Inadequacies of Versailles medical headquarters
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310.272.1-3.2017 Transcription
[This letter is written on Red Cross paper, with a thick, red cross and the words “AMERICAN RED CROSS” on the top of each page.]
Paris (241 G.H[1])
3 Nov 45 Sat
Dearest,
Before I forget, let me “rep”
again that you need not
write any more letters to Europe
because Ill just never get
them. It seems so futile to try
to have mail keep up c̅[2] one, &
this is another reason why
I made no effort to reroute
mail from Reims Area to
Mourmelon Paris[3] area. (Other reasons told before).
I saw another good show
tonight—“Back to Bataan.”
Things in the show [factual story on
Army reports][4] plus daily reports in
the “S&S[5]” about Jap trials further
impress one as to just what
[2]
psycopaths the Japs are.
Something Marjorie Hughes
once remarked to you came back
to my mind today. She said
something to the effect that:—“People
(& wives) surely do (& WILL) resent
those men & their families that
werent in this Army/World/War-
Mess.[”] The occasion was brought
about by meeting someone who
resents Dr Francis Flaherty-et al.
The fellow is right in the bed
next to me; he is a doctor; &
has had 2 pretty personal (heart-striking)
occurrences result from Francis’
acts & actions. This doctor asked
me not to even mention anything
at all as he doesnt want his
wife to know he is in The Med.
Chain because she would worry
if she knew it. Ill give details
when I get home, but for the
time being Ill say only—
[3]
I hope my family doesnt (hasn’t)
befall the two “war-ramifications”
that this doc has had befall
his family—just because
of a left-at-home-doctor.
This could trigger off a whole
barrage of “philosophy” about
“we-saps-who-did-come-in”
to the Army but why “roar.”
Maybe Time, the Good Lord, &
human {conscience & value[6] will show
us to be less “sappy” than
we are as of the moment.
Back to this (DAMNABLE-SHAMEFUL)
Medical Chain:— we still know
nothing ab concrete about getting
out of here. Ive never bored
you c̅ even 1% of the minutiae
that is seen-known-witnessed
[4]
every day for weeks ‘n weeks now.
Just as a reminder for when (& if !)
Im Home, Ill tell you about
the recalcitrance, laziness,
sex-ness, neglectfulness
[summarize as INADEQUATES-ness][7] of the
main Medical Hdqrtrs at Versailles.
Oh, Em! it is so disheartening &
so shameful !
I wish I didn’t always
write such unpleasant, sordid,
& dishearting F-A-C-T-S in
my letters, dear. Thats all we
see-live-“eat”-sleep-& breathe,
so maybe that’s all there is to
write—except maybe
a blank piece of paper. Maybe
my next letter will be 4 pages
filled (GLADLY!) c̅ nothing but
I love you, I love you, I love
you, I love you, I love you c̅
All my love,
Dave
P.S. Please forget all about
any mention of meeting a Seattle doctor.
[1] General Hospital.
[2] Medical abbreviation meaning “with.”
[3] In original, “Paris” is written above “Mourmelon.”
[4] Bracketed text is part of original.
[5] Stars & Stripes, a US Military newspaper.
[6] In original, “conscience” is written above “&,” which is written above “value.”
[7] Bracketed text is part of original.