Friday, February 4

Flak started again about 3:00 AM & lasted till nearly 5:00 but it was too damn cold to get out of bed. 5 planes went down near here.

A B-17 attempted a landing here with one engine knocked out but it  cracked up killing 5 men. A casualty the Germans don't know about.

General Anderson, CO of 9th Bomber Command gave us a talk after 6 hours of classes - it was quite interesting. He explained our ultimate aim as a combat outfit - that of destroying the enemy air force so that we have complete air superiority when the invasion comes.

Thursday, February 3

Classes started today. Had talks by various combat personnel from this theatre who have had vast experience in the type of combat we will be in. For the first time in the army - our talks were really valuable and instructive. Had talks on combat crew organization, radio & its uses, British flight control systems, and flak. We are all beginning to realize that this war is such a complicated game - one can never hope to learn everything.

his evening I experienced my first air raid. The sirens blew at about 8:00 PM. It is a crystal clear night with a full moon. Soon we could hear the distant ack-ack & bombs and see the search lights. It still seemed far away though - I can't seem to realize there is a war going on.

Wednesday, February 2

Supposed to start classes today but they are postponed for a day. Had a talk by a colonel from one of the active B-26 Groups already here and we are beginning to learn the set-up and one just begins to realize how vast and intricate and detailed our operations will be. Losses in other groups have been less than 1 of one percent so far - by far the best record in any theatre of operations. We are in the 9th Air Force which is a tactical force deployed to aid the ground forces in the coming invasion of the continent. Our preliminary raids are more or less training for this coming invasion.

Ray Olshak and I went for a long walk this evening over to the village of White Roding and saw an old church 600 years old - it was one of the eldest structures I have ever seen.

Played hearts & censored mail in the evening.

Tuesday, February 1

Looked over base today and it is quite nice except for a few things. The English don't go in for elaborate plumbing - we have 4 wash basins for 300 officers and they are 3/4 of a mile from any of the quarters. We walk 1 mile to  mess and must wear dress uniform for the evening meal they are certainly making this a gentleman's war.

We are allowed 1 bar of soap, 1 package of gum & 2 bars of candy per week and as yet there is no stationary available so very few letters. Incidentally, I helped censor mail this evening - it is quite an experience.

Monday, January 31

Worked on barracks making it livable. Nearly froze last night so I moved in with Olshak in one which is lined with beaverboard.

Am learning a little about what these Englishmen have put up with. You certainly have to hand it to them because they have gotten along on so little and taken so much and yet they are more determined than ever to fight. Most of them ride 20-30 miles a day on a bicycle to & from work, eat practically nothing, heat their houses on 3 lbs of coke per day per person, wear wooden shoes because of lack of leather and many other things. I certainly have to admire their courage & determination in spite of their damned Imperialism.

Sunday, January 30

What a wonderful bed that was last nite - had the first hot bath in 30 days and was it wonderful. Took off at noon for our final base - not going to Scotland after all. Flew over English countryside and over dozens of airfields in 2 hours flying time. Most of squadron landed at the wrong field but I found it O.K. Field is brand new - only 50% completed but we will have nice layout when we get it fixed up. We live in a hut that looks like a huge barrel split end to end and one half of it used as a barracks. However they are quite cozy. It was just like a class reunion meeting all the boys again. Lucas my tail gunner was sure happy - he saw me taxi up and he just jumped up and down waving his arms and hollering. Spent evening discussing trip with those who had to come by boat.