Royal Air Force Station
Marham
King's Lynn, Norfolk
April 10, 1940
Dear Mr. and Mrs. Wickenkamp:
It is with the deepest regret that I have to write to you of your son who was reported missing and believed killed as a result of an engagement with the enemy on Sunday 7th April. In this engagement a formation of our aircraft, including the one in which your son was Captain, was attacked by some of the latest enemy fighters. ME 110s, while on duty over the North Sea. The enemy's attack was a very determined one and in spite of the magnificent steadiness shown by all our crews in meeting it the aircraft in which you son was flying was shot down and crashed into the sea. The rest of our machines were too high to see what became of the crew but I am afraid that they were killed instantly. In the course of the engagement we are fairly certain that our men accounted for one of the enemy.
You will be hearing officially later regarding the disposal of your son's things, and you will of course be told immediately should anything definite be hard regarding him. I did however want to write personally to express the deep sympathy we all feel with you in this heavy blow. We shall all miss a very gallant comrade who had particularly endeared himself to us by his bravery in rescuing 2 airmen from burning in an accident in which he was involved earlier in the year.
Yours Very Sincerely,
Wing Commander
Showing posts with label Marham. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Marham. Show all posts
Monday, April 13, 2015
Sunday, April 12, 2015
World War II Letters Home April 9, 1940 - Estelles Wickenkamp
Royal Air Force Station
Marham
King's Lynn, Norfolk
April 9, 1940
Dear Mr. Wickenkamp:
By now you will have been informed from Air Ministry that your son was reported "missing, believed killed while engaged in air operations." he died 'somewhere' in the grey North Sea at approximately 3:45 p.m. on the 7th of April.
I am writing to send you our deepest sympathy in the lose of your son. He had been serving at Marham since the end of November last and had proved himself to be of a type which we call ill afford to lose. I think you can rest assured that he was liked and popular in the Officers' Mess and with the Airmen of his squadron.
Some little time ago, through fault of his own, he was involved in a serious crash at night which resulted in the complete wreckage of the aircraft and its bursting into flames. Although himself dazed by the crash, he assisted another member of the crew who was temporarily stunned to safety out of the burning wreckage. Then most gallantly went back to extricate another of the crew who was stunned. On going back he became entangled by his parachute harness and while clearing himself he received burns but was able to rescue the last of the crew who where then all saved without serious injury. At the time it was our privilege to report this very gallant act to my Group Headquarters for official recognition.
His effects will be dealt with according to war service procedure by a Committee of Adjustment. They will communicate with yourself, direct, in due course. If you have any special wishes, or there is anything that I could do, will you please inform me?
Although the loss of many brave lives is inevitable in war, one might find comfort in the thought that their sacrifice may not be in vain and will not pass forgotten. At least they are spared the further beastliness of the vile war which has been thrust upon us.
There are many at Marham who have come from Canada in the service of our Empire and I, myself came not very far from where you are - having been born at Qu'Appelle. We also have representation from all the other Dominions as well as from all the home countries, and the men lived as such a happy family that your Estelles' death will be felt acutely by everyone.
You have the satisfaction of knowing that he has died on duty, leaving a clean and enviable record and will not be forgotten among us.
Yours Sincerely,
(Herbert) Keith
Group Captain
Marham
King's Lynn, Norfolk
April 9, 1940
Dear Mr. Wickenkamp:
By now you will have been informed from Air Ministry that your son was reported "missing, believed killed while engaged in air operations." he died 'somewhere' in the grey North Sea at approximately 3:45 p.m. on the 7th of April.
I am writing to send you our deepest sympathy in the lose of your son. He had been serving at Marham since the end of November last and had proved himself to be of a type which we call ill afford to lose. I think you can rest assured that he was liked and popular in the Officers' Mess and with the Airmen of his squadron.
Some little time ago, through fault of his own, he was involved in a serious crash at night which resulted in the complete wreckage of the aircraft and its bursting into flames. Although himself dazed by the crash, he assisted another member of the crew who was temporarily stunned to safety out of the burning wreckage. Then most gallantly went back to extricate another of the crew who was stunned. On going back he became entangled by his parachute harness and while clearing himself he received burns but was able to rescue the last of the crew who where then all saved without serious injury. At the time it was our privilege to report this very gallant act to my Group Headquarters for official recognition.
His effects will be dealt with according to war service procedure by a Committee of Adjustment. They will communicate with yourself, direct, in due course. If you have any special wishes, or there is anything that I could do, will you please inform me?
Although the loss of many brave lives is inevitable in war, one might find comfort in the thought that their sacrifice may not be in vain and will not pass forgotten. At least they are spared the further beastliness of the vile war which has been thrust upon us.
There are many at Marham who have come from Canada in the service of our Empire and I, myself came not very far from where you are - having been born at Qu'Appelle. We also have representation from all the other Dominions as well as from all the home countries, and the men lived as such a happy family that your Estelles' death will be felt acutely by everyone.
You have the satisfaction of knowing that he has died on duty, leaving a clean and enviable record and will not be forgotten among us.
Yours Sincerely,
(Herbert) Keith
Group Captain
Saturday, February 28, 2015
World War II Letters Home February 28, 1940 - Estelles Wickenkamp
R.A.F. Marham
February 28, 1940
Dear Folks:
I don't remember exactly when I wrote last but I suppose it have been over a week ago. How is everything going on the farm? I'll bet you are all patiently waiting for Spring to come. Well, that's where I am ahead of you as it is already here. At least the weather is, although the leaves haven't come out yet.
I am getting the Free Press now or did I tell you that before? I am terribly sorry to say that I never received any of your parcels nor the one from Esther. It's too bad, I can't imagine what has happened to them. I wrote to Harwell and they never got there so I suppose they got lost before they got to England or maybe lost over here during the Christmas rush. If you don't mid, you might send me a small box of cookies and some home-made candy. I'd love to have some. I have to admit I haven't sent your parcels yet. It seems that when I want to send it I can't find any paper or string and otherwise I don't seem to get the time to find some or else I forget it. But I will get my batman busy this week and i am including an old pair of service trousers for Richard to wear - you will have to patch them up as I tore them on Saturday night when:
F/O Scott and I crashed over our machine. We were just taking off for a 3 hour night trip over to the Bristol Channel but we only got to the top of a hill just off the aerodrome. Scott happened to be flying into a row of big trees and cut the tops off 3 of them. It didn't shake the machine any, just a dull thud. I was standing under the astro hatch looking out. Realizing we were going to crash I yelled to the crew "hold tight" - a few seconds later, which seemed like minutes the plane hit the ground. Luckily we hit it quite flat, although 1 wing was going down as the end had been cut off by the trees. The petrol has been punctured and burning before we hit the ground, but as we hit the back half of the aeroplane broke off and the remained swung around facing the direction from which we had come; also the front turret broke off. For both of these breaks we were very thankful as it meant 2 big holes for 7 of us to crawl out. The instant we touched the ground, which was at 100 m.p.h. the whole machine being sprayed with petrol burst into flames. It gave us light to see by but we had a pretty hot time. it is funny that just before we went up I told the tail and nose gunners that they need not ride in the turrets, that they could sit on the bed and keep out of the way.
Anyhow, after our impact, I drug these 2 gunners out, the 1st one was quite alright but the 2nd fellow had temporarily paralyzed his legs and couldn't walk. While I as pulling him out I got the snaps of my parachute harness hooked on some of the control wires, so I had to stop and knock the safety buckle loose and leave it there. After that I was going back into our flaming cage to get the 4 men when I saw them already crawling and stumbling across the field. I couldn't see how they could get out as I didn't know the nose had broken off. After a few minutes the fire tender found us and half the camp guards were there but the flames were up to the sky then.
Scott and the Dental Officer who was sitting in the 2nd pilot's seat got off with a fractured nose and a gash in the forehead respectively. The wireless operator got a cut in his eyelid, the Sergeant Observer got nothing nor did the 2 gunners suffer. I got my hip and ribs bruised up a bit, but an x-ray revealed no breaks; also my left hand got burned a bit - I still have it bandaged. I don't think anyone suffered any moral shaking. On the whole I suppose we were very lucky 7 and we shall have a brand new aeroplane to fly. A number of pictures were taken and as soon as I can get some I'll let you have them.
About 4 days before this we went over to heligoland to blow up some of Germany's largest warships but we couldn't find them at night even though they were frozen in the ice, so actually our trip was a wash-out.
I'm afraid i haven't such news to write about. I am spending my 3 days leave with Doug and his wife here in King's Lynn.
The weather hasn't been very nice lately; we saw the sun a couple of times in the last fortnight. Well, I think I have nearly overdone myself writing this much, so for a few days I lay low. Tell me all the local farm news when you write.
Best Wishes and Love,
Estelles
February 28, 1940
Dear Folks:
I don't remember exactly when I wrote last but I suppose it have been over a week ago. How is everything going on the farm? I'll bet you are all patiently waiting for Spring to come. Well, that's where I am ahead of you as it is already here. At least the weather is, although the leaves haven't come out yet.
I am getting the Free Press now or did I tell you that before? I am terribly sorry to say that I never received any of your parcels nor the one from Esther. It's too bad, I can't imagine what has happened to them. I wrote to Harwell and they never got there so I suppose they got lost before they got to England or maybe lost over here during the Christmas rush. If you don't mid, you might send me a small box of cookies and some home-made candy. I'd love to have some. I have to admit I haven't sent your parcels yet. It seems that when I want to send it I can't find any paper or string and otherwise I don't seem to get the time to find some or else I forget it. But I will get my batman busy this week and i am including an old pair of service trousers for Richard to wear - you will have to patch them up as I tore them on Saturday night when:
F/O Scott and I crashed over our machine. We were just taking off for a 3 hour night trip over to the Bristol Channel but we only got to the top of a hill just off the aerodrome. Scott happened to be flying into a row of big trees and cut the tops off 3 of them. It didn't shake the machine any, just a dull thud. I was standing under the astro hatch looking out. Realizing we were going to crash I yelled to the crew "hold tight" - a few seconds later, which seemed like minutes the plane hit the ground. Luckily we hit it quite flat, although 1 wing was going down as the end had been cut off by the trees. The petrol has been punctured and burning before we hit the ground, but as we hit the back half of the aeroplane broke off and the remained swung around facing the direction from which we had come; also the front turret broke off. For both of these breaks we were very thankful as it meant 2 big holes for 7 of us to crawl out. The instant we touched the ground, which was at 100 m.p.h. the whole machine being sprayed with petrol burst into flames. It gave us light to see by but we had a pretty hot time. it is funny that just before we went up I told the tail and nose gunners that they need not ride in the turrets, that they could sit on the bed and keep out of the way.
Anyhow, after our impact, I drug these 2 gunners out, the 1st one was quite alright but the 2nd fellow had temporarily paralyzed his legs and couldn't walk. While I as pulling him out I got the snaps of my parachute harness hooked on some of the control wires, so I had to stop and knock the safety buckle loose and leave it there. After that I was going back into our flaming cage to get the 4 men when I saw them already crawling and stumbling across the field. I couldn't see how they could get out as I didn't know the nose had broken off. After a few minutes the fire tender found us and half the camp guards were there but the flames were up to the sky then.
Scott and the Dental Officer who was sitting in the 2nd pilot's seat got off with a fractured nose and a gash in the forehead respectively. The wireless operator got a cut in his eyelid, the Sergeant Observer got nothing nor did the 2 gunners suffer. I got my hip and ribs bruised up a bit, but an x-ray revealed no breaks; also my left hand got burned a bit - I still have it bandaged. I don't think anyone suffered any moral shaking. On the whole I suppose we were very lucky 7 and we shall have a brand new aeroplane to fly. A number of pictures were taken and as soon as I can get some I'll let you have them.
About 4 days before this we went over to heligoland to blow up some of Germany's largest warships but we couldn't find them at night even though they were frozen in the ice, so actually our trip was a wash-out.
I'm afraid i haven't such news to write about. I am spending my 3 days leave with Doug and his wife here in King's Lynn.
The weather hasn't been very nice lately; we saw the sun a couple of times in the last fortnight. Well, I think I have nearly overdone myself writing this much, so for a few days I lay low. Tell me all the local farm news when you write.
Best Wishes and Love,
Estelles
Monday, February 2, 2015
World War II Letters Home - February 2, 1940 - Estelles Wickenkamp
Royal Air Force
Marham
King's Lynn, Norfolk
February 2, 1940
Dear Folks:
I got your last letter with the stamps in it, also the one before with livestock ticket and I also received another Family Herald. I haven't sent you any papers lately but will start again this week. It is the Daily Mirror - all the latest scandal and cheap headline stuff - but still it does contain nearly everything worth writing about.
I have been in bed for 4 days with a slight touch of flu and a good does of tonsillitis. I could hardly swallow, so I have had to eat soup and rice pudding, etc. and drink milk, but today I am much better and shall probably be allowed to wander around in the mess tomorrow. In 3 days from now my section have 3 days leave - so by the time our leave is over I should be ready to fly again.
Raiders have been coming along our coast and shooting up light vessels and fishing boats so we are sending out patrols to intercept them. We have done very little work lately as the snow is from 1 to 2 feet deep on the aerodrome. Small machines can't take off but our big 'uns just wallow along and the big wheels splash through snow like water until they stagger off.
Last week we were doing some co-operation with a finger squadron at Wittering, near Peterboro. We were getting practice at evasion tactics and it gave them attack practice, also showed them how easy it wasn't to bite at a big bird with lots of stings. some of our maneuvers had them absolutely foxed - they couldn't get at us. They (fighters) were using cine-cameras so they could study the results of their efforts but only about 1/9 of their films had any results, much to their disappointment.
the last time we went over there it started to rain and snow, all of which froze on the aircraft so we had to land and were there 3 days before we could get off again, on account of the weather.
I got commended the other day on my abilities of a navigator by our squadron leader; he said that I had quite proved myself on Hamburg episode. so I says -er, um - "Sir, you don't mean that little jaunt, well yu' oughter send me on a long trip and I could show you sumpin'!!!". He knows Doug and I are not so rusty at flying because when we each get in a plane and fly formation with him we just scare the pants off his crew, and they reckon, when they are that close that they can see the pilot of another machine grinning at them, that is just too dern late to jump.
Well, it looks like it's time I stopped. Maybe I'll have some news to write about next time.
Best wishes to all of you.
Love,
Estelles
Marham
King's Lynn, Norfolk
February 2, 1940
Dear Folks:
I got your last letter with the stamps in it, also the one before with livestock ticket and I also received another Family Herald. I haven't sent you any papers lately but will start again this week. It is the Daily Mirror - all the latest scandal and cheap headline stuff - but still it does contain nearly everything worth writing about.
I have been in bed for 4 days with a slight touch of flu and a good does of tonsillitis. I could hardly swallow, so I have had to eat soup and rice pudding, etc. and drink milk, but today I am much better and shall probably be allowed to wander around in the mess tomorrow. In 3 days from now my section have 3 days leave - so by the time our leave is over I should be ready to fly again.
Raiders have been coming along our coast and shooting up light vessels and fishing boats so we are sending out patrols to intercept them. We have done very little work lately as the snow is from 1 to 2 feet deep on the aerodrome. Small machines can't take off but our big 'uns just wallow along and the big wheels splash through snow like water until they stagger off.
Last week we were doing some co-operation with a finger squadron at Wittering, near Peterboro. We were getting practice at evasion tactics and it gave them attack practice, also showed them how easy it wasn't to bite at a big bird with lots of stings. some of our maneuvers had them absolutely foxed - they couldn't get at us. They (fighters) were using cine-cameras so they could study the results of their efforts but only about 1/9 of their films had any results, much to their disappointment.
the last time we went over there it started to rain and snow, all of which froze on the aircraft so we had to land and were there 3 days before we could get off again, on account of the weather.
I got commended the other day on my abilities of a navigator by our squadron leader; he said that I had quite proved myself on Hamburg episode. so I says -er, um - "Sir, you don't mean that little jaunt, well yu' oughter send me on a long trip and I could show you sumpin'!!!". He knows Doug and I are not so rusty at flying because when we each get in a plane and fly formation with him we just scare the pants off his crew, and they reckon, when they are that close that they can see the pilot of another machine grinning at them, that is just too dern late to jump.
Well, it looks like it's time I stopped. Maybe I'll have some news to write about next time.
Best wishes to all of you.
Love,
Estelles
Sunday, January 18, 2015
World War II Letters Home January 18, 1940 - Estelles Wickenkamp
Royal Air Force
Marham
King's Lynn, Norfolk
January 18, 1940
Dear Folks:
I am on my 6 days leave now so I am writing this at Oxford. There is hardly any snow here but up at Lynn we have about 4 inches. We had a real snow fall and there are even snow drifts a foot deep. That is the most snow I have seen since I've been here.
We have been quite busy lately and I just haven't managed to do any letter writing. I have made quite a few trips to Brooklands, just south of London to get our aircraft petrol tanks armour plated at the Vickers Armstrong Works where they make Wellingtons. It is very interesting going through the factory. Everyone has a certain piece of metal and the next one fills them up with rivets - but anyhow they are sure turning them out.
the newer Wellingtons coming out now have 4 guns in each turret instead of 2 or so that gives us 12 guns per aircraft. I brought a new plane from the works last week all by myself - contrary to Air Ministry orders as each heavy bomber is supposed to carry at least a 1st and 2nd pilot and a W/T operator. it was a lovely job - flew perfectly.
I had a lot of fun on my way back to our camp - there were 3 of us in formation and we did all sorts of practices - rotating vic, forming echelon and vertical vic etc. - you understand but it is a process of changing formation called 'evasive action' used to make it difficult for fighters to attack us. We also did some low-flying in tight (close) formation and shot up farm houses and villages along the way. We ran into a large flock of sea gulls and i hit 2 of them or else they hit me - anyway, I dented in the engine cowling a bit and the other hit just below the leading edge of the wing so it did no damage. When they hit right on the leading edge they make quite a dent.
On the night of the 13th our squadron did its 1st leaflet raid with 1 aircraft and I had the honour to be included. The Captain was Flight-Sergeant Powell and I was 2nd pilot and 1st navigator. We left the ground 15 minutes past midnight loaded with nearly 1,500 lbs. of leaflets. I don't know how many leaflets there were in each packet, probably about 3,000 and there were 297 pkts. So I suppose there must have been about a million pieces of paper floating down. If you get out your map of Europe I'll tell you where we went.
From our station we went to Lowestaft which is an exit lane, from there we made good a track of 059' which took us north of Holland about 30 miles; from there we went east passing just south of Amrum Island and hit the German coast up on the Danish peninsula.. Then from there across country straight to Hamburg. The ground is all covered with snow, and although it was a cloudless night there was no moon, we could make out islands in the sea and see woods and towns quite plainly from 15,000 feet. Going over Hamburg we got picked up by searchlights a couple times but at 4:00 in the morning they must have been feeling dopey because we didn't get any A.A. fire. From Hamburg we flew south for 40 miles which took us 22 minutes and during which time we delivered our airmail. I might suppose you think the leaflets fell on Hamburg - well, they didn't. At the height we were the wind was 35 m.p.h. from east. It took the leaflets 1 hour, 35 minutes to fall and in that time they blew 56 miles west - so according to our previous calculations they should have fallen on Bremen and district. It isn't just a matter of dropping them at random.
I have some samples of the leaflets as souvenirs and will send you one of each the next time I write as I haven't them with me. We got back to our station at 7:15 in the morning so there was enough light for us to land without flare path. We take coffee, sandwiches, raisins, chocolate bars and candy with us to eat on the way and it really tastes good.
the day I came back Doug went to Sandringham near Lynn to play ice-hockey with what he thought would be the local yokels, but to horror and surprise he found himself on a hockey team with the King and a bunch of Lord ups an downs. He could hardly believe it all. During a rest period he met the Queen and Princesses and sat on a bench for half an hour chatting with the Queen and having a cigarette with her. he was so excited when he came home I couldn't imagine what had happened. We have nicknamed Doug - "Kingle".
Also - still talking of Doug, he is going to get married on the 11th of February, so it looks as if I am going to be alone in the near future. If you don't mind could you write just a short note to him and sort of wish him well. he would be very pleased. While I am thinking about it, I might say that the picture show newsreel the boys saw did not include me as far as I can remember. Sorry to disappoint anyone - but it must have been 2 other guys.
I haven't our last letter with me and I don't remember whether you asked me any other questions or not. I get the Free Press that you send and I got the Chicago Heralds. I have a terrible time hanging on to the funnies until I read them as everyone wants them. They don't have them in this country. I got a card from Mrs. John Hootz and also a card and letter from Ada. That is certainly too had about Vic. I hope he gets mended soon.
I haven't received any of your parcels yet, but since you sent them to Harwell they are probably being forwarded in stages from there. I hope they don't get lost anywhere. I also got a card from Aunt Helen. I got several pairs of socks and some cigarettes from 2 different families that Doug and I spent some summer holidays with. Everyone is knitting for the troops these days.
Rationing on bacon, ham and sugar and butter is in force now so whenever we go on leave we have to draw our ration cards. People in the services get about 50% more rations than civilians. We get per week - meat 5 1/4 lbs. (not rationed yet); bacon and ham 14 oz., sugar 21 oz. the rations must be adequate as no one seems to be complaining of undernourishment. Coal was going to be rationed but they have lifted that. Nearly everything has gone up a bit in price but not a lot, except silk stockings - their price is about double. Popular brands of cigarettes cost 1/1 or .27 cents for 20. Petrol is 1/10 (.44 cents) a gallon when you manage to have a coupon.
CENSORED SECTION
Well, I think I have run out of news for this time. Nearly all the ponds, rivers and canals are frozen over so people are skating a bit.
Take good care of yourselves this winter.
Love,
Estelles
P.S. Renee sends her best regards and says she will write to you one of these days.
Marham
King's Lynn, Norfolk
January 18, 1940
Dear Folks:
I am on my 6 days leave now so I am writing this at Oxford. There is hardly any snow here but up at Lynn we have about 4 inches. We had a real snow fall and there are even snow drifts a foot deep. That is the most snow I have seen since I've been here.
We have been quite busy lately and I just haven't managed to do any letter writing. I have made quite a few trips to Brooklands, just south of London to get our aircraft petrol tanks armour plated at the Vickers Armstrong Works where they make Wellingtons. It is very interesting going through the factory. Everyone has a certain piece of metal and the next one fills them up with rivets - but anyhow they are sure turning them out.
the newer Wellingtons coming out now have 4 guns in each turret instead of 2 or so that gives us 12 guns per aircraft. I brought a new plane from the works last week all by myself - contrary to Air Ministry orders as each heavy bomber is supposed to carry at least a 1st and 2nd pilot and a W/T operator. it was a lovely job - flew perfectly.
I had a lot of fun on my way back to our camp - there were 3 of us in formation and we did all sorts of practices - rotating vic, forming echelon and vertical vic etc. - you understand but it is a process of changing formation called 'evasive action' used to make it difficult for fighters to attack us. We also did some low-flying in tight (close) formation and shot up farm houses and villages along the way. We ran into a large flock of sea gulls and i hit 2 of them or else they hit me - anyway, I dented in the engine cowling a bit and the other hit just below the leading edge of the wing so it did no damage. When they hit right on the leading edge they make quite a dent.
On the night of the 13th our squadron did its 1st leaflet raid with 1 aircraft and I had the honour to be included. The Captain was Flight-Sergeant Powell and I was 2nd pilot and 1st navigator. We left the ground 15 minutes past midnight loaded with nearly 1,500 lbs. of leaflets. I don't know how many leaflets there were in each packet, probably about 3,000 and there were 297 pkts. So I suppose there must have been about a million pieces of paper floating down. If you get out your map of Europe I'll tell you where we went.
From our station we went to Lowestaft which is an exit lane, from there we made good a track of 059' which took us north of Holland about 30 miles; from there we went east passing just south of Amrum Island and hit the German coast up on the Danish peninsula.. Then from there across country straight to Hamburg. The ground is all covered with snow, and although it was a cloudless night there was no moon, we could make out islands in the sea and see woods and towns quite plainly from 15,000 feet. Going over Hamburg we got picked up by searchlights a couple times but at 4:00 in the morning they must have been feeling dopey because we didn't get any A.A. fire. From Hamburg we flew south for 40 miles which took us 22 minutes and during which time we delivered our airmail. I might suppose you think the leaflets fell on Hamburg - well, they didn't. At the height we were the wind was 35 m.p.h. from east. It took the leaflets 1 hour, 35 minutes to fall and in that time they blew 56 miles west - so according to our previous calculations they should have fallen on Bremen and district. It isn't just a matter of dropping them at random.
I have some samples of the leaflets as souvenirs and will send you one of each the next time I write as I haven't them with me. We got back to our station at 7:15 in the morning so there was enough light for us to land without flare path. We take coffee, sandwiches, raisins, chocolate bars and candy with us to eat on the way and it really tastes good.
the day I came back Doug went to Sandringham near Lynn to play ice-hockey with what he thought would be the local yokels, but to horror and surprise he found himself on a hockey team with the King and a bunch of Lord ups an downs. He could hardly believe it all. During a rest period he met the Queen and Princesses and sat on a bench for half an hour chatting with the Queen and having a cigarette with her. he was so excited when he came home I couldn't imagine what had happened. We have nicknamed Doug - "Kingle".
Also - still talking of Doug, he is going to get married on the 11th of February, so it looks as if I am going to be alone in the near future. If you don't mind could you write just a short note to him and sort of wish him well. he would be very pleased. While I am thinking about it, I might say that the picture show newsreel the boys saw did not include me as far as I can remember. Sorry to disappoint anyone - but it must have been 2 other guys.
I haven't our last letter with me and I don't remember whether you asked me any other questions or not. I get the Free Press that you send and I got the Chicago Heralds. I have a terrible time hanging on to the funnies until I read them as everyone wants them. They don't have them in this country. I got a card from Mrs. John Hootz and also a card and letter from Ada. That is certainly too had about Vic. I hope he gets mended soon.
I haven't received any of your parcels yet, but since you sent them to Harwell they are probably being forwarded in stages from there. I hope they don't get lost anywhere. I also got a card from Aunt Helen. I got several pairs of socks and some cigarettes from 2 different families that Doug and I spent some summer holidays with. Everyone is knitting for the troops these days.
Rationing on bacon, ham and sugar and butter is in force now so whenever we go on leave we have to draw our ration cards. People in the services get about 50% more rations than civilians. We get per week - meat 5 1/4 lbs. (not rationed yet); bacon and ham 14 oz., sugar 21 oz. the rations must be adequate as no one seems to be complaining of undernourishment. Coal was going to be rationed but they have lifted that. Nearly everything has gone up a bit in price but not a lot, except silk stockings - their price is about double. Popular brands of cigarettes cost 1/1 or .27 cents for 20. Petrol is 1/10 (.44 cents) a gallon when you manage to have a coupon.
CENSORED SECTION
Well, I think I have run out of news for this time. Nearly all the ponds, rivers and canals are frozen over so people are skating a bit.
Take good care of yourselves this winter.
Love,
Estelles
P.S. Renee sends her best regards and says she will write to you one of these days.
Tuesday, December 30, 2014
World War II Letters Home December 30, 1939 - Estelles Wickenkamp
Royal Air Force
Marham
King's Lynn, Norfolk
December 30, 1939
Dear Folks:
Here it is almost another year, and I have been in England a year and a half. It has been quite an experience - more than I have had during any other 18 months in my life.
We have been having a few snow flurries but most of it melts so there is only a trace of snow on the ground, although the ground has been frozen for over a week, Some of the fellows here from Australia and New Zealand saw their first snow-fall the other day - it seems hard to believe. One of them was shuffling around in it and kicking it in the air, he thought it was great novelty. The fresh crisp air now is much more comfortable than the raw, damp weather we have been having.
I was supposed to go on another 'sweep' over the North Sea this morning in search of the German fleet but for some reason it was cancelled. We don't do any raids (this group) over German ports anymore; we are just doing coastal patrols and 'sweeps' or searches.
You ought to see us when we get all bundled up for a flight just like the fat teddy bears. We put our leather fur lined trousers and jackets. Over our jackets go our life saving jackets, which have inflatable linings (we call them 'Mae West' in the R.A.F.). Then on top of all this goes our parachutes harness. Oh yes, we also wear our fur-lined flying boots. It makes us so fat we can hardly squeeze into the aircraft, but the worst part is trying to move around inside; the snaps of our harness get caught on every pipe and bit of wiring that is possible. Never-the-less, all this gear keeps us comfortably warm, so no one tries to dispense with any part of it. I'll send you some photos one of these days. I haven't sent you any lately, have I? Our trips usually last about 5 hours, so we take sandwiches, chocolate bars, raisins and thermos flasks of hot tea along. There never seems to be much left when we get back.
Doug and I are still a reserve crew so we haven't taken our aircraft on any raids yet. So far we have been changing about flying with other crews when one is sick or away on leave. Actually Doug is the Captain of our crew and I am 2nd pilot navigator - but it doesn't make any difference as we will change over in the air as 5 hours is a long time to sit at the wheel. All of our flying times go in our log books as first pilot was we are both 1st pilot night and day. We had our crew increased now so besides us, we have a sergeant observer who is a navigator and also operates the centre gun turret when it is lowered, 2 air gunners (front and rear) and a wireless. We have a new type of wireless installed in our planes now and it is very good. It can be over on a number of positions, so that all the crew can hear orders coming over the air, or so that the crew are in intercommunication and just the W/T operator can hear the wireless, and also so that the pilot can speak over the wireless, etc. Anyhow, it is much better then the old sets.
Since petrol rationing doesn't allow enough coupons to make it worth while keeping a car going, nearly everyone on the station secretly wangles their due share of aviation spirit. It sure is peppy dope - so they install a pair of check reins on the car just in case it tries to take off. If you know the ropes you can wangle nearly anything - petrol, oil, antifreeze, grease jobs, repair work and lots of other things - only you don't want to be caught openly - as King's Regulations say what you shouldn't or can't do legally.
I sent a whole bunch of Christmas cards again this year - I don't know why though - as none of the ones I sent last Christmas ever thought that I would at least like to get a card from them, except Mr. Laing and Dorothy. They are sending me some candy, cake and cigarettes - I guess the others haven't time to even say hello. They like to know what I am doing, etc. but they don't think I might like to hear from them. what has happened to Vernon, I haven't heard from him for some time.
In 2 of your letters, Mom, you have mentioned about me getting some stripes on my arm - 'at least one'- surely you must know that I have had a stripe for 16 months. I have only 8 months before I become a flying officer, then I have a wider stripe - about 3/4 of an inch. By that time I may even be Acting Flight-Lieutenant, which is 2 wide stripes - of course, that is being optimistic.
I played bridge last night with a squadron leader and a couple of flying officers and I just got drawn into another game tonight with the squadron leader, a civilian and a Lieutenant from the Army and did quite alright as we won the game also I am 1/16 (one shilling and sixpence) the richer.
It is a nearly 12 o'clock and I must go to bed as tomorrow night we are having a dinner dance here and also I am Squadron Duty Officer so I won't get much sleep.
I haven't received any parcels yet but they will quite likely be here in a couple of days. I haven't sent your parcels yet so I suppose they will be about a month late. I hope you don't mind too much as I don't get a chance to do much shopping. The shops are usually all closed by the time we get out of camp.
I didn't have any cranberries with my Christmas turkey but I'll bet you did, I wish I could have enjoyed Christmas dinner with you this year - I am getting hungry for a real meal.
Best Wishes for 1940.
As Ever, Love
Estelles
Marham
King's Lynn, Norfolk
December 30, 1939
Dear Folks:
Here it is almost another year, and I have been in England a year and a half. It has been quite an experience - more than I have had during any other 18 months in my life.
We have been having a few snow flurries but most of it melts so there is only a trace of snow on the ground, although the ground has been frozen for over a week, Some of the fellows here from Australia and New Zealand saw their first snow-fall the other day - it seems hard to believe. One of them was shuffling around in it and kicking it in the air, he thought it was great novelty. The fresh crisp air now is much more comfortable than the raw, damp weather we have been having.
I was supposed to go on another 'sweep' over the North Sea this morning in search of the German fleet but for some reason it was cancelled. We don't do any raids (this group) over German ports anymore; we are just doing coastal patrols and 'sweeps' or searches.
You ought to see us when we get all bundled up for a flight just like the fat teddy bears. We put our leather fur lined trousers and jackets. Over our jackets go our life saving jackets, which have inflatable linings (we call them 'Mae West' in the R.A.F.). Then on top of all this goes our parachutes harness. Oh yes, we also wear our fur-lined flying boots. It makes us so fat we can hardly squeeze into the aircraft, but the worst part is trying to move around inside; the snaps of our harness get caught on every pipe and bit of wiring that is possible. Never-the-less, all this gear keeps us comfortably warm, so no one tries to dispense with any part of it. I'll send you some photos one of these days. I haven't sent you any lately, have I? Our trips usually last about 5 hours, so we take sandwiches, chocolate bars, raisins and thermos flasks of hot tea along. There never seems to be much left when we get back.
Doug and I are still a reserve crew so we haven't taken our aircraft on any raids yet. So far we have been changing about flying with other crews when one is sick or away on leave. Actually Doug is the Captain of our crew and I am 2nd pilot navigator - but it doesn't make any difference as we will change over in the air as 5 hours is a long time to sit at the wheel. All of our flying times go in our log books as first pilot was we are both 1st pilot night and day. We had our crew increased now so besides us, we have a sergeant observer who is a navigator and also operates the centre gun turret when it is lowered, 2 air gunners (front and rear) and a wireless. We have a new type of wireless installed in our planes now and it is very good. It can be over on a number of positions, so that all the crew can hear orders coming over the air, or so that the crew are in intercommunication and just the W/T operator can hear the wireless, and also so that the pilot can speak over the wireless, etc. Anyhow, it is much better then the old sets.
Since petrol rationing doesn't allow enough coupons to make it worth while keeping a car going, nearly everyone on the station secretly wangles their due share of aviation spirit. It sure is peppy dope - so they install a pair of check reins on the car just in case it tries to take off. If you know the ropes you can wangle nearly anything - petrol, oil, antifreeze, grease jobs, repair work and lots of other things - only you don't want to be caught openly - as King's Regulations say what you shouldn't or can't do legally.
I sent a whole bunch of Christmas cards again this year - I don't know why though - as none of the ones I sent last Christmas ever thought that I would at least like to get a card from them, except Mr. Laing and Dorothy. They are sending me some candy, cake and cigarettes - I guess the others haven't time to even say hello. They like to know what I am doing, etc. but they don't think I might like to hear from them. what has happened to Vernon, I haven't heard from him for some time.
In 2 of your letters, Mom, you have mentioned about me getting some stripes on my arm - 'at least one'- surely you must know that I have had a stripe for 16 months. I have only 8 months before I become a flying officer, then I have a wider stripe - about 3/4 of an inch. By that time I may even be Acting Flight-Lieutenant, which is 2 wide stripes - of course, that is being optimistic.
I played bridge last night with a squadron leader and a couple of flying officers and I just got drawn into another game tonight with the squadron leader, a civilian and a Lieutenant from the Army and did quite alright as we won the game also I am 1/16 (one shilling and sixpence) the richer.
It is a nearly 12 o'clock and I must go to bed as tomorrow night we are having a dinner dance here and also I am Squadron Duty Officer so I won't get much sleep.
I haven't received any parcels yet but they will quite likely be here in a couple of days. I haven't sent your parcels yet so I suppose they will be about a month late. I hope you don't mind too much as I don't get a chance to do much shopping. The shops are usually all closed by the time we get out of camp.
I didn't have any cranberries with my Christmas turkey but I'll bet you did, I wish I could have enjoyed Christmas dinner with you this year - I am getting hungry for a real meal.
Best Wishes for 1940.
As Ever, Love
Estelles
Friday, December 19, 2014
World War II Letters Home December 19, 1939 - Estelles Wickenkamp
Royal Air Force
Marham
King's Lynn, Norfolk
December 19, 1939
Dear Esther:
I am afraid I haven't been keeping up my writing very regularly - It is the same old story - so much "flap" and duties that it is a bit hard to take time off. I am living in one of the rooms in a married officers block and it is a way from the mess so it isn't very convenient to run back and forth.
It doesn't look as if this Christmas is going to be much like the last one, but I guess it is no use complaining. Last week-end I spent a few days at Oxford with Renee and then we went to Bedford to Roddy Ross' wedding, where I was best man. After the wedding, Doug, Renee and I went to London, as that was the only way we could make train connections and we stayed there over night in the Strand Palace Hotel, which is a very nice place. Renee went home alone to Oxford and Doug and I caught the train back here.
I think I will be getting a 3 day leave at Christmas so I am going to spend it at Oxford, Oh yes, I meant to mention that Roddy and his crew went down somewhere Helogoland yesterday. Some of the crews of the different aircraft that wee lost have been rescued - that is - the ones that were still alive but Ii don't know whether he was one of them or not. Pretty tough on his wife. I have lost so many acquaintances and friends during the last week that I can hardly keep track of them. Most of them are scattered around at so many different stations that it is almost impossible to find out who doesn't return - that is, when all of them don't do so. Until lately we have been quite fortunate as all of the formations nearly always returned, but the last few days this Heligoland and Whilhelmshaven business has wiped out a big percentage of our aircraft and crews. Maybe it should be left alone for awhile until the "big bugs" think up a better scheme of attacking it.
I guess I had better lay off these war stories. I don't suppose you want to hear them or do you? As usual the papers are a lot of lies and propaganda - you can't believe half you read. They give vivid descriptions of all sorts of heroism's, cut our casualties in half and double our victories of the enemy. News is published about a week late if it manages to get past the censor. Three weeks after the first Canadian army contingent came over here it was made known publicly. I suppose all this is typical of the English press.
I am on duty in the operations room tonight - that is why I have time to write. I suppose you wonder what the operations room is, well, it is the headquarters for all our orders and information during the war. Each station has an operations room and each command (bomber, fighter, reconnaissance, etc.) has a controlled operational center, and of course the whole thing being controlled by the Air Ministry.
We often get called at 5:00 or 6:00 o'clock in the morning to standby for a raid or patrol upon an hours notice. Half of nearly all the time we just keep standing by all day and don't get out though. When we leave the station, which we may do every night, we have to leave an address, eg. Royal Cinema, pub or where ever we might be, so that we can be recalled within 2 hours. Generally when the crews are wanted back the local police give us their full co-operation and go around to all the cinema and pubs and chase everyone home. It is not very often anyone gets recalled at night though because our group is all day bombers, so we don't go on night raids.
We haven't had any air raids since I have been at this station but they are bound to come sooner or later - anyhow, let 'em come!
I have managed to get all my Christmas cards sent away the other day but I haven't been able to get any parcels mailed yet. I am afraid there won't be much in the line of presents for anyone this year - I find it so hard to think of anything that is worth sending - seeing how shipping and mail is so uncertain. I am going to write my bank and try to send you a monthly payment until I get straightened out. It seems to be a next to impossible to pay each months mess bill. I never spend much money but it sure seems to go.
This has the markings of a very morbid letter but I can't really think of anything funny to write about tonight - probably next time. My bed is right next to this desk here and the telephone switchboard is at my elbow so while everything is quiet I'll try to catch up on my sleep.
Try to drop me a letter, even if it is only one line, each week because it seems that I never get any mail any more.
By the time you get this you most likely will have finished celebrating the New Year - anyhow I hope you have a swell time.
Best Wishes and Love
Your Brother
Estelles
Marham
King's Lynn, Norfolk
December 19, 1939
Dear Esther:
I am afraid I haven't been keeping up my writing very regularly - It is the same old story - so much "flap" and duties that it is a bit hard to take time off. I am living in one of the rooms in a married officers block and it is a way from the mess so it isn't very convenient to run back and forth.
It doesn't look as if this Christmas is going to be much like the last one, but I guess it is no use complaining. Last week-end I spent a few days at Oxford with Renee and then we went to Bedford to Roddy Ross' wedding, where I was best man. After the wedding, Doug, Renee and I went to London, as that was the only way we could make train connections and we stayed there over night in the Strand Palace Hotel, which is a very nice place. Renee went home alone to Oxford and Doug and I caught the train back here.
I think I will be getting a 3 day leave at Christmas so I am going to spend it at Oxford, Oh yes, I meant to mention that Roddy and his crew went down somewhere Helogoland yesterday. Some of the crews of the different aircraft that wee lost have been rescued - that is - the ones that were still alive but Ii don't know whether he was one of them or not. Pretty tough on his wife. I have lost so many acquaintances and friends during the last week that I can hardly keep track of them. Most of them are scattered around at so many different stations that it is almost impossible to find out who doesn't return - that is, when all of them don't do so. Until lately we have been quite fortunate as all of the formations nearly always returned, but the last few days this Heligoland and Whilhelmshaven business has wiped out a big percentage of our aircraft and crews. Maybe it should be left alone for awhile until the "big bugs" think up a better scheme of attacking it.
I guess I had better lay off these war stories. I don't suppose you want to hear them or do you? As usual the papers are a lot of lies and propaganda - you can't believe half you read. They give vivid descriptions of all sorts of heroism's, cut our casualties in half and double our victories of the enemy. News is published about a week late if it manages to get past the censor. Three weeks after the first Canadian army contingent came over here it was made known publicly. I suppose all this is typical of the English press.
I am on duty in the operations room tonight - that is why I have time to write. I suppose you wonder what the operations room is, well, it is the headquarters for all our orders and information during the war. Each station has an operations room and each command (bomber, fighter, reconnaissance, etc.) has a controlled operational center, and of course the whole thing being controlled by the Air Ministry.
We often get called at 5:00 or 6:00 o'clock in the morning to standby for a raid or patrol upon an hours notice. Half of nearly all the time we just keep standing by all day and don't get out though. When we leave the station, which we may do every night, we have to leave an address, eg. Royal Cinema, pub or where ever we might be, so that we can be recalled within 2 hours. Generally when the crews are wanted back the local police give us their full co-operation and go around to all the cinema and pubs and chase everyone home. It is not very often anyone gets recalled at night though because our group is all day bombers, so we don't go on night raids.
We haven't had any air raids since I have been at this station but they are bound to come sooner or later - anyhow, let 'em come!
I have managed to get all my Christmas cards sent away the other day but I haven't been able to get any parcels mailed yet. I am afraid there won't be much in the line of presents for anyone this year - I find it so hard to think of anything that is worth sending - seeing how shipping and mail is so uncertain. I am going to write my bank and try to send you a monthly payment until I get straightened out. It seems to be a next to impossible to pay each months mess bill. I never spend much money but it sure seems to go.
This has the markings of a very morbid letter but I can't really think of anything funny to write about tonight - probably next time. My bed is right next to this desk here and the telephone switchboard is at my elbow so while everything is quiet I'll try to catch up on my sleep.
Try to drop me a letter, even if it is only one line, each week because it seems that I never get any mail any more.
By the time you get this you most likely will have finished celebrating the New Year - anyhow I hope you have a swell time.
Best Wishes and Love
Your Brother
Estelles
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)