27 April 1945
(or there abouts)
(Rec’d 5/4)
P.S. – Time and dates
don’t mean much out
here so I’m not sure
it’s the 27th.
Dear Folks –
First – I’m sorry. I’ve been pretty busy most of the time – and the rest of the time (as usual) I’ve wasted. I went to a show tonight (the machine broke down so they called it off) and I figure if I’ve got time to see a show, I’ve got time to write to you – so here I am.
Censorship is still pretty heavy but I got a letter off to Ellie that had quite a bit in it and I asked her to quote the interesting parts to you. If she hasn’t done it yet you can call her up.
(2)
The old morale is sky-high – better than back in the States. There’s just enough danger to make it exciting. We were bombed one night – but no damage was done except a couple of shrapnel holes in some of the tents. We’re dug in – so none of us were hurt. Another night a plane came over and did some strafing – but he didn’t get very near our bivouac area. I guess it sounds bad – but it isn’t as dangerous as it sounds.
We are getting wonderful chow – and we rigged up a shower and bathtub.
(3)
The anti-– aircraft just started overhead – something must be going on outside. It sure scares you when all is quiet and then all of a sudden all hell breaks loose. I jump every time.
They’ve made me temporary mail clerk now. I get the water at the same time as I go for mail and that keeps me pretty busy. The boys are threatening to linch (is that spelling right?) me because we haven’t been getting any mail. I got one big batch one day. I got all your letters from February right up to April all at once. But we’ve gotten nothing since then.
(4)
I guess congratulations go to both Dick and Dan. I guess I’ll have to pick me up a Chinese or Japanese girl out here someplace. The question is – where? They seem to be few and far between – and what’s left is pretty ugly. Maybe I’d better wait till I get home and then I can court Mrs. Kintop’s little girl.
Things seem to be shaping up pretty well in Germany. By the time you get this it will probably be all over. I suppose my two sisters-in-law are a couple of happy girls. I once told Jean that when the war in Germany
(5)
was over – I’d go out on a royal toot – – but I never yet saw a guy get drunk on chlorinated water. Well maybe I can dig up some saki (I don’t know if that’s spelled right either).
I like our new bill heads, Dad, but it makes me awfully homesick. Oh – for some gooey printer’s ink on my hands! How are things going? Is the labor problem still pretty bad?
I wish you could have been here the other day, Dad, I was babbling away as usual about nothing and Lt. Davis said it would be too bad if the Japs caught me and cut my tongue out. I told him you’d get a big kick out
(6)
of his saying that. We got the best bunch of guys you could ask for. The officers are okay too (they read these letters). The only trouble is we’ve got some characters in the outfit too – but if you don’t take them seriously they’re good for a few laughs.
Well I’ve got to hit the hay. I’ll write again when I get the chance. At least you know I’m alive, well, and happy. Maybe in another year – or even less – I can get home and talk the rest of my brothers under the table – but for now I’ve got to rest my weary tongue.
Good night,
Dave
Tomorrow I will begin posting a week of letters written in the fall of 1944.
Judy Guion
"Greatest Generation" Life Lessons 