April 5, 1945

Air Mail From Dip

Philippines

April 5, 1945

Hi there –

‘T has been about two weeks since I’ve heard from you, Marion, so just to change my luck I’ll write you. Maybe this afternoon I’ll be lucky.

I have an absolute abundance of no news to tell you. The war is still continuing with very slow progress. These high mts. together with the steadily increasing Nip resistance are hard things to overcome. Like butting your head up against a S.W. Those Japs certainly are a bull-headed race – or should I say “type of animal.”

The rainy season seems to have set-in. And naturally along with it a thousand little difficulties. It’s an end to all this dust, but oh, the mud! Every time you take a step you get much heavier & an inch taller – it’s like tar. We have to put chains on all our vehicles, cuz they start to slip on a 4% grade.

The other night we officers came very close to drowning in our beds. You see we have our tent in a ravine between two big hills, & on top of that it’s bull-dozed out so that our cots are below the surface of the ground for protection. Of course it’s a natural path of drainage, so when it started to rain we had it coming at us from all directions. With no exaggeration the water below our cots was rising at the rate of an inch every two minutes. Wish you could have seen us rush around that tent in the downpour digging a trench alongside to bypass our home. We succeeded – and only just in time for everything below our mattresses was soaked.

I ‘spose Lee & Micky are in Georgia now, eh? Gee, that’s sorta rough on you, isn’t it – losing another galfriend. I guess by the way you talk Mpls is only a ghost of it’s pre-war self. I sure wish I could be bored for a couple of months at home.

Yes, Marion, of course our first date will be at some cozy spot like the Nicollet, but later I’m going to crave a wide-open dance floor like the Prom. I want to dance to all those lovely tunes that I haven’t even heard yet – and not be bumped by a soul. Nothing aggravates me more than not being able to do what I want to when I want to. Oh, now don’t get me wrong, pa-leese!

About George’s new doll – she sounds very appetizing! Don’t worry about the competition tho. All you have to do is play “indifference” that’ll get ol’ George everytime.

Was surprised to hear that Bob Blewett was at the open-house. I haven’t seen or heard about that guy for a long time.

Don’t recall if I told you that – no, I’m not flying the Cub now. I do have 35 combat hours so far but not as a pilot. I’m the observer – the one who adjusts the artillery fire. I used to fly them back in New Cal., but there’s no time for that now with all those Nips waiting to be blasted.

Oh shucks, I’m out of thoughts Marion. Except that I’d like to be on the phone right now to ask you for that Nicollet date. Oh hum! G’bye now.

Love, Dip

P.S. I cut my hair again.

Philippines

April 5, 1945

Dear Mom & Dad –

Only have two sheets of paper at present, so expect a short letter. There’s not much of interest happening anyway.

We’re still struggling thru these endless & topless mountains. The going is slow, because the Jap resistance is still stubborn. Such a bull-headed race I’ve never seen the likes of!

I’m feeling just swell these days. No more stomach trouble after that one night. Must have been somethin’ I et. Gee, the guns are barking so loud right now I’m afraid I’m going to split apart. I’m writing practically right under the muzzles.

The rainy season seems to have set-in on us. It’s an end to the dust problem, but, oh, the mud! The other afternoon we officers had a moment of anxiety when the rain came down in buckets for an hour straight. Our tent is located in a ravine between two big hills – a natural path of drainage. Are you way ahead of me? Well, you’re right the water came off of those two hills in torrents (on Dorance). To make things worse, under our tent we had a bulldozer dig out a hole, so our cots would be below the ground for protection. All the water naturally ran right into it, and the son of a gun started filling up at the rate of about an inch every two minutes. We all flew out & started digging a trench to by-pass it and only just in time to save our mattresses – everything less than 8 inches from the ground was soaked. One of those things that could only happen in the army.

I’ve still got your letter to answer, so just for laughs, think I’ll write on the other side. –

Don’t be too shocked about my doing a little front-line fighting. That only comes once in a while. Most of the time I’m back here in the Btry. When I am up I stay back where it’s comparatively safe.

Received a letter from Jeannette D. yesterday – she’s still in good health & single. She & her mother are living in an apartment – they like the life.

Also got a letter from my “Kiwi” galfriend (New Zealand). Her brother, a P.O.W. in Germany (2 yrs.), has been repatriated, so they’re really rejoicing.

Mom – seems if I forgot about your birthday just as I did my own. But here’s what you’re sposed to do – take out from the $100 check I’m mailing home (enclosed) enough to buy yourself a new dress. And I mean a good one! If you need more I’ll send it.

Good bye for now and take care of yourselves. I will.

Love, Dorance