World War II Letters from "Chuck" Pressentin

NEW GUINEA IN WORLD WAR II

New Guinea is the second largest island in the world. Its north coastline extends nearly 1,600 miles from twelve degrees south latitude to just south of the equator. A major mountain range cuts across the island's center from the eastern end of New Guinea to Geelvink Bay on the west and makes passage overland through the jungled mountains by large units nearly impossible. The lee of the mountainous spine, around the Port Moresby area, is wet from January to April but otherwise dry. On the windward side, scene of most of the ground fighting during 1942-1945, rainfall runs as high as 300 inches per year. As one veteran recalled, "It rains daily for nine months and then the monsoon starts."

Disease thrived on New Guinea. Malaria was the greatest debilitator, but dengue fever, dysentery, scrub typhus, and a host of other tropical sicknesses awaited unwary soldiers in the jungle. Scattered, tiny coastal settlements dotted the flat malarial north coastline, but inland the lush tropical jungle swallowed men and equipment.

Every Allied operation depended on an extensive logistics infrastructure, painstakingly scratched out of the wilds, that stretched from engineers developing a coastal enclave and port back through the ships that were the umbilical cord between the advance base and the staging areas.

Few soldiers actually fought the Japanese. The majority, perhaps seven of every eight, served in support roles, unloading ships, building roads, hauling supplies, preventing malaria, constructing airfields and bases, and so forth. [Chuck was in this large support majority.]

March 2, 1945
Postmark on the "air mail" 6-cent pre-stamped envelope is dated Mar 6, 1945
The envelope has a stamp "Passed by US Army Examiner 25790" and written initials. Chuck has a new APO number (322) which is for "Finschhafen, which is on the northeast side of New Guinea (Australian Territories) It's interesting that Chuck gives a location at the beginning of this letter.

New Guinea

Dear Pongee, Al and Family,

Just received your letter of Feb. 20. I'll be prompt in my answer and maybe you'll do likewise. You've got to get on the ball if you expect to keep up with me.

Well I just had a letter from Brownie and he's still in Washington D.C. going to gunnery school. He's been in the hospital twice with malaria since he hit the States. Going into that cold climate so sudden-like sure raises the devil with anyone that has been out this way any length of time.

Pat Kane mentioned in her last letter that she and her Mom had bumped into you in Portland and had a nice chat.

You knew didn't you that I had been corresponding with Pat and Lucille regularly. It's one way I keep up to date on all that goes on around White Salmon and Underwood [WA]. After all I still have a few good friends around there.

Lucille C. received her flowers right on the dot and was well pleased with them. She's really a busy girl now. Her job is mighty interesting. She's the head ticket or passenger clerk out at United Air Lines airport.

Just received a surprise letter from the red head in Portland that I asked Al to go look up for me. She's the one that was Manager of the household dept. in Sears Roebuck. Lord she's been married and divorced all in the last year.

Yes I celebrated New Years Eve in a pretty good style. Had two cases of beer. One quart of stateside whiskey and now here's the real treat. A friend of mine from Camp Davis had written me to look up a Navy nurse here and say hello for him. Well it so happens that New Years Eve provided me this chance. She and I had quite a bull session as well as consuming all the liquor we had on hand. Twas quite an occasion.

I sure like your stationery. These tablets are all we can buy here in our PX. Oh well, it fills the bill.

When I first arrived here the heat was really tough on me. Seems like I'm getting used to it though. It surprises me though that I'm able to take it as well as I do. You know yourself I always preferred cold weather.

Yes there's plenty of reading material at hand. I get the Courier, the Mt. Vernon Herald, the Portland Oregonian and Time Magazine. That keeps me pretty busy just reading these.

Love to all, Chuck

[postscript]
Has Mrs. Earl Snell ever called you up or a woman by the name of Welshon. The latter's husband is a good friend of mine here. His sister is married to Earl Snell.*

*Earl Snell was Governor of Oregon from 1943 until 1947 when he was killed in a plane accident in southeastern Oregon.

California