Sunday, December 31, 2017

France. Dec. 31, 1944.

Dear Mother & all,
         1944 will soon be a year of the past. In
fact in just about two hours time 1944 will be
history. It has been a year of excitement, sorrow,
and many incidences that will be with me
for many years to come. It has been a year that
the good old U.S never saw me. England the first
part and France the last. Last year all of us had
confidence that the US would see us in 44. Now
no one knows what forty-five holds for us.
     My mail has been very slow lately. Had a
Vmail from Lenore and Marie and an airmail from
Freeman of the 19th. No letters from you for over
three weeks now.
       Guy Lombardo's orchestra is one the radio
now. Gosh how I wish I was back in the good
of [sic] U.S to a dance this beautiful moonlit new
Years Eve. It would certainly be grand again. Three
years now since I have really celebrated a New
Year's Eve. We haven't had any passes now for

better then two weeks. It sure is getting to be a
lonesome dull life here in camp.
     I suppose all the rest of the kids are haveing
parties tonight and are looking forward to seeing the
old year out and the new year in. I might be in bed
before that time. I don't know just yet if I can stay awake
that long or not.
     The news tonight sounds much better, and they
said Hitler is makeing a speech to the German people
at 12:05 midnight tonight. Hope he says they have
had enough. I think this is his last try. I hope
so.
     When did your hear from Harley last? When you
write to him tell him to write me a little oftener
to me if he can find time. I sure would like to
hear from him.
     Here's hopeing to see the new year of 1945 bring us
peace and most of the soldiers back to the good old
US again. I am sending a church bulletin. It has a
look into the future in it. Goodnight for now. My
last letter of 44.
                                             Love Ralph.


The next letter will be posted on January 7th.

Background Information (and comments):

  • Unfortunately, the church bulletin was not kept in the envelope with this letter.
  • If you're not familiar with Guy Lombardo, here's some information:

Gaetano Alberto "GuyLombardo (June 19, 1902 – November 5, 1977) was a Canadian-American bandleader and violinist of Italian descent.
He formed the Royal Canadians in 1924 with his brothers CarmenLebert, and Victor, and other musicians from his hometown. They billed themselves as creating "the sweetest music this side of Heaven". The Lombardos are believed to have sold between 100 and 300 million records during their lifetimes,[1] many featuring the band's lead singer, Kenny Gardner.
Lombardo is remembered for almost a half-century of New Year's Eve big band remotes, first on radio, then on television. His orchestra played at the Roosevelt Grill in the Roosevelt Hotel in New York City from 1929 ("radio's first nationwide New Year's eve broadcast")[3] to 1959, and from then until 1976 at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel. Live broadcasts (and later telecasts) of their performances were a large part of New Year's celebrations across North America; millions of people watched the show with friends at house parties. Because of this popularity, Lombardo was called "Mr. New Year's Eve".
  • Hitler did make a speech. It's quite long. There are YouTube versions or you can read it at this site: https://nseuropa.wordpress.com/2015/01/01/adolf-hitler-new-years-proclamations-january-1-1945/


Thursday, December 28, 2017

France. Dec. 28

Dear Brother,
           Received your letter of Dec. 19 today so
will answer it now. Your letter was the first
I had received from anyone back home that was
written in Dec. I don't think I have had a letter
from home for almost three week. I guess the
Christmas rush is holding them up. I think I
received most of my Christmas packages.
         Well old man winter has finally caught
up with us. It froze up last Friday night. It
is frozen for about 8 or 10 inches deep. We haven't
had any snow as yet, but feels as if it could
start in for a good snow tonight.
       Well the news hasn't been sounding so good
lately. I guess it gave everyone a scare around
Christmas time.
         I suppose everyone was able to get home for
one of mother's delicious Christmas dinners. We
has roast turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, beets, dressing
sliced peaches, ice cream, candy, apples, coffee, bread
and butter. No [sic] bad for being over here in France.

     We all were to have the day off but due to
circumstances beyond our control there was work just
as any other day. But it so happened it was my
day off anyway. Which I was very glad of.
     I haven't heard from Harley for a long time. I don't
know why he doesn't write to me a little more oftener.
I suppose he is kept rather busy at other things
besides writing letters.
     I wrote to Morgan Ford awhile back and told
him all about my trip into Paris. I have been there
twice and expect to go again. It really is a grand
place. One would never think it has gone through
four years of war. I like it a lot better than London.
There is no bomb damage in Paris. I guess my
old base in England caught a few V-2 after we
moved out. Boy am I glad we were gone from there.
     Well I can't think of anymore for now. Keep
the letters comeing this way. I will be looking
for them.
                                           Your brother
                                                 Bill.

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

Background Information (and comments):

  • This letter to Ralph's youngest brother, Freeman, was included in the letters he had sent home to his mother/family, so I've included it in this blog. According to the address on the envelope, Freeman was not living with his parents; they had a Blissfield, MI address.

  • Here is the information I found about the V-2:

The V-2[edit]


The aftermath of V-2 strike at Battersea, London (27 January 1945)
V-2 rocket launching sites were set up by the Germans around The Hague in the Netherlands on 6 September 1944. The first was launched from here against London on 8 September 1944 and took an estimated 5 minutes to fly the 200 miles from the Hague to London where it struck at 6.43pm on 8 September on Chiswick causing thirteen casualties.[19] As the V2 explosions came without warning, the government initially attempted to conceal their cause by blaming them on defective gas mains. However, the public was not fooled and soon began sardonically referring to the V-2's as "Flying gas pipes".[20]
By October the offensive became sustained. A particularly devastating strike was on 25 November 1944 when a V-2 exploded at the Woolworth's store in New Cross Road, killing 168 people and seriously injuring 121.[21] Intercepting the supersonic V-2 missiles in flight proved virtually impossible and other counter measures, such as bombing the launch sites, were fairly ineffectual. Sustained bombardment continued until March 1945. The very last missiles arrived on 27 March 1945, with one of them killing 134 people and injuring 49 when it hit a block of flats in Stepney.[22]
1,115 V-2s were fired at the United Kingdom. The vast majority of them were aimed at London, though about 40 targeted (and missed) Norwich. They killed an estimated 2,754 people in London with another 6,523 injured. A further 2,917 service personnel were killed as a result of the V weapon campaign. Since the V-2 was supersonic and could not be heard (and was rarely seen) as it approached the target, its psychological effect "suffered in comparison to the V-1."[23]
The V-weapon offensive ended in March 1945, with the last V-2 landing in Kent on March 27 and the last V-1 two days later. In terms of casualties their effects had been less than their inventors hoped or their victims feared, though the damage to property was extensive, with 20,000 houses a day being damaged at the height of the campaign, causing a massive housing crisis in south-east England in late 1944 and early 1945.[24]
The existential horror of the V-2 attack on London is the theme of Thomas Pynchon's novel Gravity's Rainbow.[25]

Monday, December 25, 2017

France. Christmas Day, 1944.

Dear Mother & all,
         Christmas day in 42 Texas, 43
England, 44 France, 45? I am just
wondering where I will be then. Last
year I said I would be home. This
year I still say I will be home
next Christmas. A lot has happened
to me since these three Christmas
away from home. I have spent each
one of them as comfortable as could
be expected. This is about the only
one that was cold as we have it
at home. Yes a couple of days ago it
quit raining and the ground has
frozen solid. The sun has shone
brightly for the last two days, of which
we are very thankful for. As the
news sounds now our planes are
able to help the boys out up on
the front lines. I hope the news

                  continues to get better all
                  along now. For awhile it
looked dark for us. But now the
surprise push is over.
           I have just finished dinner. This
was our menu for this Christmas.
Roast turkey, mashed potatoes, giblet
gravy, sweetcorn, dressing, beets,
sliced peaches, ice cream, bread
butter, coffee, apples and candy. It
really was a grand meal. The
French people whom pick up the
garbage from the mess hall were here
at noon. They really loaded down
the little girl with apples, candy
and gave her all the ice cream
she could eat. The French kids all
like the Yank swell. The other night
one little girl asked me Amiricon.
I said "oui, oui". She then said
English no goot,  no chewing gum
or chocolate. I guess our shareing

                   our gum and candy with
                   them have really made
them think the Yanks are ok.
       I received all of my packages now
that I knew I had comeing. It has
really been a very nice Christmas for
me, although I am many hundreds
miles away from home.
       I suppose all of the family are home
today except Harley and I. I don't know
where he is spending his Christmas
but I suppose his will be spend in
a foxhole. I really can say that those
boys are the ones to get out of this
army first.
          I hope all of you folks write me
one of those long letters that everyone
writes a little bit in. It has been
quite some time since I have have
received any letters from home. I
realize that the Christmas mails
have been heavy. So now maybe

                      Christmas is over our
                      mail will come through
a little more oftener now.
       One of the fellows here in my
tent just came back from the front. He
had some rations left over from his
trip so today being my day off I
got up and made breakfast in the tent.
We had fried bacon, fresh fried postatoes
and he also had three fresh eggs, and
canned grapefruit. Coffee and french
bread. I guess it was almost a
Christmas present for him by haveing
breakfast in bed for a change. I sure
don't want to get anywhere near the
front from what he says he went thru.
I guess he has had enough of it too.
   Well this is about all for now.
Please write as often as possible. A
letter is always welcome.
                                       Love Ralph.
Here is how generous
the Yanks over here are. Enclosed clipping.

The next letter will be posted on December 28th

Background Information (and comments):

  • I imagine Ralph's talk about the front lines and news of the planes helping out is still in reference to the Battle of the Bulge (Dec. 16, 1944 - Jan. 25, 1945).
  • Here is the news clipping. Below it, I have typed up the article to make it easier to read.


                                         Chance to Walk Again Is Gift to Yvette

                              First TAF Men Present 128,000 Francs to 'Adopted' Girl

   A 17-year-old, legless French girl, adopted by a U.S. fighter-bomber group of the First TAF, yesterday received the biggest Christmas present of her life - 128,000 francs and the hope of walking again - from the men who have watched over her since last July.
   The girl, Yvette Hamel, is in a Paris Red Cross hospital, and her Christmas present will be used to pay the expenses of fitting her with artificial legs and for her future education.
   Yvette lost her legs in Normandy during the July battles, when fragments of a German shell injured them so badly that doctors in an American field hospital were forced to amputate to save her life.
   Men of a fighter-bomber group commanded by Col. Bingham Kleine, of Gonzles, Tex., unofficially adopted her, and took her with them when the field hospital moved on with the front lines.

                                                          Moved with Outfit

   She moved with the group five times as it advanced deeper into France. Each time her tent, lined with parachute silk contributed by the fliers, was set up near group headquarters and Yvette was made comfortable.
   Then the group learned that she might be fitted with artificial legs, following an operation, if she were returned to Paris. "The boys were sorry to see her go," said Capt. Lenoci, group flight surgeon, "but they knew it was the best thing for her."
   Yesterday, with Christmas two days away, four men from the group - on pass in Paris - came to see Yvette in the hospital. The men, Sgts. Rock A. Drouin, of Newburyport, Mass., and Clifford G. Trussel, of New Orleans; Cpl. Roland T. Potvin, of Fall River, Mass., and Pfc Anthony Kopaz, of Chicago, brought her candy, oranges, fruit juices, and flowers. They also brought her news of the 128,000-franc gift and the promise that she would be able to walk again.







Friday, December 22, 2017

France Dec. 22, 1944.

Dear Mother & all,
         Here it is almost Christmas. I
had my Christmas last night. We
went into town and brought out some
children to a Christmas party. They were
from four years to ten. There was
about 200 of them. They really had a
grand time. We had present for all
of them. This was all made up by
the chaplain. We all donated cookies
and candy from our PX rations. I
think this is the first time a lot of
those children have ever had a ride.
I know it has been the first time
since they have been away from
the town for sometime. Even though
I can't be there with you this Christmas
I know I have helped make Christmas
a happy one for some children. I
sure would like to see all of my

                  little nephew and nieces
                  and hold them. Some of these
children wanted to talk to us, but it
was no use, we just couldn't under
stand french. Some of them could speak
a few words of English. They sang all
the way out here and all the way
back into town again.
      Our war news doesn't sound so
good at present. Maybe it won't last to
long. I think it is almost a last final
push for the Germans. I hope that is
all that it is.
       I have received a few more Christmas
packages. One from Lenore and one from
her folks. I was surprised to get one
from her folks. I still haven't received
any from Cliffs. Maybe that has been
lost. I hope not.
     Our weather here is still cold
and wet. It has frozen as yet and
no snow. It doesn't seem

                     possible that Christmas
                     is just three days away.
I guess there is no seasons at all
anymore. I will be damn glad when
this war is over. I really don't know
why so many have to suffer just
on account of a few. I guess the
just have to suffer with the unjust.
I want to get home just as well as
any other person. But I guess I can't
complain. There are lots of fellows
going through worst things than we have
gone through. I guess it is just the
idea of being away from hone so long.
   Well I guess this is about all for
now. Please don't get discourage if
I don't write as much as I use to.
    Goodnight for now.
                                  Love Ralph.


The next letter will be posted on Dec. 25th.

Background Information (and comments):

  • The war news that "doesn't sound so good at present" was probably the infamous Battle of the Bulge which took place on Dec. 16th. Here is an article from the History website:

World War II

1944

Battle of the Bulge


On this day, the Germans launch the last major offensive of the war, Operation Mist, also known as the Ardennes Offensive and the Battle of the Bulge, an attempt to push the Allied front line west from northern France to northwestern Belgium. The Battle of the Bulge, so-called because the Germans created a “bulge” around the area of the Ardennes forest in pushing through the American defensive line, was the largest fought on the Western front.
The Germans threw 250,000 soldiers into the initial assault, 14 German infantry divisions guarded by five panzer divisions-against a mere 80,000 Americans. Their assault came in early morning at the weakest part of the Allied line, an 80-mile poorly protected stretch of hilly, woody forest (the Allies simply believed the Ardennes too difficult to traverse, and therefore an unlikely location for a German offensive). Between the vulnerability of the thin, isolated American units and the thick fog that prevented Allied air cover from discovering German movement, the Germans were able to push the Americans into retreat.
One particularly effective German trick was the use of English-speaking German commandos who infiltrated American lines and, using captured U.S. uniforms, trucks, and jeeps, impersonated U.S. military and sabotaged communications. The ploy caused widespread chaos and suspicion among the American troops as to the identity of fellow soldiers–even after the ruse was discovered. Even General Omar Bradley himself had to prove his identity three times–by answering questions about football and Betty Grable–before being allowed to pass a sentry point.
The battle raged for three weeks, resulting in a massive loss of American and civilian life. Nazi atrocities abounded, including the murder of 72 American soldiers by SS soldiers in the Ardennes town of Malmedy. Historian Stephen Ambrose estimated that by war’s end, “Of the 600,000 GIs involved, almost 20,000 were killed, another 20,000 were captured, and 40,000 were wounded.” The United States also suffered its second-largest surrender of troops of the war: More than 7,500 members of the 106th Infantry Division capitulated at one time at Schnee Eifel. The devastating ferocity of the conflict also made desertion an issue for the American troops; General Eisenhower was forced to make an example of Private Eddie Slovik, the first American executed for desertion since the Civil War.

Wednesday, December 13, 2017

France. December 13.

                           1
   Dear Mother & all,
   Received your letter today of the 24th
so will try to answer it now. I have been
under the weather today. I have a very
hard cold. It seems to be a chest cold
but I think it is breaking now. I just
got out of bed long enough today to eat.
   I received a letter from Harley today.
He is in Germany now. Gosh he sure
is getting around over faster than I
am. He will receive his mail much
faster now that he is assigned to an
outfit. He didn't say much about it.
I imagine he has just arrived there.
   Your Thanksgiving dinner sounds as
if it was very good. I sure would like
to have some pumpkin pie and Jello.
We don't get much desert [sic] at all. Could
you believe it now that I ear carots
and cooked turnips? I guess a person

                              2 
              will eat almost anything if
              he gets hungry enough. We
       have been getting plenty of rice to eat.
It doesn't go so bad.
       I sure am glad Freeman has
been deferred again. Army life might
be ok if you are in the states, but you
can see just how rough Harley has
had it.
       Did you pay up my insurance
this fall? I hope you did. I should have
a very good account in the bank now.
I have sold my diamond ring and I
put the money in soldiers deposit.
They pay 4% interest. I think it is a
very good investment. I will be able
to draw it out upon discharge. I don't
know when that will be.
       I had a letter from Irene's mother.
From the sound of it I sent for the ring
and now I am engaged to someone
over here. I never mentioned to Irene

                             3
                   about writing to Kathyrn
                   Snyder (?) but maybe she
    got word someway and figured I wanted
the ring for her. Oh well, she had to tell
her folks someway. I never hear from
her anymore. I see by the clippings
Luella sent me, that the Bay View
Naval Training  Station is being
closed. Wonder what Irene will do
now. It sure will be lonesome for
her. Well she was the one that ask
for it.
     Thanks for Morgan's address. I
received a letter from him already and
have answered it. Donna Staup tells
me they expect Morgan Meham home
by Christmas. He sure deserves it. I
guess he has as much time overseas
as I do in the Army. Those boys
in the Pacific sure have had it
rougher than we have. I guess Morgan
has had Malaria a couple of times.

                            4         
                    I hope your package and
           Luella's will come through ok. I
have only received Luella's and your
Christmas packages as yet. Last year they
all came so early it didn't seem like
Christmas. I told one of the fellows today
I hoped it would snow for Christmas.
I hope the packages all get here before
Christmas. We all treat each other
after we get our packages. In a tent of
six we really get varities.
      Had a USO show last night. It
was rather good. Our thearte [sic] is a
big building that the Germans had. It
wasn't put up but comes in sections.
It is 40 x 100 feet and has plenty of room.
We have four legged stools which
the Germans also provided. Most of
our office equipment is German stuff.
We found a German diesiel engine
generator and that provides our lights.

                             5
                One can find almost anything
         he wants if we can use it we get
it. I bet it would burn the Germans up
if they knew we was using a lot of this
equipment.
       Well I guess this is about all for
now. Please write as often as possible.
Just what happened to Clareance F.
that he was killed?
       Goodnight for now. Merry Christmas
to all of you.
                                     Love Ralph.


The next letter will be posted on December 22nd.

Background Information (and comments):

  • Here's what I found about the Bayview Naval Station (also referred to as Bayview Naval Armory):
On March 1, 1896, an act was passed by the Ohio General Assembly providing for the organization of two battalions to be known as the Naval Brigade of the National Guard of Ohio. Without funds for outfitting or maintenance, they mustered in Toledo in July and through further organization, one battalion was located in Cleveland and one in Toledo.
In 1898, the United States Congress declared war against Spain. In an effort to get Spain out of Cuba, President William McKinley was authorized to use all land and naval forces, as well as militia to enforce Congressional demands. At this time, the naval forces in the State of Ohio became the Ohio Naval Militia (ONM). The Ohio Naval Militia participated in the war, fighting as part of the 10th Ohio Volunteer Infantry.
The ONM later purchased the old revenue cutter Andrew Johnson, which was refitted accordingly. The U.S. Navy also assigned the USS Michigan to train naval militias on the Great Lakes. The first training was at Johnson's Island in Sandusky Bay in July 1897.
On 20 April 1917 the USS Dorothea Ship's Company at Cleveland, part of the ONM, was the first Ohio National Guard unit activated for service in the First World War.
In 1936, a new Naval Militia Armory, located in Bayview Park in Toledo and built by the W.P.A. was dedicated. It served the needs of the ONM until 1947 when it was taken over by the newly-formed U.S. Naval Reserve.
The ONM was deactivated following World War II, and remained so for nearly 30 years. In 1974, the former Lieutenant Governor, John W. Brown began the process of reactivating the Ohio Naval Militia; and on November 1, 1977 the ONM was reactivated with John W. Brown as the first commandant.
Currently the Ohio Naval Militia is headquartered at the Camp Perry Joint Training Center in Port Clinton, Ohio. It consists of a Communications and Operations Center, office space, training facilities, a workshop, and barracks.

   

Sunday, December 10, 2017

France. December 10.

Dear Mom & all,
      Received your letter of Nov. 29
yesterday and your V mail of Nov. 7 today.
So you can see just how this
mail is mixed up. I received a letter
today from Irene's Mother it was
sent out Oct. 12.
      Well I have quite a bit of news
for you tonight. I had a pass
yesterday and I visited Gay Paree.
Paris is so much different than
London. Hardly any damage at all. It
really seemed good to see a large
city again that wasn't damaged. Just
a few bullet holes was all that
I saw. I was right in the heart
of Paris to. I visited L'Arc de Triomphe
The Eiffel tower and quite a few
other places of interest. I guess there
is to much even to try and write
about it. It is to large of a city to

try to see places of interest in the
short time we were there. I guess
I am seeing quite a bit of this old
world though. I have read quite a
bit about London, Paris and all the
other places that I have visited. I
never thought I would ever get to
see all of them. But best of all I sure
would like to get to see the old home
town again. That would be the best.
         I receive the Record once in
awhile but just now the Christmas
mail is so slow and so much of it
they just don't send them through now.
      I guess winter is setting in here
now. It is cold, and blowing, the
air and rain is about half sleet
tonight. I sure am glad we have
out [sic] tent winterized. It isn't so bad
setting right here by the stove,

     I am glad that the men have the
crops all harvested this fall. They sure
are haveing a time getting these beets out
over here. It is so wet and muddy
all the time.
      I guess this is about all for this
letter. I must write quite a few letters
tonight. Please write as often as
you can.
                               Love Ralph


The next letter will be posted on December 13th.

Background Information (and comments):

  • Did you notice that this letter began "Dear Mom & all" and not "Dear Mother & all"?
  • Aren't we all wondering what Irene's mother wrote in her letter?
  • The Record refers to a hometown newspaper.
  • Ralph has been writing his recent letters on tablet paper. This letter was sent on "Sky Mail" paper in an airmail envelope with a 6-cent airmail stamp. (see photos)

Monday, December 4, 2017

France. Dec. 4, 1944.

Dear Mother & all,
          Another week has begun for us again.
Last week was very good to me. I had quite a
few letters and also received two packages.
Luella's and yours. I can use everything that
was sent me. Some of the candy, I am going to
give it to the chaplain. He is making up gifts
for French children and just before Christmas
we are planning a party here for about 200 of
them.
      Last night while eating supper on of my teeth
chipped off. I was to the dentist today and he said
there is a decay there. I guess he will be able
to fill it. This is the first time in my life I
have ever been to a dentist.
       Had a letter from Harley. I hope by this
time he has received my letter telling him I
am in France now. Also had letters from Luella,
Marie & Lenore. I really don't know what to
write to any of them anymore. We did have
a bad thing happen today. But things will soon

pass by. I guess our outfit is not use to
these things and all of us feel it more.
     Last night was a horrible night here. The wind
blew so hard sometimes I thought our tent was
going with it. Once I even flashed my light on
to see if it was still here. Then with the wind
it tried to rain. I thought of the boys that were
sleeping on the front lines. I am glad I am right where
I am.
    I don't have much news to write about tonight. I guess
I will go to the movies tonight. We have them right
here on our base now. Tonight they are "Sensations
of 1945".
         I can't think of anymore for now. Goodnight for
now. I am sending our church bulletin. It has a
nice poem in it. You never did tell me if you
receive these bulletins.
                                              Love Ralph.


The next letter will be posted on December 10th.

Background Information (and comments):

  • There was no church bulletin in the envelope with the letter, so either his mother never received it or it was separated from the letter and not kept.

Sensations of 1945 is a 1944 American musical-comedy film directed by Andrew Stone. Released by United Artists, the film was an attempt to recapture the ensemble style of films such as Broadway Melody of 1936 by showcasing a number of top musical and comedy acts of the day, in a film linked together by a loose storyline. Sensations of 1945 stars dancer Eleanor Powell and Dennis O'Keefe as two rival publicists who fall in love, but the film's main purpose is to showcase a variety of different acts, ranging from tightrope walking to comedy to Powell's athletic tap dancing.

Friday, December 1, 2017

France. Dec. 1, 1944.

Dear Mother & all,
          December already and before I know it
we will have another year. Gee it seems as
if the year of 44 was a very short one. I guess there
was to much excitement to make things go to
slow. I just wonder when this war will be over
with.
       I have sold my ring so the money from
it I will put in soldiers deposit. I will have
a very good sum in this by the time I get back. We
will be able to draw this out as soon as we
are discharged. Wish I knew when that will be.
    I haven't heard from Harley as yet. When you write
to him tell him to drop me a few lines. I would
like to have his new address again. I had a letter
from Gail Sanderson. He is in Belgium in the first
army.
      This is my day off, so this morning I went
into town with one of the fellows going to the laundry
where we get our laundry done. Gosh I get so

mad at myself for not being able to speak
French. Sure wish I could. When we get our clothes
back they are all pressed, even to our fatigues
and they do it all by hand, the ironing I mean.
      Received a couple of letters from you this week.
I guess the postoffice at home must be about a
month slow. The postscript was dated Oct. 15 and
your letter inside was Nov. 15. That is twice now
that it has been that way. Had a letter from Sis.
It was from Sept. 15 so you can see how slow
some of the mail comes through.
     I hope your Christmas packages comes very soon
now. All our packages are rather slow in getting
here. I guess most of the mail goes to the front line
soldiers first. If they have room then they bring ours.
A few packages are coming through each day so
yours are bound to catch up with me some day.
I suppose everyone will be a little peeved at me
for not writing very often. But really I haven't a thing

to write about. If you could see where we are
living you probably would wonder where we ever
get an inspiration to write.
       From what news I read in the paper and hear
on the radio we are a lot safer where we are
than if we were still in England. I guess those U2
are raising havoc over there now. I had enough
of England anyway. Now I just want to see France. I
was at Criel a few days ago. It is nice country
down that way and it surprised me to see that
there was very little damage done on the way there.
I guess they just tried to hit military objectives.
Well this will be about all for this letter. I will
wait to see what mail I have today.
     Well mail call is over and I finally came
out with four letters. One of them from Harley. So
now I have his address. One from Marie & Luella
and one from Pearl Myers niece.
     I went to the movie tonight and church. So that
just about ends my day. I must write a couple of
letters yet. Please write soon.
                                              Love Ralph.


The next letter will be posted on December 4th.

Background Information (and comments):

  • The ring he sold would be the engagement ring returned to him by his fiance Irene.

  • I'm guessing that Criel refers to Criel-sur-Mer. Here's where it's located: "The city of Criel-sur-Mer is a small town located north of France. The city of Criel-sur-Mer is located in the department of Seine-Maritime of the french region Haute-Normandie. The city of Criel-sur-Mer is located in the township of Eu part of the district of Dieppe. " (Look for #76 below)

Tuesday, November 28, 2017

France. Nov. 28, 1944.

Dear Mother & all,
          I guessed I missed writing to you Sunday
night so will try to write a short letter to you
tonight. We are still haveing winter rainy weather
here. No snow as yet, but just that cold wet
rain.
     My mail from home is slow in comeing through.
I haven't had a letter from you for over two
weeks now. I sure don't know where it is
getting tied up. I hope it will soon start to
comeing in again. None of my Christmas packages
have arrive yet. So I guess all the mail is
slow.
     There isn't much to write about around here.
Pass have been opened for Paris so maybe I will
be able to visit that fine city some day soon. I will
tell you all about it after I get back from my
pass.
      I had a letter from Luella just a few days ago
and it was over a month old. I don't know where

it had gone before it got to me. She was telling me
about the hunting season opening. Sure wish I could
go hunting again for a change. It is pretty scarce
of game around here. I guess the fighting and bombing
drove most of it out of here.
       I really don't have much to write about tonight.
Last night we had to listen to the Articles of War.
They are the rules that govern us and we hear
them every six months. After they were read to us
they had a movie. "The Adventures of Mark Twain".
It was very good. I sure miss seeing the movies.
Well I guess this is about all I can think of
for now. Please write soon and often.
                                                   Love Ralph.


The next letter will be posted on December 1st.

Background Information (and comments):

  • I wonder how long it took to read the 69 Articles of War?

On June 30, 1775, the Second Continental Congress established 69 Articles of War to govern the conduct of the Continental Army. On April 10, 1806, the first United States Congress enacted 101 Articles of War, which were not significantly revised until over a century later. The military justice system continued to operate under the Articles of War until May 31, 1951, when the Uniform Code of Military Justice went into effect.

  • Here's background information on the movie, and a link to the original trailer for it:

This biopic tells the story of how Samuel Clemens (Fredric March) became the renowned author Mark Twain. Growing up in the 1830s in Hannibal, Miss., Clemens works as a riverboat pilot on the Mississippi River. After he finds a picture of a beautiful girl (Alexis Smith) and vows to marry her, he quits his job and travels to Nevada in search of gold with his friend Steve (Alan Hale). In the midst of the Civil War, Clemens begins writing prolifically, thus beginning his famed career.
Initial releaseJuly 22, 1944

http://www.tcm.com/mediaroom/video/96369/Adventures-of-Mark-Twain-The-Original-Trailer-.html

Thursday, November 23, 2017

France. Nov. 23, 1944.

Dear Mother & all,
         Thanksgiving Day 1944 will soon be a day
of the past. Today was my day off so I thought
I would take a little trip. One of the fellows
had to take a wing to another base so I went
with him for the trip. It wasn't a very
good day for traveling but we made it.
        When ever we would go through a small
town or village everyone would stare at us
to see what we had, of course they all waved
and threw us the V sign. They really seeem
glad to see us.
       Over here you aren't allowed to buy any food
to eat so of course haveing a little trouble getting
over a pontoon we missed our dinner but they
saved the turkey until the evening me [sic] so
we just missed out on the steak they had for
dinner. I was really ready to eat supper tonight.
It really made me hungry to take a trip and
also miss out on my dinner, but I think it

was worth missing a meal. I wish I could go
more often. It really is a good chance to see the
country. Over here they have sugar beets and
today I went through the town where the
factory was. I reconized it by the smell.
The farmers are haveing quite a time getting their
beets out over here. It rains most of the time.
      What did you do today? Was there any of the
others home? I sure wish I could get home for
Christmas even. Gosh, I won't know any of the kids.
It will soon be two years since I saw any of
you folks.
       The war news sounds pretty good now. Maybe
by next Christmas I will be able to make it. They
should be in Germany doing all the fighting by this
Christmas.
         I still haven't had a letter from Harley telling
me that he has moved. Maybe he doesn't
have time to write to me or my mail hasn't
caught up with him yet. I doubt very much if
he knows I am in France yet. I looked it up on
the map where Cliff & Marie said he was

stationed at. He was quite a ways west of me.
I would have liked to found him before he was
moved.
        An editorial appeared in the Stars & Stripes a
while ago but I can't find the one. It was a very good
so here is one about the person who wrote it.
I thought it was very good. I will enclose it in
this letter. Where she mentions mud ankle deep
you can just figure she isn't lyeing about it either.
It is the worst I have seen any weather.
     I guess this is about all for now. Please
write soon. Your letters are always welcome.
                                                 Love Ralph.


The next letter will be posted on Nov. 28th.

Background Information (and comments):
  • Here is the clipping included with the letter:
  • Found this photo online of some French people flashing the V sign

Sunday, November 19, 2017

France. Sunday. Nov. 19.

Dear Mother & all,
           Sunday again and another week has gone by.
It was a week that saw all our armies on
the move anyway. From the sound of the news
tonight it sounds pretty good.
         I have received letters from Luella and Marie
this past week. It is the first I knew that Harley
was in Belgium. I haven't had a letter from him
yet. Maybe he is to busy moveing so he hasn't
time to write. Although he seems to be writing
to most of you folks back home.
     Today we had the afternoon off. They bring our
PX rations out from town and we have to get
them and then we have church in the afternoon
also. About all we could get today was candy at
the PX. Tobacco is very scarce over here. I don't
smoke only an occassional cigar. All I was able
to get today was two American brands and one
German cigar. Guess I will have to save one
of them for Thanksgiving Day dinner. Gee I hope
we will be able to have enough turkey to eat.

The PX was using the tent we most usually
hold church in. So today it was a nice day and
we just had it out under the great open spaces.
It really is open here to. We are about two miles
back from any traffic and six miles from town.
You might just as well say we are backwoods
men. I have only had one pass to town since
I have been here. If a person would leave camp
for any time over one day he would starve to
death. Food can't be bought by any person in uniform.
So a person has to keep near camp.
        A few of the Christmas packages are beginning
to arrive now. I haven't received any yet but what
packages have come in some of them are almost
wrecked. Some of them are wet but we sure to
to salvage most everything. Some of the candy is
sticky but we eat it just the same.
         I attended the movie tonight. It was the first
movie I have seen since leaving England. It was very
good. The name of it was "Make Your Own Bed". I have
been doing that same thing for almost three years
now. I sure hope I will be able to get away from
it soon now. But this war will probably continue.

      Had a letter from Lenore today I guess she is
never satisfied with Harold's work. If he isn't working
she isn't satisfied if he is the hours are to long. If the
hours aren't to long then he is on the wrong shift.
She can be mighty glad he is still at home with
her. There are plenty over here would be glad to
trade places. I would be willing to work his
hours and be able to have a life of freedom. I am
getting plenty tried of all this routine stuff. Anytime
you go anywhere they tell you how to go, what your
dress will be, how far you are allowed , how long
you can stay out, and when you get there everytime
you look around theres an MP looking you over.
Get up and go to bed is even told to you. I guess this
is about the loniest [sic] spot a man could pick to
live and work in. we do have a radio for
entertainment and a movie once in awhile. You can't
even talk with any civilians because you don't
know the language. Whenever you listen to the news
you always hear about someone planning how to release
the soldiers and where he will work. I think they
are just trying to keep us in. These guys going on
strike all the time should be shipped over

here and then they would appreciate working
back in the states. Now they want military training
for everyone. They have to many soldiers already.
     Well I guess this is about all I can write for
now. Please write whenever you can. I hope some
of your letters will soon arrive for me. Goodnight
for now.
                                                Love Bill.

The next letter will be posted on Nov. 23rd.

Background Information (and comments):

  • Here's what I found about the movie:
    • Make Your Own Bed is a 1944 American comedy film directed by Peter Godfrey and written by Francis Swann, Edmund Joseph and Richard Weil. The film stars Jack CarsonJane WymanIrene ManningAlan Hale, Sr.George Tobias and Robert Shayne. The film was released by Warner Bros. on June 10, 1944.
    • Walter and Vivian live in the country and have a difficult time keeping servants. Walter hires an private detective who has been fired for arresting the District Attorney. They only way that Walter can get Jerry to work for him is to tell Jerry that his life is in danger; the neighbor is trying to take his wife; and that Nazi spies are everywhere. Jerry needs a cook for his 'cover' so he gets his fiancée Susan to work with him. To keep Jerry working, Walter sends the threatening letters to himself and hires actors to play the spies. It soon becomes apparent that Susan cannot cook and Jerry could not find a spy if he tripped over him.
  • Here are some of the recent events that probably led Ralph to write that the news sounds good:
    • Nov. 12, 1944: British Lancaster bombers sink German battleship Tirpitz in Tromsø Fjord, Norway; 902 killed.
    • Nov. 13, 1944: In the Vosges Mountains in France, US Seventh Army launches offensive on German Siegfried Line.
    • Nov. 14, 1944: French First Army opens assault toward Belfort Gap in France. 
    • Nov. 15, 1944: The U.S. Fifth Army in Italy captured Modigliana.
    • Nov. 16, 1944: The U.S. First and Ninth Armies began Operation Queen, an offensive at the German Siegfried Line. US 9th division & 1st Army attacks at Geilenkirchen

Sunday, November 12, 2017

France Nov. 12, 1944.

Dear Mother & all,
         Received your letter of Nov. 1 yesterday so will
answer it now. I have just come from church. It
is held in one of our mess tents at 4:00 in the
afternoons. I guess the chaplain has to many
places to hold services that he can't get around
any earlier.
         I had a letter from Freeman yesterday and one
from Cliff's today. Some Christmas packages are
beginning to come in now. I haven't received any
yet but hope to in a few days.
         I suppose by this time winter is beginning to
set in at home now. It froze the ground here
last night. It reminds me of our Michigan
weather.
     Well Halloween here was just another day. There
are no little houses to upset over here. We
have a deluxe model which is a twelve holer
out in the woods so if anyone did bother it they
would just be cutting there own throats. I don't
think I even thought of it being Halloween.

     You mentioned about getting a picture of me. Well
maybe I haven't changed in looks any, but if this
war don't end soon I will look like an old man.
I feel like one anyway.
     No, I don't know why Harley used two different
numbers. He must have made a mistake. Mine
have been comeing through from him as 583. I
haven't heard from him for sometime now.
     Time seems to fly for me since arriving in
France, but in the evening it really drags. It
is almost dark by 5:30 and lights go out at
11:00 o'clock. It makes the evenings so long.
     Maybe I am asking you to send to many
packages lately. But now I am in a place I can't
go out and buy much. Please send me some
wash clothes [sic] and also put anything esle in
it you want to. Peanuts, candy or anything you think
I would like.
     Well this is all for now. Please write as
often as possible. Have your ever received the
cedar chest yet? I got the ring ok.
                                              Love Ralph.


The next letter will be posted on November 19th.

Background Information (and comments):

  • If you've been following the letters, you know that Ralph's family lives on a farm. I'm not sure if they were still using an outhouse in 1944, but it's likely that they were. Here are 2 explanations about the Halloween practice of "little houses to upset".

"Outhouse tipping is a prank consisting of overturning an outhouse or a portable toilet, usually onto the door. It allegedly used to be performed as revenge for not being given a treat at Halloween."
  • Tipping Outhouses
    Halloween to Indiana farm kids doesn’t mean going around from house to house yelling, “Trick or Treat !” cause the nearest neighbor may be a half mile away. If you’re a teenage kid, you’re bored cause there must be something a kid can do on Halloween other than staying home at night and listening to the radio. That’s why a bunch of us got together to tip over outhouses. 

    Now, if you’re a city kid or you were born after World War 2 then you should know that an “outhouse” means an outdoor toilet. First a big hole was dug real deep and then they’d build a little house right over the top of the hole. When you go inside of an outhouse be prepared to hold your breath for as long as you can cause it’s like smelling everybody’s poop piled up for the past two months. Inside, there’s usually one or two toilet seats…come to think of it I don’t know why anyone would want to go in and sit next to someone else when they’re doing their business, but the two seaters were real popular. Way back in the real old days everybody didn’t use toilet paper, they used pages from a catalog. You can imagine how scratchy that was ! Even back then people liked to sit and read, but I would have run out of holding my breath. To keep the place clean people would pour a white powder lime or lye down the holes once in a while. Sometimes, if the outhouse was used a lot where it started to fill up, the hole was filled in and the outhouse moved to a new location.
  • For those who have never seen (or used) an outhouse, here's a humorous look at one: