Posted by: notsofancynancy | December 16, 2013

My Brother is Santa Claus

Santa’s Updated 2012 look

In the past I divulged the secret of my sister in “My Sister is a Clown,” well now I have another confession. My brother is Santa Claus. Shhhhh, don’t tell the kids. Of course being Santa and all, his wife is the famous Mrs. Claus.

Santa and Mrs. Claus

He already has to disguise himself in the off season.

Santa in disguise.

But that does not stop the kids from recognizing him. A couple of years ago a young tot thought she was so special when Santa came to her house for Christmas Eve dinner. That was with no prompting from adults. He did not even have his red suit on, but donned shorts and a Hawaiian shirt. She kept saying “Look at me Santa!” and “Santa watch this!” When asked the next day, who had come to her house for dinner she cutely replied with a sweet innocent smile, “Santa!”

Some of the year he hides at the Renaissance Faire

Santa and Mrs. Claus in the summer

All in all I have quite the family. Sonshine the Clown, Santa Clause and the Seamstress who make the Emperor’s new cloths. What? I didn’t tell you about the seamstress? Well, I have to keep some secrets.

Today I am thankful for my brother, Santa Claus and his wife, Mrs. Claus.

© 2012 notsofancynancy

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Posted in Daily Ramblings, Family, Humor, Thankful Tuesday | Tags: , , , , , , ,

Posted by: notsofancynancy | November 12, 2013

Honoring Dad’s Division~The Yoo Hoo Incident

This incident occurred during the Tennessee maneuvers  in the summer of 1941 and earned Dad’s Division, the 110th Quartermaster and General Ben Lear the first nicknames of World War II. That was what they were famous for, as their programs from the reunions would verify many years later.

For Veterans Day 2013 I post it in honor and in memory of the 110th Quartermaster.

35th-110,

1958 Reunion Program, note “of the Famous “Yoo Hoo” Regiment”

It is here in the timeline that the incident that made my father’s regiment famous happened. Dad was on furlough at this time, falling in love with my mom and hanging out with her family in Brookville, Kansas. Even so, news of this incident provided the “mothers” of the soldiers a reason to campaign. This is where Dad’s regiment and Lieutenant General (LTG) Ben Lear were granted the first nicknames of World War II. This is a story worth preserving.

General Ben Lear

General Ben Lear

The 110th Quartermaster, 35 Division, still at Camp Robinson was providing ground transportation for the 2nd Infantry to and from the Tennessee training grounds which were about 145 miles away. The training exercises were headed by a newly promoted Lieutenant General (LTG) Ben Lear. From reading my father’s letters at 62 years old he directed and trained his soldiers like a conductor conducts a band, with precision. Lear expected his soldiers to exhibit good manners as well as learn to fight and live like soldiers.

On a hot day in July 1941, the 110thQM rolled into Memphis Tennessee. It was returning to Camp Robinson after six weeks in the field in a convoy of 80 trucks and over 300 men. The men had been praised for being top notch in their field maneuvers and they were proud. They had to remove their hats because their heads had gotten quite big with all the praise they had gotten.

Found in the suitcase

Found in the suitcase

They were almost giddy (if a man can be giddy) as they began their return trip. The Division knew they would be sleeping in their bunks back in camp with full bellies, and a warm shower rather than bathing out of their helmet as they had just learned to do. They broke out in song and tried to pass the time, loosened their ties, and unbuttoned the top button of their fatigues to help with the unrelenting heat. They passed through Tennessee on that hot day and being only 45 miles from Camp Robinson the soldiers were anxious to get some well deserved rest.

WWIIConvoy

A convoy from Dad’s View

It was then the convoy reached a Country Club and there just happened to be a group of beautiful woman in short golf skirts which were all the rage in 1941 They had just finished a round of golf. As boys will be boys and men will be men the soldiers hollered out to the woman with many whistles and lots of Yoo Hoo’s. I am sure many other words were said. They also started razzing the other golfers trying to throw them off their game. At this point an unassuming old man came out from the golf course. He arrived sporting Oxford golf cleats, a pair of cotton seersucker knickers, his matching knee high socks, brown vest and his golf club clutched in his hand. He shook it at the trucks in anger. When the soldiers saw him, it added more fuel to the fire as they laughed and made fun of the old geezer. He stomped and hollered spewing his displeasure in not so many words. The end of the convoy was abreast when the man was finally recognized by the commanding officers riding in one of the last trucks. It was LTG Ben Lear in the flesh. He certainly did not look like a Lieutenant General in his golf clothes. He was certainly not doing a happy dance. He was disgusted with the men’s lack of respect for the lovely ladies and ashamed of them exhibiting such inappropriate behavior while wearing the Army uniform. As the Commanders tried to calm him down, the first of the 80 trucks were so far ahead not everyone knew what had just transpired. Lear got even angrier and demanded that the men return to camp night and they stay loaded in their vehicles until he got there to address them.

Now remember, the convoy was so long that the front did not even see LTG Lear and had no idea why they were told to hold their positions on their loaded trucks. There were many baffled soldiers wanting to get the trucks unloaded so they could relax. The smell of dinner filled the air and the men were excited to catch up on the mail that they had missed while they were gone. LTG Lear appeared in his uniform with his stripes and stars and demanded that every man on that convoy turn in their resignation or face their punishment. A lot of them did not know why they were being punished until Lear left that night. The men were aghast with shame as they learned the identity of the man with the golf club, the man that most of the men did not see. LTG Lear was now a face not one of those men would ever forget, and this incident would bind the regiment together long after the war. The regiment was told to go back to the airport in Memphis, set their tents up and fall in the next morning for a field inspection. There was no shower that evening. Although they got the food it was ice cold and not many ate. More than half of the convoy was paying for the remarks of a couple truck loads of men. In the morning they would stand as one.

35th Quartermaster

Dad’s division marching

If you look at our service people today you might say, fifteen miles is not such a hard thing to do especially if they are doing only five miles at a time. But these men had only begun training and were only six weeks into field training. Up until now their training was behind books. Most of them were farm boys who had entered the National Guards with the lure of money, a twenty dollar paycheck each month. They were now finding themselves training for a war they did not think they would have to fight Most of the men were truck drivers, clerical workers, secretaries, typist, and officers. Lastly, it was hot and humid having topped the chart off at 97 degrees. Many men fell off the lines that day due to heatstroke and dehydration.

Found in the suitcase

Found in the suitcase

The “Yoo Hoo March,” as it had come to be known was about to climb its way to too being the biggest controversy so far in the men’s training. Apparently there was a club of moms, called The Arkansas Department of Army Mothers. Once they caught wind of the incident and learned of the plight of the soldiers it was on! I have seen how protective moms can be of their sons. I cannot even imagine how those moms’ made the incident and their displeasure known. Within the month the whole United States knew about the fifteen mile hike and the opinions were flying. Congressmen and senators weighed-in with their opinions. The commander of the 35th Division was Major General Ralph E. Truman, cousin to then Senator Harry S. Truman. The Major General voiced his support for the discipline being too harsh for the infamous incident. It seems from all accounts the only people who did not complain much were the men from the 110 QM. With all the press around they thought they were stars. The crowds lined the streets all the way back to camp with people cheering the men on.

LTG Lear and the 110th QM would receive the first nicknames of World War II forever being branded as Yoo Hoo Lear, and the 110th Yoo Hoo Regiment. It was also the first time a Civilian would write a song about World War II. The stories went wild and made plenty of newspapers. It also spread by word of mouth. Eventually the story was featured in Time Magazine in July 1941.  Two songs were written about the incident: The “Yoo Hoo Song” was sung to “When Johnny Comes Marching Home”;  and a song called “Yankee Doodle 1941”, with words like “General Lear was playing golf (he is twelve years over fifty), pretty girls were playing too and boy did they look nifty.” There was a Yoo Hoo pack of cigarettes, there were candy bars made, and there was even a Yoo Hoo club started with membership cards.

“Those poor men did nothing wrong,” A group of young Texan woman reported in a newspaper article about the incident. It featured four beautiful college women from San Antonio Texas holding a sign that says, “YOO HOO ALL YOU WANT TO BOYS, Lear isn’t here,” and “Come on down fellows!” There was talk of asking for LTG Lear’s resignation but he defended his decision. I cannot imagine something like this getting into the press these days but our country was trying to learn just how to do this thing called war and LTG Lear was dedicated to making these boys into soldiers.

Dad writes about the incident

13 July 1941

That deal about those boys walking home from Tennessee. I guess the general was playing golf with some lady friends and one of the boys hollered and told him not to get it in the wrong hole. That is what started the whole thing.

And in the same envelope he writes to my grandma.

Sure was glad to hear from you. I guess everybody feels the same about the Generals deal on that convoy. Part of it those boys had been on maneuvers for the past 6 weeks. One captain is in the hospital over it and about 10 passed out on the way. The papers down here have sure been full of it. Last Sunday one paper had a full page of letters written in by people along the way.

Then on 29 July 1941 he writes.

I was in town to a show Sat. nite and they had a phase in the news reel about the Yoo Hoo boys. That sure covered a lot of territory. We have heard about it being used in Oregon. They were making fun of it up there.

Our father’s regiment became famous and because of the Yoo Hoo incident they would always be remembered as the “110th Yoo Hoo Regiment.” It was on the brochures of each of their reunions and the story told and retold. The name also stuck with LTG Lear and followed him home three years later. As the ship docked that he sailed home in Lear walked to disembark and was met by hundreds of GI’s shouting “Yoo Hoo!” LTG Lear with a blank face and no acknowledgement of what was shouted stormed ashore keeping his head up, shoulders back, gut sucked in ignoring the Yoo Hoo’s. To this day if you look up LTG Ben Lear you will find that the Yoo Hoo nickname follows him even in death.

Found in the suitcase

Found in the suitcase

© 2013 notsofancynancy

Reference Wikipedia, 35th Division, 110th Regiment, the 1958 Reunion Brochure, Time Magazine July 1944, Mike Allred Yoo Hoo Scrapbook Collection

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Posted in Daily Ramblings, Grab Bag, My Father's Letter's | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Posted by: notsofancynancy | November 8, 2013

8th of November

Early on in their career Country Duo, Big and Rich spent some time in Deadwood South Dakota. In fact most of the songs on their first album were written there. While there they met Niels Harris and heard his tale of being in Vietnam. Niels was sent overseas with the 173rd Airborne and found himself and fellow soldiers in the middle of a jungle and ambushed by 1200 enemy soldier out numbering his unit three times. According to Deadwood Mountain Grand,”

Just 19, Niles was assigned to the Army’s 173rd Airborne Brigade. On November 5, 1965, he and his fellow soldiers of C Company landed in Vietnam’s War Zone D near Bien Hoa. Three days later, on the 8th of November, B and C Companies found themselves in a fierce battle with 1,200 Viet Cong soldiers equipped with machine guns, claymores and sniper rifles.

At the end of the battle, 48 Americans and more than 400 Viet Cong were dead. Many more U.S. soldiers were wounded, including Niles. His right leg, from knee to hip, was hit by machine gun fire.

The man in the video is actually Mr. Harris.

Take a minute to enjoy what I feel is one of the greatest songs, ever. Raise a toast tonight to those who lost their lives, we must never forget.

Here are the Lyrics to the song:

{Hello, I’m Kris Kristofferson On November 8th, 1965, the  173rd Airborne Brigade on Operation Hump War Zone D in Vietnam were ambushed by  over 1200 V.C.Forty-eight American  soldiers lost their lives that day}

{Severely wounded  and riskin’ his own life, Lawrence Joel, a medic Was the first livin’  black man since the Spanish-American War To receive the United States Medal of Honor For savin’ so many lives in the midst of battle that  day}

{Our friend, Niles Harris,  retired 25 years, United States Army The guy who gave Big Kenny his top hat Was one of the wounded who lived This song is his story}

{Caught  in the action of ‘kill or be killed ‘”Greater  love hath no man than to lay down his life for a friend”}

Said goodbye to his mamma As he left South Dakota To fight for the Red, White, and Blue. He was nineteen and green with a new M-16 Just doing what he had to do.

He was dropped in the jungle Where the choppers would rumble With the smell of napalm in the air. And the sergeant said, “Look up ahead”

Like a dark, evil cloud 1,200 came down on him and 29 more. They fought for their lives But most of them died In the 173rd Airborne.

(Chorus) On the 8th of November, The angels were crying As they carried his brothers away. With the fire raining down And the Hell all around There were few men left standing that day. Saw the eagle fly, Through a clear, blue sky 1965, the 8th of November.

Now he’s fifty-eight And his ponytail’s grey But the battle still plays in his head. He limps when he walks, But he’s strong when he talks About the shrapnel they left in his leg.

He puts on a grey suit Over his Airborne tattoo And He ties it on one time a year And remembers the fallen, As he orders a tall one And swallows it down with his tears.

(Chorus) On the 8th of November, The angels were crying As they carried his brothers away. With the fire raining down And the Hell all around There were few men left standing that day. Saw the eagle fly, Through a clear, blue sky 1965, the 8th of November.

Saw the eagle fly, Through a clear, blue sky 1965.

(Chorus) On the 8th of November, The angels were crying As they carried his brothers away. With the fire raining down And the Hell all around There were few men left standing that day.

(Chorus) On the 8th of November, The angels were crying As they carried his brothers away. With the fire raining down And the Hell all around, There were few men left standing that day. Saw the eagle fly, Through a clear, blue sky 1965, the 8th of November.

The 8th of November The 8th of November

He said goodbye to his mamma As he left South Dakota To fight for the Red, White, and Blue. He was nineteen and green with a new M-16 Just doing what he had to do.

Read more: BIG & RICH – 8TH OF NOVEMBER LYRICS

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Posted by: notsofancynancy | October 24, 2013

World War II, The Epilogue

World War II

Epilogue

Mom and Dad reunited

Mom and Dad reunited

What a journey this has been for me. I learned things about the war I never knew and the role that Dad played in that war has been astonishing.  I had no idea one of his jobs was picking up the fallen soldiers.  I did not know he could have been killed any day. I feel lucky he made it home. He is my hero.

It has been 87 weeks researching, learning, and living my father’s role in World War II. It was because of those who follow my blog that I got the encouragement to continue. I had no idea that anyone would actually be interested in his story let alone the 1,103 followers I have now. The fun thing about doing this on the blog was the links I could provide. If Dad mentioned a song or movie I could provide links to listen to the songs or clips to a movie he mentions. I had so much fun listening to music from the 1940’s while I read and transcribed Dad’s letters.

My father went into the Army as a kid of 19 and came home a grown man at 25. He was a husband with a wife and a daughter whom he had to provide for. When he did get home they had been married a year and a half and his daughter was six months old. Was she scared of him when he came home? My dad was such a good loving dad that I am sure if she was it would not have taken long before she warmed up to him.

Dad finally meets Mary Lynn

Dad finally meets Mary Lynn

When I look back my parents really did not spend that much time together until Dad came home from the war. While he grew up in Nebraska and she in Kansas they had a chance meeting at a barn dance at Mom’s cousin’s house who just happened to be Dad’s best friend. This all happened he was 16 and she 13. Their pen-pal relationship is how they got to know each other. The war shaped their destiny. As I read their early letters I know my father had eyes for her all the way back in 1937 but I did not know her letters kept him sane.

He lived through the war with no injuries and without losing any of his fellow soldiers. That does not mean he avoided seeing the atrocities of the war. It would be ignorant to think he did not.  He just never talked of what he saw and even in his letters those memories are missing. He did not fight on the front lines and many World War II history buffs have said “Oh he was just a Quartermaster” but in my heart I know he knew how important his job was to those on the front lines. Without the Quartermaster they would not have had supplies, ammunition, back up troops, gas, or any of the many things the Quartermaster supplied. Lastly let us not forget it was up to the Quartermaster to get our dead out. I can’t imagine what that would have been like. Dad says in one letter “I have hauled everything from the dead to newspapers.”  What an impact that statement has on me.

When I was a child I used to have this reoccurring dream where Germans were chasing me. I would wake up out of breath as if I was running in my sleep. I always awoke just as they were reaching me. For many years I tried to figure out why I had such a dream. No more. I now know that I must have heard stories from when my father was overseas. I just wish I remembered more but maybe it is better I did not. That fact has made this journey so incredible. I was living it all for the first time.

After the war Mom and Dad lived a short time with my grandparents in Pasadena, California. Due to my mother’s saving abilities while my dad was overseas they were able to put a down payment on a house in a small suburb of Los Angeles. At that time the city was still mostly orange groves and trees were everywhere that had not yet been developed. It is one of my sister’s favorite memories. The smell of those sweet orange blossoms in the spring is a wonderful memory to each of us kids.  It was a brand new three bedroom home with a big back yard. They paid 8,000 dollars for it back in 1946 and made payments on it until they had it paid off.

Dad did not become a carpenter as he had hoped. He first drove a city bus not far from home. In 1949 he got a job at the local dairy delivering milk door-to-door. He would eventually get a wholesale route which he kept until he retired in the late 1980’s, which is over 30 years at the same job. If nothing else my Dad was very loyal.

Dad, Late 40's-early 50's

Dad, Late 40’s-early 50’s

Recently I got an email from the son of the owner of the business Dad worked for over thirty years. His words touched my soul.

Nancy, Your father was such a wonderful man, kind and gentle, and one of my favorite people that worked for my father. I read your blog and it touched my heart. I often tell the story of your father meeting an older woman who was crying by a fountain at the Manassa retreat in Glendora and asking her if she was OK. Her reply was that her kids never came to see her and it hurt her horribly. Lefty’s response was to tell her to dry her eyes because she was now part of his family. You see, I was there when it happened and his kindness made a really strong impression on me. Another time, when I was about 19, I was quite fascinated by the ring your father wore and I asked him what it meant. He told me it was the ring of a Mason, to which I asked what was a Mason? His reply, “It’s a group of men that get together to do good things.” Lefty surely belonged in that club! Hope all is well with you and your family. I am very touched that the dairy holds such good memories, Steve Schlange

Here is my reply:

Steve, your note brought tears to my eyes. My father was really a great man. My father adopted a little old lady. To us she became our Aunt Pansy. She came to all our holidays and spent weekends with us. When she passed away she left all her money to my dad along with all her belongings. I was told by my sister that her family did not visit her in the retirement place she where she lived. Dad delivered milk to her and she did become our family. I am sure it is the same woman. It is how my dad was. I was blessed that he was MY Dad.

It was after he retired that he tried his hand at carpentry. He built a beautiful cabinet in one end of the living room for my mother to show off the willow ware which she collected over the years. There were many other projects he made including a dresser for my sister Julie. He made it with no nails or screws just glue and dowels. After he made all the things he wanted he then settled and took up whittling. I have to admit these are some of my favorite mementos from my dad. Little birds, people, boots, and saddles carved with his own hands. I am lucky to have such great memories.

Mary Lynn was the apple of my father’s eye when he finally got to see her. I love the pictures of him holding her while wearing his dress uniform. These pictures have a lot more meaning now. Mary gave my parents their first grandson and ended up with four sons; Peko, Harold, Tyrone, and Joseph. The oldest is only eight years younger than I am so we grew up more like siblings than aunt and nephews. My dad loved those boys so much it makes me tear up when I looks at pictures of them together. Sadly Mary Lynn passed away in 2000.

Dad, Mom, Sharon and Mary

Dad, Mom, Sharon and Mary

My sister Sharon Rose was born at the end of 1947. She was graced with Grandma Susie’s real name, Rose for her middle name. Sharon is artistic and is amazing at making costumes for the local playhouse for the plays they put on. She can take a curtain and visualize it as a wedding dress and then proceed to make it. She made all the decorations and much more for my wedding in 2000. She amazes me with her craftiness. When I had my therapy dog she even made him costumes which always made him popular at any event we attended.  Boy can she cook. I remember back in the old days when we would have Christmas together she would make a ton of cookies. We would get them in those shoebox like plastic containers. There was a mountain of those cookie packages. I miss that. My nephew’s moved to New Jersey in 2007 and now the family is scattered across the United States.

Julie Ann was born in 1952 making it three girls for Mom and Dad. Julie married Larry in the 70’s I was in the wedding and my daughter a flower girl. Julie is one of the most compassionate people I know.  She kind of reminds me of Mother Teresa and I don’t know many people that I can say that about. I admire how strong her faith is. She is such a special lady and I am proud to call her my sister. She graced my parents with two more grandkids, Kyle and Tina.

Mom, Dad, Julie, Mary, and Sharon

Mom, Dad, Julie, Mary, and Sharon

I came along in 1957 thirteen years after the war ended. They named me Nancy Lee and I was the fourth daughter. Now that I look back at his letters I know he wanted to name Mary, Terry Lee if she was a boy so I guess that is where they got Lee as my middle name. I am told I was named Nancy as this was where Dad was in September (the month I was born) of 1944, Nancy France. The other story is there was a beautiful actress with the name “Nancy Lee.”  Where it came from is not important but after knowing about Dad being in Nancy, France it is curious.  I gave my father his first granddaughter, Tania after my sister’s four boys were born. Dad retired shortly after her birth and they became attached at the hip. I love that she was able to feel the special love he reserved for his family.

Julie, Sharon, Me, Mary Lynn, and Loren

Julie, Sharon, Me, Mary Lynn, and Loren

Finally in 1960 my mother gave my father a son. Born on Friday the 13th my brother was doomed. With four doting sisters trying to control him, he had a hard time. He learned early on how to live with women, poor kid. Named for my father and Pop he was Loren Vance. Loren never did have any children of his own but married a wonderful lady, Dee who had two sons from a previous marriage, John and Chad. It did not matter to Dad that they were not blood. They were always two more grandsons and held a piece of his heart.

It seems to me that after all Dad saw overseas he must have had some degree of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder but I did not recognize any signs. My sisters have told me one lasting effect the war had on him was when a loud bang went off in the neighborhood Dad would be off the bed and under it before he even woke up. I did not know how the war may have affected him. Most of the stories he told of the war I have forgotten and only had bits come back to my memory while reading his letters. I now believe it was so I could see my parents through these letters with fresh eyes, which lead to a side of them I did not see. My memories start at least 20 years after the war. With the stresses of raising five it was a hard time for them and their marriage.

Mom and Dad 1945

Mom and Dad 1945

One of the only times I remember seeing my father cry was when we were making the funeral arrangements  for my mother. He broke down and cried. I was taken aback as my mother had Alzheimer’s and she had become very mean to him not recognizing him as her husband. In fact she did not even know who he was. Sadly he got to where he would not go to see her because of it. He had no problem calling us to make sure we went though.  I could not believe that I was able to provide comfort to him, to allow him to cry on my shoulder as he had done for me throughout my life. I saw something in that moment. I saw the love he really had for her all the way back in 1944. There was no denying this is what I was observing as I tried to comfort him. I did not understand that then but see it clearly now.

I know that Dad never forgot those he served with especially his best buddy Bob Winter Whenever he could he would make it back to Nebraska for the yearly reunion the 110th 35th Quartermaster held. The last one was held in 2004 and by then most of our men had already passed away.  I will always wonder why Dad got “busted” and demoted back to a Private but now it is one of many questions I will never get answered.

Mrs. Ann Howard (Truman "Ben" Howard's wife) Bob Winter, and my Mom

Mrs. Ann Howard (Truman “Ben” Howard’s wife) Bob Winter, and my Mom, Courtesy of the Winter family

Through perseverance I have been able to locate Bob’s family. This is as much their story as it is my father’s since Dad mentions Bob in almost every letter as far back as 1942.  After the war Bob went back to Nebraska and married the love of his life, Madeline. She was the girl that Bob talked about while he and my dad talked for those many, many nights. I know Madeline got Bob through the war just as Mom did with Dad. They had two sons who grew up in Nebraska. Both the boys say they remember my parents from when they made trips back to Nebraska. I am sure they probably visited my family in California.  I wish I remembered.  I know that Dad kept in touch with many of the men he served with and there are several names that I remember from my childhood, such as Ozanne, and “Pop” Gordon.

One last note from Bob’s family I just received the day I published this chapter. One of Bob’s grandson and daughter-in-law just gave birth to a baby girl, they named Madeline. In the Son’s words, Madeline lives on.”

By telling this story on my blog I have had other family members of the men Dad served with contact me. Every once in a while someone finds me who was connected in some way to Dad’s war days. One came from the grandson of one of the General’s Dad serve under;

Hi – Stumbled across your site doing other research; my grandfather was General Edmund B. Sebree, whose picture you have posted. Fun to read a view from one of his troopers as to how the Tennessee Maneuvers went. My grandfather always referred to them as miserable in terms of weather, but incredibly useful in training the Division up to the standards. The unit’s performance in France bore this out; the 35th was always one of the better divisions in Europe. As for my grandfather, he had a long and distinguished career, and had the distinction of being wounded twice (Once in the Pacific and later in France) as a Brigadier General. Again, nice site and a fine way to honor your father s service. All the best.- Ed McAlister (Edmund Sebree McAlister)

And they keep finding me one way or another. My latest contact was from the grandson of Murray Comb’s. Matthew Combs has been generous enough to give me close to one hundred pictures I did not have.  If you want to join in on the conversation about these heroes you can join us on my blog at

www.notsofancynancy.wordpress.com

Stop by and sign the guest book.

In talking with my sister Julie the other day and she told me of an incident she had with Dad after Mom passed away. Julie was there for a visit and he had a small box in his hand. He expressed his disgust as he showed her the box with a few items in as he said; “Look! this is all that is left of my war days. Mom said she saved every letter I ever wrote her. She didn’t this is all there is.” I am not sure exactly when the suitcase was found but it was hidden in the attic and found by my daughter after she bought my parents’ house. Sadly it was after my father had passed away.

So this one is for you Dad! She did save every letter and through your words I have been able to share your story. What a story it was. To you Mom thank you for saving almost every letter Dad wrote to you and for showing me you did really love him. The letters gave me a new appreciation for how deep your love was for each other. To my daughter, Tania thanks for the encouragement and for bringing the letters to my attention. To God thank you for giving me the insight and courage to share my parents’ story. To you the reader thanks for taking the time to help me honor and preserve my father’ memories and the 110th 35th Quartermaster division by reading this.

Robert “Bob” Winter, Allen Ozanne, Claude R. Gordon, Murray Combs

© 2013 notsofancynancy

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Posted by: notsofancynancy | October 17, 2013

World War II, chapter 86, Dad gets his Ticket Home

World War II

Chapter 86

Dad gets his Ticket Home

I have seen this sign in recent times. I wonder where?

I have seen this sign in recent times. I wonder where? Courtesy of the Cain Family

Still in Bad Kreuznach Dad and his fellow soldiers pray for news of their going home.  On 6 July of 1944 these men landed in Weymouth England. It has now been exactly one year on foreign soil and they finally have rumors of going home, there are only five letters left.

6 July, Bad Kreuznach, Germany

My Darlings, Hello Honey. Man I almost missed writing tonight. Ozanne is leaving for the states in the morning and we [have] been bull shitting him. The lucky stiff. Has the same number of points I have only got his name drawn and I didn’t. It was a sure bet. I’ll leave if the next quota comes down. There is only 42 left in the Bn [battalion] with 92 and its [sic] for sure the quota will be more than that. With these men leaving the rest from the Company will probably be here soon. And that means Bob will be over. If he hurries I’ll probably see him before I leave. Gosh Mommie here no one has said anything about me going home and I’m so excited I can hardly write. I got a letter from you the other day but it was written May 29 and that’s a long time gone. It was a good letter though. I haven’t gotten any in over a week now except that one. I don’t know if you still love me. Sure wish your mail was coming through. I got me a cameo ring today. Its [sic] a darn good one and here’s the catch cost me about 20 cents. In the states it would come to more than $25 or $30. The only thing its [sic] in a silver setting and should be yellow gold. I’d like that better. Its [sic] a nice looking ring though. Man you should hear this bunch kidding Ozanne. He is sure taking a beating. And is he excited. Went down to check his equipment in and only got about half of it with him and turned in some he shouldn’t. Turned up with no towels and such as that. Well Mommie its [sic] almost eleven and have to make a trip to Frankfurt tomorrow and that’s a long way from here. I love you my Darling I love you I love you I love you honey. I love you sweetheart. All my love, Lefty

This next letter is addressed and written to my mom’s parents.

5 July, Bad Kreuznach, Germany

Dear Mom & Pop, Well by gosh I haven’t gotten you a letter for so darn long. I guess I better do something about it. Haven’t written to anyone except Vi and for a while and I was pretty busy and didn’t write her as much as I should have. The month before I left the company I drove close to 4,000 miles and of course had little time to sleep. Anyway it was pretty tiresome so have jumped at the chance of standing guard here and not driving. We’ll hit guard about every third night. I was suppose [sic] to go on again last night for the second 24 hrs. But they took me off. Why I don’t know. I’ll go on again tonight I imagine. So far as I know we have today off. At least they haven’t said anything about it and I have been in bed all morning. But we are on the top floor of this building and it takes one about a week to make a round trip up here. They put a telephone in one room and no one will answer that so they have almost given up. The 1st Sgt. Got drunk and mad the other night and I guess called everyone but the General and told him to jam his stripes up their butt. He wouldn’t get up for revile[sic] next morning so we didn’t have it. (Slept till noon that day too) Our last battle star came down last night so I have 102 points now and that’s [sic] makes me eligible to fly home. Now all I have to do is sweat out that time. I sure hope its [sic] soon. Even so if rumors are right [we] will be back in France in a couple of weeks and that’s almost to the coast. Only about 125 miles from it. And we might even move on into La Harve, but don’t hold your breath that long because the Army doesn’t work that way. You always have to waite [sic] a couple of months anyway. If I had had 103 points I would have been on my way home by now. And would have beat this letter to the states. Well the next quota shouldn’t be too long in coming. I was talking to some Jigg [African American Soldier] yesterday while I was on guard. He wanted something and I told him I was a rookie here and he misunderstood me and was telling me about his Army life. Guess he had quite a time. I never did put him straight on the situation he just went his way. I got nothing to complain about I got no medals pinned on me. He had an interesting story though. If you and Vi keep on I’m going to have a personal maid to sew buttons back on my shirts. Busted two off the last letter from Vi (I got my fingers crossed) I do like to hear tales about Mary Lynn though. God how I wish I were home. And they could just as well get me there too. Cause I haven’t done a damn thing for a week and don’t intend too. This is to [sic] big a building for one to be working. Oh guard that’s different. One can get into trouble by missing that. And this is to [sic] late in the game to get into trouble. Oh yes when I left the Company the C.O. [Commanding Officer] wouldn’t even come around and shake hands with me. We haven’t spoken in a couple months. Four Officers were all that were was there. They were pretty good joes and I wouldn’t say good bye to the other so we are all happy. Bob has a chance of coming down this way. How soon I don’t  know or whether he will even get to this Btry [Battery].  But we have hopes of seeing each other soon. Clark will go with the Division he only has about 48 points. Bob has 90 now. Well Mom I’m going to have to shave and clean up and get out of here. They’ll be wanting someone to work and it might as well be me. Sorry I haven’t written sooner but have to be in the mood first. As ever, your son, Lefty

35th QM Volleyball Game

35th QM Volleyball Game, Courtesy of the Cain Family

6 July, Bad Kreuznach, Germany

My Dearest Darlings, Oh Boy got a couple of letters from you today. Sure was glad too. Cause its [sic] sure been a long time since I have heard from you. This damn mail situation over here isn’t what its [sic] cracked up to be. But I guess it will have to do. In one of your letters (June 29) the little gadget at the top says its [sic] high time you wrote and you added and said you were coming home. Remember?  Well Mommie guess I could almost tell you the date I was leaving here and the date I was going to be discharged. But that’s just the way things stand now and they may change before tomorrow and if so it would only disappoint the both of us instead of just me. By Gosh I know how it feels to know the times coming and can’t reach it any faster and then to have a delay would be pretty bad. I made a fool of myself when I wrote awhile back and said it wouldn’t be long. Well I would have been on my way home now had we staged in the XVI Corps but we changed to the XXIII and missed a quota for one month and are just that much behind and it could happen again. Because we are moving to France in a short while and don’t know how things will be there. If we were lucky and left today we’d be in the States Monday or Tuesday and from then on it all depends.  Its [sic] rough in the E.T.O. but in just a few more days weeks or months then honey we’ll have to go to work for a living and even so it will be the three of us and that’s all I want. So you can start figuring out what your [sic] going to do to make a living when I get home. I’m sure glad Pop took that trip back East. It will do him good and it isn’t such a hard trip if they change off driving. Only if Mom would have gone with him. You didn’t say maybe she did. Sure wish I had been on my way home so you could have gone too. Guess I’ll come straight out there when I do come. Unless they discharge me in Leavenworth and then I’ll stop home for a damn few hours. I think they will send me out there though. Man honey had I been here for the occupation I don’t believe I’d have to let you come over. There just isn’t anything here. I’m telling you you’d almost have to be a King to live here. You can’t buy anything to eat or anything else. The Army would almost have to issue rations in those cases and that’s not so good. Its [sic] hard to find a place to live. I guess Uncle Sam would look out for that though. I’ve just seen to [sic] much of how these damn people are and act to have anyone I love around them. Might get their habits and thats [sic] nix good. Gosh Mommie if I answer both your letters tonight I won’t have anything to write about tomorrow. I love you my Darlings. I love you so much honey I love you Sweetheart I love you so much. I love you I love you Mommie. It shouldn’t be long now. All my love Darlings, Lefty

Marvin Cain and John Levonyak on the Regiment Bridge

Marvin Cain and John Levonyak on the Regiment Bridge

The last two letters are in the same envelope

8 June, Bad Kreuznach, Germany

My Dearest Darling, Well believe it or not I’m writing again tonight. Boy had this been a lonely place all day. I’m the only one here. It’s my fault though because I was supposed to go on a trip today and let another kid take my place. So here I am all alone. But I have been busy. Played solitaire all afternoon. (Couldn’t even beat him by cheating). And now I’m on guard. So I’ll have something to do for the next 22 hours-two have passed. I imagine if Bob is coming over here he’ll be here tomorrow at least the big change is then and boy am I hoping he gets here and not the 106th Div. He won’t be home for 6 months if he gets over there and it’s a lot more work I haven’t done anything here but stand guard. Have done that three times though. That’s enough. But we have men all over hell right now and have to waite [sic] until they get back. I don’t mind guard so much at least your [sic] not being beaten to death by a G.I. truck. Say Mommie do you think its [sic] a good idea if I come home to go into a War Job. I don’t myself because the War isn’t going to last to [sic] long and if by the time the GI benefits or help thereof run out and if I can find something that will last after wouldn’t it be better. I want to be somewhere so I can go to school too. Guess if I can I’ll go to night school then I think the Gov has upped the ante to $100 a month while going to school so maybe it would pay to take a good course while I’m at it Huh. Just something to think about. Your [sic] going to have to do your part of the thinking too so lets [sic] begin. You said you hoped I didn’t decide to live back East. Well honey I don’t want to live there anymore than you do so if we can possibly get along out there. That’s home. But of course we can’t starve. Well Mommie I’m going to have to waite [sic] until tomorrow to mail this I seem to be out of stamps. Get some then. No one here or I’d borrow one. (ha ha) I love you my Darlings. I love you so much honey. I love you I love you Mommie I love you so much I love you sweetheart. All my love, Lefty

9 July, in the same envelope.

My Darlings, Well honey I couldn’t get any stamps or envelopes today so I’ll just waite [sic] another and send it along with the last nights [sic]. Have to be down at 8 in the morning to get them. The Mail orderly is out tonight and has been all day. I guess anyway I have been able to find him. I have to write tonight cause a lot of things happened. Namely Bob hasn’t come here and I’ve heard rumors that he has gone to the 106th Division. That means I won’t see him before I leave Germany. And that’s bad. Although we expected that and said goodbye and all of those things before. I was hoping he would get over here though.

Mom and Mary Lynn, Mary wearing the baptismal dress

Mom and Mary Lynn, Mary wearing the baptismal dress

I did some research on the 106th Division. It was an Indiana based division. I am not sure why they transferred the men to all the different divisions but if it gets Dad home any sooner I am all for it.

In case your[sic] wondering whats [sic] the oil on this paper is I just took a bath and oiled my hair and was to [sic] lazy to put my shoes on and walked back into the bathroom to wash my hands. I got a letter from you today and two pictures. They sure are good and that daughter of ours is sure growing up. I showed them to Sgt. Sill and he sure though she was ok. You know that baptizing dress of Grandma’s sure must have taken the material to make.  I looked at the pictures and was wondering why you had a blanket hanging down like that. Then I read what was written on the back. I sure like the other one where your [sic] holding Mary. I can’t realize she has grown that much until I see the pictures. Don’t let her go out with any men until I get there. Sure am glad you don’t have to go back to the Dr. But keep that appointment open honey cause I’m a coming and perhaps it won’t be long who knows. If this move doesn’t ball things up again I hoping they waite [sic] another week for the move than I’ll know for sure and will write you. F.T.S. – Figure that out. Say you know that ring I was telling you about me getting. I believe its [sic] going to turn out to be better than I expected. I really believe now its silver and not just plated. Goes good with the watch anyway. Its [sic] bed time honey and this is my allotted three pages am using so my paper will last out the stay here. I love you my Darling. I love you so much honey I love you sweetheart I love you Mommie I love you I love you. All my love Darling, Lefty

Worn by my Grandmother, Mother, Sisters and one niece.

Baptismal dress worn by my Grandmother, Mother, Mary Lynn and our niece.

And just like that the letters end. I am not sure what I thought would happen but they just end. Dad’s discharge papers say that his “Place of Separation” was a Separation Center in Leavenworth, Kansas on 10 August 1945. That is one month after the last letter. There are two telegrams in this last bunch of letters. The transcription for the first one reads:

5 August 1945

DARLING ARRIVED IN THE STATES EVERYTHINGS SWELL PLEASE WIRE $25.00 TO CAMPKILNER NJER AT ONCE, LEFTY

5 August 1945 Telegram

5 August 1945 Telegram

This first one came with a receipt that Mom did send money:

Receipt for money sent

Receipt for money sent

The second one is dated one day after the separation date on his discharge papers.

11 August Telegram

11 August Telegram

11 August 1945

DARLING RECEIVED DISCHARGE TODAY. WILL BE HOME SOMETIME TONIGHT AND WILL PROBABLY BE OUT THERE NEXT WEEK. LEFTY          

And that is it. Those are the last two letters that Mom had saved in the suitcase. I am sure there was a lot of celebrating once he got home and from the telegrams it seems as though he was discharged from the Separation Center in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas which meant he probably went to visit his family in Nebraska before making the trek to Pasadena, California where my mother and sister waited for him. Finally Dad will meet his baby daughter who turned six months old on the 11 August 1945 which is the exact day Dad was discharged, kind of ironic.

Discharge

Discharge Papers

According to his discharge papers my father served three years four months and 25 days in the “Continental US” and was overseas one year two months and 23 days making it a total of 4 years 7 months and 23 days in the Army. Let’s also remember that he served in the National Guard from 5 September 1940 until he mustered into the Army on 23 December which makes it just a little over five years he served his country. I can now see why he was such a proud American. Five years training and fighting to defend it shaped him into who he was.

His regiment participated in the followings campaigns; Normandy, Rhineland, Ardennes, Central Europe, and something called GO 33 WD 45 (General Order 33 of the War Department  issued in 1945) which pertains to his participation in the “Battle of the Bulge” He was awarded the Good Conduct medal as well as the American Defense Ribbon. He also earned both rifle and carbine sharpshooter medals as well as five battle stars for the campaigns he was in. I have never been more proud of my father than at this moment, at this moment I see clearly why my father was who he was.

Allen Ozanne, Robert “Bob” Winter, Harmon E. Clark, Sgt. Joe Sill,

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Posted in Family, My Father's Letter's | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Posted by: notsofancynancy | October 16, 2013

68 years ago Today Marvin Cain arrived Home

Marvin Cain served with my father. I found his son and daughter-in-law by placing a note on his “Find a Grave” memorial. My note told who I was and that I was looking for the families of the men Dad served with. Doris got a call one day from someone she did not know telling her about my note. I don’t remember all of the details now but from the moment I talked with Doris on the phone our hearts bonded.

Marvin Cain wrote" High Point Men Leaving the 35th QM Co to go to the 106th Div. to go home June 9 1945" Courtesy of The Cain Family

Marvin Cain wrote” High Point Men Leaving the 35th QM Co to go to the 106th Div. to go home June 9 1945″ Courtesy of The Cain Family

We will be able to remember this moment, when Marvin Cain got to go home!

I am reposting this picture along with a few more of Marvin Cain’s collection. The Cain family has become a valuable source and one of my biggest supports through this journey. They have been gracious enough to share Marvin’s pictures and memories with me. They shared pages of Marvin’s   autograph book with me which is where I got this.

My father's autograph in Marvin Cain's book

My father’s autograph in Marvin Cain’s book

How awesome is it that I have a copy of an autograph my dad did back in 1945.

Marvin Cain's stuff1

Marvin Cain at Camp Robinson, Arkansas

Now here is the part that is ironic. When I posted the first picture today for the daily challenge (above) the Cain’s checked Marvin Cain’s diary they were kind enough to share his words with me.

Oct. 4 landed in the US aboard the USS Mu(a)danaska Victory on the Hudson River near camp Shanks.

Oct. 8 Arrived at Ft. Leavenworth to receive my discharge.

Oct. 15. Received my discharge after 4 years and 11 months.

Oct. 16 arrived in Holdrege about 7 A.M.

Exactly 68 years ago TODAY Marvin Cain arrived in Holdrege, Nebraska, which was home for him. I have chill bumps…..

Marvin Cain, Alexander Weil and Reynold Hanson-Courtsey of The Cain Family

Marvin Cain, Alexander Weil and Reynold Hanson-Courtsey of The Cain Family

My dear Cain family I will never be able to express how much your support in telling our fathers story has meant. You have been my rock and have touched my heart, thank you.

Your QM Sis

notsofancynancy

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Posted in Daily Ramblings, Grab Bag, My Father's Letter's, Wordless Wednesday | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Posted by: notsofancynancy | October 10, 2013

World War II, chapter 85, Bad Kreuznach, Germany

Chapter 85

Bad Kreuznach, Germany

Marvin Cain wrote "City Hall, Karlsruhe

Marvin Cain wrote “City Hall, Karlsruhe, Courtesy of the Cain Family

On 26 June 1945 Dad writes that his letter was written from Neidermendig, Germany. Neidermendig was later renamed Mendig. It was home to Mendig Air Force Base.  Once again Wikipedia tell us:

“Niedermendig Airfield (Fliegerhorst Niedermendig) was opened as a Luftwaffe airfield in 1938. American Army units moved into the Mendig area in early March 1945 as part of the Western Allied invasion of Germany and the airfield was attacked by Ninth Air Force B-26 Marauder medium bombers and P-47 Thunderbolt fighter-bombers to deny the retreating German forces use of the facility With the end of the war, Niedermendig Airfield was closed on 11 May 1945. The ground station was taken over by Army units as part of the occupation force.[5] United States Army forces moved out of Niedermendig in the late summer of 1945, as French forces moved into the Rhineland as part of their occupation zone of Germany.”

It seems as though Dad’s unit showed up a month after it was closed and was one of the “Army units.”  That passed through.

Picture Courtesy of Murray Comb's Family

Picture Courtesy of Murray Comb’s Family

26 June, Neidermendig, Germany

My Darlings, Well honey I at least got back to the Company today and was I pissed off. Told the Platoon Sgt. I hope he slept well tonight because I doubt if he has since the 14th. That is when I should have come back. I don’t think he loves me anymore. And if he had a headache he’ll have more of a one. I imagine you’ll be about to write to Pvt again before long. I hate his way of sucking ass. Got another lesson back today. 98% and on the top was very good. Thats [sic] fine and I have two more ready to go. Only send one at a time though. One tomorrow and in a week or so I’ll send the other. And by that time I’ll have some more. Will probably finish another tomorrow cause I have a detail that’s a lot of waiting and not much driving. Don’t tell Mom but I started her letter last night and didn’t finish the fifth line so I still haven’t written her. I might even do that tomorrow. Have beaucoup of writing to do too. I didn’t tell you but the Lex [Lexington] Mill & Elevator C. Sent me a billfold. Guess they are trying to get their sucks up with me. Won’t do em any good! Some of the boys who have left here are home. Have gotten a 30 day discharge. Sure hope they give me a deal like that. That will mean we can spend a little time visiting and won’t have to worry about work so much the first month. If they discharge me right away I’ll have to find something to do and do the visiting later. Either that or go to a school right away and I’d sooner work awhile and maybe get in on a few good wages anyway. Happy dreaming. I answered all of your letters last night so I haven’t much to talk write tonight. Man I haven’t driven any since the Metz trip and today I had two flat tires. Man sure glad I didn’t have much to do. Knew yesterday I had one but the second was completely a surprise. Well at least there is a radio to listen to here but the music doesn’t seem so good. Ate supper up at F.W.D. [not sure what that is] and they had a couple women. One played the violin and one the piano. Wasn’t bad either.  Around here about all we’ll have is prisoners. And who wants to look at them now. I love you Darlings. I love you so much honey. I love you sweetheart. I love you I love you I love you Mommie. I love you so much my Darling. All my love Darlings, Lefty

Oh Dad is in a foul mood!

Can you believe it? We only have eight more letters before the last.

26 June, Neidermendig, Germany

My Darlings, Boy oh Boy got a letter from you today. And was it a good one. It sure seems nicer than hell to get them but boy how much better it would be to be with you so you wouldn’t have to write me. The Company hasn’t been so bad. Have a detail that leaves before revile [sic] and just comes back 20 minutes for lunch and get[s] here to [sic] late for retreat. And one can’t complain about that. Mississippi just came across this pen and its [sic] a Shaffer’s so I am using that. I wanted to buy it but he doesn’t seem to want to sell. I’ll keep talking.  The detail I was talking about was hauling P.W’s. [prisoners of war] to Moyen to clean up the streets. We haul them in and half [sic] to [sic] waite to see if it rains. In case it does we bring them back otherwise they stay until 4:00. The damn fools even have banker’s hours. Well I’m catching up on my schooling anyway. Finished another lesson today. All I have left to do is the test. The next one doesn’t have a test to it. So I’ll just skip it for now. Rushed for time. About all it is, is shop machine and a few explanations. I’ll catch that next round of them want to get all I can done in a hurry. I don’t know what’s to happen. Don’t know but I don’t suppose I’ll be lucky enough to come home for awhile. But I’ll hope.  So Mary has started getting around. Well I don’t know guess I should have taken a course in Care & Equipment of Babies. I dreamed about her the other night. I guess it must have been her anyway I was going down the street and showing her [off to] everyone as mine. Just as I came to a kid by the name of Hubbard she filled her pants and I got a whole hand full.  And of course he wanted to hold her. So he took her by the shoulders and was trying to shake her pants out. Man I can still see him. Me with a whole hand full and him shaking Mary. Of course he wasn’t hurting her. But its [sic] funny now. I don’t remember where you were but Butch and I were sure showing off. Well have to get up at three in the morning to go on guard. And won’t get the morning off. Volunteered to take the detail so I wouldn’t have to be around here. I love you my Darling. I love you so much I love you honey I love you I love you I love you Mommie. All my love, Lefty

What a great story. I sure wish my sister was still alive to share this with her. Mary passed away a year before my dad did.

There is only one man from Mississippi in Dad’s Company. His name is Herbert Tribble. So this must be who Dad is talking about in this letter.

Dad Wrote "Tribble, St Jean Fr." (Herbert E. Tribble)

Dad Wrote “Tribble, St Jean Fr.” (Herbert E. Tribble)

28 June, Neidermendig, Germany

My Darlings. Gee honey I missed writing last night. I got up at three yesterday morning. We were on guard three hours then went on detail until about 5:30 last night and was I tired. I ate supper and lay down and right then Sippi said better undress and go to bed. But I told him I wanted to write you and was going to get up later. I did. Long enough to undress about 10 and hit the bed again. Its [sic] a good thing I did because I had to get up again at 4 this morning and go again. Have been going all day. And we still have trucks over 40 miles. They haven’t come in yet. Man I don’t know why they have such trouble. I haven’t and I guess I won’t. I have been relieved of duties here as of tomorrow. And just to show them I’m not even going to get up for revile [sic]. Guess we leave Sat for sure. Write me here because I’m not leaving the division and can get my mail from you until you get another address. I’m going to an AAA [Anti-Aircraft Artillery] outfit. And I am hoping what rumors I hear are right. I got a card and letter from you today. It was the one you were listening to “Watch your Baby Grow.” Or such. I read part of it to Bob and he agrees with me. We must have the best baby one can have. Gosh Mommie I’m so proud of you both. And I am hoping I am home sooner than expected. Bob said Madeline wrote and said the Woodside’s sure have a wonderful baby. So you must have convinced her the same as us. You know Mommie if I knew for sure I was going to be home soon and that Pop was coming out to Kansas I’d have you and Mary come along and meet me there. But I guess it won’t work cause I may not be home for 6 months. Besides Mary is to [sic] small. Bob and I have been talking spuds. His Dad wrote and said they were $100 a peck and that’s lots of doe [sic]. I use [d] to sell them at 15 cents. Gosh Mommie I hate to stop. I like writing you but its 10 and I’m just setting here almost asleep. I love you my Darlings. I love you I love you so much Honey. I love you sweetheart. I love you Mommie. All my love, your husband, Lefty

First Letter when Dad is reassigned to go home

First Letter after Dad is reassigned to go home

2 July, Bad (something or other-I’ll find out tomorrow), Germany

My Darlings, Hello honey. I missed a couple nights again. Night before was a show and last night we moved and I guess by Gosh I was tired. So I missed again, Said good bye to all the gang last night though. It was like breaking up a family. And even though one wouldn’t expect it I believe quite a few tears were shed. No more Bob no more Clark or any more of them. 29 started and 4 were jerked out to fly direct home.  They leave tomorrow. Over 103 points and so I should be in the next groupe [sic]. I have 102 now. I don’t imagine I’ll see any of the boys we leave, before being a civilian. I’m not promising that but we have hope and rumors. God Mommie I hope they are right.

That must have been hard. These men were overseas almost a year to the day so far. Dad really thought he would get to go home before some of these men but when you start splitting up the men who had your back for the last year it must put a big strain on these already overworked men. I am sure many tears were shed that day.

 I haven’t gotten any mail from you for about 5 days now and man is my mood getting bad. I guess it will be coming though. You know honey I’m hoping I beat this letter home. But you and I both know that that won’t happen. We have taken a short step on the way home though. Boy they sure pulled the wool over our eyes today. 60 men were suppose [sic] to go to Koblenz to a ball game and they couldn’t find that many. So what did they do. Call the Company in and took us all. We road about 110 miles in the back of a truck and it rained and was cold and about everything else that could happen and we didn’t even enjoy the game. It was good though. Between the 35th Div. and 106 Div.   We won 5-3 and it was our first game in our new stadium. Well Mommie I guess I’ve said all I can except my address. It [s] all the same except I’m in Btry A 448 AAA(An) Bn. APO 408 Guess you can figure that out. I’ll have some change of address cards tomorrow. I love you my Darlings. I love you so much honey. I love you sweetheart. I love you I love you I love you Mommie. All my love, Lefty

Two months after VE-Day and it seems like Dad can finally see the end. They will transfer him to another Division to come home. This is the unit that will show on my father’s discharge papers, The 448th AAAWB Division. This caused much confusion when I first started this journey. I had done a post about Dad and had listed it like I found it on his papers. My sister called and wanted to know what was up and where I had gotten the AAAWB number from. ”Dad was part of the 110th Yoo Hoo unit then the 35th” she stated.  It was then I got my memory refreshed to the 110th and 35th QM. I know there are a lot of other men out there whose discharge papers have other divisions on them who were really part of the 35th QM. They only got put into these other divisions to be shipped home. I met one man when I first started who was the ex-son-in-law of one of the soldiers. Even though I had the roster with the father-in-law’s name on it the discharge papers said different and I could not convince him otherwise.

I really thought I would not find anything on this next town but I got lucky. According to Wikipedia:

Although Bad Kreuznach was captured by the Americans, the town belonged to the French occupation zone. The Rheinwiesenlager near Bad Kreuznach gained notoriety for German prisoners of war and internees. In the late 1940s, units of the U.S. army were again stationed in the city; until mid-2001, the American forces had four barracks, the 56th General Hospital, a Redstone missile unit, a shooting range, a small airfield and a small military training unit. The last unit was stationed in Bad Kreuznach was “Old Ironsides”, the 1st Armored Division.

The Drawings from the 3 July letter

The Drawings from the 3 July letter

3 July, Bad Kreuznach, Germany

My Darlings, Well Mommie I told you I’d find out the name of this town. What a tongue twister huh. Sure haven’t done much today. Made a watch band this morning and this afternoon made a new folder for your and Mary’s pictures. Had some really nice leather so did that instead of throwing it away.  The picture frame is something like this [small drawing]  Its [sic] nice but of course crude. The watch band is the kind with leather between the watch and wrist [the other [#14a] small drawing][#14b]  Compare that. Well I passed the day. Also filled out another test. So have two ready to send in. Must get them on the road too. Didn’t get any mail today and boy are things scarce to write about. Only four letters for the men here and I wasn’t one of them. Man how I’d like to get some mail. They are starting us out right. Have 6 of us on guard. It isn’t to [sic] bad though. Only its raining and I don’t like that. But guess I can sweat that out. There is a lot of bull flying around here to [sic]. If I don’t put the right thing down I’m not responsible. I never did say just what was to happen to Bob. I guess he’ll be here before long. Only it’s a long shot as to whether he will get to this Btry [Battery]or not. And then he may be into the 654 TD. We just don’t know what’s to happen to us or them. But by gosh we have to get it done soon. Or by Gosh this outfit is going nuts. Man I guess its [sic] rough in the ETO.  Well here it is the 3rd and I’ll have to finish this now cause I have another tour of guard and then a whole new one. Get off at 6 and go on at 8 for another 24 Hrs. Of course its on two and off 4 so it isn’t so bad.  Besides that we might move tomorrow and I’ll only half of it to stand. It wasn’t my idea though. Man Mommie things are really scarce to write about. Don’t know what I’ll write next. Except of course I love you. I do my Darling. I love you so much. Sure wish I was home with you. Have a good chance of flying home if and when the time comes. Sure hope it is soon. Well Mommie I can’t think of anything more so I’ll say I love you I love you Mommie I love you sweetheart. I love you so much. All my love Darlings, Lefty

It won’t be long now until he gets his ticket home. I know it is hard not to know what will happen to his best buddy, Bob and his fellow soldiers. But I think he will be happy just to get his own ticket.

Robert “Bob” Winter, Herbert Tribble, Harmon E. Clark, Marvin Cain, Murray Combs

© 2013 notsofancynancy

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Posted by: notsofancynancy | October 3, 2013

World War II, chapter 84, The “Nunnery”

World War II

Chapter 84

The Nunnery

The "Nunnery" at Meria Laach

The “Nunnery” at Meria Laach Courtesy of Wikipedia

It has been a month and a half since VE-Day and Dad still has no concrete orders to go home but he sure is busy driving all over Germany and Belgium. At least he can talk about it now that the censoring has been lifted.  There is some really great information in the letters now.

28 May, Germany

My Darlings, Well honey I didn’t write last night. Was in Belgium as a matter of fact I just got back from there. Was in a rest camp last night. Boy what a place. The town we were in had a big Red Cross and they had a dance. Need I say more. Boy that’s the first dance I had been to since we left England. I didn’t forget all I knew but I was sure rugged at it. Had a good time even if I couldn’t talk to them. They dance almost like we do only have a little more jump to it. After I got to bed last night I was still jumping. The dance was over at eleven and was I worn out drove all day and then that. Well was lots worse today. Drove back and here we are (NO MAIL) Gosh honey I should be in bed. So perhaps this won’t be so bad. Guess I kinda got balled up on my dates –huh- no Apr. 31. Better luck next time. Didn’t look it up and after all 31 comes after 30 so I put that. By Gosh I am going to finish this tomorrow. I’m tired now.

29 May, written on same page

Here it is tomorrow and I’m about to finish all this. Boy did it rain a while ago. Was up working on my truck and it started raining and I quit. Well it stopped almost now. Have another trip tomorrow. Don’t know where. Turned down one to Holland. Would have left this morning at 4. And by Gosh I didn’t get up until 8. And sure hated that. I imagine tomorrow night will be the same only then I’ll be on guard. Say on those last pictures that middle one sure is a dinger. I like it best of any yet. In fact if you have any enlarged have that one. Don’t send it to me now though. Just save it. I’ll come and get it sometime. Boy here I’ve been two days trying to write a letter to you but all I can say is I love you. I love you my Darlings I love you so much honey I love you my darlings I love you honey I love you I love you Mommie. All my love Darlings, Lefty

31 May, Recklinghausen, Germany

My Darlings, Gee honey here it is 4:30 and I’m writing you again. Should be sleeping cause I’m awful sleepy. But am on guard and have to have something to do. And can’t think of anything better. I was down through Cologne & Aachen again yesterday.  It wasn’t a bad ride but sure did beat me out. The roads have been bombed and shelled so much they just aren’t roads in some places. Just filled craters. And boy are they rough. Its only about 115 miles down there and boy it’s a five hour drive.

This is a great clue to how challenging the drive was and one of the few things I remember Dad saying about the war.  How rough the roads were and how beat up they got driving. I don’t think I realized that it was because there were so many bomb craters though.

 I haven’t gotten any mail since I got all of those letters from you. I wish they would come more regular and not so bunched up. Don’t help my morale on the days I don’t get any and boy do I need helping then. Oh! Well they are coming. It wasn’t so bad today. Didn’t rain to[sic] much and did that after I got home . So can’t complain. Boy this country and Calif must be about  alike it rains enough. I saw something today. A Highland Band skirts and all. They weren’t half bad either. Some look funny in those skirts. But I guess they are about the roughest toughest fighters England had.  Boy I’ll bet Dolores isn’t going to like moving back into those barracks. Man that won’t be quite so nice. At least I don’t think so. It sure doesn’t seem that Mary Lynn is old enough to be rolling over or almost crawling as you say. Guess she is though. Man I’m getting old fast. Uncle Sam you better send me home or send me a cane. I had an MP escort into Dusseldorf today. Guess 40 is fast in a 25 mile zone. They didn’t say anything just drove in front of us for quite a ways. And then they turned and we didn’t. Sure had me worried for while though. Thought he was leading me straight into Summary Court. Had a good Captain though and he was backing me so I didn’t care much. Sure took it easy coming back alone. I had a physical yesterday. They asked me about 4 questions checked my lungs & heart and said A-1 so you see where  I stand.  No honey I was only kidding I have enough points to come home on. I did have a physical though. Didn’t amount to anything though. I guess I’m about ran down Mommie. Its [sic] all to [sic] early in the morning to really think very hard. So I’ll have to quit. I love you my darlings. I love you so much. I love you I love you Mommie I love you so much. All my Love Darlings, Lefty

I have always wondered how Dad got into the Army. He was colorblind and walked with a limp from an injury he sustained when he was a kid. One of his legs was significantly shorter than the other. Maybe back then those things did not matter or Dad knew how to hide them well.

Coblenz, Germany, Courtesy of Marvin Cain's family

Coblenz, Germany, Courtesy of Marvin Cain’s family

2 June, Coblenz, Germany

We’re not in Coblenz but I don’t know where in the hell we are so I’ll say that cause it can’t be over 20 miles away. Anyway we’re in the Coblenz area.  And the 15th Army. And that is the occupation Army. What a life to look forward to. We are here in the mountains in some Nunnery and although its [sic] good for what it means. I sure don’t think its [sic] made for G.I’s. But I didn’t pick it and hope I’m not here long. Here’s the dope. I wrote a couple days ago but since I received two letters and the package. The candy and cookies were really good honey. See I didn’t marry you for the money after all. I knew you could cook. They were really good honey. But I guess you shouldn’t have sent the magazine and funnies because I’ve been reading them and haven’t written. Boy I’m going to be far behind if we ever get anymore mail. The mail didn’t go out yesterday so I didn’t write then. I guess I’m just lazy. Sure can’t say over worked. Only driven about 2,000 miles in the past couple weeks. Not bad. I have a chance of going back [to] Recklinghausen  so I think I’ll take it. It will get me out of these mountains for awhile. Only been here for 5 hours and need to go. I’m glad  you had Mary Lynn baptized. I probably won’t be home before a couple of months and I’m awful bashful anyway. I am glad you did. Oh yes we are near a big lake and could go swimming only an English Bomber was shot down and landed in it and had 4,000 pounds of bombs on it. Besides that it might be mined. Beside that it [is] too damn cold. What a country.  Its [sic] pretty to look at though and I imagine before long some GI will be in it. I love to swim. I love you my darling. I love you so much honey. I love you I love you I love you Mommie. I love you Mary Lynn. All my love Darlings, Lefty (thanks for the package)

Mary Lynn gets Baptized

Mary Lynn gets Baptized

I was able to hunt down the “Nunnery” (convent) and found its real spelling is Maria Laach and there is an Abby there.  I read that instead of trying to lock the place down and keep the Germans and others from damaging it they opened it up to the soldiers. Now a month after D-day and the American’s are now there. Don’t you wonder how these soldiers acted while they were there?  And what did Dad mean by “I sure don’t think its [sic] made for G.I’s?”

Dad Writes

Dad Writes

4 June, Meria Leach [Laach] (Name is printed add photo of ltr 1945 Meria Leach)

My Darlings. Well finally some mail I got your card you sent May 26. It was good. Also got another lesson back. Good also. Got 100 on this one. On the top was written Excellent Paper. Man I’m coming up in this learning. Have No 5 going in now. And I have part of 6 done. Going to have more time now. Making us work more on the trucks and I have mine in pretty good shape so I’ll slip off and read. I hope. Its [sic] good if they don’t catch you. And we have it pretty good here. Have to go back to the Company the 19 and that won’t be so bad. Sure haven’t been doing much. I didn’t go back to Recklinghausen. I had to get up at 3 that morning and go on guard and go to town at 6 after a load of Kraut women we have on K.P. and doing the cooking here. That was Clark’s detail  but he was in bed and I was up because I was on guard so I went. Only about 20 minutes. I didn’t have my truck unloaded either so didn’t care about driving someone elses [sic] that far. Mine is a cab job and his is a soft top and didn’t have the curtain’s on and I stood guard it was plenty chilly. This mountain air is that way. They had a thanksgiving service here V-E day  but I was doing something and missed it. Boy I guess it must have been quite a day out there anyway. Church is the best place to take your troubles away. I’ll bet the folks will miss Mary Lynn when we leave. I know we always missed the kids around home when they had been there for awhile. Boy she has been there a long time too.  We had lettuce for supper. Tasted pretty good. I don’t imagine will have any fresh vegt. over here. Too many people need them worse than we. We are eating ok. I love you my Darling, I love you so much honey. I love you Butch I love you so much I love you I love you I love you Mommie. All my Love Darlings, Lefty

I had not noticed but now that I look back the only time Dad talked about fresh vegetables was when they bought them from the French and Dad and Bob made that delicious rabbit stew.

Marvin Cains Picture of men leaving to go home

Marvin Cain’s Picture of men leaving to go home

7 June, Meria Laach, Germany [Dad has now changed the spelling of Meria Laach]

My Darlings, Well honey its [sic[ 10:30 I’m tired and have to go on guard at 6 in the morning. Haven’t done much today but yesterday was a killer. I did Germany west of the Rhine.  You see Clark  and I left a couple nights ago and went up to Frankfurt and picked up 111,000 newspapers and had to deliver them to the Military Gov. In towns in the Division area. And believe me that was a job. We left Frankfurt yesterday morn at 7:00 and drove until 10:30 last night and we didn’t waste any time. We used two tanks of gasoline and that’s 80 gallons. So you see we didn’t let any grass grow under our feet. We only got rid of 99,000 then we quit. They took the rest out in a command car this morning. I broke a spring in the clutch and drove about the last 150 miles without using one. Boy what a time we had. In Koblenz I backed up to a building and got too close and couldn’t get the truck out of reverse.  And couldn’t move it to get it. So we proceeded to get the Ax out and knock down part of the building so we could move it. If we wanted [it] to start, [we] had  to turn the motor off and put it in gear and start the motor that way. What a time were we ever tired last night. We sure saw some nice country though and crossed the Moselle River on a ferry. I think it was the Moselle. I’ve done about everything now. From hauling dead to newspapers. We sure have a variety over here.  Want a drink of wine. We got 4 qts apiece yesterday and I’ve been setting here drinking it and have almost gotten a buzz on. I got two letters from you today one from Mom and one from the church. Yesterday I got one from Harold and Rosa. Dad got my guns. We’ll go hunting now honey. Boy we’ll have one for Mary Lynn too. I love you my Darling I love you so much honey. I love you I love you I love you my Darling. All my love, Lefty

I think this statement is all too telling: “From hauling dead to newspapers. We sure have a variety over here.” That is the statement that haunts me. How many dead did they have to haul? I know there were a lot of casualties in this war but I don’t think I ever thought about how they got our fallen soldiers home. Someone had to transport them and it was up to the Quartermasters to get them home.  What I hear in that statement it must have been a quite easy some days and horrifying on others.

9 June, Meria Laach, Germany

My Darlings, Here we go again. The beer didn’t cause so much trouble this morning the Lt. came in took about two good whiffs and says I guess we better leave this door open for awhile.  Then shot the bull for about an hour. He is a pretty good Joe. Wish he was in the Company. I guess we wasted a couple gallons at least of the 16 gallon keg we had.  Its [sic] all gone now except just a little. Have to tip the keg to get any out. Oh well we’ll get another one soon. Still have about 6 qts of wine and some champagne left. Man we have had more to drink around here lately. I guess the Company has too cause they seem to be having their troubles too. They have to be in bed at eleven and lights out now. Too many turning up at sick call with black eyes. Its [sic] hard on trucks too. (Believe me)

Wait! Is this a hint that Dad did some damage to a truck while drinking? But seriously I can understand the black eyes. It is now one month after VE-Day and these guys have no word on when they will be going home. You add some beer to that frustration and you have a company of drunken mad soldiers. That could not have been pretty.

Gosh honey I’ve had hopes of getting started home this month but I’m not sure. The quota just doesn’t seem to be coming down. Perhaps next month. Who Knows?? Sure wish they would get back from the Company with the Mail. And I’m hoping I have some. I’m about out of something to write. Bob sure has been sweating out his points. He only has 80 but with the two battle stars we are to get makes 90. You see we have 3 now and are suppose [sic] to get 5. If  S.H.A.E.F. [Supreme Headquarters Allied Expeditionary Force] agrees. And I think they will. In time they will lower the points so he’ll get home anyway. Only this way it will be sooner and that’s good. Clark only has about 58 with the two extra stars. He has had quite a time too. His dad died and now they are having quite a time at home. He seems to be going to stay in the Army though. Says he is. By God I’m not. I’m just hoping I stay up here until they call that quota to go home. If I get back to the Co. I’ll tangle asses with someone. And probably still be a Pvt. Well Darling I love you. I love you so much honey. I love you sweetheart. I love you I love you I love you my darlings. I love you Mommie. All my love, Lefty

2nd Platoon Leader Lieutenant Warren C. Smith

2nd Platoon Leader Lieutenant Warren C. Smith

It was very hard for me to figure out exactly what the S.H.A.E.F. did but the following was taken from The National Archives.

During 1944-1945 operated SHAEF Missions that were established in liberated nations to represent the Supreme Allied Commander and to maintain contact with these countries without interfering with military operations. These missions were located in France, Luxembourg, Belgium, the Netherlands, Denmark, and Norway. As combined organizations they were disbanded in July 1945 with the termination of SHAEF, but as national missions some of them continued as late as 1947.

9 June, Germany

My Darlings, Here I am again honey. Gosh it seems I never get to write to you before 10 and it is almost eleven now. I went for a walk tonight walked about 5 miles. Sure is nice country to see around here reminds one of Calif. And it wasn’t bad walking cool and nice. It doesn’t get dark here until eleven so we haven’t anything much to do anyway. Eleven is nothing to get dark though. I’ve seen it light at two. One night on the boat coming over it was light at 2, dark at three and light again at 4. We got quite a bang out of that. In England we had to blackout the windows to go to sleep. That was rough. Just before we came over here we made use of those light hours. We were working from light to dark waterproofing our trucks. And when we did come over drove right up to the beach and drove off in only about 2 ½ feet of water that was only about 6 feet wide. We didn’t mind a bit though. Didn’t want to get wet anyway. Well by Gosh I got started on how dark it got and didn’t get I guess [???] I better get down to the news. What news? They just came in with a keg of beer and now have to figure out how to get it up to the third story. And those are high stairs too. Besides that we only have half of the spicket [sic] to put in it. Guess we’ll just have to drink wine and champagne tonight (all we have on hand) Its [sic] bed time honey so I better stop and go to bed. I love you my Darling. I love you so much honey. I love you I love you my darlings. I love you sweetheart. I love you. All my love, Lefty

That must have been a crazy time for our soldiers. Getting adjusted to the time difference as well as it being light at different hours seems like a dream for those of us in the States. This is the only time my father mentions the boat going over.  The 35th Quartermaster sailed on the SS Thomas H. Berry departing the states on the 12 May 1944 and arrived in Bristol, England on 6 July 1944. My father and his division have been overseas one month short of a year. His daughter is now four months old and he has only seen pictures of her. How long until his number comes up and he gets that magical ticket home?

Harmon D. Clark, Robert “Bob” Winter, Marvin Cain, Warren C. Smith

© 2013 notsofancynancy

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Posted by: notsofancynancy | September 26, 2013

World War II, chapter 83, May 1945

World War II

End of May 1945

Chapter 83

Heilbronn, Germany, Courtesy of the Cain Family

Heilbronn, Germany, Courtesy of the Cain Family

This is the last entry on the document “Various stations and area’s occupied by the 35th Quartermaster since it’s induction to federal service.” But that is not where my father’s story ends, fortunately Dad starts writing where he is on the letters. For them the war did not end on D-Day as some would have thought. Although some men may be going home but it is not time for Dad. After all there are a half a million men overseas that are all hoping to be on the first ship home and someone had to drive them.

19 May, 1945 Quartermaster moved to Bockum, six (6) miles west of Hamm, Germany

21 May, Recklinghausen, Germany

Dearest Wife & Daughter, Mommie I can really tell you I love you tonight and not have anyone reading it. They have started letting us seal our own letters now. And will that feel different. Boy oh Boy I love you honey. And you too Butch. Man did I have a trip today. We were over what seemed half of Germany and really only drove 200 miles. Or maybe a little more. But was in Munster. Have been there several times before but never so lost in it as today. Couldn’t find anything. Believe me honey you can be thankful you are in the good old U.S. Because you never saw the blocks after blocks of almost every town torn up. Not really torn up. About all that is left is the memory. They say flattened they don’t mean anything but. I’ve seen people that have been buried and dug out and of all that’s left of about their bodies you could get under a newspaper. Some of the towns you will just have to start all over again. Just as well mark them a mistake and build the whole town again. Hannover, Reckinghouser, Cologne, Aachen and the whole works are something a good drama writer couldn’t describe. Yes honey since we started living in buildings its [sic] been filth like that. Towns with no windows. Such things. Germany has work to do in the future. But now. Before VE day over 5000 people a day were starving and I believe it hasn’t changed now. In some ways (many ways) the people are paying. But not half enough. If they build Germany first they won’t have time to have another war around here for a long time. Just to fill the bomb craters and defense positions will take years. And I guess the POW’s are going to help repair some of the other countries. That sounds good to me. Well Mommie thats all of that sounds pretty good and bad. But believe me you would think the people in France would have been happy to have gotten away from the Germany rule. But when we first landed in Normandy we had both French and German’s to fight. Yes even French woman were shooting at us. We were even ordered to all machine Guns alert and if anyone fired at us to shoot back. If in a building or town but the whole works. After the breakthrough of St. Lo though we didn’t have that so much. But some women were in love with the men The FFI usually did them up good.

The FFI was Freedom Forces of the Interior was a group of freedom fighters who banned together in the later stages of World War II. According to Wikipedia:

The French Forces of the Interior (French: Forces Françaises de l’Intérieur) refers to French resistance fighters in the later stages of World War II. Charles de Gaulle used it as a formal name for the resistance fighters. The change in designation of these groups to FFI occurred as France’s status changed from that of an occupied nation to one of a nation being liberated by the Allied armies. As regions of France were liberated, the FFI were more formally organized into light infantry units and served as a valuable manpower addition to regular French forces. In this role, the FFI units manned less active areas of the front lines, allowing regular French army units to practice economy of force measures and mass their troops in decisive areas of the front. Finally, from October 1944 and with the greater part of France liberated, the FFI units were amalgamated into the French regular forces, thus ending the era of the French irregulars in World War II.

Courtesy of the Cain Family

Courtesy of the Cain Family

Now let’s get back to this this letter. Finally Dad is able to write a letter and seal it himself. He is finally able to tell what is going on around him and it is not pretty. I mean what was it like to be told to shoot anyone even if it is a woman. I know this is part of war but it was not as real to me as it is now.

Right now Mommie every road leading out of Germany is filled with people going home. They are traveling any way they can. Bicycle, Horse & Wagon, just wagons loaded with baggage and men women & kids pulling them. They are mostly German because we have been shipping the others back by rail or hauling them. But if you could see just how people do in this country. More about it tomorrow. I got your card today and also a V-Mail from Rose & Elmer. Rose didn’t have much to say. Just the usual. She said she wrote you so you probably know it all. She thought the pictures were pretty good of Butch. Yes Mommie do all you can to get healed up. Cause I have an awful good chance coming home as a civilian and soon. But everythings [sic] a chance in the Army. I have 92 points and if the Army doesn’t need me I’ll be home. Sure fixed you. Cut this paper in two so I wouldn’t have to write so much. Good of me huh! I love you my Darling. I love you so much honey. I love you Butch I love you I love you. All my love Mommie & Butch, Lefty

That must have been a lot of people going somewhere all at once. Everyone trying to get home only to find out their home had been blown to smithereens. There is nothing good that comes out of going home only to find your home has been flattened by bombs.

22 May, 22 May, Recklinghausen, Germany

My Darlings Wife & Daughter, Well honey got two letters from you today and boy was I glad to get them. Also was back to the Co. and talked to Bob. We had quite a talk. While I was there I went into the orderly room to sign the payroll and Lt. Sorensen said he wanted to talk to me.  Well I thought I had really done something then. More so when we went into a little room by ourselves. Well about all it amounted to he asked me if I wanted another rating. Everything was going swell honey till he got personal and asked when I turned the others in. The more I told the madder I got and finally just said if that was the kind of chicken shits they were I didn’t want anything to do with them. Boy did he get a long face and looked down his nose at that.  And didn’t say anymore and we both went our ways. Its [sic] a long story honey.

Here is yet another story we may never get to hear.

Say your letter of May 8 sure smells good. Whats [sic] the name of that, Allure or something. I opened your letter in the truck cab and man I had the sweetest smelling cab in the lot. Boy oh Boy. I’m setting here with the letter under my nose now. That’s why I’m not writing so good. I imagine George will get a discharge before long now. He better hurry or I’ll beat him out yet. But I haven’t limited service. Say do you know its [sic] after 1:15 and this is the fourth letter I have written tonight. You know I’m making $8 something more than Bob and I’ll bet I’m not working half as hard. Figured up and have only driven about 6,000 since we crossed the Rhine. That makes over 25,000 miles I have covered over here. Not bad huh. I have seen some country.

Skoda RSO - for hauling heavy artillery Skoda RSO - for hauling heavy artillery Courtesy of Murry Combs Family


Skoda RSO – for hauling heavy artillery
Courtesy of Murray Combs Family

25,000 miles is a whole lot of miles when you remember that they had a strict speed limit of 35 miles an hour and the roads have been bombed so they are forever dodging bomb craters. Then if we take into consideration they were usually in convoys that could be spread out for 40 miles or more we really get an idea of what he has been doing over there.

Sure sounds like Mary Lynn is getting big. Boy oh Boy maybe you won’t have to feed her that spinach to make 18 in the next couple of months.  Honey I don’t care if you write Dad for my picture album. Only there are a lot of pictures that has to come out of it. To be burned.  You can honey. Suit yourself. Boy honey I’m all run down. I guess I have just written to [sic] much. Besides that I have another try tomorrow. Have to take 25 extra gallons of gas that makes 70 gallons all together.  So I must be going somewhere. Well I like to travel. I love you my Darling. I love you so much honey.  I love you sweetheart I love you I love sweetheart. I love you I love you I love you Mommie & Mary Lynn. All my love Darlings, Lefty

23 May, Recklinghausen, Germany

My Darlings, Well we will have a change of ink tonight. (The only thing I could borrow) Its [sic] sure a good night tonight. Its [sic] about middle between warm and cold. Clark has to go out in a little while to take some German’s home who clean up here so I think I’ll go along. Remember that detail I told you about. It turned out to be a killer. Had to go about 60 miles south of Hannover and that adds up to over 450 miles altogether. It wasn’t a bad trip though. Made it in two days.  Was back about noon today and that wasn’t so bad. Took my time coming. Anyone caught speeding forfeits the chance of coming home. So I didn’t get out of second-well hardly. Got a letter from Bob’s today. Norma told me all about the kids [sic] school program for Mother’s day and I guess while I am on the subject of Mother’s day I should wish that you had a good time. I can’t remember dates very well and I haven’t a calendar so I don’t know those things– So the only mail I got was that letter and a few clippings in it. I guess everyone at home is ok anyway she said so. Clark’s Father died 4 or 5 days ago. Perhaps longer than that. I just found out. He is up here too now. Couldn’t even get a furlough to go home. Boy this Army is all it. His father has been sick for some time and everyone knew it was all. And Clark has been trying to go home for months.

I wonder how often this happened with these men, losing family and not being able to get home. As with the news of my sister being born I wonder how long it was until he knew of the passing of his father. My guess is it was a long time after the funeral.

Well I don’t know what else to say. Bob Winter still has a chance of getting out. Don’t know just how much and won’t for a month. I’ll beat him anyway. I guess I’ll stop now honey and go to bed. I just yawned and changed my mind about going with Clark. I love you my Darlings. I love you so much honey. I love you I love you I love you Mommie I love you sweetheart. All my Love Darlings, Lefty

Mom sent this card to Dad

Mom sent this card to Dad

24 May, Recklinghausen, Germany

Dearest Darlings, Hello Mommie! No mail today. Didn’t have anyone to bring it from the Company. So perhaps there is some there. Boy we are going to have to get someone on the ball.  Saw in tonights [sic] S & S [Stars & Stripes] where the draft board is getting a medal. Boy are they proud. Here I have had 10 months of combat and don’t think I’m entitled to one and they give them one. Man whats [sic] this war coming too. Those guys have enough enemies without causing something like that too. We thought it was crazy.  I’m on guard now and its [sic] about 2:30 all we have to do is listen to the phone and it never rings. At least I haven’t heard it. I’m going to check into this thing maybe the damn thing is broken and if so whats [sic] the use of wasting my time. Its [sic] only shows honey I’m thinking about you this early in the morning. I love you honey. And I think about you lots. By Gosh honey I don’t believe you have been out of my mind for a long time. I got a letter written to Bob’s and Mikes’s tonight and you. Now I’m going to try to write Uncle George and call it quits. I really owe them a letter though. I do lots of other people too. But they are first tonight after you of course. There sure isn’t much news tonight. They are about to give us two more battle stars. Making five all together. We have three now and are suppose [sic] to get one for the Ardennes and Battle of Germany No. 2. We have Normandy, Northern France and Germany No. 1. And have enough of the other two to get them. If they give us them I’ll have 102 points. Boy that sounds good to me. And a lot of others too. That will make Bob out too. He will have 90. Went to a show tonight. Don’t remember the name. It had a 45 on the end and had Eleanor Powell in it. Oh I could look it up. It was pretty good and wasted a little time. I guess I should stop honey. I just can’t think of anything else to write. Have been setting here from some time and can’t think of anything except you. I love you my Darlings. I love you so much honey. I love you I love you I love you Mommie & Mary Lynn. I love you both so much. All my love, Lefty

Found tucked in one of the letters

Found tucked in one of the letters

Eleanor Powell was known as “The Queen of Tap.” Wikipedia says she was known for her exuberant tap dance solo’s.  According to them:

She danced in a giant pinball machine in Sensations of 1945 (1944) for United Artists, but this picture was a critical and commercial disappointment. Powell’s performance was overshadowed by what was to be the final film appearance of W. C. Fields. Powell retired from the cinema afterwards to concentrate on raising her son, actor Peter Ford, who was born that year.

26 May, Recklinghausen, Germany

My Darlings, I just wrote Mrs Johnson and sent her some of the pictures you sent. I got the last one and boy honey are they good. Those three stamp pictures were really good. Man did she think she was big in them. I think the center one for the best. Boy honey I think we have the sweetest daughter. Oh man how much I want to see you two. Boy I got beaucoup of mail from you yesterday honey. Boy 4 letters and one today. Besides one from Elmer & Rose, Harold & Rosa, Mom, and Mrs Johnson. Boy I sure like to get them. Of course I didn’t throw the letters away for a long shot.  I guess Dad will wait until I get home and we can get the pictures we want and send the rest to him or perhaps something can be worked out. They aren’t supposed to be taken off on those censored pictures. If you can’t read this honey Herby is up playing cards and I’m about to laugh myself silly. Boy we get a bang out of him. He is just as funny as that picture I sent of him looks. You know honey it sure seems funny around here. No blackouts no blackout driving or anything like war. Its [sic] just Army now. On long trips you take off and without thinking of getting into a pace where you can’t use lights. In the five years I’ve been here I don’t know of a time when we haven’t been bothered with blackout driving. Oh yes, I finally got to see Thunderhead. I think you said it wasn’t as good as Flicka. I didn’t think so either. It was good though. You were telling jokes. So I’ll tell you a live one. You heard about not being able to fraternize with the women here. Well I think everyone in town passes outside our window every day and there is a grave yard across the road. Well we were looking the other night and all at once from nothing one kid says I guess I’ll have to take a box of chocolate and set it in the grave yard tomorrow. We all laugh and he said. Well you can’t be caught talking with those. Mommie its [sic] late  and I have another long trip to go on tomorrow so I getter get to bed. Around this place you are lucky to get to sleep before 12 and up before 8. Just made it for breakfast this morning 8:30. Guess we are through with that though cause we are going to have revile [sic]. I love you my Darling Wife & Daughter I love you so much. I love you I love you Mommie. I love you Honey. All my love Darling, Lefty

Dad Wrote "Herbie the Medic"

Dad Wrote “Herbie the Medic”

I am not sure if this is the Herby Dad is talking about but I have to believe it is. He looks like he could really make one laugh and we all know with all they are doing, laughing time is sorely needed. It is now a month and a half after D-day and although there are rumors of going home Dad has not gotten any solid leads yet.


Robert “Bob” Winter, Paul W. Sorensen, Harmon E. Clark, Herbert Morgan

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Posted by: notsofancynancy | September 19, 2013

World War II, chapter 82, Dad Tells All

World War II

Dad Tells All

Chapter 82

Notice the stamp in the lower left corner. This is the last one stamped with the censor

Notice the stamp in the lower left corner. This is the last one stamped with the censor

It is now seven days after VE-Day and my dad is hopeful about getting home and meeting his baby for the first time. The 16 May 1945 letter is the last censored letter there is. What will Dad’s letters be like once it is lifted? We don’t have to wait long to find out.

16 May, Hanover, Germany

My Darlings, By gosh guess what I did. I did my wash after 9:30 tonight. Had quite a place to get it done too. A big boiler and washing machine (the hand style) But had to do something. Have been sweating out getting my other laundry from the company and it hasn’t come.  Well if it dries now I guess everything will be ok. According to the paper I can tell you the town I am in. Hannover and not proud of it either. Oh its [sic] not so bad here. Only not going enough. Back at the company we were on the road all the time. And here it isn’t such. Didn’t get any mail today so haven’t much to say. I did forget to tell you yesterday that Madelyn said she was going to try and get up there before she got married. I doubt it though. Although you can’t tell about her.   We had ice cream again for supper and also steak. Last night we had chicken fried. Boy was that good. Eating pretty good right now. Don’t imagine that will last long though can’t say much for the future. But look for anything. You know I have been having stomick [sic] trouble for the last 4 or 5 days. Nothing bad I guess. Went to the medic today and got some pills to take. So maybe I’ll get by. Well honey I’m all run down and its [sic] almost eleven. So I getter go to bed. I love you my Darlings I love you so much honey. I love you I love you Darlings I love you. All my love, Lefty

17 May, 1945 Quartermaster moved to Ascheberg, Germany, 15 miles south of Munster

This is the first letter after the censorship was lifted. Notice the stamp is missing

This is the first letter after the censorship was lifted. Notice the stamp is missing

This next letter is one of the most important historically to the 35th Quartermaster as Dad tells all. It is six pages long and is written in my father’s neat left-handed writing. The first time I found it is was before I started this journey of transcribing the letters. There have been times during writing the chapters when I wanted to bring this information into the story but I feel this way we get a better idea of how it felt when Mom read it for the first time.  So take a few minutes and really read this letter although I know he is trying to say he is telling it all but I still feel like he is guarding Mom from the horrible truth. I get tears in my eyes each time I read it.

18 May, Ascheberg, Germany

My Darlings, Gee Honey no mail again, in fact for about 4 days. And Gosh have I missed it. Boy sure wish they would get on the ball. Course I’m in a bad mood. Mommie I haven’t much to say tonight so I’ll kinda tell you just what we have done here. And perhaps save a lot of talking when I get home. First we landed in England about 25 or 26 of May a year ago. And in France D+30. There was only about 10 divisions here then and by Gosh to look back at it the small post of France we had then, if the Germans had known our strength and had tried they could have driven our whole beachhead into the ocean. We loaded on boats the 4th of July in a town near Plymouth England and landed here the 7th and was committed into action on the 9th North of St. Lo. We were at Lisdon. Well everything went as wars go. The days before the big push off on Hill 122. Bob, Harker Harvey, Sgt. Lance, Reed, myself, Morgan, Edlund, hauled 4 loads of ammunition up to the 134th. This was our first taste of the real front lines. Because there were machine guns all around us and we were under German 88 fire and [there] was also mortar fire all the time.  No one was hit but we sure found fox holes in a hurry. That began the clearance of the 35th.July 25 was the first big bombing the allies had in our sector. It also helped the breakthrough of St. Lo.  3600 of them and they all went over our area. One of them had engine trouble and unloaded his whole load of bombs and they hit all around us some within 200 yards of the area. Also in the same area we were bombed by the German’s but lucky us they missed by about 100 yards. Boy you should have seen some of the foxholes we were digging about then. 5 1/2 – 6 ft deep then we took brush and anything we could find and put them on the top and covered them with dirt until you could hardly see it and then we made our beds in it and there we slept, a moles life it was.

Foxhole, Courtesy of The Cain Family

Foxhole, Courtesy of The Cain Family

After the break through of St. Lo and the crossing of the river there we were released from the 1st Army and into Patton’s and started following him, but we were stopped at Mortain and were thrown into action again there. Because the Germans had attempted a breakthrough to cut off our supply lines. Of course it didn’t work and we made history. About this time the German’s had planes over every nite and it was about that time Pop Hanson and I had that long black out drive I told you about. After Mortain we went on to Le Mans and then some trucks went to the Inf. to motorize them in the spearhead attack through France. Well we went about 100 miles that day and were just outside of Orleans. Well most of the trucks were there But Bob, Dudley, Harvey, Haviland and Morris were the ones who went and they had quite a time and the next day & nite. The German’s shelled Orleans all the time and have two trucks were hit. Not bad but they still carry the scars. None of the men were hurt.

Dad wrote " Once was a house, probably the town looks the same

Dad wrote ” Once was a house, probably the town looks the same

So about this time the rear echelon was over 130 miles back and had to be moved. So 30 trucks took off to do that. Well within the next 48 hours we drove 550 miles and had them caught up. It was here I burned my face and eyes so bad. You see I was a machine gunner up until the time I was busted and we had them mounted on trucks and had to ride with them all the time. After Orleans we went on to Nancy and a little town some miles south of there.  We were bombed and scattered by our own planes here. And in the pictures I sent home are bomb craters that was in our area. The ones with Bob, Haviland and Howard and the rest in. Wow did I sweat blood that day.

Robert Winter standing in a BIG Bomb Crater

Robert Winter standing in a BIG Bomb Crater

We were in Nancy for about 6 weeks and then came the big push which Metz fell in. We only had a small part to do with Metz. But a little. And this push ended us in Germany at the Saareguemines Well we were pulled out of there and were suppose [sic] to go into a rest Camp in Metz. We had no rest until then. And the same time the Belgium Bulge. So we only had Christmas there. And what was considered a stop over on the way to Belgium, no rest. But we were there for Christmas and even though the Germans again were starting to send planes over we felt pretty good and had a darn good dinner. Then on to the Bulge were we did a damn good job. So they told us. It was awful cold and had lots of snow. After the Bulge we went back to Metz and were still suppose [sic] to get that 10 day rest but it was the same thing and we went into Southern France to the 7th Army. This is where all the small pictures with all the snow on the trailers were taken. By God it was cold there.  On the way down we stayed overnight in one town where we couldn’t even find room enough to house 180 men. The town was so completely torn up. We hit a couple of blizzards worse than some I’ve seen in Nebr. And they were bad there. But they didn’t matter much we had to go anyway.  When we left there we went through Verdun and stayed overnight there and so on up to Holland where we kind of had to waite [sic] until all got there. Stops to reorganize they called it and into the 9th army. In which we ended up. We went into a holding position for a long time and finally things broke loose and we crossed the [unreadable] river and here we had 21 trucks mobilized the Inf.

Dad Wrote "Service Platoon Men in the back of the truck, Duke in seat and Keller on hood"

Dad Wrote “Service Platoon Men in the back of the truck, Duke in seat and Keller on hood”

Again-Dudley and I spearheaded this one with our Machine Gun Trucks. And what a time we had. It wasn’t so cold by this time we sweat it out. We would haul the Inf. up to town and we would move in Venlo, Holland the Inf. took 4 blocks and we moved in with 21 trucks and went to bed. The next morning we moved on. We hauled them about 12 miles more and they rode tanks from there into Rhineburg. Well we were still up for that rest. Which we finally got. They pulled us out of Rhineburg and back to Bruggen for 10 days. We had 6 trucks in Rhineburg and one was hit pretty bad by artillery again. After the rest crossing of the Rhine I crossed on D+1 and boy that night the Germans sent out some planes and tried to bomb the bridge that leads over the Rhine. Man oh Man did the A-A-A do the sky up pretty. Looked like Rose Bowl on the 4th of July (I Think). They again didn’t do any good so we pushed on and were in the Ruhr Pocket for awhile. Then all at once we were pulled out and made over a hundred mile move into Germany and ended up on the Elbe River where the war ended for us. We were pulled out a couple three weeks before the surrender. Since we have moved back to Hanover and swearing out, the ETO-PTO, or home. Well Mommie I guess that’s about all I have for tonight. I have been writing over 1 ½ hours now and it is really time to quit. I love you my Darlings. I love you so much honey. I love you Mommie, I love you, I love you, I love you so much my darling. All my love Darlings, Lefty

Heilbronn, Germany, Courtesy of the Cain Family

Heilbronn, Germany, Courtesy of the Cain Family

I have to end this chapter with this letter for it really stands alone. Dad worked on this letter close to two hours and really told the story. This is the first time I had heard that my dad was a machine gunner. I am shocked as you sure could not tell by the letters. What really gets me is seeing how much danger my dad was in and how little you could tell when reading the letters.

© 2013 notsofancynancy

Robert “Bob” Winter, Harker W. Harvey, Charles Lance, Alford Reed, Herbert Morgan, Donald R. Edlund, Reynold G. Hanson, Oswald W. Dudley,  Judson Haviland, Myron J. Morris, Truman “Ben” Howard, Marvin Cain, John A. Keller

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