The C-109 Liberator 4-engine tanker | |
 | A rugged plane with some tendency to blow up, hence its nickname, The C - One - Oh - Boom! |
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4 Nov 44 - Nothing to do---reading books 5 Nov 44 - Attended chapel---chicken dinner 9 Nov 44 - Smitty and I try to get a partial pay---find we owe the government money---can still get ice cream---old lady clerk says (of me) "he's cute" 12 Nov 44 - Have 5 pens---Weezie (1st, Lt. Weisbruch, pilot) took us to show Saturday night---went to church---old civvie minister---chicken dinner again 13 Nov 44 - Got a haircut 14 Nov 44 -Dance at Red Cross Hall---didn't go---if a guy was extra lucky he might dance three or four steps at a clip 17 Nov 44- Snack bar in hangar on cold nights---hamburgers and cokes 22 Nov 44 - Smitty and I would pay 2 or 3 dollars for a letter from home 7 Dec 44 - Partial pay---bought $2.50 Kaywoodie pipe---Bond Street tobacco---Canadian USO show From the Azores Islands, Atlantic Ocean [after losing an engine exactly halfway on way there] 10 Dec 44 - Rat ripped hole in underwear---glad I wasn't wearing same at the time 12 Dec 44 - Impressed by green landscape 13 Dec 44 - Saw Jinx Falkenburg playing pingpong in line waiting room---disgusted that captured German general (from Metz) and staff were given clean quarters in B.O.Q. (Bachelor Officer Quarters) while our EM transient quarters were so filthy, Smitty and I turned in our linens and slept in our plane---our crew had a champagne and peanuts party in the B.O.Q. From Tunis, Tunisia [ after a stop at Marrakech, Morocco] 18 Dec 44 - Hot shower---Red Cross coffee and donuts---local briar available to make pipes---downed planes evident in bay---land mines still posted in area From Cairo, Egypt 19 Dec 44 - Movie Buffalo Bill with French captions---soldier show with band and WAC singer---Payne Field |
 From Karachi, India [After flight over Palestine, Jordan River, Baghdad and a stop in Abadan, Iran---date palms]24 Dec 44 - My dear family, I can truthfully say that this is one of the happiest Christmas Eves I have ever spent. A few days ago I thought the old spirit might not come through but it is truly within me tonight. I would like to thank all my loved ones and good friends who caused this joyous feeling to be present. You see, in my musette bag right this minute are fifty-nine letters and Christmas cards, nine post cards and four V-mails. After two months of mail starvation, I collected. I began reading around four o'clock and when dusk came I was not yet finished, so I finished by flashlight. Every one of those letters seemed to hit the spot. Each word was testimony of real friendship and love. I believe my face exhibited many kinds of emotion as I perused through the bundle. Mom supplied sentimentalism; Dad the manly touch; Katie, happy-go-lucky; Bub, out and out laughter; etc. I forgot to mention that I arrived safely and am sure all your prayers aided us as much as material things. I have viewed many marvelous sights, some historic, some biblical and some just plain beautiful. I shall try to describe some of these after I find out what may be said. I attempted to write you some kind of note at most of the stops but at times conditions prevented doing so. Smitty says the cable office is closed and I suppose it will be likewise tomorrow, so I may not get one sent. I missed church this morning due to conditions unfavorable. I think I shall be working tomorrow, so will attend midnight mass tonight. Some time has elapsed and I am back from the chapel. It was totally an empty service to me as I cannot comprehend Latin. Anyway, I was in there trying. There isn't much more time left for me to sleep tonight so I will end this up by sending you my new address. You don't have to spread it around because I owe everyone. Thanks again for everything and keep those letters coming. I love it. May God bless you all. From Tezgaon, Bengal, India - after arriving there 25 Dec 44 28 Dec 44 - Roused VanDorn, half asleep, half drunk---described a basha---Abdul, the houseboy---we stripped our airplane of blankets, K-rations---monkey scared himself looking into a truck mirror---two or three crashes in last few days 31 Dec 44 - � - First flight over the Hump in a C-54 Skymaster to and from Luliang, China with a stop in Kunming where I contacted C.C. Payne-Pilot Miller, Copilot Yakaki-Time logged 10:15 hours From Kurmitola, Bengal, India [moved in with Joe Reiter, Dave Berkman and Willy Lindsey] 2 Jan 45 - Tent has bamboo floor---waited on in mess hall---hired bearer Lodin 3 Jan 45 - The Azores---glittering emerald, darkened in spots where the clouds dropped their shadows---the Dead Sea and the River Jordan snaking into it---bomb fin holders used for seats---rope beds---two ounce whiskey shot after each long flight using oxygen 4 Jan 45 - There just aren't many women over here and it is just as well 7 Jan 45 - Mail clerk asks if I have ever been mayor in Braddock---lots of mail arriving---hired new bearer, Das---shows how to take husks from coconuts |
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January 8, 1945 - Letter from Dad Dear "Bob", Well, today is your birthday according to my calculation. You arrived just too late to begin the school term when you were six years old, but as far as I can see, that fact has never hurt you one bit. I was not at all surprised to learn that you are in India, maybe in Dacca or Assam or maybe China by this time. Here are some local fellows you are likely to meet. Lt. Col. Englehart, a doctor, he is Bert Liston's nephew, a good fellow, but not very sociable. His wife was in church twice in Dec. Don't expect him to look you up and don't expect much of a reception if you look him up. Then there is a Mr. Gwynne, from Comrie Ave.; quite a magician. His father has been at our house many times before he died. Then you ought to know Lola Benson's twin brother, William. A darn good guy. Then of course the Byers boy from Camp Ave. who I wrote to you about some time ago. There are others and as I find out their names I will let you know of them. The weather here is the worst for over forty years; ice, snow, cold and no sun at all. I only use my car when I have to. Fish [a friend] is in business for his own self now and he tells me he is making good. Mother and I got out all of the maps and Geographics on India and we are brushing up on our Geography, so just fire away with names if you are permitted and we will follow you on the map. I forgot to say that Bill Benson's base number is the same as yours. 'Nix' [pet dog] seems to have picked up a little more weight or hair, it is just hard to say which. She surely leads the life of Riley, nothing to do but sleep. I know that everything is strange to you in India. I certainly wish that I was with you to take some of the worst off of it for you but the best I can do now is pray that all may be well. Strange people, customs, food and other things are not so pleasant to take, but of course there is an end to it and you do not have to stay as long as the average Missionary whose term is seven years and back one and then seven years more. Take things slowly till you get hep to things and then try to make them bearable for a year or two. By the time you get back you will be the most travelled Stumpf in history. I surely would like to see the Holy Land but maps and pictures are my lot. There is a little business meeting of the Luther League tonight downstairs, so I'll close. We are all well and hope you are too. Love, Dad Note--Written on this letter's margin and reverse side were the following greetings: Dear Robin, This is your singin' buddy, "Bub", talking. I want to wish you a very happy birthday, buddy, and wish you many returns of the day. I'll write you a good letter very soon so I'll sign off now, Robin.--"Bud" Just adding a line to wish you a happy birthday, Bill Hadbavny Happy birthday, Bob, Russ Blystone Happy birth-day - Robert M. Deliman Hi Sugar Fox; Happy Birthday. "88", Your Lambie pie "La" Dearest One; Happy "Boithday". Love and Kisses, Your Honey - Katie Happy Birthday. Billy Blystone Hi Chum, Wish you were here now. I need a date for the sleigh ride. Many happy returns of the day ---many many more. Next year you'll be here so we can celebrate with you - I hope. Helen (Rowland) Dearest Bob, There's a record on the way ( not saying how many months or years! ). But it's still coming. Wait till you hear us two swoon-girls. We're really on the ball. Our specialty is "When you wore a tulip", the lyrics remind us so much of you. Ahem! especially the tulip part. We're thinking of you today - it being your birthday? Of course, we think of you always but ____! Happy birthday and many more to come; Bob. So long for now, see you in our dreams. Azzever, Helen and "Al" Dear Bob, Happy Birthday and I hope you have many more. Love, Betty Sarver Sending you best wishes & Lots of Luck. Shirley Seese What's cookin'. Joanne Bottomley Happy Birthday and Best Wishes. Doris Deliman Happy Birthday. May you have many more of them. Jeanne Polite Boy, doc, you sure are getting old --twenty years old, just think of it! Well, in spite of your old age, I wish you a very, very Happy Birthday and many more. Love, Natalie S. Hi Bob, Happy birthday. Will write later.--Your loving cousin, Gret |
13 Jan 45 - � - Hump trip No. 2-in a C-109-10:00 hour round trip to Kunming-Pilot Weisbruch 14/15 Jan 45 -No. 3- � to Hsinching (Chengtu)-15:00 hours-Pilot Weisbruch [Note: 5-29-04; After 59 years, I have seen in print something more definitive about our hauling avgas to China; the following appears in Part XII, Exit Matterhorn, in History of the Army Air Force in CBI, by Joe Shupe: "MacArthur asked that the XX Bomber Command help out in his Philippine invasion by bombing airports in Formosa. LeMay figured his stockpiles [of avgas] could handle 125 sorties in early January, 50 of which had been expended on the 6th. An urgent appeal to Wedemayer brought promise of help. BGeneral William Tunner of ATC and he promised to bring into Chengtu by January 16th, 2,700 tons of gasoline. Stockpiles at Kunming were leveled, and ATC and XX Bomber Command transports bought in 7,474 tons in January, which was second only to October's record of 10,830. On January 9th, 46 B-29s got up and because of weather dropped by radar 293 tons of bombs and incendiaries at Kiirun in Formosa, with unobserved results. After that mission, such planes as were in condition returned to India for a strike at Singapore from the Kharagpur bases. That job completed, LeMay sent all fully modified planes back to Chengtu for a double-barreled blow at Formosa air installations. By January 14th, he had enough fuel to get 82 bombers up. Because of weather conditions, 54 planes hit Kagi. Reconnaissance showed that 10% of the building area had been destroyed, 46% damaged and 16 planes on the field had been hit. Twenty-one other planes bombed other targets, and the most important damage was done to Taichu airdrome by 13 planes. The next day, 79 planes hit the primary target of Shinchiku and visually dropped 307 tons of bombs and incendiaries. Again, there was no fighter opposition (one plane was lost on take-off). The B-29 attacks on Formosa were mixed in with attacks by our naval forces. All this helped MacArthur's forces to land in the Philippines, as few planes from Formosa interfered with his landings." Ahh... so THAT'S where all that gasoline went? RAS 16 Jan 45 - Heard of Johnny Wolfe's death (family friend)---was busy flying---letters took two weeks to get there---bearer borrowed pen to write a letter to his girl whom he intended to marry the next month. He was 17. His 16-year-old sister got married the night before. Jackals yap all night. Dogs seem to have some of their characteristics. Hawks, buzzards and crows soar all day. The only snow I see here is on the mountain peaks. Saw a couple of the pyramids but missed the Sphinx. Also saw the Nile, Cairo and the Suez Canal. Said not to send anything good over there as the weather was rough on things. Could live without milk but not without mail. 17 Jan 45 - No. 4- � to Kwanghan-14:15-Pilot Weisbruch 19 Jan 45 - No ice cream but plenty of coconuts, bananas and unsalted peanuts. Asked for Readers Digest. Get sheets and pillow cases issued. Over here, you have to think about three months ahead of time to keep up with the G.I. Joneses. We must be at the end of the world's longest supply lines. 20 Jan 45 - Pink ducks at the Red Cross Club. Chinese Spitz dogs available on the other side of the Hump. Signed up for Algebra correspondence course. 24/25 Jan 45 -No. 5-� to Kunming-9:25 hours-Pilot Weisbruch 25/26 Jan 45 - No. 6- � to Kunming-10:25-Pilot Weisbruch 27 Jan 45 Went to Dacca for the first time and bought rings, etc. Knew how to tell the kids to beat it. Electricity moved in with a glowing 40 watts. Ice cream for enlisted men being promoted. Can't say what routes or planes I fly even though the Japs know it. 30 Jan 45 - Mention seeing battle tracks and trenches still evident on the Sahara Desert. Indian cigarettes smell strange. I sure hope I come back without the jitters and am pretty sure I will as I keep pretty calm and collected about most things. Maybe I'm just too ignorant to recognize a bad situation. If ignorance is bliss, I'm going to be plenty stupid. 31 Jan 45 - Finagling to buy German camera with per diem pay. |
Jumpy Stumpy from the Humpy - OD's in Lower Bengal? |
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