1/12/44 Mission:
Colonel Archibald Y Smith assumes command of the XII Air Force Training and Replacement Command. In Italy, B-25's and B-26's bomb the Giulianova railway bridge and attack a dam and road bridge; A-20's hit San Donato; P-40's attack a vessel in the Krka River of Yugoslavia, hit enemy defensive positions at San Biagio Saracinesa, Sant' Elia Fiumerapido, Monte Trocchio, and Atina, and bomb Vallerotonda; A-36's attack the Avezzano railroad yards, a village near Atina, railroad facilities at Cisterna di Latina, and numerous trucks and train cars in the Rome area.
1/13/44 Mission:
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): In Italy, B-25's and B-26's bomb Guidonia, Centocelle, and Ciampino airfields; A-20's strike the town of Atina. AAF, RAF, SAAF, and RAAF fighter-bombers hit shipping along the Dalmatian coast at Sibenik and in the Krka River of Yugoslavia. A-36's hit the town and railway yards at Isola del Liri, a factory at Colleferro, docks at Formia, railroad yards at Valmontone, and a railway station SE of Frosinone. P-40's hit Sant' Elia Fiumerapido, San Biagio, Saracinesa, and a rail and road junction near Villa Latina. 86th and 97th Bombardment Squadrons (Light), 47th Bombardment Group (Light), transfer from Vincenzo Airfield to Vesuvius Airfield, Italy with A-20's.
1/13/44 V-Mail, Italy #1
Honey:
I shall go over your letters and answer them.
When you get through taking vitamins, iron and liver pills, you should be healthy enough to take what I’m saving up for you.
I suppose Ann is very proud of her Jack. He rather disappointed me. I am afraid I am a little bitter about some of these people.
Pop Huntoon always works too hard, and should take care of himself better.
Sis should feel happy about the $50 Xmas presents.
I knew Sam Marks’ night work would get results.
Well, I’ll be damned—Sis has a new job too!
Boy, I’ll say I want to see some china, silver, and linen of ours.
Your Xmas presents sound interesting.
This is the silliest country. Instead of training grapes up on vines, they grow trees, cut all the branches off, and train the grapes between the trees. They also raise peanuts, oranges, and tangerines. All of the things which I learned in school about geography were strict hooey.
Hello trouble! Jackson, after being CO for a month, is confusing himself with the present CO. I get so damned sick of these little troubles that I could scream. Most of the things which are in conflict don’t amount to a hill of beans.
Love Cy
P.S. Bomb-sight is on way to Wright Field.
1/13/44 V-Mail #2
Hi There:
Got an old letter of yours today. So you’re going to deck me out in p.j.’s and dressing gown? It sure will feel funny not to sleep in G.I. longhandles or nothing at all. I’ll try it though, and thanks.
Bob Paul stopped in for a few minutes. It sure was nice to see him. He is back in engineering work now. Be sure to see Mary Kay if you get down that way in your travels. He is no longer in combat, which is good, and no reflection on him. He is still the perfect gentleman he always was. Outside of a healthy disrespect for a few things, he hasn’t changed a bit.
I’m back at work, and did the best job I’ve done for a long time. Of course, when the odds are right, this is easy. Burt’s age is finally creeping up on him and I finally persuaded him to submit to a little medical scrutiny. He is in such perfect health, he can’t conceive of anything being wrong even when it hurts.
(Later) Burt is being a good boy and going to the hospital for two weeks to get fixed up. That will help. I’m trying to get Jax 30 days leave. The poor kid got a letter from home and his 3 brothers all got home for Christmas so he feels a little sad.
I am a happy little moron but need the company of one other specific happy little moron.
All my love, Cy.