10/15/43 Mission:
In Italy, XII Air Support Command and other elements of NATAF hit roads, railroads, bridges, junctions, railway facilities, town areas, and motor transport at or near Piedimonte, Vairano, Termoli, Petacciato, Sparanise, and Civitanova, and hit gun positions and communications in the general battle area N of the Volturno River. HQ 47th Bombardment Group (Light) and it's 84th and 85th Bombardment Squadron (Light) transfer from Gorttaglie to Vincenzo Airfield, Italy with A-20's.
10/16/43 Mission:
XII Air Support Command and other NATAF elements provide close support to the US Fifth and British Eighth Armies; fighters and light and medium bombers hit communications centers of Venafro, Vairano, Sparanise, Latina, Alife, and the town of Pietravairano; roads, railroads, and junctions in the areas SE of Rome to the bomb line, between Vasto and Pescara, and at Mondragone; gun positions, trucks, and military concentrations near Vinchiaturo, Boiano, and Termoli; landing ground of Cisterna di Latina; and several other targets in the area between Rome and Ancona.
10/16/43 #1 Italy
Hi Marfy:
I’m living on top of a hill now, and boy are my binoculars you gave me for Christmas really hot stuff. I can see all over the damn place, and it saves a lot of running around. You’ll love them. Thanks a million baby.
Hey, Toots. I haven’t had a slide rule for nearly a year and I’m finally to the point where I’ve gotta get one. So, and it is a rush job, buy me 1 each of the following:
6” Manheim style slide rule (Should have K,A,B,C1,C,D,L,S,T scales) made by Keuffel & Esser preferably.
They make them out of metal and furnish same in nice leather case, the whole thing being the size of a comb. You can mail it air mail I believe and it will get here in time to do some good.
Jax and Gene are jaundiced and in the hospital. There’s nothing a little rest won’t cure.
I’ve finally given in and put on my long pants. The mornings are a little too cool for shorts. In fact, I’m sleeping under 5 layers of G.I. blanket, so you can see what the temperature must be.
Next time I go to war, I’ll really know what to take with me. First, a damn pretty little brunette I picked up 3 ½ years ago (not badly worn even now). Then, secondly, an air mattress. Third, a cat, and last and least any odds and ends of uniform I might need.
Well, honey, your boy—I loves ya. Cy
P.S. Boy, have I got a swell fountain pen.
10/16/43 #2 Italy
Hi Snooks:
I’m a bad boy. I should go out in the sunshine and wash my hair. Riding a dusty road in a jeep is no fun at all. Also, a shave is in order.
What a life. I fly 2 missions on successive days. The first one had deluxe flak. Lots of holes but no real damage. The second one was abortive, as it would have been a bomb run on instruments. Then I get the G.I.s* The next two missions were no flak, no enemy air, and no bad weather. When I get back on flying it will probably be hot again. C’est la guerre. I’ve been able to push a lot of my people through their last mission recently. If I can get 2 more sorties for one pilot I’ll have finished ‘em off in good style. 25 more sorties and I should be set for relief. I’ve flown 25 up to date, which is pretty good for an old staff officer.
This army support is funny. The lads on the ground break through and go like hell for a few weeks. Then they run into a line of stubborn resistance. The Air Corps is then moved up as close as advisable, and the ground forces consolidate their strung out positions. After the show is all set, we put up a maximum effort for a few days. At that point the line of stubborn resistance is no longer stubborn and another break through is made.
The German radio sure puts out nice music. Or rather I should say, used to put out good music. Since we took Sicily, Axis Sally** hasn’t had a word to say. Last winter in Africa she used to broadcast programs to specific units citing their exact location. That finally stopped as we cleaned up the various subversive units. She also used to tell us how Jerry was going to kick us out of Africa. I guess there isn’t a hell of a lot to say now.
I got a letter from Helen and Jim Phillips yesterday. It was dated Aug. 16th! I haven’t had any mail from you for a couple of weeks. I also got one from Nena, much to my amazement.
Time out for my medicine. I’m taking sulfa something or other. We calls them “powdered pucker strings” for obvious reasons.
The enclosures grow wild around here. They are just like flowers back home. There isn’t a darned excuse or reason for war except a lack of mutual knowledge between two peoples of the fact that they have the same facilities, problems, and desires.
This country is much like our stay in OK city. In fact, I can look out the front door (of my tent) and see a city in the distance that looks like OK city (from a distance). Examination with my binoculars which you gave me for Christmas, reveals that somebody must have accidentally dropped a bomb on it. Honey, London may have looked awful by standards of 1940, but there is nothing that can compare to the complete pulverization which has been necessary here on the continent.
Well, honey, hold tight. I may be able to get home late in 1944 instead of 1945 as originally estimated. This time I am not going to sacrifice time with you to keep a small child out of trouble like I did last December. I am going to have the opportunity soon, but I shall let the small child hang himself instead.
Be a good baby. I love hell out of you. Your brat, Cy.
*Diarrhea