April 27, 1945
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310.149.1-2.2016 Transcription
Somewhere else yet again–Germany
With 7th Army 27 Apr 45 3PM
Dearest,
I never did yet “threaten” you real good about
sumthin’—the way you’ll know I’m back
in the United States (someday) is by an acute FRESH milk
shortage progressing from a seacoast on a direct bee-line
to North Dakota; then, Bismarck will undergo an
acute shortage like it has never seen before! 6 months
& 20 hours ago I had my last taste of fresh milk
[Europe’s cattle are full of TB, Ba[r]q’s, etc, so I’d never chance it] just
before embarkation, & BOY! have I a lot to make-up-
for. Goshhhhhh! (P.S. The 6 mos & 20 hrs (above) is really
another way of “reping” what I wrote yesterday about now having
had an “Anniversary”—6 months ago last night I stepped off the
soil of Beloved USA—“Anniversary” [the 6 months-type] which
visably manifests itself visably by a gold left sleeve-stripe.)
Each day I’m sorta-kinda in more of a quandry.
Lots of the guys are getting hordes of Nazi dress
swords, (impractical) sidearms, & bayonets each day &
tote them around till they can send or sell ‘em to
somebody. I just cannot make up my mind to
“jump-into-the-puddle” of collecting/(pillaging-looting)
or not. Thus far I havent pillaged a single thing—
though I have a few Kraut[1] medical items that have
an anesthesia practicality, GIVEN ME by other guys
who did pillage captured hospital trains or ware-
houses. Sooo, maybe I’m just as guilty for
accepting them as if I had done it myself—yet
maybe not as “guilty.” However, I can say—
[2]
American soldiers “looting”-“pillaging” is of the “innocent”
boyish-Huckleberry Finn type—not that vicious
murderous, sadistic, heinous type done by Nazis’
over Europe → Russia → Africa. [Oh yes—when I’m home
please remind me to tell you what at least certain Americans
can “have-in-their-veins”—what 3 nurses & 2 sgts of our
outfit did one night at Rattlesdorf (our last place) to disgrace
themselves, the Nursing Profession, the 116th Evac, & the Army][2].
As reped the past two nights, give me your
impression of that marriage of Emily Belkott (which surely
will end in a divorce split-up) to Doctor Sprengeringen. Dont
be bashful, dear! Silly, huh?
After 3 to 5 days s̅[3] making a (long) trip to the
7th Army PO, our mail sgt finally “took-off” today. (Being nearer)
Gee, how I hope he brings letters———let alone
your pkg (or packages) that must be in Europe someplace.
Oh dearest! E-V-E-R-Y letter I write you I
want to just fill it c̅[4] I love you – I love you – soooo,
but that would get “boresome” & unnewsie. Anyhooo,
it is so truly my feelings! every moment of my
Life/“Life” every single second, darlin’. Geeee, how
I miss-adore-love-L I V E you & Terry.[5]
[MUCH LATER][6] No mail—no decent physical or
circumstantial to “talk” more c̅ you, darlin——
even though I’d like pages ‘n pages more to
tell you how much I love ya c̅———
Allmylove,
Dave
[1] German.
[2] Bracketed text is part of original.
[3] Medical abbreviation meaning “without.”
[4] Medical abbreviation meaning “with.”
[5] Their infant son.
[6] Bracketed text is part of original.