March 27, 1945
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310.132.1-4.2016 Transcription
Somewherelse–France
c̅[1] 7th Army 27 Mar 45
3PM
Hi dearest,
This is indeed a rainy day—also
a slow day c̅ little to do as we are
awaiting orders to move. This will
probably be a long long jump right into
“Somewhere-Germany.”
As a result I took my last
“friendly-walk”—from now on walking
will be (probably) in the Communities
where we are hated—THUS, I just
wont walk. [Howzabout an Elko “pregnancy-
walk” down toward the W. [P]ac. round-house tonight
—right tonight, if I can get there on time, huh?][2]
Anyhooo, I walked first to a
“Wirtschaft;” a small suburb-like farmer’s
housing center for the next town I walked
into ½ an hour later. Enroute I made
my itinerary pass a crashed Fortress &
this enclosed souvenier patch is a
piece off a padded wais[t]coating of the
bomber.[3] Then in the bigger town I
bought 7 picture post cards, AND (they
seemed to like me enough to dig out of
hiding in the basement) A JACKET FOR
TERRY.[4] I’m kinda “rusty”—infact
miserably unschooled in the value of
baby clothes, but I dont think I was
[2]
“gyped” at all on my purchase. Its blue;
it seems well knit; its kinda silky; &
it should be big enough. I call it a jacket
but its really, I guess, a sweater—opens
infront like a jacket, however. It’s real
boyish too!, sooooo I know that
tough ol’ buzzard wont refuse to
wear it. P.S. I probably wont have a change at
package-mailing-service until we set down again
which should be Germany.
Oh yes, Ive always forgotten to
mention the interesting fact that German
men wear their wedding rings on the 4th
finger of their right hand. Screwy?—
they probably think the same of us!
On page #1 I see I spoke of “digging-
out of basements”—thats what all
these occupied merchants have done c̅ their
goods that are even ½-worth-while.
Nothing but junk shows/presents itself
as you walk into a store; hidden in an
attic, basement, adjoining house, etc are
the few worthwhile pieces of merchandise
they have left. While thinking about the
aged couple who run this store—I
more appreciate/realize that they liked &
[3]
trusted me—(here’s why) I “$ broke”[5] myself
to buy the sweater for Thump[6] & infact I
had 5 Fr. too little; they “trusted-me” for
the balance anytime in the future. However
I met a friend a little way down the
street who loaned me 5 Fr. so I went
back & paid them. Before I met this
friend I was fretting how I could
keep not only my promise but an American-
Promise as chronologically I might not
have time to ever get back there to pay
them. Anyhoooo, its all fixed now—
Thump’s sweater has no “strings-on-it;”
“American-Promise” is proven good; & my
personal conscience is clear. Wheeeeee!
(Guess I better go back to the operating-room → tent—
see ya tonight dearest after mail (call) I hope!)
(6 hrs later) (PS. Shecks = no mail.)
Wheeeee—again! Orders just
came that we move—its almost
impossible that we could move anyplace
but G-E-R-M-A-N-Y! Its at least a
psychological-satisfaction.
[Rep.][7] Please answer re: fact that
novocaine-insertion can be done on words
as well as Dr. Helen (?) Eyster’s teachings.
Gotta pack—gotta go—but gotta send
All my love,
Dave
[1] Medical abbreviation meaning “with.”
[2] Bracketed text is part of original.
[3] Most likely referring to item 310.154.1.2016, a patch of dark-green fabric with an Army number on it.
[4] Their infant son, also nicknamed Thump.
[5] In original, “$” is written above “broke.”
[6] Nickname for their infant son, Terry.
[7] Bracketed text is part of original.