Written the day after we came ashore on the island of Espiritu Santo in the New Hebrides Group. I was in the 98th Squadron.
Jan. 20, 1943
Spent the day looking around our new home. It sure is rough. Right in the middle of a jungle, and very hot and humid in the day time. Although not bad in the evening and night time. In the evening you can see big flying foxes go by. They are a large fruit bat.
Jan. 21, 1943
2:10 am. Woke up with sound of bombs exploding. Layed in bed and listened to them walk away from us as I didn't know enough to hit the ground. Built a fox hole right alongside of my bed so the next time I would fall out into the fox hole.
Jan 23, 1943
12:10 am. Woke up with the sound of bomb exploding some distance away. I tumbled out of bed and into fox hole and listened to the rest of them explode, each coming nearer until last one exploded still quite a distance away. Went back to bed then.
Spent day working on our tent. Raising it up about three feet for more room around us. Lt. Schneir cut his knee with the machete when we went out into the jungle for bamboo.
My name is Dan Paulsen, and I have some memories to share and stories to tell of the places I've been and the times I've lived through--of flying B17s in the South Pacific during World War II, growing up in the Great Depression, gathering military intelligence during the Cold War, and other adventures, large and small. Comments are welcome, and I'd love to hear from anyone who knew me back when. With the help of children, grandchildren, and friends, I will respond.
Saturday, May 28, 2011
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