World War II Letters Home April 18, 1939 - Estelles Wickenkamp

                                                                                       No. 2 Flying Training School
                                                                                        Royal Air Force
                                                                                        Brize Norton, Oxford
                                                                                       April 18, 1939

Dear Folks:

If I don't start writing soon I'll forget how.  It is ages since I have written any letters in spite of all my intentions.  I was going to write Papa a letter for his birthday and it was too late t get it in time so I was going to send a birthday greeting by Cablegram but decided against it - so in the end i didn't do a thing - very sorry, Dad, but I still wish you many happy returns.

Our armament camp at Catfoss turned out to be a 'wash out'.  We had so much fog, low clouds and rain that we only got up a few times.  I did 1 bombing exercise and dropped 8 bombs about 60 yards from the target and I did one air-firing exercise.  So there wasn't much excitement.  We spent most of our time eating and sleeping and going to a few shows and dances.  I also read quite a few books.

I flew back from Catoss and arrived here about 1:30.  Joe Fraser invited me to spend the week-end with him so I caught the 4:30 train to London where Joe met me - he left here on train about 2 hours before I did.  Anyhow, after he met me we went to a club where his family and a few aunts etc. were having dinner - a very elaborate affair,  after which we went to a play - (Royal Circle seats) and saw "Quiet Wedding". It was fairly good.  Then we went out to Joe's home - a large 3 storey stone house kept by a half dozen servants, butlers, Gardener, etc.  The grounds were very nice.  Mr. Fraser is very keen on gardening - mostly flowers.  On one side is a very pretty rock garden surrounding a small pond. The house is very nice inside with the usual English ways of living.  I think I am beginning to like it for some reason or other.  I suppose in 4 years I'll be a pronounced Englishman.

We were reminded of meals and tea by the sound of a big brass cymbal that someone pounded on.  It could be heard all over the house and all around the grounds.  Every morning the butler brought my cup of tea and biscuit and polished my shoes.  After having my tea I got up and had my bawth - you see I was in the 'Blue Room'.  All in all it was a great week-end, very 'posh' indeed.  One afternoon we went over to Sir Frank and Lady Madge's estate.  They were out sailing on the lake.  After they came in we went up to the house in a beautiful sun room and had some cocktails while we were looking at their tropical fish, etc..  It sure is great the way the people with money live a life of ease over here.

All last week we were dashing around the station returning publications  and getting clearance forms signed; also we drew our camp equipment which is ours for good - consisting of a tent, folding cot, blankets and a collapsible bath tub.  I only hope we never have to live in it.  On the week-end I went home with Joe Fraser again and stayed until Sunday afternoon.  His sister had a birthday party on Saturday night so Doug and another Canuck came down for the party and went back that night.  I met a coupe of Australian girls there and they were very interesting conversationalists - not the type that is in Canada - they were well educated and of the upper classes.  It is really great meeting different kinds of people like that.  I never thought that I could appreciate so much, but it is a great education in itself.

One thing that is very noticeable over here is the fact that the young folks have mentality and a viewpoint of persons much older then they are.  You  would take most of the young people here to be about 5 years older than they are.

The place in London where those wax figures are is Madame Tussuad (spelled something like that).  I haven't been there yet but will do sometime and have tea with one of her hostesses.  It is a wonderful place to meet people.  There are a lot of places in London I haven't been to see yet - but will this summer.

I don't do any mechanical work except give a little advice on some of the boys' cars.  After my 4 years are up I am though over here.  After that all I do is put in a few weeks flying every in Canadian Air Force, that is unless I happen to get a job over here or get a P.C. (Permanent Commission) which is rather hard.  But I think if I get the chance I would take it.  Since Esther may be home by now or will be home soon I won't duplicated this letter by writing to P.A.  She always writes nice letters and I am glad to hear from her.

We have been having marvelous weather since we left Catfoss, it has been so warm.  The trees that did shed their leaves are putting them back on again and blossoms are coming out all over.  Soon England will be a mass of flowers and roses again.

Richard, you asked me what the round-shaped thing in the roof was, well, that is a shield and the '2-holes' in it are orange colored lights for lighting up the cabin for night flying - the reason they are orange is that they are not visible to another aircraft.  Actually it isn't necessary to use lights as all the instruments are luminous.  The reason we have to wear goggles is in case it is raining hard or ice forms on the windscreen and windows - we can put our heads out so that we can see, so we have to have our goggles although I don't suppose they are ever used much.  When I am flying alone I just wear my service cap and take my helmet along.  The "hood" on the plane doesn't slide back but there are 2 windows on each side that slide back and the triangular window near the front turns open.  The windows are made of perspex - a heavy celluloid.

Yes, we get asked a lot of questions about Canada, as usual.  Sometimes we tell them the truth and other times we "hand it out" - tell them about the Indians barging in our dances, picnics, etc. and going after our scalps - that's why we carry 6-shooters.  That picture Mom sent of the huge grasshopper was pretty good - some of these blokes actually believed it - of course I verified the facts.

(Some more answers) Petrol means fuel - known in Canada as gasoline (or gas).  The price runs from 1-5 to 1-11 a gallon that's shillings and pence - now you figure it out - between .34 cents and .38 cents.

I don't know how it feels to have the title "Officer" because I haven't felt it yet - I guess it's just like the title "Farmer".

As far as having a servant - I don't know, but if you mean batman - well, he's indispensable.  You know what I mean - I couldn't lower myself by making my bed, cleaning my room, fetching my own water or by putting coal on my fire - that's what 'es for', ahem!

Oh yes, another question to answer: In England you don't cut-up at a dance like around Stenen - Oh! my deah, it simple isn't done - don't you know!

So you think Hitler has everything he wants now do you?  And you think he wants peace!  Well, let me tell you Hitler isn't half what he wants - neither has Benito.  They have both bluffed Chamberlain right properly.  As far as war goes he is crazy enough to try anything - but he isn't liking for Britain to growl at him too loud, see!  I think if you look at the situation right and if Hitler doesn't come to war soon - well, his day is soon over.  He has worked Germany into a fervor and got so far but now what can be do?  I think he has found a "cul de sac" or a blind street - he has lost an objective.  There might be a few little moves he can make but when that is over so are his big ideas.  I don't see how there can be a war but anyway, England is prepared.

For instance, I'll tell you a little bit of official secret dope on our anti-craft guns.  The 3.5 (inches) gun has a range of 30,000 feet which is the ceiling of most aircraft and the 4.5 gun has a range of 40,000 feet.  I suppose you will say there isn't much chance of hitting an aircraft that high when you can't even see it, and flying anywhere between 200 and 400 m.p.h - well, there isn't, but this is how it works:  the aircraft detectors which are super sensitive ears with lots of dials and gauges can tell the height  and location of an a/c and the speed and course can be found and knowing the wind speed and direction, everything is accounted for.  Then a battery consisting of a 8 guns firing 30 shells  a piece per minuted with shells that are timed by some means to explode at a certain altitude start firing.  When the first shell burst there are just 32 more already on the way - not very comfortable, I should say.  But the main point is (I suppose you are wondering about the direct hit or the shrapnel) - well, there isn't any - but the concussion is so great within the radius of 60 or more yards that it is enough to wreck an a/c.  they just get tossed about and caved in like a piece of tissue paper.  This is an idea of our anti-aircraft protection, besides which of course there is the balloon barrages within their steel nets and our own defensive fight in a/c.

The Wellington Bombers which I hope to get on have a cruising speed of about 250 to 300 m.p.h. for a period of 18 hours with - i don't know how many tons of bombs.  They are equipped with sets (not one) of machine guns front, rear and in the middle - I don't think.  Oh well, why worry about war - but  am in the mood for writing so I hope you don't mind reading this rubbish.

I bought a cheap English sports coat last week for 15 bob (for Richard's benefit $3.75).  They are made of a sort of coarse home-spun yarns - a good jacket coast about 4 5shillings.

About 6 of us on 'heavies' are going to Manston on the 25th of this month.  In the meantime we are posted here on super numerary duties.  All we do is get up and eat and what ever else we care to do.  All it means is that instead of going on leave we have this time for later on instead of taking it off our summer's leave, which I hope we will get after we leave Manston.

World War II Letters Home February 22, 1939-Estelles Wickenkamp

                                                                                                      No. 2 Flying Training School
                                                                                                      Royal Air Force
                                                                                                      Brize Norton
                                                                                                      February 22, 1939
Dear Folks:

As there is nothing doing this evening and besides it is raining, so will try to scribble off a few lines.  We have had real decent weather for the last few weeks but I suppose we will have a nice wet spell again.

Flying is going real well.  Most of work is bombing practice and Camera - gun from the gun turret.  For Camera gun the pilot flies about 100 ft. off the ground and a hundred yards away from 2 targets, while the gunner "shoots" them.  Bombing - we go up to 6,000 ft. and after finding wind speed and direction (W/S & D) we set it on the bomb sight and the bomb aimer directs the pilot over the target.  Instead of dropping a bomb, the bomb aimer presses a button which sets off a sort of photo flash bulb.  This is recorded in the plotting office (which is the target) and then they calculate where it would have fallen if it were a real bomb.  It is not very easy but Doug and I have been getting fairly good results.

(Stay tuned, this letter will be finished on February 27th, because that is when Estelles finished his letter)

World War II Letters Home October 25, 1938-Estelles Wickenkamp

                                                                                             No 2. Flying Training School
                                                                                             Royal Air Force
                                                                                             Brize Norton, Carterton
                                                                                             October 25, 1938

Dear Folks:

I have forgotten just how long ago I did write to you, but it can't be very long ago.  Anyhow on the occasion of your birthday the least I can do is to wish you a very "Happy Birthday" with many more to come.

I haven't been able to get a R.A.F. broach for you in Oxford so I will send for one for you.

I suppose you often wonder why my letters are very disconnected sometimes.  It seems that trying to write to a number of different people I get mixed up about what I have written, and trying to think of something to say on the spur of the moment.  Our time is sort of all chopped up, I find it quite inconvenient to write during the week, so I leave it generally until Sunday, then on Sunday I don't want to stay in all day writing half a dozen lengthy letters, so I sometimes just call it off and try to postpone it all. But that only makes matters worse, so I'll have to try to do my letter writing on some other night.  I got 6 letters today and a few a couple days ago so you can see them pile up on me, then if I happen to lose one - someone patiently waits for a letter that doesn't come or else if they do get it I probably haven't answered some questions.  Better I find me a stenographer.

 I am still waiting for the Air Ministry to refund my R.R. ticket money - they seem to be taking their own sweet time.  I have some money in the bank, but not an awful lot, I think about 6.  I paid up most of my insurance, except $9.99 which I hope to pay in a month or 2.

There wasn't much left out of last month wages as I had to pay 1 1/2 months board out of it.  It will be much better this month.  I should have about 10 left.  Once I get all straightened out I will be able to put aside about 6 to 8 pounds a month (I hope!).

I am buying a cheaper uniform for working in, to save my good one.  I am going to pay about 1 a month on it.  It only costs 3-10 -0.  That sure is an awful difference in price; my good service jacket alone cost me about 7, so I think it is worth it to get another now.  One uniform would never last 4 years anyway.

We have a test exam coming off in a couple weeks s I guess I'll have to do a little "swotting" as they call it here.  so if during the next few weeks my letters are sort of ragged you will know why.

Saturday I took the day off (we have classes in the morning) and went to the International Car Races with a friend, Fraser.  We went as far as Oxford in his care, then from there we went with his sister and her boyfriend in their Buick Coupe.  The races are in Donnington Park just a few miles from Derby (pronounced Darby). It sure was exciting.  The roaring of these cars as they flashed by at about 200 m.p.h., whipped around the corners, then roared on again.  It is hard to explain what it sounded like, but there was certainly some terrific roaring and whinning, with some of those motors turning up to 6 and 7 thousand revs per minute.  I borrowed a real fast camera with a 1/1000 of a second shutter speed and took 34 pictures; there were on one roll, as this type of camera uses narrow film with 36 exposures on it.  Anyhow, as soon as I get some of the pictures I will send you some.  I suppose by now you have all about it.  Nuvolari, the Italian driver won the race in an Auto Union car (German make).

I sent a big R.A.F. map home to the folks.  It is a map of the southern half of England; it is on the scale of 10 miles to the inch. I borrowed it from the Navigation room.  Now they will be able to follow all of my maneuvers.

We are having a big dance here this Friday.  I imagine there will be about 300 people attending. I'll send full details on Sunday - that is if I get sobered up by then,

It is after 10 o'clock and I have to do some bomb-sighting and wind speed and direction calculating questions so I'll have to get busy.

Will write again Sunday.

                                                                                                          Love,
                                                                                                          Estelles

N.B Again may I say - "Birthday Greetings, old deah".

World War II Letters Home September 25, 1938-Estelles Wickenkamp

                                                                                                    No. 2 Flying Training School
                                                                                                    Royal Air Force
                                                                                                    Brize Norton, Oxford  
                                                                                                    September 28, 1938

Dear Folks:

Today is damp and everything feels cold and clammy, so I don't feel much like writing a letter, but if I don't do t now I might leave it go for the rest of the week.  This problem of writing seems to be getting worse and worse - I hardly know what to say.  You must be getting terribly tired of reading about aeroplanes all the time.

We are having a big dance party here some time next month for the officers.  There will be about 300 people here altogether.  It is a full dress affair - that is we wear our mess kits.  A buffet supper will be served and drinks and dancing will continue until 2 or 3 a.m.  he estimated cost of this dance is 100.  I don't know where all the money will be spent, but they say it will.

The new mess and living quarters will not be finished until about April so I see where we don't get a chance to live in it.

I have about 14 hours flying in Oxfords - about half of it is solo.  After we get 12 hours solo in we will start taking night flying.  We are only allowed to make one circuit, with about half an hours' flying and one landing in this term.  Next term (after New Years) we will get more of it.  When night flying is going on they have all sorts of landing lights and a powerful chance beam which shines over the field, and also there is a big red light that is used for visual signaling Morse code.  They send out B.N (-...-) for Brize Norton.  I can receive 8 words this term in I.T.S.

We have to buy another service jacket sometime within the next 4 or 5 months, so that will be another 7 out  of our pockets.  We have 2 pairs of trousers already.   with 2 uniforms we will have 1 good one for special occasions, parades, etc.  Our uniforms are made of real strong material and they sure were.  I guess they have to made like iron the way some of the boys treat theirs.  After dinner (nights) the Senior Term loosen the straps under their boots (because you can bend very well if you don't) then they start fighting around and somersaulting on the chesterfield - which are leather upholstered,  Then they grab the table cloths off one of the tables in the lounge and scrap each other up.  Honestly, the way they tear around, it is a wonder they have any clothes left, but they seem to take the gaff pretty well.  I would rather take care of mine and have something left at the end of 4 years.

I haven't seen Emery Fennell yet - according to the Air Force list he is at Manston taking his navigation course.  This navigation and bomb sighting is real interesting; we have all sorts of instruments by  which you calculate your speed, drift, height and everything.  On one of these instruments if you know any 4 of the following  6 things: airspeed, course to steer, actual track, wind speed, wind direction, or ground speed, you can find the other 2.  Then with the bomb sighting device, you can find, while you are in the air, the wind speed and direction.  It is really marvelous the way these instruments work.  Most of these tings cost from 6 to 20. Talking about instruments - you ought to see the instrument panels in Oxfords - it's just a mass of dials, switches, controls, etc.but after you get used to them it is easy just to glance at them and know what you want to.

Friday I was scooting around the sky alone so I wen to see some of the neighbouring towns.  I went on a square about 20 miles each way in about half an hour.  It is lots of fun diving into a cloud, you can't see anything so you fly by instruments until you come out the other side.  I haven't taken any pictures from the air since I have been here but will one of these days.  It is against the law to take pictures from the air,  but as long as you don't advertise it no one knows what you do when you are alone.  I am getting a cloud filter for my camera so that the clouds will show up better.

It takes so long for the mail to go back and forth, by the time you write back about something I have told you it is a month old.  I am sending you a few more pictures - I thing you'll have to get an album to put them in because in 4 years you'll have quite a few of them, sort of a history in pictures.  I am getting some enlargements of the one of myself by the Oxford with an E. on it.  This isn't actually my solo plane; It had an F on it, but it looks the same.  I don't remember whether I sent you a picture of myself - if I did you can send it to Uncle R. or some - I send Esther most of the same pictures I send to you.

What has happened to Richard?  I haven't even had a note from him in a couple of months.  I am going to supper now will mail this.  Don't forget to tel me all the news, and don't work too hard.

                                                                                              With Love To All,

                                                                                               Estelles