plenty of confusion on this side. I have been a day or two ahead of the calendar all the way---I'm OK now though---I think today is the ninth. I got six letters today—four from you—one from Gale and one (a Christmas card) from Pat Reardon—imagine? Gale certainly does write a nice letter. She wanted to know if I remembered how she used to hop on Gabby when he came through the door---and wanted to know if I could imagine what she would do to him when he came back from overseas. "If he thinks he's having a busy time now, just wait until he gets home." Ha , I can well imagine. I can just see her as he walks in the door--wow! The rest of the letter was bragging about the baby, remembering a few old scenes. She sure is a sweet kid, isn't she. She seems (according to the letter) to take Gabby's absence a lot better than I thought she would. There didn't seem to be any questions in your letters (for once)—so I can't answer any. I must say I'm very proud of you darling--the way you have taken my overseas tour I mean. Its been rather easy for me to stay fairly happy over here and I think your wonderful attitude has been the main reason for it. What I mean is that we fellows over here have troubles of our own--and if we had to worry about the folks (especially wives) at home---it would be rather rough. The way you have tried to keep yourself busy and fairly happy makes me love you like nobodies business. If you were one of these clinging wives, and bitched and moaned that you were dying for want of me all the time---I don't know what I'd do. I think I'd go nuts over here. Keep up the good work, sweets. Now don't get me wrong--a letter from you once in a while telling me how much you miss me--and how tears come to your eyes when you look at my picture, etc etc is good for my morale. After all, ones ego must get a boost once in a while. I'll be damned if I know what brought all that on except one of your letters (especially) made me realize what a really wonderful wife I have. Just keep on the way you've been going dearest. You're perfect. I just can't get over the radio we bought. It's a godsend. Frank Munn is on now and even he sounds good to me. As far as getting rid of the money so we won't have it to worry about---nothing doing. I think I've at last decided what we are going to do after the war---and it's going to take a lot money. I think I'm going to have to talk you into it, so I'm not going to say a word until I can use my personal influence on you. It's not a restaurant or anything like it. As of here and now--the Adams family goes on a money saving binge---me too. I'm taking up bridge instead of poker. I love you darling—Love, Ang December 10. 12:00 Mass. Packed couple overseas boxes. Pasted in photo album. Did laundry—washed head & bed by 11:30.
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AuthorJoni Adams Sesma, daughter of Angelo and Elizabeth Adams. Ang served on Corsica with the 57th Bomb Wing, 340th Bomb Group, 486th Bomb Squadron. April 1944-April 1945. Archives
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