G Branch

HQ I Corps

APO England

Thurs 22 June 44

My dearest Maz,

This will not be a very long letter as I shall have to go and feed myself in about a quarter of an hour’s time, do I shall miss me lunch.

Now, Maz dear, the reason for my lack of news from Eileen is apparent – poor child.  I had a letter from her on Tuesday written from some wretched RAF hospital on the 13^th – she must have been feeling pretty miserable, though in her letter she showed no trace of the bitter disappointment which I know she felt and I was more thankful than I can say that she’s recovering well and is really better – it must all have been a nightmare for her – oh how I wish I could have been there with her it’s awful to be so far away and to feel so powerless to do anything – never have I hated this war so much as I did that afternoon – there seemed no justice in the world – there are so many thousands of unwanted babies born every day, even to people who call themselves happily married – it’s so very easy to say – ah well there will be plenty of time but when one has said that for years, it gets a bit irksome – sorry to sound so childish about it all but that afternoon was the nearest thing to hell I’ve yet to know – but with the knowledge that Eileen is OK that is all that matters – I think it’s the feeling of inability to help that makes things seem worse.

I have led a very sombre existence since my last letter and now have definite hours of work each day from 4 pm – midnight so I have nothing to complain of – no mail has arrived these last two days and there’s no immediate sign of any on its way – I do so look forward to a letter from you soon.  I had such a nice birthday letter from Elli, please thank him very much for it and tell him I’ll be writing soon – I’m sorry this is such a dull gloomy affair – I don’t feel too bad and am in good health and am still as optimistic as ever that we haven’t much longer to wait now before we shall be coming home – much love to you Maz dear, I think of you so much and long to see you again – God bless, my love to Pari and Elli.

            Yours as ever

very affectionately

                        Peter

In envelope headed ‘On Active Service’ addressed to Mrs Gerald C Benham, 5 Oxford Road Colchester Essex.

Postmarked FIELD POST OFFICE 439 dated 23 JU 44.  Passed by censor No 15487 and signed P.C. Benham Capt.

On back of envelope Written  June 22^nd 1944 rec July 14^th 1944.      (10)

Kriegsgefangenenpost

Postkarte                                                                   Stamp Mil Luftpost Par Avion

                                                                                    Stamp GEPRUFT 22

                                                                                    Stamp. Postmark date 21.6.44.

An                   Mrs. E. Wilkinson                            Stamp PASSED P.W. 5858

Gebuhrenfrei!

                        Empfangsort: Little Lever Nr BOLTON

                        Strasse:          84 Settle Street

                        Land;              LANCASHIRE ENGLAND.

Absender:

Vor-und Zuname:

Ernest Wilkinson Sgt.

Gefangennummer: 211329

Lager-Bezeichnung

DULAG-LUFT

Deutschland (Germany)

Kriegsgefangenenlager.                                                                             Datum: 10.6.44

Dearest.  Alive and well.  I hope you are alright.  I am a prisoner of war.  Will write letter from permanent address.  My regards to all.  Give my love to your mother.  All my love darling.  Yours ever.  Ernest.

G Branch

HQ I Corps

APO England

20 June 44

My dearest Maz,

I was so delighted last night when someone handed me a letter from you and the ECS so very many thanks for your birthday greetings, you timed it magnificently – may I belated though this is but none the less sincere for that, wish you and Pari very many happy returns of your wedding anniversary and may we all next year and it’s wizard to think that then there will be another little Benham with us, may we all be able to celebrate this double anniversary as we would wish to, the nightmare a thing forgotten, a family which is a real family in every sense of the word, together.

You will be sorry to hear that I had no luck with the Derby, I didn’t even draw a horse so took no interest in the race or winner!  Next Derby I hope once again to organise the office sweep and, as was my wont to draw the favourite!

Having very little to do yesterday afternoon I accompanied my G2, a very nice chap named Morris on a trip round the countryside meeting on our travels none other than Ian who was in ‘fairly’ good form – looking I thought a trifle tired and pre-occupied.  He has only been here a few days I think.  He told me that Diana had had a girl at the beginning of the month, a fact which I think caused him a certain amount of disappointment.  Maz dear how very sweet of you to have got me a present for the 17^th – very very many thanks – I really think with the posts as they are at the moment that it would be better for it to be kept for a bit until things become fairly normal.  I have had no letter from Eileen since the 5^th June (your last one was dated 13^th) so it just shows how cock-eyed the posts are at present though it’s amazing that we get anything at all.  I was very interested to hear of Francis’ brothers visit to you – Francis is out here now – he was summoned over very urgently and suddenly to replace a casualty – I haven’t seen him as yet.  I do so hope some of my letters have reached you by now – I landed on the 6^th and on the 7^th sent you and Eileen each a Field Service PC, I had of course no time to write a letter, but wanted to put your mind at rest – I hope when next I hear from you my mail will have started to arrive.  The weather changed very suddenly yesterday though it’s improved again today, every thing got soaked through but thanks to the tent which I have scrounged I kept comparatively dry.  Maz dear I must close – so very many thanks for your letter of good wishes, much love to you and God bless you – my love to Pari and Elli, I think so very much about you all

            Yours as always

Very affectionately

                        Peter

In envelope headed ‘On Active Service’ addressed to Mrs Gerald C Benham, 5 Oxford Road Colchester Essex.

Postmarked FIELD POST OFFICE 439 dated 21 JU 44.  Passed by censor No 15487 and signed P.C. Benham Capt.

On back of envelope Dated June 20^th rec June 29^th 1944.      (7)

Second Lieutenant Fred S. Kaufman, who as co-pilot of a Flying Fortress completed three missions on D-Day, was killed in action on June 19 while flying his 29^th mission over Nazi-occupied Europe, the War Department has notified his family.

Lieutenant Kaufman was the husband of the former Lucille Colante, 30 Division Street, New Jersey, and the son of Mr. and Mrs. Phillip Kaufman, 626 Melrose Avenue.  He also is survived by a brother, Corporal Milton S. Kaufman, stationed in England with the army signal corps, and a sister, Miss Mildred Kaufman.

The 23-year old flier’s wife received a telegram from the War Department on June 29 notifying her that her husband was missing in action on June 19.  The formal announcement that he was “missing” is contained in a War Department news release today from Washington.  In the meanwhile, however, Mrs. Kaufman received another telegram bearing the news her husband was killed in action on June 19.

Lieutenant Kaufman was the recipient of the Air Medal, plus three oak leaf clusters and two bronze stars.  He entered the army air force on February 23, 1943, and has been overseas since April 8, last.  He trained at Maxwell Field, Ala; Shaw Field, S.C.; George Field, III., taking his operational training at Sioux City, la., receiving his wings on December 5, last.  Lieutenant Kaufman attended Central High School and the School of Industrial Arts and prior to entering the armed forces he was an assistant manager of the fur department of Dunham’s.

Among the missions flown by Lieutenant Kaufman were hitting such vital targets as Berlin, Hamm, Frankfurt, Munich, Cologne, Hamburg, the Pas-de-Calais area, and other important industrial targets in Nazi-occupied territory.

Sunday

Dear Fred,

            I suppose you’re a very busy man these days.  From all indications I would say you are.

            I tried to call you Friday evening but was unable to get you.  I will try again this Friday around 10 P.M.  If you can manage it stick around.  I do hope we can get together soon and will discuss old times and family.

            I have been receiving mail regularly from home and all is well.

            Be careful – hope to be seeing you soon.

                                    Yours

                                                Milton.

In cover addressed Lt. Fred S. Kauffman, ASN # 0-818878, 525 Bo. Sq. 379 Bo. Gr. A.P.O. 557 U.S. Army England.

Sender: Cpl. Milton S. Kaufman # 12133293 Co. “B” 3103^rd Sig. Serv. Bn. A.P.O. # 308, U.S. Army England.

Censor mark: PASSED BY U S 30968 rest unreadable.

.

G Branch

HQ I Corps

APO England

Monday 12 June 44

My dearest Maz,

It’s a lovely day here, a trifle noisy at times but I’m writing this very peacefully in the mess tent – I’m not on duty until 2 ocl and then am off again at 10 pm.  Bill Hambleton I hear is fairly near at hand so I must try and get over to see him – possibly tomorrow morning, all being well.  Do you remember Owen Hunt, a great friend of mine at Uppingham with whom I played at Queens?  I met him last night, in great form, and we had a long chat about old times over a tot of whiskey – otherwise I’ve not met many people I know, the only other ‘outsider’ I’ve met was Jack Saddleton, with whom I shared a cabin coming back from Africa.

I was so very sorry about the letter which I wrote to you on the ship and then never posted, a most regrettable occurrence, I hope it arrives safely though.  Our Air Force has been and is being, splendid, quite invaluable.  I listened to the news this morning which seemed very good – good from Russia from Italy and from here – I’m convinced that I shall win that bet I have with you!  I do hope you are getting some good tennis.  I would give so much to be joining in but this time next year you and I will be approaching the finals of those cups we hold!  Sorry to hear about Nora King, I hope she’s soon up and about again and feeling fitter.  This isn’t a very exciting letter I’m afraid but there’s no news from here, at least nothing which I can say, so one’s style is a trifle cramped – I must away now for a spot of lunch and then on duty.  Much love to you, Maz dear, am thinking so much about you and longing so much to be back again in the bosom of the family

            Yours as ever

very affectionately

                        Peter

In envelope headed ‘On Active Service’ addressed to Mrs Gerald C Benham, 5 Oxford Road Colchester Essex.

Postmarked FIELD POST OFFICE 735 dated 12 JU 44.  Signed P.C. Benham Capt.

On back of envelope Rec June 17^th 1944 dated June 12^th.     (5)

LETTER FORM.

Capt P.C. Benham

Address for use at present                                      G Branch H.Q. I Corps

APO England

Sunday 11 June 44

10.30 pm

My dearest Maz,

Thrill of thrills about 30 minutes ago when a super mail arrived – 4 from Eileen and a wizard one from you – so very many thanks.  Maz dear, I was so delighted to hear all your ‘gen’ – there’s not a lot from this end – I’m now sitting outside my tent complete with sleeping trench, dug myself, inside and the light is going a bit, hence rather hurried writing – Pari will tell you what time I came in on this party not too early but early enough.  I’m not on duty again ‘til lunch time tomorrow so will write at greater length tomorrow – I so loved your letter – yes the thought of the coming event is rather thrilling  – it makes me so very happy – by the way your letter was dated 2 June and this is the first received since I saw you last – Others must be on their way – they’ve done well to get anything across to us so quickly – please thank Pabird for his letter – Much love

            Yours v affectionately

                        Peter

Addressed to Mrs Gerald C Benham, 5 Oxford Road Colchester Essex.

Postmarked FIELD POST OFFICE 738 dated 13 JU 44.  Passed by censor No 15487 and signed P.C. Benham Capt. Annotated in pencil Rec June 17^th 1944, dated June 11^th 44.  Senders name and address Capt P.C. Benham, G Branch, H.Q. I Corps APO England.     (3)

Telephone No.

COLNBROOK 231/232/233

Central Depositary,

Royal Air Force,

COLNBROOK

Slough, Bucks.

CD/FX.48483

9^th June 1944.

2211329 Sgt. Wilkinson. E.

Dear Madam,

I thank you for returning the Form of Indemnity duly signed and would inform you that the effects of the above named will be forwarded to you as soon as possible.

Yours faithfully

Signature unreadable

for Squadron Leader, Commanding,

R.A.F. Central Depository.

Mrs. E. Wilkinson,

1068 Bury Road,

Breightmet,

Bolton,

Lancs.