I bet this is about the earliest
I have written to you folks on
a Sunday morning. It is now
1:15 in the morning. I am Sgt
of the guard tonight so I have
plenty of time for writing letters.
Well I finally received some
mail this week and I am glad
they are getting it straightened
out again.
I suppose this will be
my last letter to you from
Belgium. Next Tues. I am
leaving for Germany. There are
about forty of us left here in
Belgium. I was on the advance
party comeing to Belgium and one
of the last ones to leave here.
I have a jeep to drive to
Germany, so I will see plenty of
the country. It takes about two
days to drive to our next base
or 2 hours to fly. I would rather
drive. A person can see more
country this way.
My buddy Glenn Pyle was
called to Germany today. He has
77 points so her will soon
be heading to the U.S. He lives
in Charles City
wants me to come out there
after I get home.
The radio say all men
with over 60 points will be
on their way home by Dec.31.
Our CO. told us we would
probably leave in Nov. Gosh
only a month or so to go.
I am hopeing I will be able
to get home in time for Christmas.
It is to bad about Rev. Meyer
wanting to leave. I guess after
being in one place for awhile
preachers grow restless just like
soldiers do and have to have
a chang of scenery.
Well this is all for tonight.
Hope I can make it by Xmas.
Goodbye.
Love
Ralph.
The next letter will be posted on September 26th.
Background Information (and comments):
- Ralph was getting his news about the changing point system over the radio. Here is how it was being changed due to the surrender by Japan and why he feels he probably be home by Christmas:
When Japan surrendered on September 2, 1945, the demand for rapid demobilization from soldiers, their families, and Congress became unstoppable and all previous plans became moot. Conscription was reduced to 50,000 men per month, less than the military's requirements for replacements. Soldiers, sailors, and marines in the Pacific became eligible for demobilization. The points required for demobilization were reduced several times, reaching 50 points on December 19, 1945. Ten aircraft carriers, 26 cruisers, and six battleships were converted into troopships to bring soldiers home from Europe and the Pacific. Racial segregation on the troop ships created a problem. In December 1945, the Navy barred 123 African-American soldiers from sailing home because they could "not be segregated" on a troop ship.[15]
The War Department promised that all servicemen eligible for demobilization from Europe would be in the U.S. by February 1946 and from the Pacific by June 1946. One million men were discharged from the military in December 1945. Every congressman was "under constant and terrific pressure from servicemen and their families" to discharge soldiers more rapidly
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