Letter from Clarence Williams to Gretchen Williams, February 28, 1945

I received your letter of Feb 14th yesterday morning but didn’t get a chance to answer same until now. I usually try and write you when I am on C.Q. at night after finishing the report I have to get out however the lights went off last night even before I had the report finished.

Your mention of seeing “Belle of the Yukon” remind me of seeing the picture. I enjoyed it also and think I saw it the day we left Oklahoma.

I was glad to hear Mr. A. found someone to replace you and I hope he works out okay. Imagine he will enjoy the work being a student in that line. Perhaps he can also get a lot of practical experience in case he decides to take the exam at a later date.

So Fern is back from Tacoma and Leonard is flitting up and down the coast. I wonder if he may be on some coastal patrol. Suppose you and she will have a lot to talk about when you get home. I have thought so often of those bridge games we had with those kids and hope we can have them again soon. I would surely like to see Leonard, bet we could really have a full session with our travels and experience now. I suppose Herb is still at the same old job and still working the long hours. I would gladly do the same to be home with you. Things are beginning to look a little better on the Western Front now with the 1st & 9th armies moving forward. If they can continue   to do so I don’t believe this thing can last too much longer.

We had a lady bring a small child in yesterday to redress a broken collar bone on the child. He was the cutest little fellow and with his complexion, rosy cheeks and curly hair, looks very similar to a little girl. The lady proceeded to tell Captain Martin that her husband was in the German Army. Later I found out he was a captain in the “SS” Troops. I only hope they treat our casualties half as well as theirs get treated by our medics.

When I was in the states I used to wonder what happened to the civilians in these war torn towns and communities when they were being shelled. I was talking to a Captain a few days back and he stated they were so accustomed to war that artillery wouldn’t scare them out. Also stated they created a terrible problem at times when many of them get injured and swarm the medical aid stations and impair taking care of our own sick and wounded. He says they stay with their cows and chickens regardless of what happens.

Gee honey I surely hope you have received more of my letters by this time and also that they arrive regularly instead of in groups. At the rate they arriving, Mann’s will probably have to forward many of them to C.B.

Well darling I am out of news so must close. Take good care of yourself honey and I will do the same.