There aren't that many letters from 1944 - I don't know if some are missing or not, but I'll include what I have.
"Jan 4 1943
My dear Ellen,
Well as I promised you I am writing already and I've only been back two days. I had pretty hectic homecoming but managed to arrive safely nevertheless. As you know I grabbed the 9:00 train, the Hellcat Express and due to my delay in boarding the train I had to stand all the way to Providence. I had a Readers Digest which I devoured on the way. Therefore the time passed rather quickly for me. I played it smart instead of crowding up tight with the rest of the passengers I stood beside a seat with two sailors in white hats. I knew they were C.B.s and were getting off at Providence. Clever me! After getting a seat at Providence I had possession of it all the way to the Penn. Station our destination. But!! The lousy train stopped at every jerk town and whistle stop on the way down. We arrived in New York at 3:00 pm a run of six hours which is creeping along for any train. At Penn station I just made the Chicago bound train thru north Philadelphia and what a ride. I thought when I arrived at Philly I'd be frozen stiff. It was one of those old coaches with single windows and they rattled like nothing on earth. Luckily our means of locomotion was a diesel engine because if it were a coal burner I'd turn black from the soot. Believe me when I arrived it was snowing and snowing hard. Just as you had hoped for as we waited for the street car at the Square Sunday night. I hope my weather guessing was right and that it snowed in Boston also. Since Sunday it has snowed rained and sleeted for two days and has just cleared up. I hope for good. Now the ground is covered with mud, slush, and what else which makes things very very unpleasant afoot.
At present I have a very bad head cold which I am trying desperately to shake, maybe in a very short time I may succeed.
Well I got to scram now as my washing awaits my attention.
Love always
John"
Sun Jan ? 1944
My dear Ellen,
I intended to write to you sooner but never did get around to it. You really don't realize how fast the time flies around this place especially when you have something to do. As it is I've had plenty of time but very little to write about. I haven't been out on liberty since I returned from home last which makes my stay in period close to three months. Now I'm getting really confused I really meant three weeks to a month. Our weekend liberty situation has been relieved here but not enough to help me very much. We have been faced with a lot of changes here but none changed matters very much. Tomorrow night I may go out and get me a good feed of liver and bacon or something to help me along my weary way. My cold is now broken up but the effects still linger on for how long I can't say. My eyes were affected the most. Therefore the more sleep I got the worse I look and I got sleep a plenty. I'll endeavor to look better on my next trip home.
I received a few letters from you this past week and again I thank you sincerely. They sort of aid my morale. Lately it has been low due to sickness and the like but it should pick up now. I certainly hope so anyway. Don't blame yourself for giving me your cold as I figure it was in the cards for me anyway. I was due for one head cold this month and I hope it will be the last one for a long while.
I hope Jim is getting along all right and therefore has eased your mothers mind a bit. As for that good night line of thought you are the boss except on very cold evenings and then I'm the boss - OK?
I recall the letter you sent to me recently in which you related your greeting the earth with the lower part of your anatomy and then fearing the people who watched you get up so nimbly would get the impression that you were inebriated. My dear girl what and where do you get such ideas. It baffles me.
Now to get down to the finer things in life. I really honestly hated to leave last Sunday night but I got over it slowly but surely. I intend to get home this weekend if its possible and I think it will be. I'll look bad maybe for a while but should look good before I leave. Well I got me a watch 4 am to 8 am coming up in about 8 hours so I'll sign off now with the idea that I'll write to you again before the weekend.
Love always
John
P.S. Aleo got a glance at my letter and wants to know how you can read this dry stuff when he writes so romantic stuff to his women."
What happened to Jim? Why was he in the hospital? And what hospital was he in?
Meanwhile, on January 16, 1944 General Eisenhower arrived in London to assume command of the European theater. His new title was Commanding General, US Forces, European Theater of Operations.
"Jan 21 1944
My dear Ellen,
This letter I know is overdue but to be repetitious as always please forgive me again. I planned to write every night this week but something always took my mind off it. I finally buckled down so here it is.
My trip was uneventful as usual but as always I almost froze to death on the way down. Luckily I had my long drawers on or I guess I would have. As far as New Haven was fine then they hooked us on an electric or Diesel locomotive. With no steam no heat so we froze all the way to Philly. After Philly I don't know but my heart bled for the poor people aboard. I arrived back in plenty of time so everything was fine. After that chilly ride I had no ill effects save a rather cold feeling which left after I hung over a radiator for a while. Our work over the weekend increased beyond all description so, sofar this week I have been really busy and I mean busy. I worked Wednesday night till midnite to relieve the strain but it didn't put even a dent in it. We've been going strong all week now with no let up in sight as yet. Nevertheless I feel a hundred percent better than before and my low feeling is leaving me slowly but surely I hope forever. The boys are admitting I looked lousy when I came out of sick bay but am getting over it now.
I still am taking it easy as far as liberty is concerned. I haven't been out since I absolutely refuse to go out till I feel I am in shape for it. Liberty around here isn't like a night at home it means about three hours sleep if your lucky and I'm in no mood now to go around tossing away sleep. Don't get fussed up and imagine I'm a derelict or something 'cause I'm not and am a long way from it. I was really sick and was told by the MD's that I was so I promised myself that I would take it easy. I figure that a good time is like running down a steep hill with a steeper one to climb up. To much fun sort of runs you down and when it comes to going over that steep one it takes a lot of pulling to get you over.
I got my diploma the other day for first class and will enclose it if it fits. My rate goes into effect I don't know when. They are all confused around here and pointing in different directions as far as finding out what's to be done. Maybe this month maybe next month. Personally I'm not worrying. Its there I know and will come along in due time.
Well I inquired about going to hydraulic school but was declined as my rate wasn't included in this class. My division officer tried to change their mind but no soap. If he can't change their mind it can't be done. He made a note and promised me a chance at the next opportunity. I've come finally to the conclusion that I shall get as much education as possible out of dear old U.S.N. as possible. After all it don't cost anything and it's very expensive and worthwhile as far as civil life is concerned. So here's hoping. I got that letter you promised would be here and another to boot. Thanks a lot and keep it up.
I hope by now you have grown used to your 'rock' and that it doesn't blind you any more. I hope not.
Well tonite we are changing barracks and we have to move so I'll get about my duties and sign off.
I'll write again over the weekend so take it easy.
Love always
John"
Jan 26 1944
My dear Ellen,
Well, I didn't write over the weekend but am doing so now to keep my promise that I'd write. I haven't much to say but will endeavor to carry on as good as possible. I received two letters from you today I guess they were written Sunday and Monday and I was really pleased to get them. I read them over quite thoroughly and I see that you are still making the girls jealous or whatever you want to call it. Oh well as long as your having fun and happy doing so well all I can day is keep it up. I was glad to hear that Rita had a chance to be set back and also had the opportunity to rave over someone else's good fortune. Since things between you and her are so friendly I'll resort to more friendly tactics in any effort to please. I understand your sentiments and will do my best to keep things friendly and sociable between her and me. I hope. She is probably pulling her hair out now that she and Tommy skidded around but after all I still insist Tommy was lucky in getting away from her.
Well/Will it take Gin long to increase the future population and I hope the best for her. I hope Harold turns out to be ok and doesn't return to his musky flirting that took place before the marriage.
Bye the way I hope Jim makes out all right and gets out of the hospital ok. I'm glad to hear that he has improved. The way you write about that trip up to the hospital its a wonder they don't detain you for over exertion or something. If you think you have stars there you ought to see them down here. The dippers pour them out there are so many. Its really swell.
As of lately to keep the record clean and straight I haven't as yet left the station but intend to go to Philly this weekend with a couple of the boys. We're going to a musical in town a colored revue with an all colored cast. Its press notices are swell but we'll see. As for Sunday who knows? This town closes down on Sunday and its tough to get something to do. We are going for a quiet weekend so you can take it easy and relax. Undoubtedly we'll run into something good or bad we'll try to have fun.
As for Donald's case of the blues it's a chronic condition with everyone in the service. Dot's doing all right but what good is it doing her. Sailors if they have time will write to any girl they know.
One of these days she'll meet someone capable of handling her and then she'll be on the right track again. Well I've got to close now so relax and take it easy.
Love always
John"
Is Jim still in the hospital? What hospital? Was it service related?
Who are Donald and Dot?
"Feb 1 1944
My dear Ellen,
Well here it is Tuesday and as you can see I have survived my weekend quite well. I had a very good time even though I do say so. I saw that show 'Tropical Revue' with K Dunham and it was really good. It was weird at the beginning but came into full swing about the end. They did every kind of rhythmical gyration that ever came into civilization. From what I understand Denham saw all these dances done by natives from Tahiti to Haiti and back again. Three of us made the weekend together and we really made it. We had us a hotel suite which we got very reasonable and began our liberty feeling like kings. We slept most of our time Saturday afternoon and hit the town early in the evening. After messing around for a while we took in the show which took about two hours and a half. After the show we went into a night club and saw the final floor show. Not being in a rip roaring mood we left the place as we found it in good shape. About one-thirty we reached our hotel and sacked in for good. You may ask why so early well I'll explain. All the joints in town close at midnight in Penna. so there was no place to go to amuse ourselves. This ruling goes into effect for Sundays too which makes Sundays very dull indeed for everyone except those in the know and we weren't in the know. If we were in the know we wouldn't have spent Sunday afternoon in our room or suite in the hotel reading the papers sleeping or wash(ing) our faces as good little boys should.
Our stay in the hotel was over at 5:00 PM and we left reluctantly. We were as hungry as bears and ran into a joint and grabbed us a steak with all the fixin's. Lucky as most of the restaurants were closed downtown. To develop our legs we walked about 14 blocks downtown which made us feel good although foot weary a wee bit. After a short discussion we decided to take in a movie and wound up seeing the 'Fighting Seabees.' Its a fairly good picture as far as it goes but the feminine attraction spoils it. The picture would have been really good if they had shot the girl at the outset and went on from there. She's everywhere. In fact if the rest of the picture was bad I'd blame her and curse her for it. It isn't an authentic picture in the least just a story built around a story.
There was good action in it even I might say twice as good as in 'Guadalcanal Diary' which was built up to the skies. But the girl still but a jump(?) in it. If after seeing it you imagine a faint foul odor its her - Susan Haywood. Sunday nite I wound up in an Irish club in a town near the base. In fact we were on our way back when we dropped off just to see what was on for the night. It was dull then quiet then all hell broke loose in about an hour. An Irish fiddler and piano player started to give out. ----WOW-----. My weekend was complete. I heard every Irish song ever written and a lot more that haven't been written yet. They did jigs reels sets and what not ----when I returned I was exhausted and just got over it.
Well I'll close now
My Love always -
John"
tells us that:
"African-American dancer, choreographer, anthropologist and activist Katherine Dunham (1909–2006) enjoyed one of the most successful dance careers of the twentieth century. Tropical Revue debuted at the Martin Beck Theater, New York in 1943, presented by impresario Sol Hurok and starring Dunham herself, who is featured on the front-cover wearing fishnet leggings, and dancing to disembodied hands playing a congo drum. ...
Considered the “matriarch and queen mother of black dance,” Dunham won acclaim for her innovative interpretations of ritualistic and ethnic dances which she based on her research of black culture. At the apogee of her career during the 1940s and ‘50s, she achieved great success throughout Europe, Latin America and the U.S. with her own all-black Katherine Dunham Dance Co., which she directed for nearly three decades. The company constituted the sole self-supported black American dance troupe of its day. Over her long career, Dunham choreographed over ninety individual dances; made important contributions to the field of dance anthropology, and innovated African-American modern dance. She also choreographed and starred in dance sequences in various movies and was the recipient of numerous awards."
The book, Katherine Dunham: Dance and the African Diaspora, was written by Joanna Dee Das and published in 2017. The following is an abstract from a chapter in the book.
"Race and Representation During World War II" examines the choices Durham made about racial representation both onstage and off during World War II. In 1941, Durham settled in Hollywood to make films such as Carnival of Rhythm, Star Spangled Rhythm, and Stormy Weather. Hollywood gave Durham national exposure, but also gave critics fodder to accuse her of cheapening her artistry. Her 1943 show Tropical Revue was a major hit on Broadway and subsequently toured the country for eighteen months. The show set off debates about whether Durham was an artist or entertainer, debates that revealed radicalized assumptions about black women dancers. The company faced rampant discrimination on tour as they struggled to find hotels and restaurants that would serve them, leading Durham to take a more public and vocal stance against segregation. The chapter also discussed the political ramifications of Dunham's relationships with white men, including husband John Pratt."
My father didn't like Susan Hayward in The Fighting Seabees - this was a 1944 war movie about how the Seabees were formed. Susan Hayward played a war correspondent - John Wayne was the star.
My father didn't like Susan Hayward in the 1944 propaganda war film The Fighting Seabees - she was playing a war correspondent in the Pacific where John Wayne was building airstrips. It was the biggest budgeted film in the Republic Studio's history. Below is one of her pin up pictures from the 1940s.
The following letter as you can see is dated 5 February 1944, but it was enclosed in an envelope dated Mar 6 1944 which seems a little strange - I put it in the order of the date of the letter, but I'm not sure this is correct.
My Dear Ellen,
Well another Sunday has rolled around and another week commences.
Last week really flew by; it must be due to the two days that I had off. I had to work my last liberty weekend and we were compensated by a forty eight during the week. We had a pretty good time as times go but things are dead during the week.
We stayed in Philly and slept in a hotel. We took in a couple of shows we wanted to see and missed the best one. The kid I was with a red head from Pittsburg saw the 'Song of Bernadette' and he said it was really very very good. He has a taste for things that I like so I'll have to see it real soon. Is it playing around Boston at all? I suppose not! Well -----------
All our work we've been rushed with is now back to normal and we can go at it easy once again. This is indeed a relief as the work kept piling up and I mean piling. The experimental job we had took us three weeks which left us three weeks of back work to make up for. After the completion of the 'X' job we all turned to and cleaned things up in about a week. Today we didn't do much but lay around. I'm hoping it keeps up. Well honey I made my first class finally so don't be frightened at my next jump. I hope it won't be down instead of up. It seemed a long time in coming but it finally arrived.
I'm fortunate though because if I was at Quonset I'd have to wait till June at least maybe September so down here I jumped the game. If things run kind of smoothly down here and I'm still around I should be chief by January next. Well if its offered I'm only too too willing to accept.
I got a mess of mail since I wrote last the exact number I don't quite remember but about nine-tenths of them came from Watertown Mass. Again I extend my heartiest thanx for the kind interest you display towards me and (I) sincerely hope that it will be extended indefinitely. I just reread that last sentence and have come to the conclusion that I am developing a very smooth line of gab, so smooth in fact that I am liable to commence believing it myself.
I just had to get me some ink to continue. Well I see you are resorting to the ouija board, not weejue, as to your future and the like. A fine thing but maybe. For truth's sake I don't believe in them as they speak only your nervous reactions flowing from your fingertips. I messed with them when I was a kid and there a fake. Sometime when you have time ask a question and really concentrate on the wrong answer and see how it comes out. It surprised me no fooling. You said Mae had a very complicated dream about us. Well pray tell what could be so complicated about me and you? Oh well! As for its meaning I don't know, but I do know you are getting extremely superstitious as of late which is good at times and bad also. Superstition only tends to make one fearful which I don't want you to be never. Fearful of no one, save God Almighty.
Well I've go to close now and see some broken down movie. I can't recall the name of it but if I can imagine it will be a lulu.
Well take it easy honey and I'll see you this weekend if all goes well as I know it will.
(My father drew a picture of crossed fingers.)
Love Always
John
P.S. Poor dear ol' Hannie."
I remember playing with a ouija board with my cousins when we were young. I always wanted to believe the answers but I was a doubter.
I was surprised to read that my father's pal liked The Song of Bernadette - I think I saw it years and years ago - maybe at school? It was about the Immaculate Conception appearing to Bernadette at the grotto near Lourdes. Jennifer Jones played Bernadette - this was her 3rd film - she won an Academy Award and a Golden Globe for best actress for this film.
February 14, 1944
Supreme Headquarters Allied Expeditionary Force (SHAEF) headquarters are established in Britain by U.S. General Dwight D Eisenhower. Planning for the invasion of Europe had begun in mid-March 1943 before Eisenhower's appointment.That plan was shaped by Eisenhower and the land forces commander, General Sir Bernard Law Montgomery, for the initial part of the invasion.
"February 18 1944
My dear Ellen
It is now 7am and I am waiting to go to chow. In fact I've been waiting since 6 o'clock. It won't be long now. In the course of two or three days this station has taken on a million changes. We have a new skipper aboard and he is really damping down on every one.
I've spent my last few nights washing clothes to catch up for my weekend and to get ready for a locker inspection next Wednesday. It seems a long way off but when you have to do something for that day it arrives before you now it.
Well I got a letter from you yesterday and you said you lost me in the sea of blue hats. Well I played one of my favorite tricks by slipping in a side door on the adjoining track. When I got on the train there wasn't many passengers so seats were very plentiful. I managed to sleep quite a bit on the way down although I'd swear we spent half the night at New Haven. By the time we got to Philly we were an hour and a half late but we managed to make the base on time. When I got here there was a mob at the gate being inspected as they entered and I almost fell over. They don't want us to wear scarfs or roll up our cuffs. We have to be strictly regulation. Pretty soon they'll inspect us before we go to bed and after we get up.
From what is going on they'll be able to drop the 'Happy' out of Happy Acres as this place is called and give it a more appropriate moniker, one to fit the arrival of the new captain. He doesn't bear down on the men alone but on the officers as well. The officers are scared still of him and when the rumor comes that the captain is touring the station they all run around like chickens without heads. They get terribly nervous and awfully confused and when the old man leaves they almost collapse with exhaustion or overwork.
Things are going all right as far as things go but we'll see. No bad news yet so keep your chin up.
Well it was good to see Hannie again and I think she has lost some weight but that coat she bought makes her look like a football player especially the big shoulders. Well these days you take what you get and that isn't too much as you know. Well its time for chow now so I'll have to go now. Incidentally beans are the main course. Well take it easy and I'll write again soon.
Love always
John"
On February 19, 1944 Leipzig, Germany was bombed for two straight nights. This marked the beginning of a "Big Week" bombing campaign against German industrial cities by Allied bombers.
By February 26 the "Big Week" bombing campaign came to a successful conclusion; the American P-51 Mustang fighter with its long range proved invaluable in protecting American bombers over Germany.
"Tuesday 1944
My dearest Ellen,
It is now five ayem as I scribble here to you but don't worry about it. I wanted to write last night but I saw 'Desert Song' and didn't have much time. Well, I arrived here safely and 'believe it or not' fifteen minutes ahead of schedule. When I saw that for once we were close to schedule I almost collapsed. It was really warm on the train for once and I started to think about summer travel already. In those cars travel will be miserable especially if there any whites (sailors) around. Did it rain in Boston after I left home? Well it rained here fiercely and I mean fiercely. The station here is all loam about eight to ten inches deep and the thaw and rain has made a mud hole out of it.
Now ------ as for my attitude toward you Sunday I hope you didn't take any offense as I was as happy as a lark all afternoon - believe me. Somehow or other something got into me that made me throw all my troubles and woe to the wind and life once again was all laughs and joy. If I said anything that caused you any hard feeling I'm sorry as I didn't intend it to be that way. When I looked out the train window and saw you standing there I wanted to go out again but just couldn't. It is unexplainable now but then I guess it needed no explanation. To be honest I had a terribly happy time home last weekend and hope all the rest will be the same. Most of my weekends at home are enjoyable but last week even more so.
Well I'm running out of words now as its too early in the morning to attempt to write a long letter as my brain is only functioning on a few plugs. Well I've got to close now for the time being and should be able to write again in two or three days ----------well the chow hall calls so I think I'll eat now. Take it easy honey.
Love always
John"
I hadn't heard of Desert Song - it was a 1943 musical based on a 1928 operetta - it was updated for WWII by having the hero fighting the Nazis.
"March 21, 1944
My dear Ellen,
Well here we are again! The first day of spring is here again and once again a 'young man's fancy turns to thoughts of love.' I received your letter yesterday and your ribbon of green was a little belated but nevertheless appreciated.
Things here have been going along real smoothly as usual with no complaints nor gripes. I went to a formal affair last evening and had me a pretty fair time. Since it has been snowing here for the past three days conditions were not at their best so they changed the dress to optional.
Of course the girls planned on wearing their new gowns and that they did. For a bad night things were really humming and a good crowd showed up. Quite a few were high school seniors and they didn't look bad at all. The band was good until they put on the entertainment after that no one knew what number was coming next. They jitterbugged polkaed waltzed et al in the course of one set and wound up with a conga line. Four of us went my usual clique and we dragged along a Wave, the captains secretary and she had a real good time. She was once our unit yeoman or secretary and after she gets experience filing etc will return to the fold. Everyone of the boys likes her as she isn't giddy or foolish just easy going matter of fact and very natural. They talk to her as they would any other fellow. She is extremely good natured and will do a good turn for anyone. We are playing our game smart as when she returns she may be able to help us out ------ Politicians and schemers all. I spent a quiet St Patrick's night just toured the town. There wasn't too much doing but we did everything that was to be done. Well I've got to shower and shave and hit the sack so I'll sign off till later. Good night and God bless you.
My love always
On March 24, 1944 the Germans respond to a bomb blast that killed German troops by killing 335 Italians including 75 Jews and over 200 members of various groups in the Italian Resistance.
Meanwhile the same day heavy bombings of German cities at various strategic locations last for 24 hours.
This next letter does not have a date - just March ? The envelope is stamped April 1 so I am presuming it is March 31.
"My dearest Ellen,
I'm very very sorry I haven't written to you sooner and honestly hope you'll forgive me. Please! After a lot of grief and worry on my part I can imagine how you feel when you don't get any mail from me. Absentmindedly I've overlooked the fact that I should write to you and keep putting off from day to day the letter I intend to write to you.
When you write in a scolding tone I feel as low as a heel, honestly I do. I have been rushed this past week with work disappointments etc that go to make up our daily living around here. Our weekend was thrown out of kilter by the arrival of an admiral on his annual tour of inspection. Another guy and I had plans to go on a sightseeing trip up state aways but the man with all the gold thwarted our efforts. We went to Philadelphia Saturday instead and with the disappointment still fresh on our mind we had just a mediocre time. I spent Sunday all day sleeping and went to a show Sunday night. 'Old Aquaintance' was the feature and I liked it a lot. I guess Bette Davis just naturally makes pictures good provided they are based on a good story.
All week long I've been pretty busy working on a new problem child. It seems I get stuck with them all. If you remember not so recently I lost a weekend due to an experimental job, well I don't figure I'll lose any weekends due to this job but I know I'm pulling my hair out trying to solve problems in stress and strain, twist and bend and all the other strains that take place in an airplane. I think I'll have it completed soon at least I hope so. Every new angle is a new problem but it makes life interesting.
I received your letter saying you know your in my good graces by the byline 'my dearest.' Listen honey, your always number one and in fact the only one for me and that's no line.
I love you with all my heart and always will so help me. I hope I will keep my promise at least on Holy Week anyway, as, if I don't you'll moider me when I get home on Easter. Well I've got to two hit the sack now which is strange indeed as its our liberty night .
Take it easy honey and God Bless you.
All My Love Always
John"
The movie Old Acquaintance was released in 1943 - it was the story of the ups and downs in a relationship between 2 childhood friends.
So let's move on to April 1943 in the next chapter!
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