I am always on the lookout for unique and historically relevant letters, photos and postcards that tell the history of warfare from the perspective of the "man in the trenches". When
I spotted this postcard, I realized it had a great story to tell.
This is a "humorous postcard" that was mailed home by a Private, serving as a firefighter in the US Army Air Force during WW2.
The author of this card was Private S. Makarowitz. According to the return address, Pvt. Makarowitz was assigned to the 2036th Engineering Fire Fighting Platoon, based at Harding Field, Louisiana, USA. The card is postmarked July 24th, 1943.
The 2036th Engineering Fire Fighting Platoon was part of the 385th Bombardment Group, of the US 8th Air Force from 1943 to 1955. Shortly after this post card was mailed, Pvt. Makarowitz's unit was sent overseas to England. They served as the "Crash-Rescue Fire Department" for the 385th Bombardment Group while they were stationed at the Royal Air Force (RAF) Great Ashfield Air Base. The airfield was located near Suffolk, England.
A check of the causality and killed lists for the this unit revealed that Private Makarowitz survived the war.
I will let the photos of this card speak for themselves, however, here is a transcript of the letter's narrative, by Private Sol Makarowitz:
Dear Mr. Fleisher,
I am getting along fine here and everything would be swell here if it wasn't for the temperature which is 120 degrees.
You remember what Squinty(?) said well I think he is all wrong. Of course I would like to be back but it isn't as bad as he said.
I hope you are all well.
Regards to everyone,
Sincerely
Sol
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