650 8/9/1945 Jim Erwin to Sadie Erwin

Jim Erwin 497th Service Sqdn. 44th Service Group, APO 487, NY Thursday, August 09, 1945

Sadie Erwin Box 44, Enumclaw, Washington

Dear Folks, Looks like the war might be nearly over. Last night on the 10:30 news, the announcer said that the war was not over. Fellows up and down the valley were shooting guns and having a heck of a good time. Bright and early this morning the rumor was that Russia had declared war on Japan. The news will be on before I finish this letter and will know if it is true. Yesterday everybody talked and talked about the new “atomic” bomb. Imagine people all over the world were doing the same. Too bad it wasn’t developed sooner and used on Germany. Guess we’re fortunate that our scientists discovered it instead of one of the Axis nations. Germany would have knocked England out fast if she would have had it. I’m supposed to go on detached service for about a month with Chris Dariotis. We’re going to another group within the Command and try to get classes started. Should be leaving in a day or so. If I like it there, he said that he could have me transferred. Our band is finally organized. We played last Saturday night for a dance here in the Group. Everybody was surprised and pleased. This Saturday night, we’re playing for a dance at an Officer’s Club. We will make about $5.00 a piece. Tonight we’re going to play at the Red Cross. It’s really a lot of fun. I would have to go on D.S. I’m coming back every night we play. The radio just confirmed the rumor that Russia had just declared war on Japan. The war might be over before this letter reaches you. Wouldn’t that be wonderful. Think it is a little late for Russia to enter. This way, they will be able to put claim on Manchuria. If the war ended immediately, it would probably be six months before we were to get home. The Red Cross has a new girl from the States. Her name is Peggy, 24 years old, and very lovely. Everybody in the Group is trying to get a date with her. Believe it or not, I’m the only one that has succeeded. Now I’m going to be gone for a month or so makes me mad. She is going to sing with the band, though, so I’ll see her then. The only trouble with this job in the education department is that when the war is over and everybody is through working, we will start working all the harder. A theatre directive stated that when the war ends, the men have a choice of participating in athletics or going to school. We have three buildings now being used for classrooms. The rooms are used six nights a week for about 3 ½ hours. Have classes in the following: algebra, Spanish, auto-mechanics, shorthand, art, photography, welding and carpentry. We are going to start more classes soon. This Group is leading the theatre in this department. Hundreds of fellows are taking high school and college courses through the mail. The work piles up more every day and keeps the Captain and myself plenty busy. It rains all the time. Did so all last night and still is this morning. Makes it nice and cool though. We have been taking atabrine tablets for the past number of months. Nobody has had malaria that actually has been taking the tablets. Last year at this time over 20% of the men were in the hospital. The only trouble is that these tablets just suppress the disease. When we stop taking them, might all have it. I’m not worried though. Wasn’t taking anything last year and didn’t get it. We’re working on the 16th month overseas and I’m ready to go home. I’m now working on 30 months in the Army which is quite awhile too. Especially when I’ve only been home once. Another box arrived from you. Had olives, tuna fish and relish in the package. We boiled some eggs, mixed it all up with mayonnaise, made some Kool-Aid and had a picnic. Tasted wonderful. Thanks a lot. Don’t think you had better send anything more now with the outlook on the war as it is. Hope to be home and enjoying it before too many months pass. Everybody says that the Americans must be out of India inside of three months after the war or they will lose all of their equipment. Hope that is true as would get home much sooner. With love, Jim