WITH FIFTH ARMY- ITALY

Dear Family-                                                                                                                3 DEC 1944

            Christmas greetings from the fighting front in Italy.  I realize this may arrive early or late or not at all - mail being subject to the whims of fate.  Hope I’ll be there to help you celebrate next year.  Our holiday will not be such a merry one here - but then, neither will the Krauts.  Am sending by government telegraph a small monetary gift to mom, Sis, and Audrey—to be spent only for some personal thing you have always wanted.  Hope it makes you happy.

                                                                                   

 

6 DEC 1944                                                                                                    WITH FIFTH ARMY- ITALY

Dear Family-

            Funny, when things interesting are happening I never have time to write, and when there is time to write nothing happens.  When we were taking out most interesting training, amphibious training in Africa, I couldn’t write about it. It was a lot of fun riding in on those LCVP’s and storming a beach at night.  And riding the whole way from Casablanca to Oran on 40 and 80’s was a trip never to be forgotten.  Today the wind blows so hard our stones won’t even burn.  So much fruitcake has been sent over that we eat it for every meal.                                                                                             

 

 

                                                                                                                        WITH FIFTH ARMY- ITALY

Dear Family-                                                                                                                10 DEC 44

            Today, Sunday, was quiet and uneventful.  It was a beautiful, clear day but cold.  In the distance the Apennines (the part we fought over the way up here) stood majestically blanketed in snow.  Our beer ration (six bottles) was issued today.  We read the magazines, old issues but new to us, and listened to the radio.  Yesterday a Captain Earl Over from Hagerstown dropped in at the CP.  He is in Air Corps, lived on Mealey Parkway, married a Brunner, went to University of Maryland, knows Sam- I never knew him.  I heard from Bob Hahn in France and Bill Wiley in Germany.  I also received letters from mom, sis, and Audrey.  Don’t worry.

                                                                                               

 

                                                                                                                        WITH FIFTH ARMY- ITALY

Dear Family-                                                                                                                13 DEC. 1944

            Your welcome packages just arrived and I hasten to write my thanks.  How you could have known that I needed a pair of gloves I’ll never know but they sure did come in handy.  I tried to buy a pair at the PX in Florence, but they weren’t available.  Your cookies were about the only ones that arrived fresh - the cans were just the thing.  It continues to grow colder over here.  We’ve had no scarcity of good things to eat.  Each man overseas received several boxes and they continue to roll in.  Christmas will probably be celebrated back in the line, but we’ll have a good time no matter where we are.     

                                                                                                           

 

 

                                                                                                                        WITH FIFTH ARMY- ITALY

Dear Family-                                                                                                                17 DEC. 1944

            Another quiet Sunday.  We’ve always been lucky with our rests - when we do get one it is long enough to be enjoyed.  But after heavy losses it takes time to accomplish successful rehabilitation.  Your packages continue to arrive.  Thanks a lot.  I’m sending three small and inexpensive pieces of Florentine jewelry for mom, Sis, and Audrey. Though not much, they were hand made in Florence by one of the best jewelers of Italian sterling silver.  It is hard to find suitable gifts here - most of the stuff is gaudy and cheap. We’ll celebrate Christmas here with all the trimmings.

                                                                                               

 

 

                                                                                                                        WITH FIFTH ARMY- ITALY

Dear Family-                                                                                                               21 DEC. 44

            We’re all preparing for Christmas here - just hope we’re still here then.  Christmas tree ornaments are a problem, but we have an abundance of wreaths.  All companies go to a lot of trouble to dress up the turkey dinner.  The headquarters feast will be held in a nearby monastery with linen, silver, dinner music, cocktails, wine, and all the trimmings.  We’re holding a holiday dance for the officers but I think the attendance of women will be rather low.

                                                                                                            Love,

                                                                                                                   Henry