Letter from Clarence Williams to Gretchen Williams, May 16, 1945

I did okay on the mail situation again today, received four letters from you plus another package, the one containing the home made fudge, cheese, cookies etc. Honey that fudge is delicious and being in the metal container it was moist and nice as could be. In fact I’m eating some of it right now while writing you.

Well honey, I went swimming at that lake today about which I wrote you yesterday. There were around thirty of us that went up there and we really had a grand time. It is truly beautiful, completely surrounded with mountains, their snow caps visible in the distance. The water was wonderful, clear and deep and also just the right temperature. There were also several boats so of course we had a choice of fishing, boating or swimming. There are several buildings located there including bath houses, and a beer garden. The 42nd has taken over the place and the boys informed us beginning tomorrow they were going to serve beer and sandwiches to all the boys. Nice of them don’t you think? However, when they tell me I can go home, they can stuff all this scenery and you know where.

Sounds as though my letters are coming through some better again. Seems to me they should here after because of the differences in shipping space now the war is over. So you don’t believe my fish story, honey. I’m surprised at you. You know I always bring in the big ones. Ha! You asked me about several of the boys, I see them all every day now. I was glad to hear Otto arrived safe and sound back at camp and hope he managed to get in okay with the liquor.

So Marguerite is home now, I was surprised she would leave long enough to go out for dinner. When is the baby due?

I imagine Leo and Luana are plenty worried about Victor however I’m sure there is nothing wrong with him because it takes the War Department a very short time to notify relatives of injuries or missing in action. He probably has had very little time for writing and when in action, many things move ahead of the mail. They feel mail is important but not nearly so much as food, ammunition, gasoline and other supplies.

In reference to the radio programs I think they are transcribed as we hear them approximately the same time they are on in the states, always on their regular night of broadcast too.

Beginning tomorrow the crazy stuff begins including seveille, muintatiou [?]   and classes (4 hrs each day) and recreation 4 hrs each day. I hope the classes won’t be some dull stuff we had in the states. If so, they will need a club to keep me interested and all the boys feel likewise. The recreation sounds swell and is to include sports, and tours and trips to interesting places in this section of Europe. There are many old Castles in this sector I would love to visit. Those old historical places really interest me. When in one I can’t help but wonder what might have taken place there two or three hundred years back.

Regarding the request from Otto, I wrote him not to send me any thing because I have been getting all the cigarettes, pipe tobacco and some candy free. He probably has trouble getting cigarettes for his own use. I thanked him for his offer any way.

I am still looking forward to receiving the picture, think from your letters it should be here either tomorrow or next day. It will probably be one of the letters delayed enroute. Oh yes, I should have mentioned, I received these last three boxes with in a week so you can see how mail operates.

Well darling its reville at break of dawn and it is now 11:00 P.M. so will close. I worked in the office until 9:30 tonite. Will be dreaming and thinking of you darling.