Jake arrives in England

[mgc1961]

Jake has arrived in England and wrote his parents from his new base. He couldn't, of course, reveal the location in his letter, but it was Deopham Green. The field, located a couple of miles north of Attleborough, Norfolk, was completed three days before this letter was written. However, preparations for the actual 452nd fliers were not complete. They would spend another month training before their first raid on the Luftwaffe facilities at Romilly-sur-Seine on 05 February 1944.

Meanwhile, the RAF is almost halfway through a prolonged Berlin bombing campaign that lasted from November of '43 through March of '44. The British lost 1047 bombers during this series of missions.

This V-mail, which includes for the first time the number of Jake's squadron and bomber group, was written on 06 January 1944. The postmark is 21 January 1944.

From 730th Bomber Squadron 452nd Bomber Group

Somewhere in England

Dearest Dad,

I had a fine, uneventful trip over. Things are much as I expected. I haven't been to London yet but hope to go on my first leave.

I didn't get any of the packages that were sent except yours. The rest will be sent over soon I hope. I'm glad you all like your presents and had a fine Xmas. I missed you more than you could possibly know. I am looking forward to a good one next year and maybe I'll be able to spend the 4th with you too.

I didn't get pictures made of crew yet but I will try to while I'm here. I've had a fine time since I last wrote you. I saw plenty of snow and went skiing etc...It was as low as 27 below but wasn't too cold. (I'm not sure what that means. My first thought was the low temperature reading has something to do with his first flying experience at a really high altitude. Either that or the place he went skiing was near the Artic Circle. Perhaps he was in briefly in Canada.)

Tell Dot I said hello and give my love to all.

Your devoted son,

Jake Jr.