Letters Home

Letters Home

By Letters HomeHistory
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Letters Home episodes

  • Episode 18: Spare Time in Blythe- March 1943

    In March 1943, Bruce is waiting around for a new crew in Blythe, so he has a lot of free time on his hands. We learn about WW2 weapons, Bruce’s changing plans, and we sample a nostalgic favorite of Bruce's-- maple sugar candy.


    Original music by Roger MacNaughton.

    29 min
  • Episode 17: Blythe Army Air Field- February 1943

    Bruce has his commission--he's going (going) back (back) to Cali. Bruce is in Blythe, California training a crew on the B-17 Flying Fortress. We also learn about the fire at King Milling in Lowell and the first mention of “that girl”--Bruce’s future wife Margaret.


    Original music by Roger MacNaughton.

    41 min
  • Episode 16: Bruce Gets His Wings- February 1943

    In this episode, Bruce writes about the days leading up to getting his commission, including a lot of uncertainty about whether he's going to get leave to return to Lowell. The Kitty mystery gets complicated and we learn about Bruce's next stop on his journey.


    Original music by Roger MacNaughton.

    34 min
  • Episode 15: A Toast to 1943- January 1943

    It's our Season 2 premiere! This season, we focus on 1943. We kick the new year off with Bruce enjoying a leisurely New Year’s Day wondering where he’ll be going after Arizona. He also welcomes a new family member.


    Original music by Roger MacNaughton.

    32 min
  • Episode 14: The Holidays in Arizona- December 1942

    It's our Season 1 finale! We're reading the letters that Bruce wrote to his family at the end of his first year in the Air Corps-- 1942. He writes about the Christmas presents he received from many people in Lowell and he takes a trip over the border to Mexico. We also reveal a new clue in the mystery of who "Kitty" was.


    Original music by Roger MacNaughton.

    32 min
  • Episode 13: Douglas Army Air Field- December 1942

    In this episode, Bruce gives his thoughts on his new camp in Douglas, Arizona and we learn about how Bruce came to meet famous movie stars Ann Miller, Edward G. Robinson, and Glenn Ford. We also learn about the snacks Bruce requested from home and sample some "divinity."


    Original music by Roger MacNaughton

    27 min
  • Episode 11: Flying Skills and War News- November 1942

    We read letters where Bruce beautifully describes his time in the air on cross-country flights and practices his aerobatic tricks. Bruce also talks about the latest war news from November 1942, and we give more details on his predictions. And since football season is upon us, we share highlights from the Michigan and Notre Dame game from 1942-- we know Bruce was listening!


    Original music by Roger MacNaughton.

    31 min
  • Episode 9: Merced Army Flying School- October 1942

    After the McMahons visited, Bruce moved on to Basic Flying School in Merced, California. In this episode, we read a letter describing his first few days at Merced Army Air Base flying the Vulture BT-13 Valiant. We also talk about 1942 pop culture, the scrap metal drive in Lowell, and Bruce’s injured finger.


    Original music by Roger MacNaughton.

    32 min

About Letters Home

From the publisher's feed

A serial story of a WW2 B-17 pilot from Lowell, Michigan in his own words. We dive into letters written by Captain James Bruce McMahon during his time in World War 2 that he sent to his parents, siblings, and friends back home in Lowell, Michigan. His relatives will be reading his words and giving some context to what was happening in the world and in Lowell at the time he wrote these.