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April 1945

April 2, 1945 Marianas Dear Mother & Sister, What's the latest news? Glad to get your letter & also one from Miss Josie Belle also today. Have you heard any more from Jack since he left here? Hope Waits got a few days in the States if he didn't get to come home. I was on guard duty last nite. It rained a little but didn't get wet as I was standing under the plane. How do you like this stationery? Rosie sent it to me. And just in time too. We were completely out around here except for V-Mail which I'm sure takes longer. However the one I sent you probably just came straight on without being photographed since I sent it Air Mail. Big News on the Radio it seems. We got a radio in our Barracks today by the way. It only has certain hours that we can catch a station with American music on it. Most of the time its Japanese talking. I enjoyed the clipping from the News Papers. Glad to hear James Fitzhugh has been Commissioned in the Air Corp as a Pilot. He went to Memphis & took up Civilian Air Patrol flying in little cups etc about the same time I enlisted in the Army. Charles Shoaff should he about ready to graduate also. So Dotty wrote you a letter. ha I expected that she would. She said if she didn't hear from me for a couple weeks she was going to write to you. What in the world did she want to know? Evelyn hasn't written to me any more. So guess you don't have to worry about her coming to visit you now. Yesterday, Easter I went to Church. We had a large crowd. Suppose there were lots of Spring outfits out around home last Sunday also. Were you able to get off to church? How's Grandpa. The last couple letters seem to me he is much better. I didn't go to the show tonite. Figure I'll need this sleep I can get. On the last mission we were on we had a little difficulty. On account of Bad Weather mostly our navigator got lost & we didn't find the target in time to bomb with the rest of our planes. So we didn't get to go over the target although we flew our 15 hours we didn't get credit for the mission either. Our navigator was fined $150. And put on a replacement crew. We have a new navigator, bombardier, and airplane commander now. The enlisted men and myself are the only one left of our old Alamagorda crew. Things are going to be OK. I recommended our radio man & C.F.C gunner for promotions. Well I'll have to stop for this time. Glad to hear John Winn is walking. I have 5 missions in now over Japan. Several missions on Jap held islands & then this one mission that we got no credit for since the navigator got lost. Boy we thought we were right over Tokyo but it was so cloudy we could tell where we were. Solong now, Love Austin Lt. Austin H. Winn United States Army Air Forces At Nite 10:30 PM In The MARIANAS

April 4, 1945 Hello Mother & Sis, Will drop you a few lines before going to bed. Got off Guard Duty a few minutes ago & went up to a Service Group & took a shower. Feel fine now. There was another mission last nite but our crew didn't go. Our plane did tho with another crew flying it. Our engineer is in the hospital with a little stomach trouble. Expect him out in a couple days. Nothing serious. I went down to visit him today. Last nite I went down & flagged the planes off as they took off for Japan. I'm sending a money order along with the letter for $100. That makes 3 separate checks etc. I've sent since I've been over here. One check for 250, one check for 150, & one Money Order 100. Let me know if you've received all three. Didn't get any mail today. In fact hardly any one got any. Must have been a hold up somewhere along the Way. Boy you sure are pulling cotton late aren't you. Don't believe I've ever seen cotton in the field this late unless it was way back before the govt started reducing cotton acreages. How's John's pastures for the cattle and hogs. Does he have my Crimson Clovers this spring. The cyclone we were expecting to hit our island a few days ago went past & didn't bother us at all. Have you heard from just yet? Guess I better be going to bed about now. Hope all's ok with you. So long now and love to all. Tell Grandpa hello. Hope he's up & around. Bye, Austin

April 8, 1945 In the Marianas 6 missions Dear Mother & Sister, Suppose you haven't heard from me in a few days this time. Got back from Iwo Jima this morning. I received a letter from you today. They come pretty regular. Guess you heard where we had fighter escort over Japan for the first time. We were really glad to see some of our own fighters around. Well, I really saw some damaged airplanes on this trip. We got one hole through our wing which didn't hurt anything. Boy these planes will fly with big hunks them gone too. One plane had his tale clipped off in a mid-air crash with a Jap fighter. He had to stop 2 engines & still made it back to Iwo. I spent most of the time in the plane at Iwo. Things and getting under control now although there are still several Japs around. How is everyone around home? Have you heard any more from Jack? I got the clipping that Mr. Cloys put in the paper (Ha). Hope you didn't send the one I sent to you also. There was a picture and article in a St Louis Paper about some of our crew. I haven't seen it. It had the picture of Cook & our Navigator and Radio man in front of our plane just after we landed from a mission to Nagoya. I must have still been in the plane when the picture was made. I've been trying to sleep all afternoon I was up most all 2 nite in a row. Except what time I slept in the plane. That isn't much, only little cat nap. I haven't heard from Wither in a long time now. Hope he is OK. They are doing OK in Europe it's seems. Well I'll have to stop for this time. Has Dotty written you any more letters? I get 2 letters from her today & she sounded as tho she was writing to you often (Ha). Tell John Winn hello. How's John doing with the farming & are the trucks still giving lots of trouble. So long now Love to all, Austin

April 9, 1945 6 missions Dear Mother & Sister, How is everyone today? Got your letter today as usual. Here is something you can check on if you like. See if the Lauderdale County paper is being mailed to me. I haven't received a copy yet. I sent them my address tho. Will you send me a little memo book or diary? I'd like to keep some kind of record of each mission I've been on. It's raining here now, in fact some of it is blowing in the hut & getting on this letter. We got a little flak hole in our plane on the last mission. The sheets haven't arrived here as yet. It takes quite a little time for them to come by boat. Robert Winn is here in another Bomb Group. On the same field, I haven't seen him yet. Well I'll have to make this a short one- Glad to hear John is up and feeling O.K. You asked for Cook's address: its: Capt. E.A.Cook, 19th Bomb Group APO 246 Unit-2 % Postmaster, San Francisco He is too busy tho' to answer any letters. Unless you don't hear from me for awhile I wouldn't bother him. He lives in the same Quonset hut as I. So you ever go to a show at all. Why don't you get John to take you & Sis to a show sometime. Here's a little Moron joke included in the letter. So long for now, Love to All Austin How's Grandpa?

April 12, 1945 MARIANAS 8:30 PM Hello Mother & Sister, What's the news from home? Got a day off today and all our Squadron went to the beach for a picnic lunch & games & swimming. Had a swell time. This morning we built a nice white coral walk out in front of our quonset hut. Also built some flower beds. Send me some seeds along in your envelope with your letters. And need flower seeds as well as several types of garden seed. I asked Mary P to send me some watermelon seeds. The place is going to look pretty swell around here one of these days. We got our showers working this afternoon also. I was glad to get the clippings you sent. Send me the little clipping out of the Lauderdale County paper each week until I start getting that paper? Cook was the head man in getting up this picnic. Here's our former navigator's name and address in case you ever want to write anyone here about me. Lt. L.E. BINONER. Same address as mine. He is on another crew now. His home was in St Louis but he was a traveling salesman & used to work down around Memphis & on North. My new Airplane Commander used to be a B-17 Instructor Pilot at the Dyersburg Air Field. The 29s are landing now from a mission on Japan. Our Squadron didn't go today. Robert Winn is here and went on his first mission last nite. Tell John W & Big John hello for me. Hope Grandpa is feeling well. The Doc has sure made lots of trips to see him hasn't he! Suppose they're tired getting those shots by now isn't he. How's the neighbors and have they heard from their boys lately? Love to all, Austin

April 14 Dear Mother & Sis, Will write a few lines this morning. Got to go to operations in a few minutes. We had another big burnout raid on Tokyo last nite. The planes are about all back now. I didn't go on this one tho. Our plane was not in comission. We taxied our ready for take-off and our flight instruments went out. The fellows in this barracks just came in and are really telling the stories about their mission over Tokyo. They counted 27 holes in their ship I say they're really glad to be back here. Looks like we really missed some excitement this time. Well & haven't much time to write now. I want to go around and see the fellows & hear their stories. Maybe I'll write again tonite. Tell all hello Love Austin

April 15 Dear Mother & Sister, Well I'm sitting here in my quanset hut tonite instead of flying to Japan. We intended to go on the mission to Japan but it looked like something didn't want us to go. First our flight instruments went out on us and the mechanics worked all day getting that ready. Well come time for take off we start our engines & taxi out & we loose all the hydraulic fluid out of our brakes so the ground crews rush out a pull a wheel off & change expander tubes in a brake & refill with hydraulic fluid. Everyone else had already gone but we were going anyway so started to take off & we blew an exhaust stack off one engine. So we had only three engines left. So we dropped our bombs in the ocean & came back & landed. Seems kind & lonesome around here with everyone else gone almost. Well one of our boys got his garden seed today in the mail so we can start our garden tomorrow I hope. We lost one plane on the last mission to Tokyo. Underwood & Bob Kuhns the guy I sent you the picture of with me from Great Bend Landed at Iwo A kinda smashed up their B-29. Hicks our former bombardier was with them. He was slightly wounded by flak and is in the hospital there. Also in landing that plane ran over a truck & I understand the propellers cut both legs off of the colored soldier. There is sure plenty excitement around here these days. One plane came back with over 70 holes in it from flak. I got Miss Josie Belk's letter today. Glad to hear Jack is in the States. Let me know as soon as you get a new address for him. How is grandpa getting along now. Enjoy the clippings you sent. Today April 15th makes 1 year since I graduated from Advanced Flying School still a 2nd Lt. But it seems that no one else is being promoted either. They have sure clamped down and take their slow & easy time about these things. I haven't heard of anyone in my class making 1st yet either. Doesn't matter so much to me anyway as long as no one else is being promoted either. Am making plenty money for this job anyway. I got about $247.50 per month plus food & housing (HA). Is John farming much yet? Glad to hear you're having catfish. That's the type of fish I like to eat. Where is this Back Water that the trot line is in? How's little John Winn doing? Still eating heartily I suppose. Well its bedtime I must say good nite & all Love to all Austin

April 16 at nite Dear Mother and all, Will write a line or 2 before going to bed tonite. Got my foot locker with a few things in it today that I sent over by boat. Excuse the pencil. I just didn't take time to get my pen and stationary out. This is some of the writing equipment Oletta sent me for Christmas. It also came in my footlocker today. I got the letter and picture of Johnie Cake today. Sure glad to see them. He's cute as ever. Well I'll not make this a long letter. I need to get some sleep because I'm getting up at 3 am in the morning. I haven't received the sheets as yet. I should get them soon though. I have 2 or 3 packages on the way over from the letters I've received. Addie is sending me some Wisconsin cheese and fruit cake. I think I'll have to send all my nice clothes home. They're beginning to mold in the damp climate. Soon as I get a chance, I'll send them home. I haven't heard a word from Evelyn any more. Is Dottie bothering you very much now? The flowers look nice around the house. I could see several of them in the picture you sent. Must say nity for now. Love to all, Austin

April 18, 1945 7 missions Dear Mother and all, Received a nice letter from you and sister this morning with some clippings also. Got back from the mission last nite around 11 pm. We get up at 2:30 the morning of the mission and land around 11 pm. The news is on now and I heard about our strike on the Jap airfield on Kyushu. The war in Europe sounds one sided now. Hope they soon get that finished up. Was alfully sorry to hear about President Roosevelt's death. I got a letter from W.S. Withee today. He had 20 day leave in Australia and that's why I haven't heard in so long. He's in the Philippines now. I also got a letter from Carl Bishop. I'm way behind in my Correspondence with other persons. So I better try to write another letter or two this afternoon before I fall asleep. Our commanding officer Major Lowery, was promoted to Lt. Colonel yesterday. He's always asking me if I've heard from William Hutchinson. Tell John to say something next time he sees William. Lowery has gone with us on two missions. I told you we had our showers working didn't I! Sure is nice. We have a Volley ball court between two quanset huts and play games with the gunners every day or two. Well I'll say so long for this time. What's the latest from Jack. Love, Austin Saturday Nite

April 21 Marianas 7 missions Dear Mother & Sis, Received your letters & flower seeds Thanks A lot. I'll plant them pretty soon. I have some of the garden already planted. This is the stationery that Sister put in your letter. (ha) I have some stationery at present so no need to send some along all the time. I'm getting up at 1am in the morning. I was O.G. all night last night. Tonight I'm back & my regular job. Will have to make this one of these notes again. Love to All, Austin

April 23 Monday nite Marianas 8 missions Hello Mother & all, It's almost 11 pm so will write a shorty again. Seems like all my letters are "short ones" now doesn't it! Well I was on another mission Saturday night & Sunday. We hit the airfields in Kyushu again. I got a letter and clippings from you yesterday. Today I worked on the garden. We have things already coming up. Also we fixed 8 flower boxes beside our walk and I planted the flower seed too. It's going to look nice around here. Sure wish I could send you a picture of the hut & surroundings. I went to the show tonight and saw Edward G Robinson in "Destroyer". Has Dotty been writing you some other letters? I'd like to see what she wrote to you if you don't mind! Well it's raining here now, we were expecting tropical storms in here sometime tonite. Well don't think it will hit here now. There was some talk of flying all the planes away to another island until the storm passed here but we didn't. So I presume it's going to miss us. Hope so anyway. Oh yes, you sent me a little clipping on how to go to sleep. I didn't need that. All I have to do is close my eyes (Ha). We take Benzedrine tablets along with the few missions to keep us awake. Well how's everyone around home? Glad to hear grandpa was feeling better. Hope you can still say the same. "Tell all hello" Love Austine P.S., Sister was asking about the number 9 mission? There has been no official word on that. We are presuming that it won't be over 30. That will be enough for me anyway. (Ha) Some are pretty rough. 8 mission

April 25 1945 Marianas Dear Mother & Sis, Glad to hear from you again this morning. Got a Volley Ball game coming up this afternoon. This morning we went out into the jungle and dug some nice trees & shrubs around our hut. The rest of our crew is moving over in this hut also. Have you mailed me any garden seeds yet. I have the flower bed already planted. Also some more flower seeds could be used. I must go now. Tell all hello & love, Austin 9 missions

April 29 45 Marianas Dear Mother and Sister, How's everyone today? Guess you missed getting a letter from me yesterday. Was on another mission to bomb the Jap airfields on Kyushu. Had good luck & hit the targets. The Japs sent a few fighters up to meet us but didn't press their attacks enough for our gunners to get much practice. All 29s returned, however one of our planes was hit by flak & a man wounded slightly. On the way home one of our engines blew a cylinder head off & we had to return about 1200 miles on 3 engines. This morning I went to church. I have been lying around in the rack the rest of the day. George, our Special Instrument Operator is cutting Philly's hair. I got a letter from Cousin William yesterday. It's almost time for supper now. Everyone is still looking worn out from flying so much. Some have been on 3 missions this week. We don't go on all the missions. They kinda rotate the crews except on some special times when they want to press home the attack. We have another crew that flies our plane also now. We are getting a new engine in place of the one that blew the cylinder. How's John Winn and big John? Hope grandpa is feeling better. Had a nice rain on our garden yesterday. We took off about 1 AM on the last mission. We heard the news on the way back that one plane was lost on the mission. That was all the planes from the other islands etc too. Also on the radio we heard one crew ditching. Another 29 was following him down tho & threw some water & life rafts out to the survivors. Also turned in their position so the Navy can pick them up. Well I must close for now - Should write several other letters if I feel like it. Love to All, Austin P.S. Send some more clippings - still no paper

April 30, 1945 Marianas9 missions Dear Mother And Sis, Its just past noon time now. I got a nice letter from each you and several clippings which I enjoyed. We are getting a new engine on our plane now in place of the one that blew a cylinder on the last mission. Will take a plane up for a test hop tomorrow and break the new engine in. Have to run it at low power settings at first just like you do a new car. (ha) In my last letter before this I sent you a picture of our crew as we were back from a mission on Nagoya. Did you receive it? It was our ground crew and flying boys also. Be sure and let me know that you got it in my letter written April 29th. Last nite I went to see the moive "Winged Victory" wish you could see it. Got paid today so you should receive the $150 check soon. I may send you the balance in a money order or something. Our crew is playing another team in a game of Volley Ball this afternoon. We have a good team. Its been really sultry hot here the past 3 or 4 days. The breeze has been blowing again now tho and maybe it will be pleasant for a while. A tropical storm just missed our island a few days ago and ever since it has been calm with no breeze at all. Glad you get the negatives from Rosie. Are you having them developed? I have Johnie Cake's picture on my desk here he sure is a fine looking baby. Well I must go now. Love to all and give all a hello from me. Love Austin.