Dahringer to Besley, June 7, 1918

Dahringer to Besley, June 7, 1918

Homer Dahringer writes to Ruth Besley about his experiences flying. He details some of his observer trainings and discusses his desire to be at home with her.

Homer Dahringer

6/7/1918

Correspondence

Document

June 7, 1918 Sweetheart mine, They are keeping us right busy here now but the work is very interesting. I see by the morning paper that New York is having its submarine scare. Rather brining the war close to home. I am receiving a letter from you most every other day now. The last one I received was mailed in Waukegan May 20 and came through in 16 days. That is good service. I received the one with the samples of your dress in. I think they are awfully pretty. Do they wrinkle easily or arent you bothered about that now. I received a letter from mother today enclosing Ednas letter. We are progressing at a great rate here. Busy every minute of the time. Town of Tours is only 3 miles away but I havent been there since I came out to camp. Had a lot of machine gun practice yesterday. I am going to try and master the machine gun because it is a protection and the pilot would rather have an observer who can shoot well than any other. I passed in three gun tests the first day. I also passed my wireless the first week. That is how I happen to have time to write right now. It is 1:45 now. I spent most of the morning in the air. I took some photos from about 50000 ft high and sent wireless signals from about 2000 ft. it is funny thing about flying. In the morning and evening the air is usually smooth. At noon during the heat of the day the air gets bumpy, and you get much the same effect as riding in a boat only more exaggerated. You will be going along and the plane will first drop about 200 ft and then shoot up again. One gets used to it though. I never will get tired of riding in the air. The view is simply wonderful. At 5000 ft it is quite cold early in the a.m. None of our class have had any serious accidents as yet nor did the class ahead of us. At times we travel as fast as 130 miles per hr and faster but the machines that we use here are not considered fast. I fly again tonight and tomorrow afternoon. This is about all the news at present. It does me good to see how the Americans are holding their lines at the front. I would sure like to walk the streets of Chicago shop gazing with you today and take in a show and lunch at home afterwards but.The best I can do is read your letters and look at your pictures. I am sending lots of love and nothing and am expecting a lot in return. Your own Dahry K. Homer W. Dahringer 2nd Lt ASSUSR I am glad you used the handkerchief. Will try something else now.