September 27,
1944
Dear
Mother,
Received
our first mail yesterday which included three of your letters. It's
still chilly and rainy here and I have on about all the clothes
I own. Passed through a town yesterday about the size of Sumter
and it was absolutely a pile of rubble. The air corps had paid it
a visit. We have been eating "C" rations since we got off the boat
but the Mess Sgt. turned up with two fresh eggs for my breakfast
this morning and informed me that too much "C" rations might hurt
my stomach and he would see that I had fresh eggs from now on. I
figured the wisest thing to do was to eat the eggs and ask no questions
as to their past owner. Tell Jug Haid his sleeping bag has arrived
and is being put to good use. Must close. I am fine and hope all
at home are also.
Love
to all,
Claude
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Somewhere
in France
October
3, 1944
Dear
Mother,
I
have located Dessie's outfit. It is about fifteen miles from me
and I expect to run over Sunday and see if I can find him. I certainly
was surprised to find out that he had already come over. Tell Father-Dess
I had a terrific boil on my temple on the boat so I know what he
has been through. I still haven't managed to locate Jack Culp but
expect I'll run into him sooner or later. My bank allotment got
mixed up for Sept. so on Sept. 30th I'll only have $300 deposited
in my bank account instead of $400. However on Oct. 31st the $400
monthly deposit will begin. I get the extra $100 for Sept. in cash
so if I end up with too much money this month I'll send it via money
order to my bank. Have you had any work done on my car yet or have
you and Marion demolished it yet. Just get what work done you deem
advisable and have Father-Dess pay for it out of my account. Also
did I repay you for the money I borrowed when I went to Washington?
I can't remember whether I did or not and if I didn't get it out
of my account. If Father-Dess gets his radio fixed upstairs you
can turn mine over to Grace as I imagine she would enjoy listening
to it. The last letter I received from you was dated Sept. 18 but
I guess it will pick up once we get our postal system straight.
Must close as it's time for supper.
Love
to all,
Claude
P.S.
Is William still in the Army or is he getting ready to settle in
England?
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
France
October
8, 1944
Dear Mother,
Am
getting along fine but am becoming very familiar with the mud of
France. I've never seen such mud before in all my life. Heard from
Thomas yesterday. He was back at Pearl Harbor. He wanted all the
low-down on Bunky's friend from Charlotte. You must have given her
a good write-up. I ran into a warrant officer today from Dessie's
outfit. Dessie is in England. I don't know whether I'll get a chance
to see him or not. I told the W.O. to let him know that I'd been
over looking for him. Ran into a nurse yesterday who was at Oliver
General when I was there. We had quite a discussion on Augusta.
The mail is still coming in spells. Guess it will straighten out
eventually though. Must close as I have a conference very shortly.
Love
to all,
Claude
P.S.
Can you get me some woolen socks like I used to wear with hunting
boots. Size 10 1/2? My feet never get warm.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
France
October
16, 1944
Dear
Mother,
Received
two letters from you today dated Oct. 7th and Oct. 9th so I guess
it takes about a week by air mail. However when the weather gets
worse over the Atlantic V mail will be faster. Dessie has not arrived
yet. I guess he and William are having a big time in England. I'm
so cold I can hardly write. How does it feel to sit in front of
an open fire and toast your feet. I haven't had on a dry pair of
boots in over two weeks. Have never seen it rain like it does here.
We light small fires during the day to let the men dry out their
shoes and clothing but with continual rain it doesn't do much good.
However, I'm in good health and am where I want to be so that makes
everything else O.K. Don't guess I'll recognize the house when I
get back. Did you get all the bats out of the sleeping porch? I'm
surprised Grace hasn't taken off for the country. Is Father-Dess
trying one of the sulfur drugs for his boils? If he isn't he ought
to for it really cured mine in short order. The dr.'s didn't have
to touch it either. I want to put in a standing requisition for
chocolate bars. I seem to get plenty of cigarettes but candy is
as hard to find as gold. Can you send me a box each month or will
I have to ask for one each month. That is if you can get chocolate
bars without getting Stanley put in jail. I'll be looking for the
box you said you had gotten off. I don't guess you've gotten my
letter yet regarding the woolen sox but if you can find any shoot
them on over. I sent a $100 money order to my bank last week so
Father-Dess should get a deposit ticket. Money can't buy a thing
over here. Had a homemade stove rigged up here in the C.P. last
night but it blew up so we have stopped experimenting with such
but I have a detail out now looking for a small coal or wood stone.
On rereading your last letter I see where you sent 4 boxes to each
of us. When mine comes I'll certainly run out into the middle of
a mine field to open them. Some of the men got boxes today and were
promptly mobbed. Must close as I have another conference tonight.
Tell Jug Haid that bedding roll has just about saved my life. The
only possible way to get warm is to crawl into that thing and pull
it over my head. It takes six people to get me out at daylight.
Am enclosing some of this Frog money. Each franc is worth about
2 cents.
Love
to all,
Claude
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
France
October
24, 1944
Dear
Mother,
Picked
up some of the best French perfume today so decided I had better
use it for X-mas presents. I am sending you eight bottles and according
to a Naval officer I ran into just recently from N.Y. it is worth
$30 a bottle in N.Y. now. Take whatever you want for your X-mas
and give Marion a bottle. Also send Mary a bottle and I wish you'd
send Louise Britt two bottles as she wrote me for some. Her address
is Rock Tavern, N.Y. You can give any of it you want to for X-mas
presents to some of your elite friends. I had to ship it all in
one package as finding a box to put it in was rather difficult.
Hope it gets there O.K. I wish you'd get some money out of my account
and get Father-Dess and Grace a present. There's absolutely nothing
available in this sector and I just happened to stumble over the
perfume. I forgot to mention that it is still raining. We are now
up to our waist in mud and I expect to have a few men disappear
in it before long. Don't know whether Dessie is here now or in England.
I know he wasn't here ten days ago. Tell him when he gets here he
will biouwaced ten miles from the place I was located. Welby is
still wandering around grumbling about his wet feet and wondering
if Hank misses him. I don't think he worries about Margaret at all.
Must close as its time for something to eat. Tell Jug Haid I don't
have his luger yet and furthermore his bedding roll is now soaked
through so I think I'll just keep the luger and return the roll
for a dry one.
Love
to all,
Claude
P.S.
Did I tell you I had gained 5 pounds since landing. Must be my wet
clothes.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
France
October
26, 1944
Dear
Mother,
The
mail situation seems to be mixed up again as I just received your
letter of Oct. 1st. Guess it must have gotten held up somewhere.
I am now serving under the same officer I was under the same officer
I was under at Ft. Myer. Of course then he was a Colonel but now
he's somewhat higher. Still haven't run into Jack Culp but expect
to any day now. We had our second day of no rain today since arriving
in France. I'm almost ready to believe in miracles . I now have
about 1/3 of the men outfitted with overshoes and after a little
excursion one of my officers is making as soon as it gets good and
dark I think the rest will have them too. Not a lot of news so will
close. Hope you get your glasses fitted O.K.
Love
to all,
Claude
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The
Western Front
November
4, 1944
Dear
Mother,
Didn't
have any chance to write for the past ten days. We have been in
action for some time. So far we've been plenty lucky. The first
night we were in position Jerry opened up with his artillery and
really gave us a going-over. It was really a peculiar feeling. I
hadn't had any sleep in three nights so I just laid in my sleeping
bag and thought "To h--- with it." All the men were dug in and none
got a single scratch. I discovered the next morning that shells
had landed 100 yards short of me and beyond me so I now have my
sleeping bag in the bottom of a slit trench. I think it will provide
more healthy sleeping. The Artillery Br. that we relieved was the
Br. that Jack Culp was in. That was certainly a coincidence wasn't
it. Jack has been sent back to England with stomach ulcers. Sorry
I didn't get a chance to see him. The rainy weather has slowed down
and we certainly are thankful. I've had enough rain to last me the
rest of my life. I'm about convinced that the German women. In spite
of the war I can still notice the relative merits of the women.
However the American women still have everything beat that I've
seen over here. Must close as I want to get some sleep before someone
calls a conference or before Jerry starts disturbing my sleep.
Love
to all,
Claude
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The
Western Front
November
13, 1944
Dear
Mother,
We're
really having X-mas weather around here. Quite a bit of snow a couple
of nights ago. We celebrated Armistice Day by really pouring artillery
on the German positions. They send some back but not near as much
as they receive. A week ago I was situated in a small town which
the inhabitants had left in order to go with the Germans when they
fell back. I had my battery emplaced around the town and I was really
living in style in the house of the ex-Mayor. Plenty of heat, lights,
beds, water, etc. We found a wine cellar containing 3,000 gallons
of wine and schnapps and when we pulled out it was dry. However
the present situation is very different and we're really out in
the mud and snow. I shudder to think of how long it will be before
I get another bath. Beverly is very irritated with me. He sent over
last week for some wine and I sent him 100 gals. but it was sour
and made he and all his men sick. He thinks I'm trying to bump him
off. Haven't had any mail in about 10 days since our rear echelon
seems to have no desire to get within artillery range of the Germans
and they are miles behind us. However I sent a messager back last
night so some mail ought to be in today. I'll be looking for those
X-mas boxes. Have you gotten the perfume yet? Tell Jug Haid his
bedding roll is still doing good service but of course it couldn't
compete with that mayor's bed. I guess I got spoiled while I was
there. I'm now looking for a similar set-up but the Germans have
a peculiar habit of booby-trapping their houses when they leave
and we are rather wary about entering them. Must close and see about
getting some dinner. Are you having barbecue for X-mas dinner? We
may too if we can catch a pig. We had steak yesterday and the Mess
Sgt. was very vague as to where it came from so I didn't ask any
more questions.
Love
to all,
Claude
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The
Western Front
November
21, 1944
Dear
Mother,
Well
I've really been through some hard fighting since I last wrote you.
My luck has been excellent so far. I've been machine gunned, sniped
at and pinned down by Jerry 88's hitting ten yards from where I
was trying to squeeze myself into the ground. Also had a battery
of artillery knock in the Command Post of an Infantry outfit twenty
seconds after I walked out. The outfit I was supporting got on the
wrong road one day and shot straight into the largest fort in the
Maginot line. I was riding with a platoon of tanks in the advance
party in a peep so you can imagine my shock. I felt naked as a jay
bird on a limb when those big guns started letting us have it from
both sides. We really got out of there in a hurry. Things are rather
quiet at present and I have my Command Post located in a German
House (minus owner) with a big picture of Adolph staring at me from
the wall. Saw Beverly today and he is running around in -------
and in the Dog House as usual. His outfit in reinforcing mine but
I never see him except around meal time. He hit here for breakfast
this morning and woke me up. I'm writing this with German ink I
found in the house so I hope my pen doesn't blow up. Am still waiting
on those X-mas boxes with my tongue hanging out. I haven't received
any mail in about a month but I guess the X-mas mail is flooding
the distribution. Must close and see if I can beat the Mess Sgt.
out of a cup of coffee.
Love
to all,
Claude
P.S.
This stuff I'm writing with may be dye as I can't read what it says
on the bottle.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
November
25, 1944
Dear
Mother,
Since
we are now evidently off the secret list I'll enclose some clippings
about the 10th from the Stars and Stripes. Heard from Thomas
today advising me that he is now a full Lt. with double bars with
a long line of bull about how he had told off some senior officer.
I wonder if he thinks I sit here and lap up all those lies he hands
out. Says he's now assigned to the 1st Div. Also heard from Moot's
Margaret. They hope to be able to get home for X-mas but she was
none too sure. Everything going fine except for my usual troubles
with the Arty C.O. He's moved his C.P. in next to mine and I'm ready
to move up forward and live with the Germans. Must close and get
some sleep.
Love
to all,
Claude
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Germany
December
2, 1944
Dear
Father-Dess,
Picked
up some German stationery on this stop so figured I'd use it. Got
a batch of mail last night including five letters from Mother and
yours. The latest was written Nov. 20th. Guess it has had trouble
reaching us. Yes, I'm in Patton's army. He was C.O. at Myer when
I was there and so was Wainwright for a while. I had located Dessie's
advance detail which came over ahead of him but evidently it was
pulled back to England if he is still there. Hope he and William
were able to get together in London. The 10th has done some fine
fighting lately and we have a lead on Berlin. The mud is giving
us an awful lot of trouble as we have to advance on the roads or
bog down and Jerry knows it so he sites all his anti-tank stuff
and mines along the roads. However we caught him napping yesterday
and gave him a haymaker. Beverly and I got "balled out" for shooting
up so much artillery ammo but when we got through the infantry just
walked up to the objective and took over as there wasn't anything
there but dead Jerries. Have spent the past two hours trying to
get the Army-Navy game by short-wave but can't pick it up. So now
I'm pumping a few rounds of white phosphorus shell into a town behind
the German lines in an effort to burn it up. We have quite a few
fires started and are shelling it now with high explosive to keep
the Jerries under cover so they can't come out and put out the fires.
If Army loses I think I'll burn every town within range of my guns.
Am enclosing the blank I got from my auto insurance company. Please
draw a check for $26.87 on my account and send it to them. I also
sent a money order to my bank for $200 yesterday. Money just isn't
any good in the front lines and it will probably be a long time
before I get out of them. Each time we enter a new country we get
paid in that currency so I had a pocket full of French francs, Luxembourg
francs and German Marks. Will enclose one of each as souvenirs.
Tell Mother I got two of her boxes and they certainly were swell.
We've really been eating candy since they arrived. One had the jigsaw
puzzle of you two in it and it was really good. I had practically
the entire Br. helping me to get it together. Yes I know Capt. Plowder.
I was talking to him yesterday and he told me he was from Summerton
and had relatives in Manning. I see Obie pretty often now that he
has left Div. Hg. and joined a Br. Saw him last night when I ran
into a building to dodge some Jerry shell fire. Well must close
and see how that town is burning. Tell Grace I sure am glad to hear
that she is better. Let me hear from all of you as often as possible.
Love
to all,
Claude
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Germany
December
6, 1944
Dear
Mother,
Well
in a few hours we'll begin our 4th year at war. I hope this finishes
it up. I've had enough fighting to last me for the rest of my life
but I certainly hope the politicians stay out of this and let us
level Germany to the ground. It's slow going in this mud but we're
turning Germany into a shambles. I went into a Jerry town a few
days ago with our advance elements after the artillery had given
it a going-over and the whole place was a shambles. When we get
through they'll know what real war tastes like. I have been recommended
for "The Bronze Star" for meritous action in combat but don't know
whether I'll get it or not. It isn't a very high decoration but
guess it's better than nothing. Received two more boxes from you
which makes a total of four. I thought you said three. They were
all fine and we're really enjoying them. The most popular candy
of all was the peanut butter chips. Can you get some more of them
or are they rationed? I'm reading one of the books tonight. There
isn't much news so will close for the time being. Thank Father-Dess
and Marion also for the nice boxes for me.
Love
to all,
Claude
P.S.
I need a laundry machine that will operate in a fox hole. Did you
get the perfume?
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Germany
December
12, 1944
Dear
Mother,
We
can't seem to get any mail in this area. Two weeks now with no letters.
Quite a few boxes come in daily but I certainly think the Army Postal
Service is doing a lousy job. Also you and Father-Dess better get
those politicians in Washington busy getting us some artillery shells.
We'll never get to Berlin with shells on the ration list. And don't
let anybody tell you they aren't rationed because they positively
are. Went up to visit one of my Observation Posts today and had
to run the stretch known as "Hello Highway" or "Deadman Drive".
We had only been using it at night but since it was rather foggy
I decided to make a run for it during daylight. However after I
got there the fog lifted and the sun came out. So I had to run it
back with the Jerries practically reading the speedometer over my
shoulder. They were apparently so astonished that not a single 88
was fired at us. I had to caution my driver to "slow down for the
landing". Hutchison was in the back seat but we lost him on one
of the curves and had to go back and pick him up. I'm going down
the front a ways tomorrow to see Johnny Johnson. Remember he was
at Myer and Knox with me and I brought him home one X-mas. He has
an Arty Bn. in a division near us so I think I'll go down and pick
a fight with him. Things are rather quiet around here. "Herman the
German" apparently thinks he has settled down for the winter but
he is wrong as usual. This Bn. now has the honor of having been
in continuous combat in the front lines longer than any other Bn.
of the division. I am very pleased with the conduct of the officers
and men under combat conditions and our training for combat has
so far proven to be 100% perfect. Must close as it's getting late.
The last letter I received from you was dated Nov. 20th so anything
else you've written since then must be still in the mail.
Love
to all,
Claude
P.S.
Just received two letters from you dated Nov. 26th and 29th and
also one from Bunky and Billie Culp.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Luxembourg
December
24, 1944
Dear
Mother,
This
X-mas Eve is certainly different from all the others I've spent.
We're fighting hard to stop the German offensive and drive him back
into the river. We hit them in one sector, smashed them back into
the river, and have been shifted to another sector when we are driving
them back. It was rather hectic at first. This Br. was sent in to
support a strange unit and the lines in front of us collapsed, We
fought for two days in the very front lines with the Jerries attacking
constantly. We absolutely murdered them. A prisoner told us that
we completely decimated two infantry Battalions with the artillery
fire from this Battalion. We killed 350 in one area in two minutes
of firing. Our guns were too hot to touch with bare hands for 48
straight hours. Everyone along that part of the front says that
the 419th held the Jerries back from breaking through. Hope the
Battalion can get some kind of citation for its work because it
really fought them to a standstill. My C.P. tonight is located in
a combination bowling alley and beer parlor located out in the country.
It is very similar to a roadhouse in the U.S. except it has nice
thick stone walls which we can appreciate with all the artillery
Jerry is throwing our way. The place was vacant but the owner left
five kegs of good Luxembourg beer so if we aren't too busy shooting
tomorrow we may celebrate X-mas with a bang. It is certainly a beautiful
night with a white moon shining on the snow but it is bitter cold.
The cold in this area is a dry cold similar to that at West Point.
There's Jerry aircraft overhead so we're well hidden and blacked-out.
I received the thick socks and they really are nice. I'm sure I
can keep my feet warm with a pair of those on. I haven't had a bath
in three weeks and I really hate to put on a new pair of socks in
this condition but if we're here long enough I'll wash my feet at
least and put on a pair. Must close as it's getting late. I certainly
hate to miss this X-mas at home but I wanted all of you to know
that I was thinking of you and home on X-mas Eve. Merry X-mas to
all of you and I hope all of us will be together again next X-mas.
Love
to all,
Claude
P.S.
We're getting "Silent Night", on the radio and it certainly sounds
like X-mas. The constant pounding of artillery outside does not
sound like firecrackers though.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The
Western Front
December
28, 1944
Dear
Mother,
I
received the box containing the sox and cigarettes. I can't remember
whether I told you before as they arrived last week during the heavy
fighting and I had to fling the box into my peep until a quieter
moment. The sox are certainly fine and I have on a pair now. We
are at present in a large city so I went around to Col. Taylor's
hotel room today and had a hot bath. My Bn. is biuowaced in old
German barracks on the edge of town and we are busy cleaning up
our guns and equipment. I don't remember whether I told you or not
but I did receive "The Bronze Star Medal" and am enclosing the citation.
I have been recommended for "The Legion of Merit" for action during
the German offensive but don't know whether it will go through or
not as it ranks just below the DSG. My Bn. is being recommended
for a Unit Citation for the work it did in stopping the German attack
and almost being cut off entirely. Hope we get it as the men certainly
put up a fight that should go down in history. I will write and
thank Isadore for the cigarettes. I received two pair of blue woolen
pajamas from Louise Britt. They really look nice but I haven't had
on a pair of pajamas in 4 months. I haven't received a letter from
you in ages. The mail system is all tangled up. I wish they'd put
some of those rear area birds up in the front lines for a while
and maybe they'd wake up and stop loafing. It is really cold. I
don't mind fighting when it's warm but this weather just keeps me
frozen all the time. The doctor who tried to keep me out of the
Division when it was coming overseas came around yesterday and apologized
and said that he had been wrong and that he realizes it was a good
thing that I came over to lead my Bn. I guess the reputation this
Bn. has made in the past 10 days has awakened a few people. Must
close as I want to get a letter off to Louise.
Love
to all,
Claude
P.S.
Here's something you can send me if you can get it: A woolen cap
that pulls over your head and falls around your shoulders with only
the nose and eyes exposed. Hutchison got one but I've been wearing
it all the time.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The
Western Front
January
6, 1944
Dear
Mother,
Received
the box with the candy, cigarettes, etc. and also the one with the
fruit cake. We are enjoying them very much. Don't send anymore cigarettes
as I imagine it is very hard for Father-Dess to get them and I have
been getting my cigarette ration very regularly. Hutchison's girl
sent him some canned goods and a can opener and she sent me some
bedroom slippers. So I told him he could take care of the kitchen
and I would take care of the bedroom after we got back. He doesn't
think it is much of a joke though. We are having a quiet time but
as usual it won't last long. Just about the time we get settled
down to enjoy the winter, off we dash in a cloud of ice and snow.
Several times we have moved out so fast that I start out not knowing
where we're going or what we're to do after we get there. Some life!
Tell Jug Haid to get that automobile agency going so I can settle
down when I get back and take life easy. I'll bet every time a car
backfires someone will have to pull me out of the nearest manhole.
I'm really getting gun-shy and fast on my feet. Six Jerry planes
paid us a visit this week to do a little strafing. Only three flew
away and they only managed to shoot up a woods that was empty except
for a few dead Germans. One pilot bailed out and we caught him.
He was very angry with his Hg. because they told him that we had
nothing to shoot back at him. Maybe someday these dumb Germans will
learn. However I'm all in favor of wiping out the entire nation
if they wish to keep on fighting until we do it. Must close as its
almost time for supper. Your last letter was dated Dec. 10th.
Love
to all,
Claude
P.S.
When all of us get back you can invite "the whole" town for Thomas
but be sure and invite Beth down for me. Ha!
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The
Western Front
January
9, 1945
Dear
Father-Dess,
I've
certainly received a lot of boxes lately. Two from Mother, one from
Gertrude, and two from Louise Britt. We've had a chance to chew
on plenty of cake and candy for a change. Received a letter from
William dated Dec. 14th and he was still in England. I guess his
outfit will stay there until we get closer to Berlin. He said Dessie
had pulled out for the continent but of course he didn't know where
he was headed. He'll have plenty of bridge building to do at the
rate that the Germans blow them up. I heard "Lord Haw Haw" over
a German station last night and he certainly is ridiculous. I don't
know how anyone can be expected to believe the silly stuff that
he hands out. Saw Welby yesterday and he is getting along fine.
I have to threaten him with a whipping about once a week to keep
him quiet. Things are rather quiet at present but I suspect it is
only the lull before the storm. I am living in a type of barracks
so for the time being everyone is warm and comfortable. Am enclosing
two letters I have put out to my men since we entered combat as
they show pretty well in condensed form part of what our experiences
have been. I have been getting the County Record but it is still
going through Camp Gordon and consequently reaches me about three
months old. Could you give Mr. Cromer my correct address as I enjoy
reading the news from home. My last letter from Mother was written
on Dec. 10th. I hope now that X-mas is over the mail situation will
clear up for good mail delivery is certainly a morale booster to
all the troops. Sorry I missed this X-mas at home but I hope next
X-mas all of us will be together again. Give my regards to everyone
and I hope all are well.
Love
to all,
Claude
P.S.
I received notice from the adjutant General, Washington today that
the Retirement Board has found me eligible for combat duty. I'm
glad they let me know of that fact after I've won two medals in
battle.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The
Western Front
January
15, 1945
Dear
Mother,
Heard
from Dessie yesterday and he appears to be moving in some direction
but apparently is not near the front as they are still being billeted
in houses and barns. He wants me to locate him but that is practically
impossible unless we just happen to pass his outfit. I don't know
what you're going to do about Marion and her 4-1. Can't anyone get
him into a uniform? I didn't even know Obie was in England until
I found out in your letter. As far as I knew he was with his outfit
in the Bastogne Bulge but I guess he missed all that. Looks as though
the Russians are really rolling from the headlines in today's Stars
& Stripes. Hope they don't beat us to Berlin.
The
recommendation to give the 419th a War
Dept. Citation as a distinguished unit has gone in but it will
probably be months before we hear anything from it. If we get that
we'll be all set for the parade down 5th Ave. when this thing is
over. Certainly will be glad when it gets warmer. The ground is
a sheet of ice and I fall down at least once a day. The snow isn't
so deep but it really is cold. You'd be surprised to know where
I am at present but by the time you figured it out I'd probably
be somewhere else. Have you heard anything from Jane and Walter
lately? I wouldn't mind spending a few days in Charleston with them.
Have to stop as it's getting late and I have some work to do.
Love
to all,
Claude
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Germany
January
19, 1945
Dear
Mother,
I
ran into George McElveen today. I was prowling around the front
lines checking my observers when he walked up and asked me if I
knew him. Of course I couldn't remember his name. We had quite a
long talk while on the way over to one of my observation posts.
He says to tell his Mother he is fine but all he wants is to get
back to Kingstree for good. In case you figured out where I was
when I wrote you last you may as well stop figuring now. Of course
Mrs. McElveen may know where George is and I'm about two miles from
him. I am at present sleeping in a big feather bed. I examined it
very carefully before I got in to ensure that it wasn't booby trapped.
After getting my two medals I believe I'm ready to start home before
I get in trouble. Will you have Father-Dess tell Jimmy that I need
a change and am about to redevelop a new ulcer if he doesn't do
something about it. I have really gotten gun-shy since that Luxembourg
deal as I imagine that eventually your luck will run out. When I
hear one coming now I become practically a part of Mother Earth.
There is really a peculiar set-up in this sector. There's a large
town here which is no man's land although the heinies patrol it.
There are several factories going full blast with civilians going
in and out and living in the town. It certainly is a funny sight
to see that going on. The troops that were here before we arrived
were hesitant about shooting into the town but since there are German
soldiers there as well as civilians and since the products of the
factories are going to Germany, I certainly have had no qualms about
shooting it up and have really plastered it with artillery. One
of my batteries is practically outside my window letting fly at
it. Then at night I put a round in different parts of the town every
four or five minutes. I don't imagine they get much sleep. Neither
do I with the battery shaking the building every time it shoots.
Well I have to stop and get some work done. Don't forget my box
for January as I have eaten up all the X-mas boxes. They were mighty
good.
Love
to all,
Claude
P.S.
Tell Jug Haid to get those pecans in the mail. Is Melton Nexson
in the 1st Battalion, 12th Inf. Regt. of the 4th Inf. Div.? That
was one of the Battalions I was supporting during the German offensive
and the C.P. of that Bn. was about 600 yds. from mine. George McElveen
said Melton was in it.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Germany
February
6, 1945
Dear
Mother,
Received
your letter written Jan. 10th last night. Also received one from
Jug Haid lamenting over his girl. I knew that he would get himself
in trouble almost as soon as I got out of sight. I think Father-Dess
ought to appoint someone to take care of him. He claims he was booby-trapped
and didn't know what was going on. I want to see that baby and see
who it looks like. If it has a Jug Haid that will settle the question
as far as I'm concerned. Also got a letter from Marion crowing over
the fact that now that the gov't is preparing to draft 4F's I couldn't
call Ralph a 4F much longer. Just tell her that as far as I am concerned
anyone who has been yellow enough to remain a 4F this long if it
could be remedied is still 4F in my opinion and could not qualify
as a latrine orderly in my Bn. In fact the men would probably use
him for toilet paper. Things are pretty quiet around here at present
and I'm living pretty good. I would like to see a little more action
though as it is positively dull. Heard from Billie Culp and she
expects Jack back home any day. She says she doesn't know "what
in the hell is wrong with that Jackson Culp". I bet he'll wish he
was back in action after she makes sure that he gets a job and works.
Tell Jug Haid that I got a letter from Nina Claiborne in Calcutta,
India and she expects to arrive back in Baltimore this month. I
bet he'll head north on the next train. Must close and get a letter
off to Aunt Mildred as I heard from her. Yes, be sure and send the
almond bars and give Uncle Tommie my thanks.
Love
to all,
Claude
P.S.
I think the idea of a cottage on Pawley's is a swell idea. Tell
Father-Dess to use my account to help pay for it. I sent another
$200 to the bank this week.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
France
February
12, 1945
Dear
Mother,
Received
your letter dated Jan. 28th on the 10th. Sorry to hear that Jug
Head is running wild. He sounded very upset because I had lost the
luger I had for him. I dropped it crawling down a ditch with a machine
gun sweeping about six inches over my head and I didn't have the
slightest desire to return and search for it. Tell him I'll get
another in a somewhat less nerve-wracking manner if I can. Heard
from William last night and he was rather annoyed about the German
breakthrough. I see where I'll probably have to put the boxing gloves
on with him when we get back. Received your box last night that
was full of candy and also the camphor sticks. It really is swell
and I have been chewing candy all day. Tell Grace I have her a flag.
It is a composite American, British, and Russian flag. We rolled
into this German town and they promptly hoisted this flag but I
stopped and cut it down. They had the stripes in our flag running
vertical instead of horizontal but I didn't know enough German to
ball them out for that. I'll try and hang on to it until I get home.
It has warmed up quite a bit lately and I certainly hope it stays
that way. Hutchison just got back from Paris where I sent him to
a school on post war work for the soldiers over here. I don't think
he got much out of the course. Must close as I have some work to
finish up.
Love
to all,
Claude
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The
Western Front
February
18, 1945
Dear
Mother,
This
has certainly turned into a dull war. I am considering requesting
a transfer to the Pacific Theatre. Hacking away at the Seigfreid
Line is really slow and monotonous work. I am enclosing the citation
for my silver star since you evidently didn't receive the first
letter I wrote you about it. And don't be casually telling me, "to
pick up a few more medals". I'm much more liable to pick up a hunk
of steel in the process. I had the pants scared off me enough times
getting the two I now have. I didn't know what being thoroughly
and completely afraid consisted of until our first battle but I
certainly know now the feeling of mortal fear when you think each
second will be your last one. I have no desire to go through again
some of the experiences I have been through for all the medals in
the world. I received a letter from Gertrude this week and also
a very nice letter from Roy Epps. When he mentioned the country
ham and barbeque I almost scalped one of my Mess Sgts. when he put
stew in front of me. I can taste that barbeque now. Also received
the sox in the envelope and have on a pair now. They're the only
things that will keep my feet warm. Everyone says I'm getting fat
but I think I'm just gaining back the weight I sweated off while
being shot at. I sent a copy of my citation to the doctor who was
in charge of me at Camp Gordon. He wrote back that there must have
been a blonde in the vicinity if I stayed there under fire for four
days. Also that after my insistence on going overseas he was certain
that I was not capable of making "an intelligent estimate of any
situation". I think I really got his goat. I think I'll send him
a booby trap next. Well must close and get to work. I'll be looking
for the candy. Why don't you give the cigarettes to Father-Dess.
I get plenty over here and I guess they're hard to get at home now.
Love
to all,
Claude
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Germany
February
23, 1945
Dear
Mother,
Did
I say in my last letter that this was a dull war? Well just consider
that I didn't say it. Since then this division has crushed and eliminated
two German divisions. Yesterday I was in a building at a conference
when Jerry threw three rounds of 170mm into one side of it and completely
demolished it. I ran over a general and three full colonels getting
out of there. That conference broke up faster than any other conference
I have ever attended. I am much further into Germany than I have
ever been before. The weather has improved quite a bit but it is
still very cold at night. We had to make a night march through territory
that was full of Jerry snipers and M.G. nests and what with being
both frozen stiff and scared stiff I could hardly handle my gun.
I put my C.P. in a building in a town late that night and the next
morning during breakfast we found seven Germans hiding in the cellar
of the building. From now on I intend to clean out all cellars before
I go to sleep. Also that morning three snipers in the church steeple
started shooting at us but a few rounds from a tank knocked the
whole steeple to pieces. It has been a very busy period and I could
enjoy a little dullness for a change. I'll request my box for March
now. Tell Bunky I haven't received that candy yet. Did she put any
postage on it? Must close as I want to get this off in the mail
that is going back.
Love
to all,
Claude
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Germany
March
3, 1945
Dear
Mother,
This
place is a hotspot. I didn't know the krauts had so much artillery
left. They've been giving us a terrific pounding but we've really
covered some ground. We took one of the largest cities in this part
of Germany today. I am still in position about six miles from the
city trying to knock out some kraut artillery on our flank. I spent
last night in a captured kraut bunker--walls five feet thick--got
my first real sleep in a week. We've been fighting for five days
with Germans completely around us except for the road we were attacking
down. No friendly troops on our right or left. Tell Jug Haid I have
him another luger. I captured three krauts while I was up ahead
of my Bn. looking for a position and one of them had a luger. I
don't know whether I'll give it to Jug Haid or not. Welby just got
shelled out of his position and the last I saw of him he and his
Bn. were rapidly disappearing over a hill. My Bn. is down in a deep
valley and so far haven't had any serious shelling. The krauts can't
see us but they must know from all the steel we've flung at them
that we're somewhere in here. Received another pair of heavy sox
and have stored them away for future use. It snowed a while today
but the real cold is about over. Got a carton of Hershey bars from
Louise Britt this week. Tell Bunky her candy hasn't arrived yet.
Must close as I want to hammer those kraut batteries tonight if
we can pick up their flashes.
Love
to all,
Claude
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Germany
March
13, 1945
Dear
Father-Dess,
Received
your letter and enjoyed it very much. Also received the box from
Mother and the helmet that Mrs. Pauline knitted for me. Ask Mother
to please thank her for me. I really had some birthday party. Between
my guns knocking out German artillery and rocket batteries and the
Germans trying to locate and try to knock out my batteries, I had
a hectic and violent day. We were off on a typical armored thrust
with Germans on all sides and we went 35 miles before I had a chance
to draw a deep breath. It's an exciting life with the armor but
liable to be a short one. I imagine Dessie is probably in the 1st
or 9th Army. If he was in Belgium I doubt if he could be in 3rd
Army. When I wrote Mother and told her that she'd be surprised to
know where I was I specifically asked about Jane and Walter and
said I'd sure like to spend a few days in Charleston. If she couldn't
figure out from that remark that I was in Metz I won't give her
anymore hints. I had my first fresh egg this morning in quite a
while. We pulled into a German town late yesterday and the Mess
Sgt. followed a hen around for at least two hours before he got
that egg. I saw him gnawing on a drum stick today so I suspect that
he also got the hen. Heard from Boodie last week and got all the
town gossip. I wrote her last week but didn't get a chance to mail
it until today. Things look pretty good for us at present if we
can expand the bridgehead we now have east of the Rhine. I certainly
hope we can deliver the knockout punch very shortly. Let me know
if Jug Haid made any money off his car. After his episode in Greeleyville
I don't blame him for taking a trip. Tell him I either get another
box of pecans soon or he doesn't get any luger. His old sleeping
bag has several shrapnel holes in it anyhow so I don't think it's
a very square deal. I think I'll just give him back what is left
of the sleeping bag. Must close and get some sleep as I haven't
had much in the past week.
Love
to all,
Claude
P.S.
I can't get Mary to do anything about the divorce so I've stopped
writing to her altogether. I intend to establish residence in some
state as soon as I get home and file suit myself.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Germany
March
24, 1945
Dear
Mother,
Received
your letter of March 11th this week. Also received the birthday
box and am enjoying it very much--especially the licorice. Hutchison
likes it even more than I do so I have to keep it hidden. Also received
the box from Marion and will try and get a letter off to her tonight.
Glad to hear that Montague is safe. Guess he needed the 10th A.D.
around to protect him. We have had a busy week plunging almost 100
miles into Germany. I am sitting almost on the bank of the Rhine.
Much of the fighting has been through heavy forests full of snipers
and I am certainly thankful that I learned to shoot a rifle straight
and fast. Three times in the past week I've saved my life by killing
the snipers after they missed the first shot. They always get in
the first shot because they're so well concealed in woods that we
can't see them until they fire. Needless to say we never take one
prisoner because this business of shooting at us and then trying
to surrender as far as we are concerned is absurd. I fly a Confederate
flag on my peep and the snipers evidently think I am a General because
they certainly let fly when I come along. There isn't much news
except I guess you know by now that we hold all of Germany west
of the Rhine. Last night I tried to get smart and slide around on
the flank of an attack so I wouldn't have to move again that night.
I really ran into trouble. The Bn. went into position on the west
side of a town with four German 88's in position on the east end
of the town shooting down the main street. We had a busy night with
krauts all around us and those 88's sweeping the street. I spent
the night in a cellar and was glad to get there. The General radioed
me to get the h--- back behind our own lines and I told him I couldn't
use the road so we stayed where we were. The attack was successful
and everything came out O.K. but I did quite a bit of wondering.
Must close as it's getting late and I could use a full night's sleep.
Tell Jug Haid I now have a P38 which is a new model luger. The ex-owner
now needs a shovel, not a pistol. He is kaput.
Love
to all,
Claude
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Germany
March
29, 1945
Dear
Mother,
As
you can probably tell from the papers I am now east of the Rhine.
we are in the edge of a large German city waiting for the engineers
to get a bridge built across a river so we can get over and chew
up some more krauts. We blew up an oil refinery getting into town
and the smoke is terrific--practically like night in broad daylight.
Looks like Adolf is just about through, doesn't it. This division
has really cut up a lot of German divisions in the past two weeks
and as soon as we can get across this river we expect to cut up
some more. Received another box from you yesterday and am really
enjoying it. Will write Uncle Tommie and thank him for the box of
candy. Tell Thomas if the Navy can hold on a little longer, we'll
soon be over to take care of things for him. I want to kill me off
about a thousand of those little yellow Japs and then I'll be ready
to settle down at Pawley's and watch the waves roll in. How about
that cottage--are we going to buy one? Have to stop right now. Looks
as though business is picking up.
Love
to all,
Claude
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Germany
April
14, 1945
Dear
Mother,
How
do you like my imported Jap. stationery? Got it here in town. Haven't
written lately because we have been going day and night. We have
been heading toward Munich and the krauts are really fighting in
this area. Also they are well organized. The civilians as well as
the soldiers have been fighting us so I have shelled and burnt every
town and village in which we've met resistance. The general calls
it "McCabe's famous heat treatments". The Luffwaffe really gave
us a going-over for about three days. A bomb hit 20 yds. from my
C.P. but it was a dud. I didn't tamper with it either. Have had
a bad cold lately but it is getting better. Also have had "jangled
nerves" but don't guess they will get better until this thing is
over. This division is badly in need of a few days rest but doubt
if we'll get it. I'm sitting on the edge of a town listening to
the Germans shell the middle of the town. And also hoping that the
general, whose C.P. is in the middle of the town, will not decide
to have a conference at this time. The other day when the Germans
shelled us the general and I tried to dash through a door at the
same time. He beat me in but not because I slowed down to let the
higher rank pass through first. After one of my batteries had knocked
out the German battery he found a drink of cognac to "refresh his
nerves". Saw Eisenhower and Patton a few weeks ago and nearly died
of shock. Won't say where I saw them. Must close and see if one
of my planes can locate that German artillery before I really do
have to venture into the middle of town. I think your last letter
was lost as the mail truck was shot up and burned.
Love
to all,
Claude
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Germany
April
21, 1945
Dear
Mother,
Remit
a box in case I've forgotten to ask for one for April or May. I
received a box yesterday intended for R.E. McCabe and since it contained
chocolate bars I just kept it. It was mailed last October and had
been to about six places including Russia so I think it was time
that someone ate them. Heard from William this week and he was preparing
to go cavorting around all over Scotland. He insisted that I send
him a luger but he can ---- well come on over here and get his own.
I have two and nearly got shot getting each of them. Heard from
Boodie also. Tell her she forgot to put in any dirty jokes. I am
sitting here trying to decide whether we have some Germans surrounded
or whether they have us surrounded. We have broken through for about
50 miles and hooked a loop around them and are headed back toward
the front lines. However there are thousands of Germans all around
us and my batteries have been revolving around like a merry-go-round
all day shooting behind us and to all sides. Oh well, I'm becoming
accustomed to this and am preparing for a good night's rest. The
Luffwaffe has been giving me a fit. I lost twelve men yesterday
from bombing. Hutchison got a fragment through his arm and will
probably be out of action for a month. Our Air Corps gets up about
4 hours after daylight and goes home about 4 hours before dark.
Tell William to get busy. My Confederate flag is getting pretty
tattered but it has really gone through a lot of fights and many
close shaves. I'll give it to you as a souvenir when this thing
is over. Heard from Gertrude also and tell her I'll write for that
box. Must close and make sure that the guards are alert tonight
for trouble. Tell Jug Haid if he doesn't have pecans not to send
hickory nuts. I don't know what you're going to do with him. I suggest
shooting.
Love
to all,
Claude
P.S.
We just caught a German column trying to get through town. They
didn't even know we were here.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Germany
or Austria
April
28, 1945
Dear
Mother,
I'm
not sure about either the date or the location. All I know is that
I'm below Munich sitting on the edge of the Alps freezing to death
waiting for the engineers to throw a bridge across the river. No,
you haven't heard anything about the 10th because we've been going
too fast for the reporters to keep up. Patton sent us over to this
army to get it started rolling. We came across the Danube like me
leaving the backyard after being locked up for a month. I don't
like the looks of the Alps but guess we'll have to tackle them to
get where we're going. They look mighty cold. Yes, I received a
box of Hershey bars in the licorice box. Didn't I write you to thank
Uncle Tommie? I'll write "Miss Pauline" as soon as I get a chance.
I've been wearing that helmet the past few nights. We had snow and
sleet for 24 hours about four days ago. Some country--some weather.
I feel like a mountain goat. We got all mixed up in some woods last
night on a mountain and got out in front of the tanks. Finally ended
up with my Bn. capturing a town and then waiting for the tanks to
catch up. It wasn't much of a town but we ran into 25 krauts that
didn't last very long. This could be pretty country if I wasn't
always looking for someone to shoot at me. My Confederate flag is
still going strong. It has certainly been over a lot of Germany.
Must close and try to get some sleep before the bridge is ready.
They always seem to get them finished about midnight or later.
Love
to all,
Claude
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Austrian
Border
May
5, 1945
Dear
Mother,
Sorry
to hear about Thomas being wounded. If he had landed on the lookout
for Japs instead of keeping staring at people's teeth he could probably
have ducked. Tell him I don't run around under fire looking for
teeth to pull out. What do you mean is the 10th still in Wilheim?
We went through there so fast it was just a blur on the landscape.
Also I am now sitting up in the Austrian Alps enjoying a snowstorm.
Have been here a week out of combat after two months of continual
combat so I so I am really relaxed. I am in the city where the 1936
Olympics were held. Now can you figure out where I am. I believe
we will act as army of occupation in this area at least until we
pull out for China. The German army is a beaten thoroughly whipped
army. It has been streaming by here in a countless line for five
days going to the rear and from the looks on their faces they know
that this time they have been crushed on the field of battle. I
wrote Mrs. Pauline thanking her for the cap. Next time you send
a box see if you can find some good sardines. Living conditions
are quite nice around here but I hope it soon gets warmer. I'm not
accustomed to snow in May. The picture of you and Father-Dess is
really a good one. You look like you're getting ready to lock him
up in the back yard. I'll enclose my menu for the first meal at
home so Grace can get ready.
Love
to all,
Claude
