Letter from Clarence Williams to Gretchen Williams, February 17, 1945

Well honey I have really been on the move the past couple of days but finally caught up with the company. It really seemed swell to see all the boys again and we have a very nice place to stay. I left Personnel on the mail truck yesterday and when I arrived at Headquarters the company had already moved. I stayed over nite with Hq and moved with them to the hospital this morning then caught one of our ambulances out to the company this afternoon. We have a very nice set up at present, living in a house or little hotel pretty much by itself. It is located in a valley and is surrounded on all sides by very steep cliffs of small mountains. These are so covered by spruce and pine that they look almost black in a distance. It is really a beautiful sight and I wish it were peace time and you were here. Most of the people here speak German even though it is France.

I received a V-Mail from you yesterday just before leaving. It was dated February 5th and the first I had heard from you for a couple of days. I suppose the next I write I should address some to Council Bluffs as by that time you will probably be home. At the rate my mail is going through, guess I should have sent most of it there but I’m hoping you are getting them regularly by this time. I know how much your letters mean to me and know you look forward to receiving mine in the same way.

So the 1st Calvary was again the first to arrive in Manilla. Those guys have really been getting the works in the Pacific Theatre. Things are beginning to shape up over there now and I can’t believe it will be too long before the climax is reached there. I’m keeping my fingers crossed any way and can barely wait for the happy day.

I was surprised to hear of the brown out however Leo had written me about it in Lincoln. Imagine it would seem very odd to see all the show windows blacked out. Apparently the full situation is very serious over there and according to the little news we have avaliable you   have had a very bad winter. The weather here has been much better the past few days, however it clouded over again today and I’m hoping it doesn’t begin raining.

Well darling I have quite a lot of work to do so better close for today. Give my regards to Elsie and her mother and I hope they are both well and okay. Keep your chin up honey —

I have some air mail paper but it is in my pack and this is more convenient.