Letter from Clarence Williams to Gretchen Williams, March 7, 1945

Guess what, I received one package and a letter from you today. The letter was dated 17 Feb. and the package on 22nd. It contained my sweater and scarf and the cigarettes and it arrived in excellent condition. I wore the scarf this afternoon when Lt Zander, Sgt. Insull and myself went for a walk in the forests. I really enjoyed the scenery and we found a considerable amount of old German equipment including weapons, gas masks, ammunition, and letters. We also found a couple machine gun nests that were built on a wall overlooking a road junction and were constructed of reinforced concrete. I also found a book that looks like a diary, now I’m looking for some one who can read German. I really got warm walking with the scarf around my neck and am glad of the extra length as it adds to the warmth. Thanks a lot honey and I think you did a grand job for your first project. I think I shall return some cigarettes to you as I am getting more ahead than I can use and am afraid they may get stale. I hear they are getting easier to find in the states, is that correct? Any way I’m afraid you cut yourself short to send them to me and know you will use them shortly.

It was nice of Mrs. Mann Ranum to write you and to say such nice things. She’s not the only person who   will be happy when I can return. I will have to try and drop her line. Suppose I should also write the kids at the store as am sure they would like to hear from me.

I was glad to hear you received a couple more letters and the Valentine. The Valentine wasn’t very original in fact my only touch were the letters placed in the hearts across the top.

Regarding the branches for beds, we aren’t using them any more and I hope it won’t be necessary again. We are of course in buildings now using our bed rolls on canvas cots. Pretty swell don’t you think all in all we are living under better conditions now than any time since leaving the states. We even had ice cream for dinner tonight I’ll have you know. That is our first since leaving New York so you can imagine how good it tasted. I think one of my biggest surprises was the type food we have received over here. It is almost identical to that we had in the states except of course it tastes better over here.

I am sending you one of our copies of Stars and Stripes just to give you an idea of our newspaper. We receive these daily so have a fair picture of what is going on in other territories. There are also a couple articles in here about the division as well as a picture of the   snowstorm in Southeastern Nebraska. Imagine my surprise at seeing that although Dorothy had written it was their heaviest snowfall in 6 years.

I answered Dorothy’s letter last night and think she should soon be receiving some from me. I have written her five I think.

Some of the boys are going in to the Clearing Company to see the show. There is a load going in practically every night but it is several miles and I prefer to stay back and write letters to my honey. Another thing, I feel the more I write the more I will receive and gosh how I like to receive them. Ha!

Well sweet, I’m about writ out so think I better close. Any way, writing by candlelight isn't too good.