January 26, 1945

Air Mail From Dip

January 26, 1945

Philippines

Dear Mom & Dad –

It’s a beautiful sunny day, & here I sit peacefully writing a letter with the planes soaring overhead on their way to blast the Nips. I’m on duty with the grasshoppers for a week or so as an air observer. This is very flat terrain with few good hills for OP’s, so we fire a lot by air. We fly up over the lines & adjust artillery on the nasty Japs – when we can see ‘em. Our strip is located far behind the front lines so life back here is very quiet.

I was going to write the next day after I ended that last letter, but was too busy since then. Don’t quite recall where I left off, but I believe I had just finished telling you all about the boat trip.

When we landed we were greeted royally by swarms of Filipinos. They were certainly glad to see us come – the Japs really treated them mean. On our way to our first bivouac area we had to pass thru several small towns & villages. In each one the natives shouted their welcome & gave us the V for victory sign. It was quite a thrill. The Filipinos live in mostly grass shacks which are up on stilts to avoid the swampy ground. They are all quite destitute & are willing to trade anything or work for food, clothing, soap, etc. We get all our fox holes dug by barter. Very handy. Some of them speak pretty good English which they learned in school before the Japs took over. The young gals are all pregnant, have one baby in arms, one by the hand, & several stringing out behind. The rumor has it that their own families kept them in that condition to discourage the Japs. Don’t know how much truth there is in it.

We have lots of fun dickering with the natives – mostly for bananas, eggs, & chickens. They want biscuits which are in our C rations, cans of stew, or cigarettes. The night before last we had a big chicken fry here as a result of a “deal.” By the way they do our laundry too.

Modesty is an unknown commodity around here. While we stand in the river clad in nothing more than our birthday suits, the women & girls casually wash their clothes along the banks. The little kids wear clothes that come almost down to their belly-buttons.

The countryside here is rather pleasant. Everywhere you can see palm groves. There are many fields of grain & corn – the valley is very fertile and every inch is under cultivation (by order of the Japanese) The principle beast of burden is the water buffalo, or caribou, as they call it. They have lots of poultry – a few sheep, cows, and horses. Rooster fights are a big sport in these parts & the natives travel for miles to enter their pet birds.

There are pretty fair roads here – mostly black topped or gravel. The main highways are actually cement – the first we’ve seen since New Zealand. That makes it nice for the Arty. cuz we travel by truck.

The weather has been very pleasant ever since we landed – no rain at all. I hope it continues that way because we’re living right out under the big old stars. We put up a shelter-half when it looks like rain, but that wouldn’t be worth a darn in a good ol’ Minn. rain storm. And I hear they do have lots of rain here at times.

Up to now we have been living out of cans & boxes (C & K rations), but now our kitchens have caught up with us, so we’ll have some warm meals. Yesterday we had hot rolls for the first time. They were delicious.

I’ve been feeling just swell ever since I’ve been here – this rugged life must agree with me or sumthin. When we first got off the boat tho we were all pretty weak & a bit off key. A little activity cleared that up.

In fact the only thing I’m really hurtin’ for right now is some mail. We’ve had promise of some soon. I suppose by now Virgy has had her baby, eh?

Forgot to tell you that we are going to be paid next time in Filipino pesos which are minted in the U.S. One peso is worth 50¢ in our money, so we’re going to feel rich when we get it.

I’m sending some Jap currency in this letter – it ought to be a good souvenir altho it has no monetary value. Am also sending some Jap stationery I picked up.

Don’t forget to write soon. Hope all is well there. Don’t worry ‘bout me.

All my love, Dorance