Rotations Archives - Moss Letters

22 May 1945

Dear folks:

Two letters from the home front today—one from each of you so that deserves a letter from me.

I see Mom tried to figure points and I knew you would. Yes, I have more than the required 85 and I hope it means something.

Reading a newspaper clipping today it says that over three hundred thousand are to be released from the Pacific this year. We heard a lot of stuff but it’s a little early to see how it will work, but I can’t help but feel that eventually something good will come of it. Dick gets 5 points for his Purple Heart. A few fellows left from the battalion this morning for a furlough in the states and they came around and shook hands and said goodbye. It’s quite an occasion. They had their choice of taking a furlough or waiting for rotation and decided on the former.

I just took a bath in that shower I described to you last night and right now I feel good. The Jap artillery has considerably slackened off and that helps my nerves very much.

Last night the Japanese pulled another of their fanatical bonzai attacks for an hour and a half. Our artillery and naval ships laid down an unending hail of shells. There was a constant distant rumble. Often the ships sitting offshore use tracers, and you can easily follow their trajectory as they go high in the air and lob into Jap territory. At the same time they attempted another landing, and you could see our ship’s lights and flares showing up the beach like daylight. Jap barges were barely discernible from where I was, and I understand not a one of them got to shore. The fighting on the south end of the island must be a classic example of the fury, the slaughter and devastation that erupts from war. They say Noba is completely leveled and the stench of the dead is nauseating. With some two hundred thousand civilians cramped in the little area you can imagine the suffering and death that must be everywhere.

But my own situation continues favorable and less dangerous. I am fortunate to be behind the lines. Once in a while some infantrymen come over to listen to our radio and I notice a surprising number have graying hair.

The last few nights I have found something to do. I’ve been working crossword puzzles. I go over to the aid station where they have lights, and the evening goes very fast that way. As a matter of fact time seems to slip by very fast. It seems like I no more than get started in the day, before it’s over.

The rain hasn’t been bad lately as a matter of fact the weather has been good, although tonight the sky looks like a storm may be brewing.

I’m sure you don’t reread my letters any more than I do yours. Every time I get a free moment I pull one out and read over and over the letter and reread some parts I like. But I know how anxious you are and I worry sometimes that you may worry too much, but I’m sure if we can all stick it out for 6 or 9 months longer, all will come out alright. I keep your mail and save it for Dick.

I know last Sunday was Mother’s Day and I hope very much that you received my V-mail card.

Well it’s beginning to get dusk and I better make up my bed and get this letter off. I have to make my bed a special way so that cold won’t leak in.

So much for this time.

Love,

19 May 1945

Dear Folks:

I’ve missed writing you the last few days and for no good reason either so I better get busy. As a matter of fact things have been a little easier for me despite what radio reports you may be receiving about this fighting. For several days now no Jap shells have come over and of course that is a real relief. I must knock on wood though, they may start again any time.

Received the small package from Mrs. Conklin yesterday but the cards were ruined – all stuck together and wet. Wrote a short note to Dick a few days ago. I’m sure he is alright. Haven’t seen Duane Carroll since our visit some time ago – it’s pretty difficult right now to see each other.

Talk and rumors of discharge are now going around full blast. I suppose you have read about it. A few men flew back yesterday to be discharged but an insignificant number in relation to those eligible. I certainly hope the government will stand back of its statements and all that talk is not for the public. Being over here, it’s hard to get transportation and replacements so we feel that those men in the states, or not in combat have better chances. They say we will rotate you or discharge you if the military situation, etc. So don’t be looking for me back very soon.

Well tomorrow is Sunday and I hope the chaplain can make it. I received the prayer book. I already had one that this chaplain gave me.

The weather lately has been beautiful with occasional light showers and the island looks green and fertile.

I cut this page from Yank magazine. The woman looks typical of many of the old people so bent over and wrinkled.

Kind of short, but want to let you know I’m alright. I think the campaign won’t last too much longer although the fighting is still bitter.

Love,

12 May 1945

Dear folks:

Had a nice letter from Dad today so I feel like I better answer it. I could feel in the letter that you are worrying a lot, and more than you really should, because I’m sure everything will come out alright.

Nobody is talking anything else these days but discharge and rotation since the WD announced it’s new plan. But I keep feeling that someone along the line will put the kibosh on it. It seems like this outfit seldom gets a break. Today we got a furlough quota of 2 while almost everyone in the battery is eligible. You see how tough it is to get one. This is the first quota since back on Tinian. It seems like all this stuff is meat dangled in front of you but you can never quite reach it. But what I am chiefly interested in is that something takes effect before I get in another operation.

Had a letter from Aunt Edna and one from Pat today. So I rated pretty good on the mail. But I should (since) I’m trying to keep it coming by writing often. Still no mail from Wylma, can’t figure it out—at least an answer.

Early this morning the Japs sent some shells this way but it didn’t last long. The shellings are less frequent than before. According to the radio, they have killed over 38,000 Japs which is a pile of them. An infantryman told me they counted 537 Japs in one cave. As an idea of how the Japs are dug in, is well illustrated by the story D. Carroll told me. He said he saw one cave dug in a hillside capable of holding 25-30 vehicles. You can imagine how hard it is to dig them out. They use slit trenches as deep as 20 feet and pillboxes two or three stories with several exits and entrances. The hills are honeycombs of tunnels and fortified caves. But despite the better fight in the Southern end, there is great construction activity on the other, and every night the lights look like a fair sized city. When an air raid sounds one by one the lights snuff out. Then comes the buzz of a plane and suddenly the sky fills with streams of tracers, bullets, and more often than not, the plane bursts into flames and crashes. We watch the show and pull like hell that the gunners will get him. If they do, we cheer and if they don’t we think they aren’t worth a damn.

Well, so much for tonight. Tomorrow is Sunday and I hope we can have church services. We probably will. Dick is okay and so am I. I’m feeling good.

Love,

11 May 1945

Dear Folks:

What sounded like good news came over the radio this morning, and while I’m putting in time this afternoon, perhaps I can tell you about (it). The War Department announced it had defined the point system for discharge with 85 points necessary to be eligible. Of course everyone has figured them up and mine stands at 91. Although we hear a lot about rotation and discharge it hasn’t made much effect but now I’m hoping that I will at least make it back on rotation or discharge, one or the two. If they are going to discharge 1 1/3 million as they say, it looks like I would have a chance. Anyway the morale has taken quite a boost around here since the announcement of these two plans. Now I’ve got to preserve myself until one of them affects me.

Had a letter from Phil a couple of days ago – he sure is doing the writing. He’ll get along alright once he finds out what the score it. Heard from my friend in Washington today and she is getting married the 5^th of June. Said she had a big party in the club where us used to go once in a while.

No more packages have come in but fourth class seems to drift in everyday so the rest of mine will probably show up one of these days.

I wished I had something to write about. There seems to be just nothing at all. Last night was pretty quiet. I’m feeling very good – I think it is this cool weather. Well I’m forced to quit here but perhaps the next communiqué will be longer.

Love,

7 May 1945

Dear Folks:

While sitting here listening to the rain tap on the tent perhaps I can get off a short letter. No mail today but it’s about the first day. Am expecting your packages to arrive as much 4^th class is coming in.

Have had a busy day all day and feel a little tired tonight.

Yes, Dan Gettman is still in the battalion but haven’t seen him since leaving Leyte. He is in Battery B. He is okeh and probably one of these days he’ll come trotting over with a stack of Star Heralds.

The European was news is good – so good in fact it has buoyed up our hopes for getting back. All kinds of talk goes on around the subject, and yesterday on the radio we heard the army would release two million men within a year after the end in Europe. Between you and me rotation looks pretty good but I can’t let myself be too optimistic because it seems things can be changed very easily. But if I don’t get home this year, I won’t be worth a darn.

Well pretty short this time but not a lot to write about. I hope I can enjoy those fires with you.

Love,

1 May 1945

Dear Folks:

I’ve been doing a pretty [good] job of writing you lately, haven’t I? Well whenever I get a letter I feel I should answer it right away and try to answer some of the questions you have. And your mail has been coming good. I can’t tell you how fast but they come as fast as mine get to you. Its noon right now, just finished eating, and now getting ready to go back to work. Got your letter just before noon.

Well, I wrote you a pretty good letter last night with the good news in it so I don’t hardly know what to write about. You should be hearing from Dick now as he will have time to write. He looks so good and cleancut beside Duane Carroll. I couldn’t help but notice it. He is the same guy that left you and he’ll be good as ever when he gets back. He always wants me to do most of the writing and be sure to let you know we get together, and I’m glad to oblige. I wished we could get home together and I’m not telling myself it is entirely out of the question. Boy what a time that would be.

Went to church last Sunday afternoon at four o’clock. We had services among some trees and about every time the chaplain said something a gun would go off or planes roar overhead and drown out what he would say. Next Sunday holy communion is scheduled so I hope I can go.

I’m glad Jack C. got to come home but now he will have to serve another year before becoming eligible for rotation. According to present war department policy, anyone returned after overseas service on rotation is not again sent over. Of course there [are] qualifications to this but that is the general policy. If I don’t make it this year, well I’ll never believe in anything. Some 45 day furloughs are given but believing I’m close to rotation, I don’t believe I’d take it now, but I hope Dick will get a crack at one.

According to the news clippings M. Niederhaus has moved into Farguha’s [spelling?] house. I think some people might take offense at them moving up. I cannot see Vic Sage married. Every year it seems the Russians influence is taking hold of more and more people. W. Nichols, J. Lupher and now Sage. Believe I’ll get something different. Wrote to Wylma about the middle of March but have heard nothing since so I don’t know what to think.

Haven’t enough to start another page so better end. I’ll write as often as possible. I’m giving that fountain pen a workout.

Love,

28 April 1945

Dear Folks:

Here I am again as is usual at this time of evening. About the only diversion after chow is listening to the radio and that doesn’t always appeal, and listening to the tales from Tokyo gets irritating. This morning while gathering the news, for interest I turned on Shanghai and listened for a few minutes to a commentary on military affairs. Of course Shanghai is Jap controlled. This morning he discussed the members of the Special Attack Corps or what we call suicide divers. They harp on this Corps quite a lot. American naval and casualty losses that he gave sound like evangelistic exaggerations. Many remarks they make seem the work of a simple minded child.

I see by the bulletin board that censorship regulations here permitted more leniency in writing so I thought I would tell you about some personal experiences I’ve had. Last night started out quietly although the air raid siren sounded about sundown. After hearing a few artillery shells crunch some distance away, I managed to get asleep but woke up with a start around ten thirty by the thunder of anti-aircraft guns. Then I heard a plane swoop over pretty low so I sat up and peeked over the top of our foxhole. As I usually do I woke up my buddy. It seems better to have company at such times, although perhaps I sometimes get over excited. Whenever a Jap plane gets anywhere near, the sky fills up with red tracers and little dots of bursting shells. When I first woke up I saw a great burst of fire but I couldn’t tell just what it was. In most cases the planes don’t come too close to our position so it’s more of a sideshow for us. A round of applause always goes up when a Jap plane is hit – most of them burst into a ball of flames and crash. Finally the excitement died down and while trying to get to sleep again, the shrill shreik of a Jap shell whistled over and drove into the mud. It was a dud, thank goodness. The sound of shells heading your way, and the later bursting crunch so hard on my nerves and I think everyone feels that way. When a shell sounds it takes about 1/10 of a second for everyone to jump in a hole. But we found the Japs many times harder and it is a mystery to me that all Japs in the island are not raving maniacs. The bombardment on L-Day was the biggest and most devastating thing I ever saw. It is source of great confidence in our forces to see battleships, cruisers and destroyers lined up pounding the Japs where it hurts the most. The sky was filled with our aircraft and the Nips dared not come near. About the only time they can pull a raid is at night. I came ashore on L plus one and we were all surprised by the orderly cultivation and rolling green hills, by far more like our own, a civilized place than what we had previously seen. I think this [is] enough on this subject.

I told you before that I had been on Leyte but I didn’t’ tell you I was on Midway also.

Had two letters today – one from each of you, but not very recent. In Mom’s letter was many clippings and the pictures of Nancy and Phil. It seems to me that Nancy looks an image of Mom, and so grown-up I could hardly believe it.

I’m glad Jack paid you a visit and I hope it made you feel better. I also think he has changed for the better and Jack seemed very considerate during our visits on Saipan and Tinian.

Boy it seems like lots of babies are being born back there, Alice C. again and J. Lupher. How many does that make [of] Luphers? I wish I had some of my own and every time you write about fixing up the place, I try to hope that someday I’ll be fixing mine the same way. Dad made a lot of good comments about home and so forth and in every one of his letters, I think we get a little closer to each other.

The talk with everyone now is rotation – those planes are turning up again and I think most of the older fellows are expecting to get back in a few months. And somehow I feel the same way. Even the thought of getting home seems like a dream.

Better taper off I guess – I’m feeling fine and living careful, so don’t worry.

Love,

24 April 1945

Dear Folks:

Better write again. It’s raining out and sitting here in my pup tent, I may as well do something. It’s so slippery and muddy out it’s almost a feat to walk to chow and back. And the mud is like glue. But I have a dry place to sleep so the rain doesn’t bother too much. Our hut-tent is small but comfortable.

Had a V-mail from Mom today and a letter from Loyd Johnson. It was an old letter and at that time he had only been in two weeks. When Dick was to see me day before yesterday, I gave him all the mail. I had received so (much) I don’t have your letters to comment on. Dick asked me for them almost the first thing. And then he gave me what he had received. I hope he will have time to stop around again soon.

The war news continues to be good and I think that for practical purposes the war in Europe is over. Perhaps that will mean more replacements for the Pacific and then perhaps return home. Was busy figuring points today under the new rotation setup. Once again I feel I will get home this year although it is all problematical.

So much for another time.

Love,

23 April 1945

Dear Folks:

Another evening just before dark with nothing to do so I just as well write. Yesterday afternoon Dick stopped in for a short visit so we talked for a while. I was glad to know he was alright and he seemed in good spirits under the circumstances. I hope he will be able to see me again before long.

Been pretty busy all day and the time goes faster. I can hardly realize it is April.

The big fad in the battery right now is figuring points. A new rotation plan has been started based on the point system – so many for campaigns, overseas and a few more items. This outfit has quite a few points – probably not too many troops who have more, but return will depend on how many replacements can be sent this way. There must be a man to replace you and if he isn’t available you stay.

It’s beginning to get dark and I haven’t anything more to write about so I’ll knock off. I’m fine. Wanted you to know I had seen Dick.

Love,

22 April 1945

Dear Folks:

In keeping with my promise to write often here is another letter. I was told today that a Red Cross message had been received, which was sent by you. I know how you must be worried and what a strain it is on you, much more so than you indicate in your letters. But I am really fine and feeling well and in little danger. I’m sure before the year is over I will be home then all this period of worry about me will be over. I can well imagine how you feel with Phil gone, but we’ll have to ride it out, and remember it is always darkest just before the dawn. So believe me Mom, I’m okeh.

Today was Sunday but it was noon before I realized it. I had intended to write a slug of letters today but something always came up to keep me from it. Getting the news each day for the paper takes some time and in addition I collect individual stories for the hometown papers. Anyway about four, I managed to get a bath such as it was, so now I feel pretty good. For dinner today we had steaks, yes, good fresh steaks. Some of the boys killed a cow and they did a good job in butchering and cooking it. We are eating from the kitchen which beats cooking your own rations.

They say the good souvenirs on this island are lacquer vases and dishes, supposed to be rare collector’s items. I hope I can manage to find some, although Dick and I resolved not to hunt military souvenirs as it is sometimes too dangerous and it’s getting too close to rotation to be taking any chances. In Dick’s jeep the other day, he already had a candry sword taken from a Jap they killed near his foxhole.

I rode through the civilian camp the other day and had a close look at the people. Almost all of them are really young or very old, the rest behind the Jap lines. The old people are sorry sights. Their skin is deep wrinkled, they are bent over, and they look all the worse for the black clothes they wear. They are unemotional although some bow low from the waist as though we were Jap gods or something. I guess they are cooperative and harmless. The young children smile and wave or laugh. Our troops hardly notice them and probably they will be better off than ever after it’s all over.

Well I’m going to amble over to the radio for awhile and hear a little music and shoot a little bull, then get ready to turn in.

So much for this time.

Love,