Jake travels to the Pacific Northwest

[mgc1961]

Jake, having made first pilot, is not going to Europe just yet. Although the 8th Air Force was already operational in England for one year when this letter was sent, aircraft production did not match demand yet so some of the crews are waiting for new aircraft deliveries while other crews are sent forward as replacements for battle loses.

By late summer and fall of '43 the 8th Air Force raids were reaching several hundreds of airplanes. This letter, for example, was written three days after Mission 84 was executed against Schweinfurt and Regensburg, Germany. This mission, consisting of 376 B-17's, cost the 8th Air Force 60 bombers (600 airmen) shot down and anohter 47 scrapped due to damage. With this rate of crew loss and the growing availability of new aircraft coming off the assembly line, Jake's deployment was getting ever closer. But the war must have seemed a very long way off as Jake traveled west on a memorable trip to Moses Lake, Washington.

On a lighter note, Jake reveals an allergy that may involve the water at his parents house.

This letter was postmarked 20 August 1943.

Dearest Dad,

I've seen pictures shows where people rode on trains with compartments and observation cars etc... At last I'm doing that myself. We have a compartment and I'm writing in the observation car now.

Our trip to Chicago wasn't too bad except that we were never sure we would make our reservations because we were eight hours late arriving there.

We left Chicago Thursday night at 11:15 and we've had a fine trip so far. The country is beautiful. I hope I'll be able to say the same for Moses Lake.

Dad, it was wonderful to be at home again. Maybe it won't be too long before I'll be able to stay there if you get the water fixed. As soon as I leave home my nose clears up.

Give my love to all.

Your devoted son,

Jake Jr.

P.S. This train doesn't ride smooth enough to write well.