10/6/44
Marfy:
How are you? I wish to hell I’d get some mail. We haven’t had any for some time.
I am on a tour of France at present, in a C-78. I guess I don’t mention the organizations I see or the purpose of my visit, I won’t be violating any of the rules when I mention some of the things I’ve seen.
I flew most of the way up the Rhone valley one day. The lower half is much like parts of Pennsylvania, factories lining the sides of the river. I didn’t realize it before, but the factories are the first I’ve seen in operation for a matter of years. It made me a bit nostalgic. The C-78 is a hell of an airplane, but nevertheless I parked it on the tree-tops all the way, and really got a good look.
I tried to do some Christmas shopping in one of the large cities, but I didn’t see more than a few things I would buy, and they were about ten to one more expensive than the same thing would have been in the States. My Scotch ancestry decided me against any purchases (Except your Christmas present. It is not silver, but pretty). I did sleep in a modern hotel, though, with a hot bath, clean sheets, a bed with springs and no bugs, and a nice eiderdown comforter to keep me warm.
Later in the trip I had to fly through some soup. The hills made it necessary to navigate the railroad way, and my navigator got a bit screwed up. He had us turned down a little feeder line. After following it for a minute, I realized that it was the wrong one, so I hauled around in a 180 turn. It was a good thing for I saw an American four gun battery of 105’s firing just below us. I went out there in a jeep the following day and found the damn place to be about 2 miles from the Jerry lines. When in doubt, always turn back, I’ve always said.
The next day I flew back here trying to get through to another city. The weather man was a little off, and when the ceiling got down to 50 feet off the trees, I decided I would lower my wheels and land. I found a field 800 feet long and put the Cessna in quite nicely. The field was a Cub Liaison squadron jobby and they were quite amazed that I could get it in, since they considered it small for the Cub. I was a little amazed myself.
This morning I bought four pipes made out of cherry, of which I shall send two to you. Let Dad pick out the one he wants for Christmas, and you can either give the other to him to give to Charley Flint and some of his friends, or you can send them to some of the people we know who might like one. They probably aren’t too good, but they are typical of the country here.
I take back my slanderous remarks I’ve made of the French. I’m afraid I’ve passed judgment on the lower city element. The average person is more than friendly, industrious as all hell, and a solid citizen. Until you have seen the countryside here, you haven’t lived. You’ve just got to make a trip over here with me.
Much to my amazement I can get by in France with what little know of the language. I heard there was a cheese factory in the neighborhood so I went out to look for it. I bought 5 kilos each of Gorgonzola and Swiss. Boy, is it luscious. I am going to try to send some of it home.
That’s about it, but I shall try to pick up some more interesting stuff on the rest of the trip.
I’m so damn much in love with you that it is pitiful. It’s the only solid thing in a very transient type of life.
Bye, snooks, Cy
P.S. Got your letters of Sept 2 & 6 on Oct. 10.