Waiting for Airplanes

379th Journal, Volume II, December - January 1944

Click on a picture to see a bigger or more complete version.

Nissen Hut Bull Session
38 KB

Rarey's letter: December 19, 1943.
The day is putting its flaps down for its final approach and the boys are busying themselves with various tasks near a soldier's heart. Bill is sewing on a button and bragging about a cold shower he once took. Houghton is in the sack reading a purple mystery novel. Putnam sharpens a hunting knife, while Larsen's heavy regular breathing indicates that he is in the arms of Morpheus (purely platonic, you may be sure). A variety of subjects are being aired, the air being pale blue with the mild expletives that are necessary in hitching the articles and prepositions together in an airman's banter.


We Acquire Lieutenant Bruno
22 KB

Rarey's letter: December 6, 1943.
We bought a little black dog from an English laborer. He is a cute little rascal, good-looking in a nondescript canine way. He immediately went AWOL for about 10 days. Tonight he showed up again. We've decided to waive the court-martial and give him another chance. He was glad to see us and seems a trifle sheepish. I asked him where he'd been, and as he didn't answer, I must assume it was some carnal orgy. I told him that his sordid little love life didn't interest me in the least, and casting me an evil leer, he took over my sack - he's over there now, corking it off. Move over, Bruno, you bastard!


Just Like a Great Big Bird!
12 KB

Rarey's letter: December 20, 1943.
Dearest Betty Lou - Another day of nothing in particular - lordy, but we'd like to have some airplanes! We're learning a lot (in ground school) but we miss the flying quite a bit...That just about sums up the local situation. I love you and I miss the sight of your pretty face.

Escape and Evasion
24 KB

Jim Ashford: December 30, 1943.
As part of our ground training we were taught Escape and Evasion techniques. All of the pilots were taken out in their normal flight gear early in the morning in a completely covered truck, so we couldn't keep track of where we were, and let out two at a time somewhere in the countryside. We were given maps of the area, and our goal was to make it back to the base without being apprehended. (continued)


The 379th Is Airborne
15 KB

Bob McKee: December 30, 1943.
OH HAPPY DAY! Our first 13 aircraft arrived!

On to Volume III