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Lt. Ernest Anders Erickson's April 2nd, 1944 letter to his mom, dad and 4 year
old sister Dian (Dinny) covers a lot of ground. His desire for candy, cookies,
chocolate, pretzels, popcorn etc were an often subject of his letters.
My grandmother Clara sent many a care package to her son in England from
early 1944 till the end of the year when he headed home.
For the time he was in England he never got to drink his favorite beverage at
mealtime....milk. Warnings of TB among the English cows prevented the mess
hall from serving milk. One of the reasons after the war milk became so important
to him.
At the top of this letter it says 'Somewhere In England' and that was a tribute to
his father, Frank G.S. Erickson who served with the 308th Infantry (Lost Battalion)
in 1918-1919. Frank's letters home from overseas would often have 'Somewhere
in England' or 'Somewhere in France' written at the top. Also due to military rules
Ernest could not designate specifically where he was or where his missions took
him.
By the time he wrote this letter, Ernest had just completed his 3rd mission. It was
aboard the B-17 'Taint a Bird II' (42-30342). The mission brought them over
Ludwigshafen, Germany and Dunkerque, France.
April, 1, 1944 Mission - Ludwigshafen, Germany and Dunkerque, France
April 2nd, 1944 Somewhere in England
Dear Dad, Mom & Dinny,
That was really good mail service on the last V- Mail letter you sent on
March 15th. Just a little over two weeks. Also that one of mine that you
got in seven days.
Am glad that you got my picture. I was beginning to wonder if you would
ever get it. As I have undoubtedly told you before, I got the camera. I have
four or five rolls of film so will take some pictures soon. It will take a couple
weeks to get them developed. Will then send you some.
Yes, by all means, send me some candy, especially chocolate. I’ll put in a
request now so that if you have to show the request to someone, you can
show them this. Please send me some candy, any kind, chocolate if you can.
Also send me a bottle of decent shaving lotion. Can’t get it at all over here.
I have enough to last another two or three weeks. I hope to get that small
box you sent soon.
If you want, you can send me a couple of cans of popcorn. One of the fellows
had some here. Sure was good. We can get butter and salt at the mess hall
and can pop it here in the barracks.
Send these packages separate and several days apart. Wrap them good,
because the camera could be seen through the package. Was a pretty
ragged looking package, however the camera seems okay. When I got to
the orderly room for my mail, one of the Sergeants said, “Lieutenant you
have a camera here.” Was kind of funny.
Tell Dian thanks for the kisses. Tell her I’ll meet her at the depot again
someday. Maybe I’ll just surprise you and not tell you when I’m coming.
I have been on a few missions over enemy territory. None have been too
rough. We take things easy when we don’t fly. My crew is due for a 48
hour pass in the next week or ten days.
If you want to, you can send the papers to me. Those that you sent with the
camera were nice. Sure to look them over, especially Alley Oop. There’s a ship
over here called 'General Oop.' There are other names like 'Situation Normal,
'Lucky Strike.’ ‘Four Nights In A Bar Room' and such.
I got five letters today.. What’s the dope on the Air Corps enlistments being cut
down. I heard they were stopped. What’s the deal with Donny?
The Servicemen’s Issue from the Tribune is not coming through. They sure
do a piss-poor job of getting those out don’t they?
Tell the Folks Hello.
Love, Ernie
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