Letter from Clarence Williams to Gretchen Williams, April 12, 1945

Hows my sweetie pie today? I am feeling much better tonite as my cold is gradually leaving. Must be the good old Army APC pills. They either kill or cure and I think I’m too tough to kill I hope. Just had a glass of champagne and it really hit the spot. I have never seen so much champagne in my life as they have here. The last place where we had our station there was a barge docked on the river and it must have had about a thousand cases so you can see it isn’t hard to find.

Last night after writing you I stepped out on the porch in the dark and could see the large fires burning in the town just beyond us. It apparently was started from our artillery. Some of the field pieces are in back of us and they really layed in a barrage at midnight. The windows shook in this building until I thought they would fall out.

I am sending you another copy of Stars and Stripes and also a copy of Beachhead News. The Beachhead News really gives a very good description of the drive of this division since the first day of the push. I don’t think I will ever forget the morning of the first day when the artillery opened up with their barrage.

Just looked outside and it is pouring down rain. We have been having spring   showers off and on all day so they evidently have their April showers here also. There is a large plum tree in bloom near our building and it is really beautiful.

Honey I think I must be gaining weight or else these German scales are as crooked as their owners. Got weighed on express scales here in the railroad station and I weigh 167 lbs. Can you believe that? I will really be fat and sassy when I get back. I still can’t believe it as I can’t see where I have put on the extra weight.

We didn’t get any mail again tonite so guess things must be tied up somewhere. All I can do is look forward to tomorrow again.

Well darling, no more news for today so will close but will be thinking of you. Tell everyone hello and give them my regards.