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Today we have another example of a V-mail letter.

 March 31, 1944

Dear Hilda,

Well, here I am again with a complete report of New Guinea news and gossip.

On March 21st was the first day of Autumn, the seasons being the opposite of those in the States. Despite the fact that it is autumn, the weather has been rather on the spring side; if I only were a poet I could describe to you the beauty of this place during this season – not forgetting the deep mud, our pets the mosquitoes, ad few boa constrictors, a leaky tent, etc.

In your last letter I received you wrote that you hoped I am having fun at least once in a while; I am hoping, too, but my hopes and wishes won’t come true here in New Guinea. This is an island made up of mud, coconut trees, bananas, and a lot of American and Australian soldiers. There are no bars, clubs, or bowling alleys. When I first arrived here I had a lot of fun climbing up coconut trees, but my enthusiasm over these Tarzan acts and coconuts gradually wore off. Not being a gambler leaves me without any fun; well, you know what General Sherman said about war.

As alcoholic beverages are unobtainable, the Yanks have shown their ingenuity and ability to cope with any situation by bringing on the “black market” an intoxicating product called “jungle juice.”  Some of the varieties are made out of fermented coconut milk, mash, sugar, termites, raisins, etc. I haven’t tested any yet, but some fellows tell me that the stuff tastes worse than the homemade bathtub cider of the Prohibition days. The medical corps has forbidden the consumption of this “jungle juice” under court martial punishment, on the grounds that the juice is harmful to mind and body, which it doubtlessly is.

That’s about all I have to say for today. Give my best regards to your father and tell him that I was happy to receive his letter. Also, say hello to everybody I know. Thank you.

I trust you are well and not working too hard.

Fondly,
Harry

 P.S. How are you, Hilda?

We’ve seen reference to V-mail letters in the March 14 post and an example of a v-mail letter to Eva on February 3. You can read an article about the history of “jungle juice”. It sounds as dangerous as Harry describes.

Harry talks about the challenge of life in the jungle. He has even tired of acting like Tarzan.