100% accuracy refers to the 340th Bomb Group claim to bombing accuracy. It does not refer to the accuracy of mail delivery between Corsica and Los Angeles! Two of Ang's November letters were finally delivered in late January and February, 1945! He mentions that the incoming mail service was good, but later it’s slowed down again, and it stays that way through the holidays. Note that in previous months, the AAF Form 5 (Individual Flight Record. See them under the Official Documents tab.) listed flights with the date preceded by C (for Combat) or T (for training) but starting in November they only list the date. (So my notation for the November 6 mission is now Form 5. - 6 instead of Form 5. C-6) Also, there are more flights on the November Form 5 than Ang lists in his flight log. We can assume the "extra" ones were Administrative/Practice/Training Flights or scheduled flights that got cancelled or aborted after takeoff. On the other hand, he mentions a practice mission on November 1 which is not listed on his Form 5. Finally, the Form 5 lists him as Bombardier on his November flights, but the crew sheet copies I have from the 57th Bomb Wing, list him as Navigator. He tells Betty he's flying as Navigator in his 11/29 letter. Ang begins to mention his efforts to go to Greece to see his grandmother. I'm not sure which one he's referring to because both were still living. This plan never comes together. He seems to know how bad things were in Greece, but we now know it was much worse than he imagined, which is probably why they didn't let him go. It's a sad postscript to his war story. He finally made it back to Greece in the 1980's. Betty is busy helping her sister, Peg, with her son Donny. As usual, she's busy with work, and now has added the U.S.O and Officer’s Wives Club activities. Wednesday November. 1. To Mass this AM. My cold has developed a hacking cough! To movies in evening with Peg. Mr. S for dinner. Ang snaps from Capri. [Letter. Postmark, 11-4-44] 11-1-44 Corsica Hello Hon: I’m enclosing a few of the pictures I told you about. The censor said most of them were O.K. The three fellows are the enlisted men of our original crew. The other three are some of the “cute” pictures the boys paint on their ships. I’ve got about a dozen more—but I’ll send them in small bunches so we’ll be sure to have some of them. Be sure and save them all for me—I’ve got ideas about my den. Arne is still around sweating out his orders to go home. I sure hope he gets them in time to get home for Christmas. In case you are wondering which ship is mine in the pictures—they all are—I mean I ride them all. I know this is short honey, but I’ve got to go up on a practice mission. Maybe the pictures will make up for it. I love you darling—Love, Ang November 2. Overslept—and had everything go wrong this A.M. Another busy day at office. Wrote letters in evening—bed by 11:30. November 3. Very busy day at office. Sure am getting tired. Tried to write letters but not much accomplished. Bed late. [Letter, postmark 11-5-44] 11-3-44 Corsica Hello Darling: Just got your letter in answer to mine about Capri. When I stop to think about it, I guess I was a little gushy or something—but that’s the mood the place gave me. I thought that article you sent me was kind of cute—but as far as the Wacs are concerned—there weren’t any. If there were, the enlisted men sure kept them well hidden from the officers. Not that I blame them. As far as describing the blouse—you should know me better than that. However, I’ll give it a try. Its very light pink of material that shows thru (tch, tch)—short sleeves and beautiful designs (flowers) woven in all over. I thought it was very pretty. As far as getting table linens go—they really are wonderful over here, but the ones I like have prices way over a 1st Lts. pay. There was one set—completely hand made for $260. I believe it was well worth it, but - - -. Prices are swollen to the sky over here—and if you want anything really special you have to deal with the black market. For instance she would have gladly trade me the set for 50 lbs of sugar—but woe is me if I were caught. It just isn’t worth it. Its too bad I have a conscience because I sure could get rich over here. We can easily get 10 dollars a carton for cigarettes—but as I said - - -. I got a letter from Bud and it seems that he too visited Rome just about the time I did. Oh well, I’ll get to see him again one of these days. I love you darling—Love, Ang November 4. Helped Peg with laundry—downtown then to Servicemen Wives Club. Hostessed at U.S.O. in evening. Herm in L.B. November 5. Rainy all day & had storm in P.M. Loomis up in P.M. Sewed a little in evening. Washed head & laundry. Bed late. [Letter. Postmark 11-7-44] 11/5/44 Corsica Hello Hon: Excuse the pencil—out of ink. The enclosed picture is one that was sent to the Chicago papers just lately by the public relations office. I got a copy to send you just in case (as is probable) it won’t be put in the paper. You will notice the little article on the bottom—we’re not conceited—at least not very much. I figured the picture would let you know what a hot-rock your husband is—even if the rest of the world remains ignorant of the facts—ha! Anyway, it will give you an idea of the stuff that is being sent to the newspapers back home. As I’ve told you, the colonel is determined to let the whole world know that he has the “Best Damn Group There Is.” Just the other day we got another letter from Gen. Eakers giving us some more praise—and we were also put in for another Presidential Citation—and (so rumor has it) the French are going to award us the Croix De Guire (I guess that’s the way its spelled). So, there is just no holding the Colonel down. As far as your own hubby goes—he’s doing O.K. too. I guess I’ll have an Air Medal & 6-7 clusters and probably a D.F.C. before I come home—although at present I own nothing—everything is in channels or somewhere. I haven’t gotten any mail for the last two days—so not very many comments. I will write to Gail one of these days though. I love you hon—Love, Ang This is probably the "article" and photo Ang mentions in his letter. "AT A 12TH AIR FORCE BASE: 1st Lt Angelo Adams Bombardier with a B-25 Mitchell Medium Bomber Group in the Mediterranean Theatre helped make bombing history when his Group piled up a record of 100% target hits in a full month of operations. Lt Adams’ home is at 1911 N. Francisco st., Chicago Ill." November 6. Clear but cool—at least no rain. Left work early and out to O’Briens. Herm there. Home at 12:00. Donny was an angel. Form 5. -6, flight as bombardier, B-25J, 3:45h [Crew sheet under Official Documents.] [FROM ANG'S FLIGHT LOG. MISSION #44.] 44. Nov. 6. Padua RR Bridge. Inaccurate flak. Bridge destroyed. [Led group. Capt. G.B. Thabault. Dozier. Capt V. Meyers] Form 5. -7, flight as bombardier, B-25J, 1:50h November 7. Home today. Up about 10:00. Took care of Donny. Did some sewing in P.M. Wrote letters in evening. Listened to radio. Bed 11:30. [Letter, must be misdated, postmark 11-9] 10/7/44 Corsica Hi Hon: I’ve just finished writing a letter to Gail—and I sure had a heck of a time trying to decide what to write to her. I finally got it finished—I know you’ll be glad to hear. This must be one of my writing days—because I’ve also written to the folks and probably will get a couple more off. I got your letter of the 30 Oct (fast service again, did I tell you) and found out about your cold. You know what my favorite cure is, but since I can’t give it to you, you’d better use orange juice. Now, don’t give me any trouble—just do as you’re told. I certainly was happy to hear about Frankie—it certainly is about time. I only hope he’s still there when I get home—I sure would like to see him. Yes, I did get Pegs letter—and I’m a dirty dog for not answering it. However, I will. I’m glad you got the package from Rome. The stamp on the back of the rosaries is of one [of] the biggest catacombs where I bought them. I hope it doesn’t take away the effect of them (the stamp, I mean). It shouldn’t because all the catacombs are considered holy by the church and are conducted by the church. This particular one is the one where the bones of Peter or Paul (I forget which) are supposed to be. I suppose the rosaries would have been better plain, but I just hadn’t thought of it. I certainly am sorry. If I hadn’t told you, I’m planning on making a trip to see my grandmother one of these days. However its just about impossible right now so its still just a plan. I’m afraid this is about all I can do now hon. I love you very much—Love, Ang November 8. Sure was pooped today when I got home—for no reason either. Peg & I to movies and bed by 12:00. Tired too. FORM 5. -8, flight as bombardier, B-25J, 3:50h [Crew sheet under Official Documents.] [FROM ANG'S FLIGHT LOG. MISSION #45.] #45. Nov. 8. Casarsa RR Bridge. No flak. Bridge down. [Led group. Capt. G.B. Thabault. Lt. Col. Ruebel, Capt. V. Meyers] November 9. Worked hard today - arranged about storage and packed things in evening. Home from Rowena’s about 9:00. Typed cards. Late.
Form 5. -9, flight as bombardier, B-25J, 1:00h [According to the squadron diary, missions were scheduled and one took off but was aborted due to clouds over target.]
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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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