The following is a personal journal keep by Major Slack. The journal was returned to his family after he was shot down. The original is in longhand. I have left it as written including spelling and punctuation.

Darling - This is a letter to you uncensored. I hope to write every day in order to supplement my memory and be sure that I say all of the things I want to tell you in the letters I mail.

First and always, let you remember that I love you. I don’t believe that I will become very homesick, that is not in the usual sense, but homesick for you and for the home we will have. I will always be until this thing is over. I believe you feel the same way. I know it - so my mind is at ease. And we will have a wonderful life beginning when I return.

04/22/44

It seems a long time ago when we said, "So long," at Walker. You were wonderful, as if I were to be gone only overnight and really I think neither of us realized it might take a long time. But as I told you, we really parted before then our last night together, of course.

04/13/44 0830

Took off Walker field, landed Presque Isle, Maine 8 hours enroute.

04/15/44 0930

Left P.I. for Gander Lake Newfoundland 3 /12 hours enroute.

04/17/44 2100

Left Gander Lake for Marrakech, French Monaco, North Africa 11 hours enroute.

04-18-44 2200

Left Marrakech for Cairo, Egypt 11 1/2 hours.

04/19/44 2200

Left Cairo for Karachi, India. Was forced to land at Jabwani, India because of poor visibility at destination 8 hours.

04-19-44

To Karachi, India 2 1/2 hours.

The trip to Presque Isle was uneventful, all engines running fine except that Col. Carmichael thought #4 was bad; therefore, we had a great deal of unnecessary maintenance work to do in damn cold snow and windy weather. I stayed with the ship most of the time and we did get a few little oil leaks stopped. Typical American base except for climate and population.

The short flight to Gander Lake was fine except I didn’t get much look at the terrain as we were on top most of the way. Lots of ice and snow on ground with rolling hills, lakes and trees.

The snow at Gander was piled up as high as 12 ft. on the field next to the runway, so it was a little important that the ship stayed on the runway.

We took off the evening of the 14th for the long hop, but were forced to turn back 45 minutes out because of an oil leak. Turned out to be a bad oil cooler, which we patched up the next day.

The trip over the Atlantic was just some more flying. We didn’t see much water as we were almost across by daylight and there were scattered clouds below us. So we landed in Marrakech and found it hot during the day and cool at night. So we changed into cottons and felt warmer for the first time.

Marrakech, North Africa

Wonderful, it was warm. We took off our woolens and into Kakki. The climate about like South Louisiana but not as much rain. Lots of familiar flowers and the homes seemed surrounded by nurseries. The country arid except where irrigated. The natives Arab, and I’m afraid, not too friendly. An air of undercurrent in the beautiful hotel I stayed in. The hotel was as you see in pictures and very romantic with seemingly miles of garden and each first class room opening over the garden with a balcony.

And here is the strange thing or maybe I shouldn’t mention it, each bathroom has a bath tub, a toilet, a wash stand and a douche bowl. It seems no French bath is complete without one. It looks like toilet without a seat, but a little more oblong and more shallow. The drain is like that on a wash stand and it has both hot and cold water. I was amazed. The French call a toilet a water closet and the English on US calls a WC a toilet. It seems to me they have their language reversed.

There is a part of the city call Messina, which is off limits to all GI’s. It is a walled city (small too), which is supposed to enclose about 300,000 people. At least 100,000 are supposed to be and I have no doubt, whores. Of course, I couldn’t go inside the wall, but it is said to be a very filthy place.

The hotel was beautiful with lots of hand carvings, colors, pictures, and tiles. It would be wonderful for us to visit together. However, the only approved food or water is GI.

Cairo

We flew direct from Marrakech and couldn’t believe there could be so much desolated uninhabited sand in my life. We saw a bunch of wrecked tanks and lots of tank tracks across the desert.

I didn’t get to town in Cairo, so only know that the field was a pleasant place except when the wind and sand was blowing. Our quarters were fine. We had Italian ex-prisoners as orderlies waiters, cooks, etc., that really gave good service. They are the happiest people I’ve seen. No wonder they are well paid and fat.

We had a little trouble at Cairo with the landing gear, so had to pull a retraction test on the nose gear. We were (the Col. leading and raising hell) working hard about 2300, dark as pitch when Col. saw my tail gunner, Sgt. Byme wearing dark glasses. We had been working about 15 hours then. Carmichael asked Byme why he didn’t take the glasses off. Sgt. Byme stood and said, "Col., I just ain’t had time to take these damn things off!"

Rain in the desert by the river. Very English and metropolitan in spots, I’m told. We must see it together.

04/23/44 Karachi, India

1st Lt. De Gravell (LSU) pilot, 2nd Lt. Baymand (LSU) Cheesman (communications Shreveport), Major Cliff Condit (he went to Wright Field with me and Col. Hughs that horrible week). Lt. Col. newsell (the fellow we met at Roushe’s party in Lubbock, who was going oversees).

Today wasn’t much, the 29’s are grounded as they have been since we landed here - this isn’t ....

04/26/44

...to bad a place. In fact, there are places in the States much worse. It’s like west Texas in the summer. Flat desert with little bushes growing around in the sand. These natives are the real Indian Indians. Their features are Caucasian, their nose is decidedly not negro, but in some cases, I suspect Jew.

They are Hindu for the most part, but some are Mohammedan. They are small in statue and not unfriendly. However, they rarely smile because I imagine they have had a horrible struggle to exist. From what I can learn so far there are three classes "sweepers", "bearers" and the upper class I guess. Sweepers sweep and nothing else it seems. Bearers are the servants - they have and will do about anything except sweep. The higher class Indian is really a smart, efficient gent. They all amaze me in sticking strictly to the rule. They do things the way they are told and no other way. As a whole, they seem down trodden and meek, but I believe with a couple of generations of education, they might be able to govern themselves. A tailor’s son is born to a tailor and I understand a beggar’s son is a beggar. By the way, tailor’s here really sit tailor fashion and use Singer sewing machines.

Karachi is an ocean port and a city. I took only one ride to town, but saw many fine buildings. The American Officers Club is well equipped even to having a beautiful dance floor on the roof. I heard the best dance music I’ve heard in several years by a really red hot GI band. About 20, as a general rule (American) groom gals were being rushed off their feet by about 200 officers.

The field here is very fine. It was a civilian field before the war. Royal Dutch Air Lines and a couple of British lines built and used it. It would do credit to any I’ve seen in the States. We are living now in the hotel on the second floor of the terminal building. Col. Kalberer said that this was his 37th time to land here. The place is equipped with ceiling fans, hot and cold bath or showers, electric lights, of course.

I just saw a movie, "Rings on Her Fingers" with Gene Fienny and Henry Fonda. The first time I saw it was before we were married, I think.

Its very warm here even with the ceiling fans going full blast.

The field is really swarming with almost every type of aircraft, so maybe some planes are oversees. The nights are so beautiful. We could enjoy this much together.

Still here and bored. I could have had this much leisure time at home with you before leaving. I’m certainly not shortening the war loafing around here.

I bought you some beautiful slippers yesterday. I’m worried about the size, but if they do fit you, sure will be classy around the house. I have some ivory trinkets too that I hope to send soon. I wanted to buy a jacket or something with embroidery on it, but have found nothing suitable. I have plenty of time thou.

05/22/44

I’ve have to look up how long I’ve been here. This is Piaradoba, India. This is the base meant for us, so for awhile, it will be home. Much better equipped than expected.

I’ve completed two hump trips already into China. Landed at Kunglai close to Hsinching. A 5 hour trip over the top of the world. I mean really high - the rockies are nothing - and the intense scenery changes. 75 to 80,000 Chinese built the field by hand. Chinese work hard and seem very happy compared to the Indians.

The first trip to China kept me there 7 days with plane trouble. So I was able to send no mail.

That is where I had the rice I mentioned.

05/23/44

Arrived here on April 30th. Was supposed to go on training mission today, but ship was out so have remainder of day to loaf.

Shorty Hull (Capt) took off at 1130, had an engine cut out, crash landed and burned. Co-pilot, senior and left gunmen killed - three others injured.

Can’t seem to finish my letter to you, but will later.

06/02/44 Piaradoba

For about six days ending the 31st, I had dysentery something terrific. Boseling and Eisan had the same thing. I suffered because the blooming latrine is so far away and getting up 5 or 6 times during the night is no fun as you well know.

As yet, there have been no actual combat missions; however, hump trips count as much. They should too, as its high mountains dangerous country and terrible weather with danger of enemy interception. The ship is, as yet, untried and most of us are dubious as to the outcome. It’s certainly not all that could be desired. We just wonder do the big boys know the score or has each succeeding commander doctored the reports to make their outfit look better to the big boys in Washington. What is our mission? Why are we here? How can we hit at the heart of anything? It looks like a long war if they are expecting wonders from us. How can we do anything a B-24 can’t do?

We wonder if this is a short test of equipment and then back to the States to fix things or do we try to do the impractical and stay whether the equipment is up to the job or not. This is a permanent field for us, but what can we hit from here?

06/04/44 9:50 PM or 2150

The night before the first combat mission of the B-29 and I’m going. You should read about this one. I’m #2 ship. How do I feel? I’m excited - a little worried as to whether I’ve thought of everything or not - awful sleepy and have to get up about 0300. Feel like we were going to bomb Colorado Springs again. A rough mission possibly. At least we should see some enemy action. Been too busy to write lately. The newspaper should write this up big whether it is or not.

06/06/44 0900

12 hours and 10 minutes flying time yesterday against the Japs. I lead four ships instead of being #2. One of my ship left before reaching the target (Bangkok, Thailand), so in my bunch, there were three ships: 337 Capt. Fleung, 336 Maj. Randolph, and 360 "Arnold’s Abortion" or "Hap’s Hazard".

We had to drop thru overcast by radar, so have no idea what damage our 20 350# incendiancies did. Met no enemy aircraft, but saw some fairly accurate AA. Was forced to make two runs on target as this was radar operator, "Flash Gordon’s" first time as bomb dropper.

Ike Eisan did fine job as navigator. Had a little excitement taking off heavily loaded 134,064 #, flying thru terrific weather and returning to find field closed. 360 was first ship to land. Uncle Sam gave me three slugs of whiskey after landing that almost put me out. All ships returned safely. I have a good crew. I went to bed. One mission - how many to go?

06/16/44

This morning all the world received news that B-29 Superfortnesees bombed Japan probably Tokyo from bases in this area. Actually, they took off from our advance bases and bombed the largest iron works in Japan - at its southern trip. It was a tremendous undertaking and the average American would be overwhelmed at the expenses and hazards of the mission. Bombing took place between 2200 & 0000 last night, this time, bombing individually.

My whole crew is decidedly unhappy because we could not make it. We did get the first combat mission, but it was such small time operating compared to this Japan job. So the ones of us who went on the first one were not allowed to go on this one except for Maj. Bidley, who goes on the ones he wishes. Ike, Boseling, and Gordon were all sick anyhow, so I don’t have any gripes coming except I sure wanted to go.

The ships won’t be back until tomorrow. The pity of it is that there are two crews to the airplane, not enough to go around. We won’t know how they did till late tomorrow, but have a feeling all will not return. Mechanical difficulties alone will stop some of them.

I never thought I’d be this way. Maybe I’ll calm down after a few more missions, but I got such a bang out of the one that I want to go on every one and that old nervous tension I’ve always read of doesn’t seem to be there. I look forward to it with a great deal of pleasure. And I hope the next mission I make is a tough one into the heart of Japan.

07/24/44

Started on the Ansham Mission - first daylight raid into Manchivia on Japan. I was #2 man on Briley’s night wing with Fleun #3 and Briel #4. Briel aborted first with bad oil leak. Fleung second, with low fuel press (no boost pump on one engine) and damn if I didn’t lose an engine (blown cylinder) just as I hit 20,000 ft. Briel went by himself and tacked on to another formation. We were over Jap occupied territory so found a RR bridge to dump our bombs on. Just missed it, but had to get rid of the bombs as she wouldn’t fly on three engines. Had a tough time making it back over the mountains. Was I ever disgusted.

The boys that made the target, though, did an excellent job and met very little opposition.

07/20/44 A Big Day

We left here, Piradoba on 18th in ship #444. All crew members well and happy. Landed at Kunglai, saw the show that night and were briefed the following afternoon. We were to take off at 0830 on a daylight attack on Yawata, which it seems, is still running or was before this mission. Half of our ships got off then just before our turn, the ship in front pulled up his wheels before he left the ground and slid to a halt on the end of the runway blocking some for further take offs. So we where unable to make the daylight mission.

So I didn’t get off till about 1630 for the night mission. Out time of flight was 15 hours and 30 minutes. That is tough stuff. We had lots of little troubles, such as gas leaking or siphoning out of our bomb bay tanks every time I’d start to climb. I had to get over the mountains. The gas fumes were so bad we were forced to use oxygen. Sgt. Jeffrey did a fine job, though, and finally got that part fixed. We took off with a bum #3 engine, which made the take off a real sweat job and the damn thing ran rough for over 4 hours, but finally smoothed up and made the remainder of the flight okay.

Our radar went out making navigation and bombing tough, but ole Ike came thru again and hit the Initial Point dead on the head. Bose took over with the bombsight with me doing evasive action and dropped the bombs thru a slight undercast. The target was hit up from the fires started during the daylight bombing, so I think we did a good job. They had big spotlights searching for us, but did no good. We saw a 4 night fighters, but they did not attack. We went in at 17,000 ft.

Well, now the day mission wasn’t so successful. They hit the target and probably destroyed it, but from all reports, our losses were terrific. All ships went in at 25,000 ft. except Col. Carmichael’s flight. He went in at 20,000 ft and was shot down. They hit him with everything including area bombs.

Eight (8) chutes were seen to leave the plane. Among the men aboard that I knew were Major Mann (B), Major Penny (N) and Capt. Tims (Gv. gunnery officer). Mann was Wing Bombardier, Penny group navigator.

Losses in other groups were higher. A total now of 11 ships cannot be accounted for except for 4 that went down over the target. That is 7 are not accounted for. They may be walking out of China. This group lost one of the 11 lost due to enemy action and 3 in operational losses, i.e. pulled up wheels on runway, one ran out of gas, crew bailed, one handed and crashed short of runway in India.

There were between 75 and 125 fighters over target. About 25 destroyed.