1944 January 29 “I could send myself home if I had no sense of duty”

1/28/44 Mission:

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
   In Italy, B-25's attack the Orte marshalling yard; B-26's hit bridges at Orvieto and Montalto di Castro; A-20's bomb Cisterna di Latina with good results; P-40's and P-47's bomb the Popoli road junction, and A-36's hit railroad, road, and gun positions in the Cassino-Vicenza-Velletri areas, the Colleferro marshalling yard, and Atina town area; P-40's hit Terelle, Belmonte in Sabina, and Cisterna; Allied fighters over the Anzio area claim 21 aircraft shot down.

1/29/44 Mission:

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
   In Italy, B-25's bomb San Benedetto de Marsi marshalling yard; B-26's hit bridges N of Rome; P-47's bomb a munitions factory at Bussi sul Tirino; P-40's and A-36's, in support of US Fifth Army forces, bomb positions in the Anzio beachhead area and hit enemy forward road and rail communications; fighters on patrol over Anzio meet little air opposition.

1/29/44  New A.P.O. is #650, NY, NY

Italy

Hi Toots:

Well, I sent George Boggs home today.  He was the bombardier who flew with me in Africa, Malta, Sicily, and finally in Italia, and I shall always think highly of him.  George flew for me for 40 missions after he had broken, and we only goofed off once badly and another time slightly.  He knew that I knew what was happening, but through his loyalty, he kept right on until I decided he was through, never once asking for a rest.

Sgt. Dempsey also left.  Dempsey is a country boy from Alabama.  A week after I took the squadron, he wanted to quit.  He was upset to the point of crying during briefings.  I gave him a rest and talked him into trying again.  Later, he broke again.  He went to Jackson and said he would only come back if he could fly with me.  That is where he finished off, taking over Stedman’s job.  He was genuinely frightened, but told me this morning he wanted his job back when he got back in the scrap after a rest.  He said, “Major, I do believe when you fly your hundredth mission, you’ll still be forgetting what time you landed and took-off, bitch about the landing being two shades less than perfect, and sing “Old King Cole” all the way to and from the target.”  I hate to see these people leave, for you make lasting friends up there.

I heard a broadcast today over BBC by an American Fighter Pilot, “Col. Dave Schilling.”*  Dave slept next to me at Brooks Field.  I wish I he could escort me on my raids.  He is a fine pilot, a gentleman and a swell egg.

Dinner tonight with the O.M.  I slept an hour, just finished a whore bath, and called ops and told them not to count on me for flying tomorrow.  I shall probably have a large head.

Well, Gremlin, stick with me up there.  Thus far, I’m having fun flying with you.  I feel like hell when I realize I could send myself home if I had no sense of duty, and have to watch my kids leaving regularly.

Your very own Sweetheart, Cy.

*For more information on Col. Schilling see: http://www.americanairmuseum.com/person/39465