Letter Home – September 12, 1944

19440912a-Lscan-600Dear Mother & Dad

It seems as though I keep bragging this country up. It really is beautiful though. Everything is so green & the farmers keep everything so neat as can be. The hills look like a large golf course. The people are still the same wherever we go. They treat us as kings. We get plenty of milk eggs & etc. One of these days we will stop & when we do I’ll answer all of your letters. Had a mail call the other day, and I received 40 letters. I have little time to write, so they won’t be answered for some time to come.

You ask what I wanted for Christmas. Well I guess I’ll 19440912b-Lscan-600shock you a little bit. I would like some good whiskey. I doubt if they inspect Christmas packages so you should be able to get it through easy. Tell everyone that’s what I want. But be sure that its package really good as it will take quite a beating. I know it will go through as a lot of the kids here are getting bottles right along. I seldom trait but this “rot gut” they have here is terrible, so I would like to have good stuff. It’s going to be plenty cold here this winter and a little nip now and then is not going to hurt anyone. The doctors give you a shot of American whiskey here when you have a bad cold so I might just as well have my own. You can throw and some candy bars, cookies, popcorn or what ever you think I would like. Be sure the bottle is in the center of the package and packed so it won’t break. I won’t have time to write two everyone so tell them that’s what I want & if I get too much it will always keep. Please don’t think I drink mom and dad because you will be mistaken. As I said before just once in awhile. Even if they do inspect the packages & you have a little candy on top it will get by Okea. At least the other kids packages do.

Guess this is all for now & it looks as if I’ll spend another Christmas over here. Goodbye and tell everyone what I want. By, By two you both and I’ll write again soon

Your Son,
“Chick”

Posted in 1944, Letters | Comments Off on Letter Home – September 12, 1944

September 11, 1944 – Monday

SONY DSCNot much to do. Did a few odd jobs. Joe gave me a hair cut and I took a bath. Cooked us a good meal and wrote a letter home. Went to bed early.

Posted in 1944, Diary | Comments Off on September 11, 1944 – Monday

September 10, 1944 – Sunday

SONY DSCWe got ready to move today. We moved about 8 miles. We are about 25 miles from Belfort. Set up the tent and took off for town. Nothing there but infantry “doggies” so we came back home.

Posted in 1944, Diary | Comments Off on September 10, 1944 – Sunday

September 9, 1944 – Saturday

SONY DSCWe stayed in the same area all day. Played a little cards and that was about all for today.

Posted in 1944, Diary | Comments Off on September 9, 1944 – Saturday

September 8, 1944 – Friday

SONY DSCWe moved the first thing this morning to the other side of Besancon. We stayed all day. Cleaned up the truck, cooked ourselves some meals and went to bed.

Posted in 1944, Diary | Comments Off on September 8, 1944 – Friday

September 7, 1944 – Thursday

SONY DSCWe spent the whole night in town. We were on one side of the river and the Germans on the other. There was quite a few snipers in town and you had to be pretty careful. Shots were ringing out all over. We worked as long as we had equipment to work with and then laid down and went to sleep. I slept in a church. We were up early and went back to the company to eat. Then went back to work on the bridge. We had a nice time working as there was a big crowd and all of the girls wanted kisses and the older folks brought us out Champagne, wine and whisky. We worked all day. I had a girl that had been hanging around all day making eyes at me so when we would get a break I would go over and talk to her. When we finished the bridge we had to go out to the company but I was to meet her tonight. Well I came back but she wasn’t there so I didn’t wait. I had a pretty good time though. The Germans are shelling the city so I took off for home.

Posted in 1944, Diary | Comments Off on September 7, 1944 – Thursday

September 6, 1944 – Wednesday

SONY DSCWe spent the night okea and the Germans have been pushed out behind us, so I feel better. It rained a little last night so I slept under the truck. The sun is out today and we may move but I doubt it, as there is no place to go. They are fighting for the town of Besancon. It started to rain again so we pitched a tent, and then the rain stopped. We have to go in and build a Bailey Bridge across the river in Besancon.

Posted in 1944, Diary | Comments Off on September 6, 1944 – Wednesday

Letter Home – September 6, 1944

19440906-Lscan-600Dear Mother & Dad

It has been some time since my last letter but it can’t be helped. The Germans are retreating fast and we stay right behind them. I did have one lucky break. Our truck broke down and we stayed in a place for about 3 1/2 days. I met some swell people & a very nice girl. I think if I would have been there much longer I would have fallen in love, ha, ha. The people treated us like Kings. I could have ran for town mayor & won easily. Everyone in the village knew my name and they called me “Charley” as they spelled it. We went to mass and after mass the people followed us around like I don’t no what. The priest invited us in for a glass of wine and we ever drank the wine that was used in the mass. I’ll never for get that village as long as I live. Joe Pryz, Tony’s brother was with me. I must have really had the poor girl snowed under as she cried like a baby when I said good-bye to her and her folks.

Well I guess that’s all that I know to write about now. Say hello to everyone for me. Believe me I have never in my life seen country so beautiful. I can’t get over it. By By for now and don’t worry at the rate we’re going the war should end soon.

Your Son,
“Chick”

Posted in 1944, Letters | Comments Off on Letter Home – September 6, 1944

September 5, 1944 – Tuesday

SONY DSCWe left again this morning to a new area. I’m afraid we got a little too far ahead this time as we have Germans behind us. The Germans are shelling us but the shells aren’t coming close. For the second time in this campaign I have heard shell fire. The Germans blew a bridge behind us and knocked one of our trucks out with a bazooka gun about 2 miles behind us. Things don’t look so good. The infantry is falling back to take care of them.

Posted in 1944, Diary | Comments Off on September 5, 1944 – Tuesday

September 4, 1944 – Monday

SONY DSCWe left this morning and rode all day and part of the night. We couldn’t find the company so we pulled off to the side of the road.   Sgt. Davis came by about 2 am and took us on to the company.

Posted in 1944, Diary | Comments Off on September 4, 1944 – Monday