1945 LETTERS
574th Anti-Aircraft Artillery Automatic Weapons Battalion (Self-Propelled)
489th Anti-Aircraft Artillery Automatic Weapons Battalion (Self-Propelled)

Dear Folks:
.....Yesterday I received my first letter from you in three weeks. It was written Dec. 14. I suppose from now on we'll be getting our mail pretty regular.
.....Sure too bad about Mrs. Hammitt, although I can't feel so sorry for the Seeman's as I should. How are the Seaman's getting along anyway?
.....I know it's pretty tough for a person to buy a Xmas present for a soldier, it's even tough for a guy to buy thingsfor himself because he never knows what he can use.
.....Roy is getting into a pretty good deal, at least it's pretty permanent if he likes it and stays at it.
.....Sure glad to hear that Dick is feeling better and that all of you are okay. Haven't any news so will close hoping you all had a Merry Xmas.

Dear Folks:
.....Received your $10.00 money order; it sure does come in handy at the moments. Thanks a lot. When that $10.00 is changed I'll have 2 pounds and 10 shillings.
.....It's been rather chilly here the past few days, but it's warmed up a bit today. It's quite muddy out today, the ground is thawing out.
.....Emry's must have sold a lot of cattle to bring in $6,000. How is Bertha felling by this time? I imagine the rest of the Hughes are okay.
.....Francis is sure right about the money over here. You buy a cup of coffee or something small on that order and it takes a handful of coin. In a letter I received from you written Saturday the 16th, it sounds as if Francis feels pretty lost without his Doris.
.....I also got a letter from Zeke today, he didn't have too much to say. He said he was going to try and get back into the Navy if he couldn't get in the Army Air Corps.
.....Cars must certainly be high, $700.00 for a '36 Dodge is a lot of money. It seems like Thomas has a heck of a lot of trouble with his cars.
.....Some of the boys here have been to Swansea, Cardiff, & Newport Wales. They said the Welsh people were very friendly, and the country was quite hilly. I may go on a short furlough in the near future and go that-a-way.
.....It seems as if Hammitts are sure having their share of tough luck. That's a tragic way of death.
.....We're been going on little walks around here. The countryside is sure kept clean. This morning one of the farmers near here was thrashing his grain. He had a pretty new Case wheel tractor but an old thresher.
.....I wonder what's wrong with the Plymouth. Have you checked the battery lately? It may be low.
.....Haven't much news of interests so will wind this letter up and go eat dinner. I'm feeling fine and eating good.

Dear Folks:
.....Have lots of time this morning so will make an attempt at writing a short letter. News here is very scarce, at least I haven't been able to dig much up.
.....Last Monday night a couple of other fellows and myself took in the Y.M.C.A. dance in a little town near here. We had a pretty good time considering everything. Their dancing seems to be a great deal like ours, except for a few numbers. I suppose that's only natural, being so many Americans have gone through England the past few years. We had tea and little tarts and cakes for a lunch before coming back to camp. There have been a lot of (censored) troops through this part of England in the past, they are treated (censored) pretty swell by the English people.
.....We have a pretty good setup here at camp as far as recreation goes. We have movies each night, a little canteen where we can buy beer (bitters), apple cider, coffee, soda pop and usually sandwiches and sweet cakes and sometimes pie. Not pie as we have at home, but something on the order of tarts, baked dough with some jelly on it. For a shilling (20 cents) you can have a cup of coffee, sandwich, and cake and enough money left for a second cup of coffee.
.....The ground has been quite damp and muddy the past few days, but it's a little colder today again and the ground is frozen.
.....Hope this letter finds you at home all in the best of health and not too cold. According to a little paper we receive here (The Stars and Stripes), quite a cold wave has hit the states. Please send me Francis' address, I owe him a letter and hate to address it to Genevieve. Bye bye for now.

Dear Folks:
.....Just a few lines this morning to let you know I'm okay. You're probably wondering how come I have time in the morning to write. The last couple days I've been fireman. On the 5th I was fireman in the battery office and today I'm fireman at the officer's latrine. Both are 24 hr. jobs. It's now about 2:30 A.M. in the morning here, and my relief fireman doesn't come on duty till 4:00 A.M. I have 3 fires to take care of, 2 little stoves and a hot water heater. It's an easy job as far as army life goes.
.....Nothing much new around here, I haven't been anywhere or done anything out of the ordinary since I last wrote. The ground is still rather muddy, but the weather is nice.
.....I suppose that old man winter has made his appearance by this time. I sure hope you'll be able to get in and out by car all winter. Maybe the Thomas' will keep the road open this year.
.....How does Francis like his new assignment, or haven't you heard yet? At least it will be new country for him, he hasn't been to California before. It seems funny, he just keeps one jump ahead of me all the time or behind, I don't know which. He was sure lucky to have made so many missions getting hurt as little as he did.
.....The mail is beginning to catch up with us now, probably in a few days I'll get a whole stack of letters and Xmas cards. I've gotten about 4 letters since I've been here, 3 from you and one from Zeke. Fires are burning low so will close for now.

Dear Folks:
.....Received two Air-mail letters from you today, one written December 26 and one December 22. Yesterday I received a V-mail from you written Dec. 30th. So it seems that V-mail is quite a bit faster than Air Mail. I'm writing this V-mail tonight and also a regular letter, tell me how many days difference there are between the two. I haven't much news, everything and everyone is about the same as usual here. I'm feeling fine, doing my share of complaining and goldbricking. I've received several letters and cards in the past few days, it will keep me busy a few evenings answering my mail. Hope you are all in the best of health at home. So long for now.

Dear Folks:
.....A few lines along with the V-mail letter I wrote earlier this evening. I imagine there will be 3 or 4 days difference in them. I keep putting 1944 on nearly all my letters, it doesn't seem like a new year to me at all. Last year I was at Estrella Air Base in California when we brought in the new year in style.
.....I'm fireman in the barracks tonight. I have 3 barracks to take care of so it keeps me pretty busy going between one and the other. We burn Coke (I suppose Dada has used a lot of that over here) and it sure is hard to keep the fires going good.
.....Last Sunday night my buddy and I went to church in a little town near here. It was a Congregational Church with about 50 English civilians in attendance. We didn't care too much for the services. They seemed to be very dry. They sang several hymns, none that I was very familiar with.
.....This is the first letter I've written this week, haven't been so busy I guess it was just carelessness. It seems as if when I'm not in the mood for writing I just can't think of what to write about..
.....I imagine Dick and Dada are pretty busy with all the chores and everything. I don't see how you can take care of so many cattle. That's more than you usually have isn't it?
.....Sure glad you and the Betlach's got together for Xmas. I suppose they still grieve for Stan, probably more so during the holiday season. Roy has a good job now if he can stay with it, or at least it sounds good, quite a bit of prestige to a State Patrolman's job.
.....Received a Xmas card from Esther and family. Martha will be finishing her schooling this year won't she? It seems like sort of a waste when there are so many good jobs available, chances are she'll never work at it much. Haven't heard about Isaac lately, but I supposed he's in some branch of the service.
.....Sure sorry I couldn't send anything this year for Xmas, but maybe I can do better next year. I spent all my money in and around New York this year taking in the sites.
.....Sure too bad about Mrs. Croonquist being so sick. Seems like there's always something to make life miserable.
.....No, I haven't received the Herald for several weeks. I haven't notified them of my new address either so it looks like it's up to you to do it again.
.....I've got lots of mail to answer in the near future, so I guess I'd better quit my rambling on this one and get on the ball. Tell Julia that I received her Xmas card and thanks a lot.
.....Hope this letter finds you all in the best of health and enjoying good weather.

Dear Folks:
.....Received your registered letter yesterday containing the $10.00 money order, thanks a lot.
.....I'm expecting a furlough within a week so it will come in plenty handy although there isn't much one can spend on over here. Also yesterday I received a letter from Will & Mary and a Xmas card from the Fosdicks. Mary didn't have any special news in her letter, said she was sending a Xmas package; it hasn't reached me yet so I have one to look forward too.
.....No, I guess I won't be seeing Paul for awhile if he's in Italy. He must have left the States shortly before I did or else his mail is going through faster, becaue I wrote about the 25th or 26th of December and sent the letter Air Mail, it certainly should have reached you before Jan. 6, the date of your last letter. I sure hope Paul gets along okay and gets back to the States without having had anything worse than seasickness.
.....It does seem rather strange, my arriving at Dada's homeland at about the age that he left. I guess it just goes to show what the Army will do for one.
.....Seems like Francis isn't too pleased with his new assignment, but I guess one can't blame him; after 38 missions it does seem like he's earned a short rest from full flying duty.
.....One thing nice he can call on Vienna once in a while and get a meal. I suppose Bob Simpson is here in England somewhere too, he probably left shortly after I did. Him being in the Air Corps I probably won't be seeing him unless I happen to meet him while on a pass.
.....Haven't anything more to say so will close for now. Thanks against for the $10.00 and birthday card.

Dear Folks:
.....Just a few lines tonight before I hit the hay. I've been on K.P. today, wasn't too bad.
.....Received a Xmas card from William Jones 4th Avenue yesterday, in it was a $1.00 bill. I'll have to thank them when I have time to write a letter. Also got a Xmas card and a letter from Jean. I don't know when I'll get all these letters answered but I suppose I'll get ambitious one of these days.
.....It's windy as the dickens here tonight, raining some too. This ground here sure does get muddy when it rains, worse than the Palouse Country.
.....We got a nice little fire here in the barracks, there's a few of the boys sitting around shooting the breeze, nothing much going on. I've got to wash up, make my bed and finish this letter before lights go out so I guess I'd better hurry.
.....I'll have more news in a few days I hope; news is sure scarce around here, not a doggone thing to write about.
.....Hope this letter finds you all in the best of health.

Dear Folks:
.....Had a pretty easy day today. This morning I didn't get up until nearly 8:00 A.M., did a little maintenance on my clothes until noon, then this afternoon worked on our equipment. It was clear and quite cold all day, tried to snow a couple of times but couldn't quite make it. Had a pretty busy week though so I guess I had a little rest coming. I'm on rifle guard tonight, an easy job, just sitting by the fire and staying awake.
.....Yes, I knew Ben Lasswell quite well, went to school with him for 3 years. He was drafted a short while after I was, seem funny that I was lucky enough to miss the infantry, because they sure shove those fellows overseas in a hurry.
.....I believe Francis is wrong about air-mail being the fastest. V-mail comes through in about 8 days, while it takes air-mail 2 weeks. Of course our mail is still fouled up so that might account for it.
.....Sure glad you got your watch working again. A person sure does miss a watch after being used to one.
.....I can't seem to think of anything to write for now so will close and write more in a few days.

Dear Folks:
.....I'll write a few lines of V-mail this afternoon, hoping it will reach you sooner than ordinary mail. I returned last night from a 4-day furlough, which I spent most of locating Pheobe Probert. She was quite surprised to see me, but was in a way expecting to hear or see something of me as she had just received your letter a few day before saying I was on the way. She was very interested in all of you, the place and all that. Her oldest daughter, Phyliss, helps her keep house and also helps a neighbor lady. I hope this letter finds you all in the best of health. I'll write you a regular letter this evening and give you the whole story.

Dear Folks:
.....Just a few lines while waiting for the whistle. Received a letter from you this morning written January 9th, and last night received one letter written Jan 11 (?) and one written Oct. 26. In the Jan. 11 letter you had received my first overseas mail. It seems like V-mail is the fastest, so from now on I'll do most of my writing on V-mail and hope you'll do the same. The Plymouth sure seems to be causing you plenty of trouble this winter. I suppose it's pretty well wore out. I'm feeling fine and having a good time, playing cards and so forth. hope you'll be albe to read this scribble.

Dear Folks:
.....Well if the old Groundhog was on the job today he certainly must have seen his shadow, although we did have occasional showers accompanied by March winds. If you remember in my V-mail letter of the 31st of January I promised you a letter with all the details of my furlough that same evening, but it seems my mind just won't work when it comes to letter writing, this is about the third one I've started.
.....I left here about 5 P.M. the evening of the 25th. After loafing along for a couple days, I finally got to St. Weanards. Aunt Pheobe was quite surprised to see me, although she had received your Xmas letter telling of my embarking for overseas. She looks quite well but complains of kidney trouble and shortness of breath. She lives in one half of a stone house, another family living in the other. I arrived there Saturday afternoon just as she was about to sit down to her afternoon tea. Her oldest daughter Phyliss keeps house for her and for a neighbor lady. Maggie is married and lives near Penelipping, close to Maggie Evans. I stayed there Saturday night, got up about 10:00 A.M. Sunday morning. Breakfast was waiting for me. About 2:00 p.m. we had dinner. I was to catch the 4:00 p.m. bus back to Heaford (St.Weanards is a little village about 10 miles out of town) so about 3:30 she made tea. I could have stayed longer but I felt quite self-conscieous about eating their food, as it's rationed quite close: 1/4 lb. of butter a fortnight (two weeks), 1/2 lb. of meat and on down the line. They insisted that I stay longer but I told them I had to meet a buddy in Hereford Sunday night (a little white lie). Somehow while I was there she brought up the subject of ages, she said she was 72 or would be 72 in a month or so. I argued that it couldn't be as Dada was just 72 last summer. I still don't know who's right.
.....I received a letter from you yesterday written Dec. 18, but as yet I haven't received any mail with my new address, 519-B. I sure hope you can read this writing and make some sense out of the letter. I just can't get in a writing mood. If there is anything you want to know ask questions and if I can I'll answer the best I can. I'm feeling fine and getting plenty of sleep.
.....Goodnight for now, will try and do better in the near future.

Dear Folks:
.....How is everything on the home front? According to the radio and papers things look pretty good over here. Received your letter of Jan. 11th the other evening, sure glad that my letters are reaching you okay. I don't know if you'll be able to read my V-mail letters or not, but I'm going to write them anyway because they're so much faster than ordinary mail. Also, I received a letter from you written to Camp Stewart and addressed Oct. 26th. Thanks a lot for getting the socks and things and especially the candy. I haven't received them yet but probably will any day now. For the past 2 or 3 weeks I just haven't been able to get in the writing mood. I don't know what's the matter, must be I'm getting old. I'm on rifle guard tonight, it's an easy detail and gives a person time to catch up on letter writing. I'll bring this scribble to a halt for now and write more later.

Dear Folks:
.....It's been about a week since I last wrote. I guess I'm getting a little careless. I have been kept pretty busy though for the past few days - working all day then going on pass in the evening.
.....I received several letters from you the other day. V-mail and air-mail. The V-mail beat the air-mail by nearly a month, the air mail was dated by you January 13th, and the V-mail was dated Feb. 3rd, so it took the V-mail about 12 days to reach me. For my part, I'd just as soon you'd write more V-mail and less Air-mail because it's so much faster.
.....Just came back from mail call. I received the package you sent me from the Crescent; candy, razor blades, socks and shorts. That candy sure does hit the spot. We can buy a little candy here each week on our ration card but not enough to amount to anything. Thanks a lot for everything. A couple of the fellows are here helping me eat the candy and playing cards.
.....I'm not in a writing mood tonight so will close for now on this letter and drop you a few lines by V-mail because I believe it will reach you faster.

Dear Folks:
.....Just a line along with an air mail letter to let you know I'm still kicking. Received the package you sent from the Crescent, thanks for everything, especially the candy. Received a letter from Francis the other day. He seems to be having a pretty good time, although he complained that his hand and leg bothered him some yet. He probably told you while home on furlough that he got shot up a little while over here. He also gave me his girl's address, so one of these days when I get a pass I'll have to look her up. Haven't much news, everything is about the same over here. Plenty to eat and plenty of sleep. Hope all is well with you folks at home.

Dear Folks:
.....Just a few lines tonight while I have the time and the initiative. Everything is going along pretty smooth here, although kept plenty busy with this, that and the other thing. Haven't received any mail from you since I wrote you Mondy night. I got a letter from Martha today, she seems quite happy over the idea of graduating, although she doesn't know what she'll do, it's either join the army or work in the hospital. I've been on pass nearly every night for the past week, going to a show in town, then to the dance and once-in-a-while drop in to a pub and see how things are going. Out of room so will close for now.

Dear Folks:
.....How is everything with you folks at home today? I suppose that by this time you're getting ready for spring and lots of work. The weather certainly has been nice the past few days. Guess it must be that spring is just around the corner.
.....I was uptown the other evening and stopped in at the American Red Cross. In looking through a pile of old magazines, I happened to run into an "Air Force" magazine with Flight Nurrse Francis Sandstrom as it's cover girl. I remember that in one of your letters you mentioned that she had her picture on the cover of some magazine,. Also in a letter from you I received the clipping about her and her husband being reunitied. She sure seems to get her name in the papers a lot, doesn't she?
.....Too bad about Ray Hanson's mother having too go just at Xmas time. I guess Mrs. Hughes was there when she passed away.
.....In one of your letters you said that part of one of my letters had been cut up. It must have been the censor that cut it because it certainly wasn't me. It sure does make it tough writing here because any little news that might be interesting we aren't allowed to write. That's one reason I write V-mail. It doesn't take much to fill up a page.
.....Weaner pigs are plenty high aren't they. $8.00 a piece is a good bit of money. Over here, Aunt Pheobe was saying cows sell for 50L and up ($200.00 and up). They sure do have some nice ones though.
.....I guess your right. I should be more specific about what I want when I send a request. Everything you've sent so far has been fine, although the shorts are a little large, I still wear size 32. About that writing kit I mentioned, just anything that I could hold my letters and paper together in one pile. I had a nice one when I left the states, but it tore up on the trip over.
.....It seems that Robert Dell, Paul and I all left at about the same time, but we sure got separated after we left the States.
.....Too bad about Genevieves's leg starting to bother her again. I thought her legs were alright now. Francis sure does seem to think a lot of his "English Girl" Doris. He sent me her address and telephone number and if I ever get close to her town I'll have to look her up.
.....Isaac sure seems to be getting a break. It's been 5 or 6 months since he was discharged from the Navy, hasn't it? Gabrielle seems to be doing alright too doesn't she? Golly she must have quite a family by now.
.....Thanks a lot for the Valentine you sent, that was the only thing that reminded me it was Valentine time again. That package Mrs. Beinz helped you pack sounds pretty good. Cigarettes and all that will come in pretty handy because our rations are pretty short over here We can buy razor blades here, but can't always get Gilette Blue Blades, and they're really a good blade.
.....Well I'd better bring this scribble to a close and let you get some rest! I'm going to a dance tonight so I'd better start getting ready.

Dear Folks:
.....Yesterday was a big mail call for me. I received 4 letters from you and one from Roy Betlach. One was an air mail from you written February 13th, that one sure made good time, and the one from Roy was written the 11th. The others were written the last of January and the first part of February.
.....I just came back from the show here in camp. "Sweet Rosie O'Grady" starring Betty Grable and Robert Young was the main feature. I spent a few days last week in Boscombe, England. Had a good time, went dancing, to the theater and looked over the town.
.....The exchange value of English money is a little different now than it used to be. A three-pence is a nickel, a 6-pence is a dime. A shilling is worth $.20, a florin is $.40, a half-crown is $.50, a crown is $1.00, a 10 shilling note is $2.00 and a pound is worth $4.00. I draw 6 pounds 10 shillings a month over here which in American money is $26.00. The way us fellows got used to the money over here was to play cards, you sure do catch on fast that way.
.....I haven't received the money order yet but it will probably catch me pretty soon. Will & Mary wrote in a letter that they sent me a Xmas package before Xmas. I haven't received that yet but am expecting it any day.
.....Roy in his letter said that his folks had gone up to visit you the afternoon he wrote the letter. He didn't have much news. Said that combat hadn't changed Francis much, and that he had some very interesting experiences to tell about.
.....You certainly did good on your wheat this year, that's a pretty good sized chunk of money. You'd better not make too much money this year or you'll have an awful big income tax to pay next year.
.....The women here in England certainly are tasty cooks but their rations here in Engand are so short they can't do anything fancy in the line of cooking. When I was at Dada's sister's place I sure had very tasty food. His sister is a dandy cook even though short of rations and not too modern a kitchen. But you can tell Dada that I haven't tasted any food yet as good as "mommies" cooking.
.....I received a Xmas card from Mrs. Fosdick but never have had time to write her a letter thanking her. In a letter she wrote me one time she said anything I wanted just send a request. You can tell her next time you talk to her that not to be surprised if she gets one any day now, although there's nothing I can think of I need right now.
.....I 'd better close this scribble for now, the boys here are talking and making lots of noise and it sure makes it hard to write. Hope this finds you all in the best of health.

Dear Folks:
.....Just a few lines tonight. Haven't much news of interest except that I received the package that you and Mr. Beinz packed, everything was just right especially the writing kit. Also received the money order you sent, thanks a lot for everything. I'm feeling fine, getting plenty to eat and my share of sleep. I imagine Francis has the attitude of most returning veterans that the world owes him everything and that along with his natural stubborness doesn't go too well. Yes, I knew Orville Thompson by sight and I know a couple of his boys. Too bad about Griff Roberts isn't it? That's pretty tough to cure. My letters may not be to regular from now on as we're kept pretty busy and when you do have a little time you don't feel like writing. About out of paper so will close for now.

Dear Folks:
.....Just a few lines by V-mail to let you know I'm still alright. I'm seeing a lot of country and having a good time even though the Army keeps one pretty busy. To see these poor people here farming with oxen and old style equipment is really interesting. I didn't get to see much of France but I did get to sample their champagnes - tastes pretty good. I sure have lots of fun trying to understand these people when they talk and more fun trying to make them understand me. I've lost all track of time so the date on my letters may not be exact but it's pretty close.

Dear Folks:
.....Well, how's everything with you folks at home? I suppose you're pretty busy with spring work by now. I'm feeling fine and seeing plenty of country. I sure hope you can keep up with all my changes of address. I hope my letters reach you sooner than my mail reaches me. It's rather hard to find time to write sometimes so don't worry if my letters aren't too regular. I never realized before that France was such a great farming country. It's really a nice place. The people in Luxembourg and the people in France all treat us rogably (?). They seem to be doing pretty well even though hard hit. All for now.

Dear Folks:
.....I'm taking advantage of a few spare moments and a nice warm spring day to drop you a few lines. Things are alright with me, feeling good and eating plenty. Hope all you folks at home are in the best of health and able to keep up with the work. I haven't received any mail for several days so I really don't know what's cooking out your way. I've been in hopes I'd run into someone I knew from near home, but I haven't as yet.
.....I wrote sometime ago to Mrs. Pheobe Probert, but haven't received an answer as yet, but probably will one of these days.
.....I imagine Isaac is in the Army by this time, sure hope he gets something good out of it. What's this I hear about the government drafting nurses now? That will probably get Martha won't it?
.....Nothing to write about so will close for now. Hope to hear from you soon.

Dear Folks:
.....A few lines today, haven't any real special news. Things are about the same with me, feeling fine. I believe I'm putting on weight, at least I should cause I really eat. I haven't been writing to anyone except you folks and Will & Mary. There's nothing that I can say and I haven't any letters to answer. I haven't been here long but I've seen a lot of country in the short time that I have been here. One can sure see what Francis and the rest of the Air Corps boys have done; they did a pretty thorough job. Hope all is well with you folks and that you're not working too hard.

Dear Folks:
.....Received 6 letters from you yesterday and one so for today. Fve of the letters are V-mail and two are regular mail. Also in today's mail I received a short letter from Aunt Phoebe. She didn't have much news in her letter, said that she had received mine, the one I wrote after coming back from my furlough.
.....The clipping you sent of Mabel Arnola was alright. The picture looks exactly like her. It seems to me I've seen her husband somewhere, but can't place him. It may be that he went to West Valley about the same time as I..
.....I haven't received Genevieve's box of candy yet, but it will probably be along any day now. I've given up all hope of Will & Mary's package ever reaching me. It was mailed before Xmas, probably won't be any good by now if I do get it.
.....I don't see how Isaac would get in the Navy if he's going to Fort Lewis to be inducted, seems to me he'd be in some branch of the Army.
.....Hope your side is feeling okay by this time. It's pretty easy to get hurt bad in these automobiles, especially if you were both going a pretty good speed.
.....It would be kind of nice if you're able to buy the other 30 acres from Miss Buob. It's not much good, except for a little wood & pasture.
.....Glad to hear that Lewis Evans is home, he was overseas quite a long time. Is Jack Evans in the service yet?
.....I sure would like to meet the boys in my old outfit, they must be in our neck of the woods somewhere. They were a pretty swell bunch of fellows, although as far that goes a person couldn't want a better bunch of fellows or better officers than the ones in this outfit.
.....Haven't any special news. I'm in good shape, feeling okay, eating good and all that.
.....Hope that this letter finds you all in the best of health and able to keep smiling.

Dear Folks:
.....How is everything with you folks? Hope you haven't been in any more automobile wrecks. Things are about the same as usual with me. Received 3 V-mail letters from you and one from Will & Mary the other day. I believe I told you in my last letter that I received a letter from Dada's sister. It's rather a tough break for Issac to be put in the infantry after all his Navy flying experience and all his studying on navigation. I never got a chance to see Doris while in England but there was certainly no shortage of girls there! Out of room so bye bye for now.

Dear Folks:
.....Received several letters form you the last few days, but haven't taken the time to answer. Received the letter with the $2.00 and the stamps. I'm sending you a Mother's Day card. It will probably be late, but the Army just issued them to us. They are printed in Luxembourg. Things are about the same with me, eating good the past few days and putting on weight.
.....The news looks prety good over here, sure hope it doesn't last much longer.
.....Haven't any news so will close for now.
.....Just remembered, I meant to ask you for about 5# of cake this time. A big luscious fruit cake would sure taste good. I have plenty of clothes, razor blades and so forth, so just fix the package with food.

Dear Folks:
.....Sorry that I've been so slow in writing, but I've been kept pretty busy the past few days. Haven't much news of importance, everything is about the same with me, eating and sleeping pretty regularly.
.....Received several letters from you, one with the account of your accident and one with this cliiping about Chris Rumburg.
.....Glad everything is okay with you folks and that you're all feeling better now. Imagine you're kept plenty busy with the spring work about this time.
.....About out of time so will close for now.
.....Wishing you the very best for Mother's Day. Wish I could send something, but I guess I can't right at present.

Dear Folks:
.....Sure hope you're not worrying about me, my letters have been few and far between the past few weeks. I was in the Rhine Valley last time I wrote and I was kept plenty busy the whole time I was there. If you happen to read in the papers anything about the 13th Armored Division, that's my outfit. We have a lot of fun over here even though things are pretty tough a times. Sure hope the Russians can keep coming this way. I'm feeling fine and taking good care of myself. Other than that there's not much to say. Maybe someday soon I can write a big letter with some news in it. Everytime I write it's the same old trouble, nothing to write about. All for now.

Dear Folks:
.....You folks probably wonder why I write everyday for a little while then sometimes miss several days. Well it's this way; anytime that conditions permit and I have time I try and drop you a line because there's no telling when I might get time to write again. Even though I haven't any news I figure you like to know how I'm getting along. I guess I've told you in my other letters that I'm with the 3rd Army's 13th Armored Division. Today I received an air-mail letter from you dated March 30th with the letters from Wales and the $1.00 bill enclosed. Also received a V-mail dated April 4th. The weather here is nearly typical of our spring weather at home; the sun shines a little, then April showers and the nights are quite damp and chilly. Will close for now hoping this letter finds you all well and happy!

Dear Folks:
.....Nothing new to write about today, things are about the same. The sun is shining nice and warm right at present although it's beginning to cloud up for a shower of rain. Too bad about Lewis Evans only getting a couple days furlough but going to school might turn out to be a good deal for him. Ask Mrs. Iller for Kenneth's address, might be I'm pretty close to where he is, you can never tell. I forgot to tell you before but I had meant to take that $20.00 for April and buy yourself something nice for Mother's Day. I didn't send you anything for Xmas or anything so buy somethng good to make up for Xmas, Mother's Day and you birthday. Sure glad to hear that you're able to go to parties and things, sort of a relaxation. Hope you can collect damages for that burned over timber, every little bit helps. All for now, will write again soon.

Dear Folks:
.....From what I hear people are pretty optimistic in the States as to the war ending soon. Sure hope they're right. Things look brighter over here too but it's still rough as hell in places. This morning is the first time the sun has been out for a couple days. It sure feels good after a day and a night of rain. Haven't received any mail for several days so haven't too much to write about. Have you heard anything from Isaac lately? See if you can get his address for me. I wrote Will & Mary the other day. In a letter I received from them, they said "if you want something let us know," so I sent them a request for $5.00 of something good to eat, sure fool them won't I! All for now.

Dear Folks:
.....I guess today is a big day all over the world. It's not as I expected it would be among soldiers on and near the front. I thought V-E day would call for lots of celebrating, but to us it's more or less just another day, same routine - duty, guard and so forth. I've received several letters from you recently but haven't had time to answer as yet. Haven't any news that you haven't already heard so will close for this time.

MEMORANDUM:

TO: Pvt. Henry L. Phillips, 39 464 248
.......Btry A , 574th AAA Auto Spns Bn (SP)

.....On this day Victory in Europe is ours. This Victory came to us only through our self-sacrifice and your devotion to duty. You are a member of the greatest Army in the world and the work you have done in this Battalion has fulfilled the highest traditions of this Army. As your Commander, I feel proud to be a member of this Battalion and my commendation goes to you for a job well done. You have won the war here in a magnificent manner and it is up to you to do your part to maintain the Victory that you have won.

Dear Folks:
.....Well I'll try and write you a few lines this afternoon although I'm not much in the writing mood. Received a couple letters from you recently, dated the 4th of April and the 11th or April. Also received a letter from J.J. Williams, one from Francis and one from Will and Mary. So you can see I've been doing alright as far as mail goes lately. One air-mail letter I received from you took exactly 7 days to reach me, that's the best any of them have done so far.
.....I imagine censorship on out going letters has slackened somewhat, but as yet haven''t heard anything official on it, so won't take a chance. You don't have to worry about your letters being censored, they don't censor incoming mail, or at least they never have censored any of yours!
.....We're enjoying the first real spring weather of the year at present, warm and sunny and the nights are cool and quiet.
.....Yes I suppose Zeke will have a little trouble adjusting himself to the Army paycheck, it sure as heck doesn't amount to much.
.....At the time I wrote you the letter with A.P.O. 728 we were doing a little job for the 7th Army, it didn't last long so we went back to the 3rd Army. Hope that explains the mixup a little.
.....One thing that sort of spoiled V-E day for a lot of us fellows is the fact that Roosevelt had to die after coming so near to seeing the end of the war in Europe.
.....There't lots of things I could write about, but it will probably be better if I leave those things unwritten for now. When I get home I can tell you all about it. All for now.

Dear Mom, Dad & Dick:
.....Sure sorry to have been so slow in writing; after the signing of the "unconditional surrender" we moved back to a rest area, and I've been so busy resting I just couldn't find time to write. Been playing poker to all hours of the night, playing ball, a little work and the rest of my time I spend sleeping.
.....I received 3 letters from you today and one letter and the Valley Herald yesterday. The Valley Herald still has my old address - 519B. Next time you drop by there correct them will you?
.....I've been awarded the "Purple Heart" for wounds received in action April 12th in the Ruhr Valley, it didn't amount to much, just a couple scratches. I thought it best to tell you; because if the War Department happens to send you a telegram it won't scare you.
.....This system the Army has agreed to use in discharging service men sure leaves me and my approximate 40 points way down the list. Some of the boys here feel pretty good because they already have enought points for a discharge. All they have to do now is keep their fingers crossed and sweat it out.
.....I guess I don't know this Mrs. Bay, but I imagine she's Art Bay's wife. I've never seen her.
.....Isaac seems to be having a pretty good time, even though his training does sound rugged. Even at that it's not as rugged as we had it for awhile. Camp Roberts is too far away from Los Angeles though to be handy for weekend passes, even if his girl is there.
.....I received the two dollars in the letter of May 2, thanks a lot.
.....Too bad about Gladys losing her little baby, but I guess that's the way it goes.
.....I'm about out of talk for this time, so will close for now, hope this letter finds you all well and happy..

Dear Folks::
.....A few lines by typewriter this afternoon. It's a German typewriter and a little different from ours so please pardon the mistakes.
.....There isn't much to write about, everything is prtty quiet. The weather is nice and warm and we're not overworked. I haven't received any mail for several days, so I should be about due today.
.....This morning we did a little bit of maintenance on equipment, and this afternnon we've been playing softball and volleyball. Sounds like a pretty soft life doesn't it? This non-fraternization policy makes it kind of tough though, only for that I could really enjoy myself here. This afternoon the "Ted Cross Club-O-Mobile" came around with coffee and doughnuts. It was a little too hot for coffee but the doughnuts sure tasted good.
.....I haven't written Isaac yet, but maybe one of these days I can get up enough ambition. Suppose you're all plenty busy these days with the spring work, maybe by next spring I'll be home to help you.
.....Well I guess I'd better quit for now, this typewriter is a little too much for me, wearing me down. Hope this letter finds you all in the best of health.

Dear Folks:
.....I'm a little stiff and sore this morning but nothing serious, last night several other fellows and myself went horseback riding. I got sutck with a mean little dapple-gray pony and a worn out saddle. He had a rough trot but a very fast, smooth gallop. His one weakness was that he wanted his own way all he time. When he didn't get it, he took to bucking and kicking at the horse behind. Even though we got caught in a spring shower it was lots of fun and I'm looking forward to going again.
.....Censorship has been lifted somewhat. I can tell you now approximately where I'm at and where I've been. The farthest I got was to the Inn River on the Austrian border. Now I'm stationed at a little village near Eggenfelden in Bavaria Province, southern Germany. It's right near the Swiss Alps and plenty chilly at times. I've seen plenty of action in the short time I've been over her and while in the Ruhr Valley I certainly learned to respect the German "88", anti-tank and anti-aircraft gun. More commonly called the "screaming meamies" by the G.I.'s. I'm sending you a Division Paper in another envelope and on page 2, column 4, there is a short article about the A.A. at Urbach, Germany. I'm in the Third Section of Battery A and was in on that little party.
.....Yesterday was a big mail day for me, I received a letter from Martha, who is working in a hospital at Gallon, Ohio. Also a letter from Al Vogrig from somewhere in Germany and 2 letters from you, one an air-mail of May 9th, and the other a V-mail of April 24th. The V-mail had travelled considerably before it finally caught up with me. You'll have to excuse all these errors, this German typewriter is built nearly backwards to what our's are.
.....Glad to hear that you're all getting along okay at home and that Dick is feeling pretty good again. Well I'm getting tired of pounding this typewriter and out of news anyway so will close for now.

Dear Folks:
.....How is everything with you folks at home? Things are about the same here; the weather today has been nice and sunny, first time for about a week. One good thing is the discontinuence of unit censorship. Base censorship of mail still continues but even so it will make letter writing a lot easier. I won't have the excuse of censorship for not writing often anymore will I? Even without censorship it's hard to think of something to write. Received your letter of the 12th yesterday and a Valley Herald of April 13th, so they're finally catching up with me, although still plenty slow.
.....Yesterday some of the boys were decorated that were with me when we were ambushed at Urbach, Germany. One Silver Star to a Sergeant and several Bronze Stars were given out. I was up for a Bronze Star, but all the fellows that were up for Bronze Stars didn't get them because there were only so many to be given out. It doesn't make any difference to me because I figure a live soldier is better than a dead hero.
.....I played cards all yesterday afternoon and way into the night, came out pretty good. I was going to go to Church this morning but I just couldn't get up the ambition. We have an open air theater here (the side of a hill) and a show about twice a week. There's one on tonight, "Carolina Blues." I've seen it before but will go again just to pass time away.
.....Just happened to think today is Mamies birthday. I wish you many happy returns of the day and next May 27th we'll celebrate together.
.....I'm about out of prattle for now so will close hoping this letter finds you all in the best of health.

Dear Folks:
.....Received your V-mail letter of the 17th May and an air-mail the 15th May. It sure makes me mad as hell to think you're not getting my letters. I've been writing at least once a week and sometimes more often. In regards to your question as to the 2 - 8 oz packages and the $10.00 money order; I received your $10.00 money order about the middle of March while stationed at Hamburg, Germany, and received 1 - 8 oz package while stationed at Mainz on the Rhine River about the first part of April. Other than that I haven't received any packages.
.....Well, to get on a different subject, I can't figure out how Kenneth has 82 points, the best I can figure for him is about 66. My official score to date is a measly 40, not much chance for a speedy discharge.
.....Too bad about Mr. Wilson, but I guess things could be worse.
.....Will close for now, sure hope my mail starts going through.

Dear Folks:
.....Borrowed a few sheets of paper from a buddy. I don't care much for V-mail, too many address adress addresses. My spelling certainly isn't what it ought to be is it?
.....Received a letter from Isacc today. Didn't have much news, said that he was nearly finished with basic and that he hoped to get a furlough soon.
.....Last Tuesday, the 29th of May, I went on a recreation trip to Bertchesgaden, Hitler's Mountain retreat. It was quite interesting seeing Hitler's home, Goering's home, and the "Eagles' Nest"; Hitler's conference home on the very top of one of the high peaks in the Alps. We're stationed about 75 miles from Bertchesgarden, so it was just a nice ride.
.....It's been raining quite heavy all day, today and it's still raining tonight. Sure hope my pup tent doesn't leak! It's nice living in the field in nice weather but when it rains it's pretty miserable.
.....I'm writing this letter from the Battalion recration hall, a German boarding house about a 1/4 of a mile from my tent. It makes it sort of nice to have some place to write. This evening we had a show upstairs here, "The Thin Man Goes Home," it was a good show and worth seeing.
.....Sure hope you start geting my mail more regular from now on, it's sort of useless writing if you don't receive it.
.....I'm feeling fine and enjoying myself so don't worry about me. I'm on K.P. tomorow, so I'll close for now and go back to my tent and get some rest. The last couple of nights I haven't gotten much sleep, been playing cards most of the night. Hope this letter finds you all in the best of health.

Dear Folks:
.....Well I was a good boy today and went to church. It was communion service. It was a pretty good service, but the sermon was a bit boring.
.....I received 2 letters from you today, one V-mail of the 25th and once V-mail of the 22nd. Also received a letter from my buddy who is in the hospital in France. He and I were the cannoneers on the same half-track at the time we were ambushed. He was hit in the leg right at the beginning of the action and a little later on I got scratched up a little. He's getting along fine and is getting a break as he's being shipped back to the States, although he'll have a bad leg for awhiile. He was a swell kid and we had many a good time together, on pass and in the battery. I'm sure glad he's getting a break.
.....I hope that by this time my mail is finally getting to you, it's probably delayed due to the amount of moving around we've done.
..... This afternoon I played softball for awhile and tonight after supper played a little volleyball. Later on I plan on going to the show.
.....Yesterday I received your 8 oz package of candy + cigarettes, thanks a lot! Can sure use the candy and the cigarettes too.
.....I'm about out of news so will close for now, hoping everything is in good shape with you all.

Dear Folks:
.....Haven't any special news this evening, just thought I'd drop you a few lines, in case al of my letters don't get through. I haven't had any mail the last couple of days so don't have any letters to answer.
.....Didn't do much today. Was on guard last night so slept in this morning. This afternnoon we had a G.I. stage show. It was pretty good, at least a lot better than working all afternoon.
.....Dick's pasture will come in handy now won't it? Sure hope that you'll be able to take care of them alright.
..... Out of news will close for now.

Dear Folks:
.....Received your letter of May 27th today with Martha's postcard enclosed. Sure glad to hear that my letters are finally getting through, especially the one with the request for food. Ever since V-E day we've been drawing short rations. Of course we don't need as much as when we were going day and night, but one sure does get hungry for a little snack in between meals once-in-a-while.
.....I'm sending you a money order for sixty dollars. I could have sent more, but I may get a furlough to Paris and that costs money so I kept about $75.00 for myself. I want you to buy yourself a new summer outfit or something with it, or buy anything you need around the place.
.....I'm also sending you some French money for souveniers, about $2.00 worth. A franc is worth about 2 cents. The Luxembourg money is worth just a little more than French money.
..... Maybe next time I write I'll have some snapshorts to send you. My section leader took a few of our squad today.
..... Haven't much more of interest so will close for now. Hope you can read this scribble. I'm writing in a hurry trying to finish before it begins raining.

Dear Folks:
.....Received your letter of May 23rd yesterday with the dollar, clipping + stamp enclosed. Thanks a lot for the dollar, I can't spend it here, but maybe I'll have a chance to spend it in New York - if we don't get stuck with the Army of Occupation.
.....The weather has been pretty wet the past couple of days, but tonight it's clearing up a little. Sure hope it stays nice for a few days again. It's not so comfortable in "Pup Tents" when it rains.
.....I don't think I'm anywhere near Kenneth's outfit, but I'm going to drop him a line and find out about where he's stationed. Maybe I can look him up one of these days. No, I never heard of Crockett, California, but I passed through a lot of towns and didn't know the name of them.
..... I've been getting the Valley Herald pretty regular lately although its still about a month and a half behind. In one paper you really had a lots of Chester news stories, very interesting too. Our little Army paper, "The Stars & Stripes," which we get about 3 or four times a week on the average, keeps us in touch with "Skeezix + Nina" and "Dick Tracy" and the highlights of the home front and world news.
.....Well haven't got anything special at this time so will close for now. Don't worry about taking up my time in reading your letters. I have more time than anything else, in fact I spend most of my time sleeping and eating.
.....Bye, bye for now.

Dear Folks:
.....I just haven't been able to get up enough ambition to write you this past week. First of all we moved 130 miles to a little town called Wegscheid, near Munich. It's in the Alps, and gets quite cold here at nights. The mountain peaks all around here are still covered with snow, just like old "Mt. Baldy." There is a river that runs right by the town; I don't know what the name of the river is but it's pretty good sized. Then the second reason why I couldn't get up enough ambition to write is that I've been going fishing in the river, deer hunting in the mountains, playing ball and doing the regular details.
.....I went to church this morning. The sermon was on "Father's Day" and for a test he used the story of the "Prodigal Son." I never realized it was Father's Day unitl the Chaplain mentioned it. I thought Father's Day was in July. I'm a little late but I want to wish Dada the best of everything for Father's Day.
.....Received your letter yesterday of the 31st of May with the $4.00 enclosed. Thanks a lot for the money but I can't spend it over here. I'm certainly looking forward to receiving that package. One sure does get hungry between meals in this mountain air.
.... Well it sort of looks like we're in the "Army of Occupation" for the time being at least. According to what I heard on the radio, the 3rd and 7th Armies have been chosen as the Armies of Occupation instead of the 15th Army as they had originally planned. Of course they could transfer us out of the 3rd Army anytime they want. If they run short of AAA in the Pacific we'll probably be selected. From what I've heard we're one of the best Automatic Weapons outfits over here.
.....I guess that probably the life we lead now sounds pretty good to you, but boy is it ever boring. This fraternization policy is pretty rough and one really has to watch his step. You can't do this and you can't do that, and you get tired as hell of looking at the same guys faces day in and day out. Although combat was rough, one never got bored. Too much excitement, kept one on the jump 24 hrs. a day.
.....Well, guess I've scribbled enough for one time so will bring this letter to a halt hoping this letter finds you all in the very best of health.

As always....................
Lloyd.............

Dear Folks:
.....Just started writing this letter when I ran out of ink. Hope you can make out this scribble in pencil. Haven't any news in particular. Last time I wrote we were living in a barn, now we live in a hotel, so things are looking brighter.
.....I haven't received your package as yet but expecting it any day now. I don't know what the delay is but they sure do mess up on packages..
.....I'm feeling fine and enjoying life as an occupation soldier.
.... I'll quit this scrible with pencil before I ruin your eyes trying to read it. Will write more as soon as I can find some ink.

Dear Folks:
.....Well, I'll se if I can't do a little better tonight than I did last night. It was rather late last night when I wrote and being out of ink at that time of the night was not so good. I believe I mentioned last night that we lived in a hotel now. Four of us live in a small room, pretty comfortable to what we've been used to. We have a little stove up here and fix up little bedtime snacks if we're lucky enought to talk these Krauts out of some eggs, bread, milk and the kitchen out of coffee, sugar and so forth. If it wasn't for the continuous "chicken s..t" put out by the army this life would really be fun. One learns to talk a litle German, has very litle to do, gets plenty of wholesome food and plenty of rest but just the idea you can't do this and you can't do that and you have to wear this uniform in the day and another uniform at night sort of puts a crimp in the fun. We read a lot in the Stars + Stripes about what the home folks think about fraternization but you just picture yourself in our place. We have to live with them, herd them around, run them in at 9:30 every night, live in their houses, search them every once in a while for concealed weapons and so forth. And when you see a nice look "fraulein" (girl) it's darn hard to resist the temptation of fraternization if one is at all human. I sure am surprised though that these German people are taking the opccupation of their country so meekly. Some fellows say they're glad that we're here and not the Russians, others say it's because they've been beaten to such an extent of helplessness that they're just resigned to their fates. I personally don't know what to think about the whole business.
.....In this evenings mail call I received your letters of June 11th and June 13th, glad to hear that everything is okay with you all. I'll bet the Riddle family certainly are happy. I remember last fall when we met Mrs. Riddle. She spoke then of one of her sons being a prisoner here in Germany.
.....Just happened to think of something that I had forgotten to tell you before. We're not with the 13th Armored Division anymore, so if you have happened to read in the paper that the 13th Armored Division is on its' way to the Pacific via the States don't be expecting me home. This doesn't mean though that because we're not attached to them now that we won't be going to the Pacific. I've heard that the Commanding General of the 13th Armored has asked 3rd Army Hdqs for our outfit, but what 3rd Army will go I don't know.
..... I sure am glad that my mail is reaching you in pretty good time. We should have pretty good mail service here once the redeployment of troops starts slowing down. Yes, the Red Cross is the only organization that takes care of the boys overseas, the other service organizations readily forget the guys overseas. I don't believe I knew Hugh T. Roberts, at least I can't place him off hand. I don't know how Paul & Robert Dell can be so sure they're staying over here for occupation duty. They certainly must tell them a lot more than they told us. They don't tell us a darn thing, we just have to "sweat it out."
.....Speaking of battle stars, we have one and from what I hear a second one coming. At one time I heard that we were entitled to three. I guess that was just a rumor. The one battle star we already have is for the battle of the "Bulge"(the break through in Luxembourg) from what I hear. We got in on the tail end of that fight, snipers and aircraft was about all we ran in to. Then I guess the star we have coming is for the battle of Germay. We sort of did mopping up duty until we crossed the Rhine River then we hit front line duty. Our toughest fighting was in the Ruhr Valley, but we had some pretty tough going in the Bavarian Campaign, especially when we hit the River Inn on the Austrian border and cornered some 4,000 SS troops who were fanatical in their resistance until they finally gave up. I never did get into Austria during battle, but some of our boys did cross the River. I've been across the river several times though since V-E day. The one river that was toughest for us (that is our section) was the Dannbe, small arms fire and artillery made it plenty rough, and those little pontoon bridges aren't too good when everything is quiet. By the way, I found out the name of the river that runs by this little town, it's the Isar River.
.....You probably hear the story that the cause of all the shortages at home is because its going to the men overseas, don't believe half of it! We're getting plenty but not anymore, in fact less food and clothes than we got in the States. When I was in camp in the States and would try to get a new set of O.D's (dress uniform) they'd give me the story that they didn't have them because all the new clothes were going overseas. Well I've been here a little over six months and as yet I haven't been able to get a new shirt and a pair of pants. I tore the seat of my pants out one night making a run for a foxhole while we were being shelled by enemy artillery. I sewed it up myself for the time being and after V-E day I gave a German lady a can of C-rations to do a good job on it for me. It looks okay and is serviceable, but it's just the idea, the way they tell you in the States and you come oer here and they haven't got them either.
.....Golly, I just got started writing and didn't notice until now that I was on the 5th page. I'd better quit and let you all go to work before your eyes give out. I'm certinaly looking forward to those packages, taste good about this time of night, it's 10:00 p.m. mow and still daylight. We had supper about 5:00 p.m. so you can see it's a hell of a long evening.
.....I'll write again in a few days. Be good, keep smiling and don't wory about me. I'll get along alright.

Dear Folks:
.....Received 3 letters from you yesterday, 1 letter from Dick and 2-8 oz packages from Dick, one with stationary and the other with candy. Also yesterday I received a letter from my buddy who is in the hospital in France. He was wounded the same day and place that I was. The kid has had a pretty rough time of it, He's had 4 operations and penicillin shots every 3 hrs since he has been in the hospital. He and I used to have swell times together. His home is in Beaver Falls, Penn. I'm sending you a snapshot I have of him. He's a real good looking fellow. You remember that shirt I had while I was home on furlough last time, the shirt that fit me so tight? That's the shirt he has on in the picture. The picture was taken while we were at Camp Stewart, Georgia, in Savannah.
.....I wrote a letter to Dick this morning. I had planned on going to church, but I didn't get up until too late so I wrote a letter instead. I'm on guard here at the Motor Park tonight, or that is in the morning. I go on guard from 3 to 5, 2 hrs. at a time. Guess I won't get as much sleep tonight. While in combat, I've stood guard for as high as 12 and 16 hrs at a stretch with out a break.
.....I imagine Paul does have it kind of rough. We're in the Alps but don't have to patrol them. There are lots of SS troopers still at large in these mountains. We've run in several since we've been here. Found one lying in a ditch with a loaded gun trained on a group of soldiers. The kid that found him should have killed him but instead he took him prisoner.
.....Seems the old Plymouth wants to take a vacation doesn't it? I hope that by this time you have it fixed.
.....Too bad you haven't got about 100 weaner pigs to sell this spring. You could sure make a pile of money couldn't you. I'd sure like to be home to dig in to some of that fresh pork sausage you have now. By golly it makes me hungry to think about it.
.....That old man that bought Mrs. Nelson's place must be crazy. Putting up a shack, digging for water and expects to get it in 20 ft; he must have more money than he knows what to do with.
.....I don't remember if I ever told you or not what boat I came over on, in case I haven't, I'll tell you the whole story now. Our P.O.E. was Camp Kilmer, New Jersey. We boarded the Queen Elizabeth the 14th of December and sailed on the 16th arriving in Scotland on the 21st. We went by train through Glasgow Scotland, through Coventry, England and stopped at a little town called Codford. It's between Salsbury and Bristol. While we were on the boat our outfit took charge of waiting on tables in the big mess hall. That Queen Elizabeth is really a big boat. In February we went to Boremouth, England, to test fire our guns out over the Channel. I guess we saw more of England as an outfit than any other outfit. We sure did a lot of traveling while there. Well guess I'd better bring this scrible to a halt. It's 12:00 o'clock and I have to go on guard at three so i won't be getting very much sleep. Hope this letter finds you all in the very best of health.

P.S. - Looking forward to those packages.

Robert J. Rose
Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania
picture taken November 1944
Camp Stewart, Georgia

Dear Uncle Dick:
.....I certainly was glad to hear from you. The last time I hd received a leter form you was while I was in California. Also, I received both 8-oz packages that you sent, the stationary and the candy. Thanks a lot for everything. I'm sure glad that your feeling pretty good this year. That certainly makes it a lot easier on all of you.
.....Yes, I guess I was pretty lucky to come through the war over here with only a few scratches. I know one thing, I was sure cautious about sticking my head too high. On my worst day I had one rifle shot out of my hands, busted my wounded buddies rifle over a Nazi Captain's head, and got nickd by a rifle bullet. There were about 25 of us AAA boys with about 27 truck drivers, and we captured over 500 Nazi Paratoopers and killed a hell of a bunch when we were ambushed on the 12th of April. I guess about the only thing you can credit our success to is that God must have been with us.
.....We've got a pretty good set up here now. We live in a hotel. Nice rooms and so forth. We don't work very hard and we get enough to eat. We were told yesterday that the outfit, it's name at least, would remain as "Army of Occupation" but that all the personnel in the outfit that were physically fit for further combat duty would be transferred out as replacements. The captain told us that in 2 months we wouldn't know the outfit so by that I guess most of us younger fellows will be transferred out probably to the infantry before too long. About all one can do through is to wait and see.
.....Yes, I can send a request for a package to you, but I believe I'd better wait and see if Mamie's packges come through or not. I don't know what is the matter with packages but I don't seem to have any luck in receiving them.
.....Well, I haven't any other news of interest so will bring this letter to a close for now.

Dear Folks:
.....Received two letters and an 8-oz package from you in yesterday's mail. One letter dated June 16th and the oher June 12th. The package contained 2 bars of candy, razor blades, and some caramels. Thank you a lot for everything.
.....Things are about the same here, same old routines. One sure does get tired of falling out for class and infantry drill when the whistle blows day after day. If what the Stars & Stripes says is true, the ban on fraternization may be lifted, or at least somewhat relaxed, in the near future. That will make life quite easier and more enjoyable. If I happen to still be here when snow flies and the river freezes I'm going to send home for my ice saktes. I've already liberated (looted) a dandy pair of skis.
.....Well, it looks like it's about time for us to fall out for infantry drill, so I'll quit until later. I've just finished breakfast and cleaning up the room and now waiting for the whistle to blow.
.....Just finished dinner and now we're off for the rest of the afternoon. We've been getting afternoons off ever since V-E day if we weren't on duty. I'm getting so lazy that I hate to get up, once I sit down.
.....You don't have to send stationary anymore, at least for a while. With what Dick sent and what you've been sending in your letters I have quite a bit now and I beleive in a few weeks we're going to the set up a P.X. (Post Exchange store) of our own so I'll be able to buy things like that here.
.....It's been raining here on and off for the past few days, just enough to keep the weather on the damp, chilly side.
.....Well, I've got a couple more letters that need answering so I'll close for now. Hope this finds you all well and happy.

Dear Folks:
.....Received three letters from you today, one written June 19th, one written June 18th, one written June 15th, and anoher 8 oz package of stationary from Dick. Sure sorry to hear about Shep getting killed, he was a nice old dog. He must have been pretty old now, at least 10 yrs. I guess it's one of those things that can't be helped.
.....No, that P.F.C. doesn't amount too much, about $4.80 overseas and $4.00 in the States. Other than that it doesn't mean a thing.
.....Well, I'm pretty tired tonight, played ball all afternoon and again after supper. I go on guard tonight at 11:00 o'clock so I guess there's not much use of me going to bed now as I'd only be that much more tired when I got up. We have a beautiful ball field here that we fixed up ourselves. We've name it McPhillips' Field for one of our boys that was killed in action.
.....That old man that bought Mrs. Nelson's place must really be crazy. The first good spring thaw you have it will wash his house out and fill his well up with sand. But the I guess that's his business. Too bad Seeman wouldn't sell out and go to Alaska instead of Earl Smith. He seems to get meaner as the years go by. All these damn Germans are the same I guess, domineering and arrogant as long as they are on top. I've never seen Florine's baby. I haven't even seen Florine since I left high school. I imagine she's just as peppy as she used to be. I guess Millie & Thelma have changed quite a bit too though; going to California by themselves. I haven't seen those girls for a long time either.
.....You don't have to watch the address too close for any more promotions, because I don't expect any more stripes for a long time. Haven't much more to say, so will call it quits for now.

Dear Folks:
.....Just got back from an exceptionally large mail call. Lots of packages, papers and letters. All I got was a Valley Herald dated June 1st. Last night we had a big mail call too, and all I got was a Valley Herald. I don't know what it's all about, but it sure seems funny that some fellow's packages come through in such good time and mine don't come at all. A little bedtime snack would sure be the thing for these long evenings..
.....The weather we've been having here for the past week sure has been dandy weather for ducks. It's been raining nearly every evening for a week and it's rained continuously for the past two days.
.....Day before yesterday I received your letter of June 22nd with the Francis' letter enclosed. That plane crashing in Croonquist's field must really ave caused a lot of excitement around home. Glad too hear that you had such nice company and enjoyed such good old fashioned singing. I wished that I could have been there to hear you all sing.

Dear Folks:
.....Received your letters of Monday the 16th with the bad news about Griff Hughes No. 1. I sure was surprised because I'd never heard that he was sick or anything. If it was one of the William Jones family I wouldn't be surprised because they're always sick.
.....How is everyone else in theBig Bend Country? Alright I imagine. I haven't heard from Will & Mary for quite some time now, I suppose they're busy harvesting. Hope your harvest turned out as good as you expected or beter.
.....Find out from Mrs. Iller or Florine where Kenneth is, it may be possible that we're pretty close together and don't know it. I'm still in the same place, about 40 miles from Munich.
.....Sunday I went to Munich with several other fellows to see the "Jack Benny" show. It was pretty good, Jack Benny, Martha Fillow, Larry Alder and Ingrid Bergman, the star that won the Academy Award this last year for her acting in the picture "Gaslight". The show was put on in the big "Olympic Sports Arena" and I guess there were about 10,000 soldiers there.
.....I received your 8 oz package the other day. Thanks a lot. That candy sure tasted good. I can't understand why your other 5 oz package and Will and Mary's 5 oz package don't come through. There certainly is something wrong somewhere.
.....There was a piece in yesterday's Stars and Stripes that I was gong to send you but someone already beat me to it. It's about "B" Battery of the 574th being the richest battery in the E.T.O. The boys in "B" Battery are guarding 23 grams of radium and 3 million dollars worth of gold boullion. That's quite a little pile of dough isn't it? They're guarding the gold and radium in addition to their regular duties of rounding up S.S. troopers hiding in the hills. That's the same job as what we are doing.
.....I went horse-back riding for a little while this evening after sleeping all afternoon. I'm getting so lazy, I don't believe I'll ever be able to do a full day's work again. I don't know of anything new so will close for now.

Dear Mom and All:
.....Received your letters of the 17th and 19th a couple of days ago. Sure was surprised to hear that you drove to Almira. You really are getting a lot of confidence and I'm sure glad to hear it.
.....You mentiioned in your letter of the 17th that you were thinking of overhauling the Plymouth. You can do what you want but you're putting an awful lot of money in to an old car. The car is 10 yrs. old and when new cars start rolling off the assembly line you won't be able to get $150.00 for it. Why don't you just leave the old Plymouth run as long as it will and later on put that $150.00 in to a new car. The way things look now Japan won't last much longer and then we'll be getting discharged from the Army and I plan on buying a brand new car one way or another.
.....The Goreman family certainly is scattering out. There won't be any Goreman's left in Spokane after the war is over. I don't think the Army has passed the bill to allow Servicemen's wives to come overseas as yet but it's probable that they will in the near future, so I don't imagine Madge will be coming to England for awhile.
.....The weather here the past few days has been rather stormy, rain and wind and plenty chilly.
.....I'm feeling fine and doing about the same things. Horseback riding, playing ball, fishing and a little work now and then when they catch up with me.
.....I won't send anymore requests for packages if that second one of your's doesn't come through. There's no use you going to all the trouble of fixing up packages and them not coming through.
.....Haven't much news so will close for now. Hope this letter finds you all in the best of health.

Dear Folks:
.....Just a few lines this evening before I go on guard. I haven't received any mail for several days now. I sure would like to know what makes out mail so irregular and slow. I don't think we've gotten over 30 leters in the past 5 days for approximately 138 men, so you can see one's chances of getting a leter at "Mail Call" is pretty slim.
.....Well last Saturday moming I along with two other fellows from this battery went to 3rd Army Hdqs to take our Officer's Candidate Screening tests. The passing score was 115. I received a score of 137, and the other 2 fellows received scores of 131 and 147 respectively. The fellow that received the score of 147 is my teacher in the subject "Essentials of Business Arithmetic." He too, is trying for the Army Finance Corp. I don't care whether I make it or not now, since victory seems to be so close at hand. Maybe next summer I'll be a civilian, home in time for harvest I hope.
.....This morning I went to school for 2 hours, then had dinner. This afternoon I rode horseback for an hour, took a shower, read for about 1 1/2 hours and the rest of my time I spent in laying flat on my bed. This is about an average run of our days here so we're not really overworked, although we do have to stand guard for a couple of hours every night. I'm on guard tonight from 8 P.M.. til 9 P.M. and then on again from 4 A.M. til 6 A.M. in the morning. Yesterday, Sunday, I was on K.P. It isn't hard on Sunday and I sure took advantage of the situation by filling up.
.....I'll write more when I hear from you, so until then I'll close. Hope this letter finds you all in the best of health.

Dear Folks:
.....Well I believe this is the first leter I've written to you since V-J Day. Things look a little brighter now. At least we all have something definite to look forward to, that is getting home sooner or later. From the reports we got over the radio the people at home really celebrated. I certainly can't blame them. We fellows over here celebrated in a quiet sort of way. We were all happy and glad that the war had ended, but that's all the further our celebrating went. We still carried on our routine duties of occupation and domestic duties.
.....Our setup is getting a little bit beter here of late. The latest attraction is that we're eating off plates now instead of out of mess kits. We sit down in the dining room and the three young pretty frauleins we have waiting on tables bring the plates of chow to us, just like in a restaurant back home. We have table cloths on the tables and a nice bouquet of flowers on every table, so it is really a pleasure to sit in the dining room and eat a good meal. The food situation is much better now than it was for a while, so that tends to make life more enjoyable.
.....Last night I received the package you sent some-time ago. It contained fruit-cake, shorts, socks, tooth brush, tooth paste and candy. It came through in fine shape and certainly was welcome. The excuse they're giving us for the packages taking so long is that they followed the 13th Armored all around France before they got the mail situation straightened out. The day before yesterday I received an 8-oz package of candy from Dick. The packages and their contents came through in great shape. Thank you for the package you sent and thank Dick for the package he sent..
.....I received a letter a couple of days ago from Bob Rose (the fellow whose picture I sent you). He's back in the States now and had just returned to Woodrow Wilson General Hospital at Staunton, Virginia after being home in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania on a 30 day furlough. He's on crutches yet and still as his leg in a cast. He is up for a discharge and expects to be a civilian by Xmas. He has lost a lot of weight since being wounded. When I knew him he weighed around 170 lbs and in his leter he states that he now weights 123 lbs. He was a swell fellow and if I get the opportunity when I get back to the states I'm going to pay him a visit. It isn't too far from NewYork and I'd like to spend a couple days with him.
.....I received your letter of July 25th today with the wedding picture enclosed. I asked some of the boys here who he looked like and they all thought that it looked a great deal like me and were all of the opinion until they read the story below the pictures that it was my brother. I hope that I can get as good looking a wife as that fellow got. He's a pretty lucky fellow.
.....This morning I went to church for the first time in about 6 weeks. I would have liked to have gone more often but I've been on duty five Sundays in a row. It's rather hard to get someone to take your place on a Sunday morning. There was a very small attendance this morning considering it is V-J Sunday and all. The chaplain's sermon was based on the theme "What are you going to do with my world?"
.....Sure glad to hear that Paul is getting to come home. That will sure make Julia feel a lot better to know that he's back in the States safe and sound. I hope Isaac doesn't get stuck with Army of Occupation if he becomes an officer. I don't imagine he has many points, being the Army such a short while.
.....Yes, I guess I do look a little older in my pictures, a fellow ages pretty fast in combat. As for combing my hair different, I've combed my hair that same way since I was in the hospital last year..
.....The clipping you sent of the traffic jam in Spokane is really okay. It looks mighty good.
.....Chipper, the pup sounds like a cute little dog according to the way you describe him. We have a couple little dogs around here, one is a dachmund or whatever they call them. Those short-legged, long-bodied dogs. He sure is a comical sight.
.....The weather today has been cloudy and rainy. We haven't had a really nice day for quite a while.
.....Well I guess I've scribbled about enough for one time so will close for now hoping you are all well and happy that the war is over.

Dear Folks:
.....A few lines this Sunday morning before I go to church. It's about 8:30 A.M. and I just finished a breakfast of grapefruit juice, oatmeal cereal, coffee, french toast and bacon. Things are going on about as usual here, nothing exciting happening. We have a ping-pong (table tennis) table now and I spend a lot of my time trying to learn to play. Last night I went to the movie in the next village (Lenggries). The picture was entitled "A Soldier's Sunday Dinner". It was pretty good and afforded a lot of laughs. Friday night I went to the 27th AAA Group boxing show held near here in the "Alpine Outpost". It is a former German Officers Garrison and quite elaborate.
.....The weather here has been nice the past couple of days, clear and warm, quite a change from the weather we've been having nearly all summer. The days certainly are getting shorter and every night it gets a little cooler. It won't be long before snow will be falling in these mountains. We already have a pair of skis for each man in the battery, so it looks like we'll be doing some skiing this winter. Last night a couple of the fellows went out deer hunting. They had good luck and brought back 3 big bucks. The way they do, they take a jeep and fix up a powerful spotlight on it and as soon as they spot a deer they cut loose with the old M-1 rifle. The deer is usually blinded by the spotlight and just stands frozen in his tracks, a pretty easy target for these sharp-shooters.
.....I don't want you to get to expectant, but chances are that I'll be home for Xmas, or at least on the way home. Our Battalion has an average of about 50 points. From what we hear on the radio and read in the Stars & Stripes, the critical score will probably be lowered to 50 so that gives us a pretty good chance. Also there are lots of rumors going around as to when we're going to leave. Of course that doesn't mean anything, but I just have sort of a hunch that we'll be on our way home by Xmas time.
.....Did Dilbert Cox enlist or was he drafted? It seems funny that he would pass a physical now after being refused so many times.
.....I guess the people in Spokane really celebrated according to your letter, lucky you weren't hit by some crazy driver.
.....Say mom, I wonder if you could buy some film in Spokane anywhere. It's hard to get over here. If you get some 120, 116 and 127 film and send it in an 8 oz package I'd sure appreciate it.
.....Thanks a lot for Kenneth's address. I don't know where Heidlburg is but it may not be too far. Maybe I can get transportation to go see him one of these days.
.....It may be that what Mrs. Munds means is that Duane signed a 3 yr. enlistment with the regular army. They're trying to get suckers to sign up now for the regular army. But he sure didn't have to sign up for Army of Occupation, a person hasn't any choice.
.....Well, I've scribbled enough for one time. I hope you can read it. My fountain pen is about wore out. It scratches, blotches and sometimes doesn't even let the ink flow properly. Hope you are all well and in the best of spirits.

Dear Folks:
.....Haven't received any mail from you this past week. I don't know what's holding the mail up as I'm sure you're writing. I received a letter from Will and Mary the other day. They're all through with their harvest and I guess from the way she wrote that they aren't too thrilled over the crop this year.
.....Things are going about the same here. We've had nice weather the past week, sunny every day except one and it rained that day. I'm still going to the Math School, but it's not as easy for me to study as it used to be. I just can't keep my mind on it.
.....I can't think of anything to write about this morning so will close for now.

Dear Folks:
.....Received several letters from you this week, the most recent one dated August 28, so that isn't bad at all.
.....It's raining here again this evening, but I guess I shouldn't complain as we've had 3 days in a row without a sign of rain. The farmers here in this part of the country harvest about 5 crops off their land. It sure keeps them busy as most of them use a scythe, rake it up with a handrake, and haul it to the barn in little wheelbarrows or on a little wagon drawn by a cow and sometimes a cow and a horse hitched together as a team. One farmer here is especially comical. He has a little donkey that stands about 3 1/2 ft. to 4 ft. tall. He'll bring the donkey and wagon out into the field after a load of hay. After he gets the wagon loaded, 2 out of 3 times the donkey will refuse to move. So the old farmer takes the donkey to the barn, gets his wife and daughter and between the 3 of them, haul most of the hay to the barn. We've had more fun out of that old fellow this past week than seeing a 3-ring circus.
.....With the counting of the points again I have a total of 53, not bad, but not very good either when you think of how many guys there are here with many more points than that. I imagine Kenneth Clark will have nearly enough points now for a discharge, wouldn't doubt but what he'll be home soon. You mentioned in one of your letters that you didn't think I'd be home until spring, well I hope you're wrong. I sort of have a hunch that I'll be home on furlough at least before March 21st or whatever date the first day of spring comes on. Don't be too surprised if I'm there to help you eat the turkey and all the timmings around Xmas or New Years. There are a lot of fellows in this Theater of Operations that have less points than I.
.....Helen Smith got a big price for her house didn't she? Things must really be booming. If a fellow takes advantage of the $2000 loan under the G.I. Bill of rights, it won't go far at those prices will it?
.....Last night I went to the theater in the neighboring village. The name of the picture was "God Is My Co-Pilot." It was very good. If you want to see a very entertaining and exciting picture don't miss it. Tomorrow night we have a couple of boys from our battery boxing in the weekly boxing card held at the "Alpine Outpost." I've been sparring around with one of them. He's a former "Golden Gloves" boxer, weighs around 175 and is pretty classy although he's been out of the ring for 3 years.
.....Glad to hear that you went to Betlach's for dinner. It's a change for you to let someone else do the cooking, although I'd settle for your cooking anytime. One has to have a cautious stomach to get along in this Armny sometimes, although occasionally they do put out a pretty good meal. Roy may be right about the cars. I don't know, it's been so long since I paid any attention to them. But the trouble is the old Plymouth won't be worth anything after you do spend money getting it overhauled. It's 10 yrs. old now and has seen a lot of use. One thing after another will start going wrong with it. You golks do as you want though, it doesn't make any difference to me.
.....I'm still attending the math class under the I. and E. program. I don't get the same kick out of working with figures that I used to. I don't know whether it's because it's an Army class or what. We have a good teacher and some very brilliant students along with the not so smart. One fellow attending the class holds a high position in one of the big banks in New York City. I believe he's Vice-President or something like that. He's really smart and knows banking from one end to the other.
.....I was going to send some money home this month but they got a new law now because of the G.I.s in Berlin making fortunes off the Russians. You can only send your base pay plus 10%, minus allotment, home. So in my case that would amount to about $35.00 if I read the order right. So instead I'm going to try and get on the furlough list to England. Some of the fellows are getting furloughs there at present and if that doesn't pan out I may buy a German Luger Pistol to go with the little 32 autmatic pistol I took from a Nazi Captain after busting my rifle butt over his head. Now don't get the idea that I'm trying to own an arsenal or be a gangster after I get home, but a Luger is a swell souvenir.
.....Well, I guess I'd better bring this letter to a close or you'll have to be reading it on the installment plan. When I first come overseas I used to correspond with about 20 different people. Now I write regularly to only 3: you folks, Will & Mary, and my buddy Bob Rose. I have a stack of unanswered letters, maybe someday I'll be in the mood and answer them all.
.....Take good care of yourself and don't over work.

Dear Folks:
.....Well, there's been a lot of changes maked in this outfit since I last wrote you. First of all we shipped about twenty 85 pointers out last Saturday afternoon, on their way home. Then Saturday night we were reclassified as an outfit. We were originally in Category I, occupation troops, but Saturday night we were put in Category IV, redeployment to the States. Sunday we shipped out a bunch of low point men to occupation outfits. I may be shipped out sooner or later, but I'm sweating out my 53 points. I hated to see this outfit break up because this battery had one of the swellest bunch of fellows I've ever met. So from the looks of things this outfit may be homeward bound in the near future. Don't get your hopes to high though, the Army changes it's mind pretty often.
.....You asked in your letter if the kitchen had as much variety as while in the the States. Just about everything we eat is dehydrated: milk, eggs, potatoes, carrots - and that certainly ruins the taste of the food. As for fresh milk and eggs, I haven't had any of those luxuries since we came out of combat. While in combat, although there was an order prohibiting us from drinking fresh milk for fear of catching T.B., we used to nearly live on fresh eggs and fresh milk. We'd always try to stop at a farm house during a break in the fighting. Although the food isn't too bad here though, considering everything.
.....Well, I haven't much else to write about at this time so will close for now. Hope this letter finds you all in the best of health.

Dear Folks:
.....Just a few lines this morning from Brussels. I suppose you're probably wondering how I got here and what I'm doing here. Our battalion was given the job of bringing a trainload of German Prisoners of War to Belgium to help reconstruct and to clean up the damage done during the war. I was assigned to the guard detail so here I am. After getting rid of the prisoners we were given 3 day passes to go anywhere we wanted to in Belgium. I'm having a good time and spending plenty of money. I'll write more when I get back to camp and give you all the details of the trip.
.....Hope you are al well and able to keep going at home.

Dear Folks:
.....Sorry to have been so slow in writing this time, but things have been in such a