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2 November 1942

2 November 1942

Dear Folks:

After reviewing two of your letters guess it is high time I took up my pen again.  I think my mail is arriving okay—for many of yours have been received and hardly a mail call goes by without my getting at least one but then I never get enough to suit me.  Gram is behind I believe.  Perhaps if I scan over your letters, I can find something to write about.  The news about Eilad Horshman is news—it was time she flew the coop though—or perhaps the coop never was much of a cage.  Haven’t received the Free Press yet but they’ll get here.  My tooth is yet unfixed although I had a dental appointment but it fell through.  Believe they intend to pull it.

And the subscription is just the ticket—we subscribe to it but it isn’t always available and I like to read it through.  I’ve answered the rest of the questions.

Tonight in the dayroom the radio is crashing on every table—there’s a game of pinochle going on, two or three books being read and plenty of letters being written and the smoke is like a blanket of clouds.

About this time every nite I turn over a leaf or two on an old memory album and look at each picture slowly and catch a glimpse of the privileges that made them possible.  Guess I’ll stop with that.

Goodnite and a bomber load of love,

Harold Moss Signature
21 October 1942

21 October 1942

Dear folks:

Here is another letter before I blow out the candle for another day.  As I do about every night, I’m sitting in the day room with one ear on the radio and reading a little.  I’ve been working on Sandburg’s Lincoln for about three weeks but have it about read.  With the Red Cross books I’ve a long way to go yet.  Also we have a mobile library that makes the camp about once weekly.  Hope we’re beginning to look up in this war situation.  I think so and hope I’m right.  Think something will happen this winter.  Sunday a card to June and Loyd yesterday.

Guess I’ll have to throw in the towel on this letter.  I’m out of news.  Should write Kathleen again soon although she hasn’t answered my last letter yet.  Suppose she’s walking around on a magic carpet.  Goodnight until next letter.

Love,

Harold Moss Signature
3 October 1942

3 October 1942

Dear Folks:

While I’m killing time until chow I might as well be writing you a paragraph or two.  Yesterday was riding around in a jeep in town on various errands and tried to find something suitable for you but the stocks are so limited and with the short time I had came, back empty handed.  Hope I get a pass soon.  Listened to the third game of the World Series this morning—still pulling for the Yanks.  We have a day room, or a blackout tent, now that gives some diversion after hours, stocked with Red Cross books and magazines. That reminds me don’t forget the Free Press.  Read the one in the box. I’m fine and not in the least worried or downhearted.  Don’t get that way.  It isn’t all agreeable but then should it be?

Love,

Harold Moss Signature
1 October 1942

1 October 1942

Dear folks:

A few more scribblings today while I’m waiting for chow.  Pretty hot today but I’m getting browner and feeling better—it must be going to bed every night that is doing it.  About every night we’re going swimming in the ocean—we take our mattress covers, fill them with air and ride the waves.  Got the letter with Dad’s typing on the bottom.  Will write to Katie and Dick soon but I wasn’t sure of their address so skipped it.  Been reading some good books that the Red Cross gave us just finished Broomfield’s ‘Green Bay Tree’ and “Long Remember’.

If you are thinking about Christmas I don’t need anything except toilet items and cigarette. I’ll write every day.

Love,

Harold Moss Signature
16 July 1942

16 July 1942

Dear Folks:

I don’t think I’m neglecting you in my writing, do you?  I don’t know why I feel so prolific, maybe it’s because I have so much time in the office.

Opened the package you sent me in the presence of my office henchmen, and in the middle of the afternoon a piece of angel food cake was like the end of a thirty day fast.  The officers had a piece too and they all attest to its goodness.  Haven’t sampled the cookies yet but I know they will be as good as the cake.  The cake was real fresh and soft but the frosting was beginning to fall off.  The cookies will be a dessert for dinner because all we have then is sandwiches.

Suppose you have the pictures of our Sahara Paradise by now.  Well here’s another one.  It was taken on a Sunday afternoon at Ft. Lewis.  I don’t know the girls at all.  We just asked them to pose with us and they consented.

One more week after this, then back to Lewis to furloughs I hope.  I’m getting pretty used to it here being so close to town and all but despise the rain.  I still like the barracks better.  My confinement is over today and I thought it was.  Come to find out it was just for over the last weekend.  Last nite it actually rained a little and this morning the ground smells fresh and alive.

Haven’t been doing much reading lately however did just finish “The Good Earth”.  It was laying around so thought I might as well read it.  There isn’t a library here and no pocketbooks to buy so I’m stalled temporarily.

I wish I could foresee what the army proposes to do with us after we get back to Lewis.  Some say back to California and the cadre to Oregon but these are pure hearsay.  I heard most of the experts predict a siege of three or more years (how wrong they-the experts-were when Germany first came out of her corner).  Only yesterday I was reading in a ’39 Digest the opinions of a Yale economist and European expert who flatly declared that the one thing Hitler could not do was wage war.  Most of them are “looking for a better ‘ole’ now”, and I think they are too pessimistic in forecasting another three years.  I’m going to be home for good in January 1944.

I still droll like a blue bloodhound when I hear an airplane.  I’ve asked the CO about the Air Corps again but there seems to be no way out.  Oh, well the FA is pretty good.

There wasn’t much to write about but I wanted to thank you for the box.  With the sugar rationing you hadn’t better send anymore and canning coming up too.

Well I’ll yet take that all day nap you promised.  Goodbye for now.

Love,

Harold Moss Signature
13 June 1942

13 June 1942

Dear Folks:

An odd time to be writing a letter—Saturday morning—but I’m dodging inspection because I’m on guard, so I chose a sunny spot by the side of the barracks and decided to bask and write at the same time.

Last nite at the post gym just across the street Lana Turner made an appearance at a fortieth division variety show.  Boy what she couldn’t do to my knees.  Our division presented her with an insignia on a little banner and while the flash cameras were clicking she shook hands with our general.  Then she gave a sentimental little thank-you talk that really sounded genuine and sincere.  She had on a purple dress that made her look like a blonde Cleopatra and this was aided and abetted by a cute red hat, set dangerously on her pretty hair.  You could have heard a pin drop when she started to talk.  During the program she sat in the front row flanked by sober faced, austere generals.  During the program at intervals a fellow would come in the back of the hall holding a couple of despairing rabbits and paging Pvt. Peter Potter.  The first trip he had two, the next time a half dozen, the next a whole hutch and finally he was dressed as a cook selling them as roast rabbit.  One trip he had some fun with Lana Turner but he got a slew of his pictures taken.  After the program I got a good view of her passing down the aisle and when she was right in front of me, not more than a yard away, the cameras flashed.

Tomorrow a cook and I are going out for a few rounds of golf if it doesn’t rain and perhaps swimming too if it is warm enough.

Mount Rainier sure looks big and beautiful today as I’m sitting here I’m looking right at it.

Got the letter and the dollar bill yesterday.  A dollar goes a long way for recreation if you spend it in camp.  Under the new pay schedule and when the cadre leaves I will be getting sixty-four a month.  This is for a corporal.  I want to save thirty of it.  If we don’t get our raise this month I’ll have pretty slim pickings next month because $12.50 besides cleaning, pressing and laundry will be taken out for bonds.  As the money accumulates the government converts them into $25.00 bonds.  They will be mailed to Dad and made to Mother as a co-owner.

Down the drive a few blocks is Gray Field.  Here are observation places that observe the fire of an artillery and communicate by radio with the ground forces.  I can see a lot of planes sitting around, wish I was in one of them.

That’s about all there is.  Want to see “Gone With the Wind” again. And get that book you mentioned.

See you in the next letter.

Love,

Harold Moss Signature
16 April 1942

16 April 1942

Dear Folks:

Time to write a few lines while everything is quiet after supper chow.  Just got a letter from you that was put in the wrong slot in the mailbox.

Well, well-founded rumors are astir that we are moving out perhaps tonite or tomorrow.  In fact all we have been doing today is loading and greasing trucks and getting our personal equipment in shape to pack quietly when the order comes. Where we are going is of course not known but the latrine rumor is to Los Angeles.  Whether this is in preparation for something bigger I can only guess.  The latest is that we may move after midnite tonite.

Tonite also we are having alittle battery party with talent supplied from our ranks to refreshments from the battery fund.  Suppose we will have a lot of fun singing and horsing around.

I wrote Dick a few days ago asking him to come up so we could both talk to you on the phone.  However if we move I’ll make the call, if possible, myself.  I haven’t been down for three weeks now and would like to see them before we leave but perhaps this won’t be possible.  The 19th will also be the monthly anniversary of my army induction—seven months.

I am sending my mail free, but because I had a little supply of stamps thought I just as well use them for airmail.

Don’t know exactly when our $42.00 will be effective but will probably effect our pay on the first of June.  I will send you $20.00 to use in coming out.  Wish you could come on the train.  I think Dick and I can arrange it that way.  If we each donate $20.00 or so you could afford it then.  It would be better for you than riding in a car.

Yes, even get to sleep late if we walk at nite—the usual tour is 4 hours on and 8 hours off.  We haven’t heard anything about furloughs for our bunch and are not expecting any—at least I’m not.  We took all of our shots in the arm and after about three they were nothing.

Right now I’m reading ‘Inside Europe’ and ‘The Green Lights’, but if we move won’t get to finish them and incidentally, I’m wondering how I can return them to the library.

Last Sunday I was on KP and while looking around the kitchen saw a carton of beef from Cook’s Packing Company in Scottsbluff.  Kind of surprising.

I gave up my job as assistant battery clerk for lack of anything to do in there so now I’m in the communications detail.  We string wire from gun phones to the switchboard to the observation point (OP).  From the OP the CO (commanding officer) relays his firing data to the guns which go thru the switchboard hidden in the brush somewhere.  It’s a pretty good assignment and more interesting than doing the cannoneer’s hop.  Pulling two or three miles of wire by hand is a workhout.  One of our trucks has a small gasoline engine for this purpose mounted on the back.

Well guess this is all this time.  Will write you all I can about what’s going on.

Love,

Harold Moss Signature
5 April 1942

5 April 1942

Dear Folks:

Suppose you are wondering what has happened to me for not writing so long but last week was a busy one with moving and guard duty and I feel off a little.

Last Wednesday thirteen of our battery were transferred to Carlsbad to join another battery in our regiment, to patrol the coastline.   It is about twenty miles from Escondido but a little closer to San Diego.  We are living in tents in a eucalyptus grove just about a mile from the coast back in the hills.  A nice shower room and washstand has been built so it isn’t so bad here.  Carlsbad is about a mile away and Oceanside about four.  We do guard duty six hours at a time, either from six until twelve or twelve until six at nite only.  Each outpost is dug out in the sand and lined with sandbags and equipped with a stove and charts, etc.  Ours sits on a bluff overlooking the sea.  Two stay in the dugout while two walk on patrol, our post is 3 ½ miles so we walk seven miles each nite.  Time seems to go pretty fast though, walking along the beach or highway 101 and watching the surf pound in.  In the afternoon we drill 3 hours.

Well today was big one on the calendar, being Easter.  I got up at nine and hitchhiked to Oceanside and went to the Episcopal church there.  I also took communion.  The church is right on the highway 101 in town and during the sermon he was forced to almost yell while a marriage party went by.  After church I hitchhiked back to my station.

Was in Coronado last Tuesday on a 23 hour pass and had a nice time with the folks there.  I talked to Dick again about the Navy and I believe he will refrain from joining.

Just got Dan’s letter and picture.  Boy, he’s good looking.  He shouldn’t have any trouble with girls.  Also got a card from the Colson’s.  By the way even tho I’m here at Carlsbad still address my mail to Escondido.  It will be sent out daily.

Haven’t heard from Kate for some time.  Believe she owes me the letter.

I just had Sunday chow a few minutes ago—peaches, cheese, cold meat, beets, coffee, and potato salad.  Pretty good.  Guess I’ll read awhile tonite before going out on guard.

Well another Easter has come and gone and for the first time I didn’t have to be particular about what I wore.  Everyone was dolled up in church and was the only soldier there.  Hope I’m not wearing OD’s when the next one comes around.

Sorry I didn’t write in time for the box but I know everything you put in it will be something I can use.

Love,

Harold Moss Signature
22 March 1942

22 March 1942

Dear Folks:

While I’m waiting to go on guard at ten I just as well write you a few lines about stuff and things.  Last Wednesday a.m. battery began a week’s tour of guard duty so I’ve been confined to camp when I’m not on post.  I walk from ten until two o’clock at nite and in the morning with eight hours off between each tour.  I’m posted at a lake set up in the hills.  It’s very pretty up there and this morning it was so bright and sunny it didn’t seem possible that a war could be going on.  Every day is so lovely and full of spring.  Spring don’t mean much around here but just the same March 21st spells something that the parts describe.

Got a letter from Bill E and Margie a few days ago.  Bill seems on the verge of getting married.  Margie, by reading between the lines, seems pretty low about everything.  I get the impression she’s a little worried about Duane and his future.  Rightly so, I believe.

This day was one of considerable leisure for me.  Got up at nine and had pancakes for breakfast then walked guard from ten until two then laid around on my bed and listened to the radio and finished reading “Flotsam’.  Later I washed my hair and shaved and now I’m writing you and waiting to leave soon.

Want to get to see the folks, yes I will too either this coming Wednesday or the following weekend.  Even though some of my visits are not very far apart, I look forward to everyone as though I hadn’t seen them in ten years.  If I don’t get down Dick said he was coming up.  Dick is sure swell to me and we sure have a lot of fun together. It’s swell to have him so near.

Marge said that June  K would look me up; also said that the former Dolores Dunbar often came to Escondido so maybe I will have some visitors soon.  I hope so.

I’ve had such a supply of toilet articles that only tonight did I begin to use what Grandma and June gave me for Christmas.  The buck cornsheller keeps good time and I look on it as something that almost lives.  I left my other one with the folks to put in safekeeping.  I couldn’t think of a thing that I need.  Grandpa gave me an old fishing box with several shelves, that I was a little reluctant to accept, but it’s just the ideal thing to keep supplies in.

Patsy sent me another box of cookies.  She seems to be taking quite an interest in my welfare.

Walter Winchell just came on the radio.  I hope you listened too.

Guess this winds up this little edition of ink slinging.

Love,

Harold Moss Signature
18 March 1942

18 March 1942

Dear folks:

I have plenty of free time while I’m waiting to take my guard tour so I can catch up on any back correspondence.  Today the battery begins its tour of battalion guards which will last a week so that will mean no going out for awhile anyway.  Walking four hours and sleeping eight for six days gets pretty old stuff but we will get a 24 hour pass when it is over.

Last weekend I had another pass so left about four o’clock for San Diego and the folks.  I was there in time for supper.  When I got there Dick was sleeping on the couch and Gram was in the kitchen and I walked in and had my soaking clothes off before they knew I was around.  Boy was it raining!  In the evening Dick and I went to a dance.  The next morning Gram, Dick and I went to church and in the afternoon we played 18 holes of golf.  The Johnson’s (Mrs. E. Johnson and Helen) were there when we got back.  I missed the last bus to Escondido but had no trouble hitch-hiking the 35 miles back.

I hope to get down again a week from this coming Saturday.  Dick is really swell and we had a great time.

Well the war goes on and on and everyday I wonder what will happen next.  This morning at reveille formation a circular about pay allotments was read.  It said that all men in eminent prospect of being shipped should consider allotting so much of their pay to dependents or to their family.  I think I will do this.

You say men are enlisting everyday, yes that is true, what I mean is that any man already in one branch of the service cannot enlist or reenlist in another, which means because I am in the FA I cannot transfer to the Air Corps (except flying cadets), Intelligence, or any other branch.  Right now I’m hoping to get a chance at a commission in the FA as a clerk of some kind.  I have applied for an application and believe my background of ROTC and college and banking will swing it.  It is as an officer in the Adjutant General’s office.  Each candidate is interviewed before a board of officers and graded on appearance, bearing etc, and I hope I can get over this hurdle if the chance comes for me.  In my army intelligence test I scored 132 out of 150 and only 116 is required for an officer, and 100 for the Air Corps.  That’s a pretty good rating.

The weather has been so sunny and the sky so clear, except for the rain last weekend.  I suppose you noticed when you were here how big and bright the stars were.  I can’t get over it. Suppose  you know Palomar, with the telescope, is only 18 miles from here.

Well finished ‘Kabloona’ and ‘Mantrap’.  Kabloona was sure a good one, so descriptive and such a study of values and the real worth of our ‘civilization’.  When the war is over I’m going on a trip like that.

The oranges are pretty plentiful now and the other day when we were in an orange grove with the gems we all had our fill.  Also lemons.

Patsy sent me another box of candy yesterday so I’ll have to answer and thank her.  Gramma also sent a box of fruit, and cigarettes and cupcakes.

Well so much for another letter.  I got all the Free Presses so I know about everything in Minatare.

See you in the next letters.

Love,

Harold Moss Signature
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