World War II Letters Home February 27, 1939-Estelles Wickenkamp

FEBRUARY 27

I am sorry I didn't get this letter finished before as I went to Wales for the week-end with Corporal Linthune (to the castle) I didn't get it away.  this was the first week-end leave I have taken this year.  I met nearly all the gang again and they surely were pleased to see me back there.  We left here at 4:30 on Friday and got back at 11:30 Sunday night.

I am glad to hear that Stella and Oscar are together again.  I thought that Oscar was going to work at The Pas this year since Spencer sold out his garage at Swan River.  That's too bad about your chickens being below par - probably now that they have been "de" - everything they will get to work again.  What did you mean in your letter of February 11 (on the back of Esther's letter) - you said I should get 3 more letters before I got that one?

Yes, I heard about and read about the Cavalier the day it happened.  There are always some accidents in the paper.  Every time a R.A.F. plane crashes - it goes in the headlines.  But considering the thousands of fellows flying every day and night there are really very few accidents.  We had an accident here about a week ago; a very good pal of mine from Halifax, New Brunswick, crashed during night flying.  Nothing definite is really known as to what actually happened - they think that instead of switching the fuel cock onto the main tank that he turned it off.  The engine cut out and he dove in the ground - why? nobody knows.  He didn't even set off his landing flares so that he could see to land.  he was only 7 or 8 hundred feet up and crashed into a fairly good sized field.  If he had put his flares off he could have landed quite safely.  The undercarriage was torn off and the engine was knocked out of the plane, which was a complete write-off.  he was rather a high-strung young fellow and evidently that goes on in this world so I guess it just can't be helped.

I am sorry to hear you had the flu, Dad.  It seems to go around every year, even over here.  I had a touch of it a couple times this year but am alright now, except I still have bit of cold in my head.  It bothered me for a day or or 2 in flying but not now.  You see, when you have a cold the passage to the inner ear gets blocked up and the air pressure doesn't get equalized when we go up in the thin air or come down - that's why we have to be careful about colds.

That's too bad about Paul Marn.  I think he would still be in a hospital where he could be looked after properly.  So Harold D. wants to get married and he is going to work on a farm - well he sure is a sap.  What does he expect to do - go on relief like Bonnie McK. or does he expect to live in the bush in poverty like all the rest of the hunks up north.  If he only knew a little more about life he would tumble out of his rainbow palace.  he hasn't mad his fortune yet - how does he expect to try to keep someone else when he can't even keep himself!  I suppose some people can't see that far though.  I suppose if he was in my shoes he would think he was a millionaire -yet i find it hard enough to keep my expenses down so that I have something left.

I have been spending very little money - I go to a show once in a while and probably to a dance about once a month.  I used to ride about on my motorbike on Sundays but that seldom took a gallon of petrol so that was quite inexpensive. I sold it about a week ago for 5 which was what I paid for it so I think I did pretty good. I am going to take over the bike that belonged to the lad that had the crash but will probably wait for a while yet.  It isn't very nice riding at this time of the year;  it is generally wet and gets quite cold at night, but at least it is a way to get around and i find it a lot cheaper than going to Oxford or any place on the bus or train because I can come and go when I like and don't have to buy supper besides.  I found that after I  had my motorbike that I spent from 2 to 5 pounds less a month. It sounds quite alarming, I know but it is a funny thing how far a pound doesn't go.  As far as I can make out a pound isn't much bigger than a dollar bill when it comes to spending it.  The other Canadians find it the same way.  Last month and this month I haven't spent more than 3 or 4 pounds altogether, which is something over here.  Most of the fellows spend 10 to 12 pounds a month and quite often overdraw their bank accounts.  The boys who went to Switzerland for the 2 weeks at Christmas time spent between 20 to 25 pounds a piece, and they weren't throwing their money away either.

Tonight, being Monday we wear our dinner jackets or Tuxedos to dinner.  Tuesdays and Thursdays we wear Mess Kit; the rest of the nights we wear lounge suits.

You asked me about the color of the Tiger Moths we flew. They were just like that painting.  It is true that most training planes are yellow.  Our planes here are yellow, although now they have camouflaged the top half of them so they can't be seen when they are on the ground.  The planes we will fly at a squadron will be completely camouflaged. Richard, you asked what size rifles we have - well, practically all the R.A.F. rifles and machine guns  of all types are .303. Did I tell you about the new machine gun that just came out - it is called the K-gun and fires 1200 rounds per minute.  It is very simple gun - hardly any mechanism to it and as a result it is almost fool-proof.

the cartridges are fed from a circular pan which fits on top of the gun.  the other type we have been using had a belt feed and had quite a few stoppages - jammed up and quit firing.  The R.A.F. had an anti-aircraft gun for aerial  defense which shoots 3 in. bullet and is effective up to 30,000 feet which is practically past the service ceiling for most airplanes.  In conjunction with the guns they use powerful searchlights and aeroplane detectors.  So you see it wouldn't be very easy for Hitler of anyone else with their obsolete planes to enter England.  Also, around London they have balloon barrages which they can send up.  These balloons go miles up into the sky from them is hung a net of steel cables which are fatal aeroplanes.  At night it would be impossible to see the balloons so they are quite deadly traps.  Hitler booed the idea a few months ago, but now he is getting barrages for his own country. Things are quite unsettled in Europe, but as far as I can see the prospects of war are not very immediate.

Britain has an Air Force that no other nation ca afford to sneer at.  As long as Hitler was able to bluff his way hew was alright but when Nev. called this hand he became very modest.  I heard that England is going to have a war manoeuvres some time soon.  There will be something like a few thousand aeroplanes in the air.  A formation of 600 aircraft is to tour around England.  I am not sure yet whether this will be carried out but it is quite likely.

The age limit for short service comm. has been extended to 28 years.  I don't know what to suggest for you to do, Richard.  Unless you are in good health and feel sure that you will stay that way, I don't think it would really be a wise thing to join up in any service.  Of course it is up to you.  I know it would be awful nice to have you over here with me but I am afraid you would have an awful time getting through the medical over there.

If you intend enlisting in the Naval Service you would want to get into the British or American Navy - not the Canadian - you'd never get anywhere in that.  The trouble is unless you are qualified in some way you have to start at the bottom and work up, and it is generally a fairly long enlistment with little promotion.  It is not so bad if a person could get in at the age of 17 or 18 you have a better chance of working up.  But I don't know- it isn't for me to decide what you should do.  You could most likely get into the R.A.f. as an observer and after about 5 years you can re muster as Airman pilot.  Of course that is in the ranks - not as an officer, although the pay is good enough.  Your other alternatives are learn to be a good mechanic, etc. or else take a good go at the farm and make it interesting.  Do as I had planned to do if I hadn't come over here; build a nice workshop and fit it up with band saw, turning lathe, etc and you can have one of the most profitable and interesting hobbies that you can find.  You could do nearly anything you wanted during the winter from making furniture, models of all kinds.  After you learned more about it, it might mean a set up in business or at least a real good side-line if you wished.

I think my whole letter is more like a sermon of some sort so I had better change over.  I am sending a few random shots I got with my camera - nothing special - only a little different.  I am Orderly Officer tomorrow so that means I won't get any flying.  I am going to write to Esther tomorrow if i get time, because i will be on duty until nearly 12 o'clock.  I don't know how "Oxon" stands for Oxfordsire.

When you address my letters you needn't write Carterton - that's just a little village - i mean a few houses near the aerodrome.


                                                                                  Best Wishes and Love To All

                                                                                    Estelles
                                                                                               

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 February, 12, 1939-Estelles Wickenkamp

                                                                                                    Brize Norton, Oxon
                                                                                                    February 12, 1939
Dear Esther:

I got your air mail letter the other day so while I feel in the mood I'll try to scribble off a few lines.  Gosh, I'm terribly sorry to hear that you are laid up with lung trouble; I hope it isn't going to keep you in bed very long.  Most likely by the time you get this letter you will be back at work again.
I haven't been writing very regularly lately, because instead of staying in on Wednesday and Saturday afternoon and all day Sunday I have been scooting around on my motorcycle.  It seems like I don't get letters from home as clock like as before.  I suppose Mamma is working and choring as hard as ever; she can never take it easy, always on the go.

Another Canadian fellow here went with me to Swindon yesterday on my cycle and he bought one there.  So today we each took another fellow on the pillion seat and the 4 of us had a swell time.  Half the time we didn't know where we were going but that didn't matter, we just kept on, down and up hills and crooked winding roads.  I went around some of the corners that my leg shields rubbed on the road; I was leaning over so far.  nearly all the roads are covered with tar or asphalt so there isn't any danger of skidding.  We visited one very pretty place called the Swan Inn (another club) in Bibury - and old, village.  We are going back there again and I'll take some pictures of the place to send to you.  That reminds me that I would like to see a picture of yourself once in a blue moon - you haven't sent me a one yet - you might also include one of the boy friend for good measures.

On the 13th of March we will be going to Armament Camp near Grimsby on the east coast.  We do real bombing and aerial gunnery there.

MONDAY FEBRUARY 13

I didn't finish your letter yesterday so will tonight.  I have just come down from night flying.  It is a perfect night - clear sky and very little wind.  I went up dual for about 30 minutes, then I went up solo for half an hour.  I could see all the lights of every house, village, town etc. for about 30 miles, then I landed and went up again for another 15 minutes.  This is the first night flying I have done since last term.  This term we use a powerful floodlight, which is on one end of the aerodrome, to land and it is almost like day.  I really enjoyed it tonight.  I guess that's because I made real good landings.

I got a letter from Mom and Richard today, also from Dot.  I got a letter from Uncle Richard the other day.

I am sending a couple of "pitchers" along.  They aren't very good - there are some that we developed and printed ourselves.  I guess I didn't tell you that I could do that kind of work - well, anything for a change.  It is quite interesting as a hobby.

I was expecting some Sweet Caporal cigarettes for Christmas but no one thought of smuggling in a few packets, so - well - I haven't got any. (Don't say I never give you a hint).

Today is February 14th - Valentine Day - I only remembered it this morning.  Anyhow have just finished dinner and have a few minutes to spare.  I have been flying for 1 hr. 5 min. this morning at 6,000 feet doing straight runs of a bombing exercise over a target.  I have to get back to lectures in a couple of minutes so I'll mail this now or I'll never get it away.

Get well soon and take good care of yourself.

                                                                                         As Ever, Your Brother,

                                                                                           Estelles

Church Record Sunday - Florence Sybil Koch

My grandmother, Florence Sybil Koch's baptism 

Florence Sybilla Koch

a child of Charles Koch and his wife Sybilla J. nee Steingruber was born in Billings, Montana on April 4, 1907 and baptized in Billings, Montana on July 5, 1907 

 in the Name of the

Triune God

the Father, the Sun and the holy Ghost

WITNESSES:                                                                      which is herewith certified by

                                                                                             

(Can't read name)                                                             H. T. Rauh

Barbara Steingruber                                                                         Pastor

I have never seen grandma's middle name as Sybilla. She always went by Florence Sybil. Barbara Steingruber was my greatgrandmother's sister. 

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

                                                                                                     Brize Norton
                                                                                                     January 22, 1939
Dear Folks:

I haven't written for a long time but still there isn't much to write about.  All I can see is rain and rain. It rains all day and all night.  This is the most rain they have had in January in England for 100 years.  We don't get much flying weather.  I got about 1 hours in this month, but from the air you can see how much of the country is under water, just like a flood, only the water isn't going anywhere.  I saw lots of houses standing out in the water, just like islands.

The aerodrome is getting so soft and muddy and covered with water that it is impossible to take off or land without splattering the planes up.  In fact, I heard that the rains over this week-end have just put the aerodrome unserviceable - so I suppose we won't get any flying until it dries up - if that is possible, maybe they can put floats on instead of wheels.  I saw the sun once or twice last week for a couple minutes.  We had a cold spell the first week in January.  There was a bit of frost and the water froze over but it is mild now.

One day last week when Doug and I were going up to do Camera Obscura, we got up to 6,000 feet when one motor cut out.  It didn't stop but it wouldn't rev up, so we glided down and landed.  After we landed we found out that the carburetor on that engine was plugged up and a rocker arm on one cylinder was broken off.  We couldn't have done our exercise anyway because after a few minutes the sky was covered with low clouds at about 1,000 feet and it started to rain.  I suppose I'll have to tell you what Camera Obscura is:  well, first you go up to the required height and find the wind speed and direction by the 3-course or some other method. I can't explain how this is don; its too complicated.  Anyhow, after you find W.S and D. you set it on the bomb site which is situated in the nose so you can look down. We have to lie on our tummies to do this while the pilot steers the aircraft.  After everything, including your speed, altitude and wind is set on the bombsite we look down the drift wires through the sites and direct the pilot to turn until the target appears to be coming straight down the drift wires.  The target is a building with a lens in the ceiling which reflects the aircraft on a chart table.  As soon as the A/C (aircraft) comes on the chart the track is marked with a pencil.  Instead of dropping a bomb a light under the A/C is flashed.  This is recorded on the chart, then knowing the wind, etc. the charters figure out where the bomb would have dropped so when we come down we can see the results of our 'bombing' known as Camera Obscura.  I hope you get the idea, it's hard to explain all this stuff because there are so many different terms used and all kinds of gadgets I never even knew of before.

We also do "air to ground" which is firing a Camera Gun at targets, as we fly past them.  We fly alongside the targets about 400 feet away and 200 feet up and as we go past we shoot at them.  There are 1 of them 300 yards apart.  The camera lens is marked with circles so when the picture is developed it looks like this:

The target is a white board about 6 feet square with a cross on it.  It is how we tell what kind of shooting we did.  The camera gun looks something like a machine gun and is "free" (to move), also the turret moves around so we can swing the gun in any position.

In another letter I'll try to tell you how we find wind speed and direction from the air.  I don't suppose you thought that was possible but there are about 26 different methods of doing it.

I think I will buy myself a suit next month.  I have only the 1 dark suite to wear and its getting a bit shabby.  We can get a real good suite for about 50 shillings - $12.50.  The same quality would cost about $30 in Canada.

I am sending a couple of snaps of Whitley.  I hope to get on something like this.  They are classed as heavies but I believe Air Ministry are going to come out soon with a much larger aircraft soon with 4r motors.

It is after midnight so I think I ought to got to bed.  I hope you got the aeroplane card album.  Tell Vernon I will write to him sometime this week.  I suppose he is still studying.  How is Pearl D. getting along?  If you see her, give her my best regards.  I hope you are all feeling tops, and don't forget to write.  I haven't heard from you for nearly 2 weeks.  Your last letter is dated 20th of December.

                                                                                 Best Wishes and Love,
                                                                               
                                                                                 Estelles
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Armstrong_Whitworth_Whitley

World War II Letters Home January, 5, 1939 - Estelles Wickenkamp

                                                                                                        Brize Norton, Oxon

                                                                                                        January 5, 1929

Dear Esther:

I received both of your parcels the day I came back from my holidays, also I had a big stack of letters waiting for me.

The sweater is really swell, I sure like it, and for once I have had one with sleeves long enough.  You shouldn't have bought me such an expensive desk set.  It is something I needed and i am really proud of it.

I feel ashamed of myself for not sending you something nicer but I really didn't know what to get.  But next month I am going to get a pair of earrings (I think you wear them) and a R.A.F broach to match ( I mean vice-versa).  I got a photo album from Richard and Dot sent me a signet ring with my initials on it.  I haven

t been wearing  a ring since I have been there here. Mom is sending me a parcel but I haven't got it yet, I suppose it will be here tomorrow.

I also got a safety razor from the people where I was staying in Wales.  I don't need it though; I have a couple already and i want to get a Remington Electric Shaver.  Here in England all the current is from 230 to 250 volts, so they put a resistor on razors as they are made for 110 volts.

I had a wonderful time in Wales, I spent my whole fortnight there.  I have never been to so many parties no met so many people in all my life.  The Welsh people are very sociable.  I think (I mean, I know) there wasn't a day went by that we didn't drink.  As soon as i got out of bed, which was usually 11 o'clock to 1:30 p.m. I had to have a drink and of course it continued all day and half the night.  We usually went to a pub where all of us young folks gathered or else to some party; it sure was fun.  I wish you could be here to go pub-crawling with us.  People in this country they don't drink to get drunk or bleary-eyed like the Americans, etc. they just take it slowly and steadily; you don't see anyone getting rorry-eyed very often.  In fact, I have never been tight or whatever you wish to call it, since I have been over here, and I must admit I have on several occasions drunk about 20 glasses of beer.  I could hardly believe it.  It isn't that the stuff hasn't any kick, it's just the way you take it.

I didn't take many pictures while I was in Wales but will send you the few I have as soon as I get them developed.

Now that  I am in the Senior Term or A.T.S (Advanced Training Squadron) and have my wings (which are cloth and sewed on) I am a fully fledged pilot.  We do not get much dual instruction now, but we boys fly together as pilot and observer or bomb airmen or gunner.  I am flying with Douglas Morris, a 'bloke' from Calgary, Alberta.  This afternoon on our first trip of 1 hour he was pilot and I, observer and we went up and did some WS/D finding (wind-speed and direction).  Then we came down and went up again and I was pilot.  We did some recco work (reconnaissance), counting trains and cars at some R.R. station, and counting aircraft at another aerodrome, etc.  It is real interesting work.

We have heaters installed in our planes now so they are quite warm even at 5,00 feet.  All I wear is a pair of combinations over my uniform, and I am still wearing summer underwear.

It has been snowing a little every night but melts away in the day.  It was about 32 above today so it didn't thaw much.  The worst part of this weather is that the aerodrome is getting soft and sloppy.  Sometimes when we are landing or taking off we run through a patch of water and splashes all over the plane,  and when the brakes are put on, the wheels just slide over the wet grass.

I got Christmas cards from Doris Dalton, Virginia H. and Kenneth. They are almost bewildered to think that I am here.  Doris sent me a card while back announcing the arrival of here little baby boy.

Well, it is nearly supper time, 7:30, and we are wearing our mess kits tonight so I'll have to get my wellingtons and skin-tights on and get over to the mess.

In the exams we had just before Christmas I made an average of 73.4%.  It wasn't as good as I had hoped to make but some of the papers were really tough.  We don't have any exams to speak of this term but we get assessed on our qualities as an officer and as a pilot.  Also on the results we get at Armament Camp, such as bomb dropping and machine and camera gun work.  We will be going to Catfoss (near Grimby) for Armament on the 8th of February.  We will be there a month.

About 6 weeks ago I got a bad kick in a rugby game,  just above my ankle and there has been a swelling like a hard lump there ever since,  so I went to the M.O. (Medical Officer) and he said the bone had been splintered so he taped it up for me.  It hasn't bothered me except when I bumped it, but I guess it will be alright soon.

We have been issued with rifles and bayonets so now we have rifle drill.  We worked our way out of P.T this term which is a good thing - because I never did like doing P.T. before breakfast.

Well, I think I have almost overdone myself, I must say Cheerio!

Give the gang my best regards and tell them to go easy on my photo - which I hope you have received in good condition.

I have been gaining weight lately, either I'll have to reduce or else get my clothes, and uniforms altered.

I saw "Snow white" yesterday, so, "Off to bed I go".

                                                                                           Love,

                                                                                            Estelles

World War II Letters Home January 3, 1939 - Estelles Wickenkamp

                                                                                                    Tuesday, January 3, 1939

I didn't get my letter finished last night, so I'll see what more I can add now.  I can't remember all the tools that I left in the garage, but here is a list  that will cover most of them:

I set (5) box wrenches
1 large box Wrench, off-set on one end only
1 set (3) box wrenches
1 set flat wrenches (about 6 0r 7)
1 set (3) ignition  wrenches
1 shore screwdriver (celluloid handle)
1 1 1/2 lb. ball peen hammer
1 8 in. blade crescent screwdriver
1 pr. side cutters (Swedish, I think)
1 set (4) chrome tappet wrenches
1 only 1/2 x 9 American tappet wrench (I'm not sure whether I left it home or not)
1 set 4 wheel pullers (in red boxes), also I think there were 2 others not in boxex
1 piston pin inserter (for A Fords)
1 value seat refacer with 4 or 5 pilot stems, different sizes
1 cheap value lifter (no good)
1 long handle spinner (with swivel end). You know the one I used for con. rods.
1 set sockets 12 pr. from 7/16" to 1 1 1/16" - most of them are bonney and grey, also two 21/32 for Fords (one extra thin, I ground it down)
1 tapped wrench 9 17/32 x 9/32 or some odd size like that
1 blow torch (with shield). I think I took mine in and took John's out home.  I'm not sure but I believe I had one of our soldering irons there too, (John only had one blunt one)
2 Lincoln grease guns (1 small, 1 medium)
1 oil and grease gun (brass barrell, about 2 1/2" diam. and screw handle, with detachable nozzle)
1 manifold box wrench, curved handle 5/8 x 9/16
1 manifold box wrench, short 9/16 x 5/8

I had a long handle speed wrench at home; if it is  not there then it must be at the garage, it was a Gray.

3 strips of feeler gauge stock .006. .008 and .013 thous.

I can't remember what else there might be but I think that covers the biggest part of it anyway.  They are your tools now so if you want to sell any of them you can, but I think they come in quite handy at home, even if it is just to fix the plow or rod-weeder.

I suppose the wind-electric is going strong.  Have you got an 8 volt battery now?  If you use 8 volts on the lights probably you should fix some sort of resistor or rheostat on one of the wires leading from the wall socket to the radio.  I think there is an extra rheostat in the junk up in your clothes closet or where ever it is by now.  You can test it with a volt meter to see when there is 6 or 6 1/2 volts going through.  You don't get any distant stations except on a big set.

The new Junior Term arrived here yesterday so things are going full swing again.  I felt a little strange when I went flying today after being off it for a couple weeks.  The Oxfords we fly this term are camoflaged on the top half, and have gun turrets and bomb racks.  Also they have only 1 pilots seat.  They are fitted with dual control.

There is still a trace of snow here, as it snowed a bit last night.  I don't mind the snow;  it is the water and mud that makes it rotten here.  The bottoms of our trousers are always slopped up with this clay.

I got a couple of letters from Fennel; he was up in Yorkshire the last I heard but I think he was moved from there now.

Well, I have just had a bath and I think it is my bedtime so I had better finish this now.  I'll have to write to Esther tomorrow night.

Take care of yourselves.

                                                                                                     Love,
                                                                                                     Estelles