Letter from Clarence Williams to Gretchen Williams, March 2, 1945

It is now 5:30 AM and I am on C.Q. so decided to write you a few lines. I can’t think of anything of interest to write about so perhaps I can tell you something about the natives. First of all I want to tell you I received your swell letter of Feb 12th yesterday. For the life of me I still can’t figure out the mail situation because I received your letter of the 15th several days ago and they were both airmail. Of course I’m not complaining as long as I get them regularly regardless of the date.

Incidentally I have talked with several boys recently in the division from Iowa and Nebr. Even had one kid from Council Bluffs. Talked with a fellow yesterday from Lincoln, and of course we both mentioned we were a long way from home and would be damn glad to get back.

I will be glad to hear where Betty’s brother is located and also what outfit he is with. I may even get a chance to see him if he is near here in the Medics.

I can hear the artillery firing away in the distance. Rumbles almost like thunder and some of the flashes light up the sky. I’m glad that I’m not under it.

Happy day our lights just came on. We are hooked into a power plant operated by another unit and of course they shut down at night (late) so we have to use our Coleman lantern. We also have a radio but ordinarily the reception isn’t too good except on German stations. Much to my surprise the Germans have practically all the late American dance records and play them a lot. Apparently our music is as   popular there as over in the states. Now and then the AEF stations come in okay. Heard Bing Crosbies program and Jimmie Durante's this week. Also heard Kate Smith.

The people here aren’t too friendly and don’t trust us too far. By the same token we don’t trust them too far either. Most of them speak both French and German but use German most of the time. The towns are all German names and spelling. Most of the people are very clean and seldom you see them wearing soiled clothing even though it is patch on patch quite often. Most of them have very fair complexions and the children are very healthy looking always with clean sparkling faces and rosy cheeks. They use big cement public laundry tubs here in many places and wash right outside in the wide open even in the cold. Some of their hands are so red when washing they look almost frozen. Yesterday they cleaned out the cesspool in the building we are in and placed the contents on a garden right beside us. Speaking of odors, I think without a doubt it was the foulest I have ever come in contact with. We could hardly breathe inside the building however it is okay now. Went in a bakery yesterday but they are much different from those in the U.S. They have nothing but brown bread which tastes like saw dust and it requires ration points. Actually people in the states don’t know what rationing is in comparison to over here and even though they may have some points or tickets as they call them you still can’t find any merchandize to buy. They have money but nothing to use it for. We seldom see a civilian car and most of them are small similar to our Austin and   operate from burning wood. That is true about young kids smoking however I haven't seen it here as we did further back in France.

The war situation looks much better now with the 1st and 9th armies on the move. I think it is apparent the Germans are using their last reserves from some of the prisoners being taken. It looks now as though they will never give up until we and Russia meet. One consolation there wont be many of them left to start another war.

We received another doctor to assist since Cap’t O’Brien is recuperating from late nights. He had completely lost his voice. Quite a coincidence all three MC’s with us now are from Boston. They are all young fellows and really swell. Its really a pleasure working with them. If we were only in the states I would have no complaints if you and I could be together. At least thats how I feel now of course I’ll never be satisfied until I get completely out of and away from army life.

Well darling that is all the news for now. Give my regards to the folks and I hope all are well and okay.