Based on the letters of Earl Philip Reinhalter (1922-1953). Edited by his son, Earl Philip Reinhalter (1950-).


<- PREVIOUS LETTER March 23, 1945
Tanauan, Leyte, Philippines
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March 23, 1945

Philippines

Hello Ma:

      Enclosed are 21 pictures of airplanes - numbered on the back.

      Picture #1 - A P-38 and pilot.

      Picture #2 - A Martin B-26.

      Picture #3 - A Douglas A-20.

      Picture #4 - A Beechcraft C-45.

      Picture #5 - A Douglas C-54 Skymaster. I flew in one of these twice while in Australia.

      Pictures #6, #7, and #8 - Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress. In picture #8 can be seen 12 Jap flags, representing 12 Jap planes shot down. Also, those eight white things with Jap flags painted on them are little boats. Each represents a Jap ship sunk. The 89 little bombs painted on the side represents 89 bombing missions accomplished. This B-17 has paid for itself.

      Pictures #9 & #10 - North American B-25. I flew in one.

      Pictures #11 & #12 - Marine Vought [F4U] Corsairs.

      Pictures #13 & #14 - Vultee [A-31] Vengeance. Navy dive bomber.

      Pictures #15, #16, #17, #18 & #19 are Douglas C-47 Skytrains. I flew from Brisbane, Australia, to New Guinea in one of these.

      Picture #20 - A North American P-51 Mustang.

      Picture #21 - A Republic P-47 Thunderbolt that landed without any brakes.

      Hope you like the pictures.

Earl




This Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress was the personal plane of General Robert Eichelberger. Originally called "Cap'n & the Kids," the general renamed it "Miss Em"
after his wife Emaline. Eichelberger's excellent war memoir Our Jungle Road to Tokyo makes frequent mention of trips he took to battle fronts in this plane.
See the next photo down for a close-up of the nose art and combat "kills."




The Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress called "Miss Em" (previously "Cap'n & the Kids") had 12 "kills" (Jap planes shot down),
8 boats sunk, and 89 bombing missions. See more info at the Air War - World War 2 blog.




Vultee A-31 Vengeance Navy dive bombers on the runway, probably in New Guinea.












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