Encoded for the Veterans History Project, September 29, 2021.
All letters in the Ewing Miller II collection were digitized.
The following letters were transcribed from the handwritten originals by Veterans History Project staff. No alterations to this transcription has been made, although spelling errors are indicated with [sic]. Any special emphasis (i.e. underlining) is presented *between asterisks*.
9-10 Dec, 1944
Dearest Mother,
Received a V-Mail from you today - so Grandma’s blood count is up by 20 points - that’s swell. Even though it’s small - it’s improvement. Tomorrow is Sunday and if there’s not a mission, and providing we can borrow a jeep we may go to another of the dances sponsered [sic.] by the Red Cross.
We were in town the other night and met several Greek Officers thru George [Autouakos?] our Bombardier (he speaks Greek fluently) They were really O.K. Most of these boys think very highly of the Americans. The one fellow looked and spoke like Humphrey Bogart - He was quite a character with as many experiences as a movie serial. He spent sixteen days in a rowboat crossing the sea to Syria when the Germans Invaded. His reprisals on the Germs. And Italians go without saying. He said the only time he was scared in his life was in a submarine. They had raided a Greek Port and were bombarded with depth Bombs for six hours. He captured an Italian {Mayor?] in Africa - who said he wanted to surrender. He took his watch, his revolver, his wallet, and as he hadn’t bathed in over a month he made
the Italian give him his silk underwear. Then he shot him. These boys are rugged - but they are white all the way thru.
There has been quite a disturbance over here about some group in the States that have been giving decrees for the Prisoners of War with American girls. [Youb’?] magazine published an article from Another paper about it. Then these fellows all over England, France, and Italy wrote letters to [Youb?] telling, about their wives and Sweethearts going to these dances. [Now?] have gone AWOL over it. We’ve even heard the story that one fellow’s fiancé sent back his ring because she had fallen in love with a German Officer. If it’s true what Youb has published somebody has a hell of alot [sic.] or nerve. They never treated downed fliers that way - and the worst prison camp stories come out of Bulgaria -
I owe Aunt Martha a letter that I hope to write tonight. Have kept my mail up pretty well since I’ve been here. Give my love to my Grandparents, and my regards to whoever stops around anymore. My Italian is improving slowly - I’ve bought a Xmas present for you - you’ll have to wait tho - till I come home - It’s too fragile to ship. I found “It” in a small antique shop (you might call it) for from the Main Street in a near by
town - “It” comes from [?] and [?] beautiful. So just hold tight. [?] you know is still held by the Germans. Have heard the ‘Dancing with a Dolly’ song via Short Wave from [Orau?]. Coming back from a raid we picked up the Hit Parade - recognized a few songs thru the static - some new ones I didn’t get.
Guess I’ll say Goodnight or Buono [sic.] Notte.
All my Love,
Wing
P.S. Am applying for the Army Education Courses - Brush up on my English Lit and Grammer [sic.] Keeps you occupied.