Ang flew a mission on July 30 to close out July with his 19th mission. The crew sheet shows he was on 6K, "I'll Take You Home Again Kathleen" so she was flying again after getting a "new nose" after the July 5 accident. Betty continued her routine, but spiced things up a bit with a drive to Santa Barbara and a night out to Earl Carroll's - a Hollywood nightclub. She apparently tells Ang about it because he mentions it in a letter in August. In addition to Kay's husband, Herm, they now have her mother's nephew "Jr" visiting them. But the fun news is that Betty sent Ang a copy of an article that featured five generations of her family. And Ang hears that stories about the bomb groups on Corsica have made it into some papers back home. He is mentioned in one of them which I found online and have included below. Scouring the papers for news of the war was a major pastime on the "home front" so this was a pretty big deal. Wednesday, July 26. Not very busy at office so far this week. Did some laundry—washed hair & wrote Ang. To bed earlier. [Letter. Postmark 7-27-44, onionskin stationary] 7-26-44 [no dateline] Hi Hon: Time for a long letter—so here I am. I don’t know if it will make much sense—because I’ve got a head that feels the size of an ack-ack balloon. But, I feel pretty good so I’ll try. We had another dance at the Officers Club last night—and it was really a lulu. Charley Vail just got back from Cairo—and he brought back a couple of bottles of British whiskey—sooo! We sat down and put a good edge on and then headed for the club. When we got there we started in on Italian Champaign (carbonated vinegar]—and, boy, we really got stinking. To show you how stinking I really was—I even got up and danced once—how do you like that? The Colonel really got ambitious and he must have raided every hospital in Corsica—because he showed up with a couple of ambulances full of nurses. Boy, they sure were a sight for sore eyes. Half of them had evening gowns on—and the club was full of American perfume. Boy, just like home. It really does an American good to be in something like that once in awhile. I would say that half of the men don’t have sex on their minds when they talk to an American girl over here—its just that they bring back nice memories. Its nice to see female American faces (there definitely is something different)—hear American voices come out of them—see them wearing American clothes (those evening gowns—oh, my gosh). As I said there was five of us really getting drunk—and as the evening progressed—so did we. Finally, two new Red Cross girls came over and sat with us for awhile. So help me—they were the exact duplicates of Gerry & Jayne—I guess they are sisters too. Boy, they brought memories back by the dozens—the proms—the Bit & Bridle etc. It wasn’t long before I was ready to cry in my carbonated vinegar. It doesn’t sound like a very enjoyable evening—but it was! I mean drinking and memories make one feel bad—but good at the same time—if you get what I mean. Its just like having a good crying jag—and then feeling happy afterwards. At any rate, Charley and I finally staggered home—I don’t know who brought who (or whom) home—we just leaned against each other and went. We must have made it—because I woke up in my bed this morning. By the way, my first (promotion) papers went in the day before yesterday—and barring an act of God and depending on the good humor of the big shots who O.K. the promotions your husband should be a first Lieut. in a couple of weeks. However, I’m not counting my chickens until that white bar is on my collar. I’ve been a 2nd Lt. so long that it just doesn’t seem possible—does it? The only thing that worries me is that I’ve only got 18 missions—and that’s pretty soon—usually it takes about 30. However, most of my missions have been lead missions so that may make a difference. Oh well, as I said—I’m not counting my chickens. Hon—as far as giving you poop—I really do give you all I can. Some things I just can’t talk about—and there is nothing I can do about it. An enlisted man can write all kinds of things and the only thing that happens to him is that the censor cuts it out. But we censor our own mail—and if we get caught saying things we shouldn’t—we’re in hot water. And now the news & what there is of it. Skeezix is still in fine shape—and working harder than ever. Boy, he really keeps this place of ours clean. He’s a Gem. Arne is fine—and I did give him your regards. Say, I really got a kick out of the five generations picture. It looks so natural—it really is a good picture. It sure is a beauty of Donny—he really is cute. How did they ever get him that way—that tongue hanging out really got me. I guess that’s about it honey—I really love you very, very much. Love, Ang July 27. Marge and Florence here for dinner then to movie. Home by 12:00. Didn’t even write Ang. Pretty tired. [V-Mail. Postmark 8-9-44] 7-27-44 Hi Honey: I just finished reading your long letter. Tch, tch—are my letters as bad as all that? I kinda get what you mean though—I’ll see if I can do little better in the next long one. Honey, I wrote to Wally Reardon a long time ago. Really, I can’t think of anyone I owe a letter to—and dozens who owe me letters. I’ve really been pouring them out since I got over here. I’ll see if I can get in touch with Captain Cots—I’ve always liked him. Thanks for giving me his wife’s name—I’d forgotten it—naturally! Say, Hon, save the gum for yourself—we get plenty of it over here—also the stamps. Thanks, anyway I love you hon—Love, Ang July 28. Sort of warmish today - had a snack and then to kids. Had a time of sorts - E. Carroll’s. Home by 1:00. Two [?- hard to read] drinks. Nuts. July 29. Slept late. Mr. S. over and up to Santa Barbara. Herm home with us - Jr here when we got home. Bed by 1:00. Dead tired. [V-Mail. Postmark 8-9-44.] 7-29-44 Corsica Hi Hon: I just got a letter from Peg—dated the middle of last month. There were Boco pictures in it—mostly of the baby—and one nice one of you and Donny. There’s only one thing wrong with it—you look too darn motherly to suit me. I also got your manicure set. You know how much I take care of my fingernails—but Charley is as bad as a woman about it—and he sends his thanks. I do appreciate all those little packages—keep it up, hon. I can’t get over that five generations picture—it really is good and looks so natural. Its one of my pin-ups—right between two pictures of Lana Turner. I love you, hon. Love, Ang July 30. To 12:00 Mass. Got up early and made breakfast for Jr. Wrote Ang. Marge and Flo for dinner. Loafed all day really. To bed about 11:00. Tired Form 5. July 30. C-30, Combat flight as navigator, B25-J, 3:10h [See crew sheet for July 30 at "Official Documents" tab.] [FROM ANG'S FLIGHT LOG. MISSION #19.] #19 7-30 Ferrara R.R. Bridge 1st box hit center & 2nd South approach. 1000 lbs. Heavy, intense & accurate--3 ships holed. Used smoke pots. [note made in ink: "Sgt Slocum shot in shoulder"] [The crew sheet (see Official Documents tab) is dated July 29. But according to the 57th Bomb Wing records, the 30th is correct.] July 31. For being Monday the day went awfully fast. Pay day too. Had stomach ache after dinner—wrote letters. Bed 10:30 [V-Mail. Postmark 8-2-44] 7-31-44 Corsica Hi Hon: Will wonders never cease—I got a letter from Jen today. No news, but her letters always make enjoyable reading. My goodness, hon, you sure are taking in all the shows in town—you’ll be way ahead of me by the time I get back—I don’t see very many—because they are outdoor movies (sitting on the ground) and we have to wear mosquito netting and leggings—and all that trouble is hardly worth it—except maybe Bob Hope or Lana Turner. Hon, you’d better start reading the newspapers. Several of the boys were sent clippings with mention of the group or the Squadron—and even one with me mentioned. I love you, hon. Love, Ang [I found this article via an online newspaper search. Ang talks about it in his August 28 letter. He gave enough information so that I had a few good search terms. Articles like this were picked up by many "hometown" newspapers.]
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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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