November 23-30, 1944. Thanksgiving. Birthday. Mrs. Cahill

Ken Murray's Blackouts of 1942. This was a popular Vaudeville-type of show at the El Capitan Theater on Vine St that played from 1942-49. Betty mentions going to show on Thanksgiving. Program found in Betty's files.

 Stand downs for the rest of November, either due to weather or for Thanksgiving Day. Betty continued with work, Thanksgiving preparations, USO, sewing, and other usual activities. After Thanksgiving dinner, she attends a show at Blackouts. She doesn't mention her November 27 birthday at all, but Ang sends birthday wishes in a letter. She mentions pasting photos in an album -- oh how I wish I knew where that album ended up!
Betty must have mentioned talking to, or maybe visiting, Tom Cahill's mother. In his November 29th letter, Ang says "Its too bad Cahill’s grandmother had to get sick. I haven’t said anything to him because maybe they don’t want him to know about it." Betty notes a visit to Cahill's in her November 30th diary entry. Tom's brother, Jack Cahill, was KIA on November 21, but they don't know this yet.

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Thursday, November 23. [Thanksgiving.] Had a lovely day—Herm in also had 2 servicemen. Late dinner. Then to Blackouts. Good show—bed by 12:30.

[Letter. Postmark 11-24-44
11/23/44       Corsica
Happy Thanksgiving hon:
I’m sorry I didn’t send you Thanksgiving greetings a couple of weeks ago—but you know how I am about holidays. I didn’t even think about it until yesterday when it was announced that we would only have two meals instead of three today, so the cooks would have time to prepare the big meal.
And, a big meal its going to be—Turkey & trimmings—nuts—fresh fruit—apple pie & ice cream. One of the boys is going to take the ice cream up to 15-16,000 ft—to freeze—that’s one way of doing it—the only way out here.
Thanks for the card you sent me, hon.
The[y] also got a load of Scotch today, and it will be available after dinner. What a drunken outfit this is going to be tonight—whoopie. I don’t think I’ve had a drink since Capri—so I guess I’ll let go for today and whoop it up. After all—it is a holiday.
Its holidays like this that kind of get me down for awhile—you know, kind of homesick. However, I don’t feel too badly today as yet. I guess maybe I’m becoming resigned to my fate or something.
I love you darling—Love, Ang

November 24. Sure on a merry-go-round today. Marian left about 3:30. To Officers Meeting in evening. Bed by 12:15. Dead.

        Form 5.   -24, flight as bombardier, B-25J, 1:45h
         [standown]

November 25. Got along OK today at office. Napped in P.M. To USO in evening. Bot pair black shoes. Bed 11:30.

[Letter. Postmark 11-26-44.] 
11/25/44         Corsica
Hi Hon:
Your last few letters seem to be filled with checking account woes—and I’m afraid its mostly my fault. I meant to send you the Sept statement that they sent me—and forgot to do it. However I did tell you that I got it—the last receipt for 500. and gave you the balance for that month—maybe you didn’t get that letter. Anyway, I’m sending the whole thing to you in a separate letter. The balance as of Sept 23 was $2,127.46. Since that time I wrote a check for two hundred and the one to the U. of I.—both of which you said were included in your last statement. Since then I have written a check for $300—and that is the total of my activities. So, that should leave the balance at around $1,600.00—plus or minus your withdrawls & deposits. I hope that helps you a little.
I’m sorry that I got you and the bank all screwed up. All I asked for was a statement of total after the deposit of the last 500.00—and they sent me the regular monthly statement. I’ll never ask them for anything again.
By the way, the major said we might make the trip to Athens one of these days—so its on again. I went to the post office and had M.O. made out to myself. That way I can keep the money with me, and in case he makes up his mind in a rush—all I have to do is go to the P.O. and cash them. If I never go—I’ll just endorse them and send them to the bank. I wish he would make up his mind.
What a thanksgiving we had—it was just about as perfect as it could be considering where we were celebrating it.
As I told you, we had dug up several bottles of American whiskey (at 20.00 a bottle) and we all started drinking after dinner. Everybody, and I mean everybody, became pleasantly stewed. There were very few that overdid it—most of us were just in a pleasant mood—you know what I mean.
We dug up a squeeze box—and had a jam session & community sing until the late hours. Its wonderful how much enjoyment a bunch of men can get out of a simple evening like that. First there are several popular songs to mellow everybody up—then somebody sings a dirty song or two to liven things up—then a drink or two & start all over again. I certainly did enjoy myself—even joined in on the singing after a few drinks.
I love you darling—Love Ang

November 26. To 12:00 Mass. Peg & I wrapped Xmas packages & pasted photo album. Some sewing in evening. Bed 11:00.
November 27. Worked like a demon today—shopped at noon & also after work. Sewed on green dress in evening. To bed by 11:30.

[Letter. Postmark 11-28-44.] 
11/27/44         Corsica
Happy Birthday, Darling:
Darn it, all these holidays coming at one time—are going to have me in tears. I’ve been laying around most of the day thinking about your birthday—remembering past ones and what we did on them.
I had one of my few dreams last night—one of the few that I remember. I was on my way to pick you up to take you to see Barrymore in a play. All of a sudden—the roads were blocked with thousands of Germans and they wouldn’t let me thru. I got mad and so they started shooting at me. I ran around the corner and found me a well equipped American Army [don’t ask me where they came from—they were just there.) I ordered them forward and we had a terrific battle—it really was a beaut. At any rate—bloody (I was wounded 14 time) but triumphant I fought my way to your house and took you to the theatre.
I remember you had a hat with about a dozen big plumes on it—but for some reason I didn’t mind. Then we went to the College Inn—and guess who was M.C.—Bob Hope—and Joe Sanders’ orchestra.
Then we went to your house and sat on the stairs. 
At any rate—happy birthday sweetheart—I love you something terrific today—even more than usual. I never thought I was very sentimental—but on days like this I guess I’m just a blubbering little baby crying for his wifey.
I love you honey—Love, Ang.

November 28. Well, got through another day. Worked awhile after hours. Then to Officers Wives dinner. Nice time—home early. 11:30.
November 29. Another busy day. Got our checks. Mr S for dinner. Peg & I to movies.

        Form 5.   -29, flight as bombardier, B-25J, 1:15h
        [There's a crew sheet dated November 29, but according to the diary, "Stand-down called after crews had arrived at briefing.]

[Letter. Postmark 12-1-44.]
11-29-44       Corsica
Hi Hon:
Its too bad Cahill’s grandmother had to get sick. I haven’t said anything to him because maybe they don’t want him to know about it.
Tch, tch—what a wife I have—sending me a bunch of blank checks—you should know better than that. Anyway, you were paid a nice compliment because of it. I was at dinner when I opened the letter and pulled the checks out. One of the boys stared at them and said “What a wife you’ve got—that’s the kind of woman I want to marry.” I must say, your faith in me is very touching—and I love you for it.
I’ve found out the approximate location of Buds outfit—so one of these days I’ll head over and see him again.
There still isn’t any new poop on a trip to Athens—but I’ll get there one of these days.
I am serving as a navigator now—I’m sorry, I thought that I told you. I certainly do confuse you, don’t I? I don’t mean to, but it is kind of hard to word a letter so its covered by censorship rules.
The mail situation is getting all messed up again—so I guess it is all over because of the Christmas mail. I wish my textbooks would get here, so I could start on the courses and have something to do. I’m getting into such a rut for want of something to do. I’ve read just about everything in camp—and I’ve already made out my Christmas cards—that proves something.
I love you darling—Love, Ang 
​
November 30. Warmish today. Sent Johnny’s birthday package. To Cahills and had a very nice evening. Bed about 12:30.

Hard to ID these planes, but this gives a sense as to why they called stand downs during bad weather. It wasn't just the clouds over targets. Imagine taking off or landing in the mud.