Please make an appointment for me for Donkin in one month
Morotai
Sat night 27 Jan [1945]
10 p.m.
Darling –
Have just returned from a picture show down the road – it is a wonderful night full of moonlight (and) mild breezes, long slender trees screen the moon as searchlights: fingering the sky while invisible birds pipe a flute like obligato to movies on the screen.
That was the set up an hour ago – but since we returned at 9.30 and had a cuppa in the mess it has started raining. Weather is odd & unpredictable and Eddie Dunstan has started playing his mechanical letter writing machine. That cuppa I spoke of was the first we have had on the island. It is as scarce as a hot cocky’s -. All food supplies seem to be released by the US forces, consequently the choice has been between coffee, cocoa and water. Seems that a liberty ship brought some stores in today. Hence a great chuffing of choofers* as the gentlemen of the camp settle down to the reviving brew.
*Choofer – a device, cribbed from the Americans, consisting of a tank containing high grade petrol which is held into a pipe line which terminates in a coil. Like a vrooming primus – see!
I’d like to see you and bub, darling. Seems ages since that Tuesday less than a fortnight ago. I shall certainly be back before the month is out. I ask you – will that be good or bad? How is the little sprog? (generic name for children in these parts.) Have been looking forward to a letter from you these last couple of days although as you do, can work it out I should not get one until tomorrow even had you answered mine straightaway. I hope one turns up for it would be nice to make some contact with you. You’d like it up here for a couple of weeks. Climate would be right in your barrow although a bit sweaty for the little man.
The lights are due to go out in a second – so goodnight my love.
Sunday 8.30am [28 Jan 1945]. Have just had breakfast – was cooked by 2 terrific explosions – Eddie & I went down to the strip & saw the remains of a big bomber which went up whilst taking off. A pretty awesome site. Will write you again tonight – mail is being collected now – Love from Bill.
