World War 2 letters from a 1st Lieutenant in Germany to his wife in Michigan.

The 3rd was another cold wet day with a strong wind whipping across the treeless plain.

Janey did I ever describe a German town to you.  Well I’ll try even though I am not much on description.  Well honey as you enter a town you will find tank traps and many mines.  Then you will notice that the buildings have all been bombed or blown up by artillery.

Do you remember three years ago tomorrow?  That was some Sunday dinner after we heard that Japan had started the war.  Well darling maybe this will be over soon.  I sure hope so.

World War 2 detail through letters.  

We could see the full impact of total war on Germany.  there was not a single house what was not partially or fully destroyed.  

Everyone seems quite jolly which is really something new.

Betty you should have or you will receive a letter from the war department.  Don’t be afraid it’s only a letter telling you that I have received the Bronze Star.

Thanksgiving the 23rd turned out to be a day of cold, driving rain but this failed to dampen the celebration.

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving.  So I have arranged for a big officers dinner.  We will have breakfast at 1000 and dinner at 3:00 P.M.

there has been ten quarts of liquor consumed in this room in the last week,

One had only to stand a few moments on the main route thru Rijkholt and see the masses of troops and supplies moving swiftly northwards to realize the scale of this attack.  

Every night I change shoes and socks and try to figure a way to get at least one pair of them dry for tomorrow.

Betty, what did you mean you were the lost woman as far as mail is concerned.  Honey I’ve tried to write you good letters ever since I’ve been gone.  Guess maybe I have failed.

The 9th dawned cold and bleak and during the morning, the first snow of the year lightly powdered the surrounding fields.  

Well the election is now over, you and your mother should now be able to settle down and do a little work.  Bet your mother was disappointed in Dewey’s showing.

Betty I received three Christmas packages.  I couldn’t wait until then so have now opened them.  The Heinze 57 sauce was wonderful.

The country itself here clearly showed the imprint of war because in this land of small farms and peaceful orchards, there was hardly a house that was not partially or wholly wrecked by artillery and mortar shells and everywhere were blasted stripped trees.  

About eight o’clock I was invited to a party.  So I decided I would go.  Well the querest thing about this group was that there was five languages spoke and only twelve people were there.  England, French, Holland, German and Polish was spoken.  It took a real man to get the jist of the conversation.

Betty this family here is wonderful.  For the last three nights they have had cake and coffee in my section.  They usually call us in about eight each evening.

On the night of the 27-28th, the enemy attempted a rubber-boat-crossing in force on the town of Nederweert.  

Last night I went to a little beer tavern across the road from me and stayed two hours.  They had a sax and accordion player and it seemed real good to hear a little music if you call that music, for a change.

This time I have set up my office on the back porch of a farmer’s house.  It seems pretty good too.

There was a small amount of patrol activity at night by Germans crossing the canal in rubber boats.  

Nally made 1st Lt. yesterday.  And lord knows where he is today.  I’ve never in my life seen an officer get away with as much as he does.

You asked me about that hole from the water on the rear of the farm.  It will spoil a lot of ground but if they won’t do it there’s nothing we can say about it.

You asked for requests to send me things.  Well here is one you haven’t thought of.  How about some popcorn?

German patrols entered the little Dutch town of El and a street fight with knives, grenades and rifles ensued.  

The only thing that gets me is it gets so cold at night and I get so lonesome for you.

I washed my field jacket this morning.  Sure am wondering how it will come out.  It was just terrible dirty.

He waited 'till the enemy was within 200 yds of our advance fox-holes and then laid down a concentration right on them.  

I get so damn blue and discouraged I don’t know what to do.

Now I have found a factory that has a hot shower.  So I’m living like a king again.

Belgium was a big change from France.  Much cleaner and looks more prosperous.