June 26, 1945

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310.200.1-4.2017 Transcription

Bad Mergentheim, Germany

26 June 45—10:15PM

Hi, darlin’,

As you can see[1], its kinda lat[e]ish for

starting. Reasons:—I spent all morning & the first

half the afternoon preparing my half of the Anesth.

Dept’s presentation for the next Professional Meeting

by the Surgical Service; subject “Atelectasis In

The Practice Of Anesthesiology” (Capt D.B. Wilitzski[2]). The

minute I got the ground-work notes done, in

camera bullet through the thigh followed by a

bullet through the abdomen (belly to you, huh?!). The two

cases + a transfusion [Anesth Depts usually handle transfusions

in a hosp; did ya know that?][3] made it almost 8PM before

I was finished. That left just time to see that

screwy but mind-removing (from Etousa,[4] War, etc) second

show called “Brewsters Million.” ∴ Adds up to 10:15PM.

I never have taken the time nor bother

to tell you about a 21 page official Anesthesiology

report Jacobi & I have been compiling over the

last 4½ weeks—for (QUOTE) “History of Anesth

in World War II-E.T.O.U.S.A.” He made it chiefly his

“baby” [as usual][5] & I just tagged along. Anyhooo,

its done & maybe someday will help a little

bit someplace. P.S. You are no doubt puzzled about the relation-

ship between Jacobi & Wilitzski—its most odd. Ask most the

116th & they would say we are “inseparable pals”. Put us each under

amytal[6] and—well—its better said than written for

both he & I.

[2]

Here’s a remote, yet contributory, fragment

of information that will [slightly!-on the slight-side][7]

encourage you. 2 of our docs are being sent away

for 6 wks courses (& one nurse for 3 wks course); thus for

at least (3 to) 6 weeks we supposedly will not

be starting our trek to Japan, STILL via the USA

as the best “latrine-rumors” have it. Sooooo,

I guess every 6 weeks, or 3 weeks, or 6 hours, or 3 hours,

can bring us nearer to being [rep][8] stuck in the

San Fran[cis]co harbor on some V-J Day. Again—

oh how damnable it is to be stuck OUTSIDE

the dear ol’ States on a V-Day—the getting

home is so tardy, tantalizing, aggrivating,

& wracking.

Which reminds me—Ill write something

here & I’m going to “rep” it several times in

the future to make sure it gets through as I

want it for my post war information. The

Divisions we were most associated [with][9] were 45th, 100th &

36th, but 45% of our work was also c̅[10] the 3rd, 4th,

42nd, 44th, 60th, 63rd, 70th, 79th, 87th, 95th, 101 Air-

Borne, 103rd, the {10th 12th IVth 20th}[11] Armored, 1st & 2nd Free French

Armies, AND we did more damn work than you

can even conceive for the 17th S.S.-Panzer Division &

The Herman Göering Div (PLENTEEE TOUGH!). Add Doby’s 781 TkBn

[3]

In other words, at different & varying times we

supported practically every damn Division that

the 7th Army had. Oh, yes, for a few days we

punched too far northward & supported the 3rd (!)

Army. Lastly, we were chiefly VIth Corps but

part of the time we were XVth Corps. Soooooo,

m’ love AND DAD, you can now see how

impossible it was to do anything but

confuse you c̅ an “address on Armsted Street.”

(Once I came close to writing Dad that:- “the house in the 100 block where

36th to 45th S’ts meet [Armsted][12] was the address,” but it still would have

told only 55% of the story.). P.S. WHO WAS BUSY??? (!!!)

I hope my 8-pager last night in

response to your 6 letters (WHOOPIE!) that came

yesterday makes-it-through. Do you feel (or know)

of many letters that were actually & ultimately

proven as lost, dear?

Just as long as the last 3 words to

each letter never get lost, I’m satisfied, ‘cuz

I never will tire of giving you—

All my love,

Dave

P.S. [Rep][13] Terry’s[14] very sweet ‘n nice E.F.M.[15] came yesterday.

[1] In original, there is an arrow pointing from “see” to “10:15PM” in the upper right-hand corner.

[2] Wilsey’s nickname for himself.

[3] Bracketed text is part of original.

[4] European Theater of Operations, US Army.

[5] Bracketed text is part of original.

[6] A sedative-hypnotic drug that has been considered a sort of “truth serum.”

[7] Bracketed text is part of original.

[8] Bracketed text is part of original.

[9] Bracketed text inserted into original with a caret.

[10] Medical abbreviation meaning “with.”

[11] In original, numbers are stacked vertically, with “10th” on the top, leading to “20th” on the bottom.

[12] Bracketed text inserted into original with a caret.

[13] Bracketed text is part of original.

[14] Their infant son.

[15] Expeditionary Force Messages, with numbers corresponding to messages for quick correspondence.

June 26, 1945