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 Carson, Jane Wyman, Irene Manning, Alan 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

• Nov. 17, 1944: The British Second Army captured Wessem.
• Nov. 18, 1944: During the Battle of Metz, American forces entered Metz itself.
• Nov. 19, 1944: The British Second Army captured Geilenkirchen.