May 27, 1945
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310.175.1-5.2017 Transcription
Dachau Concentration Camp
Germany 27 May 45
Oh, dearest,
Im going to dare to “dream”-
again-on-paper as I did last
night. (last night it was re: the Jap cabinet
getting sense enough to surrender). This time
it is the thought that even if the
Japs wont surrender, the 116th can
go via U.S.A.. Its almost too length
& complex to go into details but anyhooo
it is “glimmeringly” possible from
the most recent rumors. I just dont
dare, hardly, to even think of it so I’ll
stop; [except to point out that if it is via the
US—packing time, ocean travel time, leave at
home time, training (oriental) time, & they voyaging
time might add up to a total that could see
Japan just pulverized—& maybe common-
sensed enough to surrender.][1]. Ohhhh dearest!
wake up! Wilitzski[2]!
The mail hasnt come in yet today
& I hope this “charms” some letters into
my box. We learned that they can (or will)
fly airmail right into the Corps Areas.
[2]
Guess they must have tried/tested it out
a few days back as I noticed one of
your envelopes bore a 6 day-ago-post-
mark—but I couldn’t believe it
so I just discounted it as being
a wrong setting of the machine. Anyhooo,
it can happen, so now we can at least feel we are “closer.”
This sorta “half-assed” (“substitute”)
Rest Camp the C.O. has lined up 6 hrs
drive from here in the Alps is now
functioning. One group has been & returned.
Theoretically I am on a list to go tomorrow
morning about 8:30AM for 2 1/3 days there.
(2/3 day traveling to & from—a-course he
couldn’t make it exclusive of travel time).
Anyhooo, darlin’, even though I’m
sure I’ll write c̅[3]in the next 2 1/3
days, it might be that no mail box
is available to drop it in—sooo,
I apologize. I’m not the least bit
“steamed-up” [excited][4] about it as all
reports indicate it will be very
similar to liv[ing] in Elko {snow out your window lessened pressure etc[5],
which Ive really lived (namely 3½ years).
[3]
My MAIN REASON for going is that 36 hrs
ago I got a letter from Doby who should
be c̅in a radius of 40 miles of said spot.
I’ll try to find, see, & play c̅ him—
he say’s there are deer to shoot if I
come to see him. Soooo, hope Doby
& I find eachother—even if its
a measly 2 1/3 days. [Doby’s outfit is
sorta occupying, yet rest-camping, in an area
called Obermeingin—the 116th’s house is
on Achen See (sea) a lake near a bunch of towns called
“Achen”- - - {Achenwald Achenkirche,[6] etc. The nearest town is
something like Pertisan (very small). This whole
“zone” has Insbrook ↔ (Innsbruck, etc) as its “hub.”][7]
Mail just came & brought only
one letter—& that from Dad.
Thank him lots & tell him I hope
my 2 V-mails on successive nights,
3 nights ago, arrive speedily.
Guess, I better go eat now—
gosh! Im so hungry lately & I never
seem full—I know I’ve
worms in my head, but maybe I’ve
got ‘em in my intestines too.
MUCH LATER
Guess what! As I sat in the
dinning room tonight who walked in
[4]
but Henrietta Dickinson! She’s here
for 10 days as the Dietitian to Dachau.
She’s really dietitian of the 59th Evac.
who has some D.S.ed personell here
for 12-14 days. Anyhooo, we really
raked over the dim-dead-coals of
the past for 5½ hours. I’ll see her
more I know.
Gotta go to bed now dearest—
but I’ll see ya in my dreams
& as I walk (mebee!) in Alps mts
tomorrow. I’d rather walk in the Rubys!
I love you both so
Allmylove,
Dave
[1] Bracketed text is part of original.
[2] Wilsey’s nickname for himself.
[3] Medical abbreviation meaning “with.”
[4] Bracketed text is part of original.
[5] In original, “snow out your” is written above “windows,” which is written above “lessened pressure etc.”
[6] In original, “Achenwald” is written above “Achenkirche.”
[7] Bracketed text is part of original.