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Shore Leave July and August, 1941 Long Beach, California.
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Shore Leave July and August, 1941 Long Beach, California
As soon as the Helena left Pearl Harbor on July 2, 1941 for repairs at the San Pedro Shipyard outside Los Angeles, Wanda left Brooklyn to meet Adrian. His leave, according to his naval records, was from July 15 until August 12. Wanda mentioned in some later documents that she and Adrian were together for only 28 days during the entire year of 1941, so this trip to California must have been the only time they were together that year. Wanda boarded a bus along with a Polish girlfriend named Sophie Bronikowski. Sophie was engaged to George Yellak, a fellow fire controlman on the Helena, and they were to get married in California. The route they traveled took them across the country by way of Route 66. Wanda sometimes talked to her children about this trip. Having grown up in New York, the deserts she traveled through made a huge impression on her, especially the Painted Desert in Arizona.
Two early 1940s pictures (not taken by Wanda) of Route 66 going through the deserts of the southwest.
On July 23, 1941, Adrian and Wanda were the attendants for the wedding of their friends, Sophie and George. Notice that the dresses are the same pattern. Like Wanda, Sophie was a seamstress. They probably got together before the trip to make the dresses. Wanda hand-colored the photo so I did not do any adjustments to the image.
After the wedding, the two couples went to the Army Navy Club in Long Beach to celebrate. This is the front cover and inside cover of the souvenir photograph. The handwriting below belongs to Wanda and was written following the event.
The two couples spent time together at the beach. It is obvious from their faces that everyone was enjoying life and having fun! Late July, 1941
The rollercoaster in back of Adrian was called the Cyclone Racer and was very dangerous. Wanda hated roller coasters so it is not likely that they rode it. When the tide came in, there would be water under the coaster.
Wanda was never a fan of the beach but was probably happy to be anyplace with Adrian.
Sophie Yellak and Wanda Fortenberry Long Beach, California July, 1941
This picture was probably taken the same day as the trip to the beach. Wanda has on her bathing suit and white shorts.
Adrian and George In this photograph, Adrian has on a baseball cap and a flowery shirt, both out of character for him. The location appears to be near the same place as the previous picture of Wanda.
Adrian and Wanda left Long Beach to visit Sacramento. The reason and length of their visit is unknown. They visited the area around the state capitol building and William Land Park. The only reason we know the pictures were taken in William Land Park is that Wanda had the foresight to label the backs of several pictures. The park looks very different today so locations within the park could not be matched with the pictures. The WPA built a rock garden in the park; and knowing Wanda, they would have visited.
William Land Park, Sacramento, California August, 1941
This photo had no information on the back. After I realized that they were visiting Sacramento, I went looking for a building that matched the ones in their photographs. I finally discovered this statue and was able to exactly place where Adrian was standing. This building was built in 1928 and served as home for the 3rd District Court of Appeal and State Library and is located near the capitol building. This statue represents California’s “climatic wealth.”
Picture of the building taken in the 1940s located on the government of California website. In front of the statue on the left is where Adrian was standing.
Looking at what Wanda has on in this picture and the following one, they were taken on the same day. The streaks in the picture were probably caused by the lighting or the lens when the photo was taken. It appears that Wanda must have developed blisters on her feet since she is wearing dark socks with her open-toed shoes.
Wanda is standing in front of the California State Capitol Building – photo taken by Adrian. The above photo was located online and helped identify the building and location of the picture with Wanda.
This entry is about Adrian’s leave that began on Tuesday, July 15, 1941 and ended Tuesday, August 12, 1941. It had been 10 months since they had last seen each other (September, 1940). These 28 days were the only ones during 1941 that Adrian and Wanda were together. It must have both joyful and poignant with the realization that their time was limited. When Adrian rejoined the Helena on August 12, 1941, the ship returned to Pearl Harbor. It would be six months and World War II would begin before they saw each other again.
Untitled poem written between 1939 and 1945 by Wanda Werbicki Fortenberry Darling how I’m missing you The days are cold and blue, My life seems so empty and bare My heart so wants you near. Sighing in my room alone Knowing my heart is not my own, Dreaming of your gay happy laughter; Then crying the tears that come after. Enduring the tears and the sorrow Hoping and praying for a better tomorrow; Dreaming of your sweet tender caress Wanting to share the love we possess. What a happy, magic world it will be, When you once more will return to me, Filling my heart with an unbearable delight, Making my life so happy and bright. I love you not only for what you are But for what I am when I’m with you I love you not only for what you have made of yourself But for what you are making of me. I love you for the part of me that you bring out I love you for putting your hand into my heaped up heart And passing over all the foolish weak things that you can’t help dimly seeing there, And drawing out into the light all the beautiful.
