1/1/44:
SATURDAY, 1 JANUARY 1944 ARMY AIR FORCES, MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (AAFMTO): A complete reorganization of USAAF units in the Mediterranean Theater of Operations (MTO) takes place: US Army Air Forces, North African Theater of Operations (USAAFNATO) is redesignated AAF Mediterranean Theater of Operations (AAFMTO); XII Air Force Services Command becomes AAF Services Command Mediterranean Theater of Operations (AAFSCMTO); III Air Services Area Command (Special) becomes XII Air Force Services Command; II Air Services Area Command becomes XV Air Force Services Command; XII Air Force Engineer Command (Provisional) becomes AAF Engineer Command, Mediterranean Theather of Operations (Provisional); and XII Air Force Training Command is changed to XII Air Force Training and Replacement Command. The XII Bomber Command, Twelfth Air Force is reorganized as an medium bomber organization, 3 B-25 groups and the 3 B-26 groups of the 42d Bombardment Wing (Medium), under Brigadier General Robert D Knapp.
1/2/44 V-Mail
Italy
Hi Upswoop*:
Now isn’t that a hell of a thing to do? Well, even if I didn’t write, I spent a lot of time thinking about you. But I was in such a vile mood I didn’t want to write.
Just before New Years they moved us to a new hospital. Having previously operated only in the laps of luxury they are completely helpless. Thus far I have bawled out three doctors and the mess officer. They made the mistake of thinking a Major in the A.F. lost all rank when in M.D. pajamas. They know better now. I think I shall try for a couple of scalps when I get out.
I took a long walk through a small, but completely modern steel plant several days ago. Damn it, it hurt to see what was left after the Germans completed all their demolitions. To an engineer, there is nothing more gruesome than a war torn corpse of a factory. I saw a beautiful 5500 horsepower electric motor ruined, a 5 million dollar machine shop destroyed, Bessemer converters, open hearths, grinders, power plant, all destroyed by the retreating mass of beaten Germans. Hate develops easily.
Two infantry shave-tails have taken a great shine to me. They have been knocked slightly loose from their hinges by shell fire. I ignore this and talk to them. A month of rest and retirement from military duty and they’ll be all ok again.
Although not good for jaundice, cognac raises my New Years morale.
I was awfully griped. While sick, EM** lived in poorly heated wet tents on the other side of the road the hospital and other docs in the ballroom, dry& warm. The room would accommodate all of the EM. It’s a disgrace to the service and don’t think the men don’t notice it.
Hey you, I love you. Your own brat, Cy.
*Cy frequently mentions how he wants Marty to keep her hair long and to put it in an “updo”. I believe “Upswoop” is his play on the word “upsweep” which refers to an upswept hairdo.
**“EM” refers to enlisted men who were in the hospital here.