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PODCAST

Letters Home

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. See the primary sources at lowellmuseum.org Follow the Lowell Historical Museum on FB Follow Letters Home on

history

All Episodes

00:34:24

Episode 37: A Letter from Coach Finch- February 1944

Letters Home ·

2025/04/17

In this episode, we read a letter about Bruce’s admiration for Scotland. We talk about a murder in a nearby town and we also read a letter from another special someone– Bruce’s former football coach.

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00:37:09

Episode 36: Heavy Losses- January 1944

Letters Home ·

2025/04/10

In January 1944, Bruce lost quite a few members of his original crew, and in this episode we tell their story and learned what happened to them. We also read Bruce’s description of his room, we learn about the Lowell Rotarians, and we talk about the latest Fred MacMurray film and a rumor about deadly orange crates.

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00:36:42

Episode 35: Ringing in 1944- January 1944

Letters Home ·

2025/04/03

Happy new year, it's 1944! Bruce rings in '44 with a party. He also mentions several nieces and nephews in various letters, and we learn about another mission to Kiel. Original music by Roger MacNaughton

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00:02:48

BONUS CLIP: Susan Teunis 1949-2025

Letters Home ·

2025/04/02

The Letters Home team are sad to share to the listeners that Bruce's daughter, Susan McMahon Teunis, passed away on March 26, 2025 at the age of 75. We were lucky to have Susan read one of Bruce's letters in Episode 4 so we can hear her voice whenever we want. We share this clip today as the family lays her to rest.Susan Teunis 1949-2025: https://obits.mlive.com/us/obituaries/grandrapids/name/susan-teunis-obituary?id=58009813

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00:27:57

Episode 34: Finishing 1943- December 1943

Letters Home ·

2025/03/27

It's our Season 2 finale-- the last episode of 1943! Bruce writes about his Christmas and New Year's Eve plans, as well as the Allies' plans for 1944. We finish this impactful year with a letter from a special someone.Original music by Roger MacNaughton.

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00:35:24

Episode 33: Major Odle- December 1943

Letters Home ·

2025/03/20

In this episode we read letters that feature several mentions of Bruce's coal stove, as well as a story about a mishap on the London Underground. We hear about his friend Major Odle and welcome a special guest-- Bruce's granddaughter Megan Summerfield.Featuring Megan Summerfield. Original music by Roger MacNaughton.

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00:39:23

Episode 32: Thanksgiving 1943- November 1943

Letters Home ·

2025/03/13

In this episode, Bruce spends another Thanksgiving away from Lowell, he flies three missions, and reminisces about his flying days before the war. We also jump ahead in time to read a letter Bruce wrote in 1984 about his war memories.Original music by Roger MacNaughton.

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00:29:32

Episode 31: Bitters at a British Pub- November 1943

Letters Home ·

2025/03/06

This episode goes into details about two of Bruce's missions-- another tragic mission to Bremen and a successful bombing of Knaben, Norway. We also read a descriptive letter about his dinner at a local tavern and we welcome a special guest-- executive director of the Lowell Historical Museum Lisa Plank!Special guest Lisa Plank. Original music by Roger MacNaughton.

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00:34:26

Episode 30: Bruce and "Wings"- November 1943

Letters Home ·

2025/02/27

In this episode, we learn about orderlies at Thurleigh, what raids in London were like, and whether or not Bruce was a cat person when he is joined by his new pet cat "Wings." Also-- Lotta and Frank learn about Bruce's bombardier Norm's disappearance.Original music by Roger MacNaughton.

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00:29:07

Episode 29: Captain McMahon- October 1943

Letters Home ·

2025/02/20

In this episode, we read Bruce's description of a night on the town in Piccadilly Square (or Circus, if you want to get Limey about it) during a blackout. We also learn about a mission to Wilhelmshaven and Bruce reveals he was promoted to Captain.Original music by Roger MacNaughton.

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00:34:29

Episode 28: Michigan Miss- October 1943

Letters Home ·

2025/02/13

We continue our talk about "Black Week" with learning about "Black Thursday"--the 2nd deadly battle at Schweinfurt. In lighter content, we hear more about Bruce's life in England and we read about how his latest plane, the "Michigan Miss," got its name.Original music by Roger MacNaughton.

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00:35:08

Episode 27: "Black Week"- October 1943

Letters Home ·

2025/02/06

For a few days in October 1943, the 306th bombardment group suffered tremendous casualties in what would become known as "Black Week." Bruce flew several missions during Black Week, and we recap some of them in this episode. Read more about "Black Week" from the US WW2 Museum. Original music by Roger MacNaughton.

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00:37:30

Episode 26: A Mission to Emden- September 1943

Letters Home ·

2025/01/30

In this episode, we read Bruce's description of his base in Thurleigh and some letters he wrote to his siblings. We also get information about one of Bruce’s first missions to Emden, Germany, courtesy of the real combat diaries and mission reports.Original music by Roger MacNaughton.

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00:26:09

Episode 25: Thurleigh AirField- September 1943

Letters Home ·

2025/01/23

This is the first episode where we read Bruce's letters from overseas, specifically Thurleigh AirField in England. We also learn about V-mail and WRENS and get an update on the Detroit Tigers 1943 season.Original music by Roger MacNaughton.

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00:42:10

Episode 24: Back from Leave- August 1943

Letters Home ·

2025/01/16

Bruce is back from leave and so are we! This episode features the last letters Bruce wrote before heading to Europe, which reveal some big news about what he did when he was home. We also learn a lot about Italy in the war and bug sprayers manufactured in Lowell. Yes, we go on a tangent about bug sprayers.Original music by Roger MacNaughton.

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00:28:25

Episode 23: Getting Ready for Leave- June 1943

Letters Home ·

2024/12/26

In June 1943, Bruce gets ready for his first trip back home to Lowell in over a year. We also learn about Lowell author Glendon Swarthout and his connection to Bruce and Bruce's future wife "Marg A."Original music by Roger MacNaughton.

en

00:37:01

Episode 22: Instructing in Dalhart- May 1943

Letters Home ·

2024/12/19

In this episode, we read a letter where Bruce describes one of his missions in detail, we learn about a night out in Amarillo, and learn about Lowell's most famous author, Glendon Swarthout, and his connection to Bruce.Original music by Roger MacNaughton.

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00:37:27

Episode 21: Spring Celebrations- May 1943

Letters Home ·

2024/12/12

It's springtime in Blythe, California as Bruce celebrates Easter and his 28th birthday. He also transfers to Dalhart, Texas where we learn Bruce’s predictions for the end of the war, and get our first mention of the Lena Lou.Original music by Roger MacNaughton.

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00:31:06

Episode 20: Bruce Misses Home- April 1943

Letters Home ·

2024/12/05

We are joined by two special guests in this episode-- Bruce's granddaughter Amy Lozen, and Amy's son Jack, Bruce's great-grandson. We also read a sentimental letter Bruce wrote to Frank and learn about the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps, including a woman from Lowell who enlisted.Featuring special guests Amy Lozen & Jack Lozen. Original music by Roger MacNaughton.

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00:27:40

Episode 19: Bruce's Reflections on the Army- April 1943

Letters Home ·

2024/11/21

In this episode, Bruce thinks he knows his plans for his future in the service, but isn't sure. He also writes a very reflective letter after hearing of the death of Hoyt Phelps from Lowell, who came with Bruce to Santa Ana. We also learn a little more about Bruce’s uncle Jim and the names of WW2 planes.Original music by Roger MacNaughton.

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