During this middle part of November 1944, Ang writes again to Betty about his hopes for making a trip to see his grandmother in Greece. He doesn't talk much about the weather, but we know from the 340th BG histories that there were many stand downs during November. Sometimes planes would take off for a mission and have to return due to weather. Sometimes they wouldn't even get off the ground. I believe this explains the flights listed on Ang's Form 5 that are not recorded in his personal log book. In his letters, Ang tells Betty he received his lessons from the University but no books; and discusses his hoped for visit to Greece; receipt of the infamous "Five Generation" picture (see my 8/2/2016 post, "Five Generations: A Moment in Time."); a Christmas package Betty sent that included a wreath they hung at their window. Betty continues working, helping out at the USO, attending Wives Club meetings and talks about luggage and storage. I'm not sure what that's about other than perhaps trying to make room in a cramped apartment. Friday, November 10. It surely did rain today - golly. To USO to have pass made. Lost a whole evening. Read for while. Bed 12:00 [Letter. Postmark 11-11. “OK 2-16-45, written in ink on the outside of this envelope. The letter was stamped Feb 3 1945, Los Angeles] 11/10/44 Corsica Hi Hon: Did I tell you that I finally got the camera—it sure is about time. I also got the two boxes of cookies and the whole camp wants to thank you. Say, if you made them, you not only are improving, but you are already an expert. I don’t know what to do with the colored film. I guess I’ll save it until I get ready to come home and bring it with me. If you can get anymore of it, I sure can get some beautiful shots with it. I guess I might as well make it a formal request—send me some film. I also got my first lessons from the Univ. However, I haven’t received my textbooks yet, so I can’t get started. I hope they get here soon, because I sure would like to get going. Did I tell you that the mail is really coming thru on time again. Seven-eight days—praise the lord. Yes, we do have the tent pretty well winterized now—its pretty comfortable. It’s a good thing too, because winter is sure coming along. I don’t guess it really ever gets cold (not like Chicago) but just enough to be uncomfortable. I’ve gotten a couple of pair of “winters” from Q.M.—so I’m all fixed up. Say, hon, on your Xmas list—don’t forget my Godson and my Godparents. Sorry to add to your troubles, but I can’t very well forget them. I’ll bet you do have your troubles with that list. I don’t know what to do with all the baby’s—as usual—I’ll have to leave it up to you—Sorry! I love you darling—Love, Ang November 11. Sewed all A.M. and odds & ends. Cleaned up & out to U.S.O. Rained all evening. Folks picked me up—thank goodness. Early. Form 5. -11, flight as bombardier, B-25J, 3:40h [Crew sheet under "Official Documents" tab. Photo from Ang's scrapbook below.] [FROM ANG'S FLIGHT LOG. MISSION #46] 46. Nov. 11. Piazzola R.R. Bridge. Heavy, scant & inaccurate. Span down. [J.D. Smith, Capt D.J. Satterthwaite, F.J. Gowiski] [Letter, postmark 11-13-44] 11-11-44 Corsica Hello Honey: Just as I finished writing the date, it struck me that today was Armistace day—ha, what a joke. If you could only know what we did today. I guess that’s a dirty trick, knowing what your curiosity is like, but everything can be blamed on the censor. By the way, this letter is being written on the very nice writing folder you sent me, and I don’t believe that I thanked you for it. Thanks a lot, hon, it really comes in handy. It a relief to have something to keep all my writing materials in so I won’t have to hunt all over when I want to write a letter. The picture you enclosed—its still one of my favorites. I finally went to see another movie last night—“Bride by Mistake” or something like that. Its really very good, or else my sense of judgement has gone from bad to worse, because I sure got a kick out of it. I was sitting around with some of the boys that have been back to the states, and they were talking about the social errors they made. For instance “Pass that _____ butter” etc. Some of them were really funny. I bet I’m going to have a heck of a time for awhile when I get back. Over here, practically every third word is a cuss word. However, I know quite a few in Italian now, so maybe I can use those and it won’t be so bad. Still no deal on an Athens trip—but I’m still trying. So you’re going to see “Winged Victory”. All I’ve heard about it is good—mostly raving—so I’m sure you’ll like it. If its still around maybe I’ll take you to see it again—anyway, the picture. I love you darling—Love, Ang November 12. Up about 8:30—to 10:30 Mass. Herm in about noon and stayed all day. Nothing accomplished. To bed about 12:00. [Letter, postmark 11-15-44] 11/12/44 Corsica Hi Hon: Well, it looks like my Athens trip is in the bag—I’ve finally got the major interested in it and he’s quite an operator. It seems that the Greek girls he knew in Cairo were really hot stuff—so all I had to do was to assure him that Athens was chock full of them. I guess I’ll have to cash another check before I go though. If they are as bad off as the newspapers report them over there—I’d better go really loaded down. I plan on buying most of the stuff from Q.M.—such as several pair of long winter underwear for my uncle and cousins—a bunch of stockings etc—and maybe a couple of heavy jackets—the fur kind. I hope to stop in Naples and Rome and get something for my grandmother and aunt—maybe a couple of dresses—stockings—and several yards of material of some kind. I suppose it sounds kind of silly preparing to go loaded down like that—but from all I hear they need it bad. I’ve talked to several officers that have been there—and they say even the richest people are in rags. They say that they haven’t been able to buy a stich of clothing since the Germans took over. I guess all that stuff will cost quite a bit—but what the heck—we can call it our yearly good deed. I sure wish I knew what their sizes were—I could take them some shoes. However, I’m not on my way yet—so I’m not getting excited until I am. You know the army. Its going to feel kind of funny walking in on them—I hope I can remember enough greek to carry on. I wonder what they’re like—after all I don’t know much about them—for that matter, I don’t even know if they are all still alive. I hope they are not like most of these foreigners I’ve seen over here. What if my little cousin comes running yelling “cigarette, Johnny” or “Wanna woman, Johnny?”. By God, I think I’d shoot the little jerk. Oh well, there is no sense in working my imagination overtime—is there? I’m glad you like the pictures I had taken at Capri—that’s in answer to where I took them. Yes that is my dog tags—its more comfortable than around my neck. It’s the new style, over here. Thanks for the address book. Do you remember the article you sent me about the Chicago boy that came home from the wars? Well, just change the name and it will be my story when I come home—the no. of missions—the decorations—everything except the 21 days leave instead of 10. I love you darling—Love, Ang November 13. Mr. Latimer out of town - all week. Marian had car and drove me home. Wrote letters & bed by 11:30 November 14. Rainy again today, but cleared up. Marian picked up my luggage this evening. Peg & I to movies. And bed very late. [Letter, postmark 11-15-44.] 11-14-44 Corsica Hi Hon: I got your letter of the 31st today—with the picture of the five generations. So it's gone nationwide now, has it! Boy, the family is sure going up in the world. If I’d know it was going to get all that publicity, maybe I’d have gone to work and beat Peg and Joe to it—ha! Every time I look at that picture, I get a greater urge to see Donny. He sure is cute and I bet he and I are really going to get along. I’m sorry if I didn’t tell you about the check to the U. of I—I thought I had. By the way, I cashed a check for 300 bucks today, Wheeler cashed it for me—and its made out to Mrs. D. V. Wheeler. I know it’s a hell of a lot of money—and maybe I’m just getting excited for nothing—I hope I am. But they may really need a lot of help the way I hear it. If I have to spend all of it, I’ll mention it to Dad and Uncle George and maybe they’ll reimburse me for part of it. Jen wrote and said that they had received all the presents that I had sent from Rome—and she sure was plenty excited over the silk stockings. I guess they were all satisfied. They also got your grandmothers package and she was taking it over to her. I love you darling—Love, Ang November 15. Nothing much doing today. Did some shopping after work. Washed head and wrote Ang in evening. Bed 11:30 Form 5. -15, flight as bombardier, B-25J, :30h [340th and 486th diaries report stand down on the 15th.] November 16. Shopped some more but didn’t accomplish anything. Mr. S’s birthday tom - had a cake. Wrote letters. Bed 11:30 Form 5. -16, flight as bombardier, B-25J, 2:40h [FROM ANG'S FLIGHT LOG. MISSION #47.] 47. Nov. 16. Faenza R.R. Bridge Heavy, intense & inaccuarate. Two ships holed. Span out of bridge. Jardine, Barnard [crew sheet under Official Documents tab.] [Letter. Postmark 11-18-44.]
11-16-44 Corsica Hi Hon: I got your Christmas package today—and because of it, our “home” is the most talked about in camp. We are the only ones who have a Xmas wreath hanging from our window. I might donate it to the officers mess a little later on, but for the moment I sort of enjoy the sensation our shack causes. Ha, just wait until the colonel pulls an inspection one of these days—we’ll probably get another cluster to the Air medal. I also appreciate the “Boy Scout” knife—it’s a beauty and a good knife comes in mighty handy over here. I noticed, though, the absence of such little things as lipsticks—etc. it’s a hell of a note when a mans wife won’t even send him a few seducing “tools”—ha! I know you—you want Bud to have all the fun. Thanks for everything, hon. By the way, we had no place for the little Xmas trees, so they decorate the top of the stove when its not in use. I haven’t mentioned the election in my letters, but not because I wasn’t interested. We just slobbered over every bit of news we could get. Remind me to tell you where I was when I got the first flash that Roosevelt was elected. I did tell you that I sent my ballot in, didn’t I? No, dear, you are not boring me with Donny’s going-ons—I get such a kick out [of] it—I really do! its almost as good as playing with him myself—with none of the “dangers” usually attached to such play. Believe me, not a single sentence of your letters bore me—not even on subjects that would have me tearing my hair out in the states. You would never believe the enjoyment we get from letters—especially the pleasure I get out of your letters. Enough of that stuff—you know what I mean. I love you darling—Love, Ang November 17. Worked pretty hard today and sure was tired. In traffic jam which made things worse. Officers Wives Club meeting.
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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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