Harry writes to his "comrade mother" (Paul and Miriam Sigel's mother) because he can not write to his own mother about his participation in the war. His parents think he is doing technical work in Spain as opposed to fighting. He writes about the war planes overhead and wondering what would happen if one of the bombs fell on him or near him. He says that his fear is quelled by the strong morale of the Loyalists. He says the morale is broken on the fascist side; after Belchite, only the fascist officers fought until the end, the soldiers gave up as soon as they could. Harry is grateful he can write to Mrs. Sigel because he can not write these things to his own mother.