The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1943-05-27

The following letter was received
by Mr.. and Mrs. Gilbert St Marie
from their nephew, Earl Lovick, who
is with the U. S. air forces IN North
Africa. He writes, under date of
April Is, and says in part, as fol-
lows.
Received your letter of March 81
today and the one of March. IT yes
terday. The package of candy, Gig
arettes and soap, also today. Thanks
very much for them all, for they
are more than appreciated When
anyone gets package here, 1t IS
a squadron package and everyone
shares the candy and other edibles,
which is a good idea, for each fel-
low may not be getting edibles reg
ularly but collectively they come
through pretty good. The pack
ages have come through pretty
slowly but they are catching up !
also had one from Al few days
ago. They have been chasing me
hither and yon, SO that takes bit
of time too.
We are at quite nice spot ge-
ographically now. There are plen--
ty OF grass and flowers around and
the hills are green and look very
pretty after the desert. We also
have a fine officers mess, with
electric lights, plenty of reading
material, when the time is on hand
a radio and monograph with quite
a collection of records. Once IN
while we pick up a program from
America. which are usually re-
broadcasts but very much apprecl-
ated. The news can be heard every
night to see how the battle as a
whole is going. as we'll as how
things are going on the other world
fronts. When the time for the
broadcasts comes all gather around
and listen attentively.
Yesterday was Easter and we had
services here which were well at
tended. l have a bit of personal
news which was good. / received
orders saying that I had been pro-
NOTED to first lieutenant the 18th OF
April, SO / felt pretty good about
that.
In regard to your question about
the Red Cross. They really do some
fine work over here. In the more
forward areas, they do good deal
towards getting things the fellows
would like to have-mOre or less
the non essentials or luxury items
They do good deal in this way
In the areas farther back they have
been very instrumental in arrang-
ing billets and eating places fol
the men to stay, and organizing rec
reational centers of one sort OF
another. They also arrange tours te
places of interest for the men, or
which it is possible for them te
visit spots of historic, cultural OF
general Importance at minimum
cost to themselves. Each dollar IN
vested serves its purpose.
/ was glad to hear that you hat
begun to receive the receipts fol
nv war bonds. / have been deduct
ing enough from my pay to buy one
month since last October. SO
should have six now, almost seven
They are busy in that department
in Washington, behind in fact, 81
/ knew it would be a while befor'
they started coming, but they shoult
be coming through now as regu
larly as Christmas and some PEG
pies babies.
I was going to tell you that TIL
group I'm with destroyed "a enem,
planes in a single engagement. i
was probably the biggest air bat
tie in the War-for that matter, Il
history. There were no losses i
the squadron I'm with and only 81
in the whole group, and some Q
those pilots may be safe. 1t wa
really a fine record. Excitement wa
great that night. The first man i
our squadron to land had bagge
three, SO we eagerly awaited tn
rest to land to count up the score
MY regret was that | couldn't hav
taken part in it. There really IS
fine bunch Of fellows here and
l. I l. ftnfr