About Letter 154

In a private letter to Dad, Bill advises that "tomorrow I'm going into combat." He tells him that "you know better than I how mother would take it." In closing Bill tells his father, "don't worry. From now on I'm going to do a 'helluva' lot of plain and fancy taking care of myself."

Letter 154- November 25, 1944-3

November 25, 1944-3
(France V-Mail)

Dear Dad,

Tomorrow I’m going into combat. As I gather things are pretty rough in this sector right now. That about covers all I know, but I do want you to know how things stand. You know better than I how mother would take it.

I have already written another V-Mail home and will try and get an airmail off if possible. Don’t worry. From now on I’m going to do a “helluva” lot of plain and fancy taking care of myself.

Best Love,
Bill

P.S. You keep my car running good.

About Letter 153

Bill says "things are moving awfully fast now." He is somewhere in eastern France. He cautions that he may not write very often.

Letter 153- November 25, 1944-2

November 25, 1944-2
(France V-Mail)

Dear Mudder and Dad,

This is my permanent address:

[Co. “A” 399th. Inf.
A.P.O 446]

I can’t say what Division I’m with yet or exactly where. Generally, I am in eastern France. I can tell you where I’ve been recently. I landed at Le Harve. We were some of the first American troops in there. From Le Harve we went to Belgium and finally to Givet. On the border from there we came here. I hope all the above was O.K. They said so.

Lots of love. I’m a little pressed for time so I’d better close. Don’t worry if I don’t write very often. Things are moving awfully fast now.

Best Love,
Bill

About Letter 152

Bill writes on the back of "some French Kid's homework." He is permanently attached to Co. A, 399th. Infantry Regiment.

Letter 152- November 25, 1944

November 25, 1944
(France)

Dear Folks,

You can see from the good stationery that I wrote this on the spur of the moment. Those numbers on the other side are some French kid’s homework.
This is really just a copy of a V-Mail letter I wrote early this evening. All I have to say is I’m with an outfit somewhere. My permanent address is:


[Co. “A” 399th. Inf. A.P.O. 447
c/o P.M. New York]


Best Love,
Bill

About the U. S. Seventh Army

The U. S. Seventh Army was the first American formation of Field Army size to see combat in World War II. The Army was formed on 10 July 1943 to provide headquarters for American forces in Operation Husky, the invasion of Sicily. During the campaign, it was commanded by (Then) Lieutenant General George S. Patton. It landed on the left flank of the Allied forces. The Seventh Army’s role in the plan for conquering Sicily was envisaged as being a protecting force for the left wing of the British Eighth under Gen. Bernard Montgomery. In the end, it played a far more important role. Most of Sicily was liberated by American forces, and Patton's Army rendezvoused with that of Montgomery in capturing the crucial city of Messina, Italy, the nearest point on Sicily to the mainland of Italy.

After the Sicily operation the Seventh Army was taken out of the frontline and transferred into the 6th Army Group. Its next action was the invasion of the south of France, code named Operation Dragoon on August 15, 1944 (Bill's 19th. birthday). This was conceived as a help to Eisenhower's forces fighting in Normandy by outflanking German forces in France.

Dragoon was instrumental in the rapid liberation of Southern France and providing new supply ports. It was successful as an amphibious assault. Three divisions of the Seventh Army landed. The assault forces included units of the French First Army. With French and American forces established ashore in significant numbers, the Seventh Army and the French First Army were placed under 6th. Army Group headquarters. This Army Group took up its position on the right wing of the forces on the Western Front.

The Seventh Army succeeded in fighting its way through the heavily defended natural geography of the Vosges Mountains, and emerged onto the Alsatian Plain in late November, 1944. About this time Bill was permanently attached to the U.S Seventh Army.