Sunday February 6, 1944 Cabled you today, after raid, dearest, to let you know once more God was with us. Blesock evaded from Putek's crew Coffman (CoPilot) & Christensen (B) bailed too. Rest flew home. Honey, I had just cut off the engines of the Bermondsay Battler (our plane named after the English town which raised $350,000.00 to pay for a B-17 to be named after their town when Tinker Toy was shot down) in the dispersal today after returning safely from my 12th raid - on Nancy airdrome - deep in Eastern France south of Luxembourg near Germany - dearest - & here into the flight deck, where I sat all sweaty & tired from 7 ½ hours flying combat - have over 100 hours combat time now, dearest, - & here into my hands were thrust your blessed V's of Sat & Sun Jan 22, 23, darling! Lt. Hookes, co-pilot of Urban's crew had brought them to me, dear. Well, honey, I just sat right there & read them both right there- - then as we got out of the plane we had our pictures taken - I'll save one or two, dear.

Bruce Brainsfather the artist, did a pencil sketch - took 2 hrs - am sending it to you, beloved because my whole life is yours. It cost 20 pounds (80.00) diary. March 1943