Letter from Clarence Williams to Gretchen Williams, April 9, 1945

This has really been one beautiful day with bright sunshine and so nice and warm. Insull and I have really had a full day. We started doing laundry at 9:00 AM and I just finished folding mine and putting it away in my bag and it is now 8:00 P.M. I am terribly tired and caught a slight cold in my chest also which doesn’t help any. We washed two suits of OD’s, four sets of heavy underwear, three towels, three washcloths, 6 pr of sox, handkerchiefs, and both our field jackets. Our OD’s and field jackets we washed in gasoline first and then brushed them with a stiff brush and GI soap. We were both saying, if our wives could only see us now, they would never believe their eyes. Any way I feel as though we really accomplished something and all my clothes are clean once again. Oh yes I forget to mention I pressed my OD’s and field jacket with an old iron heating on the stove.

We are as yet in the same location as yesterday and it is really a beautiful spot. Incidentally the odd thing about this place is the fact it has your name on the front of it. Some how I don’t exactly feel at home here regardless honey and never will. Guess it takes more than your name. Ha!

I didn’t receive any letters from you today so am naturally looking forward to receiving some tomorrow. I had planned to answer Otto’s letter tonite but decided I should wait as if I write now he would be home on furlough. Think he would enjoy it more if he were at camp as I know he will be busy all the time while home.

Our food is much better again now. Today we had steak, mash potatoes, beans (string), beets, apricots and bread, butter and coffee. One nice thing about Germany is the fact they have plenty of potatoes in every basement. Also have plenty of canned goods of every type including cherries and even strawberries. They havn’t wanted for food it is very easy to tell.

Well darling I’m at a loss for any more news at present so guess this will just have to be one of those boring letters. It is not 10:30 so I must get to bed but will be dreaming of you.