Ray, Doris, and Buggsy

Ray, Doris, and Buggsy

Chapter 13 - Homeward Bound

 

9 April 1945 Chelvaston, England

Dear Doris,

Nothing for me to do around the field but eat three meals a day, for a change, sleep and sweat out my shipping orders. Decided to go to London for a couple of days, see some shows and buy some clothes at the PX. Got to London about 11 P.M. with nothing more appealing to do then write to you. Gosh, what a great feeling it is to feel free again. It’s as if I had been in prison and have just finished my time. Last night I lay awake for several hours, too excited to sleep, and thought about all the things we would soon be doing together - little things, big things, as long as we were doing them together.

Tomorrow I intend to phone Buggsy and make arrangements to see him.

I find it hard to write - feel like a sprinter, getting set to run.

See you soon

Ray




10-11 April 1945 Chelvaston, England

Darling Doris,

Phoned Buggsy and found he was still at his old field in Norwich so I left immediately. It was good to see him and was amazed to find that he too had completed his last mission on 7 April. We shot the breeze half the night and decided that the following morning we would return to my field together and continue our bull session. We did just that and he is shaving while I catch up on reading your mail and answering.

Am now ready to grab Buggsy for some more beer swilling and perhaps a visit to the `Fish’ s in Wellingboro.

Be good - see you soon

Ray

 

 

 

17 April 1945 Chelvaston, England

Dear Doris,

Still no orders, Joe Mulvaney and I took a bus ride to a city about 15 miles from the field. The English countryside was beautiful, the drabness of a late winter is now being surplanted by the vivid greens of early spring. I’m sure you would have appreciated the scene as I did and being together would have increased its beauty.

The hustle and bustle of the city tired us out quickly so after relaxing to the pleasant quietness of a movie house for a few hours we were ready to return to the field.

On the way I stopped off to say goodbye to Mr.and Mrs. Fish and was invited to stay for supper. Promised to send him copies of the Herald Tribune and the Times.

Missing you more than ever,

Love
Ray


 

18 April 1945 Chelvaston, England

Hello Kid,

Last night the boys threw a farewell party for myself and several others that had finished up this last week. As no parties were permitted at the club because of Roosevelts death we retired to the barracks. One of the boys brought two of his female friends. It amazed me to see them nonchalantly, laughing and talking, knowing that they would soon disappear into the handy bedrooms with who knows whom. Mulvaney won ten pounds in the inevitable crap game. I got up the following morning with a bad headache. Guess I had more than my share of beer at the party.

By the way my orders came thru for the shipping depot in a few days. Have no idea of what the length of my stay will be.

See you see,

Love
Ray



21 April 1945 Chelvaston, England

Hello Sweetheart,

Today will be a rather busy day as I have to pack, get all my records together and turn in all of, my equipment. I’ll be shoving off for the `happy warrior’ depot tomorrow.

Sweeney finally got some film for his camera so we went down to the flight line and took pictures of `Idiots Delight’, the ground crew and the rest of us.

In the evening I attended my last squadron party, determined to stay for the entire affair. A rather large group of women, the usual flossies with a sprinkling of nice girls who attended for the food and drink. By 10.30 P.M. the usual stream of couples to the barracks commenced so it was back to the barrack for me also - for sleep. My return journey home starts tomorrow.

Love
Ray

 

I reported to the depot surprised to find Buggsy waiting for me; he had been there for a few days, saw my name on the incoming list and waited for my arrival. It was enjoyable spending time together, exploring the city of Manchester,visiting pubs and exchanging stories of our experiences with other `happy warriors’. We were waiting again; waiting this time for transportation orders to the states. The most eventful occurrence that took place was V.E. day. Pandemonium ensued, all personnel were restricted to their bases. At our depot we took to the barrack roofs with flare pistols and lit up the sky. Beer and whiskey were smuggled in to enhance the celebration. Of course many of us were concerned about this event affecting our shipment back to the states. Fortunately, shortly after, my orders placed me on the Ille de France, homeward bound this time. It was another eight day trip back to New York with not much regard for German subs. I guess they are as happy as we to see the end of the war in Europe. Many of the flight personnel were transferred to France and Belgium to participate in a Bombing survey of Germany. This delayed their return to the States by as much as six months.

After my arrival in New York I was given a short leave spent idyllicly with Doris and told to report to Atlantic City for two weeks of R and R and reassignment. Wives were permitted to accompany personnel during this R and R period. Miraculously my old friend Buggsy showed up at Atlantic City so a good time was had by the three of us. Pilots were asked if they wished training in B-29’s for action over Japan. I elected to go to B-17 instructors school so Doris and I were off again. This time at a more leisurely pace to Lockborne, Ohio only to find that the school was closing down and we had a lovely two month vacation waiting for orders which finally came assigning me to fly radar students at Langley Field, Virginia. This assignment was a cushy one, three days a week and long week ends in New York until V.J. day. This occasion was memorable. Everybody restricted to the base, so whiskey and beer flowed generously. I’ll never forget being assigned as a temporary MP given a jeep and three enlisted men and told to police the streets in town. As soon as I drove thru the gate I took off my armband turned to the sergeant and said `Its all yours’ then left for home. Nothing was ever said about it and one week later I received my orders to report to Fort Dix for discharge.The discharge point system had put me near the top of the priority list because of my combat and overseas service. Early in September 1945 I was a civilian again ready to live our dreams which included finishing college on the GI bill, a job for Doris until I received my engineering degree, then a family and home.

Home Again

Home Again

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