Letter from Clarence Williams to Gretchen Williams, March 24, 1945

How is my honey by this time? I havn’t had any of your letters for a few days so should be due for some soon. I did receive a V-Mail from Dorothy yesterday for which I was very happy. We moved again yesterday consequently I didn’t get a chance to write you.

We have really had some experiences since moving up here. First of all we came through a portion of the Siegfried Line. The Infantry of course had gone through and the Engineers were blowing up the fortifications. When they finished there was nothing left but a mass of debris. We came past lines of prisoners four abreast and blocks long. You have probably seen in the papers where over 100,000 prisoners have been taken since the start of this offensive. We have had practically no casualties to treat and evacuate except for German PW’s. Have given several of them plasma and of course we always must tell them they are getting Jewish Blood. Ha! That makes some of them unhappy even tho saving their lives. We also passed the wreckage of one of their convoys that was apparently retreating and was strafed by our planes. There were tanks, wagons, trucks and dead horses lying on both sides of the road. Most of them seem eager to give up and many are surrendering to the unarmed medics. Friday we treated what appeared to be a Jap wearing a German uniform, at least we all decided that was what he was.

Have also seen many funny sights. Practically every GI in the Infantry has picked up some means of conveyance. Saw one group move out- [censored] (This town was taken just before we moved in, in fact the white flags are still flying from all the houses) and practically none of them were walking. They were riding horses, bicycles, motorcycles, trucks and all types of German vehicles. It was almost like a circus parade to watch them pass by. Many of the people here appear to want to be friendly but of course we aren’t allowed to fraternize with them. Regardless I don’t wish to trust any of them. We are now living in a beautiful large home that was previously a Doctor’s residence and office. It is a three story building of stone and stucco construction and five of we fellows have a room that opens out on a patio. The fixtures in the main bath are of chrome and marble with two wash bowls and a special place for brushing teeth. Of course it also has a nice large tub with shower attachment.

I saw a group of Russian prisoners tonite who had just been released from the Germans and were they ever happy. They walked into a building, opened up the windows and started whistling and singing. There were about twenty young girls in the group the Germans had apparently brought along.

Well darling thats about all the news for now so will close. Bye for now.