Well what do you know, the next hop was to England. We took off at 2:10 AM on Saturday March 11th. Flew up to the coast of Spain and Portugal on up past France and then turned about 90° - picked up a radio station and flew in on it. We landed at St. Mawgan Apt. at about 1:00 PM that afternoon. Everything was foggy and clouded over as per usual. After checking in at operations we changed and a truck took us to the nearby city of Newquay, only 3 miles distant. The hotel called the "Great Western" was taken over by the U.S.A. and R.A.F. for its personnel. Boles guarded the plane that night so we 3 took a room (#37) with 3 beds. After eating across the street at Anne's Pantry we walked downtown (central) and went to the Victoria Theatre. Saw a British Charlie Chaplin - and a Margo, Dennis O'Keefe oldie - not too bad however. Still no sleep to speak of in about 7 days. We ate supper and went upstairs. Fisher went to bed, Taylor went out and I wrote Adele a letter and went to bed. Felt pretty good in this morning when they called us about 9:30 the next day, over the PA system. We were supposed to take off for our final destination but weather cancelled the trip and so after working out a system whereby each man would have his share of guard duty, I went back to the hotel with Boles and Taylor. Fisher drew first guard from 12 noon to 3. I was to relieve at 3:00. We had a dandy chicken dinner - cranberry sauce, candied yams, creamed cauliflower, pineapple ice cream - delicious indeed. At 3:00 PM I relieved Fisher guarding the plane. During my 3 hour stay I cleaned my pistol and chatted with several crew members who hung around. After 6 i went back to the hotel, ate cold cuts and met Boles and Fisher and saw free movies in the lounge. We saw "The Fighting French" on the March of ??? and also Kay Francis and Charleston Heston in "Always In My Heart." Excellent show. Afterwards we took a walk in the inky blackness to a little restaurant and had spam and chips (french-fried potatoes). Very good. Went back to the hotel, I shaved, took a bath and went to bed. We were awakened about 9:00 AM by the loudspeaker which said we were to report to the flight line. We reported and while hanging around we opened several boxes of rations and ate breakfast and dinner.

About 12:30 we took off for Warton where we are now about ˝ hour out of. All through the trip Bray has been singing songs - clean and dirty. Just passed an English town full of castles and high stone walls. Bray is now singing "Bye Lo My Baby" - cute too. Now everyone is singing "Home On the Range." At 2:40 we landed at Warton, England, whereever that may be. Right off the bat someone swipes 9 pair or silk stocking belonging to Ish. It seems we all left the ship to check in. Then they told us we would lose the ship so Ish and I went out in a jeep to start unloading. We saw 3 guys there - one on a tug and 2 jump out of the ship. I questioned one and he was checking the Form 1-A. I let it go at that and they scooted off as Ish and I went inside and found the stuff missing. I quickly called the MPs and Ish and I and MPs and their jeep started a merry chase for the vagrants. I was positive I could identify the man I talked to so we started off checking tugs that were out at that time - and drivers, etc. Meanwhile it was nearing 6:00 PM and we hadn't even eaten any breakfast - plenty hungry. One Lt. in a ahngar gave us some of his cake that was apparantly sent from home. Anyhoo we went to the GI barracks and finally rounded up the 3 guys - but of course they denied everything and invited us to search the barracks. It came to pass that this mechanic (Pfc. Goldfarb - Irish), No. 1 - had no permission to enter and search airplanes, No. 2 - was completely out of his appointed area (Zone 4), No. 3 Claimed to be checking the Form 1-A which wasn't even on the ship, as Ish had turned it in, No. 4 - was joyriding with the tug on the army's time, No. 5 - admitted he had bad intentions because he was looking for some tools which he intended to steal.

So after hemming and hawing back and forth, I realized we couldn't accuse him of stealing without the goods - (and besides I was starving). I let the whole matter drop. It was Ish's loss and he hardly seemed interested - but you know me - always a good guy. Anyhoo didn't do much that night except eat and go to bed. Slept late the next day. Wrote to Lenny - in Liverpool.

That evening 8 of the crew went to town (Blackpool) and started walking around. We lost one by one of our men as they dropped off in saloons and restaurants. Finally only Bugger, Rod, Dyas and myself were left - at a place called Winter Gardens - big dance hall, etc. They had a dance there and the place was enormous - hardwood floors. Spent many pennies in machines - chances etc. - won many useless gadgets - gave them back. Before dance us 4 went to movies and saw Lucille Ball in "Best Foot Forward," an oldie that I had seen before but it was enjoyable and very entertaining. Also a picture about juvenile delinquency - because of war parents.

After dance, which broke up about 10:00 Dyas and I went to a fish and chips place and for the first time we got fish with our chips (french fries). Then we caught a train - met Fish, Ish and Joe B at station - and went home. Left the next AM about 10:30 and went to the train station. Hopped a train bound for Stone - little bit south. We had regular trains as far as Stafford where we stopped for an hour for eats - naturally everyone was starved - who got up for breakfast? We ate cold meat pies, buns and unsweetened tea, but it tasted like steak. Then we took another train for the last 15 minute ride to Stone. All 10 of our crew sat in a little compartment of which the train was composed. (As I write this I am trying to smoke a King Edward cigar - what a job! what a feeling!) We arrived at Stone and GI trucks took us about 3 miles out to the camp. Out here I met Meistrich, Ed Lampich, Tom Perry, Evans, McCormick - old pals from way back. We registered and were given food. They told us this was a Rest Home and that we would be there 6-7 days and then we would go to Ireland for 12 more days training and then on to our permanent base. We are quartered in Barracks D - Room 44 which contains 2 double beds. Wednesday night (March 15) didn't do much but go to bed.