Joe’s Letters, WWII: “Failed ‘Op’s’”

One of my Uncle Joe’s letters will be posted to this Blog each and every Friday until they are done. Please see below for a link to Joe’s full story and the other letters in this series so far.

Joe and crew have experienced their first bombing raids over Germany, the first of which ended in disaster. Joe is now back at Chedburgh, following emergency leave, and it is New Year 1945.

 Letter 98; 15th January 1945

Letter transcript:

“Ched. Sunday.

Hello Mom,

Hello ‘boofull’, how’s it going? Good, I hope. Sorry if I’ve scared you by not having written for so long only we’ve been busy. I had intended to write on the night before last (Friday) BUT we went out on an ‘op’, although we returned early, having NOT bombed.. I can’t say more!

On Saturday morning (early!) we went on a daylight to Sarbrucken and on coming back to dear old England we were radioed to land at a place called St. Eval on the Cornish coast.  That trip was 230 miles longer than if we’d gone back to base!! Oh! boy was I cheesed! That’s enough of that for now.

I got back here today (from St Eval) and found a letter waiting for me from Aunt Em’ containing (as ever) a 5/- P.O.! And needless to say it was welcome (as ever!)

I can’t write much more tonight Mom as it is now 10.30pm and we are to be up at 2am in the morning so you can see I must get some sleep. I’ll bet Jean will be in a panic as I’ve not written her for 3-4 days either and I’m afraid I can’t write tonight either. Still, I know she understands just as I know you do too. 

Well, toodle-oo for a bit and God bless,

Keep smiling, as I do!!!

Your loving son, Joe xxxxxxxxxxxxxx”

Ops and more Ops for Mac and the boys. I have been waiting for three years to find out why Joe was nicknamed ‘Mac’ all those years ago, but even after finally making contact with his old pal last week, it turns out he never knew either! I guess we’ll never fins that one out……
To read more about Joe’s letters please follow this link. There you will find the full selection of letters to date, as well as more information about his fascinating yet ultimately tragic story. He was our family hero. He IS our family hero. If I knew how to complete an effective RAF salute, I would salute you now, Joe. Long may your memory live in our family stories. I hope to post a new letter from Joe’s correspondence with his Mother here every Friday until they’re done. It will be a turbulent and heart-wrenching journey. Subscribe to the Blog to make sure you don’t miss any of it.

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