1/8/44 Mission:
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): B-25's bomb the harbor, warehouses, and railway at Metkovic, Yugoslavia. In Italy, A-20's hit railway stations at Frosinone and in the Colleferro-Segni area; B-26's bomb marshalling yards at Grosseto and Lucca; P-40's support the US Fifth Army in the mountains E and SE of Cassino, and, with A-36's, hit railway targets S of Rome at Aquino, Frosinone, Palestrina and Castelforte; other P-40's hit Avezzano, and A-36's blast trains and vessels in the vicinity of Tarquinia.
1/9/44 Mission:
MEDITERRANEAN: Prime Minister Winston S Churchill and General Charles A De Gaulle meet at Marrakesh, French Morocco. They discuss cooperation of a French expeditionary force in invasion of Europe and the degree of authority of the French inside France after the invasion.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): In Italy, B-25's attack the marshalling yard and docks at Ancona; P-40's hit tanks and trucks at Palena and S of Sulmona, and positions and vehicles near Cervaro; and A-36's hit positions in the same area.
1/9/44: From Wikipedia: “James Patrick “Jimmy” Page, OBE (born 9 January 1944)[1] is an English musician, songwriter, and record producer who achieved international success as the guitarist and founder of the rock band Led Zeppelin.
Page began his career as a studio session musician in London and, by the mid-1960s, alongside Big Jim Sullivan, was one of the most sought-after session guitarists in Britain. He was a member of the Yardbirds from 1966 to 1968. In late 1968, he founded Led Zeppelin.
Page is widely considered to be one of the greatest and most influential guitarists of all time.[2][3][4] Rolling Stone magazine has described Page as “the pontiff of power riffing” and ranked him number 3 in their list of the “100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time”. In 2010, he was ranked number two in Gibson‘s list of “Top 50 Guitarists of All Time” and, in 2007, number four on Classic Rock‘s “100 Wildest Guitar Heroes”. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice; once as a member of the Yardbirds (1992) and once as a member of Led Zeppelin (1995). Page has been described by Uncut as “rock’s greatest and most mysterious guitar hero”. Los Angeles Times magazine voted Jimmy Page the 2nd greatest guitarist of all time.”
1/9/44 V-Mail, #1
Italy
Honey:
Yahoo! I’m to be sent back to duty tomorrow. I can’t find my outfit by phone, but Ed Bland is going to pick me up. Once out of the hospital, I can check through tactical channels and then get back to work.
Myron fixed the teeth of one of the lads here, and I may get to see him one of these days. Also he is damned well-liked by all. Tommy seems to be maintaining his reputation, you know for what.
For goodness sake! Our night nurse is the daughter of a rather prominent officer and is married to another officer. All of this unknown to hospital personnel. I asked today why I got all of special fruit juices and she said it was because I had a good-looking wife and was proud enough to show it. Seems as though the ANC is tired of being chased by married men who later admit they have a wife and three kids. It is a dirty trick, but one which occurs regularly.
So you see, honey, you’re of benefit to me even 5,000 miles away.
This chance to talk to officers of all branches has meant a great deal to me. It has given me a broader picture of the whole army problem.
Love Cy
1/9/43 #2, V-Mail
Hi:
Some more.
I have lived with everyone from shavetails to colonels, most of whom have been in combat. The few who haven’t have certainly been a different type. The ones from up front are Americans, and sufficiently proud of it to have daily pitted their skill against a damn tough enemy. This is without heroics. When the records are compiled, I believe this campaign will go down in history as one of the roughest.
The army is getting smart on clothing. We are learning and have learned many things in the past year. If this war drags out another two years, we shall not only be the biggest and best equipped, but shall also be the cleverest and best trained in history.
Somebody started the rumor last night that Jerry would capitulate in 36 hours. I had the doubtful pleasure of helping to spike it. Some of these rumors are fantastic.
Honey, I love you. I guess there just isn’t any other way to say it.
Your Cy.
1/9/43 #3, V-Mail
Italy
Hello Mrs. Stafford!
Back on the job again. You’ll never guess where I am. I got back too late to get my bunk out of supply, so I confiscated one of the Sq. ambulances for the night. It is most cozy and comfortable.
I hitch-hiked home from the hospital and got to spend the night with Chocolate. He’s almost ready for a trip home, having flown nearly the required number of missions. Also spent two hours talking to Ernie Pyle, who is most interesting.
The mountains are covered with snow and the wind really whips across the flats. In brief, winter has come.
Honey, never believe any rumor you hear about me. I know how they start and grow.
I must be well. Burt and I took a four mile walk in the bright, full moon, and I am not sufficiently tired to go to sleep.
Speaking of rumors, contrary to radio reports, the troops have not yet seen any of the beer or coke we were believed to have been issued.
I love you baby girl. How’s Florida? How about a date for late 1944? A long one, I hope.
Your very own, Cy.