March 18, 1945
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310.125.1-3.2016 Transcription
Somewhere–France
c̅[1] 7th Army
18 Mar 45 @ 6 PM
Dearest,
If my two previous letters have
arrived (a 1 or 2 [day][2] “gaposis” therein) you know I
dont need to apologize for a “quickie” as
we are in that “Mess-Called-Moving”—
tents are set up & things (materiel) are
being transferred as rapidly as is
possible c̅ so many terribly hurt
guys still on our hands. Like Associated
Press (the original-uncut article) implicated
this “baby-outfit” is making numerical
production-history—so it is c̅
this nightmarish holocaust. All Evacs[3]
move by “leap-frogging” & lottery “chose”
me to be ½ of person[n]el remaining c̅ pts[4]
until they can be evacuated rearward—
thus I am geographically unmoved
as yet.
Batch #2 of “buggy-teeter-pictures” [in your 2 stampd Mar 6th][5]
came & I like ‘em lots—I get
such a “bang” [AND “AUGMENTATION”][6] out
of your captions on on [sic] the back. Im
sorry that you must never have received
my letter saying how nice the “bed-
sitting-feeding-pictures” were. Please don’t
be disheartened if I can’t express/write
[2]
as much about pictures because of
time limitations & fatigue. ALWAYS—
your! picture! production! is! unbelievable.
Repitition:—Regarding picture-production
you can now use that novocaine-inster
solution on the xyphoid for clearer pictures.
More repititions: (1) I hope all my
letters re: application for Amer. Board of
Anesth. (to make me someday—maybe—
a Diplomate of the Board—a “Specialist”)
have arrived c̅ some sequence &
regularity. (2) I hope Thumps[7] $50 PTA[8]
arrives for his trip to shoot-the-bull
c̅ Arley Barnes. (3) Batch #1 & #2 of “bed-
sitting-feeding pictures,” and batch #1 & #2
“of buggy-teeter-pictures” did [thank Heavens]
make-it-through. (4) Your #1 & #2
pkgs finally came—I hope the one
you mention in your today’s (Mar 6th) letter
comes through faster (5) Still no cloth
7th Army patches are available, but I’m
glad the paper 7th A patch arrived (as well
as bib (pooooey! & ersatz ration book [again
Aunt K’s ration book was much nicer than
yours—but it still was lousey compared to
American products].[9] (6) Please report on all of
the { 7 wedding [&] 3 applic. photos}[10] arriving. Gotta pack some more.
A.M.L.[11] Dave
[The following is a letter from Wilsey’s Aunt Katherine:]
[1]
[THIS IS
FOR GRANDMOTHER:—][12]
Sunday – Mar. 4/45
Dear Dave,
I was certainly glad to get your letter
+ the rather tragic memento-souvenir-
which is most interesting, anyhow.
You have been so very often in my
thoughts + I’ve wondered about your where-
abouts—but haven’t had time to write
Emily or her mother since before Christmas
+ haven’t heard from them in consequence.
At that time Terry was improving + I
do hope he continues to do so.
Your letter dated Jan 31. tho’ sent by air-
didn’t reach me till Feb 26th (a week ago)
I hope this makes better time.
Yes- Edgar is in the “foreign-mess”
too—but on the other side- “down under”.
He [rid] his sailing orders Jan. 14th + left
while Barbara was in New London trying
to get their belongings onto a moving truck-
+ I was taking care of Brad- here.
His first letter came a week later, but
we could only guess his whereabouts – rightly
from what he wrote later – near the canal
zone – Then as he forecast, no letter came
for 5 weeks, but Barbara has had 2 last week.
He is in the S. Pacific – not yet arrived at his
[2]
destination. His boat is on a big freighter –
with all his crew + others, + the voyage has
been interesting + pleasant. We gather
they’re en route to Manila or near there,
but of course – won’t know for sometime.
Meantime Barbara + I are very busy “bring-
ing up Bradford” – He has begun to walk
alone now – at 15 months – (a little less) +so
takes a lot-of watching. I shall have him
alone over next week-end, when she is going
to Philadelphia to see her First cousins there
+ two special girl friends – both with now
babies + husbands over-seas.
I hope you get back here soon— +
to your precious-ones.
Hal Porter was interested in your
letter + sends his very best wishes to-you—
with Barbara’s + mine.
I hope you do get an occasional chance
to rest a bit + relax—You must have great
satisfaction in the greatly needed help you
can-give, where so sorely needed.
Always with love,
Aunt Katherine
May the peace of Easter come to your heart
even tho’ you are in the midst of horror.
[1] Medical abbreviation meaning “with.”
[2] Bracketed text written above “2” in original.
[3] Evacuation Hospitals.
[4] Patients.
[5] Bracketed text written above “pictures.”
[6] Bracketed text is part of original.
[7] Nickname for their infant son, Terry.
[8] Personal Transfer Account for sending money back home.
[9] Bracketed text is part of original.
[10] In original, “7 wedding” is written above “3 applic photos.”
[11] All my love.
[12] Bracketed text written by Wilsey at the top of Aunt Katherine’s letter.