I start on my 3rd year over sea’s today. All I hope is that I’ll be home before it’s over. Made a trip down to the battalion and that’s about all. Wrote a few letters. A kid ran over a mine in front of our bivouac and blew his leg off. The mine had been buried deep and the mine detectors had missed it.
Two years ago today we left the shores of good old U.S.A. I have often wondered when I’ll get back there. It has been raining all day and there is little to do. Played some double pinochle. Williamson was captured and wounded by some Germans today, but three of them took care of him and gave themselves up to him. So instead of him being captured, he captured some krouts. Wrote some letters and went to bed.
Dear Mother & Dad
Just a few lines to let you know I’m okea. I’m still at a loss for words & something to write about. The weather is still bad, & if we could only think of some way to rig up a stove it might not be so bad. The trouble is always having to tear the stove down when we move.
You keep wanting me to look Bud up. I’m afraid at the present time that’s impossible. You see he is in and another army all together different that I’m in. I couldn’t even look a fellow up in our own division, & Bud isn’t in a division so that makes it worse.
I know my mail is slow in getting home, but it can’t be helped. Mail service here is terrible. Even your mail to me, takes a month to get here. When we were in Italy it only took about 10 days. That’s because we are so far from any naval ports. By By & I’ll write again Soon.
Your Son,
“Chick”
Dear Mother & Dad
I suppose you’re still worrying about your son Charles and wondering why he doesn’t write. Well if you knew how hard it is to write a letter with nothing in it you wouldn’t write either. Things are pretty slow now as the winter rains have set in, so consequently there is little to write about. We do get two go two a small town to a show once in awhile and the sides playing cards is all the recreation we have. One of these days soon I’m going to take time out an answer all of the questions in your letters.
You have been wanting me to ask for something in a letter so I will. Send me all kinds of soups, remember the kind Mrs. Fleshner used to get me. Popcorn, I can always use. Sandwich spread. A jar of mustard, ketchup, candy and anything else that you think I would like. You couldn’t get all of these things in one package so maybe you can use this letter for a couple or three packages. This is all I have time for now so goodbye. I love you both very much.
Say hello to everyone for me.
Your Son,
“Chick”
Here we are still in the woods. The company has been out all night and day clearing roads. I took a run into the town of Bruyeres to take food to the dozer operators. Sure is a bunch of women with their heads shaved. The fighting that’s going on is really rough. Plenty of artillery and tanks firing all the time. This gives me a little time to catch up on my letter writing.
Boy, they have been throwing everything at the “krouts” today and they in turn have been throwing a little themselves. These “Screaming Mimi’s” make you shiver a little. Not much to do. Got rid of some clothes, played a little cards and went to bed.
We packed every thing up and got ready to move at 7 am. We moved about 30 miles over into the 45th sector. I saw an awful sight to day. A jeep about 50 yards ahead of us was blown up by a mine. The jeep took a complete flip in the air and threw the two riders about a 100 feet from the jeep. One boy was blown practically in two and both were mangled up pretty badly. One of the boys died instantly but when I left one of the boys was still alive. Their mines strewed all over so we have to be pretty careful. They are going to make a drive and you should see the equipment that’s moving up. They are having quite a battle not far from us. You can hear the machine gun and rifle fine quite plainly. I’m on guard tonight.
Tried to get the company fixed up on overcoats today. Worked on my property books and wrote a letter home. It seems I never have time to write to anyone but there’s nothing to say anyway. We were told that we are moving out at 7 am tomorrow.
We all received a booster shot today. Boy, it’s really miserable around here. It’s been raining all the time. We are to move one of these days but we don’t know when. Played some cards and went to bed.
Kept pretty busy today. Had to do a lot of running around and get some new equipment. Played some cards and went to the show.
