The most valued time throughout my military service during WWII was "Mail Call". This was true during training State Side and overseas. To read a letter from family or friends was the cure for time away from home. Coming off a mission and finding mail or a package on my bunk was the perfect ending to a challenging day.
By the same token writing to family and friends had the same effect. The availability of V-mail made this possible while overseas. On learning I was assigned to a mission the following day I spent considerable time writing V-mail notes to those back home. Censorship restricted comments to mundane type things like the weather, who I had received mail from etc. However, this thought process enabled me to relax and get a good night of rest which was important.
The attached V-mail, dated May 16, 1945, was sent to my folks.
It sure worked for me. Different strokes for different folks. Had a Lead Navigator friend who got drunk as a s***k and wrote notes "you can't hit me" until he passed out. He then threw the notes out over the target and emptied his .45 at the same time. He was a talented navigator. On his final mission he came off the aircraft with his head cocked to one side. A piece of flak hit his helmet. He told me with a grin his luck was about to run out and he was glad this was his last.
It sure worked for me. Different strokes for different folks. Had a Lead Navigator friend who got drunk as a s***k and wrote notes "you can't hit me" until he passed out. He then threw the notes out over the target and emptied his .45 at the same time. He was a talented navigator. On his final mission he came off the aircraft with his head cocked to one side. A piece of flak hit his helmet. He told me with a grin his luck was about to run out and he was glad this was his last.