November 28, 1944

(Letter from Vic in Bougainville to younger brother Paul in Berkeley. A Berkeley post office stamp indicates it did not arrive until February 12, 1945. Photo is of Vic posing between signs, likely in Bougainville. He may have a camera strapped around his neck.)

Tuesday afternoon,

Dear Paul,

Many thanks for your two recent letters dated the 20th and 22nd Nov which arrived during the past two days.

Hasn't rained here in a week and a half and the dust arising from the traffic is terrific. The sky has been cloudless and it's been very hot and surprising dry.

Did I tell you that while working on detail last wk. I saw a duck fly past? It resembled a pintail and was the first such I'd seen in the wild state in these tropics. Several other fellows commented on it and this led to quite a lively duck-hunting discussion.

We got a locally made variety of ice-cream occassionally. It's made from powered milk & other material and we've had several different flavours. Trouble is, we get it so seldom and in such insignificant quantities.

During recent wks. the Japs have been working overtime jamming the Frisco short wave newsbroadcasts so I guess they don't approve of us getting the straight dope. On their own programs, Jap announcers will state that "any interference on this frequency can be blamed on the Americans at Pearl Harbor". In this manner they seek to discredit us yet they continue to interfere with the reception of Am. programs?

Recently we were given a lecture on security measures. The Counter Intelligence Corps (CIC) is really on the ball but deserve more cooperation than they generally receive. Surprising to learn some of the things that've happened in the past. Seemingly inconsequential & harmless info can become quite dangerous in the hands of the enemy as you well know. Spreading of rumors, especially the malicious types, was discussed & condemned.

Guess I'd previously mentioned most of the aforementioned. Hate to repeat a subject but couldn't recall definitely whether I'd written to you about it.

Heave you read or heard much about Erskine Caldwell's new "Tragic Ground"? If it's very interesting I appreciate receiving a copy. Don't send any others for the present. Can't pack them around very well if incompleted. Incidentally, you might be interested to know that any books I receive usually make their way around a large per-cent of the battery and then I give them to the island Special Service library so you can readily see that they're apt to circulate.

Gil Campbell is certainly sending you plenty of stuff, eh what? Have you learned whether he's actually in the Army? He's in Alaska, isn't he? Paul, have you seen and had the chance to fire a carbine? If one had mushroom slugs for it it'd probably be swell as a deer arm. Read that it'd probably be banned in Wis. after the war should it become very widely used. Will write again soon.

Your brother,
Vic

P.S. - sorry to learn that the meals served in the U.C. Students Coop Ass. houses are getting worse. Do you have ample supplies of fresh foods? Boy! What I wouldn't give for some fresh fruits and salads such as oranges, bananas, pears, tomatoes, lettuce, etc.! When I get home I'll probably have a many for ice-cold foods 'cause this never-ending heat seems to make one crave very cold drinks & foods.

Yes, I'd certainly appreciate one or two rolls of either 120 or 620 film. If you send some please pack them in a small, compact bottle, jar or can and make the container airtight and light-proof by sealing with was or tape. However, I can't guarantee that I'll get some good exposures 'cause cameras aren't always available when good subject material is on hand.

Can you get Yuts to drop me a line or two? I've written to him about three times within the past two months but as yet no reply has been received by me from him. Yesterday I had a nice long letter from Elmer Balzer & he mentions having been home for 32 days (in Racine_ during the latter part of July and most of August. His wife also came to Racine & they met Yuts Conrad out at a quarry one day. Elmer also saw Ray Campbell and quite a few of the other boys.

Here's another Sad Sack cartoon. It's quite old so you might've seen it already. I sent an interesting issue of Yank to Rudy & Ed recently. Write soon! Vic