Letter 184- March 21, 1945

March 21, 1945
(France)

Dear Mudder and Dad,

Well, here it is the first day of spring. The weather is beautiful. For the last week the sun’s been shining bright, clear and warm. Last night it was foggy, but this morning it’s nice again. I haven’t been able to write much lately and you know why. The newspapers make that clear enough. You undoubtedly noticed the condition of the envelope on my last letter. It had gone through a battle and about 5 days inside of my helmet before I was able to mail it. But, as the French say, “Sessti la guirri”. One minute a person is neck deep in this “unpleasantness” and the next he is hardly aware that there’s a war going on. Right now is one of those occasions. Just loaf around all day and sleep twelve to fourteen hours a night (generally no one up here gets more than 4 or 5 hours a night) and three hot meals a day. Of course, it’s hard to say how long it will last but I’m satisfied. I don’t want “an egg in my beer”.

We’re not getting much mail nowadays but it’s understandable. I did receive one letter from you and another from Jess the other day. I had to pull out though and since no one can carry letters, etc., with them when moving I burned them. “Sessti la Guirri” or T.S. as we say in the army. However, Jess said she had sent me a five pound box of candy bars. She asked me in a recent letter what I wanted and I said a few candy bars and she really came through.

Gotta close now—chow!

Best Love,
Bill

About Letter 183

Bill returns to his company and is delighted to receive a cherished fruitcake from home, exclaiming "boy, oh boy! Need I say more?" The company censor compliments Bill on his letter writing skills, "not that it's any of his business" Bill caustically remarks.

Letter 183- March 14, 1945

March 14, 1945
(France)

Dear Mudder and Dad,

Here’s another late letter, you see. I wrote one to you 5 days ago and was unable to mail it before it disappeared. I hate to keep you waiting for mail but that’s the way it goes. I’ve been back with the company now for several days.

I received a letter from you today, Mudder. The one acknowledging my acknowledgement of the first fruitcake you sent me. Now there’s a brainy sentence. It’s the first letter I’ve had in several days. I shouldn’t complain though. Last time I did get mail there were eight letters: seven from you and one from Jess. In the letter I wrote and lost I answered several questions for you. Now I haven’t got your old letters nor mine and I can’t remember what the questions were. Alas! Wot a life.

Anyway, when I returned from the rest area the other day what should be waiting but a package. It was the second fruitcake. Boy, oh Boy! Need I say more?

I’ll tell why it took so long for my November Bond to show up. You see I didn’t get paid for almost 3 months and when I don’t get paid the Bond doesn’t go through.

In a few days, if I get the chance, I’m going to send my combat I’m going to –what am I doing?? anyhow. I’ll send my Combat Infantry Badge home along with a couple souvenirs I picked up in the rest area. I’d like you to wear it, Mudder. You know, it really means “sumpin”.

I see where Bob Brewer was up at school the other day. I can’t understand it. I can’t write home about my outfit yet he seems to know more about it than I do.

Thanks for the compliment about my letterwriting. The Co. censor told me I wrote well the other day—not that it’s any of his business. I suppose he means well, however.
That about does it.

Best Love,
Bill

About Letter 182

Bill continues to unwind during his 4 day break off the line. "Until one gets back to a place like this he doesn't realize the nervious tension he's been under." The morning paper says that American troops are across the Rhine and have captured "some 8 divisions or more." Bill confidently exclaims, "It shouldn't last long unless they are determined to die for 'der Fuhrer'. If so, we'll oblige the SOB's."

Letter 182- March 6, 1945

March 6, 1945
(France)

Dear Mudder and Dad,

Thought I’d knock off a short note to you before lunch. There’s not much to write but I know you want to hear something. I’ve been doing a lot of relaxing for the last couple of days, seen a couple of shows and wandered around in general. Nothing that amounts to much but it suits my mood. Until one gets back to a place like this he doesn’t realize the nervous tension he’s been under. Compared with the rear echelon boys most of us look tense and tired. Didn’t notice it before.

This morning’s paper says that American troops are across the Rhine, and have trapped some 8 divisions or more. I can’t see how they keep going. Well, it shouldn’t last too long unless they all are determined to die for “der Fuhrer”. If so we’ll oblige the S.O.B’s.

I haven’t received any mail from you for about a week now. I hope there’s some at the company when I get back.

Best Love,
Bill

Between the Lines:Bill in Combat January 30 to March 5, 1945

Company A remains in houses in Glassenberg until the 30th. of January, when ordered to take over positions at the French Garrison. At the Garrison a line is built around the French fortifications, so that it is possible for some of the men to be in buildings or pillboxes. The weather begins to break from snow to rain creating water and mud where the snow had been.

On the night of February 2-3, an attack is ordered by the battalion CO. A Company is the only unit to participate. The plan is for one platoon to attack a certain enemy hill, and if successful to move around back toward the American line where the rest of the Company is to push out and meet them. Then the whole company is to dig in the new position. The First Platoon makes the attack. Three enemy machine guns are emplaced in well situated positions high on the hill with plenty of rifle protection. Interlocking and cross fire from the guns, the difficult terrain and darkness cause the platoon to split up and lose contact with one another. Meanwhile, artillery rounds fall on the rest of the Company as they await the signal to push out and meet the First Platoon. The linkup fails and Company A must move back to its original position.

Except for more miserable rain, and limited patrol activity, nothing particularly important happens until February 14 when the Company is relieved and retires to Siersthal. By this time both combatants are well acquainted with each other’s lines and strong points of resistance. On the 20th Company A is back up on the line at the Glassenberg flank. On March 5, they are pulled back for another rest.

About Letter 181

After being on the line for 3 months, much of it spent in a foxhole, Bill is entitled to a four day rest. He is located in "a fairly large town where it is possible to obtain almost anything I want.....Boy,oh Boy am I taking it in!" The war news looks good with "the German 15th. Army pinned up against the Rhine."