Letter from Clarence Williams to Gretchen Williams, May 6, 1945

Sunday afternoon but it certainly doesn't seem that it should be. We heard on the radio last night that the war is over in this sector so we are now sweating out our next move and wondering what the score may be. Rumors are flying thick and fast, one that we are going directly to CBI, one that we are going there by way of the states with furloughs onroute and many others. As yet I don’t believe any one knows definitely where we will move or what direction but honey I am certainly keeping my fingers crossed. The German surrender order was effective this date at 12-Noon however there really hasn’t been much fighting in this vicinity the last couple of days. One thing is certain, I don’t see how they could ever put all the equipment they have in this theatre over there with what is already there. The same holds true for the men however it will probably require quite a large number for the occupation of Germany. I don’t believe it will be hard to maintain peace here as the greater percentage of the people seem eager to be friendly however it may be an act. I think most of them however are tired of the war and the inconveniences.

It has seemed very odd the past couple of days to see vehicles driving with lights on at night. One town we stayed in even had their street lights turned on in the heart of the city. The house we are now in is the first we have had with electricity and it is swell to have lights in every room plus the radio.

I didn’t get to write you last night because of moving again but did receive four letters from you and nite before. Also received one from John at the store. He states his deferment is up again in July but I don’t think he will have any trouble getting another since this deal is over.

I hope Otto is wrong on this being his last furlough although as you say age doesn’t mean a thing. Insull says his brother who is 39 is now at POE awaiting shipment so you cant tell a thing about what will happen. If they are examined individually it may make a difference but in our case it was a farce.

I got quite a kick out of the clipping regarding the 42nd in Schweinfurt with the Russki and Polski girls. We weren’t in on it in fact we didn’t enter the city but set up in a railroad station a short distance away. We did have some of the Wurzburg champagne, you probably remember of my writing you some time back about having so much. One funny thing in driving along the roads we see many   people walking and riding bicycles both directions. If they are Russki or Polski the boys throw them cigarettes. Almost never do you find any one saying he is German. Its the same with the German prisoners, ask them if they are Nazi and they all say “Nix Nazi. The old saying is going around, “No one in here but us Anti-Nazis”.

We just came back a short while ago from taking a swell shower in fact the best since I have been in the army. We went to a German Aircraft factory and they had tile showers, blue floors and yellow walls plus all the hot water you wanted. I stayed under it about ½ hour and felt like a million when finished.

Well darling it is now 5:00 PM and time for chow so will close but perhaps can write again this evening.

PS - Honey, I am enclosing a few post cards of cities I have been through and many of the things I have seen. I stood in the gateway shower in the picture of Nancy. It was beautiful, all the fancy work is painted in gold. Also saw the tombs pictured in Munich.

Love Clarence