A letter written after the escape and upon return to Podington, England. Note the hint about returning home. Although not dated, the letter was probably written sometime in September, 1944. Their escape began August 16, and the Escape and Evasion Report was dated August 29.

FROM
Lt. O. C. Sampson
407 SQDN 92 BOMB GROUP

(no date!)

Dear Kids,

Thanks very much for your letters.
Forgive me for not writing sooner, alibis I
have none. Beautiful football weather here to-day.
Last night was real love making weather,
Full moon, stars, ta ta da dah. How do
I know about such things anyway! May
have a surprise for you soon, it should
be a pleasant surprise. Incidentally tell Mother
that only John Garcia and I are back,
here in England, the remainder of the crew
are still where they were. We are going to
hit the chow line now so I will hang
up the pen and "V" mail. My regards to
all and say hello to Holly, Joe, and Moms
for me. So long for now,    love,  brudder
                                                  "Osc"

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From a training base in Texas, after meeting two
other escapees from Switzerland.

FROM
Lt. O. C. Sampson
2511 Air Base Unit
Officer Student Detachment
Bryan Field, Texas

November 22, 1944

Dear Dot n' Ed,

            Just a note to yez to
ask what I should get Dad and Mother
for Christmas and whether or not
you think it best I send a money
order for the kids' Christmas presents.
    Our class down here doesn't start
for almost a month, could have
gotten an extension on my leave, but
we're here now and have to like it.
Was on pass to Houston, the largest
town near here 100 miles! Met two
guys who had been in Switzerland
with me. One lives in Houston and is
on his 21 days leave there. Also met a guy
who graduated from Luke with me.
    Sure miss being home. Never felt any
particular homesickness before but now
I'm fed up with this living out of
a Balfour bag and moving here there
and here again. Well sorry, I didn't
send Holly a card. Just a raunch
that's all.           best of luck,
                           love, Osc

P.S. Dot! What should I get Ed for Christmas?

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From the training base in Texas, after meeting
more escapees from Switzerland. Oscar spent
Christmas with John Steichen, who was now
also back in the U.S.

FROM
Lt. O. C. Sampson
2511 Air Base Unit
Officer Student Detachment
Bryan Field, Texas

December 30, 1944

Dear Dot n' Ed,

            Howdy kids! Thank
you for the nice Christmas card. Don't
believe I ever thanked you for the
Christmas package you sent to England.
It came back to Joisey and I opened
it before I left home. I use the knife
all the time and the chow I used
quickly. Thanks!
    We are going to ground school
in a few minutes so will interrupt
this for the present. time out. 2.05 P.M.
    Hello again! back from ground
school, The boys are flying this
afternoon, the weather wasn't so hot
this morning, so we didn't fly.
Sent a letter to England trying to
trace my clothes, that I sent from
there last October.
    Hope you folks had snow for
Christmas and Have a Happy New
Year celebration and have a wonderful
New Year with the war ending soon, O.K.?
    Was down to Houston over Christmas
Eve. and Christmas day. Saw Johnny
Steichen there and we talked over old
times. At present he is stationed at
Ellington Field about 20 miles from
Houston, a guy he lives with in Houston
(they don't live on the post) was in Switzer-
land with us, there are at least 4 or 5
guys here on the post with me who
were in Switzerland and escaped after Garcia
and I got out. Funny how the guys
all escaped (a lot got caught) when it would
be so soft to sweat the war out there
in pleasant surroundings and save a lot
of dough eh? Well, I don't regret anything
say hello to the kids for me.     love, bro "Osc"
 

Web page created by Ed Rathje - last updated October 11, 2001.