England Dec. 27, 1943.

Dear Mother,
         Received two of your letters today. One was
written Dec. 5 & the other Dec. 13. Both of them come
together.  The mail has been awlful slow in comeing
to us lately.  I hope it gets righted around again
soon.
       Yes it is over a year ago now since I have
been home.  I was thinking the other night that
in 1943 I haven't seen any of my folks.  It looks
as if 1943 was just a lost year for me.  Your
letter didn't get here before Christmas but it got
here anyway, so that is all that matters.
      I guess your family has sure decreased since
I was home last.  It would seem queer for me
to see just 3 or four of you at a dinner table.
Maybe someday next year you will be able
to look out and see me comeing through the
gate.  I have dreamed of comeing home two or
three times and just walking in.  Gee it sure
would be wonderful.  I'll bet Duke would even
remember me.
          I have been receiving some of your letters
telling about the oil well but never remember
of you saying anything about leasing the land
around home.
       I hope Irene spent Christmas day with
you.  I hope she enjoyed the gift you bought
for her also.  Gee it would seem good to

see her again.  I believe the U.S. Army would
be hunting for a soldier A.W.O.L. if ever I got
back in the U.S.
      I have received two copies of the Record
now.  It gives me a lot of news and I am
real pleased to be receiving it.  I also would
like to receive the Advance if it would be possible.
      You know mother, I don't believe I would
be able to eat a fresh egg again.  Gee that
would really be grand to go out and gather eggs
and fry some of them.  They can by a few around
here.  It costs the fellows about 2'6* a dozen or
50 cents.  Those marks mean two shilling and
sixpence or in other words half a crown.
     In your letter of Decemember 13 you tell how
bright the moon was that week.  Yes it was
really bright here and I don't believe I will
forget that moonlight week either. It is one
of my experiences to tell about when I get home.
I hope you have sent my flashlight by
this time.  This is the time of year a person
really needs one over here.  I haven't received
any package yet from the Riga Womens Club. Maybe
it got lost on the way over.
     I really got my share of presents this year.
soap, razor blades, shaveing kits, sewing kits,
socks, sweater, billfold, candy, nuts and Christmas
cards.  Probably will receive more of them yet.
      I try to answer all those monthly letters
from the church.  I have received two so
far and have answer both of them.  The
last one was from Orren.  I answered it.

     Well mother I guess this will be the last
letter to you in 1943.  New Years day probably
will just be a work day.  That is if we don't
celebrate to much the night before.  I hope
I will be able to return to a normal
life again in 1944.  Things look good and
I hope the war does end.
     I will try to drop my letters to you
as often in 1944 as I did in 1943.  It is
rather hard to write from this side sometimes.
At first it was easy.  But now everything is
getting old to us.  I guess we need a change of
scenery every few months.  But not as much
as we changed in 1943.
     Goodnight for this time.  Keep all the
news and letters comeing.
     I had a slight attack of the grip but I
guess I have thrown it off now.  I feel better
tonight.  I guess our mail raises our morale
about 80% when we receive it.  Goodnight
and love to all.
                                    Love Ralph.


The next letter will be posted on January 2nd.

Background Information (and comments):

• Duke was the family dog.
• Ralph's actual marks for the shilling and sixpence looked like an apostrophe and the degree symbol.
• The Advance refers to the Blissfield Advance newspaper. It was published weekly and I found it existed back in 1899, but could not find when it actually began. It is still in business.
• I'm not sure what happened in England during the full moon (it was Dec. 11th), but since he worked on airplanes, it may have been the following that occurred on Dec. 13 and Dec. 14:
• A wave of 1,462 American airplanes flew an early afternoon carpet bombing raid over the German citiees of Bremen, Hamburg and Kiel. In a departure from previous missions, all bombers in a unit would release their high explosive bombs and incendiaries, simultaneously, on the population centers.
• In the heaviest bombardment ever of Greece, more than 300 Allied warplanes dropped bombs on the German Luftwaffe airfields near Athens at Eleusis, Kalamaki and Tatoi, as well as the harbor facilities at Piraeus.
• When Ralph refers to an attack of the grip, it was actually spelled grippe. A medical website has written this: 
•  Usually referred to as the flu or grippe, influenza is a highly infectious respiratory disease. The disease is caused by certain strains of the influenza virus.

England Christmas Day 1943

Dear Mother & all,
            Christmas day. Almost four thousand miles
apart.  I would like to be there spending it with you,
but this year it can't be.  Next year I will be there.
I suppose you had all the family home today for
Christmas. Did Irene come? I hope she did. I hope she
enjoys her cedar chest very much.
           We have just finished our dinner and what a
meal. Our menu for Christmas dinner is included.
Roast turkey, mash potatoes and gravy, roast dressing,
cream peas, cranberry sauce, pineapple pie, coffee
candy and cigarettes. It was a very good meal and
I have just finished dinner and I am enjoying a
nice cigar while I am writing this letter. I smoke
once in awhile. It gives me something to do in my
spare time.
        We worked this morning or went to work. We
had church services at 9:30 this morning. I am sending
you a bulletin of our services.
        Mother, I would have liked to send you something
for Christmas but most everything is rationed over
here. What isn't rationed is so high priced and no
use for it. I am still looking for a present for you.
      I hope you had a merry Christmas. It is a
different experience for me this year to spend Christmas
in a different country. I sure would like to spend it
at home though.
       Well Christmas is over now and we can begin
to think about the new year and a year of peace.

     We had no snow here for Christmas just mud. It
was rather was [warm?] and a haze all morning.  Did you
have snow this year for Christmas? I hope it was
a white Christmas.
       Well mother after such a good meal it calls
for a little sleep this afternoon.  We are off for
the rest of the day. Some are on pass, others sleeping,
writing, and playing cards.
          I may write more later on today, but for now
I will say goodbye.
         Well here it is night. I slept most of the afternoon
and now I feel as if I can write a few more lines.
     We prepared our own meal in our hut tonight. We
had toasted cheese sandwiches, popcorn, fried salomie
and the Martin Bomber people gave us beer for a
beer party. The toasted cheese sandwiches were really
good. Just like a light lunch after a big meal. One of
the fellows had a fruit cake from home. So I guess we
had a very Merry Christmas for being in the European
Theatre of Operations. I must close for now and heres
hopeing I receive a lot of mail. I enjoyed your letter of
Thanksgiving Day. Received five letters yesterday. So it was
a nice Christmas after all.
                                          Love and best wishes
                                                        Ralph.
         Here are some pictures taken on my furlough.
         Divide them up.


The next letter will be posted on December 27th.

Background Information (and comments):

• This was sent as an airmail letter
• I do not have the menu or photos he said he enclosed. I donated many items to the Blissfield Historical Society prior to moving to Florida in 2013. The photos were not with the letters and most had no dates or information about location, etc.
• The church bulletin was still in the envelope with the letter, so it is pictured below.
• The last page is hard to read. Here is what it says -
• "From the Chaplain"
• I am deeply grateful for your wonderful response which made possible the bringing of cheer into the hearts of nearly sixty evacuee children. May the Lord who set the example richly bless each and every one of you.
• I have a Christmas wish for you. It comes from the depths of my heart, and I believe that you will appreciate it more than any other I could possible make. Our wish is that next Christmas you may spend it with your loved ones around the  fireside of your own home.
• May never again, under God's great heaven, bombs crash, cannons roar and the wail of the despairing be heard, but nations shall live in loving brotherhood. Then will the song of the angels who told of the birth of the Savior who came to bring Peace on earth be not in vain.
• 

Dec. 23, 1943

Dear Mother,
      Just one night before Christmas Eve. But as
for Christmas spirit to me this year it might
just as well be fourth of July. It doesn't seem like
Christmas at all.  It will just be another day here
for us.  I would love to be with all the folks
back home this year but it is impossible.  I will
be thinking of you this Christmas.  It will be my
second away from you.  I hope all the rest of them
will be there with you.
      As usual news are scarce.  We keep on with
the same old work. Once in a while something
new and interesting comes up and then it gets
to be the same old routine.
     Received my first copy of the Metamora Record
today.  It is good to get a paper from home.  I have
found a lot of enjoyable reading in it.  I hope it
continues to come to me.  Hope I begin to receive
a few letters. I know everyone is writing.  It will
arrive after the Christmas mail rush is over with. I
can't find anything to write about to anyone.  I hope
everyone doesn't get mad at me for not writing.
Goodnight for now.                        Love Ralph.


The next letter will be posted on December 25th.

Dec. 19, 1943

Dear Mother,
     Another week has gone and another started.
Just a few more days until Christmas.  This
will be the second Christmas away from home
and the first out of the U.S.  I hope this is the
last one to.
    This being Sunday I figured on going to the
service today but I didn't get up in time and
I don't like the idea of getting out in this weather
anymore than I have to. I see by the Stars & Stripes
that winter has hit the U.S.
     I have received a couple of letters from you
this last week. Our mail is comeing in a little
better now. Received quite a few Christmas cards
also. I hope you received my letter by now.
I try to write every week. But it is awlful
hard to write when we have the same thing
over and over. I really don't know what to write.
There will always be things to write from that end
so send me all the news you can. I am working
every day and have been in London just once this
month. Getting rid of my cold and feeling much better.
Write soon and often.                      Love Ralph.


The next letter will be posted on December 23rd.

Background Information (and comments):

• Stars & Stripes began as a newspaper during the Civil War; it was for Union troops.
• It was on a decades long hiatus before resuming publication during WWI and then again during WWII.
• It has been published continuously since 1942 in Europe and 1945 in the Pacific.
• The average daily readership today is about 850,000.
• It is authorized by the Department of Defense and is editorially independent. Its publisher and most of its employees are civilians.

Decemember 18

Dear Mother,
     Received your letter of November 30th and was glad
to get it.  The mail is slow in coming in now, it
must be held up in the states.  Also received two
V-letters from Cliffs.  Irene's letters are awlful slow in
getting here. The last I had was postmarked  the 26th
of Nov.
        I really don't know how many packages I have
received. They have been arriving for the last two
months and with everything esle here it is really
hard to remember everything.  I told you about most
of my packages in an airmail letter.
        I suppose the oil well is progressing right
along now. Wish I could be there and see it. I suppose
it seemed good to have Marie stay for awhile. I sure
would like to drop in and stay for awhile.  It sure
would be good to have a good home cooked meal
again. I sure am going to eat when I get home again.
       I must write quite a few letters tonight.  I haven't
received many but I don't want to get behind in my
writing.
     Well this will be about all for now. I must sign
off for now. Write soon and tell me about all the
happenings around home. So long for now.
                                                                  Love Ralph

The next letter will be posted on Dec.19th.

Background Information (and comments):

• Ralph sent this as a V-mail. It was not postmarked until Dec. 24th.

England December 14

Dear Mother,
              I really don't know what to write about. Your
last letter I received was written just a month ago today.
I imagine it is so slow now because of all the Christmas
rush in the states.
         We have been busy here as usual. Everyone is
beginning to talk about home and Christmas. I sure wish
I could be there myself. Some days I get so lonesome
and blue I just don't know what to do with myself.
I have received about four letters from Irene in the
last three weeks. When our mail does roll in again
I imagine we will be swamped with letters for awhile.
    Talk about me getting lost in the English fogs. Well
I have seen some of them and we have had about every
kind of weather there are to have. I have a chest cold,
but it is beginning to breakup. I bought some limey
vapourub in London from a chemist.
      Everyone has been receiving packages from home. I guess
all of mine have arrived ok. Tell me what you all sent
me and then I will know if I got everything.
      Everyone has donated part of their Christmas candy and
our weekly rations for all the British children. They are
giving Christmas parties all over the U.K. for the kids. They
really like the Yanks over here.
       I haven't had  my Metamora paper arrive yet, but
I hope it does soon. Irene said my letter I wrote appeared
in it. It really is nice to receive all the clippings. I know
quite a few of the fellows and it is nice to know where they
are stationed. I have written to Dean Mohr but haven't heard
from him as yet. I hope to in a few days.

   Maybe I will be able to see him over here. I sure
hope so. It would seem good to see and old friend
again.
       Received a Christmas card from Donna Dague the
other day. I have written her already and thanked her
for remembering me. I could think who in Wellington
be writing to me. Received cards from Charley Ray's
Virginia, Doris Irma and almost everyone. I guess I
wasn't forgotten only by some of my own relatives. I did
send all of them a card though. So they can't say I failed
on my part.
        Gee, I sure hope Irene will come over home for
Christmas. I wish I could see here when she opens the
present you got for her. But I guess I must wait until
all of this mess is over with.
     I suppose by now you have the tiling all done at home.
I guess Dad has put quite a few improvements in the old
place lately. I won't know it from the painting it has
had. Freeman says it looks so different now. Home will
always look like home to me though.
        I bet it really seems queer just for three of you
there now. It seems as if the family all grew up fast
and left soon after I did. This war has really changed
things an awlful lot.
        Well this is about all for tonight. Sure hope your
letters all come soon. I try to write every week but
sometimes it is hard to write about. I wish I could write
just what I wanted to. This letter would be sheets longer
and a lot more exciting. But that will have to be my
talk when I arrive home in the good old U.S. Goodbye
for now. Tell King's I wish them a merry Christmas.
                                            Your son.
                                                  Ralph.

The next letter will be posted on December 18th.

Background Information (and comments):

• Ralph's use of chemist is what the British refer to as a pharmacy.

Sunday Evening December 5, 1943.

Dear Mother,
          How are you this nice and crisp December
day? How is the weather at home? Is it like any
of the weather back there a year ago? Remember I was
home just a year ago. Gosh I sure wish I could
be there this year. But I guess it has to be this
way. Oh well maybe we will be able to be together
before another year rolls around. I guess after
a fellow is over here for a while and the new-
ness of the country wears off he starts thinking
of home again. It will soon be 18 months that
I have been in the army. It really seems longer
than that.
          Today was my day off. I didn't go into London
this time. I was into a little town near our field.
It is dead on Sundays and most everyday of the
week. It is about 2 mile into town. I walked it
both ways. Gosh the only way a fellow can get
around is by walking. Then you are liable to be
run over by a bicycle or a baby buggy. They
sure have enough of them over here. I don't know
if they get them lend lease or not.
     Our passes for over Christmas have been canceled
from going into London. They figure the railroads
will be crowded enough anyway. The trains
are always crowded now.
     My money is rather short this month. I
borrowed money to go on my furlough so now
I am rather flat. The weather isn't fit to go
anywhere so it don't make much difference. I guess
it is a lot better this year than it was last
year. Maybe our seasons are changing.

I received a letter from the editor of the
Metamora Record. She said they were glad to
hear from me and my name had been placed
on their mailing list. So maybe I will receive
the paper now. It will be good to get all the
news instead of just clippings. She told me where
Dean was at, or what outfit he is in and also
her son-in-law. I think I know just about
where one of them are stationed. Maybe I will
drop him a short letter soon.
     I suppose you had company today. Did
you have a good meal? I sure would like to
set down and eat all the chicken I could. I bet
I would clean up a plate full.
     Well this is about all for tonight. How is the
oil well comeing? Please write soon, and tell
everyone I said hello. I am glad I didn't receive
any of the V-mail stationery. Ours is different and
the government furnishes it to us. Tell everyone
not to send any of the V-mail stationery.
Goodnight for now.
                                  Love Ralph.


The next letter will be posted on Dec. 14th.

Background Information (and comments):

• Here's general information about the Lend-Lease Act (from Wikipedia) and a chart about motorcycles (not bicycles) from http://www.theliberator.be/

The Lend-Lease policy, formally titled "An Act to Promote the Defense of the United States", (Pub.L. 77–11, H.R. 1776, 55 Stat. 31, enacted March 11, 1941)^[1] was a program under which the United States supplied Free France, the United Kingdom, the Republic of China, and later the USSR and other Allied nations with food, oil, and materiel between 1941 and August 1945. This included warships and warplanes, along with other weaponry. It was signed into law on March 11, 1941 and ended in September 1945. In general the aid was free, although some hardware (such as ships) were returned after the war. In return, the U.S. was given leases on army and naval bases in Allied territory during the war. Canada operated a similar smaller program under a different name.

A total of $50.1 billion (equivalent to $660 billion today) worth of supplies was shipped, or 17% of the total war expenditures of the U.S.^[2] In all, $31.4 billion went to Britain, $11.3 billion to the Soviet Union, $3.2 billion to France, $1.6 billion to China, and the remaining $2.6 billion to the other Allies. Reverse Lend-Lease policies comprised services such as rent on air bases that went to the U.S., and totaled $7.8 billion; of this, $6.8 billion came from the British and the Commonwealth. The terms of the agreement provided that the materiel was to be used until returned or destroyed. In practice very little equipment was returned. Supplies that arrived after the termination date were sold to Britain at a large discount for £1.075 billion, using long-term loans from the United States. Canada operated a similar program called Mutual Aid that sent a loan of $1 billion and $3.4 billion in supplies and services to Britain and other Allies.^[3][4]

Lend-Lease Part 3B – Page 13
Line	Item Description: Motorcycle	Totals	Remarks
5	Solo, Chain Drive, 45 cu in	38,103	Harley-Davidson WLA
6	Solo, 30.50 cu in	26,914	Indian Model 741
7	Chain Drive, w/sidecar	1,789	Indian Model 340 Indian Model 344

December 2

Dear Mother,
   Well I will start the month of December out right
and send you a letter right away. It isn't much
more than 6 hours old yet either. My morning
to build fire. That is why I am up and plenty
of time to write.
    I have just about caught up on all of my
letter writing now since getting back from my
furlough. Seems good to get a little time off to rest
up. Wish I could have spent it at home though.
   How is everything around home now? Have they
started to drill for oil anywhere esle yet?
   Received a nice billfold from Irene yesterday. It
is rather small for these English pound notes but I
hope not to use it in England all the time. I hope
we will be able to be together long before this
time next year. Gee a year ago I was headed
for home. It seems like it has been longer
than that. Time hasn't stood still since we came
across. It really seems short for the time we have
been here But I am glad it does go fast.
   Just about to end of the page, so will say
goodbye for now. Hope I get some mail again
soon. Write soon and often.          Your son
                                                               Ralph

The next letter will be posted on Dec. 5th.

Background Information (and comments):

• This was sent as a V-mail. I could not read the date he wrote, but the censor stamp was Dec. 2 and the envelope cancellation was Dec. 17th. 
• A British pound note could measure 80 mm by 149 mm (or 3" by 5.8"). The dollar measures 2.6" by 6.14".

England. Nov. 29, 1943

Dear Mother,
        Well here I am back from my furlough.
I had a grand time, although I would have
enjoyed it a lot more if it had been in the
good old U.S.A.
         My furlough was spent in Torquay
England. It is a pleasure resort. I was there
over Thanksgiving and enjoyed myself very
much. I stayed at the Red Cross Club there
and the field director was from Wauseon Ohio.
We had a very interesting visit and I was the
first one nearest his home town since he
has been here.
      I am sending you a  menus of our dinner
there. It was a grand dinner to. In the afternoon
we had a dance. The W.R.E.N. were there.
These are the Womens Reserve Elisted Navy.
      I guess I will have to tell you more about
the place when I get home. I guess I will have
a lot to tell everyone about my experiences.
      There was hardly any mail all week until
yesterday and then none from you. I had plenty
of reading and I will have plenty of writing. I haven't
wrote at all while was on my furlough. I sure
had a grand time while I was away.

     How is everything at home now? Everyone
says you are trying to have a little snow
around there. I have seen a little around here
also. I wish it would freeze up and then a
person could walk half way descent.
         I hope I get a letter from you today. It seems
so long since I have heard from you.
      We have been haveing mice in our huts
and we have some traps now. Last night
we caught three. Everytime we catch one we
make a swatktita swatika on the trap.
     Had a letter from Freeman again. Gee it really
keeps me busy writing to everyone. Especially
when you get a week behind.
       Well I guess this will be about all for now.
Must get to work soon. Write soon and often.
                                             Love   Ralph.


The next letter will be posted on Dec. 2nd.

Background Information (and comments):

• From Wikipedia: Torquay is a seaside resort town on the English Channel in Devon, South West England. Known for beaches such as Babbacombe and cliffside Oddicombe, its coastline is nicknamed the English Riviera. Torquay Harbour near the town centre offers shops, cafes and a marina. Torre Abbey, a monastery founded in 1196, has art galleries and extensive gardens featuring plants from local native Agatha Christie's novels.
• Here is a photo from another website; it was captioned "The aftermath of the Luftwaffe attack on St Marychurch Parish Church on May 30, 1943"
  Read more at http://www.westernmorningnews.co.uk/1943-bomber-photo-taken-day-devastation-torquay/story-16846880-detail/story.html#gGEOrSRAg30SZtH5.99

• For more information about the W.R.E.N.S, here is a web link and one of their posters:
• http://caber.open.ac.uk/schools/stanway/Wrens.html

England. Nov. 21, 1943.

Dear Mother,
       Well another week has come
and gone. Gee time really flies
fast for me here. I have been
in London again. Next week I
am going on a furlough.
     Nothing very exciting ever
happens around here. I have
seen snow this season already.
It seemed good to see it again.
Our Christmas packages have
been arriving and have received
a few more. Got one from
Luella and some of Ruth King's
stuff was in it.
      Have received quite a few
letters this last week. It sure
seems good to hear from everyone
back home. It keeps me busy
answering letters, but I am

running out of things to write
about. I guess I have seen
about all of England from where
I am into London.
       It really doesn't seem like
we have very much day light
here anymore.
     Gee I don't know what to
write about anymore. I have
received Luella's letter telling
about Irene's visit, but none
from Irene telling me about her
visit at Luella's.
     I am glad you found a present
for Irene. No I haven't told her
what you got for her. I have
told her I was having you get
a present, because I can't get
anything over here for Christmas
at all.
      Have you sent me my
flashlight yet? If you haven't
try to send it or send me

a new one. We need them
to get around over here. It is
dark for breakfast and supper
both now.
      I guess this is about all
for tonight. Please write soon
and often. How is the drilling
comeing now? Wish I was back
there. So long for now.
                          Love Ralph.


The next letter will be posted on Nov. 29th.

Background Information (and comments):

• This letter was written on Nov. 21st and postmarked on the 25th. In the envelope I also found the V-mail pictured here. However, I have no idea if it was sent with this letter or separately

England. Nov. 14, 1943

Dear Mother,
      Received quite a few letters this
week so will try to answer them
now. Received two of your letters
and your Christmas card and
package. Of course I opened the
package right away. We don't have
room to store them and we
have mice in our hut. So the
mice get to investigating first
if we don't. I can use the present
very much. As for the soap I think
I will start a store.
     What is this about oil wells
around our place? Are they drilling
now? Freeman mentioned it in
his letter to me also.

     I celebrated my Armistice
day by taking in the show of
Irving Berlin's "This is The
Army." I liked it real well. It
is a grand show. I wouldn't
mind seeing it again.
       In one of Irene's letters she
said her and her folks had
been to Berkey Church. Did you get
to speak to her while she was
there? Gee I hope so.
       My name came up for a
furlough today. I don't know
where I will go. Everyone says
Scotland is a grand place. I
might go there. I suppose it
is really cold there now. It is
a raw day here. I suppose
we will have many just like them.

     I got a big long letter from
Luella the other day. Gee it
really was a newsy letter. I
like to get nice long letters like
that. Dick also had a letter
in it for me.
      Gee I can't think of anything
to write about anymore. I guess
I don't have a thing to say. Why
don't you have Dad write once
in awhile? Well I guess this is
all for now. So long.
                         Love Ralph.


The next letter will be posted on Nov. 21st.

Background Information (and comments):

• Ralph's sister, Luella Brown Spalding, had 3 children. Richard (Dick) was born June 9, 1936, so he would have been 7 when Ralph wrote this letter. The other children were Myrlene (May 10, 1941) and William (Bill)(Sept. 26, 1942). 
• I'm not sure if oil was found near the family farm, but if I remember correctly, natural gas was found and utilized by his brother Freeman when he moved into a house within walking distance of his family home. Here is a link to oil/gas production in Lenawee County MI:
• http://www.drillingedge.com/michigan/lenawee-county
• If you'd like to watch a restored color version of "This Is The Army", here is the synopsis and a link: (notice that Ronald Reagan is in it):
• As the United States enters World War I in 1917, newly married actor Jerry Jones (George Murphy) puts on an all-infantry musical to raise his fellow soldiers' morale. At the dawn of World War II, as his own son, Johnny (Ronald Reagan), ponders whether to marry his sweetheart, Eileen (Joan Leslie), Jerry and his old Army buddies -- including Eileen's father, Eddie Dibble (Charles Butterworth) -- decide to put on a new show for the boys marching off to battle just as they did years ago.

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gNYl15DXSjU

England Nov. 7, 1943.

                                 1
Dear Mother,
         Sunday afternoon in the E.T.O.
I believe today is one of the
prettiest days I have seen in
England. It is a little windy and
cold but real clear. It reminds
me of a nice fall day at home.
   Our working schedule has
been changed and during the afternoon
we haven't much work. I have
just finished a nice Sunday dinner
so will write you a few lines.
      I have been receiving quite a
few letters from Irene this week.
She said in one of them she had
a letter from Luella, asking her
over to spend a weekend. I think
this is the weekend. Gee I sure

                           2
would like to drop in and spend
a weekend at home again.
       Mother, I wish I could really
tell you all I wanted to. But it
is impossible to write at this
time. I wish I could explain just
what I can hear and explain how
things look here in England. No
doubt you will be reading it in
the papers a few day from now.
        Many times during my stay
here I have thought about my
school days. The studying of wars
and little did I realize at that
time that I myself would take
part in one. I guess one never
knows what lies ahead of them.
    I attended church services
this morning. It was a real
nice sermon. I believe you

                      3
would enjoy hearing our chaplin
speak. He can really get a
sermon out.
      What are you planning on doing
today? Well I can't think of much
more to write about now. I guess
I will wait and finish this
after mail call. I may have
some letters today.
        Well I didn't receive any
letters today but we stepped
out this afternoon. All of the fellows
in my hut chipped in and we
bought a chicken this afternoon.
We fried it in our hut and
ate it. Gee was it ever good.
We haven't had chicken since
we have been here. They don't
seem to have many chickens
in England. We had to pay

                   4
a pound and ten shilling for
it. In our money that would
be six dollars. But to us in
the money it is just a good
meal and lots of fun.
      It really is a beautiful night
here. I wish I was home though.
Well this is about all for
now. I must write to Irene
yet tonight. I hope you got
her present ok. Take it over
to her folks just before Christmas,
put a nice card in it from
me.     Goodbye for now.
                          Love Ralph.

The next letter will be posted on Nov. 14th.

Background Information (and comments):

• E.T.O. refers to the European Theater of Operations.
• I could not find information about what was happening in England to explain why Ralph wrote "I wish I could explain just what I can hear and explain how things look here in England. No doubt you will be reading it in the papers a few day from now."

England Nov. 4, 1943

                            1
Dear Mother,
      Received your airmail letter
yesterday the one written and sent
on the 26th of Oct. The letters
comeing over here are really
mixed up too.
     Before I forget it I will
tell you now. My APO
number has been changed. It
is now 638. So when you
write again please make the
change. Why it was changed I
don't know and I don't think
anyone esle does. We have
been so busy no one knows
what is going on here.
   A couple of weeks ago I had
my picture taken. They

                         2
are so good but I will send
one in this letter. My mustache
shows up little better now
than it did then.
       Who did Bob Ziss marry?
Gee things really are changeing
around back home. I always
thought of Catherine Paul as
just a kid. But I guess I have
been away from home longer
than I realize.
       It doesn't seem possible
that I have been gone so
long. But still when I look
back over what I have been
through and the places I have
been to it seems like I have
been away longer than I have.
I know that all my experiences
all have been worth while.

                         3
I have received two Christmas
packages already. One from Lenore
and one from Luella.
      How is Harley now? I was
surprised to hear that he was
going to the hospital. I hope he
gets along ok. I suppose he
will be out of work for a few
weeks now. Well I know he
will be a lot better when it is
all over with.
   I have answered Freeman's letter.
I answered it the same day I
received it. Has he the same
car as before?
     Mother about Irene's Christmas
present. It is ok with me
what you bought her. I was
going to tell you to get one
but thought maybe they were

                         4
all gone. So get one and take
it over there to her folks or get
her up home and give it to her.
I wish I could be there to see
her when she sees it. I bet
she will be really be surprised.
I have received quite a few
letters in the last couple
of days. It was almost 3 weeks
since I heard from you.
     Please send me Morgan's
address. I would like to drop
him a few lines. Luella told
me about him being sick.
     I enjoyed the newspaper
clippings very much and
sometimes I have a notion
to write to the Record so I
will receive a copy of it.
    Well mother I guess this

                       5
is about all I will write for
tonight. I hope a few more of
your letters comes this week.
Irene says she has been
receiving my mail more regular
lately.
       Goodnight for now. Please
advice all of my new APO
number.
                         Love Ralph.


The next letter will be posted on November 7th.

Background Information (and comments):

• APO stands for Army Post Office.
• Ralph switched from V-mail to airmail for this letter. Airmail paper was thin like tissue paper. An airmail letter cost 6 cents to mail. This one was written on Nov. 4th and postmarked on Nov. 6th (much faster than his previous V-mails). It still had to go through a censor.
• I think Ralph meant to say that his pictures "aren't" so good, not "are".
• The Record was a weekly newspaper called the Metamora Record. It was published from 1901 until 1974 in Metamora, Fulton County OH, with Harold Buck as publisher.
• Guess we'll all have to wait to find out what Irene, his fiancee, is getting for Christmas.
• To review some names:
• Lenore was a sister-in-law, married to his oldest brother Harold.
• Luella was his only sister.
• Harley was a younger brother.
• Freeman was his youngest brother.
• Morgan was a first cousin.
• I do not know who Bob Ziss and Catherine Paul were (my guess is classmates, neighbors, friends of family, or people from church).

October 31, 1943 (postmark)

Here is what Ralph sent; there was no letter with it:

Canterbury Cathedral

The next letter will be posted on November 4th.

October 29, 1943

Dear Mother,
         Here it is the end of the week already. Haven't
done much of anything but work hard and
sleep. I have braved one of the famous English
fogs. It really is dreary while one is on. I
suppose I will see many more of them latter
on.
    I see by the papers that the U.S. has
lifted the blackout and dimouts. I bet on Nov. 1
all you will hear played on the radio is
When The Lights Go On Again? I hope they
soon come on all over the world again.
I believe I would like London if it was lit
up. Gee it really is spooky during the black
outs.
      I haven't received hardly any mail for three
weeks now. The mail and Christmas packages
is holding everything up. But I know it
is on the way. I have received a few
packages already. It doesn't seem like
Christmas will be here. I hope next
Christmas can be spent with all of the family
being together. Goodnight and write soon
and often. Always thinking of you and home.
                                                 Love Ralph


The next letter will be posted on Oct. 31st.

Background Information (and comments):

• Ralph continues to use V-mail services for his correspondence. Written Oct. 29, censor stamped Oct. 31, and postmarked on Nov. 5.
• Here are some links to websites with information about blackouts in the United States:
• http://arcweb.sos.state.or.us/pages/exhibits/ww2/protect/blackout.htm
• http://www.americainwwii.com/articles/busy-with-the-blitz-proofing/
• This is a link to a public service announcement about air raids and blackouts:
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tP7rvR-rgKE
• Here are links with videos of the song Ralph referred to:
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vzlFaY0s_QI   (Vera Lynn singing)
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JD8sEFpbk-w&list=RD33IU0QrBFFcf8  (Vaughn Monroe singing)

October 24

Dear Mother,
          Another week has finally rolled by and
maybe it is a week less until I am able to
be home again. Did you have lots of company today?
We are haveing visitors now.
           I attended church this morning and the
rest of the day was spent just like any
other day. Work, work and work.
         I am writing this from our new Red
Cross Club on the field. It is a grand place.
They have refreshments for sale here. Sandwiches
cookies, pie, cake and fruit. I just had a
delious pear to eat.
      Our mail has been awlful slow in
comeing over again. I suppose soon we will
have bunches of it to read.
          Well mother, I can't think of much to
write about tonight so I guess I must close.
I am fine and wish I was home. Someday
we will be together again. Goodbye for
now. Please write often.     Your son
                                                  Ralph


The next letter will be posted on Oct. 29th.

Background Information (and comments):

• This was another V-mail written on the 24th, censor stamped on the 26, but not postmarked until Nov. 1.
• I was surprised to read that the Red Cross charged for refreshments, so I did some research and found the following: athttp://www.npr.org/sections/money/2012/07/13/156737801/the-cost-of-free-doughnuts-70-years-of-regret
• The photo is from the website; it is a Red Cross Clubmobile (probably not the "grand place" Ralph wrote about.

Go to any VFW hall, even today, and you'll get the same story: During World War II, the Red Cross had comfort stations for soldiers overseas, with free coffee and free doughnuts. Then, in 1942, the Red Cross started charging for the doughnuts. Soldiers have held a grudge ever since.

Turns out it's true.

"It keeps coming up, that they were charged for coffee and doughnuts," says Susan Watson, archivist for the Red Cross.

The organization started charging only because the U.S. Secretary of War asked it to. British soldiers had to pay for their snacks, and the free doughnuts for Americans were causing tensions. So the Red Cross complied, after protesting to no avail. It didn't last long — for most of the last 70 years, Red Cross doughnuts have remained free — but veterans haven't forgotten.

October 19, 1943

Dear Mother,
          Received quite a few letters from you last
week. You asked me what I wanted you get get for
Irene. Well it really is hard to say. I don't know
what they have to offer for Christmas this
year. You can call her mother and ask if she
has any good suggestions. You can get something
she can use personally and everyday. If you can.
I can't think of a thing. Try to get something and
I don't care what the price will be. Use all my
monthly allotment if you want to.
          I received a nice letter from Rev. Meyer
today. I will try to answer it soon. I have
been to London again. I always seem to have
fun there. I was at the Queensbury Club this
time. They entertain all forces. It really is
a nice place.
        I have received quite a few letters in the past
week. It keeps me busy answering letters. Well
I must close for tonight. Please write soon and
often. I read and reread all of all your letters.
Goodnight.                             Your son Ralph.


The next letter will be posted on October 24th.

Background Information (and comments):

• Ralph continues to send his letters as v-mails; this one was written on the 19th, censored stamped on the 21st, and postmarked on the 22nd.
• The Queensbury Club was originally called Prince Edward Theater and opened in 1930 on Old Compton Street. In 1935, it was renamed the London Casino and was a dance and cabaret hall. During London's worst air raid on May 10, 1941, it was badly damaged, losing all of it windows. After making stage alterations, it re-opened in 1942 as Queensbury All Services Club. Its shows were broadcast on the BBC. After the war it was restored to theatrical use and the name changed back to London Casino.
• For much more detailed information about the club you can check out this website: https://themanfromthesuitcase.com/portfolio/queensbury-all-services-club-program-witness-to-a-historic-performance/
• Glenn Miller's last performance before his disappearance was at this club on Dec. 12, 1944.

     

October 15, 1943

Dear Mother,
          My mail finally came through today. I
received two of your letters today. In all I received
eight letters and one Christmas card. I guess
the mail just comes in bunches.
     From the sound of your letters the old
place is going to look different when you get
it all painted up. I sure wish I could see
it. We have been rather busy here and will
be for sometime. I do miss being home, but
I guess I would be about the only fellow around
back home. I have been hearing from Irene
regular now. I guess I just got a little to
anxious there once for mail. But now from
Irene's letters I won't have to worry about
anything now. I know she will be right there
when I get back. Fern is at home with her
folks. I get a letter from her quite often. I guess
she really has a nice baby. She says it
really makes time go a lot faster for her. It
gets her mind off of Vernon being away. Well
mother don't worry about anything. I had a letter
from Freeman today. It really was a surprise.
Goodnight for now. Please write often. Enjoyed
the clippings.                                  Love Ralph.


The next letter will be posted on October 19th.

October 14

Dear Mother,
          I guess it is about time I dropped you a
few more lines this week. I think I wrote about
Monday to you. I haven't received a letter from you
for almost two weeks again. All our mail must
be comeing in by boat. About every so often
we receive a big shipment of mail. Then
everyone is happy again. I received two V
letters from Lenore today. It took them 16 days
to come through. So all of it is slow. Don't
feel to bad if I complain about not hearing
from you. They all will come through in time.
It does seem queer to receive a letter so old
though. In away it really doesn't seem as if
we have left the U.S. as yet. I hope that
day will be comeing soon when we can
see the old statue of liberty again. I can
still see it fading away in the distant
with the New York City Skyline in the back
ground. I hope I can see it appear again soon.
     Well this is about all for tonight so I
must close. I have gotten rid of my cold and
feel ok again. I believe I am getting thinner
over here.                               Goodbye. Love Ralph

The next letter will be posted on October 15th.

Background Information (and comments):

• The dates for this V-mail are written on Oct 14, censor stamped on Oct 16, and postmarked on October 22nd.

October 11, 1943

Dear Mother,
        Haven't received a letter from you for over a
week now. Our mail is slow in getting here
again. I haven't much to write about anyway
so will make it a V mail. We are busy
and doing the same thing day after day.
Hardly know one day from another. I thought
after I got overseas time would just drag
by, but it is just the opposite. Seems like the
month just begins and then there is another
one right away. Time never has went as
fast for me before.
        I have just got rid of a swell cold and I
am feeling like myself again. Hope I get some
more mail this week. It started out ok with
me. I received five letters today. Three from
Irene, one from Cliff and Luella. I have wrote
four letters tonight already. Maybe I will write
a couple of more tonight if I have enough
ambition left. Please write often as you
can. I will try to do likewise. I guess you
are the one that can write most of the news.
I can't write much news. Goodbye for now.
Tell all I said hello and I will be seeing you.
                                               Love Ralph.

The next letter will be posted on October 14th.

Background Information (and comments):

• This V-mail was written on Oct. 11, has a censor's stamp of Oct. 13 and a postmark of Oct 20. This explains Ralph's frustration with the mail service (although he wouldn't know these other dates unless his mother points it out to him in a letter).

England Sun. Oct. 3, 1943

Dear Mother,
       Well October has rolled
around already, I received your
letter of Sept 19, and it was very
welcome. Last week, Uncle Sam
was good to me in our mail.
I received 18 letters last
week. I sure would have
like to been to the fair this
year. It sure would seem good
to see some of those good
vegetables and everything there.
       The letter that came from
the girl was in California was
address to me but it was
a different outfit.
       Gee the old neighborhood
sure is changing, isn't it?

I really won't know it when
I get home.
       I have been in London again.
Everytime I go in I find new
places to visit. This time
I visited Madame Tussaud's
Exhibition. It is a wax
museum and have figures of
all the notables of England.
It really was a grand place
to go. I enjoyed every bit
of it.
       I was to short church services
again today.They had a real
nice sermon. I sure wish
I could drop in and visit our
home church for a change.
          Well I really don't know
of much to write about. Everything
runs along just about the same.

Receiving letters every week
and answering them as fast
as possible. Nothing to say
in any of them though. I sure
hope I receive the Blissfield
paper. I sure could catch up
on all the news.
       Well I haven't anything more
to say. So must sign off for
now. Please write often.
                           Love Ralph.


The next letter will be posted on Oct. 11th.

Background Information (and comments):

• If you'd like to read about the history of Madame Tussaud's Wax Museum, here is a good website: https://www.madametussauds.com 
• Here is a brief history:
• In 1835, Madame Tussaud and her sons established a base in London at The Baker Street Bazaar
• Madame Tussaud died in 1850
• In 1884, her grandsons moved the attraction to Marylebone Rd.
• In 1925, it was devastated by fire
• Restoration was completed in 1928, adding a cinema and restaurant
• In 1940, it was struck by a German bomb which destroyed 352 head molds and the cinema.
• For more details and photos of the bombing, see http://www.westendatwar.org.uk/
  

Sept. 30th, 1943

Dear Mother,
          Just a letter to let you know I am ok and
everything is as good as can be expected. We
sure could have a few nice days.
          Can you tell me if all my allotments
have been received to date, and just how much
you have received so far. I increased it and
was wondering if your had received the increases.
          I have been receiving my mail quite regular
now. Almost a letter a day. Then once in awhile
they all come in bunches. If you send me
a package will you put my flashlight in it.
I can get batteries over here for it. Also I could
use some heavy socks.
          Can you give me more details about Freemans
work. All I have heard he is on some farm. How
did he get the job. I wrote to Newt last night I
don't remember if I have written to him before
or not since being over here.
          I have been wondering if they had the fair this
year and if the sugar factory has started. I sure
wish I was back there to help them start.
This is my second season from being there
now. Goodbye                        for now. Love Ralph


The next letter will be posted on Oct. 3rd.

Background Information (and comments):

• This was sent as a V-mail; Ralph wrote this on Sept. 30th, but it wasn't postmarked until October 7th.
• The small writing was extremely difficult to read; I'm guessing at the name "Newt".
• Freeman was Ralph's youngest brother; he turned 18 in June 1943.

Sunday Sept. 26, 1943

                               1

Dear Mother,
     Well finally some of your letters
have caught up with me. I hadn't
received one for almost 3 weeks, but a
few days ago I received some. It
is really too bad about Warren's
wife. I hardly could believe it. I guess
one never know what is really in
store for us.
     I received letters from Irene, Luella
Marie, Lenore and you. It is like sitting
down and reading a book when you get
so many. I enjoyed everyone of them too.
     I guess Irene will always be the
same to me as always. I get impatient
when I don't hear for a while and then
I start worrying. Everything is ok I guess
from the way all my letters read. It is
just bad connections in getting our mail.
     I have written to you every  week
and sometimes twice a week. I hope you
have received all of them.

                                  2
     The chaplain gave out stationery this
morning after the services. We had a
grand service this morning. I wished I
could have attended the service tonight
but I am on C.Q duty tonight so I couldn't
go.
     I have been in London again. I go there
everytime I have a day off. I saw the
movie "Gone With The Wind" I seen it about
3 years ago but it was still good to see it
again.
     I believe we had the meals today yet
that I have had since being in the E.T.O.
I still would love to have a good old
chicken dinner again. I am looking forward
to Thanksgiving Day dinner. Maybe we
will have turkey or some kind of fowl.
     I won't know the old home place when
I get home the way Dad is painting things
up around there.
     Well I can't think of much more
to write about tonight, so I guess I will
have to say goodbye till some other time.

                                 3
     Hope I receive a letter from you
 this week. It gets quite lonesome when
I don't hear from you every week. I
guess you will have to do most of
the writing from that end, because I
really don't have much to write about.
     Goodbye for now. Tell everyone I
said hello and I always enjoy letters
from anyone. So long for now.
                                         Love Ralph.


The next letter will be posted on Sept. 30th.

Background Information (and comments):

• Ralph used CQ and ETO is this letter. Here are explanations and a photo of the stationery he used:

• CQ or Charge of Quarters is a tasked duty in which a United States armed forces service member is to guard the front entrance to the barracks.

• The "European Theater of Operations" was the term used by the United States in World War II, to refer to all US military activity in Europe that fell under the administrative command of "European Theater of Operations, United States Army" (ETOUSA). It was bordered to the south, by the Mediterranean Theater of Operations (MTO), covering North Africa and Italy. The United States Department of War officially established ETOUSA, on June 8, 1942. Its mission was to conduct planning for the eventual retaking of Europe, and to exercise administrative and operational control over U.S. forces. From February 1944, the "Supreme Headquarters Allied Expeditionary Force" (SHAEF) took over operational command. As an Allied command, SHAEF also had operational control of British and all other allied land forces and tactical air forces in the European theate

• The term "European Theater of Operations" should not be confused with the European Theater of World War II, which is often defined to include the years before the US entered the war, and other campaigns and actions which did not involve the use of American forces. The term "theater of operations" was defined in the American field manuals as "the land and sea areas to be invaded or defended, including areas necessary for administrative activities related to the military operations".

  
  

England Sept. 19, 1943

                               1

Dear Mother & all,

     Well another week has passed

by and time for a letter to you.

I have been looking for a letter

from you for two weeks now

but none as yet. The mail

is certainly mixed up lately.

About the shortest in comeing

here now is V-mail. It comes

in about 10 days. Some of my

letters are 30 days old by the 

time I get them.

     Nothing much exciting has

happened here this week. I've

received a few letters and have

answered a few. It seems like

a typical fall out and makes

me think more of home everyday.

                             2

     I have made one of my weekly

visits to London again. I had 

a little different experience here

this time. I don't suppose I 

dare tell about so I must let

it wait until I get home and

tell of my experiences abroad.

     Luella stated in her letter

Freeman was working out and you

would probably explain more

later on. But no letters but I

look for some very soon now.

There is very little mail on 

Sunday here but we do receive

it. No one would know it was 

Sunday if the chaplain quit

comeing around. He comes around

and we knock off of work for

a short time and go to a short

church services held in some

                         3

of the building here at our base.

It always makes me think

of our little church back home.

As I sit there and listen my

mind sometimes gets to wandering

and I think how surprise

everyone would be if I could

just drop in on them back 

home. When I sit down to eat

my dinner I think that back 

home you are just about ready

to get up and it really doesn't

seem like the same world.

I suppose it won't be by the

time I get home. I know

everything will be changed. Even

the towns will probably look

odd and strange and there will

be a lot of folks missing I once

knew and there will be new ones.

                         4

     About Christmas this year

mother. I wish I could be there

with all of you, but that is out

of the question. So I will just be

there in thought and I will think

alot about it. I don't know

how I will manage on the 

presents. But I want you to

buy something for Irene out

of my allotments. I don't care

if it takes the whole check.

Then I am asking her over there

for dinner. You also ask her.

If she doesn't accept try to 

persuade her folks into having

her come. I want her there with

you this year.

     We have had a grand day here

today. It reminds me of Indian

summer at home. I'll bet it

                          5

is beginning to look pretty

around there now with the

leaves turning. They haven't

started here as yet.

     Mother could you send me

a package containing, peanuts

the canned type, candy, gum

and etc. It is all rationed here

and we don't get much.

I must close for now. Good

luck to everyone and hope to

hear from you soon.

                           Love Ralph.

The next letter will be posted on Sept. 26th.

Background Information (and comments):

• Here is some information about rationing in Great Britain during WWII. If you would like the entire article, the website is http://www.cooksinfo.com/british-wartime-food

In the 1930s, before the outbreak of the Second World War, the British population was somewhere between 46 million and 52 million.

Britain imported 70% of its food; this required 20 million tons of shipping a year. 50% of meat was imported, 70% of cheese and sugar, 80% of fruits, 70% of cereals and fats, 91% of butter. Of this, 1/6th of meat imports, 1/4 of butter imports and 1/2 of cheese imports came from New Zealand alone, a long ways away by shipping lanes.

Knowing this would lead the Axis powers into hoping to starve the British population into submission, by cutting off those food supply lines.

The British government began planning for wartime rationing in 1936. Should war occur again, this time they hoped to be better prepared based on their experiences the last time around. A Food (Defence Plans) Department was set up as part of the Board of Trade to do the project planning. Ration booklets were printed up in 1938, ready to go.

England 9-11-43

Dear Mother,
     Well here it is Saturday
night and what a night. I am
really tired. It really doesn't
seem like Saturday night at all.
If I was home I would be out
but here I am writing a letter
on a Saturday night.
     I don't think I will finish
this tonight. I am not in
much of a mood for writing
tonight. I haven't received any
letter from you this week
yet. In fact I have only had
three letters in two days. I
haven't heard from Irene for
eleven days now. Do you
know what is wrong?

Hardly any mail is comeing
through. I don't know what
holds it up. Your letters take
from seven to ten days. I
received one from Lenore and Luella
today.
     I have been in London this
week. I guess I have the city
about all taken in now. I
want to see the Tower of London
and the London Bridge yet.
     Well I will write more tomorrow.
Maybe I will have a little
more to write about then. I
hope we get some mail soon.
My morale is getting low
again.
     Monday noon. Well the week
end has come and gone bringing
me two letters and none from

you or Irene. I am beginning
to wonder what is wrong down
there.
     I received a swell letter from
Ferne and one from Marie.
Maybe today will yield
something. I must close for
now. Nothing new has happened
here. Goodbye for now. Send
all the news.
                            Love Ralph.


The next letter will be posted on Sept. 19th.

Background Information (and comments):

• This article from the website http://www.igreenbaum.com/2012/04/02/wartime-postmaster-details-the-work-of-mail-delivery-in-wwii/ offers the following quote and explanation of mail delivery:

If you have any doubts about how important mail delivery was during World War II, read the words of the then-postmaster general of the United States,Frank C. Walker: “It is almost impossible to over-stress the importance of this mail. It is so essential to morale that army and navy officers of the highest rank list mail almost on a level with munitions and food.”

An example may make clear just where it is that the Post Office Department withdraws from the picture and the military authorities assume control. Mrs. Richard Roe, in Chicago, knows that her son is overseas, but is not sure just where he is stationed.

She addresses her letter as follows: “Private William D. Roe, 32,000,000; Company F, 167th Infantry, APO 810, c/o Postmaster, New York, N.Y.,” and drops it in a mail box. At the Chicago post office, it is canceled, sorted, and tied in a package of letters labeled “New York, N.Y.–Military Mail.”

Still under the Post Office Department’s immediate control, it arrives at the New York Post Office’s Postal Concentration center, a great building whose entire facilities and hundreds of workers are engaged exclusively in the final processing of the mall before it is handed over to the military authorities.

The package goes through sorting processes for separations according to the branch of the service, such as Infantry or Field Artillery, and secondly according to the Company or similar designation. Finally, Mrs. Roe’s letter is placed in a package of mail for members of Company F, 167th Infantry. The package then goes in a mail bag to the New York Port of Embarkation Army Post Office. It is here that the Army assumes control.

The Army knows where Company F is located; we do not. Private Roe’s letter goes by ship or plane to the overseas A.P.O. through which Company F gets its mail. The package is handed to the mail orderly of Company F and he delivers the letter to Bill Roe. If Bill has been transferred, or if he is in a hospital, the Army Directory Service furnishes the new address and the letter is re-dispatched or re-sorted for delivery at the new location. When letters are misdirected, long delays occur. Ship sinkings have meant the loss of many thousands of letters.

Mrs. Roe’s letter to Bill is one of approximately five billion which go to and from the armed forces in a year. For the happiness of Mrs. Roe and the millions like her and for the fighting efficiency of Bill Roe and the millions like him, that mail must be handled with speed and efficiency.