Phil Wood's Letters
Letter #76
This War May Be Over In Our Time
To Margretta & Gretchen
8 June 1944
8 June 44[1]
Dear Girls,
News last night, by wireless, of the invasion.[2] Cheering hadn’t died down before I suddenly got a flash realization that this war may be over “in our time.” For so long now it has seemed that the war would last indefinitely – just couldn’t see the end of it, stretching on for a couple of years at least. But now, with luck, it is possible at last that I might be home by a year from now, with no more than a couple more campaigns under my belt. Seems impossible of course, but it could happen. God knows I’ve never wanted anything so much in my life.
Nothing much has been happening, of course. A lot of briefing and exercise in this steaming heat. Playing a lot of Monopoly, of all things. In fact, it is quite the rage, the Red Cross having broken out with a couple dozen games – it’s ideal for passing away the time. Also playing some bridge – wisely, I didn’t bring much money, so I can’t play poker. Funny, though, how much time you can waste, just in the daily business of living; showers, sleep, eating, only an hour or two of real work in the day, and yet somehow the rest of it passes.
One has to be in the mood to write a letter, or it is worse than none at all – I’m not in it this afternoon. Maybe tomorrow.[3]
Love,
Eagle
Footnotes
[1] The Saipan invasion force arrived at Eniwetok on this date for final organization and preparations. This letter is postmarked 11 June 1944, four days before the Saipan landings.
[2] Meaning Operation Overlord, the Allied landings in Normandy on 6 June 1944.
[3] Phil evidently did not find himself in the mood before 10 June 1944, when the convoy departed Eniwetok. This is his last known letter.
Coming soon.