Tues., June 1, 1943—We moved up to an olive grove near Grombalia & Soliman today. About 20 or 25 miles from Tunis.
| Seated & Kneeling (L to R): F/O Watkins (RAF) (formerly attached) – Bomb. 1st Lt. H.H. Vetter – Pilot 1st Lt. R.E. Deaton – Pilot Maj. M.J. Akers (C.O.) – Pilot 1st Lt. D.O. Dean – Pilot 1st Lt. L.R. Thompson – Int. Off. Cap. T.J. Kuhlman – Pilot F/O M.R. Sexton – Pilot F/O G.A. Knapp – Pilot Capt. V.E. Gualtiere – Pilot 1st Lt. R.W. Arnold – Gunner Capt. H.R. Garside – Int. Off. 1st Lt. W.J. Randolph – Gunner 1st Lt. J.V. Sutton – Arm. Off. Capt. T.D. Marsha – Pilot 2nd Lt. F.D. Knox – Pilot 1st Lt. R.W. Mitchell – Pilot | Standing (L to R): 1st Lt. Wickizer – Com. Off. 1st Lt. W.M. Dowling – Pilot 1st Lt. R.W. Rice – Pilot 2nd Lt. H.B. Rutter – Asst. Eng. Off. F/O J.M. Gaskins – Pilot 2nd Lt. W.R. Garnett – Pilot 1st Lt. C.B. Recht – Sup. Off. 2nd Lt. C.A. Tippins – Bomb. Capt. H.E. Willard (Ops. Off.) – Pilot F/O D.H. Jones – Pilot 1st Lt. J. Calnon – Ord. Off. 1st Lt. B.M. Froenly – Pilot Capt. D.E. Young – Pilot (Asst. Ops. Off.) 2nd Lt. F.H. Theobald – Bomb. 1st Lt. B.M. Grant – Pilot Capt. W.C. Jensen – Eng. Off. 2nc Lt. W.G Morrell – Pilot 2nd Lt. J.S. Work – Bomb. 2nd Lt. K.M. Block – Pilot |
Wed., June 2, 1943—Got set up in our new camp. Saw and heard Prime Minister Churchill and Foreign Secy. Anthony Eden speak today at Grombalia airdrome (from rear end of a British lorry).
Thurs., June 3, 1943—Where is the mail?
Fri., June 4, 1943—Took two “shots” and a vaccination today.
Sat., June 5, 1943—Lovely fried steak for dinner! Also ice cold orange juice. Lovely! Lovely!
| Donald J. Tolle, 1988: Although I hadn’t forgotten where the steak came from, W.D. (“Mac”) McLaughlin asked me why I hadn’t included that bit of information in my diary. So. . . .camped in an olive grove near Soliman (about 25 miles or so from Tunis), the war in North Africa over, we had a little time to take things a bit easier for awhile. (Except that the little islands of Pantelleria and Lampedusa were not bombed into giving up until a few days after the above date.) But on this particular day, out on our airfield there were some African cattle roving among the planes. Seizing the bull by the horns, so to speak, either our C.O. or our Operations Officer ordered that one of the animals be shot “to keep it from damaging our planes.” This was done, the sacrificial beast was butchered, and the Squadron ate “high on the water buffalo.” (I do hope that the owner of the bovine was compensated at some time by the U.S. government for his loss.) But we did enjoy that feast! |
Sun., June 6, 1943—Helped load bombs today for mission tomorrow. Flies are terrible these days. Letter from Mary Alice.
Mon., June 7, 1943—Mission today over Pantelleria for Sqdn. Two of our planes hit by flak.
Tues., June 8, 1943—Mission over Pantelleria again.
Wed., June 9, 1943—Darn the flies!
Thurs., June 10, 1943—Dysentery is still hitting half the men in camp. I haven’t had it again (yet), thank Goodness.
Fri., June 11, 1943—Mission over Lampedusa today. Pantelleria gave up. I’m toying with the idea of going on another mission.
Sat., June 12, 1943—One letter from Mary Alice (finally) and three from home. Mary Alice’s birthday; Mama and Daddy’s wedding anniversary.
Note for the above week: Damn the flies!!
Sun., June 13, 1943—I think our flying days in Africa are about over. Pantelleria & Lampedusa have both fallen & there’s no place else to bomb.
| Soliman, Tunisia June 13, 1943 I feel like poeming some tonight, But Captain C. wants to typewrite; So poesy waits on his Might! – – – – – – – – – Spring love Ah, Spring, ah, Love, L’amour and stuff, My love is like a powderpuff, Which, lightly touching here and there, Dissolves its content into air. Caressing cheeks with loving touch But harkening passion not too much; For passion, when too soon aborning, Makes me hate me in the morning! Some day my love will surely light and tarry longer than a night; But ere that happens, let me speak— I’m sure it wouldn’t last a week! – – – – – – – – – (And a little after-bit, forty-two years later: Now I confess, amidst your jeers To date it’s lasted forty years.) ——————————————————– GERMS If I were wrapped in cellophane And saturated in champagne, I still would feel no less immune To germs of all descriptions. Call me hypochondriac; Say I’m too much on my back— You still can’t shake my firm belief In doctors and prescriptions. Germs cause a multitude of ills, And so, I’m sure, without my pills I’d shake with aches and pains and chills And catch one finally that kills. |
| Donald J. Tolle, 1988: Although I didn’t know it when I wrote the poem I called “Spring Love” in June 1943, I think that I included a section for which someone else should have credit. That is the part having to do with passion (“For passion, when too soon aborning, Makes me hate me in the morning.”). Although I have been unsuccessful in checking it out thus far, I suspect that Dorothy Parker, or someone like her, had put that turn of phrase in my mind but that I had forgotten about it. I would be relieved (and proud) if I could find that it was original with me, but I doubt it. Perhaps someone reading this can help me find the source. I don’t want to take credit for something somebody else did. —Donald J. Tolle, October 1988 |
| Searching the internet, I cannot find that “too soon aborning” quote or any similar quote. Dad would be relieved and proud, if he were still with us. (Regarding the poem GERMS, I think he meant to say this on the third line: I still would feel no more immune but I didn’t think of that until it was too late to ask him.) —DMT |
Mon., June 14, 1943—Killed snake with Tommy gun.
Tues., June 15, 1943—Junior was around for awhile.
Wed., June 16, 1943—Went to Tunis on pass. Had pretty good time. Came back at dark. On guard from 0100 to 0400 this morning.
These photos were taken at Soliman, probably in July 1943.
Thurs., June 17, 1943—Slept late. Worked in afternoon.
Fri., June 18, 1943—Work.
Sat., June 19, 1943—Review this morning by King George VI. Rode by us in jeep . . . I took over-water hop this afternoon—Capt. Willard, pilot, Lt. Tippins, navigator, “Shorty” Goodwin, gunner. I rode tunnel gun position. Low level over water at about 2 to 15 feet at 225 miles an hour.
Sun., June 20, 1943—Mail and pictures from folks. Two letters from Mary Alice.
Mon., June 21, 1943—More training flights every day. Calisthenics and drill in the mornings. Inspections by Col. Roberts (Gp. Hq.).
Tues., June 22, 1943—Nothing of interest. Usual stuff.
| Grombalia—Soliman, Tunisia June 22, 1943 I Need Love! I’m feeling in a devilish vein. Some pious mind I’d like to pain With some Khayyamish, ribald quatrain— Something slightly lewd and profane. For I’m fed up with things mundane; If I don’t get love, I’ll blow a brain. O, Kindly Friend, lend me a Jane Just for tonight till the moon does wane. I’ll send her back on the midnight train Wrapped up in perfumed cellophane (And as added thanks, some good champagne). Yes, to taste of love I now would fain; All else besides is surely inane. My lips have known no lipstick stain Since last I saw homeland terrain. This be my sad and last refrain: I’m not insane, insane, insane. |
Wed., June 23, 1943—Work & flies.
Thurs., June 24, 1943—Spent day in Tunis. Saw stage show and double-feature movie. Talked to two or three French men and women who speak English. Interesting day.
Fri., June 25, 1943—Got bawled out for error on my part (forgetfulness). Sometimes it doesn’t pay to get up. The C.O. made an even worse error; so I hope that he understands humans are fallible.
Sat., June 26, 1943—On guard tonight. Paratroopers reported in area. Maybe we’ll have a little excitement for a change. Graveyard shift again—6 out of my last 7 guard duties have been that shift.
Sun., June 27, 1943—Heard Jerry bombing Korba last night. On guard today from 1200 to 1400 on planes, in jeep.
Mon., June 28, 1943—Paratroopers supposed to be dropped tonight here. Alert about 1:00 a.m. but nothing happened.
Tues., June 29, 1943—Paratrooper alert again.
Wed., June 30, 1943—Paratroopers on our field last night, but no damage done. They got away.
Thurs., July 1, 1943—(Gap in diary.)
Fri., July 2, 1943—Went to Tunis today on pass.
Sat., July 3, 1943—On guard from 0400 to 0800 this morning and from 1600 to 2000 this evening.
Sun., July 4, 1943—One plane from 85th and one from 86th shot down over Sicily today. Besides that, Hinkle was killed & Dodds wounded.
Mon., July 5, 1943—(Gap in diary.)
Tues., July 6, 1943—Lt. Beet, Lt. Gavalas, Cahill, & Carithers shot down in plane 390 over Sciacca Airdrome, Sicily. Crashed & exploded. All of them good guys.
Wed., July 7, 1943—Went to Tunis today. Saw “Orchestra Wives” at Capitole. Ate supper with the DiPasquale family; rich Italian food.
Thurs., July 8, 1943—Loaded bombs tonight for mission tomorrow.
Fri., July 9, 1943—Lt. Artz, Stankiewicz, and Parenteau shot down over Sicily, Lt. Smith, Lt. Eastham, Donahoo, & Endthoff are missing. Some of our best fellows. (Endthoff’s first mission.)
Sat., July 10, 1943—Invasion started on Sicily this morning. We’ll probably be moving over there soon.
Sun., July 11, 1943—On guard in the morning from 0400 to 0800 a.m.
Mon., July 12, 1943—On guard from 1200 to 1600.
Tues., July 13, 1943—Went to Tunis today on over-night pass. Spent night at the DiPasquale’s . . . Lt. Smith, Lt. Eastham, and Donahoo safe after being shot down Friday. Endthoff drowned when plane went down.
Later: Lt. Smith, Donahoo, & Lt. Eastham were picked up by American destroyer in Mediterranean and returned here 7-13-43. Endthoff was killed.
Wed., July 14, 1943—Back to camp this evening. Saw stage show in Tunis before leaving.
Thurs., July 15, 1943—Mail today.
Fri., July 16, 1943—Hot weather is getting fierce.
Sat., July 17, 1943—Up at 2:15 a.m. to get training flight off for night flying.
Sun., July 18, 1943—Up at 1:30 a.m. to get night mission off to Sicily.
Mon., July 19, 1943—I drove Capts. Young and Garside and Mac to Houaria for a 13-plane alert today. 53 miles of terrible road. Came back this evening in 1½ hours.
1. Cpl. Carlton B. Young, another Operations clerk.
2. S/Sgt James E. Chester, an Intelligence clerk.
3. Pvt. (formerly S/Sgt.) Donald G. Beetem, Intelligence clerk
4. Cpl. (formerly Sgt.) Wilmar D. McLaughlin, Intelligence clerk and composer of several songs which will someday be popular.
5. S/Sgt William W. Collins, Operations clerk and my immediate superior.
6. I’m the one cleaning the pistol and yawning. I didn’t know Junior was going to snap the picture just at that time.
Tues., July 20, 1943—War seems to be going well in Sicily. I can’t figure why we haven’t moved there before now.
Wed., July 21, 1943—Flying to Malta tomorrow. Jr. isn’t going. Will probably meet him later in Sicily or Italy.