WITH FIFTH ARMY- ITALY

Dear Family-                                                                                                                1 SEPT. 1944

            We had to move out of our spacious castle so we’re in the field again.  It is quiet except for “Josephine,” our lone German plane who strafes and bombs each night.  The heat doesn’t let up - it is miserable during the day.  Today in our area three Italian peasants built a fire under a pile of Teller mines.  The resulting explosion was terrific - there was no piece of body as large as a dollar bill found.  These people will be blowing themselves up for the next twenty years.  I received a letter from Fred Brunngraber today.  He’s over here.

                                                                                                                       

 

                                                                                                                        WITH FIFTH ARMY- ITALY

Dear Family-                                                                                                        SUNDAY- 3 SEPT 1944

            It has been so hot lately that everyone hoped for a little rain to cool things a bit.  Last night it came - a cloudburst - rained from 0330 to 0500.  The wind drove the water in sheets and the thunder and lightning had a field day.  Everything and everybody got wet.  It is most uncomfortable to try to sleep in a sopping wet bed.  Today all the earthly possessions of thousands of soldiers are scattered throughout the vineyards for miles - the hot sun will dry everything in a hurry.  Things look good but the war isn’t over yet.

                                                                                                           

 

                                                                                                                        WITH FIFTH ARMY- ITALY

Dear Family-                                                                                                                6 SEPT. 1944

            Autumn is here.  These mornings are crisp just like back-to-school weather at home.  All except today - we’ve had a gentle drizzling rain all day.  It will keep Jerry’s “Lone Ranger” home tonight.  This Saturday has been designated “Salerus Day”—a holiday for all troops.  In this Army (if we’re still here).  Don’t think this thing in Italy will be that long once we get started.  I don’t know what causes some uninformed writers to say that Germany has withdrawn half her troops from Italy.  Several divisions have been shifted but they’ve been replaced by Italian divisions.

                                                                                                                                     

 

                                                                                                                        WITH FIFTH ARMY- ITALY

Dear Family-                                                                                                                9 SEPT. 1944

            There is not much going on right at present, but it won’t be long now before things begin to “pop”.  The build-up has already started.  But, of course, the news doesn’t reach you until several days after it happens.  Our mission is to utterly destroy the German Army in Italy - not to merely push it back.  People don’t realize how tenaciously the Kraut hangs on to ground he wants to hold even though out-flanked.  He’ll surrender when forced to, but if there’s a chance to hold out, he’ll do that every time.                   

                                                                                                                                   

                                                                                                                                               

Dear Family-                                                                                                    WITH FIFTH ARMY- ITALY

                                                                                                                                    10 SEPT 1944

            The headlines in some newspapers in the States really are funny.  In three-inch type the Chicago Tribune blasts across the front page: “Yanks Battle Inside Pisa.”  Strange, when the truth is that the city was taken without a shot being fired.  Was much surprised by the deluge of mail that has been coming my way recently - but very much pleased.  Our future passes - when things calm down enough to go on pass again - will be to Florence rather than to Rome.  Today, Sunday, we ran off the finals in the boxing tournament.                                                                                             

 

 

                                                                                                                        WITH FIFTEH ARMY- ITALY

Dear Family-                                                                                                                13 SEPT. 1944

            Outside, the artillery booms constantly.  The sky is lit with flashes from many guns.  And another defense line is tackled - this time the strong GOTHIC LINE.  I just took a message that came in by radio interception in which the German Paratroop commander in front of us says: “Cannot hold our outpost - are falling back to main position.”  This is the beginning of another broken defensive line.  Wish you could see the highways jammed with all the military vehicles moving to the front.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       

 

                                                                                                                                    26 SEPT. 1944

Dear Family-                                                                                                           WITH FIFTH ARMY

                                                                                                                                           ITALY

            Sorry I haven’t written sooner, but I really haven’t had time.  I’m well and having a good time pushing the Krauts back.  The terrain is the roughest I’ve ever seen - nothing but rock mountains that rise straight up.  No vehicles can negotiate - not even jeeps.  We use mules entirely.  Working hard and getting no sleep, but feel a satisfaction in helping to push the Boche back.                                                                

                                                                                                           

                                                                                                                       

 

                                                                                                                        WITH FIFTH ARMY- ITALY

Dear Family-                                                                                                                28 SEPT. 1944

            Everything goes according to schedule.  The 337 Infantry was picked by Gen. Clark to take a certain hill which was holding up the advance, after the whole army butted its head into a stone wall - the vaunted GOTHIC LINE.  The outfit came thru in fine shape and took the hill.  This ground is really rugged - no roads, not even any trails.  Many places mules can’t even go.  Now it is raining hard and this makes everything that much harder.  Yesterday we watched an entire battle to our flank - the artillery, the enemy mortar fire, the tanks, the planes bombing the tracers, the exploding ammunition.

                                                                                               

 

                                                                                                                        WITH FIFTH ARMY- ITALY

Dear Family-                                                                                                                28 SEPT 44

            Rain and cold and mud - but the fight goes well.  The Krauts to our front pulled out the other night under cover of the mist and rain, and we’re now awaiting orders for the pursuit to BOLOGNA.  Casualties have been surprisingly light for this operation but the ground is terrific.  The rock mountains are so steep you can’t even stand up on them. It is necessary to use 400 or 500 mules to keep the outfit supplied with food, water, and ammunition.  We’re staying in an ancient Italian farm building and are eating well - potatoes, rabbit, chicken, squash.                                     

                                                                                                            Love, Henry