Thurs., Jan. 13, 1944—Moved by truck to Vesuvius Air Field. I had a slight chill on the trip. I hope my malaria isn’t coming back.
Fri., Jan. 14, 1944—Put up Operations & Intelligence tents today & fixed up our living tent. I built a door for our tent.
Sat., Jan. 15, 1944—Had severe chills & fever this morning & Capt. McRae sent me to 70th Station Hospital in Naples.
Sun., Jan. 16, 1944—Had chill at noon which lasted for over an hour, then had high fever & felt awful. Couldn’t eat much today.
Mon., Jan. 17, 1944—Had another chill this morning and then a temperature of 105.2. They moved me to a better bed in another ward. I feel a lot better this evening.
Tues., Jan. 18, 1944—Feel much better today. Ate well.
Wed., Jan. 19, 1944—A red letter day. The medics from camp brought me mail from Mary Alice & home.
Thurs., Jan. 20, 1944—Still feel good. Had turkey for supper; & after I ate in bed, I slipped downstairs for “seconds.” The walk back up tired me out, though.
Fri., Jan. 21, 1944—Just another day in the hospital.
Sat., Jan. 22, 1944—Nothing happens, except I’m bored.
Sun., Jan. 23, 1944—Nothing.
Mon., Jan. 24, 1944—Nothing.
Tues., Jan. 25, 1944—The doctor here wouldn’t make a good pfc.
Wed., Jan. 26, 1944—I’ve developed a very bad cough & cold.
Thurs., Jan. 27, 1944—Cough & cold still bad.
Fri., Jan. 28, 1944—Cold still bad. Can’t taste food, but had a good dinner today.
| 70th Station Hospital, Naples, Italy Jan. 28, 1944 The nurse just came in and asked, “Did you have a B.M. today?” I said, “What do you mean, ‘B.M.’?” She said impatiently, “Bowel movement; bowel movement.” I said, “Yes, I defecated thoroughly today.” Then I said, “How old are you, Nurse?” She said, “Don’t get personal, Soldier.” |
Sat., Jan. 29, 1944—Junior came in to see me today & brought mail from home.
Sun., Jan. 30, 1944—Letters from Mary Alice.
Mon., Jan. 31, 1944—Cold still bad.
Tues., Feb. 1, 1944—Took shower today.
Wed., Feb. 2, 1944—Read all day.
Thurs., Feb. 3, 1944—Read all day.
Fri., Feb. 4, 1944—Collins & Bova came in to see me.
Sat., Feb. 5, 1944—Read all day.
Sun., Feb. 6, 1944—Soldier went crazy tonight & ran around with a butcher knife. A little nurse jumped on him & took it away from him.
Mon., Feb. 7, 1944—Read all day.
Tues., Feb. 8, 1944—Read all day.
Wed., Feb. 9, 1944—Got beaucoup mail from Mary Alice today. We’re officially engaged at last, & I’m happy.
Thurs., Feb. 10, 1944—Transferred to 300th General Hospital just outside of Naples. It’s a lovely building.
Fri., Feb. 11, 1944—I think I’ve talked the doctor here into sending me back to camp.
Sat., Feb. 12, 1944—There’s nothing the matter with me now but a cold. Going back to camp tomorrow.
Sun., Feb. 13, 1944—Back to camp this afternoon in Group ambulance. It’s good to be back.
Mon., Feb. 14, 1944—Cold all night. Was miserable all last night because I had to breathe through my mouth.
Tues., Feb. 15, 1944—Vesuvius smokes all the time now. It gets very cold at night here.
Wed., Feb. 16, 1944—Did some Ops. work for first time in a month.
Thurs., Feb. 17, 1944—Cold & cough still bad. Vesuvius is still covered with snow.
Fri., Feb 18, 1944—Have never been so blue & lonesome & homesick as I am today.
| 2-18-44 Vesuvius, A/D, Italy D. Tolle Vesuvius and I Vesuvius sits there in peace, It seems to casual eye, Like an old watchman smoking his pipe, Tranquilly watching the frantic antics of men at war. But underneath that outward mien of calm Vesuvius seethes and writhes in agony of suppressed emotion, Burning, bursting to explode upon the world and thus be free. As cow gone long unmilked, in mortal pain, So is Vesuvius. I am like Vesuvius. A turbulence and thunderhead of hot, unknowing passions Have grown within me as irritating pus within a boil. As one violently straining against restraining strait-jacket, So strain my emotions within me. Some day Vesuvius shall erupt, And as the molten lava leaves that burning bosom, Be free. ——————–and so shall I. * * * * * * * * * * (Note: One month and three days after I wrote the above, Vesuvius did erupt—violently. You don’t suppose my poetry caused it, do you?) |
Sat., Feb. 19, 1944—Stood down all day … Actually, Mt. Summo [Somma] is next to us & Vesuvius is just on the other side of it. We can see Vesuvius smoking most of the time.
Sun., Feb. 20, 1944—Dentist, 9:30. Filled 5 teeth.
Mon., Feb. 21, 1944—Jr. was over for awhile this a.m.
Tues., Feb. 22, 1944—Letter from Mary Alice.
Wed., Feb. 23, 1944—Snow has melted on Summo & it’s maybe warmer now.
Thurs., Feb. 24, 1944—Dave [Frieze] & I walked into Ottaviano to look around; ate dinner, had shave & haircut.
Fri., Feb. 25, 1944—Built addition on tent today. Makes it much roomier.
Sat., Feb. 26, 1944—Cooked steak & french fries in tent tonight. I was sick last night but am O.K. tonight.
Sun., Feb. 27, 1944—Dentist, 9:30. One tooth filled. Grady Washabeau called up Jr. tonight. He knows the folks.
Mon., Feb. 28, 1944—Got popcorn from home today. It tastes good for a change. Ack-ack test-firing tonight was pretty.
Tues., Feb. 29, 1944—Pay day. Lt. Doughty, Rowe, & Nigro were shot down on mission today near Cisterno. Their plane exploded. Several other planes were shot up. Two had to crash-land, & one crew had to bail out over our field after dark.
Wed., March 1, 1944—Worked on reports all day.
Thurs., Mar. 2, 1944—One gunner from 97th (Morgan) wounded on mission today. One gunner from 85th killed & one or two others wounded.
Fri., Mar. 3, 1944—We went over this evening & traded with Italians for eggs—2 eggs for a pack of cigarettes. We did all right.
Sat., Mar. 4, 1944—Coca-colas in ration today. Wonderful! We also bought meat, ground it up, & had hamburgers tonight with catsup & onions.
Sun., Mar. 5, 1944—1½ years overseas today. Rain all the time these days.
Mon., Mar. 6, 1944—More snow on Vesuvius.
Tues., Mar. 7, 1944—Started on new Operations set-up today.
Wed., Mar. 8, 1944—Traded for 45 eggs this evening. Went to Bob Hope picture in Ottaviano.
Thurs., Mar. 9, 1944—Fried eggs tonight. On guard from 08:30 to 12:00.
Fri., Mar. 10, 1944—We finished building our new Ops. shack yesterday.
Sat., Mar. 11, 1944—Flew to Foggia with F/O Knapp this morning & spent day with Fred Bevis. Met Grady Washabeau. Got records from home & played them at Junior’s tonight.
Sun., Mar. 12, 1944—Jr. is sick tonight. Almost has pneumonia.
Mon., Mar. 13, 1944—Junior better this a.m. Frieze, Beetem, & I went to Pompeii today to see the ruins.
Tues., Mar. 14, 1944—(No diary entry.)
Wed., Mar. 15, 1944—Enemy raid on Naples tonight killed several. Some of the planes were over our camp but didn’t drop on us. Quite a barrage went up from Naples.
Thurs., Mar. 16, 1944—I’m feeling fine these days.
Fri., Mar. 17, 1944—Got a slight chill this afternoon & Capt. Mac sent me to 58th Field Hospital at Pomigliano. I’m about ready to give up.
Sat., Mar. 18, 1944—Feel O.K. except I’m weak. Almost fainted once today.
Sun., Mar. 19, 1944—Vesuvius has kicked up a fuss for the last two nights and is really something to see. A red glow is all over that part of the sky.
Mon., Mar. 20, 1944—Am so light-headed & deaf from quinine I can hardly hear.
Tues., Mar. 21, 1944—Rain & hail today. Got haircut; took shower.
Wed., Mar. 22, 1944—Collins & Clayton dropped by & said our planes are having to move to another field because of Vesuvius’s eruption. Some B-25’s near Pompeii were torn up by stones thrown by Vesuvius.
Thurs., Mar. 23, 1944—Saw movie tonight. It’s getting cold again. It’s funny to see snow on the volcano & see fire & smoke shooting up in the air.
Fri., Mar. 24, 1944—Vesuvius still kicking up a fuss. Andre came by & said 47th has moved to Capodichino. Air raids near here tonight.
| Vesuvius has erupted many times in the past, including famously in AD 79, when it destroyed Pompeii and other nearby Roman cities. In the 20th century, it erupted in 1906, 1929, and 1944. As of mid-2024, It has not erupted in the 80 years since 1944. —DMT |
Sat., Mar. 25, 1944—Vesuvius very quiet today…Turned awfully cold.
Sun., Mar. 26, 1944—I’m to go back to outfit tomorrow. Kissed one of this tent-hospital’s nurses tonight. First girl I’ve kissed in over 20 months.
Mon., Mar. 27, 1944—Two 97th planes shot down on mission today: Lt. Cockrill, Bartlett, Frankhouser, & Love in #40; and Lt. Hardy, Murphy, & Kuckenbecker in #56. Pimentel & Gearen in #41 were wounded by flak. One chute was seen to open from each plane. I’m back with outfit at new base, Capodichino near Naples.
Tues., Mar. 28, 1944—A very busy day taking down & putting up tents for Ops.
Wed., Mar. 29, 1944—Drove Clayton to Pomigliano to catch plane for Foggia. He missed it. Went to Naples with Frieze in Armament truck to see Pimentel & Gearen who were wounded Monday. Pimentel lost half a finger but is O.K. Gearen looks bad but will probably be O.K. They took out a kidney but left the flak in … Air raid alert tonight, but nothing happened.
Thurs., Mar. 30, 1944—Fred Bevis was up to see Jr. & me today. He flew on back to Foggia in his B-25, but may come back tomorrow.
Fri., Mar. 31, 1944—We fixed up our tent today for more commodious living; so I guess we’ll be moving again soon.
Sat., April 1, 1944—On guard tonight over planes. Ack-ack opened up a couple of times, but no bombs were dropped.
Sun., Apr. 2, 1944—We started moving over to new bivouac area on other side of this airfield. Will finish tomorrow.
Mon., Apr. 3, 1944—Worked hard all day on Ops. shack. Am pooped out tonight.
Tues., Apr. 4, 1944—Finished Ops. & set up our own tent tonight. Took shower. We’re set up in Company streets again. That’s about the last straw. That Gp. officer doesn’t have much to do if he can’t think of anything more worthwhile than making us set up camp the way we have to.
Wed., Apr. 5, 1944—Back into swing of Ops. work again.
Thurs., Apr. 6, 1944—Went to see “This Is the Army” at San Carlo Opera House in Naples. It’s an Irving Berlin show & is really good.
Fri., Apr. 7, 1944—We built door in tent tonight. One of us has to sleep in Ops. each night now as C.Q.
Sat., Apr. 8, 1944—Inspection today. Mailed flowers to Mama for Mother’s Day.
Sun., Apr. 9, 1944—Easter Sunday. Lots of paper work. Rain. Went on my first combat mission a year ago today (Easter Sunday, Apr. 25, 1943).
Mon., Apr. 10, 1944—Ack-ack opened up twice last night after we were in bed.
Tues., Apr. 11, 1944—(No diary entry this date—that is, for general distribution.)
Wed., Apr. 12, 1944—Mission today caused tremendous explosion, fire, & smoke at a German ammunition dump. The explosion made all the planes (up 11,000 feet) jump around in the sky. The fire leaped up to 300 feet or more, and the smoke was up to 8,000 feet before the planes had completed their turn away from the target.
Thurs., Apr. 13, 1944—This outfit sometimes makes me wonder. We’re going to have all kinds of inspections now. I wish we were back in the good old days of action at Thelepte.
Fri., Apr. 14, 1944—Jr., Dave [Frieze], Mac [McLaughlin], Sexton, & I went to town today. Went to Red Cross & sang some of our trios (to ourselves). Walked around town. Ate a dinner that cost the five of us $13.54 plus a dollar tip—and I was still hungry!!
Sat., Apr. 15, 1944—Ack-ack opened up in full force around here early this morning. I didn’t get out of the sack but was sweating out the flak falling. I don’t think any bombs were dropped.
Sun., Apr. 16, 1944—Gen. Saville flew on mission today. Our Sqdn. was the only one to hit target. The General really raised Cain with Group Hq.
Mon., Apr. 17, 1944—Col. Green went on mission with 97th today in the nose of one of the planes.
Tues., Apr. 18, 1944—Stood down.
Wed., Apr. 19, 1944—Stood down.
Thurs., Apr. 20, 1944—Jr., Mac, & I went to Naples for the day. Sang for awhile with Ann, the Red Cross girl, practicing an arrangement by Jr. & Mac. We may sing over her Naples radio program next week.
Fri., Apr. 21, 1944—Going to Capri tomorrow for 3-day pass. I don’t want to go, but they more or less twisted my arm … Jerry was over last night & ack-ack opened up a couple or three times. He must have dropped some around Naples.
Sat., Apr. 22, 1944—Came to Capri on boat. Arrived about 1800 hrs. Staying at Windsor Hotel with Andre, Vissing, & Blaesing. A nice deal.
Sun., Apr. 23, 1944—Went to church this a.m. here on Capri. We all hired car & visited Anacapri; Piccola Marina; Red, White, & Green Grottoes (went swimming in Pic. Mar. in underwear; was freezing cold); drove up to top of island, saw Casa Ciano. Also saw house where Goering slept once. Went to picture show at Parco Augusto theater.
Mon., Apr. 24, 1944—Bought some souvenirs today. Went to show at Parco Augusto tonight.
Tues., Apr. 25, 1944—Bought more souvenirs. Andre and I went riding in horse-drawn carriage this afternoon; saw Gracie Fields’ house. Blaesing, Andre, & I went on boat trip all the way around Capri—a nice trip. Went to show at Parco Augusto tonight.
Wed., Apr. 26, 1944—Came back from Capri on boat; poured down rain, & I got soaked. Found that 47th moved from Capodichino back to Vesuvius yesterday. Got back to Vesuvius a little after dinner, helped put up Ops. tent (all wet). Made up my bed (all wet). Everything is wet. We’re supposed to move to Cercola in 10 days.
Thurs., Apr. 27, 1944—While I was on Capri, there was a raid on our field at Capodichino and a few bombs were dropped (the night of Apr. 24th) . . . Bad weather for the last couple of days. Maj. Young and Paul went home today for a 30-day furlough in the States. I am glad Maj. Young got to go, but I’m sorry to lose him even that long.
Fri., Apr. 28, 1944—Pitched other Ops. tent this a.m. Lt. Barr & Entrikin are going back to States tomorrow or next day. Good deal.
Sat., Apr. 29, 1944—Made my blankets & mattress cover into a kind of bedroll today. Lt. Barr & Entrikin left for home today.
Sun., Apr. 30, 1944—Went over to Jr.’s tonight and printed up the pictures that Vissing, Andre, Blaesing, & I took on Capri.
Mon., May 1, 1944—It’s been pretty cold at night lately & they’ve taken our stoves away. Vesuvius has hardly smoked since the eruption about Mar. 20th. I got two shots & a vaccination today.
Tues., May 2, 1944—Went to show tonight—Deanna Durbin in “His Butler’s Sister.” Sissy’s birthday today; I must write her. [“Sissy” is D.J. Tolle’s sister Genevieve.]
Wed., May 3, 1944—An 84th plane blew up on our field today from some undetermined cause and killed either two or three fellows (armorers) . . . I went out and traded for eggs this p.m.
Thurs., May 4, 1944—On plane guard tonight.
Fri., May 5, 1944—We built Operations shack again. Really tired out tonight.
Sat., May 6, 1944—Tom Hendrix flew up in a “cub” to see Jr. & me today. He’s a captain and is on the beachhead at Nettuno. It was nice seeing him. We took pictures & I’m to send them to his mother (Mrs. T. L. Hendrix, 115 Marshall, Petersburg, Virginia). Smokey is 13 yrs. old today. [Smokey was a Tolle family dog.]
Italy — 1944 or 1945 —
L-R —Junior (“Ed”) Tolle, Tom Hendrix, Donald J. Tolle
(Tom was in charge of the cub (“spotter”) planes on one of the beachheads — Anzio, I believe. He was also from Lakeland, Fla.)
Sun., May 7, 1944—Four new crews came in yesterday & day before. Some of these new guys gripe me—they thought we lived in hotels & had showers & stuff like that. One of them told about the terrible night he had spent in Africa in the mud—& we lived in it for weeks! Another one talked as if travelling in boats was some horrible new torture for troops coming overseas. I don’t know what he thought we came over in.
Mon., May 8, 1944—We’re having really nice weather now, though it gets too hot during the day. The evenings are lovely.
Tues., May 9, 1944—The 85th dropped short on target today & laid a few bombs in the front yard of the Pope’s summer home on Lake Albano.
Wed., May 10, 1944—(No diary entry.)
Thurs., May 11, 1944—Jr. flew to Foggia today & spent night with Jack Tompkins.
Fri., May 12, 1944—Two missions today. Big drive started on the front from north of Cassino south to the sea . . . Fred Bevis flew Jr. back to Pomigliano this a.m. . . . Clayton left for home.
Sat., May 13, 1944—Several enemy planes overhead tonight on way to bomb Naples. Ack-ack opened up & either a dud shell or a dud bomb whistled down & landed near here. We all hit the dirt. I cracked my head on some wood when I went down.
Sun., May 14, 1944—Mother’s Day . . . One of our gunners accidentally shot himself in the hand this morning with a 45 pistol . . . An 85th plane landed with wheels only partly down this morning. It knocked down a stone building & tore up the plane, but no one was hurt.
Mon., May 15, 1944—(No diary entry.)
Tues., May 16, 1944—Front is moving up pretty well now. I wish the invasion would start.
Wed., May 17, 1944—Each Sqdn. dropped food to the French (Goums) today from low levels. On one food mission a wrong turn put them over enemy territory & they were shot at with all kinds of weapons—.50 cal., 20 & 40 mm., & flak guns.
Thurs., May 18, 1944—(No diary entry.)
Fri., May 19, 1944—(No diary entry.)
Sat., May 20, 1944—(No diary entry.)
Sun., May 21, 1944—I whipped up a batch of mayonnaise today out of olive oil & it was very good. Jr. ate dinner over here today.
Mon., May 22, 1944—Drive from beachhead started today with our mission on Cisterna.
Tues., May 23, 1944—Drive going pretty well.
Wed., May 24, 1944—Been working hard lately.
Thurs., May 25, 1944—(No diary entry.)
Fri., May 26, 1944—I helped the armorers load bombs for mission today.
Sat., May 27, 1944—(No diary entry.)
Sun., May 28, 1944—Letter from Mary Alice.
Mon., May 29, 1944—I’m 26 today.
Tues., May 30, 1944—(No diary entry.)
Wed., May 31, 1944—Pay day.
Thurs., June 1, 1944—(No diary entry.)
Fri., June 2, 1944—Got some letters at long last.
Sat., June 3, 1944—(No diary entry.)
Sun., June 4, 1944—3 new combat crews came into Sqdn. today.
Mon., June 5, 1944—(No diary entry.)
Tues., June 6, 1944—Invasion of France started this morning early.
Wed., June 7, 1944—Clarence Roach, Tommy Blake, and Fred Bevis came up to see Jr. & me this morning in a DC-3. Tommy is going home soon . . . Marlene Dietrich put on a performance for the Group this evening . . . I’m on guard tonight.
Thurs., June 8, 1944—Mail from Mary Alice & the folks . . . Outfit is moving to Santa Maria tomorrow.
Fri., June 9, 1944—Moved up to Santa Maria this afternoon by command car, got tent up, and was ready for the night when they sent up for me and brought me back to Vesuvius because we’re going to operate for a few more days. The ones at Santa Maria now move up to Rome (Galeria) in the morning.
Sat., June 10, 1944—Junior flew over Rome this morning with Capt. Vance and took pictures of the city & of our new field.
Sun., June 11, 1944—Will leave for field outside Rome tomorrow . . . Letter to Group said Love [shot down on mission on March 27] is a prisoner of war.