Taylor H. Maloney's
U.S. ARMY 2nd ARMORED
"Hell On Wheels" Site

DEAR BUD-                

Glad to recieve your letter telling about your improvements at home and getting a leave. Bet the old place looked good even though it is getting a little worn. Sure wish I could get back to see it real soon, but got to help win this damn war over here first. The more I fly and drop bombs, the more I know how damn foolish this war is. I Don't know whether Mom told you about my "experience" or not so I'll tell you here supposing that she never. We were on a bombing mission to "Der Fatherland" - where, I can't say, nor when--but we were up to no good.
Also it wasn't a nice day as I've yet to see one over here. We were up in the air about 5 miles plus minding our own business and just going into the bombing run when some sad character on the ground decided to try out his new flak gun. He fired the thing a few times and together with his comrades proceeded to shoot out two of our engines--in retaliation, we got bitter and dropped our bombs on the city. Everything was fine save that we were deep in the heart of Germany with only two engines and had lost our formation because we couldn't stay up with them and were sweating out enemy fighters. Four of our fighter escorts felt sorry for us so they flew over us watching out for the Luftwaffe--gee, did they look beautiful. Well to make a long story short, we lost another engine over enemy enemy territory and had the choice of bailing out over Germany and becoming P.O.W.s or sticking with the plane to the border. We stuck and bailed over the front lines. On the ground we got a great reception from the Belgians when they found out we were Americans and not German paratroopers. I've never drank so much cognac in my life.
We are back flying again-- in fact have been for some time--and I may finish up over here in a couple dozen more missions if someone feels sorry for me.
Write more about what you're doing back there and I'll try to do the same.
Got to get some sack time so will be closing now.
Write!
Love, DeDe

July 6, 1944, India

Hello Darling,

   Gee I'm happy today. I got a very sweet letter from the girl I love and also 2 wonderful pictures of her. Honestly dear I think the pics are terrific. I got another very sweet letter from you about four days ago but this is the first chance I've had to answer any letters in the past week. As you probably noticed I am back in India again. Actually there's not very much difference in being in Burma or India except that here living conditions are better and we don't fly as much...Last night I saw a very amazing thing. About 8:30 p.m. we were just sitting around talking when one of the boys looked to the north and saw of all things a rainbow. It was at least an hour after sundown so how a rainbow could form without sunlight--don't know but there it was. It was a very beautiful sight. I'm glad to hear that you are liking your camp life better now. I like the "out-of-doors" a lot myself but after having lived that way for the past year I'll gladly settle for good old Milwaukee for awhile. The past 3 nights I've stayed up till about 1 or 2 o'clock just sitting outside talking with a few of my better friends. I like to sit up these warm bright nights and watch the white clouds and dark shadows move in the night. That's when I miss you the most, darling. At night when wverything is so still and quiet. On the nights I sit up alone I can feel you very close to me. Sometimes we sit and talk and sometimes we pretend we are just sitting there with our arms about each other with our hearts beating as one. Best I don't dwell on the subject just now cause I miss you so much right now it seems as though my heart is going to burst. I'd better close now, dear. Thanks again honey for the very lovely pictures and I hope that by now you have reieved the ring and the pictures I sent several weeks ago.
I love You, Jack